Chapter 849: Banquet

Chapter 849: A Feast

"It's strange—why would the lamas from the Zhongyin Temple come looking for the White Lotus Sect?"

Seeing the lamas from the Zhongyin Temple enter the White Lotus Sect’s hall, Chun Xiaoman felt uneasy. She bid farewell to the beggars and quietly followed them.

When she saw that they were heading toward Bai Lingmiao’s residence, her pace quickened even more.

Although these lamas probably wouldn’t dare to cause trouble within the capital city, she still couldn’t shake off her unease.

But before she could follow them much further, a faint trace of death crept through the air around her, sending a chill down her spine. Her fingers went numb as she stood frozen in place.

Chun Xiaoman struggled desperately, trying to pull out the saw-toothed sword at her waist to perform divine striking. Yet at this moment, her limbs felt like they had turned to stone—she couldn’t move an inch.

Just then, she suddenly noticed a back of a head in front of her. At first, she thought it was one of the lamas from the Zhongyin Temple, but upon closer inspection, she realized it was actually hers!

"Is that... me? Then who am I?"

Shivering all over, Chun Xiaoman looked down with shock—and discovered that her original body was nowhere to be found!

"I’m... dead? Is this my soul?"

The sensation came and went quickly. As the lamas from the Zhongyin Temple slowly passed by, Xiaoman involuntarily crashed into her own back, snapping herself awake instantly.

She touched her regained body, trembling slightly as she glanced at the retreating lamas.

"These lamas' methods are too bizarre—what exactly do they want here?" Xiaoman hurriedly picked up her pace, racing toward Bai Lingmiao’s residence.

"Miǎomiǎo? Are you alright?" asked Xiaoman anxiously, addressing Bai Lingmiao seated on the lotus throne.

Bai Lingmiao gently shook her head, her expression calm, as if nothing unusual had happened.

"The masters from the Zhongyin Temple simply came to request the image of the Goddess of Birthless Origin to take back. The Zhongyin Temple needs a new Great Black Sky, and I agreed."

There was no reason for Bai Lingmiao to refuse—more people believing in the Goddess of Birthless Origin meant more faith, and it was also what the Goddess herself desired.

Moreover, as part of the exchange, the Zhongyin Temple offered some secret techniques.

Going forward, the followers of the White Lotus Sect would not only be able to perform divine striking, but also draw upon the Death Dao like the lamas of the Zhongyin Temple.

Though it was said that crafting the Zhongyin Temple’s secrets required extremely high spiritual foundations, the White Lotus Sect had no shortage of people—it could simply select from among its faithful.

Hearing that her friend was safe, Xiaoman finally exhaled deeply. Just now, she had almost ordered the White Lotus believers outside to intercept those lamas.

"But, Miǎomiǎo, why did they want the statue of the Goddess of Birthless Origin?" asked Xiaoman, puzzled by their actions.

From every angle, it seemed the White Lotus Sect gained more than they gave. Why would someone come offering such benefits willingly? She didn’t believe it.

As the White Lotus Saint Maiden, Bai Lingmiao naturally knew more about this matter, especially after learning more from Suisui.

Yet she didn’t know how to explain it to Xiaoman. After all, it involved the Heavenly Dao—telling her outright might bring about ill fortune.

"Hmm… how should I put it…" Bai Lingmiao was lost in thought when a White Lotus believer rushed in from the entrance.

"Saint Maiden, Emperor Gao has summoned you."

Bai Lingmiao exchanged glances with Xiaoman, both showing confusion. They couldn’t understand why Gao Zhijian would summon them at this time.

Though uncertain of the reason, since they were once companions, Bai Lingmiao didn’t dwell on it and walked toward the exit.

"I’ll go with you," said Xiaoman, clearly uneasy, stepping forward to link arms with Bai Lingmiao.

They climbed into a luxurious carriage sent from the palace. With the bronze wheels rolling, the carriage sped toward the gates of the imperial city.

The carriage didn’t stop at the palace gate—it charged straight into the inner court. No guards stopped them. Once Bai Lingmiao stepped down, a majestic palace appeared before her.

Looking at the building, Bai Lingmiao frowned slightly. This place suited formal business discussions better than casual reunions.

"Let’s go," Bai Lingmiao said, lifting her long skirt and placing her foot—wearing white cloth shoes—on the smooth marble floor as she walked toward the grand palace ahead.

Inside the hall, it was vast and empty. As soon as Bai Lingmiao entered, her keen mind-eye perception instantly revealed five figures dining in the center of the great hall.

The Emperor of Great Li, the Khan of Qingqiu, the Emperor of Siqi, the Emperor of Hou Shu, and the Emperor of Nanping. All five emperors gathered together, staring directly at her.

Their collective gaze pressed down on Bai Lingmiao like a mountain, overwhelming her.

Behind the table, Gao Zhijian set down his wine cup and, with a pleasant smile, pointed to a seat beside him. “Junior Sister Bai, come, let us eat and talk.”

When he saw Xiaoman standing beside Bai Lingmiao, Gao Zhijian paused slightly. He raised his wine cup again and raised it toward the Emperor of Hou Shu.

Of course, the banquet hosted by the emperor was vastly different from anything outside. Jade chicken bean flower soup, stir-fried water bamboo shoots, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, winter melon fish meatballs, crab roe sautéed osmanthus fish fin, and scallop-braised mushrooms.

Each dish was exquisite in color, aroma, and taste—far beyond what could be found outside. The best chefs in all of Great Li had been brought to the imperial kitchen.

Yet, as she gazed upon these delicacies, Xiaoman recalled the beggars’ scraps they had eaten earlier, and her heart grew heavy.

What was thrown away here was considered precious by outsiders.

However, none of the guests lingered on the food.

Bai Lingmiao sat down at the table, reviewing what had just unfolded. “They started eating without waiting for me. That doesn’t look like a proper invitation to dinner.”

“Please, let us raise a cup to the Saint Maiden,” said Gao Zhijian. “Thanks to the White Lotus Saint Maiden, we’ve weathered this disaster.” As he spoke, the other four emperors raised their cups as well.

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao lifted her wine cup, swirled it once, and took a small sip.

The bitter wine did not change her expression. When she placed the cup down, she cut straight to the chase and addressed the Emperor of Great Li: “Gao Zhijian, if there’s something you need to say, just say it. We’ve shared hardships together—we’re all allies.”

“Heh heh,” laughed Gao Zhijian heartily. “Right, right. Back then, we all left Qingfeng Monastery together, sleeping under the stars and eating rough food. Looking back, it does feel nostalgic.”

“Since we’re all allies, I won’t beat around the bush. Today’s feast is about the White Lotus Sect.”

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