The open ground outside the City Lord's Mansion's main hall was filled with long tables draped in red silk, their silver platters piled with all manner of delicacies.
Today was the Victory Banquet. Less than half a month had passed since the beast tide retreated, and Ye Zong had ordered this feast both to reassure the people and to show his appreciation for the families that had fought.
It was just past dusk when the delegations from the various families began arriving one after another.
The Sacred Family arrived neither early nor late. Shen Hong led the way, followed by the First Elder and Second Elder. Shen Yue walked slightly behind him to one side, his back ramrod straight and his robes brand-new. The subtle patterns on his cuffs had been freshly embroidered in silver thread, which glimmered in the twilight.
Shen Fei walked near the rear of the group, dressed in his usual dark, close-fitting clothes. Among several disciples from the branch families, he neither stood out nor deliberately hid himself.
Quite a few people had already gathered in the City Lord's Mansion's Front Courtyard. The Huyan Family had arrived, and Huyan Lie stood beneath the covered walkway, talking to an elder from the Wind Snow Family. His booming voice carried halfway down the corridor.
The Winged Dragon Family sat on the western side. Xiao Ning'er sat beside her father, Xiao Yunfeng, looking down at the fruit platter on the table as though she paid no attention to what was happening around her.
Shen Fei swept his gaze across the gathering and quickly pinpointed several positions.
Nie Li stood beside a corridor pillar outside the Main Hall's side entrance, speaking to two elders from the Wind Snow Family. His tone was relaxed and his face wore a smile, as