Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 853: Chapter 331: Zhu Shun and Huang Tianxi, the 3rd Year Cold Yuan Banquet of Great Xia, and Xia Yuzong (Part 4)

”Follow me closely, don’t get lost; why are there so many people?”

Zhu Shun signaled the mother and child to stay close, then began searching for Huang Yuniang and her children in the crowd.

Taking the opportunity to look for his wife and children, he briefly observed the guests gathered on the first floor and quickly realized something.

”All are Earth-digging Realm cultivation, and they all have a murderous aura. They should all be members of the Hunting Team, but they seem to be from the low-level Hunting Team. That means the second floor should be...”

”Mr. Zhu, are you looking for your wife and children? I have escorted them to the top-level Political Hall. You should hurry up too; it’s almost time for the banquet to start.”

An officer from the Camp Supply Department responsible for the Cold Yuan Banquet noticed Zhu Shun and quickly indicated for the three to ascend the stairs in the middle.

”Thank you, Mei Niang, Tianxi, follow me up!”

Zhu Shun led the two to the middle staircase, ascending quickly to the top amid the envious eyes of the surrounding crowd.

Huang Tianxi was clearly infected by the lively atmosphere, blushing as he quickly followed his uncle and mother into the grand hall.

The massive golden supporting columns inside the hall; the majestic circular golden dome above; the intricately carved beast bone sculptures on either side; the intoxicating aroma of the wine permeating the hall; the array of exotic fruits and delicacies on the tables; and the Holy Tripod in the center with its blazing flames...

And, of course, the two golden thrones on the high platform at the innermost part of the hall, symbolizing the pinnacle of power in Great Xia.

It was Huang Tianxi’s first time entering the hall, and he was overwhelmed by the plethora of things he had never seen before.

”Dad, we are here.”

”Aunt Mei is here too. Aunt, come quickly, we are here.”

”Let’s go!”

It wasn’t until his uncle spoke that Huang Tianxi regained his composure, quickly following his mother to the table where his aunt and cousin were seated.

There were only twenty-nine tables in the hall, clearly corresponding to the current twenty-nine nobles of Great Xia. The number of chairs at each table varied, evidently corresponding to the specific number of family members.

Zhu Mei’s seating was right next to Zhu Shun’s family. Zhu Shen immediately sneaked over to chat with his cousin, Huang Tianxi.

”Tianxi, how about it, were you awestruck?”

Huang Tianxi nodded, not responding verbally, but continued to look around.

”Look at those beast bone sculptures; I heard they’re made entirely of Intermediate Cold Beast bones. The armrests on the Lord’s chairs have eyes made of High-level Beast Bone; these supporting columns are all made of Ten-forged pure iron; and look at the beast meat and dishes on the tables...”

Zhu Shen, who had arrived earlier, obviously heard a lot of information and was eagerly explaining various things in the hall to Huang Tianxi.

Huang Tianxi’s gaze, however, had long flown to the few tables at the front of the hall. He immediately spotted Minister Xia Chuan and his two wives; the lonely Hunting Department Director Yuwen Dao; followed by the Governor of the Department, Yuan Cheng, and his family; the Camp Supply Department Director, Qiu Peng, and his family...

These big shots, rarely seen on regular days, were all present.

Although the dishes and wine had been served, no one had started eating, just engaging in light conversation. The sound in the hall was even quite faint, as it was clear everyone was waiting for something.

Huang Tianxi naturally knew what everyone was waiting for. He turned and looked at the golden thrones on the high platform, his eyes full of anticipation.

Dong... Dong... Dong...

The midnight drums finally sounded, and in the great hall, over a hundred people, except for the infants held in arms, regardless of gender or age, all faced the direction of the golden thrones and stood up in unison.

”The third Cold Element Festival of Great Xia, with the Lord’s decree: The first day of the first month, the auspicious hour has arrived, the new day begins, close the city gates, light the valley lamps, the Cold Yuan Banquet starts, all the people receive the decree, celebrating across the land!”

Above the valley, Yue Feng’s vast voice instantly spread across the inner and outer cities.

Boom... Boom... Boom...

Above the Great Xia Mountain Wall, bonfires simultaneously ignited at tens of thousands of houses in the inner and outer cities.

Clang... Clang... Clang...

In the Political Hall, suddenly came the sound of chains sliding, and the upper golden dome suddenly parted from the middle. The flames of the Holy Tripod surged upward, directly piercing through the golden dome, illuminating the entire Political Hall brightly.

”Ah, this year everyone brought along their wives and children to the banquet, and they all arrived very tidily!”

In a daze, everyone suddenly heard Xia Hong’s voice. Only then did they realize Xia Hong was coming out slowly from behind the high platform with Li Xuanling, smiling. Everyone respectfully lowered their heads and bowed to the upper platform:

”Greetings, Lord. Greetings, Lady!”

Unlike the respectful demeanor of the adults, the children were curious, and their sense of hierarchy and rank was not very strong. So, although their mouths were saluting, their eyes were sneakily peeking at Xia Hong and Li Xuanling on the high platform.

”Lady’s clothing is so magical! It’s obviously white, but when light shines on it, it turns red?”

”The Lord’s clothing is also nice, black silk with golden lines that glimmer with white light, like it’s made from snow bamboo silk soaked in golden brown oil.”

”The lady is so beautiful. You can’t find anyone as pretty as her in Xia City, no wonder only someone so beautiful can match the Lord!”

...

Xia Hong naturally noticed the children’s gazes, a slight mischievous pleasure rising in his heart. After sitting in the main seat, he suddenly raised his head and locked eyes with those children in the crowd who were sneakily watching him.