Chapter 147 - 146: Banquet (2)
Before Han Zilie could muster a retort to salvage his pride, a series of clear, resonant trumpets sounded from the grand entrance of the hall.
The assembled guests instantly rose to their feet in unified respect as Lord Zhao Shenming entered the banquet. The Provincial Lord moved down the central aisle toward the dais, radiating the heavy authority of his station, with Envoy Zhao Wuhen walking silently a half-step behind him.
But before taking his own seat at the head of the horseshoe, Lord Zhao paused.
He stopped deliberately, unmistakably, at the second tier. In full view of the hushed, watching hall, Lord Zhao reached out and rested a heavy, familiar hand briefly on Lin Yuan’s shoulder.
"Lin Yuan," Lord Zhao said, his voice warm, booming, and intentionally carrying across the silent room. "I trust the seat suits you. I had it arranged personally."
It was a small gesture, but a carefully calculated one. Lord Zhao Shenming was no stranger to the vicious undercurrents of palace politics, nor was he blind to the tension that had already begun brewing at the second tier. By personally acknowledging Lin Yuan in front of everyone, he had made his position unmistakably clear. Every guest in the hall now understood that Lin Yuan was not merely a favored guest, but someone who held considerable importance in the eyes of the Provincial Lord himself.
Han Zilie’s jaw visibly tightened, the color draining from his face at the words arranged personally.
"You honor me, my Lord," Lin Yuan replied, inclining his head with perfect grace.
"Nonsense," Lord Zhao said lightly, withdrawing his hand and already moving the final few steps toward the dais. "I simply seat guests where they belong."
The banquet gradually settled after Lord Zhao took his seat. Servants began pouring spirit wine, and conversations slowly resumed, though the atmosphere around the second tier remained noticeably different. Too many people were watching Lin Yuan now, quietly trying to determine who this mysterious guest was and why Lord Zhao had treated him with such importance.
Han Zilie sat rigidly in his seat, his fingers tightening around his wine cup.
He had heard the exchange clearly.
I simply seat guests where they belong.
The words should have reassured him. After all, Lord Zhao had only called Lin Yuan a guest. Whatever favor this man possessed, it could not possibly compare to the Han clan’s position in Zhao Province.
Han Zilie slowly relaxed.
He had been overthinking it.
Perhaps Lord Zhao had brought Lin Yuan here because of some personal connection, or perhaps this man possessed some special talent that made him useful to the Provincial Lord. But the Lord Tournament was different. That was where true strength and provincial standing mattered.
And tonight, everyone already knew who would be announced as Zhao Province’s participating general.
Him.
The Han clan had prepared for this moment for years.
His father had personally assured him that the Han Clan would receive the position once again. The clan had already spent countless resources preparing Han Zilie for the tournament, pushing his cultivation to the peak of the Early Nascent Soul Realm. With such a cultivation base at his age, he was already considered an outstanding talent among the younger generation.
But his cultivation was only one part of what made Han Zilie so confident.
He possessed the innate talent known as the Nine Spirit Divine Body.
Born with nine heads, nurturing nine paths, and possessing nine lives, the Nine Spirit Divine Body granted him an extraordinary foundation and talent far beyond that of ordinary cultivators. It was an inheritance passed down from the Nine-Headed Golden Lion Clan of the Demon Realm. After the Great Elder of the Han Clan obtained this ancient inheritance, Han Zilie became the second person in the clan to possess it from birth.
That innate advantage more than compensated for the fact that he had only reached the Early Nascent Soul Realm. Even cultivators with higher cultivation could not afford to underestimate him.
The elders of the Han Clan had repeatedly hinted that Lord Zhao would announce his name tonight. To Han Zilie, there was practically no suspense left. The position of Participating General had already become his in everything but name.
His father had told him so.
The clan elders had told him so.
And the countless resources the Han Clan had poured into his preparation had all but confirmed it.
Tonight will be the moment when his name was announced before the entire Zhao Province.
Han Zilie’s confidence returned.
He took a leisurely sip of wine and glanced toward Lin Yuan.
Soon, this arrogant guest would understand the difference between receiving a little favor and possessing genuine status.
At that moment, Lord Zhao Shenming rose from his seat.
The entire banquet hall immediately fell silent.
He held his wine cup in one hand and looked across the gathered clans and sects.
"Everyone has traveled a great distance to attend this banquet," Lord Zhao said. "I will not waste your time with unnecessary formalities."
His voice carried throughout the hall.
"As you all know, the Lord Tournament, now officially termed the PEERLESS GOD TOURNAMENT will begin in a few days. This year’s tournament is particularly important for Zhao Province. The opportunity before us is one we cannot afford to waste."
The guests listened attentively.
Han Zilie straightened his back.
Here it comes.
His eyes unconsciously drifted toward the dais.
Lord Zhao continued.
"Therefore, after careful consideration, I have already decided who will represent Zhao Province as our participating general."
A wave of anticipation spread through the hall.
Several clan elders exchanged knowing glances.
Han Zilie’s lips curled upward.
Then Lord Zhao turned his gaze toward the second tier.
Toward Lin Yuan.
"Lin Yuan."
The name fell into the silent banquet hall like a thunderclap.
Han Zilie’s smile froze.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered if he had heard incorrectly.
Lord Zhao raised his wine cup.
"From this moment onward, Lin Yuan will represent Zhao Province as our participating general in the Lord Tournament."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Han Zilie’s wine cup slipped from his fingers.
Clang!
It struck the table, spilling crimson spirit wine across the polished surface.
His face went completely pale.
The Han clan had spent years preparing for this position.
And Lord Zhao had just handed it to someone who had arrived in Sky Jade City only recently.
Someone who had been called a guest.
Han Zilie’s eyes slowly turned toward Lin Yuan.
The calm expression on Lin Yuan’s face had not changed in the slightest.
Then, as if sensing Han Zilie’s gaze, Lin Yuan casually lifted his wine cup and took a sip.
Only then did Han Zilie realize the truth.
That seat.
The personal arrangement.
The attention from Lord Zhao.
It had never been about a favored guest.
Lin Yuan was the person Lord Zhao had brought here to represent the entire Zhao Province.
And the moment that realization settled in, Han Zilie’s heart sank.
But what none of the guests knew was that Lord Zhao had deliberately left out one crucial detail.
The moment he finished announcing Lin Yuan’s appointment, he smiled and added,
"And there is one more matter."
His gaze swept across the banquet hall.
"This year, Zhao Province will not be competing in the Lower Division only."
The entire hall erupted into confusion.
Lord Zhao’s next words silenced everyone.
"We will invoke the Ascension Clause."
He paused.
"Lin Yuan will enter the Upper Division."
For the first time that evening, even Han Zilie’s expression was not one of anger.
It was pure disbelief.
Upper Division?
A Lower Division province was actually sending its general into the Upper Division?
Lord Zhao looked toward Lin Yuan.
"Daoist Lin, I trust you haven’t changed your mind?"
Lin Yuan placed his wine cup down, as a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Of course not."