After meeting Lu Xian's gaze, Shen Feng understood that he had been completely exposed. He could only try to ease the awkwardness, as his sneaking over to eavesdrop on their debate would be a significant blow to his reputation if it got out. He had to avoid this situation at all costs.
Therefore, Shen Feng looked at Xu Xing beside him and said, "Since you brought me here, it's your turn to make an appearance. Go and end this banquet, and bring Qian Bufei to Fengshen Palace. Let this debate end in a sour note."
Xu Xing frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Why should I be the one to barge in at such a crucial moment? If I do that now, won't people become suspicious of me? They'll surely think I've been hiding nearby and eavesdropping for a long time. Why do we have to do this? Couldn't we just leave quietly?"
Shen Feng listened to her question and said seriously, "If you don't go out now, it might be me who loses face. So, only you can take this embarrassment. As for me, I'll quickly return to Fengshen Palace to prepare. Go! As the dignified Xing Xian, even if you arrive uninvited, you won't attract any gossip."
Xu Xing felt helpless, not expecting to have to step forward at this time. She could only nod in agreement and say, "Alright, then let me be the one to end this debate and make them stop arguing. But these people have been talking for so long without ending, wouldn't it be a waste of their eloquence to make them stop now?"
Shen Feng didn't reply, but quickly moved away. His speed was so fast that it surpassed the limits of human eyesight, making him invisible to ordinary people. Even if he rushed past the guards, no one could see him. Even ultra-clear surveillance would struggle to capture his figure.
Xu Xing, on the other hand, had no choice but to obey Shen Feng's orders and stepped forward. She arrived outside the banquet hall, kicked open the door, and walked in. The surrounding people immediately turned their gazes towards her.
Yang Chang and Lu Xian had already detected Shen Feng's presence, so they were not surprised by Xu Xing's appearance. However, others who saw Xu Xing appear couldn't help but frown and then asked, "Xing Xian, are you also here to participate in the debate? If so, please find a seat. We'll have someone bring you food and drinks immediately, but please refrain from kicking open doors in the future!"
Although Xu Xing was uninvited and had no invitation, her identity was understood by everyone. She was a powerful esper, and even the City Lord had to treat her with courtesy.
Therefore, even though this woman forcefully entered the banquet hall without any manners, they couldn't openly confront her. Instead, they had to treat her cautiously. The simplest solution was to offer her a place to sit and listen, so as not to offend her.
However, Xu Xing spoke up, "I apologize for interrupting your debate, but I have an important announcement. The City Lord has ordered me to bring Mr. Qian to Fengshen Palace for a personal banquet. You people are truly something. Mr. Qian traveled a long distance, and he is our guest, yet you are making things difficult for him like this. This is not how you treat guests; it's truly impolite. Mr. Qian, please come with me!"
Tu Xuhuai actually wanted to use the inertia of policy to suppress Qian Bufei. In this regard, there was no one who could effectively counter it, as no one dared to say that the policy was bad; they could only praise it, or else they would be silenced. This was a straightforward way of using the general trend to pressure someone. Unfortunately, Xu Xing had intervened at this moment.
Qian Bufei hadn't expected something like this to happen, but having the opportunity to meet Shen Feng was the best outcome. He immediately stood up and said, "No problem, let's leave now."
Xu Xing then led Qian Bufei away, leaving a group of civil officials staring at each other, surprised that the banquet had ended so anticlimactically. They hadn't even finished their debate.
Everyone began to discuss, "Could it be that Xu Xing is falsely relaying the City Lord's message? Who knows how long she's been listening nearby. Now that she sees the opponent about to lose, she steps out to help the enemy. It's truly unreasonable."
The people at the banquet all felt a deep sense of regret. They felt that if Tu Xuhuai had continued to debate, their side would have definitely gained a nominal victory. Although Tu Xuhuai's tone was not aggressive, his veiled words were the most terrifying. If the debate had continued, Qian Bufei would have been completely defeated. Moreover, many people hadn't even spoken a word during the debate, and yet the banquet ended like this.
Tu Xuhuai then said to Yang Ye, "I think the City Lord must have a new idea. But don't worry, the City Lord is a wise man. If he considers the future of Yuzhou, he definitely won't agree to their request."
"It's hard to say. Who can guess the City Lord's thoughts? If he suddenly changes his mind, it would be too much for us. He already agreed to it, and then he goes back on his word!" Yang Ye felt uneasy.
On Qian Bufei's side, as they were on their way to Fengshen Palace, he thanked Xu Xing, "Thank you, Xing Xian, for your help. We met once before. Although a long time has passed, I have always believed that you are a righteous person and would not stand by indifferently while the common people suffer!"
Xu Xing listened to his flattery and said faintly, "Actually, the key point of this matter has never been those who are arguing with you. They can at most make decisions, but they cannot determine the direction of the decisions. If you truly want to save the people of Dian Province, then you must persuade our City Lord!"
Qian Bufei nodded and said, "I have brought something here that can prove my words are true. I didn't have a chance to present it before; it was originally intended as a secret weapon. But now, since I must persuade your City Lord, I have to reveal it."
"Then let's go. I did accept some Guanyin jade statues from you before, so this is my compensation. Don't say I take money and don't do anything!" Xu Xing said faintly.
"If Miss Xu Xing likes jade, I'll give you some exquisite jade carvings another day. I guarantee they will be priceless!" Qian Bufei said. He no longer had his former arrogance, as he was asking for a favor and needed to humble himself when necessary to achieve his goals.
Xu Xing nodded, but without a definitive answer. Qian Bufei had made up his mind that only Xu Xing could help him, and he had to do his best to change her mind.
When Qian Bufei arrived at Fengshen Palace, as he passed through the garden, he saw many children playing in the distance. Four of the children were particularly striking, as the other older children were all revolving around them. From their appearance, it was clear that these four children were Shen Feng's children.
Qian Bufei thought that if he wanted to win their favor, the best way was to use money. As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. As long as he offered enough money, even children would develop a good impression.
However, Qian Bufei fumbled through his pockets and found that he had come in a hurry. After all, he had only come to attend the banquet, so he had traveled light. He didn't have enough gifts with him. Now, he couldn't produce anything. He naturally couldn't use money to pave the way.
"What a blunder! I didn't bring these most important things with me. I guess I'll just take it one step at a time!" Qian Bufei said with some regret. He wished he had brought enough gifts if he had known he was coming to Fengshen Palace, but now it seemed he was unprepared.
Just then, a young girl appeared in the distance. It was Wang Xiran. She was sixteen years old and walked over, saying, "Mr. Qian, the teacher is waiting for you. Please follow me, I'll take you to see him right away!"
Qian Bufei had already investigated the people around Shen Feng, including his disciples. Regardless of their identities, he understood their personalities and preferences. Now, seeing Wang Xiran, relevant information immediately appeared in Qian Bufei's mind: "Wang Xiran is a healing-type esper, so she has been given special permission to live in Fengshen Palace until she gets married!"
Qian Bufei searched his body and actually found a pearl. He immediately took it out. This pearl was very large, about the size of a quail egg. It was his only possession, and he didn't care about the cost. He then said earnestly, "Miss Wang, I don't have any extra gifts with me. I'll give this pearl to you. If you like it, you can have it made into a necklace and wear it, which will make you even more beautiful. If you don't like it, you can grind it into powder and apply it to your face for beauty."
Wang Xiran was tempted by the gift, but she didn't make any move. She then said, "The teacher has been waiting for you for a long time. Let's hurry and go see the teacher!"
Qian Bufei regretted not being able to give the gift, thinking, "It must be because this gift is too simple, so it couldn't win her favor. I wish I had brought many gifts with me."
Soon, Qian Bufei arrived at the castle. There was a tower here with a towering spire. In the middle of the tower was a staircase. If machine guns were mounted at these windows, it would be difficult for anyone to break through. Moreover, the castle looked very magnificent, just like in a fairy tale.
Upon seeing the castle, Qian Bufei secretly mused, "The Shen Feng family is truly afraid of death, building such a castle that is both offensive and defensive. Even missiles might not be able to destroy it, unless a nuclear bomb is used to annihilate it!"
The first thing Shen Feng said upon seeing Qian Bufei was, "Mr. Qian, long time no see. I heard that after you arrived in Yuzhou, you've been giving gifts to everyone, no matter who they are. This doesn't seem right, openly poaching people!"
Facing this accusation, Qian Bufei said with a wry smile, "Lord Fengshen, you jest. This is a foolish method I thought of out of desperation. I didn't know who could help me, so I just gave gifts to everyone I met. Unfortunately, not many people dared to accept my gifts because the current situation is too delicate."
Shen Feng led Qian Bufei into the tower. Standing inside the tower, one could see the distant Yangtze River flowing eastward, vast and mighty, never to return.
"To be honest, after learning of your request, I was trembling and walking on thin ice, not knowing what to do. Because if I made one wrong step, I might fall into an abyss of eternal damnation!" Shen Feng said with emotion.
Qian Bufei quickly replied, "Lord Fengshen, you are too humble. With your abilities, no matter what you do, you will change the entire world."
"I gave up the idea of changing the world long ago. After all, such things are simply unrealistic. Let's talk about business, specifically the situation in Dian Province. I still don't understand the frontline situation, so I can't give you an accurate answer yet!" Shen Feng said seriously.