Perhaps because their appetites had been whetted, relations between the two sides eased remarkably. They began chatting about everything under the sun, even exchanging compliments, without a single mention of the dispute between the Miscellaneous School and the Jing Kingdom.
Both sides discovered that their positions aligned on many matters, bringing them closer together.
They chatted from morning until noon. Once they had eaten their fill of fruit, pastries began arriving.
As in the morning, many of the pastries were things they had never heard of. The Jing Kingdom officials volunteered explanations, saying these were all things Fang Yun had invented and loved to eat.
Only then did the Miscellaneous School officials remember why they had come.
But with Fang Yun absent, they could hardly force a confrontation. They could only listen patiently as the Jing Kingdom officials introduced the pastries, eating as they listened.
To their surprise, just like the fruit, most of these pastries were very much to their liking, apart from a few they could not quite get used to.
As a result, the Miscellaneous School officials began enjoying the delicacies with perfectly clear consciences, chatting about everything under the sun again and forgetting Fang Yun.
Only when dinnertime came and the Jing Kingdom officials asked what they would like to eat did their expressions shift slightly. They gave no answer.
Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Cao Dean gave a light cough and said, "Please do not be anxious, gentlemen. Void Sage Fang just sent a message saying he would definitely arrive within a quarter of an hour."
Only then did the Miscellaneous School officials relax and settle down to wait quietly.
Several hundred breaths later, a peculiar stench drifted into the conference room.
The Miscellaneous School officials looked puzzled and searched for the source of the