Chapter 746: Dividing the Feast

Pei Ye pieced together these sounds using the limited characters he knew, struggling to believe Lu Wu had finally said “eat soy sauce fish,” but he had learned to mask his expression, maintaining only a frown and a faint nod.

“Then let’s proceed thus. I’ll make some preparations so that next banquet, I can help Shao Qiu establish his Heart Mind Realm.” Lu Wu said.

Pei Ye spread his wings in a bow: “Thank you, thank you, Jiao Elder.”

Jiao smiled and nodded: “Family doesn’t speak in two tongues.”

Lu Wu said: “The second matter is the upcoming Blood of the Qilin test in the Divine Capital.”

The atmosphere among the attendees grew more solemn; Pei Ye fell silent, listening.

“I didn’t participate, but it seems all of you went to the Divine Capital.” Jiao’s final syllable rose slightly as he glanced at Yingzhao beside him, but Yingzhao didn’t look back, “We now have at least four of us in the capital—be vigilant for safety.”

Lu Wu nodded: “The Blood of the Qilin test must proceed smoothly—it’s a crucial link. Had you no other pressing matter, I intended to summon you as well.”

It paused: “We’ve been laying groundwork for this for a long time. Forces capable of influencing the realm number no more than a few—Da Qiu?”

The woman spoke for the first time at this banquet, her tone the same flatness Pei Ye knew: “Yesterday’s news: the heads of the Five Surnames have all entered the capital. In terms of inclination, none wish to see me ascend as heir—but their most drastic action will be to attempt assassinations before the Blood of the Qilin test.”

“The Five Surnames will never defy the Qilin’s heavenly might—if they dared, we wouldn’t be enemies.” Da Qiu said seriously, “They’ve long lost their resolve, fixated only on their own little plots. At this point, they likely won’t even retaliate; most probably, they’ll use this chance to jointly pressure the north with me.”

“Military conditions are under control. Yesterday, I spoke with Shang Zichuan for a full day. After Yu Sicong’s death, the Shang family has taken full control of the Imperial Guards; the garrisons beyond the capital have been transferred to the new Chancellor’s hands. To fully secure the capital’s armies will take another one or two years, but nothing will interfere with the Blood of the Qilin test.”

“The only unpredictable factor is the Qilin itself—if it suddenly refuses to choose the heir with the purest, richest blood, then no one can do anything.” Da Qiu said, “But for centuries, the Qilin’s will has remained stable—we cannot grasp its thoughts.”

Lu Wu slowly nodded: “If the Qilin chooses not the one with the purest blood, then it is voluntarily weakening its bond with Tang—perhaps not a bad thing.”

Da Qiu continued: “Recently, another group in the capital cannot be ignored—the martial sects. But sects won’t interfere with the Blood of the Qilin test; their growing closeness to the court stems ultimately from the influence of the Immortal Platform. After the test, each house will likely seek to visit and make contact—this is a good thing. At that time, I’ll consider renting a garden for a grand reception, to meet the heroes of the realm.”

Then

it turned its head toward the green bird beside it: “Shao Qiu, what kind of gathering do you prefer?”

Pei Ye blinked: “Huh?”

“Sword gatherings, sword societies, martial contests, elegant banquets, touring feasts… which do you like? I’ll consider.”

Pei Ye bounced toward it: “I’m going to attend the Heavenly Mountain Villa gathering in two days.”

“Then observe how they organize it, and report back.”

Lu Wu nodded: “Then Shengyu, you and Li He will remain one visible, one hidden, to safeguard our new heir’s safety.”

Shengyu grunted “Mm.”

“Then there’s only one last loose end.” Lu Wu tapped the banquet table, “Yong Ji—we must kill him. He’s currently in the Divine Capital but not showing himself; his wedding is days away, and we anticipated the Yan Prince’s move—sure enough, it’s revealed.”

Pei Ye turned to look at him.

Shengyu said: “What?”

“According to Yingzhao’s intelligence and Jiao’s confirmation, Yongbei has come south.”

“…“ Pei Ye stared straight at him.

“He may not have entered the capital in a long time; preserving Yong Ji’s life now is a chance.” Lu Wu said, “I’ll meet him, but Yong Ji must still die. This won’t require much thought—leave it to the banquet table to divide and consume.”

Pei Ye blinked slightly, then saw Lu Wu raise its hand—a clot of fresh blood appeared in its palm, as if just spilled from its owner.

With a light flick of its claw, the blood flew onto the jade platter on the table.

The celestial music sounded again from all around; nothing visibly changed on the table, yet something clearly had—Pei Ye lowered his head and saw an empty jade bowl appear before each immortal beast.

“Anything placed upon the Queen Mother’s banquet table will be divided and consumed,” Lu Wu said. “Whoever wishes to swallow it is up to those present to decide.”

Pei Ye blinked: “What is that?”

“Yong Ji’s blood.” Lu Wu’s tiger eyes lowered, “It provides symbolic representation—things from the mortal world placed upon the table. This dish represents ‘Yong Ji’s death’; whoever consumes it fulfills their part, and the event becomes reality.”

Lu Wu lifted its claw and gently pushed its jade bowl forward: “Besides me, who will sip?”

Da Qiu raised its wings and pushed its bowl forward: “I’m in the Divine Capital—I can handle this.”

“I won’t personally kill anyone,” Lu Wu said.

Jiao said: “To kill, isn’t Shengyu already in the capital?”

Lu Wu nodded: “Agreed. But Shengyu operates in shadow—he must not move too openly; more preparation is needed…”

“I’ll do it,” Pei Ye said flatly.

He stared at the vivid blood, looked up at those seated: “I’ll do it.”

He gently pushed his jade bowl forward.

Lu

Wu nodded, tapped the table lightly with its claw; the blood on the platter transformed into a clear, crisp wine the color of purple-red grapes, splitting into three streams that flowed into the three bowls.

Lu Wu and Da Qiu each received one-fifth; Pei Ye received three-fifths.

Lu Wu nodded: “Then this matter is entrusted to Shao Qiu.”

It lifted its bowl and drank it all; Da Qiu followed suit. Pei Ye lowered his beak and drained the sweet, crimson wine.

“Sweet. I hope another grand banquet comes soon,” Lu Wu sighed softly, “That concludes today’s matters.”

Then it looked at Pei Ye: “When you return, dream deeply—you’ll know what it requires of you.”

Pei Ye nodded dazedly.

Then Lu Wu tapped the table again; the central jade platter vanished, the music faded, and the banquet drew to a close.

Pei Ye lowered his head and saw the objects before him had also disappeared—he blinked: “What’s the point of showing those things just to make them vanish? Just to wave your wrist?”

Jiao smiled.

Lu Wu said: “For dishes unsuitable for consumption, you may use objects before you as aids. You may also use the Queen Mother’s Dream to assist others through held objects. Since today’s matters were neither dangerous nor difficult, we didn’t use them.”

“Hmm.”

“The Queen Mother’s Dream holds many wonders—we won’t detail them all. As you spend more time here, you’ll naturally grow accustomed.”

“Alright.”

Lu Wu scanned the table, tapped the surface lightly: “Do any of you have further words?”

Jiao smiled but remained silent.

Yingzhao remained as always, quiet.

Shengyu and Da Qiu sat in silence.

“Then, this time—”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Pei Ye blinked, quickly interrupting.

All turned to him; Lu Wu said: “Shao Qiu, what is it?”

Pei Ye hesitated, then said: “I… I prepared gifts for everyone, for our first meeting.”

“…” Da Qiu stared at him in shock.

He spread his wings, revealing five small jade stones of different colors, each carved with the image of a beast present: a slightly chubby tiger, a simple dog, a horse with two short wings carved on either side, a vivid red peacock.

Only the last one differed—a plump, adorable little pig.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Pei Ye gently released them, distributing them to each, then folded his wings in a bow: “We’ll work together for a long time—I’m new here, please look after me. These jade stones exist between reality and illusion; they can enter here, but I don’t know if they can leave.”

Lu Wu gazed at the chubby tiger beside its claw, remained silent for several breaths, then said calmly: “Anything with a lasting impression in the mortal world can manifest in dreams. But objects within dreams cannot be transferred as physical things—so these… gifts… we won’t be able to touch them once we leave.”

“…Oh, I see.” Pei Ye felt a pang of regret, “Then let’s leave them here. I think they make nice ornaments.”

He watched the senior immortals nervously—he’d never joined any sect or organization before; this was his first time, so he thought like when he first entered a martial school: you must make a good first impression.

Lu Wu didn’t object. It tapped the table, solidifying the jade stones. Yingzhao’s face broke into a smile; Shengyu stared at the little jade, saying nothing.

Jiao laughed heartily, then glanced between Shao Qiu and Da Qiu: “Are you two close?”

Pei Ye looked up, glancing at the green bird beside him: “Ah… not particularly.”

Da Qiu said flatly: “Not particularly.”

Pei Ye bounced toward her.

Da Qiu bounced toward Shengyu.

Jiao smiled, looking benevolent: “Looks like you’re very close.”

The table remained quiet, but Lu Wu no longer rushed to dismiss them; it quietly observed the new bird.

Indeed, after only a moment, Pei Ye asked curiously: “Jiao Elder, what do you do up north?”

“Don’t call me Elder. Though everyone here knows your age, future members may arrive—using titles like this would expose identities.” Jiao smiled, “What I do up north isn’t something I can tell you now. But perhaps you’ll help me later.”

“Of course, of course.”

Pei Ye hesitated: “Here, can we ask for help with any matter? I have a small request.”

“Go ahead.”

Pei Ye turned to Shengyu across the table, folded his wings: “Elder, when we first met, I was awed by your bearing. Could we meet in the Divine Capital? I’d like to learn swordsmanship from you directly.”

Shengyu blinked slightly: “You don’t even know what kind of sword I practice—how can you learn from me?”

“…Elder’s sword mastery must far surpass mine. See, see…” Pei Ye turned to look at Da Qiu.

Da Qiu said nothing; he bounced toward her.

“Seek excellence when you see it,” Da Qiu said flatly.

“Yes, seek excellence when you see it.” Pei Ye looked hopefully at Shengyu, his wings clasped together.

Shengyu stared at him, silent for a moment: “Yue Muzhou is excessively proud—yet I wonder how he raised such a lively disciple.”

Pei Ye blinked: “Elder knows Grandpa Yue?”

Shengyu didn’t answer, instead said: “Where are you? When I have time, I’ll come to you.”

Pei Ye exclaimed joyfully: “I’ve been training at the Chang’an Sword Academy these past few days.”

In four days, I will go to the Tian Shan Branch Courtyard for the Sword Banquet, and afterward, I will train at the Chang’an Sword Academy.

Good.

Pei Ye fell silent, satisfied. He glanced at the few present, thinking how none of them chatted—he’d hoped to hear some secrets, but it didn’t matter; there would be other meetings soon.

Lu Wu looked at him, yet did not dissolve the gathering, saying: “You have nothing more to say to me?”

Pei Ye said: “Ah, nothing.”

“Then I shall take my leave first.” Lu Wu nodded to the others and vanished.

“...”

Jiao smiled faintly and departed as well.

Then Yingzhao and Shengyu waited a moment more; seeing he had no further words, they too left in turn.

“...” Pei Ye stared at the empty banquet table, momentarily stunned.

Da Li said coolly: “No wonder you’re Young Master Pei—you arrived and seized Li Jian’s authority. Now it seems only when Young Master Pei declares the meeting over does it truly end.”

Pei Ye glanced at her, flapped his wings lightly, and flew over to land on her tree: “Are you feeling better?”

“...Almost.” Da Li looked at him. “Why did you carve a pig for me?”

Pei Ye laughed: “I thought you’d like it—you took it into the water.”

He added: “Did you get a reply about what I told you last time?”

“What was that?”

Pei Ye frowned: “About connecting with Feiguang Sword Lord—surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Da Li smiled: “I asked.”

“What did he say?”

“He found it strange, but he’s willing to meet you.” Da Li said, “He’s been staying at the Xiuwen Hall these days—you can arrange a time anytime.”

“Perfect!” Pei Ye flapped his wings. “I’ll meet two Sword Lords this month!”

“Aren’t there three?”

“...Huh?”

Da Li said nothing.

“...Oh right, there’s also Miss Ming. Too bad we’ve had no word yet.”

“Enough. This imperial one is tired.” Da Li turned away. “We’ll talk next time.”

“Huh? So suddenly?”

But Da Li said nothing; her form vanished, leaving only him alone in the entire fairy realm.

Pei Ye stood stunned for a moment on the branch, thinking he hadn’t yet asked her how to speak through bird calls.

But the place had fallen utterly silent; Pei Ye flapped his wings lightly and flew back along the path he’d come.

Soon he flew along the narrow trail to the White Water Divine Palace, shifted back into human form, picked up the kitten, and left the snowy, wind-blown place.