Chapter 16: Birthday Banquet_1

In the mountains, there are no years, and a cycle passes in leisure.

Seventy-four years later, on the Hundred Broken Mountains, the Heavenly King Peak.

"From the North Province, the East-bound Escort Agency, Head Escort Master Miao arrives!"

"Head Escort Master Miao presents a congratulatory gift, a portion of Red Blood Ginseng!"

"Disciple Miao Fang, accompanied by my son, pays respects and wishes the grandmaster longevity like the East Sea and a life as enduring as the South Mountain!"

"From the South Province, Zhenwei Escort Agency, Head Escort Master Wang arrives!"

"Head Escort Master Wang presents a congratulatory gift, a pair of Sky Mountain Snow Lotus!"

"Grand-disciple Wang Tang pays respects, wishing the ancestral master brightness surpassing the sun and moon, everlasting youth through the seasons!"

"Golden Jade Hall, Mr. Zhao arrives!"

"Mr. Zhao presents a congratulatory gift, a millennium-warm jade pillow!"

"Student Zhao Hao pays respects, wishing my teacher everlasting celestial fortune, a life as long as the heavens!"

"From the North Sea, the Flying Fish Gang, Gang Leader Meng arrives…"

"From Xichuan Huwei Mountain, Boss Zhang arrives…"

"From the East Mountain Commerce Association, Manager Qian arrives…"

At Hundred Broken Mountains, on Heavenly King Peak, in front of the Hall of Righteous Gathering, it was exceptionally lively.

Troops and officials from all directions came, their voices of greeting unceasing, jubilation resounding.

Zhou Hai, the main steward of the mountain stronghold, personally tended to the guests amidst the feast, welcoming friends from every direction.

"Brother Zhou, long time no see!"

"Manager Zhou, your charm hasn't diminished since back in the day!"

"Brother Zhou, how has the grandmaster been faring lately?"

"Brother Zhou…"

All faces greeted him with smiles, and Zhou Hai met them with a smile in return.

"Brother Miao, it has been a long time, oh, now I should address you as Head Escort Master Miao, shouldn't I!"

"Younger Brother Wang, your elegance surpasses that of the past!"

"Brother Zhao, all has been well with you, I trust?"

"The grandmaster has been exceedingly well!"

"Brother Qian…"

"Big Brother Meng…"

"Ah, we're all family here, there's no need for such formalities…"

The guests who had arrived on the scene were mainly from escort agencies, business associations, gangs, and the greenwoods. The gifts they brought were valuable, but the bonds were even stronger. During the feast, as they met with Zhou Hai, all faces engaged in friendly chatter, a harmonious atmosphere where both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.

At that moment...

"Manager!"

A servant approached Zhou Hai, presenting a red invitation.

"Hmm?"

Zhou Hai looked at the invitation, then turned to the servant and said, "A distinguished guest has arrived, quickly, please invite them in!"

"A distinguished guest?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, especially seeing Zhou Hai standing in place, reluctant to move. His expression grew more curious.

To call them a distinguished guest, yet not receive them in person?

Such behavior was indeed puzzling—could it be…

As speculations rose in the minds of the crowd...

"The leader of Kunlun, He Tianchong, along with his disciples, conveys wishes to Heavenly King Li for a longevity like the South Mountain!"

With the announcement of their arrival, a group of people entered the Hall of Righteous Gathering.

Only then did Manager Zhou Hai step forward to welcome them, hands clasped and a smile on his face: "Mr. Iron Sword graces us with his esteemed presence; we have failed to greet you from afar, please forgive us!"

The stance of Kunlun's leader He Tianchong was upright and staunch, like a pine, exemplifying the aura of a grandmaster. Hearing Zhou Hai's words, he too clasped his hands in return and responded with a hearty laugh, "Manager Zhou exaggerates. I come uninvited; it is I who should ask for forgiveness."

"Ha ha!"

Zhou Hai laughed, not minding in the least, and gestured with a sweep of his hand: "Please take a seat!"

"Please!"

He Tianchong, without ceremony, led his disciples to sit down—a perfect number for one table.

"The leader of Kunlun?"

"Mr. Iron Sword?"

"This…"

The seated guests were visibly taken aback at this development.

"Kunlun is far away in the Western Regions, why come to offer congratulations without any reason?"

"Looking at this, it seems Heavenly King didn't invite them!"

"Perhaps it's not without reason, but rather there is a cause behind it!"

"If they're not here for good, they're here for ill!"

"Humph, they dare stir trouble here?"

"Today is the grandmaster's centennial birthday; they wouldn't dare such insolence!"

"They say Golden Jade Hall's trade spreads far and wide, and in recent years they've revived trade between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, causing quite a few disturbances. As Kunlun is a prominent power in the Western Regions, could it be they're here for this matter?"

"Humph, indeed they are not welcome guests. Everyone knows that Golden Jade Hall belongs to Heavenly King, and Kunlun's faction picked this time to visit, clearly with ill intentions, wishing to disrupt Heavenly King's centennial celebration. They truly court death!"

The crowd buzzed with conversation, their words quite harsh and without any attempt to disguise their thoughts.

However, the Kunlun representatives remained undisturbed, sitting quietly at their table, waiting.

At that moment...

"The leader of Kongtong, Chen Longfei, accompanied by his junior siblings Meng Hun, Zhou Ming, Zhang Zui, Shen Que, Song Hua, Bai Qi, and Kang Xuan, along with numerous disciples, present their respects to Heavenly King Li for prosperity like the East Sea!"

Another group stepped into the Hall of Righteous Gathering.

Zhou Hai's demeanor unchanged, advanced to meet them: "The arrival of the Kongtong Eight Heroes is an honor. We failed to greet you from afar, our apologies."

"Manager Zhou is too courteous!"

"Please, have a seat!"

The number of people from Kongtong exceeded that of Kunlun, filling up two tables.

"The Kongtong Eight Heroes?"

"They've come as well?"

"What's this about?"

"Kongtong is in the northwest, in a land of remote and bitter cold, why come to join the festivity?"

"I've heard they're allied with Kunlun, also involved in the escort business, and had conflicts with Brother Miao's East-bound Escort Agency some years ago."

The commentary continued, the tone was still derisive, but just like the Kunlun members, the Kongtong party also ignored the remarks and quietly took their seats, waiting.

At that moment...

"The disciple of E'mei, Jingyin, accompanied by fellow junior siblings, come to wish Heavenly King Li peace and health!"

"The abbot of Shaolin, Kongjian, along with his junior brothers Kongxing, Kongzhi, Kongxiang, and other disciples, come to wish Heavenly King Li a thousand autumns of happiness!"

"The representatives of Wudang, Ling Xu and Ling Chong, leading their disciples, come to wish Heavenly King Li everlasting vitality like the evergreens!"

"Yi Feng from Divine Sword Manor wishes Heavenly King Li boundless longevity and fortune!"

"Yuwen Ao from White Camel Mountain wishes Heavenly King Li prosperity as vast as the East Sea!"

"Chen Jixuan from the Beggar's Guild wishes Heavenly King Li…"

"Giant Whale Gang…"