Chapter 471 - 468: Visit from the 5 Great Sects
Chapter 471: Chapter 468: Visit from the 5 Great Sects
Feng Hao chuckled, recalling the time he first came to the Grand Hall and asked Ming Xin Yan for directions. He couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.
"Come on, everyone, please come in!" Feng Hao laughed heartily as he invited the five into his estate.
But Wu Qing looked overwhelmed by the gesture. "No, no, no! You’re the Thief God now. We’re not worthy."
"Look at you. Why be so formal in private?" Feng Hao grinned and ushered the five to a gazebo in the courtyard.
Hearing Feng Hao say this, the atmosphere instantly relaxed.
"Don’t be so polite with him." Ming Xin Yan, on the other hand, wasn’t reserved at all. She teased with a radiant smile, "Didn’t we come here today to fleece him? Well? Hurry up and bring out the good food and wine. We can’t beat you in a fight, but we’re definitely drinking you under the table today."
Feng Hao chuckled in surprise, then instructed the kitchen to prepare a table of fine food and wine.
The group quickly fell into a comfortable atmosphere of chatter and laughter. Although they were once rivals, they were ultimately from the same hall and trade. Now that the position of Thief God was settled, there was no need to be at odds.
Halfway through the meal, Feng Hao couldn’t help but look at Ming Xin Yan. "By the way, sis, where are Lu Linfei and his partner?"
"Oh, them? They waited a few days, but when you didn’t come out, they went back to Snow Cloud City," Ming Xin Yan said, her lovely face slightly flushed from the wine as she gave a small smile.
Feng Hao couldn’t help but smile. It couldn’t be helped. From the day he became the Thief God, he hadn’t had a moment’s rest. First, he was in the Saint Realm comprehending the inheritance, and as soon as he got out, Jing Lou dragged him off to refine pills. He was swamped.
"Now that I’ve won the position of Thief God, what are your plans?" Feng Hao asked curiously.
"What other plans could we have? We’re staying at the Grand Hall, of course," Fang Jie said, speaking freely with a bit of liquid courage. "After all, we fought our way into the final competition for the Thief God. The Grand Hall will definitely keep us for special training."
"Oh, really?" Feng Hao said, slightly surprised. "So does this mean we’ll be seeing a lot of each other from now on?"
"Of course. We’re with the Law Enforcement Department now," Ming Xin Yan said, her eyes crinkling with pride. "Don’t think you’re so great just because you’re the Thief God. If you break the hall’s rules in the future, we still have the authority to arrest you!"
"..." Feng Hao was speechless. He hadn’t expected the five of them to join the Law Enforcement Department and become the Thief God Hall’s police force.
’But on second thought, it makes sense. The Law Enforcement Department has always been the strongest department in the Thief God Hall. And since they are all Elite Thieves who competed for the title of Thief God, it’s perfectly normal for them to be assigned there.’
"We’re a Law Enforcement Squad now. We came to find you today, partly to congratulate you on becoming the Thief God, and partly to say goodbye. We’re heading out on a mission tomorrow." Ming Xin Yan’s beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Is that so? Well, I wish you a resounding success," Feng Hao said with a surprised smile, raising his cup in a toast.
"You know it!" The five of them exchanged a smile and drained their cups.
...
By the time Feng Hao saw Ming Xin Yan and the others off, it was already afternoon.
After circulating his Magic Power to burn off the alcohol, Feng Hao began forging various metals again, simultaneously honing his craft and improving his control over his hidden strength.
There was still no news from the Thief Master, but counting the days, his sworn brothers should have succeeded in their comprehension by now.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The clear, crisp sounds of forging echoed through the courtyard of the Thief’s Palace, rhythmic yet faint. If one didn’t listen closely, they would be hard to distinguish.
Just then, a message from Jing Lou broke Feng Hao’s rhythm. "Xiaofeng, come to the Main Peak Hall."
"What for?" Feng Hao asked, confused.
"The delegation from the five great sects has arrived. You just became the Thief God, and you’re also the creator of the Life Creation Pill. It would be good for you to come and experience this."
"Alright, I’m on my way."
Feng Hao wasted no time, immediately ending the call. He quickly straightened his appearance, then piloted his ManSa over.
The Main Peak Hall was already packed. Jing Lou and the other leaders of the Grand Hall were gathered together, receiving the delegation from the five great sects.
Generally speaking, the five great sects had always looked down on the Thief God Hall. This was the first time they had ever sent an official delegation to visit.
Although they knew it was thanks to Feng Hao and the Life Creation Pill, Jing Lou and the other leaders were still feeling pretty smug. It couldn’t be helped. Forcing these arrogant bastards from the five great sects to lower themselves was a truly satisfying turn of events.
"Honorable Envoys, you have traveled a long way. We at the Thief God Hall don’t have much to entertain you with. We may not have rare treasures or exotic fruits, but we have more than enough tea. I hope you don’t mind. As you know, we at the Thief God Hall are poor as dirt." Jing Lou sat in the main seat, speaking these pleasantries without batting an eye, but inwardly, he was sneering.
The members of the delegation from the five great sects sat in rows on either side. Looking at the low-quality tea on the table—worth only one Magic Crystal a sack—the corners of their mouths twitched.
But in this situation, they couldn’t let their displeasure show. They could only force a stiff smile while suppressing their indignation.
"Palace Master Jing jests. We of the War and Magic Alliance have come this time for a deep and friendly exchange with your esteemed hall, not to freeload," the elder leading the War and Magic Alliance group said, expertly flattering him while expressing his sincerity.
"Tsk, tsk. Look at that, everyone. The envoys from the great sects really have a way with words," Jing Lou said with a teasing laugh.
"Not at all, not at all. Your esteemed hall has developed rapidly in recent years. The common folk have long considered you the sixth great sect. For Palace Master Jing to say such a thing is far too modest." The War and Magic Alliance elder continued his flattery with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He probably didn’t even believe his own words.
"Unacceptable! Absolutely not!" Jing Lou shook his head hastily, his expression one of feigned horror. "We at the Thief God Hall are just a bunch of unorthodox Mages. How could we possibly compare to the five great sects with their ancient and venerable lineages?"
The envoys from the other sects could, of course, tell that Jing Lou was being sarcastic. But when you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. Besides, they had all come with a mission, and the necessary flattery had to be delivered.
"Palace Master Jing, you’re too modest. As the saying goes, the new waves of the Yangtze River push the old. Your hall’s comprehensive strength has long been worthy of the title of the sixth great sect."
"Isn’t that the truth? On my way up the mountain, I was truly taken aback by the imposing aura of your hall."
"That’s right! The Thief God Hall truly deserves the title of the sixth great sect!"
Inside the hall, the representatives from the various sects were all cheerfully dishing out flattery. Only West Moon Ridge from the Holy Hall remained quiet and composed, partly because of her connection to Feng Hao, and partly because of the Thief Master.
Originally, she held no favorable impression of the Thief God Hall. After all, she had grown up in the Ancient Cang Realm and had been indoctrinated with all sorts of prejudices since childhood.
But through gradual contact, she discovered that the Thief God Hall was not as unbearable as she had imagined. On the contrary, it was powerful, and geniuses emerged one after another.
Especially after learning the Thief Master’s identity, she had completely abandoned her prejudices against the Thief God Hall.
She knew very well that based on the connection with the Thief Master alone, the two sects would inevitably engage in deep exchange and cooperation in the future.
Jing Lou knew full well that this bunch was spouting nonsense with their eyes wide open. But as the host, he had to play along at least a little. "Ahem, hearing all of you say that... well, I’m actually getting a bit embarrassed."
"Since you are all so sincere, let’s get straight to the point. Coincidentally, my hall’s newly appointed Thief God has just arrived."
At this, Jing Lou set down his teacup, a faint smile on his lips as he looked toward Feng Hao, who was slowly walking in from outside the hall. At the same moment, all the sect representatives instantly turned their gazes to the entrance.