"The status of the guard general is revered, and all the county guards must respect him. I, a martial arts disciple who has not reached the sixth level of martial arts master, am not qualified to see him. How can I provoke him?" Wu Yuan asked rhetorically.
Wu Qiming stared at Wu Yuan, trying to see some clues in Wu Yuan's eyes.
Unfortunately, all he could see was peace.
"Then why did General Xu suddenly invite me to a banquet tonight? And also told me to take you with me?" Wu Qiming came up with the reason.
Wu Yuan understood immediately.
There are four giants in Licheng County: the County Sheriff, the County Magistrate, the County Lieutenant, and the Guarding General.
The first three, headed by the county guard, control the power of leaving the city. The guard general seems unable to interfere in local affairs, but the absolute force possessed by the commander of the 600 Nanmeng Army makes the county guard reluctant to conflict with him.
When such a big shot holds a private banquet, he usually only invites the top ten top families from the city.
Wu family? Not even the top 100 families!
Naturally, Wu Qiming thought that Wu Yuan had offended the guarding general. Otherwise, how could he be suddenly invited?
"Clan leader, if you insist on getting me involved with General Xu, it's nothing more than a big fight between me and Xu Yuanhan..." Wu Yuan spoke calmly and quickly revealed his 'grievances' with Xu Yuanhan.
In fact, there is no 'grudge' between the two, and they rarely interacted in the past.
but.
There is only one quota for each county martial arts academy to enter Yunwu Palace per year!
This is a battle of interests.
"Yunwu Palace? First place in the competition?" Wu Qiming was able to secure his position as clan leader. How shrewd he was to figure out the cause and effect in a single thought.
With the ability of the guarding general, sending his son into the Hengyun Sect was a piece of cake!
But how can ordinary sect disciples be compared with the ‘Yunwu Hall disciples’?
As the top martial arts school in the sect, Yunwu Hall disciples have access to various resources and martial arts secrets ten times that of ordinary disciples.
"Wu Yuan, you will come with me to the banquet later. No matter what happens, you can't act without my instructions." Wu Qiming said in a low voice: "Do you understand?"
"Patriarch, I know." Wu Yuan smiled and said: "I can't afford to offend the guard general. Our Wu family can't afford to offend him. For my mother and sister, and for the family, no matter how big the grievance is, I will endure it."
Guarding general? If he was at the peak of his previous life, how would Wu Yuan care?
only.
The situation is stronger than the person. No matter how superb Wu Yuan's martial arts skills are, he can't overcome the dozens of times of physical strength gap to defeat the fourth-level master.
Therefore, when you are not strong enough, you have to endure it.
What's more, Wu Yuan must worry about the safety of his relatives.
"Wu Yuan, you don't have to worry too much. There are many things involved in the martial arts competition, and General Xu may not dare to intervene." Wu Qiming said softly: "Inviting us to the banquet may be for other things."
Wu Yuan nodded without refuting.
Other things?
The possibility is too small!
"Let's go, don't arrive too late." Wu Qiming motioned to the coachman not far away and slowly drove the carriage to him.
call!
Wu Yuan tiptoed and jumped into the carriage.
With a hint of worry on his face, Wu Qiming climbed onto the carriage step by step along the stool. As the leader of the clan, he had to maintain the proper manners.
…
Xu Mansion is magnificent and brightly lit.
As a lower-status guest, Wu Qiming consciously took Wu Yuan to arrive early without any difficulty as expected. The butler of the Xu Mansion politely led them to the last table and served them tea and cakes.
As time passed, guests came and went like clouds, and important people who were rarely seen in Licheng arrived one after another.
at last.
Even the county guards and county magistrates came, and General Xu also came out to greet them personally.
This banquet allowed Wu Yuan to truly see the level of the 'upper class' in this world.
The dance music is overwhelming, and the singer is seductive but not charming.
A variety of delicacies that are rarely seen on the street are also constantly on display.
Such a luxurious and lavish banquet made even Wu Qiming, the patriarch of the clan, feel a little restrained. It was beyond his imagination. Even the annual celebration of the head of the Wu family was not as good as today.
However, Wu Yuan didn't care much.
The further he went, the more drowsy Wu Yuan became, because in his previous life he had seen dance music that was a hundred times more exquisite and participated in banquets that were ten times more luxurious.
"This world is far better than the ancient dynasties. This is just a county and a city with a population of millions. However, no matter how luxurious and vast it is, it may not be able to match the super network celebration formed through the 'Yuan Universe'." Wu Yuan
Sit on the sidelines.
The song ends and everyone disperses.
The banquet lasted until night. Wu Yuan and Wu Qiming finally received a separate invitation from the housekeeper and went to the side hall to talk.
Both of them understood that it was coming!
The Xu Mansion covers an area of dozens of acres. There are rockery corridors, waterside pavilions and pavilions around the mansion. But the deeper you go, the simpler the decorations become, and the more solemn the feeling of a military formation.
"Clan Chief Wu, Mr. Wu, please come this way." The gentle-faced 'Butler Xu' wearing a purple robe led the two of them.
Enter the side hall.
Unlike the hustle and bustle in the front hall, it is quite quiet here.
"Wu Qiming, I paid my respects to General Xu and met with Dean Zhang." Wu Qiming first saluted respectfully, then stood up and bowed slightly.
Wu Yuan followed suit.
The only thing that surprised Wu Yuan was that the dean of the martial arts academy was actually here.
"Clan Chief Wu, you're welcome, please sit down."
General Xu's voice is like a bell, his figure is burly, and his face is 80% similar to Xu Yuanhan's.
Although he was wearing regular clothes, Wu Yuan felt that invisible aura like a ferocious beast, more terrifying than Zhang Da, the dean of the martial arts academy beside him!
Hengyun Zongzong Law: Only fourth-grade warriors and above can serve as the garrison general of a county or town.
Thirteen states in Middle-earth, ninth level of martial arts!
The ninth, eighth and seventh grades are collectively called "warriors", and ordinary people can reach them by tempering their muscles and bones.
The sixth grade can be called a martial artist, which is considered to have truly entered the door of martial arts.
Reaching the level of fifth grade means entering the mainstream. Looking at any place in the world, one can be called a ‘master of the mainstream’!
As for the fourth-grade warrior?
"When I was at my peak in my previous life, I was probably not even as good as General Xu in terms of pure physical fitness." This thought flashed through Wu Yuan's mind.
Physically, humans in Middle-earth are much stronger, and an adult man can easily weigh a thousand pounds.
"I have always heard that the martial arts academy has a martial arts genius who has 'enlightened' this year, and I finally got to see him today." General Xu smiled, his eyes falling on Wu Yuan.
"In front of the general, you don't dare to call yourself a genius." Wu Qiming continued.
"Brother Wu, there is no need to be modest. Among the martial arts disciples I have seen over the years, Wu Yuan ranks at the top." Zhang Da, an old man in black robes beside him, said with a smile.
"Dean Zhang taught me well," Wu Qiming said.
"Master brings me in. Cultivation depends on the individual. Without Wu Yuan's own efforts, I wouldn't be able to teach him even if I wanted to." Dean Zhang said with a smile.
Wu Qiming became more and more confused as he listened.
It is a fact that Wu Yuan's talent in martial arts is dazzling, especially in the past month or so, the speed of improvement has been simply terrifying.
However, no matter how talented he is, he has not yet reached the level of a sixth-grade martial artist. He is far from worthy of being a guarding general. He is praised by the dean of the martial arts academy one after another!
Notice.
These two are both true martial arts experts!
"General Xu, Dean Zhang." Wu Qiming said with a slightly flattering smile: "I am afraid that Wu Yuan and I are called here this time because there is something important, so feel free to tell us."
He asked straight to the point.
"Okay, then I'll tell you the truth." Dean Zhang said with a hint of solemnity on his face: "This year's martial arts competition is about to be held. With Wu Yuan's strength, there is a great hope to win the first place and then be promoted to the Yunwu Palace.
Practice.”
"It's just that when you enter Yunwu Palace now, you will only be an ordinary disciple."
"And next year will be the 300th anniversary of the founding of our 'Hengyun Sect', which is extremely important to the sect."
"Therefore, I have discussed with General Xu and the county guard, hoping that Wu Yuan you can give up this year's competition and practice in the county Zongwu Academy for one more year! One year later, your strength will definitely be stronger than now, and you are fully expected to be able to compete in the Zhuzong Military Academy.
In the county competition, we will compete for the 'No. 1 in the Four Prefectures'. When the time comes, entering the Yunwu Hall with the top spot will be the glory of the entire city! You will also get more training resources, which is quite suitable for you."
Dean Zhang’s attitude is sincere.
The disciples who come first in the martial arts competitions from various places will compete again after entering the 'Yunwu Hall', which is called the 'competition between counties'.
The so-called Four Prefectures refer to the four prefectures that the Hengyun Sect once commanded.
Winning the first place means that the most outstanding disciples recruited by Yunwu Palace in a year will naturally attract much attention, and it is also the sect's 300th anniversary.
Dean Zhang’s words are high-sounding.
But how could Wu Qiming and Wu Yuan not understand the deeper meaning?
Hengyun Zong's law: Those over sixteen years old are not allowed to enter the Yunwu Hall.
And Xu Yuanhan is fifteen years old this year.
If it was really just for Wu Yuan's good, why did he invite the two people to the Xu Mansion for the banquet? Why did the guarding general need to come forward? It should be noted that according to the law, the general's mansion cannot interfere in the affairs of the Wuyuan.
All this was just to use the power of the banquet to make Wu Qiming and Wu Yuan feel in awe and not dare to refuse easily.
"Dean Zhang."
Wu Qiming gritted his teeth and lowered his head and said: "It's not that Wu Yuan doesn't want to bring glory to the Wuyuan, but his family is from a poor family, and my Wu family is also a small family, so it is difficult to fully support me. Without external resources, even if I practice in the Wuyuan for a year, it will be difficult.
To compete for the first place in the four palaces, it is better to enter the Yunwu Palace this year. When I grow up in the future, it will be the same glory for me to leave the city."
Wu Yuan looked at Wu Qiming in shock. How dare the clan leader refuse?
"You don't believe me?" Zhang Da's eyes narrowed slightly and his breath changed slightly.
There were faint drops of sweat on Wu Qiming's forehead, and he felt as if a tiger was staring at him.
"It's not that I don't believe it, it's just that if I don't advance in my martial arts practice, I will retreat. Entering the Yunwu Palace a year later will have a great impact on Wu Yuan." Wu Qiming was heartbroken.
He knew he would be in big trouble if he refused.
But in his heart, Wu Yuan's future is more important!
"Clan Chief Wu has far-reaching plans for Wu Yuan, and Xu admires him." General Xu spoke with a gentle voice: "However, Wu Yuan is trying to bring glory to Licheng, and everyone in Licheng will not ignore Wu Yuan's efforts and will give five thousand taels of silver as a gift.
To provide for Wu Yuan’s cultivation needs this year.”
As he spoke, General Xu glanced aside.
"Creak~" The side door opened, and a servant respectfully presented a large stack of banknotes. Each banknote was marked "One Hundred Liang" and the word "Stars" was marked on the corner to prevent counterfeiting.
Five thousand taels? Wu Qiming's breath suffocated!
Wu Yuan's eyes also moved slightly.
If the Wu family's houses in Licheng were to be combined together, they would have to sell off their property if they wanted to raise such a huge sum of money.
This is a huge sum of money!
"Wu Yuan, are you willing?" General Xu looked directly at Wu Yuan.