Jiazi's Birthday

December 8th, clear skies.

The Tong residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers.

Eighty tables were set up in the outer courtyard and twenty in the inner hall, all filled with guests.

"The Jade Pool received the Holy Mother's decree, turned and brought a cup of wine, instantly the heavenly nectar poured out, wishing for this day every year, and eternal life..."

On the stage, male and female roles, painted faces, and clowns made their appearance.

Few of the martial artists wielding swords and spears truly had the refined taste to listen to opera. They only felt that the stage's warbling added a bit of festivity and liveliness.

As the performance of Magu Offers Longevity reached its climax, the birthday celebrant arrived, and everyone rose to offer congratulations.

Tong Baixiong wore a red brocade robe embroidered with a hundred sons celebrating his birthday. Accompanied by his three sons, his face was flushed with joy as he cupped his hands to greet the guests.

"It is my humble birthday, and I have troubled all of you friends to travel a long distance. I am both happy and feel indebted. I hope everyone eats well, drinks well, and has a good time. We won't go home sober today!"

Tong Baixiong sat at the table closest to the stage, with his three sons standing behind him.

The martial world, while seemingly about quick justice and vengeance, was actually like the imperial court, with distinct hierarchies and strict ranks.

One was openly displayed, the other resided in people's hearts.

Without sufficient personal strength and prestige, no one, regardless of whose son they were, could sit at this table.

Those who could share a table with the ten elders of the Sun Moon Divine Cult were already figures of exceptional renown in the martial world.

The elder of White Tiger Hall, 'Sculpture Hero' Shangguan Yun.

The elder of Azure Dragon Hall, 'Yellow-Faced Venerable' Jia Bu.

The Imperial Guard's Thousand-Household Officer from Pingding City, Zhu Xuantong.

And a Hu man with a silver ring in his ear, the third son of the leader of the Wala Tribe from the grasslands, Huo Duan.

According to martial world status, a Flag Master should only be seated in the courtyard. However, Zhang Yu was forcefully pulled to the inner hall by Qi Zhaogu to keep him company. The people at their table were at least Incense Master level.

"Brother Qi, I don't think it's appropriate for me to sit here."

Qi Zhaogu chuckled, "Brother, sit at ease. You are Hall Master Wu's direct disciple. Anyone who finds it inappropriate can come talk to me."

The two men, with similar personalities, drank wine and ate meat, secretly appraising the martial artists present, finding it quite enjoyable.

Zhu Xuantong, seated at the head of the table, had an exceptionally broad back. His waist, cinched by a leather belt, appeared remarkably slender. Wearing a black gauze cap and a Flying Fish Robe, he exuded an air of martial prowess.

Qi Zhaogu tore off a goose leg and noticed Zhang Yu looking at the Imperial Guard's Thousand-Household Officer. He said, "That is the selection standard set by Emperor Taizong: 'Tiger-backed, wasp-waisted, mantis-legged.' Every one of them who reaches the rank of Thousand-Household Officer and guards a region has crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. They are not simple people."

Zhang Yu chuckled, "Hall Master has great influence to even have an Imperial Guard Thousand-Household Officer come to celebrate his birthday."

"What do you think? Master also holds a Fourth Rank military official title. Although it's merely an honorary title, it's personally certified by the Emperor. It's unique within the Divine Cult."

Zhang Yu was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought the martial world and the imperial court were two parallel lines that never intersected. Now, it seemed they were intertwined.

Just then, someone outside called out loudly.

"An envoy from the Imperial Guard's Commander, Lord Wan Chonglou, has arrived!"

The voice was powerful and clear, indicating considerable internal energy.

Qi Zhaogu chuckled slyly, "Second Brother is in for it today. Luckily, I ran fast, or this task would have definitely fallen to me."

A portly, obese man, also a Thousand-Household Officer, strained his Flying Fish Robe to its limit, showing no trace of martial prowess. He wore a smile, followed by four soldiers carrying a vertical plaque over two zhang tall, inscribed with four large characters in bold strokes.

"Pillar of the North." Many guests marveled in secret.

Tong Yukang greeted them at the foot of the stairs, had the plaque received, and led the stout Thousand-Household Officer to the first table.

Tong Baixiong rose, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please, be seated quickly. Commander Wan is extremely busy, yet he remembered my birthday and sent a gift. I am truly extremely honored."

The stout Thousand-Household Officer glanced at the Hu man beside him and said with a smile, "Old Mr. Tong is highly respected. Commander Wan said that if not for important official duties on the northern grasslands, he would have personally come to offer his birthday wishes."

Huo Duan snorted upon hearing this.

Tong Baixiong laughed heartily, "Today, I am not discussing official matters here, only drinking and eating meat."

Qi Zhaogu's face showed joy. His master had great influence, and as a disciple, he naturally shared in the honor. He said, "This Wan Chonglou is no simple man. He is the brother of the current Consort Wan, meaning he is the Emperor's uncle. He has commanded the Imperial Guards under imperial decree for over ten years, wielding great authority and prestige."

"Furthermore, it is rumored that Wan Chonglou's martial arts cultivation has already reached the Grandmaster realm, though no one outside has ever seen him fight..."

After the first round of wine, as everyone was feeling merry and warm.

The birthday banquet entered the gift-giving segment, proceeding in order of seniority.

Besides the plaque from the Imperial Guard's Commander, the 'Pillar of the North,' Shangguan Yun, Jia Bu, and others presented personally inscribed calligraphy and paintings, or treasured swords, none of which were particularly extravagant.

Huo Duan of the Wala Tribe was exceptionally generous, presenting three hundred warhorses and a thousand sheep.

For the martial artists who intended to befriend the Wind Thunder Hall and curry favor with Tong Baixiong, this was the main event. Many racked their brains, trying to make their gifts stand out and ensure Tong Baixiong remembered their kindness.

"The Island Master of Long Whale Island, Sima Da, presents ten hu of pearls from the East Sea and ten jade bamboo stalks, wishing our Divine Cult's Elder Tong longevity as boundless as the East Sea and as enduring as the Southern Mountains."

Sima Da was short and sturdy, with dark skin and large hands. He wore coarse hemp clothing. Judging by his appearance alone, he looked like a fisherman who had come to the banquet in clean clothes.

It was hard to believe that he was the Island Master of Long Whale Island, the most powerful and wealthiest among the Sun Moon Divine Cult's subordinate factions.

"The Leader of Tianhe Gang, Huang Boliu, presents a piece of 'Heaven-Sent Longevity Stone'..."

"Xibao Monk presents two steel sabers..."

"Jade Spirit Daoist presents ten Golden Elixirs for extending life and increasing longevity..."

Qi Zhaogu rose and walked to Tong Baixiong's table, then knelt down.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He kowtowed three times in a row.

Tong Baixiong joked, "Zhaogu, what birthday gift are you bringing? You're not going to dismiss this old man with just these three kowtows, are you?"

Among his three disciples, Qi Zhaogu wasn't the most skilled in martial arts or the most influential, but he was the one Tong Baixiong favored the most. They weren't father and son, but having spent so much time together, they were like father and son.

Qi Zhaogu brought out a wooden box and said solemnly, "Your disciple is untalented and lacks virtue. It is all thanks to your teachings that I have achieved what I have today. I have transcribed the two volumes of the Immeasurable Life Sutra with my own blood, totaling seventeen thousand three hundred and twenty-four characters. I wish to shorten my own lifespan to add blessings and longevity to you, my master, and to ward off disasters and misfortune."

By the end of his speech, tears streamed down Qi Zhaogu's face, his voice choked with emotion.

The entire hall fell silent. Those in the martial arts world admired loyal subjects and filial sons, and they quietly gave him a thumbs-up. Meanwhile, Tong Baixiong's three biological sons, standing behind him, looked somewhat awkward.

Zhang Yu, with a chicken leg in his mouth, hadn't expected the usually carefree Qi Zhaogu to suddenly pull off such a move, and so smoothly at that.

"This is... too brilliant."

Tong Baixiong's eyes grew slightly moist. He personally rose to accept the wooden box, took Qi Zhaogu's hand, and had him stand with his three sons. Turning to the crowd, he announced, "Zhaogu is now my fourth son."

Qi Zhaogu immediately bowed, "This child pays respects to his adopted father and his three elder brothers."

A wave of cheers erupted from below the hall. In reality, the drama of a loyal subject and a filial son, whether in acting or appearance, was more captivating than anything on stage, and the audience became more immersed.

The birthday celebration continued, and it was finally Zhang Yu's turn.

"Your subordinate, Zhang Yu, presents a portion of Blue Scale Carp scales. I wish Hall Master eternal happiness and a lifespan as long as the heavens."

Blue... Blue Scale Carp?

That was a rare and auspicious creature. When the Cult Master was in power, a Flag Master who presented a Blue Scale Carp was directly promoted to Vice Hall Master. Five years ago, two Blue Scale Carp appeared, and Prince Ning from the south and a wealthy merchant from the capital spent a fortune to acquire them.

Members of the Sun Moon Divine Cult showed expressions of surprise. Outsiders from the martial arts world also inquired of those around them about the rarity of the Blue Scale Carp.

However, Zhang Yu held a square wooden box, which caused confusion. Surely, a Blue Scale Carp couldn't be kept in a wooden box.

Tong Baixiong asked curiously, "Where is the fish?"

Zhang Yu declared loudly, "This is a blessing bestowed upon Hall Master by an immortal. Allow me to explain the details."

I just received news that I've entered the second round. As a newcomer, who still barely understands the recommendation system, achieving this result is entirely thanks to everyone's support. Thank you! During this period, I've encountered the most difficult challenges in my life, balancing work and writing. I can only hope to pour all my frustrations into my pen.