This person's voice was extremely loud.
So much so that almost everyone turned their heads to look.
Bai Tingzhi stood rigidly in place, looking straight ahead without a sideways glance, waiting for the other party to respond.
"Where did this man come from, and why does he have no sense of decorum?"
"Judging by his attire, he's from the countryside..."
"After he entered, he should have first proposed a toast to the Princely Heir and others. To seek an association with Mr. Chen, he should've done so quietly and privately. Shouting out loud is the equivalent of..."
However, the problem is, Chen Sansi was a newcomer, his cultivation level wasn't high and he lacked significant backing, and therefore had no right to open his own port of call.
Wen Qiushi narrowed his eyes and demanded, "The Princely Heir is standing before you, and you do not offer him a toast first?"
Bai Tingzhi said bluntly, "I do not recognize the Princely Heir, I only recognize General Chen!"
Now that Chen Sansi had been titled a fifth-rank General of Martial Virtue, he truly was an authentic general.
Yin Hanwen said angrily, "Even your Mr. Chen has to offer a toast to the Princely Heir first. Do you even understand the rules?!"
"Brother Bai, quickly offer a toast to the Princely Heir."
Chen Sansi, overwhelmed by the sudden situation, almost didn't react in time: "Don't just stand there."
He saw at a glance that this young man was a blockhead who entirely lacked an understanding of the rules.
This had offended the already proud Princely Heir.
"You are the Princely Heir? General Chen tells me to offer you a toast!"
Bai Tingzhi once again shocked everyone, "Cheers!"
'How could this man be as dim-witted as Zhu Tong?'
Chen Sansi couldn't bear to watch.
Cao Fan, his lips twitching with anger, narrowed his eyes: "What stray dog thinks he's worthy of drinking with me, the Princely Heir?"
"If you don't want to drink, then don't drink. Why insult someone?"
Bai Tingzhi stared back fiercely, "You want to fight?"
Another young master in brocade clothing approached, it was none other than the grandson of the current Chief Minister, Yan Liang, named Yan Changqing. With a cupped-fist salute, he said, "Princely Heir, this person is obviously a country bumpkin who doesn't understand decorum. Why lower yourself to his level?"
At Chen Sansi's hinting glances, Bai Tingzhi finally took his leave with a cupped-fist salute.
"Yan Changqing, is it your turn to speak?"
Cao Fan was unabashedly hostile, "What kind of guts do you have, coming to Liangzhou to compete with me for the Selected Point?"
"The competition for the Selected Point is a fair one, and moreover, I am here by imperial command,"
Yan Changqing lowered his head, his words were respectful, yet his tone very calm, "Please do not take offense, Princely Heir."
"Fine, we shall see what happens."
Cao Fan sneered, looking at Chen Sansi, "Brother Chen, let me remind you, the Yan father and son are grasshoppers after the autumn, they won't be jumping for long. Choose your side wisely or you'll regret it too late."
Sure enough, he was already considering him a member of the Yan Party.
In fact, even if Yan Changqing hadn't stepped forward to help, it was still impossible to avoid this association.
Courtly conflicts were complex.
The most obvious were the Yan Party and the Gao Faction.
One could not discuss such things openly.
But everyone in the court basically understood that behind the two factions stood the Emperor and the Crown Prince, respectively.
Having just received the imperial decree, Chen Sansi naturally appeared to be one of the Emperor's men, thus closer to the Yan Party.
Even if he was a thousand times unwilling, he had no choice but to get entangled in the factional struggles.
Such is the unavoidable nature of serving as an official in the court.
Luckily, he wasn't in the Capital City, so at least he did not have to engage in daily political maneuvers. Otherwise, he would have to consider carefully which foot to step into the Imperial Palace with when attending court.
it was the Emperor's intention all along.
To split his subordinates into groups for mutual checks and balances, making it easier for the old Emperor to maintain control.
"Mr. Chen, I was too preoccupied to greet you earlier, my apologies,"
Yan Changqing, having sent off the Princely Heir, began speaking leisurely, "But in the future, you really must keep your men in line. It is fortunate that this was a private banquet, for if it were at the court..."
"This person is not my man."
Chen Sansi replied, "Nevertheless, I thank you, Young Master Yan."
"You are too courteous, Mr. Chen."
Yan Changqing approached, smiling, "We are both servants of His Majesty, and in the upcoming competition, we must support and assist each other. If I manage to secure first place and become the True Inheritor, you, Mr. Chen, will surely become one of my commanding generals."
Sun Buqi interjected, "Is there a possibility that Sansi himself might secure the True Inheritor's position?"
Yan Changqing curled his lips, "With no disrespect, it seems that Mr. Chen has only recently begun Refining Internal, right? The rest of us are at least at the small achievement stage, like me, just one step away from Hua Jin. Not to mention the final round of martial contests, I fear no matter what, that would be an insurmountable barrier."
"As for me, even though I am nominally inferior to the Princely Heir, if I make a breakthrough to the Great Success of Refining soon, I might still have a chance to defeat him."
This one was also on the verge of achieving Great Success in Refining Internal.
Chen Sansi could not help but feel a sense of urgency.
It seems that he would need to make a breakthrough to small success soon, or else he truly wouldn't stand much chance in securing a victory in the competition.
The feast lasted into the late night.
As expected, Chen Sansi left early.
He inquired, "Bu Qi, I recall from records that there are many Exotic Beasts in the Luotian Mountain Range near Liang state, correct?"
"Yes, I know of a place,"
Upon hearing about hunting, Sun Buqi's expression turned excited, "Are you planning to hunt Exotic Beasts to enhance your cultivation?"
Chen Sansi nodded in affirmation.
Medicine had been stacked to the utmost.
To increase his pace further, he could only turn to nourishing food.
Exotic Beasts, like treasure medicines, were rare resources that one couldn't buy with money.
Typically, only martial artists would hunt them, and once they acquired them, they would consume them first. Only the unused parts might be sold off.