Inside the hall, everyone entered early, guided by demon soldiers to take their seats on either side according to gender and rank.
"His Majesty arrives—!"
At the little demon’s loud cry, all the demons dropped to their knees.
"Long live our king! Long live, long live!"
Those not from the Blossom Mountain faction were left stunned.
Elder Skyreach glanced around and bowed with clasped hands.
Tina Ao saluted respectfully, and Ao Cunxin, frowning tightly, had no choice but to follow suit.
The Jade Cauldron Immortal shot a glance with both eyes, but stood firm, unmoving.
Even Belle found herself a bit out of place.
Though she was closer to Monkey than anyone present, she had never actually knelt to him before.
When Monkey emerged from the side door of the main hall accompanied by Anna Yang, he too was momentarily taken aback. He frowned and gave Anna a faint look but said nothing.
Standing beside the throne, Monkey looked out at the crowd below and suddenly felt a sense of being above it all, as if a new distance had grown between him and everyone else.
They had performed this ritual before at South Heaven Gate, but that was on the battlefield, in front of the army. Was it really right to make a ‘family banquet’ so formal?
"Let everyone take their seats," Anna Yang coughed softly, quietly reminding him.
"Everyone, please be seated," Monkey said quickly, his tone gentle.
With that, he sat down on the throne. Anna Yang, dressed in a flowing white gown and breathtakingly beautiful, took the seat beside him.
As everyone took their seats, the banquet began. Louis Quickpaw, Chancellor of Blossom Mountain, offered the opening toast, and soon the generals followed with their own toasts.
Throughout the toasts and celebrations, Anna Yang kept quietly whispering in Monkey’s ear, briefing him on everyone present.
"Quickpaw was Blossom Mountain’s earliest ‘schoolmaster.’ Most of those in high office now count as half his disciples, and he’s the banner of the civil ministers. But he leans too much toward civil affairs and neglects the military. Last time, he clashed with Shortbeak over the construction of new barracks. Though the dispute was resolved, there’s still some lingering resentment. Fortunately, he’s not selfish, so no real problems have arisen. Still, getting too close to him may stir up discontent among the soldiers."
"Shortbeak is moderate by nature. He’s managed the army for years, but has made few tactical innovations. About twelve years ago, he suffered a defeat against the Heavenly Fleet in the Southern Lands while fighting outnumbered, and he’s been criticized ever since. Many of the younger officers are dissatisfied with him."