Chapter 233: A birth legend can't lack an old goat head, just like

I…… I now want……

Ailin Nuo instinctively wanted to escape, but Ji Ming turned her head back.

"Don't avert your gaze, keep your eyes on mine, and honestly tell me what you want to do now."

Her violet pupils trembled, a few strands of reddish-brown hair stuck to her forehead.

Her lips slightly parted, her tongue tip trembled, and her neck unconsciously leaned forward.

"I want to be with you……"

"Stop!"

But just as she began to speak, Ji Ming hurriedly interrupted her again.

He released Ailin Nuo and stepped back several steps in a row.

"Father, actually we don't need to be so frank; just say something pure that Shen He can accept."

Holding onto the wall beside her, Ailin Nuo shook her head hard.

"That…… I want to grab the circle on your head, then use my hair tie……"

"All right, all right, that's enough, don't say any more!"

Ji Ming helplessly covered his face, walking back and forth in the hallway a few times.

"First of all, there's nothing to be shy about; it's human nature to feel desire to possess and taste good things."

"Secondly, I have a very objective view of my own appearance; anyone who likes men can't help but look at me twice."

"Then, everyone has desires, but people can control and overcome them with their will, putting moral shackles on them."

"So…… Father, what are you doing?"

Holding a large chunk of ice, Ailin Nuo was vigorously rubbing it on her face.

"Wu-wu~ I'm overcoming."

"All right, so my conclusion is that everyone at the banquet seems to have had their desires unintentionally amplified."

Ji Ming slowed his speech, guiding the other person to think.

"Although it doesn't completely destroy the mind, when excited the influence of desire quickly expands, causing a temporary breaking of bonds."

Although Ailin Nuo's behavior is rather immature and carries a touch of the Radiant Nobility's characteristic extravagance, she belongs to the hardworking type.

Recently, Bishop Te Ni Si has been teaching by example, and there have been many practical drills of church affairs; actually, progress has been quite considerable.

Now, calming down and thinking about it, situations like just now actually have many better solutions.

After entangling a bit, then tricking someone into acting elsewhere under public view, that's a last resort.

But why would I…… at that time?

"Ailin Nuo, Father, can you tell me what you just ate?"

Under Ji Ming's reminder, she carefully recalled what had just happened.

"I ate cream cake, jam cake, sponge cake, honey cake, roast beef, roast lamb, roast chicken leg, roast chicken breast……"

Like performing a fantastical menu recital, her mouth went like a machine gun, speaking for a full minute before stopping.

"Uh…… maybe we're missing a honey-braised potato pancake?"

"Ah? Yes! How did you know?"

"Because…… cough, that's not important, so you didn't drink alcohol, right?"

"Of course not."

Ailin Nuo immediately denied it.

"Teacher Te Ni Si specifically told me that the people here are bad, and I must not touch any alcohol!"

Ji Ming raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Ailin Nuo spoke decisively.

"I'm sure!"

"Then take out your priest's necklace, hold onto the Blazing Sun, and say it again."

"Taking it…… just made me choke, and the soup was a bit salty, so I just moistened my throat."

"How much?"

"One…… about three or two cups, I guess."

"How many bottles?"

"Not that many! Maybe just a quick flick when pouring…… a little…… two bottles, really two bottles!"

"You can't count, right? Fine, case closed."

The basis of a noble banquet is the wine party; meals can be skipped, but the wine glass must be held in hand.

So if you want to secretly give everyone a group debuff, the best way is to add something to the drinks.

……

Ah, thinking on the bright side, if the noble atmosphere of Sunlight City becomes even more extravagant, they'd probably focus more on increasing the dance portion,

At that time you'd see a group of men and women embracing in the dance floor, spinning around; if desires were further amplified……

I can't say!

"All right, all right, thanks for your reasoning, I get it now."

Throwing the remaining half-chunk of ice on the ground, Ailin Nuo tidied her disheveled sideburns.

"So what's the purpose of Suo La, or whoever did this, wanting to gather the top figures of Sunlight City's major forces together to make a spectacle?"

Indeed, the effect of this unknown potion is actually quite minor; it probably only serves as a mild stimulant, not even qualifying as a toxin.

So Ji Ming could only shake his head.

I don't know what the person behind the scenes wants to do, but he definitely doesn't have good intentions, so this is a place of right and wrong. We'd better leave quickly.

Huh? We're not going to warn them...

Mid-sentence, Ailin Nuo fell silent.

Everyone's having a great time right now; if we suddenly ran out and told everyone to stop playing, saying there's something in the drink that could make you even happier, so hurry home and find your mom, or you'll get scolded to death?

Alright, let's go.

But as a large building, the main tower of the lord's manor isn't small.

They didn't know where the other exits were, and didn't want to startle the snake, so they could only head back the way they came, leaving through the main hall's front door.

At this moment, the main hall already had a hint of madness in the air; although it hadn't reached the point of needing a mosaic, it already had a touch of Florida's crazy vibe.

For example, that shirt‑waving old man clutching an iron rod and shaking it wildly.

Oh damn, there's even this kind of dance skill.

Ji Ming really couldn't bear to watch, and unconsciously sped up his steps.

But just as he was about to leave, someone suddenly called out to him.

Doctor Ji Ming? Ah, I've finally found you!

The comer was none other than the goblin Reno, swaying and already dead‑drunk.

If tonight's problem lies in the drinks, then as the biggest supplier, he is undoubtedly the most likely mastermind behind it.

So Ji Ming had indeed suspected him, but looking at Reno's miserable state now...

Eighty percent he's probably just a victim, maybe even a scapegoat when the plot was accidentally exposed.

And after letting out a belch, Reno hadn't even spoken yet before flashing a foolish smile.

Doctor, I'm really jealous of you…… you…… how did you switch to another girl again?

Are you getting ready to leave? Then have fun, remember to take care of your body…… hehehe……

Ji Ming: ……

Although he wasn't affected by the potion, he still felt an urge to slap the guy to the ground.

But the dazed Reno probably didn't even know what he was saying himself; he staggered, leaned on a table, and plopped down with a thud.

Hey, Doctor, just go do your thing, don't worry about me!

Gee, this party is really fun, I'm so happy I don't want to leave……

You still don't want to leave? That's not up to you!

No matter what, they're acquaintances; grabbing a little green‑skin to run away together is still doable.

But Ji Ming had just reached out when he stopped mid‑air.

Wait, I don't want to go!

He furrowed his brow, as if grasping a hint of inspiration, then glanced toward the main hall.

Everyone was having fun, happily immersed in what they liked to do—eating, drinking, playing—nobody wanted to leave……

Damn it!

Cursing under his breath, Ji Ming quickly grabbed Reno's collar, but just then the lights in the hall began to sway, and then……

Boom—

A continuous, violent explosion rang out, though the sound came not from near the banquet hall but from the distant north.

Ji Ming swiftly weaved through the crowd, leapt over three tables in a row, and reached the nearest window.

All that could be seen was, beneath a sky dark as a cage, the horizon glowing with bright smoke and fire like daytime.

That was the North District controlled by the Adventurers Association, and something had happened there!

Damn it!

Boris cursed, took two strides and burst out the door, and the two clan chiefs likewise hurriedly followed with their retinues.

And the seated guests were just waking from a dream, every face filled with panic.

Where are the guards? Where are the guards?!

What's going on? What just happened?

Ah! Where did my pants go?

Although just now each of them had been bragging, even hoping the violent creature incident would last longer and involve more.

But once suspicion fell on them for the knife landing on their own heads, they'd be the ones most terrified and most bewildered!

But not everyone who could mix into this circle is an idiot; someone immediately realized what was happening.

Weird, how did I just go crazy like that, even wanting to…… with my brothers…… damn, that couldn't have been what I said!

Ah ah ah, dear, hear me out! Someone poisoned the food, I was affected!

Right, there's poison in the food…… no, in the drink! The drink is poisoned!

That shrill scream was like a whistling arrow, drawing everyone's gaze toward Reno.

Leaning in his chair, Reno gave a start; the alcohol he'd swallowed instantly turned into cold sweat.

Like a spring‑loaded jerk, he shot up and stumbled backward uncontrollably.

Wait, this isn't my fault—I drank the alcohol too, I couldn't have poisoned it!

Damn it, I said goblins can't be trusted!

Mr. Suo La really lost his mind—how could he invite that damned goblin? Guards, seize him quick!

I already suspected he had ill intentions—whenever we talked he kept staring at my wife! Right? Uh… where's Xisina?

The banquet judges finished the whole process—from gathering clues, to investigating the case, to pronouncing guilt—in just ten seconds.

Now it seems all they need to do is quickly hang Reno to cover up their earlier filth.

No no no, I didn't do it—I'm innocent!

When everyone wants you dead, personal defense is so feeble and powerless.

Lei Nuo looked around, only able to place his hope on Ji Ming.

"Doctor Ji Ming, Divine Chosen One, please say a word for me—I really didn't!"

Lei Nuo had no motive to put something in the wine; doing so would be meaningless to him.

As for being ordered… just idly, with nothing better to do, selling your own life, right?

But Ji Ming also didn't think that relying on his own influence could oppose everyone present.

Or rather, given Lei Nuo's "value," the other side was worth him taking such a risk.

However, at that moment, the black ring on his index finger suddenly became icy cold, signifying…

Only heard a loud bang; a door in the corner was flung open.

A hunchbacked figure resembling a dwarf, completely wrapped in a gray robe, rushed out from inside.

Behind him were several frantic handlers and cooks, all sweating profusely from anxiety.

"Seize him, he's a male witch—he put poison in the wine!"

Amidst the clamor of surprise, Ji Ming tilted his head.

What a coincidence—an on-the-spot reversal; is this a bit…?

But there was no time to think it over; the male witch had already burst into the banquet hall.

His speed was great, using the complex terrain and dense crowd to constantly weave through, slippery as a loach.

The guests all stood as spectators; even professionals feared getting too close, lest they accidentally injure themselves.

"Shameful!"

Elinor couldn't bear it, directly pulling out her staff, which frightened Ji Ming into grabbing it quickly.

"No, no, no—let me do it; if you smash down that whole set of two rings, you'll wreck the hall!"

Having said that, he removed the halo atop his head, aimed, and threw it at the male witch's lower body.

As the most iconic accessory of the Divine Chosen Holy Warriors, this item is naturally not as simple as a sunlight ring.

It shifted from solid to illusory and back to solid with Ji Ming's thought, passing through several people's bodies and furniture, and heavily struck the male witch's fragile knee.

He had almost reached the window, but at the last moment he stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.

But his escape failed; his first act was not to beg for mercy, but to ignite flames in his eyes, directly attempting self-immolation to seal his mouth.

Even if Ji Ming arrived immediately and tried to use the Suggestion Technique to turn the situation around, it was merely futile.

But although he respected his friend's privacy, he hated riddlers most—how could the tongue he wanted to catch be so easily cut off?

Therefore, before the male witch was completely burned to death, he directly poured an entire bottle of SpiritGathering Liquid into him.

Using vigorous life force, he forcibly extended his life by three seconds.

This allowed the being called "Weird," actually more akin to a subhuman species, to painfully leave two words.

"Shade~!"

"Heh."

Looking at the ashes below the window and the few medicine bottles lying there, Ji Ming smiled in relief.

Indeed, all the main members of the Birth Legend tonight attended the banquet, so how could Lao Yang Tou not come to show his face?

And the handlers only now managed to "please" the crowd, and Ji Ming, who hastily extended a helping hand, thanked them.

After all, if this thing were allowed to escape smoothly, everyone would probably be snapped by the old thief Suo La…

Just then the doors were pushed open, and Ke Li Si Ting entered with several tax handlers.

She first took her usual Ma Mao from the accompanying Shuang Ju Ren, then slammed it hard onto the ground.

This dispersed the murmurs in the hall, after which she spoke loudly.

"Report, a large number of savage creatures are attacking the northern part of the Inner City; all handlers, hear my order and follow me north to reinforce!"

Suo La also appeared at the right moment, having the attendants usher the guests to leave quickly.

But Ji Ming certainly wouldn't just leave like that; since kind and harsh words have been exhausted, the Wendigo still refuses to relent.

As his good neighbor, the only thing to do was to chop off one of its limbs, making it slightly more sober.