Chương 241: New Year Approaching

Over at the Moon-Lacking Pavilion, Returning in triumph, Pavilion Master Song and his men were met with overwhelming, earth-shattering cheers and roars of "long live," their morale soaring straight into the nine heavens. Receiving the reverent and admiring gazes of the entire city's commoners, Song Que led the group of gang members back. Xu Qing, Wu Tian, Shi Shouheng, Yun Shan, and a bunch of other bigwigs also joyfully followed him to offer their congratulations.

The banquet that had been prepared—which the people of the Golden Coin Gang had angrily left behind without getting a chance to enjoy—was handily used to host these esteemed guests.

"A'Que, congratulations! After today, your name will definitely resound throughout the martial world." Wu Tian cheerfully raised his glass to toast.

"Indeed, we must drink three large cups to celebrate this. I truly never expected that a First-Tier faction would one day emerge within my jurisdiction. When this old man goes out to meet his colleagues in the future, my back will definitely be a bit straighter." Xu Qing's excitement was equally palpable. Hearing the two men's praises, Song Que didn't feel overly arrogant. After all, if it were a true life-and-death struggle, encountering Gu He would only leave him with the option to flee.

"Uncles flatter me. Compared to a true First-Tier martial artist, I am still far behind."

"Haha, not at all. Give you a little more time, and surpassing them will be a certainty." The prerequisite is having the time. But during such a joyous occasion, there was no need to dwell on such unlucky matters. The group wholeheartedly raised their cups in joyous conversation, drinking to their hearts' content. It wasn't until late afternoon, after handling some Pavilion affairs, that Song Que finally led his entire family back to Plum Manor........

Stealing a half-day of leisure from this fleeting life, A mood half-Buddha, half-immortal. Ever since the news of the battle between Song Que and Gu He spread, his life had become significantly more leisurely. That tyrannical neighbor, Old Du, hadn't even recovered from his injuries yet, and now there was the deterrent of Grandee Song's quasi-First-Tier combat power. Across the entire Lingjiang stretch, no blind fool dared to come cause trouble in Qinghe anymore.

Furthermore, as the Lunar New Year approached, the foreign martial artists who had come for the Raging Fire Liquor also began packing their bags to head home, significantly reducing the restless atmosphere in the city. Plum Manor. Grandee Song was methodically directing the servants to prepare the necessary items; later on, they still needed to offer incense to send the Kitchen God off to heaven. Today was already the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month.

The New Year was just a week away, and the year-end atmosphere had permeated every household down below. Strangely enough, this life also shared quite a few similar customs and festivals with his previous life. As for the reason why, Scholar Song couldn't figure it out even after racking his brains, so he simply stopped thinking about it. Wealth breeds etiquette. Back in Giant Willow Village, he hadn't cared much about such occasions, but that wouldn't do now.

It wasn't that he objected to these customs—even if he accidentally forgot, Old Nie, Yang Mi, and the others would immediately remind him. Methodically preparing the pastries, joss paper, offering meals... just as Song Que was about to begin the ceremony, a servant ran in to announce that the Yun family had arrived to offer New Year's greetings. Hearing this, he had to temporarily postpone the ceremony.

After instructing the servants to take care of a few things, he led his people out to welcome the esteemed guests...... In the Plum Garden. Every time she came here, the place had undergone another transformation. Yun Xi was currently curiously observing the various newly built walls and structures in the courtyard. Only when she heard footsteps approaching from outside did she compose herself and stand up with dignified grace.

"Miss Yun, Elder Kong, Chief Steward, Miss Qingzhu, we meet again."

"A scholar who has been away for three days must be looked at with new eyes. Young Master Song, every time we meet, you manage to bring Yun Xi from one surprise to another. This little lady no longer knows what words to use to describe you." Looking at the young man in front of her, Yun Xi wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but she began to feel a faint, heavy pressure emanating from him. This made her observe him intently for a moment before speaking out in admiration.

Calmly accepting the scrutinizing gazes of the Yun family group, Grandee Song smiled nonchalantly and winked, teasing:"Wanting to know how to describe me isn't easy. How about we two light a lantern and have a night-long chat? Whatever Miss Yun wishes to know, this humble one will naturally tell all that I know and speak without reserve, guaranteeing to talk until you are satisfied." This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Giggle... but in the dark of night, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to see where Young Master Song is. Therefore, if you are inclined to share, we could arrange a time to enjoy some tea and converse. Yun Xi would naturally be extremely welcoming." Having navigated the business world for many years, this young lady had naturally encountered all sorts of people. She wasn't overly bashful at the thief Song's teasing words. Instead, she playfully poked fun at his dark skin tone, considering it a draw.

"Haha, there will definitely be a chance," Song Que laughed and agreed without minding, then asked:"Miss Yun, I wonder what brings you here today? I thought you would have already returned to your family to celebrate the New Year."

"The business is too busy; I haven't been able to tear myself away just yet." Yun Xi stroked the hair at her temples and sighed tiredly. Looking at the person across from her, she couldn't help but feel incredibly envious:"I truly envy Young Master Song for being able to enjoy such leisurely days. Having layers upon layers of talented subordinates under your command, each capable of taking charge of an entire aspect on their own, truly saves you a lot of worry."

"Haha, it's mainly because I'm too lazy. Besides, I see that Miss Yun also has talents as numerous as the clouds under your command. Why not try trusting them and handing over some important responsibilities? Without giving them a chance, how can you know they aren't capable? You are simply a workaholic; you want to personally oversee everything, which is why you're so exhausted." Pondering his words for a moment, Yun Xi finally sighed, shaking her head with a bitter smile:"Perhaps you are right, Young Master Song.

But with a personality like mine, it seems I am destined to a life of hard work."

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I came here this time firstly to offer New Year's greetings, and secondly, to congratulate you."

"Congratulate me? I wonder where this good news comes from?" Grandee Song asked curiously. Only then did Yun Xi slowly take out a thin booklet. At a glance, it looked incredibly familiar—it was none other than the Martial World Chronicles.

"Congratulations to Young Master Song on your rising fame. Right now, your achievements are known throughout the world. The people of the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion have officially bestowed a title upon you. From today onwards, everyone in the world will know that in this small Qinghe County of the Yangnan Circuit, there is an outstanding talent named Song Que. I wonder if this is worthy of congratulations?" Hearing her words, Grandee Song's eyes lit up brilliantly, his heart surging with extreme excitement.

I made the papers! I wonder which page it's on? But with the influence of the Martial World Chronicles, this meant he had truly made a name for himself. Wouldn't this mean that starting tomorrow, there would be a constant stream of female martial artists flocking here out of admiration, wishing to catch a glimpse of Grandee Song's glorious demeanor? Unacceptable! I have to quickly cultivate this damn Virgin Boy Art to grand completion!

Thinking of the scene where he'd be surrounded by a flock of beautiful women, yet forced to sit perfectly still like a monk chanting "Form is Emptiness," the little universe inside Song Que instantly blazed wildly. Though his stomach was already blooming with laughter, outwardly, this guy still put on a slightly reserved act, showing neither arrogance in honor nor despair in disgrace.

Taking the booklet, he lightly tossed it aside, smiling elegantly and shaking his head:"It is merely a bit of empty vanity, nothing worth mentioning. For us martial artists, the most important thing is still our own strength. When your strength is sufficient, whether or not others bestow a title upon you doesn't matter."

"Young Master Song's broad-mindedness is truly admirable!" Toward this dark-skinned brat's mouth full of nonsense, Yun Xi didn't believe a single word of it. But right now, she still went against her conscience and offered him a grand compliment, leaving Song Que extremely satisfied.

"There is one more matter. Uncle Shan!"

"Miss!" Hearing her call, Yun Shan, who was sitting to the side, stood up. He brought over a long box and respectfully presented it to her with both hands. Pushing this box in front of the rascal Song, the beautiful Yun Xi smiled:"Young Master Song, please open it and take a look."

"This is?" Curious, Song Que reached out and opened the lid of the box. Inside lay a saber, resting quietly. Watching him pick up the saber to examine it, Yun Xi finally continued speaking:"I personally commissioned Grandmaster Shi of Yangnan Prefecture to forge this saber. The materials used were the absolute best—Ten Thousand Year Black Iron and meteorite steel. It weighs exactly eight hundred and eighty catties and can cut through iron as if it were mud.

It is a small New Year's gift from me to Young Master Song. I wonder if you are satisfied with it?" When the news of Song Que defeating Gu He arrived, and after hearing her subordinates' detailed report of the battle, Yun Xi immediately ordered people to return to the Headquarters to fetch the ore. Using her connections, she asked Grandmaster Shi to prioritize forging the saber. With constant urging, she managed to bring the item here just in time for New Year's greetings today.

Furthermore, she had meticulously and deliberately requested a heavy saber, knowing exactly what Song Que liked best. As expected, it moved the little thief somewhat. In truth, for Grandee Song, who had already mastered "lifting heavy as though it were light," whether the saber was heavy or not didn't matter much to him anymore.

The reason he hadn't sought out the people from the Sea of Clouds Pavilion to help him buy materials since his saber broke last time was simply because he wasn't satisfied with the current saber and sword designs. They weren't beautiful enough, they weren't domineering enough. In short, for someone who loved to show off like him, they just weren't eye-catching enough. He was still planning to design one himself and then head to the Forging Workshop to have Old Mo forge it.

The design would naturally emulate the katanas and weapons from video games. After all, prioritizing aesthetics was the way to go. But now, facing this favor from Yun Xi, even knowing the other party was deliberately trying to win him over, Grandee Song still bought into it. His heart felt much warmer, and he naturally cared a lot less about the massive profits the Yun family was making from selling the Raging Fire Liquor. After all, she truly knew how to conduct herself.

A renowned saber meticulously crafted by a Grandmaster wouldn't cost any less than tens of thousands of taels—and don't even dream of getting one if you didn't have the right connections. Not to mention, this was custom-made specifically for him.

"I am very satisfied with this gift; many thanks to Miss Yun. Since today coincides with sending the Kitchen God off to heaven, if everyone doesn't mind, how about staying and joining me for a meal?" Handing the item over to Xiong Ba to take back to his room, Song Que turned to the Yun family group and offered a sincere invitation. Since her main goal for coming here was to build a relationship, Yun Xi naturally accepted happily.

He hosted them to their hearts' content during the meal, and upon their departure, sent them off with quite a few return gifts. Only then did Grandee Song satisfyingly see them all the way out to the main gate. Finally having the time to run back and see how the world praised his heaven-defying talent, the rascal Song could hardly contain his excitement as he hurriedly executed his movement technique and dashed back to his room.