"So many powerhouses reunited themselves as to defend you. Can you continue to claim to be unaware of your importance?" Even if it was only Dongpo Ao's consciousness, he was already clear about the levels of the people inside of the hall, and neither of the sides gave him any tranquility, with each being able to fight the [Dongpo] entire clan to death, and that without many losses.
"It's not my importance, senior, but what they want me to do. And so, they are ready to defend me, even if I am still unaware of what I will own them." After witnessing Dongpo Ao's actions, even if they were just a part of his play, and speaking with him one-on-one, Bai Qi couldn't deny that he felt some respect for the Warrior Emperor.
As for his words, Bai Qi was well aware that the powerhouses suddenly appearing to protect him had anything but pure intentions. After all, why would three different powers unrelated to him even act to save him? No matter what kind of talent he was, and Bai Qi knew what he had revealed was nothing out of this world, why would such powerhouses act and pressure the [Dongpo]? If not for desiring something from him!
With all this, Bai Qi couldn't help but ask "Senior Dongpo seems to understand more than me, so couldn't he share a bit with me?"
To which he got an immediate answer, "I could, and I would do so, if not for that revealing everything would grant you the opportunity to continue refusing to take back your confiscated items, provoking not a small headache to the power I brought up."
"And for you, as well, wouldn't it?" Bai Qi interrupted as his aura expanded as if attempting to find a way to break out of Dongpo Ao's choice of meeting place, a small cabinet meant for one, not even two cultivators. Even if he had started to respect the latter, Bai Qi still held a grudge against Dongpo Qingqiu and his cronies. Even if his desire to uproot the family diminished as he controlled his emotions, he wouldn't be himself if he forgot such an offense.
For a Warrior Emperor like Dongpo Ao, controlling a Warrior Lord as Bai Qi was no issue, but even so, he was surprised by the aura that the latter released, one that was so powerful that some recently-ascended Warrior Kings would be put to shame.
Even if Dongpo Ao controlled Bai Qi's outburst and if required could silence the latter forever, he had no chance to do so, not with the experts present in the city, not to mention Bai Qi's connections. Thus, even if it was shameful, he could only ask for Bai Qi's forgiveness, even giving the latter some benefits, "First, accept your items back, along with a few gifts from me to such a talent."
Before Bai Qi could refuse, Dongpo Ao added, "And as a favor to a talent that holds no enmity to my family, how could I not share what I know?"
One could say that it was blackmail, but Bai Qi understood it differently.
Forgiving an offense was nothing more than a sign of benevolence. But being in the dark was one of stupidity. Thus, Bai Qi reached the only possible response, "Senior, there is no need for more words. I understand that your clansmen acted on emotions and couldn't control themselves. What would others say of me if I refuse to make peace and forget it, with someone like you asking?"
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Seeing neither the host nor the guest of honor, for which they had gathered, everyone in the Grand Meeting Hall started feeling uneasy. While experts with dozens or even hundreds of years of experience still hid it well, the representatives, Gao Xiulan, Lei Su, and Pan Tong, had no qualms about questioning the [Dongpo] side of the table about what was happening.
While each of the powers behind them did have reasons to interfere, it was only the youngsters, the ones who could act with impunity. First of all, each of the three led their respective side and, without doubt, had the support of the powerful people beside them. At the same time, they were the only ones who could ask such a question without appearing to be pressuring the host side, as no one wanted a conflict. Indeed, with the three of them being below 30 years old, and two of them having being acquaintances of Bai Qi that anyone could confirm, as for the other already claiming to be a friend of the person of interest, how could anyone say that they were overstepping borders when asking about Bai Qi?
With some Warrior Lords questioning her, Dongpo Lian could ignore them. But she couldn't do so in such a setting, where there were powerhouses that could even confront her father, no matter how much he had advanced, far outside the expectations of anyone, even his clan. Being forced like this and having no idea what was happening at the moment, Dongpo Lian found no other option but to calm the present powers, "My father decided to talk with the renowned genius Bai Qi before the feast called in his honor, and they will be present shortly, please give us, as the hosts the right to delay for a bit as we solve a few of our matters."
"Calm him, or silence him?" While the others maintained the rules, someone like Pan Tong wasn't required to follow the rules at such a moment. He had declared that Bai Qi was a friend of his, and even if the [Dongpo] clan was more powerful than his current entourage, what of a merchant company would they be if they hadn't traded with more powerful powers as the [White Grove] sect and [Yuxuan] city that now pressured on the so-called host?
While Bai Qi was still a dark horse for both powers, no matter what they planned, Pan Tong was someone they would try to rope closer, even if for a small discount for their next purchases. Thus, as Dongpo Lian and even the other ministers close to her nearly exploded in anger, they could only try and solve it as if the young master of the [Pan Trade Company] was joking.
Pan Tong's words were already close to an accusation, and Dongpo Lian spent a few moments before formulating a response. Regretfully, before she could answer, another voice resounded, and it came from a being that even her father would single out and dare not to offend, the genius and heir of the [An] clan, An Zhuo, "While young master Pang's words are a bit overbearing and disrespectful, I have no choice but to second them. After all, the young friend Bai Qi helped my named brother, and I am obligated to ask for his wellbeing."
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For everyone present, even his own power, the [White Grove] sect, An Zhuo's words were a surprise. Until now, everyone thought that it was the headmaster of the sect who commanded An Zhuo to come over for this mission of recruiting Bai Qi, but now, in his own words, wasn't it like An Zhuo himself decided to come? And what about his named brother? Just who could call An Zhuo, someone who was known for not a few assassinations, even of Warrior Emperors, a brother? No matter that all the targets had always been enemies of the sect or the overlord, An Zhuo was still no one could treat directly, fearing that at some moment, they would be the enemies to be killed by him.
_CHAPTER UPDATE_
{What do you mean, An Zhuo? Why it's the first time I heard of this?} With all eyes concentrated on An Zhuo after his declaration, Lei Qiang asked via qi transmission, not willing others to discover that even he didn't know.
{It was not important for the mission, but now that Bai Qi may have trouble, I decided it would be easier for him if I revealed it. Plus it's nothing too hidden, but known information, just not the fact that Bai Qi was involved in that incident as well.} For An Zhuo to respond with such amount of words it was rare enough, but his words were even more surprising.
***
Bai Qi's arrival along Dongpo Ao got a few surprised glances from the attending people, especially from the powerhouses. While they knew that the [Dongpo] clan's leader planned to make peace with Bai Qi to avoid the trouble that could stem from the previous conflict, they couldn't have expected the two to arrive together, entering the Grand Meeting Room side by side while laughing.
And even more surprising would be that the Emperor ushered Bai Qi along him towards the clan's seats, and even made Zhu Gao move from the second seat of honor, towards the host's right side, freeing it for Bai Qi.
"As most of the present guests have arrived for Bai Qi, I think I owe you an explanation." Seeing all eyes on them since their arrival, Dongpo Ao only talked after he had sitted Bai Qi down. But while he said he would explain, to the displeasure of pretty much everyone present, he would only give a random excuse, not revealing anything but a single thing, "The [Dongpo] clan is now a friend of Bai Qi."
Without even revealing what they had chatted about, Dongpo Ao quickly took hold of his position as a host, and after greeting everyone one by one, proceeded to call the first toast of the banquet, as dozens of servants began bringing in plates of food and jugs of wine.
***
Meat of spirit beasts seasoned with spiritual medicines, rare wines, and spiritual fruit, the banquet was indeed splendid. With an Emperor serving as a host and exchanging pleasantries with all of the guest powerhouses, one could say that it was as if nothing had happened at all. As if this wasn't even caused by a conflict.
As there were no more issues between the City's ruling power and Bai Qi, and he was also a guest of honor for the feast, neither of the other three sides could do anything but respond to the toasts that Dongpo Ao raised one after another as if he wanted to drink everyone under the table.
Even Bai Qi would have to call a few toasts himself, first to thank the host. Then to express his gratitude to everyone present who had acted or helped him, and even, after being pestered by Dongpo Ao via qi transmission, he raised a glass towards Dongpo Lian and the leaders of the [Eastern Inscription City], lamenting the conflict and talking about how he looked forward for their help and support as he continues his path.
"And my clan's city will answer your expectations! Starting today, you are not only an honorable guest of the [Dongpo] territories, but also welcome to visit our training grounds and treasury to see if something can help you advance in this path of cultivation!" Dongpo Ao loudly laughed as he declared.
After the latter, not a few people almost choked on their drink or food, as practically no one could have expected that the so-called friendship words from Dongpo Ao were true, thinking that he had pressured Bai Qi somehow, but...
***
After the banquet went on for several hours, and enough general words were said, Dongpo Ao suddenly declared, "Well, now that we have all rested for a bit, what if we let the youngsters go and enjoy the night, while we the older generation discuss a few things..?"
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Still, the idea of getting out of the banquet was alluring, and Bai Qi immediately agreed, leaving while accompanied by Gao Xiulan, Lei Guiying, Pan Tong, as well as a few Warrior Lords from each side who he hadn't met before.
*Whew* *Stretch*
Getting out of the palace and into the plaza before the latter, Bai Qi couldn't help but exhale and even stretch.
No matter how experienced he was, such events had never been of his liking, not to mention that he had to deal with dozens and dozens of measuring gazes from the people he didn't know, and even a couple of unfriendly ones, like from Minister Tang, who had been alternating between being depressed and sending baleful glares at Bai Qi since Dongpo Ao said something to him via transmission.
"Well, now that we are out, shouldn't you explain how you got so close and chummy with the clan that nearly had you killed?" Lei Guiying was a pretty direct person, so, he didn't hesitate to ask what had been in his mind since the banquet's official start.
"Oh, I guess I should." Bai Qi smiled at the latter and was even starting to relate an already prepared version of the events, as Pan Tong interrupted him,
"Shouldn't we first change locations? There is a restaurant of my company here in the city, so why talk in the streets?"
"Good idea!" Many voices of agreement were raised right away, and Bai Qi also agreed immediately, as after all, from everyone present, it was only Pan Tong and the [Pan Trade Company] reasons to approach him absolutely in the dark.
Not even Dongpo Ao could think of a reason for the young master of such a power to suddenly declare himself a friend of a merely slightly famous Warrior Lord. And not only declare but actually act to defend him!