Chapter 653 205: Attending the Banquet, a Show of Force (Part 2)

Jianghu People entered the inner courtyard one after another, gifts in hand.

The courtyard was vast, large enough to accommodate hundreds or even thousands of people without feeling crowded.

The space was now filled with round tables, each laden with exquisite delicacies.

The Marquis of Ren De, dressed in fine silks, was all smiles as he greeted his many guests and mingled among them.

The festive atmosphere was palpable. A constant din of voices rose and fell as a stream of magnificently dressed guests poured in. The scene was one of extraordinary liveliness.

The steward, also dressed in fine attire, was stroking his goatee as he took inventory of each guest's gift.

As the steward of Marquis Rende's Mansion, his status in Lingyun Dao was quite distinguished.

Even officials from the Government Office had to greet him politely upon seeing him.

The Jianghu People, in his presence, would address him respectfully as "Steward."

"Steward, we have more guests bearing gifts this time than ever before, and they're much more generous too," a servant whispered as he passed by.

The old steward nodded proudly. "Our Marquis's prestige grows by the day. This is only natural."

The servant leaned in and said in a low voice, "I heard that this time, the Marquis also invited that new Lord Shen from the Observatory. I wonder what he's thinking."

The old steward's expression turned grim. "That's not for you to pry into. You'd better watch yourself, understand?"

The servant shuddered and dared not say another word.

Under the steward's stern gaze, the servant quickly scurried off to greet another guest.

The old steward looked away, his gaze sweeping over the mingling guests as his mind churned.

'Others might not know the reason for the invitation,' he mused, 'but I do.' It was an order the Marquis of Ren De had suddenly issued this very morning. When the Marquis gave the command, he had looked as if he were being forced, his teeth clenched in frustration.

'I don't know who could have forced him. After all, in all of Lingyun Dao, everyone has to give the Marquis of Ren De face. Still… some things are better left unasked and unspoken.'

'I have a feeling tonight won't go as smoothly as usual.'

Just as he was thinking this, a series of footsteps suddenly rang out.

The steps were synchronized and thunderous.

A young man with a blood-red longsword at his waist entered, flanked by over a hundred imposing figures who radiated a powerful aura.

The courtyard was large enough to hold a thousand people, so the arrival of these hundred-odd men did not make it seem crowded.

The steward was momentarily stunned, then walked forward, bowed, and said, "Esteemed guest, may I have your name?"

He had been the steward here for a long time and had a discerning eye. He had recognized the uniforms of the Observatory members at a glance, but procedure dictated that he still ask.

Shen Bai glanced over, saw the shrewd look in the old steward's eyes, and sneered. "Haven't you already recognized my official status? Why bother asking?"

The old steward bristled at Shen Bai's tone and was about to retort. But on second thought, he held his tongue. Most of the people here were loyal to the Marquis.

Then, the old steward raised a hand. "My lord, please have a seat over there."

'You bastard,' the old steward fumed internally. 'Just you wait. The people here aren't with the Observatory. You're in for a world of hurt tonight.'

The old steward continued to curse him endlessly in his heart.

Although he was a shrewd man, sometimes, when a person harbored such dark thoughts, their malice would inadvertently show.

Therefore, under the scrutiny of Shen Bai's Void-breaking Red Eye, he could sense the malice emanating from the old steward.

Shen Bai's eyes narrowed, and he slapped the steward with his left hand.

The old steward flew through the air like a phantom, crashing into the outer wall with a loud BOOM.

The sound shattered the festive atmosphere. The courtyard fell instantly silent, as still as the surface of a pond.

Many of the Jianghu People, who had been chatting animatedly at their tables, turned to stare at Shen Bai, their expressions turning pensive.

The old steward was a Cultivator himself, so his body was exceptionally durable. He struggled out of the dent he'd made in the wall, glaring at Shen Bai with a look of pure fury.

'Since becoming the Marquis's steward, when had he ever suffered such a humiliation?'

'But to be slapped so viciously in front of all these people… how could he possibly bear it?'

"How dare you! Even if you are a Daoist Si of the Observatory, you cannot act so wantonly in Marquis Rende's Mansion! His Majesty himself bestowed a Gold Token upon this mansion!"

The old steward strode quickly towards Shen Bai and shouted, "Men, drive them out of the Marquis's Mansion! The Marquis will surely report this to His Majesty and let Your Majesty decide!"

He was a shrewd one. Knowing full well that Shen Bai had come with ill intent, he invoked the name of the Saint Martial Emperor and the Gold Token he had granted.

For any other Daoist Si, that threat might have carried enough weight to make them reconsider and withdraw.

But to Shen Bai, it was completely useless.

Shen Bai looked at the servants preparing to rush forward and sneered, "Anyone who takes another step will be executed on the spot."

As his voice fell, Ding Quan and the others drew the Weapons at their waists, their bodies emitting a terrifying aura.

The surrounding servants immediately stopped in their tracks, fear flashing in their eyes.

A moment ago, emboldened by the old steward's words, they had felt fearless. But now that their opponents were ready to use lethal force, they were terrified.

Seeing this, the old steward gestured wildly. "What are you all waiting for? If anything happens, the Marquis will protect you! He is the one in the wrong today, so what are you afraid of?"