Chapter 39: The Lian Family Banquet

Three days later.

The Lian family, located on the eastern edge of Buyue City, formed a tripartite balance of power with the Gongsun and Du families. These three major forces were deeply rooted in Buyue City and each had a formidable background. Therefore, even a rising power like the Bai family, supported by the Yun family of the Five Families of Yunshui, could not shake this power structure in the slightest.

As one of the three major forces, the Lian family's banquet was naturally not to be taken lightly. At this moment, the Lian residence was festively decorated, and the spacious hall was bustling with people. Most of them were outsiders, in addition to the Lian family members.

However, for some unknown reason, the Lian family, which was usually quite domineering, seemed to have become more refined today. Even the family dog appeared more courteous, treating guests with gentleness and elegance, leaving many people from various factions feeling somewhat flattered.

"The Du family has arrived!"

At a certain moment, a faint and light voice came from the main entrance of the hall. Instantly, the hall, which had been quite lively, fell silent. Then, one by one, strange and inexplicable gazes fell on the front of the hall.

At the entrance of the hall, the crowd spontaneously made way, and then dozens of people slowly walked in. Although they looked ordinary, the aura they emitted made ordinary people dare not speak to them casually.

"Indeed, it's the Du family! The one leading them must be the head of the Du family, Du Zhen Tian! I didn't expect the Du family to give the Lian family such face this time!"

"Heh! You don't understand. This isn't about face! It's said that after the head of the Lian family obtained an eighth-grade cultivation technique, he has already advanced to the seventh-grade martial artist. Probably, no one in the Du family except Du Zhen Tian can match Lian Ji. If he doesn't appear personally, his family might be swallowed by the Lian family, leaving no room for resistance."

"Tsk tsk, didn't they say the Gongsun family would also come? The Gongsun family and the Du family have always had a good relationship. If these two families join forces, it will be quite difficult for the Lian family to achieve whatever they plan today..."

"The Lian family wouldn't invite these two families without some preparation!"

The moment the Du family appeared, the people in the hall began to whisper among themselves. After all, they were most concerned about what the power structure of Buyue City would be like after today.

Du Zhen Tian, however, seemed to ignore these discussions, merely smiling faintly as he stepped into the hall first.

"Ha ha, I didn't expect Brother Zhen Tian to grace us with your presence today, truly an honor! No matter what, I, Lian Ji, thank you in advance!" As Du Zhen Tian stepped into the hall, a group of people slowly walked out from behind. The leader was about forty to fifty years old, looking like a learned scholar, gentle and refined. However, those who knew him well knew that he was extremely ruthless and cruel, and the name "Blood Hand Lian Ji" was not just a rumor.

Seeing this person, a hint of disdain flashed across Du Zhen Tian's face. After a moment, he slowly said, "Since Brother Lian sent the invitation, if I, Du Zhen Tian, didn't come, others might think I was afraid of your Lian family."

Lian Ji's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled lightly. "Brother Zhen Tian, you're overthinking it. Who doesn't know that the Du family has always been the leader among the three families in Buyue City... ha ha..."

Lian Ji's smile was like a hidden knife, causing Du Zhen Tian's eyes to twitch slightly, but he did not show him any good face.

Seeing this, Lian Ji smiled again. "Today is my son Lian Zhen's big day. Brother Zhen Tian, as a guest, please feel at ease. I, Lian, still need to attend to other guests, so I won't disturb you further!"

With that, he bowed slightly and then smiled, walking to the side.

"Humph!" Du Zhen Tian sneered but said nothing more. He casually waved his hand, and the Du family members quickly took their seats at the upper part of the hall.

This seat was reserved by the Lian family, and ordinary people did not dare to sit there.

"Head of the family, what does the Lian family want to do?" The third elder, Du Zhen Feng, slowly sat down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"This time, the Gongsun family has also come. Whatever they want to do, they have to get past our two families... I don't believe Lian Ji has the strength to swallow both of us!" Du Zhen Tian glanced at Lian Ji, who was not far away, and said calmly.

"Let's hope so..." Hearing this, Du Zhen Feng also smiled faintly, then slowly closed his eyes, ignoring everything around him.

"Whatever happens later, stay by my side." Sitting at the end of the hall, Du Fei tapped the table and said to Xiao Ai, who was standing beside him.

"Master, do you think something will happen today?" Xiao Ai's gaze swept around and then whispered.

"The Lian family has made such a big fuss. I don't believe it's just for Lian Zhen... a ninth-grade martial artist, who doesn't have a few? What's there to boast about?" Du Fei sneered and said dismissively.

"The Gongsun family has arrived!"

Just as Xiao Ai was about to reply, a light voice came from the entrance of the hall. This time, as the crowd dispersed, dozens of people entered in a line. Lian Ji also quickly approached with a smile, but his attitude seemed a bit colder compared to when he met the Du family.

"That's the head of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Ze!" Du Fei said, looking at the leader of the Gongsun family.

Gongsun Ze was said to be about the same age as Du Zhen Tian, but perhaps due to his ancient cultivation technique, he looked only about forty-five years old. Following him was Gongsun Hong.

As Gongsun Ze and Lian Ji conversed, Gongsun Hong looked around and then her gaze fell on Du Fei. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over.

"These past few days, I sent people to invite you several times, but you never came. You're even more aloof than your cousin!" Gongsun Hong walked up to Du Fei, sat down casually, and teased him with a glare.

Looking back at Xiao Ai, who had lowered her head, Du Fei smiled faintly. "Please forgive me, Miss Gongsun. Du Fei has been busy cultivating these days, and even Xiao Ai couldn't find me... If I have offended you, please be magnanimous!"

"Busy cultivating! No wonder you advanced so quickly..." Gongsun Hong twirled a strand of hair around her finger, not taking offense. Then, she looked around cautiously and lowered her voice. "But... no matter how fast you advance, Lian Zhen is now a ninth-grade martial artist. I got word that Lian Zhen might cause you trouble today. You'd better be careful!"

Du Fei nodded faintly and smiled in thanks.

Gongsun Hong didn't pay much attention to Du Fei's attitude. After a few more words, she squeezed over to Du Han on the other side.

Du Fei knew that Gongsun Hong and Du Han had a good relationship, but he didn't think too much about it. After Gongsun Hong left, a cold smile slowly spread across his lips.

If Lian Zhen doesn't cause trouble, it's fine. But if he's so blind, today, I will turn the Lian family's joyous banquet into a funeral!

As the Gongsun family took their seats, most of the guests for the banquet had arrived. Lian Ji gestured to the Lian family members and then walked to the main seat at the upper part of the hall with a smile.

In the hall, the Lian family sat at the head, the Du family and the Gongsun family on either side, and other smaller factions scattered around. The main figures of Buyue City were almost all present.

At the main seat, Lian Ji stood up with a smile, bowed slightly to the crowd, and then said, "Today, my Lian family is hosting a grand banquet for two pieces of good news. The first is that my son Lian Zhen has successfully advanced to the ninth-grade martial artist. I believe everyone here knows how rare it is to advance to the ninth-grade martial artist before the age of twenty... Ha ha, even Du Han of the Du family, it seems, is no different... Ha ha, don't you think such good news should be celebrated throughout the city?"

At these words, the hall fell into shock!

Although Lian Ji was telling the truth, saying this was like slapping the Du family in the face.

The faces of the Du family members twitched, and they all looked displeased. Was the Lian family planning to provoke a conflict?

However, after saying this, Lian Ji did nothing more. Under his direction, the Lian family servants quickly served the wine and dishes, and Lian Zhen also came out and made a brief round, as if to show goodwill to everyone.

This perfunctory gesture made Du Fei's eyes twitch. Given the personalities of Lian Ji and Lian Zhen, this behavior was highly unusual. What did the Lian family really want to do?

Although many people had this doubt, no one spoke up. Under Lian Ji's toasts, the wine flowed freely, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively.

However, this lively atmosphere did not last long. When Lian Zhen stood up again, everyone in the hall put down their wine glasses and their gazes slowly fell on Lian Ji.

Seeming to realize he had become the focus of many people, Lian Ji smiled lightly, then casually threw away his wine glass and said loudly, "Today's banquet has two pieces of good news. The first one, everyone knows... The second one... is the marriage alliance between the Lian family and the Du family."

"Bang..."

At these words, Du Zhen Tian's wine glass shattered into powder, and most of the Du family members looked bewildered. As for the other guests, their expressions became subtle.

Du Fei slowly put down his wine glass and looked up at where Lian Zhen was standing. Their gazes met, and Lian Zhen only smiled with a hint of disdain.