Just as Ying Ping and the others were chatting and laughing, several people suddenly appeared at the entrance of the hall.
Apollo, accompanied by several Familia members, slowly walked in.
One of them, a blond man leaning on a cane, was Hyacinthus, the captain of the Apollo Familia, whose waist Ying Ping had broken with a backbreaker at the tavern last time.
After all, this was the Apollo Familia's stronghold, so it would be too strange if they didn't show up at all.
"Isn't this our Orario's Hero Familia?"
Apollo walked over enthusiastically with an exaggerated smile, arms open, "Hestia, Artemis, Ying Ping-kun, and all you lovely ladies, good evening everyone~"
Hestia immediately jumped up like a startled Hakimi, "Apollo! Stop with that disgusting smile! Tell me, what do you want!"
"Oh my, don't be so hostile~"
Apollo spread his hands, feigning grievance, "I came specifically to apologize and compensate you."
He turned to Ying Ping, his smile fawning and sickening, "Regarding what happened at the tavern last time, it was all our fault. As the main god of the Apollo Familia, I sincerely apologize to you, Ying Ping-kun, and to Lady Hestia on their behalf."
With that, Apollo pulled the nearby Familia members to bow and apologize to Hestia.
Ying Ping watched with cold eyes, immediately seeing through Apollo's intentions.
This guy must have found out that he could easily defeat the Level 5 Werewolf Bete, and then, fearing that his Familia would be wiped out, he came to show weakness and seek reconciliation.
"Hmph! Who cares about your apology!"
Hestia waved her hand dismissively, "Now you're scared? The best apology is for you to disappear from our sight immediately!"
Apollo's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned, "Well... if Lady Hestia wants any compensation, just name it, I will definitely..."
"No need, Apollo, you guys leave quickly, go, go!"
Hestia's expression became even more disgusted, and she waved her small hand in a shooing gesture.
"Alright then."
Apollo felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, letting out a huge sigh of relief inwardly, and was about to leave with a fawning smile.
"Wait."
Ying Ping suddenly spoke.
Apollo trembled all over, cold sweat seeping from his forehead, "Y-Ying Ping-kun, do you have any other instructions?"
Ying Ping folded his arms across his chest, his gaze coldly sweeping over Apollo and his group, "It's simple, Lord Apollo."
"As long as you disband your Familia, hand over this mansion to our Hestia Familia, and voluntarily leave Orario... then we can consider the previous debt settled."
"Wh-What?!"
Upon hearing this, the members of the Apollo Familia immediately erupted, their expressions changing.
Even Kokoro and Chisato exchanged glances, finding Ying Ping too ruthless.
Hyacinthus's hand, gripping his cane, trembled violently, his face ashen, "You... you're going too far! Lord Apollo is already willing to compensate you, and you still..."
"Shut up!"
Apollo sternly silenced his captain, then turned back with a ingratiating smile, "Well... Ying Ping-kun, could we... change the conditions?"
Ying Ping sneered, "Do you think... you have the right to bargain?"
"Or are you saying you want to be sent back to the Heavens right now?"
Sensing Ying Ping's will, Artemis immediately picked up a small knife from the dining table, her expression cold and beautiful.
As soon as Ying Ping gave the order, she would not hesitate to stab Apollo.
In the DanMachi world, mortals killing gods is a great sin, but gods fighting each other is actually not a problem.
It's just that, because the Lower World is just a playground for the gods.
And the gods have had billions of years of friendship, so no god would willingly make a move against another god easily.
Unless they are mortal enemies.
"I'm warning you, once you're sent back to the Heavens, your Familia will still be disbanded, and this house will still end up in the hands of our Hestia Familia."
"Even if you intend to resist stubbornly and seek external aid to initiate a War Game, the outcome will not change."
Ying Ping added coldly.
The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.
The surrounding guests held their breath, some nervous, others watching the confrontation with keen interest.
More cold sweat seeped from Apollo's forehead, and he swallowed with difficulty, "I... I need some time to consider..."
"Alright, then I'll give you some time. I want to see your answer before the banquet ends."
Ying Ping said indifferently, "Otherwise, you can expect your Familia to be completely wiped out tonight."
After speaking, he turned and put his arm around Hestia's shoulder, "Let's go, everyone, let's go get something to eat over there."
Watching the Hestia Familia's retreating backs, Apollo's face was unpredictable.
Hyacinthus gritted his teeth and whispered, "Lord Apollo, are we just going to..."
"Call everyone together, and let's discuss it."
Apollo squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth, the smile on his face long gone, replaced by a look of dejection.
There was no other way; in the DanMachi world, a weak Familia was a sin.
Initially, Apollo didn't know the strength of the Hestia Familia and Ying Ping, so he sent people to try and forcibly take them.
Now that he discovered the other party was a formidable character, whatever fate Apollo faced now was his own doing.
No one would sympathize with him.
This scene was witnessed by many gods, including Hermes.
This cynical, mischievous god stroked his chin, a cunning glint in his eyes.
"Tsk, Ying Ping-kun is truly a ruthless person~"
Hermes muttered softly, suddenly recalling the embarrassing incident in the Great Tree Sea when Ying Ping had reported him for peeping, and his brows furrowed instantly.
He now, all of a sudden, found Ying Ping, surrounded by beauties, somewhat irritating and very much wanted to get back at him.
So, Hermes quietly slipped to the side of the stage and found the master of ceremonies, who was adjusting the instruments—
He was also a god of mischief, who shared his taste for fun.
"Hey, buddy."
Hermes lowered his voice, "How about we arrange a special performance for tonight's protagonist?"
The MC god raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What kind of performance?"
"Of course, it's to have our great hero, Ying Ping-kun, go on stage and sing a song for everyone~"
Hermes winked, "Don't you think something like that would be very interesting?"
"Brilliant!"
The MC god slapped his thigh, "It has to be you, Hermes, it's settled!"
Just as Ying Ping and Hestia and the others were enjoying their meal, the music in the banquet hall suddenly stopped.
A spotlight snapped onto Ying Ping.
"Distinguished guests!"
The MC's excited voice rang throughout the hall, "Let's welcome tonight's protagonist—"
"The captain of the Hestia Familia, Orario's most promising super rookie adventurer, the hero who saved the Lower World during the expedition to the Great Tree Sea—Mr. Ying Ping, to sing a song for everyone!"
"Please give him a warm welcome!"
The entire hall instantly erupted, with applause and cheers rising and falling.
"What?!"
Ying Ping looked bewildered, half-doubting if he had misheard.
Hestia nervously tugged at his sleeve, "Y-Ying Ping-kun? What's going on?"
Artemis frowned at the MC, "We didn't sign up for any performance..."
"But someone already signed you up! Hey, don't mind such small matters and spoil everyone's fun~"
The MC god said with a chuckle, "Everyone is really looking forward to it!"
"Damn it, who signed me up?!"
Ying Ping looked around, meeting Hermes's signature annoying smile.
The other party even made a toast gesture at him.
"Well, well, it was you, Hermes... you're dead meat..."
Ying Ping muttered through gritted teeth, but maintained a dignified smile on his face.
He noticed that on the Loki Familia's side, Loki already had a look of amusement on her face, while Ais's curious golden eyes were wide, watching him.
Freya, still leaning lazily against a pillar with her arms crossed, also had a playful glint in her amethyst-like eyes.
"Since everyone is so enthusiastic..."
Ying Ping calmly walked onto the stage, and when he took the microphone, he deliberately squeezed it hard, producing a harsh screech, "Then I'll make a fool of myself. I'll say in advance, I'm not a good singer."
Chisato excitedly pulled out her recording crystal, ready to document it, while Ilena rested her chin on her hand, an expectant expression on her face.
Ying Ping only took a moment to get a feel for it, then began to sing.
Searching for your figure in the darkness
That silhouette is still vividly etched in my heart
Without any musical accompaniment, Ying Ping simply held the microphone and began to sing a cappella.
The moment he opened his mouth, the entire venue fell silent, and everyone held their breath, listening intently.
Although he hadn't formally studied singing, he imitated Kenshi Yonezu's rhythm and sang the latter half of "Lemon," a song he was very familiar with in his previous life.
He felt that this part of the lyrics was the most beautiful and very suitable for the gods and adventurers of Orario.
It must be said that the language of this other world was identical to Japanese, and singing it brought out that distinct feeling.
Whenever I encounter unbearable pain,
Tears always well up uncontrollably.
What have you been through?
What have you witnessed?
A look I've never seen before appears on your face.
Where are you now?
If you're living a lonely life, constantly in tears, just like me,
Then please forget everything about me.
This is the only wish from the depths of my heart.
Even today, you are still my light.
As Ying Ping sang to this point, with that extreme emotional power, countless listeners couldn't help but get red eyes and shed tears.
I deeply love you,
Even more than I ever imagined.
From now on, every time I think of you, it's a suffocating pain.
You were intimately by my side,
But now you've vanished like smoke.
The only thing I'm sure of is,
I will never forget you.
Even today, you are still my light.
In fact, Ying Ping's voice had already cracked as he sang, but it only made it sound more emotional and penetrating.
The entire banquet hall fell into a strange silence, with only the sound of intermittent sobbing echoing.
Many gods couldn't help but cry.
Because they had lived for a long time, and during those years, they had met many beloved children.
But for various reasons, those children of their Familia had left them forever.
Ying Ping's song stirred up their memories and longing for important people, so they were all in great pain now...