Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Ming Yuelin would reach for a dish, and Chen Zin would quickly do the same, their chopsticks clashing in the air more than once.

*clak* *clak*

The tension between the two reached its peak when they both reached for the last dumpling on one of the plates.

Their chopsticks hovered over the same piece of food, neither willing to back down.

"Let go..." Ming Yuelin hissed under her breath, her fingers gripping her chopsticks tightly. "I was going to take it."

Chen Zin narrowed her eyes, her voice low and cold. "In your dreams. I got here first."

The two glared at each other, both unwilling to surrender, their chopsticks now locked in a battle of wills over the last piece of food.

Zhang Yuan raised an eyebrow at the spectacle but said nothing, allowing the situation to play out. He found their petty rivalry amusing in its own way.

Meanwhile, Jin Wei, still recovering from her earlier embarrassment, is fully immersed on her food.

Just as it seemed like the chopstick war was about to escalate, Xue Hua, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, finally intervened.

With a swift and elegant movement, she plucked the dumpling from under their chopsticks with her own and popped it into her mouth with a faint smile.

Eh? Both Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin froze, their eyes wide in disbelief.

"Mmm, delicious," Xue Hua said, chewing slowly as if savoring the victory as much as the food itself. "You two were too slow."

Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin exchanged frustrated glances, but before either could protest, they both broke into reluctant laughter, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the absurdity of the situation.

"Pfft.. Haha..."

Zhang Yuan, seeing Xue Hua\'s playful expression, smiled warmly and continued eating his food.

As the meal progressed, the waitress returned with more dishes, refilling their plates as the group indulged in the feast.

The city outside was still recovering, but here, in this small room, the weight of the world felt distant.

After a hearty and satisfying meal, the group relaxed into their seats, chatting idly as the last few plates were cleared away.

The waitress returned to the room, bowing politely as she collected the empty dishes, her movements swift and efficient.

As they exited the VIP room, they made their way through the quiet restaurant. The waitress at the front desk gave them a respectful bow as they passed.

Outside, the streets of Pearl City were still bustling with activity, but the air felt lighter now, the tension of the beast tide slowly fading into the background as people resumed their lives.

Jin Wei glanced at Zhang Yuan and bowed faintly "Senior Yuan, seems like this is where part ways.. it was great to have a mweal with you."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan gave a faint nod "It was a pleasure to meet you too. Let\'s meet again some time."

Huh? Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin were dumbfounded and glared at each other \'We are going to part ways?\'

\'Before I beat that bitch up?\'

\'No!\'

"Hm?" Jin Wei suddenly raised her head, her expression growing serious. "A strong presence is coming towards us..."

Zhang Yuan smiled and lifted his head to look at the red glint sprinting in the sky and in the next second, it descended down coming towards them.

*swoosh*

A gust of wind swept through the street as the figure landed softly on the ground before them.

The man who appeared was none other than Wang Mun, the Sect Master of one of the top five sects in the Northern Bei Kingdom.

His crimson robes fluttered slightly in the fading wind as his intense gaze swept across the group of five standing outside the restaurant.

"I finally found you," Wang Mun said with a slight bow, his voice laced with respect.

"Senior Taoist and Sword Saint Jin Wei. We are meeting again. Glad the both of you are together..."

Jin Wei frowned slightly and asked "Is there anything important?"

Wang Mun shook his head and muttered "No urgent danger, but I bring news from the royal family. The King has requested both of your presences at a banquet tomorrow in the Royal Palace. It is to honor your efforts during the beast tide and to express the Empire\'s gratitude for saving the kingdom."

"A banquet?" Jin Wei raised an eyebrow in surprise. The sudden invitation caught her off guard, but she quickly composed herself.

Wang Mun nodded. "Indeed. It\'s not as grand as you may imagine—just a small gathering of the royal family, ministers, and a few sect leaders like myself. The King wants to personally thank you for your heroic deeds."

Hearing this, Jin Wei sighed in her heart and glanced at Chen Zin "Zin\'er, do you want to come with me?"

Chen Zin gave a faint nod "If Master is going... then I am also coming with you."

Jin Wei then turned her gaze to Zhang Yuan and Ming Yuelin hugged his arm as she hurriedly nodded. "En, we will come, so don\'t worry..."

Zhang Yuan smiled dryly and nodded his head "Hm. We can attend tomorrow."

"Then it\'s settled..."

Wang Mun gave a nod "Tomorrow morning, royal carriage will come here to escort you to the capital."

"En."

With a final nod, Wang Mun turned and, in a blur of crimson light, flew off into the distance, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

Once he was gone, Jin Wei let out a soft chuckle, her earlier tension dissipating. "It seems this is not our last meeting after all, Senior Yuan," she remarked, her tone light. "We\'ll be seeing each other again tomorrow."

"We can meet tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

They parted ways as Zhang Yuan and his disciples walked towards the mountain, while Jin Wei and her disciple went to book a room in the city.

Meanwhile, Ming Yuelin was bubbling with excitement, still clinging to Zhang Yuan\'s arm. "Master! Master! We\'re going to a palace—a real palace! Can you believe it?" she gushed, hopping with every step.

"We\'ll meet royalty, see amazing things, and eat such delicious food! I can\'t wait! Sight see the royal capital. It is going to be fun."

She turned her gaze to Xue Hua, who was walking silently on Zhang Yuan\'s other side. "Right, Junior Sister? You\'ll come with us, won\'t you?"

Xue Hua, who had been lost in thought, blinked as Ming Yuelin called her.

Her quiet demeanor softened as she saw the excitement in her fellow disciple\'s eyes. "I suppose it could be interesting," she murmured, her voice gentle.

Ming Yuelin\'s face brightened instantly. "See! Junior Sister agrees! You\'re coming with us, right?"

Zhang Yuan turned his attention to Xue Hua as well, "What do you say, Hua? Will you join us at the banquet?"

Xue Hua hesitated for a brief moment, her gaze flickering between her master and Ming Yuelin.

Though she wasn\'t one for grand events or royal affairs, the thought of being with her master warmed her heart.

Finally, she nodded softly. "I\'ll come."

"Yaaaayy!!"

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!