Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

"Too late!"

"Then drink! Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

After Jia Tang took his seat as host and guest, Niu Chengxian called out to the door, "Let the banquet begin!" The servant at the door then flicked his sleeves, clasped his hands in greeting, and shouted, "Distinguished guests have arrived! Let the martial arts banquet begin!"

The large private room was packed with people, and a steady stream of waiters were bringing out dishes one by one, with various kinds of Yuan Beast ingredients being served.

"The braised silver carp head with cold marrow is here!"

"Wen Si Tofu is here!"

"Braised crab meat lion's head meatballs are here!"

"Drunken Eight-Treasure Duck is here!"

"The Three-Bone Wine is here."

Three-Bone Wine is the signature martial arts wine of Drunken Immortal Pavilion. It is an improved version of an ancient wine recipe obtained from a secret realm by its owner. It is made primarily from the bones of three types of mythical beasts: tiger, bear, and leopard, with various martial arts medicines as auxiliary ingredients. It is brewed using a secret method with primordial rice and has the effects of strengthening muscles and bones, consolidating vital energy, and increasing blood.

Because the name of Jia's Ning Jinrong Fire Double Tiger was known throughout the world, the owner behind the scenes specially gave Jia a 30% share of the business, so that they would not pursue the responsibility for brewing the tiger bone wine.

Then, Manager Liu personally set up a table for Jia Tang and the others in the inner room. After the dishes were all prepared and the wine was poured, the manager and his servants left, the door was closed, and the banquet began.

Just as everyone was toasting and exchanging drinks, at the Jade Belt River in Hejian Prefecture, Beizhili.

The Jade Belt River was originally one of the tributaries of the northern water system. Due to the expansion of the world, the river channel has been extended and the river surface has become wide. As a result, the river is rich in ribbon shrimp, which is beneficial to the tendons and fascia and is conducive to the body training of martial artists in the third realm. As a result, farmers, fishing teams and even clansmen from surrounding counties often come to fish and play here, which has made the river famous.

Wang Ren, who had just been allowed to leave the capital city, led his personal guards to this place. Firstly, he had just entered the third realm and eating shrimp would be beneficial, and secondly, it was a way to relax.

Under the shade of trees by the river, a fox fur blanket was spread on the green grass. Wang Ren lay half-reclined on it with his pretty maid in his arms, directing his servants to fish and catch shrimp in front of him.

A gentle breeze blew, causing leaves to flutter and the fragrance of grass and trees mingled with the dampness of fresh water, dispelling the pent-up emotions in Wang Ren's heart.

"Phew~"

Wang Ren felt a sense of relief and found the maid in his arms increasingly alluring.

A glint of lust flashed in his eyes as he reached out and probed the inside of the maid's dress.

Just then, a flash of cold light appeared, and with a soft thud, an arrow shot from the forest behind them, instantly piercing Wang Ren's neck.

The maidservant noticed the warm blood on her face, but before she could cry out, she saw arrows streaking across the entire royal family like streaks of light.

"Pfft pfft pfft~"

Arrows pierced through bodies, and the sounds of people falling to the ground echoed one after another.

Not long after, the servants who returned from the riverbank discovered the bodies of the dead and were immediately thrown into chaos, scattering in all directions.

···

"Bang!"

Wang Ziteng stared furiously at the secret letter in his hand, and couldn't help but slam his hand heavily on the desk, causing it to instantly turn into fragments that scattered in a flurry.

His enormous eyes, filled with a deep blue aura, looked at the kneeling man before him and asked, "Have you caught the escaped slave yet?"

"All six escaped slaves have been captured and executed."

"Have you found out everything in the South?"

"Returning home, sir, it's confirmed. Liu Zilang of Songjiang Prefecture was assassinated in the street the day before yesterday, his head severed in one blow; Zhou Huanju of Changzhou Prefecture was killed yesterday in the Jinling Pavilion, his body left in pieces; the young master was assassinated three hours ago at the Jade Belt River... Only Xu Yuan of the Xu family has no news."

Wang Ziteng sneered twice: "You both offended the Jia family, so only the Xu family son can escape death? This method is too crude and too conspicuous."

"You deliberately set up a target, using Jia's identity to incite us to fight? I'll refuse to do as you wish!"

"Someone, deliver my business card to the residence of Xu Fangxing, the Minister of Rites!"

"Also, prepare a carriage for Rongguo Mansion!"

···

The Xu residence, study.

The sprightly Xu Fangxing sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping his fragrant tea, quietly waiting for his younger brother to continue.

"Elder brother, Xiangyuyuan and the Jia family's children had a conflict before, and apart from Yuan'er, the rest of them were all killed."

"so?"

"Therefore, we must protect Yuan'er and never let him follow in his footsteps."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fangxing sighed and looked at his younger brother with a headache.

"I somewhat regret letting you enter the imperial court. You've been an official for over a decade, which is a waste. You would have been better off staying in your clan's territory and cultivating in peace."

Xu Fanghua was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Why do you say that, elder brother?"

"Who do you think did this?"

"It must be a member of the Jia family... but that doesn't seem right either, too straightforward. Could it be the Incense-Scenting Cult?"

Xu Fanghua frowned, shaking his head in denial: "No, that's not it either. The sorcerer has many connections with the southern gentry. It should be a ruse by the Liu and Zhou clans or a conspiracy by the Lin and Lü clans?"

"Oh? Why can't it be our Xu family?"

Xu Fanghua retorted instinctively, "If it were us, keeping Yuan'er would be the biggest mistake."

Xu Fangying nodded slightly and smiled, "The methods are too blatant; the mastermind behind it all is trying to muddy the waters."

"You need to be decisive in dealing with things. Consider who benefits the most from this matter and who suffers the least. On the surface, we seem to have no losses, which makes us the least suspicious."

"The person behind the scenes is just using Yuan'er as a scapegoat. How can we let that scapegoat be broken so easily?"

"You don't need to worry, I have my own plans."

Although Xu Fanghua knew that his elder brother had deep thoughts and didn't need to say much, he still loved and cared for this only male heir of the next generation.

"Make sure to take all necessary precautions."

"Rest assured."

After he left, Xu Fangxing watched his retreating figure and sighed softly.

...

As dusk settles, the full moon hangs high in the sky, and countless stars reflect each other, casting a rich, dazzling light.

Jia Tang had a drinking session with his peers at noon, and in the afternoon he went to Tianxiang Pavilion to listen to music and watch dancers, having a good time.

He had just returned to Rongguo Mansion from Tianxiang Pavilion, and his rugged face still had a slight flush of wine, but he was no longer drunk.

As soon as I entered the ceremonial gate of the West Mansion's central courtyard, I heard soft chewing sounds coming from a corner to one side.

Did you see that person today?

"I've seen him. He's tall and burly, but his clothes aren't fancy. He has huge, bull-like eyes and a fierce-looking face. He looks a bit like the Second General."

"Eek~ That's terrifying. But I heard he's an old relative of the family, though his family has fallen on hard times."

"Yes, yes, he was originally a member of the Sun family, a military household in the Northwest. He had been applying for a position in the Ministry of War for half a year without success. Now he couldn't take it anymore and came to the mansion to ask for help."

Jia Tang frowned slightly as he listened. The Sun family of the Northwest and the military households—wasn't this the same arrogant and powerful wolf from Zhongshan who abused Yingchun to death in the original story?

"Jia He, order someone to secretly kill this man, and then send men to the Northwest to kill all those involved."

"only!"

He then raised his head to the back and gestured: "I'll reward you a little, and also give you a warning. If you dare to gossip again, I won't let you off easily."

"only!"

One of the guards obeyed the order and left, and immediately afterward, the two women cried out in fear.