Chapter 21

Seeing that Guo Xiang was still thinking about Yang Guo, Jiang Chen felt quite helpless. After arriving at the guest room, he sat down to meditate and practice. He knew that all his martial arts skills were acquired through the cycle of talent, and he needed a long time to consolidate his foundation, so he was unwilling to waste even a moment of practice time.

The next morning, Guo Xiang personally instructed her maid, Xiao Bangtou, to bring breakfast. It consisted of fragrant salty meat porridge, four steamed buns, and a small dish of pickles. In this era, this was undoubtedly a very luxurious and sumptuous breakfast. After months of cultivation and training outside, Jiang Chen had never tasted such a delicious breakfast before, and his appetite was greatly stimulated, praising it endlessly.

By noon, Yelü Qi came to invite him, saying that a banquet had been set up in the manor to thank him for saving the lives of Guo Fu and Guo Xiang. Jiang Chen followed Yelü Qi to the hall, where there were quite a few people, but only one table was set, and Guo Xiang was not there. Given his age, Jiang Chen could only be considered a junior, so after some polite refusal, he sat at the head of the table, directly opposite Guo Jing. Although he was very curious, he knew it was not the right time to ask about Guo Xiang. Soon, Huang Rong and Zhu Ziliu also arrived, and Guo Jing looked quite pleased.

"Today, we are mainly here to thank Young Hero Jiang for killing Nimo Xing, removing a great threat from the martial world. Guo Jing, as the host, stood up and raised his cup in a toast. Huang Rong, however, pulled Guo Jing's hand from the side, clearly thinking that Guo Jing had been too straightforward. Seeing this, Jiang Chen understood some things, but he had no intention of revealing them.

"Great Hero Guo, you are too kind. This time, I saved the girls purely by chance. Even if I hadn't acted, I believe Guo Xiang would have been fine. Great Hero Guo has been working hard to defend Xiangyang, and I, as a Chinese citizen, have always admired you greatly. This cup of wine should be offered by me to you," Jiang Chen smiled and stood up to return the toast.

Everyone saw him as a young hero and, hearing that his martial arts were extremely high, yet he was so polite, they began to change their views on him. Even Zhu Ziliu showed a hint of approval. Only Huang Rong was still somewhat suspicious and had doubts about Jiang Chen.

"This..." Guo Jing was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say, but then Huang Rong laughed and said, "Jing, since Young Hero Jiang is offering you a toast, you should drink it. Don't keep him standing."

"Then I will not refuse. Cheers!" Guo Jing drank the wine in one gulp, and Jiang Chen did the same. The wine was so spicy that he almost vomited, but he forced himself to use his inner strength to suppress it, though his face had already turned red. After swallowing, he felt that the wine, though strong, was indeed good, but he had drunk it too quickly. He blushed easily, but he wasn't really drunk from just one cup.

Seeing that his face had turned red after one cup, Huang Rong had an idea. She glanced at Zhu Ziliu and pointed to the wine glass with her eyes. Zhu Ziliu immediately understood and raised his cup, saying, "Young Hero Jiang, your martial arts are unparalleled, and you are both brave and humble. I also offer you a cup of wine."

Jiang Chen, seeing this, understood their intentions. He thought, "So, you want to get me drunk and then pry information out of me!" He secretly used his inner strength to dispel the alcohol, and the effects were gone. He wasn't really unable to drink; he had just drunk too quickly and almost choked.

"Mr. Zhu, you are too kind. I have heard that you are a top scholar, with vast knowledge and great talent, which I can never match. What I admire even more is that you, a native of Dali, have come to help the Song Dynasty defend Xiangyang. Your broad-mindedness and magnanimity are truly a model for us all. I also offer you a cup of wine," Jiang Chen smiled and responded, then drank the wine in one gulp.

"Heroes emerge from the young. Young Hero Jiang, you are too modest," Zhu Ziliu said, though his heart was churning. These words struck a chord with Zhu Ziliu. Dali had already fallen, and he had come to help the Song Dynasty defend Xiangyang, which was a way to fight against the Mongols who had destroyed his country. The pain of losing his country could not be easily erased, and many Dali experts present were deeply saddened, but they all praised Jiang Chen.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit cold, Huang Rong laughed and said, "Dunru, Xiwen, your Uncle Zhu has offered a toast, so you two should also offer one to Young Hero Jiang."

Although the Wu brothers were reluctant, since their mother-in-law had spoken, they had no choice but to raise their cups and say, "Young Hero Jiang, we also offer you a cup of wine."

"I am honored. The two of you are extraordinary, truly worthy of your great teacher and father. You and your parents and teachers are defending Xiangyang, making it a home and a blessing for the Song Dynasty. If all the people of the Song Dynasty were like you, we would have a million brave soldiers and would not fear the Mongol invaders. I offer you a cup of wine," Jiang Chen said with great righteousness.

Honestly, in terms of martial arts, he didn't think much of the Wu brothers, but considering their later loyalty to Guo Jing and Huang Rong, defending Xiangyang to the death, he didn't feel insincere in praising them. Besides, his principles had long been discarded.

"Cheers!" Everyone likes to hear compliments, and the Wu brothers had never received such praise before. They felt a surge of heroism and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Spoken well! If all the people of the Song Dynasty could take the country as their home, we would not fear even ten times the number of Mongols," Guo Jing clapped and praised. Huang Rong also smiled, surprised by Jiang Chen's eloquence after drinking. Just as she was about to speak, Guo Polu and Yelü Qi stood up almost simultaneously and raised their cups.

"Brother Jiang!"

"Young Hero Jiang!"

The three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Huang Rong thought she didn't need to remind them and laughed, "Polu, let your brother-in-law go first."

Guo Polu, being honest and straightforward, sat down first. Jiang Chen patted his shoulder to comfort him and then said to Yelü Qi, "Brother Yelü, you are too kind. I was just about to offer you a cup of wine, but you beat me to it. Your literary and martial talents, as well as your broad-mindedness, are greatly admired by me. Great Hero Guo has gained a capable son-in-law, and the Song Dynasty has gained ten thousand soldiers. I offer you a cup of wine. Cheers!"

"Brother Yelü has limited talent and does not deserve such praise. Cheers!" Yelü Qi was much calmer, but he couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face and drank the wine in one gulp.

After drinking a round, Jiang Chen finally sat down and quietly asked Guo Polu, "Why isn't your second sister here?"

Guo Polu honestly replied, "Second sister said she didn't want to eat, so Mother had the servants bring the food to her room."

Before Jiang Chen could ask more, Huang Rong, seeing him and Guo Polu whispering, became curious and asked, "Polu, what are you and Young Hero Jiang talking about?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just about to offer Polu a cup of wine. Come, Polu, let's drink. A tiger father has no dog son. I hope you work hard and achieve success, living up to Great Hero Guo's reputation," Jiang Chen quickly said, knowing that Guo Polu was an honest child.

"Brother Jiang," Guo Polu scratched his head and replied, "I am working hard, but I always do poorly, and my martial arts are not even as good as my second sister's."

"Heaven rewards diligence. Your father was once not as good as your mother, but he became a great hero. Don't lose confidence; persistence is the most important thing," Jiang Chen smiled and drank the wine, his face turning as red as a ripe persimmon, ready to burst.

Huang Rong was planning to take advantage of the opportunity to get Jiang Chen drunk and then ask him some questions, but she saw a wisp of steam rising from his head, and the redness on his face disappeared. She was stunned!

Zhu Ziliu and others also couldn't help but widen their eyes, thinking, "This Young Hero Jiang has such deep inner strength. It seems impossible to get him drunk."

Since Jiang Chen's inner strength was so profound, even drinking all night would not make him drunk. Huang Rong, Zhu Ziliu, and others had to give up their plans. Without any ulterior motives, the meal was a pleasant one, and they didn't disperse until the sun was setting...