Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1562 - 962: Clash of the Immortals (Part 2)

Yet his thoughts were clearly occupied elsewhere, and his demeanor was far from the self-satisfied arrogance of Situ Ye, who perceived himself as highly talented.

His countenance was impassive, yet an aura of innate superiority emanated from him, as natural as breathing, setting him leagues apart from the rest.

His gaze briefly swept over the assembled crowd, and Situ Ye, whose face had been contorted with anger, immediately fell silent.

"Is this a common street brawl? Or are you all unsophisticated rustics from some forgotten village? Causing such a commotion—why don’t you simply shed your formal attire and settle this with your bare fists?"

The others who had initially intended to support Situ Ye promptly abandoned their aggressive stances upon hearing this man speak, lapsing into silence.

It was instead Rong Lijun who, seemingly unburdened by any concerns, observed Baili An appraising the newcomer and introduced him in a casual manner:

"This esteemed individual is the legendary Mu Yunye, offspring of a Golden Immortal, the white-robed Young Lord of the Upper Pure Realm and Guyin, acclaimed together as one of the Eastern Immortal Realm’s most brilliant prodigies."

"With his presence here, I fear it will prove exceedingly challenging for any other contender to win the hand of Third Miss Fang."

Observing his amused expression, Baili An surmised that he bore little resemblance to someone vying for a bride and much more resembled a Demon Lord of Mayhem who, perhaps finding the world insufficiently chaotic, had arrived solely to sow discord.

Mu Yunye cast a fleeting glance at Rong Lijun but offered no response to his commendation or jest; he swiftly averted his gaze and lowered his head to partake in his wine.

"Young Master Ji, how much longer do you intend to remain standing alone? Must we all descend into conflict on your behalf before you will deign to take your seat?"

Mu Yunye's countenance lacked the insolent haughtiness displayed by Situ Ye; each movement and gesture adhered perfectly to the decorum expected within royal circles.

Even his address towards Baili An was characterized by the utmost politeness and deference.

However, if his courtesy were genuine and extended to treating others as equals, then why did he formally meet Rong Li’s gaze when speaking to him—even in a reprimand—

while he never once granted Baili An a proper, direct look?

The measured courtesy evident in his words was nothing more than the effortless issuance of commands by someone of high status to an individual of ordinary standing.

Baili An glanced towards his own designated seat; it was positioned at the very end, adjacent to the entrance.

This City Lord of Shifang City was truly quite amusing: even in the selection of a son-in-law for his own daughter, he meticulously maintained distinctions of rank and status.

Naturally, at this particular juncture, Baili An was neither the Crown Prince of the Central Netherworld nor was he Baili An, the esteemed Young Master of the Xijian Sect and wielder of the legendary Tianxi Sword, but rather Ji Xinnian, a Disciple of the Taixuan Nine Classics whose reputation had only recently begun to gain traction.

In comparison to these scions of exalted lineage among the second-generation immortals, he was admittedly outshone.

Baili An harbored no concern regarding his seating arrangement; in his estimation, if one genuinely aspired to marry Fang Geyu, the true prerequisites were not dictated by the altitude or lowliness of one's seat at this gathering.

With composure, he advanced two steps, offered a respectful salutation to Fang Geyu, and then proceeded to his assigned place.

Furthermore, he did not, as Situ Ye had demanded, impose a penalty of three cups upon himself.

Situ Ye found Baili An's petty and small-minded demeanor utterly tedious.

He elevated his gaze to observe Third Miss Fang, who occupied the seat of honor, and noted that her expression remained cool and detached, even more distant in spirit than that of Mu Yunye, the Golden Immortal’s son; it was evident that her thoughts were far removed from the banquet proceedings.

Despite the feast having already extended for a considerable portion of the day, she had contributed very little to the conversation.

It was only when the insignificant, common fellow entered the hall to take his seat that she posed an additional question; following Situ Ye's interruption, the young man offered no reply, and Third Miss Fang, in turn, lapsed back into silence.

As the hostess, allowing the occasion to be punctuated by such recurring awkward silences was naturally considered a breach of etiquette.

Fortunately, the banquet was graced by the presence of servants who attended to the serving of dishes and the pouring of wine for the guests, along with performers and musicians who helped to invigorate the atmosphere.

And beside the largely reticent Third Miss Fang sat Qin Lou, a female Steward, whose specific duty was to oversee the selection of a husband.

Shifang City maintained two Stewards, one male and one female.

The male Steward was the younger brother of City Lord Fang You, Fang Chi.

The other was this Miss Qin Lou, whose gentle eyebrows and eyes instinctively carried a subtle hint of the mist and rain of the Mortal World.

Noticing that Fang Geyu continued her silence, Qin Lou inquired with a warm smile, "I wonder if the dishes and wine served today meet the satisfaction of all you esteemed Young Masters?"

Situ Ye smoothly continued the conversation. "Every bloom and branch, every blade of grass and stone within Shifang City is sourced from the very finest the world has to offer. Since these exquisite delicacies and superior wines were deemed worthy of gracing this table, how could they possibly fail to satisfy?"

Qin Lou let out a gentle smile, clearly still intending to offer a few polite words. "You gentlemen have graced us with your presence from afar..."

"So, you've all come with the intention of marrying me?"

But Fang Geyu, with shocking rudeness, cut her off short.

Qin Lou's expression faltered for a brief moment; she managed a wry smile and chose to say no more.

Such a direct inquiry, completely devoid of a woman's expected modesty or shyness, left the gentlemen at the table quite unsure how to proceed.

Yin Baishuang, under the guise of the Sparrow God, curved his brows and eyes into a smile. "Third Miss Fang's beauty is akin to the blooming hibiscus, even more captivating for its grace; her bearing is full and elegant, with a warmth-shrouded jade-like loveliness—truly the unparalleled gold-branch, jade-leaf, the Imperial Pearl of this world. Tell me, what man would not aspire to make you his wife? Wouldn't you agree, my dear Xinnian?"

At this precise moment, if Baili An possessed the ability to sweat, he would have been submerged in a chilling downpour.

Situ Ye found it remarkably peculiar, given that he and the Sparrow God of Shenzhou had always been at odds.

He distinctly recalled this Sparrow God typically favoring blades and weaponry, despising books above all else—a true simpleton with hardly a shred of literary knowledge.

How was it, then, that today such eloquent artistry and talent flowed from him as effortlessly as turning his own hand?

It appeared that prior to his arrival in Shifang City, this individual had indeed invested significant effort with the aim of marrying Third Miss Fang.

However... his demeanor towards that commoner felt strangely nuanced.

In response to Fang Geyu's forthright question, the other second-generation cultivators one by one declared their positions, professing their earnest desire to wed her.

Seated in the most prominent position, Mu Yunye, much like Baili An, offered no immediate reply to Fang Geyu's statement before the assembled company, instead simply gazing at her with eyes brimming with admiration and praise.