Chapter 196: Family Banquet Of Worthies, Young Heavenly Pride
After washing up and changing into an ink-colored brocade robe, he had just stepped out of the room.
Chen Shun’an saw that the lanterns in the courtyard were already lit, the colorful tent was neatly set up, and the musicians were tuning their suonas and gongs, with clinking sounds revealing a lively atmosphere.
Mother Liu led the maidservants shuttling back and forth, setting tables and chairs, laying out bowls and chopsticks, busy without their feet touching the ground, arranging seven or eight tables for the family banquet.
In no time, carriages and horses filled the space in front of the door.
Lin Shou Zhuo was the first to arrive, carrying a jar of Lotus White Wine, his loud voice shouting from afar: “Old Chen, congratulations on the move! This wine I’ve stored for three years, brought specially today to liven things up!”
San Dezi and Scarred Liu also came in, carrying calligraphy and painting, porcelain—practical gifts.
Besides them, there were bosses of Baoquan Ice Cellar and other water shops, ice cellars, landlords of various major shops on Nanguan Street, martial artists he knew from Wuqing Stick Bureau…
For a moment, voices boiled over, drawing frequent glances from the maidservants.
“Brother Chen!”
Golden Needle Li was still in his familiar tooth-colored official gauze robe, stepping down from the carriage with a face full of smiles, holding a brocade box,
“Congratulations Brother Chen, on moving to your new residence. I heard Wan Niang is also studying medical arts. This set of Inner Classic Nine Needles is a famous set I’ve treasured for many years…”
“Ah? Too precious, I can’t accept it…”
After much back-and-forth refusal, Chen Shun’an helplessly had a nearby maidservant take the brocade box and led Golden Needle Li inside.
Moments later, Zhao Guangxi arrived with his family, his eldest son also coming to attend the banquet.
With so many outsiders, Zhao Guangxi had to maintain the wellhead’s dignity, merely nodding indifferently to Chen Shun’an before entering the residence.
“Brother Shun An, congratulations, congratulations…”
A black wool official sedan chair stopped at the door.
Scholar Ma stepped down, truly steady as a deep abyss and towering mountain, with composed demeanor, dressed and adorned so impeccably.
“Master Ma, take care, don’t fall!” A servant was specifically attending him.
Chen Shun’an looked up, and Scholar Ma also looked up.
Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.
Heh heh,
Heh heh heh…
Everything was unspoken.
“Lord Ma, please~”
“Lord Chen, please!”
The two pulled each other’s sleeves into the courtyard, almost arm-in-arm.
The accompanying servants and sedan bearers saw this and nearly popped their eyeballs.
Master Ma had been iron-faced and ruthless, domineering lately.
No matter how big an official, in his presence, they had to be polite, fearing he’d grab their pigtail and make trouble.
How come, to this marketplace commoner Chen Shun’an, he’s so courteous?
They’re practically buddies now!
……
Steward Wang was still checking accounts in the study when suddenly the steward reported seeing Ma Liangcai’s private sedan chair heading to the Nine Great Families.
Steward Wang turned pale with fright, jumping up, stuffing the account book into the cabinet in a few moves, and running toward the mansion gate, losing one shoe.
Done for, he’s come to check me?!
No, could my family ‘suddenly catch fire, with no one in the mansion surviving?!’
Steward Wang suddenly thought of a possibility, his legs trembling.
“Master! Wait!”
The steward ran back, panting, “Ma Liangcai’s sedan stopped outside Mianyi Residence, he’s going to Chen Shun’an’s family banquet!”
“Thud!”
Steward Wang stopped abruptly, turned, and kicked the steward’s leg, cursing,
“Dog servant, toying with me? Not finishing your words… Quick, prepare gifts, generous ones! How can I miss my new neighbor’s family banquet?”
His mind was in turmoil.
Chen Shun’an, actually on such intimate terms with Ma Liangcai?
Wait, the two seemed to have lived around Weihang Street before.
Could they be friends through thick and thin?
Steward Wang realized he had made a fatal principled error.
Retired for years, long a parasite, he had lost sensitivity to handling people.
A slight oversight could bring deadly disaster.
Fortunately, still time.
Mianyi Residence, outside the door.
Wang Dongya, on his father’s orders, carried two boxes of gifts barely worthy of the Wang mansion’s status, such as ice musk oil, pear blossom lip balm, ascending the steps unhurriedly to the door, cupping hands to Chen Shun’an,
“Shopkeeper Chen—”
A large hand suddenly yanked Wang Dongya down.
He felt the world spin, then tumbled down the steps.
He saw Steward Wang full of flattery, feigning boldness, laughing loudly now and then, signaling servants to carry in the gifts, then turning back, pointing at Wang Dongya while saying to Chen Shun’an,
“Brother Chen, pardon my son, he’s always frivolous, came ahead without waiting for me, no manners! Come come, no return sober today!”
Chen Shun’an gave Steward Wang a deep look, half-smiling, and walked in with him.
While Wang Dongya fell at the base of the steps, mouth agape, somewhat aggrieved.
Wasn’t it you who sent me in your place?
How’s it my fault now?
Once entering Mianyi Residence, Steward Wang saw the opera stage, people chatting and drinking in the courtyard—chaotic and boisterous, voices boiling.
Steward Wang laughed,
“What a lively scene, I love joining the fun and sharing the joy, good good!!”
……
A clever housewife cannot cook without rice, but with rice, a clever one will boast.
With Chen Shun’an’s current status, the housewarming banquet seemed to gather half of Wuqing County’s notables.
Truly, no ordinary folk in his circles now.
Just True Intent Masters numbered no less than five.
Those three festivals and two birthdays, could Chen Mou collect them in the future too?
And he’d have to.
Truly troubling.
Watching the varied crowd streaming in endlessly, nearly wearing down the threshold, Chen Shun’an felt a moment of daze.
Once, he drifted to the capital, alone and destitute.
Pocket with only ten taels of solatium silver, traded for his fourth room wife’s life.
For such a banquet, not even qualified to beg for joy money at the door, just an ant.
And now all this, brought by strength.
Chen Shun’an’s somewhat dazed eyes quickly firmed up.
Thus, his thirst for strength grew stronger.
At fifty, prime time to strive!
“Chen, Brother Chen… oh, no no, Shopkeeper Chen.”
Suddenly, a slightly weak voice came.
Chen Shun’an looked over, startled, and hurried out the residence gate to greet.
The visitor was He Qiang.
But now’s He Qiang differed utterly from the burly, openly emotional rough man in Chen Shun’an’s mind.
Grayish-yellow face, emaciated frame shrunken out of shape.
Wearing thin coarse cotton clothes, perhaps eyes irritated by wind and sand on the hurried road, eye sockets somewhat red.
He Qiang carried a few mountain chickens as local goods, standing awkwardly before the shiny carriages.
Especially seeing Chen Shun’an in brocade clothes and furs approaching quickly, He Qiang’s face showed joy and desolation, lips moving, finally cupping hands with slight respect,
“Shopkeeper Chen, if I offended you back then, please be magnanimous… some Pine Flower Chickens I caught myself, if you don’t mind…”
He Qiang back then, how proud and ambitious, daring and scrappy.
Rivaled Lin Shou Zhuo in years of strife.
Later deliberately targeted Chen Shun’an to hinder Lin Shou Zhuo’s breakthrough speed.
Yet all schemes came to naught.
Lin Shou Zhuo broke through smoothly, Chen Shun’an became Crouching Tiger Well shopkeeper.
While he failed to break through, suffered qi deviation, wife afflicted with leprosy, long bedridden.
Even with Zhao Guangxi’s help, personally treating his inner classic, lending money and medicine, merely barely stabilized his injuries.
One step apart, worlds different.
Chen Shun’an, face unchanged, took the pine chickens, warmly pulled He Qiang into the courtyard.
“Been waiting for you, Brother He, come come, brothers are all here!”
Chen Shun’an smiling, led He Qiang to sit at Water Carrier’s table with Lin Shou Zhuo and others.
“Old He, last time you drank us brothers under the table, this time we’ll pour you drunk!”
“Right, you sly one, don’t think good liquor tolerance makes you superior! Three days apart, treat with new eyes, I’m now the immortal of wine!”
The group of water carriers seemed not to notice He Qiang’s fallen state, bantering as always.
He Qiang looking at the familiar laughing faces, eyes flashed with emotion, finally showing a genuine smile,
“Drink! No return sober today!”
Chen Shun’an went to Golden Needle Li’s side, asked softly,
“Golden Needle Li, do you have a method of treatment for that leprosy?”
He Qiang’s qi deviation injuries were hard to cure with medicine, even Zhao Guangxi couldn’t think of a good way for the moment.
In Chen Shun’an’s view, the only turnaround was curing He Qiang’s wife.
Restoring He Qiang’s heart energy might surpass any miraculous pill.
Golden Needle Li glanced at He Qiang not far away, shook his head,
“Difficult. Ordinary leprosy is one thing, but his wife was innately deficient, original yang waning, showing signs of cyan sac severed meridians. I treated her years ago. Prolonging life is easy, getting out of bed hard, full recovery harder.”
Chen Shun’an sighed, said no more.
He returned to the main table, sitting at the head.
Today he was the star, even Zhao Guangxi had to sit on the left.
Those he invited with invitations mostly came personally; if not, sent trusted aides.
The Nine Great Families’ neighbors were quite obliging too; except two households who changed plans last minute with urgent matters, sending only gifts, the rest arrived.
“Brothers, please!” Chen Shun’an laughed heartily.
Soon, three rounds of wine, five dishes served.
Everyone chatted freely.
Unlike Chen Shun’an’s past mixing with Lin Shou Zhuo and water carriers at Second Meat Shop drinking.
Besides Zhao Guangxi, there were many rich merchants, former yamen clerks; in talk, even secrets to Chen Shun’an.
Like the Four Great Daoist Academies holding decisive sway in Tongzhou City or all Shuntian Prefecture!
In a sense, the four academies equaled the Sacred Dynasty’s court control in Shuntian Prefecture.
Or rather, the four academies were part of the court.
In the Sacred Dynasty, to become an official or a martial artist enter the path and transcend, you couldn’t bypass the prefectural daoist academies.
Must study at a daoist academy.
The key path for commoners to rise was firmly controlled by the court.
All the world’s heroes, netted.
This naturally bred strong alumni and fellow townsmen ties!
From local county yamen officials to high ministers, all had factions.
Tongzhou City’s four daoist academies: Yuishan, Ao Shan Daoist Academy, Fengchi, Longguang Daoist Academy.
Yuishan favored civil officials, Ao Shan Daoist Academy martial officials, Fengchi private academy for imperial clan descendants, root-and-branch pure Bai Shan Ren.
Longguang Daoist Academy quite mysterious, though releasing major quota spots yearly.
But scant records outside, those entering seemed to vanish without trace.
Prefectural academies’ influence permeated everywhere.
Mutual checks maintained Sacred Dynasty rule, balance.
Yet one existence could break this balance, making academies scramble desperately.
That was…
Martial Dao Grandmaster!
Each Martial Dao Grandmaster’s emergence drew academies’ favor, crossing prefectures to vie.
Even those promising Grandmaster Realm, even two or three percent chance, granted exceptional entry, daoist academy writ, called ‘exceptional talent’.
Outstanding persons among the exceptional!
Seemingly, besides wielding three refinements combined power through all apertures, Martial Dao Grandmasters had deeper influences.
Even drawing academies to contend.
Everyone toasted until lanterns lit.
A Wuqing Stick Bureau martial artist suddenly mentioned the recent uproar over translating porpoise language.
Chen Shun’an stood, toasting everyone, said seriously,
“To be honest, Chen Mou traveled widely for years, waded floods in Longnan, caught turtles in deep seas, rode donkeys on roads, boated on water, honed skill in understanding birds and beasts’ tongues, perhaps can translate that porpoise’s language…”
“…”
The crowd silent a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Yes yes, right! Old Brother Chen you’re omnipotent, birds and beasts’ tongue naturally a cinch!”
San Dezi laughed holding his belly.
“Maybe in days, Leader Lu will visit Brother Chen, offering Purple Iron Cattail Milk with both hands!”
Wuqing Stick Bureau’s warehouse keeper teased.
“I’d say, understanding birds and beasts is minor, Brother Chen might gather them, draw myriad spirits to bow!”
“Right, Brother Chen, my house has a fierce beast, wild and savage, ignores human speech, bites people—can you train it?”
“Eh? Old Han, what fierce beast you got?”
“My wife! Sigh, brothers I’m suffering, wuu…”
Instantly, the courtyard filled with merry atmosphere.
Even Zhao Guangxi, Lin Shou Zhuo couldn’t help chuckling, quickly pulling Chen Shun’an back to the table, treating it as drunken talk.
Practicing martial arts, selling water, fine.
You Chen Shun’an as Three Refinements Martial Body, cunning and scheming, pulling new tricks—even breaking through True Intent Realm tomorrow, folks could accept.
But understanding birds and beasts, echoing mountains and rivers, such innate endowment or heaven-sent opportunity secret arts, how casually obtained?
Taking in everyone’s expressions.
Chen Shun’an somewhat helpless.
Why don’t they believe the truth?
If I said I’m Slay Five Thieves cultivation, wouldn’t they disbelieve more, deem it fantasy?
“So lively… may we beg a casual meal?”
Suddenly, a crisp woman’s voice entered the mansion.
Not loud, yet like ice beads on jade plate, overriding all clamor.
Everyone looked, saw three figures entering the mansion.
“That’s… Zhang Village’s instructor, Xu Hong?”
“Indeed Xu Wuju, two years ago I hunted West Mountain, saw him once.”
Everyone now recognized Xu Hong, somewhat surprised.
Xu Wuju had long secluded in Zhang Village, rarely appearing; few in Wuqing County knew him.
Then, eyes shifted to a majestic square-faced figure.
Faces changed abruptly!
Though disheveled, stubbly, clothes crusted with dried blood, neck in shackles like a prisoner in transit.
But his movements like tiger and wolf surveying, head high, exuding overwhelming dominance.
As if the prisoner wasn’t him, but the unshackled others!
Many present recognized him.
Precisely the Guo Lu Society gangster Red Fifth Master, who should be confronting Tian Xuan Saint at Yanziwu!
And crucially, now Xu Hong and Red Fifth Master quietly followed a young girl.
The girl baby-faced, eyes clear, curiously looking around.
Perhaps seeing all eyes on her, the girl gracefully curtsied, saying,
“I am direct Zhang Clan descendant of Tongzhou, Zhang Xiangling, greetings to all.”
Instantly, all Mianyi Residence fell silent.
Chopsticks down, steam rising.
All gazes fixed on Zhang Xiangling.
Tongzhou Zhang Clan, noble family; at peak, Zhang clansmen university scholar of Martial Abyss Pavilion.
Ao Shan Daoist Academy tied deeply to Zhang Clan.
And Zhang Xiangling this woman, daughter of current Zhang Clan family head.
Grandfather, Slay Six Thieves perfection, on verge of Grandmaster Realm great expert.
True blue-chip young heavenly pride.
Tongzhou, people came?!
Wuqing County, about to change skies!
One thought, suddenly surfaced in everyone’s minds.
