The Lotus Seed Returns to Its Place, the Bronze Dragon Head

The opera onstage had reached the liveliest scene of "Havoc in Heaven."

The Monkey King wore golden armor, his pheasant plumes trembling wildly. He whirled his Golden Cudgel like a windmill, sending the heavenly soldiers and generals scattering like fallen petals.

Gongs, cymbals, and clappers sounded in a furious barrage, like a rainstorm of pear blossoms, setting everyone's eardrums buzzing.

The courtyard erupted in cheers. The guests had cracked sunflower seeds until the ground was carpeted with shells.

Just as the drums paused and the Monkey King struck a pose with his "Sea-Calming Divine Needle," Old Master Su rose shakily from the seat of honor.

Su Zhengze hurried to support him, while Zhou Yonghe stepped half a pace forward to guard him from behind.

Old Master Su raised a hand and pressed it gently downward.

The opera troupe knew how to read a room. At a signal from its leader, the drums stopped dead and the performers froze. The courtyard's clamor fell away as if cut by a knife.

Every gaze turned to the man whose birthday they had come to celebrate.

"Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, honored guests."

Old Master Su cleared his throat. Though his voice was aged, it carried the polish of a man who had weathered decades of business dealings. "Today marks this old man's humble seventieth birthday. I'm grateful that you've all honored me with your presence. While spirits are high, there's an old matter on my mind. I'd like everyone here to bear witness to its resolution."

Bear witness?

The guests were nobody's fools. At those words, their ears pricked up.

Was this birthday banquet turning into a business meeting?

Old Master Su's gaze swept the courtyard before settling on the Ye School's table—or, more precisely, on Qin Geng.

"As everyone knows, our