16.Banquet Day

Sunlight rose over the Blazing Dawn Sect as the hustle and bustle of the workers began. Junior Edina was already awake, diligently revising all the lines she had memorized. The day had finally come, the day that would decide her future. Today, a Saturday, a banquet would be held in the sect to bid Keith Maxism a safe journey. As an ambassador of the Leon Empire, he was to be honored with the utmost respect by the sect.She needed to make a formal request in the dining hall to take over the management of the Jinwei Mansion's finances. The goal was to convince her grandfather and the sect leaders that it was in their best interests to grant her this responsibility. The pressure weighed heavily on her, making her feel it in every corner of her bones. Normally, she would have abandoned any thought of standing up to her aunt out of fear, but today she had a backup plan—a way to escape if things went wrong. This gave her the courage to see her plan through to the end.At the same time in Mu Mansion, Blazing Dawn SectChen Huan walked out of the Mu Mansion with a disappointed look in his eyes. He had sent his staff to find the dress mentioned by Mistress Li Mei but to no avail; none of them knew of a dress selected by the late Elara Cha Ling. When he reported this to Mistress Li Mei, she was disappointed that he couldn't find it before the banquet. However, she gave him a small investment to keep looking. The investment was not large enough to realize his business dreams, but it was sufficient to allow his store to survive for a while. Additionally, he could use this investment to raise more money, leveraging the fact that the Mu Mansion still supported his store to bargain for higher prices with other investors.Inside the mansion, Li Mei was also disappointed. She had hoped to reveal the dress at the banquet, but since she couldn't, she decided to give the Jade Grass Commerce a small investment to keep looking for it. Though not a huge deal, securing the dress would have softened her relationship with the Leon Empire. With a sigh, she decided to walk toward the dining hall for breakfast.Some time later in the evening, Guest Wing of Blazing Dawn SectA man in his late twenties, adorned in the merchant uniform of the Central Plains Empire, complete with a hat, exuded a youthful air. His black hair flowed to his shoulders as he looked into the silver mirror. This was Keith Maxism, ready to attend the ceremonial banquet for his safe travels to the Western Continent. As he opened the sliding door, his assistant and other subordinates stood by, waiting for him. Once he emerged, they all walked straight to the Blazing Sun Mansion.Looking around the open training fields, they saw disciples drinking and enjoying themselves. Some were still practicing martial arts, while others were reading silently, seated on the stairs of the training grounds. The scene gave off a youthful vibe, bringing a smile to Keith's face. After a few corridor turns, Keith and his subordinates entered the dining hall, where all the important figures of the sect were present.The banquet was a grand affair, held in a spacious hall adorned with intricate tapestries depicting historical battles and legendary martial artists. Long tables were covered with fine silk tablecloths, set with ornate porcelain dishes and silverware. The aroma of sumptuous dishes filled the air, from roasted meats and fragrant rice to an array of colorful vegetables and delicate pastries. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow over the room. Musicians played soft, melodic tunes in the corner, adding to the festive atmosphere. The sect leader, elders and other important members dressed in their finest robes, mingled with guests, their conversations punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter.Keith and his entourage were led to their seats, where they were warmly welcomed by the sect leader.Everyone of importance in the sect was present at the banquet. Three Elders of the Sect, each heading a sub-clan line, were seated at the forefront. First was Qin Han Cha Mu, his white hair exuding a sage-like aura, clad in traditional elder attire. Next to him sat Dao Cha Mo, a man in his thirties with black hair cascading to his ear ends, dressed in slightly fancier attire. Completing the trio was Lu Cha Mi, an elderly man with surprisingly dark hair, dressed in respectable clothing.On the opposite side of the table sat Lu Mingfe Cha Ling, the firstborn of the sect leader. His long black hair flowed down his shoulders, adorned in the attire of a martial artist, the green hues accentuating his stature. Beside him sat his wife, Qin Cha Ling, her long black hair cascading gracefully. She hailed from a prestigious sub-clan line in the Mount Hua Sect, one of the nine great sects.Adjacent to them was Li Mei Cha Mu, her dark black hair elegantly tied in a bun, adorned in a vibrant red silk robe. Seated beside her was her husband, Han Cha Mu, tall and muscular, representing the Mu family's lineage within the sect. Then two of her kids were seated right next to them, Wei Cha Mu and Jin Cha Mu.Seated at the head position was the sect leader, Liang Feng, with his dark black hair and keen black eyes observing everyone around. His presence commanded respect, and he exuded a quiet authority as he surveyed the room.After a few minutes, Junior Edina walked in with the help of Xiao Min and her cane. She was dressed in an elegant Hanfu, the flowing silk adorned with intricate floral embroidery that accentuated her delicate frame. Her striking red hair was styled gracefully, adorned with delicate hairpins featuring jade and gold accents, adding an air of refinement to her appearance. Once she was seated, Liang Feng announced "let the banquet begin"The room buzzed with activity as servants moved swiftly, bringing out an array of exquisite dishes.Conversations started to flow among the guests. Qin Han Cha Mu engaged in a deep discussion with Dao Cha Mo about the latest martial arts techniques, their voices a blend of excitement and respect. Lu Cha Mi, meanwhile, spoke animatedly with some of the younger disciples, sharing tales of his past adventures, his laughter booming across the hall.On the opposite side, Lu Mingfe Cha Ling and his wife, Qin Cha Ling, discussed recent political developments with Han Cha Mu, their tones serious but respectful. Li Mei Cha Mu, though mostly silent, observed everyone with keen interest, occasionally exchanging words with her husband.Keith Maxism, seated among other honored guests, was approached by several sect leaders eager to learn about the Western Continent. He recounted stories of his travels, the diverse cultures he encountered, and the opportunities for trade and alliances. His tales captivated the audience, drawing smiles and nods of appreciation.Junior Edina sat quietly, taking in the scene around her. Despite her nerves, she felt a sense of determination. She knew this was a crucial moment, but her mouth just wouldn't move; her body simply would not listen.When Keith noticed her, he said, "Your Highness, you don't seem to be enjoying the banquet much. Is something the matter?" Then, switching to Leonese, he added, "Meeku evaraina ibbandi pedutunte, cheppandi" (Tell me if something is troubling you).Junior Edina was quite surprised by Keith's response, but it gave her the right moment to speak. Yet, her mouth just wouldn't open; fear and dread crawled into her, as if hundreds of hands were dragging her into the depths of hell. She remembered what Senior Edina had written in the letter: "Don't think, just recite the lines as a poem." In her mind, she repeated: recite, recite, recite…With a small inhale, her whole demeanor changed. It was as though she was not looking at humans, no, as though she was not looking at all. With a plain expression, the words escaped her mouth, "I had a request for grandfather."

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