The Heroes' Banquet was served course after course. Wine cups clinked as guests toasted one another, while delicacies from both land and sea covered every table. Everyone ate and drank to their heart's content.
When the feast was drawing to a close, the Purple Celestial Sect Leader and Tian Yue each rose with a wine cup in hand, preparing to make a round of toasts. Before long, they arrived at the table of the Beggars' Sect first.
The Sect Leader introduced, "This is the Chief of the Beggars' Sect."
Tian Yue respectfully raised his cup. "I have long admired the great reputation of the Beggars' Sect Chief. It is my greatest honor to meet you today. Allow this junior, Tian Yue, to offer you a toast."
The two emptied their cups together.
The Sect Leader continued, "This is Li Jian, the newly appointed Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty."
Tian Yue smiled and said, "The Hall of Loyalty is renowned throughout the realm and greatly trusted by the Imperial Court. Heaven has favored me today by granting me the opportunity to meet Hall Master Li. Please allow me to offer you a toast."
The two drank together.
The Four Great Elders, Tan Wei, Tang Fei, and Ye Wen also raised their cups.
"To Young Master Tian!"
Tian Yue replied cheerfully, "Then let Tian Yue return the toast to all the heroes present."
Everyone drank together.
Accompanied by the Purple Celestial Sect Leader, Tian Yue continued making his rounds, exchanging drinks with the Palace Master of the True Divine Palace and the various heroes gathered at the conference before finally returning to the main table.
When the banquet concluded, the Purple Celestial Sect Leader stood and announced loudly,
"Heroes of the martial world, please proceed to our main hall and rest for a while. I have an important matter that I wish to discuss with everyone."
The Beggars' Sect Chief glanced toward Li Jian, Tan Wei, Tang Fei, Ye Wen, and the Four Great Elders.
"Wu Mo was right," he muttered. "There's no such thing as a banquet without hidden intentions. We've eaten our fill, accepted the farewell gifts, and now it's time to bid the Sect Leader farewell."
The group walked to the front of the main hall, where the Beggars' Sect Chief and Li Jian approached the Purple Celestial Sect Leader.
"Thank you, Sect Leader, for your generous hospitality," said the Beggars' Sect Chief. "We have thoroughly enjoyed today's gathering. However, both of us still have pressing duties to attend to and cannot remain any longer. We have come to take our leave."
The Sect Leader cupped his fists respectfully.
"It is our honor that you two heroes graced this gathering with your presence and brought such distinction to our Heroes' Assembly. Our entire sect is deeply grateful. I only regret that our hospitality was so inadequate. Furthermore, your assistance today has earned my everlasting gratitude."
After a brief pause, he called out loudly,
"Azure Dragon Saint King! White Tiger Saint King! Please escort our honored guests."
The Azure Dragon Saint King and the White Tiger Saint King acknowledged the order and immediately stepped forward. With courteous gestures, they invited the Beggars' Sect Chief and Li Jian's party to depart first, prepared to escort them from the mountain with the utmost respect.
Although countless people had attended today's assembly, few were truly among the foremost masters of the age. Most could only be regarded as first-rate martial artists. When it came to true martial prowess, perhaps no one alive could surpass the Beggars' Sect Chief. Yet even he would be powerless against such terrifying figures as the Ageless Heavenly Demon or Wu Mo.
Had the Beggars' Sect Chief not spoken up earlier, the Heroes' Assembly might never have proceeded as planned.
After attending the Heroes' Assembly hosted by the Purple Celestial Sect Leader, Tang Fei and Ye Wen took their leave shortly after descending Spirit Vulture Mountain.
The remaining group entered the county town and headed toward the Beggars' Sect branch.
The so-called branch headquarters was nothing more than a dilapidated old temple.
As they walked through the streets, a Beggars' Sect disciple suddenly shouted,
"Chief!"
Everyone stopped.
A disciple hurried over, dropped to one knee, and saluted.
"Disciple Li Da pays his respects to the Chief."
The Beggars' Sect Chief nodded.
"Rise. Lead us to the branch."
After traveling several more miles, they finally arrived.
Groups of disciples were slowly returning one after another, each apparently worried about where that evening's meal would come from.
The moment they saw their Chief, they all rushed forward and knelt on one knee.
"Disciples of the Beggars' Sect pay our respects to the Chief!"
Seeing their miserable circumstances, Fei Jin sighed deeply.
"Rise."
Turning to Qian He, he said,
"Take out ten taels of silver from the bamboo basket."
Qian He immediately obeyed.
The Chief then said,
"Branch Leader Lu Rou, here are twenty taels. Go buy twenty chickens from the nearby farmers so our brothers can enjoy a proper meal tonight."
The hungry beggars erupted into cheers.
Branch Leader Lu Rou beamed with delight.
"Thank you, Chief!"
After accepting the silver, he immediately dispatched several disciples to purchase chickens while others prepared tables, gathered firewood, and built earthen ovens.
This rustic country delicacy happened to be Fei Jin's favorite—the Beggars' Sect's famous Beggar's Chicken.
Its preparation was wonderfully simple.
After cleaning the chicken without plucking its feathers, a little salt, a piece of ginger, and a whole bulb of garlic were placed inside. The entire chicken was then wrapped tightly in wet clay and roasted over an open fire. Once the clay hardened, it was cracked open, causing all the feathers to peel away with the dried mud, revealing tender, snow-white meat beneath. Rich, irresistible aromas instantly filled the air.
Night gradually fell.
Inside the ruined temple, several tables had been arranged for the Chief, the Four Great Elders, Li Jian, and Tan Wei.
Soon, several disciples carried the steaming Beggar's Chickens from the clay ovens and placed them upon the old temple altar.
The fragrance immediately spread throughout the hall.
Each chicken was golden brown, crisp on the outside, juicy and tender within.
The hungry beggars stared at the feast with mouths watering. Many longed to tear off a drumstick and devour it immediately, chewing with such enthusiasm that they seemed ready to swallow even the bones. The delicious aroma made everyone feel as though they had been starving for days.
Fei Jin called out,
"Song Ren! Chen Yan! Bring the wine!"
The two disciples froze.
Chen Yan asked timidly,
"Chief... you mean... the Champion's Red?"
Fei Jin glared at him.
"What? Are you reluctant to drink it?"
Chen Yan hurriedly replied,
"If the Chief is willing, how could we refuse?"
With a meaningful glance, Song Ren placed a single jar of Champion's Red on the table.
Fei Jin glared again.
Song Ren sheepishly brought out another jar.
The Chief snorted.
"Bring all of it! The brothers of the Beggars' Sect share both fortune and hardship together. Bring every last jar!"
Tan Wei and Li Jian exchanged smiles.
"We still have two jars of Champion's Red ourselves. Let's drink them together tonight."
They returned briefly and soon came back carrying the two jars, placing them upon the altar.
Fei Jin sighed.
"Four Elders, this wine may be precious, but carrying it around only becomes a burden. If the jars were accidentally broken before anyone drank them, that would truly be a waste. Our Beggars' Sect brothers rarely have the chance to taste Champion's Red. We might as well enjoy it tonight."
The Four Great Elders all nodded.
"The Chief speaks wisely."
Branch Leader Lu Rou was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Chief. Please announce the start of the meal."
Fei Jin laughed.
"Then let's eat! Brothers, enjoy yourselves! Don't stand on ceremony!"
The beggars immediately began eating, with every two men sharing one chicken. They devoured the food ravenously, paying no attention whatsoever to manners or appearance.
Tan Wei carefully divided the Beggar's Chicken into eight platters.
Its crisp skin and succulent meat made it an unforgettable delicacy. The crackling skin and juicy flesh tempted everyone's appetite.
Tan Wei tore off a plump drumstick and respectfully handed it to Fei Jin.
Li Jian then filled everyone's wine cup.
Together they raised their cups high.
Overjoyed, Fei Jin shouted,
"Cheers, everyone!"
The hall immediately echoed with laughter, clinking cups, and the joyous voices of brothers celebrating together.