Chapter 18: The Feast
Thump thump thump~!
The rhythmic knocking sound.
【Who is it?】
【Knocking so early in the morning, are you looking for trouble or do you need something?】
Fu Shaoguang was puzzled and curious. He opened the door and saw an Insect Demon framed by the bright sunlight.
Truly bright, truly black, truly shiny!
Its head was fan-shaped at the front, with fish-scale wrinkles, a sharp horn in the middle, six legs, and a black body.
It was actually a Pill-Rolling Master.
That is, a rhinoceros beetle, or a Dung Beetle Demon.
Just as Fu Shaoguang was about to take out his wooden board, the Pill-Rolling Master first took out a leaf from its Identity Bamboo Plaque.
"Demon Friend Fu, my Demon Lord is holding a Hundred-Year Feast at home the day after tomorrow evening to entertain Demon Friends from all sides. I was specifically ordered to deliver this invitation, requesting that you definitely attend the feast, as there is an important matter to ask of you."
Fu Shaoguang accepted the leaf.
The Pill-Rolling Master watched eagerly.
Only after Fu Shaoguang nodded did the Insect Demon unfurl its wings and fly away.
He closed the door and flew back to the courtyard.
Fu Shaoguang carefully examined the leaf on his foot.
He had heard Gongyang Yang, that simpleton, mention that there was a kind of bamboo leaf in the Demon Market comparable to the finest Xuan Paper of the Human Race.
Its texture was tough and difficult to tear.
Furthermore, it could store hundreds of characters.
A three-inch leaf was worth ten copper coins.
Using slight force with his six legs, Fu Shaoguang tried to tear it, and it was indeed just as rumored.
This Pill-Rolling Master's Demon Lord must be incredibly wealthy!
He injected a trace of Magical Power, the leaf glowed faintly, and dozens of Demon Script characters flew out, the content floating before his eyes.
Fu Shaoguang read it and resolved some of his confusion.
So, the Old Weasel Demon was celebrating his Hundred-Year Feast.
This was the Senior who had registered his Identity Bamboo Plaque at the Demon Administration Office using his tail as a brush.
As for the nonsense about feeling like old friends at first sight, Fu Shaoguang didn't believe a word of it. Seeing that the invitation didn't state the specific reason, only mentioning a 'good thing' and urging him to attend, he grumbled internally:
【As expected! Humans and demons are the same; when they get old, they become as full of schemes as a sieve, speaking vaguely and refusing to state things clearly.】
Despite this, Fu Shaoguang decided to go.
He wanted to see what kind of 'good thing' required his mandatory presence and assistance.
And while he was at it, he could enjoy the banquet and improve his diet.
It was the Birthday Gift that made Fu Shaoguang scratch his head.
After much thought, he decided to give a poem.
It wasn't that he was stingy; rather, the Old Weasel Senior wasn't short on money. In the eyes of these wealthy demons, sincerity was more precious than gifts easily bought with money, as they pursued spiritual enjoyment.
After putting away the invitation, Fu Shaoguang lost the interest to read today. He also put away the leaf storing the Bamboo Slip and lay down in his bedroom, waiting for the Little Pig Demon to visit.
Because the Senior had spoken in such a confusing manner, he planned to give Zhu Yun some 'Love Education' later, encouraging her to be more honest and less deceitful.
The moon hung over the willow tips, the insect date was set for dusk.
The evening of the day after tomorrow, Fu Shaoguang left his home.
Anle Alley was the first alley of the Yushan Demon Market, built upon a Spiritual Vein. The demons living there were either rich or noble.
Every Demon Residence was situated on a Spiritual Aperture, enjoying not only abundant Spiritual Qi but also Spiritual Springs or Spiritual Fields.
The Class A Courtyard that Fu Shaoguang dreamed of was also in this alley, and it was one of the more secluded ones.
Vibrating his wings, he carefully observed the surrounding architecture. Every Mansion was different, reflecting racial characteristics or the unique preferences of the respective demons.
The Old Weasel Demon's residence was near a Century-Old Locust Tree. In the depths of winter, the leaves had withered, leaving only a gnarled canopy of branches. Beneath the crown was a bun-shaped mound of earth with a noticeable large hole in the center, above which hung a horizontal plaque:
【Yellow Hide Cave】
The three characters came into view.
Eerie green lantern light shone from within.
When Fu Shaoguang arrived, guests filled the entrance, demons came and went, creating a lively scene.
He handed over the invitation. The weasel guarding the door immediately dropped to all fours, wagged its tail, and performed a Demon race courtesy.
Fu Shaoguang quickly vibrated his wings in return, presenting his Congratulatory Gift. Besides the poem scroll, there was also some Mayfly Feces, a requirement specifically written in the invitation.
Unable to figure out this detail, he stopped thinking about it.
When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Internal friction was too damaging to the mind and body, and Fu Shaoguang refused to indulge in it.
Led by a Pill-Rolling Master Demon waiting nearby, who carried a small, exquisite Green Fire Lantern, he flew into the cave.
Twisting and turning, he went all the way down.
Lantern stands along the way shone with green light.
In the huge underground space, Fu Shaoguang saw more demons, and also saw small holes—these were the residences of individual weasels, complete with doors and windows, much like cave dwellings.
The further he went inside, the denser the Spiritual Qi became.
Fu Shaoguang's body gradually felt more comfortable, and he heard the noisy chatter of the guests.
Another large mound appeared before him, guarded by the surrounding smaller holes. Flying inside, the space suddenly brightened.
Green light sparkled, illuminating the entire Guest Reception Cave.
The tables were divided into two layers:
The first layer was wide, with large tables for large demons, used to entertain demons with larger true forms.
The second layer was placed on a three-foot-high platform, with small tables for small demons, specifically arranged for demons of smaller stature.
Fu Shaoguang was naturally seated on the platform table.
A six-inch long table, and the position was quite far forward.
After taking his seat, he looked around and saw a demon waving. He also raised a foot and waved back—it was Gongyang Yang and Zhu Yun.
They had come to the feast with their parents.
The Old Goat Demon and Pig Dad and Pig Mom also saw Fu Shaoguang, raised their cups, and toasted him from afar.
Fu Shaoguang also raised his cup in return.
Taking a sip of wine, his compound eyes lit up.
This wine looked ordinary, only having a strong alcoholic aroma, but drinking it brought comfort to his whole body. Strands of Spiritual Qi flowed throughout, making him feel so refreshed it was almost like Plasmolysis.
【Spirit Wine is truly extraordinary!】
The energy was locked within the wine, and no signs could be detected externally, completely unlike that Fake Spiritual Wine.
This was a rare opportunity.
Fu Shaoguang quickly drank a few more cups.
While there weren't many demons around, he took out several small, pre-prepared bottles from his bamboo plaque, pouring the wine into them as he drank.
One jar of wine was emptied.
A Pill-Rolling Master brought another jar of wine.
Just as it arrived, the Old Weasel Demon appeared.
Standing on the steps at the head of the hall, he bent down, placed all four limbs on the ground, and wagged his tail. His fur turned from yellow to gray.
This was a sign that the Weasel Demon had reached a hundred years old.
After transforming and completing the courtesy, the Old Weasel Demon chuckled and said, "Thank you, Demon Friends, for coming to my Hundred-Year Feast. Today, everyone eat freely, drink freely, and don't leave until you're drunk!"
The demons either wagged their tails, vibrated their wings, or chirped, each performing their respective courtesy, then spoke noisily:
"Senior, you are too kind."
"We wish Elder Huang's cultivation to ascend to a higher level."
"Demon Friend, rest assured, we won't be polite to you."
...Fu Shaoguang also chimed in with two sentences.
Yes, two sentences!
To facilitate communication, he painfully spent two hundred copper coins to buy the juice brewed from hundred-tongue grass.
Fortunately, this hundred-tongue grass and its juice could be taken in batches. Although the effect lasted only a few days, the shelf life was one year.
He could just continue taking it when needed in the future.
With the main character appearing, the Birthday Feast officially began.
Pill-Rolling Masters vibrated their wings, serving plate after plate of dishes with unique and pungent aromas: Stinky Tofu, Stinky Sour Bamboo Shoots, Fermented Soybean Paste, Soy Milk... In addition, there were grilled rats, stewed field mice, steamed egg custard, and braised carp, a rich and varied mix of meat and vegetables.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes.
The demons were all drunk and excited. Those who knew each other and those who didn't were exchanging toasts wildly. Fu Shaoguang was toasted, and he also toasted other demons, joining the revelry.
However, he maintained a trace of clarity.
The banquet ended, and most demons departed, leaving only a scattered few, with Fu Shaoguang prominently among them.
A trace of clarity emerged in the Old Weasel Demon's drowsy eyes. He performed the Yao courtesy again and spoke to the few remaining demons about another matter.
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