Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

Chapter 101 Toasting

Upon seeing the members of the four major families and Shen Zonghan present, Ye Ci realized that the outer hall was probably reserved only for the wealthy families of medium and small size.

In other words, the people in the side rooms are the real stars.

Upon Ye Ci's arrival, the noise inside did not lessen in the slightest; everyone continued to drink and chat merrily.

Qiu Tang entered, bowing so low his back almost touched his knees, utterly humble: "My lords, Ye Ci has arrived!"

It's hard to imagine that Qiu Tang, who is arrogant and domineering outside, would adopt such a humble posture in this side room.

Ye Ci's gaze swept over a girl playing the zither.

This person looked somewhat familiar; I had seen her before outside the Rock Martial Arts School. She was a young lady from the Han family.

His gaze swept briefly across the girl's face before he looked away and bowed to the people in front of him.

These people all looked somewhat familiar; they were all his superiors in the Wolf Tribe. Back then, he was just a lowly soldier who could only watch from afar and had no right to approach them.

Inside the private room, cups and goblets were being exchanged.

Qiu Tang introduced each of the officials present.

Those people looked at Ye Ci with disdainful eyes, carrying a hint of arrogant condescension.

Ye Ci noticed the man named Duan Wu, who was dressed in a neat light armor and looked extremely young, yet he was sitting in the head seat.

"You are the person Qin Lie has taken a liking to. The general is very interested in you, but it's just interest."

It was clear that Zhang Guan didn't take him seriously.

Duan Wu raised his wine cup, gestured, and drank it all in one gulp. He said, "Tell us what skills you have, so I can evaluate you for the general."

"An adult is talking to you!"

Qiu Tang shoved Ye Ci forcefully.

Ye Ci raised his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room, and answered Duan Wu's question: "My name is Ye Ci. After returning to my hometown, I practiced martial arts at the Panshi Martial Arts School—"

"Rock Rock Martial Arts School?"

Duan Wu didn't even glance at him, turning to ask someone beside him, "Is Xiao Hua, who fought me yesterday, also from the Rock Martial Arts Academy?"

He remembered that young master of internal energy.

"Yes," someone next to him echoed, "Xiao Hua is his last disciple."

Did Xiao Hua fight him?

Ye Ci felt a little more doubtful, and then heard the man continue, "Wang De, whom you killed in one move, was just an apprentice."

"So you're the one who killed Wang De?"

Ye Ci suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

Duan Wu raised his eyes and said calmly, "He blocked the general's horse. Do you think he deserves to die?"

"I asked him if he submitted, and he said no. Does that mean he deserves to die?"

Damn it.

Ye Ci nodded, then walked to an empty seat and sat down calmly.

Beside him was a middle-aged man from the family, who hurriedly moved aside.

All eyes turned to him, some with surprise, some with scrutiny, and some with amusement.

Lord Duan did not allow him to sit down; this man was so rude.

Qiu Tang was taken aback, then gritted his teeth and said, "Did the master tell you to sit down? Don't be so rude!"

Ye Ci cut a piece of pork leg with a knife and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Oh?"

Duan Wu wore a half-smile. He didn't speak to Ye Ci, but instead looked at Qiu Tang: "Was he under your command before?"

"Yes."

Qiu Tang's expression suddenly turned grim; he felt that Duan Wu was blaming him.

As a subordinate, one must learn to understand the intentions of one's superior. Given Duan Wu's personality, he would disdain speaking to Ye Ci, so the subtext of this sentence is "How did you teach him?"

Ye Ci remained expressionless, slowly chewing his meat, even more composed than Duan Wu, the head of the table.

Qiu Tang's eyes instantly reddened, filled with both fear and hatred.

He feared that Duan Wu would blame him for his poor management of his subordinates, and he resented Ye Ci for not giving him face and being arrogant.

He suddenly raised his foot and stepped on the edge of the low food table, glaring down at Ye Ci: "How dare you! Lord Duan is here, and you still dare to be so insolent?"

"Back in the Wolf Tribe, you were just a lowly soldier I could order around! Now that Lord Duan wants to see you, you've forgotten who you are?"

"You dare sit down without being told to?!"

Several family members turned to look at them during the meal.

They dared not speak easily, but couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

This Shen family retainer truly doesn't know his place or understand the times. Does he think it's still the same as when Qin Lie was in power?!

Don't underestimate Qiu Tang just because he doesn't hold a high official position here. He represents the general, so who would dare to disrespect him?!

The general's dog was the Golden Dog.

Shen Zonghan frowned slightly, thinking to himself that youthful impetuosity was the best he could do.

Today, everyone here is a prominent figure. The Han family has gone to great lengths to bring all the eligible women in their household here to play the zither and keep them company while they drink.

Compared to Ye Ci's performance, he was secretly anxious, fearing that he would be blamed.

Duan Wu held his wine glass, watching the farce with a half-smile.

He neither stopped him nor said anything, clearly wanting to see just how much confidence this young man, whom Qin Lie had taken a liking to, really had.

Seeing that Ye Ci remained silent, Qiu Tang became even angrier.

Outside, everyone tries to please him.

Those former lowly soldiers are practically courting death!

"Get up and apologize! Otherwise, I'll cripple you today and teach you a lesson!"

Qiu Tang cursed.

Ye Ci finally slowly raised her eyes, her gaze calm as ice, and fell on Qiu Tang.

"Are you forcing me?"

"Forcing you?"

"What are you?"

"You think you can talk to me like that just because you've practiced martial arts for a few days?"

Qiu Tang was speechless with anger.

He suddenly bent down and reached out to grab Ye Ci's collar, trying to pull him up.

As Ye Ci's former superior, and having served in the military for many years, he was quite skilled. In his eyes, dealing with Ye Ci was more than enough.

But just as his hand was about to touch Ye Ci...

Ye Ci moved.

There were no extra movements, not even getting up.

With a slight flick of the wrist, he pulled sharply.

He swung the knife with his right hand.

Qiu Tang covered his throat with both hands, making a hissing sound as he breathed out.

In fact, everything happened as fast as lightning.

Just as Qiu Tang let out a whistling sound and was about to spurt blood from his throat, Ye Ci, following the direction Qiu Tang fell, grabbed his hair with his left hand.

The second cut has arrived.

There was a "poof" sound.

The head, still bearing the look of horror, had been separated from the body.

"Thump!"

His body fell heavily to the ground.

The room fell into an instant silence.

The room, which had been filled with clinking glasses and lively conversation, was now so quiet that even breathing could be heard clearly. The silence was so profound that one could hear a pin drop, with only the panting of the guests and a few suppressed gasps from the women.

The amusement on everyone's faces was instantly replaced by extreme shock and fear. Some people sat up abruptly, while others dropped their glasses on the table with a clatter, completely unaware that they had spilled wine all over themselves.

They stared intently at Ye Ci, their eyes filled with disbelief.

This seemingly calm young man was surprisingly ruthless and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

One fatal blow.

That murderous aura was incredibly frightening.

Ye Ci moved calmly and composedly, his expression remaining indifferent, as if what had just happened was merely a minor incident at the banquet.

He placed the head on the table, picked up a glass of wine, and raised it towards the head.

"Respect for fellow disciples."

He slowly fell to the ground, then continued drinking on his own, raising his glass for the second time.

"Respect to my comrades."

After saying that, he slowly collapsed to the ground.

Outsiders do not understand the meaning of the second sentence; only Ye Ci himself knows.

He poured the wine again.

Only then did he make a slight gesture in Duan Wu's direction, but this time he neither poured a drink nor drank any.

However, it was too quiet around us.

He picked up his chopsticks and waved his hand dismissively: "Continue playing the music."

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