Two household servants held invitation letters in their hands, keeping their heads bowed respectfully. Although appearing to observe all proper etiquette, their eyes could not help but follow Meng Qi’s shadow.
This was truly shocking, too much to avoid their astonishment and confusion!
As servants of the Marquis’s mansion, they were no strangers to receiving invitations from prominent families and high-ranking officials. Their master was the deputy commander of the imperial guards, and the fifth master was one of the Eight Divine Constables. Any significant banquet would inevitably involve them.
Yet now, barely after the second young master returned home, invitations from the Ruan family of Langya and the newly appointed Counselor-in-Chief arrived at their doorstep, specifically addressed to him. Everyone understood what this meant!
This was outright support!
A demonstration of the relationship between the two parties!
Otherwise, why hold the banquet today?
For the second young master to gain such strong backing from two prestigious families was simply astounding!
Shenwei Marquis Su Li’s expression softened, even slightly relaxed. The tense confrontation moments ago, the nearly frenzied main wife, and the arrogant, unruly son had given him a headache. His mother had good intentions, but her vision was limited to the capital, ultimately appearing short-sighted.
“Since the Langya Hou Mansion and Counselor Wang have extended such generous invitations, Ziyuan, you must not neglect proper etiquette. If you cannot visit one of them, be sure to write a personal letter of apology.” He was pleased with the situation and even changed his address for Wang Zai’s father.
Meng Qi, however, felt troubled. Which invitation should he accept?
He took the invitations and examined them carefully. He noticed that the Ruan family’s invitation did not specify a particular time, meaning he could visit anytime. However, Counselor Wang’s invitation clearly stated it was for an evening banquet.
“I’ll visit the little glutton’s house first to see if there’s anything important…” He quickly made a decision.
As he left the main house of the Su family, he felt a sense of relief. The affairs of this family were nothing but a messy entanglement, making him feel annoyed and restricted.
“It could be considered the karmic consequence of receiving your physical body from you…” Thinking of this, Meng Qi’s thoughts suddenly became lively and agile, and he felt a spontaneous curiosity about Su Ziyuan. He had the urge to look through Su Ziyuan’s old room, “I wonder if you had any unfinished wishes. If so, I will fulfill them for you…”
As this thought arose, Meng Qi suddenly froze. The surroundings seemed to become illusory and dark, with countless karmic threads resembling spider silk.
He seemed to understand something. He raised his head, gazing at the setting crimson sun, and murmured to himself:
“I’ve always been just one step away from a breakthrough. Apart from needing a bit more refinement and further cultivation, there might also be unresolved karmic ties related to this physical body. After all, martial cultivation is rooted in the physical form, with the primordial spirit (yuan shen) and the body intertwined, connecting with heaven and earth, manifesting inner landscapes externally. If the physical body carries more ‘restraints,’ naturally the breakthrough becomes more difficult…”
Understanding this, Meng Qi was eager to go through Su Ziyuan’s past room.
He took a deep breath, calmed his thoughts, stepped out the door, declined a carriage or horse, and headed directly to the Langya Hou Mansion located in the Qinqi quarter.
The Langya Hou Mansion was not vast in area but was secluded amid the bustling city. Its winding paths seemed to lead to a tranquil retreat, instantly dispelling worries. Hence, it was also known as “Jing Yuan” (Tranquil Garden). The chirping of birds made the mountains seem quieter, and the sound of the zither further enhanced the serenity of the mansion!
“Master Su, you’ve arrived?” A person stood at the entrance, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a slightly youthful look. Seeing Meng Qi, he showed excitement as if honored to know him. This caused envy among the other young men nearby.
Meng Qi quickly recalled who he was and smiled, “Xiao Zhong, how are you doing? How’s your martial arts training in the Ruan household? Has your father, the Divine Physician Zhong, added more ‘no’s’ to his list?”
This person was indeed Zhong Wei, the son of Zhong Taiping, the “Nine No’s Divine Physician,” who had entered the Ruan family as a probationary guest thanks to Meng Qi’s help.
Zhong Wei puffed out his chest, as if to say, “See, even Kuang Dao knows me!” He said, “The Ruan family treats people fairly; one reaps what one sows. Compared to when I was at home, my cultivation has greatly improved. I opened my Eye Gate half a year ago.”
“My father has already become a guest of the Ruan family and is currently in the capital.”
Meng Qi nodded with a smile. It seemed that Zhong Taiping, despite his eccentric temperament, could not resist the temptation of becoming a master-level practitioner and had finally joined the Ruan family as a guest. For him, although he would not abandon his family’s cultivation techniques, having guidance from a Ruan family master or supreme expert to help him overcome obstacles and refine his techniques significantly increased his hopes.
The Ruan family clearly valued Zhong Taiping for his exceptional medical skills.
“Then I must offer my congratulations,” Meng Qi said casually. The boys hiding near the gate felt he was humble and displayed the demeanor of a great swordsman.
Zhong Wei smiled so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared, eagerly leading Meng Qi inside, walking along tree-lined paths where faint zither music could be heard.
Suddenly, he remembered something and whispered, “Master Su, after Duan Rui was abducted by someone, was there any follow-up?”
Duan Rui was the former Shaolin hunter who had succumbed to madness while practicing the Reverse Yi Jin Jing, resulting in a split personality.
“No,” replied Meng Qi. Neither the Six Fan Gate nor any other channels had provided any news about Duan Rui.
Zhong Wei’s voice grew even lower: “At the beginning of this year, when I returned to Chuan to pay respects at my ancestors’ graves, I seemed to catch a glimpse of Duan Rui’s back from a distance, but it was too fleeting to confirm, so I didn’t tell anyone.”
His expression clearly indicated he was certain but felt it must be told to Master Su.
“Good job,” Meng Qi praised.
Duan Rui’s case involved a Shaolin spy, a matter of great importance. Currently, only Meng Qi and Zhong Wei knew of his whereabouts, which was fortunate. Later, they could inform his master through his junior apprentice brother, leaving the decision to him.
Nine months ago, Zhen Hui, who had cultivated the Nianhua Finger to the sixth aperture, began traveling the world. Unfortunately, Meng Qi had gone to Northern Zhou at that time. It was said that Zhen Hui had now opened the seventh aperture, with his inner world initially formed. With the Nianhua Finger, the foremost of Shaolin’s 72 supreme techniques, he had entered the top twenty of the Human List, surpassing Yao Xingliu, the “Little Ghost Yao.” Of course, he still couldn’t match Yang He, who had entered the top ten with eight apertures.
Turning onto a quiet path, there was a pond-like lake ahead, with a small pavilion built beside it. Following the natural terrain, it harmonized with the faintly shimmering water as if they were one.
“Isn’t this a banquet invitation?” Meng Qi, having visited places like Su Yuan as a guest before, knew this should be a private reception area, not a banquet venue.
Zhong Wei smiled, “It’s indeed a private invitation.”
Hmm, Meng Qi frowned. Did the little glutton have something important?
Entering the pavilion, Meng Qi first noticed an elderly man. His face was gaunt, his beard half-white, yet his spirit was vigorous, showing no sign of age. If his beard were dyed black, one might believe he was forty.
This old man exuded a lofty aura, making the pavilion seem as if it echoed with ethereal zither sounds, prompting Meng Qi to instinctively look toward him.
Standing beside him was Ruan Yushu, still dressed in white, elegantly aloof, like a fairy from the Moon Palace.
The old man’s gaze was sharp, as if he had thoroughly seen through Meng Qi, and he stroked his beard, chuckling, “Excellent! To have reached such a realm before twenty is something I haven’t seen in many years. In the past, even Su Wuming had to be in his early twenties before he could sit in a deadly retreat.”
“Thank you, Senior, for your kind words,” Meng Qi replied, adopting a respectful demeanor.
“This is my eldest uncle, currently in charge of the Honglu Temple,” Ruan Yushu introduced.
Ruan Laotaiye had married late and had children late, so although Ruan Yushu’s father was the legitimate heir, he was the youngest among his siblings, making the age difference quite significant. Therefore, it was natural for Ruan Yushu’s eldest uncle to appear as old as her grandfather.
Meng Qi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking for a moment that Ruan Laotaiye himself had come. That was a renowned figure, once ranked among the top ten of the Earth List years ago. Even though he had retreated to the ancestral home of the Ruan Clan in Langya and hadn’t fought in a long time, slipping to outside the top ten, no one dared to underestimate him.
Ruan Yushu’s eldest uncle laughed heartily, “My twenty-first niece has the highest standards, rarely praising anyone. To have repeatedly gained her expectations, naturally I was curious, so I took the liberty to invite you here to meet in person.”
“Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved. I can now leave satisfied.”
With laughter, he strode away, showing no intention of entertaining Meng Qi.
Meng Qi wiped a nonexistent bead of cold sweat from his brow, “They say the Ruan family often has eccentric individuals. Today’s encounter proves it indeed.”
Ruan Yushu said indifferently, “I arranged for my uncle to meet you today.”
“Eh?” Meng Qi looked at her in confusion.
“Today you returned to the Su family,” Ruan Yushu spoke as if stating an obvious fact.
Worried that the Su family might cause you trouble… Meng Qi suddenly felt a bit touched and smiled, “You’re truly clever, handling things so flawlessly.”
Ruan Yushu didn’t smile, but her big eyes narrowed into crescent moons.
After some casual conversation, Meng Qi mentioned Wang Zai’s father. Both were puzzled. The Wang family was a Confucian lineage, known for following propriety and etiquette. It was unusual for them to extend an invitation on the very first day of someone’s return home.
With these questions in mind, Meng Qi arrived at the Huanhou Mansion. In the main hall, he met Wang Wenxian, also known as Wang Zai’s father, the current Counselor-in-Chief and Minister of Revenue.
Wang Wenxian also had a square face, looking almost like a replica of Wang Zai, except that he had grown a beard, his demeanor mature and profound.
After a few casual greetings, he invited Meng Qi to sit and dine with him. Every movement was in accordance with propriety, strictly observing the custom of not speaking while eating. Consequently, Meng Qi also became formal, yet felt no inconvenience.
After the meal, Meng Qi finally had the opportunity to ask, “Uncle, has Wang Zai elder brother returned to the capital yet?”
He had originally thought that Wang Zai had encouraged his father to invite him, but now it seemed otherwise.
Wang Wenxian spoke unhurriedly, “Zai’er is on his way to Shen Du, intending to attend the Qionghua Banquet.”
“I wonder what the Qionghua Banquet will involve?” Meng Qi took the opportunity to ask.
Wang Wenxian shook his head, “The emperor has his own plans, and even I am not informed. I only know that high-ranking officials or princes can bring one guest to the banquet. Zai’er wants to take this shortcut because he missed the previous martial examination.”
After losing to Meng Qi last time, Wang Zai felt his inadequacy, abandoned the martial examination, and went on another journey.
This mysterious Qionghua Banquet… Meng Qi frowned and then asked, “May I ask, Uncle, what is the purpose of your invitation?”
Wang Wenxian said, “Zai’er has repeatedly praised you in his letters, which has piqued my curiosity. Moreover, what you said this morning deeply resonated with me.”
“Eh?” Meng Qi looked at him in confusion.
Wang Wenxian stroked his beard, “To have lofty aspirations without craving titles—others might suspect you of speaking falsely, but I believe otherwise. Even without titles, if we continuously improve ourselves, what cannot be attained?”
“Titles are for legitimacy and must not be abused. But today, who in the Wang family would dare to ignore my words?”
Meng Qi gained some understanding. Wang Wenxian was afraid his son’s friend might go astray. He specifically used Meng Qi’s example to encourage him, while also preventing internal strife within the Su family.
Indeed, he was a practitioner who had achieved great success in Confucianism…
“Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance. I, as your nephew, am devoted to martial cultivation, and wealth and honor do not disturb my heart,” Meng Qi replied sincerely.
Wang Wenxian nodded, “There’s one more thing I must warn you about. The chief security master of the Zhongzhou Escort Bureau had a prior connection with me, but he could not wait for my message of rescue and was tragically killed outside Shen Du. It seems to have been the work of the Tianmen Sect and the Luo Religion.”
“You have conflicts with both of them, so you must be cautious. Although Shen Du is safe, it is not absolutely secure. If someone acts swiftly enough and has a hidden location, they can still achieve their goals. For instance, not long ago, a guest of the Jin Prince’s Mansion was killed in broad daylight.”
That was my doing… Meng Qi murmured inwardly, his brow furrowing. The Zhongzhou Escort Bureau incident involved the Luo Religion and the Tianmen Sect’s masters, indicating it was no ordinary matter. Gu Changqing carried half of the escorted item—could he be in danger?
He hesitated for a moment and decided to trust the “Righteous Spirit” and also trust Wang Zai, recounting in detail how he had rescued Gu Changqing.
“Find your friend as soon as possible and bring him to my mansion,” Wang Wenxian said without hesitation.
Meng Qi currently didn’t know where Gu Changqing had hidden, only having a way to contact him. Wang Wenxian, being high-ranking and influential, his every move attracting attention, meant Meng Qi couldn’t directly seek him out.
However, he did make a promise: “If there’s anything you need me to do, just say so directly.”
Meng Qi thanked Wang Wenxian and returned to the Su mansion. By now, it was already dark, and the moonlight was bright.
He was deep in thought about the matter, walking quickly, intending to contact Gu Changqing that night. As he walked, he reached the riverside within the city, seeing the rippling water.
The reflection of Meng Qi in the water suddenly startled him. He and Wang Wenxian knew that the escorted item was in Gu Changqing’s hands, but the Luo Religion and Tianmen Sect didn’t know. They probably thought he had taken it!
Oh no, the danger isn’t to Changqing, but to me… A sense of caution arose in Meng Qi’s heart. He gathered his essence, energy, spirit, and awareness inwardly, sensing the surroundings, fearing that Gu Xiaosang might suddenly appear.
He left the riverside, planning to return to the Su mansion first and ask Wang Wenxian to help find Gu Changqing tomorrow.
After walking a few steps, a sudden sense of inexplicable irritation arose in his heart. If not for his previous vigilance, he might not have felt it!
Just at that moment, a brilliant purple lightning flashed, and a masked figure suddenly descended from a nearby tree.
The Nine Heavens Thunder God?
A myth-level Outer Scene expert?
Boom!
The thunder blade simultaneously slashed five times, purple lightning bursting forth, devouring the riverside!
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