Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

At four quarters past dusk, the crowd dispersed, lanterns were lit in front of Ma Wude's mansion, and Gao Yuan and Zhu Ran returned together.

It was dinnertime, and Master Cui, knowing he would be leaving soon, borrowed Ma Wudebao's money to host an evening banquet.

This evening banquet was intended to be a chance for new and old friends in the capital to bid farewell to each other over wine.

Everyone gathered together and sat around the eight-immortal table.

Tea and cakes were served, soup was poured, and everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of glasses creating a crisp sound.

The kitchen helpers moved through the corridors and courtyards, carrying trays and chanting the names of the dishes as they placed them on the plates with smiles on their faces, inviting the guests to sit down and enjoy their food.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, whether among officials or wealthy merchants, the seating arrangement at banquets was based on the principle of "preferring the east and left" or "preferring the right and west".

At first glance, this seems contradictory, but it actually depends on the perspective from which one observes; the mainstream view emphasizes the East as the superiority point.

Ordinary people in the martial arts world don't have these rules and regulations when they interact, but those from prestigious sects and factions all own land, property, and estates, and their businesses are larger than those of ordinary wealthy people.

As the saying goes, "In the past, swordsmen roamed the martial world; today, wealthy merchants live in seclusion in towers."

Needless to say, Nianhua Manor is a place where Ma Wude, who is half businessman and half martial artist, has mastered the ways of officialdom.

Cui Poyun was the person who hosted the banquet. He was also known as the young master of Nianhua Manor, so he naturally took the seat of honor at the head of the east table.

As the host, Ma Wude was known in the martial arts world for his generosity and influence. Given his status, he naturally sat at the head of the table, poured wine, and warmly invited Ma Wude to try some.

When Gao Yuan and his companion arrived, they were unaware that Old Ma was helping the young master host a banquet.

Ma Wude, however, had sharp eyes. When he spotted Gao Yuan, his eyes lit up, and he smiled and pulled them away, not allowing them to leave.

His words conveyed an enthusiasm for introducing him to various friends from the martial arts world, without the slightest hint of recklessness.

Unable to resist Lao Ma and Zhu Ran's enthusiasm, Gao Yuan could only sit down arbitrarily.

There were eight people at the table, but apart from Lao Ma and Zhu Ran, he didn't recognize any of the other five.

Looking around the hall again, there were about seven or eight tables. Apart from the disciples of Nianhua Manor and the martial arts masters in Ma Wude's guard team, there were about thirty or forty friends invited by the young master.

When Ma Wude left his seat, Cui Poyun's eyes were fixed on them. He already knew Zhu Ran, so he didn't hesitate to ask.

Seeing the young man beside him, Ma Wude smiled like a chrysanthemum, and knew that most of the people here were the young men that Ma Wude had mentioned earlier.

There is no other reason.

He was young, a boy, and exceptionally handsome.

No one else in the entire hall possessed such an appearance. Regardless of his martial arts skills, his mere demeanor reminded the young master of a phrase he had recently learned: "Whose young man, whose lad, strides confidently down the long street?"

In the blink of an eye, his sourness relapsed, and he muttered to himself, "Just like the brat who beat him up, handsome but not a prostitute, you guys are just messing around in the underworld."

At this moment, amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the room was filled with laughter and merriment. He was busy returning the toasts and couldn't spare a moment to himself, only occasionally glancing at Gao Yuan.

Gao Yuan also noticed the "burning gaze" that the young master of the manor was intentionally or unintentionally casting at him. He glanced at him warily, then moved his body closer to Ma Wude's side, secretly pondering the young master of the manor's actions.

When Cui Poyun saw that Gao Yuan was avoiding his gaze, he assumed that Gao Yuan was cowardly and suddenly curled the corners of his mouth.

What a deceitful pretty boy! He'll make you lose all face in a moment.

Ma Wude certainly saw their actions. He was confident that, judging from Kou Shi and Zhu Ran's words, Gao Yuan could at least fight the young master to a standstill. He wasn't worried about either of them losing face.

If it were truly a crushing defeat, he would personally step in to smooth things over and avoid embarrassment. After all, Old Ma is a warm-hearted person, and he can't afford to ruin his reputation in the underworld.

"Brother Gao, come on, let me toast you."

Gao Yuan was pondering when Ma Wude, standing to his side, picked up his wine glass, so Gao Yuan didn't react much.

Zhu Ran chuckled jokingly, "Master, Brother Gao and I already had several large drinks at Guanhe Tower. Do you really intend to get him drunk now?"

Gao Yuan reacted, glared at him, clinked glasses with Ma Wude, and drank it all in one gulp. The liquor was clear and cool, and his throat felt warm for a moment.

The martial arts practitioners at the table naturally recognized Ma Wude and knew that Zhu Ran's One-Word Chasing Wind Sword was no joke. Seeing that the three of them were very familiar with each other, they immediately became interested.

Judging from the fact that Ma Wude and Zhu Ran treated this young man with great respect, even treating him as an equal, could it be that... he is the son or disciple of some prominent martial arts sect or the leader of a major gang?

At this moment, a man in a blue robe sitting next to Zhu Ran laughed loudly.

Gao Yuan observed that he was around thirty years old, with a refined and scholarly appearance, but a large sword, completely different from his demeanor, was slung diagonally at his waist, hinting at a hint of fierceness.

"Brother Ma, Brother Zhu, you're just chatting away on your own, are you unwilling to introduce us to everyone here?"

The man, facing a woman sitting in a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), seamlessly continued the conversation:

"Indeed, young master, you are quite distinguished. Please continue to introduce yourself. If Brother Ma doesn't speak up soon, he'll have to drink three cups of wine as punishment."

Her voice was clear and crisp, her eyes bright and clear. As she spoke, she poured everyone a fresh round of wine, her eyes sparkling as she smiled and gazed into the distance.

"Haha, don't ask around. His name is Gao Yuan, and he's from Xuzhou. Don't let his young age fool you; his martial arts skills are no less than any of the people here."

"I admire you." Another young man at the table put down his wine glass, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I just mistook Brother Gao for Brother Ma's nephew. I never imagined that you were also a man of the martial world. I am ashamed."

He continued, "I am Chen Xiaotian of the Bai Na Men sect in Huazhou."

Zhu Ran knew that Gao Yuan wasn't familiar with them, so he took the initiative to strike up a conversation:

"Brother Gao, Brother Chen once studied as a lay disciple at the Bodhidharma Lower Temple in Fujian. His 'Life is Like a Dream' technique is superb, and he is currently the deputy head of the Hundred Patchwork Sect. He is a well-known figure in Huazhou."

"A palm strike of black sand, and my muscles and bones went numb. The girl who just spoke is called Ruan Yujia, and she comes from the Ruan family of Jingzhao."

I'd heard of the Black Sand Palm in the original work, but what the hell is this "Floating Life Like a Dream Finger"? It sounds pretty cool though.

He then thought that the Fujian Bodhidharma Lower Temple would not pass on advanced martial arts to lay disciples. Chen Xiaotian had studied there and probably derived his skills from Shaolin martial arts such as Vajra Finger.

Despite not knowing each other, Gao Yuan still felt a natural respect for him.

"I've heard so much about you!"

Ma Wude then introduced him to the remaining two people. One of them was less well-known than the others. He seemed to be a local boxing gym owner and was accompanied by his daughter.

Seeing that Ma Wude and Zhu Ran held him in high esteem, and that the father and daughter were most enthusiastic about Gao Yuan, it seemed that they had developed the idea of ​​befriending him.

"I have heard of the illustrious reputations of my elder brothers and sisters. I offer this toast as a sign of my utmost respect."

Gao Yuan raised his glass in a toast, and everyone clinked glasses and drank it down.

"The Tianyi Gang and the young master are very 'familiar,' so why haven't we seen anyone here?"

After they had another drink, and as they became acquainted with each other, someone started talking about the Tianyi Gang.

In the martial arts world, apart from naive youngsters, few who have spent a few years navigating the complexities of the martial arts world are fools.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Gao Yuan lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Ma, when shall we set off?"

"Brother, don't worry. I've already reached an agreement with the young master. We'll finish packing up the next day and head back south immediately. I promise there won't be any more delays."

"With the young master here, even if we encounter the Zoroastrian forces, we can still put up a fight."

Having received confirmation, Gao Yuan felt somewhat relieved.

As the banquet progressed, the atmosphere grew even more lively, and Ma Wude returned to the main table to accompany Cui Poyun as they toasted each other along the way.

As dusk fell, the lights in the hall were lit, and Yun Jing, having finished the first three tables, headed towards Gao Yuan's table, slightly tipsy.

He smirked slightly, a hint of disdain in his expression, which aroused Gao Yuan's suspicions.

Thinking back to the "burning gaze" the young master had given him when he first entered the hall, even Gao Yuan, who was not very bright, knew that the young master had come with ill intentions.

only……

When did I offend him?

His gaze inadvertently swept towards Ma Wude, and Gao Yuan seemed to be deep in thought.

As the banquet was in full swing, the young master's gaze shifted from his face to the other martial arts friends at the table.

The young master cleared his throat, flicked his sleeves, and was about to deliver a grand toast...

Just then.

"Swish swish swish~!"

"Swish swish swish~!"