The road was cleared past midnight. Nangong Ren and Nangong Yi drove their Hummer at the front, followed by Xiao Ming in his extended Lincoln.
With these two leading the way, Luo Tianshui didn't need to check the electronic map this time.
The two cars entered Mianying City. The Hummer stopped by the roadside ahead. Nangong Ren got out, ran to the Lincoln, and asked, "Where are you gentlemen heading?"
Xiao Ming glanced back at the others; no one seemed to have any opinion. He turned back and said, "Arrange accommodation for us. We'll wait for a few friends here, and then we'll join you at the Nangong family for a meal."
Nangong Ren nodded and led Xiao Ming and his companions to a manor owned by the Nangong family in Mianying City.
The manor's decor was ordinary. It was specifically used by the Nangong family to host collateral relatives from all over the world.
This wedding was a grand affair, and the manor was already packed with Nangong family members from all directions and their retinue.
Since the Nangong family was a martial arts family, all their descendants were martial artists. Those they brought with them were also martial artists, of various appearances, so Xiao Ming and his group didn't stand out.
Due to the shortage of rooms, Xiao Ming, Luo Tianshui, and Elder Dao Xiao were assigned to share a room.
Nangong Ren left after showing them to their room. Luo Tianshui said with concern, "Elder Xiao, what if this Nangong Ren goes out and calls people to surround us?"
Elder Xiao Dao took down his gourd and placed it on the table, saying, "He wouldn't dare. Even with everyone in this manor combined, they are no match for me. They aren't fools."
Indeed, Nangong Ren and his companions didn't bring anyone to confront Xiao Ming's group. When it was time for dinner, Nangong Ren came and led them to the dining hall.
The dining hall was vast, capable of seating five to six hundred people. It was noisy, with some people talking loudly and others whispering. Everyone's conversation revolved around the wedding.
Xiao Ming had been pondering how he could help Long Xiao during the journey.
It was exhilarating to follow Long Xiao into the Nangong family, but it was difficult to achieve anything. Even a Heavenly realm expert would find it hard to fight their way into and out of the Nangong family.
The purpose of this trip was to take Luan Jiping away and teach the Nangong family a lesson, so they would not dare to covet Luan Jiping again.
Someone had been monitoring Long Xiao when he left the capital. He was in the open, and Xiao Ming speculated that others should be cooperating from the shadows.
Xiao Ming and his companions sat at a table, waiting. Nangong Ren and a few others served various dishes.
Xiao Ming looked at the dishes on the table and frowned; the quality was somewhat lacking.
Meiling, unlike Xiao Ming, lacked such restraint. She looked at the food and said, "Nangong Ren, how can your Nangong family serve us this kind of food?"
Nangong Ren sighed and said, "There's nothing I can do about it. We are from a collateral branch; in the eyes of the direct lineage of the Nangong family, we are outsiders."
Xiao Ming stood up and said, "Shall we go out to eat?"
Seeing that Xiao Ming and his group were not satisfied with the meal, Nangong Ren said, "Alright, I'll treat you to dinner at an outside restaurant."
As the group stood up to leave, an elder sitting at a nearby table said, "Youngsters, this whole table of dishes isn't enough for you, and you want to eat outside? As members of the Nangong family, you should know frugality. This is our family motto."
Meiling glared at the elder and said, "Old man, you don't need to concern yourself with our affairs. If you see waste, eat it. No one is stopping you."
The elder held a very high position in the Nangong family hierarchy. Although not from the direct lineage, he was highly respected by everyone in the Nangong family.
"Which branch do you belong to, to be so disrespectful? How did your elders teach you?" the elder asked, standing up aggressively, looking as if he was about to make a move.
Xiao Ming had been getting along very well with Meiling recently, their relationship growing stronger.
Seeing the elder about to make a move, Xiao Ming stepped forward and stood in front of Meiling, saying, "Old man, dare to touch my friend, and I'll kill you."
Xiao Ming's calling him "old man" not only angered the elder but also enraged the Nangong family disciples sitting at his table.
"Where did this wild brat come from? Are you looking for a beating?" a middle-aged man stood up and said.
Nangong Yi and Nangong Ren, who had been watching the commotion, quickly stepped forward as a fight seemed imminent. They apologized to the elder and the middle-aged man, trying to de-escalate the situation.
The middle-aged man looked at Nangong Ren and Nangong Yi and said, "This doesn't concern you. Get lost."
Nangong Ren said, "Uncle, they are guests I invited. If you move against them, you move against me, Nangong Ren."
"A Ren, who are these people? Why are they so arrogant?" a middle-aged man asked.
Nangong Ren glanced at the middle-aged man and said, "Fifth Uncle, they are reclusive masters I've invited. Their actions represent me, Nangong Ren."
Nangong Ren dared not tell the truth now, nor did he want the Nangong family members to fight Xiao Ming and his group. If a fight broke out, these hundreds of people in the dining hall would be no match for that old Taoist.
Nangong Ren persuaded the elder and others, then came to persuade Xiao Ming and his group. Internal conflict was most frowned upon in the Nangong family. Although the elder and the middle-aged man were arguing, they were reluctant to resort to violence.
Thanks to the efforts of Nangong Ren and Nangong Yi, both sides took a step back and ceased their confrontation.
Nangong Ren and Nangong Yi took Xiao Ming and his companions out for dinner. When they returned, they encountered the elder again at the entrance of the manor.
The elder looked at Xiao Ming's group without speaking. Xiao Ming deliberately provoked him, saying, "Old geezer, you're a fool, aren't you? Don't dare to mess with me, huh? Let me tell you, anyone who offends me, I'll turn them into a dish."
"You think you're a human chef, turning people into dishes?" a voice came from behind Xiao Ming.
Everyone turned to look and saw a burly middle-aged man walking over with several Nangong family disciples.
The middle-aged man approached Xiao Ming, scrutinizing him. "Are you that kid who wants to be the deputy leader of the Heavenly Saint Brigade?"
Xiao Ming nodded and said, "I am the deputy leader of the Heavenly Saint Brigade. Who are you?"
The middle-aged man laughed heartily. "Arrogant! Hahaha, Liu Dayong has never met such an arrogant liar before."
Xiao Ming looked at the middle-aged man. "Liu Dayong? I haven't heard of you."
Nangong Ren quickly moved closer to Xiao Ming and whispered, "Liu Dayong is known as the Divine Chef of the Southwest. His culinary skills are unparalleled in the Southwest region."
Xiao Ming nodded and said, "So, a chef. Heh, that's great. Colleagues, colleagues."
Liu Dayong looked at Xiao Ming strangely and asked, "Are you also a chef?"
Xiao Ming shook his head. "No, I'm a foodie. The honorable title is gourmet."
Xiao Ming's words made everyone present burst into laughter. As they laughed uncontrollably, Xiao Ming reached into his pocket and pulled out the jade pendant Xiao Tianyong had given him.
"Liu Dayong, have you seen this jade pendant?" Xiao Ming asked tentatively.
Upon seeing the jade pendant, Liu Dayong's eyes widened in astonishment. He took a step back, looking at Xiao Ming warily, and asked, "Where did you get this jade?"
"Xiao Tianyong gave it to me, and told me that seeing the jade is like seeing the sect leader," Xiao Ming said with a smile.
Liu Dayong knelt down on both knees, cupped his fists, and said, "Liu Dayong greets the Sect Leader."
Xiao Ming waved his hand. "Why such a formal greeting? Get up, I'm not the sect leader."
"Can you tell me why our Sect Leader gave you the jade pendant?" Liu Dayong asked.
Xiao Ming looked at Liu Dayong. "Didn't I tell you my identity earlier? Didn't Zhao Qixian tell you?"
Liu Dayong remembered Zhao Qixian's words and knelt down again, shouting loudly, "Liu Dayong greets the Young Master."
The people from the Nangong family were stunned. The renowned Liu Dayong was kneeling to a child in his teens.