novelpro Chapter 462: This Is Bad! Jingci!
Chapter 462: This Is Bad! Jingci!
The City Lord's residence of Immortal Fox City.One by one, dancing girls dressed in vivid red performance skirts twirled and danced gracefully through the banquet hall.
Maidservants of the City Lord's residence moved back and forth, carrying wine and dishes between the seats without pause.
At the head of the banquet sat the City Lord of Immortal Fox City.
On either side sat representatives of the four largest families of Immortal Fox City.
Beyond the four families were the leading figures from every trade and profession in the city.
Some of the demon cultivators looked at the dishes before them and found them somewhat hard to enjoy, their eyes drifting involuntarily toward the Lady of Mount Tu, who sat nearby with the ripeness of a perfectly blossomed peach.
For these demon folk, they were accustomed to eating all manner of things in their daily lives but because the Lady of Mount Tu did not eat human folk, and out of respect for the Lady of Mount Tu, this banquet naturally could not feature human folk on the table in any form.
"Tomorrow is the birthday of the Young Miss of Mount Tu. Allow this official to first offer his wishes for her happiness on this occasion."
The City Lord of Immortal Fox City, Ying Dayuan, raised his cup and offered his congratulations to Tushan Xinhua.
"We all join in wishing the Young Miss of Mount Tu a most joyous birthday."
Led by the City Lord of Immortal Fox City, every notable figure in Immortal Fox City raised their cups and offered their good wishes to Tushan Xinhua.
"Many thanks to the City Lord, and many thanks to everyone present."
The Lady of Mount Tu rose to her feet, folded her hands before her, and gave a graceful bow full of an understated allure.
Her red skirt clung to her figure like the winding course of a gentle stream. Her snow-white hair fell just to her slender waist, and her alluring eyes, though holding no particular intent, let slip in that unguarded moment the distinctive charm natural to the fox clan.
Not a few of the demon cultivators with stronger animalistic natures swallowed quietly, the heat in their eyes speaking volumes without a word but the Lady of Mount Tu paid them no mind. After draining her cup, she composed herself and sat back with dignified elegance.
"Tomorrow, our Celestial Demon Kingdom's ruler and Elder Gui will be arriving in Immortal Fox City. Although this official has already deployed additional manpower, one cannot be too careful. I must ask everyone's assistance in ensuring that tomorrow's grand celebration proceeds without any unexpected incident."
Ying Dayuan raised his cup once more, addressing the assembly.
"This official thanks everyone in advance."
"The City Lord is too modest."
One of the demon cultivators raised a cup in return.
"Although Elder Gui has sustained injuries, what petty wretch would dare behave rashly in Elder Gui's presence? Not to mention that His Majesty the ruler is a great demon of the middle Immortal realm, with two Jade Simplicity realm attendants at his side. In this world, there is likely no place more secure than Immortal Fox City will be tomorrow."
"Indeed, indeed. And the Lady of Mount Tu is herself at the Immortal realm. Cultivators of the Upper Three Realms are rarities in this world. With so many Upper Three Realms cultivators gathered in Immortal Fox City tomorrow, who would be foolish enough not to see that?" Other demon cultivators chimed in in agreement.
"What you say is true enough."
Ying Dayuan shook his head with a helpless expression, looking visibly worn. "But as you all know, after that great war between humans and demons, our Demon Realm suffered defeat and has not yet fully recovered. Many kingdoms and sects within the Demon Realm have been reshuffled, and the human folk of the Demon Realm have even formed what they are calling a Human Alliance."
"The Young Miss of Mount Tu holds a very particular status, and no small number of demon kingdoms have had their eyes fixed on our Celestial Demon Kingdom."
"The opposing side is not lacking in Nascent Soul realm cultivators, or even Upper Three Realms cultivators."
"These days, this official has been unable to sleep or eat peacefully."
Tushan Xinhua offered some comfort. "What you say is true enough, but our Celestial Demon Kingdom is not so easily underestimated. City Lord's cautious foresight is a virtue. But too much worry will wear on the mind and spirit."
"Ha ha ha... the Lady of Mount Tu is right." Ying Dayuan laughed. "It seems this official has indeed been overthinking things. Come, everyone, eat and drink. Tonight we enjoy a modest gathering, and tomorrow we will all go together to the Mount Tu residence to celebrate the Young Miss's birthday."
"The Mount Tu residence welcomes everyone." Tushan Xinhua smiled gently.
The pleasantries concluded, the assembled demons drank merrily.
This banquet had been arranged to strengthen the bonds between the various families, while also serving as a show of solidarity against other demon kingdoms, sects, and the so-called Human Alliance. Beyond that, there was nothing particularly weighty to discuss.
After several rounds of wine, the Lady of Mount Tu felt the time was right for her to take her leave, and rose to excuse herself.
Ying Dayuan also rose to see her off.
Tushan Xinhua declined, but Ying Dayuan insisted three times over and so Tushan Xinhua did not refuse again.
"Does the City Lord have something he wishes to say to me?"
Walking out of the banquet, Tushan Xinhua glanced at Ying Dayuan.
"As expected, nothing escapes the Lady's notice." Ying Dayuan gave a small laugh. "In truth, tonight's banquet served two purposes. Having everyone help maintain order in the city was one. But the most important was to share a piece of good news with the Lady."
"Oh? Good news?" The Lady of Mount Tu smiled with quiet amusement.
"Mm."
Ying Dayuan gave a nod, his tone turning earnest.
"His Majesty's First Prince, though only seven years of age, possesses extraordinary natural gifts and a very rare primordial demon constitution. It goes without saying that he is destined to become the future ruler of the Celestial Demon Kingdom. Barring any unexpected misfortune, his reaching the Immortal realm is an absolute certainty."
"His Majesty's visit this time is not only to celebrate the Young Miss's birthday. He also wishes to discuss with you the matter of a childhood engagement."
"In this official's estimation, whether in terms of status, bloodline, or natural gifts, His Majesty's First Prince is an absolutely fitting match for the Young Miss of Mount Tu."
"However, not knowing the Lady's own inclinations on the matter, this official could only venture to bring it up. I hope the Lady will not take offense."
Hearing these words, Tushan Xinhua's expression grew thoughtful, and her brows furrowed slightly. "City Lord, you are well aware that our Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clan is different from other demon folk."
"We of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clan attain the Dao through love. One heart for one person, for one lifetime."
"And matters of betrothal touch upon the deepest workings of cause and effect. This is something I need to think over carefully. I cannot give His Majesty an answer at present."
"Of course, of course." Ying Dayuan nodded immediately. "Take all the time you need. There is no rush. Tomorrow, the First Prince will be accompanying His Majesty when they come. You may observe him at your leisure. This official is confident the First Prince will not disappoint you."
"Very well."
Tushan Xinhua replied.
As they exchanged these words, the two of them had already walked out of the City Lord's residence.
"City Lord, please stop here. The Mount Tu residence looks forward to welcoming the City Lord tomorrow." Tushan Xinhua boarded her carriage and bid her farewell.
"But of course! Without speaking of anything else, this official will certainly be the first to arrive tomorrow." Ying Dayuan bowed respectfully. "Safe travels, my Lady."
Tushan Xinhua lowered the carriage curtain, and before long the carriage disappeared at the end of the street, making its way back toward the Mount Tu residence.
Sitting in the carriage, Tushan Xinhua's thoughts turned to what Ying Dayuan had just said.
In truth, from Tushan Xinhua's perspective, this First Prince of the Celestial Demon Kingdom was quite a fine prospect.
Although the other party was of the Bifang bloodline, he possessed the primordial demon constitution, which would make the purification and ancestral reversion of his bloodline considerably easier going forward. It was even possible he might revert to the bloodline of a true phoenix or Di Jiang.
And just as Tushan Xinhua was turning over the possibility of this childhood engagement in her mind, she suddenly felt something, and her head snapped upward sharply.
"My Lady?" The maidservant beside her was startled by the change in her expression.
"This is bad!"
Tushan Xinhua's expression turned grave.
"Jingci!"