Speaking, he quickly entered the tavern.
At this moment, upstairs, a figure poked his head out, "Mr. Zhang, this!"
The man immediately hurried upstairs.
Along the way, contrary to the quietness outside, the tavern was filled with All Kinds of People at every table, everyone speaking in hushed tones.
Their expressions varied: some were shocked, some anxious, some bewildered as if they’d heard something upsetting.
His arrival caused no stir; he went straight upstairs and entered a private room.
As soon as the man entered, several folks dressed like they were from the Worldly Society immediately stood up.
"Mr. Zhang, have you gathered any news?"
The man, dressed in blue, entered and shut the door, his expression quickly shifting, his voice becoming urgent,
"I relied on my father-in-law’s cousin, who pulled some strings; her daughter is married to a General’s Flag of the Government Army. According to him, there is great tension within the Government Army; they are all armed and ready. I heard that even their Colonel himself is stationed at the West City Gate, and there’s more..."
The man said, lowering his voice, his expression grim, "Some troops were suddenly ordered to deploy last night; we still don’t know what’s happening."
"Are the Demons about to attack?" someone thought of this, their face changing.
"Mr. Zhang, did you ask if that person could open a small gate for us to leave? We just received the news too. If it wasn’t for the Government Army suddenly sealing the city, causing panic, and the news about the Demons leaking, we’d have been clueless." someone quickly whispered, adding, "See how much that official needs to smooth things over; we brothers can pool some money."
But the man in the strong attire heard this, his face stiffened, and he quickly whispered, "No, I have my family’s safety to worry about too. I did speak to him to let us through, but he immediately changed his face and warned us not to harbor such thoughts."
"Do you know about the Mountain-cutting Army?"
"The Ninth Mountain Mountain-cutting Army is stationed here. I heard that some of the Government Army’s men tried to send people out and were caught and executed without permission, ruthless and bloodthirsty!"
"Ah? Why are they so domineering? Doesn’t the Government Army have higher authorities?"
Several people seemed bewildered.
At this moment, a commotion came from outside.
There were shouts, and outside on the wide street in front of the tavern, a procession of carriages passed by.
Strong servants rode horses clearing the way, a few grand canopy carriages followed by a line of unusual horses, dozens of people in the procession, a grand sight with the heavy rain held at bay.
"It’s the Zhang Family! Which important person from the Zhang Family is coming out?"
"Today is the birthday banquet of the Eldest Daughter of the Xiao Family. The Zhang Family must be going there; didn’t you know?"
"Hey, what time is it now to still host a birthday banquet? These families really have too good days, nothing better to do."
"What do you know, they are using this banquet to invite the Important people of the city to gather, maybe they can find a way to deal with the current situation. I’d love to attend; I heard that Daughter Xiao is heavenly beautiful."
People inside the tavern, seeing the activity outside, began to murmur among themselves, sometimes straying off-topic to discuss how incredible Daughter Xiao is.
Meanwhile, at the Xiao Mansion, even though it was pouring rain outside and bleak, the entrance of the Xiao Mansion was bustling, with a line of carriages gathered.
Above the low sky, streaks of light broke through the rain and landed!
At the gate, someone shouted:
"The Wang Family Master arrives..."
"Jiu Family, one Yu Rong Sheng Ji Pill, one Fire-proof Clothing!"
"Mingwang Mountain....."
At this, the voice suddenly rose an octave.
"Shu Mountain Sword Sect’s Chief Disciple Ji Shaohua arrives..."
Then a low voice rose,
"Quickly inform the Family Head!"
At that, a loud laughter, "No need!"
Only to see the Xiao Family Master personally come forward, walked up to a young gentleman in white with golden collar, gentle as jade, carrying a sword on his back, followed by several Shu Mountain Disciples, laughing, "I didn’t expect Disciple Ji to honor the Xiao family so highly by attending, please come in!"
At this moment, inside and outside the Xiao Mansion, when people saw the Xiao Family Master personally greeting this young man, and hearing his title, they were inevitably surprised.
Shu Mountain Sword Sect, that often talked about sect in stories, moreover the Chief Disciple.
Unexpectedly, the Xiao Family invited such a prominent disciple.
And when some glances fell upon the Chief Disciple of Canghai Peak, they were even more shocked.
"Heavenly Pass Tao Seed Realm!"
A Family Head from within the city murmured, a look of surprise in his eyes.
Such a young Heavenly Pass Tao Seed, truly fitting for a great sect disciple, several figures approached him.
At this moment, at one side, the Eldest Son of Xiao Family was greeting his good friend "Sima Pu."
Only to see "Sima Pu" squinting at Ji Wuming, who was surrounded like stars around the moon.
"Brother Xiao, who is that?"
"He’s from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, Canghai Peak’s Chief. Father said despite his young age, he has already broken through the Heavenly Gate and achieved the Tao Seed, so Father came out to greet him personally," Xiao Qingxiong explained, with a trace of envy.
"Oh?" A sneer flickered in Sima Pu’s eyes, then he turned to Xiao Qingxiong, pulling out an item, saying:
"Today is your younger sister’s birthday celebration; of course, I should offer something. This is a rare incense from the Southern Ridge, called Anshen Incense. When women wear it, it can calm the mind and leave a fragrance. Using it during cultivation can help quickly enter meditation, settle the mind, and enter a cultivation state. It was hard for me to obtain this, but for Brother Xiao’s sake, I’ll gift it."