Book 2 Chapter 71: The National Banquet - Martial God

Chapter 71: The National Banquet By midday, the sun's harsh rays caused the leaves to curl up, while the incessant buzzing of cicadas added an extra layer of irritation to the already sweltering weather. Inside the spacious carriage, He Yiming sat opposite Shui Xuanjin, casting a glance outside. During the New Year's period, He had accompanied his uncle to the Yuan family in Jinlin, amidst a flurry of snow, the depths of winter. However, several months had swiftly passed, and now the weather was scorching. It felt as if the half year had slipped by in a mere blink of an eye. He turned his gaze towards Shui Xuanjin, across from him. This elderly man was aware that his days were numbered, yet there wasn't the slightest hint of despondency emanating from him. If not for his innate awareness as a formidable practitioner assuring He of the truth, he would have never believed that this lively and cheerful elder was in the rapid decline of health. As if sensing He Yiming's gaze, Shui Xuanjin opened his eyes with a smile and said, "Brother He, I am just an old man about to enter the earth, not a young maiden. Why are you looking at me so?" Saying this, the old man even blinked twice, with a good-natured mischievous glint in his eyes. Even though they had only met a few times, within a span of less than three days, somehow, they had struck a remarkable chord with each other. Perhaps it was because Shui Xuanjin, knowing his fate, had let go of everything, while He Yiming held a more complex mindset. But one thing was for certain—he genuinely liked this elder. In this moment, following Shui Xuanjin's teasing, He Yiming recalled the scene from the study yesterday, blushing slightly as he said, "Brother Shui, how did you know?" He was filled with astonishment. Given his abilities and prowess, failing to detect this elder seemed rather improbable. Shui Xuanjin laughed heartily, and his dexterous ears suddenly twitched. Those ears seemed to come alive, slowly elongating until they reached the size He Yiming had first seen them. A typical person witnessing this scene might instinctively think they encountered a demon. If someone from the 21st century found themselves in this scenario, they might assume the old man was some sort of pig demon in disguise. Yet, He Yiming understood that the elder's seemingly extraordinary ability was simply the result of mastering the pinnacle of the innate art of "Wind Whispering Ears." Even ordinary people would have minor ear movements when agitated, but innate experts could control every part of their bodies more elaborately. For He Yiming, after practicing the Bone Transformation Art, only limited flexibility was possible at the acquired stage, but reaching the innate stage, manipulating two heads would pose no problem. Wind Whispering Ears itself was an innate technique; hence, exaggerated ear enlargements upon reaching its pinnacle were hardly unexpected. Seeing the ears moving without wind, He Yiming quickly realized, "Wind Whispering Ears?" Shui Xuanjin laughed jovially, a certain joyousness in his voice, "Brother He, while Wind Whispering Ears might not offer much in battle, since it's an innate technique, would it be classified so if it couldn't even detect such disturbances?" He Yiming's face darkened slightly, "Were you monitoring me?" Shui Xuanjin quickly dispelled the notion, "I just happened to hear a bit while practicing daily, certainly not monitoring you on purpose." His tone was honest and sincere, his gaze as clear as water, without a trace of the muddled confusion often found in ordinary elders. He Yiming nodded slightly. Mysteriously, he chose to believe the elder's words. Despite lacking evidence, he simply trusted him. Still, looking at those ears, He Yiming felt a tinge of envy. He resolved that upon returning, he would definitely learn this technique. Apparently sensing He Yiming's intentions, Shui Xuanjin sighed softly, "Brother He, I know you wish to learn this technique, but it's not aligned with the forces of the Five Elements. Without a natural affinity for wind-based techniques, no matter how hard you try, you might find it hard to grasp the essence." He Yiming smirked with an inscrutable grin, "I understand, thank you for the guidance, Brother Shui." Shui Xuanjin shook his head. He could see that He Yiming hadn’t quite given up, but perhaps letting him face some setbacks would teach him a valuable lesson. The carriage finally halted as they exited Shaoming Residence and entered the royal grounds of the Tianluo Kingdom. Stepping out of the carriage, He Yiming glanced around, marveling at the clear evidence of Tianluo Kingdom's superior power compared to the Huo Wu Kingdom. In front of them loomed a grand hall constructed of red bricks, white stone steps divided on either side, with a colossal dragon carved into the central stair, exuding an aura of solemn majesty. To his surprise, the Crown Prince Yu Xiaoyi was personally there to greet them. In front of Shui Xuanjin, Yu Xiaoyi shed all semblance of princely airs, respecting the elder as if he were his mentor. Upon seeing the elder alight, Yu Xiaoyi quickly stepped forward, gently supporting the old man’s arm, demonstrating a practiced finesse. Shui Xuanjin nodded slightly at him, with a glint of grandfatherly fondness in his eyes. Seeing this interaction, He Yiming thought of Bao Ye, currently giving his all to break through the tenth layer of internal strength back in the He Family Village, wondering if the elder had already succeeded. Ascending the steps, they soon reached Longting Palace. Looking up, four fierce dragons adorned the roof ridge, claws poised around a luminous pearl between the two central dragons—each dragon arching its head, yearning for the pearl, claws extended expectantly. The ornate sculpture of 'Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl' was exceedingly realistic, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. He Yiming's gaze lingered momentarily before withdrawing. Inside the grand hall, purplish-red columns were carved with dragons and phoenixes, exceptionally lifelike and vivid. The walls were adorned with vibrant frescoes that dazed and dazzled the beholder. The hall was arranged in ancient seating, with over a hundred seats meticulously placed, and He Yiming immediately recognized his uncle He Quanxin and He Yitian among the assembly. His heart momentarily froze; it was quite unexpected that they were of sufficient status to attend such an occasion. Both He Quanxin and He Yitian nodded slightly in acknowledgment of He Yiming but remained seated at the back, making no move forward. He Yiming returned their nod but focused his attention elsewhere, as he had already spotted an innate expert seated within the hall. Every innate expert carried a unique aura, and the one sitting in the hall was a man of imposing presence. He sat composedly in one corner of the hall, and anyone who entered instantly sensed his overwhelming presence. He wore an uncommon deep red robe, akin to a gigantic lantern emitting boundless light and heat, constantly demanding attention. Never before had He Yiming encountered someone who maintained such a formidable aura so brazenly. However, acknowledging this powerful presence, He Yiming had to admit that this person definitely had the right to be so arrogantly confident. The formidable energy emulating from him was undeniably the most potent He had ever felt. Even compared to the three innate experts He had previously encountered, it seemed unmatched. Despite the man's middle-aged appearance, He Yiming had long been informed by Xue Lie that this individual's real age approached a century. Yet, for an innate expert, this wasn't considered particularly advanced, and barring unforeseen circumstances, he likely had over a century of life remaining. Both Shui Xuanjin and He Yiming entered the hall almost simultaneously. As they stepped in, the man immediately opened his eyes. His gaze suddenly intensified, powerful innate energy radiating from his eyes, cutting sharply like a blade. Supporting the elder, Yu Xiaoyi inadvertently caught this gaze and instantly felt a stabbing pain in his eyes, as though pricked by needles. Alarm filled his heart, recognizing this exchange as a clash between innate experts, and he realized he was merely an unfortunate bystander caught in the maelstrom. Even after shutting his eyes instantly, the discomfort lingered, and tears welled up, rolling down his handsome face. He Yiming's expression darkened; he stepped forward decisively, overtaking Shui Xuanjin, his hands rising suddenly to form a seal. His fingers intertwined, and a peculiar vortex seemed to manifest over his hands. Upon a mighty tremor from his palms, an unseen, colorless qi surged outwards instantaneously. As He dealt with Lü Xinwen, the true energy he unleashed hadn't yet reached the level of being silent and invisible. However, after studying the original texts of the Subduing Earth Seal and Cloud and Rain Seal, he made subtle improvements to his technique. The Needle Hidden Seal now produced needle-shaped true energy that was not only 30% more powerful but also more difficult to detect and evade. Cheng Fu's expression changed slightly. He hadn't intended a real confrontation but was surprised by the opponent's immediate aggression, lacking the grace expected of an innate expert. He snorted coldly and waved his hand. The loose, voluminous clothes he wore, particularly the sleeves that extended far beyond his hands, transformed into a sea of red, meeting He Yiming's needle-shaped true energy head-on. A clear sound akin to gold and stone clashing resounded sharply through the hall, crisp and pleasing. He Yiming's eyes twitched slightly, and he heard Shui Xuanjin's voice from behind, "I've long heard that Brother Cheng's robe is woven from volcano-dwelling fire silk merged with steel threads. Though not a treasure, it can withstand even treasures without harm. Seeing it today, its reputation is well deserved." He Yiming's heart stirred, understanding Shui Xuanjin's comments were meant for him. Engaging Cheng Fu barehanded without knowing the robe's special qualities could lead to a major disadvantage. Cheng Fu stood up slowly, gazing quietly at Shui Xuanjin. After a moment, he spoke, "Brother Shui overpraises. This simple robe is hardly worthy of your esteemed attention." Shui Xuanjin smiled slightly, gently massaging Yu Xiaoyi's temples. Yu Xiaoyi exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. Though they were still a bit swollen, there was no significant harm. Bowing his head, he softly said, "Thank you, Granduncle." Shui Xuanjin pressed Yu Xiaoyi's hand firmly and proceeded to the prepared seats with He Yiming. As they sat down, the elder chuckled, "Brother He, thank you for your assistance." He Yiming smiled awkwardly, "He disrespected me, it had nothing to do with you." Cheng Fu's brazen challenge in Shui Xuanjin's presence was a clear attempt to provoke the elder into action. Being aware of Shui Xuanjin's health, He Yiming acted preemptively. Yet, he knew better than to hide his intentions from the astute Shui Xuanjin. The two exchanged a knowing look, feeling a profound connection despite the gap in their ages. Especially He Yiming, whose heart ached slightly knowing the elder might have only a few years left. Sometimes, a single meeting could birth a deep friendship, while constant contact could still feel like two strangers passing by. Such was the unpredictable nature of human relationships, beyond reason. Even He Yiming found his actions rather impulsive. Yet, life would be dull if every step was weighed down by consequences. Beside Cheng Fu sat a strikingly handsome young man and woman, likely in their twenties, sharing a noble aura that made others reluctant to meet their gaze. When He Yiming's gaze fell upon them, they bowed slightly from their seats, understanding their noble status did not excuse any breach of etiquette in front of innate experts. A resonant chime filled the air, followed by an elegantly dressed elder entering the hall, surrounded by attendants. As he appeared, everyone in the hall stood up, except for the three innate experts. The young couple, too, rose from their seats, but unlike others who knelt, they simply bowed in greeting. Not seating immediately, this elder approached Shui Xuanjin and apologized, "Granduncle, these guests from Kairong, Master Cheng Fu, the Third Prince, and the Fifth Princess, were eager to meet you. Please forgive the disturbance." Shui Xuanjin gave a slight smile, "Your Majesty, it is my honor to meet the royal family and the protector master of Kairong. No need for apologies." He Yiming naturally realized this gent was Yu Rui Pei, the current King of Tianluo. The respect he extended to Shui Xuanjin wasn't too surprising given their historical connection across several reigns. After greeting Shui Xuanjin, Yu Rui Pei turned to He Yiming, his smile genuine, "Master He, having you here is truly fortunate for our kingdom." He Yiming bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, you're too kind." In the presence of a sovereign, He Yiming couldn't mirror Shui Xuanjin’s ease due to age disparity—Shui's two centuries of existence outshone the mere sixteen years of He Yiming's experiences. Yu Rui Pei didn't linger long with He Yiming, instead greeting the three distinguished guests from Kairong, then ordered the servants to bring drinks and dishes accompanied by entertainment, quickly enlivening the atmosphere. The attendees at this banquet were notable figures from Tianluo, representing the pinnacle of the nation. By right, He Yiming could have a seat of his own, but since he chose to sit with Shui Xuanjin, no one dared object. Throughout the feast, He Yiming felt an intense stare directed at their table multiple times, an unsettling gaze seemingly intent on understanding them. Remarkably, though, this gaze carried no hostility, just leaving him deeply unsettled. He furrowed his brow slightly, whispering, "Brother Shui, what is Cheng Fu truly after?" Shui Xuanjin smiled knowingly, "He wants to determine if the rumors of my approaching end are true." He Yiming paused, "Could he not discern this?" Shui Xuanjin chuckled, "Of course not. Without a real confrontation, I remain steadfast, and none would dare dismiss me lightly." He Yiming opened his mouth, hesitating before speaking. With a soft smile, Shui Xuanjin continued, "Curiously, when we first met, you seemed to perceive my condition. Could it be you've practiced some peculiar technique?" He Yiming chuckled ruefully, "Brother Shui, to be honest, I haven’t. I could just sense life slipping away from you, and so reacted as I did initially." Shui Xuanjin showed surprise, a deep sigh following, "So, it's a natural gift then. Enviable." He Yiming, however, knew this acute sense likely stemmed from a serendipitous encounter at the lake that day. Suddenly, Shui Xuanjin sighed softly, "Cheng Fu’s inability to gauge my situation means we'll likely face trouble later. What a headache." Seeing his troubled expression, a surge of emotion overwhelmed He Yiming. He contemplated accepting the position of protector master to ease Shui Xuanjin’s burden, yet he restrained himself. Still, an unspoken sentiment lingered in his heart.