"Ah, it's Council Head Wang! I'm honored to have my little gathering attract your attention— and you as well, Governor Xiao!" Zhang Lie shouted, calling out to the two men.

"Council Head!"

"We greet the governor of Qi!"

No other dared do the same; they bowed toward them deferentially.

Xiao Zhengyang began, half-joking and half-serious, "It's not a formal occasion, so there's no need for all the pleasantries. Aren't you going to welcome us, Deputy Leader Zhang? Why, it's almost as if you don't want us here!"

"Of course I do! Please, come, have a seat!"

Xiao Zhengyang had treated Zhang Lie well, and Zhang Lie would treat him the same way.

Yang Ze and Li Feng prepared to stand up to give their seats to the governor and council head, but Xiao Zhengyang stopped them. "There's no need—just put down two more stools and two more sets of utensils!"

The banquet table sat ten: Zhang Lie, the members of Team Zenith, along with the newcomers Zhuo Yiong, Xia Na, and Qin Tian. Troop Leader Zhou Liao had joined them, and with both the governor and the council head, there would be thirteen...