Chapter Twenty-Two: The Banquet

After the words were spoken, Master took out his ID card from the car. It bore his name and ID number, but just as he was about to hand it to the security guard, a familiar voice called out from the back of the crowd, “What’s going on, everyone?”

I looked closely—it was Zhong Ming. He squeezed through the crowd and caught sight of me, his face briefly stunned as he glanced at the Rolls-Royce and Master beside me. Suddenly understanding, he hurried over and said, “Lin Xuan, you’re here! Forgive me for the poor hospitality, I hope you don’t mind!”

He turned to the security guard and muttered, “Are you blind? If you don’t recognize the person, at least look at the car. What kind of car is this? A Rolls-Royce. Do you think just anyone can afford it? Get out of here, stop embarrassing me.”

After Zhong Ming chased away the security guard, he turned back to me with a beaming smile and asked, “Lin Xuan, and this is?”

“Oh, this is my Master,” I replied.

Zhong Ming’s smile grew even broader. He walked over to Master, shook his hand, and said, “My apologies, young people can be thoughtless. Please don’t take offense. Let me apologize for what happened just now.”

Master waved it off, saying, “No matter, it’s a trifling thing.”

With that, Zhong Ming cheerfully led us inside. The guests around us stared in astonishment—they’d never seen Zhong Ming act so deferentially before. We followed him into the banquet hall, which was filled with people dressed much like those outside: men in suits and ties, women in elegant evening dresses, standing out amidst the crowd. Red-clothed tables were scattered throughout the hall. I stood curiously beside Master, scanning the crowd several times, but didn’t spot Chu Mengxi.

I looked at Zhong Ming and asked, “Uncle Zhong, where’s Chu Mengxi? Isn’t she supposed to be here?”

“Oh, Mengxi? She’s upstairs, in Xiao Yan’s room. Her father is here, that’s him right there—would you like me to introduce you?” Zhong Ming pointed out a man among the crowd.

Master waved his hand, indicating there was no need for an introduction. I glanced at Chu Mengxi’s father and said to Zhong Ming, “Uncle Zhong, could you take me to Zhong Yan’s room? I have something to discuss with you.”

Zhong Ming nodded and said to Master, “Well... I’m not sure how to address you, so please excuse me. Xiao Wen, please entertain this gentleman for me.”

He called out to a servant and then led me upstairs. On the way, Zhong Ming asked, “Xiao Xuan, what’s your Master’s name? He seems quite wealthy. Why haven’t you introduced him to Uncle Zhong?”

I laughed awkwardly. “Master’s surname is Tan. I’ll introduce you when there’s a chance.”

Zhong Ming chuckled, patting my shoulder. He guided me to Zhong Yan’s room, knocked, and turned the handle. As the door opened, I saw Chu Mengxi sitting on the bed, chatting and laughing with Zhong Yan.

The two of them turned at the sound. Zhong Yan was startled to see a boy enter her room, shrinking back under the covers, while I felt awkward standing there.

Zhong Yan’s room was awash in pink, with a faint fragrance wafting through the air. Truly, a girl’s room was worlds apart from a boy’s. When Chu Mengxi saw it was me, she patted Zhong Yan and said, “Don’t worry, he’s my classmate.”

Zhong Yan relaxed a little at that, and Zhong Ming nodded, asking, “Xiao Yan, how are you feeling now? Any discomfort?”

“Dad, I... I feel much better. Please don’t worry,” Zhong Yan replied nervously.

Zhong Ming smiled, patting her head. “Xiao Yan, don’t be shy. This is our family’s benefactor, Lin Xuan, also Mengxi’s classmate. Without his help, I don’t know what I would have done. Hurry and thank him!”

Zhong Yan blushed, unable to meet my gaze, fidgeting shyly with her fingers, and whispered, “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, as long as you’re alright. Xiao Xuan, didn’t you say you had something to discuss?” Zhong Ming patted Zhong Yan’s head and prompted.

I nodded, walking to the bedside, but the words stuck in my throat. After a moment, I stammered, “Uh, I’d like to check Zhong Yan’s pulse and yang energy. It might be a bit intrusive, so please forgive me.”

Zhong Ming responded heartily, “No problem!”

I nodded, apologized, and took out a talisman. Murmuring a brief incantation, the paper glowed faintly. I flicked it onto Zhong Yan’s wrist, then attached a Wind-Ear talisman to my ear. Instantly, I heard the rhythmic thumping of her pulse—a folk method my Master taught called the “Spirit Talisman Pulse Check.” I then formed a hand seal, tapping her shoulders and the crown of her head. As the saying goes, a person has three flames: two on the shoulders, one atop the head. If any of these are extinguished, calamity follows.

Seeing Zhong Yan’s flames burning brightly, I relaxed—she truly was fine. As I withdrew my hand, Zhong Ming asked, “Xiao Xuan, is everything alright?”

I nodded. “She’s fine. Her yang energy is strong and pulse steady, but she needs to rest at home for a few days. Uncle Zhong, plant a peach tree in the yard. Peach trees thrive in the sun, and evil is yin; yin and yang balance each other. But you must ensure the tree flourishes—never let it wither.”

Zhong Ming listened carefully and nodded. I did likewise, then moved to the center of the room, formed another seal, and softly chanted, “Azure Dragon, White Tiger, ranks in order; Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, guard my body; Purification Spell, arise!”

As the words faded, a pale green light spread out around me. I dusted off my hands and said, “All done.”

Zhong Ming let out a long breath. “Why do I suddenly feel so much lighter?”

Chu Mengxi chimed in, “Me too, I can feel it.”

I smiled and said, “Uncle Zhong, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head downstairs.”

Zhong Ming agreed and got up to see me off. Chu Mengxi followed me out, and we walked together down the long corridor. Suddenly, she said, “Lin Xuan, how do you know all this? You said you just started learning, but you’re exactly what my mom says—men are all liars.”

I was at a loss, scratching my head awkwardly. Before I could reply, Zhang Yinqiu came over, greeting me with a warm smile, “Xiao Xuan, have you seen Uncle Zhong? The banquet’s about to start, and he’s nowhere to be found. Go on downstairs and help yourselves, no need to be formal.”

I nodded. “Uncle Zhong is in Zhong Yan’s room.”

With that, Chu Mengxi and I went downstairs. She quickly spotted her father in the crowd, and I saw Master, both sitting together, chatting amiably. We approached, and they turned to look at us. Chu Mengxi’s father was first to speak, “Mengxi, and this is?”

Before she could answer, Master interjected, “Hey, Chu Feng, you don’t recognize this young man?”

Chu Feng looked confused. “You know him?”

“Of course I do. He’s my apprentice, how could I not know him? Come here, let me introduce you. This is the current head of the Chu family, the renowned Chu Feng, and Mengxi’s father.”

Master called me over.

Chu Feng immediately understood, exclaiming, “Brother, you’re just the same as ever, only telling half the story. So this is Lin Xuan, the one you mentioned earlier. Impressive, so young yet able to challenge those old men from Laoshan. Old Tan, you’ve got a keen eye for talent.”

They both laughed, Master waving his hand, “Ah, not as sharp as you.”

“Alright, old Tan, we’ve known each other long enough—no need for flattery. Come, you two youngsters, sit here,” Chu Feng said, pointing to two chairs.

I nodded and took a seat, Master sitting beside Chu Feng. I noticed Master give a mischievous smile, leaning close to Chu Feng’s ear to whisper something. After a moment, Chu Feng’s expression froze, staring at Master in disbelief, then suddenly laughing and nodding. Chu Mengxi and I watched their exchange, puzzled but said nothing.

Once all the guests were seated, Zhong Ming stepped out, microphone in hand, testing it before clearing his throat and announcing, “Esteemed guests, I am honored to welcome you here today. This banquet has two purposes: first, to thank someone—without him, I wouldn’t be standing here with you; second, to celebrate my beloved daughter’s birthday! Please eat and drink well tonight, and don’t go home sober!”

His words drew applause from the crowd. When it faded, everyone began to eat, and the hall was soon filled with the clatter of cutlery and lively chatter. After dinner, Zhong Ming organized a dance. The servants quickly cleared the space for a dance floor. I have no idea where Zhong Ming found the music, but with a snap of his fingers, deafening tunes blared forth, accompanied by dazzling neon lights.

I sat aside, chewing on a toothpick, honestly uninterested in their entertainment—it was like a senior disco, no different from what you see on TV. The opulent surroundings were offset by the music, making me feel as if I’d been transported back to the seventies or eighties.

After a while, boredom nearly overwhelmed me. I was about to ask Master to head home when someone approached him. The man wore a suit and greeted Master with a broad smile, “Hello, my name is Sun, I’m a consultant from Safe Insurance Company. If you’re interested, I’d love to tell you about our services—I guarantee your satisfaction.”

Master cupped his hand to his ear and shouted, “What? I can’t hear you, it’s too noisy here.”

The man was taken aback and raised his voice, “I said... my name is Sun, I’m a consultant with Safe Insurance. If you’re interested, we offer everything—car insurance, life insurance, property insurance. Guaranteed satisfaction!”

But Master pretended not to hear, repeating his previous response. The insurance salesman was nearly hoarse from shouting, finally shoving a business card into Master’s hand before leaving. After he was gone, Master glanced at the card, and I leaned in to see—clearly printed: Safe Insurance Company, Consultant Manager Sun. Master didn’t pay it any mind and set the card on the table.

I nudged Master’s arm. He turned to me, puzzled, and I said, “Master, let’s go home. It’s too noisy here, I’m not used to it.”

“Huh? What did you say? I can’t hear you, speak up,” Master feigned deafness once more.

I shot him a look. “Master, stop pretending, please. I want to go home.”

He finally smiled, pointed at me, and said, “You really know me best. Wait a moment, I’ll say goodbye to Chu Feng before we leave.”

I nodded, watching Master stride over to Chu Feng, give him a pat, and exchange a few words. They bumped fists, and Master returned to me. I signaled to Chu Mengxi, who nodded and stood beside Chu Feng, facing Master and me, waving farewell.