Originally, Situ Yixiao’s birthday was not a major event. However, this year’s Situ Clan had grown magnificently. Perhaps, it wouldn’t have meant anything if Situ Yixiao didn’t open up a banquet. However, the Gods Bestow City immediately turned lively after he and Qian Wanguan had sent out so many invitations.
Those important young masters and young ladies from the thirteen clans had been residing within the Gods Bestow City after the establishment of the Soaring Dragon Merchant Association. Firstly, it was for them to participate in the business to gain experience. Secondly, it was to further enhance their relationship with Qian Wanguan and Situ Yixiao as the titular president of the Soaring Dragon Merchant Association was Situ Yixiao.
All the various young masters and young ladies immediately sent out men to prepare gifts after Situ Yixiao had sent out the invitation. They were afraid of neglecting Situ Yixiao. What if he and Qian Wanguan were to expel one of the clans? They would definitely suffer tremendous losses. Currently, the Lei, Nangong, and three other clans might seem to be opposing them. However, secretly, they were extremely jealous of them and wished to join in as well.
What caused a lot of people to grow skeptical of was Situ Yixiao sending an invitation to Nangong Muyu—at the same time, he had invited a Nangong Clan’s widow as well. However, he did not send any invitation to Lei Qiyan or Lei Zihan. Lu Clan’s Young Lady Lu Yu didn’t receive an invitation as well.
Situ Yixiao had always given an impression of being refined and courteous to everyone within the city. He would never offend a person intentionally. Yet, he was actually so vicious this time. He actually didn’t give them any face at all. This caused the seven big clan’s young masters and young ladies to become even more nervous. Could the Situ Clan be declaring war with the Lei Clan?
Of course, some of them had thought of the proposed marriage by Lei Qiyan very quickly. This matter got even clearer after seeing the fact that Situ Yixiao had invited the widow from the Nangong Clan as well. Situ Yixiao was extremely dissatisfied with Lei Qiyan and wished to use this opportunity to sow discord between the Lei and Nangong Clans’ alliance. Clearly, he had thrown an opportunity to the Nangong Clan, and it was up to them if they were going to grab hold of it.
The Lei Clan was extremely peaceful and did not show any reaction to it. However, an hour before the banquet, Lei Clan opened up their gates, and two luxurious carriages galloped out as they headed straight to the Nangong Clan. An hour later, Nangong Clan’s gate had also opened up, and six carriages sped their way to the Situ Courtyard.
“What?”
Within Jiang Castle. Jiang Yi’s complexion turned unsightly immediately after he heard of the report from a guard. Lei Qiyan had come uninvited. Furthermore, he had attended it with Big Sister Bell. At this moment, they were inside Situ Yixiao’s city castle. Lei Zihan and Lu Yu had also come uninvited. Situ Yixiao had no choice but to welcome them in. He couldn’t possibly show any consideration for them, right?
“Chief Jiang, Chief Qian asks if you wish to head there.” The guard clasped his fist and sent a message over.
“Of course, I have to!”
Jiang Yi replied coldly. He swept his gaze at Feng Luan and spoke, “Feng’er, change into a formal gown and accompany me!”
Feng Luan stood up and went into her room. There were signs of bitterness in Qing Yu’s eyes, but she didn’t dare to show it too clearly. Jiang Yi swept his divine sense into Huangfu Taotian’s room and sent a message: “Big Brother Taotian, it’s Yixiao’s birthday. Would you like to go over?”
“Alright!”
Huangfu Taotian opened up his eyes and stopped cultivating. Recently, his impression of Situ Yixiao had changed greatly. At this moment, he was residing within the Situ Clan’s courtyard. It wouldn’t be nice of him not to head over to congratulate Situ Yixiao.
Very quickly, Huangfu Taotian walked out; and Feng Luan had also changed into a black evening gown. She wore a lot of expensive accessories and become extremely eye-catching. Jiang Yi beckoned his hand and said, “Let’s go.”
“Young Master, are you not going to change?” Feng Luan spoke hesitantly. Jiang Yi grinned, “Actually… I’m heading over to bring chaos to the event.”
Feng Luan and Qing Yu rolled their eyes. Jiang Yi was probably the only person would dare to bring chaos to Situ Yixiao’s birthday party, right? The trio brought several guards and walked out from the Jiang Castle as they headed towards the Xiao Castle beside them.
Situ Yixiao was welcoming his guest at the gate while Situ Yinian and Qian Wanguan were nowhere to be seen. They ought to be inside entertaining the guests. Situ Yixiao welcomed Jiang Yi and the others in a bitter smile when he saw them walking over. He spoke softly, “Jiang Yi, originally, I wished to celebrate my birthday in a low-profile manner. I knew it was nothing good when Wanguan said that he was going to open up a banquet. Forget it… since you want to play, play as you wish. Don’t need to worry about me. You have to slap the person’s face properly since he dared to do something so despicable. Otherwise, he would be overestimating his own abilities.”
“Hahaha!”
Jiang Yi and Huangfu Taotian laughed. Indeed, Situ Yixiao was a smart person and treated Jiang Yi as one of his people genuinely. He no longer needed to show any consideration for them since they were going to face the same enemy together.
Jiang Yi patted onto Situ Yixiao’s shoulder. “Later on, let our brothers have a few drinks together. You still have to celebrate your birthday happily. I hadn’t really prepared any gifts. Therefore, I especially made a painting for you.”
“Hehe!”
Immediately, Situ Yixiao grew elated and received a painting from the guard behind Jiang Yi. He opened it up hastily and grew delighted immediately. This was a portrait painting and the person in the painting was Situ Yixiao himself. Furthermore, it was a painting of him commanding the battle enthusiastically while he was on top of the Heaven Fate Ship and a distance away from him was the Devil’s Island. Countless people were fighting on the sea, and Huangfu Taotian had rushed out. He slashed his Thunder Rush Saber at Mo Long, and the scene was extremely magnificent. Everyone inside the painting was extremely detailed. It was already extremely valuable just by the painting skills alone while ignoring the dao pattern contained within it. The most crucial point was Situ Yixiao being the protagonist of the painting.
“Great, great, great!”
Situ Yixiao laughed a few times while he took a few glances at the painting delightedly before putting it away and handing it over to the subordinate beside him, “This was the best birthday gift I had received for this lifetime. I’m willing to accept all hardship just for this drawing.”
Huangfu Taotian could no longer hold himself back. He glared and spoke, “Jiang Yi, you aren’t going to gift one to me?”
Jiang Yi grinned. “I will paint you one later on. Let’s go in first.”
The trio walked inside in a row. Since their subordinates did not have any qualifications to go in, they could only gather inside a small palace hall and wait.
The atmosphere within the palace hall was extremely harmonious. Situ Yinian and Qian Wanguan were entertaining the guests. Females were dancing at the center of the palace hall. The young masters and young ladies were extending and raising their cups, making how very lively.
The moment Jiang Yi stepped in, the atmosphere grew somewhat cold. After he came in, he fixed his gaze at Lei Qiyan while the latter did the same. Both of them were filled with killing intent, and they reeked of gunpowder, causing the environment to quiet down abruptly.
Jiang Yi glanced at Lei Qiyan a few times before sweeping his gaze to the side. His complexion grew even colder when he saw a female dressed in a black gown and wore a light veil sitting beside Lei Qiyan.
Sure enough, Big Sister Bell had come. Furthermore, she sat at the same table with Lei Qiyan. Although Big Sister Bell had lowered her head, causing her expression not to be seen, this was clearly a soundless slap to Jiang Yi’s face by Lei Qiyan.
Just when Jiang Yi had cast his gaze at Big Sister Bell, Lei Qiyan stretched out his hand and grabbed hold of Big Sister Bell’s jade-like hand. The latter delicate body shuddered. However, there were no signs of resistance other than lowering her head even more.
“Hahaha!”
When Jiang Yi saw Lei Qiyan’s provocation look, he smiled in anger. He could no longer conceal the killing intent within him as it suppressed a lot of young masters and young ladies like an unsheathed treasured sword, causing them not to dare take big breaths.
“Brother Jiang, take a seat first!”
Situ Yixiao spoke gently, breaking the silence. Jiang Yi knew that Situ Yixiao was reminding him not to find troubles on his own initiative. Otherwise, the Lei Clan could easily bring forth another dispute once they grab hold of an opportunity.
Jiang Yi endured his anger forcefully and walked towards his throne on the right side as he sat shoulder to shoulder with Qian Wanguan. Meanwhile, Feng Luan sat at his right. Qian Wanguan was actually willing to sit beside Jiang Yi even though of his own status. This caused a lot of young masters and young ladies to look up to Jiang Yi even more.
Lei Qiyan smiled nonchalantly and looked around. Suddenly, he spoke to Big Sister Bell who was beside him softly, “Qiling, I heard that you and Young Master Jiang are old friends? Since Young Master Jiang is here, are you not going to greet him?”
Jiang Yi, Huangfu Taotian, Qian Wanguan, and Situ Yixiao pricked up their eyebrows at the same time, and they revealed a trace of a cold smile at the corner of their mouth. As expected, it seemed like Lei Qiyan was here to look for trouble!
