Chapter 103: When Senior Brother Wants to Go Home
Following the conclusion announced by the Tianyan Sect, the other sects were suddenly enlightened and no longer focused on Chu Xingchen and the others.
In all matters, it is not scary if you admit it; it is scary if you do not. Since the Tianyan Sect came forward to endorse them, they were not considered uninvestigatable monsters.
The banquet process was rather simple. Chu Xingchen had actually read the notes written by Qiu Ling.
They basically contained some conventional etiquette, such as avoiding vulgar matters like cursing in front of the palace. Perhaps the impression given when they first entered the city was too arrogant, which was not the fault of others.
Dishes and performances came up in turns. Apart from Zhao Xuan raising two toasts during the occasional intervals, there was not much conversation.
However, facing the delicious food, essentially only Chu Xingchen's group picked up their chopsticks.
The other sects generally just took a couple of sips of wine and were done.
Only Chu Xingchen, completely unconcerned, continuously gave food to his own disciple.
The Imperial Chef's skill was actually decent, especially the pastry level, which was quite good and perfectly catered to Chen Baiqing's preference for sweets.
Chen Baiqing was originally more restrained, sitting quietly, but after being specially fed several times by her Master, she completely let loose.
As long as her Master dared to put it in her bowl, she would eat it.
By the time the banquet ended, it was estimated that Chen Baiqing was the only one who had eaten the most.
After Zhao Xuan concluded with the final toast and the customary ending remarks, the evening banquet was considered over.
Zhao Xuan stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "I wish all of you a smooth ascent on your immortal path to the high heavens."
Everyone rose to their feet and cupped their hands in response, then began to turn and walk out of the hall.
Chu Xingchen rubbed Chen Baiqing's little head before also getting up and walking out.
Just as he stepped out of the main hall's entrance, Chu Xingchen saw a team leader from the Tianyan Sect standing at the door, seemingly waiting for him.
The Tianyan Sect leader smiled slightly, cupped his hands in a second salutation, and then departed.
Chu Xingchen found it strange but also cupped his hands in return.
Li Yingling wanted to speak, but after glancing around, she still held back.
Wen Qing and Qiu Ling, seeing that Chu Xingchen and the others had quietly finished the banquet, quickly breathed a sigh of relief. This unconventional Elder fortunately did not cause any trouble at this crucial time.
The two cupped their hands and stepped forward.
Chu Xingchen spoke first: "I'm tired. I want to go back and rest."
Facing such a reasonable request, Wen Qing and Qiu Ling quickly agreed.
The next day, Li Yingling stretched her waist in the courtyard.
Yesterday, she had fully satisfied her curiosity; she had not expected Yaoqin to have that layer of identity.
Chen Baiqing looked somewhat expectant. Senior Brother said today was the sect dinner.
He had booked the best restaurant for cooking in the Capital City.
Chen Baiqing looked at her Master, who appeared carefree on the side, and walked on her small legs to stand in front of him.
"Master, why do you look unhappy?"
Her Master should also be very interested in the excitement among the disciples.
Chu Xingchen looked down at his little disciple and smiled.
"As long as Baiqing is happy."
Li Xingtian finished preparing and pushed the door open, his gaze falling upon his Master.
He chuckled, "Master, let's go."
Chu Xingchen also smiled, took Chen Baiqing's small hand, and looked at his Senior Disciple: "Let's go, Yingling. Your Junior Brother is treating us to a meal."
"Shouldn't Master be the one to pay? Where would Junior Brother get the money?"
"Your teacher currently has no money on him. If your Junior Brother can't afford it later, we'll have him mortgaged at the restaurant to wash dishes and pay off the debt."
Li Yingling followed her Master's pace and laughed: "No way. Junior Brother is treating, so if anyone is washing dishes, it has to be Junior Brother."
Li Xingtian looked at his Senior Sister and, for once, spoke up in agreement: "If Junior Brother washes, then Junior Brother washes."
Li Yingling turned her head in surprise, not expecting her Junior Brother, who was usually like a block of wood, to actually chime in this time.
However, Li Yingling did not overthink it.
After all, her Master's influence was too strong. She always felt that her Junior Sister seemed to have learned bad habits from Master.
It was normal for Junior Brother to pick up some playful remarks after being with their Master for so long.
To use her Master's common phrase, it meant that learning the good was hard, but going astray was a swift slide.
The restaurant Li Xingtian booked was Half-Leisure Abode, the most famous for its cuisine in the Capital City.
Li Xingtian felt that for both his Senior Sister and Junior Sister, deliciousness was better than elegance.
Compared to grace, deliciousness might better suit their personalities.
Furthermore, although Li Xingtian claimed to have booked it, it was actually booked by Wen Qing and Qiu Ling.
Li Xingtian had tried to go in his free time but was unable to reserve a spot.
After returning, Li Xingtian directly outsourced the task to Wen Qing.
Wen Qing did not disappoint and successfully reserved a spot, as his identity was certainly helpful.
It belongs to the Chaos Behemoth that has the backing of the Imperial Family.
Half-Leisure Abode is in the Right Capital Quarter.
It is not what you would call close to where Chu Xingchen lives.
Operating on the principle that since the money was spent, they might as well fully enjoy it, that carriage drawn by an exotic beast was pulled out again.
Wen Qing acted as the temporary coachman.
After all, his red official robes were very conspicuous, and his rank as a reception official in the Central Province of the Black Tortoise Nation was actually quite high.
For the final period in the Capital City, Chu Xingchen did not want any short-sighted trouble to come looking for them.
After all, his reliable little cotton-padded jacket had grown legs and walked off on its own.
It must be said that Li Xingtian was the most reliable person in the sect besides himself.
He had never failed anything he was entrusted with.
Inside the carriage, Chu Xingchen looked up at the placid-faced Li Xingtian.
Inside the carriage, there were only the simple sounds of conversation between Li Yingling and Chen Baiqing.
"We have arrived."
Wen Qing lightly tapped on the carriage door.
Chu Xingchen was the first to step out of the carriage door.
His gaze fell upon a two-story restaurant whose decorations were not particularly luxurious.
The waiter at the door was enthusiastic, but his face turned slightly pale when he saw the exotic beast.
Wen Qing cupped his hands: "I will wait for you outside."
Chu Xingchen smiled lightly and nodded: "Thank you for the trouble."
With that, Chu Xingchen took his disciples and walked into Half-Leisure Abode.
The waiter inquired about the reserved room number, then led Chu Xingchen and the others into the private room.
Li Xingtian's ordering was simple; he just tossed out the phrase to bring their best specialties.
He also ordered some pastries and sweeter dishes for Chen Baiqing.
Li Yingling looked in surprise at the generous Li Xingtian.
Had her Junior Brother gone out and made a fortune while she was not paying attention?
When the waiter handed over the menu just now, Li Yingling glanced at it and saw that quite a few dishes required payment with Spirit Stones.
The wine Li Xingtian ordered arrived before the food.
Li Xingtian first poured a cup for himself, then stood up and raised the cup to his Master.
He looked sincere and spoke with genuine emotion: "Master, I am clumsy with words, but I can see that you genuinely care for me."
Li Xingtian paused, then drank the wine in one gulp before saying: "A teacher for a day is a father for life."
Li Xingtian again poured a cup of wine, looking at his Senior Sister: "Senior Sister..."
"No need to say anything. Senior Sister understands."
Li Yingling raised her cup and drank it in one gulp.
Li Xingtian smiled faintly and drank the wine.
Raising another cup, Li Xingtian looked at his Little Junior Sister: "Eat your fill today."
He finished speaking and drank it in one gulp.
Chen Baiqing, who had been full of anticipation, now quietly lowered her head and ate the dishes in her bowl.
Li Yingling, who would usually liven up the atmosphere, was also somewhat silent at the moment.
During the meal, only Chu Xingchen raised his wine and chatted intermittently with Li Xingtian.
The dinner ended early, perhaps because everyone was unaccustomed to such a silent atmosphere.
Li Xingtian settled the bill, standing at the entrance of the restaurant, watching as his Junior Sister was pulled onto the carriage by his Master.
He stared intently at his Master.
Chu Xingchen waved his hand with his back turned, then went inside the curtain.
"Let's go."
Chu Xingchen's voice came from inside the carriage.
Wen Qing looked in surprise at Li Xingtian, who had not yet gotten into the carriage.
He saw Li Xingtian shake his head gently.
Understanding the situation, Wen Qing then drove the carriage away.
Inside the carriage, Chen Baiqing saw that the carriage had started moving, but her Senior Brother had not gotten on.
She quickly reminded: "Master, Senior Brother has not gotten on the carriage."
"Your Senior Brother has something to do and will not be returning with us for now."
Chen Baiqing seemed to understand something. She lowered her little face and quietly asked: "Then, when will Senior Brother... come back?"
"When Baiqing misses Senior Brother, and when Senior Brother misses home."
"Your Senior Brother will come back."
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