Colorful bursts of fireworks filled the sky, accompanied by the festive sounds of marching bands parading through the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
Small children gave chase to the parade, laughing giddily as they caught the candies thrown by the beautiful dancers wearing colorful dresses. Their bodies swayed in a hypnotic manner, matching the beat of the music as they led the procession.
Multiple restaurants had red cloths tied to their signs, indicating that their establishments were serving free meals for the entire day, courtesy of the City Lord's Mansion.
Overall, the entire city of Glory City was in a festive mood, as today was the sixth birthday of the City Lord's youngest son.
Ye Zeyang, and everyone was celebrating it.
City Lord's Mansion Banquet Hall.
Bustling noise filled the spacious hall as experts from various noble families came to attend the celebration at the City Lord's invitation.
Bearing gifts, the house masters of the great clans approached the head table as they personally greeted the celebrant and wished him a happy birthday.
Sitting on either side of Ye Zeyang were his parents, Ye Zong and Ye Yurou. They watched with fondness as the little boy awkwardly returned everyone's greetings.
As people waited for their turn to speak with the City Lord's family, a burly man walked straight toward Ye Zong, laughing heartily and ignoring the gazes of everyone lining up.
"Hahaha! Brother Zong, you really went all out for your little boy's birthday. The entire city is buzzing with festive excitement."
Ye Zong's smile widened upon hearing the boisterous laugh of his closest friend, Huyan Xiong. He stood up and clasped his friend's hand as the two talked joyfully.
"Brother Xiong, I just have to... you know how close we came to never having this celebration. I'm not only celebrating my boy's birthday but also the miracle that my wife and son are still here with me today." Ye Zong said as a thoughtful expression washed over him.
"Ahh, please don't remind me about it. My stomach churns every time I recall those days." Huyan Xiong let out a grunt. He still remembered how he, along with the other experts, had searched every nook and cranny of Glory City in search of a way to save Ye Yurou's life. He himself visited a couple of libraries and read hundreds of books in the hope of finding a cure for her illness.
And he hated reading books.
"Hahaha! Forgive me, Brother Xiong. I was just reminiscing about the past. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Quick, quick, get a glass. I'll pour you some drinks." The two men laughed as they filled their glasses with liquor and shared a drink.
"Good liquor! This one hits the spot."
Huyan Xiong exclaimed, laughing loudly as his gaze darted around to see if anyone was listening to them. After confirming there was no one, Huyan Xiong leaned toward Ye Zong and patted the man's back.
"We've already verified that Shen Hong and his family will surely attend this banquet. After confirming this, Brother Shuo and Brother Fe both took their positions, along with the others spread throughout the city. Everything is proceeding according to plan," Huyan Xiong whispered.
The smile on Ye Zong's face didn't falter, nor did he reply. He merely gave Huyan Xiong a meaningful look before patting his shoulder.
Huyan Xiong already knew what it meant. He and Ye Zong had been friends long enough to understand each other's thoughts without words.
"Brother Zong, I won't take up any more of your time. Some of the other guests are still waiting to talk to you."
"Very well. Enjoy the banquet, Brother Xiong. Let's talk again later."
After their exchange, Huyan Xiong went to his family's table. He sat there, making small talk.
Ye Zong continued greeting the other guests, looking cheerful on the surface, but inwardly, his mind reeled over the upcoming operation.
He hoped everything would go smoothly and that they could minimize the casualties as much as possible.
The banquet hall was now brimming with excitement. People from different families used the occasion to catch up with their friends.
Children of the nobility also used the opportunity to attract the attention of the opposite gender.
The boys were clad in elegant robes filled with intricate designs. They wore proud expressions as they strode through the banquet hall, trying to strike up conversations with any girls they fancied.
On the other hand, the ladies graced the banquet like blooming flowers, clad in stunning dresses. They radiated elegance and confidence.
One of these otherworldly beauties was Huyan Lanruo, the princess of the Huyan Family and the only daughter of Huyan Xiong.
She stood out among the crowd with her enchanting appearance. The eyes of many men were focused on her as she scanned the crowd with great anticipation, looking for someone.
After the events at the Holy Orchid City Ruins, Huyan Lanruo had become captivated by Nie Li.
Because of this, she made it her personal mission to pursue him and make the guy fall for her.
Her lashes fluttered softly as her lips pursed into a faint pout when she failed to find even a single strand of Nie Li's hair among the crowd.
Nie Li had been avoiding her ever since they returned. He had made it clear more than once that he wasn't interested in her.
Huyan Lanruo called it bullshit. With how pretty she was, there was no way a guy like Nie Li didn't have even the slightest attraction to her. In her opinion, it was far more likely that Nie Li was just putting on a show in front of Ye Ziyun.
As she pondered, a collective gasp reached her ears. Wondering what had caused it, Huyan Lanruo followed the crowd's gaze.
Seeing the person responsible for it, an annoyed look flashed across Huyan Lanruo's face.
She clicked her tongue, knowing that the appearance of the newcomer would surely steal some of the limelight away from her.
Donned in a fancy dress adorned with expensive accessories and luxurious jewels, Hong Loulan entered the banquet, looking like a radiant chrysanthemum in full bloom.
Murmurs of admiration filled the room as she carried herself with utmost elegance.
Her shimmering eyes darted around, looking for someone she had been wanting to see ever since meeting him at the auction house.
Instead of finding him, her gaze landed on Huyan Lanruo. A glint of competitiveness flashed through Hong Loulan's eyes as the corners of her lips curled upward while she walked toward her.
"It's been quite a while, Lanruo. How are you these days? I heard the rumors that you got dumped by a guy from the Fighter Apprentice Class. Is that true? That was concerning to hear. I never expected the proud and beautiful Huyan Lanruo to be dumped just like that."
Although Hong Loulan's tone and expression carried feigned concern, everyone could tell she was making fun of Huyan Lanruo.
A vein popped up on Huyan Lanruo's forehead. Her eyebrow twitched as a strained smile appeared on her face.
'This woman really didn't waste any time ruining my mood, did she?'
Huyan Lanruo thought to herself. She was itching to wipe that smirk off Hong Loulan's face with her knuckles if she could.
"Well, you definitely heard wrong because Nie Li didn't dump me."
Hong Loulan's brow rose when she heard the name Nie Li. Rumors said that he was a very talented kid who had killed the Abyss Demon all by himself.
"Maybe there's something wrong with your hearing, Loulan. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. After all, I doubt your father could find someone he could pay to remove all the dirt stuck in your ears. No wonder you're having difficulty hearing the people around you."
"Ew! There's nothing there! I always take good care of my ears. How could there possibly be dirt in them? Stop spouting nonsense, Lanruo!" Hong Loulan stomped her foot in protest, her cheeks turning red from embarrassment.
She was the sole princess of the Hong Family, and she always made sure to carry herself with dignity.
For Huyan Lanruo to spread such baseless nonsense about her being unclean definitely irritated her.
Huyan Lanruo let out a snort as she relished the sight of Hong Loulan's flustered appearance.
Hong Loulan was someone who loved picking fights with her but always ended up being the one teased in the end.
'This girl is really way too easy.'
Huyan Lanruo thought to herself.
As the two beauties made a small fuss, another person entered the banquet, immediately attracting the gazes of many boys.
Wearing a rather simple yet elegant dress, Shu Mao walked with measured steps. Her current appearance was strangely captivating, especially to those who had known her back when she was still attending the Holy Orchid Institute's Alchemy Class.
Despite being a commoner, Shu Mao had made a name for herself because of her brilliant mind and exceptional talent in alchemy.
Added to the fact that she was an absolute beauty and had the backing of the Divine Medicine Pavilion, it was not surprising that Shu Mao had become the object of many men's fantasies and earned her place as one of the three goddesses of the previous generation.
Ignoring the gazes of the people around her, she made her way toward Huyan Lanruo and Hong Loulan.
Unlike the two, who always bickered like cats and dogs as soon as they saw each other, Shu Mao was a good friend to both of them. She was also the sole reason why the three of them had become acquainted in the first place.
"Lanruo, Loulan, it's been quite a while. How are the two of you?"
Huyan Lanruo was about to respond with her own greeting but was pushed to the side by Hong Loulan, who quickly grabbed Shu Mao by the shoulders, surprising the latter with her rather odd behavior.
"Maomao, has Young Master Xue Hui come with you? I've been meaning to speak with him about... um... umm... business? Yes, business! I would like to talk about a possible business collaboration with him, but he's always busy, so I haven't had the chance. Please tell me he's here."
A bead of sweat trickled down Shu Mao's forehead. She knew Hong Loulan could be overenthusiastic whenever something caught her interest, but she had never seen her act like this toward a boy.
Before Shu Mao could respond, however, Huyan Lanruo, still rubbing her shoulder, let out a harrumph before butting into the conversation.
"So that's how it is. Miss 'I'm Too Good for Any Man' is now desperately chasing a guy. What a hypocrite. And you even chose a brat like Xue Hui. What's so good about that guy anyway? In terms of talent, charisma, and looks, my Nie Li is undoubtedly superior to that brat Xue Hui. Why chase a guy like him? Do you even know what a good man looks like?"
Huyan Lanruo was very familiar with Xue Hui since he was the first guy to reject her after her family had tried to arrange a marriage between them. His rejection had left a profound annoyance in Huyan Lanruo's heart, one reserved only for Xue Hui.
Shu Mao's eyes widened as panic crept into her upon seeing Hong Loulan's mood shift into something sharp.
"Um... guys, please don't start a fight here," Shu Mao pleaded in a worried voice.
End of Chapter 101.
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