Eunuch Li conveyed the matter to Wen Yan, but Wen Yan hesitated, unwilling to part with Cheng Yaoyin and the others.
However, Cheng Yaoyin and the others were very happy for Wen Yan.
"I'll think about it again."
Wen Yan wanted to politely refuse Eunuch Li.
"Think about what? Why would you hesitate about such a good thing? Just accept it!"
Xiao Jiu said indignantly.
"That's right, you've waited for so many years, isn't this what you've been waiting for? Don't be so sentimental!"
Er Qing, speaking uncharacteristically, said coldly to Wen Yan.
"Wen Yan, you should go. We'll be fine at the inn, don't worry,"
Aunt Niu said to Wen Yan with a smile.
Only she could see that Wen Yan didn't want to leave them.
"When did you become so indecisive, kid? With your help in the Ministry of Revenue, won't we live even better?"
Cheng Yaoyin urged.
Wen Yan looked at the brothers and sisters he had lived with for so long, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Alright, I'll go."
Wen Yan nodded.
Eunuch Li was immediately relieved.
If Wen Yan refused, His Majesty would likely be furious, and a ruler's anger could be very severe.
"It's not like you're parting forever. Wen Yan becoming an official in the Ministry of Revenue is a good thing,"
Eunuch Li chimed in.
"Thank you, Eunuch Li. Please stay for a meal. I'll go prepare it now."
Aunt Niu, like an elder, invited Eunuch Li and headed to the kitchen.
"You're too kind. I'm just here to inform you."
Eunuch Li tried to decline.
"Oh, Eunuch Li, you've come all this way. How can you not eat? It'll just be a simple meal, please don't refuse."
Cheng Yaoyin grabbed Eunuch Li, preventing him from leaving.
Eunuch Li couldn't break free from Cheng Yaoyin's strong grip and was forcibly pulled to the dining table.
"Xiao Jiu, quickly serve wine to Eunuch Li!"
Cheng Yaoyin instructed Xiao Jiu.
Xiao Jiu excitedly went to fetch a wine jar.
The Peace Inn closed its doors for the day, exclusively serving Eunuch Li.
To ensure Wen Yan's future career path was smooth, their hospitality towards Eunuch Li was impeccable.
When Eunuch Li left, his legs were weak. If not for the young eunuchs accompanying him, he wouldn't have been able to return; he was completely drunk.
...
Qi Ling was soon released.
Although the injustice against the Qi family was not overturned, Qi Ling's charges were dropped. She could now walk openly in the streets, and even if seen by people from the Grand Commandant's mansion, it would be fine.
Su Fan had nothing to do. There was still some time before the Martial Arts Tournament, and the venue was still being prepared. However, many people from the martial arts world had already arrived in Tianlong City, waiting for the tournament to begin.
Su Fan naturally went to register first.
Su Fan's main quest had been updated.
[Main Quest: Martial Arts Tournament. Participate in the Martial Arts Tournament. Each victory rewards 500,000 experience points. The champion will receive generous rewards. Champion Reward: One random divine artifact.]
Su Fan's spirits lifted.
A divine artifact!
There were only four divine artifacts in the game "Martial Arts Tournament." He had already obtained one before, and now the champion reward was another one. This was a pleasant surprise.
The Martial Arts Tournament in this world was different from the original game. In the original, it was an abnormal PvP competition for all players, requiring a certain level of strength to participate. However, in this world, he was the only player, and everyone else was an NPC.
No! He wasn't the only player! There was also Long Jianye!
Su Fan almost forgot about Long Jianye. He was also a player!
He wondered if he would meet him in this Martial Arts Tournament.
Su Fan arrived at the registration site and found that quite a few people were registering.
However, only a few could actually register.
"Name, deeds, strength."
A scholarly-looking man sat at a table and asked the people who came to register.
"Zhang San. I once robbed three wealthy merchants. Does that count as a deed?"
The person opposite the table asked hesitantly.
The scholar glanced at the other person.
"Arrest him."
He immediately instructed the soldiers beside him.
The soldiers stepped forward and apprehended the man.
"You committed robbery and dare to admit it? Aren't you seeking death?"
The scholar said speechlessly.
"Next."
One by one, they came before the scholar, all asked the same three questions.
Only those with heroic deeds were allowed to register. Those without fame were directly eliminated during registration.
Su Fan finally understood why there was a reputation requirement; it was for this reason.
The people in front of the queue gradually decreased, and soon it was Su Fan's turn.
"Name, deeds, strength."
Still the same three questions, the scholar didn't even look up.
"Su Fan. Hmm... Does leading the bandit suppression camp in suppressing bandits count?"
Su Fan said to the scholar.
The scholar immediately stopped writing and looked up abruptly.
"So it's Lord Su. Of course, it counts. Lord Su can register directly. You actually didn't need to queue."
The scholar immediately put on a fawning expression.
Firstly, Su Fan was already famous enough in Tianlong City. Even if Su Fan didn't queue, no one would say anything. The scholar dared not offend him. Offending Su Fan would mean offending both the Princess and the Crown Prince, and he was also the adopted son of the Grand Commandant. Who would dare to say anything?
"Oh, then I'll register?"
Su Fan was surprised by his current fame.
"Certainly, here is your identification plate. Please keep it safe."
The scholar quickly recorded Su Fan's name and handed him an iron plate.
One side of the iron plate had the character "武" (Wu, martial) and the other side had the character "争" (Zheng, contend).
This was the proof of participation in the Martial Arts Tournament, and only those with this plate could enter in the end.
There was also a number in the corner of the iron plate. Su Fan was 438, which meant that over four hundred people had successfully registered.
Su Fan stored the iron plate in his backpack so he wouldn't lose it.
Then he walked towards the outskirts of the city.
While he had time, Su Fan wanted to increase his level as much as possible, go destroy a few mountain strongholds, and reach level fifty.
However, Su Fan didn't notice that as he left the registration area, someone quietly followed him.
Su Fan walked out of the city and was about to find a suitable mountain stronghold when he was surrounded by a group of people.
Su Fan was dumbfounded. He couldn't imagine that in Tianlong City, someone would dare to attack him.
"What is this?"
Su Fan looked at the hostile people in front of him, still holding a faint hope that they weren't there to cause trouble.
"Hand over the Martial Arts Tournament iron plate, and we'll spare your life!"
The leader among them said fiercely to Su Fan.
Su Fan immediately understood. They were after the iron plate.
Su Fan was speechless. Why would you provoke anyone but me? Isn't this just giving me experience points?
Su Fan could only reluctantly draw his long sword.
"Come, let me show you something amazing."
A moment later, several bodies lay on the ground. Su Fan sheathed his sword, not even looking at the corpses. Stingy bastards, not even dropping any equipment.