Chapter 243: Familiar Faces at the Banquet
Chapter 243: Familiar Faces at the Banquet
The leading youth’s arrogant smirk froze instantly.
He slowly lifted his head, his eyes traveling up the pristine white robes until they locked onto the pair of placid, dark grey eyes staring down at him.
It took exactly half a second for his brain to process the face of the man standing before him.
The blood completely drained from the youth’s face, leaving him as pale as a corpse.
They didn’t dare to utter a single excuse.
Like terrified rabbits who had just made eye contact with the king of beasts, the three noble heirs stumbled backward, before turning and fleeing into the crowd as fast as their trembling legs could carry them.
Liana let out a long, shaky exhale, her tense shoulders finally relaxing.
"Thank you, Rhain," she whispered, looking up at him with immense gratitude.
Rhain simply gave a shrug. "Let’s head back."
Together, they turned and walked back to where Seris was waiting.
The moment they approached, Seris’s pale purple eyes swept over Liana with immediate concern.
"Sister Liana, did those arrogant fools say anything to upset you?" Seris asked.
"No, it’s fine," Liana smiled, feeling the anxiety completely swept away. "Rhain stepped in before they could do anything."
At that moment, the thick-bearded outer-branch elder of the Thunderwood Family, who had been conversing with them earlier, stepped forward.
His sharp eyes had naturally caught the brief commotion.
"Young master Rhain," the man spoke, his tone dripping with profound respect and a hint of coldness directed toward the crowd where the heirs had fled. "I apologize that you and your friend had to endure such an unsightly disturbance. If you wish... shall I have them permanently removed from the banquet?"
Rhain’s expression remained perfectly placid.
He just gave a simple nod, "Please!"
The man didn’t say another word, merely raising his hand and making a subtle, sharp gesture to a silver-armored guard standing discreetly by a pillar.
The guard bowed silently and melted into the crowd.
The fate of those three noble heirs, and potentially their entire families’ standing with the Thunderwood estate—was sealed in that very instant.
"Young master Rhain, and Lady Seris," the senior member continued, offering a polite bow. "This outer hall is far too crowded, and clearly filled with individuals lacking proper discernment. Please, allow me to escort you to the inner sanctum where the true dignitaries are assembled. It would be a tragedy for you to waste your precious time out here."
Rhain exchanged a brief glance with Seris, who nodded happily.
"Lead the way," Rhain said.
Guided by the senior elder, the trio bypassed the bustling outer hall and walked through a set of towering, heavily warded golden doors.
The moment they crossed the threshold into the inner VIP pavilion, the atmosphere underwent a qualitative shift.
There were no minor nobles or arrogant clan heirs here—only the true titans of the Stormveil City.
Rhain’s dark grey eyes swept the room.
He immediately spotted Patriarch Caelan sitting with the top elders of the Valemere Noble Family.
Not far from him sat Matriarch Seraphine, with Lyra sitting quietly beside her.
When Lyra’s crimson eyes caught sight of Rhain entering the room, she immediately averted her gaze with a snort.
And then Rhain’s eyes landed on the person he was trying to avoid, Crown Prince Lucius.
Lucius was surrounded by fawning aristocrats, but the moment Rhain stepped through the doors, the Crown Prince’s amber eyes locked onto him.
Rhain ignored the Crown Prince’s gaze completely.
Before anyone else could approach them, two figures immediately broke away from the central gathering and walked warmly toward Rhain’s group.
It was Elara Thunderwood and her elder brother, Godfrey.
"Young master Rhain! Lady Seris!" Elara greeted with a smile. She then looked at the silver-eyed girl beside them. "And this beautiful lady must be your friend. Welcome to our home."
Liana was slightly overwhelmed to be greeted so warmly by the legendary mercantile genius of the Thunderwood Family, but she managed a polite, graceful bow.
Beside Elara, the towering, muscular figure of Godfrey stepped forward.
As a peak Spirit Manifestation Realm cultivator and one of the top three prodigies of Stormveil City, Godfrey had always carried himself with an innate pride.
But standing before Rhain, there was no trace of arrogance.
Only profound respect.
"Young master Rhain," Godfrey spoke, cupping his fists in a formal greeting. "I watched your matches during the Inner Palace Contest. Your strength is truly eye-opening. Every warrior in the Thunderwood Family is still in awe of your might!"
He then offered a highly respectful nod to Seris and Liana. "Lady Seris, our home is honored by your presence."
The internal rivalry between the Thunderwood siblings was well-known among the elite echelons of Stormveil City.
Elara possessed an unparalleled business acumen that had brought the family unimaginable wealth, including the recent, highly coveted partnership with the Celestial Elixir Pavilion.
Godfrey, on the other hand, was the undisputed martial heir—a peak Spirit Manifestation prodigy who commanded the loyalty of the family’s military forces.
For both of them, securing the goodwill of the strongest prodigy of the young generation was a necessity.
If Rhain threw his weight behind one sibling, it could easily tip the balance of power within the Thunderwood Family’s succession.
"You are too polite, Young master Godfrey. Lady Elara," Rhain replied, his expression calm and unbothered by the subtle political undercurrents flowing between the siblings.
Godfrey’s grin widened, he then leaned in slightly, his tone turning a bit more serious.
"Actually, young master Rhain, my father specifically asked me to deliver a message," Godfrey explained, lowering his voice so only their group could hear. "He is currently entertaining the Crown Prince and the other Patriarchs, but he wishes to extend a personal invitation to you. Once this banquet concludes, he would be deeply honored if you could join him in his private study for a personal meeting."
Rhain’s dark grey eyes flickered.
A private meeting with Patriarch Thorian Thunderwood?
Rhain looked at Godfrey’s eager, expectant face, fully aware of the political maneuver.
But associating with the head of the family that was currently shielding his Celestial Elixir Pavilion was a logical step.
"Please convey my thanks to Patriarch Thorian," Rhain replied politely, giving a slight nod. "I accept. I will meet with him after the banquet."
Godfrey’s face instantly lit up with a triumphant, satisfied grin, completely ignoring the subtle narrowing of Elara’s intelligent blue eyes.
"Excellent! Come, let me personally show you to the best seats in the hall!" Godfrey laughed, gesturing grandly toward the tables.
With a grand gesture, Godfrey turned and led the trio, with Elara following closely by his side.
Rhain, Seris, and Liana walked behind them.
Across the room, Lucius shifted.
His body lifted slightly from his chair, his amber eyes remained firmly locked onto Rhain’s back.
But a moment later, he slowly let himself sink back into his seat.
It couldn’t be now.
There were too many eyes in this hall.
Whatever conversation he intended to have with Rhain, it was far too sensitive to be spoken in the open.
More importantly, his primary objective for tonight had not changed.
He was here for Grandmaster Korryn.
He could always find the time to corner Rhain for a private chat later.
For now, patience was the most logical choice.
Godfrey guided Rhain’s group to a prime table situated near the center of the hall, meticulously positioned to offer both prestige and a perfect view of the evening’s proceedings.
Liana fidgeted slightly in her chair, her eyes scanning the room with obvious anticipation.
She leaned closer to the two of them.
"Rhain," Liana whispered, her voice carrying both hope and curiosity. "Do you think Grandmaster Korryn will actually come tonight?"
She paused, looking toward the grand doors.
"I really want to meet him. The legendary owner of the Celestial Elixir Pavilion... Everyone says he might even be an Alchemy Emperor."
Hearing her words, Seris couldn’t help but look at Rhain, exchanging a silent look.
Then, a faint smile brushed across Rhain’s face.
Beside him, Seris fought back a quiet giggle, her pale purple eyes gleaming with hidden amusement.
’If only she knew.’
Rhain casually shook his head, returning his attention to Liana.
"No," he replied, his tone filled with certainty. "He won’t come."
"Oh?"
Suddenly, a playful voice reached their ears.
"And why are you so sure about that?"
Rhain’s dark grey eyes shifted, raising his head toward the source of the interruption.
Stepping gracefully toward their table, drawing the subtle attention of several nearby nobles, were two beautiful figures.
Carmilla and Myrielle.