Chapter 382 Half of the Wulin
"The head of the White Horse Hall, Xue Huzi is here!"

"The leader of Qingfeng Village, Ma Rufeng is here!"

"Happy Lin's boss, Yin Sanda is here!"

On the fifth day of May, early in the morning, there was already a lot of traffic and noise in front of Prince Xian’s palace.

The heroes of Jianghu who received the invitation came from all directions. Qing Zhishan Luoqi, the head of the Xianwang Mansion, led the crowd to welcome the heroes outside the mansion gate. Everyone who came and went greeted each other and called each other brothers. The scene was very lively.

Following three shouts, Luo Qi, who was busy with socializing, hurried down the stairs and greeted the three people who came in a hurry with a smile.

"It is a great honor for my humble abode to have you three here. The Palace Master has been waiting for a long time, please come and greet us!"

"We are all family, there is no need to be polite, Mr. Luo!"

Xue Huzi put his arm around Luo Qi's neck and said affectionately, "Let's bring some things to Old Four. Please ask Old Luo to find someone to move them in."

After saying that, Xue Huzi pointed back and saw seven or eight carriages lined up under the archway, loaded with copper-clad wooden boxes. Without asking, he knew that there must be countless gold, silver, jewelry, fairy grass and Ganoderma lucidum.

Luo Qi pretended to be displeased and said, "The three heads of the family asked me not to be polite, but you are so polite! The Palace Master said that the three of you coming to the Xianwang Palace is like going home. Who in the world would go home with gifts?"

Ma Rufeng joked, "Mr. Luo is wrong! You can eat and drink for free anywhere in the world, but you can't go home empty-handed. Hehe... Today, the fourth brother is hosting a banquet for heroes from all walks of life. We three brothers can't help much, so we might as well chip in some money to help the fourth brother."

"This……"

"What's this? Find someone to move in!"

Yin Sandao urged in a careless manner, and without waiting for Luo Qi to reply, he, Xue Huzi and Ma Rufeng strode towards the mansion.

The three of them were familiar with the route and acted spontaneously, without needing anyone to serve them. It really was like returning to their own home.

"Shaolin Abbot, Master Xuanming is here!"

"Master of Wudang, Taoist Qingfeng has arrived!"

Another shout immediately woke Luo Qi from his emotion. He hurriedly tidied his clothes, put on a happy look, and trotted towards Xuanming and Qingfeng who were approaching slowly.

"The Xianwang Mansion Qing Zhi Shan Luo Qi respectfully welcomes Shaolin Abbot Xuanming and Wudang Taoist Priest Qingfeng!"

When he got closer, Luo Qi hurriedly bowed to Xuanming and Qingfeng, and performed the ceremony with great respect.

"Where is Tian Jin?" Qing Feng frowned and asked unhappily, "Why didn't he come out to greet us in person?"

"This……"

"Hey!" Xuanming waved his hand and said with a smile, "Master Luo and I are friends of gentlemen, there is no need to be formal!"

"We are sorry for the poor hospitality at Prince Xian's Mansion. I hope you two seniors will forgive us." Luo Qi knew that Qingfeng deliberately blamed him in order to please Xuanming, so he did not say much. He just nodded and bowed to apologize repeatedly, and then he personally led the two into the mansion.

"Kunlun Sect, Master Yin is here!"

"Kongtong Sect, Sect Leader Zhongli has arrived!"

While they were talking, Yin Baimei and Zhongli Mu came with their men respectively.

Accompanying them today was the second elder of Kunlun Sect, Yin Hefeng. As for the third elder, Leng Kongyang, because he secretly communicated with Jin Fuyu and slandered Luo Tianjin when he was in Jiangzhou, he was punished by Yin Baimei to face the wall for three months, and now he is reflecting on his mistakes in Kunlun Mountain.

Zhongli Mu brought his wife and daughter with him as always. Mrs. Zhuang was originally a person of the underworld, so there was nothing wrong with her attending this party. Zhongli Wanying had always been the apple of the eye of the Zhongli couple's eyes, so no matter where they went, they would bring their daughter with them, fearing that she would suffer any grievances if they didn't see her for a day.

In addition, Kongtong also sent people including Xun Zaishan, Zhou Mu and other disciples.

"Dad, what big day is today? Why is Prince Xian's Mansion so bustling?" Zhongli Wanying looked at the bustling Prince Xian's Mansion, and a hint of suspicion appeared in her beautiful big eyes.

"Everyone who receives the invitation is a close friend of the Northern Sage King." Zhongli Mu said with a smile, "Today's banquet is not simple. Whether the Northern Sage King can sit on the throne of the leader of the martial arts world on September 9th, today's banquet is crucial."

"Is it extremely important?" Zhongli Wanying was confused and turned her curious gaze to Madam Zhuang, asking curiously, "Mother, why is this happening?"

"Why are there so many questions? As a girl, just stay in your proper place and behave yourself. The affairs of the underworld have nothing to do with you." Mrs. Zhuang looked stern and her words were very harsh.

Zhongli Wanying didn't dare to contradict him, and could only stick out her tongue. She looked around, as if she was looking for someone, and hesitantly asked, "Dad, Mom, why don't I see the brothers from Qingcheng Sect today?"

Among the six major sects, Kongtong and Qingcheng have always been close friends. Therefore, Zhongli Wanying is quite familiar with the disciples of Qingcheng Sect.

"The Qingcheng Sect will not come today." Zhongli Mu replied with a hint of meaning, "Not only will the Qingcheng Sect not come, but the Emei Sect will not come either. Ying'er, remember, after you enter the Xianwang Mansion, you must not mention Qingcheng or Emei Sect again."

"Why..."

"Still asking!"

Before Zhongli Wanying could finish her words, Madam Zhuang suddenly shouted at her, instantly killing her curiosity.

"Master Zhongli, I haven't seen you for a long time. How have you been recently?" Yin Baimei walked closer and bowed to Zhongli Mu in greeting.

"Thanks to Master Yin, my old bones are barely strong enough." Zhong Limu was startled when he heard the voice, and immediately put away the thoughtful expression on his brows, replacing it with a bohemian and playful look. His eyes rolled around, looking up and down at Yin Baimei, and said with a sly smile, "Master Yin looks ruddy and vigorous, and he is getting stronger with age. Hehe... If this continues, Master Yin will win again in no time."

Zhongli Mu's joke made Yin Baimei extremely embarrassed, but he knew that Zhongli Mu was uninhibited and unrestrained in his words, so he was not angry, but just laughed to ease the embarrassment. "Master Zhongli, please!"

"Master Yin, please go first!"

As they laughed and talked, the two of them seemed like old friends who had been close for many years. They held hands and walked towards the Prince Xian's palace together.

"Hedong Sihai Gang, Gang Leader Sha is here!"

"Guazhou Juxian Manor, Master Cui has arrived!"

"Yongzhou Wanhuang Fort, the master of Wanhuang Fort has arrived!"

"Enzhou Golden Spear Mansion, the head of the Xu family has arrived!"

"Yizhou Miao Quan Sect, the Miao Sect Master is here!"

"Luzhou Gan family, Senior Gan is here!"

……

With loud shouts, almost all the prominent figures in the martial arts world north of Qinhuai arrived. There were dozens of groups of people, big and small, covering eight out of ten sects and families in the northern martial arts world.

The reason why they were able to become a dominant force in the martial arts world was because of the protection of the Xianwang Mansion. Therefore, these people all followed the lead of the Northern Xianwang and obeyed his orders.

Luo Tianjin is known as the "Northern Sage King" by the people in the martial arts world. If you ask him what the foundation he has built with more than 20 years of hard work is, today's Dragon Boat Festival banquet is the best interpretation of the huge power and extensive network of the Sage King's Mansion.

Today's banquet brought together half of the Central Plains martial arts world. Their power, financial strength, numbers, and influence north of Qinhuai River were far beyond the reach of the imperial court.

In troubled times, the government is not clear, the laws are unclear, all industries are abandoned, and the people are living in misery. As a result, disasters and chaos follow each other, killings occur everywhere, everyone seeks a way to survive, heroes coexist, and the power of the underworld can be unprecedentedly spread and strengthened.

Therefore, both the Song Dynasty and the Mongolian court flocked to the Central Plains martial arts world and were eager to seek the Northern Sage King. The root cause was that Luo Tianjin, who was now in control of a huge force, far exceeded the former Jianghu gangsters, and was comparable to a country within a country, a huge threat. How could the court not spend all its efforts to recruit him for its own use?
It took a whole morning just to welcome the guests. By the time all the guests arrived, it was almost noon.

The red sun is overhead, shining with golden rays, reflecting the close ties within Prince Xian's mansion, and the group of people from the martial arts world who are as close as family and have a close relationship with Jin Lan.

Today, Luo Tianjin set up more than a hundred banquet tables inside and outside the central hall, with a variety of delicacies from land and sea, fine dishes and delicious wines, too numerous to mention, to entertain heroes from all walks of life, which shows his hospitality and wide circle of friends.

At noon, after much anticipation, Luo Tianjin, dressed in a snow-white brocade robe, slowly appeared in front of everyone, surrounded by Ling Xiaoxiao, Xie Xuan, Luo Hongxuan, Luo Ningyu and others.

Luo Tianjin was elegant and graceful, and powerful. At this moment, he was full of joy and happiness. Not only had he been looking forward to today's banquet for a long time, but he was also overjoyed at the grand occasion of having so many distinguished guests and good friends.

"Meet the Northern Sage King!"

As soon as Luo Tianjin appeared, nearly a thousand guests stood up and bowed to him.

"You all took the time out of your busy schedule to come here. It is a great honor for the Xianwang Mansion and for Luo!" Luo Tianjin bowed and said in return, "You all have come a long way, and I hope you will forgive me for not welcoming you. Please forgive me!"

Facing the public, Luo Tianjin behaved calmly and composed, neither humble nor arrogant, as if he had long been accustomed to such grand scenes where he could dominate the world and command the support of hundreds of people.

Luo Tianjin greeted the people on his left and right in an orderly manner, then spread his arms and said in a clear voice: "Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Luo has prepared some wine and would like to climb the mountain with you and soar across the sea! Please take a seat!"

"Thanks for sitting down!"

Everyone thanked him in unison and took their seats one after another. The noisy scene gradually quieted down. Facing the table full of delicious food, no one picked up their chopsticks. They all looked at Luo Tianjin without blinking, as if waiting for something.

"Lord Luo!"

Suddenly, Qingfeng broke the silence and said straight to the point: "Before entering the mansion, a friend from the martial arts world asked me something. Unfortunately, I am not very knowledgeable and can't answer his question. I hope that Lord Luo can give me some advice."

At this moment, only Luo Tianjin's father-in-law Qingfeng dared to speak. Of course, there were some things that only he was best suited to ask.

"I'd like to hear the details!" Luo Tianjin knew Qingfeng's thoughts very well, but he pretended to be ignorant and asked curiously, "May I ask Taoist Qingfeng to teach me!"

In public, Luo Tianjin and Qingfeng never addressed each other as father-in-law and son-in-law, so as to avoid giving people a chance to talk and causing unwarranted suspicion.

"Rumor has it that the relationship between Lord Luo and Lord Jueqing Valley's Xiao Zhirou... seems a little unclear?" Qingfeng pondered, "For this reason, you once went to Jiangzhou in person to help Jueqing Valley resolve the crisis. I wonder if this is true or not?"

Qingfeng revealed the secret in one sentence, which immediately attracted a lot of attention.

However, Luo Tianjin was prepared for this. He nodded calmly and smiled, "It's true that I went to Jiangzhou in person. It's also true that I helped Jueqing Valley resolve a crisis. But it's also true that my relationship with Jueqing Valley Master Xiao Zhirou is unclear, then..."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts were in their throats, staring at Luo Tianjin with curious eyes, like a group of curious people, expecting a sensational and shocking secret.

Qingfeng, Xuanming, Yin Baimei, and Zhonglimu all looked solemn and eager. Ling Xiaoxiao, Luo Hongxuan, Luo Ningyu and the others were even more nervous, and were secretly sweating.

Luo Tianjin's eyes were complicated, and the calm smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by an indescribable shyness.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Luo Tianjin remained silent for a long time, struggling inwardly, before he slowly spoke insincerely: "Xiao Zhirou and I have never met before. If anyone says that I have any connection with her, it must be... hearsay, nonsense."

……

(End of this chapter)