Chapter 232

Ji Ming glanced at Ai Li Nuo, then withdrew his gaze.

"One could say you arrived too late; isn't arriving early the proper etiquette for nobility?"

But Ai Li Nuo gave a smug smile, tugged at the blazing sun necklace hanging around her neck and gave it a shake.

"There's no choice; I'm a cathedral priest, I have to deal with countless problems every day..."

"Don't try to mock me; being sharp‑tongued isn't noble... Fine, never mind what I said."

(no names)

After just a couple of sentences, the band in the corner abruptly changed their music, shifting from a soothing melody to a celebratory, upbeat tune.

The guests, startled and puzzled for a moment, soon understood the implication and began looking for suitable seats to watch the ceremony.

When that piece ended, amid a crowd of several tax‑processing officials, the host of the banquet, Suo La, finally made a dazzling entrance.

Although the old man's reputation was as foul as a cesspit, his formal attire was still remarkably upright, truly looking dapper.

Moreover, today he was arm‑in‑arm with a young companion whose smile was sweet, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and creamy skin, making her quite eye‑catching.

Amid the guests' ceremonial applause, he released his companion's hand and stepped onto the small podium in front of the red curtain.

Just as Ji Ming wondered whether his opening line would be "Let's turn on the bright talk" or "It is too late, foreigners,"

Suo La's face broke into a warm, radiant smile, and he bowed deeply to the crowd.

"Welcome, honored guests, thank you for your support, welcome!"

He then used that amplification crystal to begin his speech as the host of the banquet.

One can only say that the richest man of Sunlight City lives up to his reputation; Suo La's polished rhetoric was indeed splendid.

"Wonderful, I see many familiar faces; thanks to the gods for blessing us, allowing us to meet again!"

"We have united with sincere dedication, together weathered Sunlight City's darkest hour; this is a victory belonging to each of us!"

Listen to what he's saying— even as a platitude, it's overly saccharine, isn't it?

Ji Ming suppressed the urge to pick his toenails and kept listening, until Suo La spread his arms wide and loudly praised.

"Celebrate, friends, let us rejoice for Sunlight City's bright tomorrow!"

He never heard the twist he had imagined, nor the hidden dagger that emerges after the sugar‑coated cannonball.

Instead, watching Suo La revel in the genuine applause, he left the podium satisfied.

"Ah, that's it? I even brought my staff secretly..."

Ai Li Nuo couldn't help muttering a remark, noting that there were indeed many guests who doubted Suo La's motives for hosting the banquet.

If one looked around, many faces displayed expressions of confusion or bewilderment, each striking in its own way.

"... Could the real purpose of this banquet be exactly what the invitation says, near year‑end, inviting all relatives and friends for a gathering?"

Regardless of their doubts, the band resumed playing, and the 'iron cans' from the tax department all left the hall.

That subtle, awkward atmosphere was lightly brushed aside, returning to the previous harmonious merriment.

Ji Ming frowned, deciding to see what the paradoxical fortune would say.

He closed his eyes and repeated a few sentences in his mind several times.

(no names)

(no names)

(no names)

Except for the last one, the first two could not, no matter what, convince him to believe.

Ji Ming

"I don't think things will be that simple; we must stay on high alert tonight."

But the moment he uttered those words, Ji Ming regretted it.

Having a mobile turret on high alert... what if it empties its mana the moment it encounters a suspicious person?

Eleanor

Ai Li Nuo had already nodded gravely; just as she was about to continue, her expression froze.

"Um... by the way, Ji Ming, the chosen one, have you eaten yet?"

"I came here on an empty stomach; now that I finally have a moment of free time, I need to replenish my energy. Want to come with me?"

I must admit, the chef Suo La hired tonight was good; the buffet on the long table in the Rest Room looked delicious.

So, taking advantage of the 'no‑fight' buff granted by the visiting beast, Ji Ming already sampled a bit.

Although he wanted another round, his stomach, still in the throes of intense digestion, clearly refused.

"Alright, see you in a bit."

After saying goodbye to Ai Li Nuo, Ji Ming intended to find a quiet spot, wait until the banquet was nearly over, have a midnight snack, and leave.

But tonight he seemed to have become a checkpoint; regardless of whether relationships were good or bad, strangers or acquaintances, everyone came over to chat with him for a few words.

And although the officials left, Suo La did not.

He chatted briefly with representatives from two other families, then, arm‑in‑arm with that girl, walked straight up to Ji Ming.

"Honored Chosen One, I am truly honored that you accepted the invitation; you are one of my most important guests tonight."

"A splendid banquet, makes my cup spin, thank you."

"Oh, you are truly humorous."

At this point, Suo La let out an exaggerated exclamation and patted the girl beside him on the hand.

"Ah, I almost forgot to introduce her to you; this is the granddaughter of Old Duns, her name is Martina..."

As he spoke, he squeezed his eyes toward Ji Ming, flashing a smile that only those who understand would get.

(no names)

What do you know?

Ji Ming felt somewhat dazed as he pondered, then finally recalled from a dust-covered memory.

This little girl seems to be one of the layers of sugar powder that Suo La sprinkled when he bombarded him with sugar-coated shells back then.

It's a pity that back when he had just moved to the Inner City and Ji Ming was still somewhat troubled, he wasn't knocked out by such temptation, let alone now.

Moreover, as an experienced socialite, judging others' character and depth from their words and deeds is basic skill.

So…

Old fox, why does this sugar powder look off, with a strange fishy and muttony smell?

Are you sure this is a pretty granddaughter of some old guy, only sixteen, just entering society, craving a pure romance?

I think this is your twenty‑something sixth concubine, highly skilled, specially kept as a strategic weapon!

Wait, if this layer of sugar powder is laced, then the other conditions…

Fortunately, I was clear‑headed then, focused on how to conduct the closed test.

Otherwise, if I really ate this sugar‑coated shell, I'd probably be…

Perhaps I've already awakened my ancestors' wisdom, prematurely become a natural disaster, bringing the underground city's livestock to Sunshine City to clear the map.

——Tch, I don't want to lose out.

But Ji Ming doesn't want to lose out, yet others want to take advantage of him.

After he repeatedly stressed his single‑minded devotion to the Dao, vowing to practice the Holy Light's teachings his whole life, and repeatedly dodged the other's capture attempts.

"I see, perhaps only such a mindset can earn the favor of the Holy Light, sir."

Then, seeing that Suo La couldn't stand it, he gestured, and the fiery‑eyed Ma Ti Na reluctantly withdrew her hand.

"Esteemed Divine Chosen, this banquet is for everyone to celebrate; you can actually relax a bit."

"Alright, many guests are waiting for me to attend to; let's meet later."

Watching Suo La feign nonchalance as he left, and Ma Ti Na still unable to resist throwing a flirtatious glance back.

Ji Ming shrugged slightly, feeling his back already drenched in cold sweat.

…Phew, phew, my pure white cabbage almost got hogged by a pig!

The big shots who came to the banquet have all been seen; Ji Ming thought things would get easier from now on.

But as time passed and after three rounds of drinks, the banquet's atmosphere grew increasingly ambiguous.

Not everyone can hold his liquor; guests with flushed faces, thick necks, and quickening breath grew more numerous.

After drinking, slips of the tongue are inevitable, or rather, taking off one's usual mask, becoming obsessive, excited, and genuine.

Although no one dares to spout nonsense in Ji Ming's presence, his astonishing hearing means he's caught plenty of frown‑inducing things.

"Actually, the rampaging beast incident might not be a bad thing; I seized the chance to buy lots of Outer City land cheaply, now I can make a fortune!"

"I say, ending this event too soon is a waste; once the Outer City folks are utterly desperate, we can profit even more!"

"Hehehe, how was that last time? Sir, I actually have something even better here; now it's up to you… uh! Okay, okay, okay!"

Moreover, as the music gradually became soothing and dreamy, another purpose of the banquet slowly emerged.

Even though Ji Ming was just sitting here, he has already been approached by twenty‑one women and five men.

And they all claimed to be drunk, hoping the Divine Chosen would send them home.

At first Ji Ming could speak gently and politely refuse these creatures driven by primal desire.

But as the other party's persistent pestering dragged on, he lost his patience.

Until a man, limping badly, saw him and got excited, writhing toward him like a zombie seeing meat.

"Sorry, I've had too much to drink; go find someone else."

He coldly tossed out that line and quickly left the place.

Seeing this, the man's expression grew ever more twisted; with a mournful face he squeezed out a mosquito‑thin whisper from between his teeth.

"Doctor, I accidentally fell; I wanted to ask if you have any medicine…"

But Ji Ming had already walked far away, only stopping when he reached the corner of a corridor.

He had mentally prepared for being born many times in Sunshine City, but what he just felt was simply too crazy.

Example?

Massive examples!

Killing everyone in the banquet hall might spare innocents, but killing every other one guarantees leaks.

Friend, you've become most disloyal, unfilial, inhumane, unjust, rude, unwise, and faithless…

No, no, calm down; this isn't anything worth getting excited about.

He had intended to open the window to let the cold wind cool his overheated heart, but unintentionally spotted a familiar figure.

That was Ma Ti Na, who earlier had been jumping up and down for him; now she's linked arm‑in‑arm with another man, not Suo La.

Ji Ming gave it a moment's thought and recalled his identity.

He seemed to be a captain of the Mountain Folk Wild Wind Mercenary Corps, one of the close aides of Alliance Lord Fei En.

So, these two getting together is…

Night deepened, the late wind grew colder, even the clouds seemed to fade a bit.

The moon finally broke through the thick clouds, shedding its light and covering the small mound in the garden.

Leaves trembled, rustling, causing the two branches to sway incessantly.

Fortunately, amidst the swaying tree shadows a few specks of pure light still fell, adding a touch of wild charm to the lush grassland.

Such beautiful scenery is especially pleasant, yet Ji Ming's complexion kept worsening.

He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and after a long while let out a sigh.

"Dark!"

"Really fucking dark!"

At this moment, a night wind blew outside again; he only felt the noisy clamor in his ears and turned to leave.

He was strolling down the hallway with his eyes lowered, but when he passed a corner he suddenly heard the sound of high heels.

He looked up and saw Eleanor hurrying over.

"Ji Ming, Divine Chosen, how are you here… Perfect, you're a doctor, come help me check this out!"

She dragged him to a deserted corner, Ai Li Nuo nervously glanced around, and opened the door beside her.

Behind the door was probably a storeroom; amid the mess, a bald old uncle slumped, reeking of alcohol, sticking out his tongue, with a lingering smile.

"What's going on?"

"That old man insists on sending me home, keeps pestering me nonstop, I can't help it! So…"

The previously excited Ai Li Nuo suddenly became timid and whispered.

"I lured him here, then gave his head a hard blow, like this."

She said, slightly arching her back, she reached both hands behind his neck...

Then she seized the chance to pull a staff from the ring and swung it fiercely at the air!

Damn, what kind of AdaiEr behavior is that?

Why can I already picture the scene that happened then?

"Hold on, I'll run a full check."

Ji Ming first used a resurrection card to test life and death, then checked the status on the panel, and finally used the Saint's Judgment to take an X‑ray.

"It's fine, your skull was just hammered and you fainted; you won't die."

Actually Ji Ming knows this person a bit; they chatted briefly before. He's a merchant selling grain outside the city, at least not as wealthy as the goblin Lei Nuo.

Indeed, the higher you climb the more you need to save face; if he truly were some powerful bigwig, he wouldn't commit such tasteless acts in public...

—At the very least, he should cover his face or find a place rarely visited by anyone.

"So you don't need to be afraid; even if he wakes up later, he can't do anything to you. You'll just have to swallow your anger and pretend nothing happened."

"Damn, I just got to the eighth plate of cake, and this is so unlucky!"

She vented her frustration by kicking the dead pig twice, Ai Li Nuo clutching her skirt's hem and sighing.

"The banquet is no fun at all, Ji Ming, I'm going back to the chapel to sleep. Want to come?"

"???"

Hey, that's not it; why are you speaking so calmly? What's with this sense of entitlement?

"No, sis, I know my charm rating is too high and that's my fault, but you really can't…"

Seeing the terrified Ji Ming, Ai Li Nuo finally realized.

"Wait, I didn't mean that! It was a slip of the tongue! I am… I am…"

In the sudden silence, Ji Ming stared at Ai Li Nuo, whose flushed face was as red as the other guests'.

"Father Ai Li Nuo, can you tell me what you're thinking right now?"