At the City Lord's Residence in Immortal Fox City, dancers in scarlet gowns moved gracefully through the banquet hall.
Maidservants of the City Lord's Residence ca and went, carrying wine and dishes back and forth between the seats.
At the head of the banquet sat the City Lord of Immortal Fox City.
To his left and right sat representatives of the four greatest families in Immortal Fox City.
After the seats of the four families ca the leading figures from every trade and profession within the city.
So of the demons looked at the dishes in front of them and found them a little hard to swallow. Their eyes drifted, almost involuntarily, toward Madam Tushan not far away, ripe and full as a honey peach.
These demons were long used to eating humans, whether served up as husband-and-wife lung slices, baby greens, or clay pot rice.
But Madam Tushan did not eat humans.
And out of respect for Madam Tushan, there naturally could be no human dishes on the tables at this banquet.
"Tomorrow is Young Lady Tushan's birthday. Here, this official first offers Young Lady Tushan wishes of joy on her birthday."
City Lord Ying Dayuan of Immortal Fox City raised his cup and offered his congratulations to Tushan Xinhua.
"We all wish Young Lady Tushan joy on her birthday."
Under the lead of the City Lord of Immortal Fox City, all the prominent figures present raised their cups and offered their congratulations to Tushan Xinhua as well.
"Many thanks, City Lord. Many thanks, everyone."
Madam Tushan rose to her feet, folded her hands before her, and gave them a graceful bow that brimd with charm.
Her red dress clung to her figure like winding water, tracing every curve. Her snow-white hair fell all the way to her slender willow waist, and those fox-charming eyes, though not trying in the least, still revealed the natural allure of the fox clan at every careless glance.
Quite a few demon cultivators whose beastly nature ran deep swallowed hard, the heat in their eyes plain to see.
Tushan Xinhua did not care. After draining her cup in one swallow, she sat back down with composed dignity.
"Tomorrow, the ruler of the Heavenly Demon Kingdom and Senior Gui will both arrive in Immortal Fox City. Although this official has already increased security, I still fear the unexpected. I will therefore need everyone's assistance in helping maintain order tomorrow, so that no mishap occurs during the grand celebration."
Ying Dayuan raised his cup again and addressed the hall.
"Here, this official first thanks everyone in advance."
"City Lord, you are too serious."
A demon cultivator raised his cup in return.
"Senior Gui may be injured, but what petty fool would dare act recklessly in front of Senior Gui? Not to ntion that His Majesty is himself a great demon in the middle stage of the Immortal Realm, with two Jade Pith Realm retainers at his side. In all the world, there is likely nowhere safer tomorrow than Immortal Fox City."
"Exactly, exactly. And Madam Tushan herself is also in the Immortal Realm. In this world, those of the upper three realms are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. With so many upper-realm cultivators gathered in Immortal Fox City tomorrow, who could possibly be so blind as to stir up trouble?" the other demon cultivators echoed.
"What you say is true enough."
Ying Dayuan shook his head helplessly, weariness plain on his face.
"But you all know as well that after the human-demon war, our demon-race world was defeated and its vitality suffered badly. Many dynasties and sects of the demon-race world were reshuffled, and even those humans living within the demon-race world have ford a so-called Human Alliance."
"Young Lady Tushan's status is special, and there are no few demon kingdoms watching our Heavenly Demon Kingdom like tigers eyeing prey."
"The other side does not lack Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, nor those of the upper three realms."
"So these past days, this official has scarcely been able to eat or sleep in peace."
Tushan Xinhua comforted him gently.
"That may be true, but the Heavenly Demon Kingdom is not sothing that can be easily slighted. It is a good thing that City Lord plans ahead for a rainy day, but too much worry will damage the spirit."
"Hahaha... Madam Tushan speaks truly." Ying Dayuan laughed. "It seems this official really has been worrying too much. Co, everyone, eat and drink. Tonight let us have a small banquet first, and tomorrow we will all go together to the Tushan residence to celebrate the young lady's birthday."
"The Tushan residence will be honored to welco you all," Tushan Xinhua replied with a soft smile.
Once the formal courtesies were over, the demons all turned to their drinking with full enjoynt.
This banquet had originally been convened to maintain ties between the great families and to keep watch against other demon kingdoms, sects, and that so-called Human Alliance. Aside from that, there was nothing especially heavy about it.
After several rounds of wine, Madam Tushan felt that it was about ti for her to take her leave, so she rose and offered her farewells.
Ying Dayuan rose as well to see her out.
Tushan Xinhua declined, but Ying Dayuan insisted again and again.
In the end, she refused [N O V E L I G H T] no further.
"Is there sothing the City Lord wishes to say to ?" Tushan Xinhua asked as they left the banquet and walked along the road.
"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Madam." Ying Dayuan smiled. "To be frank, asking everyone to help maintain order in the city was one purpose of tonight's banquet. But the more important purpose was to tell Madam a piece of happy news."
"Oh? Happy news?" Madam Tushan smiled with amused interest.
"Yes."
Ying Dayuan nodded, his tone turning serious.
"Although the First Prince of our Heavenly Demon Kingdom is only seven years old, his talent is extraordinary. He possesses an extrely rare primordial demon body. Not only is he destined to beco the future ruler of the Heavenly Demon Kingdom, but so long as nothing unexpected happens, stepping into the Immortal Realm is all but certain."
"This ti, when His Majesty cos, it is not only to congratulate Young Lady Tushan. He also wishes to arrange a childhood betrothal."
"In my view, whether in status, bloodline, or talent, the First Prince of our Heavenly Demon Kingdom is a perfect match for Young Lady Tushan."
"It is only that I do not know Madam's thoughts on the matter, so this official could only take the liberty of asking. I hope Madam will forgive the presumption."
As Tushan Xinhua listened, her expression turned still, and her willow brows knit slightly.
"City Lord, you know as well that our Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan is not like the other demon clans."
"Our clan testifies to the Way through love. In one life, there is only one person."
"And a betrothal concerns the Great Dao of karma. I will need to think carefully on this matter. For the mont, I cannot give His Majesty a reply."
"Of course, of course." Ying Dayuan quickly nodded. "Madam may consider it carefully. There is no rush. Tomorrow the First Prince will also be coming with His Majesty. Madam may observe him well. I believe the First Prince certainly will not disappoint you."
"Very well."
Tushan Xinhua gave her answer.
By the ti those few exchanges were over, the two of them had already walked out of the City Lord's Residence.
"City Lord, please stay here. Tomorrow I shall await your honored presence at my humble residence."
Tushan Xinhua stepped into the carriage and offered her farewell.
"Naturally, naturally. Leaving all else aside, this official will certainly be the first to arrive tomorrow." Ying Dayuan bowed respectfully. "Madam, travel safely."
Tushan Xinhua lowered the carriage curtain. Very soon the carriage disappeared into the end of the street, making its way toward the Tushan residence.
Seated within the carriage, Tushan Xinhua could not help recalling the words Ying Dayuan had just spoken.
In truth, in Tushan Xinhua's view, the First Prince of the Heavenly Demon Kingdom was indeed quite good.
Though he carried the Firebird bloodline, he also possessed a primordial demon body. That would make future purification and atavistic return of his bloodline much easier. It was not impossible that he might one day return to the bloodline of a true phoenix, or even the Emperor River Bird.
But just as Tushan Xinhua was thinking over the possibility of this childhood betrothal—
Suddenly, she sensed sothing and abruptly lifted her head.
"Madam?" The maid beside her jumped in fright at the look on her face.
"This is bad!"
Tushan Xinhua's expression turned grave.
"Jingci!"
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