The following evening, at the Imperial Grand Hotel in the capital, the establishment was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
Employees of the Imperial Hotel lined up in two rows, grandly welcoming guests attending the banquet. Each face was alight with excitement, their hearts filled with anticipation whenever a legendary figure appeared.
Warriors from the Ministry of War patrolled the streets, keeping ordinary citizens without invitations at a distance. They could only watch from afar.
Luxury cars lined the entrance of the hotel. Well-dressed men and women stepped out of the vehicles, their faces beaming with joy.
On this night, almost all the prominent figures of the capital were present, having been invited to the War God Banquet.
Just as Long Batian had envisioned, this night was his stage.
All the prominent families of the capital were here to welcome him.
He was the sole protagonist!
"All these luxury cars! The cheapest one must be worth several million, right? All the important figures of our capital are here. What is the Imperial Hotel doing tonight?"
Onlookers expressed envy and curiosity.
"You don't even know? Commander Li of the Ministry of War is hosting the War God Banquet for our Great Qin's War God, Long Batian, inviting all the major wealthy families of the capital. Anyone invited is a tycoon worth billions, people we usually only see on television."
"Look! Look! It's the Li family! That person is the young master of the Li family, Li Wenbo. Wow! So handsome!"
The crowd chattered, some trying to capture the magnificent scene with their phones, but they were quickly stopped by the patrolling soldiers. They could watch, but the event could not be publicized.
The Li family members entered the hotel. Upon hearing the onlookers' discussions, many of them displayed a hint of disdain, their hearts filled with pride.
Although their Li family had suffered embarrassment due to Li Xiaotian, and their businesses had been suppressed recently, these events could not shake their position as a top-tier family in the Great Qin Empire.
Because they were the Li family, they possessed the strength and foundation!
A few minutes later, Li Xiaotian, along with his wife, daughter, Fang Yuan, and Long Yi, arrived at the Imperial Hotel. The group was dressed casually, thus not attracting the attention of the onlookers.
"Xiaotian, your invitation is real! We should have changed into better clothes if we had known."
Ye Qingmei said, looking at the glamorous crowd around them. Everyone was dressed luxuriously, while they were all in their usual attire, making her feel somewhat self-conscious.
"It's alright, it's just a banquet. There's no need to be too formal," Li Xiaotian said, comforting her with a smile.
"Xiaotian, you too. The War God Banquet is the highest-profile event in the capital these days. Everyone here belongs to one of the foremost families of the Great Qin Empire. If we come in such plain attire, we might be looked down upon," Fang Yuan said with some worry, trying to keep her head down, afraid of being recognized by acquaintances, yet she couldn't help but glance around curiously.
"You're from Jiangnan and don't understand the situation in the capital. Families of ordinary status are not qualified to attend this banquet. Since we are fortunate enough to receive an invitation, we should dress up. Perhaps we can even take this opportunity to meet some important figures."
Li Xiaotian chuckled lightly, ignoring Fang Yuan. He took Ye Qingmei's hand and prepared to enter the hotel.
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Fang Yuan's face, but it quickly vanished. She followed Li Xiaotian inside, still curious about where Li Xiaotian got his invitation.
As Li Xiaotian and his group reached the hotel entrance, a figure hurried towards them.
"Mr. Long. Mr. Li."
It was Jiang Hai, the Governor of Jiangnan. He happened to be back in the capital to report his duties, so he was dispatched by Li Shanhai to greet Li Xiaotian.
Jiang Hai bowed respectfully and said softly.
"Mr. Li, why didn't you notify me before you came? I could have sent someone to welcome you at the entrance."
"Jiang Hai, is it? No need for such trouble. We're just taking a look around. You go ahead with your business. My family and I will go in and see what it's like."
Li Xiaotian said, smiling wryly in his heart. Li Shanhai was being too polite. The Governor of Jiangnan himself was sent to act as a doorman.
"Alright, Mr. Li. Please call me anytime if you need anything," Jiang Hai said respectfully, understanding that Li Xiaotian preferred not to be disturbed, and he quickly excused himself.
Seeing this, Fang Yuan looked at Jiang Hai's retreating back, finding him somewhat familiar, but she couldn't recall who he was. She assumed he must be a friend of Li Xiaotian's, who had an invitation and gave one to Li Xiaotian. However, he seemed unfamiliar, so she reasoned he probably wasn't from a top-tier family.
It was understandable that Fang Yuan didn't recognize Jiang Hai, as she was not from Jiangnan. Moreover, there were dozens of governors in the Great Qin Empire. While they were figures of authority in their own regions, they were not particularly significant in the capital.
"Li Xiaotian!! How dare you show up here!!" As Li Xiaotian and his group were about to enter the hotel, a sharp scream suddenly came from behind them, followed by a torrent of angry curses.
"Li Xiaotian! Ye Qingmei! Fang Yuan! You still dare to appear? And have the nerve to come here?"
"Excellent! The War God said he would deal with you personally. I was just looking for you, and you've come right to my doorstep. Li Xiaotian, why don't you kneel outside the main entrance and confess your crimes!"
Li Xiaotian turned around. It was the Zhao family, but everyone had bandages wrapped around their hands, looking rather comical. The person who first spotted Li Xiaotian was Zhao Lu.
The Zhao family quickly surrounded them, their eyes filled with malice as they glared at Li Xiaotian, wishing they could tear him apart on the spot.
The sudden shout from the Zhao family at the hotel entrance drew everyone's attention. When they realized who Li Xiaotian was, it caused quite a stir.
"Is that Li Xiaotian? He doesn't seem that formidable. Is he the one who embarrassed the Li and Zhang families and made the Zhao family a laughingstock?" someone commented.
"This Li Xiaotian is truly audacious. The Li and Zhang families were searching for him everywhere, and he actually shows up here!"
"I heard the War God Long Batian declared he would deal with Li Xiaotian. Is Li Xiaotian an idiot for coming here to court death?"
"Perhaps he's here to apologize. Look at their plain attire; they don't look like they're here for a banquet. They're probably scared and have come to confess."
"This is too funny, isn't it? Confess? Does he think confessing will get him off the hook? The Li and Zhang families will never let him off. This War God Banquet is going to be lively tonight!"
The surrounding people chattered. Li Xiaotian calmly looked at the Zhao family and said in a level tone.
"What? Do you have a problem with me being here? Do you want me to cripple another hand for you?"
"Presumptuous! Li Xiaotian, don't be arrogant. Open your dog eyes and see where you are!" Old Master Zhao exclaimed, his face full of anger.