https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-155-As-Long-As-I-Live-He-Will-Never-Be-at-Ease/12536193/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-157-A-Fresh-Start-for-Li-Xunhuan/12536195/
Chapter 156: The Brotherhood Ceremony
Chapter 156: The Brotherhood Ceremony
On the first day of November, in the Jinan Prefecture, at the Ruyunkezhan Inn.
The sky was clear and crisp, with high winds and sparse clouds, and the winter sun showered the land in a golden glow.
This golden light came not only from the sun but also from the reflective insignia of the Jinqian Gang, shining brightly.
Today was the day that the Jinqian Gang's official, Shangguan Jinhong, would become sworn brothers with Long Xiaoyun!
Many guests had already arrived, including martial arts masters from the Hebei and Shandong regions, such as the chief escort of the Tai'an Escort Agency, the deputy leader of the Beifu Gang on the northern section of the Grand Canal, the leader of the Feisha Sect, a notorious group of salt smugglers, the master of the Iron Mountain Sect, and the eldest young master of the Bixia Manor family.
However, the most prestigious guests were still Yu Longsheng, the master of the Jianzhuang Manor in Jinzhong, and Ding Baiyun, the young lady of the Ding family in Zhen Ding. Even the eldest young master of the Bixia Mansion family, Ximen Yu, had to bow his head in their presence.
He was merely from a family that dealt in jewelry, and while their business was substantial and they had hired a few venerables, they held little influence in the martial arts world and could not compare to the true masters.
His attendance at the brotherhood ceremony between Shangguan Jinhong and Long Xiaoyun was motivated by his desire to gain entry into the circle of elite martial arts forces and witness the true power of martial arts masters.
However, he felt a bit disappointed. While Shangguan Jinhong exuded a powerful aura and Yu Longsheng and Ding Baiyun were talented and beautiful, they didn't seem particularly extraordinary, and the other martial artists present were equally unremarkable.
A gift box was presented, containing a pair of gilded dragon and phoenix double rings.
"Please take your seat!"
However, Yu Longsheng declined the offer and merely greeted Shangguan Jinhong before sitting down in a corner with Ding Baiyun.
Shangguan Jinhong nodded slightly, giving them a meaningful glance but making no further indication.
......
"Long Xiaoyun has arrived!"
As the announcement rang out, a luxurious carriage pulled by four horses appeared at the entrance of the inn, carrying Long Xiaoyun and his son, Long Xiaoyun, dressed in purple-red robes trimmed with gold.
Long Xiaoyun's face was flushed, for Shangguan Jinhong had come to the inn's entrance to greet him personally!
Although Shangguan Jinhong didn't say a word, this gesture alone made it clear that Long Xiaoyun would henceforth be the second-in-command of the Jinqian Gang!
Long Xiaoyun was almost intoxicated with excitement! He wished he could invite the masters from Shaolin, Wudang, Hua Mountain, Kunlun, Diancang, and Emei, as well as the Ding, Wang, Li, Nangong, and Murong families, just to witness his glory!
"Long Xiaoyun has gone mad," Ding Baiyun remarked calmly.
"He simply hasn't experienced enough," Yu Longsheng said as he tossed a peanut into his mouth. "Additionally, he longs for the days when everyone treated him with reverence."
"How could Li Xunhuan become sworn brothers with such a person?" Ding Baiyun asked.
"He was too young back then," Yu Longsheng replied nonchalantly.
Ding Baiyun glanced at Yu Longsheng, "You're acting like a veteran of the jianghu."
"At least I see things more clearly than they do," Yu Longsheng said, raising an eyebrow.
Ding Baiyun didn't disagree. Yu Longsheng was the epitome of clarity in the chaotic world of the jianghu. In the two years she had known him, she had rarely seen him take action, which was unusual for someone in their line of work.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Shangguan Jinhong had led Long Xiaoyun and his son to the main seats.
Although Shangguan Jinhong remained expressionless, Long Xiaoyun was unfazed. He couldn't help but feel amused as he noticed the envious glances directed at him by the other guests.
"I wonder which part of the Jinqian Gang my brother will ask me to oversee?" Long Xiaoyun thought. "Hopefully, it will be the Jinqian Gang halls in Shanxi and Hebei... No, no, no, I should be at the Jinqian Gang headquarters, assisting my brother!"
Just the thought of countless renowned martial artists in the jianghu bowing to his authority was enough to excite him.
As he indulged in these thoughts, he realized that the feast had already begun.
On the other tables, people had started eating quietly, but on this table, everyone was waiting for Shangguan Jinhong to take the first bite before they dared to touch their food.
Brothers should share wealth and honor!
However, Shangguan Jinhong merely glanced at him expressionlessly and said indifferently, "I never touch alcohol."
Long Xiaoyun's expression changed, but Long Xiaoyun quickly brought over a cup of tea, "Since that is the case, how about Uncle replaces wine with tea?"
Shangguan Jinhong shifted his gaze towards Long Xiaoyun, "I don't drink tea either."
Long Xiaoyun was taken aback, his heart already feeling a little uneasy, "Then what does Big Brother usually drink?"
"Water."
"Just water?"
"Water can purify the mind. Those who only drink water will never have a chaotic heart."
Long Xiaoyun immediately brought over a cup of pure water, "This is clean water."
Shangguan Jinhong remained expressionless, "I only drink water when I'm thirsty, and I'm not thirsty right now."
Long Xiaoyun's expression turned bitter. He never expected that even after Shangguan Jinhong had sent out invitations to heroes all over the world, declaring his intention to become sworn brothers, he would still be so unwilling to give him face.
The faces of the people at this table turned bitter as well. They envied those sitting at the other tables at this moment. Even though those people had also noticed that something was amiss, they had put down their chopsticks and were quietly observing.
However, Long Xiaoyun remained calm and unperturbed, "If that's the case, how about I drink a cup on Uncle's behalf?"
Shangguan Jinhong looked deeply into Long Xiaoyun's eyes, "If you can drink it, then go ahead."
Long Xiaoyun drank a cup of wine, a cup of tea, and a cup of water, and only then did he invite Shangguan Jinhong and his father to perform the candle and incense ceremony.
Unfortunately...
No matter what Long Xiaoyun and his son said, Shangguan Jinhong ruthlessly shot them down.
In the midst of this, a Jinqian Gang disciple rushed in and whispered something into Shangguan Jinhong's ear before hurrying out again.
Subsequently, Shangguan Jinhong's few words left the guests at the main table in a dilemma—they didn't know whether to pick up their chopsticks or not. All they could do was force a smile and look around awkwardly.
This made Long Xiaoyun extremely embarrassed, and it made Ximen Yu, who had always been smooth sailing in life, extremely impatient.
Then, the expected event of establishing dominance occurred. Shangguan Jinhong accurately stated what Ximen Yu had for breakfast and wanted to check if his stomach was indeed empty.
Ximen Yu wanted to resist, but how could he be a match for Shangguan Jinhong? Thus, he was dragged out, his stomach cut open to prove that he had lied. His life ended at Ruyunkezhan Inn, and the journey of a young swordsman in the jianghu abruptly concluded.
In the next moment, the people sitting at the main table started eating, and those at the guest tables forced themselves to eat and drink as well. However, everyone's expression was bitter.
They had originally come to curry favor with the Jinqian Gang, but it seemed like their flattery would only end up slapping their own faces. Shangguan Jinhong's mood was clearly not good, and he didn't seem to care about his new brother at all.
However, there were still two people at the banquet who remained unperturbed.
"This roasted chicken is delicious." You Longsheng picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and offered it to Ding Baiyun.
"It is indeed good. Try this fish; it must be the work of a master chef." Ding Baiyun also picked up a piece of fish and offered it to You Longsheng.
Of course, they were here to watch the show, so they kept a low profile. Moreover, sitting in the corner, they didn't attract much attention. Nonetheless, many people looked at them with admiration and envy.
However, admiration and envy were useless. Their identities and backgrounds couldn't support them to act so casually.
As evident by the fact that even Shangguan Jinhong completely ignored them.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
