Zhu Tongji immediately stood up, startled.
Ever since he learned about Young Master Li’s connection to Hengwu Restaurant, he had been paying close attention to this person and was aware of his cultivation progress.
A year ago, he was still practicing a Ninth Grade rogue Cultivation Skill, but now...
He’s not only switched to Shadow Blood but also broken through to the Eighth Grade.
"How is this possible?!"
"This... this..."
Zhu Tongji suddenly rushed to the Steward, furrowing his brows with a shocked expression: "Is the news true?"
The Steward said hesitantly: "Master, it’s absolutely true... They say because of this, Master Li himself will be hosting his wedding in a few days.
Master, think about it, Master Li must consider Young Master Li as his heir, and surely he doesn’t want him to be burdened or distracted by women.
Yet despite this, he’s still willing to host the wedding. Doesn’t that just prove that Young Master Li’s performance has satisfied him beyond measure?"
Zhu Tongji plopped down on a chair, murmuring: "He is a true genius, not one bit inferior to the Fang Brothers... How could such a talent emerge from a rural place like Little Ink Workshop?"
The Steward asked: "Master, what... what should we do?"
Zhu Tongji glanced at the Nursing Director, who was showing signs of panic, and then at the Steward, slapped his thigh, and sighed: "What else can we do?
Silver Creek, he’s in control.
He’s self-reliant, a humble, flawless genius.
He also has the backing of a mysterious sect.
A mere share in brewing wine, can he not deserve it?
He deserves it!
Damn, now I feel like I’m the one who doesn’t deserve it...
Oh, no need to ask big brother over there either.
Isn’t Young Master Li getting married?
Send over a gift, wishing him a long and happy marriage, with many sons soon.
If his Hengwu Restaurant wants to expand, let it."
Zhu Tongji sighed deeply again, thought for a moment, and added: "I’ll go in person."
...
...
A few days later.
An auspicious day.
Two grand sedan chairs carrying two lovely brides set off from Baiyun Alley at Silver Creek and Inner City, making their way to Hengwu Restaurant.
Red double happiness characters were posted everywhere, festive lanterns were hung early in rows, illuminating the twilight as bright as day, with locals all around lighting up and decorating, even more lively than a festival.
Today, Hengwu Restaurant closed its business, solely for hosting the wedding banquet.
A big red carpet was laid out early, stretching over the threshold straight into the hall.
When the sedan chairs settled, the two brides with red veils covering their heads, brimming with shyness and joy in their hearts.
As their delicate embroidered shoes touched the ground, pairs of fireworks and cannon shots prepared in advance went off, soaring into the sky, blossoming ephemeral and vibrant flowers in mid-air.
Immediately after, drums resounded all around, firecrackers boomed, with crowds of onlookers lining the streets.
Li Yuan today also changed into a ceremonial robe, stepped forward to take the hands of the two brides, crossing over a brazier and a saddle, entering the main hall, to bow to heaven and earth, to the elders...
With the elders absent, it was Master Li who accepted the bows.
However, according to traditions, both the bride and groom’s elders need to be present, but in these times... no one is too particular anymore.
After paying respects to the elders, Li Yuan lifted the brides’ veils, and a nearby maid handed over the cross-cupped wine.
Li Yuan drank two cups in a row.
Then he offered tea to Master Li.
With the call to "Send them to the bridal chamber," the groom led the two brides by the hand upstairs.
The banquet downstairs also commenced, lively and bustling, with many guests clinking glasses.
At the entrance of Silver Creek Square, more maids and guards from Hengwu Restaurant were setting up porridge stalls in the cold wind.
Steam wafted from the porridge pot, with one pot followed by another.
A disheveled and lifeless tall man holding a little girl’s hand came to the front of the line, handing over a large bowl, bowing and saying "Thank you."
The maid ladling porridge gave a full scoop into the bowl.
The man sniffed with his nose, his eyes suddenly brightened, looking at the maid in surprise.
In the bowl, there were surprisingly many chunks of red meat floating.
The man exclaimed: "The porridge... has meat?"
The maid giggled: "On the boss and boss lady’s big day, extra meat is added to the porridge!"
With that, she quietly asked: "Didn’t your little girl bring a bowl?"
The man was momentarily stunned, he had just arrived, thinking he could only get one serving, and quickly fumbled out another bowl to hand over.
The maid scooped another thick ladleful, placing it into the bowl, then whispered: "Come again tomorrow, there will be more."
"Thank you..." The man showed a hint of a smile on his weathered face, his eyes turned red, saying, "Good people are blessed, wishing your boss and boss lady a happy and fulfilling life, with everything they wish for."
With that, he slightly bowed again, holding the little girl’s hand, smiled and said, "Niannian, we have meat porridge to eat."
The little girl sniffed, her eyes sparkling, hurriedly holding the bowl to eat with "huff huff."
The man didn’t eat, just watched her eat, and as he watched, his eyes completely reddened, he turned away, wiping his tears.
If... if he sold Niannian to this store, would she no longer have to follow him starving, suffering? And could he, before he passed, complete what he must do?
Being new here, let’s observe for a while.
The man showed a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
"Dad, why aren’t you eating?" The little girl raised her head and asked innocently.
The man patted her head, smiled and said: "I’ll eat after you’ve had your fill."
He closed his eyes slightly, suddenly speaking softly: "Niannian, starting from today, dad wants you to memorize some things... you must remember them carefully."
...
...
In the Blood Fury Hall, under the night sky, Tie Sha, donned in a white robe, sat in the courtyard with a furrowed brow.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind him.
"Elder Ding."
Tie Sha said, "Didn’t they come this year?"
An elderly man with white hair but a youthful face stepped into the moonlight, it was Elder Ding.
"No, they didn’t come."
"Has the outside world become that chaotic? They haven’t come for three years... I haven’t seen the ’Life Atlas’ in three years either."
"Of course it’s chaotic, otherwise why would I come here to retire?"
Tie Sha fell silent, then said again, "I heard today that the inner sect kid got married, and Li Yu is hosting the wedding for him.
That kid has reportedly broken through to the Eighth Grade, not an easy feat..."
Elder Ding thought for a moment, recalling who Tie Sha was talking about, then said: "He started practicing Li Yu’s Cultivation Skill only a year ago, right?"
"Yes, and now he’s broken through to the Eighth Grade, such speed would be considered genius even outside Shanbao County." Tie Sha laughed with interest, crossing his legs, rubbing his chin vigorously, saying, "Elder Ding, do you think it’s possible... that the former inner sect disciple named Ren was killed by him?"
Elder Ding laughed, pointing at Tie Sha: "You, your thinking is quite a leap."
Tie Sha said: "I only like to anticipate some matters, if he truly killed him, he should have reached the Eighth Grade half a year earlier.
But he didn’t start practicing Li Yu’s Cultivation Skill until a year ago.
Elder Ding, let me ask you, what kind of person can switch to Shadow Blood and break through to the Eighth Grade in just six months and then instantly kill another Eighth Grade disciple with a single strike?"
Elder Ding said: "Those terrifyingly talented demons from Central Earth could do it.
But your imagination is too far-fetched.
Currently, Blood Saber Sect’s emerging talents still rely on the Fang Brothers, don’t they?
Fang Jianlong is about to reach the Seventh Grade, isn’t he?
And Fang Chengbao has already reached the Eighth Grade.
These two should be your key focus."
Tie Sha wiggled his leg, saying: "I’m just speculating...
Right now, I really wish our Blood Saber Sect had more talent.
The counterattack from the Sun Family and the Wei Family is fiercer than I expected."
Elder Ding said: "That’s normal, doesn’t every family keep some cards up their sleeves?
However, we have taken Wei Family’s Meat Field, resources are bountiful.
Just endure for a few more years, and the balance between both sides will break.
The Sun and Wei Families can’t outlast us, and when they show a weak point, they will collapse like an avalanche.
But, Tie Sha, what about those wild honored guests we recruited?
They are unpredictable and lack loyalty... they could cause some turmoil..."
Tie Sha said: "No choice, the Sun Family also uses wild honored guests, if they use them and we don’t, we’ll suffer a great loss.
These wild honored guests, they work for money and resources, how could they have loyalty?
But knowing this, we still have to use them..."