Goblets clinked as warrior after warrior came forward to offer toasts. Yang Kai accepted every one, his smile warm and his manner composed as he exchanged drinks with each, leaving all of them with a favorable impression of him.
From time to time he chatted and laughed with Gu Jianxin, occasionally glancing down at the exquisite dance performance unfolding below.
Time flew by as the wine flowed, and the atmosphere inside the great hall grew ever more lively and heated.
Most cultivators were bold and uninhibited souls, and a banquet with no constraints was the perfect venue for them to let loose. Every one of the warriors following Gu Jianxin below was drinking heartily and roaring with laughter.
Though Gu Jianxin had consumed a considerable amount, he showed no signs of drunkenness. Throughout this period he had been quietly observing Yang Kai.
A dazzling figure like Yang Kai had burst onto the scene in the Star Field virtually out of nowhere, and naturally Gu Jianxin was intensely curious about him. He hoped to glean some clues through this banquet.
But what disappointed him was that he found nothing useful.
When Yang Kai looked down at the young women dancing with ethereal grace, his gaze was clear and free of the slightest trace of desire. When drinking with Gu Jianxin's subordinates, he remained impeccably proper at all times.
All in all, Yang Kai was indeed a man worth knowing.
After a few rounds of wine, Gu Jianxin suddenly spoke up: "Brother Yang, I have a rather forward request, and I'm not sure whether it's appropriate to raise it."
The moment these words left his lips, the clamor inside the great hall dropped noticeably. Though the warriors present still appeared to be drinking and shouting among themselves, everyone had clearly heard Gu Jianxin's words and shifted a portion of their attention over.
"Brother Gu, just speak plainly." Yang Kai set down his cup and offered a faint smile.
He was actually somewhat surprised. Throughout the entire banquet, he had been searching for the right opportunity to broach the matter of He Zao and He Miao with Gu Jianxin. He hadn't expected that before he found his chance, Gu Jianxin would speak up first.
He had no idea what this "forward request" might be.
"It's like this." Gu Jianxin's expression turned serious. "On this trip I was ambushed and attacked by that old dog Li and his men, and the losses were considerable. Though that old dog Li deserved his death, he was still an Elder of my Sword Alliance, and the Soul Severing Spear he wielded was forged for him years ago by the Sword Alliance at enormous material cost, employing a Void King grade Artifact Refiner. It counts as the property of the Sword Alliance. Now that he's dead, by rights I should bring the Soul Severing Spear back to the main star and report everything to the Alliance Master."
At this point he looked at Yang Kai with a somewhat troubled expression.
Yang Kai immediately understood what he was getting at.
"Brother Gu wants to reclaim the Soul Severing Spear?"
"Yes." A sheepish smile appeared on Gu Jianxin's face. "I know — this request is rather absurd. That old dog Li was killed by Brother Yang, so by rights the Soul Severing Spear should belong to him. However… without the Soul Severing Spear, I'll have nothing to show when I return. So I would like to take it back. Of course, rest assured, Brother Yang — I guarantee you compensation of sufficient value to offset the Soul Severing Spear. As for everything else that was on that old dog Li, Brother Yang may keep it all. Those items are not the property of the Sword Alliance."
"I see." Yang Kai nodded gently, a contemplative look crossing his face.
Gu Jianxin did not press him, simply waiting in silence.
Inside the great hall, at some point the noise had died to a pin drop. Every pair of eyes was fixed on the two of them.
After a good while, Yang Kai finally said: "Well, the Soul Severing Spear is a Void King grade Artifact — no small matter in value. Brother Gu, if I return the Sword Alliance's Soul Severing Spear, what kind of compensation can you offer?"
"As long as its value does not exceed that of the Soul Severing Spear itself, anything within my power — I will make sure it's done!" Gu Jianxin replied with a solemn expression.
Yang Kai chuckled. "Since Brother Gu is so sincere, then I won't stand on ceremony. After all, this Artifact is of no use to me."
He himself would never use a spear-type Artifact, and among the people he knew there was no one suited to wield it either, so returning the Soul Severing Spear would not be much of a burden.
As he spoke, Yang Kai retrieved the Soul Severing Spear from his space ring and placed it before Gu Jianxin.
Gu Jianxin gave a signal, and Ling Yue, the Left Sword Attendant, stepped forward at once and collected the Void King grade Artifact.
"Brother Yang's generosity is deeply appreciated. What kind of compensation would you like? I won't beat around the bush — while the Sword Alliance may not be the most formidable power in the Star Field, we are no slouch either. We possess ample reserves of rare cultivation resources and miraculous pills. Even if Brother Yang desires a particular cultivation technique or secret art, I can find a way to obtain it!"
Yang Kai had parted with the Soul Severing Spear so readily, and Gu Jianxin was equally forthright, ready to compensate Yang Kai to the fullest extent of his ability.
Yang Kai smiled with unfathomable composure. "There's no rush for the compensation. I'll discuss it with Brother Gu in a moment."
"No rush?" Gu Jianxin was taken aback.
"Yes. I'd like to ask — which one of you is Senior Qin Wuhui?"
Swish, swish, swish…
Nearly every gaze in the great hall swiveled in one direction. Yang Kai followed their line of sight and saw a gaunt, elderly man with a vigorous spirit, dressed in a dusty gray robe that made him look utterly unremarkable. He was seated in the first seat of honor just below Gu Jianxin.