Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 672: Chapter 672: Attending the Banquet

Elder Chen said it was time to begin the treatment. However, they had to wait for him to produce the elixir before they could begin. This first elixir would take five days to refine. During this time, aside from Xiao Xiao treating his wounds for two hours each day, Ye Qingchen had plenty of free time.

The next day, Ye Qingchen arrived at the appointed location on time.

"Ah! Hero Ye, you’ve finally come! We’ve been waiting here for you for a long time!" Upon seeing Ye Qingchen’s punctual arrival, Hedgehog Head hurriedly greeted him with a smile.

By this time, the banquet had already gathered quite a crowd. Most were young people like Hedgehog Head, all dressed in the attire of the Wuji Immortal Palace. The outdoor banquet was held in a vast, beautiful garden. The tables were already laden with all sorts of mountain and sea delicacies, enough to make one’s mouth water just by looking at them.

"Little Girl Xiaoxiao, Hero Ye, please take your seats!" Hedgehog Head warmly invited the two to sit down.

The surrounding people also greeted them enthusiastically. Gradually, both Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao let down their guard.

"Hero Ye! I really admire you, but I’ve always had one question on my mind. How did you manage to thwart our Saint Heir?" Hedgehog Head sat beside them, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Ye Qingchen took a bite of food and chuckled. "I didn’t use any special tricks. Your Saint Heir was just too arrogant, and he let his guard down around me."

Hedgehog Head feigned a look of admiration. "I see, I see! But, Hero Ye, there’s probably more to it than that! I can see your strength has already reached the third level of the Martial Emperor Realm. That’s the mark of a true young prodigy! If you weren’t powerful yourself, you could never have played the Saint Heir for a fool!"

Hedgehog Head laid on another thick layer of flattery.

Ye Qingchen just smiled and shook his head.

"By the way, Hero Ye," Hedgehog Head added, "everyone here today from the Wuji Immortal Palace has come because they’ve heard so much about you."

"Alright, alright, everyone, put down what you’re doing for a moment! Let’s first raise a toast to Hero Ye!"

At Hedgehog Head’s call, everyone who was seated rose to their feet.

"Hero Ye, you are our hero! We toast to you!"

"That’s right! Hero Ye, we truly wish you were one of us at the Wuji Immortal Palace!"

"Hero Ye isn’t arrogant like that Saint Heir. A man like Hero Ye is the one who deserves to be our Saint Heir!"

"Come on, bottoms up!"

The crowd of people raised their wine cups. In such a fervent atmosphere, Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao instinctively picked up the cups before them.

"Alright, then I’ll drink up!"

Hedgehog Head watched as Ye Qingchen downed the wine in his cup, unable to stop himself from gloating internally.

What a fool! A bit of flattery and he gulps down the wine. This guy definitely has no idea we’ve spiked his drink! Ha ha ha, let him be smug for a moment longer. Just wait and see how we’re going to deal with you!

The moment Ye Qingchen put the wine to his lips, he heard Hedgehog Head’s inner thoughts.

Suddenly, Ye Qingchen covered his mouth, and the wine in it vanished instantly.

"Ha ha ha, thank you for your ’kindness,’ brother, but I’m afraid things won’t go your way," Ye Qingchen said, his words carrying a double meaning.

Hedgehog Head, who had just been gloating internally, was startled. "What do you mean by that, Hero Ye?"

Has he seen through our plan? Impossible! If he had, he wouldn’t have drunk the wine so calmly.

"Oh, I was referring to becoming a member of the Wuji Immortal Palace," Ye Qingchen clarified with a meaningful look at Hedgehog Head. "That’s what’s impossible!"

Hedgehog Head burst into laughter. "Ah! Hero Ye, the way you say it... even if you don’t become one of us at the Wuji Immortal Palace, we will always remember your great deeds!"

Hedgehog Head breathed an inward sigh of relief. I can’t believe I thought my plan was exposed!

「In the innermost part of the garden」

Wu Chang listened to the noisy sounds of the banquet, his face devoid of expression.

Heh! This fool Hedgehog Head, coming up with such a lousy idea! And calling Ye Qingchen their hero! Heh! Wu Chang’s words were clearly filled with dissatisfaction.

Seeing this, the servant behind him hurriedly offered comfort. "Saint Heir, Hedgehog Head only said that to lower Ye Qingchen’s guard. It would be difficult to act otherwise!"

"Just bear with it for now. At worst, we’ll give them a smaller reward after this is all over."

Wu Chang raised a hand. "Enough. I’m not that petty."

"As long as Hedgehog Head gets this done, I will reward him handsomely, no matter what methods he uses."

"Besides, that fellow fears me greatly in his heart."

The servant could only nod, saying nothing more.

"It seems I can rest easy. I’m heading back now. When Hedgehog Head has dealt with him, have him come see me."

Wu Chang gave the order and vanished.

「Back at the banquet」

Amid the crowd’s laughter and under Hedgehog Head’s watchful gaze, Ye Qingchen drank cup after cup of wine.

The smile on Hedgehog Head’s face grew wider and wider.

Ye Qingchen has drunk the entire pot of drugged wine I prepared! Soon, he won’t even have the strength to resist!

What he didn’t know was that every time before Ye Qingchen drank, he would discreetly touch Hedgehog Head’s cup. Their drinks had been swapped long ago.

Hedgehog Head hadn’t noticed, only feeling that he was getting drunk much faster than usual. But seeing that Ye Qingchen hadn’t collapsed yet, he forced his own eyes to stay open.

Xiao Xiao had been sent away by Ye Qingchen halfway through the banquet. After all, blood might be shed later, and it was better for her to stay away.

Ye Qingchen watched as evening fell, knowing it was about time for the drug to take full effect.

"Hedgehog Head, how are you feeling?" Ye Qingchen asked, looking at him with a smile.

Hedgehog Head shook his woozy head. "What? I’m fine! I can keep drinking! Let’s keep going!"

However, when he reached for his wine, he found he couldn’t hold it steady.

"No, what’s going on?" he mumbled, his mind drifting between clarity and confusion. "I can usually drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. How am I already wasted after just a few pots?"

"Hedgehog Head," Ye Qingchen leaned closer and whispered, "of course you get drunk faster when the wine is drugged!"

These words struck like a hammer, instantly jolting the muddled Hedgehog Head to his senses.

"What did you say?!"

"Drugged? How did you know?! The wine *I* drank was drugged?!"

Hedgehog Head’s eyes flew open. He tried to stand, but he was completely powerless.

"Oh! Hedgehog Head, you didn’t know?" Ye Qingchen feigned surprise. "What a pity. So, how do you like getting a taste of your own medicine?"

Enraged, Hedgehog Head tried to lunge for Ye Qingchen, but his body felt like a sponge, completely devoid of strength.

"Ye Qingchen! You knew about our plan all along, didn’t you!" Hedgehog Head could only roar in fury.