After fifteen years of cultivation, he finally reached the pinnacle of the first rank!

Chapter 146: Zhanlu Villa
When these words came out, Hu Ruian was stunned for a moment. After he realized what was happening, he couldn't help but blush, coughed, and said:
"Your Highness, you're joking. I'm already this old, how could I possibly lose my dignity and participate in a martial arts competition to win a bride?"

"Even if I wanted to get married, I would never become Shen Liancheng's son-in-law."

Hearing this, Li Musheng nodded. It was best that the other party did not have such an idea.

Otherwise, considering the other person's age and appearance, he still wants to be with young girls. Later, when they have a meal, he will be embarrassed to sit at the same table with the other person, let alone get to know the other person.

At this time, Hu Ruian's expression changed slightly and he said:
"If Your Highness is interested, you can try it out in the martial arts arena."

"Rumor has it that the third young lady of Zhanlu Villa was already famous in the martial arts world of Dali before she even reached her twenties. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also a talented and accomplished woman, both civil and military. The number of young men pursuing her was like a river of fish."

Li Musheng raised his eyebrows, glanced at the other party, and then said meaningfully:
"Master Hu, do you think I will go to the arena to participate in the martial arts competition to win a bride?"

Hearing this, Hu Ruian paused for a moment, then frowned slightly and shook his head.

He just thought that Li Musheng relied on his status as the prince of Dali and looked down on women like the third lady of Zhanlu Villa.

But the truth is, Li Musheng felt that with such a handsome face, why would he need to participate in a martial arts competition?

I guess when she gets to that station, the third young lady will be deeply impressed by his appearance.

At this time, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong rode the two fine horses of the man in black and others, caught up with the carriage where Li Musheng was, and reported:

"Sir, we have already made inquiries. They are all subordinates of General Shengzhou. They came to Zhanlu Villa to participate in a martial arts competition and win a bride."

"However, they were only there to accompany General Shengzhou's second son. Although they claimed to have acted on their own initiative by staying here, we suspect it was the second son who was behind this."

Hearing this, Hu Ruian waved his hand, glanced at the steward of Zhanlu Villa and others who were leading the way, and said lightly:

"This is the territory of Zhanlu Villa. It's impossible for them to be unaware of this matter. They are ignoring it, probably intentionally doing so to secretly select the qualifications of a husband for the Third Young Lady."

As he spoke, Hu Ruian looked thoughtful and said:

"The General of Shengzhou and the Governor of Shengzhou are basically on the same page. If possible, perhaps we can find an opportunity with the Second Young Master of the other side. This might become a breakthrough in dealing with the affairs of Shengzhou."

Hu Ruian naturally said this on purpose for Li Musheng to hear. Every word he said showed that his decision to agree to the steward's request to go to Zhanlu Villa was actually a meaningful move for serious business.

However, Li Musheng didn't say anything at all and seemed to have little interest in this matter.

So Hu Ruian had no choice but to stop talking and say nothing more.

About an incense stick later, the steward of Zhanlu Villa led everyone to the foot of a huge manor.

The three-meter-high black iron gate is dark in color. The door nails are made of fine iron Bi'an beast heads with fangs holding bronze rings. The four large characters "Zhanlu Villa" are engraved in gold above.

In front of the door stood two large bronze lions, about ten feet tall, with pearls embedded in their eyes and claws pressing on black jade bases, looking extremely majestic.

Looking around, the entire Zhanlu Villa covers an extremely large area, far larger than a prosperous small town.

When Li Musheng and others arrived, only the occasional luxurious carriage or a man from the martial arts world riding a horse entered the manor. It did not look very lively, but rather a bit deserted.

This was understandable, however. After all, the black-clad man and his men had destroyed the bridge over the Julu River and were blocking the way, making it impossible for ordinary martial artists with limited strength to cross. The villa manager led the hemp-clad old man and Li Musheng and the others into the manor, then gave a few instructions to the servants, who had them take the horses and arrange rooms in the courtyard for them.

He took Li Musheng and others and continued to head towards Zhanlu Villa.

Not long after, a burst of cheers came from the front. After the villa manager led everyone through a corridor, the view suddenly became clear.

Amidst the lush trees, there appeared a large, shimmering lake, and above the lake stood dozens of pavilions and a huge stone platform.

The stone platform is ten feet in radius and is made of blue-gray basalt. It is located in the center of the many lake pavilions and is supported by nine large brass pillars inserted into the bottom of the lake.

There were tables and chairs for a banquet in the lake pavilion, and some people from the martial arts world were sitting around the table, their eyes all fixed on the central stone platform.

At this time, two young men, each holding a sword, were fighting with swords. For a moment, sword lights were swirling and sword shadows were heavy. The violent aftermath of martial arts true energy spread out, causing the waves on the lake to surge and roll.

The two young men on the stone platform were the talented young men who took part in the martial arts competition to win a bride, and those sitting in the lake pavilion were also martial arts masters from all over the world.

These people have high martial arts skills, but when they see something exciting, they still praise and cheer without hesitation.

The villa manager led Li Musheng and others to a pavilion near the lake, politely arranged for everyone to sit at a banquet table, and said:
"Please enjoy some food and wine, I will go and inform the owner of the manor."

After saying that, he bowed and took his leave.

There were two banquet tables in the lake pavilion. One table was already full of nine people, while the other table was only occupied by two people, leaving seven seats empty.

Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong hurriedly moved stools for Li Musheng and Hu Ruian and helped them sit down.

On the other side, the little girl in pink couldn't wait to run to the table, her eyes shining as she looked at the delicious delicacies on the table.

The old man in hemp clothes walked to the little girl, raised his hand, pulled out a roasted chicken leg and handed it to her. The little girl licked her lips immediately, took it and started eating it happily.

The other two young people, a man and a woman, who were originally sitting at the table frowned slightly and glanced at the old man in hemp clothes, but did not say anything more.

Anyone who could be invited to this place by Zhanlu Villa was definitely not an ordinary person. Moreover, before they set out on the journey, the elders in the sect had warned them that it was best not to provoke old men like this, as they might be some old monster.

Murong Xiaoya found a seat next to Li Musheng and sat down. She didn't seem hungry. She glanced at the dishes on the table without any interest, and then her eyes fell on the little girl next to her.

Seeing that the girl was eating the chicken leg with her mouth full of oil, and that she looked very cute and well-behaved, he immediately took out a handkerchief from his arms and carefully wiped the corners of her mouth.

"Thank...thank you, sister."

The little girl in pink said this politely, but her mouth was full and she kept chewing.

Murong Xiaoya's face turned slightly red, and she seemed a little embarrassed.

Hu Ruian asked Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong to sit down at the table. Cao Gaoshan was not there as he had gone with the servants of the villa to park the carriage.

(End of this chapter)