Chapter Twenty-Four: The Gathering

  Ye Feng saw the wine bottles on the table and, without being polite, poured himself a cup. As he smelled the pungent aroma of the wine, his eyes almost welled up with tears, knowing that this was the most authentic and natural grape wine.

  Euler approached stealthily and turned to the table, also wanting a share of the food. However, Nia slapped his hand away with one palm, pointing at the honey on the side and saying: "That's what you should be drinking."

  Oola looked back at the duke and Ye Feng, both of whom showed a helpless expression. He pouted, reluctantly picked up a cup of honey.

  He saw Ye Feng take a sip of wine and then deliberately show a drunken expression, getting angry and turning his head away. The next moment, his attention was attracted by something outside the window.

  Oola pointed out of the window and said: "You see, there are a lot more people coming."

  Everyone heard the sound and looked over, only to see a large dust storm rising in the distance, with a big team of cavalry heading this way. Ye Feng stood by the window, looking at the rolling smoke and dust, which gathered but did not disperse, rose at a low angle, and moved slowly. Obviously a group of well-trained infantry.

  The group of people stopped at the entrance of the manor, and as the dust gradually dispersed, some blurry figures gradually emerged. There were more than 300 people in this group, each carrying a sword or knife on their back, with tall and strong physiques, and ferocious expressions. At the front of the team, Dobella was still sitting proudly on his horse, just like when Ye Feng met him yesterday, with an air of superiority and disdain for everything.

  Ye Feng couldn't help but shake his head, thinking to himself: This guy actually came too. But looking at his silly appearance, does he even understand art? Or perhaps, he's here to avenge yesterday's arrow wound and pick a fight?

  He was surprised to see that the grass bag got off the horse and ran to a soft couch behind. The soft couch was very luxurious and beautiful, with peacock feathers on top, white ivory pillars, smooth and delicate. Even the handles were made of gold.

  The top of the soft couch is surrounded by a canopy made of beautiful oriental silk, embroidered with golden threads and beautiful floral patterns. The canopy also hangs many gold-made wind chimes, which emit pleasant sounds when blown by the gentle breeze.

  Dobella helped down a woman in her thirties, elegant and refined. His face was full of smiles, carefully supporting the woman as if he were the most filial son among the twenty-four paragons of filial piety.

  A large group of lesser nobles rushed out from inside, eagerly welcoming the elderly Dobella. Ye Feng couldn't help but sigh at this: What a big show-off.

  At the same time, the duke walked to the window and sighed as he looked at the woman: "Beautiful girl! What a pity, it's like throwing pearls into a dark ditch."

  Ye Feng widened his eyes and carefully examined the woman. She was over 30 years old, yet still wore a red dress, her skin was fair, but her figure had become somewhat plump, a strand of brown hair hung down from her forehead, either because it hadn't been combed properly or on purpose, and as she walked, she swayed back and forth, looking rather seductive.

  "Master, your eyesight is a bit off!" Ye Feng retorted.

  The duke patted his shoulder and said: "Appreciate the angle, when you reach my age, you will understand that a truly mature woman should be like this."

  He picked up a grape from the fruit on the table, put it in his mouth, and continued: "Like a ripe grape, no need to peel, just lightly suck, the sweet juice inside will all run into your mouth."

  Nia and Diana let out a cold hum at the same time, and the room temperature suddenly dropped. The duke involuntarily shivered, as if he had thought of something, and muttered to himself: "Ah ha, my inspiration is back. This time I must write a shocking work. I want to go into the arms of nature and write seriously."

  He covered his mouth with his hand and whispered to Ye Feng's ear, "Although Niya is my daughter, but this doesn't prevent me from expressing my limited sympathy for you."

  After finishing speaking, he picked up the paper and pen he had brought with him and quickly pushed open the door and walked out.

  Ouyang felt the tense atmosphere in the room and shouted loudly: "Wait for me, I'm going too." As he spoke, he was about to rush out of the door.

  Ye Feng grabbed his collar and lifted him up, saying sternly: "Don't run around randomly, outsiders have many prying eyes, be careful not to get secretly plotted against."

  Ou La looked at the Duke in disappointment, completely disregarding any father-son relationship, and quickly disappeared outside the door. Turning back, he glared fiercely at Ye Feng and said: "You're ruthless."

  Just then, Aphrodite's voice was heard outside the door, speaking with the duke.

  The duke asked: "Miss Aphrodite, do you know who that woman is beside Dobella?"

  "Ah, you mean that noble lady?" Aphrodite's crisp voice came through, "That is the wife of Elder Dobela, they seem to have just finished their honeymoon."

  The duke exclaimed and said: "No wonder I haven't seen her before."

  Just then, a crisp bell rang out, and the people chatting stopped talking and walked into their respective rooms and seats. The duke also took the opportunity to come back.

  Ye Feng felt as if he was in a dream, and this place seemed like the cinema from his original world. He shook his head vigorously, throwing this idea far away.

  After a moment of silence, another ring. The hall calmed down. A beautifully dressed ancient priestess appeared on the stage, it was Aphrodite.

  She was dressed in white, wearing a laurel wreath on her head, standing in the center of the stage like a lotus flower emerging from the water. With just one glance of her autumn-water-like eyes, the countless charms within them had already left everyone enchanted and their souls flying out of this world.

  Eula couldn't help but turn her face away, glancing at Nia and Diana, and secretly curling up the corner of her mouth. Compared to Aphrodite, Nia and Diana could only be considered as immature little girls.

  She bowed elegantly and said in a clear, melodious voice like that of an oriole: "Thank you all for taking the time to come amidst your busy schedules. Aphrodite expresses her gratitude to everyone here."

  Everyone came forward to modestly decline.

  An elderly nobleman, adorned with medals and dressed impeccably, with snow-white hair, slowly rose to his feet, speaking in a quavering voice: "Miss, you're too modest. Throughout the continent, it's rumored that your acting skills are on par with the dancing skills of Silvana, the number one beauty among the Spirit Tribe. Having the chance to witness your performance is an honor for all of us."

  Everyone applauded spontaneously, and the atmosphere suddenly became lively.

  Ye Feng looked at the old man who had already stuffed half of his body into the coffin, somewhat puzzled. What's the point of this old fellow not waiting for death at home, but instead coming here to join in the excitement?

  Nia was surprised and said: "How did old Oshus come too? Since Ataras took the stage, hasn't he been in seclusion and not asked about current events?"

  The duke stood up, raised the wine glass in his hand, and bowed respectfully to the old man. After seeing the other nod in response, he sat down and said: "You really should go out more often and not lock yourself up, staring at those account books all day long. I remember that he has a villa not far from here, and every year around this time, he will come here to stay for a while."

  After these days of learning, Ye Feng has learned a lot about this place.

  This Oshus is a legendary figure. He was born into a declining noble family and obtained the position of general by sending his own sister to the former emperor as a concubine.

  Later, in order to establish his military achievements, he led the army to conquer the barbarian Gaul. Unfortunately, this Rheinhardt from another time and space was a good-for-nothing, even when dealing with those barbarians who painted their faces and hunted wild boars with stone axes, this general also lost more often than won.

  However, this is not the most brilliant part. The most brilliant part is: no matter how many defeats he suffered, he could always run back unscathed, still get various medals and promotions, and even grab a lot of money.

  In this way, the old man became more and more powerful, and also richer. From an unknown fallen noble to a great nobleman and slave owner with industries in various provinces.

  In the process, he also paid great attention to reproduction and had dozens of sons, from black people on the Mum continent to Viking people in the extreme north. There were hybrids of various ethnic groups.

  This point makes Ye Feng admire and can't help but sincerely say a word of admiration.

  Niya snorted, turning her head to counterattack. But she saw Diana looking at someone beside the old noble with a complex expression. The man was wearing a pure white naval uniform, his hair slicked back with a thick layer of hair oil, his long hair combed perfectly in place, so smooth that flies would slip and fall if they landed on it.

  It was Rear Admiral Commander Poseidon.

  He was smiling at Diana with a sunny face, his handsome face covered in sunlight.

  Diana looked at him, then at Eula who was teaching the carefree and frivolous Orla how to whistle, hesitated for a moment, and quietly took a few steps back with her feet, hiding behind Nia.

  Bo Shou's face suddenly darkened, his eyes fixed on Ye Feng with a gloomy gaze, revealing a deep-seated resentment.

  Aphrodite raised her hands, and with a light clap in the air, the musicians blew their instruments vigorously. As the pleasant music sounded, the members of Aphrodite's song and dance troupe fluttered onto the stage, beginning their performance.

  Ye Feng watched them perform a familiar plot, with a sense of being in a different world. This was clearly an adapted version of Shakespeare's "The Prince's Revenge".

  It wasn't until the end of Act I, during intermission, that he finally closed his slightly aching jaw under Oola's reminder. Then without saying a word, he turned around and walked out the door.

  He was eager to go find Aphrodite and ask her clearly where she had found this thing.

  Ye Feng hopes to find some information about his own era from Aphrodite. After all, that represents his past. Perhaps, he can also learn why the world has changed so much after he fell asleep.

  He arrived at Aphrodite's resting chamber, only to find the door tightly closed, with a crowd of nobles eager to meet her already packed outside. But they were all blocked by the maid at the door with a hard and cold "The young lady needs rest."

  Despite this, everyone still gathered at the door and was reluctant to leave. Seeing the light in their eyes and the red face of frenzy was no different from the star-chasers he had met before.

  Just as he was at a loss, a passing maid recognized him and exclaimed in surprise: "Aren't you Lord Ryūki?"

  Ye Feng was taken aback, could it be that I also have fans?

  The maid ran to his side, grasped his arm with her hand and said excitedly: "Really is you! Everyone has been telling the legend of your story. Did you really single-handedly climb Snow Heaven Peak, defeat the evil black dragon Merukenekubadaranas, and rescue Princess Arya who was taken by it?"

  As she spoke, the beautiful maid seemed to be doing it on purpose, her high chest constantly touching Ye Feng's arm, he felt an amazing elasticity, feeling a dry mouth and tongue, swallowing hard a mouthful of saliva.

  Ye Feng didn't expect the rumors about himself to be exaggerated to this extent, and fans were so enthusiastic that they could even recite the long and wordy name of Heilong in one breath.

  He felt it necessary to tell everyone the truth, so he said solemnly: "Low-key, low-key. These small things in the past, I never liked to talk about them everywhere."

  He saw the maid look a bit disappointed, and then said: "Of course that's a matter of personal preference. If a beautiful girl like you wants to listen, a gentleman like me can't refuse. Why don't we find a room to chat slowly, and I'll tell you all about it?"

  "Really? That's great!" The maid's eyes sparkled with stars, nodded heavily and said happily.

  "It's better..." The maid said, pushing open a door beside her and saying: "You can tell me in this room, okay?"

  Ye Feng glanced around the room, which was empty and simply furnished, but at the far end stood a bed, a very large bed. But that was already enough, wasn't it?