Birthday Banquet of the Nangong Family

Xu Mu answered the phone and said into the receiver, "Old man, you're really anxious, calling me so early in the morning."

"Just afraid you'd forget. You seem pretty busy lately."

Xu Shou's voice came from the other end.

"I'll go, but this time, I won’t be going with you. I’ll take my friend along."

Xu Mu replied.

"That’s good."

After saying that, Xu Shou hung up.

"Brother-in-law, good morning!"

A new day began with Ye Yu’s voice arriving as expected.

【Favorability +10】

At this moment, Ye Tong also appeared from the bedroom, a similar favorability indicator appearing above her head.

"Morning."

Xu Mu smiled at Ye Yu.

Ye Yu hopped over to the sofa and sat beside Xu Mu, winking at him. "The renovation noise stopped a bit early yesterday, huh?"

Hearing this, Ye Tong’s cheeks instantly flushed red, and she quickly walked toward the kitchen.

"What? Can't I take a break once in a while?"

Xu Mu ruffled Ye Yu’s hair.

In truth, guiding Xu Ningbing wasn’t physically exhausting, but it was mentally draining.

Many movements in battle rely on instinct.

Changing Xu Ningbing’s ingrained reflexes into new ones wasn’t that simple.

After the three finished breakfast, they each headed to their respective destinations.

Xu Mu first called Meng Wanyue. Learning she was waiting at the community gate, he drove over to pick her up.

Today, Meng Wanyue wore a black casual outfit. The once vacant look in her eyes had vanished; now there seemed to be a light shining within them.

She opened the front passenger door, slid in, and said, "Mr. Xu."

【Favorability +10】

"Wanyue, today we’re heading to a hidden clan. There might be a fight, so stay alert."

Xu Mu smiled as he reminded her.

"I understand."

Meng Wanyue nodded.

Xu Mu drove toward Yang City. Jiang Huihui and Dai Xingluo didn’t need a ride; they would go on their own.

He still needed to bring Chen Xuan along.

Meng Wanyue stared out the window for quite a while before finally speaking.

"Yesterday, Sister Ran came looking for me."

"Xiao Ran? What did she want?"

Xu Mu asked, curious.

"I don’t really know. She seemed upset and drank a lot yesterday."

Meng Wanyue crossed her hands and lowered her head. "I think I can guess—it’s because of the Dragon King."

Xu Mu recalled what had happened before. Could it be that Xiao Ran was gradually losing faith in Ye Chen?

For Xu Mu, this was good news. She was more than willing to take Xiao Ran under her wing.

Xiao Ran was a fiercely loyal woman. Because of repaying Ye Chen’s life-saving grace, she had saved him from the brink of death multiple times.

According to the storyline, she would be killed mid-way while saving Ye Chen.

A woman like her, if brought into his fold, would be an invaluable asset.

"She insists on following the Dragon King. There’s nothing I can do."

Xu Mu shook his head slightly.

Hearing this, Meng Wanyue glanced at Xu Mu secretly before quickly looking away. "Mr. Xu, about us… can I tell Sister Ran?"

"What do you mean?"

"The incredible pills and powerful techniques you gave me."

Meng Wanyue explained.

Xu Mu chuckled, "Aren’t you just asking for trouble?"

"No, I just want Sister Ran to follow you too. She mentioned it when she was drinking yesterday—that you saved her life as well."

Meng Wanyue looked ahead and said, “Sister Ran is a very kind person. She’s the one I respect the most, not the Dragon King.”

“That’s fine, but the district-level cultivation technique must remain confidential,” Xu Mu warned.

Meng Wanyue nodded in agreement.

After Xu Mu drove off the highway, they arrived at Yang City. He first sent a message to Chen Xuan.

Once he learned the location, he drove there and stopped outside a small inn.

Chen Xuan was dressed in a faded brown short-sleeve shirt and black track pants, carrying a woven urea bag on his back.

As Xu Mu parked the car, Chen Xuan got into the back seat.

“Wanyue, let me introduce you—this is Chen Xuan, a good buddy of mine,” Xu Mu said with a smile. “Old Chen, this is Meng Wanyue, my family.”

Meng Wanyue’s expression flickered sharply at the word “family.”

[Affinity +15]

“Hello, beautiful. Mu Ge is my idol. I look forward to working with you,” Chen Xuan smiled at Meng Wanyue.

She merely nodded slightly in response.

“You’ve probably heard of the Nangong family, right?” Xu Mu asked, recalling Nangong Yao, who in the story was somewhat part of Chen Xuan’s inner circle.

“No, I haven’t,” Chen Xuan shook his head.

“I called you yesterday, and you agreed right away. I thought you already knew about it,” Xu Mu said, glancing at Chen Xuan through the rearview mirror.

“I agreed because you invited me, Mu Ge. Also, I like eating banquets,” Chen Xuan chuckled.

“Great! Then today we’re going to feast.”

Xu Mu drove towards the Nangong family estate.

……

Today, the Nangong family was bustling with activity.

Every household in Nangong Village had red lanterns hanging outside their gates, with decorations everywhere.

The head of the family was Nangong Ping, who had one son and one daughter.

The son, Nangong Hua, was the father of Nangong Yao.

The daughter, Nangong Zhu, was married to Ren Fuhai.

Of course, Ren Fuhai had married into the Nangong family, so their children would carry the Nangong surname.

Today’s banquet was held outdoors on a vast flat area atop a hill.

The reception duties had been carefully arranged.

Ren Fuhai was mainly responsible for welcoming the merchants attending the banquet.

Meanwhile, Nangong Hua and Nangong Zhu greeted guests from other secluded families.

“Congratulations to the venerable Nangong patriarch! The Dai family has come to offer their birthday wishes,” Dai Dongyang called out from a distance.

Beside him stood Fang Chu.

Seeing them, Nangong Hua immediately stepped forward. “Dongyang, why isn’t your father here?”

“My father is busy and couldn’t make it. He specially sent me to deliver the gift first. This is a set of Tang Dynasty royal gold and silverware,” Dai Dongyang replied.

He glanced back as a middle-aged man approached, carrying a wooden gift box.

“Please thank your father on my behalf,” Nangong Hua said, nodding to the attendant beside him.

The attendant immediately took the wooden box with both hands.

The surrounding merchants quietly marveled at the scene.

As expected of a secluded family—their generosity was indeed impressive.

“Dongyang, please come in,” Nangong Hua smiled warmly. Dai Dongyang was the heir of the Dai family, so his personal visit was not considered rude.

Just then, Fang Chu gently tugged at Dai Dongyang’s arm.

Following Fang Chu’s gaze, Dai Dongyang saw two people: Xu Shou and Xu Ningbing.

His eyes were instantly drawn to Xu Ningbing. They said Xu Shou’s daughter was beautiful.

Seeing her today, it was clear she was truly extraordinary.

A stunningly beautiful and delicate face, a tall and slender figure, but what truly commanded attention was the terrifying power she wielded.

Dai Dongyang smiled. This woman, along with the Xu Group, was an absolute must-have.

Their arrival not only caught the eyes of Dai Dongyang and Fang Chu, but also drew glances from everyone else nearby.

The Xu family was now a flagship enterprise in Jiangbei.

Especially their newly launched Yangqi Pill, which had received almost unanimous praise.

Everyone knew what that meant.

Men were notoriously demanding when it came to this kind of product.

If the efficacy was poor, it would be mercilessly criticized.

But regarding the Yangqi Pill, all you could find were high-quality reviews like, “Whoever has it, may good fortune be with you.”

Ren Fuhai approached with a smile to greet them. “Boss Xu, please, come this way.”

Meanwhile, at a table on the edge of the room, Zhang Que sat smoking a cigarette.

He looked toward the approaching Xu Shou and revealed a faint smile.