Miscalculation

Jiao Wu was dead set on having his subordinates send the head of the Jiao Kingdom's spy back to the Jiao Kingdom. He meant to sever all ties with the Jiao Kingdom, leaving no room for reconciliation.

And so they tidied up, cleared away, sang, and danced.

Marquis of Martial Merit Xue Mingyi made no further waves, either. Smiling, he took a seat beside Jiao Wu. He had already achieved his goal, so there was no reason not to take things easy.

Behind his mask, Mo Jingyu's expression was impossible to read, but throughout the birthday banquet, he clearly spoke far less than before.

The undercurrents between the three powerful figures had tugged at every guest's nerves. After that, no one could really let loose and enjoy themselves.

Even Feng Ming, who had been in low spirits, stopped touching his wine cup.

Halfway through the banquet, Mo Jingyu took his leave. Xue Mingyi waited until Mo Jingyu had left before bidding Jiao Wu farewell.

Once the two of them were gone, Jiao Wu no longer needed to force himself to stay. He claimed to be tired and left the banquet. People of their stature hardly needed to be overly "approachable," after all.

The remaining guests made a bit of noise, but the earlier incident had dampened their spirits, and their enthusiasm gradually faded.

Everyone was thinking about how this would affect the future. But, in the end, most could only wait for the future—and then be "affected" by it.

As the banquet neared its end and the guests began to disperse, a servant from the Marquis Mansion came to Feng Yue and whispered something in his ear.

Feng Yue smiled, then rose and followed him away, unhurried and composed.

Perhaps the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Pavilion had finally