The Beggars' Sect Chief returned to his seat. Tan Wei praised him with a smile.
"Chief Fei, you are truly one of the rarest talents in the martial world!"
Fei Jin chuckled.
"Enough flattering me. I was just hungry."
Tang Fei laughed.
"Chief Fei's move of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds was truly brilliant."
Ye Wen of the Xuzhou Sect added,
"But Chief Fei never even made a single move."
Li Jian smiled knowingly.
"His move was made without anyone seeing it."
It was indeed as the verse says:
At the Heroes' Assembly to Defend the Righteous,
Who among them is the greatest hero?
While demons strike with all their might,
Nothing towers higher than an empty stomach.
At that moment, the Purple Celestial Cult Leader introduced Tuoba Singh, the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Way Alliance. Thunderous applause filled the hall. He then proceeded to introduce each hero who possessed a Hero's Invitation, including the Beggars' Sect Chief, the Four Great Elders, Tang Fei of the Phoenix Sect, Ye Wen of the Xuzhou Sect, and the others seated at their table.
Just as the introductions continued, a loud voice suddenly cried,
"Report!"
A messenger hurried into the assembly and stopped before the Cult Leader.
"Reporting to the Cult Leader! The Military Governor of Weibo has sent his nephew to offer congratulations."
The Purple Celestial Cult Leader was overjoyed.
"Excellent! Please escort the young master in at once."
With that, he hurried out personally to receive the distinguished guest.
Who was this young nobleman from Weibo?
His name was Tian Yue, the beloved nephew of the Military Governor of Weibo, Tian Chengsi.
Tian Chengsi had served as An Lushan's vanguard commander during the late Kaiyuan era and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. Because of his strict military discipline, he rose to the rank of General of the Imperial Guards. During the Tianbao period, he joined the An Lushan Rebellion. After the collapse of Yan, he surrendered to the Tang court in the first year of Guangde (763), handing over Mozhou and delivering the mother and wife of Shi Chaoyi to the Tang forces while aligning himself with Pugu Huai'en. He was subsequently appointed Military Governor of Weibo. To stabilize the people of the north, he even built shrines honoring An Lushan, An Qingxu, Shi Siming, and Shi Chaoyi, collectively revering them as the "Four Saints."
Although Tian Chengsi had eleven sons, his favorite was always his nephew, Tian Yue.
Soon, a young man of about twenty entered the assembly under the protection of an imposing entourage. The Purple Celestial Cult Leader respectfully bowed to welcome him before escorting him onto the main platform.
Facing the gathered heroes, the Cult Leader announced loudly,
"Heroes from throughout the realm! The nephew of the Military Governor of Weibo has honored us with his presence today. Let us welcome Young Master Tian and invite him to address us."
The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause.
Tall and powerfully built, Tian Yue possessed the commanding appearance of a seasoned warrior. Standing upon the platform, he slowly surveyed the entire audience before speaking in a booming voice.
"I have heard of the Purple Celestial Cult's grand Heroes' Assembly. Allow me first to wish this gathering complete success!"
His broad forehead and piercing eyes gave him an overbearing air, as though no hero beneath heaven could rival him. Having finished his opening remarks, he proudly lifted his chin and swept his gaze across the crowd.
Then he continued,
"By order of my uncle, I have brought a few modest gifts for the heroes gathered here. I hope you will accept them as a token of our respect."
With a wave of his hand, forty sturdy attendants marched into the hall. Each carried four handwoven bamboo baskets filled with gifts.
Tian Yue called out,
"Present these gifts to the heroes."
The attendants respectfully distributed a bamboo basket to every guest seated in the banquet area.
Tan Wei also received one.
Though she had not yet examined it carefully, she noticed that the basket was lined with brilliant red silk. Inside were a generous amount of silver, a jar of premium Champion Red wine, a fine hand towel, a jade pendant, a belt, and a golden medal.
The medal bore the seal of the Military Governor of Weibo.
Engraved on one side were the four characters:
"Defender of the Heroes."
On the reverse were another four characters:
"None But I."
The generosity of the gift left the entire assembly speechless.
Every basket contained genuine silver and gold.
The gathered heroes spent their lives wandering the jianghu, enduring wind and rain, sharpening blades, and risking their lives in battle. Few had ever witnessed such extraordinary generosity.
Deeply moved, the assembled heroes immediately rose to their feet, clasped their fists, bowed in unison, and declared,
"Our deepest thanks, Young Master Tian!"
Li Jian, the Beggars' Sect Chief, and everyone else likewise stood and offered their respectful salute.
Tian Yue returned the gesture with a slight bow before laughing heartily.
"No need for such courtesy! Since you have all been invited here, each of you must be a hero of our age. I am honored to meet you. Later at the banquet, I hope to share a few cups of wine with every one of you."
The Military Governor of Weibo had deliberately dispatched his beloved nephew bearing lavish gifts to win over the martial world.
Following the An Lushan Rebellion, Emperor Daizong allowed several former Yan generals to retain control of their territories as military governors. Li Huaixian occupied Fanyang, Tian Chengsi controlled Weibo, and Li Baochen ruled Chengde.
In time, these three Hebei military regions evolved into virtually independent powers beyond the control of the imperial court, marking the beginning of the notorious problem of the provincial warlords.
The Weibo Circuit became wealthy, militarily powerful, and effectively autonomous.
As later historians observed,
"Though there remained but one dynasty in name, the empire had in truth become two separate states."
At this point, the Purple Celestial Cult Leader stepped forward once again.
"Young Master Tian is a hero among men—renowned throughout the land for his loyalty, generosity, and respect for worthy men. On behalf of all the heroes gathered here, I offer our heartfelt gratitude."
Tian Yue smiled modestly.
"It is merely a small token of goodwill."
Turning toward the Cult Leader, he continued,
"Hasn't the Heroes' Banquet begun yet? I still wish to drink with all these distinguished heroes."
This Heroes' Banquet was a once-in-decades gathering of the martial world. Nearly one hundred banquet tables had been prepared, and every guest eagerly anticipated the feast.
Yet the Purple Celestial Cult Leader, eager to curry favor with the powerful Military Governor of Weibo, had delayed the proceedings while lavishing praise upon Tian Yue.
Meanwhile, the Beggars' Sect Chief's stomach had long been growling with hunger, and he muttered complaints under his breath.
The Cult Leader laughed awkwardly.
"Young Master Tian is quite right."
He then turned toward the assembled guests and announced loudly,
"Today, the Purple Celestial Cult sincerely thanks every hero who has journeyed from afar to attend this grand assembly. I now officially declare the Heroes' Banquet open!"
The audience erupted into thunderous applause and joyous cheers.
Firecrackers exploded continuously while drums and gongs thundered throughout the venue, filling the air with celebration.
The banquet dishes soon began arriving one after another.
As the tables were fully set, the heroes straightened their robes and sat respectfully, waiting for the host's opening toast.
The Purple Celestial Cult Leader rose, raised his wine cup, and proclaimed,
"Heroes, let us first offer a toast to Young Master Tian!"
Everyone stood together and echoed,
"To Young Master Tian!"
All drained their cups in a single swallow.
Setting down his cup, the Cult Leader smiled warmly.
"Heroes, please enjoy the wine and feast to your hearts' content."
With that, the grand banquet finally began, and the heroes immersed themselves in food, wine, and lively conversation.