Lantern Festival, County Magistrate, Filial Piety

Madam Mei said, "External Strength is divided into nine seals. When the breath in your dantian is sufficient, it will condense into a seal; that counts as one seal. The more seals you have, the stronger you are. Only when all nine seals are full can you glimpse the next realm."

"I understand." Lu Chen realized, then asked, "Then as for this disciple now..."

"You, your breath has only just begun to stir; it hasn't taken any shape yet, so you are far from the time to form a seal." Madam Mei smiled, "However, being able to stumble into this door on your own is already your good fortune. Apply yourself diligently, and the future will be promising."

"Yes."

Lu Chen respectfully acknowledged.

Zhou Lan fanned himself and laughed, "Junior Brother, no need to be anxious. For Su Xiaoxiao to reach seven seals at her age, aside from natural talent, she must have gone through countless life-and-death battles, grinding it out through sheer force."

Lu Chen's heart stirred, and he pressed, "Can fighting make one form seals faster?"

"It can." Zhou Lan answered crisply, "The breath energy of us External Strength martial artists only grows fiercer the more we fight. When you are truly risking your life, that is when you break through the fastest."

Lu Chen nodded, then asked, "Then what about you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, how many seals do you have now?"

Zhou Lan flicked his folding fan and smiled, "My talent is mediocre, and I don't like to contend with others, so I only have one seal to this day, barely enough to be considered having entered the hall."

Lin Wei'er said briskly, "I often spar with fellow disciples in the sect, and I just entered the second seal before the new year."

Zheng Tie spat out two words in a muffled voice: "Three seals."

Everyone's gaze subconsciously turned toward Ji Chuan.

This Red Eyebrow Army officer was silent for a moment before saying briefly, "Also three seals."

Lu Chen pondered to himself.

Senior Brother Zhou has only one seal, Senior Sister Lin two, and Senior Brothers Zheng and Ji only three.

Yet that Su Xiaoxiao is already at the seven-seal realm. At such an age, with such cultivation, it is truly fearsome and terrifying.

In the afternoon, the group chatted for a long time until the sky turned completely dark and the streets were brightly lit.

Madam Mei stood up and smiled, "The time is about right; let us go see the lantern festival as well."

Because of duties in the army, Ji Chuan took his leave first.

Lin Wei'er also needed to return home.

Lu Chen had little interest in visiting the lantern festival and also wanted to take his leave, but he was stopped by Zhou Lan.

"Junior Brother, wait."

Zhou Lan smiled, "Tonight's lantern festival is extraordinary. The county magistrate and several prominent figures in the city will all be present, and many friends from the martial arts circle will also make an appearance. Since you have already entered the sect, it is only right that you accompany us to see the world."

Madam Mei also gently persuaded, "That's right, come along."

Lu Chen had no choice but to agree.

The group stepped out of the residence, and the long street had already been turned into a sea of light by lanterns. It was packed with people; children rode on their parents' shoulders, babbling and shouting. Young women and wives had new velvet flowers tucked into their hair, their laughter crisp and clear. More numerous were the poor folk, supporting the old and leading the young, their faces wearing the relaxed look of those who could finally rest after a year of toil, slowly shuffling forward with the crowd.

The most beautiful and spectacular lanterns were all displayed in West City.

West City also had the most people.

The brightest spot of the lanterns was in the heart of West City.

A massive, three-story-high colorful lantern stood majestically.

Below the structure, yamen runners and arrogant servants stood guard, allowing only respectable people with invitations to enter.

Lion dancers, jugglers, and vendors selling food and trinkets all sensibly kept their distance.

As soon as Madam Mei's group arrived, the manager greeted them with a face full of smiles: "Madam Mei, Young Master Zhou, Hero Zheng, your private room has been reserved." His gaze paused when it swept over Lu Chen, but he still politely let him in.

The upper floor was partitioned into private rooms with screens, and many people were already seated, mostly wealthy gentlemen in brocade, along with a few tough-looking martial artists.

The prime seats by the window were empty. As soon as the group sat down, maidservants quietly brought up tea and refreshments.

Zhou Lan poured a cup of tea for Lu Chen and said:

"This lantern festival is called 'admiring lanterns,' but in reality, it is a formality that must be observed in social circles. Later, when the magistrate arrives, everyone must stand up to toast. Afterward, each family will present the prepared New Year's tribute—that is, the offerings for the magistrate and several assistant officials. Therefore, everyone with any standing in the city will be here today; it is the perfect time to recognize faces and make an appearance."

The dark-faced hero Zheng Tie also said in a muffled voice, "Junior Brother, since you have entered Madam Mei's sect, you will eventually need to establish yourself in this city. Bringing you here today to meet people and show your face will make it easier to find work and deal with others in the future."

"I understand, thank you, Senior Brother and Madam," Lu Chen said.

About a cup of tea's time later.

The manager's announcement from downstairs suddenly rose in volume: "The County Magistrate has arrived—"

All the guests on the floor stood up.

A middle-aged man with a gaunt face, dressed in deep green official robes, walked slowly up the stairs. He was none other than the Wen'an County Magistrate, Chen Mingyuan.

Behind him, the county vice-magistrate, the registrar, and a group of subordinate officials also filed in, their robes looking imposing.

"Respectfully welcome the Magistrate!"

"Wishing the Magistrate a happy festival!"

Amidst the greetings, Magistrate Chen cupped his hands slightly and took his seat at the head of the table. After saying a few perfunctory words about "rejoicing with the people," the wine and dishes were served one after another.

Next came the segment of presenting gifts.

The heads of the various guilds in the city and the prominent families of long standing stepped forward in order, raising their cups to offer toasts and auspicious words.

Afterward, they withdrew prepared gift lists or red envelopes from their sleeves.

They slipped them onto the tray held by the maid standing beside the magistrate with practiced ease, their movements fluid and their speech deferential.

Lu Chen watched for a moment before whispering to his mistress, "Does our martial hall need to go up?"

His mistress shook her head slightly and whispered back, "The portion for our Plum Blossom Martial Hall was already handed over to the head of the Martial Guild to handle. We do not involve ourselves in official circles; it is better to let the guild head manage it."

Lu Chen nodded.

Once the formalities concluded, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Zhou Lan and Zheng Tie exchanged a glance and rose one after the other.

"Junior brother, let's go," Zhou Lan said with a smile. "Senior brother will introduce you to a few friends so you can become a familiar face."

Lu Chen understood and set down his teacup to follow.

The two led him first to the table of the elder Du Liefeng, head of the Martial Guild, to offer toasts and exchange pleasantries.

Upon learning that Lu Chen was the new personal disciple taken in by the mistress, Du Liefeng gave him a look and said with a smile, "Young and promising."

Next came the various martial halls, escort agencies, several veteran martial artists registered with the yamen, the head of the grain guild, the head of the cloth guild... After a full round, he had met many people and drank even more.

Lu Chen followed silently, greeting people and raising his cup, draining it every time.

Even with his tolerance for alcohol, after several rounds, a flush appeared on his face and a wave of heat churned in his stomach.

Back at their seats, Zheng Tie patted him on the shoulder, his voice low:

"The pugilistic world is not just about fighting and killing. When it comes to social dealings, you must walk the path when necessary. Only when things go smoothly in this regard will your road be wide."

Zhou Lan also nodded: "Your martial skills must be solid, but your social skills must also be practiced. By getting to know these people today, you will have some convenience in the Wen'an territory in the future."

Lu Chen suppressed the intoxication and nodded, "Thank you for the guidance, senior brothers. I have noted it."

Zhou Lan and Zheng Tie exchanged a smile.

There had been quite a bit of gossip about Lu Chen within the martial hall, and the two of them had heard some of it, inevitably harboring some reservations beforehand.

Yet, after spending the day together, they discovered that although Lu Chen came from South City, his perspective was not shallow; his conversation showed insight, and he was humble and polite.

Judging by his words and actions, he was indeed someone worth befriending.

Since they felt he was worth befriending, the two of them sincerely introduced their connections and paved the way for him, truly looking after him as their own junior brother.

Just then, the magistrate suddenly summoned the heads of the various guilds to his side to discuss something in low voices.

At first, it was peaceful, but as they spoke, their voices grew louder.

In the end, they were arguing openly in front of everyone.

Du Liefeng, head of the Martial Guild, had a fiery temper and roared at the top of his lungs, "The tribute silver has long been set, once a year! For you to demand three times the amount out of thin air this year—where in this world is there such logic!"

"Three times?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked.