Chapter 48

Ming Xuhuai pushed the golden foil card page in front of Yue Heng and said, "This is my personal recommendation letter. When I was studying at the county academy, I had a good relationship with several instructors, and my younger sister, Ming Ruogu, also trained there. If you encounter any trouble, you can seek their help."

"Brother Ming, how can I accept this... You have always been helping me, and I have never repaid you..."

"Brother Yue, you are too polite. From the first time I met you, I recognized your loyal character and unique talent, and I knew you were someone worth befriending. Everything I have done is to help a friend. Friends value each other's hearts, so please don't mention repayment again."

"Then... thank you, Brother Ming. By the way, will you attend the celebration banquet tonight?"

"Of course, you are the star of the evening, and I will definitely be there to support you! Although the Lingxin Chun here is good, don't drink too much, or you might get drunk and not even be able to speak tonight!"

"You have the sobering soup, right? Ha!"

The two of them chatted and drank tea and wine inside the Lingxin Building. Yue Heng asked about some common knowledge and interesting stories about scholars, and they stayed until the banquet was about to start. Then, they took Ming Xuhuai's beast-soul carriage to the Zhuangyuan Pavilion for the banquet.

The Zhuangyuan Pavilion could become the largest and most luxurious restaurant in Hong County not only because of the high ranks of the candidates it produced each year but also because of the celebration banquets it hosted, which were its golden brand. Everyone in Hong County was proud to receive an invitation to the banquet.

This year, about a hundred new candidates were invited, along with former outstanding students from the county academy, military and political figures, craftsmen and merchants, representatives of noble families and sects, and some of their families, totaling nearly three hundred people. The Zhuangyuan Pavilion closed its doors to the public and hosted this one night of luxurious celebration.

When Ming Xuhuai's beast-soul carriage arrived at the door, County Magistrate Cai hurriedly greeted them: "Lord Ming has arrived, ah, Yue Heng, you are here too?"

In the Zhongyuan world, a Spirit Master is treated with higher respect. Ming Xuhuai was a second-level Spirit Master, and the news of his passing the Lingjiu Mountain examination had already spread to Hong County. He was about to advance to the third level, so County Magistrate Cai's flattery was not excessive. Others would be lucky to even try to flatter a Spirit Master!

Yue Heng jumped off the carriage and bowed, "Student greets County Magistrate Cai."

County Magistrate Cai personally led the way, taking Ming Xuhuai and Yue Heng to the second floor, where the scholars' camp was located. The top thirty new students and several outstanding former students were already seated. When they saw Yue Heng come in, they all stood up and bowed.

"Brother Yue, I will come over to toast you later." Ming Xuhuai pointed to his Spirit Master VIP seat and smiled as he bid farewell to Yue Heng.

After Yue Heng respectfully saw him off, he went to his seat and started chatting with the surrounding students.

Important figures usually make their grand entrance last. County Magistrate Qi, the head of the scholars, and Military Officer Zhang, along with Inspector Su and Attendant Cui, were escorted to the main table on the first floor, and County Magistrate Cai announced the start of the banquet.

First, they toasted the gods in the sky. Scholars toasted Fuxi, warriors toasted Xuanyuan, craftsmen first toasted Fuxi, then Gongshuban or Mozi, and Spirit Masters, the most mysterious of all, were said to worship Shennong.

After toasting the gods, they toasted the current king, wishing the King of Chu and other nobles well, and then toasted the soldiers guarding the demon beast mountains. County Magistrate Cai sang a war song and a toast poem, and the banquet officially began.

The purpose of the banquet was not to fill their bellies but to foster emotional connections.

After the officials toasted each other, it was the turn of the new candidates to toast and perform, divided by profession.

The craftsmen took the lead, showcasing flying devices like bamboo dragonflies and various types of spirit weapons, demonstrating the latest improved versions of various beast-soul military weapons, earning applause and cheers.

Next, the warriors took the stage, with older students demonstrating their training results and new students performing boxing and sword dancing. Military Officer Zhang provided on-the-spot comments, and civil officials contributed poems to liven up the atmosphere.

Because of their status, the scholars' performances were scheduled last, but the students on the second floor were all excited and eager to show their skills. If they could catch the eye of any official today, they would have a significant advantage when they entered the county academy tomorrow.

Yue Heng leaned against the railing on the second floor, watching the mechanical devices with great interest.

He had never paid attention to the profession of craftsmen before, but today he was truly amazed.

The appearance of beast-souls had completely changed the technological progress of the Zhongyuan world. Yue Heng believed this was a direct leap over the steam industrial era into the modern era of solid fuel technology.

Craftsmen used beast-souls as solid gasoline and batteries, making inanimate tools flexible and powerful beyond imagination. At higher levels, the profession of craftsmen included sorcerers and puppeteers, with diverse combat methods and formidable strength.

A simple and somewhat comical bamboo dragonfly was floating in front of Yue Heng, moving up and down and back and forth. Clearly, some craftsman was playing with it.

Yue Heng's playful nature was aroused, and he reached out to grab it. Unexpectedly, his fingers collided with nothing, knocking the balance of the bamboo blades off, and he could only watch helplessly as it wobbled and fell, turning pale with shock.

Below was the seat of the warriors. This was going to be bad!

Clang!

The falling bamboo dragonfly knocked over a warrior's wine and dishes. The warrior looked up angrily, but the craftsman controlling it did not dare to show himself. Yue Heng could only bow and apologize to the warrior, as he was somewhat responsible for the incident.

The warrior was seething with anger but did not want to make a scene. Several people around him looked up and saw Yue Heng's face, and they all lowered their heads and whispered to each other.

A student standing nearby watching the commotion, Yue Heng asked, "Who is that person?"

"He Yong! He was either first or second in the initial warrior examination this year, but he ended up fourth in the final exam."

"Brother Yue, this guy might be a bit difficult to deal with. I've heard he is very strong and unpredictable. Moreover, he has no guile and is easily manipulated, often getting into trouble. He is known as 'He Bighead.' His uncle is a military official in Hong County, so I think Brother Yue should apologize... just to be safe."

"This isn't Brother Yue's fault; it's the craftsman's fault. Brother Yue doesn't need to worry about it!"

The name He Yong sounded familiar, but Yue Heng couldn't remember why.

If He Yong really came to cause trouble, there was nothing Yue Heng could do. Apologizing wasn't out of the question; if he did something wrong, he should apologize. That was his principle.

Yue Heng didn't leave the railing. He saw He Yong stand up, pick up a sheathed longsword from his seat, and walk towards the main table of officials.

Just as a warrior finished his performance and left the stage, He Yong followed, bowing and kneeling on one knee, shouting loudly, "Fourth in the warrior examination, new practitioner He Yong, wishes to learn from the ancient warrior god Xiang Yu and perform a sword dance to entertain the officials!"

Military Officer Zhang smiled and introduced He Yong to Attendant Cui, who was seated at the main table: "Sword dancing is a tradition. This is not the Hong Gate Banquet, and Xiang Yu is not Xiang Zhuang. It's just for entertainment. What do you think, Attendant Cui?"

Attendant Cui smiled and replied, "This young man has just become a practitioner and dares to emulate the warrior god Xiang Yu. His courage is commendable! If Lord Zhang and Lord Qi have no objections, I am certainly happy to watch."

His words had another layer of meaning. Scholars respected the ancient literary sage and did not easily comment on sages and gods. For example, last time, Kuang Qing deliberately provoked Yue Heng to emulate the god Cao Zhi and write a poem in seven steps, comparing a student to a literary sage, which was considered a grave disrespect and a serious offense.

But the warriors formed a separate system. As the chief military official today, Military Officer Zhang quickly said he had no objections and gave a nod to Deputy Military Officer He.

He Yong was Deputy Military Officer He's nephew, and such a chance to shine was always welcome!

"He Yong, stand up, you are approved," Military Officer Zhang waved his hand.

He Yong held his sword, performed the warrior's salute, and loudly requested, "I have heard that this year's top scholar, Yue Heng, is skilled in music. A sword dance without music is incomplete. I hope the officials will allow me to request Yue Heng to accompany me with a song, so I can perform with enthusiasm!"

As soon as he said this, the entire hall gradually fell silent. The civil officials, who had been chatting and laughing, now looked surprised and puzzled.

Military Officer Zhang couldn't figure out He Yong's intentions. His request seemed reasonable, as even in the ancient Hong Gate Banquet, Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was accompanied by music and dance, and even Xiang Bo joined in.

However, most civil officials guessed He Yong's true purpose. They thought deeper and realized that his seemingly casual request was filled with malice and was definitely not something a straightforward person like He Yong could come up with. There must be a high-level person behind the scenes guiding him!

Xiang Zhuang was Xiang Yu's brother and the first swordsman of Chu. He attempted to kill Liu Bang at the Hong Gate Banquet but was stopped by Xiang Bo and failed.

He Yong was only a first-level practitioner, not comparing himself to Xiang Zhuang but to Xiang Yu, requesting to perform a sword dance for entertainment. This was already a form of disrespect to the warrior god Xiang Yu, who never performed a sword dance to entertain at a banquet.

But since He Yong was a warrior, even Military Officer Zhang and others did not object to this, and the civil officials were even less likely to make a fuss over it.

Since He Yong compared himself to Xiang Yu, the accompanying music should be at the level of the warrior god of Western Chu. Ordinary banquet music and dance would not be appropriate.

However, the only song Xiang Yu personally sang was "The Song of Gaixia," which was not suitable for a scholar to accompany. It should be performed freely, ideally by He Yong himself.

By asking Yue Heng to accompany him, He Yong was forcing Yue Heng to sing a song greater than "The Power to Lift Mountains and the Might to Overwhelm the World," or it would be considered disrespectful to the warrior god. This was clearly a deliberate provocation!

The head of the scholars was the first to disagree, coldly laughing, "Scholars are not comparable to warriors. Our professions are different, and scholars are not in a position to comment on the warrior god. Unless He Yong truly emulates Xiang Yu and commits suicide, and Yue Heng sings 'The Song of Gaixia' to send him on his way, what's the problem?"

These words were extremely harsh, implying that if He Yong wanted Yue Heng to accompany him, he should emulate Xiang Yu and commit suicide.

"To bully the young and curse my nephew to death!"

Deputy Military Officer He was furious and about to burst out, but Military Officer Zhang held his hand and shook his head. With important guests present and the main officials not speaking, it was best for the military officials to remain calm.