112: Meeting

Ping'an Ward, Xu Family Old Residence.

"You mean to say, that Young Master and Yanran have secretly pledged their lives to each other?"

In the back garden, an old man dressed in black brocade sat on a stone stool, holding a cup of flower tea, his expression somewhat conflicted.

"It should be, Master," Steward Xu said, standing behind him.

In truth, he wasn't entirely clear how far Young Master Qin and his Young Miss's relationship had progressed.

But his Young Miss had always been bold and decisive. If she had set her heart on Young Master Qin...

Perhaps she would have had some reservations before, but now that Master had recovered his strength as a third-tier Secret Martial Artist, and he himself had become a Secret Martial Artist with the Young Miss's help...

Even Master probably couldn't go against the Young Miss.

Master Xu gently swirled the teacup in his hand, then took a sip after a moment.

"Even so, it won't do. Yanran wandered with me since childhood, and her horizons are, after all, a bit narrow. That Young Master Qin is, at most, a Genius from a small place.

Now that we've been in the commandery city for a few days, have you heard the name of any Qin family Prodigy? From this, it's clear that although he joined the Bronze Bell Sect, he has already faded into obscurity.

Besides, I have already promised a marriage alliance to the Yan Family. How can I go back on my word?"

Steward Xu's expression changed slightly, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

"Speak your mind if you have something to say. For so many years, Yanran has had your help, and I have long regarded you as family," Master Xu said.

"Master, I indeed have not heard Young Master Qin's name, but there is one thing I think I should still tell you.

On the day of the strange siege of Black Mountain City, Young Master Qin already possessed strength not inferior to my current power," Steward Xu said.

Master Xu was stunned upon hearing this. "What did you say? How is that possible! You wouldn't be unaware of the vast difference between a Secret Martial Artist and a True Martial Artist, would you?"

Steward Xu nodded slightly. He wasn't surprised by Master's reaction, but the fact remained.

"I saw it with my own eyes," he said.

Thump-thump-thump!

Before Master Xu could react, a series of urgent footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

"Master! Master! Lord Qinghuo! Lord Qinghuo!"

A young servant quickly ran into the back garden, holding an invitation.

Master Xu immediately stood up when he heard "Lord Qinghuo." "What about Lord Qinghuo!"

He had heard that this current Lord Qinghuo was extremely powerful! His Azure Fire Bronze Furnace Skill was used with divine mastery, and he was close to mastering the sixth level! He was a super Prodigy who overshadowed the younger generation of all families!

Moreover, and most importantly, this Lord Qinghuo was the Fourth Master of the Long Family! He was someone whom Long Daosheng had personally accepted as a disciple on behalf of his master!

His status was only below the patriarchs of the various families and the Elders of the Bronze Bell Sect! He already had the qualifications to be on equal footing with the Protectors of the Bronze Bell Sect!

However, he was also curious; his Xu Family should have no connection with this Lord Qinghuo, neither in terms of favor nor enmity.

"Master! It's an invitation sent by Lord Qinghuo's messenger!"

The young servant handed over the invitation he held, and Master Xu quickly took it to examine.

A moment later, Master Xu put down the invitation, his face thoughtful. "This Lord Qinghuo seems easy to get along with; there's no arrogance in his words.

But... the reason for visiting my Xu Family is not stated. What exactly does this mean?"

Steward Xu also frowned slightly. Now that the Xu Family had just returned to the commandery city, although they had used most of their wealth to fund his and Master's advancement, they still possessed an enormous amount of wealth.

If someone harbored ill intentions...

He looked at the invitation, and the more he looked, the more he felt he had seen the handwriting somewhere before, but he couldn't recall exactly where.

He unconsciously stroked his chin. "Could it be..."

"Could it be that the Long Family wants to help our Xu Family!" Master Xu said, somewhat surprised.

The more he thought about it, the more likely this possibility seemed. Back when his Xu Family was still one of the Nine Prominent Clans, although they weren't part of the Long Family faction, their relationship was quite good, at least considered to be in the same camp.

Now that the Xu Family had just returned and had not yet reclaimed their status as a prominent clan, it was precisely the time when they needed help. It was very normal for the Long Family to have such an idea!

One must know that a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Although his Xu Family had declined, they still had some foundation.

"Yes, yes, yes! It must be so! I heard that this Lord Qinghuo is actually not a person of the Long family's direct lineage, which makes him suitable for doing such things.

That way, if there's any unexpected trouble, the Long Family can be absolved!" Master Xu said.

Steward Xu frowned upon hearing this. He felt that this possibility was actually not very high.

"The time is tomorrow. Is it that urgent? Steward Xu, hurry and prepare. We will host a banquet for Lord Qinghuo tomorrow! Have Yanran come back; she and Lord Qinghuo are peers, so they should have more to talk about," Master Xu said.

Steward Xu nodded. "I'll go prepare right away."

"Oh, and spread the word."

"Understood."

The next day, outside the Cloud Crane Courtyard, two teams of Black Armor Army soldiers were neatly arranged, guarding three carts of gifts.

Qin Jiang nodded slightly. These men were borrowed from Long An.

Originally, Long An intended to come personally, but Qin Jiang refused him.

After all, it was a first visit. If Long An came, no one would likely believe he was just making a visit.

"Commander Li, I'm indebted to you this time. I'll go ahead first." He cupped his fists slightly.

"Fourth Master, you're too kind! This is our duty! Please go ahead, we'll follow shortly!"

Commander Li, a burly man, said with a cupped fist, his long spear on his back.

"Haha! Commander, you're too kind! When I return this time, each person will receive twenty taels of silver as a hardship allowance!" Qin Jiang laughed loudly.

"Fourth Master is generous! Brothers, thank the Fourth Master!" Commander Li also laughed along.

"Thank you, Fourth Master!"

"Good, brothers, I'll go ahead!"

With that, Qin Jiang directly leaped onto his warhorse and galloped towards Ping'an Ward.

The warhorse sped through the streets, and before long, arrived at Ping'an Ward.

After passing through a few streets, he looked at the mansion ahead, which was where the Xu Family resided.

Outside the Xu Family at this time, welcoming parties were already lined up, and festive red curtains were hung everywhere.

Qin Jiang's heart tightened slightly. What did Master Xu mean by this? Could it be that he had inferred from just a few words that he intended to propose marriage?

But he hadn't planned to propose today?

He rode forward, and soon arrived in front of the welcoming party.

"Hey! You, on the horse! What are you doing! Don't block the way!"

The leader of the party quickly walked over and shouted.

"Brother, what's going on here?" Qin Jiang asked, a wisp of Devilish Qi trailing, sending a shiver down the leader's spine.

The leader sensed that Qin Jiang was not to be trifled with, and his attitude immediately softened. "Sir, today our Master is hosting Lord Qinghuo for a banquet.

You know Lord Qinghuo, right? The chief true disciple of the Bronze Bell Sect! It's not that I was rude just now, but if you block Lord Qinghuo's way here, you'll be the one in trouble."

Qin Jiang smiled upon hearing this. "It's fine, Lord Qinghuo won't mind."

"Ah! Sir, please, for goodness sake, if not, let me lead your horse aside, and you can stand here yourself, I won't say another word." The leader said, as long as the way wasn't blocked, he didn't want to casually provoke anyone.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you." Qin Jiang dismounted, handing the reins to the leader.

The leader didn't hesitate, immediately calling someone to lead the horse away.

Qin Jiang smiled and immediately walked towards the Xu Mansion.

"Hey! Sir, sir! You're going to ruin me! Why are you going inside?" The leader hastily stopped him.

Qin Jiang looked at the leader with some helplessness but wasn't angry. After all, it was his duty, and since he was a member of the Xu Family, Qin Jiang couldn't say much.

"I submitted an invitation yesterday."

The leader immediately laughed upon hearing this. "Oh, my dear sir, it's not that I'm being nosy, but every day, more than ten or eight invitations are delivered to our Xu Mansion.

But today, you really have to wait your turn. Lord Qinghuo is coming, and even our Master will personally come out to greet him later, so he definitely won't be able to attend to you."

Just as he finished speaking, a series of footsteps came from inside the Xu Mansion. The grand procession consisted of at least twenty people.

Leading them was Master Xu, followed by Steward Xu and Xu Yanran.

"You see, here they come!" the leader said.

Qin Jiang didn't respond. Looking at Xu Yanran's figure, Xu Yanran also seemed to sense something, her gaze turning towards them. Their eyes met instantly.

"Qin-ge!"