Who Was the Guest at the Kuotian Feast?

East Street, Jinghua Pavilion.

This building was a rare nine stories tall, the highest in the Outer City.

Even the Inner City had only two buildings that could rival it.

The tallest building in the Outer City, its nine stories of flying eaves spread like the wings of a Kun, while the dark tiles and gray bricks spoke of a century of history.

Even the noble families of the Inner City often came here to host guests.

That was because the top floor, the Kuotian Chamber, was famed for its saying: "Lean on the railing to survey the whole city; raise a cup and invite the stars and moon."

The plaque had been inscribed by the previous County Governor himself. Ordinary people didn't even qualify to set foot on the top floor.

At that moment, the Kuotian Chamber blazed with light, gilded lamps illuminating every corner.

The long sandalwood table was surrounded by distinguished guests, all descendants of the Four Great Families of Kui Mountain County: the Qin, Ning, Shen, and Yuan families.

"Brother Qin, you're certainly generous!"

Yuan Qi waved an ivory folding fan, surveying the carved beams and painted rafters as he clicked his tongue in admiration.

"The Kuotian Chamber is worth a fortune to reserve. Only Brother Qin has the influence to convince the Green Garment Sect to willingly clear it out."

"Brother Yuan, you flatter me."

Ning Yuan raised his brows teasingly.

"Your All-Hearing Yuan Family's underground intelligence room goes more than ten layers deep, hoarding every twist and turn in Kui Mountain's affairs. Why would you envy this nine-story tower?"

"Ning Yuan!"

Yuan Qi shot back indignantly.

"You'd like to reserve the Kuotian Chamber, Brother Ning, but do you have the connections? Your family does nothing but deal in furs and hides. What would you know about enjoying yourself?

You're only getting a glimpse of this 'heaven and earth beneath your gaze' thanks to Brother Qin."

"Enough. Don't bicker."

Qin Yuwei raised a hand to quiet them, a warm smile on his lips.

"My younger sister's affair a few days ago spoiled everyone's mood. Let me make amends by treating you all to the Kuotian Chamber today.

The Outer City government offices are dull, and the Green Garment Sect happened to have a venue available, so I invited everyone for a little gathering."

Shen Lian laughed heartily from nearby, his gaze drifting toward Qin Yurong as he spoke with a touch of familiarity.

"Who doesn't know that the young master of the Green Garment Sect, one of the Four Sects and Seven Gangs, is enamored with Brother Qin?

To her, the Kuotian Chamber is nothing more than a trinket she could give away on a whim!"

"Mind your words, Young Master Shen."

Qin Yuhui furrowed her willow brows, her tone brimming with a young girl's haughtiness.

"Why would my brother need anyone's help to get things done?

Jinghua Pavilion simply offered it out of gratitude for the Qin Family's past kindness. Don't go spouting nonsense here."

The smile on Shen Lian's face stiffened. Though he was irritated, he didn't dare show it and could only shut his mouth with an awkward grin.

He turned to Qin Yurong, his tone suddenly turning concerned.

"Yu Rong, have you been well these past few days?

Ever since what happened at Chunhua Restaurant, I haven't been able to eat or sleep. I kept worrying that Wang Teng might harm you that day, wound your spirit, and sully your reputation..."

"Young Master Shen, you're worrying too much."

Qin Yurong cut him off coolly, her tone distant.

"Wang Teng never came within a step of me that day. My family's retainer killed him right there in the restaurant. There's no need to worry."

Shen Lian was left speechless. He hurriedly shot his younger sister, Shen Jie, a look.

Shen Jie immediately smoothed things over with a gentle smile.

"Don't take offense, Yu Rong. My brother was just overly concerned about you.

After all, Wang Teng was such a reckless man. If anything had happened, it would have harmed your reputation. That's why he asked a few extra questions."

"Exactly, exactly!"

Shen Lian quickly chimed in.

"I didn't think it through. Please forgive me, Yu Rong."

Though his words sounded caring, they implied that the incident had something to do with her virtue. Qin Yurong's fingers paused slightly around her teacup; the insinuation grated on her.

"Elder Sister Shen, that's not fair."

Yuan Yue picked up the conversation, her tone frank.

"Wang Teng was just acting viciously. Why drag her reputation into it?

Besides, the righteous young hero, the Jade-Faced Tiger, stepped in. Wang Teng couldn't even last three moves against him!"

The Yuan Family was famed for its well-informed network, and Yuan Yue's words shocked everyone at the table.

"Is that true?"

Ning Yuan looked toward Qin Yuwei, his voice full of admiration.

"Congratulations, Brother Qin. You've gained another formidable talent under your command!

A twenty-year-old Body Tempering expert who's made the Top Hundred Ranking—what incredible talent. With proper cultivation, his future will know no bounds!"

"A twenty-year-old Body Tempering expert is exceedingly rare in the Outer City."

Yuan Qi nodded in agreement.

"The Qin Family's eye for talent is truly well-deserved."

Hearing everyone praise him, Qin Yurong felt a flicker of joy in her heart.

Qin Yuwei smiled.

"Retainer Yang is indeed a promising young man with boundless potential.

With his talent, breaking through to Tendon Changing and Bone Forging is only a matter of time."

Seeing everyone heap praise on Yang Ning, a man born of muddy legs, Shen Lian felt indignant.

But he pretended to be unconcerned, swirling his wine cup as he said:

"Brother Qin's willingness to treat talented people as equals is certainly a virtue.

Still, he's only ranked ninety-seventh on the Top Hundred Ranking—the very bottom of the Lower Ranking List. Who here hasn't made the list?

He just happened to catch a lucky break and ride the wind.

People from the Outer City are ultimately limited by their shallow foundations."

"That's an unpleasant thing to say, Young Master Shen."

Qin Yuhui immediately retorted.

"Who here has made the list?

When did Young Master Shen pass the Fifth Foundation Barrier and achieve Body Tempering? Was it when you were twenty? I don't recall hearing about it."

Shen Lian was left speechless. Arguing with a young girl would only make him look petty if word got out, so he had to swallow his anger.

"Come now, don't let this spoil the mood."

Shen Jie hurriedly changed the subject and looked toward Qin Yuwei.

"Brother Qin, why haven't we started the feast yet? We've all been eager to sample the Kuotian Feast in the Kuotian Chamber."

Qin Yuwei smiled and glanced at the doorway.

"Not yet. One important guest hasn't arrived."

"Oh? Who could be important enough to make Brother Qin wait?"

Yuan Qi asked curiously.

"You all saw him at Chunhua Restaurant a few days ago, too.

The East Street Patrol Bureau's Patrol Commander, Lord Gong Tian."

"Lord Gong Tian!"

Ning Yuan cried out in surprise.

"The Bright Jade Hand, ranked fifty-second on the Top Hundred Ranking? I thought we'd merely run into him by chance that day. I didn't realize you had such a close friendship with him, Brother Qin!

I've heard he's proud as a crane and highly skilled in martial arts. He's even more aloof by nature, and ordinary people can't catch his eye."

Everyone looked astonished.

The Top Hundred Ranking was divided into two volumes.

The lower volume listed experts in Body Tempering and Tendon Changing.

The upper volume required at least Hidden Force Grandmaster strength, while the top fifty was dominated by Organ Refining experts.

Gong Tian's place at fifty-second on the upper ranking made him one of Kui Mountain County's publicly recognized top experts. His reputation as a tyrant of the Outer City was well-earned.

"No wonder the Blood Ape Gang was wiped out in a single stroke the other day, with Lord Gong personally joining the fight. So you and Lord Gong have such a close friendship, Brother Qin."

Yuan Laoqi finally understood.

"To make Lord Gong unleash his fury—that's a friendship to envy."

The people below began discussing it among themselves. It seemed everyone had heard the news, but Shen Lian's expression had turned subtly grim.

No matter how weak the Blood Ape Gang might have been, it was still one of the Four Sects and Seven Gangs.

Though it had only been founded a few years ago and ranked near the bottom in strength, it still had Bone Forging and Tendon Changing experts among its members.

Its leader, Wang Han, and deputy leader, Chen Qi, were both renowned figures.

Wang Han was listed on the Top Hundred Ranking, and Chen Qi was a veteran expert.

Yet the gang had been wiped out overnight by this very expert, which showed just how formidable he was.

Qin Yuwei took in everyone's reactions and smiled slightly.

"I'm only on friendly terms with Patrol Commander Gong. We just happened to cross paths.

When I returned to the city and heard about what happened, I was quite surprised, too.

Since I'm hosting a feast today, I thought I'd invite Patrol Commander Gong for a chat and give everyone a chance to meet him."

Everyone thanked him.

Though they were scions of the Four Great Families of Kui Mountain County, they weren't like the three members of the Qin family; most of them moved in Outer City circles.

A powerful official like Gong Tian, with real authority and the potential to rise even higher, wasn't someone they could easily befriend under ordinary circumstances.

Ning Yuan said excitedly:

"I've heard Lord Gong reached the peak of Bone Forging some time ago. Perhaps he'll break through to Organ Refining soon.

If he's then transferred to the Inner City and appointed Patrol Commander of a ward or given an even higher post, he'll be a truly powerful figure."

Shen Lian forced a smile.

"Of course, that would be impressive.

It's just a pity that if Lord Gong rises to the Inner City, those of us who toil away in the Outer City won't be able to rely on him."

Yuan Qi shook his head and gave Shen Lian a meaningful look.

"Shen Lian, your information is outdated.

I heard that when Lord Gong wiped out the Blood Ape Gang, a young officer under his command distinguished himself. He not only punched the deputy leader, Ghost Abacus Chen Qi, to death but also helped badly wound the gang leader, Wang Han, during the raid, then personally cut off his head!

I'd say that even if Lord Gong rises higher in the future, someone's already taken up the mantle of the East Street Patrol Bureau."

The smile on Shen Lian's face grew increasingly strained, and his fingertips clenched tight.

While everyone was still deep in discussion, a voice announced from outside the door:

"Lord Gong Tian, Patrol Commander of the East Street Patrol Bureau, has arrived!"

Everyone rose to welcome him.

Gong Tian strode inside in a black martial outfit, his posture straight as a pine, like a lone crane in the dark of night.

Behind him followed another tall figure.

He wore the formal uniform of a Patrol Chief, the ink-black official robe accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

The youthful awkwardness of the past had long since faded. His expression was calm, and a worldly steadiness showed between his brows.

It was none other than Yang Ning, who had arrived alongside him!

Qin Yurong's heart leaped, and she called out in delighted surprise:

"Yang... Retainer Yang?"