Attending the Banquet

At his words, Zhou Buren's expression changed at once, and he blurted out, "Fourth Brother, do you think they'll strike underhandedly at this banquet?"

Zhou Muzhi put the black stone in his hand back into the basket, met his second brother's gaze, and slowly shook his head. "I don't know, but taking an extra precaution is still very necessary."

Zhou Buren lost all interest in playing Go. He had been blinded by the deputy magistrate's title, thinking that as long as the county office intervened, they would not dare do anything. But now, that really was no certainty.

"I understand, Fourth Brother. You've brought your elder brother to his senses. I'll call you when it's time."

No one could put Zhou Buren at ease. If anyone could, it was this younger brother whose martial talent could be called extraordinary.

"Mm, all right."

Zhou Muzhi nodded, glanced at the unfinished game he was about to lose, and immediately stood up. "I have to go to Master's place. There's something I need to do. I'm off."

Once Zhou Muzhi was far away, Zhou Buren looked at the board and scolded with a laugh, "Still so fond of running away from games. Your conduct at the board is worrying."

Still, he was in an excellent mood.

Bringing Qian Zhen and his people to heel meant bringing the surrounding area to heel. Once everything was settled, the Zhou Family might well gain a seat at the table.

And then there were his parents. Yes, he still needed to have them stay at the True Immortal Temple a while longer. The city was still too dangerous; there was no telling what they might encounter on their way back.

But what excuse should he use?

Zhou Buren was deeply troubled.

The Li Residence.

Inside a room in the rear courtyard.

Li Jingfei looked at his disciple, holding the "Cloud-Chasing Thunderclap" manual he had only finished writing last night, wonder still in his eyes. Had his disciple not asked for it, he truly would never have written it down.

After handing the booklet to Zhou Muzhi, he asked, "Things have been getting pretty heated with the Qian Family lately?"

Zhou Muzhi put the booklet away first. He did not have many Deduction Points right now anyway, so he would accept it before worrying about anything else.

Hearing the question, Zhou Muzhi had no intention of hiding the matter and answered, "It has indeed gotten quite fierce. Their Blood Gate Martial Artists have thick skin and membranes. Without a good weapon, there really would have been no way to cut them apart."

In truth, even without a weapon, his speed and strength would have allowed him to inflict devastating internal injuries on a Blood Gate Martial Artist in an instant, killing them.

As he spoke, he drew Listening Rain. After a soft ringing, ripples gleamed along the blade, and a suffocating haze of moisture spread out.

Li Jingfei paid little attention at first. Once the sword was fully drawn, he studied it closely, then spoke slowly.

"A fine weapon. It's good fortune that a blade like this came into your hands, my disciple. Keep it safe, and don't lose it."

If even his master praised the weapon, its quality was certainly beyond question.

Returning to the matter at hand, Li Jingfei continued, "Don't underestimate the Qian Family. They aren't as simple as they appear. If you can't hold out, remember to speak up."

He feared Zhou Muzhi would be stubborn and competitive, refusing to seek help for the sake of saving face.

Though he had said it once before, there was no harm in saying it again.

At those words, Zhou Muzhi's expression turned serious, and he said to Li Jingfei with utmost solemnity, "Don't worry, Master. If anything happens, I'll definitely come and tell you."

In reality, he was wondering whether, if he successfully gathered the second qi, then deduced the technique manual his master had given him and finally combined the two, he could defeat his master as he was now.

After all, he himself followed the path of a divine art. Gathering one qi had already made him immensely powerful. How strong would he become after gathering a special second qi?

Without a benchmark, he did not know how things would develop for him.

Hearing his disciple's assurance, Li Jingfei gave a hum of acknowledgment, then went to find his grandson.

As for Zhou Muzhi, he had taught him everything that needed teaching, and today was not an assessment day. Since he had time to spare, he might as well spend more of it with his family.

Watching his master leave, Zhou Muzhi stayed a little longer before leaving the Li Residence as well.

When he returned to the Zhou Residence, a servant delivered a message saying that the banquet would begin at the hour of the Rooster and reminding Zhou Muzhi to go along.

Zhou Muzhi nodded and went straight to find his second brother.

When he saw his second brother again, Zhou Buren had already changed into formal banquet attire. His sleeves bore embroidery by a renowned artisan, and he wore a vermilion-purple robe, his cap set neatly on his head and his face looking spirited.

He looked imposing at a glance. Coupled with Zhou Buren's already handsome features, he simply radiated an air of nobility from head to toe.

Casually dressed in a black shirt, Zhou Muzhi nodded. "Not bad. Those clothes really do look good on you, Second Brother."

Zhou Buren laughed heartily. "Haha, this is something your second brother has kept tucked away at the bottom of his chest. The work of a renowned artisan from the Su Residence. I commissioned it several years ago, and it was only recently finished and sent over."

As he spoke, he looked at his younger brother and asked, "Aren't you going to change, Fourth Brother? I hear that not only Qian Zhen but people from the Zhong Family will be attending this banquet."

Oh?

The Zhong Family?

Zhou Muzhi had heard his second brother mention them. This lineage seemed to have helped as well, but the results appeared to have been nothing special-not even as effective as his going out over a few nights to take a few heads.

Still.

"Forget it, Second Brother. I'm comfortable like this. I'm a martial artist to begin with. Wearing something so cumbersome would hinder my movements."

Put that way, Zhou Buren thought it was indeed true and said no more.

When the time came, the Zhou Family carriage carried the Zhou brothers, with several guards accompanying it outside.

Lao Xu was among the guards, and everyone around him was at the Body Condensation stage.

This was also the entirety of the core force the Zhou Family could muster after exchanging silver for fighting strength during its crisis.

Previously, the Zhou Family had only had one guard at Great Accomplishment of Body Condensation, Lao Xu. Now there were several, and the cost of supporting them was certainly no small sum.

Still, the results were substantial. With this core fighting force, they would generally suffer no losses when confronting those people during the day.

The standoff had also sent the prices of the Zhou Family's products soaring. It could be considered a case of things reversing once pushed to an extreme, and barely allowed them to cover their expenses.

The party headed toward the appointed restaurant.

Juwu Pavilion.

It was a classically elegant, two-story restaurant in the middle of the county town. Its exterior looked utterly unremarkable; only upon entering would one discover another world within.

This normally inconspicuous little restaurant was unusually lively today.

The Hall of Outstanding Heroes arrived first. Eight people brought a sizable number of guards, who spread out around the area to prevent any unexpected incidents.

The Zhong Family arrived next. These people had an exceedingly ethereal air, dressed in scholars' robes, white garments drifting past and cloth headwraps bound around their heads. None among their company was unlettered, and every word from their mouths expounded reason.

The people from the Hall of Outstanding Heroes muttered inwardly at the sight of them, but said nothing.

Then came the deputy magistrate, a rather imposing-looking man who entered with two trusted aides. Once he went upstairs and glanced into the private banquet room, he had a clear picture.

The elders had not come; those present were all juniors. That told him what was going on.

Once everyone had taken their respective seats, someone from the Hall of Outstanding Heroes was the first to launch an attack.

"Deputy Magistrate, you are hosting today, yet the Zhou Family dares to show such disregard. In my opinion..."

Before he could finish, the doors were pushed wide open, and the Zhou brothers entered the banquet.