13: Chapter 13: The Move Decides Life and Death

Inside the banquet hall, it was magnificent and resplendent, with bright pearls reflecting colorful light.

Various spiritual light gauze curtains hung between the carved beams and painted pillars, enveloping the entire space in a soft halo.

The faint aroma of spiritual wine and the fragrance of spiritual fruits filled the air.

Figures moved to and fro, dressed in brocade and fine robes; they were all high-spirited young Prodigies.

Gathered in groups of three or five, they conversed in low voices, either discussing their insights on the Dao or commenting on the recent situation.

Undercurrents surged, and there was no lack of probing and comparison in their intersecting gazes.

Besides the children of the capital's major noble families, many young Cultivators dressed in various Sect uniforms could also be seen in the hall.

Although the Seven Great Sects of the Southern Wilderness were transcendent, many of their outstanding Disciples were on good terms with the noble families or had been invited to attend.

The Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect had an ethereal temperament, the successors of the Burning Heaven Valley had a scorching aura, and the young women of the Black Ice Pavilion were surrounded by a faint chill.

They exchanged pleasantries with the children of the noble families, forming circles of various sizes.

It was both an exchange and an invisible display of strength.

Qin Muchuan and Lu Jinghan found a seat by the window and sat down.

Before they could even raise their cups, a somewhat sharp voice came from the side.

“Oh, if it isn't the eldest Young Master Qin? You've come quite early. What, in a hurry to occupy a good spot so you can take a close look at how many days of glory you have left?”

The newcomer wore a dark green brocade robe and held a jade-boned folding fan; his face could be described as handsome.

However, there was a hint of meanness and gloominess between his brows; it was none other than Gu Feng of the Gu Family.

Behind him followed several other children of the Gu Family, also dressed in luxurious clothes.

There were also two unfamiliar young Cultivators with strong auras and arrogant expressions.

Judging by their attire, they were not from the capital's noble families, but likely Sect reinforcements recruited by the Gu Family.

Gu Feng paced to Qin Muchuan's table and snapped open his folding fan with a 'shua' sound.

He fanned himself with feigned leisure, but his gaze swept over Qin Muchuan and Lu Jinghan like a venomous snake.

He lingered for an extra moment on Lu Jinghan's unfamiliar face, a flicker of scrutiny and disdain passing through his eyes.

At this time, Lu Jinghan had already concealed his cultivation, and the aura he emitted didn't even reach the Golden Core level.

The few people behind him also chimed in with low chuckles.

Hearing this, Qin Muchuan didn't get angry; instead, he raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

He drained his cup of spiritual wine in one gulp, his movements calm and unhurried.

Only then did he look up at Gu Feng, his eyes filled with undisguised mockery.

“Gu Feng, it seems you can't cure that impatient habit of yours.”

Qin Muchuan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of those at the nearby tables.

“The Ranking Battle is still three days away, and you're already starting with the threats?”

“Those who know you would think you're the eldest Young Master of the Gu Family; those who don't would think some street thug had come early to talk big.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two unfamiliar Cultivators behind Gu Feng, and he let out a light chuckle.

“Oh, you even brought new faces? It seems your Gu Family has really gone all out this time, borrowing soldiers from everywhere.”

“What, can't you pick a few decent scallions from your own garden?”

Gu Feng's face immediately darkened, and one of the Gu Family Disciples behind him couldn't help but shout sternly: “Qin Muchuan, how dare you!”

Qin Muchuan didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, only saying slowly to Gu Feng: “Mind your dog. Why is it barking while the masters are speaking?”

He then looked at Lu Jinghan and deliberately raised his voice, laughing: “Brother Lu, see that? This is what you call having a guilty conscience.”

“Those with real confidence, like you and me, why would we need to curse like shrews before the battle? Save your strength and show your true worth on the stage; only broken bones make a loud sound.”

Many children from the noble families and Sects nearby cast their gazes over, some with smiles and others lost in thought.

Hearing Qin Muchuan's retort, Gu Feng didn't show any anger on his face.

Instead, his lips curled into a cold, almost playful smile.

The hand holding the folding fan even loosened slightly as he tapped it twice against his palm, as if he were enjoying an interesting performance.

Gu Feng's voice dropped a bit lower, but it carried an even more venomous, cold, and oily tone.

“Qin Muchuan, I hope your skills are as sharp as your tongue, lest you break too quickly in the Ranking Battle. That would be quite boring.”

His gaze swept over Lu Jinghan again, this time even more briefly.

It was almost just a glance, and the contempt and indifference in his eyes were completely undisguised.

Then, he said no more, not even bothering to look at Qin Muchuan again.

As if the other's words just now were merely the buzzing of a mosquito.

“Let's go.”

Gu Feng said indifferently to the people behind him, his tone calm and steady.

He was the first to turn around, his dark green brocade robe sweeping in a composed arc.

He walked straight toward the luxurious seats where the children of the Zhu and Jin families were gathered.

The Gu Family Disciples and the two Sect Cultivators followed closely behind.

Their gazes were equally filled with condescending indifference, as if where Qin Muchuan and Lu Jinghan were was no longer worthy of their presence.

Lu Jinghan sat quietly, as if he hadn't heard the dispute before him.

He just looked down at the slightly rippling spiritual wine in his cup, the amber liquid reflecting the swaying light and shadows in the hall.

Qin Muchuan watched Gu Feng's departing back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The mocking smile he had deliberately put on also faded a bit.

He whispered: “This fellow is more patient than before and has more confidence. It seems the Gu Family is better prepared this time than we imagined.”

Lu Jinghan gently swirled the wine cup in his hand, the clear liquid reflecting his calm and steady eyes.

“It doesn't matter,” he said calmly.

“Confidence is forged in battle, not put on display. His ability to endure might not necessarily be a good thing.”

Just as the two were conversing in low voices, a servant's clear announcement came from the hall entrance: “The Prince of Zhao's Heir has arrived—!”

This voice was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Even Gu Feng, who had just sat down and was smilingly exchanging pleasantries with Zhu Gui, Jin Liuli, and the others, slightly turned his head to look toward the door.

Zhou Tianchen entered with a smile, dressed in purple and gold casual robes, looking as gentle as jade.

His arrival was like a warm spring breeze, quietly dispersing the lingering scent of gunpowder from that corner.

Restoring the entire banquet's atmosphere to one of superficial mutual enjoyment and a gathering of Prodigies.

Qin Muchuan withdrew his gaze, put on a smile again, and raised his cup to Lu Jinghan.

“Whatever, we'll deal with it when it comes. Brother Lu, drink!”

“The Heir is the host tonight, and this Thousand-Year Dream of Zuixian Tower is a rare treasure.”

Lu Jinghan raised his cup in return, but his gaze inadvertently shifted.

He took in Gu Feng, Zhu Gui, and Jin Liuli at their table, as well as the gentle and profound Zhou Tianchen who was surrounded by the crowd.

Amidst the noisy music of silk and bamboo, his fingertips rubbed the rim of the cup, feeling the unique warmth and coolness of the jade.

Three days.

Some people's confidence would soon be crushed to pieces.

And he was no longer the youth from his previous life who could only watch helplessly as his friend fell into danger.

In this life, it was his turn to hold the chess pieces and determine the life and death of others.