The Zijing Tower, the premier dining establishment in the capital.
Despite being the most renowned restaurant in the capital, the Zijing Tower was not open to the public. To dine there, patrons not only needed a certain social standing but also had to make a reservation a month in advance.
However, even with the Zijing Tower's exceptionally stringent requirements for diners, the influx of customers remained ceaseless. Even the powerful figures within the capital's core circles frequented the establishment.
In the capital, many scions of wealthy families took pride in being able to dine at the Zijing Tower, with some even bidding millions for a reservation.
Yet, this very Zijing Tower, so esteemed by the elite and notoriously difficult to secure a table at, was today, uncharacteristically, booked out entirely, refusing all diners.
The news of the Zijing Tower being booked out even stirred considerable ripples within the capital's elite circles. Many influential figures began to inquire through various means about the person who had booked the Zijing Tower, hoping to curry favor.
After all, in the capital, individuals with such influence could only be those at the very apex of the social pyramid!
Seven o'clock in the evening.
Outside the Zijing Tower, all vehicles had been cleared. Fully armed security personnel were stationed at ten-pace intervals, patrolling the area. Helicopters even hovered overhead, deterring any potential troublemakers.
The private dining room on the top floor of the Zijing Tower was adorned with antique decor, and the air was filled with a calming sandalwood fragrance.
A sweet-faced waitress stood quietly by the door of the private room, ready to attend to the guests' every need.
Meanwhile, in the Zijing Tower's kitchen, state banquet chefs from around the world had been urgently summoned back to prepare their signature dishes for the guests in the private room.
The freshest ingredients in the entire capital had been delivered to the Zijing Tower today.
No one knew who had booked the Zijing Tower or who the invited guests were. But everyone understood clearly... anyone capable of orchestrating such a grand display was undoubtedly someone whom no one in the capital could afford to offend!
Inside the private room, Jian Ling sat at the table, observing the elaborate arrangements outside with growing impatience. He questioned Dong Hua San Ren, who was meditating with his eyes closed, "Dong Hua San Ren, what on earth has gotten into you? Hosting a banquet in the mortal realm, and with such a grand display?"
"Those armed personnel outside... what's the point of all this flashy display? What use are they?"
Throughout the afternoon, Jian Ling had come to understand the Zijing Tower's status in the capital. It was indeed a place that epitomized grandeur for hosting guests in the mortal realm, but the dense array of armed personnel outside... Jian Ling saw no meaning in it!
Let alone the Emperor, both he and Dong Hua San Ren were Saints. Even if all the armed forces outside were replaced with heavenly soldiers, they would offer no security whatsoever.
Those armed personnel, apart from creating a tense atmosphere, served no other purpose.
This hardly felt like a simple dinner invitation!
Jian Ling grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, continuing his interrogation, "And when did you become so influential in the mortal realm? Weren't you always detached and indifferent before? Why have you started dabbling in mortal power?"
In response to Jian Ling's questions, Dong Hua San Ren merely kept his eyes closed, showing no intention of answering.
Seeing himself being ignored, Jian Ling became completely enraged. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Dong Hua! I helped you invite the Emperor, and I saved your life! Now you're being so mysterious, do you still consider me a brother?"
As Jian Ling erupted, the waitresses outside, hearing the commotion from the private room, assumed they had provided inadequate service. They hurried into the room and knelt down, saying nervously, "May we ask if the guests have any requests?"
The atmosphere in the private room was incredibly oppressive. The two beautiful waitresses could not withstand Jian Ling's aura and knelt on the ground, trembling with fear in their eyes.
Dong Hua San Ren slightly opened his eyes and said to Jian Ling, "Don't get so worked up. If the Emperor sees you like this when he arrives and you show disrespect, you'll be the one to suffer."
"Hmph!" Upon hearing Dong Hua San Ren's words, Jian Ling merely snorted coldly, withdrew his aura, and calmed himself.
He had long felt that Dong Hua San Ren was acting strangely. If not for Ye Ling's presence at this banquet, he would never have come here!
After Jian Ling calmed down, Dong Hua San Ren faintly instructed the two beautiful waitresses kneeling at the door, "It's almost time. Inform them to serve the dishes."
"Yes..."
The two waitresses, hearing Dong Hua San Ren's command, were immediately relieved. They quickly retreated, carefully closing the door behind them.
As the waitresses withdrew, the atmosphere in the private room grew even more somber.
Jian Ling, unwilling to engage with Dong Hua San Ren, turned his gaze towards the window. He suddenly noticed that the patrol routes of the fully armed personnel outside had become irregular. His eyes narrowed slightly. Just as he was about to observe more closely, Dong Hua San Ren stood up and closed the window, blocking Jian Ling's view.
With his sight obstructed, a flicker of displeasure crossed Jian Ling's eyes. He questioned Dong Hua San Ren, "What are you doing now?"
Dong Hua San Ren replied gently, "It's night, and the wind is cold... mortal dishes are not like those in the immortal realm; they cool down with a single gust of wind."
Jian Ling pouted disdainfully, "Putting on a show. If you truly cared about the dishes, why didn't you host the banquet in the immortal realm? Aren't immortal delicacies better than mortal food?"
Dong Hua San Ren smiled, "I have my reasons for choosing this place. If you are displeased, you are welcome to leave. After all, I only invited the Emperor, not you."
Jian Ling retorted, "Who knows what schemes you're up to? If something happens and I'm not here, and you try to pin it all on me, I won't be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River!"
At this moment, Jian Ling's mind was still occupied by the patrol routes of the security personnel outside the Zijing Tower, which he felt were somehow amiss. Unfortunately, before he could observe them closely, Dong Hua San Ren had interrupted him.
Reluctantly, Jian Ling attempted to use his divine sense to scan the outside. However, he discovered that a barrier had been erected around the entire Zijing Tower, preventing his divine sense from extending outwards.
"Why did you set up a barrier?" Jian Ling, finally sensing something was wrong, was about to question Dong Hua San Ren when footsteps were heard from outside the door.
Ye Ling pushed the door open and entered.
Dong Hua San Ren rose to greet him, bowing respectfully to Ye Ling, "Your presence at this banquet is a great honor, and this junior is deeply grateful!"
Seeing Ye Ling arrive, Jian Ling also quickly swallowed his questions and bowed to Ye Ling, "Welcome, Your Majesty."
Jian Ling was now certain that there was something amiss with this dinner party, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.
If he were to accuse Dong Hua San Ren without any evidence, and then fail to produce any proof, thereby spoiling the Emperor's mood, he would be the one to suffer.
Not daring to act rashly, Jian Ling could only proceed with caution.
Ye Ling, as if unaware of anything out of the ordinary, glanced at the decor of the private room and smiled at Dong Hua San Ren, "I've heard that the Zijing Tower is a gathering place for the capital's elite. To book out the entire building, let alone dine here normally, requires considerable influence. It seems you've been doing quite well in the mortal realm!"
Dong Hua San Ren smiled slightly, "Your Majesty is too kind. This junior merely goes by the alias Gao Feng in the mortal realm and has made a name for himself in the capital, befriending some of the mortal elite. It did take some effort to book out the Zijing Tower."
Ye Ling chuckled, "I thought you had secured this place through your own cultivation. I didn't expect it to be through connections..."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Dong Hua San Ren paused slightly, but quickly recovered, smiling, "Your Majesty jest. This is, after all, a place to entertain you. If I were to resort to underhanded tactics, it would diminish Your Majesty's prestige."
"Your Majesty, please take your seat first."
Jian Ling, seeing the atmosphere already heading in an unfavorable direction, quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes! Your Majesty, please take your seat!"
If anyone was most anxious for nothing to go wrong right now, it was likely Jian Ling.
No matter what, Dong Hua San Ren was his friend. If Dong Hua San Ren were to commit any act of treason, he would also bear joint responsibility!
Ye Ling did not refuse Dong Hua San Ren's gesture and directly took the main seat, with Dong Hua San Ren and Jian Ling sitting on either side.
As the three of them took their seats, waitresses from outside the private room began bringing in the signature dishes prepared by the state banquet chefs.
Instantly, the private room was filled with a rich aroma. Even Jian Ling, accustomed to immortal delicacies, couldn't help but salivate upon seeing the table laden with delicacies.
"I never expected that the mortal realm... would have such skilled individuals. When I have time later, I must bring a few back to my cave dwelling," Jian Ling muttered. Although he was eager to taste the dishes on the table, he dared not touch them until Ye Ling gave the word, so he could only gaze at Ye Ling expectantly.
Dong Hua San Ren, however, did not even glance at the dishes on the table. He said to Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, your presence here..."
Ye Ling interrupted him, "Let's eat first. The Zijing Tower has a renowned reputation, and I'm very eager to taste their culinary skills."
With that, Ye Ling paid no further attention to Dong Hua San Ren and picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, putting it into his mouth. "Hmm! Not bad!"
Seeing Ye Ling start eating, Jian Ling nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes! Everyone, please start eating. Let's not discuss serious matters at the table!"
Dong Hua San Ren, seeing that Ye Ling and Jian Ling were actually eating mortal food, twitched the corner of his mouth, somewhat taken aback.
He hadn't invited them here just for a meal!
Ye Ling, noticing Dong Hua San Ren's hesitation to start eating, smiled and asked, "The Zijing Tower's culinary skills truly live up to their reputation; they can be considered delicacies. Dong Hua, aren't you going to try some?"
"Or perhaps, you look down on mortal cuisine? Then why did you invite me here?"
"How could that be?" Dong Hua San Ren gave an awkward smile and immediately picked up a piece of fish and put it into his mouth.
Even though the fish melted in his mouth, filling his palate with fragrance, he still felt a wave of nausea.
Ye Ling was indeed right; he did look down on mortal food.
The mere thought that the delicious food on the table originated from the hands of mortals, tainted with the smell of mud and fish, made him feel utterly disgusted.
How could he, a dignified Saint, tolerate such things?
If it weren't for the need to entertain Ye Ling here, he would never have even glanced at these dishes!
Jian Ling, unaware of Dong Hua San Ren's deep aversion to mortals, saw the slight frown on Dong Hua San Ren's brow and asked, "Dong Hua, why the long face? Is it that the taste of the food doesn't suit your palate? That shouldn't be the case... I think it's quite delicious?"
As Jian Ling spoke, he proactively placed a few slices of meat into Dong Hua San Ren's bowl, "Try some other dishes... I remember this is called... Hui..."
"Hui Guo Rou," Ye Ling added with a smile.
Jian Ling slapped his thigh, "Right! It's Hui Guo Rou! I can't believe mortal chefs can make such delicious food! Dong Hua, try it quickly! It's tender yet not greasy, absolutely delicious!"
Dong Hua San Ren looked at the Hui Guo Rou in his bowl as if he were seeing a smelly pig rolling in his bowl. His face turned dark, and his fists clenched with a cracking sound.
He was reaching his limit, but with Ye Ling watching, he could only force himself to endure the nausea and swallow the meat with a forced smile.
However, just as Dong Hua San Ren finally overcame his psychological barrier and swallowed the meat in his bowl, Jian Ling quickly picked up more meat and placed it there, smiling, "Brother Dong Hua! It seems I misunderstood you earlier! I never expected mortal craftsmanship to be so exquisite. Your decision to host the Emperor here certainly makes sense!"
"Let me serve you some dishes!"
"Enough!" Dong Hua San Ren roared, swatting away Jian Ling's chopsticks and suddenly standing up, startling Jian Ling greatly!
Dong Hua San Ren stood up, glaring at Ye Ling and Jian Ling, and said coldly, "Do you really think I invited you here to eat? You people can even eat pig slop, are you playing with me?"