Chapter 569 Arrives as expected
The next morning, Qin Ming arrived in Luoyang City.

Along with the "Three Heroes of the Qin Family" and other disciples, there came a fat middle-aged man with a noble air.

This man was named Duan Tianhong. He was the owner of Duanjiabao in Hexi. He specialized in raising military horses for the Mongols and was therefore well-known in the Hexi area.

Being from the same place in Hexi, the Qin family and the Duan family have always kept to themselves. Although Qin Ming and Duan Tianhong cannot be said to have a deep friendship, they still exchange gifts during festivals and holidays, so they can be considered to have known each other for a while and have some feelings for each other.

Since Duan Tianhong and Luo Tianjin are old friends, he was invited by Qin Ming to come to Luoyang City to accompany him.

Qin Ming's purpose of inviting Duan Tianhong to join him was actually very simple.

First, the relationship between Luo Tianjin and Qin Ming is very delicate, like an enemy but not an enemy, like a friend but not a friend. Therefore, if there is no middleman to mediate, I am afraid that the two sides will not know how to start when they meet.

Secondly, Qin Ming was a stranger in a foreign land, and Luoyang City was Luo Tianjin's territory after all. If they didn't agree on what to say and a stalemate was formed, it would be disadvantageous to him. Therefore, Duan Tianhong acted as a peacemaker to ease the conflict between the two families, so as to avoid making things irreversible.

Because of this, even though Duan Tianhong was unwilling to wade into this muddy water, he could not resist Qin Ming's repeated invitations and had to bite the bullet and go with him.

Upon receiving the news, Luo Tianjin led Xie Xuan, Yan Bugui and others to welcome them outside the mansion with ceremony and music, with great pomp and sincerity.

At noon, the Qin family's cavalry slowly approached the Prince Xian's palace.

"Master Qin's presence brings honor to our humble residence!"

Luo Tianjin was in high spirits, calm and composed, and he bowed to Qin Ming who was climbing up the stairs.

Hearing this, Qin Ming subconsciously quickened his pace and at the same time bowed his hands and agreed: "Thank you, leader Luo, for coming to greet me personally. Qin is unworthy of it!"

After saying this, he looked around at the ceremonial music and drums outside the palace gate and said humbly, "How dare a mere Qin trouble the leader of the Luo Alliance to treat me with such courtesy?"

"Hey!" Luo Tianjin pretended to be displeased and said, "This is the first time that Lord Qin is visiting the Xianwang Mansion. How can I fail to fulfill my duty as a host? If I neglect the friends of the Qin family, even if Lord Qin doesn't mind, I'm sure the heroes of the world won't agree."

Having said this, Luo Tianjin smiled and asked Duan Tianhong who was standing beside him: "Brother Duan, is that right?"

There was no need for pleasantries when they met, but they started joking with each other, which showed that the relationship between Luo Tianjin and Duan Tianhong was extraordinary.

"Brother Luo, what you said is absolutely right!" Duan Tianhong took the opportunity to continue the conversation and laughed out loud.

"Alliance Master Luo, Castle Master Duan, you two are too kind to me, Qin."

"Prepare some light wine, and go in and rest quickly!"

After saying that, Luo Tianjin enthusiastically grabbed Qin Ming's arm, linked their arms around each other, and walked towards the mansion like brothers.

To outsiders who don't know the truth, they would think that Luo Tianjin and Qin Ming are two close friends who haven't seen each other for a long time.

At this time, four tables of food and wine had been set up in the central hall, with unicorn livers and phoenix marrow, mountain skins and aquatic animals, fine wines, and delicious delicacies.

There are all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, as well as ivory chopsticks and jade cups. Seeing their colors, smelling their fragrances, and tasting their flavors can't help but whet your appetite and make you salivate.

At first glance, every dish is prepared with great effort and every pot of wine is of great value.

Qin Ming was a man who had seen the world, but even so, he was still deeply moved by the luxury before him, and secretly sighed in his heart: "It is said that the Xianwang Mansion burns incense and arranges tripods, and cooks jade and gold. Seeing it today, it is indeed well-deserved."

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats as host and guest.

At the main table, in addition to Luo Tianjin, Duan Tianhong and Qin Ming, there were Qin Da, Qin Er and Qin San from the Qin family, and Xie Xuan, Liu Xunyi and Qin Ku from the Xianwang Mansion.

According to the rules, Liu Xunyi and Qin Ku were not qualified to sit at the table. But Luo Tianjin had said before that he wanted to let Liu and Qin handle Qin Ming, so he called them to the main table for introduction.

"I left Huashan in a hurry that day, and I didn't have time to congratulate Lord Luo for taking the position of the leader of the martial arts world." Qin Ming raised his glass and said loudly, "Today, Qin borrows flowers to offer to Buddha, and first toasts Lord Luo to show congratulations!"

"Okay!" Luo Tianjin said, "Thanks to the kindness of Palace Master Qin, I will also offer a glass of wine. I hope that our two families will put aside our past grudges and rebuild our alliance!"

After a few drinks, the atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively.

"This banquet is specially arranged by my mansion master to welcome the master Qin and the master Duan. You two must drink to your heart's content and don't be too restrained." Xie Xuan said respectfully, "Come on, come on, I will toast you two again."

"Thank you!" Qin Ming drank it all in one gulp, then cast a complicated look at Qin Ku who was eating, and then turned to Luo Tianjin and said, "My nephew is born naughty and unruly. Now that he has joined the Xianwang Mansion, I believe he has caused a lot of trouble for Alliance Leader Luo."

Hearing this, Qin Ku's movements suddenly froze, and he spat the chewed meat and vegetables back into the plate. He slowly raised his head, staring at Qin Ming, who seemed to be smiling, with a gloomy face, and wanted to refute him, but Liu Xunyi held his arm first, signaling him to calm down and restrain himself.

"My eldest brother didn't discipline Qin Ku strictly, which made him rebellious since he was young." Qin Ming spoke again, "If not, he wouldn't have run away from home and done such stupid things as betraying his ancestors and killing his elders."

Everyone present was not a fool, and anyone could clearly hear the hidden meaning behind Qin Ming's words.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, Qin Ku, who could no longer bear it, put the wine glass heavily on the table. The noisy hall immediately became silent and the atmosphere gradually became weird.

"Ha ha……"

Luo Tianjin smiled calmly and said nonchalantly: "Qin Ku is a rare talent, young, with great martial arts skills, and... very loyal. He was forced to fight Qin Tianjiu at Huashan that day. Here, I apologize to the Lord of Qin Mansion on his behalf." "Master Luo, don't worry. In fact, Qin came here today not to investigate the matter of Huashan, but to ask about "Xuanshui Volume 2"..."

"puff!"

Before Qin Ming could finish his words, Luo Tianjin's face suddenly froze and blood spurted out of his mouth.

Seeing this, Qin Ming was stunned and said in astonishment: "Alliance Master Luo, what are you doing..."

Facing Qin Ming's surprise, Luo Tianjin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeves and said self-deprecatingly: "I have not recovered from the battle at Huashan. I was inevitably excited to meet you today and drank a few more cups. Unexpectedly, my old injury relapsed, which made... ahem... made Palace Master Qin laugh."

Having said this, Luo Tianjin began to cough violently, and Xie Xuan hurriedly handed him a handkerchief.

After coughing a few times, a streak of bright red appeared on the snow-white handkerchief.

"Master, your injury..."

Upon seeing this scene, everyone in the Xianwang Mansion was shocked and worried, and they all asked Luo Tianjin about his well-being. The central hall suddenly became chaotic.

The sudden change completely interrupted Qin Ming's speech that he had been preparing for a long time. He sat at the table in a daze, looking at the people who were busy and confused. For a moment, he didn't know whether to go forward or retreat, and he felt very embarrassed.

"Help the Lord to rest, and then call the doctor."

At Xie Xuan's command, everyone quickly agreed and tried to help Luo Tianjin up.

"and many more!"

Luo Tianjin's weak voice sounded quietly. Under Qin Ming's stunned gaze, he slowly pushed everyone away, forced a smile on his pale face, and said bitterly: "Master Qin, please forgive me. I have a sudden internal injury and I am afraid I can't accompany you..."

"Where? Alliance Leader Luo's health is of great concern."

"I'm ashamed." Luo Tianjin said ashamedly, "Palace Master Qin has finally come to Luoyang City. I wanted to open my heart to you and talk freely, but unexpectedly..." Before he finished speaking, he coughed violently again.

"There is still a long way to go, Brother Luo, why are you in such a hurry?" Duan Tianhong was worried and quickly advised, "Take care of yourself first, and we can discuss other things another day."

"That's right!" Seeing Luo Tianjin's blurry eyes and shaky face, Qin Ming was dissatisfied, but he couldn't say much at this moment. He could only agree reluctantly, "Your health is important. You can't delay. Please go down and rest."

"That... Xunyi..." Luo Tianjin held on to his last bit of energy, his eyes searching among the crowd, finally landing on Liu Xunyi, and admonished, "Take good care of Palace Master Qin for me, if you neglect him, I will never forgive you easily..."

"Yes, sir!" Liu Xunyi understood and immediately bowed to accept the order.

"So... cough cough..." While speaking, Luo Tianjin coughed up a large mouthful of blood and said intermittently, "Palace Master Qin, let me catch my breath for a while, and I will talk to you later. I apologize for the poor reception!"

"Alliance Master Luo, please come in!"

In the chaos, Luo Tianjin was helped out of the hall by Xie Xuan and others, leaving behind the Qin family members looking at each other in bewilderment, and Duan Tianhong with an embarrassed look in his eyes.

"Palace Master Qin!" Liu Xunyi bowed to Qin Ming to apologize, "Palace Master Qin is feeling unwell occasionally, I hope you will forgive me."

"It doesn't matter."

Qin Ming's attitude towards Liu Xunyi was far less gentle than his attitude towards Luo Tianjin. He sat back at the table expressionlessly, completely ignoring Liu Xunyi's greetings, and started eating and drinking.

Seeing this, Qin Da called out to everyone, and the Qin family disciples were no longer polite. They ate voraciously and cleaned up the table of dishes.

"Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask what brings Master Qin to my humble residence?" After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Liu Xunyi took the opportunity to test the waters, "I wonder if I can help you?"

"You can't help." Facing Liu Xunyi's compliment, Qin Ming didn't even blink, and said coldly, "After Alliance Leader Luo recovers from his injury, it won't be too late for this Palace Master to discuss it with him."

"Palace Master Qin also saw that the Northern Sage King was seriously injured. I'm afraid he won't be able to recover in a short time..."

"No problem!" Qin Ming seemed to have anticipated Liu Xunyi's refusal, so he showed contempt and sneered, "Qin has plenty of time, whether it's ten days, half a month, or a year or two, I will wait for him."

"This..." Liu Xunyi was secretly shocked and speechless for a moment.

"Don't worry! I won't stay in the Xianwang Mansion to eat and drink for free." Qin Ming stood up slowly and said confidently, "Fort Lord Duan has a house in the east of Luoyang City, which I have bought with a large sum of money. Therefore, Qin will live in his own house and wait for good news from Lord Luo."

After saying that, Qin Ming swept his proud gaze over Liu Xunyi and Qin Ku, then turned and walked out of the hall.

"correct!"

When he reached the door, Qin Ming suddenly stopped and said without turning his head, "Tell Alliance Leader Luo for me to rest and recover from his injuries. Don't worry. Qin is very patient and can wait slowly."

After saying that, Qin Ming laughed loudly towards the sky, and under Liu Xunyi's solemn gaze, he led his men out of Prince Xian's Mansion in a mighty manner.

……

(End of this chapter)