The women in palace dress moved with practiced ease, setting delicacies on the round table one after another. Every dish was exquisitely prepared: rare birds from the mountains, fresh seafood from the waters, and quite a few dishes made with rare spiritual ingredients. Clearly, considerable care had gone into the preparations.
Once all the dishes were served, two palace-dressed maids stood behind each seat, their heads lowered, holding spoons and chopsticks, ready to serve food to the guests at any moment. Their conduct was proper, every movement measured.
Xu Longxuan led Su Fei to the seat of honor and took the host's seat himself. The young masters from prominent families sat down in turn. Xu Longxuan raised a hand to signal the maids to pour wine and said with a smile.
"Brother Su, I arranged today's banquet especially to celebrate your breakthrough to the Dharma Manifestation Realm and your promotion to thousand-man commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Come, let's drain a cup first to congratulate Brother Su."
Xu Longxuan picked up the white jade wine cup on the table. The wine within was clear.
The young masters from prominent families also raised their cups, looking at Su Fei as they spoke with eager smiles.
"Please, Commander Su. Our congratulations to you."
Su Fei picked up the wine cup before him, his gaze sweeping over everyone as a smile appeared on his lips.
"Thank you, Young Master Xu, and thank you all for your kindness. Today, Young Master Xu has treated me to this banquet, and all of you have shown me such regard. I, Su Fei, will remember it. Come, let's drink."
With that, he raised his cup and gently clinked it against everyone else's. The wine rippled slightly, its fragrance spreading through the air.
Then everyone drank the