Coming Together

Everyone was chatting and laughing.

A sudden commotion erupted outside, followed by several sharp sounds of fists and feet slicing through the air, then two muffled groans of pain.

Hearing that familiar voice, Qian Fu's expression changed drastically, and she shot to her feet.

Wang Yuan called out, "Old Han, hurry in! You're the only one missing!"

Bang!

Bang!

Two muffled thuds rang out as heavy objects hit the ground.

Heavy footsteps immediately sounded on the stairs, each step making the floorboards tremble faintly.

The curtain was swept aside, and a burly figure squeezed in, looking just like a black bear barging into a mountain cave. He instantly filled most of the doorway.

The newcomer was a sturdy young man with an intensely aggressive gaze. The muscles on his thick neck and heavily corded arms bulged like he was wearing armor made of flesh. Just standing there, he exuded an invisible pressure.

"Brother Wang, it's lively today."

"Come, let me introduce you..." Wang Yuan rose with a smile. "This is from the Black Bear Martial Hall..."

He paused, then said, "An unparalleled genius... Han Yan."

He bit down slightly harder on the words "unparalleled genius."

He then introduced everyone present one by one.

Han Yan's huge, bell-like eyes roved left and right as the introductions were made. Whenever he looked at someone, he carried a vicious edge, as though he wanted to swallow them alive and tear them limb from limb.

After the introductions, Han Yan strode over to Wang Yuan's side.

Wang Yuan glanced at Hong Chun on his left and said with a smile, "Chun'er, why don't you... move over a little?"

Hong Chun hurriedly stood up to give him the seat.

Han Yan dropped heavily into the seat, twisted his thick neck, clenched his fist, and pointed his thumb at himself. "Brother Wang, I ran into two sissy martial artists outside just now. You know me—I can't stand that sort of thing..."

"They're my people," Qian Fu cut in coldly. Her goose-yellow brocade jacket made her expression look even more displeased.

Han Yan's eyes bulged. "Oh?"

He bared a row of stark white teeth. "What does the little lady want? Shall we exchange a few moves?"

Qian Fu let out a light laugh. "I heard you're an unparalleled genius?"

Han Yan said, "That's right."

Qian Fu asked, "How long did it take you to reach Ninth Rank, and how long to reach Eighth Rank?"

Han Yan said, "I only began practicing martial arts at the start of winter this year. I reached Ninth Rank in four days and broke through to Eighth Rank in forty-four."

Qian Fu giggled. Pinching a candied fruit between her slender jade fingers, she raised it to her lips and smiled. "I thought you were supposed to be something impressive."

Han Yan slammed his palm onto the table and shouted furiously, "What did you say?!"

Qian Fu said slowly, "My Chu Xiao reached Ninth Rank in three days and Eighth Rank in forty. He also only started training at the beginning of winter. If you don't believe me, you can ask around."

With that, she gave a soft "heh" and said nothing more, merely crunching the candied fruit between her teeth.

The air suddenly froze for a moment.

The next instant, Wang Yuan's loud laughter broke the silence.

Laughing as he waved his hands, he said, "Why are you two brothers getting angry over such a small matter? Those two idiots outside who gambled themselves red-eyed lost even their shoes and socks. What are they worth? Are they worth making my two brothers angry?"

He looked at Qian Fu. "I'll pick out two better ones for you later, sis."

Then he patted Han Yan on the shoulder. "At the black arena in my Golden Hook Quarter, Brother Han, whenever you come, you'll always have a front-row seat. If you take a fancy to an opponent and feel like going up, just tell me. I'll arrange it."

Seeing that their expressions had eased somewhat, Wang Yuan took advantage of the moment and said, "Besides, in martial cultivation, blindly pursuing speed is actually the inferior path... A few days faster can't prove anything."

Qi Yu laughed heartily. "You two geniuses—one breaking through to Ninth Rank in three days, the other in four—are both figures I can only gaze up at. Don't laugh at me, but it took me nearly a month to break through to Ninth Rank."

Only then did Han Yan seriously look over the host of the gathering. Seeing his forthright expression and composed bearing, he took a liking to him and smiled. "Brother Qi and Brother Wang both come from wealthy families, so naturally you don't need to risk your lives for a future like us martial fellows. Slow is good. Going too fast... only harms the body. Looking at Brother Qi, I'd say your training is going quite well."

Qi Yu cast a deep look at the "24~47" floating above Han Yan's head.

If he truly had only begun training at the start of winter, then... calling him a genius was absolutely no mistake.

He clapped his hands and said, "Now that everyone is here, let the banquet begin."

The dancers waiting outside the screen heard their host summon them and swayed their waists as they danced gracefully inside.

Their jade pendants chimed delicately, and as their long water sleeves swept through the air, misty rosy clouds unfurled in rolling waves.

The servants entered with their heads lowered, carrying food. One lacquerwood box after another was opened, revealing a dazzling array of delicacies.

Qi Yu gave one of the servants an order.

Before long, the steward of the building came running in from outside and hurried over to whisper in his ear.

Qi Yu lowered his eyes and gave a few instructions, and the steward bowed and withdrew.

In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, he returned carrying a sandalwood tray with several items arranged on top.

These were the gifts he had prepared for today's guests.

The Qi Family's core industry was "medicine." Centered around medicine, they had not only developed Hundred Flowers Brew, a fine wine renowned for promoting health and enriching the blood, but also various "flower teas," "flower dews," and even "rouge and cosmetics"...

Qian Fu declined, saying, "Brother Qi, I've eaten and drunk your things today. How could I still take something of yours?"

Qi Yu said no more. He directly opened the portion meant for Qian Fu and took out a delicate jade bottle clear as ice crystals. The two characters "Heavenly Haze" were engraved on it in ancient seal script.

"Flower dew?"

Qian Fu was no stranger to this sort of thing. She accepted it, opened it, and gave it a sniff. A thread of cool fragrance suddenly slipped out, like early-spring snow falling upon a flowering crabapple.

She immediately revealed an astonished look.

What a fine thing.

Qi Yu had confidence in his family's products.

The Heavenly Haze Flower Dew he had prepared for Qian Fu was, in other words, perfume. The "flower dew" called "Red Haze Flower Dew" had a spirit flower from the Qi Family's secret grounds added to it. It smelled crisp and cool at first, then lingering and mellow upon closer inspection. Light and elegant rather than overpowering, it was exceptionally pleasant. Just one drop would greatly enhance a woman's charm.

For Han Yan, he had prepared Spirit Flower Tea. Its main effect was calming the mind and settling the spirit, making it highly beneficial for an Eighth Rank martial artist recovering after exploding their blood.

Products involving the Qi Family's secret grounds were all priceless and highly sought-after outside.

As the young master of the Third Branch, he could not lay hands on the core Herb Gathering Pavilion, but he still possessed a quota of these products to distribute.

After confirming that this was a treasure money could not buy, Qian Fu accepted it without hesitation and smiled. "Brother Qi, you're as interesting as Brother Wang. No wonder your junior brother praises you so highly. He says you're a martial arts prodigy with a wide network, and that you've even offered him guidance."

A martial arts prodigy with a wide network, who even offered him guidance?

Qi Yu asked, "Who said that?"

"Chu Xiao." Qian Fu smiled. "The genius of your Spirit Serpent Martial Hall. He admires you so much, too. Now that I've met you today, you truly are extraordinary."

Qi Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Originally, he had prepared Spirit Flower Tea for Han Yan because he had wanted to help Junior Brother Chu resolve that inexplicable grudge. But now... he suddenly decided not to say anything.

He had only thought of Uncle Song's hardships and how hard it had been for him to finally find a genius disciple.

What a pity...

He wasn't a fool.

He could tell whether someone was treating him well or poorly.

Chu Xiao knew exactly what sort of situation Qian Fu was in. Knowing as well that his relationship with Song Xue was special, he had nevertheless deliberately praised him with two assessments that did not fit the facts. His intentions were obvious.

If Wang Yuan had not invited Qian Fu today and defused the situation, then even if Madam Liu had investigated Qian Fu's character and refused afterward, some minor resentment would still inevitably have formed.

The banquet dispersed, the guests all departed, and only two people remained on the fifth floor.

Qi Yu and Wang Yuan.

"Yuanzi, you've changed a lot." Qi Yu suddenly spoke.

Wang Yuan's eyes were hazy with drunkenness. Leaning against the doors and windows, he looked northward at Mount Wei amid the sunset clouds and mist. "Brother Qi, aren't you the same?"

As he spoke, he gave a self-mocking chuckle. "I'm a concubine-born son, and you're the Third Young Master. Outside, we cut splendid figures, but at home... we can't even sit at the main table.

"It's fine for now, but what about the future?

"I... thought I was the only one who had awakened. I didn't expect you had too, Brother Qi. That's a good thing."

Qi Yu said, "You brought up Qi Feng, trying to get me to fight him in the arena and stir up internal strife in my Qi Family, so your Wang Family could watch from the opposite bank and profit from the conflagration?"

Wang Yuan smiled. "Do you think you wouldn't have to fight even if I didn't provoke you?

"Brother Qi, don't be naive.

"But you—you only said it took you a month to break through to Ninth Rank. Why didn't you mention that you then spent another month breaking through to Eighth Rank, and afterward defeated your family's veteran Eighth Rank guard with a single punch?"

As he spoke, he waved his hands repeatedly. "I didn't plant a spy. The messenger I sent yesterday to deliver the invitation just happened to have sharp ears and overheard it by accident."

Qi Yu was silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you for today."

Wang Yuan waved his hand. "No need. I arranged those two male favorites. I happened to see them, so I thought I'd draw the little lady out to meet her directly, lest some inexplicable grudge form and my Brother Qi get set up without even knowing it.

"People may have no intention of harming a tiger, but the tiger harbors the will to harm others..."

The air fell silent.

Wang Yuan suddenly spoke again. "Brother Qi, the things I do from here on may conflict with you a little.

"Still, we're both grown now. Many things are beyond our control.

"But no matter what, I still hope... that we'll be brothers. Forever."