Chapter 149

Bai Lang was tall and strong, he forcibly squeezed in; of course everyone wanted to yell at him, but as soon as they saw this person, they all shrank back. After squeezing in and taking a look, he realized it was actually a celebration with lanterns and decorations—before his eyes stood a grand manor hung with lanterns, adorned with couplets, and decorated with colorful silk flowers. 'Golden Saber Gate?' Bai Lang looked at the plaque on the manor and wondered.

'Today the Golden Saber Gate's Sect Master Park Xiang is celebrating his fiftieth birthday, so they've opened a flowing water banquet to welcome all the elders and villagers.' There's always an enthusiastic person in this world; upon hearing Bai Lang's words, he immediately explained, 'So everyone is lining up?' Bai Lang said, 'Free food—I'm in! Line up properly, line up properly! No cutting in line!'

Many people glared angrily, but after seeing Bai Lang's physique they could only be angry and dare not speak. As for Bai Lang, he didn't care at all—having free food to eat, the face of an Innate Expert is worthless.

Along the way he also asked the enthusiastic person for information, even having that person stand in front of him, 'Oh oh oh, so the Golden Saber Gate actually has some reputation. It even has the beautiful name "Righteousness as Lofty as the Clouds"? This Sect Master Park Xiang is truly impressive! Is he really an Innate Expert, or is he Ji City's top expert?'

Having eaten someone's food makes one soft-mouthed; that enthusiastic person practically wanted to blow Sect Master Park Xiang up to the heavens, sticking out his thumb to indicate that this sect master was "that one." Of course, those behind who had heard it just let it pass; the sect master was certainly an Innate Expert, but to say he was "that one," he himself wouldn't even admit it—who knows if he could even rank among the top twenty experts of Ji City?

But today they're celebrating a birthday, and a fifty-year-old Innate Expert is truly in his prime, so of course they're riding in a flowery sedan chair carried by people. Bai Lang also gave a thumbs-up, 'Surely it's that one!' He laughed heartily and continued chatting with the enthusiastic person.

Then he managed to find out the Golden Saber Gate's ins and outs completely.

Within the Golden Saber Gate, the four top experts are all Innate Experts and also close sworn brothers. The eldest brother, Sect Master 'Righteousness as Lofty as the Clouds' Park Xiang; the second brother, 'Benevolence and Righteousness Unmatched' Jiang Daoshi; the third brother, 'Deep Gratitude, Heavy Righteousness' Feng Chun; and finally the youngest brother, Fourth Master 'Sacrificing Life for Righteousness' Guan Ba.

The gate has hundreds of disciples, and quite a few properties in Ji City belong to the Golden Saber Gate, to the point of raking in gold every day—earning a golden saber a day is no problem. 'Then where does the Golden Saber Gate make its money?' Bai Lang also asked, and the information he received was that they monopolize prostitution and gambling to settle ground disputes—definitely a pillar of the local gentry.

This flowing water banquet was set up in the Golden Saber Gate's drill ground, even occupying the courtyards of the left and right neighbors, but since they paid generously, nobody complained. Those entering could kowtow or clasp their fists and shout 'Wishing Grand Master Park longevity!' then take a seat and enjoy the set meal served—indeed it was one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup, with unlimited rice and an extra bowl of wine.

This flowing water banquet was for the neighbors; as for fellow martial artists, they would enter through another door, and the banquet spread was completely different. However, Bai Lang preferred to stay among the neighbors and never thought of going to the other side. Soon it was Bai Lang's turn—he had just stepped through the gate—the neighbors' birthday wishes for Park Xiang didn't even require seeing his face; one just needed to walk to the front hall in the drill ground, shout the greeting, and kowtow.

Bai Lang had just stepped through the gate when a person suddenly flashed out beside him, sizing him up carefully, 'Sir warrior, please come this way!' After looking at Bai Lang, he said that and made a guiding gesture. 'Wow! You can tell I'm carrying martial arts skill? And that I'm above average, so you're taking me to the back?' Bai Lang also understood the situation; he touched his face again, 'Sure enough, being handsome brings prestige!'

Bai Lang was an Innate Expert, and the Golden Bell Shield Divine Skill does not emphasize a flashy exterior; he is quite capable of suppressing his aura, so as he walked along, no one recognized him as an Innate Expert. Bai Lang saw from afar a middle-aged man seated in a master's chair; after being led over, Bai Lang also clasped his fists and said, 'Wishing Sect Master Park longevity!'

He had no birthday gift, but soon enough a true expert arrived—the gatekeeper shouted at the door, 'Master Du of the Hundred‑Li Evergreen, halting his cup, has arrived!' So Park Xiang also stood up, clasped his fists in return to Bai Lang, then hurried out to greet him. Bai Lang was instead brought to a side Eight‑Immortal table, where the youths seated on either side were apparently brought by their elders.

Those junior martial artists and unaffiliated warriors were eating and drinking here, while the hall inside was filled with renowned veteran masters. Bai Lang didn't care about that at all—he was eating and drinking happily, the chicken, duck, fish, and meat were abundantly plentiful, the wine flowed freely, and he could chat with the youths on either side about heaven and earth, far more enjoyable than sitting inside with a bunch of middle‑aged men.

As this feast went on, the sky was already turning westward when a little girl ran out from outside, rushing toward the inner hall while shouting 'Grandfather!'—apparently also coming to wish Park Xiang a happy birthday. 'This little girl is only about ten or so, and she's actually a pretty little embryo of a beauty.' Bai Lang glanced at her and thought.

As for the other family members, the outside guests couldn't see them, but although Bai Lang couldn't see, his qi sense let him know how many experts were inside the hall. Park Xiang himself appeared to be a honest‑looking man in his thirties, and his several sworn brothers also had honest faces, living up to their respective nicknames.

Bai Lang had eaten his fill and drunk his pleasure, playing with the wine cup in his hand, when his brow slightly furrowed, 'Someone else is coming? At this time? Could it be a friend who lives far away?' Just then, Park Xiang appeared at the inner hall's door with his several junior brothers, 'Everyone who came to celebrate my fiftieth birthday counts as brothers among us. Today we won't return unless drunk! Junior brothers, let's go toast our good friends!' He was about to walk to the outside tables to offer a toast.

Everyone dared not remain seated; they all rose and raised their cups, while Bai Lang didn't mind—if everyone stood up, then let them all stand.

Park Xiang's motion had originally been to raise his cup, but it suddenly turned into slowly lowering it……'It's you!' he said toward the front. 'Sect Master Park Xiang celebrating his birthday, why didn't you invite us old friends to come and have some fun together?' A voice came from outside, and then a kind‑eyed, benevolent middle‑aged monk appeared at the doorway.

'Six and a Half Hall! The "Wriggling Not Moving" Monk Bianji!' a martial arts veteran standing beside Park Xiang exclaimed. 'Six and a Half Hall?' Bai Lang repeated, 'Is there also a Six and a Half Hall here?'

However, no one paid attention to him; everyone's focus was on Monk Bianji, 'No no no, today's affair has nothing to do with the Six and a Half Hall—it's me, the poor monk, my own matter.' Monk Bianji patted the conspicuous emblem on his robe. 'You have joined the Six and a Half Hall……' Park Xiang's words carried a hint of bitterness.

The monk merely pressed his palms together and said, 'Amitabha!' All the elders present for the birthday celebration slightly changed their expressions. 'Sect Master Park, to celebrate a departed soul's birthday, won't you offer the poor monk a cup of vegetarian wine?' the monk said with a smile.