Chapter 78: The Western Gate's Master (Repaired)

  The governor rode a tall horse, surrounded by his personal guards, to the center of the square. Seeing the large crowd of martial arts students gathered below, he felt quite satisfied.

  "Gentlemen, I have come here for two reasons: first, to welcome you all; second, to boost your morale and energize your journey. Your trip to the Redwood King's domain represents not only yourselves and your families but also your counties and the future of our South Cloud State. As a token of my sincerity, from now on, the martial youths from outside the county can stay in any inn in South Cloud State for free, with food and lodging covered by the state's expenses, during their three-day stay!"

  Those who can come here to sign up for the trial are all from noble families. As for this point of food and lodging expenses, they can all afford it.

  But the words of Master Zhifu have a meaning that goes beyond just food and lodging expenses.

  That represents a kind of emphasis, a treatment that only top-grade martial artists can enjoy.

  The official arrived, and naturally, there was a speech of encouragement. The martial arts students listened intently, nodding their heads in unison, each thinking that since the Magistrate valued them so much, how could they not give their all?

  Finally, the magistrate's lecture came to an end, and it was also time for lunch. Dismissed on the spot.

  One announced dissolution, each county martial arts children invited friends and companions, began to form cliques.

  Qin Wushuang was unwilling to get entangled in right and wrong, on this point, Da Xiyang and he were of the same mind.

  Yun Qingyan likes lively scenes, but unfortunately, a lone palm cannot clap, and can only follow the minority submitting to the majority.

  ……

  After lunch, the three of them returned to their respective rooms, and all was quiet once again.

  Suddenly, footsteps were heard coming from outside, followed by a knock at the door: "Excuse me, is Qin Gongzi of Luojiang County in?"

  When the door opened, a man who looked like a house servant was standing outside, with a respectful expression and a smile on his face, asking: "Is that Master Qin?"

  "It's me, who are you?"

  "I am a steward of the Ximen family. Here is an invitation card, written by my master himself, asking me to deliver it to Master Qin and invite you to our mansion for wine and opera, to dissipate the remaining summer heat."

  After finishing speaking, he respectfully handed over a beautifully packaged invitation.

  Qin Wushuang's expression was indifferent, without even a glance, and he said lightly: "Take it back."

  "Take it back?" The Ding family was stunned.

  "Yes, take it back."

  "Qin Gongzi, are you going or not? You have to take a look anyway!"

  Qin Wushuang turned around and asked, "Is it mainly because of Ximen's family that you came to see me?"

  "Yes, it's what our family head means."

  "Isn't it Si Men Kou Zhu you want to see?"

  "No." The man was taken aback, but still answered truthfully.

  "It's not that I want to see him, but rather he wants to see me. Either he comes to visit me, or at the very least, he should come personally to invite me. You can reply to your family head according to my intention."

  Qin Wushuang didn't bother to quibble with the house servant, this western gate master was playing power tricks, sending a house servant to invite someone, it was obvious that he intentionally belittled Qin Wushuang's status, it would be strange if Qin Wushuang agreed to go.

  Ding Rang was stunned for a moment, and had no choice but to retreat respectfully: "In that case, I will go back and report to the master of the valve, and ask him to make a decision."

  ……

  In the Ximen Dafu government, the family servant quickly brought back Qin Wushuang's meaning.

  Ximen's main gate had a majestic purple beard, giving off an extraordinary aura. Beside him stood eight people. The four on the left were his legitimate children, while the four on the right included two of Ximen's senior elders and the top two Gold Card Enforcers from Cold Blooded 13 Eagles.

  On the legitimate children's side, Ximen Qianyannuo was the oldest, her face twisted in anger as she spat out: "This little brat is still so good at putting on airs!"

  He immediately turned his head and said to Ximen Xing, "Old Three, this guy is showing off again in the central square today, right?"

  Ximen Xing smiled wryly and said, "I couldn't see that he was deliberately showing off, but that kid's aura is indeed very strong."

  Ximen Yan said with a sullen expression, "Big brother, third brother, I'm not interested in this Qin Wushuang or whatever. What I want to know is whether the daughter of the powerful Qin family really has a close relationship with Da Qiu Ming?"

  This question is something that Ximen Qing cannot answer. Ximen Chai, however, adds fuel to the fire by saying: "Isn't it close enough? They're a perfect match, and they simply look down on our Ximen family as if we were nothing."

  Ximen Qian's exaggeration was meant to provoke Ximen Huan. Provoking Ximen Huan would stir up Father's emotions, for he had always doted on this second daughter.

  Ximen Yan shook her father's arm: "Dad, this marriage was personally agreed upon by you and Da Xueheng. Now the Da Xue family clearly wants to renege on their promise. What should we do about it?"

  Ximen Dafu, also known as Ximen Yu. He became famous at a young age and joined the army early on, achieving great military accomplishments. In the family selection process, he defeated many heroes and obtained the right to inherit the position of leader.

  He took over the Ximen Dafu in twenty-four years, and he also made the Ximen Dafu prosperous. He was promoted to the national "Twelve Dafus" and can be said to have achieved great merit.

  Such a heroic figure would naturally not be disturbed by petty emotions.

  After a moment of contemplation, he asked: "Two elder ones and two guardians, this young man is indeed young, but he knows how to advance and retreat. He knew that I sent people from my sect to invite him, which would put him at a disadvantage, so he wants me to go personally, turning the tables on me instead. What do you all think, should I go see him or not?

  "The master of the valve thinks thrice. However, as a newly promoted noble son, even with some strange encounters, it's still not enough to put on airs in front of the master of the valve. If the master really wants to see him, let the next generation go and invite him, which is already giving enough face."

  "I agree with the old master's opinion. If the young master of the Ximen family goes to see a wealthy family's son, it will be unprecedented and may tarnish the reputation of our Ximen family."

  This is the legitimate heir of Simen's family, with traditional and conservative thinking, self-enclosed and valuing family background highly.

  The leader of the Thirteen Eagles, also known as the Great Protector, was an old man with white hair and a youthful face. He smiled and said: "Although I have never met that Qin family son before, but from my second brother's feedback, this child is worth meeting the master. Since you want to meet him, why bother about his social status?"

  In the Western Gate, the Thirteen Hawks of Cold Blood were in a transcendent position, able to sit on an equal footing with the family elders. Therefore, when this Great Protector spoke, he didn't need to deliberately flatter the family elder, but had the qualifications to have a say.

  The two guardians beside him had dealt with Qin Wushuang in Luojiang County before and had seen his methods. With his true martial realm's eighth stage strength, he didn't dare to claim victory either. The feedback information was very cautious.

  At this time, listening to Da Hufa saying so, also nodded in agreement.

  Ximen Yu stroked his long beard and smiled, saying: "The two elders advocate for not seeing, while the two guardians advocate for not being bound by rules. Each has its own reason, this is indeed difficult to handle."

  The four of them hastily said: "Everything still depends on Master's decision."

  "On my judgment?" Ximen Yu smiled and repeated.

  "The master of the valve is the spokesperson for our Ximen Valve, we will not have any objections." The four of them quickly expressed their stance.

  "Alright, since that's the case, then I'll go meet this Qin family child and see just how much of a freak this genius from Luo Jiang County is."

  Ximen Qian and Ximen Huan were overjoyed when they heard their father was going out.

  Especially Xi Menyan shouted: "Father, severely punish that kid. Let him know who is the authority of Nan Yunzhou."

  Ximen Yu smiled and didn't answer, floating out of the door.

  Silently, they arrived at the inn where Qin Wushuang was staying. As they turned a corner in the corridor, they suddenly saw a young man standing in the courtyard, intently gazing at the artificial hill and fountain.

  "Is it Master Ximen?" The young man spoke calmly, and it was indeed Qin Wushuang.

  "Qin Wushuang?" Ximen Yu was taken aback, and before he turned around the corridor, he hadn't even noticed that someone was standing in this courtyard.

  If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe that Qin's family had actually reached this level, clearly in the realm of unity between spirit and energy, where the spirit is not scattered and the energy is naturally settled.

  In simple terms, it means being completely integrated into the environment where he stands, with no self and no objects, people and nature becoming a unified landscape.

  It is known that Ximen Yu is one of the top masters in the Redwood Kingdom, a true martial artist with nine segments of strength. In the Redwood Kingdom, those who dare to say they can defeat him are fewer than the number of fingers on one hand.

  But such a master, unexpectedly had no warning signs beforehand.

  "We've been waiting for you for a while." Qin Wushuang spoke again.

  "Do you know I'm coming?" Ximen Yu felt that he was at a disadvantage from the first step, and his opponent took the initiative in the second and third steps.

  "You will definitely come." Qin Wusuo suddenly smiled mysteriously and flipped his body like a swallow, saying lightly, "Follow me."

  The sound fell, and the man had already fallen outside the courtyard wall, flying away into the distance.