King's Feast

"And that's the last place they hit. Still got some kinks but should hold. We can apply a Qi formation later" a middle aged daoist pointed at several points on a storage building. Sam did not distinguish where he hit. As such seemingly random buildings where damaged during the fiendish invasion.

"The spirit brick here is of average quality at best. Can it handle a formation comparable to the other buildings?" One of Hu Jin Shen's contractors asked. This has been a constant question throughout the whole trip. Although on the surface the city was beautiful with gleaming stars and glowing luminaries and for most of the city that was untouched. However the repairing efforts were using relatively cheap materials.

"For how rich the kingdom reportedly was, they're surprisingly cheap" Hu Jin Shen quietly whispered. The last site was a treasure house that house some spiritual artefacts. He walked over and touched the walls feeling the Qi flow in the bricks. He sighed disappointed.

"Perhaps they had other projects that required their vast wealth. After all even his majesty had to cut some corners in the past" Yi Guang said. The prince gave that a thought and nodded. He briefly looked in certain direction catching the brief image of a black figure.

"Lets return, we have finished the majority of our work. The Celestial Star king had graciously extended a feast for us tonight" Yi Guang said. Hu Jin Shen nodded he followed after him. Despite their financial difficulties that did not match their history, the kingdom was still normal. "Just what is so interesting here to catch Blade 1's attention".

…

That night the royal party celebrated with the Celestial Star king's host. There was wine, food, and beautiful women entertaining the guests. Hu Jin Shen sat besides the king in the highest seat go honoured guest befitting of his station. Below him were Yi Guang and his sister.

Hu Tong Shan had changed out of his armour and entered as a prince on the insistence of Hu Jin Shen. As such the second prince sat silently besides Hu Lan Yue. He rarely spoke and simply sat quietly and ate while his elder brother spoke with the Celestial Star king.

'He's not mingling at all' Hu Jin Shen noticed his brother's behaviour from the corner of his eye. He could also see that many people were overlooking him in place of Hu Jin Shen. The crown prince sighed.

"Whats wrong your highness?" The Celestial Star King asked. Hu Jin Shen replied, "Nothing its just fatigue". He dismissed the issue and thought that he should be more careful with expressing himself in foreign territory. He could feel he was being observed.

Part of the observation were from Star kingdom lords and officials and even their king. As a member of high society he was always under scrutiny and as such this was normal for him. The other part that was observing him were women.

Hu Jin Shen inherited much of his mother's looks. Despite having his father's colouring the prince was devastatingly handsome just as his mother was breathtakingly beautiful. It was not strange of have hundreds of ladies admire him from a distance swooning over his smile.

Hu Jin Shen brought his glass up for a drink, 'What can I do about him?' His relationship with his brother was already too stiff, too strained. He really needed to talk to his family more.

Since young Hu Jin Shen was the eldest and raised in a time when he lacked siblings of any kind. He was already 19 when his sister Hu Yin was born. By then his father had taken him out on a trip that lasted years. When he returned he focused on cultivation, aristocratic interaction and personal travels. The time spent with his little brother and sisters were considerably minimal.

This was especially the case for Tong Shan who had left for the military during a time when he was away. Of course he also felt that Hu Wenxi should've done something about it. The emperor spent most of his days cultivating leaving much of the child rearing to their mothers. Even he was the same until adulthood. Hu Tong Shan left at age 16, Hu Jin Shen thought that Hu Wenxi probably didn't get a chance to take him on a trip.

It seemed that Hu Wenxi was much more attentive towards cultivation then anything else. Look no further then his harem, it was the bare minimum and all of them either married for political gain or were coerced into doing so. It had none of the intricate harem society Hu Jin Shen had read about in his mother's romance & drama collection ahem, private library containing important topics of history and politics. Hu Jin Shen chatted with the king once more. He can deal with Tong Shan later.

There were many guests that arrived. Amongst them was the Crimson Star princes Muo Li Hua, the jasmine flower. This lady was the eldest daughter of the Star king and was a fairly strong cultivator reaching the Martial saint realm decades ago. What's more interesting was that she arrived with Yun Xiao Che.

"He's still here?" Both Hu Jin Shen and Yi Guang looked surprised at this. Even Hu Tong Shan who was only briefly at the capital looked surprised. The winner of the emperor's birthday tournament had denied dinner with the royals and a martial art from their repository. He had instead elected to come here to the star kingdom instead.

Seeing the two together gave the prince a clearer image. There was clearly a romantic connection between the two. It was also strong enough that he gave up on such high honours to go to her. Hu Jin Shen took a quick glance at the Celestial Star king who had also seen the couple, he was clearly not too pleased.

The King was a very prideful man, even of Yun Xiao Che was a royal prince he would still not acknowledge him. It was only because Hu Jin Shen was the acting emperor that he was so courteous. It was an open secret that both Radiant Moon king and Celestial Star king feared the emperor.

As a Human Immortal, the emperor dominated and pushed back a True Immortal. Now as a True Immortal he effortlessly extinguished billions of fiends and devils. A good king command a large amount of respect, reverence, and of course fear. The two glorious mighty figures who ruled uncontested in the past were clearly unhappy with their current subservient station but can do naught but grit their teeth.

In the past 200 years neither kingdoms had cause trouble. The Celestial Star king was arrogant but he wasn't stupid. Hu Jin Shen knew this and also concluded that if there was a conspiracy that can overthrow his father, the kid will happily jump on board. The problem now was that he couldn't notice any. His father had left suddenly leaving him in charge. It was afterwards that he discovered some clues in his father's records.

This was why he came to investigate himself. He had reached out to the Blades and they were more then willing to help him. He knew Blade 1 was already in the city but had yet to speak to him.

Hu Jin Shen observed the party and saw Yun Xiao Che speaking to his soldiers. He briefly caught the eye of the Crimson Star princess and was startled. She glared at him with such intense hatred that if looks could kill he would be disintegrated into atoms, then those atoms will be ripped into quacks.

Yun Xiao Che saw this and also looked at the prince in displeasure. Hu Jin Shen somewhat knew the situation. The princess held a grudge against his mother and father for causing the death of her brother, the Sirius Star Celestial Slayer. Many years ago the Sirius Star Celestial Slayer challenged Hu Wenxi for Qian Mei Hua's hand on the day of their marriage. Back then Hu Wenxi had still yet to become the emperor, he was just one of many Human Immortals.

The two Human Immortals clashed fiercely yet in the end Hu Wenxi slew the man. Legend has that Hu Wenxi did not fight seriously and merely defended the whole time. It was said that the emperor had only just reached Human Immortal and did not want to fight yet was forced to. Against the much more experienced Sirius Star Celestial Slayer he should've lost.

However the result was much different. The Sirius Star Celestial Slayer was slain the moment Hu Wenxi chose to unleash his full power. He died miserably, his body crushed under Hu Wenxi's sand and water. His mangled remains were returned to his family.

Hu Jin Shen can understand the princess's rage. Yun Xiao Che's anger was also likely due to her rage. Hu Jin Shen was unhappy with this news, 'What a shame, he'll likely become an enemy in the future'. Yun Xiao Che began walking up to the prince. He looked as if he intended to pick a fight.

"Your highness" he spat Muo Li Hua was right besides him seething in anger. "What are you doing here?" He questioned the prince. Hu Jin Shen replied calmly, "Inspection, Sam caused a lot of damage as I'm sure you'll remember". The princess gritted her teeth, "Then stay in your lane, don't come over to our house and bother us it's none of your business".

Hu Jin Shen frowned, "You are all subjects of the emperor, you're all my people. Your safety is my business". This seems to have triggered the princess and Yun Xiao Che seeing this was ready to attack at her command. It was then that the Celestial Star king noticed this confrontation and immediately rushed over.

"Daughter that's enough, please show his highness respect" He command with a practiced schooled face. The princess glared at him muttering "Weak old dog". She turned grabbing Yun Xiao Che's arm and walking off.

"Apologies your highness I do not know what got over her" the king apologised. "No harm done, I understand her reasoning. Just make sure she doesn't cause trouble". The king nodded and left.

Soon Hu Jin Shen was joined by Hu Tong Shen and Hu Lan Yue. "I do not like that man, he's too arrogant for his own good�� Hu Tong Shan said with a shake of his head. As a prince Hu Tong Shan also knew the situation, however he felt that Yun Xiao Che and Crimson princess should still uphold their equity. Hu Jin Shen nodded agreeing with him. Yun Xiao Che was hostile and now presented himself a potential danger, they can't hit him as he was under the protection of a mighty power hence they'll keep observing for now.

Hu Lan Yue on the other hand was admiring Yun Xiao Che, "He's so handsome" she drooled. Hu Tong Shan and Hu Jin Shen was startled by this. They shared a look before Hu Jin Shen pulled her aside. 'He'll need to warn her' Hu Tong Shan murmured.

The second prince looked around the party, he couldn't leave due to his status but deeply wished to join his garrison in the barracks. He saw Yi Guang who was speaking with another star general. He looked and saw ladies still trying to hide their flirty looks at his brother. He saw young men looking at his sister and other officials scrutinising his brother. As usual he was left with nothing. It seemed that he'll need to find another activity to occupy his time with.

When the festivities was dying down and guests began paying respects before leaving, Hu Jin Shen saw the black figure again. This time in was through a side window.

By now it was in the evening and the radiant moon had long arisen. Outside was dark and Hu Jin Shen had long gotten up from his table and mingled around for hours. He was close to the window when he saw the figure, it was very distant and faint. Definitely in the city but not anywhere near the palace.

"Lan Yue, its close to 8 o'clock, you should get ready for bed" the crown prince stated.

"Hah? But mom lets me stay up a lot later"

"Lan Yue, your bed time is here"

"What?"

"You, please escort my sister to her room, its getting late"

"Huh? What do you?"

Hu Lan Yue was soon escorted out back to their rooms. Several guards bowed and followed after them. Hu Tong Shan looked in confusion but Hu Jin Shen told him to follow. "Yi Guang, how about a stroll around. Lets experience the nightlife".

The trio left without any guards for the city streets. The Celestial Star king saw the trio leave for their rooms. He did not noticed one of Hu Jin Shen's followers silent chanting. That figure crafted a deep illusion and followed after the princes. He wasn't afraid, with the aid of his majesty combined with his skills nothing short of vigilant True Immortals can find him.