Chapter 606: The Chaotic Banquet
Seeing Ni Daye before him with faded eyes and a cold expression, devoid of anger, Li Yu believed that Ni Daye had fallen for the trap.
This was expected, after all; his illusionary arts were superb, and it wasn’t surprising for Ni Daye to be caught so easily.
Taking advantage of Ni Daye’s vulnerable state, he led him aside and seized the opportunity to ask some questions:
“What is your identity? How did you create demonic artifacts? Why are you willing to join Mu Feng? What are Mu Feng’s ulterior motives for coming here?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Nuo thought, “What the heck, are you trying to brainwash me? If I really fell for this, I’d spill everything!”
If you knew I was plotting something at Helong Hall, wouldn’t that be a disaster? And should I also explain my past life as a big bad villain? You’d probably be dumbfounded listening to that!
No way I’m telling you the truth! Are you kidding me? A little villain like you thinks I’ll fess up? What about my pride?
Lin Nuo reacted quickly; he didn’t think too much about it. People under illusions often blurt things out, and if he started thinking, he’d definitely give himself away.
If it were someone else, they would have exposed themselves instantly, but he was an exceptional villain—excellent in every aspect, especially disguise. Except for Ruo’er, who could sense him with her keen nose, outsiders could hardly see past his facade.
There was simply no way around it—he was too good.
Lin Nuo stood there like a block of wood, his tone utterly flat as he spoke:
“Ni Daye was once a demonic artifact craftsman within the Refining Demon Sect, adept at creating various demonic items. Due to jealousy from his peers, he nearly fell into a trap and subsequently left the Sect. My real name is Cao Nima, but now I go by Ni Daye. I have gained Mu Feng’s favor, serving him with a singular wish to showcase my talents, and Mu Feng has given me that stage. He has come merely to attend the banquet, without any ulterior plots or schemes.”
Lin Nuo casually spun a tale that sounded completely genuine, making it hard for Li Yu to distinguish the truth. After all, he was unaware of the internal workings of the Refining Demon Sect, so who the heck was Cao Nima? Never heard that name before.
Yet he believed it; after all, he was under an illusion, so everything spoken was the unvarnished truth.
Thus, this Ni Daye was merely an unappreciated craftsman, persecuted by his peers at the Refining Demon Sect.
So recruiting a person like this shouldn’t be too difficult—just provide a bigger stage for him, and the illusion should continue unbroken.
Perfect, this will be great news for the second-in-command, a chance to take credit later.
Li Yu was about to ask more questions, however, his associates hurried him along, urging him not to miss the opportunity. He decided to stop probing.
He had to bring Lin Nuo with him—this was a good chance to earn some merit; if another associate snagged him first, it would be a problem.
Lin Nuo was still unclear about what these people were really up to, but he figured he’d just go with the flow and see what tricks they were planning.
Currently, his situation was favorable, and he could also take the chance to observe these people’s actions. Plus, if others saw him, he could easily blame it on the illusion; after all, he noticed many people around him with faded eyes and cold expressions—not just him under the spell.
Steady as she goes.
…
In the banquet hall, everyone was joyously eating and drinking, various attendees raised their glasses to Mu Yuanfeng. Despite his strong liquor tolerance, with so many well-wishers, he soon began to flush with drink.
Yet he shouted, “I’m not drunk!” and scrambled for another drink, quite the seasoned drinker.
The Ling father-daughter duo ate and drank normally, occasionally toasting Mu Yuanfeng. Ling Meng could handle her liquor but never overindulged. Should she wish to drink too much, only her master was acceptable for that; if she got drunk, anything would go.
Conversely, she aimed to get Lin Nuo tipsy—then she could freely act all she wanted.
The Ling duo knew their limits and didn’t drink excessively. The Refining Demon Sect members also kept to a moderate intake, for they needed their wits about them.
They calculated the timing, waiting for the opportune moment; while everyone was in joyous spirits, their defenses would weaken. Then they could strike—everyone here was fish in a barrel.
“I’ve had my eye on you for a while, stealing my Xiaofang. You’re dead!”
Some attendees, already tipsy, suddenly smashed their cups and swung a fist at others. Those struck undoubtedly retaliated, responding with blows of their own.
On what was supposed to be a joyous day, even past grudges needed to be swallowed. But now, someone under the illusion sparked emotions, and fights broke out.
Like a lit fuse, it was not just one localized scuffle—many erupted simultaneously, with people even contemplating flipping tables.
Upon seeing this, the assembled leaders realized things had escalated. Leaders were brawling, showing a complete lack of respect for Mu Lao!
Of course, except for those under the second-in-command; they behaved themselves and continued eating in a civilized manner.
Mu Yuanfeng observed that his own crew had started fighting with members of other sects. This struck him as strange; his people hadn’t drunk much, and they were following orders—how could they be so unruly?
Seeing the banquet descending into chaos, Mu Yuanfeng’s fury ignited, and he bellowed:
“What are you all doing?! Quit acting out! You lot, how do you manage your people?!”
“Dad, it’s an accident! I didn’t foresee this; I’ll punish them severely… but wait! What’s going on?! Why are you fighting?!”
The leaders rushed to halt the unsanctioned brawl, admonishing their drunken underlings.
Just as the banquet turned chaotic, it was rather unexpected for the Refining Demon Sect. However, wasn’t this the perfect time for action?
The hidden disciples of the Refining Demon Sect outside received the signal, and the Ling father-daughter glanced at each other, sensing the moment had come.
Aside from a small number who entered to feast, most disciples were waiting outside, poised for movement, just awaiting their cue from the Ling duo.
Not to smash cups as a signal; they had their own methods.
Alright, let’s get started!
Ling Yuan’s right hand pressed against the table, channeling his Demon Soul Power, a surge of Demon Qi erupted forth, shattering the dining table and sending food sprawling everywhere.
Everyone gasped. While others had brawled in minor skirmishes, when the Refining Demon Sect got angry, it was no laughing matter.
“Lord Ling, these fools are just being rowdy—please, don’t get angry.”
Mu Yuanfeng thought the Refining Demon Sect was enraged over the petty squabbles and was completely mistaken.
In an instant, the disciples of the Refining Demon Sect burst in from outside, surrounding the banquet hall.
“Mu Yuanfeng, it seems you still don’t understand the situation. You now have a choice: either submit to the Refining Demon Sect or die here.”
“Ling Yuan, what do you mean? You intend to cause trouble here?!”
Mu Yuanfeng flew into a rage:
“This is my turf! Do you really think you can succeed?!”
“Oh really? Your estate has been laced with magical crystals and arrays; you’re all doomed to be consumed by the Demon Qi.”
Ling Yuan snapped his fingers, and the estate radiated a glaring dark purple light, growing cold.
“Today, you cannot resist us; I advise you to surrender. This…”
Ling Yuan felt his body’s demon soul power beginning to dissipate, growing weaker.
“Ha-ha! Is that so?!”
The second-in-command burst into laughter, also snapping his fingers, at which point illusionists entered, bringing along two infiltrating demon disciples.
Oh, and behind them was a newbie called Ni Daye.
—
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, wishing everyone a joyful holiday and a joyful reunion.
(From a solitary author away from home with blessings)
