Holy body, start with the Five Animal Exercises

32: Xu Yanran, attend the banquetLiu Yize looked as if he had expected it. ”She is Xu Yanran, the Eldest Young Miss of the Xu Family. This Xu Family controls most of the land in the west of the city and is second only to the Four Great Families in Black Mountain City.

However, because they are outsiders, they have always been ostracized by the local families and have not been able to rank alongside the Four Great Families.”

Qin Jiang’s interest was piqued. ”The Four Great Families? Which four are they? I’ve never heard of them before.”

Liu Yize nodded. ”That’s normal. Apart from the Li Family in the south of the city, the other three Great Families are all in the Inner City and usually keep a low profile.

The other three Great Families are the Song Family, to which the County Magistrate belongs, and the Zhao and Lin Families. Speaking of which, the Lin Family is actually also an outsider, but their background is powerful, and no one dares to provoke them.”

”So that’s how it is,” Qin Jiang nodded.

”Alright, let’s first look around the North Market. We also need to buy some gifts. We can’t go empty-handed. I heard that Magistrate Long enjoys tea, so we’ll pick some up later,” Liu Yize said.

”Tea? I’m not very knowledgeable about the Tea Dao.”

”It’s nothing, my dear brother, you don’t need to worry; your elder brother will make the arrangements.”

After strolling around the North Market, Qin Jiang paid attention to his surroundings but didn’t find any antique shops or pawn shops, which left him a little disappointed.

Before long, the two arrived at a tea shop, the most famous tea shop in the North Market, Qingke Ju.

Entering the tea shop, cabinets lined the walls on both sides, displaying various tea sets and tea cakes. Most of the people walking inside were dressed in brocade robes.

However, Qin Jiang’s tall stature, especially his broad shoulders and handsome appearance, attracted many people’s attention the moment he walked in.

”My dear brother, please sit here for a moment. Your elder brother will go upstairs to the second floor.”

With that, Liu Yize waved his hand, and a young attendant immediately came over. ”Master Liu, you’re here? The shopkeeper is on the second floor.”

Liu Yize nodded. ”This is my brother. Brew a pot of Biluochun.”

The young attendant bowed slightly. ”Alright, sir, please come this way.”

After Qin Jiang sat down, Liu Yize nodded slightly and walked towards the second floor.

Soon, the young attendant came over with a tea tray and poured tea for Qin Jiang. ”Please enjoy. If you need anything, just call me Xiao Wu.”

After the young attendant left, Qin Jiang picked up the teacup and took a sip. It didn’t taste good.

Tap, tap, tap.

After sitting for a while, footsteps came from behind him. Qin Jiang turned his head and saw the same girl in a long skirt from earlier, Xu Yanran.

Seeing Qin Jiang, she was also a little surprised, then smiled slightly, ”Young Master, enjoying tea here, are we?”

Qin Jiang nodded slightly. ”I’m waiting for Brother Liu.”

Xu Yanran suddenly realized, ”Oh~ I haven’t yet asked for Young Master’s name.”

”Qin Jiang.”

”Qin Jiang? So it’s Young Master Qin. Yanran has urgent matters to attend to, so I must excuse myself,” Xu Yanran said with a smile.

”Miss Xu, please feel free,” Qin Jiang said.

Not long after Xu Yanran left, Liu Yize came down from upstairs and handed a packet of tea to Qin Jiang. ”Let’s go. We need to hurry. The banquet will start soon.”

Leaving Qingke Ju, the two walked towards the outskirts of the North Market. Qin Jiang observed his surroundings and finally found an antique shop near the end of the North Market.

After leaving the North Market, the two hurried towards the center of the Inner City. Magistrate’s Mansion was located in Anxingfang, not far from the Black Mountain Prefecture Yamen, very close to the city center.

On the way, passing by the Yamen, Qin Jiang looked over and saw a large drum standing outside the Yamen. Two bailiffs in black and blue Yamen uniforms held intimidating rods, leaning against the doorway and yawning.

Qin Jiang shook his head slightly. Compared to the County Soldiers, these bailiffs were far too inferior.

After passing the Yamen and walking for a moment, a mansion came into view. The main gate was polished bright with black lacquer, and even the surrounding walls were dark gray, giving off an ancient and solemn feeling.

Two black-armored County Soldiers stood on either side of the main gate, their expressions solemn. Compared to the Yamen earlier, this place looked more like a Yamen.

The main gate was open, and many people were entering and exiting, making it seem very lively.

Approaching, Qin Jiang and Liu Yize presented their congratulatory gifts one after another. After the recording official noted them down, they entered the mansion.

Passing through the main gate, there were dedicated people leading the way. Following them, they arrived at the backyard, which was an extremely large and spacious courtyard, nearly a thousand square meters!

In the middle was a stone path, over a dozen meters wide. Low dining tables were set up on both sides of the path, with carpets laid in front of the tables for people to sit on.

At this time, there were roughly two to three hundred people in the courtyard, but it still didn’t seem crowded; in fact, it was even a bit spacious.

It could be said that this piece of land alone was worth at least a thousand taels of silver!

”Tsk, as expected of Magistrate Long. Who knows how much this mansion could sell for.”

Liu Yize said with emotion. Once upon a time, even at the most glorious period of their Liu Family, it was still far from comparable to this.

”Hey! Look quickly, it’s the Blood Flame Golden Spear!” He pointed to the center of the courtyard, exclaiming excitedly.

Qin Jiang looked over, his gaze passing through the crowd to see that splash of crimson in the center of the courtyard.

The Blood Flame Golden Spear was placed on an iron stand, with two black-armored County Soldiers standing guard on either side.

”Alright, let’s find a place to sit first. We’re still a bit late; the spots near the center are already taken.”

Liu Yize shook his head in annoyance. If only he had known, they would have come earlier!

As the two were looking for a place, a woman who was conversing with someone in the central area near the Blood Flame Golden Spear noticed them. A hint of pleasant surprise appeared in her eyes, and she immediately stood up.

”My dear brother, look quickly, that person with the oily face is Li Songzheng, the head of the Li Family in the south of the city. The one next to him is Zhao Yunsheng, the head of the Zhao Family,” Liu Yize said, pointing to the area near the center of the courtyard.

Qin Jiang looked over and immediately saw that familiarFat Man. Even now, he still couldn’t discern any signs of martial arts practice.

But the memory of him breaking his arms and ribs a few days ago was still vivid.

Once he mastered the Red Tiger Fist, he would definitely seek another lesson or two.

He then looked at the other middle-aged man, who was wearing a blue brocade robe, had a strong physique, and wore a tall crown. One could tell at a glance that he was a martial artist.

”Why aren’t the other two families here?” he asked.

”The other two families? The County Magistrate didn’t come today for some reason, and as for the Lin Family, they generally don’t attend such banquets,” Liu Yize said.

It was strange, actually. County Magistrate usually loved to attend such banquets, but for some reason, he hadn’t come today.

Clang, clang, clang!

As the two were talking, a burst of gongs sounded from outside the mansion, followed by the sound of horse hooves.

”Whoa~”

After a horse was reined in, the sound of armor hitting the ground was heard. ”Dismount!”

The powerful voice could be heard clearly even through the courtyard walls.

A moment later, footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and a tower-like figure walked into the backyard, striding with the imposing presence of a superior.

The person who arrived was Long Yuesheng. When he walked into the courtyard, all sounds within the courtyard fell silent.

He scanned the surroundings, first glancing over the various Family heads, then looking around. When he saw Qin Jiang, he paused slightly, seeming a bit surprised, and then nodded in acknowledgment.

Liu Yize immediately stood up and cupped his hands. Seeing that Qin Jiang made no move, he pulled him up.

Long Yuesheng smiled, then cupped his fists slightly. ”Everyone, please make yourselves at home. Family Heads Zhao, Li, Lu, and Liu, please come inside for a chat.”

With that, he walked through the backyard, gently stroking the shaft of the Blood Flame Golden Spear as he passed it, and went straight into the inner room.

In the courtyard, Family Head Zhao and Li Songzheng followed, and two other people also rose from their seats.

After they left, the remaining people secretly looked at Qin Jiang and Liu Yize. Some recognized Liu Yize, but no one knew Qin Jiang.

However, judging by his attire and his rather imposing demeanor, he must be of no ordinary background.

The two sat down. Qin Jiang picked up a fruit from the table, took a bite, and asked, ”Why is Magistrate Long holding this banquet?”

Looking at the setup, it was no ordinary banquet; it certainly wouldn’t be just to see the Blood Flame Golden Spear.

Liu Yize also picked up his wine cup and took a sip. He, too, felt that this banquet was unusual. How could his Blood Flame Golden Spear command such a presence?

After pondering for a moment, he spoke, ”In my opinion, it’s most likely to deal with the increasingly bizarre dangers within the city.”

”Bizarre dangers? Aren’t they in Dahei Mountain? Are there some in the city too?” Qin Jiang asked.

Liu Yize nodded, and just as he was about to say something, a female voice rang out beside them.

”Young Master Qin, Young Master Liu, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see you here again.”

Xu Yanran walked over, a smile on her face.