Zheng Lingjun's Renewed Overture

After arranging resting places for Li Xinge and the others, Zheng Lingjun excused himself to attend to other guests.

By noon, an elder from the Zheng Family came to invite Li Xinge to the VIP hall for the luncheon.

Those who could attend the banquet in the VIP hall were all the dignitaries of Baihe County.

And Li Xinge was undoubtedly among the very top tier.

Upon seeing his arrival, everyone rose to greet him, and Li Xinge responded to each in turn.

Only one person, however, lay sideways on his chair, squinting at Li Xinge with half-closed eyes, completely indifferent.

Li Xinge naturally recognized this person; he was an "old acquaintance" of his Li Family, the Patriarch of the Baibo Song Clan, Song Tianbo.

The Baibo Song Clan was the family that had initially allied with the Mangshan Su Clan to kick the Li Family while they were down.

Later, when he fell out with the Su Family, the Song Family had made no move whatsoever.

Li Xinge guessed that the Song Family might have wanted to sit back and watch the tigers fight, waiting for the Su and Li families to be mutually destroyed so the Song Family could reap the benefits.

He just hadn't expected the Su Family to be defeated so quickly...

Since Song Tianbo wasn't giving him face, he naturally wouldn't give Song Tianbo a pleasant look either.

He directly ignored Song Tianbo's cold, sharp gaze and walked straight to his designated seat.

The seating arrangement made by the Zheng Family was very interesting: the seat of honor on the upper left.

Li Xinge didn't hesitate and took his seat directly.

Seeing Li Xinge take his seat, the expressions of everyone present began to turn somewhat strange.

As for Song Tianbo, his face turned as black as charcoal.

Looking at the reactions of the others, in Song Tianbo's eyes, it was like silent mockery.

He couldn't hold back any longer and let out a cold snort, sneering, "The younger generation nowadays truly doesn't understand the rules. Relying on a bit of strength, they think they can climb over us."

He had expected the crowd to echo his sentiments and condemn Li Xinge, but to his surprise, the hall fell silent.

This made Song Tianbo feel somewhat awkward, his face instantly flushing red.

No one present was foolish; Song Tianbo was clearly trying to drag them down with him and offend Li Xinge, but they didn't have much of a grudge against the Li Family and certainly wouldn't fall into Song Tianbo's trap.

To offend someone for no benefit was the act of a fool.

Everyone who could sit here was a shrewd individual.

Li Xinge glanced at him. In ordinary times, if anyone dared to provoke him, even if it were the Patriarch of the Baibo Song Clan, he wouldn't be polite.

But today was Zheng Lingjun's birthday, and Li Xinge had to give him face.

However, if this Song Tianbo pushed his luck, he couldn't be blamed.

At this moment, Song Tianbo was in a difficult position.

He had originally intended to use the assembled guests to embarrass Li Xinge.

He hadn't expected that all these old geezers were afraid of this brat from the Li Family.

In his dilemma...

The timely appearance of the host gave Song Tianbo a way out.

"The Patriarch is here!"

Everyone present stood up.

Flanked by a group of Zheng Family elders, Zheng Lingjun walked in from the back of the hall.

"We pay our respects to the Zheng Family Patriarch. May the Zheng Family Patriarch live as long as the Eastern Sea and stand as tall as the Southern Mountains!"

Zheng Lingjun smiled and returned the salute.

"Esteemed guests, please be seated."

Everyone took their seats.

Zheng Lingjun sat in the main seat and raised a cup of wine.

With a beaming smile, he said, "It is my honor that all esteemed guests could come to attend my birthday banquet. I will toast you all first."

"Everyone, drink up."

After speaking, he heartily downed the wine in his cup.

Everyone raised their cups and drank heartily.

After finishing the first cup, Zheng Lingjun refilled it. "This second cup of wine, I want to toast a friend of mine, younger than me."

"A friend younger than you?"

The crowd was initially puzzled.

But soon, Zheng Lingjun cleared up their doubts.

He held his wine cup and stood up.

Looking at Li Xinge, he smiled and said, "My 'friend younger than me' is the new Patriarch of the Green Maple Li Clan, Li Xinge."

"I trust that the name of your old friend here is already well-known to everyone."

The crowd burst into laughter, with many voices chiming in to agree.

"The Li Family's prodigy, who in Baihe County doesn't know him? He's a rare young talent that appears in our Baihe County once in a hundred years."

"Patriarch Lu speaks the truth. Ever since I was young, I've lamented why such a prodigy wasn't born into my Yuan Family."

"Patriarch Li, the younger generation truly surpasses the old! We are all deeply impressed."

In that moment, it was as if Li Xinge was the true protagonist of the birthday banquet.

"It is my honor to befriend this sworn brother."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but gasp.

The Zheng Family Patriarch, who held immense power in Baihe County, actually valued Li Xinge so highly, lowering himself to seek friendship with him.

It was likely that after today.

The news of the Li Family forging a close relationship with the Dongjiang Zheng Clan would spread throughout Baihe County.

With the support of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan, the Li Family would undoubtedly become the second most powerful family in Baihe County.

For a moment, the gazes directed at Song Tianbo couldn't help but hold a hint of schadenfreude.

Meanwhile, Song Tianbo's face turned beet red, his blood and qi already churning within him.

It was a pity that he couldn't afford to offend Zheng Lingjun.

At the same time, he cursed Zheng Lingjun in his heart. To befriend a young genius, he'd thrown all dignity aside, groveling like this.

Didn't he know that once this young man grew up, the first to be threatened would be the Zheng Family's status?

Unable to offend the Zheng Family, he instead harbored his humiliation towards Li Xinge.

One day, he vowed, he would repay this disgrace to Li Xinge with interest.

"Sworn brother, please drink this cup to the dregs."

Zheng Lingjun raised his wine cup and said to Li Xinge.

Li Xinge was truly puzzled by Zheng Lingjun's attitude.

He and Zheng Lingjun had only met once. Why was this Zheng Family Patriarch, who wielded such power in Baihe County, so enthusiastic towards him?

When things are too good to be true, there's usually a catch.

A hint of wariness began to stir in Li Xinge's heart.

However, one shouldn't refuse a friendly gesture. Li Xinge certainly wouldn't be so ungrateful.

Besides, forging a connection with the Zheng Family could only bring benefits, and no harm, to the current Li Family.

With this thought, Li Xinge's face also broke into a smile.

He picked up his wine cup. "Brother, please!"

"Sworn brother, please!"

The two men shared a smile and drained their cups.