Night of the Feast, Lights Like a Painting

Mulberry Forest.

Su Yi was neither hurried nor impatient, his mind clear and pure as he performed the Pine Crane Body Forging Art again and again.

Cultivation.

It had always required one to be content with hardship and quiet poverty, to sink one's heart and accumulate steadily.

Those with great perseverance could persist without fail.

Those with great spirit could advance with fierce courage.

These two were publicly acknowledged throughout the world as the essentials of cultivation.

Even peerless monsters whose brilliance startled the heavens would never amount to anything great if they did not train bitterly and persistently.

Only after completing his practice did Su Yi turn back.

When he arrived outside the city gate, he saw that on the hundred-zhang-wide surface of the Great Cang River, thick black chains lay stretched across it, extending all the way to the opposite bank.

Atop the chains were laid thick stone slabs, like an incomparably broad stone bridge a hundred zhang long, connecting the two banks of the Great Cang River.

This was "Dragon Gate Bridge."

And in the central area of the Great Cang River stood an enormous arena, fully three zhang high and ten zhang across. Its entire body was actually forged from black refined iron.

Tonight's Dragon Gate Banquet would be held near this arena.

This arena was also called the "Dragon Gate Arena," taking its meaning from Fish Leaping Over Dragon Gate.

At this time, countless people were already walking above the great river, bustling and jostling, the clamor tremendous.

Among them were quite a few ordinary commoners who had come to watch the excitement.

At night, whether from Guangling City or Fallen Cloud City on the opposite bank, unless one had an invitation, ordinary people could not set foot on Dragon Gate Bridge at all.

"Su Yi."

Not far away, a group of people suddenly walked over, and the one at their head was none other than Wen Shaobei.

Wen Shaobei crossed his arms over his chest and said with a beaming smile, "Where's that Foxes and Dogs friend of yours? Why don't I see him with you?"

Su Yi raised his brows, only then realizing Wen Shaobei was talking about Huang Qianjun.

"Go to your grandmother, who are you cursing?"

All of a sudden, a shout of abuse rang out.

From the crowd on the other side, a figure charged over, grabbed Wen Shaobei by the front of his clothes, raised his hand, and slapped him viciously.

Smack!

Amid the crisp sound of the slap, Wen Shaobei's cheek swelled at a speed visible to the naked eye, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. That one slap had stunned him senseless.

"Young... Young Master Huang!?"

Wen Shaobei was dumbfounded.

Just now, he clearly had not seen Huang Qianjun anywhere, which was why he had dared mock him right in front of Su Yi.

Who would have thought that the moment the words left his mouth, that evil young master Huang Qianjun would come charging over!

The Wen Family juniors behind Wen Shaobei were all stunned too, and a little panicked.

Huang Qianjun grinned savagely. "You really don't learn your lesson, kid. Since that's the case, I'll break one of your dog legs first!"

He was about to make his move.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a cold snort rang out. Wen Jueyuan, who had appeared at some point, was already hurrying over, his handsome face filled with coldness.

Smack!

But Huang Qianjun still slapped Wen Shaobei across the face, striking him so hard blood spurted from his mouth and nose. His face looked as if it had blossomed open, tears and snot streaming down together.

"You..."

A cold gleam flashed in Wen Jueyuan's eyes. He had clearly been enraged.

But immediately afterward, his body stiffened as he sensed an icy gaze looking over from the distance.

He raised his eyes and looked, and saw that within the crowd in the distance, Huang Yunchong, the Huang Family patriarch dressed in purple robes and possessing a majestic bearing, was looking this way expressionlessly.

This instantly calmed Wen Jueyuan down.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said coldly, "Huang Qianjun, do you still remember what I said that day? If you have the guts, then at tonight's Dragon Gate Banquet, how about you and I have ourselves a spar?"

Huang Qianjun said without the slightest hesitation, "Why not?"

With that, he threw Wen Shaobei aside, clapped his hands, and said with a grin, "Wen Jueyuan, I've been waiting for today for a long time!"

Violent ferocity surged in his eyes, and his fighting spirit burned like fire.

This Huang Qianjun took Wen Jueyuan by surprise. He felt somewhat unfamiliar, and his brows could not help but furrow.

Only after a while did he say coldly, "Then we'll meet tonight. Let's go!"

Wen Jueyuan flicked his sleeves and left.

Wen Shaobei and the others all looked humiliated and furious as they hurried after him.

"What a thing!"

Huang Qianjun spat. When he turned to face Su Yi, his face was already full of smiles, and he said, "Brother Su, that guy didn't anger you, did he?"

Su Yi shook his head. "You'd better think about how you'll face Wen Jueyuan tonight. I'll be going on ahead."

Even he had not expected that merely stopping here for a moment would lead to such a little episode.

Before long, Su Yi's figure disappeared through the city gate.

"How was it? Will Young Master Su attend tonight's banquet?"

Huang Yunchong walked over from afar.

He had originally planned to go greet Su Yi, but seeing that the other party had gone straight into the city gate, he tactfully did not disturb him.

"I asked him a few days ago. Brother Su doesn't think much of tonight's banquet."

Huang Qianjun shook his head.

Huang Yunchong could not help feeling somewhat disappointed too, and he smacked his lips. "I was even thinking earlier of arranging a VIP seat for Young Master Su."

Immediately afterward, his expression turned solemn, and he said, "My son, if you run into Wen Jueyuan tonight, you must remember not to swagger around with violence and pick fights. If you fall short, taking the initiative to concede is not shameful."

Huang Qianjun gave an mm and said, "Father, I fear neither victory nor defeat."

Huang Yunchong sighed. "As far as I know, Li Moyun of the Li Family will not be attending this Dragon Gate Banquet. Under such circumstances, counting back and forth across the whole of Guangling City, only Wen Jueyuan has a very strong chance of taking first place in the Dragon Gate Tournament."

"Even if you're no match for him, there's no need to lose heart. With the Wonderful Method Young Master Su taught you, your future accomplishments are destined to surpass Wen Jueyuan's!"

By the end, Huang Yunchong's mood had improved again, and the tips of his brows and the corners of his eyes were filled with smiles.

Huang Qianjun nodded.

After returning to Apricot Yellow Abode, Su Yi began practicing his sword technique again.

Even with the experiences and memories of his past life, he would not slack off in his cultivation in the slightest.

Otherwise, how could he speak of surpassing the sword path achievements of his previous life in this one?

Only when dusk descended did Su Yi finally leave the courtyard unhurriedly, alone.

"Is Son-in-law planning to go to the Dragon Gate Banquet as well?"

The steward, Hu Quan, asked with a smile.

"That's right."

Su Yi nodded.

"Then that works out perfectly. We can travel together. I've already rented a boat. In a while, I'll prepare some rice wine and side dishes too. Tonight, we can drift by boat on the river, admire ten thousand dots of fishermen's lights, and watch the Dragon Gate Tournament. It'll be marvelous beyond words."

Hu Quan laughed cheerfully.

Su Yi was startled. "Rented a boat?"

Hu Quan explained, "Without an invitation, one can't step onto Dragon Gate Bridge tonight. If you want to watch the Dragon Gate Tournament, naturally you have to take a boat out onto the river and watch from afar."

Su Yi took out a gilt invitation from his sleeve and said, "Is it this sort of invitation?"

Hu Quan's eyes suddenly lit up, and shock appeared between his brows. "Son-in-law, that's a VIP Invitation, the most distinguished kind. It lets you enter the VIP seats and sit shoulder to shoulder with the City Lord!"

Su Yi said oh, put the invitation away, and said, "With this invitation, can I bring someone along?"

"Of course," Hu Quan said without the slightest hesitation.

"Then come with me."

As he spoke, Su Yi walked straight outside.

Hu Quan froze for a moment, then finally reacted and hurried after him, his heart filled with surprise and joy. He truly had not expected that he would have the chance to go up onto Dragon Gate Bridge tonight and have a look!

On the second floor of a restaurant not far from Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.

A capable, fierce-looking man said in a low voice, "Young Master, that Su Yi has left Apricot Yellow Medical Hall. Judging by his direction, he seems to be planning to attend the Dragon Gate Banquet."

"A piece of trash whose cultivation has been completely lost, yet he still has the mood to join in this sort of excitement."

Li Moyun's brows furrowed slightly.

These past few days, even many people in the Li Family had thought that he had already set off for Cloud River County and did not plan to attend the Dragon Gate Banquet.

In truth, he had remained in the city all along, secretly making preparations to eliminate Su Yi.

To Li Moyun, killing Su Yi would be as easy as turning over his hand and was not worth caring about at all.

What he truly cared about was how to leave not the slightest clue after killing Su Yi.

And tonight, almost all the important figures in the city had gone outside the city to attend the Dragon Gate Banquet. This was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to kill Su Yi.

It was entirely possible to do it without the gods knowing or the ghosts sensing it!

"Then we'll wait for him to return."

Li Moyun's gaze was indifferent as he said, "Send people to sneak into the rear of Apricot Yellow Medical Hall first. Wait for my orders before acting."

"Yes!"

His subordinate accepted the order and hurried away.

Ling Zhao, once I deal with that good-for-nothing Su Yi, I'll go to Heavenly Origin Academy to find you. When that time comes, you won't have to be troubled by this unfortunate marriage anymore... Li Moyun drank a cup of wine and murmured inwardly.

Outside the city.

Dusk was deep, and the night, like a layer of ink, gradually dyed the vault of heaven.

On the vast and surging Great Cang River, boats packed the waters in dense clusters, spreading out around Dragon Gate Bridge.

Every boat had lit lanterns, and every deck was crowded with figures.

From afar, a hundred boats vied with the current, a thousand sails drifted on the water, and countless lights spilled across the river's surface, just like the Milky Way in the heavens had fallen into the mortal world, dazzling as a painting.

The evening breeze blew softly, and countless lights swayed with it, reflected in the river. For a time, light and shadow interwove, flames flickered on and off like a sky full of stars, casting the night into resplendent brilliance.

The sight made even Su Yi, who had just walked out of the city gate, pause for a moment. He praised, "Even the beauty of the heavens cannot compare to the smoke and fire of the human world. This is truly worth seeing."

Hu Quan had long since been repeatedly shaken. He said, "In the past, I've seen scenes like this several times, but every time I see it, I'm still awestruck. This is the Dragon Gate Banquet, Guangling City's most anticipated annual grand event!"

It was indeed extremely lively.

Nearly all the common folk in the city had brought their families out, crowding both banks of the river. The press of people surged and bustled, incomparably lively.

What they watched were the lanterns and the scenery.

After all, the distance was too great. Even if they wanted to watch the Dragon Gate Tournament, they would not be able to see it.

As for those with money and power, they had long since hired boats and come out onto the river to watch, drinking wine as they offered their critiques, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

At the head of Dragon Gate Bridge by the riverbank, a group of elite and ferocious Imperial Guards from the City Lord's Mansion stood guard.

Only those holding invitations could ascend Dragon Gate Bridge and enter the main banquet grounds.

When Su Yi arrived and was just about to take out his invitation, an Imperial Guard had already stepped forward of his own accord. Beaming with enthusiasm, he said, "Young Master Su, the City Lord has already instructed us that you are a first-class honored guest today. Please, come in at once!"

Hu Quan, standing at the side, could not help but freeze. Since when had the young master-in-law possessed such a transcendent status, to actually make the City Lord value him so highly?

He did not even need an invitation to attend the banquet!

"Many thanks." Su Yi nodded. He was not surprised.

Just then, a voice rang out in astonishment:

"Senior Brother Su, you couldn't be thinking of attending the banquet too, could you?"

Su Yi turned his head.

He saw Nan Ying standing not far away, surprise written across her delicate, pretty face, as if she had not expected to see Su Yi here.

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P.S. Thank you, classmates, for your monthly tickets. Here's an extra update~