Chapter 164 The Ji Family's Tribute! The Herb Garden!
Murong Yuan's heart was in his throat.
The main responsibility for this matter lay with Song Hongyu. If Song Hongyu hadn't asked Chen Xuan to move the wine, so many things wouldn't have happened.
If Chen Xuan didn't forgive Song Hongyu, he would be in big trouble!
Among the wealthy elites of Jiangbei present, many were his rivals. But now, they were willingly toasting him, all because of Master Chen's face. If Chen Xuan didn't forgive him, others would dare to target him the very next day.
Due to extreme nervousness, he didn't notice that the once poised and dignified Song Hongyu was now as shy as a young maiden awaiting marriage.
Chen Xuan was also taken aback, a playful smile appearing on his lips. "Miss Song, you were quite spirited earlier!"
"I didn't know you were Master Chen, that's why..." Song Hongyu was a bit nervous, her fair hands clutching the hem of her clothes.
Chen Xuan smiled, "Miss Song, there's no need to be nervous. I'm not blaming you. I just stretched my muscles a bit earlier, worked up a sweat, and it felt quite comfortable."
"Really?"
"Of course. Do you think I'm lying?"
"I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare..."
A look of joy flashed across Song Hongyu's pretty face, and she quickly finished the wine in her cup.
Upon hearing this, Murong Yuan was immediately relieved. "Master Chen, to be so broad-minded at such a young age, this is my first time encountering such a person."
Following that, many wealthy elites from Jiangbei crowded around, offering toasts to Chen Xuan.
Chen Xuan responded to each one, unfazed by flattery or pressure, appearing generous and poised.
Such composure and calmness were rare among his peers. Coupled with the halo of "Master Chen" above him, he attracted the attention of many beautiful women present.
Song Hongyu was no exception. She raised her head, staring intently at Chen Xuan, her beautiful eyes flickering with curiosity.
How could this young man, who seemed not much older than herself, have become such an important figure that even her uncle respected? After all, young masters of his age in Jiangbei were usually found in nightclubs and bars, their bodies already depleted by alcohol and women.
At this moment, Murong Yuan noticed Song Hongyu's gaze towards Chen Xuan wasn't quite right. A thought struck him: could it be that Song Hongyu had fallen for Master Chen?
An idea popped into his mind. His niece, in terms of looks, was considered among the best in Jiangbei. And Master Chen was young and unmarried. If he could play matchmaker and get Master Chen and Song Hongyu together, he would be truly allied with a powerful figure.
Just then, Ji Xiong, the head of the Ji family, arrived at the banquet with Ji Xinghai, the second son of the Ji family, but they were stopped by the staff.
Many people saw this and whispered, "Look quickly, the Ji family is here too!"
"The Ji family dares to come? Are they looking to die?"
"I think they're here to pay tribute."
...
A young man strode quickly towards Chen Xuan and whispered, "Master Chen, the head of the Ji family, Ji Xiong, has arrived with his second son, Ji Xinghai, and they wish to see you!"
Murong Yuan said sternly, "Tell them to get lost and say Master Chen will not see them!"
The young man seemed to have thought of something and hesitated, unable to resist saying, "The Ji family said that Master Chen needs medicinal herbs, and their Ji family has a medicinal garden in the provincial capital with a history of several hundred years. They want to gift it to Master Chen."
Chen Xuan frowned. "Let them in."
"Yes!" The young man turned and left.
"Master Chen..." Murong Yuan looked puzzled, not understanding Chen Xuan's intention.
"Don't worry, it won't affect your status in Jiangbei. It's just that this medicinal garden might be of great use to me," Chen Xuan said, taking a small sip of water.
Thump!
A moment later, Ji Xiong walked over with Ji Xinghai. The father and son's legs went weak, and they knelt before Chen Xuan. "Our Ji family is gifting you a medicinal garden with a history of several hundred years. We hope you will spare our Ji family's lives."
How glorious and arrogant the Ji family once was! But now, they had to kneel and offer gifts to others, fearing they wouldn't be accepted. This sight made everyone present sigh with emotion.
The wealthy elites of Jiangbei looked at Chen Xuan, realizing all of this was because of Master Chen!
Chen Xuan said lightly, "Alright!"
Ji Xiong and Ji Xinghai were stunned. They had expected to face great humiliation, but they never imagined Chen Xuan would agree so readily!
"You can leave now." Murong Yuan, eager to solidify his position by Chen Xuan's side, said impatiently.
"But..." Ji Xiong hesitated, but then he saw Chen Xuan calmly drinking his tea with a blank expression.
"Master Chen has spoken. Didn't you hear him? Remember to send the deed for the medicinal garden over later," Murong Yuan said coldly.
Ji Xiong quickly nodded. Master Chen possessed supreme divine abilities and naturally kept his word. There was no need to deceive them. Since Master Chen said he would spare their Ji family's lives, he would indeed spare them.
Thus, Ji Xiong grabbed Ji Xinghai's arm and turned to leave, fearing Chen Xuan might change his mind.
The banquet ended, and Chen Xuan walked out of the hotel.
At that moment, a young man desperately pushed through the crowd and knelt before Chen Xuan with a thud.
"Kid, do you know who this is? How dare you come forward?" Fatty Zhang's eyes turned cold, and he rebuked sharply.
A group of security personnel quickly rushed over and surrounded the young man.
The young man showed no fear and kowtowed several times to Chen Xuan. "You are Master Chen, aren't you? I admire you greatly. I hope you will take me as your disciple!"
"You think you're worthy of becoming Master Chen's disciple? The line of people wanting to become Master Chen's disciple in Jiangbei has already reached the provincial capital," Fatty Zhang scoffed disdainfully.
Chen Xuan glanced at the young man, slightly surprised. "Twenty years old? Half-step Inner Strength Master?"
This talent was even stronger than Gu Feng, one of the Four Young Masters of Yanhuang.
Fatty Zhang was also stunned; he clearly knew the significance of a "half-step Inner Strength Master."
"Do you think I'm qualified?" the young man asked nervously.
Chen Xuan said indifferently, "If you can become an Inner Strength Master by the end of the year, I will take you as my disciple."
Since he needed to develop forces to counter the Su family from Kyoto, he naturally wouldn't lack martial arts experts. This young man had good talent and could perhaps be taken as a disciple, but his current talent wasn't enough to impress Chen Xuan.
At twenty years old, a half-step Inner Strength Master was not enough to catch Chen Xuan's eye. If Wei Changgeng knew this, he would likely be so angry he'd spit blood.
"Okay! I'll go and cultivate diligently now!" The young man gritted his teeth, agreed instantly, then stood up and strode away, disappearing into the crowd.
Chen Xuan shook his head inwardly and stopped thinking about it.
This young man had only recently reached the half-step Inner Strength Master stage. With several months left until the end of the year, he didn't think the young man could become an Inner Strength Master.
Afterward, Chen Xuan took a car back to Murong Yuan's villa and retired to his room for a short rest.
Meanwhile, Murong Yuan called Song Hongyu into his room.
Song Hongyu saw Murong Yuan acting mysteriously and frowned. "Why did you call me?"
Murong Yuan coughed twice and asked, "Xiao Yu, uncle wants to ask you, do you like Master Chen?"
Song Hongyu's face turned red, and a hint of shyness appeared. "Uncle, what are you saying? If you say any more, I won't talk to you."
Murong Yuan said seriously, "Xiao Yu, uncle isn't joking with you; I'm talking about important matters. Tell uncle whether you like Master Chen or not. If you like Master Chen, uncle can help arrange it."
Seeing Murong Yuan's serious expression, Song Hongyu knew he wasn't joking. Her face turned redder, and her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum. "Master Chen is handsome and elegant. All the girls in Jiangbei like him..."
"I'm asking about you."
Murong Yuan was somewhat excited. He had been worried that Song Hongyu wouldn't like Chen Xuan, and that his actions would be forcing her. Now, it seemed there was a chance!
"Me? I... I of course also like him..." Song Hongyu lowered her head, her blush spreading from her face to the roots of her neck, nearly reaching her chest.