Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2917: A Banquet Invite From The Golden Scales Merchant Union

By the time they left, Meng Baiʼs cheeks were sore from blushing—and smiling.

”Well?” Daoist Chu asked as they stepped back into the street.

”…That was fun,” Meng Bai admitted, adjusting his collar.

”Knew it,” Daoist Chu laughed. ”Told you I deliver on my promises. Next time, we visit the Crimson Flute Terrace. They have rooftop dancing.”

Meng Bai groaned. ”Heaven help me.”

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting golden hues over Golden Scales City, Lin Mu continued his shopping spree with an unusual level of enthusiasm.

He walked from one store to the next, making purchases that would make most merchants consider early retirement. Rare herbs, beast cores, scrolls of ancient formations, spiritual fabrics, and even some exotic cooking tools for Little Shrubby—all found their way into his spatial ring.

Little Shrubby followed along gleefully, munching on spirit peach pastries with golden flakes while pointing out things he thought looked fun or tasty.

”I want that wok!” he exclaimed, tail wagging, as they passed a high-end culinary tool vendor.

Lin Mu didnʼt even blink. ”Pack it. And that flame-adjusting tripod too.”

The merchant bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the counter. ”Right away, esteemed customer!”

Another vendor, an elderly woman selling refined qi threads used in high-grade clothing talismans, was so overjoyed by Lin Muʼs large order that she nearly wept.

”Oh bless your generous soul, young master,” she said. ”If all my customers were like you, Iʼd have opened a branch in the Capital by now!”

It was at a gem appraisal stall that Lin Muʼs name seemed to catch special attention. The merchant, a middle-aged man with rings on every finger and a braided beard, stared at him wide-eyed for a moment before clapping his hands together.

”Youʼre Lin Mu, arenʼt you? The cultivator whoʼs been buying a lot here?”

Lin Mu tilted his head. ”You know of me?”

He hadnʼt expected his name would spread so quickly within the shopping district. Of course he never considered the fact that the amount that he had spent here in a day was probably a tenth of their yearly revenue.

”Incredible!” the merchant gushed. ”Itʼs an honor to have you in our humble district. In fact, the Golden Scales Merchant Union is hosting a private banquet tonight for special guests—and I insist that you attend.”

He pulled a shimmering invitation scroll from under the counter and offered it with both hands.

”Please, show this at the entrance of the Golden Pearl Courtyard at sundown. It would bring great honor to our Union if someone of your prestige made an appearance.” The man said. ”You can bring your attendants, servants or companions as well.” he added.

Lin Mu glanced at the gilded scroll. ”Alright. Iʼll bring my companions.”

”Even better! Bring as many as you like!” the man said with visible delight, bowing several more times as Lin Mu took his leave.

That evening, the trio regrouped at a quiet pavilion near the inn they were staying at. Meng Bai was still recovering from his earlier embarrassment, while Daoist Chu looked like heʼd found new meaning in life.

”You two look suspiciously happy,” Lin Mu remarked.

”We had snacks, music, and conversation,” Daoist Chu said innocently.

”Very cultured,” Meng Bai added, trying not to smile.

”Well, good. Because weʼve got a banquet to attend tonight.” Lin Mu tossed the scroll to Daoist Chu, who caught it and whistled as he read.

”The Golden Scales Merchant Union? Fancy.”

”They gave it to me after I spent a small mountain of immortal stones across the city.”

”Shopping like that? Of course youʼre gonna get invited.” Daoist Chu raised a brow before laughing. ”If they donʼt invite someone like you theyʼll be regretting it.”

”I just needed supplies, and Little Shrubby kept pointing at things,” Lin Mu replied flatly. ”Didnʼt expect theyʼd send me an invitation so quickly.”

”It was fun!” Little Shrubby chimed in.

The Golden Pearl Courtyard was located on a terraced rise at the northern end of the city. Surrounded by tall pines and golden lantern trees, the estate stood resplendent with its curved roofs, shimmering red tiles, and dozens of spiritual light orbs floating like fireflies.

When the trio arrived, dressed in clean formal robes—Daoist Chu with his long overcoat, Meng Bai in blue silk, and Lin Mu in his subdued gray with silver trim—they were immediately greeted by stewards.

”Welcome honored guests,” said a young woman with golden embroidery on her uniform. She led them through a polished jade gate and into a grand hall alive with conversation and music.

Inside, the banquet was in full swing.

Long banquet tables made of spiritwood were laid out in rows, each stacked with delicacies both earthly and spiritual—crystal shrimp, qi-laced dumplings, roast star boar, and platters of jeweled fruit. Wine flowed from carved jade pitchers into ornate cups that never seemed to empty.

They were clearly specialized Spatial Storage Tools meant for just wine. It was quite extravagant.

Nobles dressed in exquisite robes mingled with influential cultivators, each wearing emblems of their sects or clans. A group from the Sky Feather Sect conversed with envoys from the Red Glade Pavilion. Near the center, Immortal Realm elders sat at a table of their own, sipping slowly and observing everyone.

A tall man with golden armor and a flowing red cape stood near the main stage—likely an official of the Merchant Union.

”Quite the crowd,” Daoist Chu murmured. ”I see a few faces from the central prefectures too.”

Lin Mu nodded. ”This isnʼt just a social gathering. Thereʼs networking happening everywhere.”

As they moved through the banquet hall, several merchants recognized Lin Mu and offered greetings or quick words of appreciation. A few asked after his experiences or praised his efforts at raising the ʼeconomic statusʼ of humble merchants in the shopping district.

They were guided to a table near the eastern side of the hall, with a good view of the stage and plenty of distance from the more boastful guests.