Chapter 32

Liu Yize had an "as expected" look. "She is Xu Yanran, the eldest daughter of the Xu family. This Xu family controls most of the land in the West City and is the existence second only to the Four Great Families in our Black Mountain City.

However, because they are outsiders, they have always been squeezed out by local families and have not been able to be ranked with the Four Great Families."

Qin Jiang became interested upon hearing this. "Four Great Families? Which four? I haven't heard of them before."

Liu Yize nodded. "This is normal. Except for the Li family in the South City, the rest of the Four Great Families are in the Inner City, and they are very low-key on weekdays.

The other three families are the Song family where the County Magistrate is, and the Zhao and Lin families. Come to think of it, this Lin family is also an outsider, but their background is powerful, and no one dares to provoke them."

"I see." Qin Jiang nodded.

"Alright, let's walk around the North Market first, and by the way, buy some gifts; we can't go empty-handed. I heard that the Commandant likes tea, so let's pick some later," Liu Yize said.

"Tea? I don't know much about the tea ceremony."

"No matter, worthy brother, don't worry, I have arrangements."

Walking around the North Market, Qin Jiang paid attention to the surroundings during the period, but didn't find any antique shops or pawnshops, which made him somewhat disappointed.

Before long, the two came to a tea shop; this was the most famous tea shop in the North Market, Qingkeju.

Walking into the tea shop, there were cabinets standing against the walls on both sides, placing all kinds of tea trays and tea cakes, and most of the people walking inside were wearing brocade clothes.

However, Qin Jiang was tall, especially with his broad arms and handsome appearance, so he still attracted many people's attention the moment he walked in.

"Worthy brother, sit here for a while; I'll go to the second floor."

As he spoke, Liu Yize waved his hand, and a waiter immediately came over. "Master Liu, you're here? The shopkeeper is on the second floor."

Liu Yize nodded. "This is my brother; brew a pot of Biluochun tea."

The waiter bowed slightly. "Alright, this master, please come this way."

After Qin Jiang sat down, Liu Yize nodded slightly and walked toward the second floor.

After a while, the waiter came over with a tea tray and poured tea for Qin Jiang. "Take your time; if you need anything, just call me, Xiao Wu."

After the waiter left, Qin Jiang picked up the teacup and took a sip. It didn't taste good.

Tap, tap, tap.

After sitting for a while, footsteps came from behind. Qin Jiang turned his head; it was the woman in the dress from just now, Xu Yanran.

Seeing Qin Jiang, she was also somewhat surprised, and then smiled slightly. "Young master, here to drink tea."

Qin Jiang nodded slightly. "Waiting for Brother Liu."

Xu Yanran suddenly realized. "Oh~ I haven't asked for your name yet, young master."

"Qin Jiang."

"Qin Jiang? So it's Young Master Qin. Yanran has important matters, so I must excuse myself first," Xu Yanran said with a smile.

"Miss Xu, please feel free," Qin Jiang said.

Not long after Xu Yanran left, Liu Yize came down from the second floor and handed a tea box to Qin Jiang. "Let's go, we have to hurry over; the banquet will start in a while."

Leaving Qingkeju, the two walked toward the outside of the North Market. Qin Jiang observed the surroundings and finally found an antique shop near the end of the North Market.

Coming out of the North Market, the two hurried toward the center of the Inner City. The Commandant's residence was located in Anxing Ward, not far from the Black Mountain Prefecture Office, very close to the city center.

On the way, passing by the Prefecture Office, Qin Jiang looked over. A large drum stood outside the Prefecture Office, and two yamen runners wearing black and blue uniforms were holding killing-power sticks, supporting their bodies and yawning at the door.

Qin Jiang shook his head slightly. Compared to the county soldiers, these yamen runners were far worse.

After passing the Prefecture Office and walking for a while, a residence came into view. The gate was painted with black lacquer until it shone, and even the walls appeared black-gray, giving people a simple and solemn feeling.

Two black-armored county soldiers stood on both sides of the gate, their expressions solemn. Compared to the previous Prefecture Office, this place looked more like a Prefecture Office.

The gate was open, and many people were entering and leaving, looking very lively.

Walking close, Qin Jiang and Liu Yize presented their gifts one after another, and after the recording officer recorded them, they walked into the residence.

Passing through the gate, there was someone leading the way. Following them to the backyard, it was a very huge and open courtyard, at least a thousand square meters!

In the middle was a stone road, at least ten meters wide, and low dining tables were placed everywhere on both sides of the road, with blankets spread in front of the tables for people to sit down.

At this time, there were roughly two or three hundred people in the courtyard, but it still didn't seem crowded, and even somewhat empty. It could be said that this piece of land alone was worth at least a thousand taels of silver! "Tsk, as expected of the Commandant, I really don't know how much this residence could sell for."

Liu Yize said with emotion. Once upon a time, even when their Liu family was at its most glorious, it was far worse than this.

"Hey! Look quickly, it's the Red Blood Golden Spear!" he pointed to the center of the courtyard and said excitedly.

Qin Jiang looked over, his gaze passing through the crowd to see that touch of crimson in the center of the courtyard.

He saw the Red Blood Golden Spear placed on an iron rack, with two black-armored county soldiers standing on both sides guarding it.

"Alright, let's find a place to sit down first. We're still a bit late; there are no seats left near the center."

Liu Yize shook his head with some annoyance. If he had known, he would have come earlier! While the two were looking for a place, in the central position near the Red Blood Golden Spear, a woman who was talking to someone noticed the two, her eyes carrying a bit of surprise, and she stood up immediately.

"Worthy brother, look, that one with a greasy face is Li Songzheng, the Family Head of the Li family in the South City, and the one beside him is Zhao Yunsheng, the Family Head of the Zhao family," Liu Yize pointed to the position near the center of the courtyard and said.

Qin Jiang looked over and saw the familiar fat man at a glance. Even looking at him now, there was still no sign of martial arts practice.

But a few days ago, he had broken his arms and ribs, which left a deep impression on him.

After practicing the Red Tiger Fist, he would have to ask for advice again.

He looked at another middle-aged man, wearing a blue brocade outfit, with a strong build and a high crown; one look and he knew he was a martial artist.

"Why don't I see the other two families?" he asked.

"The other two families? I don't know why the County Magistrate didn't come today. As for the Lin family, they basically don't attend such banquets," Liu Yize said.

It was strange to say, but the County Magistrate usually liked to attend such banquets the most, but today he didn't know why he didn't come.

Clang, clang, clang! While the two were talking, a sound of gongs rang out outside the residence, followed by a sound of horse hooves.

"Whoa~"

After a sound of reining in the horse, the sound of iron armor hitting the ground was heard. "Remove armor!"

The majestic voice could still be heard clearly even across the courtyard wall.

A moment later, a sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and an iron tower-like figure walked into the backyard, walking with the momentum of a dragon and a tiger, carrying the prestige of a superior.

The person who came was none other than Long Yuesheng. After he walked into the courtyard, the voices in the courtyard quieted down.

Scanning the four directions, he first skipped over the family heads, then looked around. When he saw Qin Jiang, he paused slightly, seeming somewhat surprised, and then nodded to signal.

Liu Yize hurriedly stood up and bowed. Seeing that Qin Jiang didn't move, he pulled him up.

Long Yuesheng smiled, then clasped his fists slightly. "Everyone, please feel free. Family Heads Zhao, Li, Lu, and Liu, please come inside to talk."

As he spoke, he passed through the backyard, touched the spear body lightly when passing by the Red Blood Golden Spear, and walked straight into the inner room.

In the courtyard, Family Head Zhao and Li Songzheng followed, and two others also stood up from their seats.

After they left, the remaining people secretly looked at Qin Jiang and Liu Yize. Some recognized Liu Yize, but no one recognized Qin Jiang.

Just looking at this outfit, coupled with this quite imposing temperament, they thought his status must be extraordinary.

The two sat down. Qin Jiang picked up a fruit on the table, took a bite, and asked, "What is this Commandant Long holding a banquet for?"

Looking at this formation, it was no ordinary banquet; it would definitely not be just to see the Red Blood Golden Spear.

Liu Yize also picked up a wine glass and took a sip. He also felt that this banquet was unusual. With his Red Blood Golden Spear, how could there be such a scene?

Pondering for a moment, he said, "In my opinion, it's mostly to deal with the increasingly frequent weird crises in the city."

"Weird crises? Isn't it in the Great Black Mountain? Are there also some in the city?" Qin Jiang asked.

Liu Yize nodded. Just as he was about to say something, a woman's voice rang in their ears.

"Young Master Qin, Young Master Liu, it's really fate; I didn't expect to see you here again."

Xu Yanran walked over, her face full of smiles.

(End of this chapter)