Li Ping'an's cooking needed no praise. Old Ox and Jiaze helped him out.
He made more than thirty dishes, twenty meat dishes and ten vegetable dishes, with no two alike.
He did not expect to fill everyone's stomachs, though. Their cultivation had long since freed them from the need to eat; they were only having a taste.
They could eat as they talked. There was no reason to talk over an empty table.
They set up a large round table, with no distinction between seats of honor and lesser seats.
After all, it would have been inappropriate to rank any of these people above or below the others.
Once everyone was seated, Ye Liang glanced at Li Ping'an.
It clearly would not have been appropriate for him to speak now.
Li Ping'an's azure eyes first settled on Liu Yun opposite him.
Then he swept his gaze over those around him and smiled gently.
On the day of reunion after a long separation, snow should blanket the mountains.
They had met and parted along the way, only to meet again here.
He raised his wine cup.
"Everyone, you have traveled countless miles to come to our aid. Let me offer my thanks first."
"We're all family here. There's no need to speak as though we're strangers."
Qingfeng deliberately stood on his stool and draped an arm around Li Ping'an's shoulders.
Liu Yun said calmly, "If the Demon Race gains momentum as it advances north, it may threaten the safety of all humanity. This isn't your concern alone."
"..."
Everyone chimed in, and the atmosphere gradually grew lively.
But with a great enemy before them, there was little time to reminisce or exchange pleasantries.
"To get straight to the point, with the people we have, I'm afraid we can only hold off