Chapter 769: Banquet

Chapter 769: Feast

White Lingmiao, draped in pristine white robes, moved slowly forward under the guidance of four eunuchs carrying lanterns.

This was not the palace of Emperor Siqi, but rather his retreat for escaping the summer heat. Yet even this place adhered strictly to imperial protocols.

As she drew closer to the great hall, melodious music drifted into her ears.

Upon entering, she saw over a hundred people seated on both sides of the hall, their faces beaming as they clinked cups and laughed heartily.

There were civil officials and military generals alike, even some monks and Taoist priests—some with visages that sent chills down one's spine.

At the center of the hall stood several exquisite women with bound feet, dancing lightly upon the palms of armored guards, their movements synchronized with the music.

"This is... a victory banquet?" White Lingmiao was momentarily stunned. Was this what the paper crane had hinted at?

"Your Holiness, please follow me," said an eunuch, leading her to a prime seat in the front row.

Soon after, various delicacies such as deer antler and bear paw—items she had never seen before—were brought forth.

Yet White Lingmiao paid no mind to waste; instead, her attention was drawn to a colossal figure beside the dragon throne, dressed in red Daoist robes. The man’s presence dominated everything else.

It was Xuan Pin—the Xuan Pin who had once died, now standing before her again.

As White Lingmiao pondered Xuan Pin, he clearly noticed her gaze and gave a subtle shake of his head.

A strange sense of familiarity stirred within her, prompting her to frown slightly. She sat silently, filled with doubt.

When she turned toward the main table facing the entrance, she saw the emperors seated there: the Emperor of Daliang, the Khan of Qingqiu, and the Emperors of Siqi and Hou Shu.

Gao Zhijian, clearly the most honored among them, sat in the center. The Qingqiu Khan came second, while the recently restored emperors of Hou Shu and Siqi occupied the far edges.

When Gao Zhijian gently grasped the wine cup, the attendant eunuch immediately signaled from below. The dancers performing on the palms quickly concluded their performance and withdrew swiftly.

"Today," Gao Zhijian's deep voice rang out, and silence fell instantly within the hall.

"Today, I am exceedingly pleased. The kingdom of Siqi has been reclaimed from the evil cult that plagued our land!"

Everyone present smiled at this news, clearly delighted by it.

After a pause, Gao Zhijian continued, though even White Lingmiao, not well-versed in scholarly matters, could sense the lack of substance in these words.

In essence, the cult was crumbling, and everyone must redouble efforts to utterly destroy it, aiming to return home this year.

The dancers returned, but this time not on palms, but dancing atop drums. Their delicate feet, soft as silk, struck rhythmically against the round tables, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that soothed the soul.

Thinking of the White Lotus followers still eating leftover scraps outside, contrasted with the opulence inside, White Lingmiao felt a mixture of emotions.

With this emotional backdrop, the celebration gradually drew to its end.

Once most guests had departed, White Lingmiao approached the Emperor of Siqi. "Your Majesty, the war is not yet won. Is such extravagance really appropriate?"

"I instructed them to do so," replied Gao Zhijian, his crown heavy upon his head, showing signs of fatigue as if the weight of royalty bore heavily on him.

"Little Sister Bai, I understand your concern, but at times like these, we cannot afford to cut corners. If we don’t maintain appearances, the people may grow restless. Compared to stabilizing the hearts of men, this expense is nothing."

White Lingmiao looked at Gao Zhijian, sensing a change from the previous cheerful giant.

Hearing his words, she stopped pressing further and directed her attention to something more important. "Master Xuan Pin? Aren't you... dead?"

With a light wave of his hand, the imperial guards surrounded the entire hall tightly, while palace eunuchs formed a secondary line of defense. "Let us speak inside."

Soon, in the inner chamber, White Lingmiao witnessed a creature with countless tentacles emerging from beneath a wide Daoist robe—Li Sui—and from the dark void within, Li Huowang’s face appeared. The Xuan Pin she had seen earlier was merely an illusion supported by Li Sui’s tentacles. The real Xuan Pin was indeed gone.

Li Huowang carried the red Daoist robe adorned with strange symbols, draped around him like a large sheet.

But soon, the robe shrank visibly, fitting perfectly over Li Huowang's body.

He walked up to White Lingmiao, embraced her gently without a word, then released her.

"The death of Xuan Pin must not be revealed. It would affect morale." As Gao Zhijian spoke, others entered slowly from outside.

Clearly, those allowed inside were core members of the allied forces, all aware of what had transpired.

What happened outside was just a formality. Now, things truly began.

Each person took their seat on the golden-scented nanmu chairs. Servant eunuchs placed a cup of tea beside each individual before retreating.

Compared to the festive atmosphere outside, the inner chamber was noticeably somber. A faint white smoke rose from the teacups, and no one dared to speak first.

"Xuan Pin is dead. Stop pretending. Tell me the truth about the current situation," Li Huowang broke the silence.

No matter how difficult things might become, after so long, Li Huowang had already prepared himself mentally.

After speaking, he waited for an answer—but none came.

"What? Do you think I'm too lowly to ask questions?"

Looking at Gao Zhijian, who nodded, a junior astronomer from Daliang spoke: "The cult has now completely retreated to Nanping. Our spies have just been dispatched—we don’t know what’s happening internally."

"Gone? Just like that? You haven’t told me anything until now?" Li Huowang's expression darkened.

"Master Li, the late Director of Astronomical Affairs said certain things should not be told to you."

"Don’t use Xuan Ping to intimidate me! Just because he said something doesn’t mean I must obey! If he were so powerful, why did he die?"

"Since I’m fully involved now, I can’t remain blind or deaf. Tell me everything. I’ll decide what to do next myself!"

Gao Zhijian waved his hands gently, trying to calm Li Huowang’s anger. "Senior Brother Li, please hold your temper. They won’t hide anything from you. Ask specifically, and they will tell you."

"How did Xuan Pin die? What exactly happened when we were fighting Mato?"

(End of Chapter)