Banquet (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

In the subsequent matches, the most eye-catching was the bout between Liao Tian and Liu Sha.

The two fought fiercely for over fifty exchanges, with Liao Tian ultimately defeating Liu Sha by a half-move advantage.

This year's Martial Examination concluded.

The government would post the red list in five days, and those in the top ten would then become Martial Scholars.

The top ten of each county-level cohort could participate in the prefecture-level Martial Examination; those who passed were considered true pillars of the state, officially recorded and eligible for government-appointed posts.

Anyang County was under the jurisdiction of Chu Prefecture. With the Martial Examination held in late spring and the prefecture-level exam in late autumn, the current heads of both the Xie Family and the Qi Family were former Martial Scholars who had retired after their terms of office ended.

Although Chen Mo had lost to Xie Jinyou, his combined score from the Strength Trial and the Technique Trial should place him within the top ten.

He walked back to the inn with Yin Tianqing and the others.

Yin Tianqing patted him on the shoulder, a smile appearing on his face, "We shall stay in the county town for a few more days. It won't be too late to leave after the Martial Examination list is posted, how about it?"

When making this decision, Yin Tianqing subconsciously asked for Chen Mo's opinion.

Chen Mo pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Very well, Master, whatever you arrange is fine."

Previously, both the Qi Family and the Xie Family had invited him to visit, and he wanted to take this opportunity to befriend the major families of Anyang County.

Future Mountain and Water Cultivation would inevitably require significant resources, and befriending major families was the most suitable path.

The problem was, the Xie and Qi families...

How should he choose?

Or should he visit both?

However, during the past two days of the Martial Examination, Chen Mo had inadvertently learned that the Xie and Qi families were not actually on good terms.

If he tried to play both sides, he might end up offending both.

Relatively speaking, he was already somewhat familiar with Xie Jinnian, making it easier to approach the Xie Family.

Just then.

A man dressed in the black uniform of a government runner blocked their path, "May I ask which one of you is the martial artist Chen Mo?"

"Martial artist" was an honorific for high-level martial practitioners with prestige.

Chen Mo immediately cupped his hands, "I am Chen Mo."

The runner said sternly, "The County Lieutenant invites Martial Artist Chen to gather at Zuichun Pavilion tomorrow."

Chen Mo was taken aback, "The County Lieutenant? Zuichun Pavilion?"

"Yes, the County Lieutenant ordered me to ensure this message was delivered today."

When the runner mentioned the County Lieutenant, a look of respect appeared on his face, "The County Lieutenant personally chose Zuichun Pavilion. It is on the main road in the west of the city; just arrive before the hour of the Rooster tomorrow."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Mo asked, "Brother runner, do you know who else the County Lieutenant has invited?"

The other replied, "As far as I know, besides you, Martial Artist Chen, there should also be martial artists from the Xie Family, the Qi Family, the Black Tiger Hall, and the Hefeng Pawnshop."

Chen Mo nodded, understanding the situation.

Although the list would not be posted for another five days, a figure like the County Lieutenant would certainly know the results today.

While the County Lieutenant was not an examiner for the Martial Examination, he was the head of the county's military officials. It was normal for him to invite the successful candidates to gather in his personal capacity to get acquainted.

Most importantly, this way, Chen Mo no longer needed to agonize over whose house to visit.

"Tomorrow at Zuichun Pavilion, both the Xie and Qi families will be there. I'll just take things as they come."

Having made up his mind, Chen Mo cupped his hands again, "Many thanks for the information, brother. I will definitely be there tomorrow."

The runner bowed and left.

The next day, at Zuichun Pavilion.

The pavilion was crowded with wealthy merchants, and singers and dancers were heavily made up, while the scent of delicacies wafted through the air.

After entering the pavilion, Chen Mo was shown to a private room where people from the Xie Family, the Qi Family, the Hefeng Pawnshop, the Iron Palm Gang, and the Black Tiger Hall had already arrived.

He scanned the room.

Xie Jinyou and Xie Jinnian, the cousins, sat together, while Liao Tian and Qi Sheng of the Qi Family sat on the other side.

Strangely, Zhao Huayuan was also at the table, while Zhang Chong was not.

Zhao Huayuan is a Hua Jin expert, so it's normal for the County Lieutenant to invite him... he mused to himself.

At this moment, Xie Jinnian beckoned him over, and Chen Mo sat down to his right.

Before long, the County Lieutenant, Lin Chong, arrived. Everyone stood up to welcome him, and Lin Chong gestured for them to sit.

Lin Chong wore a black robe, his gaze sweeping across the room with natural authority.

He raised a cup of strong liquor with both hands and toasted, "Thank you all for giving me this face. I am but a simple martial man and don't know how to use flowery language, so I shall drink first!"

With that, he downed the drink in one gulp.

A sense of heroic spirit surged forth.

Everyone stood up immediately and downed their drinks in one go.

As the fiery liquor went down, Chen Mo felt a sharp, spicy sensation, but having possessed a fair tolerance for alcohol in his past life, he managed to handle it well enough.

After three rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, the atmosphere grew lively.

Lin Chong stood up and said, "The grandeur of this Martial Examination highlights the abundance of martial talent in our Anyang County. Xie Jinyou of the Xie Family, Liao Tian of the Qi Family, Liu Sha of the Black Tiger Hall, Ye Zimou of the Hefeng Pawnshop, Chang Hao of the Iron Palm Gang, and also..."

At this point, Lin Chong's gaze paused briefly on Zhao Huayuan before turning to Chen Mo, "And young brother Chen Mo from the Tianqing Martial Hall."

Zhao Huayuan glanced at Chen Mo, his expression turning somewhat dark.

"You are all martial talents of Anyang County. I, Lin, may have the opportunity to work with you all in the future. As the saying goes, when everyone works together, they can cut through metal. I believe that as long as you all join forces, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished!"

Having said this, Lin Chong raised his glass and finished it once more.

In the time that followed, the guests moved between the tables, primarily to build connections.

Chen Mo noticed that Qi Sheng and Liu Zongsheng, the master of the Black Tiger Hall, left their seats together for a moment. When they returned shortly after, Qi Sheng's expression was complex, while Liu Zongsheng could barely hide his smile.

Chen Mo suddenly recalled the matter discussed that day; Liu Zongsheng had asked Zhao Huayuan to collaborate on something, and Zhao Huayuan had agreed at the time.

Later, when Liu Zongsheng asked Yin Tianqing to collaborate, the latter had refused. Chen Mo had never asked his master about this, and his master would never have brought it up voluntarily.

The scene before him was quite similar to that situation.

Could it be that Qi Sheng also agreed to Liu Zongsheng?

A sudden sense of unease welled up within him.

"Young friend Chen Mo."

While he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly sounded above him.

Chen Mo looked up to see that Liu Zongsheng was already standing before him. The man had approached so silently that a light sweat broke out on Chen Mo's back.

"Hall Master Liu." He stood up and bowed.

The wine glass in Liu Zongsheng's hand was already filled to the brim. "I would like to invite young friend Chen Mo to the backyard of the Zuichun Pavilion for a stroll and a drink. Would you be willing to do me the honor?"

"Hall Master Liu, you are too kind. How could this junior dare to refuse!"

The two walked to the backyard, where Liu Zongsheng got straight to the point. "I invited you out here to ask: if my Black Tiger Hall were to invite you to join us, would you be willing?"

Hearing this, Chen Mo understood clearly; if this were a genuine invitation to join, why the need for such secrecy?

After a few moments of consideration, he replied, "I am currently studying martial arts at the Tianqing Martial Hall, and my strength has not yet reached the level required to graduate. Therefore, I must disappoint Hall Master Liu for the time being."

There was no significant change in Liu Zongsheng's expression. "You were able to defeat Zhang Chong and trade several impressive blows with Xie Jinyou. Judging by that, the day you catch up to Yin Tianqing is not far off."

Chen Mo hurriedly offered another modest, polite reply.

However, Liu Zongsheng suddenly stopped in his tracks, his expression tightening slightly. "The Black Tiger Hall needs talent like you, and you need the resources of the Black Tiger Hall. If there were a matter that required your cooperation, would you be willing?"