Chapter 18: A Feast for Foes
The warm glow of lanterns and the lively chatter in the guild hall created the illusion of a perfect celebration. Plates clinked, laughter echoed, and guests toasted to the guild's recent successes. But beneath the cheerful surface, tension crackled like a taut wire. Zhang Ye moved through the crowd, his sharp eyes tracking every movement, every subtle shift in demeanor.
The Syndicate's infiltrators stood out to him like ink on a blank page. Their stiff posture, darting eyes, and awkward attempts to blend in were painfully obvious to someone with Zhang Ye's trained instincts—and the subtle warnings from his system confirmed his suspicions.
[Threat Confirmed: Infiltrators 5. Location: Scattered across the hall. Active alert recommended.]
Zhang Ye didn't panic. He had prepared for this. The feast wasn't just a lure; it was a battlefield, every dish and drink part of his strategy.
He casually approached Linna, who stood near one of the serving tables. "The wolves are here," he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.
She didn't look at him directly but gave the faintest nod. "How do you want to play this?"
"Let them make the first move," Zhang Ye replied. "But stay ready. The second they act, we strike."
---
As the banquet continued, Zhang Ye kept his focus on the infiltrators. They were trying to remain inconspicuous, helping themselves to food and drinks, but their lack of ease betrayed them. Zhang Ye allowed himself a small smile—especially when one of them bit into a dish laced with a mild Spirit Dampening Powder, an ingredient designed to suppress a person's spiritual energy for a short time.
One by one, the infiltrators unknowingly weakened themselves as they indulged in Zhang Ye's carefully prepared dishes. The powder wouldn't raise suspicion, but it would ensure that when the time came, they wouldn't be at full strength.
Zhang Ye signaled subtly to Kai, who was leaning against a pillar on the far side of the hall. Kai straightened and began moving through the crowd, positioning himself near one of the infiltrators. Elira, perched on a balcony overlooking the hall, nocked an arrow and drew it back slightly, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
---
The tension finally snapped when one of the infiltrators, a burly man with a scarred face, moved toward the banquet's centerpiece—a massive roast draped in golden glaze. He wasn't there for the food; Zhang Ye caught the glint of a blade hidden beneath the man's sleeve.
The moment the man reached the table, Zhang Ye's voice rang out, loud and commanding. "You've had enough."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Zhang Ye. The infiltrator froze, his hand hovering over the table.
"What are you talking about?" the man growled, trying to play dumb.
Zhang Ye's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You've been sniffing around my guild for weeks, and now you're here, hoping to cause trouble. Let's skip the games, shall we?"
The man's composure cracked. He snarled and lunged forward, pulling out the blade, but Zhang Ye was ready. He sidestepped the attack with practiced ease, sweeping the man's legs out from under him.
The hall erupted into chaos. The other infiltrators sprang into action, drawing weapons and attacking the nearest guild members. But the guild was ready.
Kai intercepted one of the attackers with a powerful swing of his sword, the blade glowing with energy. Linna moved like a shadow, her daggers flashing as she disabled another infiltrator. Elira's arrows struck with deadly precision, pinning a third attacker to the wall.
Zhang Ye focused on the leader, the burly man with the scarred face. The man was stronger than he looked, his strikes heavy and deliberate. But Zhang Ye was faster, his movements fluid as he dodged and countered.
"I don't know what the Syndicate promised you," Zhang Ye said, his voice cold, "but it ends here."
The man roared and charged, but Zhang Ye used his agility to evade, landing a precise strike with a small vial in his hand. The vial shattered on contact, releasing a burst of Paralyzing Mist. The man staggered, his movements growing sluggish before he collapsed to the ground.
---
In minutes, the fight was over. The infiltrators lay defeated, bound and disarmed, while the guild members stood victorious.
Zhang Ye surveyed the room, his gaze sharp. "Take them to the holding cells," he ordered. "We'll see what they know."
As the captured infiltrators were dragged away, the guests slowly began to relax, the tension in the air dissipating.
Kai approached Zhang Ye, clapping him on the shoulder. "That was one hell of a trap, Chief. You had them eating out of your hand—literally."
Zhang Ye allowed himself a small smile. "The Syndicate underestimated us. Let's make sure they don't get the chance to do it again."
---
Later that night, Zhang Ye sat in his office, reviewing the reports from the interrogation of the captured infiltrators. They hadn't revealed much—just confirmation that the Syndicate was planning something big.
Still, the victory at the banquet was a reminder of the guild's strength. They were united, determined, and ready to face whatever the Syndicate threw at them.
As Zhang Ye closed the report and leaned back in his chair, his system chimed softly.
[Quest Complete: Defend the Feast. Rewards: 500 XP, Recipe Unlocked: Heaven's Edge Elixir.]
A new recipe. A new challenge. Zhang Ye smiled. The Syndicate might be a powerful enemy, but he had something they didn't—his unrelenting spirit and his unmatched skills as a chef.