I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

Xie Yuan was not surprised to see the strange-looking Chunjiang Building squatter here again, because Old Wu had said yesterday that there were many weirdos in the capital.

It was just that he had just come in when he heard this greeting, which seemed to be from that strange guest, which made him a little surprised.

Are you calling me?
Xie Yuan was a little uncertain. He was not even sure whether the sound was made by that person. This was very rare for a martial artist who was at the third level of Qi and Blood Transformation and had sharp eyes and ears.

The two men still had their backs to the crowd and did not move.

Hmm, why is there one less person at the back today...

The other diners didn't make a sound, not even one turned around. Didn't they hear the sound?

Am I hallucinating?
Xie Yuan always felt something was strange. Just when he began to doubt himself, he heard a vague voice:

"I asked you to come over here, didn't you hear me?"

The two hooded figures still did not move, but Xie Yuan was now certain that the words were indeed coming from there.

Hearing this very impolite greeting, Xie Yuan frowned slightly and looked around calmly.

He realized that even though the hall was noisy, since the clear words could reach his ears, the people around him should also be able to hear them clearly. However, none of the drinkers who were used to doing good things made a sound.

can not hear?
Xie Yuan seemed to be thinking about something. He slowly walked to the corner and cautiously bowed to the two people, one sitting and the other standing.

"My friend, are you looking for me?"

"friend……"

Xie Yuan noticed that the man sitting there seemed to tremble, and a vague voice came from under the hood:
"Sit down and eat."

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment, feeling a little confused.

He paused for a moment.
"I have an appointment with a friend, he will be here soon, so I won't bother you."

After saying this, Xie Yuan was ready to get away from this weird person. Just as he was about to take a step, he suddenly heard:

"The little monk won't be back. Please sit down and have lunch with me."

Xie Yuan immediately turned around in surprise.

Does this hooded man know Huijue?

Or did he hear all their conversations outside?

His brows slightly frowned. This guy was really weird.

But Xie Yuan felt that he was most likely a master, not just a weirdo who was playing tricks.

Xie Yuan was thinking about refusing, when suddenly his mind moved. He pondered for a moment, then slowly sat down on the bench.

The hooded man seemed to move and made an indistinct sound:

"good."

Xie Yuan's face was solemn. He was actually reluctant to answer this mysterious man, but when he was about to leave, it seemed as if an instinct was telling him not to leave.

It seems that as long as I take a step, bad things will happen.

It's a bit magical... let's see what he is up to.

After Xie Yuan sat down, the first thing he did was to look at the face of the hooded man sitting there.

However, he was surprised to find that even at this angle and distance, the hooded man's face was still dark and blurry, as if no light could enter here.

Xie Yuan raised his head quickly and looked at the person standing behind him, but saw the same thing. Even though he looked up from below, he still couldn't see anything.

When the man saw him looking at him, his hood paused slightly, as if he was nodding.

Even though he possessed the Heavenly Concealment Technique and the Heavenly Illusion Technique, he couldn't find any flaws at all?
Xie Yuan was extremely alert, knowing that the two people in front of him were very skilled and were definitely not ordinary people, not even ordinary masters.

But for now, at least there is not much hostility.

And adapt to circumstances.

Xie Yuan sat down and was about to order food when he heard the hooded man speak in a calm and erratic tone:

"Serve."

Xie Yuan raised his eyebrows, and saw Boss Wu, who had just returned to the counter, raise his head and look around the lobby in doubt. Then he seemed to see Xie Yuan sitting here, blinked, and said hesitantly:
"okay."

Xie Yuan calmly observed the tables around him and found that indeed no one responded to what the hooded man said.

It's not that I ignore it after hearing it, but it's as if I don't hear it at all...

But Xie Yuan was sitting here, making sure that he did not feel any fluctuations in his internal energy, and he was not aware of any techniques such as concentrating his voice like an arrow and transmitting his voice into secret.

Maybe he just didn't notice it.

Xie Yuan observed silently, and felt that the hooded man was extremely mysterious and unfathomable.

Boss Wu went to the kitchen and served the dishes surprisingly quickly. Xie Yuan even saw Boss Wu rolling up his sleeves and acting as a waiter himself, placing the dishes on the table like flowing water. There was oil on his hands, and it seemed that he even cooked the dishes himself, which was why he was so fast.

He placed the dishes on the table respectfully. Xie Yuan could see that he was really a little afraid of this mysterious man.

But let alone Boss Wu who has no cultivation, even if you were to open a store and face such a strange customer, you would probably be scared.

In the blink of an eye, food that far exceeded the appetite of the three people was placed on the table. It was so full that there was no room for more plates.

Xie Yuan complained in his heart, this person didn't even say what dishes to order, he just said to serve the dishes and he was treated like this, the treatment was much better than what he got yesterday.

It seems that those who make trouble will receive more preferential treatment, and distribution based on the trouble has been a practice since ancient times.

The diners nearby also noticed this side following Boss Wu's actions, and looked at the hooded man and Xie Yuan for a few times, and then someone said dissatisfiedly:
"Boss, we ordered the dishes first, why did they come first?"

Old Wu was startled and hurried over to apologize:

"Sir, hey! The guests over there have already ordered the dishes, and the kitchen has prepared them and is just waiting for everyone to serve them, so it's so fast. You will be here soon! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long, it's Old Wu's fault, he is so stupid!"

As he spoke, he hit his left hand twice with his right hand without mercy, and his left hand even turned red. Then he said with a flattering look:

"Sir, I will serve you the food right away! I will also give you a pot of wine, what do you think?"

Seeing the boss being so polite, the guest was satisfied and even a little guilty, so he naturally said in a harmonious voice:

"Okay, okay, boss, your business is booming, and I understand. But I'm just treating my friends to a meal... Hehe, you should get back to work."

"Thank you for your consideration, sir! I'll give you a 20% discount! Next time you invite friends, please come to the private room."

Boss Wu smiled and whispered in the ear.

The guest was even more satisfied and nodded repeatedly.

It's not easy to do business, and it's not easy to do it so well.

Xie Yuan took in all the noise around him and commented silently.

"eat."

The hooded man spoke, then reached out and started using his chopsticks.

Xie Yuan originally wanted to judge the man's gender, age and youngness from his hands, but he saw that the hands were wrapped in thick white cloth and he couldn't see anything at all.

The hooded man held chopsticks in his hands wrapped in white cloth, picked up some food and put it into his hood, then followed him into a dark cave. Xie Yuan couldn't even see the chopsticks that were under the shadow of the hood.

Xie Yuan gave up now, knowing that he had no intention of letting him investigate and that he would not be able to see anything, so he simply buried his head in eating.

The two of them ate one mouthful after another in silence. Warriors have big appetites, and they finished the entire table of dishes in no time.

In fact, Xie Yuan was about 70% full after eating halfway, but just when he was about to put down his chopsticks, he saw that the hooded man was still picking up food. He felt weird sitting there, so he had to bite the bullet and clean up all the dishes.

He finished all the side dishes he could choose until the pot and bowl were clean. He had no choice but to put down his chopsticks, glanced at the man standing behind him, and thought to himself:
"It seems that this person is not qualified to sit at the table. Then he will stand here all day. Won't he be hungry? Well, should the other person take over the meal shift..."

While Xie Yuan was daydreaming, he saw the hooded man put down his chopsticks and said calmly:
"you can go now."

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment, feeling very strange.

What on earth was going on? Just asking me to eat with you?
He seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Finally, he stood up, bowed, and made a gesture to leave.

"Don't stay in the capital."

A voice came from behind.

Xie Yuan turned around in surprise, only to see that the two strange men still had their backs to him and were motionless. He had no choice but to leave with a frown on his face.

After leaving Chunjiang Tower, Xie Yuan walked for a long time and suddenly found a bald man at the intersection.

He squinted his eyes and said:
"Master Huijue, what took you so long? Did you fall into the toilet?"

Huijue turned around and said seriously:

"Thank you for what you said, sir. I didn't expect any good from you, me."

Xie Yuan stared at him intently:
"Do you know the man inside?"

Huijue immediately took a step back and looked to the side:

"I don't know what Mr. Xie is talking about."

He said this, but his expression was almost as if he was saying "that's right".

Xie Yuan frowned and said:
"Who is that person?"

"The Buddha said..."

Huijue clasped his hands together and said innocently:

"Can't say."

"Can't tell?"

"I can't say that. I don't want my tongue to be plucked out."

Huijue shook his head like a rattle.

Seeing that Huijue was very tight-lipped, Xie Yuan had no choice but to shut up and said:

"have you eaten?"

"Thank you for your concern, I have already eaten."

"Eating in the toilet?"

"Thank you, benefactor. I didn't go to the toilet. Why do you have to lie to yourself?"

Xie Yuan snorted and asked again:
"What are you doing in the capital?"

"Naturally, they are here to save sentient beings, point out the way out of confusion, and help the believers of the Buddhist country reach the other shore."

Huijue said with a holy look on his face.

"speak nicely."

"I'm here to watch the fun."

Huijue laughed and said:

"The Hidden Dragon Banquet is a big event, and I am here to join in the fun."

Xie Yuan nodded slowly.

I didn't ask at first, but now I suddenly had a weird lunch and got a weird reminder. When I saw Huijue coming, I felt that nothing good might happen.

he asked:
"Monk, is there any change in this Qianlong banquet?"

Huijue had an innocent look on his face, looking at Xie Yuan as if he were a fool:

"Thank you, benefactor. I said I can tell fortunes. Do you really believe it? If I could predict the afterlife, I wouldn't have come to Chunjiang Tower..."

Xie Yuan didn't believe that he knew everything, but he didn't believe even more that he knew nothing.

Every move of this little monk often has some deep meaning that is hard to understand when you think about it later.

Since he didn't say anything, there must be a reason. I can't get the answer by asking... Xie Yuan shook his head and said:

"Then monk, now that you have eaten and drunk enough, tell me where to find the Buddhist music? There are several famous Buddhist temples in the capital, is there one I should go to?"

Huijue chanted the Buddha's name with a calm face:
"Amitabha! Thank you, donor. If the law of fate can be told, it is not called the law of fate.

"Just keep going forward. The Dharma that you deserve will naturally appear when it is time to appear."

Xie Yuan frowned:

"Monks are superstitious. I don't like them."

Huijue clasped his hands together, with a look of compassion on his face:
"Thank you, benefactor. You have a heavy burden on your shoulders. I can only share some of it with you, but you have to walk the path by yourself. In this world, all living beings have their own karma. Who can help whom? The sea of ​​suffering is boundless. There is no end to it. There is no end to it."

He looked up at the sky with a look of compassion on his face, which made Xie Yuan frown.

Suddenly, the little monk turned around, smiled and blinked:
"Thank you, benefactor. Does this make me look like a great monk?"

"..."

"Haha, Master is going to make me a great monk at Bodhi Temple. When I put on the red cassock, I will be very impressive!"

Huijue smiled with a smug look on his face. Xie Yuan clenched his fists and said expressionlessly:
"congratulations."

"Haha, thank you for being so polite."

Huijue smiled and looked at the small temple on the street next to him:
"Thank you for seeing me off, I will stay here."

Seeing Xie Yuan walking to the side of the small temple without noticing, his eyes flashed:
"Monk, what have you been busy with these past two days? Why don't you come and spar with me when you have time?"

When Huijue heard this, he was about to say something, but he walked straight into the temple and turned around and said:
"I still need to beg for food. Thank you, benefactor. You can go to the Qianlong Banquet to show off your power. I will not accompany you."

After saying that, he clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and then slammed the door shut.

When Xie Yuan heard that the bolts behind the door were locked, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he just turned around and left.

On the way back to Xie's villa, Xie Yuan frowned slightly.

The purpose of the mysterious man's inexplicable lunch and Huijue's weird words is unknown.

Xie Yuan originally thought that this Qianlong Banquet was just a simple banquet in front of the emperor, but now he has a feeling that it will become a little complicated.

Does any of this matter?
Xie Yuan was a little confused, but... he didn't have to figure it out himself.

After returning to the Xie family's villa in Beijing, he went straight to the study and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Xie Yi's voice came out.

Xie Yuan walked in and bowed to Xie Yi behind the desk:
"Uncle, are you busy?"

"Tell me, what's the matter? Practice? Or is it for the Hidden Dragon Feast?"

Xie Yi smiled and put down the letters in his hand.

Since I have met a weirdo, if I don't tell his parents, I would be asking for trouble.

Xie Yuan immediately told everyone about the strange man and strange food he met at Chunjiang Tower.

Xie Yi frowned slightly after hearing this, and thought for a while before saying:

"That's all he said?"

"Yes, besides serving food, the only thing I can do is leave the capital."

Xie Yuan nodded.

Since he came to attend the Qianlong Banquet, it was impossible for him to just listen to a strange person of unknown origin.

Xie Yi frowned, his mind raced with thoughts, and many figures flashed by.

But based on these few sentences, it is really hard to tell who is playing tricks and why Xie Yuan was asked to stay away from the capital?

Xie Yi exhaled and asked:
"Do you have any judgment of your own?"

Xie Yuan shook his head:

"I can't think of it at all, and I can't figure out his identity at all."

Xie Yi nodded slowly:

"Then let's keep this in mind for now... Xie Yuan, the Hidden Dragon Feast will be held the day after tomorrow, so you should conserve your energy. Remember, this time is to gain experience, don't have any other pressure, and focus on protecting yourself."

Xie Yi gave another instruction, and then took out a breastplate from the drawer:

"Just in time for you to come, this is for you."

"This is……"

"If you don't use the true qi to activate it, this is a pretty good piece of armor, and it can also be used at the Hidden Dragon Feast. If it's a critical moment, you can activate it with all your strength, and even the Grandmaster won't be able to hurt you for a while."

Xie Yi handed the heart-protecting mirror to Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan was a little surprised. He had only seen a magic weapon that could withstand the attack of a master without breaking at his current level of cultivation in Situ Qin's place.

Even for the children of aristocratic families, the most they could do was to be able to withstand a single blow and save their lives, which was considered quite good. Usually only core disciples could possess it. And this kind of time-limited protective magic weapon was probably the most valuable item in the clan's vault.

"Second uncle..."

"Take it."

Xie Yi waved his hand and didn't let Xie Yuan say more.

He said in a harmonious voice:

"Xie Yuan, you are the future of the Xie family in Chen County. I even see the shadow of our ancestor Xie An in you.

"You should grow up well and lead our Xie family to further progress in the future."

Xie Yuan held the heart-protecting mirror and bowed:
"Uncle, I can save it."

"Go ahead. Even though it's just an experience, you can still prepare yourself. The Hidden Dragon Banquet will first test you on literature and then martial arts. There will be many tests, which is quite interesting."

Xie Yi waved his hand and Xie Yuan left.

When he walked outside, Xie Yuan ran into Xie Lingyun again.

As soon as she saw Xie Yuan, she shouted:

"Hey, where are you going for lunch? Why don't you take me with you?"

Xie Yuan smiled and said:

"Didn't you run away because you thought Huijue was too long-winded? The monk and I went to Chunjiang Tower."

"Going to Chunjianglou to eat good food again? And with a monk? What a waste of food."

Xie Lingyun pouted.

Xie Yuan shook his head:

"The monk didn't come to eat, but something strange happened... The hooded weirdo in the corner asked me to have dinner with him, but he didn't say anything during the meal..."

"What weirdo in the corner?"

Xie Lingyun blinked and said in confusion.

Xie Yuan frowned:

"It's the table that has been sitting in the corner, one sitting and two standing, all wrapped up tightly, and it's still there today."

Xie Lingyun thought about it and said:
"Why don't I remember? Aren't there people from the Western Regions in the corner?"

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment, stopped, grabbed Xie Lingyun and asked quickly:
"Yes, next to the Western Regions man yesterday. Didn't we say that those people looked weird?"

"I'm talking about the people from the Western Regions... Where are the others?"

Xie Lingyun looked confused.

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment, then slowly loosened his hand, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Yesterday they were discussing that Chunjiang Tower had guests of all kinds from all over the world. Xie Lingyun must have seen that and it was impossible for her not to notice such a distinctive character.

How could you not remember?

Xie Yuan frowned, suddenly turned around, and went back to the study. This information was a bit strange, so he had to tell Xie Yi quickly.

"Hey, why are you acting weird?"

Seeing Xie Yuan running back again, Xie Lingyun hurriedly caught up with him and shouted loudly.

Returning to the study, Xie Yuan knocked on the door, but found no one answered. The book boy at the door bowed and said:
"Sir, the master of the family has just gone out."

go out?
Xie Yuan raised his eyebrows, but since he didn't see Xie Yi, he had to give up.

He felt that Xie Yi seemed to be busy with something. It was a bit unusual for him to come to the capital. With so many things going on in the clan, the clan leader would not leave the clan easily.
Now it seems that it was not normal for him to ask me twice to make protecting myself the top priority.

Is there really a storm coming?
Xie Yuan exhaled, looked at Xie Lingyun who was following behind him with a puzzled look on his face, and shook his head:

"It's okay, let's go."

"It's so nagging..."

Xie Lingyun brought out his words to evaluate others and shook her head.

Then in the afternoon, Xie Yuan received a letter from the palace, but it was from Situ Qin.

She said that she would stay in the palace for the next two days and would not come out again, and would wait until the Qianlong Banquet to see him again.

In the letter, she tactfully told Xie Yuan that the emperor did not seem to be in good health.

Could it be that the emperor is on his deathbed? No wonder the capital city is in such a state of turmoil.

Xie Yuan thought secretly.

But if that’s the case, how can the Qianlong Banquet be held?

Xie Yuan was a little puzzled. He heard that this Qianlong Banquet was quite grand, and even the usually secluded Zhikong Mountain sent disciples to participate.

He felt as if he was in a misty mountain. No matter how he looked, he could only see one side of the mountain. He had no idea of ​​the whole picture, which made him feel confused.

Forget it, just prepare well and everything will be clear by the time of the Qianlong Banquet.

Xie Yuan touched the heart-protecting mirror that was already installed on his chest and practiced martial arts behind closed doors.

The fourth day of the winter month.

As the sun rose, Xie Yuan and a group of young people stood at the gate of the Forbidden Palace.

Xie Yuan saw the familiar Wang Qiwen and Cui Lei, as well as many young people he didn't know, but all of them had a strong aura and amazing momentum.

From their expressions, behaviors, and dress, Xie Yuan compared them with the top ten geniuses on the Hidden Dragon List one by one, and gradually identified them.

Senior Brother Qin should have been invited, but he was said to be in seclusion and could not come this time. Xie Yuan felt very sorry, otherwise he could have found out from him what the Sect Master's attitude towards him was now...

Jin Ri had just completely jumped out of the ground, the palace gate opened, and a group of palace servants came out and led the group of geniuses who were attending the Qianlong Banquet into the palace.

Xie Yuan and others first went to a side hall near the palace gate, where an eunuch explained the palace rules.

Xie Yuan originally thought that the lecture wouldn't take long, but he obviously underestimated the number of rules in the palace. The lecture actually took a whole morning, and then there were random tests, and if you answered incorrectly, you had to start over.

He inexplicably recalled the fear he had felt when he was memorizing the text. Even the children of several prominent families found it difficult, not to mention the masters from the sects, and one or two rare independent people.

However, there was one person in the crowd who caught Xie Yuan's attention. She was the woman who was known as the new Tiansuanzi of Zhikong Mountain.

She was covered in a veil, her face was also hidden behind the veil, and the whole person seemed to be in the mist, and it was hard to see clearly. Even her eyes were wrapped in a white cloth, making people wonder how she could see the road clearly.

They had a simple meal in a side hall at noon, and were not allowed to pass until the afternoon. Then they entered the palace and went straight to the imperial garden.

Xie Yuan finally understood why they had to get up early to go out for the dinner party. It turned out that it was to leave them enough time to study.

When they arrived at the Imperial Garden, Xie Yuan, who was used to seeing luxurious and elegant mansions, was also opened his eyes.

Exotic flowers and plants, magical birds and auspicious beasts can be seen everywhere in the garden.

Jade pillars, golden eaves, carved beams and painted buildings, are both magnificent and ingeniously crafted. The combination of grandeur and elegance embodies the royal style.

Xie Yuan and others sat down one by one on the seats that had been arranged in the Imperial Garden. Streams flowed beside the seats, with wisps of mist emanating from them, which turned out to be spiritual energy that aided in their spiritual practice.

Not only those few wanderers were stunned, but even Xie Yuan, Wang Qiwen and Cui Lei looked at them a few more times, thinking that it was extraordinary to own the world.

However, Xie Yuan only looked at the furnishings for a while before casting his gaze towards the first seat, where there were a few princes and princesses, and one person with a charming smile and very bright appearance, it was Situ Qin.

Situ Qin looked at him, curved her eyes and smiled. The two of them had communicated and there was no need to say more.

When everyone was seated, only the first seat was still empty, and everyone gradually quieted down.

An old eunuch with drooping eyebrows and a face as pale as paper slowly came out from the back and shouted in a hoarse voice:
"The Emperor has arrived!"

Two rows of palace maids walked out silently like water and stood on both sides.

A dignified old man wearing a dragon robe and with a big belly came out. As soon as he appeared, everyone present bowed their heads:
"See Your Majesty!"

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, glanced around the room, and smiled:
"My lords, please excuse me."

Xie Yuan stood up straight, thinking that it was good that he didn't have to kneel at the warrior banquet.

The emperor looked full of energy and his face was flushed. He spoke for a long time in an eloquent manner, encouraged the young people, and then started the banquet.

After three rounds of drinking, the emperor stopped drinking and said in a gentle voice:
"Everyone, as a latent dragon, once the spring breeze comes, you can soar into the sky and into the earth, and dominate the world. However, if you want to be a rising dragon in the world, you must be proficient in military strategy, how can you not know civil affairs?"

Everyone knew that the main topic had begun, so they put down their golden cups and jade chopsticks and waited for the emperor to ask the questions.

The emperor said slowly:
"When I wrote On the Family History, it was very famous and caused a great uproar. The public was very upset. Thinking about it seems like it was yesterday. However, when I think about it carefully, it has been more than 50 years. Time flies. A person's life is like a fire in a stone or a horse in a gap. It passes by in a flash, like a dream.

"You are all geniuses, and I believe you have read the book I wrote. I have a question for you.

"May I ask what benefit the noble family brings to the world?"

(End of this chapter)