ATPnovel Chapter 69 Two Banquets
Chapter 69 Two Banquets
Fan Zhou told Tian Youliang about how he cultivated himself into a sword beam, forged thirty-six steels, and was then valued by Lou Zhenqing and taken as a disciple.
He didn't mention the assassination attempt, so as not to worry Tian Youliang.
Unaware of the danger involved, Tian Youliang laughed heartily, repeatedly saying, "Good, good, good!"
He brought Fan Zhou to Yingchunlou, asked Hou Yi to prepare a banquet, and also invited Liang Yong, Wang Xiaoshan, Lao Hu, and a few others.
Such a joyous occasion is rare, so naturally we have to show it off.
After several rounds of drinks, Tian Youliang recounted the story of how he met Fan Zhou when he passed through Hongjia Village.
"...At the time, I sighed, 'It seems there's no one of any potential talent in this village.' Just as I was thinking of putting away my compass and continuing on my way, this kid suddenly appeared and shouted from afar, 'Who says there's no potential talent? There's one right here!'"
Tian Youliang raised his voice, imitating Fan Zhou's tone, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Fan Zhou didn't think much of it at the time, but now that it's been brought up again, his face flushes. Fortunately, he's been drinking, so it's not noticeable.
Deacon Hu took a sip of wine, smacked his lips, and said:
"He's such a dashing young man; we old folks are all outdated."
Tian Youliang was already three-tenths drunk, and continued:
"When Fan Zhou's talent was discovered, the villagers didn't believe it. They all spoke coldly and slandered him. There was even a fool who was gesticulating wildly. But Fan Zhou remained calm and didn't take them seriously at all."
Liang Yong shook his head and said, "I couldn't stand it. I would have fought them on the spot."
"Don't even mention you, I couldn't stand it either." Tian Youliang picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. "I yelled 'Shut up!' and those ignorant people were startled and immediately started kowtowing."
"I couldn't be bothered with them, so I took Fan Zhou and left. But we hadn't gone far when we saw the village on fire. I asked Fan Zhou out of curiosity and found out that he had burned down his own house."
Wang Xiaoshan clapped his hands and said, "It's good that it's burned, so it won't bother me when I think about it."
Tian Youliang drank another cup, took a breath, and turned to Fan Zhou to instruct him:
"A-Zhou, now that you have become a disciple of Peak Master Lou, you will surely have a bright future if you follow him and focus on your cultivation. You must not waste your time."
Fan Zhou knew he was doing this for his own good, and replied earnestly:
"Don't worry, Master Tian, I understand."
Old Hu patted Fan Zhou on the shoulder and said to Tian Youliang:
"You're just worrying about things that don't concern you. Out of all the disciples in the entire market, how many are as diligent as him?"
Tian Youliang smiled smugly, "That's true, hahaha."
The group chatted and laughed again. Several stewards expressed their envy of Fan Zhou's apprenticeship to Lou Zhenqing and talked about his deeds.
"Peak Master Lou is exceptionally talented and renowned in the Sword Forge. He is not only proficient in sword forging, but also received personal instruction in weapon refining from True Man Yuanxiang, far surpassing ordinary people," Liang Yong exclaimed.
Wang Xiaoshan added, "Back then, at the North-South Sword Tournament, Master Lou defeated three people in a row with his Listening to the Rain Sword, and was appointed as a Grand Master by the King of Yue. This is a well-known feat."
Fan Zhou asked curiously, "What is this 'North-South Sword Fight'? Does the winner receive a noble title?"
Tian Youliang explained, "The King of Yue loved swordsmen. Before conquering the State of Wu, he recruited swordsmen from all over the world. All those who were willing to serve the State of Yue were treated with courtesy and supported with generous rewards."
"Now that the Yue Kingdom is at peace, swordsmen continue to emerge in large numbers, vying to serve the king. Among them are many who are merely pretending to be skilled. Therefore, Your Majesty has established a sword-testing tournament to select talented individuals. It is originally intended to be a simple martial arts competition."
"Those who ascend the platform are all there for fame and fortune, and since they are before the throne, there is no question of showing mercy. Moreover, the Yue Kingdom is vast, with a great distance between the south and the north, and the people there have no connection with each other. Therefore, every move is a killing blow, and those who ascend the platform are either maimed or killed, with few escaping unscathed."
"Over time, the former sword-testing tournament has become the North-South Sword-Fighting Tournament."
Upon hearing this, Old Hu took a small sip and sighed deeply:
"For hundreds of years, countless talents have stepped onto the stage to duel, only to be defeated in a single move and die on the stage. It is truly tragic and lamentable."
Tian Youliang and the others were stunned and speechless, as if they could see a series of life-and-death battles before their eyes.
Fan Zhou's expression was cryptic, and he felt a little strange.
These swordsmen from the north and south were the elite of the Yue Kingdom, and the King of Yue just watched them fight to the death?
He was puzzled, but knew he couldn't say it aloud, so he drank in silence.
Liang Yong suddenly spoke up:
"Speaking of which, the North-South Sword Competition will be held again this September. I wonder how busy the market will be then. If I have time, I'd like to go and take a look."
Old Hu shook his head. "What's so interesting about it? We don't practice swordsmanship, so we won't learn anything from watching."
"Even if you're learning swordsmanship, it's best not to watch. Every year, quite a few people develop inner demons from it."
Tian Youliang casually remarked as he ate his food.
Fan Zhou heard this and knew it was directed at him.
He didn't care. Those swordsmen were definitely accomplished talents, and it would be a waste for someone like him, who had barely mastered sword aura, to go there.
Moreover, he disliked the idea of fighting with others just to gain the monarch's favor.
After chatting for a while, the table was soon littered with cups and plates, and the banquet was coming to an end.
Liang Yong took his leave first, and before leaving, he took out a reddish-brown whetstone and gave it to Fan Zhou.
"This is a blood polishing stone, which can be used to maintain the blade of a sword."
"Thank you, Deacon Liang."
Fan Zhou's expression brightened; this was exactly what he needed.
Old Hu took out a wooden box. "A-Zhou, this old man has nothing to offer you but some tea. Please don't mind."
"How could I dare? I'll have to ask you for some more after I finish drinking them."
Fan Zhou smiled as he accepted the wooden box.
Wang Xiaoshan gave him a piece of rosin, which, when lit, could calm the mind and aid in cultivation.
Fan Zhou expressed his gratitude again, as these items were of superior quality among the spiritual objects for fetal breathing and would be of great use to him.
After seeing off the three deacons, Fan Zhou handed the tea that Lao Hu had given him to Tian Youliang.
"Master Tian, please take this tea and drink it."
Tian Youliang scoffed, "I don't care about your stuff."
Fan Zhou remained silent, only staring intently at him.
Tian Youliang was both annoyed and amused, but in the end he still took out a spirit stone from his storage bag.
"These guys can't even give decent gifts, I'll have to come up with the real money."
Fan Zhou took the spirit stone from his hand without any hesitation, and bowed with a smile:
"Thank you, Master Tian."
Tian Youliang rolled his eyes, got up and walked out, muttering, "You're such a money-grubber."
"That's not true."
Fan Zhou replied cheerfully, put the things in his arms, and followed Tian Youliang downstairs.
…………
Three more days passed in the blink of an eye.
That evening, Fan Zhou was meditating and practicing his martial arts when he suddenly heard Lou Zhenqing's voice:
"Princess Changming is hosting a banquet tonight. Get ready and come with me."
The camp of the Gumi tribe.
An open space has been cleared out and set up with many tables and chairs. Attendants stand with their heads bowed, waiting. Torches blaze all around, their arcs reflecting off the warriors' golden armor.
Elder Chen Qing, holding a golden staff, waited quietly at the entrance with some officials from the Gumi tribe.
"Elder Chen, thank you for waiting so long."
Not far away, Lou Zhenqing, with a long sword at his waist and dressed in a crimson ceremonial robe, walked slowly towards them.
Behind him followed a dozen or so people. Apart from Fan Zhou, Qin Zhiyuan, and Shen Yusheng, the other eight were shopkeepers from the market. They had signed long-term contracts with the Gumi tribe and had been invited to the banquet.
"Dr. Lou, you're too kind. You're our honored guest, so it's only right that we waited for you."
Chen Qing stepped forward, greeted Lou Zhenqing, and the two exchanged greetings.
"Please follow me, everyone."
Elder Chenqing led everyone to the banquet hall and invited Lou Zhenqing to take the seat of honor.
Officials from the Gumibu Department invited the shopkeepers to take their seats, but after a few polite refusals, they all sat down.
Lou Zhenqing and Elder Chen Qing declined for a while, but in the end they had no choice but to sit in the first seat on the left. Shen Yusheng accompanied him to the second seat, and Qin Zhiyuan sat in the third seat.
Fan Zhou secretly glanced at the last few seats, and seeing that they were all occupied, he thought, 'Looks like I'll have to stand behind Master Lou.'
He didn't care much about it and silently followed behind Lou Zhenqing, ready to stand behind him.
Elder Chen Qing reached out and grabbed him, a smile spreading across his wrinkled old face:
"Young friend, wait a moment, your seat is not here."
Fan Zhou asked in confusion, "I'll sit outside?"
"Young friend, you flatter me. You are a great contributor; how could you possibly sit outside?"
Elder Chen Qing led him to the second seat on the right and pointed to the empty seat, saying:
"Please take a seat, young friend."
Fan Zhou looked bewildered. According to the seating arrangement, the left side was occupied by people from the market, and the right side by people from the Gumi tribe.
What did Elder Chenqing mean by having him sit on the right?
After a few moments of thought, he asked her in a low voice:
"Elder Chen, are you going to take me in as your son-in-law?"
Chen Qing's lips twitched, and he said with a forced smile:
"If you have a girl you fancy, young friend, I can help you match them up."
Fan Zhou turned his gaze away without showing any emotion.
I've taken a liking to your princess, can you help me get together with her?
Elder Chen Qing saw through his thoughts at a glance. Although he was annoyed, he remained calm and said:
"Please take a seat, young friend."
Fan Zhou shook his head. "That's not appropriate."
Chen Qing frowned slightly. "Why?"
Fan Zhou turned around and bowed towards Lou Zhenqing, Shen Yusheng, and Qin Zhiyuan, saying:
"These three are all my teachers and mentors. How can I, as a junior, sit opposite them?"
Lou Zhenqing and the other two nodded inwardly, praising him for respecting his teacher and not letting outsiders laugh at them.
The shopkeepers in the market asked in hushed tones, curious about who this young man was, that Elder Chen Qing of the Gumi tribe respected him so much. Some even had a flicker in their eyes, as if they had guessed the reason.
Chen Qing nodded and smiled, "This is indeed due to my poor planning."
Her gaze fell upon her two ministers, and she gave them instructions:
"You may all move up to the next seat, and give the fourth seat to young friend Fan."
"promise!"
The two officials from the Gumi tribe immediately gave up their positions.
"Young friend Fan, please."
"Thank you, Elder."
Fan Zhou bowed and took his seat.
"snort!"
A cold snort came from the seat next to him, seemingly indicating extreme dissatisfaction.
Fan Zhou turned his head and saw that the person next to him was burly, wearing a gold headband, with messy hair hanging down to his shoulders, deep-set eyes that shone with golden light, and a thick beard that reached his chest, covering his nose.
"Judging from his appearance, he's most likely a military officer, and he's probably unhappy that I'm sitting to his left."
Fan Zhou deliberately smiled at him:
"Hello, old general."
The bearded old man's face grew even angrier, and he glared at him fiercely.
He was an elder of the Gumi tribe in charge of medicine making and alchemy, and held a prestigious position. This young upstart not only sat above him, but even called him "Old General," which was infuriating.
Fan Zhou was unaware of the reason, and seeing that he was truly angry, he stopped talking.
"Her Highness the Princess has arrived!"
A waiter's call came from outside, and everyone hurriedly stood up to greet him.
Princess Chenxing, dressed in a long golden robe, walked gracefully and elegantly to the head seat, smiling gently at everyone:
"Please be seated, everyone."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Everyone bowed in greeting.
The waiter outside clapped his hands lightly, and soon, one after another, beautiful maids entered the table, some carrying dishes and others pouring wine.
The banquet officially began.