Chapter 464

"Bang!"

The string snapped.

The zither music stopped abruptly.

If the banquet was as quiet as water before, then now, it was like dark clouds pressing down overhead and whirlpools brewing underfoot, truly the final silence before the storm.

While Brother Xiaoyuan had his back to the crowd, Tan Tan Wenbin stood there, facing the entire banquet below.

An invisible red thread connected him to Brother Xiaoyuan, ensuring that Brother Xiaoyuan could synchronize with everyone's expressions, actions, voices, and even... emotions at the banquet through him.

The primary issue was to figure out: who are our enemies, who are our friends, and who can develop from an enemy into our friend.

The time with observational value was just this brief moment; after all, when Brother Xiaoyuan turned back, everyone below would inevitably be smiling.

The zither girl's eyes were red, with tears faintly appearing.

The zither that A Li had specifically looked at was definitely not an ordinary item.

Even if this ancient zither couldn't compare to the jade flute in Chen Xiyuan's hand, it was still in tune with the zither girl's own heart, and even echoed with her soul.

The possibility of deliberately damaging her most important weapon on the river was extremely low; in all likelihood, her emotional agitation had broken through a critical threshold—it wasn't that the zither music couldn't express it, but that it could only be presented through the sound of broken strings and shattered rhythm.

The zither girl clasped her hands, her lips moving silently, seemingly conveying messages to comfort her deceased relatives and elders.

Zhu Yiwen was closest to the table; he held two kitchen knives in his hands, with some Divine Deer blood hanging on them. Originally, he would never have allowed such high-end ingredients to be wasted and would definitely have licked them clean.

But at this moment, even as the deer blood on the knives gathered and dripped onto the ground, he felt no pity.

The Divine Deer was killed by him, and there was blood on his knives; the Lu Family Manor was destroyed by the youth on the stage, and even though the youth didn't hold a weapon, his hands were clean.

Therefore, no one present was naive enough to think that the youth would actually feel guilty about what happened to the Lu Family Manor.

That sentence, "Sorry, I made a mistake," was the most straightforward disdain and mockery.

When the youth said he wanted to apologize to the Lu Family Manor, everyone assumed this was just the Lu Family Manor being used as a starting point to introduce the flag-planting and, incidentally, announce his family name.

But after hearing it, everyone realized the nature of the matter was wrong.

Beside Zhu Yiwen, the water in the big pot was boiling violently, "gurgling."

He had once planned to secretly ask for Lu Jiu's head after the banquet to make a braised deer head, invite Lu Runsheng to join him, and pour soul-sauce over it~

Now, he didn't have the slightest thought of that.

When Tan Tan Wenbin announced the rule that "whoever takes the head gets the deer head," it meant that Lu Jiu's head had long been a sacrificial offering pre-ordered by the youth.

This wasn't a self-reflection or accountability for the Lu family; it was clearly and legitimately telling the dead Lu family members who exactly had killed them.

At the same time, it represented Dragon King Qin and Dragon King Liu, seeking justice from the entire Jianghu for the humiliation and oppression suffered over the past many years.

Zhu Yiwen sniffed, his tongue unconsciously sticking out to lick his lips.

Admittedly, dry-aged tomb-corpse meat was his favorite.

But if there was a chance, he also wanted to taste fresh, high-end goods.

In this life, if you can't be a Dragon King, so be it, but don't mistreat your own mouth.

Xu Mofan looked at the wine in his cup.

He hadn't participated in the Lu Family Manor's "chasing the deer."

Looking at it now, there really was no need to participate.

Sweeping his peripheral vision around, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Xu Mofan's mouth, thinking:

While everyone was busy chasing the deer in the manor, did they ever think they had long since become the laborers setting the stage for that person, working hard to set up a bright and beautiful stage so that person could stand above, using their ears and mouths to announce to the world:

From this day forward, Dragon King Qin and Dragon King Liu have returned to chase the deer in the Jianghu again!

Reaching out, he grabbed a handful of fried peanuts from the plate in front.

He understood now; no wonder his great-uncle ate these peanuts with such relish in his final days in Luoyang.

These were peanuts personally brought to him by that person; hehe, when his great-uncle left, he truly had no regrets.

Luo Xiaoyu's mouth opened wide, wide enough to hold a large bowl of chess pieces.

Immediately after, as his mouth slowly closed, the decadence and unwillingness from the day of the failed probe in town gradually dissipated.

He had hidden his talent and fame, but the one on the stage was the one who truly suppressed others fiercely.

Putting himself in his shoes, with the same status and position, he, Luo Xiaoyu, would never have been able to endure until now.

His youth hadn't been stifled in vain.

Feng Xionglin touched his bald head.

Old Uncle, oh Old Uncle, you deserved to be skinned and have your tendons pulled.

Trying to bully the young in the Yu family, only to run into someone with a higher seniority than you, haha.

Wang Lin reached out and flicked the tongue sticking out of the deer head's mouth.

The worldliness and shrewdness on the little fatty disappeared, but soon, he returned to being that little fatty again.

Zhu Qing turned her head to look at Luo Yang sitting beside her:

"Brother, did you hear that?"

Luo Yang: "Sister, brother is blind, not deaf."

The white-robed monk's mouth twitched, his hands clasped together turning into a single-handed fist, unable to help but exert force and chant:

"My Buddha!"

Tao Zhuming: "His surname is Li; that old Mrs. Liu handed over the legacy of the two Dragon King gates to someone with a different surname."

Ling Wuxing: "It shows the old lady is broad-minded and that he has outstanding talent."

Tao Zhuming: "What was given wasn't just the legacy, but also the position of family head."

Ling Wuxing: "It shows the old lady is even more broad-minded and that his talent is even more outstanding."

Tao Zhuming: "It also shows that the Qin and Liu families really don't have many people left."

Ling Wuxing: "Indeed."

Tao Zhuming: "An outsider, holding Dragon King Qin and Dragon King Liu—in terms of reason and emotion, this settling of accounts will be even less merciful, and there's no mercy to be spoken of; if they can mess with you... they will mess with you to death.

I now wish I could leave the banquet immediately and send a letter home to ask if we have ever done any shitty things.

I really envy you, Brother Ling; at least the boots in your heart landed early."

Ling Wuxing turned his head to look at Tao Zhuming and greeted him with deep affection:

"Your mother."

The youth's ability to set rules and stand on the stage earlier was the status he deserved based on his strength.

Now, the youth, blessed with the identity of the gate, brought even greater pressure to everyone present.

Lighting the lamp and walking the river is the business of the younger generation.

Although the Heavenly Dao hasn't set specific constraints on the age of the lamp-lighter, over thousands of years, everyone has figured out some patterns.

The younger the lamp-lighter, the more their potential on the river is stimulated, the richer their harvest, and even for the sake of the Dragon King maintaining the will of the Heavenly Dao to suppress the Jianghu after the river walk ends, the Heavenly Dao favors young talents more.

But no matter how young, it shouldn't be young to an unbelievable degree—not a dwarf, not an adult, body not fully developed, not formally trained in martial arts, yet lighting the lamp and standing on the river surface.

And, once standing, standing on the towering stage in front of everyone.

Top Jianghu factions, especially among Dragon King gates, don't have situations like "I watched you grow up" or "By seniority, you have to call me uncle"; the family heads are defaulted to the same generation.

The family heads, sect leaders, and masters of everyone's homes are basically of the grandparent generation, and even higher generations are not rare.

Now it's great; their group of young people are walking the river, and the other party's family head is also on the river!

Everyone present, facing this underage youth, instantly felt two generations shorter.

Li Li Zhuiyuan turned around and faced the crowd.

Ling Wuxing stood up.

Tao Zhuming followed closely behind.

The others also slowly stood up.

Those with orthodox sect legacies at home had clear seniority arguments and couldn't avoid it; even those from small sects or even grass-roots backgrounds, who couldn't climb up to such connections before, grew up listening to the stories of Dragon King Qin and Dragon King Liu.

No matter how much you struggle inside, no matter how unconvinced or unwilling you are, at this moment, you have to stand up.

Whoever's butt sticks to the stool and doesn't stand up, there's no need for the youth's gaze to actively fall on you; the people standing around will collectively remember you first.

If you are noble and amazing, then everyone will collectively try you to see if you can really afford to sit.

In short, there were those before and those after, those fast and those slow, but everyone stood up.

Li Li Zhuiyuan said:

"I have completed self-reflection toward the Lu Family Manor and promised that the same mistakes will not be made again as much as possible; I hope everyone will encourage each other."

The youth's voice had no enhancement, a very calm tone.

But it was set off by the overly oppressive atmosphere in the venue, sounding like thunder.

The next moment,

Everyone in the venue bowed to the youth on the stage and said in unison:

"We respectfully follow the senior's teachings!"

The banquet ended.

Most people left the table quickly, leaving the Lu Family Manor's barrier range first; even if they were still in the mountains without a signal, everyone had their own ways to pass this message out.

The whirlpool appeared here and would soon sweep across the entire Jianghu.

Zhu Yiwen wrapped the two kitchen knives and threw them into the bamboo basket; he would keep these deer-cutting knives.

The old servant wanted to say something but stopped, wanting to urge his young master to quickly pass the message to the family.

Zhu Yiwen ignored him.

The old servant finally couldn't help it: "Young master..."

Zhu Yiwen raised his hand to interrupt the old servant: "Don't talk nonsense; I can only manage myself. Everyone here can only fight for their own opportunities."

Luo Xiaoyu, accompanied by Flower Sister, walked toward the Lu Family Manor ancestral hall; the youth had settled there again with his people after the banquet.

This was specifically chosen as a place for one-on-one meetings.

Lu Runsheng sat on the threshold of the ancestral hall.

In the flower garden opposite the ancestral hall, the zither girl squatted there, burning paper.

When the last bit of yellow paper in her hand was burned and the incense candles were exhausted, the zither girl stood up, walked to the entrance of the ancestral hall, and looked at Lu Runsheng.

Lu Runsheng didn't move.

At this time, Tao Zhuming walked out from inside, wearing a smile.

He didn't have much psychological pressure.

He had already asked home if there was any grudge with the Qin and Liu families, and the reply from home was: No.

Tao Zhuming didn't bother to care if the family was lying to him; anyway, he just wanted to look after himself.

As Dragon King gates, it was much easier to communicate; first, they exchanged gate salutes, then started with stories of their ancestors, mentioned a few words about the recent situation, and then made some fantasies about the future.

Nothing nutritious, but at least non-toxic.

After Tao Zhuming left, Lu Runsheng glanced at the zither girl, signaling she could go in.

"Mu Qiuying, pays respects to the Liu family head."

After seeing Li Li Zhuiyuan, the zither girl performed a grand salute.

Li Li Zhuiyuan didn't stop her and asked: "Old ties with the ancestors?"

Mu Qiuying smiled: "My family has no sect or faction, just a village, but my ancestors once followed the Liu family Dragon King to walk the river; after the Dragon King's lifespan was exhausted, my ancestors returned to their hometown to build a village and live in seclusion.

Since my ancestors, my family has had two other ancestors who followed the Liu family Dragon King."

Mu Family Village had produced three followers of the Liu family Dragon King.

In the past, this was a fairly intimate relationship.

However, after the Qin and Liu families declined, Grandma Liu even disbanded the outer gates of the two families, so these former allies naturally wouldn't have contact anymore.

When you are strong, friends are all over the Jianghu; when you decline, you consciously don't have too many thoughts.

There is definitely nostalgia and respect for old rituals, and they will stand up for you at critical moments, but how to say it—don't test it, and don't beg for it.

Even for the current Li Li Zhuiyuan, who "witnessed" the zither girl's reaction at the banquet, the youth couldn't be sure if what the other party revealed was true feelings.

But this wasn't important; what was important was that when witnessing the Dragon King Liu's rise again, the identity of a former ally could bring her greater benefits, which could solidify the mutual interest alliance.

Mu Qiuying: "After this wave ends, I will return to the village, take my grandmother, and go pay respects to old Mrs. Liu."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You may."

Mu Qiuying: "Many thanks to the family head for the fulfillment."

After saying these words, Mu Qiuying stood up, preparing to leave; she knew Li Li Zhuiyuan was very busy now, and as "one of our own," she didn't need to delay too much time at this moment.

Li Li Zhuiyuan said: "Your zither is broken."

Mu Qiuying apologized: "My mind was chaotic, and I pulled the strings; please rest assured, I will try my best to repair it and won't delay your subsequent instructions."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Put the zither down first."

Mu Qiuying took the zither off her back and held it up.

Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at A Li: "She is old Mrs. Liu's granddaughter, surnamed Qin, named Qin Li."

Mu Qiuying: "Greetings, Miss."

A Li spread her hands, and Mu Qiuying understood, handing over her ancient zither.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss."

A Li nodded at her, sat down holding the zither, took out her tools, and began to help her repair the strings.

Mu Qiuying looked at A Li, then at Li Li Zhuiyuan, a smile appearing on her face, but she didn't dare to ask more, bowed, and left.

Lin Lin Shu You lightly bumped Tan Tan Wenbin with his arm: "Brother Bin, her posture changed so fast."

Tan Tan Wenbin: "Didn't your master and grandfather react faster than her back then?"

Lin Lin Shu You: "My master and grandfather didn't expect me to light the lamp and compete for Dragon King; she is different from me."

Tan Tan Wenbin: "There's no difference. With three generations of ancestors following the Liu family Dragon King, when the Liu family declined, her Mu family members could light the lamp and walk the Jianghu; once the Liu family rises again, they are naturally in a suppressed position psychologically.

This is something that can't be helped; the family glory history narrative is entrusted to Dragon King Liu.

She either has to grit her teeth and choose to kill to prove her heart, or simply let go completely and return to the family narrative.

The former is too difficult; if we had met early on, she might have really done that and become our most ferocious enemy in the early stages.

Now, she should choose to accept her fate."

Lin Lin Shu You: "So that makes her one of us?"

Tan Tan Wenbin: "When the wind is favorable, yes."

Lin Lin Shu You: "So complicated."

Tan Tan Wenbin: "Sigh, our Brother Xiaoyuan's lost zither can't be returned to its original owner for the time being."

After Mu Qiuying left, Luo Xiaoyu walked in, with Flower Sister staying outside the threshold.

Luo Xiaoyu didn't pay respects, nor did he have an extra opening, but sat on the ground in front of Li Li Zhuiyuan, spread out the chessboard, placed the pieces, and asked:

"I have already explored the integration of the formation path and Feng Shui weather, but I don't know if this path can go deep and far, nor do I know if this path is the right one."

Li Li Zhuiyuan picked up a white piece and dropped it onto the chessboard.

The formation on the chessboard immediately underwent a violent change, and the chessboard continuously expanded outward.

Luo Xiaoyu: "To think it could go this far."

For latecomers, the biggest cost isn't moving forward specifically, but distinguishing and trial-and-error on every path.

If there is a predecessor standing there, clearly telling you that this path can be walked down, then the subsequent things become simple instead.

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "As for whether it is the right path, the direction you are facing is the right direction, and the path you are walking is the right path."

Luo Xiaoyu put away the chessboard and pieces, tucked them under his shoulder, and performed a solemn teacher-student salute to Li Li Zhuiyuan.

"I will remember the grace of teaching."

"The formation path is not lonely."

Luo Xiaoyu's expression relaxed, and he leaned toward Li Li Zhuiyuan.

Lin Lin Shu You's vertical pupil was about to open.

Luo Xiaoyu sensed it and said very aggrievedly: "I'm a formation master!"

Lin Lin Shu You's gaze fell on the chessboard tucked under Luo Xiaoyu's armpit.

"Uh... are you afraid I'll use the chessboard as a weapon? No, has anyone ever used a chessboard to commit murder?"

Lin Lin Shu You: "Emperor Jing of Han."

Luo Xiaoyu couldn't refute, took a few steps back, put down the chessboard, and leaned toward Li Li Zhuiyuan again.

"Brother, tell me, how did you manage to endure until now?"

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "I didn't endure much."

Luo Xiaoyu: "How could that be? Before this, I hadn't heard any wind about you in the Jianghu."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Those who knew didn't have breath anymore, so there was no wind."

Luo Xiaoyu heard this, his eyes widened, as if struck by lightning, suddenly realizing: "Why didn't I think of that!"

Flower Sister watched Luo Xiaoyu walk out in a daze and hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

Luo Xiaoyu bent down, hugged the short Flower Sister, and cried: "Flower Sister, I regret it; my youth could have been very exciting, Wu Wu Wu Wu."

Feng Xionglin came, taking out a long rubber band.

"This one is better quality than my old uncle's."

Lin Lin Shu You seemed to see another three-eyed person.

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "In that environment of the Yu family back then..."

Feng Xionglin nodded: "Jianghu, that's how it is; those who kill will always be killed."

As long as people are open-minded enough, there are no knots that can't be untied.

Li Li Zhuiyuan handed the rubber band to A Li; it could just be used to repair the zither strings.

Zhu Yiwen walked to the door.

Lu Runsheng signaled he could go in.

Zhu Yiwen leaned into Lu Runsheng's ear and whispered: "I dug up the ancestral grave of the Lu Family Manor and found a piece of top-quality tomb meat; let's enjoy it together tonight."

Lu Runsheng nodded.

Zhu Yiwen left; he didn't go in.

There was also Xu Mofan, who had been guarding the ancestral hall earlier; this time he didn't even approach this side.

He chose a towering spot with a nice view, lay there, and ate peanuts one by one.

Wang Lin came in; he had just digested a whole deer head by himself, and white smoke was still rising from his head.

"I came in to say thank you."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "According to the rules, it should have been yours; no need to thank."

Wang Lin: "What I'm thanking is the rules."

After saying this, Wang Lin looked at A Li, who was repairing the ancient zither beside Li Li Zhuiyuan, and sighed:

"Not easy, you've suffered."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Already walked out."

Wang Lin smiled: "Yes, things turn for the better after reaching the extreme."

The little fatty left.

He was the most mysterious one of all; being able to walk the river alone definitely didn't rely just on a sleeping skill.

Luo Yang carried his sister and walked in.

"My sister said she wanted to see you up close; she said you look good, and after you grow up, you'll look even better."

Li Li Zhuiyuan took out a notebook he had just written and handed it over.

Zhu Qing took it, flipped through a few pages, and reached out to pat her brother's arm: "Brother, cultivation technique, a cultivation technique suitable for both of us!"

Li Li Zhuiyuan had once designed a symbiotic technique for Zhao Yi's Liang sisters.

This pair of siblings had a higher degree of twin-ness than the Liang sisters, but were slightly weaker at the technical level; although this notebook wasn't thick, it could help guide their future direction.

Giving this would inevitably harm the interests of Zhao Yi's side, so Li Li Zhuiyuan also prepared a better set, which he would give to Zhao Yi when there was an opportunity next time.

Luo Yang: "We haven't admitted defeat yet; accepting this makes me feel a bit embarrassed."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "I don't care whether you admit defeat or not."

Luo Yang: "Thank you."

Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You're welcome."

Batches of people came in, and batches of people went out.

Some lowered their heads very decisively, while others were still in stubbornness.