But, the expected battle between the righteous cultivators and demonic cultivators didn't happen, since xiao San returned, telling them that the refining room is now clean and is available to use. After he said that, xiao San finally noticed the brewing undercurrent of tension in the air.
Meng Gui, a level-headed person, broke the tension and personally led Cheng Sheng, Fei Yin and Wu Yuan to the refining room together with Shang He. Xiao San who was left with the other subordinates inquired what happened and almost exploded in anger when he found out. But, there's nothing that they could do since they wanted Cheng Sheng's help, thus they acquiesced.
The next day, Cloud Square, 6 AM.
"Everyone heard and understood the new regulations of the Drunken Moon City?" Meng Gui's subordinate spoke as he raised his head and looked over at the large crowd before him standing below.
"We understand!" somebody spoke. "When will the breakfast be served?" he asked.
Meng Gui's subordinate turned. "Today, to honor the union of our respected and beloved leader Meng and his lover boss Shang, who is another leader, everyone will be given three meals today. One in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening!" he explained. "The restaurants are about to finish cooking, so everyone please be patient!" he said before he stepped down the platform after he has finished his task. "Da ge." He called as he walked towards Meng Gui and Shang He who stood on the side.
After everyone heard what Meng Gui's subordinate said about Meng Gui and Shang He, they exclaimed in shock. After all, the two leaders, although not extremely hostile towards each other, but they are still enemies, after all. But, they have no choice to believe it.
They gasped in shock when they saw Meng Gui and Shang He standing near the platform, smiling at each other. So, they are really in love?! They thought, their eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets as they watched Shang He and Meng Gui talk to each other. Their actions looked intimate.
"No, no. I don't believe it!" someone spoke up.
"Why?" somebody asked.
"It was just yesterday they were cutting at each other's throats. Today, they looked like they are gonna kiss at the next second… how can they suddenly change?!" he asked.
"But… they really kissed…" someone said.
They all turned and saw that Shang He kissed Meng Gui, and Meng Gui even enthusiastically responded. "…" how blinding. They thought.
"Could this be a political marriage?" someone asked, his voice uncertain.
"Huh?"
"After all, they are only them and Ma Wen left. So, in order to deal with Ma Wen, they will unite." That person explained.
Some of them felt enlightened while some are still unconvinced. "But, they don't have to go this far, right?" he asked, but his voice is weak.
Everyone here are demonic cultivators. And demonic cultivators would do everything just to get what they want, whatever it takes.
"Of course, they don't!" someone spoke up in a loud voice. "Boss Shang is the strongest! And leader Meng is the bravest! So, why should they unite in marriage just to deal with a coward Ma Wen?" he asked. "They are doing this because they are in love!" he said.
Some whose mind felt muddled suddenly felt their mind cleared up. "That's right!" they agreed.
"Right? And… who knows if they were just putting up an act before that they are enemies, just to deal with the other leaders!" that brave person said.
"That's it!" the others agreed.
Among the crowd, someone secretly sneered. Ma Wen is a coward? He thought as he glared at the person who spoke earlier. It's Shang He and Meng Gui who are cowards! Look how scared they are of leader Ma! He thought and stared at Shang He and Meng Gui in the distance. They have to combine their forces because they know they aren't leader Ma's match! He grinned evilly before he lowered his head to hide the vicious glint in his eyes. They are even foolishly spending money to treat everyone for the celebration.
"Hehe…" he laughed in a low voice. He'll treat it as a donation for Shang He's and Meng Gui's impending funeral.
Suddenly, a delectable aroma wafted in the Cloud Square. Everyone's hungry and their stomach instantly grumbled when they smelled food. Some even can't help but drool, and they immediately wiped the drool off of their mouth and they turned. They hungrily looked at the incoming people carrying the foods.
There was suddenly an uproar. Shang He and Meng Gui finally stepped up the platform, with Shang He gentlemanly holding Meng Gui's hand to help him up. The indomitable Shang He that they knew is now looking at Meng Gui with overflowing love in his eyes, as if it is only Meng Gui that he can see. Meanwhile, Meng Gui, although rumored has a hundred men in his harem, is cold, now looking at Shang He with a bright smile on his face. Both men's faces are filled with happiness.
Everybody instantly became silent, sensing that the two leaders are going to say something.
"Everyone." Shang He spoke. "Thank you for coming today, gracing us with your presence in this momentous event. We won't further the delay of your meal anymore, as I have already said my piece." He said and turned to Meng Gui.
Meng Gui nodded and faced his own people. "Thank you for coming." He told them.
Everyone cheered and gave their blessing to the two. Then, they began eating. But, while they ate, they noticed that Shang He and Meng Gui didn't leave and just asked for a couch before they settled on top of the platform, then began flirting.
Everyone. "…" what is this? Although there are no formalities to consider for their wedding since demonic cultivators attached no importance with formalities, but do they have to show-off their relationship in front of us? And while we ate? Feeding us food, and also dog food? Won't we have indigestion after being fed full?
As soon as they thought of this, they suddenly heard a loud cry, followed by another, and another…
Everybody turned to the direction of the noises and saw a group of people, although scattered, are clutching their stomachs and chest while their faces are red and contorted because of pain.
"What happened? They really had an indigestion after being fed of dog food?" someone joked.
But, no one could laugh anymore because many more people started to suffer indigestion and then collapsed. Everyone immediately fell into a panic and moved away from those people, thinking there is a contractable disease that appeared, after remembering what happened to the Plum Blossom City.
Suddenly, they heard a screech. "AAAAAAAH!" someone screamed while pointing to someone on the ground.
He was one of those that suffered indigestion. Everyone, although scared that it might be a disease, but also are curious, so they cautiously approached, only to see that the face and skin of the person was rapidly changing.
"A monster!" someone exclaimed.
"No, idiot! Take a closer look! He is still a human!" somebody hit him.
"A disguise?!" someone immediately realized.
As soon as the faces of those people changed, Meng Gui's and Shang He's subordinates immediately acted and tied up those people.
Someone who has a sharper mind suddenly realized something. "They are Ma Wen's people!" he shouted.
Everyone immediately was roused from their daze of what had just happened. "Ma Wen's people… the spies?!" they exclaimed.
Suddenly, gossips broke out in the Cloud Square. But, Shang He and Meng Gui don't care and continued flirting. Their goal today has been achieved.
Cheng Sheng, who was watching from the distance together with Fei Yin and Wu Yuan, smiled in satisfaction. "Just as planned." He said.
Wu Yuan looked at Cheng Sheng with his eyes filled with worship.
Meanwhile, Fei Yin on the side. "…" a Hongmen Banquet… he thought. Although he was already expecting this to happen, but he didn't think Shang He and Meng Gui would throw caution to the wind. They did this after announcing their marriage!
"Thank you for your help." xiao San spoke as he approached them.
Cheng Sheng, Fei Yin and Wu Yuan turned. "It's no problem." Fei Yin spoke.
Xiao San nodded. Before he could excuse himself to go to Meng Gui, Cheng Sheng suddenly spoke.
"Have you counted the number of people?" he asked.
"Huh?" xiao San looked at him.
Cheng Sheng didn't answer him and just added another question. "Have you caught the person who can cast spells?" he added.
Xiao San stared at him. If he doesn't know that Cheng Sheng has a sharp tongue, he would think that the other is nitpicking on them. But, those years he lived would be in vain if he didn't understand the meaning behind Cheng Sheng's words.
"You mean… we haven't caught all of them?" he asked as he stared at Cheng Sheng in shock.