Three Ranks in a Row

"Blue Scales Detached, within four hours!"

Huang Boliu cupped his hands and said, "My conclusion is exactly the same as Island Master Sima's. Congratulations, Elder Tong, congratulations, Elder Tong. It truly is the Immortal's Gift of Scales; sixty years of life, immeasurable fortune!"

This time, even Tong Baixiong was shocked. He stood up and looked at Sima Da, "Is it... is it really four hours?"

Sima Da nodded, "The fish scale blood is fine, not scattered at all. It must be within four hours. I'll stake my life on it."

Huang Boliu added, "I'll vouch for it too!"

The guests in the hall all stood up to offer their congratulations.

"Sixty years of life, Elder Tong is one hundred and twenty-six years old. He hasn't even reached the halfway point of his life."

"You should slap yourself. The immortal clearly said, an additional sixty-six years of life, how could it be..."

Fat Qianhu chuckled, "The Immortal's Gift of Scales, Elder Tong is truly blessed."

Huo Duan also sneered, "It's a gift of Dragon Scales, indeed immeasurable fortune."

Fat Qianhu glared at him, their eyes meeting with a hint of gunpowder smoke.

Tong Baixiong gently stroked his white beard and laughed heartily.

Tong Yukang's mind went blank. He looked at Zhang Yu, his face turning completely red.

"This... this is impossible!"

"You're lying!"

"There's no such thing as the Immortal's Gift of Scales! Right?"

Tong Baixiong glared at Tong Yukang. He had turned a blessed gift from the immortal into a detective case for the Tong clan. Not only was it a dampener, but it also made the heroes of the world mock the Tong family for their narrow-mindedness and lack of tolerance.

He said calmly, "What else do you have to say? You don't have the ability or sincerity for the Hundred Depths Cold Pool, and you won't let others add years to my life?"

Tong Yukang was speechless. He merely glanced at Zhang Yu, his eyes filled with endless coldness.

The unintentional sentence Tong Baixiong spoke, "don't have the ability for the Hundred Depths Cold Pool," struck the most sensitive point in his heart.

Born into a martial arts family, yet lacking the talent for martial arts. No one could understand this pain. From childhood, he always felt he was treated differently. His father's expectations for his two elder brothers were completely different from his own.

"The immortal has granted me more life. I will personally receive it."

Tong Baixiong walked to the center of the hall with a smile and personally helped Zhang Yu up. "Thanks to your sincerity, you moved the heavens and allowed me to gain another sixty years of life. If you weren't Hall Master Wu's direct disciple, I would truly want to take you as my last disciple."

Zhang Yu quickly replied, "It is my duty to be loyal to the Divine Cult and do my best for the Hall Master. Although my position is lowly, I dare not forget your kindness."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Tong Baixiong said "good" three times in a row and said in a deep voice, "Cloud Water Hall originally governed the Guanzhong region, and there are still some scattered old subordinates. Since you are Hall Master Wu's direct disciple and my world nephew, I want you to take on the role of Incense Master to open up the situation. How about it?"

When this was said, even Qi Zhaogu was shocked. Being sent to a region had always been his dream.

If Zhang Yu could integrate the old subordinates of Cloud Water Hall and establish a foothold in Guanzhong, perhaps in a few years, he would become a powerful figure in the cult, even surpassing his own status.

Upon closer consideration, whether it was Zhang Yu's own martial arts, his intelligence, or his identity as Hall Master Wu's direct disciple, commanding the scattered old subordinates of Cloud Water Hall had a high probability of success.

The jealousy in Tong Yukang's heart was almost unbearable. He coldly looked at the young man's handsome face and thought, "I absolutely cannot let this brat succeed!"

Zhang Yu cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to serve Uncle-Master. However, I... am currently the Deputy Flag Master. Being promoted three levels, will that be..."

Tong Baixiong laughed, "Eastern Cult Master has repeatedly said that we should promote based on talent and not let a pearl be obscured by dust. Don't worry, Wind Thunder Hall will not bury talent. Your appointment will come soon."

After the commotion subsided, the wine was served for the second round.

Zhang Yu returned to his seat, and the gazes of everyone towards him had changed.

The Incense Masters who had previously ignored him suddenly became enthusiastic, calling him "brother."

The leaders and elders of several affiliated gangs also found excuses to come over to chat and drink with him.

Zhang Yu drank thirty cups before showing a slight hint of drunkenness, but he still accepted every offer.

Such a capacity for drink and such a bold demeanor truly made some people look at him with new eyes.

He and Sima Da, the Lord of Long Whale Island, and Huang Boliu, the Leader of Tianhe Gang, chatted very congenially, almost to the point of becoming sworn brothers.

After the third round of wine, the banquet was no longer so formal.

The martial artists began to mingle, forming groups of three and five to chat.

Zhang Yu looked at Qi Zhaogu, whose face was flushed with wine, and said with a slight slur, "Brother Qi, there's something on my mind that I shouldn't really ask you. But honestly, in Wind Thunder Hall, I don't have anyone else I can confide in."

"I know what you want to ask."

They walked to a corner of the courtyard, a little distance from the crowd.

Qi Zhaogu said softly, "The Third Young Master once wanted to apprentice himself to Hall Master Wu."

"And was rejected?"

Qi Zhaogu sneered, "What I say stays between us. Don't let it leak out. The Third Young Master's martial arts talent is lacking, but his mind is sharp, stubborn, and suspicious. He'll definitely figure out that I told you."

"Don't worry, Brother. You still don't trust me, Zhang Yu? Then... this is also an undeserved disaster for me." Zhang Yu said with a wry smile.

Qi Zhaogu said with schadenfreude, "Everything has its price, a gain and a loss. If you only want to take advantage and not suffer any losses, wouldn't that go against natural karma?"

He revealed the truth to Zhang Yu with his own intentions in mind.

The eldest and second young masters of the Tong family are both Incense Masters in the Cult, stationed in the Capital City's Shuntian Prefecture area all year round.

Tong Yukang, who remained in Pingding City, always looked down on these disciples who were considered 'outsiders'.

He suspected that his several failed external assignments were related to Tong Yukang.

"It's good that you can go to Guanzhong to take up your post. Sigh, honestly, I envy you. If my brother achieves great success one day, don't forget your old friend."

"If I become rich and noble, I will not forget you."

Zhang Yu cupped his hands and then sighed, "The Third Young Master's conduct... I hope everything goes smoothly."

He suddenly thought that Mount Hua was in the Guanzhong region and was momentarily lost in thought.

Since the two of them couldn't avoid the crowd for too long, they said a few words and returned to the inner hall.

At this moment, Tong Baixiong seemed a bit off. He picked up his wine cup several times before putting it down. He forced a smile at those around him, glancing towards the main door from time to time, and frowning slightly, appearing to be in low spirits.

As time passed, this behavior became more pronounced.

Zhang Yu said, "Hall Master, you don't seem to be in high spirits?"

Qi Zhaogu replied, "My adoptive father is waiting."

Zhang Yu asked, "Waiting for what?"

Qi Zhaogu sighed, "Waiting for someone."

Just then, a voice came from outside.

"Envoy of the Eastern Cult Master has arrived!"

Tong Baixiong suddenly stood up and rushed out of the inner hall. In the central courtyard, less than ten steps from the main gate, he met the two envoys.

The two purple-robed envoys, one carrying a wine jar and the other holding a yellow cloth edict.

"The Sun Moon Divine Cult, with its Virtuous and Martial, Benevolent, Righteous, Heroic, and Wise Cult Master Dongfang, decrees: Tong Baixiong has been diligent in his duties and has made outstanding contributions. On this occasion of his sixty-year birthday, a jar of fine wine is bestowed to comfort his hard work."

Tong Baixiong knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"The Cult Master's Holy Grace is too great for me to repay even with my death."

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly.

He could see that at this birthday banquet, Wan Chonglou's 'Pillar of the North', Qi Zhaogu's 'Filial Son's Blood Scripture', and his own gift of 'Immortal's Gift of Scales', all three combined, were not as valuable as this jar of wine from Dongfang Bubai.

What kind of person was Dongfang Bubai?

He could make a proud and heroic figure like Tong Baixiong bow down to him and be utterly devoted.

Huo Duan looked at the Fat Qianhu beside him and sneered, "Wan Chonglou's 'Pillar of the North' is not as good as a mere jar of cheap wine. Your efforts were in vain."

"We people of the Central Plains value loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. The martial arts world is no different. How could a fox from beyond the Great Wall understand this?"

"Heh heh, a fox from beyond the Great Wall will sooner or later overturn the Han family's cooking pots."

The Fat Qianhu said coldly, "Are you not afraid of not being able to return to the grasslands if you speak like that within Great Ming?"

Huo Duan laughed heartily, "Then let's try."