Sword God Supreme

Chapter 18: The Birthday Banquet

Li Family Compound.​​

When Chen Mo returned, he saw the Li Family residence bustling like never before. Carriages thronged the streets, servants swarmed everywhere – a scene of extraordinary commotion.

Today was the Old Matriarch’s eightieth birthday. The Li Family had begun preparations days in advance. Not only would numerous members of the Li Family’s branch lineages attend, but also many forces and important figures friendly with the Lis would come to offer their congratulations. This news had spread throughout Linfeng City, drawing attention from all quarters.

Chen Mo, however, paid it no mind. As an unregarded Live-in Son-in-Law, whether he attended or not was of no consequence to anyone.

"Brother-in-law!"

Just as Chen Mo arrived, a graceful, youthful figure stood waving at him. Her lovely face, clear and intelligent, was beaming with a bright smile.

Li Jingxue. Sixteen years old, pure and radiant.

"Why are you standing here?" Chen Mo asked, a smile touching his lips.

"Waiting for you, of course!" Li Jingxue stepped forward, linking her arm affectionately through his. "Brother-in-law, Mother just said that when you returned, you were to attend the banquet too."

"Me?" Chen Mo was taken aback.

Li Jingxue explained, "Mother said it's Grandmother's command."

Chen Mo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Li Jingxue's grandmother was the Li Family's Old Matriarch, Zhao Wenyu – an elderly lady whose status within the family was transcendent. Even the Clan Leader, Li Changming, dared not defy her orders. Years ago, it was Zhao Wenyu who had personally decreed Chen Mo's marriage to Li Qingyue. No matter how vehemently Li Qingyue's parents and other clan members protested, it had been futile!

"Let's go then," Chen Mo nodded.

Since awakening his past memories, he had contemplated finding an opportunity to speak with the Old Matriarch, to ask about certain matters from back then.

Inside the Li Family's sprawling complex of buildings, the atmosphere was even more frenetic. Guests arriving to offer birthday wishes formed an endless stream.

Within Linfeng City, the Li Family ranked among the three great clans, possessing considerable heritage and influence. The current Clan Leader was Li Changming. He had two younger brothers: Li Changyun and Li Chang'an. Additionally, the Li Family had other collateral branches. Over years of expansion, the entire Li clan now numbered over a thousand members. Today, with so many clansmen gathered and guests converging, the scale of the event was truly exceptional.

In the area surrounding the Ancestral Hall, lavish banquet tables had long been set.

"Jingxue is here."

When Chen Mo and Li Jingxue arrived at the Ancestral Hall entrance, many of the young men and women waiting there greeted Li Jingxue warmly. These were the younger generation of the Li Family, many around Li Jingxue's age. However, without exception, whenever anyone caught sight of Chen Mo, their brows furrowed before they deliberately looked away.

A youth in fine brocade robes spoke up disdainfully, "Chen Mo, what status do youhave? There's no place for you here. Leave quickly and don't ruin our mood!"

Li liang Bei. A promising young talent of the Li Family’s younger generation. However, he hailed from a branch lineage; his status couldn't compare to main lineage descendants like Li Jingxue.

Once Li liang Bei spoke, the others readily chimed in with mocking agreement. During Chen Mo's year within the Li Family, as a Live-in Son-in-Law, he had been universally looked down upon. All considered him worthless; even servants dared to sneer at him.

Li Jingxue flared up. "Li liang Bei! Listen well! It was Grandmother herself who ordered my brother-in-law to attend the banquet! If you try to chase him away now, are you defying Grandmother?"

"This…" Li liang Bei instantly choked on his words. The others also froze, quickly falling silent. No one dared to challenge the Old Matriarch's command.

Li liang Bei forced an air of nonchalance. "Let's just talk amongst ourselves. Pretend this fellow doesn't exist."

From that moment, the group of Li Family youths closed ranks, forming an exclusive circle that deliberately shut Chen Mo out – ignoring him, refusing to speak to him, acting as if he were invisible. Even Li Jingxue, standing beside him, suffered cold neglect because of it.

Naturally, Chen Mo paid their childish behavior no heed. He drew Li Jingxue aside and said softly, "Jingxue, after the banquet concludes, come to my courtyard. I have something for you."

"Oh? What is it?" Li Jingxue asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Chen Mo smiled. "You'll find out then."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice called out.

"Brother Jueyuan is here!"

Li liang Bei and the other youths immediately turned their attention. Even some guests and elders nearby paused to look.

A young man in a white robe approached from a distance. With sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a handsome, dignified bearing, he cut an impressive figure.

"Li Fanglin! The most outstanding young talent of the Li Family's current generation!" someone remarked with admiration.

"It's Brother Fanglin," Li Jingxue's lovely face also lit up with admiration.

Li Fanglin, son of Clan Leader Li Changming! He had entered the Qingyun Sword Academy at nine. At thirteen, he became an Outer Court Disciple of the Bishui Sword Academy. Within just four years, he was selected as an inner sect disciple! His cultivation had already reached the Bone Refining stage of the Blood Moving Realm!

Such martial achievements were enough to make even prominent figures in Linfeng City sigh with envy and respect! Among the Li Family's younger generation, Li Fanglin stood as a natural leader.

"Today is Grandmother's grand birthday. All of you, behave properly. Don't let outsiders think the Li Family a joke," Li Fanglin instructed warmly as he approached, his gaze sweeping over Li Jingxue, Li liang Bei, and the others.

Chen Mo, once again, was completely ignored.

"Yes!" the group chorused respectfully.

Li Fanglin nodded, said no more, and walked straight into the Ancestral Hall to take his seat. Only high-ranking elders or the absolute elite among the younger generation were qualified to sit within the Ancestral Hall for this banquet! Those like Li Jingxue and Li liang Bei were not yet at that level. Their gazes followed Li Fanglin, filled with envy. When would they be able to achieve that?

"If my sister were here, she certainly could have," Li Jingxue said regretfully.

No one argued with this statement. Li Qingyue was now a disciple of the Tianshu Academy! That status alone qualified her to sit as an equal with the clan's most important figures.

"I've heard this banquet is quite unusual, extremely important for our Li Family," a young woman beside Li liang Bei suddenly said softly.

"I heard something similar from my father," another youth added thoughtfully. "In recent years, all over Linfeng City, malicious rumors have been spreading about our Li Family. They say within ten years, our clan will definitely be removed from the ranks of the three great families. This banquet is meant to address that. The more important guests attending today, the more advantageous it is for our family. Those slanders and rumors in the city will collapse on their own."

Li liang Bei interjected, "Then it all depends on Uncle Changming and Uncle Changyun's abilities. As for Uncle Chang'an... Hah..." He shot a glance towards Li Jingxue nearby, leaving the implication hanging.

Within the Li main lineage, Li Changming, as Clan Leader, held great power and had the widest connections. The guests he received were often nobles and celebrities. Li Changyun, the main lineage's Second Elder, managed the various industries under the Li Family banner and also possessed deep connections. Only Li Chang'an, though Third Elder of the main lineage, was known for his mild, mediocre temperament. With unremarkable cultivation and almost no social network, his status within the family was low. If he weren't the brother of Li Changming and Li Changyun, he would likely be looked down upon even more.

Though Li liang Bei didn't finish his sentence, Li Jingxue grasped his meaning perfectly. Her pretty face darkened. First, he mocked Chen Mo, and now he was disparaging her father, Li Chang'an? How could she not be furious? Yet, frustratingly, she couldn't refute it. She knew her father... was indeed somewhat... ordinary. This thought filled her chest with stifled anger, and her mood plummeted.

A large hand gently rested on her shoulder. Chen Mo's voice sounded softly in her ear:

"Jingxue, in life, one inevitably encounters cold stares and mockery. If your strength doesn't measure up, enduring it is sometimes unavoidable. But if you havethe ability to strike back and still endure and retreat without a fight, it only emboldens the other party."

Li Jingxue considered this briefly, then took a deep breath. "I understand, brother-in-law."

Having said that, she strode directly towards Li liang Bei, her voice cold as frost. "Apologize."

The young woman's expression was icy, her tone sharp. The low chatter among Li liang Bei and his companions abruptly ceased.

"Jingxue? What do you mean? We were just chatting. How have I offended you?" Li liang Bei frowned, feigning confusion.

Li Jingxue radiated an intimidating aura. Her clear eyes pinned Li liang Bei like daggers. She spoke slowly, each word deliberate:

"If you don't apologize, I will repeat exactlywhat you just said, word for word, to Uncle Changming and the others. Let's see if they will let you off lightly!"

"I..." Li liang Bei's face flushed, then paled, his expression shifting rapidly.

His companions immediately closed their mouths, not daring to get involved. Regardless, Li Jingxue was main lineage! Her father was Third Elder of the main lineage, the Clan Leader Li Changming's own younger brother. In terms of status alone, they, as branch lineage members, couldn't compare. Moreover, Li Jingxue's sister, Li Qingyue, was now a Tianshu Academy disciple – someone even the Clan Leader valued immensely! Under these circumstances, if Li Jingxue took the matter higher, Li liang Bei would undoubtedly be the one punished.

"I said, apologize!" Seeing Li liang Bei hesitate, Li Jingxue pressed, her voice sharp as winter frost. For a sixteen-year-old girl, her anger projected an intimidating force.

Li liang Bei seemed to crumple inward. He lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper. "I... was wrong..."

An indescribable feeling of satisfaction surged through Li Jingxue. She maintained her icy demeanor. "Louder. I didn't hear you."

Defeated, Li liang Bei looked utterly crushed, his expression desolate. His voice was thick with bitterness. "Jingxue, I was wrong. Please... please don't hold it against me."

The others stood frozen, trembling like cicadas in the cold, utterly silenced.

Witnessing this scene, Chen Mo gave a faint, approving nod inwardly.

People need to grow.