Chapter 391: Pill-Tasting Banquet

Song Qian naturally knew the profound connection between the Shangguan family and Tianwu Pavilion. Due to the rules of the Xianjia Sects, they couldn't directly intervene in mundane transactions, so ordinary immortal sects would often seek the assistance of non-sect members in handling their business affairs in the mortal realm. The Shangguan family was responsible for managing some of Tianwu Pavilion's business dealings in the mortal realm, making it clear that their rise to becoming one of the two major families in Yanguo was inseparable from the support of Tianwu Pavilion.

Just yesterday, Zhu Tenghu had died, and today, the head of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Jingming, sent an invitation to the Pill-Tasting Banquet. Surprisingly, the invitation was also extended to her father, the foreigner. Song Qian naturally suspected that there might be hidden motives behind this Pill-Tasting Banquet.

For her father, this might be a trap, a Hongmen Banquet. Song Qian wouldn't allow her father to take such risks.

After the servant of the Shangguan family left, Song Qian planned to immediately destroy the second invitation meant for her father. However, to her shock, she found that there was only one invitation left in her hand. Where did the other one go?

"A Pill-Tasting Banquet? It's been a long time since I attended such an event. I might as well go and take a look."

Song Yeh walked out from the inner hall, holding the invitation to the Pill-Tasting Banquet.

Song Qian felt a sense of horror. Her father had managed to take something from her without her noticing. This meant that her father's strength surpassed hers. It seemed that her father's claim of being powerful was not just a joke.

However, in this world, there were always stronger individuals. There were always higher mountains beyond the current one. Zhu Tenglong's cultivation level was not high, only at the Ninth Layer of the Void Spirit Realm, which was lower than hers. But what Song Qian feared was not Zhu Tenglong himself but the powerful figures behind him.

Zhu Tenglong's master was Vice Pavilion Master Zhan Qingwei of Tianwu Pavilion, who possessed the cultivation level of an Immortal Venerable. Zhan Qingwei's master was the renowned "Intent-Wielding Immortal Venerable" Li Changyi. Even if her father was stronger than her, he couldn't possibly be a match for Zhan Qingwei and Li Changyi.

"This Pill-Tasting Banquet is likely a trap. Stay at home and don't go," Song Qian said to Song Yeh. "During the banquet, you must listen to me and not speak or act recklessly."

Song Yeh smiled faintly, "These days, haven't I always listened to you? Whether it's at the banquet or at home, I always follow your instructions."

Song Qian's lips curled slightly, and she suppressed the smile that was about to emerge, "Save these sweet words for Aunt Yan when she returns."

---

The next day.

The Pill-Tasting Banquet of the Shangguan family was scheduled for the afternoon.

By the time of the Shen Chu time period, almost all the invited guests had arrived. Given the renowned alchemical skills of the Shangguan family, these guests wouldn't miss a chance to taste their elixirs unless they had pressing matters.

Among the guests, there were more female cultivators than males, indicating that there were more women seeking revenge on Zhu Tenghu's enemies list.

Most of these people were unfamiliar to Song Yeh, but he used his cultivation level detection tool to check their names and cultivation levels one by one.

The banquet was arranged in a casual manner with no specific seating order or hierarchy. However, men and women were seated separately.

Song Qian sat directly across from Song Yeh. At the first table for men, a middle-aged man with a robust figure, keenly observing everyone, sat. Zhu Tenglong was at the head of the table, his eyes sternly watching the surroundings.

Each table had a cup of turbid water. Song Yeh took a sniff, detecting a faint medicinal aroma. This seemed to be elixir-infused water.

At this moment, Shangguan Jingming addressed all the guests, "Ladies and gentlemen, the cup of elixir-infused water on your tables is made from the best batch of Yuling Pills refined by our Shangguan family this year. Please enjoy!"

While most of the guests were unfamiliar to Song Yeh, he could still use his cultivation level detection tool to learn their names and cultivation levels.

On the other side, sitting beside Song Qian, Mo Xunyu, a female cultivator from Lingyue Sect, glanced at the cup of elixir-infused water with a disdainful smile, "Master Shangguan, you call this a Pill-Tasting Banquet, but you only serve elixir-infused water. Moreover, the fragrance is so faint. Are you telling us that you only dissolved a couple of pills and diluted them into so many cups of water? It seems rather insincere."

Shangguan Jingming looked embarrassed, "It's not just one pill; I dissolved two."

At this moment, Dong Xiner from Cangyu Sect also spoke, "Even if you dissolved two pills, it's still not enough for all of us. The elixir-infused water has such a weak scent, is there any difference from ordinary clear water? I suspect that the purpose of inviting us here is not for tasting pills but for someone to expose the true murderer of Zhu Tenghu."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Zhu Tenglong.

"Exactly!"

Zhu Tenglong could no longer contain his anger and stood up from his seat, "Every one of you here is a suspect in my younger brother's murder. I asked Master Shangguan to invite you under the pretext of a Pill-Tasting Banquet because I believe the murderer is among you."

"Let me ask directly, does the murderer have the courage to admit it now?"

Wei Wushuang suddenly stared at Shangguan Jingming with a sharp gaze, "Master Shangguan, are you suspecting even this princess? Is that why you invited me here?"

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! I invited Princess to taste pills, really just for that," Shangguan Jingming hurriedly explained.

He had unintentionally offended many people by helping Zhu Tenglong, but he had to consider the overall situation. After all, Tianwu Pavilion was the biggest reliance of the Shangguan family.

At this moment, Ji Qinyin from Feihua Sect spoke, "I think the murderer is you, Zhu Tenglong. If you hadn't indulged your younger brother's misdeeds, allowing him to run rampant in Longling City, he wouldn't have ended up dead on the street like this. If you want to find the murderer, start by looking in the mirror."

Ji Qinyin's words resonated with many people present. Zhu Tenghu had been notorious for his misconduct and harassment of women in Longling City. If it weren't for Zhu Tenglong's backing, Zhu Tenghu might not

 have met such a tragic end.

Zhu Tenglong, however, became furious, "You unruly woman, dare to talk nonsense!"

As he spoke, he mobilized his spiritual power, and his robe billowed as if he was about to make a move.

Ji Qinyin, undeterred, slowly unsheathed the long sword at her waist.