Chapter 641 - 622: A Salted Fish’s Comeback

"Boss, the preparations for the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival will officially begin tomorrow. The first step is to invite the Auspicious Qilin Beast for its blessing. A main celebrant family will be chosen to be responsible for caring for it."

The Auspicious Qilin Beast is the symbol of Wang City. In fact, the city’s crest is a Qilin Beast.

In the beginning, Wang City was just a small town. Its fortune changed when a Fifth-Transformation Qilin, an Exotic Beast, appeared in the Taibai Mountain Range. This event opened up the market for True Essence Beasts from Taibai Mountain, and Wang City rapidly developed from a tiny town into the eighth-largest city in the Great Zhou.

Every year during the Divine Beast Festival, this Five-Transformation Qilin Beast is treated as an auspicious symbol. For the family chosen to care for it, it’s not just a tremendous honor, but also a reflection of their status. As such, there’s always a fierce competition for the role.

"In previous years, the four great families took turns caring for the auspicious beast. This year, it should be the Kun Family’s turn," Fatty Bai explained.

As Fatty Bai was explaining the origin of Wang City’s auspicious beast to Wang Meng...

A painted barge drifted lazily along Wang City’s moat. This was typically a place for romance and pleasure, but right now, four men were seated inside!

Seated facing east was none other than Mo Chengkong, who had been publicly humiliated by Wang Meng twice!

To his left sat the Young Master of the Zhe Family, Zhe Wulei. To his right was Kun Yaoyang, and across from him was Wu Yuan, the genius Pill Master of the Pill Immortal Alliance.

Mo Chengkong, Zhe Wulei, Kun Yaoyang, and Wu Yuan—four men who should never have been sitting together—were now gathered in one place.

"Heh, Brother Zhe, I suppose we’ve gotten to know each other through our conflict. Let’s drink to our past misunderstandings and put them behind us."

Wu Yuan drained his cup first as a sign of respect. Zhe Wulei could hardly refuse the gesture, especially since he was, after all, the victor—even if that victory left a bad taste in his mouth, like he’d swallowed a fly.

Zhe Wulei followed suit and drank, his expression softening slightly. Now that the matter was over, he had calmed down. Kun Yaoyang had initiated this meeting. ’There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.’ Faced with the Bai Family’s momentum, they had to reconsider their positions. Wang Meng’s recent performance had been particularly eye-catching, and Zhe Wulei and the others had all suffered humiliation at his hands, though none of them would ever admit they were outmatched.

"We’re all friends here," Kun Yaoyang said with a smile. "After the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival, Wang City will only grow stronger—more than enough to support all of us. But if the Wang Family gets involved, there won’t be any share left for us."

They clearly suspected this might be a plot by the Wang Family, who had sent Wang Meng to disrupt the situation.

Mo Chengkong, arrogant due to his status, wore a dark expression. Being publicly toyed with by Wang Meng was a fate worse than death for him!

’Wang Meng? Ptooey! What "Meng"? He was a piece of trash in Haojing, and now he comes to Wang City and becomes a master? Oh, no—crafting Golden Soul and Silver Spirit, that’s Grandmaster Level territory. That good-for-nothing really has the gall to put on an act!’

"Brother Mo, I heard Wang Meng attributed the creation of that whip he forged to the Divine Artifact Pavilion." Kun Yaoyang’s eyes darted about. Faced with the intervention of a major power, the Kun Family also had to change its strategy.

"Hmph! There’s no way he forged that!" Mo Chengkong snorted coldly.

"Of course not. If he really had the skills of an Artifact Refining Grandmaster, why would the Wang Family have expelled him?" Kun Yaoyang smiled to himself, surprised at how easily Mo Chengkong was provoked.

He added, "But this Wang Meng is certainly generous, attributing a whip with Golden Soul and Silver Spirit to the Divine Artifact Pavilion just like that."

"Just a spendthrift. I’d like to see how much more he has to squander. Pretending to be a master is one thing, but a Grandmaster? Utterly shameless!" Mo Chengkong glanced at Kun Yaoyang and gave a cold smile. "Kun Yaoyang, you didn’t gather us here just to tell me this, did you?"

Kun Yaoyang let out a loud laugh. "Of course not. You are all very busy people. I’ve brought you here today to discuss an alliance between us."

"An alliance? With you?" Mo Chengkong stood up. "I’m very busy!"

In his heart, Mo Chengkong looked down on all of them.

Zhe Wulei also stood up. "I have matters to attend to as well. I won’t interrupt your good time."

Zhe Wulei had been reluctant to come in the first place. Cooperate with the Kun Family? That was like seeing a ghost in broad daylight. Kun Yaoyang was the type who would devour a person whole and not even spit out the bones.

Auspicious Residence. This was the Pill Immortal Alliance’s headquarters in the city.

The Pill Immortal Alliance held a special status in Wang City. The biggest reason, besides the rivalry between the Divine Artifact Pavilion and the Spirit Control Association, was the Auspicious Qilin Beast, which the Pill Immortal Alliance had always been responsible for.

The Qilin Beast was a symbol of Wang City’s prosperity, and only the Pill Immortal Alliance could provide it with sufficiently excellent living conditions.

Every year for the Divine Beast Festival, the Auspicious Residence, where the Qilin Beast was cared for, would welcome representatives from the four great families to decide which main celebrant family would care for the Qilin Beast for that year’s festival.

In addition to the four great families and the recently returned Bai Family, the three major associations were also present: Wu Yuan representing the Pill Immortal Alliance, Pang Hong representing the Divine Artifact Pavilion, and Zhan Yingluo representing the Spirit Control Association.

Returning to this setting, Fatty Bai was slightly nervous. He was especially worried about the goal his boss had come with this time.

’The Bai Family has a chance to snatch the Qilin Beast right after returning?’

To be honest, Fatty Bai felt that just being able to sit here was gratifying enough; he hadn’t even dreamed of getting the Qilin Beast.

"According to tradition, it should be our Kun Family’s turn this year. Haha, it seems our family has good fortune, happening to get our turn right during the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival. Thank you all for your deference," Kun Yaoyang said smugly.

"Who says tradition dictates it’s the Kun Family’s turn? Since the Bai Family has returned, they should be included in the rotation. And in that order, it should be the Bai Family’s turn this year."

Zhe Wulei said coolly. No trace of his earlier dejection could be seen on his face; it seemed he had fully recovered.

"The Bai Family? Zhe Wulei, are you kidding me? Fatty Bai, you want to compete with me?" Kun Yaoyang stared at Fatty Bai, his glare so intense it looked like it could make the fatty lose weight on the spot.

Fatty Bai shrugged helplessly. "Brother Kun, according to tradition, it really should be our Bai Family’s turn. Your Kun Family’s turn is next. If the Qilin Beast is entrusted to us, the Bai Family will spare no effort to take good care of the Auspicious Divine Beast!"

"Spare no effort? You lot? In your dreams! It will definitely be the Kun Family this year!" Kun Yaoyang slammed his hand on the table and roared.

"Kun Yaoyang, this isn’t for you to decide. Since there’s a dispute, we should discuss it and decide together!" Muhe Xiaoyu’s voice rang out. With Muhe Landao absent, Muhe Xiaoyu was in charge of the Muhe Family’s affairs. If Muhe Landao had been present, Kun Yaoyang wouldn’t have been so bold. Muhe Xiaoyu had been so quiet that it was easy to forget she was there.

Kun Yaoyang was stunned. The Kun Family had always avoided infringing on the Muhe Family’s interests, and he never expected Muhe Xiaoyu to interject at a time like this. For a moment, he was unable to lash out.

"Little Yu is right. If Brother Lan were here, I imagine he would do the same. Since there’s a dispute, let’s put it to a vote: the Bai Family or the Kun Family," said Jiang Jiedao.

Kun Yaoyang’s face darkened. Who would have thought the Bai Family would become a spoiler, igniting the ire of the other families? This was clearly a move to use the Bai Family to spite him.

"Ahem, this isn’t right. The Kun Family has been preparing for this Divine Beast Festival for a long time. A sudden change wouldn’t be good for the Qilin Beast, either. I worry the Bai Family simply can’t provide adequate conditions. The Pill Immortal Alliance still supports the Kun Family." Wu Yuan was now completely on Kun Yaoyang’s side. At a time like this, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the Bai Family grow powerful.

"Brother Wu, that’s going too far. How do you know the Bai Family isn’t capable? The Divine Artifact Pavilion supports the Bai Family." Pang Hong was firmly on the Bai Family’s side.

Apparently, Mo Chengkong’s absence meant that Yang Qi’s authority in the Divine Artifact Pavilion had actually been consolidated after the last incident. Even the Lone Fox Destiny Star had to concede on this matter.

Zhan Yingluo, who had been acting as if this had nothing to do with her, finally looked up when she felt everyone’s gazes on her. "Me? I don’t have a strong opinion. But I’ve been staying at the Bai Family’s residence for a while, and the accommodations are quite good. Little Fatty is pretty meticulous. Taking care of the Qilin Beast shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Everyone was stunned. Wasn’t Zhan Yingluo here to cause trouble for Wang Meng?

What was this all about?

Fatty Bai was moved to tears. His careful and attentive service these past few days had finally paid off at a critical moment. ’The boss is truly wise and brilliant to have predicted this exact situation would occur!’

"In that case, let’s vote by a show of hands. Please raise your hand if you agree to the Kun Family," Muhe Xiaoyu said calmly.

In the end, only Wu Yuan supported Kun Yaoyang.

But when it was Fatty Bai’s turn, Jiang Jiedao, Zhe Wulei, Muhe Xiaoyu, Zhan Yingluo, and Pang Hong all raised their hands—five votes in an instant.

The result was obvious. The Jiang and Zhe Families clearly wouldn’t pass up any opportunity to strike at the Kun Family. Creating a pawn like the Bai Family to frustrate the Kun Family was a good move for them.

BOOM...

Kun Yaoyang’s table was smashed to pieces. His expression was savage; he clearly hadn’t expected such a turn of events. "Fatty Bai, you’d better remember this!"

With that, he turned and stormed out, the picture of arrogance. Fatty Bai, on the other hand, wore an innocent expression, though he was inwardly blooming with joy.

The Pill Immortal Alliance was quite efficient. One ancient hour later, the Five-Transformation Qilin Beast truly arrived!

Standing at the entrance, Fatty Bai stared at the Five-Transformation Qilin Beast for a long time, and then he began to cry.

In the words of Fatty Bai’s late father: Pathetic!

But Fatty Bai was too emotional. ’Pathetic or not, I’m still crying!’ Men don’t cry, not because they have no tears, but because the right time hasn’t come. For Fatty Bai, that time was now.

This was the Bai Family’s honor, and it had finally returned. The Bai Family was revived, and during the momentous Five Elements Divine Beast Festival, no less!

Seeing Fatty Bai’s tears, Wang Meng patted his shoulder.

"Boss, I... I’m speechless... Come! Welcome the auspicious beast! Prepare for the auspicious beast!" Fatty Bai straightened his back, though with his fleshy build, he couldn’t quite stand perfectly straight.

After a complex and solemn ceremony of welcome, Fatty Bai ushered the Auspicious Qilin Beast into the Bai Family residence.

The people from the Pill Immortal Alliance each received a tip. After bestowing the Beast Spirit Pills required for the Qilin Beast’s daily care, they left, satisfied.

Everyone in the Bai Family felt a sense of unreality, as if they were dreaming.

Li Xunhuan clutched his own neck. "Young Master Bai, I’m having trouble breathing. This isn’t a dream, is it?"

"Have you ever had a dream this good in your entire life?" Fatty Bai punched Li Xunhuan.

"Ouch..."

"Good, it hurts! It’s not a dream! If it were a dream, I’d strangle you."

Li Xunhuan ducked his head and chuckled foolishly. "As long as it’s not a dream."

The Bai Family was plunged into a state of immense ecstasy.

(My stomach is growling, begging for a monthly ticket.) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)