By evening, Jiang Manor was abuzz with voices. Nearly all the guests who had come to witness Old Master Jiang's Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony had arrived.
Most of these guests came from High Province, Ink Province, Passage Province, Qiong Province, Swallow Province, Favor Province, and Morning Province. There were nearly two thousand of them, more than two-thirds having flown in by airship. Many had set out over a month in advance upon receiving their invitations, only arriving today.
Among the arrivals were Old Master Jiang's friends and old acquaintances, as well as people for whom he had crafted items over the years. A handful were fellow craftsmen from several nearby provinces. What Zhang Tie had not expected was that even the Imperial Arsenal of Passage Province had sent an official bearing a gift to witness Old Master Jiang wash his hands in the golden basin, giving the old man immense face.
The formidable influence and web of connections of a Grand craftsman-level Rune Refiner were laid bare at this moment.
Several hours after leaving Jiang Manor, half an hour before the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony began, Zhang Tie—still wearing that Disguise Mask—sauntered back to Jiang Manor.
This time, he did not use his external incarnation to enter. He simply swaggered right in.
Seeing Zhang Tie arrive empty-handed, with an unfamiliar face and clothes that were hardly luxurious, a steward receiving guests at the gates of Jiang Manor frowned and immediately stepped in front of him.
"May I ask this brother's distinguished name, and what business brings you to Jiang Manor?"
Zhang Tie blinked. "Isn't today Old Master Jiang's Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony? I came to join the excitement and bear witness for Old Master Jiang!"
"This brother has met our Old Master Jiang?" the steward asked, eyeing Zhang Tie suspiciously.