Jiang Liu cultivated in the Ten Thousand Mountains until almost the New Year before returning to Wind City.
The fourth year of Chengping, the thirtieth day of the Lunar New Year.
Today at noon, Feng Yi arrived at Jiang Liu's residence, looking like he wouldn't leave unless Jiang Liu went with him. Jiang Liu had no choice but to get into Feng Yi's carriage.
When the carriage arrived at the Feng Family, it entered through a side gate. Jiang Liu was stunned when he got off the carriage, thinking that Feng Yi was taking him to a restaurant. He didn't expect to come to the Feng Family. He glared at Feng Yi with annoyance.
Feng Yi simply scratched his head sheepishly and led Jiang Liu straight to the back of the house. They didn't encounter anyone along the way until they approached a large, detached mansion, where a noisy commotion arose.
Jiang Liu went inside and realized that this was the back garden, with a huge pavilion inside. Several tables were set up in the pavilion, waiting for the banquet to begin.
This is quite interesting in the dead of winter. Judging from their clothes, they are not afraid of the cold and should all be Ranked Martial Practitioner.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Liu wanted to turn around and leave. "Ni Ma, you've really screwed me over!" he thought. Just as Jiang Liu turned to leave, Feng Boyun's voice rang out, "Jiang boy, where are you going? Come sit down!"
Jiang Liu had no choice but to turn around and bow to Feng Boyun, saying, "Grandpa, I need to relieve myself!"
Feng Boyun looked at Jiang Liu with a mocking expression, then waved his hand, "Alright, stop standing there, come and sit down!"
Jiang Liu had no choice but to step forward and was about to sit down next to Feng Yi when Feng Yi nudged Jiang Liu and gestured towards Feng Yue's side.
Jiang Liu looked up and saw that there was an empty seat next to Feng Yue was sitting next to Feng Boyun. Feng Yue was looking at him intently.
Jiang Liu had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit down next to Feng Yue seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and her expression relaxed.
"Alright, let me introduce you all. This is Jiang Liu. Please get to know him!" Feng Boyun said as Jiang Liu sat down.
There were three tables of people sitting in the garden. At Feng Boyun's table sat the five Feng Family brothers and Feng Yue Feng Boyun. At the next table sat the wives and daughters of the Feng Family brothers.
The last table was occupied by the grandchildren of the Feng Family, and Feng Yi was also sitting at that table.
Then, Feng Yue introduced everyone present to Jiang Liu. In addition to the five Feng Family brothers whom he had known from the beginning, there were their respective wives, especially Feng Yue's mother, Tang Xin, a woman who looked gentle and weak.
When Tang Xin was introduced, Tang Xin carefully looked Jiang Liu over, then nodded in satisfaction without saying anything more.
Feng Yue led Jiang Liu around and introduced them to everyone. Finally, she returned to her seat and sat down. Only then did Feng Boyun speak up, "Alright, now that you all know each other, please sit down!"
"It's a rare occasion to be happy this year, so everyone should relax and let's start the feast!" Feng Boyun laughed heartily and waved his hand.
The servants then set out food and wine, and everyone began to eat and drink, toasting and exchanging toasts.
During the meal, Feng Yue became much more proactive with Jiang Liu, chatting with Jiang Liu from time to time, no longer displaying her previous cold demeanor.
The banquet lasted for almost an hour before everyone took their leave, and Jiang Liu also prepared to get up and say goodbye.
Feng Boyun said, "Young Jiang, wait a moment, I have a few words to say to you!" After saying that, Feng Boyun got up and walked towards another courtyard.
Seeing this, Jiang Liu had no choice but to follow.
Upon arriving at the neighboring courtyard, Feng Boyun sat down and began preparing tea, and Jiang Liu followed suit.
"I know you've already promised Murong Lie that you'll represent the Murong Family in the Martial Arts Tournament, and that's really nothing. It's just that my Feng Family isn't really my decision to make."
After Feng Boyun finished speaking, he casually handed a cup of the brewed tea to Jiang Liu.
Jiang Liu took the tea with both hands, took a sip, and said, "Grandpa, this tea is excellent!"
"Hey kid, no need to change the subject. I didn't mean to blame you! I called you here today for two reasons: first, to introduce you to my family, and second, to explain the Martial Arts Tournament to you in detail!" Feng Boyun said with a smile.
"Is there anything else at the Martial Arts Tournament?" Jiang Liu asked with a curious look.
"Yes! The time has been moved up. It will begin on March 15th after the start of the new year, and the message has already been sent to various states." Feng Boyun said with an ambiguous expression.
"March 15th? There's no rush. Are there any other changes?"
"Because this is the first time it has been held, only the top powers in each prefecture have the right to make recommendations."
"Does that mean other small and medium-sized forces in the various counties can't participate?"
Feng Boyun nodded and said, "Currently, that's how it is. If you want to participate, you have to join the top forces in each prefecture!"
Jiang Liu thought to himself, "So this is to gather talent for the top forces in each prefecture! What are these three sects thinking?" He then stopped worrying about it; with his current strength, thinking about it was pointless.
"Besides these two points, is there anything else?" Jiang Liu asked.
Feng Boyun shook his head and said, "That's all, but you need to be careful. The Murong Family isn't in a good position!"
Jiang Liu paused for a moment upon hearing this, then ignored it. After chatting with Feng Boyun for a few more minutes, he took his leave.
Feng Boyun nodded without saying much and let Jiang Liu leave.
Jiang Liu walked out of the Feng Family and saw Feng Yue waiting for him at the gate. Jiang Liu walked up to her with slight surprise.
"Why is Miss Wind waiting here?"
"Jiang Liu, am I really that annoying to you?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu looked up at Feng Yue with slight surprise. "What makes you say that, Miss Feng?"
"If not, then why do you always call me 'Miss Wind' whenever you see me?"
"Oh! It's just a habit. Shall I call you Feng Yue then?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yue's face immediately blossomed into a smile. Jiang Liu looked at Feng Yue, who resembled a blooming daffodil—noble, elegant, and unconventional.
Jiang Liu was momentarily stunned. He had always seen Feng Yue's cold face, but he hadn't expected her to be so pretty when she smiled.
I blurted out, almost as if it were a ghost, "I didn't expect you to look so good when you smile. Smile more often!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yue blushed deeply, glared at Jiang Liu, stomped her foot, and turned to leave.
Jiang Liu stared blankly at Feng Yue as she left, thinking, "Why did she leave just because I said 'it looks good'? Did I have to say 'it looks bad'?"
Jiang Liu shook his head, then got into the waiting carriage and headed towards his residence.
As soon as I got back to my place, I ran into the waitress from Ascension Tower who was waiting for me at the door.
Jiang Liu sighed, realizing he wouldn't have a peaceful day. He had no choice but to follow the waitress to the Ascension Tower.
Upon arriving at Ascension Tower, the waitress led Jiang Liu directly to a large mansion behind Ascension Tower, instead of going straight to the top floor as usual.
As soon as Jiang Liu approached the courtyard, Murong Yin came out to greet him, "You're here! Come in! Grandpa is waiting!"
Jiang Liu nodded and followed Murong Yin inside.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard Murong Lie's voice, "You brat, all you think about is going to the Feng Family, you don't even know to come here?"
Jiang Liu looked helpless and could only cup his hands and say, "Grandpa, please forgive me. I really didn't expect Feng Yi to take me to the Feng Family. I usually just go to any restaurant. Who would have thought it would be like this?"
"Alright, I didn't mean to blame you. Sit down and let's talk!" Murong Lie waved his hand and said. Jiang Liu then sat down, and Murong Yin followed suit.
After Murong Yin sat down, he began to busy himself with boiling water and making tea.
"I'm sure Old Feng has already told you about the Martial Arts Tournament!"
Jiang Liu nodded, looking at Murong Lie. Murong Yin prepared the tea and handed a cup to both Murong Lie and Jiang Liu. Jiang Liu took it and nodded to Murong Yin.
Murong Lie took the tea and took a sip, saying, "I have only one request for you when you go to Yuncheng: to subdue all the young talents in Yuncheng."
Jiang Liu looked at Murong Lie with a puzzled expression.
"Because the first place winner in Yunzhou this time will receive an unexpected reward. You'll find out when the time comes!"
Jiang Liu looked at Murong Lie, who had a solemn expression on his face, and nodded.
"Haha! Good! I knew you wouldn't be content to lag behind. When do you plan to set off?" Murong Lie asked happily.
Jiang Liu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I plan to set off after the fifteenth!"
"Hmm! That's good, there's plenty of time!"
The three chatted for a while, and finally, Jiang Liu finished dinner at Ascension Tower before returning to his residence.
Back at his lodgings, Jiang Liu finally calmed down to think about the day's events. In the years he had lived here, this was the first time he had experienced such a lively Lunar New Year's Eve.
Yeah! I went to two different places, and I don't know how things turned out like this! But for someone like me who's all alone, maybe this is a good start?