That happened to be the day when Chu Zhaozhao, relying on various connections and spending a lot of money, received the task from others to go to Wuling City to help collect the corpse of his old uncle.
At that time, Chu Zhaozhao was very proud and thought that as long as he could do this well and please his junior uncle, he might be able to enter the inner gate of Qingque Peak through this relationship.
Therefore, I wrote a letter and gave it to my grandfather so that he could rest and recuperate without being so tired.
And apparently the great grandfather of his family told other people in the clan about this.
Then the letter I sent a few days ago mentioned that there might be an important event that could help the family tide over the difficulties.
In addition, the tribesman who came to see me yesterday noticed that there were faint fluctuations of sword intention all over his body, so he naturally saw that he had used the art of observing swords and nourishing his intention.
And this method was born for the Yaoguang Sword Pool. Using this method means getting the spirit sword. At least in the minds of most people, they would not think that anyone would leave the spirit sword in the Yaoguang Sword Pool.
No, go find a rusty sword as a weapon.
So a wonderful misunderstanding occurred.
Chu Zhaozhao, who was originally hesitant to tell his grandfather about the rusty sword, was already riding a tiger.
Today, all the big and small families in Wancheng are here to express their congratulations. If the whole thing is revealed at this juncture, both Chu Zhaozhao and the Chu family will become the laughing stock.
Regardless of whether it was done voluntarily or not, Chu Zhaozhao had to finish this scene at this moment.
She realized this, with a bitter expression on her face, and almost instinctively looked back at Chu Qingxiao.
Chu Qingxiao was also shocked by this, but now that it was a done deal, they seemed to have no other choice.
…
"Sister Zhaozhao!" As soon as he walked into the main room, several figures surrounded him.
Most of the five or six people looked young, the youngest was only in his early ten years, and the oldest was in his twenties.
Several young children surrounded Chu Zhaozhao, looking very excited.
Chu Zhaozhao, who had always looked gloomy since he knew the purpose of the banquet, saw a rare smile on the faces of several people.
"They are all children of the Second Courtyard. Due to an accident more than ten years ago, the young men of the Second Courtyard passed away one after another within four or five years, leaving only these children. They have indeed suffered some grievances in the Chu family over the years."
Chu Yanjun introduced it in Chu Qingxiao's ear at the right time.
Chu Qingxiao nodded. Although Chu Yanjun said it lightly, he could probably imagine how children without elders would be treated in such a big family.
He looked carefully and saw that these children were all wearing beautiful clothes, but some of them obviously did not fit, and they were all brand new. He secretly guessed in his heart that it was probably because he knew the news that Chu Zhaozhao had obtained the spirit sword that these children had obtained the spirit sword.
I admire the clothes I bought in a hurry.
The saying that a person attains enlightenment and a chicken or a dog ascends to heaven is referring to the scene in front of him.
"Sister Zhaozhao, where's the doll you promised to buy me last time?" At this time, an eleven or twelve-year-old girl suddenly pulled Chu Zhaozhao's feet and asked expectantly.
Chu Zhaozhao would go home every New Year and buy some clothes and dolls as gifts for the children in the second hospital. These were probably the only things these children could look forward to throughout the year.
When Chu Zhaozhao heard this, he smiled bitterly and said, "I was in a hurry to go home this time. I will remember to make up for it next time."
Hearing this, the children couldn't help but look disappointed.
"Okay, don't pester Zhaozhao. I'll take you out to the street after dinner." At this time, a steady voice came.
Chu Zhaozhao looked up and saw a young man in his early twenties looking at her with a smile.
The young man was wearing washed white clothes and looked mature. He whispered: "Zhao Zhao."
"Brother from the Lu Yun clan." Chu Zhaozhao saw the other party's appearance clearly, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Chu Luyun, the child adopted by the Second Courtyard in the early years, Zhaozhao has been cultivating in Tianxuan Mountain these years. The Second Courtyard relies on him alone to support him. He is a good person, but he doesn't talk a lot." Chu Yanjun spoke timely again.
"Go and get busy. Grandpa and the others are waiting for you. We'll wait for a while when you're free." Chu Luyun said this.
As he spoke, he also pulled back the children surrounding Chu Zhaozhao.
Chu Zhaozhao glanced at him gratefully and was about to walk into the main room, but at this moment, a large group of people came up.
Among them were peers from the same clan who had disliked Chu Zhaozhao in the past and even deliberately made things difficult for him, as well as many young people from various families in Wancheng.
After gathering around, the group of people either got close to each other or introduced themselves enthusiastically. The scene was as chaotic and noisy as a vegetable market.
After all, although there are many disciples who practice the art of observing swords and nourishing the mind in Tianxuan Mountain, only one in a hundred can enter the inner gate, and only one in ten can be recognized by the spirit sword in the Yaoguang Sword Pool, even if it is a sword.
The lowest quality spiritual sword in the pool is favored.
This will also give Tianxuan Mountain a large amount of resources. Apart from that, it will not be too difficult to become a seventh-level warrior in the future.
For a place like Wancheng, the Seventh Realm warrior is someone that almost everyone needs to look up to, and this does not include the various connections brought by being the mainstay of Tianxuan Mountain.
Being on good terms with Chu Zhaozhao would be of great help to them personally and to the family behind them.
Chu Zhaozhao had never seen such a scene before. His already confused mind became more and more turbulent with everyone's words, and his face turned pale for a moment.
But Chu Yanjun on the side just thought that Chu Zhaozhao was not good at dealing with this scene, so he hurriedly stopped in front of those guys, laughed with everyone, persuaded them to retreat, and then led Chu Qingxiao and others to the main room.
the center of.
"This is Zhaozhao, indeed, he looks extraordinary."
"At the age of eighteen, you can be favored by the Tianxuan Mountain Spirit Sword. Mr. Chu is also a good teacher." Just when I walked to the front of the main room, I heard a middle-aged man say this.
On the main seat, a white-haired old man's face was glowing. Hearing this, he waved his hands and smiled and said: "Brother Zhu, I have worked hard on my own. I have worked hard for twelve years to be where I am today. The old man didn't help me."
What's the matter?"
"That is Grandpa Chu Zhuang. The man who spoke is called Zhu Haocun. He is the county magistrate who has just arrived under the county magistrate. Xu County Magistrate had something to do and was unable to be here today, so he sent him to congratulate him." Chu Yanjun on the side whispered.
He said in Chu Qingxiao's ear, performing his duties.
"Zhaozhao, and your friends, please take a seat together!" Chu Zhuang also stood up at this time and looked at Chu Zhaozhao with a smile on his face.
Chu Zhaozhao looked hesitant. She wanted to tell the other party the truth, but looking at the smile on the old man's face, she couldn't say the words hanging on her lips.
He could only nod his head and follow Chu Yanjun's guidance to sit down at the table.
The place where they sit is very particular.
Normally, Chu Zhaozhao was just a junior, and would probably be able to sit very far back at such a banquet. But now, Chu Zhaozhao's position is arranged at the first place on the left, and Chu Qingxiao and others have also taken advantage of her.
Light, the seats are just below her, arranged one by one.
The first seat on the right is Zhu Haocun, who represents the county magistrate. Below him is an old man with a capable appearance. According to Chu Yanjun, that person is the helmsman of the third hospital and Chu Xian, Chu Yanjun's grandfather.
Chu Zhaozhao, the host of today's banquet, was seated in the corner. The main room, which had been a little noisy just now, suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes fell on Chu Zhaozhao.
Such a gaze made Chu Zhaozhao feel like a gleam on his back, and he could only lower his head for a moment.
Chu Qingxiao also knew the pain in her heart. At this moment, he leaned over and whispered: "Get through this first. With the help of the red bloodworm in the future, it will not be too late to confess the truth."
This was the only way Chu Qingxiao could think of to deal with this situation.
Chu Zhaozhao also understood this truth and nodded at this time.
Chu Zhuang, who was sitting in the main seat, had a red face. He had worked hard for most of his life, and now he finally waited for the day when he could feel proud. The old man was naturally very happy.
At this moment, he stood up, raised his wine glass, and was about to make a speech, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the third seat on the right was still empty. He frowned and asked, "Where is Tianque?"
Chu Yanjun on the side said quickly: "I have already informed my fourth uncle. There must be something that delayed me."
His words were very tactful, but anyone with a discerning eye would understand the reason.
In recent years, the family has been defeated, and all the houses are in dire straits. Under such circumstances, the family has allocated nearly a hundred taels of silver every month to Chu Zhaozhao alone. In addition, Chu Zhuang is stubborn in certain decisions. Naturally,
It will cause criticism from some people in the clan.
The most profitable part of the clan's assets are almost all in the hands of the Fourth House, so the Fourth House is also the group of people who have the greatest resentment over this.
Over the years, the Fourth Courtyard has been very close to the Zhang family, intending to get rid of the constraints of Chuzhuang, establish its own business, and join the Zhang family.
And Chu Zhaozhao's inheritance of the spirit sword means that the courtyard has the capital to compete with the Zhang family. Naturally, the fourth courtyard is not willing to see such a thing, so it is not a strange thing to miss this banquet.
Chuzhuang was able to support this broken family for more than ten years. He had a clear mind and understood that Chu Tianque was not delaying, but simply didn't want to come.
"Forget it if you can't come..." He sighed, said this, raised his glass again, and was about to say something.
"Who said I can't come!" At this moment, a rough voice suddenly came from outside the house.
I saw a burly man in a long robe striding into the main room, followed by two people.
After seeing the appearance of the two people behind him, everyone in the room looked a little strange.
Chu Tianque, however, pretended not to notice the strange expressions on everyone's face. He walked to the front of the main room and did not salute. He just shouted dissatisfied: "Today is a happy day for our Chu family. How could I be wrong? What just happened?"
Are people talking nonsense?"
Chu Tianque had always been domineering in the clan because he held most of the Chu family's money income, and no one dared to speak up when faced with his inquiries.
"That's what I said." Chu Zhuang, who was standing in front of the main seat, frowned and said displeasedly.
When Chu Tianque heard this, he raised his brows and suddenly smiled: "Haha, it turns out it was the head of the family who said that. Look at my mouth. I speak so freely that I should be beaten."
As he spoke, he slapped his lips in a decent manner, but his playful smile didn't look like he had much fear.
After saying this, he looked behind him and said: "By the way, the head of the Zhang family and his young master happened to be guests at my place. When they heard about this, they also came to congratulate me. I think the head of the family doesn't mind?"
As soon as he said this, the two people behind him stepped forward.
One is a fat middle-aged man dressed as a businessman, and the other is a handsome young man dressed in black and carrying a long sword on his back.
These two are a father and son.
The older one is called Zhang Renhou, and he is now the helmsman of the Zhang family, the largest gentry in Wancheng.
More than ten years ago, the Chu family suffered a disaster and their vitality was severely damaged. The Zhang family, which had been fighting against it for many years, took advantage of the situation and gradually grew bigger in Wancheng, bit by bit eating away at the remaining power of the Chu family. It can be regarded as the leader of the Chu family.
The mortal enemy of the family.
The younger one is called Zhang Quan.
He is a famous young talent in Wancheng, and he is a disciple of Tianxuan Mountain like Chu Zhaozhao.
Three years ago, he was accepted into the sect of Ganquan Peak, one of the nine peaks of Tianxuan Mountain, and became an inner sect disciple. In the second year, he received the inheritance of the spiritual sword in the Yaoguang Sword Pond, and now he is regarded as the leader among the younger generation in Wancheng.
"Mr. Chu, how come you don't even know to acknowledge me for such a big happy event? From now on, we in Wancheng will have another young talent. It's such a grand occasion, but you don't invite me to watch the ceremony? Could it be that you look down on me?" Zhang Renhou actually said
He didn't realize that the gazes of the people around him made him feel any discomfort, but instead he stepped forward to speak warmly.
While he was saying this, Zhang Quan behind him also turned his head and cast his gaze to where Chu Qingxiao and others were.
His eyes swept across everyone and finally landed on Chu Zhaozhao.
His eyes narrowed at that moment, and a strange smile appeared in the narrow slits of his eyes...