Chapter 416: Family Feast! (2 more updates)

The next day, Deng Yongshi arrived early at Ling Feng’s residence in Tianyi Pavilion, thinking she had woken up early enough, only to find that when she arrived, Ling Feng was already practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard, and from his rapid breathing, it was clear he’d been at it for a while.Deng Yongshi then realized that her "Little Teacher" was even more diligent than she had imagined.

Biting her lip, Deng Yongshi walked into the courtyard and called out, "Hey, I’m here!"

"Mmm," Ling Feng sheathed his sword and stood up, turning to glance at Deng Yongshi and nodding slightly, "You’re up quite early today. I hope you keep it up."

"Hmph! I just want to finish training earlier so I can get rid of you, you stinky... stinky brat!" The most update n0vels are published on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt

Deng Yongshi gave Ling Feng a pointed look, then walked over to where she had piled up the stone pillars the day before and got busy without another word.

She still hadn’t figured out how to tell Ling Feng about the family banquet.

Gradually, time ticked away, and soon it was well into the morning.

During this, Deng Yongshi occasionally looked back at Ling Feng, only to find him sitting motionless at the entrance of the courtyard meditating, which left her feeling incredibly conflicted.

As the time for the family banquet approached, Deng Yongshi finally bit the bullet, stamped her foot, put down the stone block in her hands, walked up to Ling Feng, and awkwardly said, "Hey, Grandpa is hosting a family banquet at noon. You... you’ll come, right?"

"Family banquet?" Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes and looked at Deng Yongshi, responding indifferently, "Who is ’hey’? I certainly won’t go if it’s ’hey’."

"Come on!" Deng Yongshi pinched up her tiny fist and whispered like the buzz of a mosquito, "Mr. Ling! Are you coming or not?"

"If it’s Mr. Ling, then I could consider it," Ling Feng said with a slight smile and a hint of a curve at the corners of his mouth.

"Humph!" Deng Yongshi bit her tender lip, "Don’t you get smug, I’m only calling you that this once!"

"Once is fine too," Ling Feng stood tall, his expression a mix of a smile and nonchalance, "Well, what are we waiting for? Don’t you still need to wash up and change your clothes?"

"Mind your own business!"

Deng Yongshi stuck out her tongue and then added, "Let me tell you, at the banquet, if you can eat, then try not to talk too much. If anyone asks questions, I’ll answer them! Also, don’t say you are my teacher, I don’t want a teacher as young as you, it’s so embarrassing! Got it?"

Ling Feng touched his nose and replied with a smile, "Alright, alright, I’ll agree to your terms. I won’t say a word. Is that okay now?"

Deng Yongshi finally relaxed, grinned, and said, "Not talking would be best! All the younger members of the Deng family will be there at the family banquet, and their respective teachers will also be invited. Their teachers are all important figures in the Imperial City. If you said something wrong and were laughed at, it would be very embarrassing for me."

"Moreover, the teacher of that woman, Lee Rong, will also be there—a Fifth-rank Advanced Alchemist. Plus, everyone says he’s just a little short of being promoted to a Sixth-level Alchemist. I’m just being kind; I don’t want you to feel disheartened," Deng Yongshi said with a sly face.

"Oh, then I really should thank you for your kind intentions."

Ling Feng’s brows rose. Although he didn’t really care about any Fifth-rank Alchemists, his trip to the General Mansion was not to show off. As long as he could successfully retrieve the Demon Mirage Crystal Core, everything would be perfect.

"Hee hee, as long as you don’t embarrass me, I’ll be sure never to kick you out!" Deng Yongshi squinted her eyes and made a "pleading" gesture to Ling Feng with clasped hands.

Ling Feng pursed his lips but just shook his head and laughed, not saying anything more.

Soon, Deng Yongshi bathed and changed clothes, donning a very beautiful emerald green gauze dress, highlighting her exquisitely graceful figure.

Under Deng Yongshi’s guidance, the two quickly arrived at an opulent hall. This was where the General Mansion hosted a banquet for the guests.

By the time they arrived, the square outside the hall had already gathered many juniors from the Deng family, and their respective teachers had accompanied them as well.

"Giggle, our Little Princess has finally arrived!"

No sooner had they arrived than a coquettish voice rang out. It was none other than Deng Yongshi’s cousin, Li Rong.

Strictly speaking, Li Rong was not a direct descendant of the Deng family, but because her parents died early, she was taken in by the Deng family and raised there since she was a child.

However, Li Rong had always been a notch below Deng Yongshi in everything she did, and General Deng also had a particular fondness for Deng Yongshi, so although Li Rong was outwardly polite to Deng Yongshi, inside, she hated her intensely and viewed her as her greatest enemy.

In fact, although Li Rong was from a collateral line, she was still General Deng’s granddaughter. His act of bringing her into the General Mansion proved that he still held this granddaughter dear. Unfortunately, the more Li Rong grew up, the deeper her scheming and the smaller her graciousness became, harboring a heart too shrouded in darkness.

General Deng was a discerning man and naturally could see through Li Rong’s character. Therefore, he gradually distanced himself from her. However, she failed to reflect on herself and instead blamed everything on Deng Yongshi.

Deng Yongshi was obviously very cold toward this hypocritical cousin. With a light snort, she silently led Ling Feng towards the great hall.

"Giggle, my dear cousin, why don’t I see your teacher with you? Could it really be this young master?"

Li Rong sized up Ling Feng and burst into a coquettish laugh, "Young master, we meet again, my name is Li Rong. You can also call me Rong Rong."

Deng Yongshi stepped forward with a swift pace, blocking Ling Feng and stared angrily at Li Rong, "Today is our Deng family’s house banquet, can’t you show some restraint?"

Li Rong pursed her lips and chuckled lightly, "I was just joking with this young master. Did you really think I would contest with you for a man? Giggle..."

"Hmph!" Deng Yongshi grabbed Ling Feng’s arm and gritted her teeth, "Ling Feng, let’s go!"

"So he really is your teacher!" Li Rong said mockingly, "I heard about it, that the teacher grandfather found for you is called Ling Feng!"

At this time, many young members of the General Mansion were whispering and snickering on the side, casting disdainful glances at Ling Feng from time to time.

Their teachers were either deans or vice-deans, retired old generals from the front lines, or presidents of major guilds. Even the least impressive were Nine-star Tutors from the Four Great Universities.

And Deng Yongshi’s teacher...

Was clearly just a greenhorn!

"Is it any of your business!" Deng Yongshi fumed with frustration. She had wanted to keep a low profile with Ling Feng and just get through the family banquet, but she hadn’t expected to be exposed by Li Rong as soon as she walked in.

This wicked woman clearly wanted to see her own embarrassment!

"Young Master Ling..." Li Rong pursed her lips in a smile, her gaze fixed on Ling Feng, then quickly corrected herself, "Oh, wrong, I should call you Mr. Ling. Mr. Ling, my cousin has been so naughty, driving away several teachers over the years. I suppose instructing Shi must be very challenging for you, hahaha..."

As Li Rong spoke, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, her posture dripping with malice.