Soon, Honor Shangguan withdrew from the courtyard.
"Miss Shangguan, my respects."
Ian Song cupped his fists politely in greeting.
"No need to be so formal, Young Master Song. If you don't mind, you may simply call me Haitang," Haitang Shangguan replied with a graceful bow and a gentle smile.
Hearing this, Ian's eyes narrowed slightly, then he laughed heartily, "Haha, in that case, I won't stand on ceremony."
He was certain he had never interacted with Haitang Shangguan before coming to the capital, yet she had sent her chief steward to greet him. Such a grand reception left him puzzled—he couldn't guess what her true intentions were.
"I've prepared a light banquet. Young Master Song, Miss Tianluo, Miss Wan'er, Stone Hao, Stone Ling, Miss Xiaoyu, and Uncle Stone Hu—please, come inside."
Haitang Shangguan invited them in, her voice soft and gentle, giving off an aura as refreshing as a spring breeze.
The fact that she could directly name every member of Ian's group made him inwardly tense. He thought to himself that Haitang Shangguan seemed to know him very well; he had never been to the capital nor met her before, yet she was so well-informed about him.
That meant... Ian thought of someone.
Sure enough, the banquet had already been set. The wine was nectar of the gods, and the dishes were made from all kinds of high-grade spirit birds, spirit ingredients, or spirit fruits. Calculated by spirit crystals, the cost of this meal was probably no less than five hundred top-grade spirit crystals.
After some polite small talk, everyone took their seats.
Haitang Shangguan personally poured wine for everyone. Except for Ian, the others all felt somewhat flattered and surprised.
"Miss Haitang, thank you for your hospitality. This cup, I offer to you." Ian raised his glass, looking relaxed and unconcerned, as if he wasn't at all curious about why Haitang Shangguan had invited him here.
"Please, Young Master Song!"
Haitang Shangguan also raised her glass in reply. Their cups met in midair, and both drank their wine in one go.
After the first glass, Haitang Shangguan's gaze toward Ian became even more intrigued. In her view, anyone in this situation would feel uneasy or nervous, but Ian remained calm and composed, never once asking why she had invited him.
In such cases, either the person is oblivious and can't read the situation, or they're supremely confident, sure they can handle any surprise.
Haitang refilled both their glasses and raised hers again: "This cup, I offer to all of you. Thank you for not minding and for coming to Shangguan Manor as my guests!"
"Miss Shangguan, you're too kind!"
"Please, Miss Shangguan!"
Everyone raised their glasses together, and the atmosphere grew even more harmonious.
As the wine flowed and the dishes were tasted, the mood at the table became increasingly subtle. Haitang Shangguan even took the initiative to chat with Wendy Lin and Stone Ling, and the conversation was pleasant.
Ian could see that Haitang Shangguan was a master of social interaction, skilled at reading people; her words always seemed to strike just where others liked to be flattered, making it hard for anyone to dislike her.
Even Ian himself, knowing she had her own agenda and might even be plotting against him, couldn't bring himself to dislike her.
"Young Master Song, aren't you curious who asked me to treat you so well?"
Suddenly, Haitang's gaze landed on Ian again, her smile bright and full of curiosity and admiration.
"I'm all ears," Ian replied with a smile.
Haitang continued, "When the Silver Fox Princess told me how outstanding Young Master Song was, I had my doubts. But now that I've met you, I find you even more impressive than I imagined."
Hearing this, Ian thought to himself, 'Just as I expected,' and smiled, "The Silver Fox Princess flatters me; I don't deserve such praise."
"Excessive modesty is actually a kind of arrogance, you know?"
Haitang Shangguan suddenly showed a mischievous look. "Young Master Song, with late Soul-Split cultivation, you managed to capture a Fusion-stage demon king alive. Just that alone puts you near the top of the Rising Talents Ranking. Not to mention, you saved a city of millions—an immense merit!"
Ian waved his hand, looking a bit embarrassed. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Let's not dwell on the past."
"What I admire most," Haitang continued, "is that you managed to destroy more than half of Prime One Church's branch altars, and even escaped from their Demon Prison. Such earth-shaking ability probably surpasses even the top three on the Rising Talents Ranking!"
"Just luck!" Ian replied lightly, though inwardly he was startled—he hadn't expected her to investigate him so thoroughly. This woman was anything but simple.
Haitang smiled and raised her glass for another toast.
While Ian and his party were exchanging toasts at Shangguan Manor, outside, the city was in an uproar because they'd been invited in.
In the most luxurious suite of the Purple Immortal Pavilion—
A devastatingly handsome, slightly effeminate young man was enjoying the company of beauties, arms around them, when suddenly a subordinate came to report, whispering in his ear. Instantly, his face turned extremely dark; he angrily shoved the two women aside and shouted, "Get out, all of you!"
The two women paled in fright, knowing his moods were unpredictable. They didn't dare say a word and hurriedly left.
"Speak. What exactly is going on?" Vergil Beigong fixed a cold glare on his subordinate, fury already burning in his eyes.
"Reporting, Young Master. For now, we've only found out the boy's name is Ian Song. Honor Shangguan personally went to the city gate to receive him, supposedly on Miss Haitang's orders," the subordinate replied cautiously.
"Crash!"
The exquisite jade cup in Vergil's hand shattered into powder, slipping through his fingers and scattering across the carpet.
Grinding his teeth, he spat, "What makes that brat worthy of Miss Haitang sending someone to greet him in person?"
Seeing this, the subordinate felt a chill in his heart. He knew his young master was truly enraged. Everyone in the capital knew Vergil was infatuated with Miss Haitang—if another man so much as spoke a word to her, he might fly into a rage, and many had suffered broken limbs or even lost their lives for less. Now that Ian had been welcomed into Shangguan Manor, the subordinate could only imagine how furious Vergil must be.
"Go investigate that brat for me immediately. I want to know everything about him! Also, get people ready—I'm going to Shangguan Manor!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Soon, a luxurious spirit-beast carriage set out from the Purple Immortal Pavilion, heading straight for Shangguan Manor.
"Vergil Beigong, here to pay respects to Miss Haitang. Please inform her of my arrival!"
Vergil stepped out of the carriage, smiling as he casually tossed dozens of top-grade spirit crystals to the Shangguan Manor guards.
"Thank you, Young Master Beigong!"
The guards didn't dare neglect him. After thanking him for the reward, they hurried inside to report.
A short while later, Honor Shangguan came out personally. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he said to Vergil, "Young Master Beigong, my lady is currently entertaining important guests and cannot see you now. Please come again another time."
At these words, Vergil's face grew so dark it seemed about to drip water, but he forced himself to swallow his anger and cupped his fists to Honor Shangguan. "In that case, I'll come another time."
Though his jealousy was fierce and he couldn't tolerate anyone approaching Haitang Shangguan, he refused to show his dark side in front of her. No matter how furious he was, he wouldn't force his way into Shangguan Manor and risk her displeasure.
Still, in his heart, he had already sentenced Ian Song to death.