Chapter 111: Chen Family Birthday Banquet, All Parties Meet (First Update)

"Secretary Huo, I will arrive on time."

Qin Shi closed the terminal and silently shut his eyes, setting himself for twenty minutes of deep sleep.

Facing a respected old generation senior from the Martial Association who had come all the way from Hengzhou, he needed to present his best condition.

A moment later, after a brief rest of closing and opening his eyes, Qin Shi's body was like a computer that had been shut down and rebooted; his energy bar was full once again.

He stood up, took the elevator upstairs, and looked at Lin Yunqing, who was leisurely touching up her makeup:

"Teacher Lin, for Uncle Chen's birthday banquet later, let me accompany you there together."

Huh, did I hear wrong?

Lin Yunqing subconsciously doubted her own ears, staring blankly at the approaching Qin Shi.

"Birthday banquet?"

Qin Shi frowned slightly; the dog woman's brain didn't seem to be working too well.

"That's right, isn't Uncle Chen throwing a banquet for his birthday?"

He's actually really talking to me!

Lin Yunqing confirmed it was no mistake, and couldn't help but feel wild joy.

As expected, Assistant Teacher Qin is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

"Great, great!"

She nodded repeatedly, then seemed to remember something, and ran upstairs on her high heels with a clatter.

Her movements were remarkably agile; the slit skirt fluttered, revealing round, firm long legs.

"Witnessing such a beautiful sight, my heart remains utterly calm; one can see Teacher Lin's sex appeal is maxed out."

Qin Shi shook his head, familiarly swiping a can of high-energy food from the fridge.

The massive consumption from fighting ten people in succession had nearly squeezed his mortal body dry.

If not for being in the second rebirth stage, with life force surging like a spring, constantly nourishing the life seed and making it bloom with radiance, Qin Shi would have been exhausted after defeating the third opponent.

"Once I break through the great limit and initiate the rebirth transformation, truly, eating and drinking, I feel my life force rising."

He wolfed down the high-energy food can, then used inner vision on himself.

Four limbs, trunk, and even the hundred bones — his body's brightness had completely transformed into a deep purple, emitting intense heat.

"Don't know if transforming into gold will upgrade 【Muscle Memory】; the changes brought by legendary talent are huge."

Qin Shi coveted the 【Perfect Body】 that had once been listed as an optional choice; if he could seize and refine it, it would equal steadily breaking through the four limits, plus the already completed spirit gate — the seven great limits of the flesh, progress would exceed half!

"Come come come, Assistant Teacher Qin. This suit, hurry up and try it on, see if it fits!"

Lin Yunqing, full of delight, carried over a clothes rack hanging a full set of dark navy suits.

Qin Shi reached out to take it, felt the fabric; the hand feel was good, quite high-end.

"Even the clothes are prepared."

He held the suit, refused the request to change on the spot, and silently went into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he walked out again.

"My eye for things is really good!"

Lin Yunqing was quite satisfied, circling Qin Shi for a few laps.

Dark navy, steady and elegant, giving a rather "heavy" impression.

Usually, if the age is too young, wearing it makes one look weighed down; too young and not dignified enough.

But on Qin Shi it was just right, both concealing a young person's immature aura and not making him seem falsely mature.

"I said, Assistant Teacher Qin should wear dark colors, elegant colors. Xiao Yun insisted on picking wine red, pure white — such overly eye-catching, overly flamboyant choices, they don't reflect your temperament at all."

Lin Yunqing commented on every detail, as if appreciating a masterpiece, her eyes flashing with a strange brilliance.

"How does the dog woman know my measurements..."

Qin Shi felt the suit fit perfectly, and suddenly thought of this question.

"Teacher Lin, when did you buy this suit? It actually fits so well."

Lin Yunqing's gaze drifted at those words; she evaded left and right:

"Just the day before yesterday, nothing going on, accompanied Xiao Yun shopping... we'll be late! Assistant Teacher Qin, hurry up and go out! Otherwise we won't make it! I'll go start the car! Shoes are in the cabinet!"

The dog woman grabbed the handbag from the sofa and fled into the elevator in a panic.

"A boy outside still has to protect himself well."

Qin Shi shook his head, put on his shiny leather shoes, stood in the foyer and checked himself in the mirror:

"Truly, you get what you pay for. An ordinary suit worn looks like a salesman; a high-end custom suit makes one look like a chaebol family's young master."

He strode out the villa's main door, got into that Han Hai Conqueror, the headlights instantly blazing, like two beams of light piercing the night sky.

Accompanied by the engine's roar, he drove toward the most bustling district of the urban circle.

Jinhui Building, a Tai'an landmark, eighty floors total, shaped like an unfurled sail catching the wind, standing firm on the south bank of the Yuan River.

Tonight it was a sea of cars and horses; high officials and nobles arrived in an endless stream, all kinds of luxury cars and official sedans pouring into the underground garage one after another.

Chen Ruofu, noble as the Inspection Minister of the Taian Metropolitan Area, also serving concurrently as General Affairs Director, held great power in his hands.

Placed in the ancient era, he would at least be a general commanding tens of thousands of troops, fully deserving the four words 'occupying a prominent position'.

His big birthday, holding a birthday banquet, naturally had many guests, all vying to offer congratulations.

"Making such a big scene, those who don't know would think I'm deliberately using the occasion to amass wealth."

Chen Ruofu today wore a traditional Tang suit with a mandarin collar and buttoned front; stepping out of the car, looking at the lively atmosphere, his brows furrowed slightly, and he turned to question:

"Was it A Zhou who had you organize this, Secretary Huo?"

Huo Erwen lowered his head without answering directly, merely offering a euphemistic explanation:

"Xiao Zhou wants to show filial piety, wanting Minister to look grand and respectable, so he sent out invitations widely."

Chen Ruofu's mind was like a clear mirror, knowing this was his eldest son's doing, and did not blame Secretary Huo:

"While I haven't retired yet, riding on a tiger's skin as a big banner, padding out my own presence, pulling connections. A Zhou is just too clever for his own good, good for nothing at anything he does. People respect me three points, only then willing to deal with him a few words, not because he himself has any ability."

Huo Erwen kept his head down and said nothing; the leader's family matters were not for him to meddle in.

"Have those few I invited all agreed to come?"

Chen Ruofu asked.

"Qin Classmate is on the way. The one from the Hengzhou Martial Association refused our Patrol Department's driver's pickup, bringing attendants alone to stay in Jinhui's hotel suite. As for Director Lin of the Qiguang Heng University General Affairs Office, he should arrive later, after all the Education Bureau sent a Supervisor over there, and he must go out to receive him."

Huo Erwen reported in detail.

"Stirring up wind and rain! Both sides playing chess, both wanting to thoroughly crush the other, swallowing every bit clean."

Chen Ruofu entered the main door, went straight up the elevator to the seventy-second floor, and said thoughtfully:

"Xiao Qin's side, send someone to be responsible for reception; when he arrives, take him to the private room on the sixty-ninth floor. The predecessor from the Hengzhou Martial Association, we cannot neglect; you and I will personally go to welcome him."

Huo Erwen nodded:

"Qin Classmate's reception work, I've assigned Xia to be responsible; she does things carefully and won't let anything slip."

The elevator stopped smoothly, without any shaking or noise, and the iron gate slid open to both sides.

Chen Ruofu strode out, looking at the bustling, noisy scene below:

"These people were invited by A Zhou, so let him entertain them well! Tell him clearly, not a single one is allowed up. If they disturb my important matters, I'll break his legs as a birthday gift!"

Huo Erwen's heart trembled, and he repeatedly agreed.

……

……

In the suite on the sixty-eighth floor, it was extremely quiet. Like an independent world, the outside noise could not invade in the slightest.

Those sofas and chairs taking up space were all moved out, leaving only soft wool carpets laid on the ground.

Inside the spacious main room, there was a Boshan furnace burning incense, a bronze qing for calming the mind, and several futons.

An old man with withered skin, deep-set eye sockets, and a hunched back let his head droop, as if dozing.

He wore a wide robe, possessing the ancient-era noble family's qi rhyme.

Opposite him was a middle-aged man, kneeling with both hands supporting his knees, head bowed as he said:

"Teacher, He Lanchan's 'Xu Kong Meditation Sutra' has been lost several times, and now it appears in the hands of a high school student. Chen Ruofu claims he received the Martial God Inheritance; I think this news is too absurd."

The old man's breathing was like a leaky house, one moment there, one moment not, his whole body flowing with weak vitality at the extreme of decay.

He spoke slowly, each word uttered very slowly:

"Dongxia produces outstanding people in every generation, countless heroes; nothing is impossible. He Lanchan back then was only half a step away from crossing the threshold of that Heavenly Road Road, entering the Martial God, a Martial God unrestrained by anything!"

"If speaking of honor, He Lanchan naturally cannot compare to Qi Wuxiang, but on the Martial Artist Path, the former actually went further."

The middle-aged man still did not believe; the more he understood He Lanchan, the more he knew this First Generation Ten Greats' life story, the more he understood how difficult that path was—let alone inheriting and receiving recognition, for many people, entry level was a luxury.

"How does Teacher prepare to verify that person?"

He asked.

"I……"

The withered, thin old man raised his head and said:

"Just need to look at him once. Wanting to walk He Lanchan's path, learn his skills, naturally cannot lack Shi Fo's bearing."

What was Shi Fo's bearing?

Mount Tai collapsing before him without changing color?

Or having thunder in the heart but a face like a calm lake?

The middle-aged man showed confusion on his face, but did not reveal it.

"That person is coming soon. Later I will bring him here for Teacher to observe."

The old man did not agree, shaking his head as he said:

"No need. Just hand this thing to that person. If he truly received He Lanchan's Yi Ban and mastered the 'Xu Kong Meditation Method,' he will naturally show the results I want to see."

He took out an object from his sleeve: a palm-sized clay tablet, covered with complex patterns, like rings nested together forming a pattern.

"It is actually this thing."

The middle-aged man's pupils shrank slightly, and he received it solemnly with both hands.

"By the way, Teacher, that Supervisor sent by the Central City Education Bureau yesterday has also come to Tai'an. The New Martial Arts faction relies on momentum, repeatedly suppressing us, trying to seize the inheritance and swallow the techniques, gathering the power of Hundred Meridians and Thousand Doors to forge a new path……"

The old man raised his hand to interrupt the middle-aged man's increasingly impassioned voice:

"Xiao Dao, we martial artists must guard one breath, hold one blade; the blade inserted in the heart is called 'Endure.' Sometimes, enduring qi, enduring humiliation, enduring anger, is not a bad thing. What others do is none of your and my business; just guard your own Dao."

The middle-aged man seemed unwilling, but did not disobey his teacher, nodding heavily:

"I understand."

……

……

"Director Lin, Tai'an is truly a place of outstanding people and spiritual land, a treasure land of feng shui."

An old man dressed in retro style, possessing a Western air, said to Lin Xiaohan.

This person was over sixty years old, yet wore a tailcoat and a top hat.

His posture was upright, his spirit vigorous, and his speech full of energy.

Lin Xiaohan, accompanying him, echoed:

"After all, it is a place personally designated by Qin Shuai; it is said that during the Great Expedition, Qin Shuai stepped on a war ship, pushed horizontally across billions of li, landed in Tai'an, and once said this place hides wind and gathers water, with Dragon and Tiger converging, and sooner or later a great hero will emerge."

The elder rode the Elevator to the Seventy Floor, wearing a smile as he asked:

"Qin Shuai most favors young talents; I have also heard. Back when the Ten Outstanding emerged, he, Xiao Shuai, and Yang Shuai each selected a few and passed on their experience. Qin Shuai personally received He Lanchan — I wonder if that is true."

The conversation turned to the Topic.

Lin Xiaohan felt helpless inside, and replied in a gentle tone:

"It should be true. At the time rumors flew everywhere, and word even spread that He Lanchan had been taken into Qin Shuai's sect."

The elder sighed faintly:

"Body breaking the Seven Limits, spirit entering Manifest Saint — what a legendary Sun. In the end he still fell silently. The Star Sea is vast, worldly affairs shift; in the blink of an eye, many of the First Generation Ten Greats have passed away, only a scattered few still live. Grand and sweeping, fierce and blazing, the ten peerless heroes were forever kept outside the Martial God Door."

"Director Lin, in my view, old clothes may be good, but ultimately they are not durable; they must be Patched Repeatedly, costing effort and worry. Better to change into a new set of clothes, more dignified."

"What do you say?"

Even Lin Xiaohan, Facing this kind of deadly question, found it hard to answer immediately; choosing a side, one cannot be too early nor too late — the former makes it hard to get off the boat, the latter makes it hard to get on."

Just as he was in a bind, the Terminal suddenly vibrated:

"Excuse me, Supervisor Xu, it's my little sister's call; if I don't answer she'll make a scene later."

The elder gestured generously, laughing hehe:

"You've accompanied me all day today; you should go attend to your own business. Director Lin, let me wander on my own; no need to arrange attendants."

Lin Xiaohan bowed slightly, left the Corridor in quick steps, and then let out a long breath of relief.

"Brother, Assistant Teacher Qin and I have arrived at Lou Xia; where are you?"

Lin Yunqing's voice came from the Terminal.

Lin Xiaohan steadied his tone:

"You and Xiao Qin wait a moment; I'm coming down right now."

(Chapter End)