A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 145 - 122: Everyone Is Happy—Good for You, Good for Me

"A banquet? Whose banquet?"

In another inn in Wagang Village, Zhu Ling'Er held a gold-embossed invitation between her fingers, a hint of confusion in her bright eyes: 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"9 p.m.? Inviting me, Wulang, and Master Li.

What is He Qilang planning?"

She sat by the window, her slender brows like a crescent moon. She had just heard that Zhu Shou Rang and He Jingfeng had clashed, creating an ugly commotion.

It doesn't make sense, for He Qilang to immediately turn around and host a banquet of reconciliation.

"Did Xiaowu also receive an invitation?"

Zhu Ling'Er asked softly.

"Yes, Fifth Young Master hasn't replied yet, he's waiting to see what Second Miss thinks."

The little maid attending her replied.

"I'm not interested. Xiaowu and that He Family Qilang, they both are like wolves, with bad temperament and too many misdeeds.

Their feud is none of my business, lest Xiaowu uses me as a scapegoat and shields him from trouble later."

Zhu Ling'Er gently shook her head. Rumors had always circulated about the long house, claiming that Zhu Shou Rang's father was instigated by her father to spar with Ninghai Zen, which led to his death.

Perhaps affected by this, Xiaowu has never liked to interact with his own family, not even during holidays when their mother came to send clothes and extra care. He never showed a pleasant face.

"Bai Qilang is also going."

The little maid whispered.

"Bai... can he and Xiaowu sit together?"

Zhu Ling'Er suddenly tightened her grip on the invitation, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes:

"His master is Ninghai Zen, which is practically a mortal enemy to Xiaowu. They've already crossed paths. If they meet again, how can it possibly end well?

He Jingfeng indeed harbors no good intentions, he must want to use Bai Qilang to slap Xiaowu in the face!"

The young maid, only about fourteen or fifteen years old, couldn't understand these complicated threads and asked in confusion:

"Then will Miss go to the banquet?"

Zhu Ling'Er bit her cherry lips, her expression slightly complicated, and after pondering for a moment, said:

"I might as well go. I need to warn Bai Qilang not to fall into He Jingfeng's trap."

The little maid uttered an "oh" and asked again:

"Won't Fifth Young Master do anything about it?"

Zhu Ling'Er raised her delicate brow, flicking a finger for a flick on the forehead.

The little maid clutched her reddened forehead, wrinkling her round little face as she repeatedly cried out in pain.

"You little imp, making fun of the Miss! Don't I know Xiaowu's temper?

Overbearing and reckless, never seen him restrain himself!

Even in front of Master Li, he often boasts boldly, regardless of how much effort the Zhu Family put in to help him become an apprentice!

Bai Qilang is different; he knows how to advance and retreat, is polite, and even when he was just a fisherman, facing Young Masters like He Tai and Song Qiying, he maintained his dignity and could chat amicably with anyone."

Zhu Ling'Er pressed the invitation onto the round table covered with embroidered silk, her slender fingers moving gracefully as if playing a qin.

"But he's certainly not one to be bullied. He would never submit to Xiaowu, a spoiled brat. He's someone with pride deep in his bones.

I heard that Xiaowu wanted to lash out at someone just because they glanced at him; he truly never changes.

I must persuade them to avoid Xiaowu bringing trouble to the Zhu Family."

The little maid stretched her tone, tightening her round little face:

"I know, I know, Miss! Last time when the Red Eyebrow attacked the city, you were clearly worried about Bai Qilang! Asked Master Zhu to look out for him a bit..."

Zhu Ling'Er flicked her forehead again, her tone carrying a hint of flustered anger:

"You little imp, I'll tear your mouth! Stop spreading gossip and rumors!"

…

…

In another room, Zhu Shou Rang crumpled the invitation into a ball and threw it into the brazier.

"Inviting me to a banquet? He Jingfeng is ridiculous; I just got beaten by that Bai guy, and now he's eager to show off.

Hmph, just wait till I become Li Yuan's closed-door disciple, take control of the Big Punishment Kiln, become a Master Craftsman, and in ten or twenty years, who will be begging whom?"

Seeing the Fifth Young Master recovering his spirits, Uncle Ou's face relaxed:

"Exactly, the He Family's this generation is full of talent. The future leaders could only be He Jinghong or He Jingyun, hardly anything for He Jingfeng.

Not comparable at all to Fifth Young Master's promising future, with hopes of becoming the Fire Kiln Owner and the master of Hongming Hao in the future!"

Zhu Shou Rang took two sips of tea, opened the window, and gazed out at the Cyan Flower Kiln, glowing red from working through the night:

"The old master plans far ahead. Fifty thousand taels of silver for the Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain, crushing a profitable kiln, Li Yuan has to weigh this.

If he still thinks himself tough, there's still a handle with the Red Eyebrow Bandits waiting for him.

Uncle Ou, what does Second Sister say on her side? She always disliked He Jingfeng's character, perhaps she wouldn't agree to attend the banquet."

Just as Uncle Ou was about to reply, the sound of knocking came from outside, followed by the little maid's clear voice:

"Fifth Young Master! Second Miss asked me to relay a message; among the guests this time is Master Li.

She said since you're going to be apprenticed, you can't neglect relationships, it's best to use this opportunity to clear things up.

Being a disciple requires the proper demeanor, advising you to restrain your temper and offer Master Li a few more toasts."

Zhu Shou Rang frowned slightly. Second Sister was unexpectedly participating in the banquet. She seldom showed herself at home, mostly socializing occasionally with friends of the same generation.

"Alright, I understand."

He genuinely detested the whole family of the old master, yet his perception of Second Sister was slightly better. She's not like her mother, always pretending to be kind-hearted, occasionally visiting with gifts of winter clothes or silver bone charcoal.

Do they really think I'm foolish and naive?

If only Father hadn't died in the ring.

These resources for living should have been mine to enjoy!

Why must they deliberately play nice!

Whenever Zhu Shou Rang recalled the bitter memories of his childhood, he felt restless, growing more upset at the thought of seeing Bai Qilang's face later.