Fantasy: I Am the Villain.

Chapter 178 The Banquet (Part 1)

Chapter 178 The Banquet (Part 1)

Just then, the elder and Lin Xiu, who had gone to the Netherworld Beast Forest to eliminate the remaining demonic beasts, returned with several disciples. Upon seeing them return, the disciples rose and bowed to the elder.

"It's alright, please sit down. By the way, has anything important happened today?" the elder asked, while inviting Lin Xiu and the others to tidy up and have something to eat.

One of the disciples replied, "Reporting to the elder, it's nothing serious. It's just that early this morning, an envoy from the Mo Yun Kingdom's palace came to say that there will be a welcoming banquet for us at the palace tonight."

The messenger said that this banquet was the king's way of expressing his gratitude to us, and that all of our disciples must attend.

"Besides that, is there anything else?" the elder asked.

"None more."

"Well, in that case, let's go together tonight."

Upon hearing this, the disciples erupted in joyful cheers. It was no wonder they were so excited; they had been cultivating diligently in the Tian Ce Palace since childhood and had never witnessed a worldly banquet before, which they imagined would be quite lively.

At this moment, the disciple who had just spoken seemed to hesitate and asked again, "Elder, what if all the disciples go to the banquet?"

"Then, who will guard the post station? After all, this is where we're staying. If someone with malicious intent sneaks in and tries to do something wrong, it will be troublesome."

The elder glanced at him upon hearing this and said, "As a disciple of the prestigious Tian Ce Palace, how could we possibly take such petty people seriously? As you said, we are merely staying here. Even if there were such people, what could they possibly be plotting against us?"

As you heard from the envoy, the King of Moyun has prepared a banquet for us and specifically mentioned all his disciples. How can we refuse? Before we go to the banquet tonight, I will set up a barrier here at the post station. Not to mention those mere mortals who don't know magic, even if someone comes, they won't be able to break it easily.

"Hmph, I'd like to see who's so audacious as to think they won't come, but rather that they won't dare to. You don't need to worry about that."

"Yes!" They then began to eat together. Meanwhile, Ling Feng, focused on his breakfast, was secretly thinking, "The banquet..."

Meanwhile, Bai Ke was peacefully cultivating his martial arts in his room. He thought that since everyone knew he had collapsed from exhaustion, why not take advantage of these few days of recuperation at the post station to cultivate his martial arts and enhance his cultivation?

After all, there are still competitions to come after the Heavenly Strategy Holy Son Election, and he needs to prepare well in advance. "Knock knock knock!" A knocking sound rang out on the door.

Bai Ke withdrew his power, exhaled a breath of stale air, and felt refreshed. He opened his eyes, looked towards the source of the sound, and said, "Go in."

The person who came in was the same disciple who had brought him porridge earlier. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?" Bai Ke asked the disciple who had entered.

"Uh, no, no. I just figured you'd almost finished your porridge, so I came in to collect the bowls and chopsticks," the disciple explained with a smile.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I can do such a small thing myself, why bother you?"

"Hey! What's the trouble? Senior brother, you've gone to so much trouble for us. I'm just helping you deliver a bowl. It's no trouble at all."

"By the way, Senior Brother, you should rest and prepare. The envoy from the Mo Yun Kingdom just came to extend an invitation, saying that the King of Mo Yun Kingdom has prepared a banquet for us, and all disciples are welcome to attend. Everyone is very happy!"

"banquet?"

"Yes!"

"Has the elder agreed?"

"Yes! The elder said we'll go to the banquet together tonight!" The disciple couldn't help but get excited again.

Bai Ke pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said to the disciple, "Okay, I understand. I'll prepare in a bit. You can go ahead and get busy!"

"Okay, I'll be going now." After saying that, the disciple took the bowl and chopsticks and left.

Gradually, the sun began to set. A layer of evening glow spread across the sky, the fiery light almost burning half the sky red. A few stars, now impatient, twinkled and hung in the sky.

The cries of vendors and hawkers on the street did not diminish in the slightest as night approached. Lanterns hung everywhere, illuminating the night market as if it were daytime.

After a long day of hard work, the farmers and workers set off on their journey home, where their wives had prepared a delicious meal and were waiting for them.

Young women carefully selected rouge and jewelry at a stall, meticulously dressing up for the sake of their beloved. Children chased and played in the open space or frolicked by the water, only reluctantly returning home when their parents called them repeatedly.

So this is what heaven and earth are like.

At this moment, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the banquet in the royal palace of Moyun Kingdom. The king sat in the center, watching with a smile the beautiful women singing and dancing in the hall, while the ministers exchanged toasts and pleasantries.

The princes and Grand Councilors sat below the emperor, followed by disciples of the Tian Ce Palace and other members of the royal family on either side. Attendants moved among them, serving them wine and tea.

After the song and dance ended, the king waved for them to leave. Then, he smiled and said to the elder of Tian Ce Palace, "The disciples of Tian Ce Palace have done my Mo Yun Kingdom such a great favor by eliminating the calamity of Anning Village. The entire Mo Yun Kingdom is extremely grateful."

This banquet is specifically to express our gratitude for everyone's help to our Moyun Kingdom. Please forgive any shortcomings." The elder replied, "Exorcising demons is our duty as cultivators; Your Majesty need not be so polite."

"Hehehe, Elder, you are too modest. Not only that, I have also prepared a small gift for all the disciples of Tian Ce Palace. Please be sure to accept it."

After saying that, he clapped his hands, and the disciples turned around to see a group of maids filing into the main hall, each carrying a wooden box, and coming to Bai Ke and the others.

"What is this?" the elder asked, puzzled. "Elder, there's no need to be so polite. I have prepared a box of jewels for you and all your disciples as a token of my gratitude."

Furthermore, you may take any of these beauties you fancy. These are all top-tier beauties, handpicked from the best. Each one is gentle, understanding, and skilled at serving others. Beauties paired with heroes—I guarantee all disciples will be in ecstasy! Hahahaha…”

Listening to the king's increasingly absurd and vulgar words, the elder turned red with anger, and the disciples were also indignant. What did this king take them, as cultivators, for? It was utterly disrespectful.

“On behalf of the King, I thank you for your kindness. However, we cultivators are most required to abide by the rules and regulations. Our Tian Ce Palace has no shortage of these jewels, so please ask the King to take them back!”

Upon hearing this, the king's face immediately darkened. Seeing this, the ministers and attendants present fell silent; no one dared to speak.