Victory Banquet in Sumeru
The bustle of the victory banquet spread through every corner of Sumeru City like warm tides. The air was thick with the charred aroma of grilled meat, the mellow fragrance of fine wine, and heartfelt laughter from the crowd. A huge bonfire crackled in the center of the square, sparks rising like golden-red fireflies into the starry night sky, blending softly with the gentle glow of the Sacred Tree in the distance.
Having just fought a bitter battle in the Valley of Dhyana and won a great victory, the allied soldiers now laid down their heavy armor and tense nerves, fully immersing themselves in this hard-won joy. The Traveler and Paimon wove through the crowd, repeatedly stopped by enthusiastic soldiers for toasts. Yelan stood in the shade a short distance away, leaning against a weathered wall, a faint smile playing on her lips as she quietly watched the lively scene she had helped create, the delicate wine glass in her hand swaying gently.
The loudest and most heroic corner of the feast belonged to the table where Dehya and her companions sat.
"Haha! Another round! I've never met a woman who can outdrink me! Brother Dehya, what a capacity!" roared Zhang Fei, his voice thunderous. His whiskers bristled, his face dark and flushed, one foot planted on a bench as his enormous wine bowl clashed solidly with Dehya's, splashing liquor everywhere.
Dehya was equally bold. Her golden eyes shone brighter with drink, a healthy blush tinting her sun-kissed skin. She downed the fiery Sumeru specialty liquor in one gulp, then slammed the bowl down on the table with a hearty laugh. "This is nothing! We desert folk of Sumeru grow up drinking stronger stuff! Watch your step, General Zhang Fei, or you'll be too unsteady to cheer for Lord Guan's blade skills later!"
Surrounding them were scores of Sumeru mercenaries and Thirty Corpse soldiers. They drained their bowls one after another, the atmosphere so heated it threatened to lift the canopy overhead. Alcohol bridged the gap between people of different worlds and stations, with cries of sworn brotherhood filling the air.
At the heart of the banquet, a makeshift stage blazed with splendor.
Dressed in opera robes, Yun Jin moved with graceful elegance, her water sleeves fluttering lightly. Without elaborate accompaniment, she sang clearly, her voice piercing through all the noise like jade shattering on a mountain peak, reaching every ear distinctly:
"The great river rolls eastward, its waves washing away all heroes…" Her singing was distant and faintly melancholic, as if bringing the flow of a thousand years of history and the rise and fall of heroes to this victory feast in another world. Many Liyue soldiers listened spellbound, tears glistening in their eyes, mixing homesickness with pride.
Before the song ended, a figure in indigo-black ink swept onto the other side of the stage like a coiled dragon.
It was Guan Yu. His face was crimson as jujubes, his lips like painted rouge, his phoenix eyes half-lidded, commanding awe without anger. His fearsome Green Dragon Crescent Blade, no longer a weapon of war, became a work of art fused with his body and soul. The blade flashed like silk, moving with his steady, mighty gestures—sometimes soaring like a blue rainbow, sometimes crashing down like Mount Tai, sometimes flowing endlessly like the great river. The whistling of the blade through the air subtly harmonized with Yun Jin's lyrics, as if the surging waves that "wash away heroes" took tangible form in his swings.
As the song neared its end, another figure in feather fan and silk cap stepped gracefully onto the stage.
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly, holding a feather fan, his bearing elegant and calm. He first nodded slightly to the crowd below, then drew his sword with a sharp ring. His sword dance was vastly different from Guan Yu's blade work—less fierce, more ethereal and wise. The sword followed his movements, his form shifting like a flying crane or drifting clouds, his steps treading mysterious positions, the tip glinting like cold stars, as if tracing invisible formations in the air. Soft yet sharp, relaxed yet resourceful, it dazzled all who watched.
Guan Yu's unyielding dominance and Zhuge Liang's elegant agility complemented each other, forming a breathtaking scene that pushed the banquet's atmosphere to another climax. Cheers and applause erupted like a tidal wave.
In a quiet corner away from the main stage, beneath a glowing Padisarah, the veteran general Huang Zhong sat surrounded by Sumeru children.
The children stared at him with curious eyes, listening to the white-haired yet spirited elder tell his tales.
"...Back then, I was nearly sixty. Everyone said Huang Zhong was too old to fight," Huang Zhong boomed, stroking his snow-white beard, pride shining in his eyes. "But in that battle, I nocked an arrow, shot through the arrogant enemy general's helmet tassel, and pinned him to the ground with the second! Age? Hah, it's just a number! So long as the fire in your heart burns bright, your aim remains true, and your blade never dulls!"
"Wow!" the children exclaimed. One little boy couldn't help touching the huge precious eagle bow beside Huang Zhong, admiration filling his gaze.
"Grandpa, you're amazing!" "I want to be just like you when I grow up!"
Huang Zhong laughed heartily, patting the children's heads affectionately. "Good, good! All of you become heroes who stand tall and fearless!"
As Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang's performance ended, its lingering charm still hanging in the air, a hauntingly beautiful melody began to play softly.
Petals drifted down from nowhere onto the stage, as if a fragrant rain had begun. Amid the shower, Nilou appeared gracefully. Clad in a red-gold dance dress, she moved as light as if weightless.
Her dance was unlike Yun Jin's opera, Guan Yu's blade work, or Zhuge Liang's swordplay—it embodied pure grace and the joy of life. Her bare feet tapped gently, as if stepping on calm water, rippling invisible waves; her waist twisted softly, her arms stretching out, every movement natural and seamless, merging perfectly with the music, falling petals, and the joy in the air. She seemed to become a spirit of Sumeru, using the most beautiful body language to celebrate victory, praise life, and bless the future.
All eyes were drawn to her. Even the heavy-drinking Zhang Fei set down his bowl for a moment, a look of appreciation on his rugged face. Dehya crossed her arms, smiling, her eyes reflecting the stunning dance. The Traveler and Paimon watched, transfixed.
Yelan had stepped out of the shadows at some point, standing at the edge of the light, watching quietly. Zhuge Liang flicked his feather fan gently, nodding with a smile. Guan Yu stroked his beard in silence, a flicker of approval in his phoenix eyes.
Nilou's dance shifted the banquet's mood from extreme heroism to a warm, peaceful happiness.
When the dance ended, the brief silence was shattered by a thunderous burst of applause and cheers. Nilou bowed shyly and exited.
Inspired by the joyful atmosphere, Zhang Fei's heroism flared even higher. He stood abruptly, his massive figure stretching long in the firelight, raised his refilled wine bowl, and scanned the soldiers from different worlds and armies. His powerful voice boomed across the entire venue:
"Today, we fought side by side and crushed the enemy, winning a great victory! This is a moment of supreme joy! I, Zhang Fei, am no speaker, but I know heroes when I see them—men and women alike! Come! To victory, to our fallen brothers, and to a peaceful future—DRINK!"
"DRINK!!" Dehya stood at once in response. "To victory! Drink!" Sumeru soldiers shouted in unison. "Drink!" came the rough roars of Natlan warriors. The Traveler raised their cup, Yelan raised hers, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Huang Zhong raised theirs—everyone who could stand lifted their glasses and bowls.
Different voices, different languages, merged into a single emotion. The crisp, heroic clink of bowls echoed. Fiery liquor burned their throats, yet made every heart burn hotter.
Firelight flickered, illuminating faces etched with stories, now filled only with laughter and relief. Hymns of heroes, graceful dances, an elder's tales, children's dreams, fine wine… all wove together into an unforgettable victory night in Sumeru City. The shadow of war seemed to fade for a while, leaving only friendship and hope, shining like sparks in every heart, eternal and unextinguished.