The warm glow of the lanterns dispelled the chill of the night in the courtyard.
The banquet commenced in the main hall.
The long wooden table was laden with exquisite kaiseki dishes, and the clinking of wine glasses echoed throughout the room.
Compared to the tense conflict that afternoon, the atmosphere now seemed exceptionally lively.
The hushed discussions among the crowd were almost constant.
The focus of the conversation was on the black-haired boy sitting calmly not far away.
Just a few hours ago, this future successor, handpicked by the old patriarch, forcefully repelled Grade 1 Sorcerer came to demand an explanation with a straight punch in front of everyone.
This is a real, cross-level competition.
What alarmed the clansmen even more was that the boy did not summon any Shikigami throughout the entire process.
Even after taking out the Cursed Tool called "Piercing Ox Horn," it was ultimately just a feint, and he still chose the purest form of physical confrontation.
This brutal fighting style demonstrates a level of basic Jujutsu skills that is difficult for ordinary people to achieve.
Possessing the top-tier inheritance of [Ten Shadows Technique], which becomes powerful in the late game, it can still demonstrate such terrifying melee suppression in the early game.
This goes beyond simply being described as genius.
Although everyone knew in their hearts that he was not yet at the level of Satoru Gojo or Suguru Geto, whose Cursed Technique and talents were rare even after thousands of years.
However, as long as they grow step by step, they are absolutely capable of being the head of a family, and may even lead the entire family to new heights.
If one day in the future he can truly subdue that legendary divine general.
The title of the Ten Shadows in history is almost a foregone conclusion.
In contrast to the lively atmosphere at the main table, the atmosphere in the corner was particularly somber.
Jinichi Zenin held up a porcelain dish and drank the sake inside in one gulp.
His scarred face was now clouded with gloom.
Chōjurō beside him had also lost his usual smiling face, and his squinting eyes revealed a hint of annoyance.
The two originally planned to use the Meifu Clan to teach this kid a lesson.
Unexpectedly, their attempt to steal a chicken backfired, instead providing the other party with a stage to establish their authority.
Lu Ping's reputation within the clan has now become truly renowned.
Many clansmen who were initially hesitant have begun to secretly side with the old patriarch's faction.
Faced with the Naobito Zenin's soaring prestige, coupled with this rising star whose potential seemed bottomless, the two could only suppress their anger and drink alone in silence.
Just then, an unexpected figure stood up.
The Ogi Zenin, carrying a wine cup, walked through the crowd and headed straight for the main table.
This usually rigid and strict Special Grade 1 Sorcerer actually had a warm smile on his face at this moment.
"This was handled very well today."
Fan raised her wine glass and toasted Lu Ping. "You haven't disgraced our family. I'll need your continued support in the days to come."
This statement undoubtedly declared his stance in public.
But this old fox had a different plan in mind.
He knew very well that his two daughters, who had no talent for Jujutsu, had no status in the clan.
However, if Maki and Mai are used as political bargaining chips and entrusted to Lu Ping in the future, even as concubines, the situation would be completely different.
With this marriage alliance, he could leverage the other party's influence to elevate his own status within the clan, and even gain their support in his candidacy for clan leader!
Even if Lu Ping doesn't fall for it, his title as "father-in-law of the clan chief" will be enough to ensure his invincibility in high-level power struggles in the future.
Lu Ping remained seated, his expression calm.
The Three Corpses within the body didn't detect much pure goodwill; instead, their minds were filled with scheming.
But he knew the principle of not hitting a smiling face, so he didn't expose the other person's pretense.
Lu Ping picked up the wine cup in front of him, nodded slightly, and returned the toast.
This superficial effort has been successfully completed.
The main table was placed separately at the front of the main hall.
There were only three people sitting here, forming a miniature yet absolutely central power circle.
The head of the family Naobito Zenin, Lu Ping, and Naoya Zenin, the eldest son, sat together.
The Naobito Zenin casually crossed their legs, even deliberately giving up the seat representing the head of the household, gesturing for Lu Ping to sit down.
This unpretentious behavior clearly sent a message to the entire clan: at tonight's gathering, this young man was the true center of attention.
In the ordinary seats in the distance.
Maki and Mai clung to the edge of the low table, gazing longingly towards the main table.
They longed to run over and play with that gentle older brother, but restrained by their father Ogi Zenin's stern gaze, they could only obediently stay where they were.
The Naobito Zenin ignored the stares of those around them.
He took out two huge gourds of wine from the wooden box behind him and uncorked them.
The rich aroma of the wine instantly filled the air.
The old man didn't even use a cup; he simply hugged the gourd, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Naoya, sitting next to him, smelled the aroma and his Adam's apple bobbed.
He secretly took an empty cup, opened another gourd, poured himself a small amount, and took a small sip.
The spicy liquid had barely entered his throat when the blond-haired boy couldn't help but cough twice.
"What kind of child would drink alcohol like that?" The Naobito Zenin put down his gourd, glared at him, and spoke with a hint of reprimand.
But when he turned his head and saw Lu Ping's calm and composed expression, and glanced at the cheerful atmosphere around him, his tone softened.
The sake tonight isn't very strong either.
"Never mind, today is an exception."
The old patriarch gestured with his chin in Lu Ping's direction.
"Naoya, go pour him a drink. He's the one who cleaned up your mess today. Fill it up, that's the custom."
It was rare for Naoya not to talk back.
He picked up the white porcelain wine pot on the table, walked to Lu Ping's side, bent down slightly, and poured the clear wine into the cup.
Lu Ping looked at the wine glass that was gradually filling up and spoke calmly:
"It's just a small favor. The core issue isn't the dispute itself, but the condescending ideology that sparked it."
He raised his eyes and looked Naobito Zenin.
"The one who came this time was only Grade 1 Sorcerer, so we can still negotiate with them using fists and reason. But if we offended Special Grade outside, and they came knocking on our door, the entire family would be dragged into an abyss of no return."
These words were spoken without any restraint.
The Naobito Zenin remained silent for a moment, offering no rebuttal.
"You're right." The old patriarch sighed and scratched his messy hair.
"This kid grew up in a sheltered environment, and his brain has been corrupted by those outdated rules. Now he's going through a rebellious phase, and he won't listen to a word I say."
He picked up the gourd and gently clinked it against Lu Ping's wine cup.
"From now on, when he's out in the world, keep an eye on him and give him pointers. If he needs a beating, don't hold back."
Lu Ping nodded in agreement, then looked at Naoya Zenin was going through a rebellious phase of his youth.