Golden radiance spilled across the Lingyang River.
Sunrise.
The clamor of the night's banquet had faded, leaving only the river flowing quietly.
Several figures had gathered before a huge pavilion beside the river. Song Yan, Jiang Ming, and Xu Fengcan waited there.
Before long, three or four figures approached slowly from afar.
Among them were Nangong Ming, dressed in the formal robes of the Head of the Household, and another elder of the Nangong Aristocratic Clan.
They had never seen the man leading them.
His hair was white, his features gaunt, and he wore drab gray robes of coarse hemp.
His back was hunched, his presence withdrawn, making him almost indistinguishable from an ordinary elderly mortal.
Naturally, however, Song Yan and the others could guess his identity.
He must be the senior who would protect the three of them as they contemplated the Sword Qi. Unless they were mistaken, he should be a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
That was also why they had come early to wait.
The elder of the Nangong Aristocratic Clan followed respectfully beside the old man, seemingly speaking to him.
Song Yan and his companions exchanged glances, then stepped forward to offer their greetings.
Though they were honored guests of the Nangong Lineage, none of them would put on airs before a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
The old man nodded slightly, his expression kindly and friendly.
He stood at the head of the group. While he remained silent, even Nangong Ming dared not speak unbidden.
"Hehe, I am the one who will be guarding you young friends on this occasion. I have the honor of serving as an elder of another surname in the Nangong Aristocratic Clan. My surname is Zhang; my given name is hardly worth mentioning."
Senior Zhang spoke gently, without the lofty manner