Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 260: Chapter 53 Feast_1

It seemed quite normal to Wen Yu that Commander Lin would take extra precautions.

My own stance is a complete unknown, and Lin Haifeng can’t possibly guarantee whether I’ll lean towards the Aristocratic Families.

That was why Fang Wenhai was brought into the picture.

Firstly, to have Fang Wenhai handle some minor troubles for him, and secondly, so that if any situation arose, Fang Wenhai could immediately report to Lin Haifeng, allowing him to take timely countermeasures.

Wen Yu didn’t resent these arrangements. Taking multiple precautions is the hallmark of prudence, especially when dealing with important matters.

However, Fang Wenhai’s capabilities did give Wen Yu pause.

This Fang Wenhai is quite strong. Judging by his demeanor, he seems like he just stepped off a battlefield; he must be an expert from the military’s front-line troops.

Wen Yu wouldn’t be naive enough to think the military only had Kuangliu as its sole Level 4 professionist.

Slowly shaking his head, Wen Yu dismissed these useless thoughts. He casually took a glass of wine from a passing servant’s tray and headed towards the magnificent banquet hall inside.

「...」

Inside the courtyard, it was a scene of joyous celebration with songs and dances.

Wen Yu quietly observed a large crowd of people—some in sharp suits, others ordinary individuals dressed in vibrant and stunning attire. They were constantly moving about and conversing, the sound of clinking glasses accompanying their discussions on all sorts of topics.

”Minister Wang, I was wondering about that matter I entrusted to you last time...”

”Oh, oh, oh, you mean the job for your second son, right? The transfer order will be issued tomorrow. He’ll be in charge of logistics! I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

”Brother Li~ I saw a dress I really like. Will you buy it for me tomorrow, please~?”

”How much is it?”

”It’s only 5,000 magic crystal points, not expensive at all~”

”Okay, no problem!”

”General Sun, it’s Old Master Fang’s birthday today. What gift have you prepared?”

”Nothing too fancy, just some calligraphy and paintings.”

”Those must be worth a lot! I went to the antique market in the central district yesterday. There wasn’t much, but the prices were exorbitant!”

This cacophony of voices filled Wen Yu’s ears, causing his frown to deepen.

The level of corruption among these members of the Aristocratic Families far exceeds my own imagination!

The various deals they were discussing even included positions of real power, like regiment and brigade commanders!

Not to mention the idle chatter among some aristocratic ladies: besides clothes and cosmetics, they even discussed going on an outing beyond the city walls tomorrow! Of course, they expected the military to provide security personnel!

I simply can’t understand how, in this precarious era where one’s life is never secure, they have so much time to wander about!

Perhaps in their eyes, with the army’s protection and living in the most prosperous central district of the Yanjing Assembly Site, they naturally don’t need to consider matters of personal safety anymore.

Satiation bred licentiousness; these people are entertaining all sorts of notions—those mundane, pre-apocalypse ideas!

Slowly taking a piece of mutant beast meat from a platter, Wen Yu gently chewed the deliciously prepared food and nodded slowly.

At this banquet, only these things suit my taste and values!

「...」

Amidst the bustling crowd, Fang Yuan finally found Wen Yu and his two pets, who were feasting heartily.

An entire row of food tables had been monopolized by them, strewn with leftovers. Star and Cyclops, however, were well-behaved, not running around, just continuously taking food from the platters before Wen Yu.

Fang Yuan felt a bit awkward seeing this, as everyone around was staring at Wen Yu and his two pets, their hushed, mocking voices audible.

”Where did this barbarian come from?”

”Honestly, it’s like he hasn’t eaten in lifetimes! Is he some refugee who snuck in from the outer city zone?”

”Look at him, bringing two beasts to a birthday banquet. How utterly ill-mannered! What kind of savage is he!”

Various voices mingled. Though hushed, they couldn’t escape Wen Yu’s hearing.

Fang Yuan, who had also heard these comments as he squeezed through the crowd, hurried to Wen Yu’s side, looking troubled as he said, ”Brother Wen Yu, don’t stoop to their level.”

Having spent time in the military, Fang Yuan naturally understood people like Wen Yu; he wasn’t the type to dress up and feign pleasantries with the surrounding guests.

Likewise, Fang Yuan was even more aware of the capabilities of these people!

Wen Yu forcefully swallowed the beef and mumbled, ”The beef’s good!”

The beef was indeed excellent, as it came from an unmutated calf.

Although it lacked the immense energy of mutant beast meat, its texture was undeniably far superior! Softer, more tender, and more flavorful!

Seeing Wen Yu’s attitude, Fang Yuan felt relieved. He tugged Wen Yu’s arm and said, ”Come, come, let me introduce you to some people.”

Wen Yu put down his food and, with Cyclops and Star in tow, followed Fang Yuan away.

The surrounding murmurs didn’t cease. In response, Wen Yu merely smiled faintly.

I won’t bother myself with a bunch of soon-to-be-dead people!

「...」

Wen Yu followed Fang Yuan to a corner of the banquet hall.

There, a group of lavishly dressed young men and women were laughing and chatting incessantly, discussing trivial matters.

For instance, one young man boasted about successfully passing his advancement trial today to become a Level 2 professionist, thereby displaying his martial prowess.

A pretty girl was discussing with her best friend where they should go shopping tomorrow and what cosmetics to buy.

When they saw Fang Yuan approach, these people clustered around him as if he were their focal point, showering him with endless pleasantries.

This also showed the Fang Family’s standing among these Aristocratic Families!

After a while, just as Wen Yu was growing impatient, Fang Yuan finally pulled him over and began the introductions.

”This is a powerful expert our Fang Family recently recruited. His strength might even surpass Kuangliu’s!”

Hearing he was supposedly stronger than Kuangliu, the surrounding young men and women were visibly astonished, their eyes sweeping over Wen Yu with doubt.

Fang Yuan continued, ”He could very well be the future Lord God of War, you know! Don’t say I, your big brother, am not looking out for you, letting you get acquainted first.”

At the same time, Fang Yuan whispered into Wen Yu’s ear, explaining who was the son of whom, and who was the daughter of whom.

According to Fang Yuan, befriending them would pave a smoother path for Wen Yu’s future official career.

”Oh, right.”

After beating around the bush for a while, Fang Yuan finally said, ”Let me introduce my younger sister to you.”

Looking at Fang Yuan’s sly grin, Wen Yu instantly understood. This sister is probably the pawn these Aristocratic Families intend to use for a marriage alliance with me.

In the eyes of these Aristocratic Families, a marriage alliance is undoubtedly the best diplomatic tool!

A short while later, Fang Yuan led over a young woman in a white dress.

The woman was around twenty years old, an age when a woman is often at her most radiant.

Coupled with her attractive features, tall stature, and elegant attire, she exuded a goddess-like aura.

Fang Yuan winked at Wen Yu and began to speak.

”This is my little sister, her name is...”

Unfortunately, before Fang Yuan could finish, his sister yanked her arm from his grasp and glanced haughtily at Wen Yu twice.

”Isn’t he just a Martial Artist? A common brute who only knows how to fight and kill. What’s so special about meeting him!”

With that, the woman rolled her eyes at Wen Yu, turned, and sashayed back the way she had come.

Leaving Fang Yuan standing there, nonplussed.

”Your standing in the Fang Family doesn’t seem too high, does it...” Wen Yu lightly sipped the wine in his glass and said teasingly.

Fang Yuan looked at Wen Yu with a troubled expression. After a moment, he stammered, ”The old man agreed to it. Her objections are useless. It’s just... Brother Wen Yu, you might need to put in some effort yourself.”

Wen Yu nodded.

”I will try my best!”

Just as Fang Yuan and Wen Yu were talking, a contingent of soldiers escorted several elderly men slowly into the banquet hall.

”My grandfather is here, and also...”

Wen Yu selectively filtered out the rest of what Fang Yuan was saying!

Who has arrived is unimportant!

”It’s starting...” Wen Yu murmured softly.

Fang Yuan, beside him, nodded.

”Yes, it’s starting...” Fang Yuan affirmed.

「...」

With the arrival of Old Master Fang, the banquet immediately reached its climax.

Countless people swarmed forward, showering Old Master Fang with auspicious phrases like, ”May your fortune be as vast as the East Sea, and your longevity rival Nanshan!”

Though the words were clichéd, in this setting, they made Old Master Fang beam from ear to ear!

Simultaneously, gifts like antiques, calligraphy, and paintings were continuously presented to Old Master Fang, then taken to the rear by the servants standing behind him.

Fang Yuan tugged Wen Yu and walked directly towards Old Master Fang.