Then Zheng Lingjun announced that the birthday banquet was officially beginning.
The Zheng Family's attendants brought out a dazzling array of delicacies from land and sea, setting them before the guests.
A troupe of graceful, willowy dancers twirled to the musicians' accompaniment.
For a time, song and dance filled the Zheng Family compound.
The birthday banquet was a joyous affair for host and guests alike. It was not until the hour of the Monkey that the guests began to leave.
Li Xinge was about to take his leave as well when Zheng Lingjun called out to him.
The latter smiled and said, "Younger Brother, wait a moment. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Li Xinge was a little puzzled, but he didn't refuse.
The two of them found seats in a stone pavilion.
Once they were seated, Zheng Lingjun didn't beat around the bush. He got straight to the point. "Younger Brother, I have a daughter whose beauty and talent are both exceptional. I'd like to form a marriage alliance between our families. What do you think?"
At those words, Li Xinge's heart jolted. He looked up at Zheng Lingjun, his face full of astonishment.
He seemed to be trying to read something in Zheng Lingjun's expression.
It was a long moment before Li Xinge came back to himself.
He gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I'm grateful for your kindness, Elder Brother, but while my father was still alive, he arranged a marriage for me. I wouldn't dare go against his dying wish. I hope you'll understand."
Li Xinge wasn't trying to deceive Zheng Lingjun.
His grandfather, Li Xuanfeng, had mentioned the marriage contract once, but that was all. Li Xinge didn't even know the woman's surname or what she looked like.
Still, it happened to make a convenient excuse for turning Zheng Lingjun down.
The Zheng Family's daughter was of noble birth, and the prominent families of Baihe County were all eager to marry her.
After all, marrying a Zheng daughter was like gaining a powerful backer.
But Li Xinge didn't think much of it.
His future would never stop here.
If he married a Zheng woman, then a hundred years from now, he would still look the same, while the woman at his side might already be a frail old lady. Wouldn't that only bring sorrow?
Zheng Lingjun wasn't offended by Li Xinge's refusal.
He hadn't expected it to be so easy to tie Li Xinge to the Zheng Family.
In his heart, he was already certain that Li Xinge was the "Child of Destiny" their Old Ancestor had spoken of.
If he couldn't bind Li Xinge to them, then he'd bind the Li Family instead.
As Zheng Lingjun saw it, Li Xinge was a man who cared deeply about those he was close to, especially his family.
Binding the Li Family was the same as binding Li Xinge.
As long as Li Xinge remembered the Zheng Family's help when they were still struggling, perhaps the Zheng Family could one day reclaim the glory of its ancestors.
With that in mind, Zheng Lingjun smiled again. "Since you already have a marriage contract, then I was presumptuous. But my second younger brother has a daughter as well, and she's also a legitimate daughter of the Zheng Family. How about we marry her to a promising young man of the Li Family, to deepen the bond between us as brothers?"
Zheng Lingjun had put it so plainly that if Li Xinge refused again, it would mean disregarding both the Zheng Family and Zheng Lingjun.
He couldn't afford the consequences of angering the Zheng Family.
Besides, for a legitimate daughter of the Zheng Family to marry into the Li Family would be a step down by any measure.
A marriage alliance between the two families would also draw them closer.
His mind raced as he considered which young member of the Li Family would be a good match.
Suddenly, one name came to mind.
The Great Elder's grandson, Li Xingcong, who was nineteen that year.
Li Xingcong had exceptional talent and had already reached Great Perfection in the Body Forging Realm. If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon break through to the Body Realm.
Given Li Xingcong's status and talent, he was a passable match for a legitimate daughter of the Zheng Family and wouldn't bring shame upon them.
With that in mind, Li Xinge told Zheng Lingjun about Li Xingcong.
Zheng Lingjun was quite satisfied with Li Xingcong's qualifications.
He was nowhere near as monstrous as Li Xinge, but he could still be considered one of the young talents of the county.
Li Xinge's choice of candidate also showed that he wasn't brushing Zheng Lingjun off.
The goal of strengthening their ties had been achieved.
"I'm quite pleased with Xingcong," Zheng Lingjun said with a smile and a nod.
Hearing that Zheng Lingjun was satisfied, Li Xinge finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In the blink of an eye, the two of them settled the marriage alliance.
As for what the two people involved thought, they ignored it entirely.
"By the way, Younger Brother, Song Tianbo seemed rather displeased with you at the banquet today."
Li Xinge gave a scornful smile. "He just couldn't stand me stealing the spotlight. He's a clown, nothing more."
"I was careless," Zheng Lingjun said ruefully.
Li Xinge waved his hands. "This has nothing to do with you, Elder Brother. The Song Family and the Li Family have had a deep-seated feud for years. We're like fire and water. It was only a matter of time."
"I'm glad you don't blame me. Song Tianbo is petty, and every joy and anger shows plainly on his face. He's a true villain."
"If he didn't have decent talent, he'd never have become head of the Song Family. But that's as far as he'll ever go."
"The one you should watch out for is that old ghost of the Song Family. He entered the Lesser Qi and Blood Accomplishment Realm years ago, and he's no match for that half-baked member of the Su Family. Even I'm wary of him."
Hearing Zheng Lingjun's words, Li Xinge nodded in agreement.
One couldn't underestimate veteran Qi and Blood Realm experts.
It seemed he still needed to improve his strength as quickly as possible.
As long as he grew strong enough, he could smash any ghosts or monsters in his way through sheer force.
"Thank you for the warning, Elder Brother. I'll be on my guard."
"Good. But if that old ghost really breaks the rules, the Zheng Family isn't made of dough. We certainly won't stand by and do nothing."
Even Li Xinge, who always assumed the worst of others, couldn't help feeling moved by those words.
Zheng Lingjun was openly offering him support, even at the risk of falling out with the Song Family.
What exactly did Zheng Lingjun want?
Though he was puzzled, Li Xinge could only bury the question in his heart.
"Then I thank you, Elder Brother. I'll remember your great kindness. If you ever need me in the future, I won't hesitate to brave fire and water for you, as long as it's within my power."
That is, as long as you aren't up to something.
Li Xinge's words made Zheng Lingjun's heart bloom with joy. He'd given so much and even lowered himself—wasn't this exactly the promise he'd been waiting for?
When you rise to greatness, remember to let me have a taste of the meat too.
Zheng Lingjun laughed wildly to himself.
But his face remained calm, and he said with righteous sincerity, "Younger Brother, what are you saying? You call me Elder Brother, so I consider you family. This is only what I should do."
The two of them exchanged a few more polite words.
Seeing that it was late, Zheng Lingjun offered to let Li Xinge spend the night and leave at dawn.
Li Xinge declined, citing the many family affairs awaiting him.
Zheng Lingjun personally escorted Li Xinge to the Zheng Family's main gate.
After they said goodbye, Zheng Lingjun watched Li Xinge's retreating figure, the smile on his face growing broader.
"Lingjun, you made the right choice. That young man is no ordinary talent. Even I can't see through him."
At some point, an elderly figure had silently appeared behind Zheng Lingjun.
Hearing the movement, Zheng Lingjun hurriedly turned around. Seeing who it was, he asked, "Old Ancestor, what brings you out here?"
The one who had arrived was none other than the Old Ancestor of the Zheng Family.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such an exceptional young man," the Old Ancestor of the Zheng Family said with a smile.
"Lingjun, you did well to befriend Li Xinge. Perhaps the Zheng Family's long-held wish to return to the Lingxu Sect will truly rest on his shoulders."
The Old Ancestor of the Zheng Family spoke in a distant, drifting tone.
Meanwhile...
As he walked away, Li Xinge seemed to sense something and turned to gaze back toward the Zheng Family compound.
He murmured, "Truly unfathomable."
Before you continue