Go Back, There's Nothing For You Here

Meanwhile, the Second Prince, Fang Yan, Wen Zihao, and the others nearby all felt a sense of relief. Everything had happened too quickly, making their hearts race and tighten, feeling as if they could snap at any moment.

"My Imperial Father sent me to welcome the Family Heads. How can there be such a commotion in front of the Imperial Palace gates? Everyone, please make preparations quickly. The Fang Family Head and Wen Family Head have already arrived, and the time is almost here." At this point, seeing that the time was indeed approaching, and with Ren Jie now putting down his knife, the Second Prince said, trying to smooth things over.

However, no one paid attention to his words at this moment, because the decision-making power was not with him at all.

When did this guy get so bold? He actually forced Gao Peng, who is renowned in Jade Capital City, to this extent. Besides Lan Tian, no one has ever done this before. Fang Qi was about to deal with him earlier, could it be related to this? Fang Yan looked at Ren Jie, a thought he had never considered before flashing through his mind.

"Awesome!" Fatty Gao Ren was excitedly clenching his fists nearby, waving them slightly as if cheering Ren Jie on. In reality, he himself was already incredibly excited and thrilled. This was a hundred times more satisfying than setting Fang Qi's courtyard on fire or smashing Gao Fei with an Iron Wood Bench.

Especially forcing the famous Gao Peng, the Second Place scholar of the Jade Emperor Academy, to kneel and weep. Thinking back to his previous arrogance and that annoying smile, there was an indescribable feeling of exhilaration. It was so damn satisfying.

Thinking about some recent events, Gao Ren suddenly realized that following Ren Jie out seemed to mean he would never again feel as frustrated as he used to every time he returned. Instead, each time was incredibly enjoyable. Unconsciously, when did it become like this?

Ren Jie raised a hand, and Tong Qiang, like a robot, completely ignored everything else and directly released Gao Peng. As soon as he released Gao Peng, people from the Ren Family Guard Squad immediately took Gao Peng away. However, they still protected Ren Jie and Ren Jie's carriage within their ranks. Even the Second Prince, Fang Yan, and Wen Zihao were cleared away from Ren Jie by the Guard Squad at this moment.

As the captain of the Ren Family Head's Guard Squad, he had only one greatest mission: protecting the Family Head's safety above all else. This was a concept that all the great families were trying to instill, but few could achieve it like Tong Qiang.

"You... have you caused enough trouble? Do you know what you were doing just now?" At this moment, Ren Junyang, Ren Hanlin, and Ren Wenxu, who were Ren Family Elders, finally had a chance to enter. As soon as Ren Hanlin entered, he pointed at Ren Jie, his hands trembling.

Although the Five Great Families, led by the Royal Family, had never been harmonious with each other, they generally wouldn't completely tear off their masks. A superficial balance still needed to be maintained. But Ren Jie's action was equivalent to publicly slapping the Gao Family's face. And Gao Peng was a heaven-sent genius, a talent the Gao Family had rarely seen in hundreds of years, basically the future candidate for Family Head. Once he inherited the position of Family Head, it was easy to imagine what he would do.

"This is the Imperial Palace, look... what have you done in front of the Imperial Palace? You are openly challenging the Royal Family's dignity and the nation's laws. You... you... as the Ren Family Head, you must know that your every word and action represents the Ren Family."

Ren Wenxu was also trembling with anger.

Ren Junyang looked at the Amnesty Jade Token in Ren Jie's hand, his face extremely gloomy and unsightly. "How can the Amnesty Jade Token be used like this? This is something shared by the entire family. Do you know what kind of consequences this will cause? Do you know that this will make the forces led by the Gao Family completely fall out with our Ren Family, and it will also make the other great families wary, possibly forcing them to join forces? You... you..."

"What about me?" Ren Jie held the Amnesty Jade Token in his hand and shook it in front of the three elders who were extremely agitated. "If not used like this, how should it be used? Worshipped every day? Also, the family's shared Amnesty Jade Token was passed down by the Old Ancestor. The one I have was obtained by my father, Ren Tianxing. He gave it to me, so it's my possession. I can use my possession however I want."

"Join forces? Haven't they joined forces enough times?" Ren Jie sneered, ignoring these three elders who only knew how to fight among themselves. He waved his hand directly and said, "Alright, the time is here. This Family Head is going to attend His Majesty the Emperor's Imperial Banquet. You all go back."

What... go back? The Second Elder Ren Junyang, the Third Elder Ren Hanlin, and the Fourth Elder Ren Wenxu were all stunned when they heard this. Ren Jie actually told them to go back. They had prepared for a long time to bring Ren Jie to attend the Imperial Banquet.

Moreover, they had many things they planned to do at the Imperial Banquet, but now Ren Jie's single sentence telling them to go back left them bewildered. At this moment, they suddenly realized something. This tradition indeed only invited the Family Head, and the Family Head brought people to attend.

Just then, two more groups of people arrived from a distance. It was the carriages of the Wen Family Head Wen Yong and the Fang Family Head Fang Tianen.

"Second Prince, the time is here." At this moment, Fang Yan softly reported to the Second Prince.

The Second Prince's face was also not looking good at this moment. Because everything just now was too tense, even the Amnesty Jade Token was used. But after the incident, the more he thought about it, the more unpleasant it felt. He, the dignified Second Prince, was cursed like that by this guy, and he was responsible for the reception, yet this guy didn't give him any face at all. Didn't this also mean his task was ruined and his face was slapped?

But at this moment, there was still official business, so he could only order the gates to be opened.

"Bright Jade Dynasty, Five Families as one, His Majesty has decreed, inviting the four great Family Heads of Ren, Gao, Fang, and Wen to discuss state affairs together. Open the gates, play the music." At this moment, the unique voice of the Inner Palace Eunuch sounded, the main gate of the Imperial Palace opened, and the band played music, opening the curtain for the Bright Jade Dynasty's traditional Imperial Banquet that had lasted for a thousand years.

"Wait... you are not yet an adult... the Imperial Banquet will involve family interests, and must be accompanied by the Council of Elders..." Seeing that Ren Jie had already boarded the Spirit Beast Carriage and was about to enter, Ren Junyang immediately shouted to stop him.

Going back, if they went back like this, they would lose face greatly. He then thought of a reason, that's right, the three of them were members of the Council of Elders, and they were the ones who truly had the power to decide the Ren Family's affairs now.

Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu also immediately nodded when they heard this. Even this Family Head's pocket money was controlled by them, what could he do now?

"This Family Head will only bring one personal Guard, Tie Ta, and one food expert glutton to the banquet today. This Family Head is not in the mood to deal with other matters. If you want to discuss important matters with His Majesty, you can go find His Majesty yourselves. Beast Uncle, let's go." Ren Jie called Fatty Gao Ren and Tie Ta onto the carriage and directly urged the carriage to enter.

"You..." Ren Hanlin raised his hand to call out to Ren Jie, but it was already too late. He watched helplessly as Ren Jie entered.

One must know that this kind of Imperial Banquet had been passed down for a thousand years. Although it was mostly a formality now, it was of great significance. When they first had the opportunity to attend more than a year ago, the three old men, Ren Junyang, Ren Hanlin, and Ren Wenxu, were excited for many days. After returning, they felt incredibly honored, especially as they gained many benefits through their conversations, which allowed many people in their respective branches to rise in position. This also greatly increased their status in the family.

This kind of Imperial Banquet happened once a year unless there were special circumstances. This time, they were fully prepared and full of hope, but they never expected that they could only stand at the Imperial Palace gate and watch Ren Jie's carriage enter...

Although they arrived in a grand manner, entering the Imperial Palace for the banquet was very strict. Only the Family Head's Spirit Beast Carriage was allowed inside; no one else could enter privately. On this day, the Emperor did not concern himself with anything else, and anyone who trespassed without permission would be killed without question.

Therefore, since Ren Jie didn't let them board the Spirit Beast Carriage, it was impossible for them to enter.

Ren Junyang's chest heaved with anger. The previous incident hadn't even been settled, and now they were being left outside the gate. I'm so angry, I'm so angry...

Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu also felt their old faces burning with shame, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into.

But no matter how much they fumed and raged, half-dead with anger, there was no way for them to follow inside.

"Zihao, come up." At this moment, the Wen Family Head's Spirit Beast Carriage passed by. It was pulled by a Mid Stage of Level 4 Seven-Colored Spirit Deer. The Wen Family Head called out to Wen Zihao as if nothing had happened and entered the Imperial Palace directly.

The carriage of the Fang Family Head, Fang Tianen, was a huge Spirit Wolf. It was said to have been born from two Late Stage of Level 7 Demon Wolves that had been subdued. Although its level dropped to Level 6 after growing up, it was said to be at the Late Stage of Level 6, which was equivalent to the True Qi Realm Great Perfection. Fang Tianen's carriage also passed by and entered directly. Watching Ren Jie's Spirit Beast Carriage enter the Imperial Palace, and then seeing the Spirit Beast Carriages of the Wen Family Head, Wen Yong, and the Fang Family Head, Fang Tianen, enter the Imperial Palace one after another, the three of them, Ren Junyang, stood there feeling as uncomfortable as if they were standing in volcanic lava.

Their blood boiled with anger, feeling distressed and embarrassed! "Outrageous... too outrageous. We must immediately convene a Council of Elders... we must..." Ren Wenxu was so angry he couldn't hold back and was on the verge of shouting.

"What are you arguing about? We'll go back after sending the Family Head in. We'll discuss anything back at the family. Let's go!" Hadn't they lost enough face? Seeing the looks in Fang Yan's eyes, as well as the Second Prince and the other Guards nearby, Ren Junyang roared in anger. He couldn't bear to stay here any longer and immediately rushed back to the Ren Family with Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu.

Seeing the three Elders of the Ren Family leave in a huff, the originally angry Second Prince and Fang Yan, who had been contemplating on the side, both showed a hint of surprise in their eyes. If Ren Jie was truly smart, why would he make enemies both inside and outside? If this continued, it would be difficult for him to achieve anything. It seemed he really was acting crazy, not knowing his own limits. There would be a good show to watch next.

Meanwhile, Tong Qiang raised his hand, and the members of the Guard Squad immediately formed a formation, waiting outside the Imperial Palace for Ren Jie to come out.

"Little brat Ren Jie... Peng'er, don't worry, I will definitely get justice for you. Someone, immediately send the young master back to the manor..." At this moment, the Gao Family Head, Gao Zhanyuan, looked at the usually handsome and unrestrained Gao Peng, who was always calmer and more composed than himself, and who remained unflustered in any situation. Now, his face was covered in blood, and blood kept gushing from his mouth. Tears of heartache were about to fall.

"I'm fine. I will get this revenge back from that Ren Jie ten times, a hundred times over. By then, he won't even be able to die a quick death. I will make him wish he were dead, but unable to die." The flames of hatred in Gao Peng's eyes were about to explode. He hated, and he hated more than anyone else.