The atmosphere in the hall was feverish. Even Princess Gouyu wore a grave expression. Though she showed little reaction on the surface, her mind was reeling with shock.
After all, Marquis Longteng's growing dominance was anything but good news for the royal family.
And if Long Juxue truly entered the Purple Sun Sect, her future prospects would be boundless. Princess Gouyu herself was hailed as a cultivation prodigy of the kingdom, yet she had never managed to attract the attention of any hidden sect.
Jiang Chen was excellent at reading people. One casual glance at Princess Gouyu and he'd pieced together roughly eighty percent of her inner turmoil.
"Heh. A slightly better aptitude, that's all." His voice was low, as though he were muttering to himself—or perhaps explaining something to Dongfang Zhiruo. "The path of cultivation is like scaling a ten-thousand-zhang abyss. Better aptitude means you climb a little faster than others. But if you slip, you still shatter to pieces. Aptitude alone, without the right temperament, amounts to nothing."
Those who had ears picked up on it. Princess Gouyu's bright eyes flashed with something unusual as her gaze swept across Jiang Chen's face. For a brief moment, she felt that this sharp-tongued young man wasn't quite so detestable after all.
"No—how could I just forgive this brat?" She immediately strangled that flicker of goodwill before it could take root.
Jiang Chen stretched his arms and grumbled, "The boasting is done, the show of force is done. That should be about enough, right? When's the food? I'm so hungry my stomach's practically touching my spine!"
He made no effort to keep his voice down. It sounded like nothing more than the whining of a spoiled young noble.
But in the current frenzy of the hall, it rang out with a grating sharpness.
Long Zhaofeng had been in the middle of an elaborate speech. Cut off by that jarring, untimely voice, he momentarily lost his momentum and struggled to continue.
But what could he do? He couldn't exactly drag Jiang Chen out and beat him senseless.
This Jiang Chen—had he ever been anything other than spectacularly ill-timed? The same fellow who'd let a fart rip during the Heaven Worship Ceremony. Spouting a few stupid lines at a banquet like this was practically his signature move, wasn't it?
That thought eased the great Marquis Longteng's mood somewhat. He thought to himself, *This brat is hopeless from birth. Fine—having such a useless son means the Jianghan Marquis's legacy is all the easier to hold onto. When I convince him to give up that semi-spiritual vein plot later, it'll be that much simpler.*
Comforted by this reasoning, Long Zhaofeng swept away his displeasure and laughed heartily. "Indeed, indeed! I've kept everyone waiting—my sincerest apologies. Let the banquet begin! Eat and drink to your heart's content!"
Long Juxue's gaze drifted over Jiang Chen. Recalling what had happened at the Alchemist's Hall, a barely perceptible smile of cunning traced across her beautiful face.
"Not so fast! Today we have such rare and distinguished guests, especially the chief examiners of the Hidden Dragon Trials. With so many heirs of the marquises present, why not let these young lords entertain themselves? Each could demonstrate their finest skills to enliven tonight's feast!"
Her tone made it abundantly clear that she had already slipped fully into the role of a direct disciple of the Purple Sun Sect—speaking as though she stood on equal footing with the chief examiners.
"Excellent idea!"
"Haha, wonderful. Before the future direct disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, we could showcase our talents—and perhaps Miss Juxue might take a liking to us and put in a word to the sect!"
"Well said! Haha, tonight we'll have to put our finest foot forward before Miss Juxue."
"If it wins a smile from the lady, then our lifelong studies won't have been in vain!"
Jiang Chen, carrying memories of a past life, possessed razor-sharp instincts. The moment he sensed Long Juxue's glance brush across his face, he knew this woman was targeting him.
Equally sharp was Princess Gouyu. Though she didn't know what grudge lay between Jiang Chen and Long Juxue, Long Juxue's not-very-subtle scheming was plain as day to someone of the princess's intelligence.
Under the table, she kicked Jiang Chen and hissed, "Brat, watch yourself! Long Juxue has you in her sights."
Jiang Chen was genuinely surprised. Since when did Princess Gouyu look out for him? Wasn't this the woman who'd love nothing more than to thrash him?
He casually stuffed a piece of fruit into his mouth and grinned with carefree indifference. "Target me? Why would she bother? Harmless, good-for-nothing nobles like me are no threat to someone with her innate constitution."
Seeing his lazy, unbothered manner, Gouyu grew exasperated in spite of herself. *Just you wait—you'll learn how formidable Long Juxue really is when she puts you in your place.*
Sure enough, Long Juxue chuckled and turned to Bai Zhanyun's table. "Earlier, Brother Bai and Brother Hong seemed to have an unpleasant run-in with the Jianghan Marquis's young master, Brother Jiang. Why not take this opportunity to have a friendly spar? We who walk the path of martial arts settle old grudges with a laugh and a bout—friendship is forged through fists and feet. Am I right, everyone?"
Bai Zhanyun lit up and sprang to his feet. "Right you are, Miss Juxue! There's no friendship like the kind born from a good fight. Jiang Chen, what do you say we get acquainted properly today?"
"Brother Bai, I, Hong, would also love the chance to get to know Jiang Chen. How about letting me go first?"
"Gentlemen, you two are heirs of the four great marquises—you can't go snatching all the fun from us little guys! I've been wanting to cross paths with Brother Jiang for a long time now."
When Long Juxue said friendship was forged through fists and feet, these fellows were practically wriggling with glee. At last they had a legitimate excuse to beat Jiang Chen to a pulp and humiliate him thoroughly. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Meanwhile, the senior marquises of high standing had caught Long Zhaofeng's meaningful glance and began chiming in as well.
"Exactly, exactly! We old fossils are bound to fade from the stage sooner or later. The younger generation must take our place. What a rare opportunity tonight. Let the heirs of the marquises spar with one another—build camaraderie and bolster our Eastern Kingdom's martial tradition! A splendid idea, truly splendid!"
"Indeed. The youth are the future and hope of the kingdom. When they are strong, the kingdom is strong!"