Congratulatory Gift

As Wu Duan and Wu Zheng rose tremblingly, the rest of the Wu Family members scrambled to their feet, including martial artists with cultivation like Wu Kang.

And a Ming Jin mid-stage cultivation was nothing but trash in front of Zhao Huayuan.

In an instant.

Everyone at the table, except for Chen Mo, Chen Lan, and Wu Zhiai, was standing at stiff attention!

"I didn't know the Zhao Family head was gracing us with his presence. My siblings and I failed to welcome you properly. Someone, bring a chair for the Zhao Family head."

As Wu Duan spoke, his legs trembled uncontrollably, causing the wooden chair behind him to clatter loudly.

A servant quickly brought over a fine sandalwood chair, and Wu Duan cleared a space beside him.

Zhao Huayuan glanced at Wu Duan and Wu Zheng, but he did not linger, instead turning his gaze toward Chen Mo.

Wu Duan and Wu Zheng let out a collective sigh of relief.

Zhao Huayuan said in a deep voice, "What is this? Now that Martial Master Chen has become a Martial Scholar, do you look down on this old man, and are you unwelcoming of my arrival to celebrate?"

Chen Mo slowly stood up. "This junior has no prior connection with the Zhao Family head. That you could come is a surprise that leaves this junior flattered."

After Chen Mo finished speaking, he cupped his fists in a formal salute.

Zhao Huayuan said, "You are wrong to say that. The various powers in Black River Town are as close as lips and teeth. Martial Master Chen winning the title of Martial Scholar is a shared joy; how can you say we have no connection? The Zhao Family has also set up a banquet tonight, waiting for Martial Master Chen to come and celebrate together."

The subtext was self-evident.

Chen Mo had severely injured the Zhao Family's son-in-law, Zhang Chong, and Zhao Huayuan was using this opportunity to take revenge on Chen Mo.

What surprised everyone was that Zhao Huayuan would actually lower his status to personally enter the fray for the sake of Zhang Chong.

The face of the Zhao Family head was the face of the Zhao Family itself.

But since Zhang Chong had been defeated by Chen Mo during the Martial Examination Technique Trial, the Zhao Family head had already lost all his face, so he no longer needed to worry about criticisms regarding his pettiness or bullying a junior.

Seeing that Chen Mo did not answer, Zhao Huayuan turned to ask Wu Duan, "Great Family Head Wu, you don't have any objections to what I just said, do you?"

Wu Duan wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said timidly, "This is a... private matter between the Zhao Family head and Martial Master Chen; it should have nothing to do with the Wu Family..."

Zhao Huayuan smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this.

Wu Zhiai, standing to the side, sneered in disdain.

Wu Duan was eager to distance himself from Chen Mo, his attitude a complete reversal from moments ago.

Strength dictated everything.

In the entirety of Anyang County, Zhao Huayuan was a top-tier expert. No matter how good Chen Mo's talent was, could he really surpass Zhao Huayuan?

In Wu Duan's eyes, he could not!

If the sky were to fall, he could not be the one to hold it up first.

Seeing the smile on Zhao Huayuan's face, Wu Duan felt his heart lighten and slowly sat down, his back already completely soaked in cold sweat.

Zhao Huayuan took two steps forward, arriving in front of Chen Mo. A vast surge of internal energy suddenly erupted, blowing the various delicacies on the table until they fell to the ground one after another.

Chen Mo immediately released all the internal energy within his body to support Chen Lan and Wu Zhiai; only with Chen Mo's help were the two of them barely able to stand steady.

The casual strike of a Hua Jin expert was truly terrifying.

"Ugh..."

Chen Mo felt the internal energy in his meridians being drained away, and a sense of suffocation washed over him.

Just as his head began to swim with dizziness.

A familiar, gentle voice rang out from outside the hall.

"It's so lively today. Who said the Wu Family is in decline?"

Hearing this voice, Zhao Huayuan suddenly realized something and immediately stopped his attack.

He brushed the dust from his palms, turned around, and saw a dashing young man walking in slowly.

This person was none other than the top scholar of this year's Martial Examination, Xie Jinyou of the Xie Family.

"Xie Jinyou of the Xie Family?"

There was a hint of suspicion in Zhao Huayuan's voice.

Everyone in the main hall, including Chen Mo himself, wore expressions of astonishment.

That day, Xie Jinyou had indeed told Chen Mo that he would visit in person, but Chen Mo had assumed it was just a casual remark.

This man keeps his word so well... Chen Mo thought to himself, I shall observe how he speaks with Zhao Huayuan next. If he is not on the same path as Zhao Huayuan, it means the Xie Family is not involved in the embezzlement of military supplies.

He pulled Chen Lan and Wu Zhiai up and bowed. "Brother Xie, it has been a while since we parted in Anyang. I trust you have been well."

Xie Jinyou bypassed Zhao Huayuan entirely, patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, and laughed, "It hasn't even been a full day, what 'trust you have been well' is there to speak of? I came today to congratulate Brother Chen."

The crowd on the side gasped in shock.

Xie Jinyou was the number one prodigy of Anyang; he called Chen Mo 'Brother Chen' and even came to congratulate him?

Did the sun rise in the west today?

"Brother Xie is too kind. You are the top name on the Red List of the imperial examinations, yet you still come to congratulate me. I am truly humbled."

Chen Mo cupped his hands in gratitude.

He knew clearly in his heart that Xie Jinyou's gesture was meant to show public support for him.

At this moment, Xie Jinyou seemed to notice Zhao Huayuan standing to the side. "Hm? Is Patriarch Zhao here as well?"

Zhao Huayuan turned around, his expression dim. "Young Master Xie is actually acquainted with Chen Mo?"

Xie Jinyou smiled and replied, "We got to know each other through a fight. I haven't admired many people, but after our bout at the Technique Trial, I have felt genuine admiration for Brother Chen."

Upon hearing this, Wu Duan and Wu Zheng wore strange expressions on their faces.

On one side was the Hua Jin master Zhao Huayuan, and on the other was the young master of the Xie Family.

When gods fight, mortals suffer.

But relatively speaking, the Xie Family held more influence.

Wu Duan immediately let out a dry laugh and said, "I have always admired Young Master Xie. Since you are a friend of Martial Master Chen, you are naturally a friend of our Wu Kang! I hope you can stay at the Wu Family for a few more days so we can fulfill our duties as hosts."

As he spoke, his waist, which hadn't been bent much before, bowed until it was perfectly horizontal.

"That won't be necessary."

Xie Jinyou replied, "I'll be leaving once I've finished offering my congratulations. Oh, right..."

He suddenly remembered something, pulled a black-covered book from his sleeve, and handed it to Chen Mo. "This is the Tiemang Technique I studied in my early years. I no longer have any use for it, so I am gifting it to you as a congratulatory present."

Chen Mo felt a surge of excitement upon hearing this and accepted it with both hands.

He had heard of this martial art; it was a defensive technique, likely belonging to the same category as the Golden Bell Shield and the Iron Cloth Shirt.

He was currently lacking a defensive technique, and the ones available at Tianqing Martial Hall were not only rare but also relatively weak.

He possessed the Mountain and Water Cultivation; as long as he had the original manual, there would be no barrier for him to learn it. The longer he polished the technique, the higher his comprehension of it would become.

"Thank you, Brother Xie!"

Chen Mo thanked him heavily.

First coming to offer congratulations, then giving a gift—Xie Jinyou's actions were meant for Zhao Huayuan to see.

He was telling him that the Xie Family would not stand with the Zhao Family.

Chen Mo understood this clearly in his heart. Looking at it this way, it was impossible for the Xie Family to be involved in the Black Tiger Hall's embezzlement of military supplies.

He let out a silent sigh of relief.

Off to the side, Zhao Huayuan, who had been left out in the cold by everyone, clenched his fists tightly. The sudden appearance of Xie Jinyou had truly caught him off guard.

Because of this, he could not take Chen Mo away today, nor could he make a move directly within the Wu Family.

Even if he wanted to act in the future, he would have to weigh the consequences carefully. After all, the Xie Family held a pivotal position in Anyang County, and the Xie Family patriarch's strength at the late stage of Hua Jin was far above his own early-stage Hua Jin level.

"Then I shall take my leave."

After dropping these words, he stepped out of the main hall.

The members of the Wu Family remained silent.