Qiuya rode the Immortal Crane northward for over an hour, and from a distance, she saw the towering, awe-inspiring city walls that reached up to the clouds.
Outside the city gate.
Law enforcent patrols were conducted in pairs.
The entire Demon-Defying City was decorated and festive, yet heavily guarded.
Clan mbers coming in and out had to carry a Pass Token and undergo strict inspections.
Qiuya nervously pinched her storage bag.
A ssage from her contact crossed her mind:
"The Thousand Shadows Poison is colorless and tasteless. Unless you’re a Great Cultivator of the Purple Mansion, no one can detect it."
Upon thinking of this,
Qiuya’s heart cald significantly.
She turned to look at Brother Qiang, who was like a porcupine, and whispered:
"Brother Qiang, we’ll be ho soon. I heard from Brother Fuu that once we arrive, your father will arrange a family banquet with just you seven siblings and your father."
Brother Qiang’s eyes lit up.
The Immortal Crane landed at the city gate.
Fu Yongfan was already waiting and ca up to greet them from a distance.
This trip was led by Elder Runzhi and Fu Changlii, accompanied by Fu Changren and his wife, Brother Fuu, and Fu Yongrui from the clan land.
"Elder Runzhi, Third Uncle, you’ve had a hard journey."
Fu Yongfan clasped his hands in respect.
His gaze, however, was fixed on Fu Changren.
He had been with his elder uncle since childhood, and after becoming the Chief Steward of a fief, they only communicated via ssages and hadn’t seen each other since.
Yet,
the two shared a father-son bond.
Seeing Fu Changren now gaunt and skeletal, looking even older than Fairy Lady Cai, his heart ached.
Though his elder uncle had eventually married the Liang Family’s Daughter as hoped,
their daughter’s disappearance had him searching tirelessly over the years, falling into traps and nearly losing his life multiple tis. More crucially, the fruitless search tornted him ntally:
"Elder Uncle!"
Fu Yongfan stepped forward and saluted.
Fu Changren smiled and patted his shoulder:
"Child, how have you gone completely gray like this?"
Though smiling,
his eyes were full of care.
After their greetings,
Fu Yongfan’s gaze fell on Fu Yongrui, who, having a Dark Spiritual Root, had reached the Peak of Qi Cultivation due to years of ditation, yet was still averse to socializing due to childhood experiences. He rely nodded slightly at Fu Yongfan.
On the other hand, Brother Fuu, with a smiling face full of joy, greeted Fu Yongfan familiarly:
"Big Brother, these are my newly developed Fish Gold Cake made from Autumn Fish, dried konjac, Autumn Pear Dates... Take them for the nieces and nephews to try. If they like them, let know, and I’ll make more."
With that,
he took about a dozen varieties of snacks and treats from his storage bag and handed them over without a word.
Fu Yongfan accepted them with a smile.
When Brother Fuu and Brother Qiang were sent back to the clan estate’s Moon Academy, they were only four or five years old. In his mory, Brother Qiang always cried for his mother, while Brother Fuu cried along but would instantly laugh once given any food.
So Brother Fuu was the least worry.
All these years,
Though staying at the clan estate, Brother Fuu would always prepare a large bundle of various snacks and pastries to bring back during the clan’s annual celebrations, all of which he made himself.
The third generation of children in the clan,
though never having t Brother Fuu, always wondered when Sixth Uncle would return to the fief, anticipating his return.
Fu Yongfan laughed and said:
"Even Father misses your culinary skills. Father ntioned that since the siblings are rarely gathered, everyone should cook one specialty dish for the family banquet."
"Oh dear, Big Brother, why didn’t you say earlier? If I’d known, I would’ve brought two Dragonfly Fish from Moon Lake for braising. What’s the kitchen got prepared? It’s already noon; if we’re having a family banquet, we need to start getting ready now."
Brother Fuu, in a rush, left first and headed straight for the kitchen.
Everyone chuckled collectively.
Only Brother Qiang kept his small face tense, but he was courteous regardless.
Fu Yongfan discreetly observed him.
The group arrived at the Main Peak.
Fu Changren, Fu Changlii, and Runzhi went to the Council Hall to see Fu Chang, while the Yong Generation gathered in the kitchen, where they planned to cook for the day.
The originally spacious kitchen beca crowded.
Fu Yongfan scanned the crowd but did not see Brother Qiang. He turned to ask Fu Yongrui, who was holding an autumn carrot, unsure where to start:
"Fifth Brother, where’s Seventh Brother?"
"I saw Qiuya at the kitchen entrance earlier; he’s probably been called over."
After adding,
Fu Yongrui hastily added:
"Seventh Brother listens to no one else except Qiuya since arriving at the clan estate."
anwhile,
Fu Yongrui returned to his original little room at the Patriarch’s Mansion. Seeing only Nanny Liuu sunbathing in the yard, Qiuya quickly shut all the doors and windows.
Her breathing suddenly beca rapid.
After using the Sound Insulation Technique,
she finally spoke to Brother Qiang:
"Brother Qiang, this family banquet is your great opportunity to shine in front of your father."
Brother Qiang lay back on the bed without any expectation, full of resentnt:
"You know my cooking skills can’t compare to Sixth Brother’s."
Qiuya was nervous inside.
But the opportunity was right in front of them.
She patiently pulled Brother Qiang up and whispered:
"Brother Qiang, you only have two years left to stay in the mountains. You just saw it; your father has many children, and this might be your only chance to stand out. I have a way for you to win at the family banquet. Are you willing to give it a try?"
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