Everyone followed Cheng Yaojin as he strode outside the residence gates. He eyed the stone lion, which stood as tall as a man, then crouched down, gripping its base with one hand and thrusting the other into its mouth. With a heave, he raised it above his head before the crowd's astonished eyes.
Without flushing or breathing hard, Cheng Yaojin asked, "Well?"
Wei Wentong said, "Protector Cheng, your strength is truly boundless. You have my admiration."
Cheng Yaojin laughed. "That's nothing. Watch me show you a real trick."
With that, he thrust both hands upward and flung the stone lion into the air.
Watching the stone lion soar twenty or thirty feet high, everyone's legs trembled with fright, leaving them rooted to the spot.
Yang Lin hastily shouted, "Yaojin, be careful!"
Cheng Yaojin watched the stone lion fall, timed his move, and reached out with both hands to catch it securely.
Everyone stared, dumbstruck. Yang Lin exclaimed in astonishment, "Yaojin, could you be a god descended to earth?"
After setting the stone lion back in place, Cheng Yaojin turned to the others. "Well? Didn't I tell you I wasn't bragging?"
Yang Lin laughed. "Yaojin, it seems I still underestimated your strength. In all my life, I have rarely seen strength like yours. Even General Tianbao, unrivaled in valor, cannot match you in sheer power."
Afterward, everyone returned to the reception hall and continued their feast.
After several rounds of wine and a generous meal, Wei Wentong arranged for Yang Lin and his party to stay at his residence.
For three days straight, Wei Wentong prepared lavish feasts for them.
On the fourth day, they finally followed Yang Lin onto the road to Daxing City.
Two days later, they arrived in Daxing City.
At court the next morning, Yang Lin brought