The Leng Family's Grand Banquet · Three

The banquet is currently proceeding in good order, with no mishaps occurring—though, of course, that is only for the moment.

At the Spirit Pagoda table, the crown prince, Qiangu Zhangting, watches his grandfather's face, which is dark as a thundercloud, and sighs silently to himself.

Why bother, my foolish old man.

A sycophant who licks boots until the end can only end up like an old steed in the stable, helplessly swallowing cup after cup of bitter wine at the other party's grand banquet, with tears flowing in his heart bowl after bowl...

In truth, it is not as if Qiangu Zhangting had not suggested that Qiangu Dongfeng stay away, but Qiangu Dongfeng had overruled his grandson's advice, firmly believing that Yun Ming would also attend—a once-in-a-millennium opportunity to humiliate him.

Even if the Leng Family had not invited him, he would surely have sniffed out the scent and come uninvited.

Yet he has become the clown; his calculations were off!

He never expected that Yun Ming would actually fail to show up this time. Has the man who fell from the world's number one to number two really had his mindset change so much that he has become a shrinking turtle?

Yun Ming, you have already invited your own death!

At the Shrek table, only Ya Li and a few other marginalized elders remain, pulled in to serve as cannon fodder.

The meal is not particularly pleasant. Aside from the Title Douluo who were treated by Ya Li at Chen Yulong's wedding and are here out of genuine gratitude, most of the gazes directed at them are nakedly malicious, reveling in their misfortune. This is especially true for the lackeys Qiangu Dongfeng specifically brought along; they speak wantonly at the table, though they restrain themselves slightly. Their words are harsh, but they are the truth—nothing more than speaking the truth.

Ya Li lowers her head silently, eating her meal, while the hand hidden beneath the table clenches tightly.

Moving to the War God Temple table, the atmosphere is heavy and solemn. The eighteen War Gods are imitating Chen Xinjie's stiff, mannequin-like expression, making it look as if someone owes them money. The food and wine on the table remain completely untouched.

Although the War Gods do not know what grudge exists between Chen Xinjie and Leng Wuduan, as mere cattle and horses, following the leader's pace is never wrong!

Chen Xinjie glances toward Su Jiu's table out of the corner of his eye. The wife is drinking along with her husband—truly affectionate. Especially that silk banner he had specifically prepared; the little brat actually used it as a handkerchief, discarding it after use with a look of utter disdain.

Old Man Chen's expression becomes even harder to maintain. Since they insist on embarrassing him, there is no need for him to give Leng Wuduan any pleasant looks. Seeking death!

Damn it, why did this Leng brat run over to the Tang Sect table again? I'll just have to wait a while longer.

Old Man Chen casts a gaze that is practically a physical violation.

"Sister Leng, why does that Old Man Chen keep staring at Brother Su?"

"How disgusting..."

Leng Yaozhu smiles as she peels a Purple Jade Shrimp for Na'er, placing it into her bowl, and says, "Little sister, when you go out in the future, you must guard our husband well. Don't let outsiders covet him, understand?"

Na'er hesitates for a few seconds, her large eyes filled with profound wisdom.

A-Jiu taught her not to respond to others' requests casually; one must think thrice before acting!

Why is there a 'future'? How long is the future? Didn't we agree on just three years?

Is this acting again?

Or could it be...

"Ouch~"

Leng Yaozhu flicks Na'er on the forehead, pulling her thoughts back. Na'er lifts her large eyes to look at Leng Yaozhu, filled with confusion.

"You little heartless thing, if you protect A-Jiu, he will remember your kindness and treat you twice as well. In the future, at occasions like this, he will bring you along even if you don't ask."

Leng Yaozhu's grand art of deception instantly makes the gluttonous Na'er's eyes light up, as if she has heard celestial music!

That's right, even if this fake relationship ends in the future, they will still be friends. It is only reasonable for friends to help each other!

Na'er helps Old Su block peach blossoms, and Old Su treats Na'er to a grand feast—a fair trade, perfectly logical.

"Okay, Sister Leng, I promise you! Na'er will become the firmest line of defense by Brother Su's side. Aside from you, Na'er guarantees that no one will be able to cross this red line!"

Na'er extends her right arm forward and upward at a 45-degree angle, fingers pressed together, palm facing down, and shouts, "Qiongsang!"

"Such a good girl~"

"Hee hee~ It's only right, only right..."

"Vice Sect Master Zang, I toast you."

"Haha! Your Excellency Wuduan is too polite. I originally wanted to toast you first, but you were too 'busy.' I shall punish myself with a cup first!"

Zang Xin lifts his restored right hand, downs a full cup of clear sake, and to show his sincerity, turns the cup upside down—not a drop remains.

"Your Excellency Wuduan must have some other business."

The amorous Zang Xin speaks directly to Su Jiu's impure motives. Of course, Su Jiu does not mind; since the other party can see through it, he can skip the beating around the bush and take the initiative.

"Then, Vice Sect Master Zang, could we step aside to speak?"

"I feel I don't..."

"Regarding you and Cao... Vice Sect Master Zang, may we step aside to speak?"

Su Jiu interrupts Zang Xin directly, successfully piquing his interest.

"Hmm... that is not impossible."

The figures of Su Jiu and Zang Xin vanish from Chen Xinjie's field of vision. Old Man Chen cannot hear their conversation and feels a sudden surge of displeasure.

On a second-floor balcony somewhere.

"Vice Sect Master Zang, let's skip the small talk and get straight to the lifelong matter between you and Sect Master Cao."

"Leng Wuduan, stop spouting nonsense!"

Zang Xin's old face flushed red; the elderly maiden-at-heart immediately grew as shy as a young boy experiencing his first crush.

Clearly, being reminded of the romantic entanglement between him and Cao Dezhi was his sensitive spot; after all, this romance was the most taboo of taboos!

At the same time, this had always been his greatest wish. After all, to be acknowledged by society, to be with the one he loved most, and to be blessed by the world—wouldn't that be the greatest joy in life?

"Hehe~ Vice Sect Master Zang, your heart is in turmoil. It seems today is not the right time to discuss this..."

Su Jiu played his hand, a move known as "playing hard to get," and after dropping those words, he turned to leave.

The sentimental Zang Xin, however, fell for it hook, line, and sinker. He immediately called out to Su Jiu, gritted his teeth on the spot, and offered an astronomical reward.

"One hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herb, I keep my word!"

"Haha! Vice Sect Master Zang, you're being too much of a stranger! Since you've put it that way, I, Leng, can no longer hold back."

"After all, I, Leng, am best at helping others achieve their happiness, haha!"

Seeing that his goal was reached and having successfully swindled an Immortal Herb, Su Jiu went straight to revealing the secret of the Gender-Swap Valley.

"Vice Sect Master Zang's love for Sect Master Cao is witnessed by heaven and earth, verified by the Sea God Tang San, and perceived by the God of Emotions Dai Yuhao; it has also deeply moved me."

"In the Universe Inquiry Valley, one must sacrifice something of ultimate emotion and nature. Of course, sacrificing human lovers goes against humanity, but Vice Sect Master could try using those animals in nature that remain together for a lifetime..."

Zang Xin was stunned. He knew of the Universe Inquiry Valley; in fact, the secret history of the Tang Sect contained records of everything that happened when the Shrek Seven Devils, led by Dai Yuhao, entered it back then.

The gender-swap was real, but finding lovers with ultimate emotion was difficult. What was even harder was that Zang Xin could not overcome the hurdle in his heart; he could not bring himself to do it.

Now that someone had told him it wasn't just humans, but that animals could work too, it undoubtedly gave Zang Xin immense motivation.

"I believe Vice Sect Master is already itching to act. On behalf of the Leng Family, I wish Vice Sect Master and Sect Master Cao a happy marriage in advance, and I look forward to drinking at your wedding soon..."