Volume One: All Things Awaken, Spring Reigns in Every Season Chapter Twenty-Six: Arrival in the Northern Capital, Turbulence at the Banquet (Part One)

Lin Xi woke at dawn, spending over an hour in the dressing room before emerging. She wore a cheongsam of blush-pink and sapphire-blue satin that showed off her figure exquisitely, the curves of her body and her delicate features creating a perfect harmony.

She tossed a formal suit onto Mo Wen, who was still buried in bed, laughingly calling him a lazy pig as she dragged him up. After helping him dress, she carefully appraised his dashing reflection in the full-length mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

“My little brother really isn’t bad—my taste is as impeccable as ever!”

Mo Wen’s dark suit seemed tailored just for him, and his deep-blue tie matched Lin Xi’s cheongsam. Their eyes met, and they shared a passionate, lingering kiss. When they finally parted, Lin Xi murmured, “It’s all up to you now, little brother!”

They gathered up Sword Dog and waited a while longer for Mi Lu, who was still applying her makeup, then set out.

Unlike Lin Xi’s elegant, aristocratic attire, Mi Lu radiated youthful energy in a short jacket over a long white sweater and a half-length skirt hugging her hips, her feet clad in dainty high heels.

“Aren’t you cold?” Mo Wen couldn’t help but comment. Mi Lu, delighted to find a gap in his knowledge, replied, “Ever heard of invisible thermal tights? Of course you wouldn’t—Sister Lin only wears black, white, fishnets, or sheer. It’s no wonder you don’t get it.”

Lin Xi, drawn into the banter, spat playfully and chased after Mi Lu, pretending she would tear her mouth open.

Once again boarding the plane, Mo Wen was still uneasy, but this time everything went smoothly. They landed at Beidu Airport just before eleven o’clock.

A fleet of cars was already waiting—the line stretched to over a dozen, all gleaming red-flag limousines with little national flags fluttering on their hoods, an ostentatious display that made onlookers instinctively give way. This was the grandeur of a great clan.

From the lead car hopped a boy of about ten. When he spotted Lin Xi, he ran over in excitement.

“Big sis, big sis, why are you dressed like a rice dumpling?”

Unfiltered as always, the boy earned himself a flick on the forehead. Noticing Mo Wen and Mi Lu, he greeted them warmly: “So this is my brother-in-law, right? Handsome indeed! Not too far off from me—get in the car!”

“And who’s this?” he asked, eyes lighting up as he gave Mi Lu a hug.

Lin Xi pulled her brother away, introducing him with mock exasperation: “My brother, Lin Guoguo—more mischief than sense! This is your Sister Mi Lu, show some respect!”

Mi Lu stifled a laugh. Lin Xi’s brother was quite the character.

Time was tight, so everyone got into the cars. Lin Guoguo, gregarious as ever, kept bombarding Mo Wen with questions, calling him brother-in-law at every turn, making it impossible for Mo Wen to refuse him. Though only ten, Lin Guoguo had already reached the flawless realm in cultivation—proof that the children of great families start from a different rung.

The motorcade rolled through busy streets before heading toward the suburbs. The Yanxi Villa District was one of Beidu’s oldest, its splendor and luxury the stuff of ordinary people’s dreams.

They finally stopped before a manor, where valets rushed to take their cars. The parking area was packed. A young man greeted them at the entrance, his sharp brows and star-bright eyes reminiscent of Lin Xi, every gesture evincing a dignified air.

“Brother!” Lin Xi scampered over. The young man’s smile broadened when he saw her. She took his hand, pointed toward Mo Wen, and the two exchanged quiet words. The young man’s brows knit, but he ended by ruffling Lin Xi’s hair with a smile.

Lin Xi returned, taking Mo Wen’s arm as they approached. “My brother—Lin Yaoheng!”

Lin Yaoheng wore a blank expression as he offered his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Lin Xi’s brother. Your reputation precedes you, but you don’t seem as impressive as the rumors claim.”

Mo Wen gripped his future brother-in-law’s hand tightly, smiling. “Mo Wen. Just an ordinary fellow—not to be compared with you scions of noble houses.”

Lin Yaoheng suddenly exerted his strength, his hand a vise of iron. Mo Wen showed no reaction, so Lin Yaoheng increased the pressure, channeling his internal energy into the grip, intent on teaching Mo Wen a lesson.

But Mo Wen’s smile never wavered. With a subtle shift of his own energy, a sudden heat forced Lin Yaoheng to release him abruptly.

“Not bad, kid. You’ve got some skill.”

Lin Yaoheng grinned. He was a prodigy of the military, reaching the Divine Pivot realm at nineteen. Though he’d remained at that level for eleven years without breaking through, his strength was far beyond his peers.

He put away his earlier disdain, motioned them inside, and turned to greet other arriving guests.

Inside the villa, the vast banquet hall was filled with round tables, resplendent with decorations and golden light. At the head of the hall stood an antique Eight Immortals table, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, clearly the place of honor. Lin Xi flitted about greeting people, seating Mo Wen at a table beside the main one and giving him a reassuring glance before heading off to find her father.

Mo Wen waved her off, and Lin Xi departed like a lark. At his table, no one else had arrived, but in the hall, many guests were already whispering and pointing at Mo Wen. After a short while, a man and a woman approached from the neighboring table. The man, brimming with confidence, wore a faintly arrogant expression.

“Let’s get acquainted. I’m Zhuo Yue. No need for introductions—I know you’re Mo Wen, from the southern capital, right? Let’s be clear: Lin Xi is the woman my brother has chosen. You’d better know your place.”

Zhuo Yue looked down his nose, his contempt undisguised.

Mo Wen only smiled. He’d barely warmed his seat before the clowns started performing. Since the visitor was hostile, there was no need to be polite.

“I don’t know you, nor do I see any reason to. Please, do as you wish.”

Zhuo Yue was left speechless, his overbearing attitude landing on soft ground. In his eyes, some wild boy from the south dared to contest his brother for Lin Xi? Utterly delusional.

Mo Wen, of course, had heard of the Zhuo family of the capital—one of Beidu’s five great clans. The family head, Zhuo Zunrong, was a master of the highest realm. The eldest grandson, Zhuo Yu, was stationed on the northwest border of the country, a bulwark against foreign threats. He had distinguished himself many times in battle, and though he hadn’t reached the higher breakthrough, he’d already been promoted to general by special decree.

Zhuo Yue left in a huff, while a woman nearby, clearly enjoying the spectacle, mocked him with a sharp voice: “What’s wrong, Young Master Zhuo? Can’t handle it? Looks like only your brother is up to the task!”

Mo Wen glanced at the instigator—a woman garishly dressed, her sarcasm plain. Zhuo Yue, about to retort, saw who it was and turned red and white, then sat down in silence.

Mo Wen ignored these would-be troublemakers. They were just trying to provoke him into making a scene, but he refused to oblige.

Casting his gaze about, he saw the hall filling with more and more guests. Among the younger generation, most had reached the Divine Pivot realm, only a handful had attained the Soul Essence level, and not a single one had broken through to the highest state.

Just then, a chubby boy came over and sat beside Mo Wen.

“What’s your name, brother? I’m Zhuo Xin.”

Mo Wen’s brow furrowed—another one from the Zhuo family.

But the boy didn’t mind, grabbing pastries from the table and stuffing them into his mouth. Sensing Mo Wen’s thoughts, he said candidly, “That Zhuo Yue just now is my cousin. He’s always got his nose in the air—really annoying. Even I can’t stand him.”

Zhuo Xin’s ravenous eating made Mo Wen smile. Truly, no one gets fat by accident.

He poured Zhuo Xin a drink, warning him to eat slowly, then kept one eye on the arriving guests while making small talk with his new, chubby acquaintance.

“The guest of honor is here!”

A loud voice rang out, and all the guests rose to their feet.