Wang Yuan retracted his "Golden Winged Jade Waist Slave" that had been knocked flying by the Tiger Head Saber and looked up.
Two figures were slowly emerging from the darkness outside the courtyard in the light of the lamps.
One was draped in a mysterious hooded cloak that obscured their face, their elegant and flirtatious gait barely visible, while the sight of the other figure made Wang Yuan's eyes instantly narrow.
It was actually the current Clan Leader Wang, Wang Yunhu, whom he hadn't seen since the day of the "Corpse Sacrifice"!
The clan leader of the Wang Family, corpulent and towering like a tiger or leopard, was dressed in a silk robe that did nothing to hide his fierce and murderous aura.
Although officially a Tomb Guardian living off imperial rations, he looked more like a seasoned giant bandit than any of the "heroes" in the flower hall.
Yet, as he came closer, he showed no trace of a domineering attitude and instead offered a respectful fist-and-palm salute to Wang Yuan, speaking apologetically,
"Wang had acted in haste due to urgency, I hope Brother Cui can be magnanimous.
Although there were reasons for the incident, both are esteemed guests of the Wang Family now, and it wouldn't look good if either were injured.
How about I play the peacemaker, and you both cease hostilities for now?"
His manner was impeccably courteous, making one feel as if bathed in the warmth of spring.
If it had been Wang Yuan's first time meeting him, he might actually have been misled by this person's demeanor, thinking he was the kind sort that led a vegetarian life.
One could imagine that someone who, in over a decade, could completely eradicate the influence of the previous clan leader and firmly bind everyone in the village to his war chariot, would hardly be just an ordinary brute.
Wang Yunhu had no illusions about making two people with such deep-seated hatred drop their grudge on the spot.
Instead, he took this opportunity to set down rules for the bandits on this very day, forbidding private duels, with any grievances to be settled away from the Wang Family's territory.
"Of course, I wouldn't want to trouble Clan Leader Wang,"
The "Shadowless Rat," Wen Juncai, having narrowly escaped death, proved to be quick-witted. He saluted Wang Yunhu and quickly exited the courtyard to return to his quarters.
After all, he had no face to join the banquet anymore.
Confronted with this fait accompli, Wang Yuan naturally did not persist stubbornly.
It was the "Thief Cat" that had a feud with the "Shadowless Rat," so what did it have to do with him, Wang Xiaoyuan?
In a couple of days, once he shed his skin, even the greatest enemy wouldn't be able to find him.
Moreover, judging by Wang Yunhu's strike that caught them off guard just now,
Wang Yuan highly suspected that his clan uncle, who had just passed forty, had not only broken through to the "Non-Human" but had also reached the Second Realm's Great Success, awakening some terrifying innate divine ability.
He just didn't know whether it was one of the "Geng Metal Divine Wind," "Imperial Decree Tiger Talisman," or "Soul Capturing and Spiritual Communication."
If combined with fine armor and talismans, a top "Daoist Soldier" from one of the Great Yan Army's thirty-six camps would be nothing more; certainly not a formidable enemy he could confront with brute force alone.
However, to maintain the persona of Cui Tong, Wang Yuan had to feign displeasure and huffed lightly,
"Consider it Wang Brother's face that I'm giving, sparing that old rat's luck."
Turning to look at the departing figure of the "Shadowless Rat," he had already decided on the first recipient for his "Rashamon Bone."
"Haha, then I thank you, Brother Cui.
It just so happens that our 'White Tiger Military Skill' is inherited from the same lineage as the 'Butterfly Soldier Skill' passed down by public officials.
The secret medicine wine used to break through to the Second Realm's 'Refining Marrow and Changing Blood' can be used interchangeably, just with different dosages.
I will present a jar of treasured 'Tiger Yang Medicine Wine' as a gift to compliment Brother Cui's spectacular 'Shadow Following' move just now!"
In this world, stronger victors always receive better treatment.
Although Wang Yuan was set up by Cui Tong's and his own "-5" Qi Fortune, he had also made a name for himself with that fight, and no bandit among the crowd would dare to underestimate him again.
Upon hearing this, genuine joy appeared on his face,
"Brother Wang is indeed generous, I humbly accept."
Although he felt that after consuming the flesh and bones of the White Mountain Lord, he would have all the necessary material to rise to a Non-Human.
But who would think such good things were too much?
Wang Yunhu then turned and saluted the bandits emerging from the flower hall,
"My apologies for any shortcomings in hospitality, forgive me for that, the finest wine and meat will be served forthwith."
His demeanor was calm and grand, showing the air of a general of great undertakings, compelling respect.
Before long, hosts and guests were seated, and the feast officially began.
Ten-year-old Dukang wine, roasted suckling pig, lion's head meatballs, braised fatty chicken, red-cooked carp... and whole roasted sheep kept coming to the table like a flowing river.
Completely unbeknownst to them, many villagers were starving outside the mountain, starting to flee the famine village by village.
The mysterious cloaked figure that Wang Yunhu had brought sat quietly at the table next to him, never taking off their cloak.
But just by observing the delicate figure and the everlasting scent that even the aroma of wine couldn't conceal, one could tell she must be an extremely beautiful woman.
Others might assume she was a lady from the Wang Family, but Wang Yuan knew that Daling Village couldn't have raised such a woman.
He didn't make much noise, just sat at the table, exchanged a few words if someone toasted to him, or silently drank and ate if no one did, all the while coldly observing the unrestrained bandits in the hall.
Thinking that soon he might catch a glimpse of Wang Yunhu and Master Ge's secret scheme.
At the banquet, as the host, Wang Yunhu frequently toasted to characters that had already drawn Wang Yuan's attention: "Strategist Bei" Lang Qi, the Ma Brothers, "Pangolin" Fan Zhang, and himself, the "Thief Cat".
This made him reconfirm that these people were very likely exceptionally skilled or possessed abnormal abilities.
However, he also confirmed that even if they possessed abnormal skills, none of them were true Red Seal Mages, capable enough to be firmly suppressed by Master Ge and Wang Yunhu.
As for the rest of the bandits, even though the weakest was at the "Integrated Force" realm, Wang Yuan believed he had nothing to fear from any of them.
'Precept Taboo is the greatest vulnerability of those who practice magic; knowing the flaw, perhaps even an ordinary person could take the opportunity to kill a magician.'
Just like the "Hairless Rat" who was killed by a single raindrop years ago.
Unfortunately, this was their biggest secret, and definitely not something that would be disclosed.'
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes had passed.
The once-disciplined bandits in the hall grew increasingly rowdy, and some over-bold rascals from time to time sent their gazes toward the graceful figure beside Wang Yunhu's table.
With fine wine and good dishes but no beautiful woman for company, they couldn't help but feel itchy.
All veterans of the romantic scene, they knew without even seeing her face that she must be a stunning beauty.
Wang Yuan straightened up, thinking to himself, 'Here comes the main event!'
The Wild Dog Daoist had already been burned to ashes by himself, and Master Ge had not appeared until now. The one who could sit next to Wang Yunhu, the host, was most certainly the Female Sorcerer from the Peach God Tao.
If someone dared to make a move on her, they might find themselves being taught a lesson instead, or even worse, be cursed with some vicious prohibition.
It was also the perfect opportunity for him to witness the skills of the Peach God Tao.
While it's true that there aren't many fools who could make a name for themselves in the Jianghu.
But it's not unusual for the people of the Jianghu to do something unexpected after drinking too much.
Suddenly, under the encouragement of others, a burly Han with an open chest revealing his dark chest hair staggered forward, holding a cup of wine.
Thanks to Cui Tong's knowledge, Wang Yuan recognized this person.
Li Erhei from Lingao Prefecture, burly as a black bear, tough as an iron ox with a body of tough flesh, proficient with two large axes, wanted for a bounty of thirteen hundred taels for committing several atrocities against prosperous families.
He was a cruel, malicious man, a mad dog who killed recklessly without guilt.
In the banquet hall, many sober individuals showed an expression of anticipation for a good show, sharing the same thought as Wang Yuan—they wanted to use this chance to gauge the strength of the host family.
Supporting the fight was one thing, but the distribution of spoils needed to be clearly discussed in advance.
The standard was the size of one's fist.
"Hehe, this little lady..."
But just as he began to speak, two streams of piercingly cold gazes, like flowing spring water, shot out from under the hood straight into his eyes.
Under this gaze, the brute who had killed countless people felt his burgeoning desire melt away like ice under a scorching sun, vanishing without a trace in an instant.
Following that, the elegant figure spoke out for the first time:
"I am Lady Peach Fairy, here on behalf of my master to run some errands. I apologize for any neglect towards the valiant heroes, and ask for your understanding for my lack of courtesy."
Upon hearing that this beauty was actually Master Ge's female disciple, everyone including Wang Yuan reflexively cursed in their minds:
"Bah, that dirty old man."
But immediately afterwards, they were attracted by a red peach pit in her slender, white jade hands.
"As Lady Immortal is unaccustomed to drinking and not wanting to dampen the spirits, she takes this opportunity on Clan Leader Wang's beautiful grounds to invite everyone to taste the Red Pattern Immortal Peach from the divine Tao Realm of the West Queen Holy Mother, in gratitude for your assistance."
"That clearly is just a peach pit, where's the Immortal Peach?"
But as doubts began to rise in everyone's mind, they saw the Peach Fairy toss the peach pit in her hand, and it landed firmly on the stone floor in the middle of the hall.
Before the eyes of all.
Crack!
Without any mantra or incantation, the peach pit cracked open, swiftly sprouting roots and a stem.
She was actually going to grow a peach tree on the spot!
The crowd pressed in closer, but Wang Yuan, who had been cautious from the start, was already on high alert.