Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 948 - 66: Chaos at the Qing Celebration Banquet (Part 2)

Chapter 948: Chapter 66: Chaos at the Qing Celebration Banquet (Part 2)

In the center of the flower garden, the three Holy Beast Clan Leaders took their seats one by one.

The Dancing Girls from the Otherworld began to dance, and the acrobatic troupe’s performances were dazzling.

Jue Xin and Long Rui, mingling with the acrobatics troupe, glanced around but did not spot Yue Jinghua.

Though Yue Jinghua was imprisoned in the dungeon, she had sent a message out, instructing Jue Xin to prepare boats by the Boundary River for the day of the celebration banquet.

She also had Qian Luo plant corresponding ambush formations on the land and air routes from Huasha City to the Boundary River.

Both had full confidence in Yue Jinghua, but as the celebration banquet commenced, Yue Jinghua had still not appeared, and they dared not act rashly.

"Why hasn’t Jinghua appeared yet? I think today isn’t suitable for action; the three Holy Beast Clan Leaders are all unparalleled powerhouses," Jue Xin whispered to Long Rui.

"It’s Blood Sakura Duke Yue Nian; let’s not act hastily," Long Rui noticed Yue Nian, and sitting beside him was the dazzling Cangdai Goddess. Shocked, she also couldn’t fathom why Yue Jinghua would choose such an occasion to act.

"Ladies and gentlemen," not long after the feast began, Lord Ye, the host of this celebration banquet, stood up first. He raised his glass towards the three Holy Beast Clan Leaders and the various Boundary City Lords, toasting: "Huasha City is honored to be chosen as the venue for this celebration banquet. I, Ye, feel incredibly honored, and welcome the three Clan Leaders and all City Lords. If there has been any inadequacy in our hosting, I ask for your forgiveness. Let us invite the Clan Leader of the Sun Dragon Clan, Yue Potian, to say a few words."

Yue Potian rose, nodded slightly, and his gaze briefly passed over the Divine Empress Muhua beside him.

The Divine Empress Muhua glanced at him, her fingers casually brushing a ring on her finger.

On the ring was set the Emperor Nan Pearl, the only one of its kind under the heavens.

The Divine Empress Muhua had made it clear that to obtain the Emperor Nan Pearl, the marriage between Yue Nian and Cangdai Goddess must be facilitated.

Cangdai Goddess clung to Yue Nian, his brow filled with impatience, though it wasn’t suitable for him to act out.

Yue Potian had little fatherly affection for Cangdai. He had numerous offspring, so paternal love was already diluted, but to obtain the Emperor Nan Pearl, he had to act accordingly.

He cleared his throat: "Today, my Sun Dragon Clan is blessed with double happiness, hosting this celebration banquet. Having everyone present is truly a blessing for my Sun Dragon Clan."

Yue Potian’s voice resonated, echoing through every corner of the flower garden.

Lie Rou couldn’t help but lift her head, but her view was obstructed by pine and cypress, making it impossible to clearly see the figures ahead, except for some vague silhouettes swaying. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The elder was enjoying his food when Yue Potian’s voice reached his ears, provoking a scowl as he dug his ears with annoyance and spat out a bone: "Showy and deceitful, Yue Potian, you sly man, his gourd just filled with conspiracies and schemes. Even calculating his own kin, not fearing his brother might crawl out of the Dragon Tomb out of rage."

"One delight, some months ago, the Dimension Battlefield called for emergency reinforcements, triggering the Half-Month Battle. My Sun Dragon Clan’s Holy Dragon Riders, assigned in a crisis, triumphed over several hundred thousand Demon Army soldiers on the Dimension Battlefield, slaying the Second Prince of Dark Demon. Silver War General Yue Xi made great contributions; she’s currently tied up with duties and unable to attend in person." Yue Potian explained eloquently, attributing all the credit to the Holy Dragon Riders.

Yue Xi, at present, is attending to Yue Minzhi at the Moon Plane, obviously unable to come.

"The second joy is celebrating the Qingyuan Realm Goddess Cangdai’s eightieth birthday. The Goddess’s birthday should have been celebrated by the Qingyuan Realm themselves, but due to my clan’s negligence, the Goddess encountered unknown assassins near the Boundary River. On behalf of the Sun Dragon Clan, I set up this birthday feast to soothe the Goddess’s fright, hoping the Goddess will forgive us," Yue Potian said, raising his glass to toast the Cangdai Goddess.

The Clan Leaders also raised their glasses in unison.

"Many thanks to Clan Leader Yue and Lord Ye for their hospitality. On behalf of the Qingyuan Realm and my young lady, I thank everyone for their care over the past few days. I represent my husband and wish to forge a life-and-death alliance with the Sun Dragon Clan, to advance and retreat together, sharing in both prosperity and peril," Divine Empress Muhua said, following Yue Potian’s cue, rising gracefully.

Two of the Clan Leaders’ expressions subtly changed upon hearing this; a life-and-death alliance implied mutual destiny and advancing together, which wasn’t a favorable proposition for them.

"The Divine Empress is being courteous; this is truly great joy. I think, since today is auspicious, we should add joy upon joy. The Cangdai Goddess is beautiful and virtuous, while my nephew is young and heroic. The two of them, talented and beautiful, have gotten along quite well over recent days. My elder brother passed away early, and my nephew’s marriage has been delayed repeatedly. Today, in this beautiful setting, let’s set their engagement, becoming a union of Qin and Jin," Yue Potian’s words had just ended when Yue Nian’s hand holding the wine goblet stilled.

Lord Ye sighed quietly, patting Yue Nian’s shoulder.

Cangdai Goddess blushed, softly crying out as she threw herself into the embrace of the Divine Empress Muhua.

The guests only then realized that today’s celebration banquet was merely a pretense, the true purpose being the alliance marriage between the Qingyuan Realm and the Sun Dragon Clan.

Yue Nian clenched the wine cup in his hand, his thick brows furrowing as he looked up at Yue Potian.

The uncle and nephew communicated wordlessly.

"Daidai, are you willing?" Divine Empress Muhua gently stroked her daughter’s head, her face full of loving care.

"Mother," Cangdai spat softly, glancing at Yue Nian, then nodded quickly.

"Nian’er, are you willing?" Yue Potian stared at Yue Nian with a firm gaze, confident that Yue Nian wouldn’t refuse.

In the presence of hundreds of eyes at the celebration banquet, Yue Nian wouldn’t dare defy his wishes.

Within Yue Nian’s heart, a fierce struggle was taking place.

In truth, with his wit, he had already guessed that this celebration banquet was a trap, arranged by Yue Potian and the Divine Empress Muhua to settle his and Cangdai’s marriage.

He thought he would agree, for after all, marrying someone was just marrying someone.

Yet when the moment came, he found himself regretting.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have attended this celebration banquet at all; his mind was overwhelmed with the image of a woman reading books in the Observatory Tower, with a gentle smile on her lips, magnified a thousandfold.

An ache filled his chest as he opened his mouth, softly saying, "I..."

"You can’t agree!" A sharp reprimand interrupted Yue Nian’s words.

From within the acrobatics troupe, a woman with a heavily made-up face rushed out, her almond-shaped eyes wide as she loudly objected: "You can’t agree, Yue Nian, you have a wife and children, you’re already a married man, you cannot betray Lady Lie!"

Long Rui had originally intended to wait for Yue Jinghua’s appearance to reveal Yue Nian’s identity.

But Yue Potian and Muhua’s coordinated act, Yue Nian was being forced into marriage?!

Long Rui, by nature impulsive, couldn’t hold back her anger; neither of the Yue siblings was present, and if she didn’t intervene, it would be too late.