It was currently the afternoon, the Hour of the Monkey.
Zhao Yuanren's birthday banquet was in the evening, so there was still quite some time before it began.
Chen Yan followed behind Wei Zhao, while Wei Zhao followed behind Steward Wang. The three of them headed deeper into the Zhao residence together.
Though the Zhao residence appeared exceedingly grand, a closer look easily revealed severe peeling paint and numerous cracks on the wooden pillars lining both sides of the corridors.
They were the craftsmanship of Forgotten River City's artisans from several centuries ago.
Zhao Yuanren had established himself in Forgotten River City for over six hundred years, and the Zhao residence itself had stood for more than six centuries as well.
It could be said that traces of time lay everywhere.
At the end of the corridor stood a bridge.
Following behind Wei Zhao and Steward Wang, Chen Yan stepped onto the stone bridge. Beneath it was neither a lake nor a pond, but a training ground.
On the training ground, several Young Cultivators who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen were sparring and drilling in the open space.
Chen Yan casually glanced toward the training ground a few more times before withdrawing his gaze. He continued across the stone bridge and arrived at a covered walkway.
Beyond the covered walkway was a small courtyard.
"City Lord Wei, please wait a moment. I'll go in and inform the Family Head."
Steward Wang turned around and cupped his hands toward Wei Zhao.
Naturally, he ignored Chen Yan at Wei Zhao's side. In anyone's eyes, Chen Yan was merely Wei Zhao's attendant—or perhaps a junior favored by the lord of Forgotten River City.
He simply did not belong on any proper stage. His entry into the Zhao residence was entirely due