Chapter 86: Lord Lü Hosts a Banquet

After enjoying a hearty meal of dog meat and wine, Yi Xiaochuan patted his stomach with satisfaction. “Delicious. The dog meat here in Pei County is truly exceptional.”

Yang Wenhao, on the other hand, only tasted a little and didn't eat much. He wondered whether, after reaching the fasting stage, he would still be tempted by such food. One could only attempt fasting after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, and he was still at the Qi Refining stage, just a step away.

After their meal, the two of them headed to the Lü residence.

At that time, the entrance to the Lü residence was thronged with guests arriving to offer their congratulations. Master Lü was a renowned figure—learned, talented, and widely respected. Naturally, many sought to curry favor with him.

When Yang Wenhao and Yi Xiaochuan announced their names, the gatekeeper hurriedly invited them in. Master Lü had personally instructed that if the two gentlemen arrived, they were to be received with all due courtesy.

Master Lü arranged private rooms for each of them. Yang Wenhao took the opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to the eighth level of Qi Refining. Yet after training throughout the night, he did not succeed; at best, his cultivation had advanced slightly.

“It seems haste is futile,” Yang Wenhao mused, shaking his head. Though disappointed, he was not discouraged.

In this world, there were no cultivation techniques, and what tempted Yang Wenhao most were those three Elixirs of Immortality. Consuming one would grant eternal life, and then he’d never have to worry about age as he journeyed through worlds.

Having cultivated through the night, Yang Wenhao emerged the next day to find the entire Lü residence festooned with lanterns and decorations, as if preparing for a grand occasion.

Just then, Lü Zhi happened to walk by.

“You’re up, Young Master Yang?” Lü Zhi seemed a bit surprised to see him.

“Yes,” Yang Wenhao nodded. “Are you preparing for a banquet?”

Lü Zhi replied, “My father is planning to host a feast for the prominent families of Pei County on the Double Ninth Festival tomorrow.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” Yang Wenhao said. With Master Lü’s reputation, such an event seemed fitting.

“If you’ve just come out, do you need me to arrange a meal for you?” Lü Zhi offered.

“I’ll trouble you then, Miss Lü,” Yang Wenhao agreed. After a night of cultivation, it was nearly noon, and he was indeed hungry.

With a smile, Lü Zhi hurried off to make arrangements for his meal.

Afterward, Yang Wenhao found Yi Xiaochuan to inquire about the situation.

Yi Xiaochuan then laid out his entire plan. The so-called banquet was actually a charity gala—seats were bought, and the more one paid, the closer one could sit to Master Lü and converse with him face to face.

Gradually, Yang Wenhao realized why so many people were desperate to get in. Apparently, rumors had spread that Master Lü intended to marry off his daughters. Countless eligible bachelors were now willing to spend lavishly to catch a glimpse of the Lü sisters’ renowned beauty.

Yang Wenhao merely smiled, saying nothing. For him, the only matter of importance was whom to support as emperor in the future—right now, Yi Xiaochuan was his best candidate.

But it was too early for such decisions. Though Yang Wenhao was a cultivator, he was not invincible. He could face a thousand men alone, but what if it were ten thousand? Take General Meng of Qin, undefeated in battle—facing such a foe alone was simply impossible.

He needed to choose his task wisely. Though this was the main mission, what Yang Wenhao cared for most was the Elixir of Immortality. He could seek out the ingredients, but the real challenge was that he didn’t know how to refine it.

There were indeed Elixirs of Immortality and their recipes for sale in the Merchant Hall, but the price was astronomical. With his current resources, buying them was out of the question.

Still, it wasn’t impossible forever. Once Yang Wenhao amassed wealth, he could reconsider.

The Double Ninth Festival had always been a cherished tradition in China. On this day, all of Pei County was abuzz with excitement over Master Lü’s banquet. Scholars and talents vied for a seat at the Lü residence, all because of the rumor that Master Lü was seeking suitors for his daughters.

As a guest of honor, Yang Wenhao was seated near Master Lü, in a position of great distinction. Yet, Yi Xiaochuan had yet to appear; Yang Wenhao knew he must be handling something outside.

Shortly after, Yi Xiaochuan entered, bringing with him a man in threadbare clothes—none other than Liu Bang, whom Yang Wenhao had earlier driven away with a slap.

Liu Bang wore a long robe, but one that hadn’t seen a wash in ages—giving him a shabby, unkempt appearance.

“Come, Brother Liu, let me introduce you to Master Lü,” Yi Xiaochuan said.

Liu Bang quickly clasped his hands in salute. “Liu Bang, Chief of Sishui Pavilion, pays his respects to Master Lü.”

The name Liu Bang, Chief of Sishui Pavilion, was famous throughout Pei County; there was hardly anyone who didn’t know him. But Master Lü, new to Pei County, naturally wouldn’t recognize such a local minor official. Though Liu Bang held a small post, he was but a petty leader, often unable even to feed himself. Hence, his ‘reputation’ in Pei County was so infamous.

Seeing Yi Xiaochuan introduce Liu Bang, Yang Wenhao frowned slightly. As he observed Liu Bang, Liu Bang also looked back at him. Of course, Liu Bang recognized Yang Wenhao—this was the formidable man who had slapped him without mercy.

Most people would be furious in such circumstances, but Liu Bang seemed entirely unfazed.

Yi Xiaochuan, meanwhile, was already whispering in Master Lü’s ear. With Yang Wenhao’s keen hearing, not a word escaped him. Yi Xiaochuan, being from the modern era, naturally knew Liu Bang’s future and thus held him in high regard.

Master Lü hesitated briefly, then called out, “Someone, bring an extra seat.”

Many of the guests who had paid handsomely for their places were astonished to see Master Lü bestow such an honor on a pauper like Liu Bang.

Liu Bang smiled and saluted. “Thank you, Master Lü.”

Soon, a servant brought a new seat and placed it beside Yang Wenhao. Liu Bang sat down and offered Yang Wenhao a polite nod, as if the earlier incident at the dog meat stall had never happened.

Such was the mind of an emperor—willing to endure anything for the sake of his ambition.

Compared to Liu Bang, rootless as duckweed, Xiang Yu was the one with the greatest chance of seizing the realm. But Xiang Yu was too proud, never willing to yield, unable to endure humiliation—he would rather die than bow.

Liu Bang, however, was different. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. If anything, he probably regretted not having even more faces to lose, so he could endure more disgrace if necessary.

(End of chapter)