The Banquet's Performance
Jade Cauldron Grand Scholar had received an invitation to a banquet from Titan Academy some time earlier. The wording was quite courteous, and it had been handwritten by Shen Guang, the Chief Grand Scholar. It spoke earnestly of the friendship between the two sides in their business dealings over the past while, and explained that there had been a misunderstanding between them.
Taking advantage of the banquet, they sincerely hoped both sides would set aside their prejudices and emotions, discuss things thoroughly, and do their best to resolve all misunderstandings.
Ideally, both sides could work together to uncover the mastermind behind it all. Then the truth would come to light.
In short, the relationship between the two sides had deteriorated to this point because a hidden hand had surely been stirring up trouble and deliberately provoking conflict between them. Neither side should act on impulse and ruin the hard-won friendship they had built, and so on...
The invitation seemed absolutely flawless. At first glance, Jade Cauldron Grand Scholar had been quite pleased with it, convinced that his earlier threats to Five Elements Academy had worked. Five Elements Academy really was a bunch of ingrates who only responded to a show of force.
Multi-pupil Grand Scholar, however, had a different opinion. He warned Jade Cauldron Grand Scholar not to be too optimistic, and to stay calm and alert throughout the banquet. He mustn't nod carelessly when he shouldn't, or make any promises to Five Elements Academy.
Jade Cauldron Grand Scholar was in his room, rehearsing how he ought to put on airs at the banquet, how to strike the right pose, and what he should say to make Titan Academy look as impressive as possible...
He even felt that he had to perfect every subtle movement and facial