"Er..."
Hei Hu's expression froze. He never would have imagined that Chu Lingguang's birthday gift would be a Jade Pendant. Its quality was excellent; it had to be worth at least ten or twenty, maybe even dozens of silver taels.
He and his father glanced at each other, then both lowered their heads.
So they were the ones at the bottom.
"I was just missing a Jade Pendant. Excellent!"
Guo Wei was taken aback for a moment, then his face filled with praise.
While he wouldn't have minded if Chu Lingguang had only given him a pastry or a cheap bracelet, receiving such a valuable item in front of all the guests made him look good, too.
"Shaorong, Feihong, Murong, Chao'Er."
Guo Wei called out.
"Your disciples are here!"
Yang Shaorong and the three others answered in unison.
"Hei Hu and Lin Guang are disciples I just accepted three months ago. You all serve in the Court and are busy with official duties, so the two of them have not yet had the chance to formally greet you."
Guo Wei said.
"Lin Guang pays his respects to First Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, and Fourth Senior Brother."
"Hei Hu pays his respects to First Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, and Fourth Senior Brother."
Upon hearing this, the already-prepared Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu bowed to the four men.
"Our two junior brothers, please rise quickly!"
Yang Shaorong and the other three vied to help Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu to their feet.
"Our two junior brothers, since you are by Master's side, you must take good care of him. Don't forget to train diligently, and perhaps one day you'll pass the provincial examinations."
Yang Shaorong encouraged.
"The Court is in need of talented people right now. You two must work hard. Perhaps one day, we senior and junior brothers can all serve together."
Wu Feihong added in agreement.
"Wu and I will be following Yang to the Governor's Mansion. If you have time in the future, remember to come and visit us."
Li Murong said.
"I will continue to serve under Lord Wang. If you two junior brothers ever need anything, you can find me at the County Yamen."
Wang Chao added.
"Yes, thank you, Senior Brothers."
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu said in unison.
After speaking, the two of them retreated behind Guo Wei.
"You two are also going with Shaorong to the Governor's Mansion? Then this is perfect timing. As your master, I'll give the three of you a farewell toast. I wish you a brilliant future and continued success.
Guo Wei said, raising his wine cup.
"How could I not be part of a farewell toast for General Yang and the others?"
Lord Wang added, picking up his wine cup.
"To the bright future of our three generals!"
The crowd toasted, raising their cups.
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Lord Wang. And thank you, everyone."
Yang Shaorong raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.
Wu Feihong and Li Murong did the same.
"Hahaha, drink up, everyone! There's more than enough wine!"
Guo Wei laughed heartily and also drained his cup. Guo Fang looked as if she wanted to say something but held her tongue, ultimately just helping to pour more wine for Guo Wei and his disciples.
The birthday banquet was a grand affair.
Nothing like it had been seen in Baiyang County for over a decade.
Guo Wei drank until he was dead drunk.
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu helped him to his room to rest.
When the two of them came back out to attend to the other guests, everyone was standing at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall, seeing off Yang Shaorong and the other two.
Just after the three of them left, the County Magistrate, Lord Wang, also departed in his sedan chair. He didn't even say goodbye to Guo Wei before leaving.
"Sigh!"
Wang Chao glanced toward the back courtyard before ultimately escorting Lord Wang away.
Seeing that Guo Wei had already retired to his room, the guests ate for a little while longer before leaving one after another.
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu, however, stayed behind to clean up.
"Nanny Zhang, remember to take this food and wine home with you later."
Guo Fang poured the leftover food and drinks from the guests' tables into a washbasin and gave it to Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family, who was wiping down a table.
"Miss Guo, how can I accept this?"
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was overwhelmed by the favor. For the host family to bestow upon her the guests' leftovers was a sign of recognition. In all her years working for the Wang Family, she had never received such a large basin of food and wine.
"If you don't take it, we won't be able to finish it all anyway. It's getting late, you should get some rest."
Guo Fang set down the basin of food.
She treated Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family well, not just because of her connection to Chu Lingguang, but mainly because Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was a quick and meticulous worker, capable of doing the work of two people.
"Thank you, Miss Guo."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was endlessly grateful. She took the food and wine and headed home first.
"Junior Brother, where did you get that Jade Pendant?"
Hei Hu was clearing a table with Chu Lingguang. Seeing that no one else was around, he asked.
"If I said I found it, would you believe me?"
Chu Lingguang retorted.
"Hmph. If you don't want to tell me, then forget it."
Hei Hu was thoroughly annoyed.
Chu Lingguang couldn't explain it to Hei Hu.
A short while later, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu finished putting away the tables and chairs.
"BOOM!"
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from the back courtyard.
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu jumped in fright and were about to rush in to check.
"Don't go in. My father is practicing his Spear Technique."
Guo Fang stopped them.
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu glanced at each other, finally understanding that Guo Wei hadn't been drunk at all.
"It's getting late. You two should head home as well."
Guo Fang couldn't explain anything to Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu.
The two of them didn't dare ask any more questions.
They could only return to their respective homes.
But Chu Lingguang had taken in everything that had happened today.
Yang Shaorong had presented his birthday gift, and Lord Wang had chimed in from the side with that comment about "General Yang is so loyal and righteous, Master Guo has taken on a fine disciple." Recalling it now, Chu Lingguang found the words incredibly jarring.
He felt that Master Wang had probably been deliberately set up by Yang Shaorong.
Giving the thousand-year-old ginseng and a bottle of Qi Blood Pills wasn't about celebrating Guo Wei's birthday; it seemed more like an attempt to compensate him, to sever all ties of gratitude and obligation with him today.
Otherwise, why would disciples who had traveled a thousand li to return not stay at the Martial Arts Hall for a few days?
Even if the group of disciples didn't have a separate banquet, Yang Shaorong and the other two should have still shown their filial respect to Guo Wei for a few days. But unexpectedly, as soon as Guo Wei "passed out drunk," the three of them left immediately.
Looking back now, they probably knew Guo Wei was only pretending to be drunk, signaling for them to leave quickly.
'Sigh, it seems I'm not destined to have a relationship with my three senior brothers.'
Chu Lingguang thought to himself.
'I was originally full of expectations for Yang Shaorong and the other two, fantasizing that they might help me get ahead in the future. Now it seems everything they said at the banquet was just polite talk. If I want fame and fortune, I'll have to fight for it myself.'
He was certain that after leaving this time, it would be difficult for them to ever meet again in this lifetime.
However, over the past three months, Guo Wei had taught him Heavenward Force, the Iron Mountain Saber Technique, and the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques. He had also provided him with three meals a day and had even spent a good amount of silver taels to have him soak in medicinal baths for ten days.
'If I make a name for myself in the future, I must repay this kindness. I will never disappoint Guo Wei.'
With this thought in mind, Chu Lingguang took a cold bath at home, then sat on his bed and checked his status panel.
Favors: 76
Iron Mountain Fist (43/100)
Basic Breathing Technique (87/100)
Heavenward Force (42/100)
Iron Mountain Saber Technique (52/100)
Basic Body Technique (37/100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 58)
'Favors really are a good thing!'
'Master said that as long as I master the Basic Breathing Technique, I'll be able to practice his Breathing Technique just like Hei Hu. Hmm, I'll raise the Breathing Technique to Perfection first.'
Favors: 63
Basic Breathing Technique (100/100)
Remaining Lifespan (63)
"Hooo!"
With the Basic Breathing Technique at Perfection, Chu Lingguang couldn't help but sit on his bed and begin the Breathing and Exhaling exercise. A stream of air entered his chest through his mouth and nose, and then a turbid breath rebounded out from within him.
Chu Lingguang felt his mind become incredibly clear.
The Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, which he had been practicing for over a month, unfolded in his mind move by move. It was as if he were watching Guo Wei and Wang Chao demonstrate the Thirteen Forms of Spear Technique right in front of him all over again.