A hush fell over the hall. It was customary for the City Lord to offer a few words before the food arrived, so everyone’s attention was fixed upon the elder seated at the head table.
“To have so many heroes and fine men of Luoxia Town gather today to welcome me truly makes this old man feel ashamed!” Joshua, as expected, offered words that did not reflect his actual feelings.
“Not at all…” The crowd politely rose in response.
“It is entirely worth it that Lord Joshua agreed to lend his assistance!”
“It is our honor to stand with you, my Lord…”
“My Lord’s cultivation is profound, but his character is even better! He is righteous and just; he immediately came out of seclusion upon hearing of this matter. Truly, an exemplar for our generation…”
A barrage of flattering speeches filled the air, making the gathering appear one of mutual delight between host and guest.
Joshua was highly satisfied with the reaction. He narrowed his eyes slightly, gently stroked his beard, and wore an expression of smug satisfaction: “You all flatter me excessively; this old man dares not accept such praise!”
“If you dare not accept it, then no one else dares to!”
“Who in all of Luoxia Town has not heard of your venerable fame…”
The room erupted once more in a chorus of sycophancy.
Joshua absorbed the praise contentedly, preparing to offer a few more feigned instances of humility so the compliments could continue. Suddenly, his gaze flickered, sweeping back towards Chen Feng’s table. To his utter shock, not a single person at that table was looking at him.
This instantly wounded his pride and filled him with rage. It felt like finding a dead rat floating in a bowl of fresh congee—nauseating.
“City Lord, you entertain guests of high standing!” Joshua let out a cold snort, forcefully conveying his displeasure, though his voice was low enough that only the City Lord, and not those nearby, noticed.
The City Lord followed his gaze and immediately spotted Chen Feng and his group. Everyone else had risen; this table remained seated, making them stand out like a solitary crane among chickens. They were undeniably conspicuous.
“I truly don’t know why Xiler invited this rabble. I’ll have someone fetch him and tell him to send these people away!”
Although the City Lord disliked Chen Feng’s group, he was not a fool, and he always trusted Xiler’s judgment. Anyone Xiler invited couldn't be simple, but it wasn't convenient to say so out loud. That was why he had already sent someone to inquire about Xiler's perspective.
Aihart, Bens, and Mary had felt embarrassed after their auras were sensed at the city gates. Since entering the hall, they had been diligently suppressing their cultivation levels. Consequently, even though Joshua was a First Grade Dou Zun, he couldn't discern their true strength.
This was understandable; if a high-level expert wished to conceal their aura, even a Fifth Grade Dou Zun would be unable to detect even a shred of it.
Just then, dishes and fine wines began to flow onto the tables, growing increasingly lavish.
Little Tiger and the others, having eaten dry rations for days, dug in heartily, finally able to feast without restraint.
As they ate, the clatter of dishes and plates—ba-da, ba-da—resounded again in the slightly quieter hall. In such a formal setting, no one would dare begin eating, let alone start chewing loudly, before the host had spoken.
Little Tiger and his companions’ actions immediately drew everyone's attention. These people were, by and large, quite young. They usually spent their time cultivating and had only recently broken free from the shackles of their families; naturally, they indulged in reckless abandon. Though they knew their behavior was improper, they relished it.
After all, with Chen Feng present, they feared nothing. Moreover, they knew it was impossible for mere Dou Shi or Dou Shiz to stop them. In essence, it was a display of youthful defiance.
Little Tiger, mid-chew, sensed something was amiss. He looked up and saw the surrounding crowd staring at his group as if they were strange beasts.
“Eat up, everyone, don't be shy!” he said with a smile, resuming his meal.
People had seen shamelessness before, but never one so brazen. Simultaneously, they were seething with indignation.
“Who are you people…” someone finally spoke up.
“Why did they start eating?”
“This is too disrespectful! What kind of people did the City Lord invite?”
The crowd began murmuring amongst themselves, though no one dared to step forward as the sacrificial lamb.
Joshua’s face turned ashen. Did this group of people truly value the food on the table more than him?
“Hmph!” He stood up abruptly and turned to leave. “If you plan to bring such people to the Tianfeng Competition, you should seek a more suitable escort!”
“Lord Joshua…” The City Lord quickly rose and pulled him back. “You cannot leave! Please wait a moment!”
“Guards!” the City Lord boomed. “Remove these ill-mannered wretches!” He pointed toward Chen Feng’s table.
“Yes, sir!”
Hearing the call, more than a dozen soldiers filed in from outside and surrounded Chen Feng’s group as ordered.
“Please accompany us outside,” the lead soldier said in a low voice.
“And what if we say ‘no’?” Chen Feng asked with a smile.
A banquet in the manor should not typically involve drawn swords, but if you refuse to leave, we won't be held responsible for any impoliteness!” The soldier leader immediately drew his longsword. The whoosh of steel scraping against the scabbard echoed through the hall, and the atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
“City Lord, what is happening?” Just then, Xiler entered. He had only just arrived after the City Lord sent for him.
“What kind of people have you invited?” The City Lord’s expression was grim.
Xiler turned to look and finally noticed the tension between the soldiers and Chen Feng’s party. He inwardly groaned, bowed deeply, and said, “My apologies, City Lord. I will resolve this!”
He moved quickly, taking three steps in two, to stand before Chen Feng’s group. “Esteemed guests… I implore you, please step outside for a moment. I will treat you to dinner later…”
Little Tiger glanced at him and chuckled. “No trouble necessary. I’m not full yet. Your cooking is quite good; just have the kitchen prepare ten more servings of everything on the table!”
“Ten servings…” Xiler was startled, but seeing that Little Tiger and the others had no intention of leaving, his face immediately turned ashen with despair.
From across the room, Joshua saw Xiler attempting to usher the group out, and he perceived it as a mere charade. His displeasure deepened. He snorted coldly at the City Lord, “Fine, fine! So the City Lord has invited such arrogant brats. What use is an old bone like me then?” He turned, preparing to walk out again.
The City Lord grew frantic once more. Joshua was a peerless master he had courted with immense effort, spending untold resources and money to secure his aid. If this group of youngsters managed to anger him into leaving, where would the City Lord’s dignity go?
“Don’t just stand there! Drive these troublemakers out immediately?” the City Lord roared at Xiler.
“City Lord…” Xiler hesitated, looking toward Aihart, Bens, and the others. He saw the three of them staring intently at the food on the table, seemingly more focused on it than he was.
Disobeying the City Lord meant offending his superior; following orders meant offending these three supreme powerhouses. Xiler’s mind was in turmoil, but a sudden thought flashed through him. He walked to Chen Feng, bowed low, and pleaded, “Esteemed sir, please bear with us for a moment. Lord Joshua is a reclusive master; there’s no need for conflict between you…”
As Xiler spoke to Chen Feng, he kept glancing at Aihart and the others, believing Chen Feng’s brazenness stemmed purely from reliance on these three.
“Heh heh…” Chen Feng shook his head. “I won’t make things difficult for you!”
Xiler instantly showed a look of relief upon hearing this, but before he could smile, he heard Chen Feng speak in a calm tone, directing his words toward Joshua at the front of the crowd: “Old man, don't invite trouble. If you wish to see the City Lord’s Manor buried with you, please continue to provoke me!”
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone’s ears. The crowd flinched at his audacity. Did this fellow want to die, daring to challenge Lord Joshua directly?
Xiler was even more startled. He quickly tried to interject, “Lord Joshua is a Dou Zun master, and he has extensive connections…” He was cut off by a mocking laugh from behind him. “Good, good! I see young people nowadays have no manners whatsoever! Since that is the case, today I shall discipline you on behalf of your parents…”
Although he didn't know the cultivation level of Chen Feng’s group, Xiler’s deference suggested they were merely spoiled heirs relying on family background. As long as he didn't beat the youth to death, their family wouldn't risk offending a Dou Zun master over a mere boy. This was why he made the threat. However, before he finished speaking, he felt a sharp impact on his face.
Slap! Slap!
Two crisp slaps echoed instantly through the hall. The youth who had been sitting in the corner had, inexplicably, appeared before him.
“Who were you intending to discipline?” Chen Feng smiled slightly, raising his right arm, and with another slap, struck Joshua across the face.
“You…” Joshua had no idea how the opponent had seized him or how he was struck. His face felt burning hot, and his vision swam with dizziness.
The surrounding onlookers were nearly stunned speechless. Xiler’s eyes went wide. How could someone who appeared to have no cultivation possess such blinding speed?
“Could it be…” His heart plummeted, and a horrifying thought surfaced, causing cold sweat to drench his robes.
“I truly didn’t want to lay a hand on you,” Chen Feng said calmly. “Because you are unworthy of my effort.”
With that, he casually tossed Joshua to the ground. Despite being a Dou Zun, Joshua felt his body go limp the moment he was thrown, completely devoid of strength, and he crashed heavily, landing face-first.
Three distinct handprints were red and swollen on his face. He no longer looked like an ‘Immaculate Master’ but rather a bruised pig’s head.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to escort us out?” Having completed this minor task, Chen Feng clapped his hands, swept his gaze across the hall, and spoke lightly.