Chapter Forty-Three: Showing Off

Just ahead lay the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard—a hotel dedicated exclusively to high-end clientele. Here, one would find the finest chefs, the most attentive attendants, and the most exquisite environment in Nine Cauldrons City. To say nothing else, the colossal everlasting lamp suspended in the main hall was enough to leave ordinary warriors utterly dumbfounded.

The lamp itself spanned five or six meters wide, with over a hundred thick candles—each as stout as a baby’s arm—burning steadily. Eight supporting arms jutted out from the lamp, each ending in a cup of white jade. Wisps of nearly imperceptible mist rose from these jade cups, slowly diffusing throughout the hall.

Within each jade cup sat a spiritual stone—eight in total. Such extravagance was unparalleled, no wonder people said the pricing at Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard was outrageous and yet flocked here regardless; the value was evident.

Ye Xin had once been a frequent guest of this establishment, but four years had passed, and now it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

“This way,” Wang Meng said, then strode ahead, leading the way into Autumn Garden.

Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard consisted of just four gardens, named after the seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Guests were limited in number each day and reservations were mandatory. Of course, social rank mattered, and Iron Lantern never needed to make a reservation.

At the entrance of Autumn Garden stood four maids in white gauze dresses. Upon seeing Wang Meng, they parted gracefully, smiles blooming on their faces.

Inside, Ye Xin paused. Two tables were set for drinks, both already occupied. The golden osmanthus tree at the center divided the courtyard; Iron Lantern and two young men sat at the front, while behind sat Iron Hao, Iron Hui Zhen, Wei Qingfan, and Deng Duojie.

“What a coincidence…” Ye Xin chuckled. Iron Lantern and Iron Hao had always been rivals, generally avoiding appearing in the same place—lest unpleasantness ensue—yet today both were present in Autumn Garden. It was baffling.

The atmosphere was chilly. Neither Iron Lantern nor Iron Hao looked pleased; they too had not expected to encounter each other here, but to leave now would be to show weakness, and neither was willing to concede. So they simply endured.

“Xin, over here,” Iron Lantern called, his spirits lifting slightly as he beckoned Ye Xin.

Ye Xin and Ye Ling approached and took their seats. The young man to Iron Lantern’s left smiled at Ye Xin. “Young Master Ye, it’s been a while.”

This was Han Yuanzi, eldest grandson of Grand Steward Han Samai; to Iron Lantern’s right sat Han Yunzi—his younger brother.

“Young Master Ye, you truly astonish us,” Han Yunzi remarked unhurriedly. “I heard from friends in the Academy’s First Battalion that half a month ago, at Twin Ridge Mountain, had you not warned them in time, none would have returned alive.”

“I am simply terrified of dying,” Ye Xin responded with a smile. “So whenever faced with mortal danger, I tend to react faster than most.”

“Xin, with your talent, why not come with me next time?” Iron Lantern laughed heartily.

“No, thank you.” Ye Xin shook his head. “Fighting and killing holds no appeal for me.”

“Young Master Ye, Yunzi is right. If not for you, we’d have perished at Twin Ridge Mountain. So… let me offer a toast.” Wei Qingfan rose from the rear table, raising his cup toward Ye Xin. “I can’t come over, so forgive me, but I’ll drink here in your honor.” With that, Wei Qingfan drained his cup.

“You’re too kind, Young Master Wei.” Ye Xin took a fresh cup, and Wang Meng filled it for him. Ye Xin drank it down in one go.

Wei Qingfan showed Ye Xin the bottom of his cup with a smile and sat back down.

Iron Lantern’s expression darkened further. The Wei family was a crucial piece in his contest with Iron Hao. He had believed his position at the front lines, serving under Wei Juan, gave him the advantage, but now it was clear Wei Qingfan and Iron Hao were closely allied—and Wei Qingfan had explicitly refused to come over—leaving Iron Lantern with a sense of being sidelined.

Ye Xin’s gaze swept the courtyard, reading every expression, inwardly shaking his head. Iron Lantern was far too impatient. Han Samai, Grand Steward of the Dawitt Kingdom, was Iron Lantern’s maternal grandfather, and the Han family backed Iron Lantern completely. In fact, if Iron Lantern truly dared, he could even mobilize the city guards of Nine Cauldrons City. If the Wei family could also be brought to his side, regardless of the benefits, one man would certainly become uneasy—Iron Heart Sage.

In the imperial family, affection meant nothing; for Iron Heart Sage, the only thing that mattered was preserving his position and power. Everything else was secondary.

Iron Lantern was simply too young, while Han Samai seemed almost too old. Youth breeds conflict, age leads to confusion.

Iron Lantern had great prestige and was the best candidate to be named heir, yet Iron Heart Sage had delayed making a decision, likely for his own reasons. Perhaps Iron Lantern’s failure to gain his father’s approval had made him restless, prompting him to exert further pressure.

Thus, Iron Lantern cared deeply about the Wei family’s stance. Seeing Wei Qingfan deliberately keep his distance stung him.

Such recklessness led only to ruin.

Ye Xin’s lips curled into a wry smile as he regarded his cup. Iron Lantern’s side could be salvaged with timely advice, but the Han family faced deeper issues.

The Han family’s succession had faltered. Han Samai’s only son, Han Junming, had once served as Wei Juan’s deputy, but died in battle at Taishui Plain over twenty years ago. It was for this reason that Han Samai had later recommended Ye Guanhai, whose smooth ascension to commander of the army owed much to Han Samai’s support—even Wei Juan’s exile from Nine Cauldrons City was orchestrated by Han Samai.

In truth, Wei Juan had been innocent then—however reckless, he would never have intentionally harmed the Grand Steward’s only son. It was all a tragic accident; in war, surprises abound, and perfection is impossible. Yet Han Samai unleashed all his fury upon Wei Juan, targeting him at every turn.

Wei Juan’s approach was far wiser by comparison. He refused to get too close to Iron Lantern, and Wei Qingfan’s deliberate alliance with Iron Hao was surely at Wei Juan’s instruction.

“Come now, Xin, it’s been ages since we brothers gathered!” Iron Lantern raised his glass to Ye Xin.

The Han brothers and Wang Meng followed suit, unaware that in this brief span, Ye Xin had already considered so many matters.

After another round, Ye Xin exhaled softly. Han Samai had held his post for over thirty years, as steady as a mountain. Was his blindness to the current crisis truly the result of senility? Or was there more?

Han Jin’s fingertips trembled. His thinking was systematic, with a unique process: whenever he reached a conclusion, he habitually attempted to disprove it from every angle. As the saying goes, real gold stands the test of fire; if a conclusion could not be overturned, it was likely correct.

After Han Junming’s death, Han Samai devoted himself to grooming his grandsons, refusing to let collateral branches of the Han family enter the power core, preferring to shoulder the burden alone. Now, with urgency mounting and Iron Lantern’s mistakes glaring, Han Samai seemed indifferent, at least outwardly, making no effort to correct them. Perhaps… Han Samai’s health was failing?

This was a thunderous notion—and a splendid opportunity.

Ye Xin’s smile broadened. Just then, Iron Hao slammed something heavily onto his table and called out loudly, “Hand my ingredients to your best chef—handle them with care! If anything happens, even selling Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard won’t be enough to pay for the loss!”

Iron Hao was clearly showing off, but succeeded in attracting everyone’s attention.

“Your Highness, what’s inside?” Wei Qingfan asked curiously.

“See this? This is the spiritual liver of a Dragon Roar Beast!” Iron Hao opened his case, pointing to its contents. “And these gold-colored strips are the heart marrow of a Nine-Tailed Luan! Hahaha… you’re in luck today. Without me, you’d never get to taste such exquisite ingredients in your lifetime!”

“Where did you get these?!” Wei Qingfan exclaimed.

“Cultivators visiting Nine Cauldrons City must show my father some respect,” Iron Hao boasted. “Mother knew I was injured, so she sent these to me.”

“Remarkable, simply remarkable!” Deng Duojie clapped and laughed. “Even if they're not the true dragon liver and phoenix marrow, they're close enough!”

Iron Lantern maintained composure, but his face was tinged with green. The Han brothers were silent; to receive such treasures, Iron Heart Sage’s favoritism was obvious. Iron Lantern understood that he would never even see such delicacies, let alone taste them.

The mood on Iron Lantern’s side grew more subdued, while Iron Hao’s table grew increasingly lively. After about half an hour, eight maids in white gauze carried ornate cases toward Iron Hao’s table.

The cases were not large; so many maids were employed for ceremony, befitting the extraordinary ingredients Iron Hao had provided.

“Come, come, don’t be shy,” Iron Hao laughed. “Father has more treasures; I can’t bring them out now, but give it some time, and you’ll see even greater wonders!”

The gloom deepened at Iron Lantern’s table, while Iron Hao’s radiated joy. Even Wei Qingfan abandoned pretense before such rare delicacies.

“It’s not just the ingredients,” Deng Duojie said, her eyes crescent-shaped with delight. “The chefs here are truly skilled! This is Dragon Roar Beast liver… mm… crispy and tender, rich yet not greasy, melts in the mouth… delicious, delicious…”

“Haha… Sister Deng always has a way with words. Try the phoenix marrow!” Iron Hao laughed.

“The phoenix marrow… brimming with vitality, soft and plump, melts in the mouth, the fragrance lingers—marvelous! Absolutely marvelous!” Deng Duojie’s smile grew even more radiant as she glanced toward Ye Xin’s table, making it clear: you lot likely have no chance to taste such wonders!