Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 187 Rong Mansion Birthday Banquet (Thanks to Tianya Blues for the generous donation!)
The day before the Rong family's birthday banquet, the streets of Dongdu were filled with people hurrying by.

Southern suburbs.

A disciple of Cihang, who practiced Buddhism while still keeping his hair, and a middle-aged monk left Jingnian Temple. Li Jiancheng watched them go north into the capital with a smile on his face.

How could he not feel the support from the martial arts holy land for the Li clan?

Supporting the Li family is tantamount to supporting the eldest son of the Li family.
Yang Guang's grandsons have not been deposed yet. In Chang'an, Prince Dai, Yang You, is in a similar situation to Yang Tong in Luoyang, holding only the title.

Li Yuan could depose Yang You at any time and force him to abdicate, making Li Jiancheng the undisputed crown prince.

News of the He Shi Bi jade will be officially spread throughout the martial arts world, and this treasure with extraordinary significance will fall into Guanzhong under the witness of everyone.

The brutal struggles in the Eastern Capital will ultimately only enhance the prestige of the Li clan.

Li Jiancheng waved to his men who had accompanied him, and several people immediately stepped out from the crowd.

"Eldest son."

"Xue Wanche, Feng Li."

"exist!"

"Tomorrow, you will also take your men to the Rong residence, follow closely behind the two seniors from the Holy Land, and await their orders. Do not get involved in anything else, just keep your eyes open."

"Yes."

Xue Wanche and Feng Li were both members of the "Five Generals of Changlin" under Li Jiancheng. They not only held real power but were also renowned experts in their respective regions.

Upon receiving the order, the two men knew that their mission was to gather intelligence, so they quickly led their men toward Luoyang.

Xie Shufang, one of the Five Generals of Changlin, took two steps closer. As a confidant of Li Jiancheng, he spoke more bluntly.

Then they whispered:

"Young Master, why haven't the experts from the Holy Land gone to the Eastern Capital? Shouldn't this be a good opportunity to eliminate the Taoist Celestial Master?"

Li Jiancheng looked regretful after hearing this.

Although there are many overlords in the world, this person is the most threatening. If he dies, it will be a great thing for the Li clan.

Although the two sides are fighting, Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chan Temple cannot go this far. They once joined forces with the Taoist sect to exorcise demons in Nanyang. If they were to kill people without regard for their reputation, not only would they lose face, but Ning Sanren would probably not approve.

He could only mutter to himself, unable to change the will of these two holy lands.

"The Evil King and Empress Yin have been seen in the vicinity; the He Shi Bi still needs to be protected."

Li Jiancheng answered, then added, "Furthermore, there is no need for the Holy Land to intervene this time. Given the current situation in Dongdu, it is definitely not something that can be reversed by the military force of one person."

"good."

Qiao Gongshan, who had a fierce appearance and a look of being brave and ruthless, also said, "Even if this person is lucky enough to survive, he will probably have to flee in a sorry state. At that time, his reputation will be greatly damaged, while the eldest son's prestige will soar. We should take advantage of this momentum to plan our scheme in the Eastern Capital."

Upon hearing his suggestion, Li Jiancheng looked north towards the Luo River, revealing a confident and profound expression that gave the impression that victory was assured.

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements."

That evening, a new batch of soldiers were stationed on the city walls of the Ziwei Palace in the Eastern Capital.

However, after only one rotation, these soldiers were all replaced by the Imperial Guards dispatched by Dugu Feng.

All the guards of the imperial city were trusted confidants of the Dugu family.

The lanterns are on.

A messenger arrived at the gate of the Dugu residence with a message. The gatekeeper hurriedly returned to the residence, and a short while later, Zhou Yi came out after receiving the message.

He scanned the area but didn't see anyone.

"What about people?"

The gatekeeper scratched his head in confusion, looked around, and saw no one in sight: "Master, that person is still here."

"What did he say?"

"He only said that he was your friend and had something important to tell you, and he wouldn't let me pass on the message. He said he would talk to you in person."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Yi suddenly had an epiphany.

"You go back first, I'll wait and see."

"Yes."

The gatekeeper was very sensible; if he learned secrets he shouldn't have, according to the rules of the underworld, it would be very dangerous.

We must quicken our pace, move straight in, and never look back.

Sure enough, no sooner had his footsteps faded than a figure appeared lightly from the darkness.

The man was dressed in white, holding a landscape folding fan, looking every bit the refined gentleman.

It was impossible to see clearly through the darkness, but upon closer inspection, one could discern that this handsome young man had a flawless, white face, thin, red lips, and bright, sparkling eyes.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, a charming smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

The handsome young man quickly raised his fan to shield his eyes, and after lowering the fan, his demeanor returned to its fresh and elegant state.

Zhou Yi smiled as soon as he saw her.

Who else could it be but a little vixen?

"Brother Yi, you're so brave! Don't you know you should go somewhere further away?"

Wanwan gestured towards the Dugu residence behind him and whispered, "It'll be interesting when the Dugu family's young lady comes chasing after us later."

Zhou Yi replied calmly, "What's there to be afraid of?"

He then looked her up and down: "If you don't want people to recognize you, you should disguise yourself more thoroughly."

"No."

The little vixen took a step closer: "I've been looking forward to seeing you. If you don't recognize me, I'll be so heartbroken."

She unfolded her fan to shield her eyes and whispered a reminder: "Master is nearby."

Zhou Yi straightened his expression and asked, "Did the Empress Dowager ask you to inquire about the Yang Gong Treasure Vault?"

Wanwan nodded: "She wants you to give her an answer."

Zhou Yi readily agreed: "I agree."

"That's good."

Wanwan revealed, "Master probably wouldn't lie to you. She really wanted the relic, and was only curious about the He Shi Bi. Master and Shi Xie Wang entered Jingnian Temple once, but were blocked outside the bronze hall by a group of people, and never tried to enter again after that."

Zhou Yi nodded and then asked, "Does the Empress of Yin know about the matter of Bi Shou Xuan?"

"I didn't know before, but I do now. There's a disagreement within our sect about how we should treat you."

She added, "Master's pursuit has changed. She has no hostility towards you, otherwise she wouldn't have agreed to let me see you. But she is determined to take the relic, and they believe you know about it."

“If we can’t reach an agreement on this, they will still target you.”

The situation in Dongdu was quite delicate for Zhou Yi at this moment. He saw the possibility of going further and changed his previous idea of ​​only seizing the He Shi Bi jade.

Therefore, it's best not to offend these two former lovers for the time being.

The Yang Gong Treasure Vault is in Chang'an; without understanding its mechanisms, one cannot enter.

It's practically a risk-free business.

Wanwan saw the slight upturn of his lips, as if he had seen through something: "Are you plotting against them again?"

“No way,” Zhou Yi replied calmly. “It’s just a matter of mutual benefit.”

The little demon girl didn't press him for a response, but suddenly looked at him seriously:
"You have a large number of enemies who will appear at the Rong Mansion's birthday banquet tomorrow. The Holy Emperor should prioritize his own safety. There is a long road ahead, so you can settle accounts with them slowly without rushing things."

Her voice was full of concern.

"I have my own plans. If they really have a way, I will just run away."

Zhou Yi laughed again, "You should tell the Queen of the Underworld that she and the Evil King are supposed to protect me. If something happens to me, the relic will be lost."

Wanwan gave him a "you're dreaming" emoji.

"I have a reliable method."

"what way?"

"I will also be at the Rong Mansion tomorrow. Although my master forbids me to take action, as long as you let me know, I will use the Heavenly Demon Technique to help you with all my might. If I get caught up in the chaos of battle, my master will help me."

She winked at Zhou Yi and whispered a secret plot, as if afraid that the Empress Dowager would overhear.

Seeing Zhou Yi's gaze fixed on her, Wanwan met his eyes without flinching.

"Brother Yi, it's been so long, have you forgotten me?"

"No."

At that moment, footsteps could be heard coming from the Dugu residence.

The little demoness quickly took out a letter, stuffed it into his arms, and leaned close to say urgently, "Once Master goes to find the relic, I'll sneak out to find you."

She reached out and hugged Zhou Yi, then smiled charmingly and used a folding fan to fan his hair at his temples, teasing him. Before the footsteps approached, she vanished into the distance with a ghostly movement.

A large force rushed out of the Dugu residence.

The leader, dressed as a general, greeted Zhou Yi and then hurried towards the Ziwei Palace under the cover of night.

Open the letter Wanwan gave me.

It details how the Yin Gui Sect participated in this operation. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had mentioned it once, but not in such detail.

It's not surprising that Bi Shouxuan would take action against him, given their deep-seated enmity.

But where did Rong Fengxiang get the audacity to take such a risk?

Zhou Yi looked towards the direction of the Duke of Zheng's mansion.

The nine-headed worm wanted to kill three birds with one stone, and he also wanted to kill multiple birds with one stone.

Zhou Yi returned to his residence, found Dugu Feng, and gave him many instructions.

Tomorrow he will be in the eye of the storm, but he may not be in the most danger. However, once a large-scale battle breaks out, he will not be able to take care of others.

That night.

Zhou Yi meditated in the room, slept for three hours, and then got up to continue meditating.

Adjust your energy and spirit to their peak.

After washing up and changing into the clothes Xiao Feng had prepared for him at dawn, the city was already bustling with activity as the sun rose slightly.

I smelled the fresh morning air, then slung my sword over my shoulder and went out.

After crossing the Tianjin Bridge, the most important bridge in Luoyang, and passing through the most prosperous neighborhoods on both sides of the Luo River, Zhou Yi could already see the Jinshi Street, which led straight to Rong Fengxiang's mansion, when the hustle and bustle of the North Market Canal Wharf came.

At this time, the place was bustling with activity, a constant flow of traffic.

As a wealthy man from Dongdu, Boss Rong's birthday banquet was always grand, and this time it brought together many famous figures from both inside and outside the Nine Provinces, with the entire Luoyang Gang mobilized.

The entire Jinshi Street was decorated with lanterns and colorful flowers.

Along the way, people were beating gongs and drums, and numerous luxurious carriages headed north.

In addition to people from all over Kyushu, there were also many warriors from foreign lands such as the northern deserts, the Western Regions, Ryukyu, Goguryeo, and Balhae.

Therefore, the people of the underworld who walk on the streets are dressed in all sorts of colorful and varied outfits.

Countless people have used various unusual weapons.

Even more martial arts practitioners came to join in the fun. Firstly, the banquet itself was lively; secondly, the news about the He Shi Bi jade was attracting attention; and thirdly, there were rumors that a major battle might take place at this banquet.

The Taoist Celestial Master's many enemies gathered together.

Some outsiders deliberately spread rumors that the Celestial Master dared not go.

After learning that Master Men was in Dongdu, Boss Rong sent someone to deliver an invitation.

Even those unaware of the details can tell that this matter is not simple if they think about it.

Some timid people avoided the Rong Mansion and even fled the Eastern Capital.

But eight or nine out of ten martial arts practitioners flocked in from the outside world, unwilling to miss such a grand spectacle.

We were lucky enough to catch a beautiful day with clear skies and a gentle autumn breeze.

Those who went to the Rong Mansion for the banquet were all in good spirits.

Around 9:00 AM, the grand mansion was filled with a constant stream of guests arriving in carriages and horses, and the area was packed with ladies in brocade and embroidery.

Amidst the deafening firecrackers and billowing smoke, the lively atmosphere was even more festive than during the Lunar New Year.

From the main entrance on the south side of Rong Mansion, rows of lanterns are hung all the way to the huge square inside the mansion. Below, there is a stage, gongs and drums, and many seats for guests. Red ropes are strung up from the top, with colorful knots and tassels swaying in the wind, creating a huge open-air banquet hall.

The surrounding area was filled with magnificent houses, and huge metasequoia trees, some over ten feet tall, so tall that two strong men could hardly encircle them.

Each large tree is adorned with auspicious words of blessing and longevity.

Good fortune and blessings are bestowed upon all visitors.

On the banquet table were carved horses and saddles, coral trees, and jade ruyi-shaped glass cups.

This spectacle alone is enough to make many people remember it for a long time.

As the hour of Si (9-11 AM) deepens, the hour of Wu (11 AM-1 PM) approaches.

More and more lingering visitors officially entered the venue, and a loud announcement rang out continuously in front of the vermilion gate.

One by one, the wealthy and powerful figures of Luoyang were invited into the banquet hall amidst cheers.

"Welcome, welcome! Duke Chen, Vice Minister Guo, Vice Minister Zhao, please come in!"

One of the Seven Nobles of Luoyang died, and at this time the other three arrived together, giving Rong Fengxiang a great deal of face.

"Duke Chen, please!"

Guo Wenyi and Zhao Congwen smiled and invited Duan Da to walk ahead.

Duan Da let out a short, hollow laugh: "Where are Brother Huangfu and Brother Lu?"

Vice Minister Guo shook his head and sighed: "I heard that the Duchess of Lu is missing her husband and son and has fallen ill in bed. They went to visit her. Let's go together after the birthday banquet."

The two looked at Duan Da, who immediately nodded in agreement.

Lu Chu, Huangfu Wuyi, and Yuan Wen were close friends, so it was normal for them to visit each other.

However, Duan Da still kept an eye on things and looked around.

Then he saw a familiar figure appear, and his doubts immediately turned into smugness.

"Patriarch Dugu, welcome, welcome!!"

Several stewards from the Rong family came together to greet them, showing them great respect.

Dugu Feng gave a low hum, appearing indifferent.

Duan Da gave a look to the few people accompanying him, and two men with strong inner strength understood and bowed as they left.

The four were very familiar with each other, and at Duan Da's invitation, Dugu Feng went with them into the Rong Mansion.

A large number of martial arts practitioners gathered around, and discussions continued to rise:

"More than half of the important figures from Dongdu have come; this birthday banquet is truly extraordinary."

"Have the people from the Holy Land arrived yet?"

"Of course, they were invited in around 7 a.m. One was Liaoyuan, the junior brother of Zen Master Liaokong, and the other was Fanyuncang, the junior sister of Master Cihang Fanzhai."

Many people are hearing about these two for the first time.

Only the most outstanding successor of each generation of the Holy Land walks the world, while the rest cultivate within the sect.

This time it's strange, I heard that the Holy Maiden Cihang has amazing talent and is in harmony with the Sword Manual. She often goes into seclusion, thus breaking the rules of Cihang Jingzhai, which has become an interesting topic.

"So many experts, and who are they?!"

A young man walked at the front, surrounded by fifty or sixty people, all exuding the aura of top-notch masters.

Their eyes are mostly yellow, their cheekbones are high, and their noses are straight, giving them a distinctly exotic look.

Some of the women in the group were even more obvious.

"That's the Tuyuhun prince, Fu Qian, the Eagle Spear Master. He's one of the best of the younger generation. He previously fought a fierce battle with Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and other young masters at the Manchun Academy. It was quite a spectacle back then."

Some people also said:

"I remember now, the old king of Tuyuhun was killed by the Celestial Master in the Evil Emperor Temple in Bashu, and the Northern Overlord Spear Technique was utterly defeated by the Celestial Master's swordsmanship."

The man clicked his tongue and was about to speak again when a fierce-looking man in the Tuyuhun formation turned to look at him.

Then, Prince Fuqian and the surrounding experts also turned their gazes toward him.

The man changed the subject with laughter, not daring to speak of the old king's tragic story anymore.

"Prince Fuqian, please!"

After the Tuyuhun people entered, another group of people immediately arrived, and they seemed to be a group together.

This man had a long, horse-like face and eyes that were different sizes, making him very recognizable. He was Liang Luoren, the cousin of Liang Shidu, a lackey of the Turks.

He led his highly skilled generals, including He Sui and Suo Zhou, and followed the Tuyuhun people into the Rong Mansion.

Behind them were two opposing groups of men.

One side consisted of Liu Wuzhou's subordinates, while the other side came from the Dongming faction.

They were debtor and creditor, but a fight broke out, resulting in injuries and even death on both sides, completely severing their relationship.

On the Dongming Sect's side, Shan Wanjing was accompanied by a group of debt collectors and thugs.

When Ba Feng Han was roaming the martial arts world, he made money by helping the Dongming Sect collect debts, and he shared this business with Kou and Xu.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had already received guidance from the Celestial Master and knew the benefits of debt collection. It could be said that one played the flute and the other pinched eyes, their relationship was harmonious.

Ba Feng Han, Fu Jun Yu, Fu Jun Zhuo, Liu Hei Ta, Su Ding Fang, and others also appeared before the crowd of martial arts figures along with Kou Xu.

The surrounding chatter grew even louder.

The steward of the Rong residence came forward to greet them and invited them all inside.

More than a dozen groups of guests arrived, it was simply overwhelming.

"Mr. Zu, the weather is really nice today."

Yue Sigui stood in front of the Rong Mansion's gate, admiring the azure sky.

Zu Junyan, stroking his beard, chuckled and said, "Brother Yue, you're in high spirits. Aren't you worried about running into that person?"

Yue Sigui chuckled: "I'm just afraid he won't come."

"If he is willing to bear the name of cowardice and endure humiliation, I would be very worried. The fact that he dared to come here today shows that he is still acting impulsively and is not shrewd enough."

Zu Junyan nodded: "That makes sense."

"Not everyone can venture into the dens of dragons and tigers."

He gave a dry laugh: "I'm tired of hearing about his name, but I've never met him. Only by getting to know him can I write a 'Proclamation to Jianghuai on Behalf of Lord Mi'."

Yue Sigui was immediately delighted.

"As soon as Master Zu picks up his pen, the Taoist Celestial Masters will be infamous for ten thousand years."

"That's natural."

The two walked arm in arm into the Rong residence discreetly.

Most of the people from Pushan public enterprises entered in small groups, one after another.

Simply using someone else to do the dirty work would be too unfair. Zu Junyan and Yue Sigui didn't attract much attention, but unfortunately, a handsome young man with a folding fan and fair skin overheard their conversation.

The handsome young man followed with Bo Nu.

A while later, three luxurious carriages stopped in front of the Rong Mansion.

Three people disembarked from the carriage in several separate steps.

These three elderly men, exuding an air of age, were all quite old. They had long beards and eyebrows, and wore wide sleeves and robes, giving them a sense of otherworldly elegance.

As soon as the three appeared, people around recognized them, causing a sensation.

The steward in front of the Rong Mansion ran forward to greet them: "The arrival of the Three Immortals of the South Sea is a great honor for our mansion."

The one who came without any weapons was Chao Gongcuo, the Immortal of the South Sea; the old immortal who came with a sword was Lei Bazhou; and the Immortal Granny of the South Sea who was leaning on a silver cane was Yin Wenxia.

The three were very famous in the South China Sea region and were known as the Three Immortals.

Their joint appearance this time added a touch of ethereal beauty to Rong Fengxiang's birthday banquet, truly bringing great fortune.

But before anyone could cheer...

The ethereal atmosphere was immediately diluted by the new arrivals.

People who used to stretch their necks out would now retract their necks like turtles, hiding their entire necks, and their voices would become softer.

The steward of the Rong family felt his eyelids twitching. He wanted to kick the man out, but he didn't have the guts.

Yu Niaojuan frowned, staring at the tallest steward, and said in a shrill, unpleasant voice:
"What? You welcome these three grass-roots mud-brick immortals from the South China Sea, but not your sect? What do you mean by that?"

Emperor Ding's zombie-like face swept over the steward's head. The steward's sideburns were neatly trimmed, which was quite pleasing to the eye.

"With the arrival of all the sect leaders, how could our manor not welcome them? We were just too excited and that is why we were so careless."

The manager's smile seemed slightly guilty.

He then cautiously asked, "Sect leaders, could these valuables be temporarily left outside the manor? We will send people to guard them closely."

The so-called "precious item" naturally refers to the coffin.

Is it appropriate for you to bring a coffin to a birthday banquet?

Emperor Ding asked in a cold voice, "Do guests who come to our door need to remove their weapons?"

"No, no...don't want to," the manager stammered.

"Then get out of the way."

The guards, stewards, and members of the Luoyang Gang at the Rong Mansion's gates dared not stop this number one force of the Demonic Sect.

When it comes to dealing with the coffin palace, the guests inside are not of one mind.

Therefore, they could only watch helplessly as several large coffins entered the mansion.

Zhou Laofang saw Chao Gongcuo again and habitually extended an olive branch: "Brother Chao, are you going to be buried today?"

Chao Gongcuo waved his hand.

Zhou Laofang then asked Yin Wenxia and Lei Bazhou, "Where are Sister Yin and Brother Lei?"

The two of them also waved their hands.

Old Zhou was not angry. Instead, he smiled and advised, "The path of martial arts is rugged and arduous. Why not climb it together? You are all old and frail. What is there that you are unwilling to give up?"

Chao Gongcuo said, "No need to worry, we have our own way."

"It's not too late to come to me after you've thought it through."

Old Zhou left behind a message: catch up with Emperor Ding.

After these experts entered Rong Mansion, Kim Jeong-jong, Han Chao-an, and Hu Yanjin from the Five Swords Overlord faction of Goguryeo led their men there.

When Guy Suwen, with five knives stuck in his back, appeared in person, it sparked much discussion.

Although he came from Goguryeo, his martial arts skills were admirable.

His skill was already unparalleled in the world.

The steward of the Rong family understood the purpose of this visit, and several people went out to greet him.

More and more people took their seats in the open-air banquet hall of the mansion, coming from all over the country.

The host of the birthday banquet, Rong Fengxiang, had also arrived. He and his daughter, Rong Jiaojiao, had warm smiles on their faces and kept greeting people.

Especially the seat in the center of the banquet hall, which was now occupied by only two people.

Even Gai Suwen, who possessed extremely high martial arts skills, could not sit with them because of his status.

Naturally, they are the representatives of the two holy sites.

It's approaching noon.

Rong Fengxiang's gaze swept across the entire room, but he still did not see the person he was waiting for.

Many people share his views.

Is he not coming?
This has made many people uneasy. If everyone gets together, there's a chance they'll default on their debts, but if they separate, things could get really bad.

Just then, someone suddenly ran in from the front door.

When Rong Fengxiang saw that it was someone from the manor, his eyes lit up immediately. After confirming with his eyes, he thought to himself, "They've arrived!"

At this moment, Rong Fengxiang's feelings were hard to describe.

After all, they really have that kind of courage.

Rong Jiaojiao's expression darkened, and she reminded him, "Father."

Rong Fengxiang nodded to her, touched his sword, put on a smile, and strode towards the south gate.

His movement immediately drew the attention of experts from all over the land.

The chaotic sounds on both sides of the wide bluestone avenue outside the Rong Mansion suddenly subsided, and the stewards, guards and their associates in front of the vermilion gate looked at each other in surprise.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a handsome young man in white robes strolling casually, his hair ruffled by the autumn wind.

There were no tall horses, nor carriages.

Alone, he casually trod the desolate autumn air under his feet, slowly approaching the Rong Mansion as thousands of eyes on Jinshi Street paid him homage.

The quiet street was suddenly disturbed by a series of footsteps.

Then came a burst of hearty laughter.

"Ha, ha, ha~~!"

Rong Fengxiang, beaming and full of energy, strode out of the Rong residence. After a hearty laugh, he announced in a loud voice:
"I, Rong, am going to be the envy of everyone in the martial arts world. Today I have gained a lot of face. My small birthday banquet has actually been graced by the presence of the Celestial Master. I am truly flattered."

He was extremely polite, and greeted us with clasped hands.

No matter how you look at it, it looks like a meeting between good friends.

The saying goes, "You can't hit a smiling face," and Zhou Yi gave him a smile—you can interpret it yourself.
"Rong Long has invited so many friends. I have always enjoyed lively gatherings, but I am afraid of disturbing your enjoyment."

"Where there!"

Rong Fengxiang clapped his hands repeatedly and shouted to the managers around him, "Quickly, light all the firecrackers!"

The Rong family steward and the Luoyang gang members all agreed.

A burst of firecrackers exploded, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.

Rong Fengxiang, the old sage, not only personally went out to invite him, but also gave him an exceptionally grand welcome, a treatment that even the representatives of the holy land did not receive.

To onlookers, it seemed like Boss Rong was trying to curry favor.

Zhou Yi, however, saw through this smiling tiger.

This was a clear signal that everyone knew he had arrived.

Alright, it seems this evil Taoist priest is planning to fight me.

"Master, please take your seat!"

Zhou Yi smiled, and with the sound of firecrackers, stepped across the threshold.

As they arrived at the open-air banquet hall, a large group of people began to approach from outside Jinshi Street.

The Rong Mansion's terrain differs from that of the Zheng State Duke's Mansion; it sits atop a small hill, making escape extremely difficult once surrounded.

Upon entering the magnificent square, Zhou Yi first saw several large coffins.

Okay, that's quite fitting for the occasion.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, the people from all the major factions felt certain.

Ignoring the stares sweeping over him, Zhou Yi pointed to the coffin next to Emperor Ding on the outer edge.

"The saying goes, 'Seeing a coffin brings wealth.' The coffin being displayed at Ronglongtou's birthday banquet signifies that you will become the richest man in Dongdu. I congratulate you."

Rong Fengxiang gave a forced smile: "Master, you are joking. What merit do I have?"

"Actually, no, I have a business deal for you."

"Oh?"

Rong Fengxiang pointed at Zu Junyan and Yue Sigui, who were smiling at Zhou Yichao, and said, "This family owes me one million gold coins. Close the door. When I get the money, I'll give you five thousand gold coins."

Rong Fengxiang's eyelids twitched.

Zhou Yi then pointed to the Three Immortals of the South China Sea: "This family."

"And this one too."

Zhou Yi then pointed to Tuyuhun, Western Qin, Liang State, Bi Shouxuan, Liu Wuzhou's faction, Liang Shidu's faction, Han Chaoan, and Huyan Jin.
This group of people is too large, involving Li Mi, the Turks and the Western Regions, as well as various forces vying for supremacy.

Finally, Zhou Yi pointed to Rong Fengxiang himself.

Boss Rong frowned slightly: "Master, I have never offended you."

Zhou Yi smiled and said:

"Rong Longtou, please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying you're in debt. You've helped me gather so many people who are in debt, which is a great deed. The gold and silver I've given you is enough for you to become the richest man in Dongdu. So, am I wrong to say that seeing a coffin at a birthday banquet is a sign of wealth?"

Rong Fengxiang, Rong Jiaojiao standing beside him, and even those who were listening to Zhou Yi speak all showed different expressions.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived, they immediately started making sweeping generalizations.

That's utterly outrageous arrogance.

However, his voice was low and steady, without any ripples, yet it revealed a magnanimous and heroic spirit that regarded all heroes as nothing more than fleeting clouds.

Many people looked angry and were unhappy.

Even a martial arts grandmaster would face a near-certain death if confronted with so many people and such a large number of arrangements.

But
But no one spoke up first.

They outnumbered each other, but the first one to rush in would most likely end up being the one who gets taken down.

This led to the bizarre situation where many wealthy individuals tacitly accepted their debts.

Those watching the play exclaimed in amazement, thinking that the debt was probably real. Although they didn't know how the debt was incurred, the debtor didn't utter a word to renege on the debt.

At Kou and Xu's table, not only Fu Junzhuo and Liu Heita, but even Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were both surprised and excited.

Kou Zhong gripped his broadsword and whispered, "My god, Boss Zhou is so domineering! My blood is boiling. I need to kill a few Turkic lackeys before I can calm down."

Xu Ziling said, "It conforms to the rites of Zhou."

While they were talking, Elder Yun, who had been left behind by Bi Shouxuan to watch the show without contributing, slipped away.

He ignored his uncle's stern gaze.

Soon, Bi Shouxuan turned his gaze to Zhou Yi.

Because he did not follow Rong Fengxiang's instructions, but instead went to where Yue Sigui and Zu Junyan were.

These two were rather low-key, sitting a little further out.

There were several other people at the same table with them.

Zhou Yi initially thought he was seeing things, but then he suddenly realized that there seemed to be two other acquaintances sitting at the same table as Yue Sigui.

A slovenly fat man and a strange man with a dark complexion, sunken cheeks, and high cheekbones.

They dressed as Taoist priests.

At first glance, one might mistake it for a heretical Taoist priest from Laozi Temple.

Unexpectedly, it was the Wood Taoist and the Crow Taoist!

Having absorbed too much hatred, Zhou Yi didn't greet them, but instead looked at Yue Sigui.

He knew that face all too well.

Yue Sigui once visited Fuzi Mountain, and the burning of the temple there was undoubtedly related to this man.

Where is Li Mi?

Yue Sigui couldn't help but feel nervous as soon as he approached, but he was good at managing his expressions, and there was no trace of fear on his face.

“Mi Gong is naturally in Xingyang.”

Zhou Yi shook his head slightly: "Your husband is quite skilled at driving an oxcart. I didn't know he could have given me a ride this time. Otherwise, I would have been in a good mood and even forgiven him of some of his debts. It's a pity he missed that opportunity."

Yue Sigui naturally refused to accept these insulting words.

Zhou Yi then looked at the person beside him: "You are Zu Junyan?"

The scholar-like man stroked his beard and said, "Indeed, what instructions does the Celestial Master have?"

"I've heard that you're very good at writing military dispatches and urgent dispatches; your dispatches are excellent."

Zu Junyan was slightly smug. Although he was an opponent, he had made a name for himself in front of the major powers of the Nine Provinces and Four Seas: "I dare not accept such praise. It is just a humble skill. I am not grateful for the Heavenly Master's concern."

Zhou Yi nodded slightly: "I'll give you a chance to live."

Zu Junyan frowned immediately.

Zhou Yi then said, "Write a proclamation against Li Mi of Wagangzhai. As long as you can truthfully describe his countless crimes, I will forgive and forget about you."

In the open-air banquet hall, many people squinted at Zu Junyan.

Some people, however, keenly sensed the danger involved.

Zu Junyan was originally a clerk in Dongping County, but now he has been appointed by Li Mi as a "secretary," which means he is responsible for writing memorials, documents, and proclamations.

He was fully aware of some of Li Mi's shady dealings.

At this time, the people in Xingyang were very loyal to Li Mi.

Zu Junyan was skilled in secretarial work, and now he was asked to use his pen as a sword and employ his expertise to attack his former master.

This also satirizes Li Mi's betrayal of Zhai Rang.

Clearly, this was an attempt to provoke Li Mi's men, so that once they lost their minds, the Celestial Master could seize the opportunity to strike.

Although Rong Fengxiang was a prominent figure in Dongdu, this was also his birthday banquet.

But the Celestial Master clearly didn't take him seriously.

At this moment, Boss Rong's expression was a bit unpleasant, and Rong Jiaojiao, who was standing next to him, subtly reminded him.

Never be the first to stick your neck out.

Zu Junyan felt angry, but knew he couldn't lose his temper. He let out two low laughs and said, "Master, this is a difficult situation for me."

"Difficult to do?"

The Crow Taoist suddenly uttered a strained voice: "If it's too difficult, then let's not do it."

Before he could finish speaking, the Crow Taoist raised his hand and flipped the table over towards Zu Junyan.

Fatty Mu was pouring tea nearby. Old Crow had a terrible temper; he didn't even warn anyone before he started fighting.

The tea spilled onto Yue Sigui and Zu Junyan.

Zhou Yi felt the gazes around him; most were just watching coldly.

These people are clearly not of one mind.

“Celestial Master, I, Zu, will not write this proclamation.”

Zu Junyan's attitude was even more resolute, and Yue Sigui gestured to those men of Pushan Gong, telling them not to be fooled.

A small leak will sink a great ship.

Zhou Yi didn't reply to Zu Junyan. He glanced at Yue Sigui and could sense his anger, but Zhou Yi wasn't in a hurry to make a move.

I endured the same thing back then, and was forced to burn down the temple. Now it's time for him to experience it slowly.

"Celestial Master, please."

Rong Fengxiang spoke again.

The Wood Taoist and the Crow Taoist left Yue Sigui's table and squeezed towards Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

Behind them were the Li family members, including Erfeng and her husband.

Erfeng looked up and saw Zhou Yi sitting in the very center of the open-air banquet hall, following Rong Fengxiang.

This position is the best in the entire game, attracting everyone's attention.

However, it is also the hardest to escape.

Zhou Yi looked at the representatives of the two holy sites.

These two looked younger, around forty years old, but since they were sent out, their skills must be quite good.

"To end the cycle of fate."

"Fan Yun Cang".

The two introduced themselves and greeted each other with a bow.

Zhou Yi looked around, and most of the gazes directed at him fell upon him.

This excited the onlookers even more. As expected of a martial arts grandmaster who looked down on all sides, he had actually made all the heroes lie low!
So many enemies harbored ill intentions, yet no one dared to confront them directly.

Zhou Yi looked at the two people sitting opposite him and bowed slightly: "Are you two very happy to see me here?"

The senior monk said, "Whether the Celestial Master arrives here or not depends entirely on himself; it has nothing to do with us."

"Do not."

Zhou Yi slowly said, "I want to know exactly what you've come here for today. Are you here to bear witness, or are you going to take action?"

Na Fanyuncang shook his head: "I'm just taking advantage of Rong Longtou's birthday banquet to send a message to friends everywhere."

As they said this, the expressions of the two holy site representatives changed slightly.

They heard many footsteps!

When he looked at the Celestial Master in front of him again, he still appeared calm and composed.

If they can hear it with their skill, then the person on the other side couldn't possibly not hear it.

"I see."

Zhou Yi understood: "You want to send someone to Jingnian Temple, right? That's a good way to leverage their influence, but..."

"With so many experts from the two holy lands, why didn't you dare bring the He Shi Bi to the Eastern Capital? Should we say you're being cautious, or that you're simply out of your depth?"

……

(End of this chapter)