Li Jing was listening to everyone's ridiculous accusations against Teng Fen and felt that he should intervene. Firstly, because it was better for Teng Fen to consider him an ally rather than suspecting him, and secondly because no one knew him in the city, so he wanted to use this situation to build his reputation.
He knew that he would probably offend the Hong clan and the Zhao clan by intervening but he didn't care because with his current strength, only a dozen people were stronger than him in the kingdom and these people would never do anything against him.
"Brother Yimou, do you have proof that Brother Fen used a treasure?" He asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Zhao Yimou was slightly surprised, he didn't expect that someone would speak for Teng Fen. He turned towards Li Jing and smiled.
"I don't. But without treasure, he would not have been able to beat me." He said with confidence.
"Since you're so sure of it, tell us. What kind of treasure did he use?" Said Li Jing.
"He… He used a Strength Talisman!" Answered Zhao Yimou.
"Oh? The Strength Talisman is only effective during a few minutes. Did anyone of you see him using it during the fight?" Said Li Jing, addressing the people around him.
The people around them started to discuss and realized that what Li Jing said was true, they didn't see Teng Fen used any kind of treasure during the fight. To activate a Strength Talisman, a cultivator needed to shatter it by injecting his Qi inside it…
"He must have used it before the fight!" Said Hong Mei.
"I was sitting next to him since the start of the banquet and can witness that he didn't use anything before the fight." Said Li Jing.
No one could retort what Li Jing said and an awkward silence followed.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's not forget that this is the king's birthday." Said Shao Qun.
"We apologize, Your Majesty." Exclaimed Someone.
Everyone else apologized to the king after that.
Actually, the king and a lot of patriarchs and leaders knew that Teng Fen didn't cheat but they didn't intervene because they wanted to let the youngs solve the problem themselves.
"It's fine. Let's resume the music and enjoy the wine!"
After the king had said these words, the banquet continued as if nothing had happened.
Li Jing sighed. Teng Fen always attracted trouble on him even if he didn't do anything, it was one of the reasons why he didn't want to befriend him.
Teng Fen watched Li Jing as he sat down at his table. He obviously didn't need anyone to speak for him but he was slightly surprised that Li Jing took the risk to go against the other Great Clans to defend him while he could have stayed quiet and neutral. Even if it was something insignificant, Teng Fen always repaid evil with evil and rewarded kindness with kindness.
Hong Mei was furious but tried her best to hide it. Because of Li Jing, she had just missed a good opportunity to make Teng Fen pay for the humiliation she suffered a few days ago. Worst, today she even lost face by being easily beaten by him in front of everyone. She will have to make these two pay for this affront.
Zhao Yimou kept his usual smile on his face but inside he was boiling with anger. He never felt so humiliated in his life. Today, he has been effortlessly beaten by a trash and the perfect reputation he had built for so many years has been shattered because Li Jing basically called him a liar in front of everyone. He will never forgive them…
Teng Fen sat at his table next to Li Jing and stayed silent for a moment before talking to him. He wanted to know why he chose to antagonize the Hong clan and the Zhao clan instead of taking their side.
"Why did you help me?" He asked.
"Well, you clearly didn't cheat but they accused you. These two are too arrogant and scheming…" Li Jing really didn't like these two villains when he read the web novel.
"How can you be sure that I didn't cheat? After all, I don't have a good reputation in the city."
"That's right. But after discussing with you, I realized that you were different from what people say about you. So I assumed the rumors about you were false." Said Li Jing.
He actually always wondered how the people around Teng Fen never realized that he was a different person. They just magically accepted that overnight he changed from a stupid arrogant young master to someone super strong and knowledgeable.
"I see. Then, I suppose that I should thank you."
They stayed silent for a moment before Teng Fen remembered something important.
"By the way, do you still have the Mysterious Box you bought during the auction?" He asked.
Li Jing had expected Teng Fen to ask questions about the Mysterious Box and had already prepared a lie.
Of course, lying to someone tens of thousands of years old was not easy but Li Jing knew everything about Teng Fen so lying to him was easier for him. He has read his story for more than five years, he knew his way of thinking, and he knew his weaknesses and strengths. Therefore, he was confident that he could lie to him without being spotted.
"Yes, I still have it. Why?" He said.
"I'm wondering if you have been able to open it." Said Teng Fen.
"No. Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to open it." Said Li Jing, shaking his head.
Hearing this, Teng Fen frowned. He couldn't tell if Li Jing was lying or not but he found it strange that he hasn't been able to open it. The box was crafted using the Blood Binding Forging technique which was common in the Immortal World.
Could it be that his theory was false and that there was not someone from the Immortal World in the Li clan? He still couldn't tell for sure and needed to elaborate a plan to spot that person if he existed.
"I'm also quite curious about this box and want to try to open it. Can you sell it to me?" Asked Teng Fen.
"Actually, my father and grandfather are also curious about this box and are still trying to open it. But I can ask them if they want to sell it after their attempts." Said Li Jing, smiling.
"Then, I'll trouble you." Said Teng Fen.
Of course, Li Jing will just drag this matter until he or Teng Fen will leave the kingdom. That way, Teng Fen will never know what he really missed.
…
Time passed quickly and it was already night.
The guests started to leave the banquet one after the other and soon it was time for Li Jing to leave as he saw his father and grandfather walking towards him.
"Well, it was nice to meet you Brother Fen. It seems like I have to go." He said.
Teng Fen nodded and Li Jing walked away with Li Bai and Li Zhang towards their carriage after politely bidding farewell to the king.
Inside the carriage, Li Bai was glaring at his son intently.
"What's wrong?" Asked Li Jing.
"Are you sure that it was a good idea to offend the Zhao clan and the Hong clan for a good-for-nothing like Teng Fen?" Said Li Bai.
"I did what was right, he didn't cheat." Lied Li Jing.
"You are too kind, just like your mother…" Said Li Bai, sighing.
Hearing this reminded Li Jing of his mother in his previous world, he actually missed her a lot. The last time they talked she was yelling at him and he was completely ignoring her… He wondered if she was fine and if she was able to accept his death…
Around an hour later, they finally arrived, Li Jing got out of the carriage and immediately walked towards his bedroom. He had a lot of plans to make for the future.