The Separate Residence

Prince Duan hosted a banquet for the King of Zhenbei and the Heir Apparent of Zhenbei, choosing Heyin County's finest private-cuisine establishment, Yipinju Restaurant, as the venue.

Yipinju Restaurant's owner had studied under an imperial chef who had returned home from the Imperial Capital. His skills were superb. After establishing Yipinju's reputation, he had retired behind the scenes and rarely cooked personally, leaving the work to the disciples he had trained.

Yet at Prince Duan's request, he could not refuse.

The banquet was set for the seventh day of the fifth month, to begin at noon.

Also invited were the heads of Heyin County's seven great local Lineages. Their families had lived in the county seat for generations, their branches lush and sprawling, their roots deep and firmly entrenched. They possessed not only martial arts inheritances, but also immense wealth and extensive networks.

It was no exaggeration to say that the seven great Lineages controlled seventy percent of Heyin County's resources, creating an effect akin to a monopoly.

There were also some thirty-two leaders of martial arts gangs and sects stationed in Heyin County, their influence likewise tangled and interwoven. Among them were the Beggars' Sect branch, with the strongest backing, and the subordinate academies of two first-rate sects. Though the rest were merely minor second- or third-rate forces, together they were not to be underestimated.

As for the officials of Heyin County's yamen, who should originally have been listed among the banquet guests, they had been implicated by the White Lotus Sect affair and were almost all languishing in prison. The Heyin County magistrate in particular had been stripped of his post entirely and even faced the risk of having his household confiscated.

Seventh day of the fifth month. The Yearly Baleful Star lay in the east.

Auspicious for