The birthday banquet

Three days later, the entire Tang Household was already decked out in lanterns and festive decorations. Red silk hung all the way from the main entrance to the rear garden, and even the locust trees were wrapped in red ribbons that swayed gently in the wind.

"A little farther left. Yes, right there!" The steward stood to one side, directing two servants as they adjusted a lantern.

By the hour of the dragon, visitors were already thronging the Tang Household's gates. Many Lineages that had long since fallen out of contact were also present, fawning and flattering.

In the Tang Household's main hall, a crowd surrounded Tang Hua.

"Patriarch Tang! Do you remember me? I came last time too!"

"Brother Tang, you certainly kept this well hidden. Your son's talent doesn't look like something achieved overnight." A middle-aged man smiled and patted Tang Hua, then sighed with a hint of reproach.

At these words, Tang Hua gave an awkward, accommodating smile.

Truthfully, he had no idea what was going on either. Had Yao'er really been hiding it before?

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. The steward respectfully led in a man dressed in black robes, calling, "Patriarch Chu, this way, please."

The laughter and conversation paused for an instant, and several people turned toward the entrance in unison. Those currently in the hall were all from small and medium Aristocratic Clans. The rule of survival for such clans was to recognize which way the wind blew and attach themselves to great Lineages. But they had never expected even the Chu Household to come this time. After all, the five great Households had always fought both openly and in the shadows.

A tall middle-aged man clad in black robes stepped through the doorway. A youth followed beside him, casually surveying the Tang Household's hall.

A trace of puzzlement entered Tang Hua's eyes when he saw Chu Xuanming, but he promptly smiled. "Patriarch Chu, your presence truly brings splendor to my humble abode!"

"Now, now, none of that empty politeness." Chu Xuanming waved a hand. "I heard from Chu Song that the Azure Cloud Sect's sect master saved him a while ago, and your son even gave him pills."

With that, a suit of dragon-scale armor appeared in his hand. He then put it back into a Storage Bag and pressed the bag upon Tang Hua. "Keep this, little brother. Consider it a congratulatory gift!"

The members of several small and medium Aristocratic Clans could no longer sit still. This was a supreme-grade defensive Law Artifact.

A treasure that could save a life at a critical moment! The Chu Household was simply giving it away?

Tang Hua's heart jolted too, and he hurriedly declined. "Patriarch Chu, this is far too precious. My son merely lent a hand."

"You're treating me like an outsider, Brother Tang." Chu Xuanming laughed heartily and pressed the Storage Bag straight into Tang Hua's hand, allowing no argument. Then he turned and shot Chu Song a glare, signaling for him to come over.

Chu Song had been wandering around. At a look from his father, he immediately gave a light cough and walked over. "Greetings, Uncle Tang."

Tang Hua had never met Chu Song before. Seeing him now, he was secretly startled. Though the youth before him was young, he was already in the Golden Core Realm.

Ever since Yao'er had returned, he had been unable to see through his cultivation. He had no idea what realm he had reached now.

"Why don't I see your son? Let the youngsters spend more time together, so they can support one another in the future." Chu Xuanming had been looking for Tang Yao all along, to no avail.

Hearing this, Tang Hua sent the steward to find Tang Yao. Then they began a round of mutual flattery, each praising how outstanding the other's child was.

Listening beside them, Chu Song wanted to find a crack in the ground on the spot.

The atmosphere in the hall grew livelier as well. The patriarchs of several small and medium Aristocratic Clans exchanged glances. It seemed the relationship between the Chu Household and the Tang Household might be mended.

An incense stick's worth of time later, the steward led Tang Yao into the main hall.

The moment Tang Yao stepped inside, every gaze in the room focused on her.

Then she saw-

Tang Hua was chatting with a middle-aged man with fiery enthusiasm, occasionally casting an approving look at... Chu Song?

Chu Song was covering his face. When he saw Tang Yao arrive, his eyes instantly lit up.

Tang Yao stepped forward and respectfully called, "Father."

Before Tang Hua could answer, Chu Xuanming cut in. "Worthy nephew, to possess such cultivation at so young an age-you are sure to accomplish great things!"

Tang Yao: "?"

She glanced sideways and saw Chu Song looking at her with the sympathy of a fellow sufferer.

She understood instantly. No wonder Chu Song had been so happy to see her arrive.

"I'm all right, but I think Brother Chu is a cut above me." Tang Yao stood to one side, smiling brilliantly.

Chu Song: "?" What exactly are you all trying to do!

Just then, another commotion came from outside. "The Sun Household's patriarch has arrived!"

The Sun Household?

The one I fleeced two days ago?

Immediately afterward, an old man with a grizzled beard arrived with a young girl. When he saw that members of the Chu Household were also in the hall, he paused, then said with a chuckle, "Patriarch Tang, it certainly is lively here today!" He then dipped his head slightly toward Chu Xuanming. "Patriarch Chu!"

Chu Xuanming nodded slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on the girl behind the Sun Household's elder. "And this is?"

Sun Yuanshan stroked his beard. "This is my granddaughter, Sun Yin." At that, the girl bowed to the two patriarchs.

Tang Hua nodded, then looked at the three youngsters. "Why don't we have Yao'er take the younger generation outside for a stroll? Otherwise, they'll be bored watching us old fossils chat."

Sun Yin took the opportunity to glance at Tang Yao. When their eyes met, she swiftly lowered her head again, a faint blush appearing on her face.

She had never met Tang Yao before and had not expected him to be so handsome.

Tang Yao nodded and gestured for them to go ahead. Chu Song strode over to her side, while Sun Yin followed with small steps, always keeping half a step behind.

The three had barely left the hall when Chu Xuanming's hearty laughter rang out behind them. "Brother Tang, I heard you recently acquired a jar of fifty-year-old Green Bamboo Brew..."

The heavy doors closed behind them. Chu Song let out a long breath. "Finally, we're out!" He stretched, his black brocade sleeves fluttering in the wind. "Once my father starts talking to someone, he never stops!"

"And another thing! That flattering remark you made just now-did you do that on purpose?" Chu Song turned to look at Tang Yao.

Tang Yao looked utterly innocent. "No! I've long heard that the Beast Taming Sect's eldest disciple is valiant and mighty." With that, she patted Chu Song's shoulder.

For a moment, Chu Song did not know how to refute her, but something still felt strange.

Then he suddenly remembered that the image-recording stones of him dressed as a woman back at the Profound Heaven Sect had been leaked. Although the Chu Household had bought up most of them, a few still remained scattered here and there.

Could Tang Yao have seen one of the remaining ones?

Chu Song looked at Tang Yao doubtfully. Tang Yao asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

Chu Song covered his forehead. "Nothing..."

Sun Yin took a deep breath and quietly moved a step closer to Tang Yao.

"Young Master Tang." Her voice was as soft as petals falling to the ground. "I've heard your swordsmanship is transcendent. Might you tell me about it?" With that, she moved a little closer again.

The sudden voice startled Tang Yao. Looking back, she found it was the girl from earlier.

"What a coincidence!" Tang Yao awkwardly retreated half a step. "Are you a sword cultivator too, Miss Sun?"

At Tang Yao's distancing half-step, Sun Yin's outstretched hand froze in midair, her nails digging into her palm.