Chapter 224

"Dong dong qiang..."

"The general in white robes rides a fine steed..."

On the streets of the small town in the mountain hollow, firecrackers were popping in unison, the crowd was packed, children were giggling and darting back and forth, young women and matrons were strolling in groups, and rough men were gathered in threes and fives, laughing and chatting.

On the high stage by the street, the actors were wearing costumes and pinching their voices, performing with great vigor.

Heng Xian, leading Tao Sanniang and the others, walked and watched, saying, "I never expected to see such a scene here!"

The advisor said, "It's just because of the old chieftain's birthday at Qingshan Stronghold; these people are having a bit of fun. Once it's over, I'm afraid they'll be going hungry and looking for a living again!"

Heng Xian nodded, looked at the stage nearby, and felt quite moved: "Some things are truly universal; there are even people performing grand operas here!"

Jiang Yuhan said, "This is a battle-deployment opera from the Liang Kingdom, a great nation of the East."

As she spoke, she pointed to two other stages in front and said, "The one on the left is the 'Grand Tutor's March' opera from the Wen Kingdom, and the one on the right is the 'Northern Border Braid' opera, also known as the 'Long-Hair' opera!"

Heng Xian was surprised: "You are quite knowledgeable about opera."

Jiang Yuhan chuckled, looking quite lovely: "When I have nothing to do, I love listening to tunes and watching operas!"

Heng Xian said, "I envy you for having such leisure and elegance; unlike me, I have nothing but my good looks!"

Tao Sanniang and Jiang Yuhan lowered their heads and laughed at the same time.

The advisor also laughed: "Sir, you are not only talented and handsome, but also skilled in strategy. The key is that at your age, you are destined to be famous for ten thousand miles!"

"I don't crave fame for ten thousand miles; I just want to live comfortably!" Heng Xian stretched.

Following the flow of people, they continued forward. There was still half a mile to go to the chieftain's main courtyard. As they walked and watched, their expressions gradually became serious.

The closer they got to the chieftain's main courtyard, the more elites of Qingshan Stronghold there were, and they were all formidable experts.

At this moment, they arrived at a bustling square, which was exceptionally lively.

Heng Xian glanced inside and couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

He saw a huge iron cage in the middle of the crowd, inside which a man in black and a man in white were fighting to the death.

The two were not cultivators, and they had no weapons in their hands; it was just the most primitive fist-and-foot combat, using every ounce of strength in their bodies.

Very barbaric!

To the left of the cage were over a hundred men, women, old, and young in black, being escorted by Qingshan Stronghold disciples.

To the right of the cage were over a hundred men, women, old, and young in white, also being escorted.

At this time, the two men in the cage were exhausted, and their movements slowed down slightly.

Outside, a Qingshan Stronghold disciple immediately slit the throat of a woman in black, and among the people in white, a child had their head twisted off.

"Ah—"

"Oh—"

"Hahaha..."

The surrounding crowd cheered excitedly, their expressions somewhat ferocious.

There were also some people from other factions who had come to offer birthday wishes, throwing spirit crystals into the cage to show their generosity.

Conversely, the two men in the cage were streaming with tears, yet with red eyes, they fought with all their might once again.

This was no longer just barbaric; it also revealed a thick sense of sorrow.

Heng Xian's expression changed, and he frowned slightly.

The advisor explained in a low voice: "The ones in black are the indigenous Hanshan tribe here. They are born unable to cultivate, reproduce very quickly, and will snatch medicinal herbs and mineral resources from major factions.

The ones in white are people from the Su Ye Kingdom outside. They are very good at doing business and often play tricks to toy with major factions.

Therefore, major factions often capture some and kill them for everyone's amusement!"

"Kill them all?" Heng Xian asked.

The advisor nodded: "In the end, they are all killed, men, women, old, and young, not one left. Actually, no matter how hard those two in the cage fight, it's useless!"

Heng Xian glanced at the cage again, turned, and walked toward the chieftain's main courtyard: "Let's go!"

The chieftain's main courtyard was not far away, and they arrived in a few steps.

It was much quieter here, and most of the people in the courtyard were either rich or noble.

At this moment, a group of young men and women dressed in bright and beautiful clothes were greeting guests at the gate, among them were Miss Lan and Li Chenggong.

Heng Xian led his people over.

Li Chenggong had sharp eyes and saw him at a glance. He couldn't help but frown, closed the landscape fan in his hand, and pointed over: "It's you!"

The group of greeting men and women looked over one after another.

Miss Lan sneered: "So it's you. I thought you had some guts and a deep background, but aren't you still coming here obediently like a mangy dog to wish my grandfather a happy birthday?"

Heng Xian said expressionlessly: "Old Chieftain Lan is highly respected. As a younger generation, it is only right to come and offer birthday wishes. Does Miss Lan mean that every guest who comes to offer birthday wishes is like a mangy dog?"

Miss Lan waved her sleeves: "Don't try to provoke me with words. Since you're here to offer birthday wishes, I naturally won't drive you away. But those who can enter the courtyard..."

"... are all chieftains or gang leaders of various factions. What are you, a nameless nobody at such a young age?"

Heng Xian chuckled: "How do you know I'm not a gang leader of a faction?"

Li Chenggong opened his fan again: "Where are you from, what is your faction's name? Do you have an invitation?"

Heng Xian said casually: "From Xiaomi Mountain, the God-Extinguishing Gang, no invitation."

Miss Lan: "If you don't have an invitation, what are you here for? God-Extinguishing Gang? Truly a nameless nobody, what big talk!"

Li Chenggong said in surprise: "Xiaomi Mountain is over two hundred miles to the north, God-Extinguishing Gang... first time I've heard of it. How many gang members do you have?"

Heng Xian said: "About... a little over three thousand!"

Miss Lan, Li Chenggong, and the group of men and women were stunned for a moment, then "puffed" and laughed out loud.

Miss Lan held her chest: "Oh my, you guy really know how to brag, you're killing me with laughter. Three thousand? You really dare to say it. Do you know how much it costs to feed and support three thousand people every month?"

"Do you know how much spiritual energy and housing they need? Do you know how many spirit crystals you need to supply them every month? Hehehe..."

Li Chenggong kept a straight face: "Coming to offer birthday wishes is naturally welcome, but you are arrogant and full of nonsense."

"Even Qingshan Stronghold, a century-old major faction, only has two thousand people. You open your mouth and say three thousand, you really dare to say it!"

Heng Xian was silent for a moment: "Then... thirty people?"

"Puff! Hahaha..." Miss Lan, Li Chenggong, and the group of people laughed again.

Jiang Yuhan, the advisor, and Tao Sanniang had expressions of looking at a fool.

Just at this moment, Lan Chengyu walked over from a distance with a dragon-like stride: "What's so funny?"

Miss Lan pointed at Heng Xian: "Brother, this bumpkin's God-Extinguishing Gang only has thirty people, and he said there are three thousand. It's killing me."

Lan Chengyu also smiled, first glanced at Heng Xian, then looked at the large red "birthday box" carried by the "Thieves' Alliance" members, his eyes brightening slightly: "The courtyard isn't full yet, arrange a table for them in the corner!"

Miss Lan curled her lips: "My brother has spoken, go in. He is the main manager in charge this time, humph!"

Heng Xian laughed even more happily, too lazy to look at them again, and led his people into the courtyard.

The courtyard was very large, planted with some flowers and plants, and there were birds chirping, which was very rare in a place like Hanshan.

At this time, more than twenty long tables were set up in the courtyard, full of people.

In the main hall of the house, there was another table, carved with dragons and phoenixes, with exquisite and grand seats, and the people sitting there were all high-spirited.

Heng Xian and his group were arranged by the waiter under the locust tree in the furthest corner, and the table was also temporarily put together, but fortunately, the snacks were the same as the other tables.

At this time, the birthday banquet had just begun.

(End of chapter)