My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai turned his head to look over.

In the back, a young man stood with his brows furrowed and a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle, but before he could speak, Zhou Chaomian's voice rang out from the other side: "This gentleman is Zhenbei..."

At this point, Zhou Chaomian paused, shook his head, and said, "No, he's the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion now!"

"The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"

The young man's expression changed only slightly after hearing this.

He then snorted coldly, "I don't care if it's the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion or a Marquis's mansion!"

"Today is a banquet for those who have hidden their talents; most of those invited are figures from the martial arts world!"

"In that case, if seating arrangements are to be made, they should be based on merit!"

"And what is this person's strength?"

After saying that, he looked Jiang Xiaobai up and down with his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Tang Ningshuang's face immediately turned cold. Her hand had just landed on the hilt of her sword, preparing to stand up, but Jiang Xiaobai raised his hand and pressed her down.

"Why!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, then looked at the young man: "I'm simple, just the strength of 30,000 troops in the capital!"

"Plus the strength of an 800,000-strong army in the North!"

"Apart from that, he's just an ordinary person!"

As soon as Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, the young man's expression froze, his mouth opened, and his face gradually turned red.

After stammering for a long time, the man couldn't utter a single word. In the end, he could only sit down again with a dark expression.

Tang Ningshuang's expression was somewhat strange when she saw this scene.

Although Jiang Xiaobai's words were somewhat arrogant.

But it must be said that it is indeed highly efficient; a single sentence leaves one speechless.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Since the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has the capability, why not use it?

Does he really have to stand up himself and fight someone else?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai picked up his teacup and continued to drink slowly.

As time passed little by little.

More and more people came to the Princess's residence afterward.

Jiang Xiaobai sat in the head seat, casually observing.

Among them, there were some people dressed in long robes and looking like scholars, but... most of them were indeed martial arts practitioners.

Some carried knives, some held swords, and a few were dressed in a style distinctly different from that of the capital, suggesting they had come from out of town.

This made Jiang Xiaobai even more curious about today's hidden talent banquet.

What exactly is the meaning behind the Princess's arrangement of this banquet?

Just as Jiang Xiaobai was wondering, footsteps sounded outside again.

Jiang Xiaobai looked up, his expression turning to surprise.

The visitors were two acquaintances.

The person in front was Chen Zhanqiu.

Beside Chen Zhanqiu was a young man, who was none other than Chen Jian, whom Jiang Xiaobai had met once before.

Chen Zhanqiu was somewhat surprised to be here.

After all, a high-ranking official like the Minister of Rites shouldn't have much contact with these江湖人士 (jianghu figures) on a regular basis.

But Chen Jian's appearance here surprised him even more.

Yes, he remembered Chen Jian, but his mind was entirely focused on martial arts.

I never expected to be brought out by Chen Zhanqiu today!?

While Jiang Xiaobai was still wondering, Chen Jian quickly noticed him, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Brother Jiang!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jian shook off Chen Zhanqiu and strode towards Jiang Xiaobai.

"Jian'er!"

Upon seeing this, Chen Zhanqiu's expression immediately changed: "Come back!"

But Chen Jian seemed not to hear at all, and without pausing for a moment, he quickly arrived in front of Jiang Xiaobai.

"Hey, Brother Jiang!"

Chen Jian's expression was clearly excited: "You're here too!"

"Brother Chen!"

Jiang Xiaobai saw Chen Jian and stood up with a smile as well.

He actually had a good impression of Chen Jian.

Although it seems that his mind can't hold much else besides martial arts.

But this guy is really strong!

Jiang Xiaobai still remembers it to this day.

Back when they were at Chen Zhanqiu's residence, Chen Jian suddenly rushed out and fired a shot from his Desert Eagle.

Chen Jian dodged the blow and was only hit in the shoulder.

That was the first time he had ever met someone who could actually dodge bullets!

"Brother Chen!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked Chen Jian up and down, then smiled and said, "Hehe, didn't we agree last time that you would come to my residence to see me sometime?"

"Why haven't we heard from them since?"

When he left Chen Zhanqiu's residence, he did extend an invitation to Chen Jian.

"This...I..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jian's excitement instantly turned into embarrassment: "I'm lost!"

"what?"

Jiang Xiaobai's face was full of surprises.

Lost?

He initially thought that the guy didn't want to go out anymore.

Or perhaps Chen Zhanqiu wouldn't let him out.

It turns out they got lost?

"no!"

Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but say, "You're lost? Why don't you ask someone for directions?"

"When I got there, it was already evening!"

Chen Jian said, "There aren't many people on the street!"

"Besides... I'm too embarrassed to ask anyone!"

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

Then I understood.

That's right, Chen Jian was almost always kept in that courtyard by Chen Zhanqiu since he was a child.

Besides practicing martial arts, he also practices martial arts.

Let alone communicating with strangers, he probably hasn't even spoken much with the servants in the mansion.

The reason he was able to chat with Chen Jian was because of the so-called "One-Finger Divine Skill".

In addition, he later fabricated a few martial arts techniques on his own.

Otherwise, the two of them probably wouldn't have much in common.

"Jian'er!"

At this moment, Chen Zhanqiu finally walked over, his face somewhat unpleasant. He first gave Jiang Xiaobai a cold glance, then looked at Chen Jian and said, "Come, come with your father to sit on the other side!"

"Minister Chen!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle: "Since Brother Chen is willing to sit here, then let him sit here!"

"snort!"

Chen Zhanqiu's face darkened, and he was just about to speak.

Before he could say anything, Chen Jian had already sat down next to Jiang Xiaobai, without glancing at Chen Zhanqiu once.

"..."

Chen Zhanqiu stood there, visibly stunned, his face twitching slightly: "Jian'er!"

"Come with me to the other side!"

"No!"

Chen Jian shook his head, refusing decisively: "Brother Jiang is my closest friend, so naturally I must sit with him!"

"I'm your father!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu nearly choked.

"snort!"

Chen Jian snorted coldly and said, "Brother Jiang once told me that if you act on impulse, even your father can't change your mind!"

After saying that, Chen Jian turned to Jiang Xiaobai beside him and said, "Brother Jiang, am I right?!"