Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 1048: Chapter 812: Banquet and Wine

"Teacher, what are you doing!"

The Wood Cottage was also dumbfounded, looking at Huai Shi and Yuan Yuan, who had already changed into formal attire, in front of him. Then he glanced at himself, who, after receiving the teacher’s notice, had urgently disguised himself in casual clothes, packed his essentials, and was dragging a small suitcase...

"What’s with your outfit?" Huai Shi was astonished.

"Didn’t you say the Sword Saint sent an invitation for us to go to the dojo?"

The expression on Wood Cottage’s face twitched, "I thought you meant I should quickly runaway, I’ve even contacted my connection at the border..."

First, go from Honshu to Kyushu, then cross the border into Hell, find a secret route to quickly return to the nearest Lin family safe house, and then wait for the elders of the main family to take me back.

To temporarily avoid the spotlight, come back out after some time, as if nothing happened.

"Regardless of how well-thought your runaway plan is... what exactly is your logic here?"

Huai Shi rolled his eyes and instructed Ueno beside him: "Find someone to fix him up a bit, how can he attend the banquet looking all bedraggled like this?"

"We’re really going?" Wood Cottage was incredulous.

"Why not?"

Huai Shi countered: "You participated in the Sword Hunting, they gave you an invitation, Little Nineteen, this is a great opportunity for you to make an appearance, yet you’re only thinking about running away?"

"I’m just feeling so nervous..."

"What are you nervous about, I’m here!"

Huai Shi kicked him lightly, "Go quickly!"

Wood Cottage turned back, about to speak but then stopped.

It’s because you, the teacher, are here that I’m nervous, okay?

As soon as the invitation was seen, various random keywords began popping up in Wood Cottage’s mind.

Hongmen Banquet, Last Supper, Eating Something Good...

Then quickly followed by ’Xiang Zhuang’s sword dance, with the intent directed at Pei Gong’ and countless other related things.

He was all too familiar with this kind of set-up.

Using himself as a pretext, then luring the teacher over, weaving traps and preparing means, then turning his face aggressively and capturing...

"Alright, stop thinking about those pointless things."

Seeing the mischievous and sneaky look on this guy even after tidying up, Huai Shi was infuriated: "Show some ambition, today’s your big day, put on some air of pride. One first place and one second, why are you so disappointing?"

Wood Cottage forced a laugh, "Aren’t I just afraid they have ill intentions..."

"Don’t worry, since they sent the invitation, we are guests of the dojo. No matter who gets in trouble tonight, it will be embarrassing for the dojo."

Huai Shi glanced at him, "At most, there might be some minor difficulties, but it depends on your own performance."

There’s no need to worry about anything too unsavory happening.

The back-and-forth scheming might be workable at the border and Hell, but in the Current Circumstances, everyone cares about their reputation.

Ultimately, Current Circumstances remain a society based on trust, a world under the guarantee of the Astronomical Society and the protection of the three major seals. If an organization cannot even ensure basic morality and posture, then it’s not far from ruin.

The dojo, having stood firm in Yingzhou for so many years, cannot possibly not understand this principle.

"Rest assured, go with dignity, leave gloriously, no one can stop you tonight."

Huai Shi reached out and patted his shoulder, "I’ve got you covered."

Wood Cottage was stunned for a moment.

Stopped himself from speaking.

But Huai Shi smiled and went ahead, not waiting for him to speak again.

Wood Cottage stood there in a daze for a while, then ran to catch up.

Only then did the chaotic mood somehow calm down.

Waited with peace of mind.

.

.

Then upon arrival at the place, seeing the familiar archway, he began to panic once more.

It felt like being taken by the police to identify a crime scene.

His scalp tingled.

For some reason, just thinking about the strange woman who chased him a few days ago was like a cat sat on its tail.

He wanted to run away.

"Welcome Mr. Huai Shi to grace us with guidance!!!"

As the car door opened, the disciple welcoming guests at the dojo gate bowed respectfully in greeting, though his voice was exceptionally loud.

Immediately, the dojo disciples with swords at both sides bowed in unison in response, their voices booming, but their stern expressions did not seem like a welcome, more like they were preparing to face some formidable enemy, meticulous and ready.

Suddenly, a dense crowd was visible, and the dojo’s century-long aura seemed to press down, making it hard to breathe.

"Everyone looks quite spirited, it’s well organized."

Huai Shi stepped on the ground, waving his hand casually.

Yuan Yuan followed expressionlessly behind him, as did Wood Cottage whose facade was calm but actually frantic inside.

Especially him, the Stigma of the Path of Karma could sense how much malice was directed his way here, with hatred bent on tearing him apart.

If this were miles away, Wood Cottage would definitely feel at ease, but being so close... inevitably made his heart restless.

"Apologies for not receiving you sooner."

The stand-in receiving guest at the door stepped forward, bowing courteously, giving a deep look at Huai Shi, and the two behind him: "Are these two your disciples?"

"Oh, you don’t know them?"

Huai Shi was puzzled, stepping aside to introduce them: "The big one is called Wood Cottage, and the small one is called Yuan Yuan. They both ranked high in this Sword Hunting. The dojo should be aware."

"...I’ve already heard."

The expression of Shihan Dai twitched, he glanced at Wood Cottage, and said in a deep voice: "Truly a remarkable youth."

If only he didn’t bulge his eyes while speaking, it would be more convincing.

"Right?"

Huai Shi patted Wood Cottage’s shoulder vigorously, as if afraid others wouldn’t know: "These two students of mine, they’re great in every way, just a bit low-key. They usually don’t show up much and are a bit shy. I hope everyone will interact with them more to make them more outgoing."

There was a cracking sound.

Someone’s tooth must have been crushed.

But when Huai Shi looked over, everyone’s faces remained the same, respectfully lowering their gazes, not daring to look directly.

"I will... definitely."

Shihan Dai bowed his head and agreed, "Mr. Huai Shi, please come inside."

"Alright, let’s not stand at the door and delay them from receiving guests."

After stirring up enough envy for his two students, Huai Shi clapped his hands and swaggered inside.

As he walked, he turned back to lecture Little Nineteen: "See, staying at home too long dulls your mind, making you prone to foolishness.

Don’t always stay at home playing games, go out more, make more friends, meet a few more Rulers and Elements of Destructive, broaden your horizons."

Lin Nineteen’s expression started to twitch as well, nodding stiffly.

Feeling those stares piercing his back, he was initially a bit on edge, but after hearing his teacher’s words, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

And then the looks aimed at him only became more sullen...

When Huai Shi entered the banquet hall, he parted with his two students and was invited to the front.

There, he surprisingly found an old acquaintance.

An old man who disregarded the rules of the banquet, already drinking and eating, enjoying himself immensely. His drunken eyes were bleary, and his skinny face was flushed red, with a rather terrifyingly long nose.

Yet he was draped in robes comparable to court officials, with a Xiu Rite Crown on his head.

Constantly requesting for more wine and meat,

The disciples serving him didn’t dare show any anger or displeasure, and instead diligently ran around for him.

"Oh? Isn’t this little brother Huai Shi?"

The old man raised his eyes to look over, then broke into a wide smile: "It’s been a long time. Recently, I’ve heard of the great things you’ve accomplished, truly a shared honor for all of us."

"Oh, not at all, just going with the flow."

Huai Shi nodded courteously, sitting properly below him, responding politely: "It’s thanks to the Great Tengu’s care."

Sweeping away his previous casual and arrogant demeanor, he faced him earnestly.

This was the Ruler of Tengu Mountain, the preeminent Owner of the Great Mob in Yingzhou, and also a veteran member of the Chef Demon Competition Committee, world-renowned as the Great Tengu!

Having benefited so much from Tengu Mountain through Ryuzanbo, Huai Shi naturally had to be polite, lest he lose future benefits.

"Ahahahaha, just a little effort. Did I ever do anything worth such gratitude?"

The old man grinned, "On the contrary, little brother Huai Shi surprised me. It’s a pity we didn’t forcibly bring Ryuzanbo into Tengu Mountain back then... quite the pity, quite the pity!"

As he spoke, he burst into laughter again, raising his cup: "Drink up, drink up!"

"Since we met, let me join in." Huai Shi smiled, raising his cup, "Just in time to enjoy some good wine."

And thus, another person joined in drinking.

After all, it’s free wine; not drinking it would be a waste.

Huai Shi had no intention of sitting obediently waiting for the banquet to start; being a tool for those two old men was already troublesome enough. Who knew what they were up to?

Anyway, do whatever you like, just leave me out of it.

"Ah, aren’t those two little brother Huai Shi’s students?"

The Great Tengu, holding a wine cup, glanced below, "They indeed resemble you."

"Hmm?" Huai Shi shook his head, "Resembling me isn’t a compliment. I just hope they achieve something, unlike me, always causing trouble."

"Throughout history, who has achieved anything without causing trouble?"

The Great Tengu chuckled, "If all one does is cause trouble, they’re just a troublemaker; the key is to achieve something."

"Then, what do you think of my two students?" Huai Shi asked.

"That’s hard to say."

The Great Tengu scratched his chin, grinned: "From our perspective, one can inherit the legacy, the other can pioneer. They are wondrous talents, rare as fine jade, not easily found."

Huai Shi shook his head, "The Great Tengu focuses on praise but hasn’t told me which one you’re talking about."

"That depends on what you plan to do."

The Great Tengu looked over: "You’re the teacher. What’s your plan?"

"That’s a bit awkward."

Huai Shi chuckled, "Their lives are their own. It’s nice if the teacher can guide them a bit; I’ve never planned anything. If I were to expect anything, it would be that they won’t say I taught them when they mess up later on."

The Great Tengu was taken aback, then laughed heartily again: "You sly fellow, always saying one thing and meaning another, here, drink."

"Cheers."

Huai Shi raised his glass, smiling as he looked at the gradually spreading hustle and bustle below.

The banquet hadn’t started, but the appetizers had arrived.