Chapter Forty-Seven
On the day of Hua Mo's birthday banquet, Hundred Birds Island was filled with the clamor of gongs and drums, brimming with joyous atmosphere.
It happened to be a fine day—the sun had just risen after rain, a seven-colored rainbow hung across the sky, and multicolored peacocks cried out on Peacock Island, creating a scene of boundless splendor.
Gu Jin had sat quietly by the window all night, from moonfall to sunrise. The tea had long been finished, and his eyes had grown heavy.
Many things only reveal their hidden complexities and pretenses after truly clearing away the clouds and mist through deep contemplation.
The cheerful sounds of guests passing through the courtyard in small groups on their way to the front hall banquet were incessant, yet they would quiet down when passing by the Linzhao Courtyard. Whether intentionally or not, the maidservants waiting outside the door remained there quietly, never urging Gu Jin to change clothes and join the banquet.
With a creak, the door was pushed open. The bored maidservants guarding the entrance looked up at the person emerging from within and were all momentarily stunned.
The young Immortal Lord wore dark white immortal robes, a gold-embroidered cloud-patterned belt wrapped around his waist, and black spirit-dragon boots upon the ground.
His black hair was tied high, his gaze clear, his eyes bright as stars. At a mere glance, his noble bearing and transcendent aura were unmistakable.
This was nothing like the dusty, languid Immortal Lord Gu Jin of the previous days. In this appearance, he truly did not disgrace the illustrious reputation of being one of the three venerables of Great Marsh Mountain.
Even the maidservants who had attended to Gu Jin daily these past few days stared wide-eyed. Gu Jin walked straight ahead toward the front courtyard without glancing sideways.
Only after he had left did the maidservants snap back to reality. Remembering the person waiting at the entrance, they immediately called out to him repeatedly: "Immortal Lord Gu Jin, please wait a moment. High Lord Lanfeng is waiting outside the courtyard..."
Gu Jin walked swiftly, his sleeves fluttering. Just as the maidservants' voices reached his ears, he had already stopped in his tracks.
At the entrance of Linzhao Courtyard, Lanfeng stood outside in light blue immortal robes, looking toward him.
No wonder the guests heading to the front hall for the banquet always quieted down when passing Linzhao Courtyard—it turned out the acting ruler of the Heavenly Palace, Lanfeng, was waiting here.
"High Lord Lanfeng." By seniority, Gu Jin was one generation above Lanfeng, but in terms of immortal rank and status, Gu Jin fell far, far short of Lanfeng. Gu Jin cupped his hands in a greeting appropriate between peers, saying: "Since you have come to Linzhao Courtyard, why not enter?"
"Without the host's invitation, how could one rashly enter?" Lanfeng took a step forward, his brow gentle and refined. As acting ruler of the Heavenly Palace, his status was extraordinary, so naturally he did not need to return Gu Jin's greeting.
"Ten years ago, I once met the Immortal Lord in the ancient phoenix tree forest. At that time, circumstances were urgent, and the scene was chaotic. Immortal Lord Gu Jin likely did not notice me."
At the birth banquet of Feng Yin on Phoenix Tree Island ten years ago, Lanfeng, as Feng Ran's chosen successor, was naturally present.
"In those years, Gu Jin was young and did some foolish things. Best not to mention them." Gu Jin said with a smile, brushing it aside.
"Seeing the Immortal Lord today, so greatly changed from back then, I imagine your character has matured considerably as well."
In the years Lanfeng had acted as ruler of the Heavenly Palace, his authority had grown daily, yet for some reason, he found it difficult to fully exert it before Gu Jin at this moment.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The bell signaling the imminent start of the birthday banquet rang from the front hall not far away. Lanfeng sighed, made up his mind, and spoke to Gu Jin: "Actually, the reason Lanfeng waits here today, besides wishing to personally thank Immortal Lord Gu Jin, is that I have an unreasonable request."
"Thank me?" Gu Jin raised an eyebrow.
"Some time ago, the Peacock Clan was bullied by the Eagle Clan. Fortunately, Immortal Lord Gu Jin lent the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu, averting disaster for Hundred Birds Island..."
"Is the High Lord thanking me in your capacity as ruler of the Heavenly Palace?" Gu Jin's voice lifted slightly, as if curious, yet also carrying deeper meaning.Lan Feng's words faltered, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone, yet he ultimately met Gu Jin's gaze and spoke candidly, "Whether as the ruler of the Heavenly Palace or based on the longstanding friendship between Hua Shu and myself over the years, I should come to thank you, Immortal Lord, for quelling the conflict between our two clans."
"Though Great Marsh Mountain does not involve itself in the factional disputes of the Immortal Realm, this time we inadvertently prevented the clash between the two clans. While I made a mistake, it was unintentional. There is no need for you to thank me, High Lord Lan Feng. As for your difficult request..." Gu Jin clasped his hands behind his back and spoke solemnly, "Rest assured, High Lord, what you fear will not come to pass."
Lan Feng was taken aback. "Immortal Lord Gu Jin, you..." He paused. "Do you know why I have come today?"
A flicker of emotion passed through Gu Jin's eyes before settling into calmness once more. He replied, "I have heard that High Lord Lan Feng's Immortal Power reached the peak of the High Lord realm thousands of years ago." After a brief silence, he looked at Lan Feng and continued slowly, "With my cultivation barely at the peak of the Lower Lord realm, you must have sensed my presence the moment I entered the Tranquil Beauty Pavilion yesterday, didn't you?"
Lan Feng fell silent, unable to conceal his astonishment.
When they had met on Phoenix Tree Island years ago, Gu Jin was still a mischievous youth with a childish mind. Lan Feng had assumed that, upon learning of the affection between Hua Shu and himself, Gu Jin would be unable to restrain himself. To prevent Gu Jin from acting impulsively today and disrupting the banquet, embarrassing Hua Shu and the Peacock King, Lan Feng had waited outside the Morning Radiance Courtyard early, intending to reason with him and offer a few words of persuasion. Yet, he never expected Gu Jin to be so sharp and intelligent—not only pinpointing his intentions with a single sentence but also appearing to have already made a decision.
"Though I may not hold as esteemed a position in the Immortal Realm as you, High Lord, I am not one to seize things by force. Since Princess Hua Shu has never held any affection for me, I naturally will not force her into marriage." Gu Jin's words rang with conviction as he nodded to Lan Feng. "Even if you had not come today, the betrothal letter from Great Marsh Mountain would have already lost all meaning."
He cast a light glance at Lan Feng, and in that glance, there was an unexpected air of authority and cool detachment.
Swept by that gaze, Lan Feng was momentarily stunned, and the words he had intended to speak remained unspoken.
Gu Jin walked past Lan Feng toward the direction of the front hall, pausing after a few steps.
"Rest assured, High Lord. The Sky-Shielding Umbrella was willingly lent by me, and Princess Hua Shu's accidental refinement and absorption of it was an unintentional mistake. No one in Great Marsh Mountain will hold this against the princess."
Having said this, Gu Jin continued directly toward the front hall.
Behind him, Lan Feng stood still, watching the white-robed Immortal Lord depart into the distance, suppressing the embarrassment he had felt moments earlier under that intimidating gaze.
Since the Celestial Emperor secluded himself overseas, Lan Feng had held a revered position in the Immortal Realm for ten years. Yet, this was the first time he had experienced such a feeling.
Gu Jin, the youngest disciple of High God Dong Hua—this Immortal Lord who had been confined for ten years and whose reputation was tarnished—had actually sparked a genuine sense of curiosity within him.
In the Luanque Hall, the Immortal Lords who had come to offer congratulations were already seated. When Hua Mo entered the hall with Hua Shu, it caused quite a stir.
Hua Shu was already renowned as the foremost beauty of the Immortal Realm, and now, having defeated the elder-generation Eagle King Yan Qiu, her fame had soared even higher. Dressed in a light golden peacock robe and seated respectfully below the Peacock King with a feathered crown upon her head, she shone more brilliantly than the morning sun.
Once Hua Mo was seated, he quietly whispered to his daughter, "Early this morning, Gu Jin sent a message stating that the request in the betrothal letter has been nullified."
Upon hearing this, Hua Shu's smile grew even brighter, her eyes filled with a sense of satisfaction as if this outcome were only natural.
In the hall, the majority of the Immortal Realm's finest young men were utterly captivated by Hua Shu's radiant smile. Meanwhile, the Female Immortal Lords who had accompanied their fathers or brothers to offer birthday wishes felt a pang of bitterness in their hearts, yet there was nothing they could do.In terms of beauty, Hua Shu was unparalleled in the Immortal Realm; in status, she was a princess of her tribe; in Immortal Power, she had now reached the peak of the High Lord realm, enough to rival even the formidable Sect Leader. To be honest, they truly didn’t know what else to compare.
However, the few Ladies who had caught a glimpse of Gu Jin at the island entrance that day couldn’t help but crane their necks in the hall, searching for his figure. That day, in their hurried glance, the gray-robed Immortal Lord’s face had been obscured by dust, and they hadn’t gotten a clear look at his appearance. Truth be told, they were quite curious about this legendary Immortal Lord who had once caused a catastrophic disaster and been confined for ten years, yet had become one of the Three Venerables of Great Marsh Mountain.
At this moment, the crowd also noticed that only two seats remained empty in the hall—the one level with the Peacock King and the one at the head of the left-hand table.
The seat at the head of the left-hand table was likely reserved for Immortal Lord Gu Jin of Great Marsh Mountain, who had rendered great kindness to Hundred Birds Island. As for the seat beside the Peacock King, it must be reserved for High Lord Lan Feng, who had returned from slaying a ferocious beast in the Southern Sea.
High Lord Lan Feng was of noble status and remained unmarried to this day. The Ladies eagerly awaited his entrance into the hall. Hearing footsteps outside, they couldn’t help but straighten the crystal hairpins in their hair, their faces adorned with bright yet restrained smiles, shyly glancing toward the entrance.
At that sight, the Ladies in the hall were stunned.
Radiant as the sun, dazzling as blossoms.
Only these eight words could describe the breathtaking beauty of the person who entered.
Not to mention these Female Immortal Lords who were fond of appearances, even Hua Mo and Hua Shu, who looked up, were momentarily dazed the instant Gu Jin entered the hall.
It was the same face, yet why did Gu Jin today appear so different from before?
"Gu Jin of Great Marsh Mountain, under the orders of my Sect Leader senior brother, has come specially to offer birthday congratulations to Your Majesty." Gu Jin slightly cupped his hands, standing majestically in the hall, his demeanor as one of the Three Venerables of the Immortal Tribe fully on display.
The people in the hall snapped back to reality, falling into a hushed silence, truly astonished by Gu Jin’s unexpectedly imposing presence. Many Immortal Lords present had encountered Gu Jin on Phoenix Tree Island back then, yet not a single one could connect the current Gu Jin with the short, stout, and unattractive profligate Immortal Lord of the past.
Time truly is a sculptor’s chisel, the Immortal Lords silently sighed in their hearts, filled with envy.
Because Gu Jin’s entrance was so unexpectedly striking, Lan Feng, who followed him in, received less attention and admiration. In the hundred-year history of the Immortal Tribe, such a scene was unprecedented.
It was the Peacock King who remained composed. He was the first to regain his composure, repeatedly inviting Gu Jin to take his seat, then personally stepped down to escort Lan Feng, who acted on behalf of the Heavenly Palace, to the seat beside him.
With all the guests gathered, Hua Mo waved his hand, and music filled the air as a hundred birds danced. The hall soon became a lively scene of toasts and revelry.
Only Hua Shu quietly observed Gu Jin, noticing that since entering the hall, he had not once glanced in her direction. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled and bewildered, mixed with a subtle sense of loss she herself hadn’t fully realized.
As the banquet reached its peak, Hua Mo raised his hand, and the music and dancing ceased.
He stood up, raised his wine cup, and laughed heartily, "Today is my birthday, and I propose three toasts. For the first, I thank all my Immortal friends for traveling thousands of miles to celebrate with me. May you all enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
The Immortal Lords quickly rose and drained their cups of fine wine.
A maid beside Hua Mo refilled his cup. As expected, he turned to Gu Jin, his expression sincere, and raised his cup, saying, "For the second toast, I thank Immortal Lord Gu Jin for his righteousness in lending the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, saving Hundred Birds Island from peril."Seated at the left, Gu Jin fell silent. After a long while, the assembled immortals finally saw him slowly rise, offering a distant toast to Hua Mo. He drained his cup and spoke.
"Your Majesty need not stand on ceremony. Today is Your Majesty's grand birthday celebration, and Gu Jin has been presumptuous. I wish to reclaim the Semi-Divine Artifact I promised to lend to Her Highness the Princess for one year."
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