Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 788 The Illusionary Feast (Part 3)
"...It's alright, Miss Ming, I'll take you inside."

“Hmm.” Ming Qi said in a flat tone, “You have just finished learning the six types of Xia Sword and the Yi Sword system has just been established. If there is a competition today, remember to observe carefully and verify it in your mind.”

"Yes, Miss Ming."

Pei Ye drove his carriage to a stop in front of Xunfang Garden. Most people had already gone inside, with only a few latecomers or those lingering to catch up.

Pei Ye nimbly jumped down from the carriage shaft, where a servant was already waiting in front of his horse.

"No need for the carriage and horses. Thank you for going to the palace." The young man handed over the reins and turned back to say, "Miss Ming."

The car door was pushed open, and the woman got out, looking around at the flowers and trees.

“I came here last winter, and it was full of spring colors then.” Pei Ye led the woman inside. “There is a formation called ‘Searching for Spring in the Snow’ beneath this garden, which can make it spring all year round.”

"I see."

Pei Ye led the woman to the back garden with practiced ease. This place was somewhat awkward for those who tried to fake something on fish scales but failed. Li Xianfang was still standing in front of the gate: "Young Master Pei, His Highness just sent someone to ask you... Master Ming, last time Xianfang didn't recognize you."

"It's nothing."

Pei Ye smiled and said, "I'll go in now."

Those around them never expected to see the Master of the Glazed Sword here, and after a long moment of stunned silence, they were filled with regret.

……

Inside the vermilion pavilion, most of the guests had already arrived for the banquet.

After crossing the jade bridge and the flowering trees, we entered the vermilion building under the guidance of the attendants. The first floor had a rather spacious area.

The entire building is hollow, and if you look up, you can see straight up to the dome that is more than ten stories high. The light of the moon and candlelight shines down from it, making the hall as bright as day.

In the center is a flat, round platform, only half a foot above the ground. Several feet away, countless tables are arranged in a semicircle, with their backs to the door and facing the main north position.

That spot is currently vacant.

Although seating arrangements weren't predetermined, arranging seats was practically instinctive for those in the martial arts world; whoever had the higher skill level or greater reputation deserved a certain seat. Sects still sat together, and those who frequently traveled to the capital could easily distinguish most of the sects at a glance. Like the Tianshan Sword Banquet, there were nearly a hundred sects present.

Those who arrive early can always feel more at ease and meet more people.

Of course, everyone was eager to meet this new Crown Prince, as this was his first encounter with the current martial arts world.

Many people wanted to do something and say something to this Crown Prince. It was no joke to say that heroes from all over the world were under my control. Since the New Year, sects and talents willing to join my cause have been flocking to me. Now that the dust has settled, their numbers are even more imaginable.

For sects that have weathered countless upheavals in the martial world, the Crown Prince of Linxuan is the most stable, the most orthodox, and, in the years to come, the most rewarding towering tree. Nothing else can compare to it.

Even the Thirty-Three Sword Sects were willing to enlist a few heroes under their command.

Even those who have no such desire or know they are not qualified will certainly be willing to come and take a look.

Looking at the figures coming from behind, each representing a different sword sect, one can ponder their intentions and attitudes today. Regardless of whether it concerns them or not, it's always a topic that's worth discussing and finding interesting.

The identities of those who have appeared are drawing increasing attention.

From Mount Hua, Mount Qingcheng, and Mount Emei, to Mount Taihang, Mount Shu, Mount Kunlun, and Mount Yuanting.

Then there are the Five Schools of Taoism, Tianshan, and even Bailu Palace, Xudao Mountain, Beihai Prefecture, Sanshan Fucha, and Longjun Dongting. And even Yunlang.

It surpassed even the Tianshan Sword Banquet, with almost all the renowned figures from the capital city present.

The true disciples of the corresponding sects, as well as those whose names are known to all outside the sects, such as Luwei, Heyaoyao, Qiusi, and Qunfei... all the familiar faces of the Tianshan Sword Banquet are here.

What's even more eye-catching are the legendary names on the Crane List.

The man before Tianshan Qunfei and Shang Yun Ning must have been [Red Steed] Nie Shangheng;

The man sitting before the deer tail, drinking wine with Zhu Gaoyang, must be Zhao Wu'e, the number one in the art line and seventh on the crane list.

The woman sitting in the chief seat in Beihai Prefecture was naturally Ruo Qiye.

The red-clad figure with the sword at White Deer Palace is naturally the current generation's [Sword Demon] and Red Pearl...

Each figure looked heavier than the others, and people's gazes were more drawn to them. Unlike the Tianshan Sword Banquet, no one sat in the center, and there was no loud noise on the field.

Regardless of whether they arrive early or late, or whether they are on the Fu Bang or He Bang list, everyone who arrives will search the venue for the figure they want to see until they find a clean empty seat next to Yun Lang, and then they will turn their gaze away and find a seat.

Three years have passed since I left the capital. I wonder what kind of demeanor that young swordsman who amazed everyone with his sword at the age of eighteen is now.

The woman did not keep everyone waiting for long.

Just a little later than most people, the figure in white robes and wielding a single sword suddenly entered their field of vision.

The building fell silent within a few breaths.

Many people have seen this figure over the past three years, either from afar or up close, but they still hold their breath as if they were seeing a deity.

She was indeed different from three years ago. Back then, she still retained some girlish naiveté when she stood on the stage, but now she had completely shed that, her appearance as divine as a goddess. Only Zhanxin Liuli remained the same as before.

There is another reason why people were stunned.

Everyone knows that the Glass Sword mainly comes from...

Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the Glazed Sword Master.

But no one expected that the Master of the Glazed Sword would come with someone else.

Half a month after entering the capital, there was no news of him. Everyone knew that the Master of the Glazed Sword disliked worldly affairs and must have gone to a secluded place to cultivate in seclusion.

But now it seems that while it is indeed about avoiding the world, living in seclusion does not necessarily mean being alone or unknown to everyone.

The young man was tall and imposing, walking beside the woman, a tiger-striped sword hanging at his waist, and a fluffy black ball resting on his shoulder. When the arena fell silent, he glanced over, but his expressionless face quickly returned to his own, still muttering something.

Most people recognize him, or at least have heard of his ever-present black cat and yellow-sheathed sword.

Pei Ye.

That arrogant swordsman who defied Yun Lang.

The entire sword arena fell even quieter the moment the boy was recognized.

The two seemed to know each other, tilting their heads to talk, the boy carrying a straw hat in his hand.

He said a few words to Ming Qitian, who tilted her head and asked a few syllables. Then he raised his hand and pointed, leading the woman to an empty table on the east side.

Ming Qitian glanced at Yunlang's seat, nodded slightly, as if he hadn't noticed or had already gotten used to the sudden silence in the building. He lowered his head, put down the glass, and sat down at the table.

Pei Ye placed the bamboo hat and the cat on the table next to her, leaned over and said a few words. The woman looked up and listened, then nodded slightly. The young man then picked up his sword and left the table, heading towards the back of the building.

Before the banquet began, Ming Qitian took out a small booklet and began to flip through it. A few moments of silence followed, then people exchanged glances, then whispered conversations, all focusing on Yun Langshan, whose seat of honor was still empty.

However, Yun Lang's swordsmen were equally composed, only bowing with clasped hands when the woman looked over, as if they were neither particularly concerned about the arrival of the young swordsman nor too bothered that he had not taken his seat.

The stadium was quieter than before.

……

Pei Ye drew his sword and went to the back of the building. After wandering through several corridors, he found Li Xizhou sitting in front of the mirror.

Two ladies were dressing her up when Pei Ye came up behind her and looked in the mirror, slightly startled.

I've never seen her dressed so elegantly yet dignifiedly. She's not a man, but she's certainly not very feminine either. To call her dignified would seem petty, and to call her dashing would seem dissolute.

If I had to describe it, it would be that the Crown Prince's appearance was neither flamboyant nor seductive, but rather dignified and handsome, with a composed and relaxed demeanor.

"This is really beautiful," Pei Ye said sincerely.

Which one looks better?

"It's the kind of person who's attracted to you but doesn't dare to get too close and has to be careful and respectful—you look just like His Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Xizhou tilted his head and looked up: "Is that so? You don't dare to come closer?"

"..." With the two ladies present, Pei Ye was too embarrassed to delve into the topic, so he put his arms on the back of the chair and said, "Don't move around, or they'll mess up your eyelid."

He added, "I've brought Miss Ming with me. Everyone seems to be here. When will you be ready?"

The lady beside him whispered, "Young Master Pei, it will take about another quarter of an hour."

"Oh."

Li Xizhou smiled and said, "Penglai, you can teach him to draw."

"what?"

The lady curtsied and handed the fine brush to the young man.

Pei Ye looked blank for a moment and said, "I don't know how."

"Didn't you study that?"

“When did I—” Pei Ye paused, narrowed his eyes, “Then don’t blame me if I ruin your drawing.”

"If you ruin the painting, I'll cut off your head."

The lady beside him offered soft guidance as Pei Ye helped the woman refine the final details. His hands were indeed very steady, and he completed the eyebrows, eyes, and nose with great precision. As long as he didn't improvise, Pei Ye could truly be considered a master of face painting.

"Then the process won't be changed, right?" Pei Ye said seriously. "You go up and speak first, then invite Miss Ming to the stage to start the competition, and then invite Brother Zhu to go up and play swordsmanship with Miss Ming. After that, we wait for the pre-exam book to be announced, and then use the changes in the pre-exam book as a springboard to organize a few sparring sessions... You won't participate in the whole process, right?"

“Well, the Jianghu Sword Banquet is left to you Jianghu people,” Li Xizhou said. “I only have a few words to say, and to make these words seem important, I’ve decided to be a spectator for 99% of the time.”

"That's good, that's quite easy too."

"Based on your experience in sword tournaments, do you expect today's match to be exciting?"

"The level of the sword competition depends entirely on the level of the participants. With these people taking their seats today, this sword banquet cannot be mediocre."

"That's good. This is our first time appearing together as a team, so we can't afford to fail."

Pei Ye laughed: "If you break your sword, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself. Don't drag me into this."

"You came in with Ming Qitian, so you must have already made quite a splash..."

"It's finished," Pei Ye said.

Li Xizhou stood up, and two ladies helped her put on her blouse. Pei Ye stood by and watched. The woman glanced at him, then gathered her clothes and turned to leave.

……

As the hour of Chen approached, the number of people at the banquet gradually increased.

Pei Ye returned after being gone for almost half an hour. The young man still had no expression. Countless eyes were on this "Yun Lang Forbidden Name", but he did not look up at anyone.

He sat down at the table next to Ming Qitian, took the kitten into his arms, tilted his head and said a few words. Ming Qitian closed the booklet and nodded slightly.

She turned her gaze to the head of the table, and so did many others.

A moment later, a figure dressed in black robes embroidered with silver emerged from the inner room. She glanced around the banquet hall and sat down properly in her seat.

What extraordinary and beautiful appearance she possesses, standing out from the crowd in this world.

Whatever kind of Crown Prince people expected, at least in terms of appearance, there was nothing to criticize. In fact, at this moment, it was truly dazzling—figures like Zhu, Zhao, Lu, Qun, Shi, and He already exuded extraordinary elegance, and then there was that white-robed figure sitting upright to the east. Now, such a Crown Prince sat in the main seat.

It was truly a gathering of outstanding talents.

"Gentlemen, there's no need to look at me." He smiled faintly, raised his cup, and said, "The third day of the fourth month is the day the preliminary list for the Crane and Duck Examination will be released. It's an auspicious day. At this sword banquet, let's first watch those who know swordsmanship discuss swordsmanship, and then test our swordsmanship in front of the preliminary list. Wouldn't that be delightful?"

She offered her cup to the east: "Today, the Master of the Glazed Sword is present, and I, like you all, have long admired him. I would like to ask the Master to give us a lecture on swordsmanship as an opening, and the Master has agreed. Thank you for your kind invitation."

Everyone's gaze turned to the east in astonishment.

Ming Qitian rose, offered a sword salute to the crowd, and sat down again. His voice was clear as water: "I am deeply grateful for your kind invitation, but I am unworthy of it. His Highness the Crown Prince invited me to write an article recently, the content of which is very suitable for the occasion. I would like to share it with you all."

But after saying that, she didn't continue, turning her head to the young man beside her and whispering, "The second half is still with you."

"Oh, okay." Pei Ye rummaged around for a bit, took it out, and handed it to the woman on the table.

Ming Qitian unfolded the slightly wrinkled paper, placed it under his clean and new one, and looked at the audience: "This treatise on swordsmanship is titled 'Four Matters of Fate and Innovation,' which I discussed with Pei Ye over the past half month. I heard that he solved the sword problem at the Tianshan Sword Banquet, but I was not there that day. I only heard him talk about it later. He sometimes embellished it, so please forgive any errors or omissions in the details."

The woman lowered her head and said calmly, "This treatise on swordsmanship will be published in the Daoqi Society in the future for swordsmen to read. Today, I will use it as a starting point to inspire further discussion."

"Regarding the innovation of the Sword of Destiny, I know four things. One is something I knew since childhood, another is something I gained on my journey of seeking the sword, and the remaining two are things I gained through life and death, namely the old self and the new self..."

When the woman spoke of swords, her voice was as calm as still water, yet her ethereal and otherworldly quality made it impossible to look away.

But most people's gazes were fixed on the person beside him, stunned.

Looking at the boy with slightly disheveled hair, he was looking at something with his head tilted to the side, seemingly a little bored.

Many people still clearly remember Yun Lang's decree that day: "Before I die, Pei Ye shall not enter the area within three hundred li of Yun Lang Mountain. All Yun Lang swords within the Dao Qi Society shall not be practiced." Such harsh wording led to rumors throughout the capital for half a month that he was arrogant, disrespectful, and ignorant of his own limitations.

It turns out he didn't care at all from the beginning.

(End of this chapter)