Starting as a cowherd, he sought a way to cultivate immortality.

When the dance ended, the dancers bowed to Yang Jin and then withdrew.

Pang Wen's gaze followed the dancers to the outside of the hall.

"Pang Wen," Yang Jin called out.

Pang Wen then came to his senses and, seeing everyone staring at him, his face flushed red. He bowed to Yang Jin and apologized.

"The dance you just performed was so beautiful that I was momentarily captivated. Please forgive me, Steward Yang."

Yang Jin laughed heartily: "What's wrong with appreciating beauty?"

Zhou Meiniang, standing beside him, smiled sweetly and immediately echoed:

"What Steward Yang said is true. Even I, a woman, was somewhat mesmerized just now."

Seeing that Yang Jin wasn't angry, Pang Wen's tense face finally relaxed.

Chen Chi glanced at Zhou Meiniang again.

This woman is truly remarkable; with just a few words, she can perfectly capture the atmosphere in the hall.

Just then, a dark-faced man in armor entered the hall. He was burly and had a fierce appearance.

The man clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Yang Jin, his voice deep and resonant: "Chief Steward Yang!"

"Meng Chang is here, please have a seat." Yang Jin pointed to the empty seat next to Chen Chi.

"Thank you, Steward Yang!"

Meng Chang sat down next to Chen Chi, exuding an aura of someone who had been through many battles and had killed countless people.

Ordinary people would probably be so frightened by it that they would tremble with fear.

Fortunately, Chen Chi was already a martial artist at the Transformation Realm, and he was able to remain calm in the face of such pressure.

Yang Jin chuckled and introduced the person to everyone:

"Mengchang is now serving as the Commandant of the Vanguard, commanding the soldiers within my General's Office."

"He was also a martial arts graduate. I thought that since you were both martial arts graduates, you should have a lot to talk about, so I called him here."

"Junior Chen Chi greets Commandant Meng," Chen Chi said with a clasped fist and a smile.

Zhao Tianlin, Pang Wen, and others also bowed to Mengchang in succession.

Meng Chang's sharp eyes swept over the group, and he spoke:

"I heard from Steward Yang that you are the top five in this year's prefectural examination. After meeting you tonight, I can see that you are indeed quite capable."

"Commander Meng, they are truly remarkable," Zhou Meiniang said with a smile.

"Chen Chi, who is beside you, is the top scorer in this year's prefectural examination. He also defeated a martial arts scholar who was at the Transformation Realm in the martial arts competition."

"Oh?"

Meng Chang stared wide-eyed and looked Chen Chi up and down.

"It was just a lucky victory. I wasn't very confident in my match against Xiao Liancheng either," Chen Chi said, waving his hand.

Upon hearing this, Meng Chang's face showed a hint of displeasure:

"A win is a win; there's no such thing as luck."

Just like when we go to war, as long as we kill the enemy, who cares how many holes we get punched in the middle?

Chen Chi raised an eyebrow slightly.

This Commandant Meng is truly outspoken.

I was just being polite when he started scolding me.

Chen Chi smiled, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Meng Chang, and said:

"Commander Meng is right, Chen Chi has learned his lesson."

"Alright, Mengchang, I won't listen to your battlefield exploits tonight. Just drink and eat." Yang Jin spoke from the main seat, easing Chen Chi's embarrassment.

"yes!"

Meng Chang immediately turned around and looked at Yang Jin.

"Steward, when it comes to drinking, I won't stand on ceremony; you must bring a large cup!"

"Of course, it's up to you." Yang Jin chuckled, then glanced at the maidservants standing inside the palace gate.

"Everyone's here, hurry up and serve the food."

The maid bowed and immediately left the hall.

A short while later, a group of maids filed in, carrying silver platters and jade cups, and served meat dishes one after another.

……

After everyone toasted Yang Jin with a bowl of wine, the banquet officially began.

At first, Qi Feng, Ling Dongnan and the others were a little reserved, and they were carefully observing Yang Jin's expression as they spoke.

But as Meng Chang shouted loudly and Zhou Meiniang frequently uttered witty remarks, the group gradually lowered their guard, and laughter filled the hall.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Meng Chang was already tipsy; his cheeks had turned a dark red, and his body began to sway slightly.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the drinks tonight."

"More than ten years ago, after I passed the military examination and became a military officer, I was going to Lin'an to take the metropolitan examination. Chief Steward Yang persuaded me to stay with just one drink."

"My promotion from patrol officer to commandant was entirely thanks to the patronage of Chief Steward Yang!"

"On the other hand, my good friend who passed the military examination is still working as a guard at the city gate of Lin'an, exposed to the wind and sun every day."

"Haha, I am truly grateful to Steward Yang for persuading me to stay in Youzhou."

Meng Chang's gaze swept over Chen Chi and the others, his eyes unfocused.

"What's the point of taking the military examination? You'll just be bossed around by those officials in Lin'an who wouldn't even dare kill a chicken."

"Following Manager Yang is the only way out!"

After hearing Meng Chang's words, Chen Chi, who was slightly drunk, had already sobered up.

At tonight's banquet, Yang Jin finally revealed his true intentions.

The governor of Youzhou hoped that Chen Chi and the others would not go to Lin'an to participate in the imperial examination, but stay in Youzhou to serve him.

Chen Chi's gaze shifted, recalling the words spoken by the high-ranking officials and nobles in the stands during the prefectural examination.

Yang Jin disregarded court rules and personally presided over the military examination.

The fact that they are now trying to win over a few of them is intriguing.

Qi Feng, Zhao Tianlin, and the others opposite him had slightly changed their expressions, seemingly having figured out what was going on today.

"Meng Chang, you've had too much to drink." Yang Jin's expression was calm, but his voice rose a few decibels. "Someone, help Commandant Meng out to sober up."

Several guards immediately rushed into the hall and dragged Meng Chang, who was standing next to Chen Chi, out.

"Steward Yang, I'm not... drunk, I'm not drunk..." Meng Chang mumbled incoherently.

After Meng Chang was dragged away, a glint flashed in Yang Jin's eyes, and he said loudly to the others:

"Gentlemen, let's not let Mengchang's nonsense spoil our fun."

"General Manager Yang, you flatter me. Commander Meng's words are truly insightful, and I have learned a great deal from them. This cup is a toast to Commander Meng." Pang Wen smiled broadly, picked up his wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Chi, Qi Feng, and Zhao Tianlin, the three martial artists at the Transformation Realm, all managed a smile.

Ling Dongnan remained silent, frequently glancing outside the hall, seemingly unwilling to stay any longer.

Seeing this, Zhou Meiniang, standing beside Yang Jin, said reproachfully:

"Chief Steward Yang, why have we not seen the generous reward you promised at the martial arts training ground that day?"

"You gentlemen are not in a hurry, but Meiniang is extremely anxious and eager to see it for herself."

Yang Jin then revealed a look of sudden realization and said:

"Yes, I suppose you've all been waiting impatiently. Someone, bring my reward to these martial arts candidates."

Before long, a small, exquisite jade bottle was placed on each of the tables in front of Chen Chi and the others.

Yang Jin explained to the group:

"In the jade bottle I bestow upon each of you, there are three Qi-Gathering Pills."

This elixir is extremely beneficial to martial arts cultivation and could very well help you reach a higher level.

Chen Chi's heart stirred.

According to Shangguan Ce, the realm above the Transformation Realm is called the Qi Sensing Realm, and the Qi Sensing Pill should help people break through to this realm.

Upon hearing Yang Jin's words, Qi Feng and Zhao Tianlin could not hide their excitement and immediately stood up to bow to Yang Jin.

"Thank you very much, Steward Yang!"

Chen Chi and Pang Wen then followed suit and bowed.

Although Pang Wen had never heard of this kind of pill, seeing the excited expressions on Qi Feng and Zhao Tianlin's faces, he knew that this Qi Sensing Pill was definitely a good thing.

Ling Dongnan, who was left, glanced at the jade bottle on the table before reluctantly getting up and thanking Yang Jin for his reward.

"Please sit down."

Yang Jin remained calm, his gaze falling on Ling Dongnan before abruptly shifting away.