Initially, Ouyang Huai's main goal for this banquet was the Crimson Blood Silkworm, but upon learning of Alchemist Ji's arrival, he had a much more pressing matter to entrust.
However, the white cat was currently holding a pig's trotter, gnawing away with great delight.
The white fur around the cat's paws was already matted with a ring of grease. It wasn't in a hurry, though. It would take a few bites, pause to slowly and methodically lick its paws clean, and once washed, bury its head back into its meal.
Looking at the cat that weighed no more than ten or so pounds, the amount of food it had stuffed down its throat had almost exceeded its own body weight.
The cat's belly visibly grew rounder and rounder, bulging as if it had been inflated with air.
Ouyang Huai simply couldn't find an opportunity to interrupt. He could only wait silently for a long time until it finally finished feasting, before speaking up respectfully:
"I have heard that Alchemist Ji excels at exorcising evil spirits. I have a matter for which I would like to implore your assistance. I wonder if we might step aside to discuss it in detail?"
The white cat licked its paws clean, raised a paw to carefully wipe its face, and then said, "Master Ouyang, please feel free to speak. The youngsters at this table are all my good friends despite the age difference. We travel together, so there is nothing to hide."
Hearing this, Ouyang Huai naturally had no reason to decline, so he honestly explained, "This matter concerns my son, and it goes back to nine years ago."
"Ever since Rui'er was twelve, he has been plagued by nightmares every night. Upon waking in shock, he suffers from unbearable, agonizing chest pain and cries endlessly. Over the years, I don't know how many immortal cultivators and sorcerers I've hired, or how many evil-warding artifacts I've sought, but nothing has ever worked."
He sighed, the wrinkles between his brows deepening. "Now, Rui'er no longer dares to sleep alone. I had no choice but to find several dancers and bed-warming maids for him, taking turns to accompany him in his room every night, only then—"
"Father!" Ouyang Rui's face instantly turned livid. He dashed forward, grabbed a chicken drumstick, and stuffed it into Ouyang Huai's mouth. "The food is getting cold, you should eat more!"
Ouyang Huai choked on the drumstick. He finally managed to pull it out of his mouth, glared Ouyang Rui back to his seat, and then asked Alchemist Ji again, "I wonder if Alchemist Ji has a solution?"
As he spoke, he waved his large hand, his tone earnest: "If you can relieve this worry that has weighed on my heart for years, you may choose any treasures from my vault. As for money, just name your price!"
"Oh my, Master Ouyang, you are too serious." The white cat hurriedly waved its paw. "Slaying demons and exorcising evil is my duty. I will naturally help. As for money, it is merely a worldly possession, there is no need—"
"Ten thousand taels!"
A crisp, loud voice suddenly chimed in.
"Ten thousand taels of gold. That is our Old Ji's minimum fee. Usually, it starts at twenty thousand. Considering the hospitality of today's meal, we'll give you a fifty percent discount and only charge ten thousand taels."
Chai Xiaomi put down her chopsticks and said with a calm expression.
As soon as these words came out, Jiang Zhiyu and Song Yueyao exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with question, and looked at Xiaomi in unison.
The white cat was both annoyed and amused. It immediately strutted through the gaps between the cups and plates to Chai Xiaomi.
Leaping onto her shoulder, it lowered its voice and said, "Xiaomi girl, you are ruining my reputation! I have wandered the martial world exorcising evil and catching spirits, and when have I ever accepted half a coin? At most, I've freeloaded a few meals."
"Old Ji, just consider it doing me a favor," Chai Xiaomi leaned close to it, her voice softening. "I urgently need money. Besides, the Ouyang family is filthy rich. Ten thousand taels of gold is just a drop in the bucket for them, but for some people... it's a lifesaver."
She blinked her large, watery eyes, looking at the white cat with pleading in her gaze.
Being looked at like this, the white cat actually hesitated, which was rare.
Speaking of which, it was common for other immortal sects and Daoist factions to charge money for exorcising evil for ordinary people. Only its master cared too much about face, having established a rule in the early years that disciples of the Jingming Platform must solve the people's troubles free of charge.
Just as it was hesitating, Xiaomi smiled and leaned in a little closer. "Old Ji, I'll make you a new whisk later. I guarantee it will be even more beautiful than this one. I'll add a few more tufts of feathers to make it look majestic, how about that?"
The white cat's whiskers twitched slightly; it was tempted.
"Alright, alright! I'll help you this once, but never again." It turned its face away and said reluctantly.
Oh well, its master had already ascended anyway, so breaking the rule once wouldn't result in a scolding.
So the white cat turned back to Ouyang Huai, coughed awkwardly a few times, opened its mouth, and said embarrassedly, "If I am to cure Young Master Ouyang's nightmare affliction, I must charge ten thousand taels of gold."
"Of course, of course!" Ouyang Huai agreed repeatedly, his tone completely nonchalant. "Not to mention ten thousand taels, even a hundred thousand or a million taels would be fine."
To him, ten thousand taels of gold seemed like just a few copper coins, not worth mentioning.
Ouyang Rui had long lost the mood to eat. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes suddenly lighting up with radiance. He had finally found an excuse.
He turned to his father, his tone brisk: "Father, when asking someone for a favor, one should pay a deposit first. Why don't I give them something first as a deposit?"
How could Ouyang Huai, as a father, not know the little schemes in his own son's head?
The nightmare always tormented Rui'er, making him extremely anxious on a daily basis. It was rare to see him in such high spirits. Ouyang Huai had always spoiled him, so he simply went along with it: "Alright, then let this young lady beside you accompany you to fetch it."
This assist hit right at Ouyang Rui's heart. He turned to Xiaomi, his eyes shining brightly, his smile clear and bright:
"Come with me, I have something for you."
Seeing that Wu Li had also put down his chopsticks, Ouyang Rui raised an eyebrow, smiling somewhat playfully: "Young Master Wu, my Ouyang Manor's vault contains countless treasures. We have always only allowed one person to be brought inside, never a second. You guarding her so closely, not leaving her side for a single step—do you not trust your own wife, or do you not trust your own Gu?"
His tone was as familiar as a teasing joke between friends, but as he said this, Ouyang Rui's gaze was tightly locked onto Wu Li's face, not missing a single subtle change, eager to catch even the slightest flaw of guilt.
Regarding the love Gu, he actually had no solid proof; it was merely based on speculation and guesswork. So these words were just to test the waters, to bluff this youth.
Unfortunately, the youth's expression remained as lazy and composed as ever. He slowly lifted his eyelids, his tone leisurely: "When did I say I was going to follow? I just ate too much and am resting for a bit. Isn't Young Master Ouyang being a bit too paranoid?"
Ouyang Rui smiled and nonchalantly raised his arm, elegantly making way, his tone as gentle as water: "Mi'er, this way please."
He then turned to everyone at the banquet and said politely, "Li'er, Yu'er, Yao'er, Mao'er, please excuse me for a moment. I will be right back. Please take your time and enjoy the meal."
"....."
The air suddenly stagnated for a moment.
Just then, a crow flew past the eaves outside, cawing a few times.
Ouyang Huai looked up in surprise and cast a glance at the servant beside his son, his eyes filled with doubt. It had only been a short day or two, so how had they started calling each other so intimately?
It was one thing for the young ladies, but addressing the young men like this too... it just felt unspeakably strange.
But seeing his son so rarely relaxed and happy, he didn't ask any further.
