Chapter 326 - Banquet

Chapter 326: Chapter 81 BanquetQuickly, Lu Hong faced his second preliminary match. By now, Piaomiao was likely too preoccupied to pay attention to this side. It was a routine and overwhelming duel, as his opponent was a level eight Second Transition, easily defeated by Lu Hong, a level five Great War Master. There was nothing worth bragging about.

After this round of preliminaries, he was officially through the review process. From then on, each duel would take place in the medium-sized arenas to the left and right of the Tianyuan Colosseum. Moreover, the matches would be open to the public, allowing residents of the Seventh Floating World to attend in person during the scheduled time.

Where there were matches, naturally, betting would follow. The four Dukes joined forces to open a betting booth. It was a surefire way to make money, with no loss possible.

"Lord Lu Hong," Bacon’s deputy sought him out again, "There is a gathering of Eastern Alliance Earls this evening, and the Earl has asked me to invite you to attend."

"But I don’t really want to go," Lu Hong detested such occasions. What was the point in making connections over a simple meal?

"I would ask that Lord Lu Hong do us the favor," the deputy entreated with a smile. "There will be private duels at the event, and the Earl doesn’t want to lose face."

"Since that’s the case, alright then," Lu Hong nodded in agreement. It was no trouble to lend a hand.

At that moment, Anna spoke up in dissatisfaction, "This is a vile habit left over from the history of the alliance, truly nauseating."

"People crave respect; it’s understandable," Lu Hong said to Anna. "I have things to take care of, so shall we continue our stroll tomorrow?" Spending a couple of hours shopping with Anna felt more taxing than his fierce battles with the Snow Clan had been.

This morning, after their duel had ended, Anna and Lu Hong, like a carefree young couple, were enjoying their date in the city of the Third Realm. Unexpectedly, Bacon’s deputy managed to find them nonetheless.

"Definitely next time!" Mature women always knew best. "I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first."

Suddenly, Lu Hong pulled Anna aside, then glanced discreetly towards a street corner.

Anna asked puzzledly, "What is it? Do you want me to accompany you?"

"No," Lu Hong sighed, "I think you need to have a talk with Ci Nian Nian."

Anna was taken aback and looked in the direction Lu Hong had glanced. Indeed, there was Ci Nian Nian.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it," Anna nodded, and Lu Hong let go of her hand and left with the deputy.

Anna sighed softly and then walked resolutely toward a bewildered Ci Nian Nian.

"Niannian," Anna called out gently.

Ci Nian Nian reacted like a startled hedgehog: "Leave me alone!"

"Niannian!" Anna’s tone grew firmer.

"You didn’t let me be with him. It turns out you liked him all along. I wondered why you stayed so long in the side hall, why you were both changing your clothes when I came out, why Lu Hong rejected me—it’s all because of you!" Ci Nian Nian’s voice escalated into a frenzied shout: "It’s all your fault!"

This outburst drew the attention of passersby, who stopped to watch. Of course, it took less than a minute for a group of guards to arrive from all directions and clear the scene.

"Teacher Anna," it was Lin Hua, the Marquis Ci Pu’s housekeeper who approached.

"I’ll deal with things regarding Niannian," Anna acknowledged him without further pleasantries.

"Alright, my thanks to you, teacher. I’ll stand guard here," Lin Hua offered. After all, as a private matter of the Marquis’s family, if not cleared away, it would be a sure headline in the Seventh Floating World the next day.

"Go away! I don’t want to see you!" Ci Nian Nian pointed at Anna and shouted: "You are my teacher, I respect you as if you were my mother, yet you...," Ci Nian Nian couldn’t continue, the notion of fighting for a man felt too awkward to express.

"Do you truly love him?" Anna stared back at her and pressed, "Do you even know him?"

"What does it matter if I don’t know? Can’t I just like him?" Ci Nian Nian sneered. "On the contrary, what about you? I’ve been in contact with him for quite a while, and yet you tumbled together on the very first day I introduced him to you. You should be asking these questions of yourself!"

"I can accept that he has other women," Anna stated flatly. "I can also accept that he marries and has children."

"You..." Ci Nian Nian’s eyes widened in shock. Was this still the teacher she knew?

"I know you’re surprised," Anna said with a slight smile. "What he and I share can only be described as a karmic connection. That day I was drugged by Sad and lost my senses."

Ci Nian Nian was at a loss for words upon hearing this revelation. She knew who Sad was, and the resentment she felt moments ago vanished instantly, replaced with relief that Anna had not fallen into Sad’s clutches.

"Lu Hong protected me, and for the first time, I felt a sense of reliance. I admit that I enjoyed that feeling, even if it was just for a moment," Anna recollected the times she shared embraces with Lu Hong, a smile inadvertently appearing at the corners of her mouth. "I don’t ask that he stays with me forever, I just want to cherish every minute and every second now, as the most beautiful memories of my life."

Anna continued, "Niannian, I know you also have feelings for him, but you can’t accept what I just said. You are the treasured daughter of a Marquis, the admired jewel of many. But he is a roaming playboy who won’t be confined to one place just because of a woman. You can’t keep him, and it’s impossible for you to leave with him."

"Don’t talk anymore." Ci Nian Nian surely didn’t want to hear any of this and covered her ears as she turned to flee.

The encircling guards dared not intervene, and Lin Hua urgently looked to Anna.

"Let her go, she needs to think things through by herself."

"Thank you for your help, Tutor Anna," the butler bowed in thanks and then sent two guards to follow Ci Nian Nian to prevent any accidents.

Anna stood at the crossroads, silent for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh.

On the other side, Lu Hong followed his deputy back to the Second Transition, taking a long carriage ride before arriving at a secluded manor.

"Lord Lu Hong, we have arrived," his deputy announced, opening the carriage door.

Lu Hong poked his head out to see the setting sun. There were also hundreds of carriages parked in a row outside the manor.

"So many people have come."

"Yes, nearly all the Earls from the East are present. This is a grand gathering, so Earl is taking it very seriously." As soon as the deputy had finished speaking, Xiao Hui walked gracefully out of the manor.

Dressed in a light blue evening gown, Xiao Hui looked quite mature and splendid.

"Why are you here too?" Lu Hong asked, surprised. "Is Earl Baigen bringing out his daughter for a fight?"

"You’re the one here for a fight," Xiao Hui frowned. "I came out specially to meet you. Hurry up and come in to change. Tonight’s banquet is very formal, and you can’t show up in casual clothes like that."

As she spoke, Xiao Hui naturally took Lu Hong’s arm, leading him into the manor with a warm smile.

"Hey, hey, can you keep your distance? It doesn’t look good to be seen like this," Lu Hong said in a low voice. "Stop rubbing against me; I really can’t take it."

"You’ll have to endure it even if you can’t," Xiao Hui retorted, looking like a victorious child, pride written all over her face. "Tonight, every man, even if single, must have a female companion. You should feel honored that I’m willing to stoop to be your companion."

"Yes, yes, I’m overjoyed. Hey, hey, seriously, you’re too close, it will lead to misunderstandings!"

After changing into formal attire, this was the first time since arriving in this world that Lu Hong had taken such care with his appearance. As the old saying goes, "Just as a Buddha is adorned in gold, a person is adorned in clothes." The outfit made Xiao Hui’s eyes light up; he looked rather handsome... well... probably.

With a flushed face, Xiao Hui took Lu Hong’s hand. "Let’s go find my father."

"Don’t be in such a hurry."

Earl Baigen was happily chatting with his colleagues, exchanging insights into governing their domains and discussing their families’ recent gains. Clearly, among this group, the Baigen family’s development was one of the best, having achieved satisfying success.

"Say, Old Baigen, your daughter must be of age by now, right? Haven’t you thought about marriage for her?" Earl Luye inquired. "I don’t know which young master you fancy among us old fellows? It would be good to let us know, so we can prepare a dowry for our sons. Otherwise, they might not be able to afford your excellent daughter."

"Ha ha ha, gentlemen, gentlemen," Earl Baigen laughed. "My little girl is still young, and moreover, she hasn’t finished her studies. At the moment, I’m not considering marriage for her. I’ve also heard the Alliance is quite in favor of free love, and I agree. I’ll let her choose herself, even if it’s a beggar. The Baigen family can afford to support him."

Earl Baigen’s words made everyone nod in understanding. In the East, the Baigen family’s influence was significant. Aside from two old rivals, they feared no one, and marriage alliances were just the icing on the cake—better if possible, but not a problem if not.

However, upon further thought, it was also quite sad. The East was poor, and the truly powerful forces were too lazy to expand there. In the midst of ease, there was also a touch of helplessness.

"Father!"

Xiao Hui, holding Lu Hong’s arm, stepped forward to greet him. Earl Baigen took one look at Lu Hong and was very pleased that he had come.

"Lu Hong has met Earl Baigen."

"Very good, I’m so pleased you could come." Lu Hong’s arrival had greatly bolstered Earl Baigen’s confidence. In the upcoming challenges, at least he didn’t have to worry about losing face due to being bullied.

Then he looked at the man and woman arm in arm.

"Such a talented couple!" The other Earls’ agreement hit right in Earl Baigen’s sweet spot.

"Excuse me, Earl Baigen, who is this young and promising gentleman who matches Xiao Hui so well?"

"Ha ha, he’s the son of an old friend of mine, quite accomplished in his own right."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hong understood that Earl Baigen didn’t want to reveal his identity as a competitor too early. He replied, "Uncle flatters me; I still have much to improve. I hope you will offer guidance in the future."

"Of course," Earl Baigen had many things to discuss with the Earls around him. He then said, "Xiao Hui, take Lu Hong around the venue for a while. I will send someone to call for you later."

"Understood. Then, Father, we’ll be leaving now." Xiao Hui curtsied and pulled Lu Hong towards the central dance floor.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? I can’t dance, you know. Don’t mess around; it’ll be embarrassing."

"I don’t care; you have to dance with me tonight no matter what," Xiao Hui insisted.

"I really can’t dance," Lu Hong said with a wry smile.

"If you can’t dance, I can teach you, but don’t think about escaping!"