The Banquet of Madness (2)

What is Politics?

If truly explored thoroughly then individuals like Ja Sun and Bibi Dong, and even Qian Xunji, would go on for days as how the subject, in reality, is a subtle profession that affects the lives of masses in a manner that they themselves are not aware at times. It is a profession harder than any arrays or smithing for it changes constantly. By seconds, at time. It requires an agile mind and experience that only a lucky few survive to make use of.

However, briefly, Ja Sun would define Politics as an art of appearance. Deception.

That's why Bibi Dong's and Ja Sun's minds rang bells of surprise and danger. The situation was hardly dangerous but it was out of their control and that's why they felt as such.

Tang Peng stepped down, bringing Tang Yuehua into a warm embrace but her lips were left twitching at what Tang Hao had informed her... quite late, might she add.

Shocking Bibi Dong and Ja Sun, however, was the warmest smile on Tang Peng they had ever seen followed by his rather bold and ambiguous statement, "Haha, I have to thank you for taking care of my daughter. Both of you. Really takes off the burden from my old shoulders. Only Xiao continues to worry me now!"

Bibi Dong's and Ja Sun's heads buzzed. An indignant expression formed over Yuehua's face. She knew that her 'day' would come soon enough since no father would let their daughter remain single for long and find someone strong enough to protect and share responsibility in this cruel world. She had just not expected it to be in this abrupt manner.

After all, in a single exchange, Tang Peng implied that not only Yuehua was involved with Ja Sun, she also had Bibi Dong's blessings who had Ah Yin's blessing and what really drove the point into the fact was how Tang Peng covered Tang Xiao to seal off all points of retreat since he is the only one with an undisclosed relationship with a female clansman of the Speed Clan. This truly implied some... 'events.'

Just before Yuehua could try and fend off her teammates from her father's shameless acts, Bibi Dong's gaze brightened and shocked Tang Peng instead, she smiled and spoke with a sickeningly sweet voice, "Please, to say that would mean Yuehua needs to be taken care of." As a statement, this was fine. It completely diverted the attention from the duo but this isn't what shocked Tang Peng. It was Bibi Dong's further statement, "And besides, Yuehua is the one who takes care of Ka-ul, me, and Ah Yin. If it wasn't for her, we'd be a bickering mess."

Yuehua: "?!"

Ja Sun glanced at Bibi Dong and his mind began to work quickly. He wasn't interested enough in the dispute but then glancing at Tang Laohu from the corner of his eyes, his expression brightened, too, "It is as Bibi Dong said," Ja Sun smiled, remarkably more shameless than Tang Peng— a man who implied his daughter's relationship—

"Yuehua just felt a little afraid to admit it."

Yuehua was numb at this point so was Dai Mu, who wanted to see Ja Sun in a mess despite warning him, and the two Tang Siblings who looked at each other with a speechless expression.

The script was all wrong.

Zhu Yin was the only one who frowned with confusion flickering in her eyes for the moment but even if startled, as a queen of an Empire, she was smart enough to keep a control of her expression while her husband began to consider just how much things Bibi Dong and Ja Sun had changed from their original plan.

The short but stunning exchange caused many eyes to widen within the banquet tent and all of the guests began to consider the potential changes to whether the storm that might just rise out of a sudden.

---

"So, it's quite simple. My relationship with Ka-ul and Ah Yin is no longer a secret but this opens up Ka-ul to various political marriages that can be either offered formally, leaving us with the choice to accept or refuse, or the second approach your father just used— to shamelessly make the crowd believe that you are in a relationship with us. It wouldn't matter if we are or not, as long as others believe we are in a relationship, they will act accordingly."

Bibi Dong, Ja Sun, and Yuehua were provided a private tent by Tang Xiao sensibly to let them sort the matters within themselves before accepting words of 'congratulations' from the crowd.

Hearing Bibi Dong's analysis, Yuehua nodded plainly. But there was one question that still haunted her. She knew her father well enough to understand that this was a concoction of alcohol, bad decision, and a long discussion with his only brother-in-arms who also became his in-laws— Dai Laohu. But what was Bibi Dong's reason?

Seeing the confusion on Tang Yuehua's face, Ja Sun couldn't help but chuckle, "Isn't it obvious already?" he remarked, "Bibi Dong and Tang Peng did all of this to make use of one another. If the Giant's Fortress has Clear Sky Clan's support, too, even if in name, it will be able to finally hold more fair and profitable trade with the Clear Sky Sect as a whole. Maybe the Star Luo Empire, too.

On the other hand, Tang Peng and Dai Laohu invest in our future as well as make use of our control over the Spirit Hall to make a few things easier for them. But none of it would matter if it wasn't for you."

"Me?" Tang Yuehua frowned, not being fond of the implication that she was to blame for this mess.

"Exactly," Ja Sun nodded and Bibi Dong remained silent for two reasons. One, she understood Ja Sun was on the right track and their thoughts aligned. Two, he was closer to Yuehua than Bibi Dong since he personally tutored her often.

"What would have happened if it was Tang Hao or Tang Xiao in your stead? Of course, forget about the whole shtick where they would be marrying me."

Yuehua scowled. It was bad enough she had to imagine Tang Hao with Dai Mu and now she suddenly imagined Ja Sun with Tang Hao... although...

Seeing her distracted look, Ja Sun's expression turned bleak as he flicked her forehead, "Focus."

"Y-yes. Ehm, if it was Brother Hao, his first instinct would be to tear all faces in an instant... and if not that then he definitely would have caused a lot of headache for father privately, maybe even causing him to renounce the decision entirely.

On the other hand... Brother Xiao would have accepted the decision with grace... but he would then proceed to run away from the clan for a few months and I believe if it is a marriage we are talking about, to try and escape this kind of political decision, he would, in fact, find a lover and have a child with her before returning to the sect, making the entire situation pointless."

Ja Sun and Bibi Dong nodded and he spoke up, "So? Which option will you choose?"

"What?"

"You answered two methods to get out of this mess. Which one are you more willing to choose? Be a rebellious daughter or have a child with an outsider without your father's blessing?"

Yuehua blinked. Silent for a long time.

"I see..." she finally sighed. No matter her tastes, she would never go against her family. Not because of some fear. But because her family took care of her when others considered her a talentless wastrel. After all, in a world of cultivation and born in the strongest sect, she could not cultivate at all. Her life would have been tough but her family was there for her.

Ja Sun shrugged now that she understood this. Although shameless, Tang Peng secured a steady future for his daughter and got an internal ally within the Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong's agreement, though surprising, only made this easier.

"But..." Yuehua hesitated, looking at Bibi Dong.

"Oh, don't worry about personal things. We are still the same and there isn't any change in how we need to act so you can remain as comfortable as you wish to be," Bibi Dong smiled, "Although, I am apologetic to have done this but your father did provide an opportunity so great that I couldn't help but jump on it."

"I understand," Yuehua grumbled, her shoulders slumped.

"Cool, I have a fiance now and didn't have to waste a ring at all," Ja Sun's voice shocked the two women and Bibi Dong finally realized that, too. She and Ah Yin weren't as official as Yuehua now suddenly became!

"Hey!" Yuehua blushed, unable to face her friend's shamelessness.

'And to think he is still worried for a ring!' she rolled her eyes inwardly, unaware how much of a crisis Bibi Dong suddenly felt after realizing what this actually meant for her relationship.

But on the surface, things had smoothened out for the trio and after finalizing a few details, they returned to the banquet tent.

They attracted attention instantly. Just with a few words and the image of cordiality a possible alliance was formed between the Clear Sky Sect, the Star Luo Empire, and the Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong's actions had caused a crack to form in the balance Qian Xunji had achieved but she wasn't worried. The event had just begun and there were a lot of potential friends to be found.

Of course, this alliance directly threatened the other half of the continent— the Heaven Dou Empire and the current Emperor— Xue Ye, had someone bring the trio.

With the situation being a rather open banquet, it was hard to find private spaces unless Clear Sky Clan allowed it, and thus, Xue Ye could only meet the trio informally with a rather interesting individual by his side.

"Your highness. Patriarch Yu," Bibi Dong greeted with Ja Sun and Yuehua following her. Next to the young emperor happened to be Yu Shandian— Yu Xiaogang's elder brother and the current patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Shandian remained silent and cold but Xue Ye welcomed and congratulated the trio warmly. It wasn't anything notable but with the warm and agreeing interactions, Bibi Dong made her intentions quite clear that she did not represent the Spirit Hall until she was appointed the Supreme Pontiff and only had control over the Giant's Fortress and to relieve Xue Ye at the risk of increasing her competition, Bibi Dong naturally made comments how Yu Xiaogang was a strong competitor to the seat and she would appreciate any and every support.

Of course, she did not expect any support but she did wish to dilute her play at the seat of the Supreme Pontiff. Her words somewhat eased Yu Shandian, too.

After constant negotiations, Heaven Dou Empire had now gained the firm support of the Blue Dragon Clan. Of course, this was an 'equal' partnership on the surface, however, the clan did not have real strength to back that up, making them the subordinates of the empire essentially.

This was in direct contrast with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan who had enough strength and wealth to remain independent yet supportive. Of course, the fact that two of the top three sects now fully supported the Heaven Dou Empire greatly impacted the balance and maybe the cause of Tang Peng and Dai Laohu resorting to such acts in the first place.

But that didn't matter to Ja Sun. He now had a chance to enter the Star Luo Palace once again and not get attacked right off the bat. He wanted to take the opportunity and fully explore the palace so that he can find out if they actually hid away more divine items.

The 'taste' of the divine energy on his spirit bones was simply too delicious to let go of easily.

If someone wanted to make use of them, they needed to risk their own hides, too.

Nothing personal— only politics.

After the short meeting with Xue Ye, the trio walked together, this time, for the image of it, Ja Sun stood in the middle yet again and Yuehua was a little pissed at her family to just simply forgive them despite not holding any hatred.

"What's this?" Ja Sun inquired as the waiter looked down, unable to match his intense gaze.

"Sir, this is honey-cooked 100-year-old Golden Pigeon."

Ja Sun nodded and took the plate. Just before he was about to take a bite, he heard two distinct sounds of coughing, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"Ehm, aren't you forgetting something, honey? Or someone?"

"Brother Ka-ul, this does look delicious."

Bibi Dong and Yuehua were in a bad mood for their own reason. Of course, they kept a mask of pleasantness but who better than Ja Sun to catch up on it. However, he may be bullied into standing in the middle and be forced into political maneuvers but he won't be bullied to give up the leg piece.

Chomping the boneless delight, Ja Sun cleaned his hand with a nod, "I did forget to have some packed for Ah Yin. She would love the fruits. They are exotic," he smiled, pulling Bibi Dong by her waist and his other one latched onto Yuehua's, causing her to look away momentarily as he spoke up, "And the pigeon was a delight. Your family really knows how to hold a banquet!"

"Incorrigible pervert!" Bibi Dong compressed her voice.

"You are really a naughty person, Brother Ka-ul," Yuehua grumbled, too, her voice compressed.

***

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