Following Tian Lan, Liu Chen walked through a secluded path and arrived in front of a slightly simple courtyard. Compared to the surrounding buildings, this courtyard seemed a bit out of place.
Tian Lan stopped, pointed at the courtyard, and introduced it to Liu Chen and Shang Xin Ci: "This is the residence where Clan Chief was suppressed by other Young Lords."
Liu Chen looked around; although the courtyard was simple, it was kept very tidy. In the garden, there was a huge stone table, on which various fruits were placed. He noticed an ancient tree in the center of the courtyard, with a thick trunk and lush branches, providing a cool shade for the entire courtyard.
Tian Lan continued, "Later, Clan Chief became the Family Head of the Shang Family, but he did not forget this courtyard. He specifically preserved this courtyard, and important Family banquets are held here." She paused, then added, "This is also meant to encourage the younger generation, to make them understand the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the Family, and the importance of striving hard."
Since Liu Chen and Shang Xin Ci arrived early, Shang Yanfei's other children had not yet come. Tian Lan led Shang Xin Ci into the inner room of the courtyard, leaving Liu Chen to wait in the courtyard.
After a while, Tian Lan walked out of the inner room and said to Liu Chen, "Young Miss Xin Ci has already entered the inner room to bathe and change. Clan Chief will announce her identity after the other Young Lords return."
Liu Chen nodded, indicating understanding. Tian Lan then asked, "Sir Liu Chen, do you want to wait in the courtyard, or do you have other arrangements?"
Liu Chen thought for a moment and replied, "If there is another inner room, then I will also wait in the inner room. I, as an outsider, am not quite accustomed to this kind of Family banquet."
He didn't want to get into an argument with Shang Yanfei's other children, to avoid wasting words.
Tian Lan smiled and said, "Alright, Sir Liu Chen, I'll take you to another inner room." With that, she led Liu Chen into another inner room in the courtyard.
Shang Yanfei's ten children, some earlier and some later, walked into the banquet hall for this Family banquet. Their hearts were filled with curiosity and speculation about this sudden Family banquet.
After all, anything Shang Yanfei announced at a Family banquet was never a small matter.
So, during the waiting time, they naturally discussed among themselves in private, but each person was like a headless fly, completely clueless.
Time passed by minute by minute. Finally, the moon climbed to the tip of the willow branches, casting a silvery glow. Just then, a flash of blood light suddenly appeared, and Shang Yanfei appeared like a phantom at the head of the Family banquet table. His blood-red hair fluttered in the wind, revealing an indescribable dominance. He was half-reclining in his seat, looking down at his children.
"Your children greet Father!" Seeing this, Shang Yanfei's children present all knelt and bowed, shouting in unison.
Shang Yanfei nodded slightly, signaling everyone to rise. With a wave of his hand, he instantly activated the Fifth Rank Brocade Food Box Gu. The Food Box Gu emitted a colorful light, like a splendid rainbow.
Immediately after, various delicacies rained down from the sky, accurately landing on the stone table, filling it completely.
"I am holding this Family banquet today to announce something important," Shang Yanfei's voice was low and powerful, echoing in the banquet hall, "and there is also an honored guest I want to introduce to you all. Later, you must all toast him. Qiunius, as the eldest, you must set an example." His gaze fell on his eldest son, Shang Qiunius.
Shang Qiunius quickly responded, "Yes, Father, your son understands."
Shang Yanfei nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Tian Lan, who had quietly arrived behind him, and instructed, "Go, invite Liu Chen over."
Hearing the name "Liu Chen," several Young Lords of the Shang Family present couldn't help but feel a shock in their hearts, and they began to ponder in secret. A person who could make their father treat him with such respect must be an extraordinary individual, and his status and position must be significant. So, they all sat upright, not daring to show any slackness or transgression, fearing to leave a bad impression on the other party.
However, these Young Lords of the Shang Family were not ordinary people either. Although young, they had already made a name for themselves in the Shang Family, each possessing a powerful intelligence network. When they heard the name "Liu Chen," most of them immediately thought of the mysterious Fifth Rank Gu Master who had once saved Divine Catcher Tie Xue Leng. They knew very little about this person, only that his name was Liu Chen, and nothing else.
However, Shang Yazhi had a stronger impression of this name. He had once bought a Wood Path Legacy from a Gu Master named Liu Chen. Moreover, during that time, he had also noticed a Third Rank Gu Master, Liu Chen, a Flying Sword user, who was undefeated in the Martial Arts Arena.
It was just that, for some unknown reason, this Liu Chen suddenly disappeared later, as if he had vanished from the face of the earth. Seeing this, Shang Yazhi did not continue to pay attention.
However, just two years ago, a piece of news suddenly came from the Tie Family, making Liu Chen, this mysterious Fifth Rank Gu Master, famous overnight.
From the inner room of the courtyard, Liu Chen slowly walked out, closely following Tian Lan. They passed through a secluded path and finally arrived at Shang Yanfei's location.
Shang Yanfei was sitting on one side of the courtyard, and next to him was a chair placed at the same level as his own, clearly prepared specifically for Liu Chen. Seeing this, Liu Chen stepped forward without hesitation and sat steadily on that chair, appearing composed and at ease.
After Liu Chen was seated, Shang Yanfei looked at his children with a solemn expression and said, "This is the honored guest I want to introduce to you today. He is Sir Liu Chen, the Fifth Rank Sword Dao Gu Master, and the hero who once saved Divine Catcher Tie Xue Leng!"
Before he finished speaking, Shang Qiunius, Shang Yanfei's eldest son, was the first to stand up, cupped his fists, and loudly declared, "Qiunius, I toast Sir Liu Chen!" With that, he picked up the wine from the table and drank it all in one gulp.
Shang Qiunius's action seemed to be a signal, and the other men and women behind him also followed suit, raising their wine bowls one after another to toast Liu Chen, and likewise drank it all.
Facing the enthusiasm of the Shang Family members, Liu Chen's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile. He did not neglect them either, immediately raising his own wine bowl and heartily drinking all the wine within it.
"The Young Lords of the Shang Family are all outstanding individuals, Clan Chief Shang is truly blessed!" Liu Chen put down his wine bowl and said with a smile to Shang Yanfei.
Hearing this, Shang Yanfei quickly waved his hand and laughed, "Not at all, not at all! I should be thanking you, Liu Chen! If not for your protection of Xin Ci along the way, how could I have gained such a well-behaved and lovely daughter?"
At this point, Shang Yanfei's face was beaming with a happy smile. He once again raised his wine bowl and toasted Liu Chen with a bowl of wine.