Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

It was 3:45 PM.

Three round tables have been set up in the front hall of the Marshal's Mansion.

Red pillars stand tall in the hall, and lanterns are lit one after another, illuminating the cups and saucers.

Before all the food and drinks on the table were served, steam was already rising from the kitchen, carrying the smells of charcoal and steamed fish.

This welcoming banquet, though ostensibly a family gathering, actually attracted many extraordinary people.

Those who could speak for themselves in the army and those who had a place in the martial arts world, both inside and outside Xiangyang City, were all invited to Guo's residence tonight.

The new leader of the Quanzhen Sect has gone south and has a list of Mongolian spies in his hands. Once this gets out, it will no longer be just a matter of the martial arts world.

Guo Jing changed into a black robe and stood in front of the hall to greet the guests.

He was tall, with graying temples, but his back remained straight.

The imposing presence cultivated over years of defending the city was enough to make visitors feel less respectful, even without words.

Lu Wende led Zhao Fan inside.

He was dressed in official robes, with neat embroidery on the cuffs, and his steps were neither hurried nor slow.

After entering, he first looked at the layout of the hall, then glanced at the positions of the guards behind Guo Jing, before bowing and speaking.

"Master Guo, it's quite a lively day. I heard that your nephew has entered Xiangyang and taken over the Quanzhen Sect. I, Lü, have come to invite you for a celebratory drink."

Guo Jing returned the greeting.

"It is my honor that Lord Lü has come. Guo'er is still young and needs to hone his skills in many areas. I dare not use the title of Master to intimidate anyone. Tonight, let's just reminisce about old times and not discuss officialdom."

Lü Wende smiled.

"Master Guo, you've gone too far with your words. The Quanzhen Sect's roots are in Zhongnan, and its influence extends throughout the north. Now that Sect Leader Yang has entered Xiangyang, he has given Xiangyang a boost, and the soldiers and civilians in the city will feel more confident."

Zhao Fan stood behind Lü Wende, cupped his hands and said, "This humble general has long admired the orthodox teachings of the Quanzhen Sect, and has also heard that although Sect Leader Yang is young, his martial arts have already surpassed those of the elders of Zhongnan Mountain. If I can learn a thing or two from him tonight, this trip will not have been in vain."

Guo Jing glanced at Zhao Fan.

He didn't spell it out, only saying, "Sparring in the martial world is all about fate. Let's take our seats first."

Lü Wende and Zhao Fan were led to a table on the left.

Subsequently, several veteran martial arts figures from the city also entered the hall.

There was an elder of the Iron Palm Sect surnamed Lu who had fought against the Mongols in the Huaihe River region in the past, and lost two fingers on his right arm.

There was also an old man in a green robe who called himself the Fisherman of the Han River. His bamboo cane looked ordinary, but the tip of the cane had thick calluses, indicating that he had used it for acupressure and meridian sealing for many years.

After entering, these people exchanged pleasantries with Guo Jing and then took their seats.

The atmosphere at the banquet appeared amicable, but several subtle energies were already circulating in the hall.

Once one's cultivation reaches the first-rate level, it may not be necessary to take action.

The length of a person's breath, the lightness or heaviness of their footsteps, and even the sound of the wind when their sleeves rise and fall can reveal some of their secrets.

Tonight, while everyone is drinking, most of them are secretly waiting for the young sect leader to appear.

Huang Rong led Guo Fu out from the back room.

Huang Rong was dressed formally today, and her hair was neatly tied up. She did not carry the Dog-Beating Stick in her hand, but instead hid a few fine needles in her sleeve.

When she entered the hall, she first glanced at the seating arrangements at each table, and then looked at the two attendants that Lü Wende had brought with him.

The two men, one tall and one short, were dressed casually, but stood very steadily.

The tall man had calluses on his hands, while the short man landed lightly on his left foot, as if he had practiced close-quarters combat.

Lu Wende claimed it was a family dinner, but he still brought along people who were capable of fighting.

Huang Rong kept quiet.

Guo Fu followed beside her, wearing a light red silk dress and a pearl hairpin in her hair.

She was much quieter than usual today, and after entering the hall, she kept looking towards the door.

She had been unable to sit still for half a day since she heard that Yang Guo had returned to the manor.

Back on Peach Blossom Island, she regarded Yang Guo as a wild outsider.

Later, when they parted ways on Zhongnan Mountain, that person became the leader of the Quanzhen Sect.

The news circulating in the martial arts world grew louder with each passing day: stories of winning the Tongtian Arena, the purge of the Quanzhen Sect, and the defeat of the Golden Wheel Monk.

Guo Fu heard this and was initially unconvinced, but later she couldn't help but think about it.

My mother mentioned the old agreement between the Guo and Yang families that day, and my father never denied it.

Although she was stubborn, once a young girl's thoughts took hold, they were hard to erase.

"Father, why hasn't Brother Yang arrived yet?"

Guo Fu walked to Guo Jing's side and asked in a low voice.

Guo Jing looked towards the west wing.

"Now that Guo'er is in charge of a sect, he should dress properly when attending banquets. Behave yourself and don't be rude in front of others."

Guo Fu gave a soft snort.

"Where have I been rude?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong turned and glanced at her.

Guo Fu immediately swallowed back what she was about to say.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the hall.

First, two servants from the mansion stepped aside, and then a figure in green appeared under the lamplight.

Yang Guo was dressed in a blue Taoist robe, his long hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and the Xuan Tie Palm Token hung at his waist.

The edge of the token gleamed darkly under the light, and it made a very soft sound as it moved, lightly touching the belt.

He was not carrying a sword.

However, those familiar with martial arts can see that when he takes a step, his shoulders, hips, and knees move in unison, and his aura is extremely well concealed.

On the surface, it seemed as if he entered the hall casually, but in reality, he avoided several probing auras in the hall with every step he took.

Zhao Fan's eyelids twitched.

The small amount of internal energy he released just now was originally intended to probe the depth of Yang Guo's dantian.

But when that force touched three feet in front of Yang Guo, it was deflected by a layer of gentle force, without rebounding or leaking out, as if a clay ox had entered the sea.

This is no ordinary internal skill.

Yang Guo was followed by Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying.

Lu Wushuang changed into a tight-fitting outfit, and held the willow-leaf curved blade diagonally in her hand.

She stood to the right, half a step away from Yang Guo, which was just enough to block the diagonal line from the hall door to the main table.

If someone attacks from the side, she can draw her sword first and then create half a body length for Yang Guo.

Cheng Ying wore a light green long dress and her face was covered with a thin veil.

Her clothes remained neatly arranged as she walked, and her hands were tucked into her sleeves, demonstrating impeccable manners.

Upon closer inspection, however, her shoulders and back were too stiff, revealing a hint of forced stiffness.

Huang Rong saw this and subtly moved her fingers inside her sleeve.

A wisp of Nine Yin True Qi spread out from her fingertips and was passed to Cheng Ying along the ground as she passed by.

Cheng Ying slowed her pace slightly.

The gentle, yin-like internal energy swirled around her Shaoyin meridian, suppressing the restless yang energy within her body.

She didn't turn around, but instead tightened her grip on her hand hidden in her sleeve.

Yang Guo stepped into the hall and first bowed to Guo Jing.

"Nephew Yang Guo greets Uncle Guo."

Guo Jing stepped forward to help him up.

"Good. Guo'er, you've grown taller and become much more mature."

He held Yang Guo's wrist, intending to probe his meridians as before, but paused slightly when he touched the pulse point.

Yang Guo's pulse was normal, but his internal energy was not flowing through the usual meridians.

That true energy was hidden deep within, subtly displaying the interplay of Yin and Yang, far surpassing that of the boy on Peach Blossom Island back then.

Guo Jing felt both gratified and complicated.

Yang Kang's son was ultimately not buried by the mire of the martial world.

Yang Guo withdrew his hand and bowed to Lü Wende and the others.

"Greetings, Lord Lü, General Zhao, and all the seniors."

Lu Wende laughed and said, "Sect Leader Yang is too kind. With such magnanimity at such a young age, it's no wonder that the Taoist masters of the Quanzhen Sect are willing to hand over the leadership to you."

Yang Guo said, "Lord Lü, you flatter me. The Quanzhen Sect has been in turmoil in recent years, and I have only been pushed to the front to clean up the mess. To say that the sect leader is powerful is an understatement; it is more like a thankless job of cleaning up the mess."

Several seasoned veterans in the hall reacted with varying expressions upon hearing this.

The young man was unpretentious, and with a single sentence, he lightly brushed aside the internal turmoil within the Quanzhen Sect, thus silencing any further questions from others.

Lu Wende looked at the two women behind him.

"Sect Leader Yang has come from afar, and with two young ladies accompanying him, his identity must be quite extraordinary, right?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jing also looked at Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying.

Lu Wushuang lowered her head and remained silent.

Cheng Ying tightened her fingers inside her sleeve.

Huang Rong knew it was her turn to step in.

She stepped out from beside Guo Jing, her steps steady and her smile appropriate. She first nodded slightly to Lü Wende, and then took Cheng Ying's hand.

"Since Lord Lü has asked, I will explain it to Guo'er."

She led Cheng Ying under the lamp.

"This Miss Cheng Ying is my father Huang Yaoshi's last disciple. By seniority, she is my junior sister. She has been learning Peach Blossom Island martial arts since childhood and is proficient in music and formations. She rarely travels in the martial world, so you all don't see her often."

"She and Guo'er had already become acquainted when they were in Zhongnan Mountain. Later, when Guo'er went south to Xiangyang, she followed him all the way, which can be considered as taking care of the descendants of my father's old friends."

Huang Rong paused for a moment after saying this.

Most of the people in the hall understood what happened next.

Guo Jing's brow twitched slightly.

Guo Fu, who was originally standing next to Guo Jing, looked quite upset when she heard the name "Cheng Ying".

When Huang Rong uttered the words "follow along," the handkerchief in her hand was almost twisted into a ball.

Huang Rong did not go to see her daughter.

She continued, "This matter was originally supposed to be formally brought up to the public only after my father gave his approval."

"But everyone is here tonight, so it would be impolite to be vague."

"Cheng Ying and Guo'er are already engaged."

The clinking of wine cups in the hall immediately subsided.

A hint of surprise flashed across Lü Wende's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile.

Zhao Fan looked down at the wine in his glass.

The veteran martial arts practitioners exchanged glances.

The engagement between the leader of the Quanzhen Sect and a disciple of Peach Blossom Island is no small matter.

More importantly, these words coming from Huang Rong's mouth are tantamount to the Guo family vouching for them on the spot.

Guo Jing looked at Huang Rong.

"Rong'er, why haven't you mentioned this before?"

Huang Rong calmly replied, "This matter involves my father. My father has always disliked formalities, and Cheng Ying is his last disciple, so I cannot predetermine her status before him. If Lord Lü hadn't asked, I was planning to discuss this with you in detail after the banquet."

Guo Jing fell silent.

He knew Huang Yaoshi's temperament very well.

Without Huang Yaoshi's approval, it's indeed not appropriate for others to interfere in matters concerning Peach Blossom Island.

Moreover, Cheng Ying is Huang Yaoshi's disciple, which matches Yang Guo's status, and there is no fault in the martial arts world.

He had originally planned to bring up the old agreement between Guo and Yang at the banquet.

But these words can no longer be said.

If it were brought up in public, it would be using the agreement from twenty years ago to pressure the current marriage agreement on Peach Blossom Island.

Huang Yaoshi was not in Xiangyang, but the name "Huang Yaoshi" was enough to make Guo Jing back down.