Xue Youwei was already trying his best to keep his voice down, but the anger in his words almost overflowed.
In the past, he disliked Ning Yue, thinking he was greedy for money, only cared about profit, and his martial arts were mediocre; his 'Dual Unrivaled' title was simply a joke.
But today, he disliked him even more...
Exotic Beast Meat was naturally not in short supply at the Xue Residence, but it was certainly not his turn to enjoy it daily.
In fact, if it weren't for his decent bone structure, his naturally broad shoulders and strong back, and the fact that Xue Ren was the only male heir among the younger generation of the Xue Family, Xue Youwei, with his identity as a collateral branch member, would not have been allowed into the main hall.
Xue Youwei was aware of this, and he diligently cultivated daily, using the Xue Family's resources to quickly reach the Lian Rou Realm, making him stand out among the Xiaoqi officers.
In last year's Grand Competition of the Gu City Army, among three thousand Xiaoqi officers, he secured a good ranking within the top five hundred, firmly surpassing many martial artists who had reached Great Accomplishment in the Lian Rou Realm.
To reward him, the Xue Family doubled his monthly salary.
However, he still couldn't afford Exotic Beast Meat, let alone a second-tier demonic beast like the Qilin Fire Lion; an adult Qilin Fire Lion could awaken a trace of ancient Qilin bloodline, with strength comparable to a human in the Yi Jin Realm.
Its value was so exorbitant, it was literally worth its weight in gold, and even at a banquet of this caliber, it was a rare main dish.
Actually, Ning Yue had already been very restrained; if he hadn't considered his superior's reputation, he would have even planned to bring the plate directly in front of him.
"Tsk—"
A man in luxurious clothes, who had been observing the two across the table for a while, finally couldn't help but let out a scoff, then chuckled to the crowd, "I thought everyone at this banquet was a noble gentleman; I wonder where these two country bumpkins came from?"
"I'm afraid they've never seen a scene like this in their lives."
Upon hearing this, Xue Youwei lowered his head in shame, his face turning slightly pale.
But Ning Yue, beside him, remained calm and collected, treating the taunts as mere background noise, and promptly said, "'A gentleman does not conceal others' virtues, nor does he speak of their faults.' I wonder where this hypocrite speaking comes from?"
Most of the people who were eating intently were from military backgrounds, and upon hearing this, they all looked up.
Citing classics was the specialty of scholars, but the person's eating manners just now seemed to have nothing to do with scholars; he clearly looked like someone who had been roughing it in the military, yet he could speak so eloquently.
Xue Youwei quietly replied, "Lin Shanhe, he's a live-in son-in-law of the Mo Family, married to the second concubine-born daughter of the Mo Residence."
"Oh—" Ning Yue's voice rose two octaves, "So he's a live-in son-in-law. Then Brother Xue, you misspoke."
Xue Youwei looked up at Ning Yue in confusion.
Everyone else also looked over, eager to watch the show.
"Since he's a live-in son-in-law, then he didn't 'marry' her, he 'married into' her family!"
"Hiss~" The people around him collectively gasped, and Xue Youwei's face quickly turned from white to red as he struggled to hold back his laughter.
Today, he truly witnessed Ning Yue's sharp tongue, which was practically like a controlled weapon.
Those two sentences were like two sharp knives, each piercing directly into Lin Shanhe's heart.
The term "live-in son-in-law" was the most unacceptable label for Lin Shanhe; in the past, his colleagues and even his superior Zongqi, out of fear of the Mo Family's power, often showed him deference, let alone openly humiliating him.
But now, someone was openly touching a taboo, mocking him right to his face.
Unable to bear it any longer, Lin Shanhe stood up with a 'swish', his face instantly darkening.
He wasn't a brute, at least he didn't think so; going from the son of an unknown stable boy to a Xiaoqi officer in the military was not a simple matter that could be achieved with just a few words.
Marrying into the family was merely a stepping stone for him to cross social classes, and every step on this ladder was taken by himself; his strength in the Great Accomplishment of the Lian Rou Realm, allowing him to break into the top hundred in the Grand Military Competition where experts were as numerous as clouds, was clear proof.
However, a live-in son-in-law, after all, could not gain prominence in the illustrious Mo Family, and he had been in the position of Xiaoqi officer for five years.
Zhao City Lord was a fair and just official in governing the army; promotions were based solely on military achievements, but military achievements were not something everyone had the opportunity to obtain; it required seniority, background, and only then would it be your turn to fight for your life.
Lin Shanhe was not afraid to fight for his life; he was only afraid of not having the opportunity. Since the Mo Family wouldn't give him an opportunity, he could only create one himself.
When he saw Xue Youwei, Lin Shanhe felt this was a good opportunity.
Xue Youwei was neither brave nor cunning, working under Xue Ren; nominally a cousin, but in reality, he was just a follower.
But with this identity, humiliating Xue Youwei today would be humiliating Xue Ren.
And if the Xue Family lost face, the Mo Family's Zongqi young master would be pleased.
As for Ning Yue... if it weren't for the encirclement and suppression of Bald Mountain a few days ago, he wouldn't even have known there was such a person beside Xue Ren, sharp-tongued and not looking like a good person.
Lin Shanhe quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind; emotionally, he wanted to kill the foul-mouthed pretty boy in front of him, but reason made him point his finger at Xue Youwei.
"You... yes, you, how dare you laugh at me? Do you dare to have a duel with me?!"
Xue Youwei: "..."
I didn't do anything! I didn't even get to eat the lion's head!
Xue Youwei glanced at Ning Yue, then at Lin Shanhe, feeling like he had been caught in the crossfire, and at this moment, it wasn't good to say much.
As a nephew of the Xue Family, being provoked by the Mo Family, any words of evasion at this moment would be met with scorn.
Seeing this, the surrounding people quickly moved aside, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close, so they wouldn't miss the excitement and wouldn't have to worry about blood splattering on them later; the subtlety of it could only be understood, not expressed in words.
Ning Yue finally put down his chopsticks at this moment. He slowly picked up a handkerchief, wiped his mouth, and said, "What? Sir Live-in Son-in-law, if words don't work, you want to try force?"
"But if force doesn't work either, then what will you do?"
Ning Yue's martial arts had greatly improved recently, and he was eager to find someone to test his blade, but past experience reminded him that this was an excellent opportunity to place a bet!
It always worked, but it wouldn't wait forever!
Most of the guests nearby were also martial artists who loved to watch a good show. Upon hearing this, one person blurted out, "What else can be done? Just marry into the family and be done with it!"
"Boom!"
"Hahahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter.
This table in the corner of the Lucky Restaurant completely erupted, now clearly becoming the most eye-catching focal point of the banquet.
And Zhao Silu, who had been sitting at the very front, wearing a shimmering moon-colored dress, and looking utterly bored, now gathered the beautiful hair behind her ear with her jade hand, and her gaze finally focused.