Chapter 715: The Banquet
While Mo Hua was secretly observing Shangguan Ce, the man didn't spare him a single glance.
This was the Gu family's family banquet. With so many descendants present—children included—someone like Shangguan Ce, who held such lofty status and authority, naturally wouldn't pay attention to each one.
He was speaking in hushed tones to the Gu family head beside him.
That family head, named Gu Shouyan, appeared somewhat older, with thick brows and sharp eyes—a man who exuded stubbornness and toughness.
He had once served as the Chief Overseer of the Dao Court Division in Qianxue Prefecture, wielding significant power and commanding great respect.
The two heads of the Gu and Shangguan families sat on the high platform, conversing seriously. Whatever they discussed, it was impossible for Mo Hua to hear—it was shrouded by a sound-isolation technique.
Not just around them—even the banquet Mo Hua sat at was surrounded by a sound-isolating array of at least third rank.
These sound barriers separated the core Gu family members, elders, and distinguished guests from the outer disciples.
Mo Hua couldn't hear the noise from outside.
Likewise, the disciples outside couldn't hear what the elders inside were saying.
They were celebrating together, yet without interference—elegantly partitioned.
Mo Hua glanced around again and noticed quite a few unfamiliar faces besides the usual Gu family cultivators.
These newcomers carried haughty expressions, obviously pampered, and their cultivation levels were nothing to scoff at.
These must be the "distinguished guests" of the Gu family—most likely elders from the Shangguan clan.
Seating was clearly arranged according to rank and cultivation, seniority and closeness of relations.
Mo Hua looked from top to bottom, observing the arrangement with a thoughtful expression.
The bigger the clan, the more meticulous the etiquette. What looked like a casual family banquet actually had layers of hierarchy—not something to treat lightly.
With the ancestors not appearing, the highest seats naturally went to the two family heads.
Below them were powerful elders with real authority.
Then came the direct-line core disciples—essentially the heirs.
Following that, seats were ranked by bloodline, identity, cultivation level, and even social relations—friends seated together for comfort, enemies deliberately separated to avoid drama.
Mo Hua spotted Shangguan Yi.
He was seated near the family heads at the upper section—understandable, given that he was a direct-line Shangguan and a candidate for the next patriarch.
On the Gu family side, Elder Gu Hong—the one who always offered Mo Hua snacks—was also seated up high.
She was a senior direct-line elder, with high status, old seniority, and considerable strength.
Mo Hua glanced downward and saw Gu Changhuai.
Uncle Gu sat slightly above the middle tier.
Although he was direct-line, he had lost his parents early and lacked strong backing. Despite his talent, his introverted nature held him back—hence, he was given a decent but not elite seat.
Still, that wasn't bad at all.
There were many worse off…
Like Mo Hua himself.
He looked down and saw that his own seat was in the lower-middle tier.
Which was perfectly reasonable.
After all, he was just here for the food.
A loose cultivator with no power or influence, poor spiritual roots, and absolutely zero blood ties with the Gu family—he was practically an outsider.
Getting a seat at all was already a blessing. Who was he to nitpick?
However…
Mo Hua turned and glanced at Yu'er and Aunt Wan beside him, frowning slightly.
He could understand his own seat being low. But why were Aunt Wan and Yu'er also seated at this average tier?
That felt wrong.
Aunt Wan was a direct descendant of the Wenren family and the official, lawfully wedded wife of Shangguan Yi.
Yu'er, even more so—was the only direct-line grandson of the Shangguan family patriarch!
At a banquet like this, their seating should've been near the front. Yet they were way down here? That was… strange.
Mo Hua looked again.
Yu'er, still a child, had no concept of such aristocratic customs. He just gripped his chopsticks excitedly, waiting for the feast to start.
Aunt Wan, on the other hand, clearly understood—but all her attention was on her child.
As long as Yu'er could stay safe, healthy, and happy by her side, she didn't seem to care about all the noble-house rankings or seating orders.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows in thought… and suddenly twitched—his spiritual sense caught a few gazes falling upon them.
"Someone's watching me?"
Mo Hua looked around casually—and realized the gazes weren't on him.
They were directed at Aunt Wan and Yu'er.
One of them was from Shangguan Yi.
Even though he sat at the upper table, he seemed distracted. His eyes kept drifting down toward his beloved wife and son, full of longing and a hint of sorrow.
A grown man, yet he looked… oddly pitiful.
Mo Hua shook his head.
The second gaze came from Uncle Gu.
His look toward Aunt Wan and Yu'er was mostly concerned.
Of course, he also saw Mo Hua sitting next to Yu'er.
Mo Hua winked at him.
Gu Changhuai snorted lightly, rolled his eyes, and lifted his wine cup to drink.
These two looks carried good intentions.
But the others—from several Shangguan family elders—were different.
While not openly hostile, their eyes were definitely not friendly. Cold and indifferent, full of scrutiny and judgment, accompanied by soft whispers.
Mo Hua sighed.
"No banquet is ever truly peaceful…"
So much scheming and status games—it was exhausting.
But before long, the banquet officially began, and Mo Hua let it all go.
Dish after exquisite dish was brought to the tables—
Spiritual birds and beasts, celestial fruits and delicacies.
Fish, shrimp, pork dragons, phoenix birds, divine chickens and geese.
Colorful, fragrant, and flavorful—drool-inducing.
Though the Gu family wasn't ranked among the Five Great Clans, it was still a prominent house. Their end-of-year banquet might not be overly lavish, but it was definitely rich and plentiful.
Especially for someone like Mo Hua, who came from a loose cultivator background.
"Heaven is vast, but food is king."
Since he was here to eat, he might as well enjoy it fully.
While the noble family youths exchanged polite chatter and fake pleasantries, Mo Hua and Yu'er focused purely on stuffing their faces.
Yet as he ate, Mo Hua again sensed a sharp, disapproving gaze aimed his way.
He glanced up and spotted a female elder in green robes, heavily made up, looking coldly toward Aunt Wan, eyes full of calculation.
Mo Hua silently tore into a chicken leg while keeping watch on her.
The banquet continued—delicious food, clinking cups, smiles all around… on the surface.
But the atmosphere remained subtly distant.
Finally, after who knows how long, as Mo Hua was sipping fruit wine, he felt a wave of irritation radiate toward them—then came the elder woman's voice:
"I heard Miss Wan of the Wenren family is staying with the Gu family. Forgive my poor eyesight—could someone point out who she is?"
Her voice was perfectly calibrated.
Not too loud to seem rude, but not quiet enough to go unheard.
Clearly, this was a question she already knew the answer to.
Wenren Wan put Yu'er down and stood gracefully, offering a proper greeting.
The green-robed elder feigned surprise but didn't rise—instead, she offered a token pleasantry:
"I come from the prestigious Shen clan of Qianzhou. I married into the Shangguan family recently. I've heard your name often but never met you in person. Curiosity got the better of me—if I was rude, I hope you don't mind."
Wenren Wan nodded slightly.
The elder's smile faded a bit, adopting a more condescending posture:
"By seniority, I suppose I would be your aunt."
Wenren Wan was clearly displeased, but she held it in and responded respectfully:
"Aunt."
"Mm." The elder replied with a fake smile, then sighed,
"Don't blame your aunt. You're never home—hardly ever seen. Naturally, we've grown distant."
"But since we're on the topic…" the elder's voice turned sharp as a blade,
"Young Master Yi is the heir apparent. You're the lady of the future patriarch. So why are you spending all your time holed up in the Gu family? Are you suggesting the Shangguan family… means nothing to you?"
Wenren Wan's face turned pale.
And just like that—the room's warmth dropped by several degrees.
The atmosphere in the hall chilled noticeably.
Just as Wenren Wan was about to say something, Shangguan Yi stood up and gently said:
"Wan'er is staying with the Gu family to take care of Yu'er."
"Yu'er has been frail since birth. To strengthen his body and nurture his foundation, he was sent to the Great Void Sect to cultivate at a young age."
"As mother and son are closely bonded, and she worried that Yu'er might slack off in his cultivation, Wan'er chose to stay here—not only to care for him, but also to encourage and supervise him."
"And near the Qianxue Prefecture, the Shangguan, Gu, and Wenren families all have cultivation industries that Wan'er oversees and manages…"
The green-robed elder woman glanced over at Wenren Wan and, seeing the deep affection between husband and wife, sneered inwardly. She shot a sharp, deliberately sweet-smiling jab:
"Such gentle beauty, elegant and refined… no wonder Young Master Yi is so smitten—always speaking in her favor, doing everything to please her. Truly enviable."
The moment she said that, everyone's expression shifted slightly.
Her words were clearly a veiled accusation—implying that Shangguan Yi, as the heir of the Shangguan family, was ruled by lust, henpecked by his wife, and thus unfit for great responsibilities.
Shangguan Yi's face darkened.
Several guests quietly looked toward the head of the Shangguan family—Shangguan Ce.
After all, Shangguan Yi was his only son.
But Shangguan Ce's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything at all—indifferent to his son being slighted in public.
Gu Changhuai frowned. Seeing Wenren Wan standing alone, enduring the Shangguan family's criticism, he immediately made to stand up.
But in an instant, a sharp gaze landed on him.
It was Gu Shouyan, the head of the Gu family.
Gu Changhuai's expression grew stubborn—he opened his mouth several times, wanting to speak—but in the end, he couldn't defy the family head. He sat back down reluctantly.
He knew, deep down, that speaking up wouldn't help—it would only make things worse.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Yi was trying to stay composed, but his heart sank.
He realized that the more he defended Wan'er and Yu'er, the more criticism they attracted—and the more he came across as soft-hearted and indecisive.
Even though he was soft-hearted, he didn't care what others said about him.
But he couldn't bear to see his wife and child suffer for it.
The elder woman from the Shen family, noticing all this, let a cold smirk tug at her lips. Then her gaze shifted to Yu'er, and she shook her head with mock regret:
"Children of noble families are taught etiquette by age three. Their manner of walking, sitting, eating, and speaking must all reflect proper upbringing."
"But look at this child—so cheerful and unruly, no restraint before elders, walking without care, gobbling food at a banquet like a commoner…"
"What a shame. A fine child, already ruined."
Yu'er, scolded in front of everyone, shrank in embarrassment and hid behind his mother.
Wenren Wan felt a stab of pain in her heart, followed by burning anger. Her gaze turned cold and she was just about to retort when she caught Shangguan Yi's worried expression.
She immediately understood.
That Shen family elder was, technically, a senior. Her words, though laced with venom, were still framed as "guidance."
As a junior, if Wenren Wan endured it, things would pass.
But if she fought back, she'd be labeled as "disrespecting her elders," and worse, Yu'er would also be blamed for being "poorly raised."
After all, she was his mother—and she had raised him.
Wenren Wan's eyes reddened, and her pale hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Mo Hua, watching all this, was furious. He was just about to speak up—when he noticed that smug old woman had already turned her sights on him.
"And this young man… may I ask whose family you belong to?"
Mo Hua froze.
Before he could answer, she sneered:
"With such poor spiritual roots, I doubt he's from any proper family. Most likely some street rat with no pedigree."
Then she looked back at Wenren Wan and sighed dramatically:
"This is where you've gone wrong. In cultivation, we speak of 'Dao Companions, Wealth, Methods, and Lands'—and that 'companion' refers to one's like-minded equals on the path."
"Children of noble families must be careful from a young age with whom they associate."
"Someone with no background, no status, no noble bloodline, and terrible spiritual roots… such people are unworthy—completely unqualified—to sit among us."
"And this boy… look at his table manners! Even more boorish than Yu'er! Uncultured and crude. Aren't you afraid he'll corrupt the Shangguan heir?"
Though Yu'er didn't fully understand, he did realize that someone was insulting his beloved Brother Mo—his little face turned pale with anger.
Wenren Wan couldn't endure it any longer.
She could swallow her own grievances—but Mo Hua was Yu'er's savior.
He had rescued Yu'er from the hands of kidnappers, and ever since, had helped soothe the child's nightmares.
Her gaze turned icy as she opened her mouth: "You—"
But before she could finish, Mo Hua tugged her sleeve.
She blinked and looked down, just in time to see him take a sip of fruit wine, clear his throat, dab his mouth with a napkin, and slowly rise to his feet.
She had no idea what he was up to.
Mo Hua put on a blankly innocent face and—pointed to the elder woman, asking in a "whisper":
"Aunt Wan… who's this grumpy old lady?"
He intentionally lowered his voice.
But without using spiritual suppression, that was basically shouting in cultivator terms.
Everyone in the room heard him crystal clear.
"Grumpy old lady…"
The expressions across the hall instantly turned… complicated.
The female elder froze—then her eyes bulged in fury.
She was over two hundred years old, and for her entire life, people had flattered her: "peerless beauty," "still dazzling," "grace untouched by time"…
She genuinely believed her looks could rival anyone's.
But this… this little brat—
Called her "old lady"?!
She pointed a trembling finger at him, roaring:
"Who are you calling a grumpy old lady?!"
With that single sentence, she confirmed it herself.
Mo Hua acted startled and meekly replied:
"But Aunt Wan called you 'auntie'… if you're her aunt, then aren't you an old lady?"
The woman looked ready to explode.
Wenren Wan felt a wicked little thrill of satisfaction… mixed with a touch of helpless amusement.
"She is my aunt," she whispered, "but only a hundred or so years older—not quite enough to call 'old lady'…"
Mo Hua muttered:
"How would I know? The powder on her face is so thick—like a brick wall. I couldn't tell her age at all…"
The woman nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Mo Hua continued, turning to Wenren Wan:
"If I can't call her old lady, then… old auntie?"
Someone at the table snorted aloud.
Then more chuckles followed—stifled at first, then spreading like ripples.
Triggered by the laughter, the Shen family elder couldn't take it anymore. With a furious slap, she shattered an entire table of plates and dishes—broth and food splattering everywhere.
Mo Hua calmly shook his head and said, with textbook formality:
"This old auntie is so ill-mannered—slamming things in public like that."
"Didn't you just say that one must be polite in walking, sitting, eating, and sleeping?"
"Aren't those lessons taught from the age of three? So how is it that someone over two hundred years old still hasn't learned them?"
He added quietly:
"Look at that—can't even behave herself, but wants to teach others…"
The elder's face, painted white with thick powder, turned black as a charred pot. Her features contorted with rage.
After a long moment, she finally forced her anger down and spat:
"No respect for your elders! The Gu family, really… even stray brats like this are allowed to sit at the table. Who are your parents?! What is your background?!"
"If you don't reveal your origins right now, the Shangguan family—and the Shen family—will not let you off!"
The moment those words left her mouth, a collective frown spread across the hall.
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone frowned.
She was, after all, a member of the prestigious Shen family and now married into the Shangguan family, holding the position of elder—yet her heart was so narrow and petty, lacking all grace, actually stooping to quarrel with a child and even issuing threats in public…
Everyone's gaze then turned to Mo Hua, many of them showing signs of concern.
A few Gu family elders who were acquainted with Mo Hua stepped forward to smooth things over.
"He's just a child—children speak without thinking. No need to get angry…"
Elder Gu Hong added half-heartedly:
"The new year is approaching; best not to get worked up. It's a family banquet, after all—meant to be joyful. I'll have a word with the boy later…"
But the elder woman wasn't letting it go. She sneered coldly:
"This little brat… he's not one of yours, is he?"
The elders exchanged looks in silence.
Mo Hua, of course, was not from the Gu family.
And in this situation, they couldn't exactly lie.
The green-robed elder's voice turned even frostier:
"Then why is this brat attending your Gu family's banquet? And why does he dare insult me? I expect your Gu family to give me an explanation!"
Now that was going too far.
The Gu family elders' expressions turned unpleasant.
They'd tolerated her until now out of respect for the Shen and Shangguan families.
Better to avoid unnecessary conflict.
But if she kept overstepping—so arrogant and domineering—it was no longer just about pride. It was outright disrespect toward the Gu family.
And while the Gu family wasn't on par with the mighty Shen family, they were far from some backwater clan. They weren't so easily pushed around.
As tension thickened and the atmosphere grew stiff, Mo Hua finally took out a wooden box and gently set it on the table, speaking crisply:
"I'm here to deliver a gift!"
The elder woman glanced down at the box. Inside was nothing but a simple piece of calligraphy—plain, unmounted, and without any flashy aura. She immediately mocked:
"Seriously? That's what you're giving? A sloppy scroll like that—no shame at all…"
But before she could finish her sneer, an elder from the Shangguan family turned pale and barked:
"Silence!"
And on the elevated platform, both the Shangguan family head and the Gu family head actually stood up.
The elder woman looked around, bewildered.
Another elder from the Shangguan family furrowed his brows, examining the calligraphy with growing disbelief. Then he turned to Mo Hua, his tone suddenly more respectful:
"Little brother… this piece… where did it come from?"
Mo Hua calmly replied:
"Elder Xun asked me to deliver it."
Elder… Xun?
Everyone looked at each other, confused.
Then a few of the oldest elders in the room suddenly shuddered and muttered under their breath:
"Xun Laozu from the Great Void Sect."
"This calligraphy… is his personal work."
Those words made the entire hall collectively gasp in shock.
When they looked back at Mo Hua, their eyes were filled with utter disbelief.
The ancestor of the Great Void Sect… actually sent this little cultivator to deliver a gift?
What sort of qualifications did he have… to act on behalf of such a lofty figure?
What kind of relationship did he have with the ancestor?
The cultivators present were stunned.
Beside Mo Hua, Wenren Wan was dazed.
She had been worrying that Mo Hua might be bullied in his sect… and yet somehow, even the ancestor was personally supporting him?
Gu Changhuai was even more dumbfounded.
He knew Mo Hua was doing well in the sect… but this well?
That "Elder Xun" who taught Mo Hua formation techniques was actually Xun Laozu, a Nascent Soul ancestor?
The room fell into an intense silence.
Then, with a flash, Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan moved from the platform to Mo Hua's side and looked at the scroll in the box:
"Blessed with deep fortune."
The two men were visibly stunned, thoughts racing through their minds.
"Blessed with deep fortune?"
"Why would the ancestor of the Great Void Sect write those four characters? What could it mean?"
Though their hearts were stirred, their expressions remained calm. They said nothing more, nor did they probe further.
Gu Shouyan bowed toward the calligraphy and said in a steady voice:
"Thank you, Senior, for the honored gift."
Then he turned to Mo Hua, and the usual sternness on his face softened into a faint smile:
"Go on, keep it safe. You're still growing—eat more."
Mo Hua blinked, then smiled politely:
"Thank you, Patriarch!"
Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan said no more after that.
The banquet resumed as normal.
But this time, as more dishes were brought out, Gu Shouyan gave an order:
"Add another high seat."
The guests all had slightly odd expressions—but none of them found it inappropriate.
And so, a new table was placed near the head seats.
This was a show of respect for Elder Xun.
Of course, since the ancestor hadn't come in person, it wasn't the head seat itself…
But it was placed just below the two family heads—above all the regular high seats.
In other words, a "high-high seat."
Gu Shouyan gestured:
"Little brother, please."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he tugged Wenren Wan's sleeve:
"Aunt Wan!"
She blinked in surprise, then stood up with some unease.
Mo Hua then grabbed Yu'er's hand, and the three of them strode openly to the front of the hall and sat at the high-high seat.
High-high seat.
It wasn't his prestige—it was Elder Xun's.
But Mo Hua knew exactly what was going on: he was borrowing the tiger's prestige to act as the fox.
Still, if Elder Xun had given him this calligraphy, then the old man surely anticipated this would happen.
So Mo Hua didn't hold back.
The spiritual delicacies at the high-high table were even better than the ones below.
And now, no one dared tell him what to do—he could eat however he pleased.
Yu'er, emboldened by Mo Hua's indulgence, finally shed his timidity. His eyes sparkled again, and he ate heartily beside his big brother without a hint of fear.
Wenren Wan watched the two children with eyes full of warmth and gratitude.
And the once-arrogant green-robed elder woman, whose seat was now below Mo Hua…
Could only stare helplessly as the boy sat above her, eating and drinking freely, acting like he owned the place.
She trembled with rage, her face twisted, the powder caking her cheeks falling off in little puffs…
(End of Chapter)