It had to be said, one word from the old man was more useful than any iron-clad rule.
Before long, Qiao Shan and Qiao Chuan were brought over. The two of them had clearly suffered quite a bit in the Black Prison Area and looked rather worse for wear.
Tian Shao, showing excellent tact, stepped forward. "Fourth Prince, Brother Jiang, allow me to escort the Qiao brothers back first."
His mission was already accomplished. It was time to step up and lighten Jiang Chen's load.
"Good. Commander Tian, thank you for making the trip," Ye Rong nodded.
Qiao Shan and Qiao Chuan both knew they had messed up and didn't dare meet Jiang Chen's gaze. Jiang Chen walked over and patted them on the shoulders. "We'll talk when we get back."
In two consecutive rounds, First Prince Ye Dai had been shut out, thoroughly humiliated by Ye Rong's side. For the moment, he had lost all interest.
Now that the Qiao brothers had been rescued by Jiang Chen, their earlier plan to use the brothers as leverage to provoke Jiang Chen into a sparring match had, naturally, fallen through.
The cleverest move, though, came from the old man. He simply had Consort Dan announce: "This year's banquet will skip the martial demonstration segment. Everyone, just drink and chat."
After making the announcement, the old man took the Nine Hua Jade Dew Wine, led the Fengjiao Five-Winged Beast by its reins, and leisurely departed, leaving the group of young people behind with their mouths agape.
They had been hoping to showcase their talents in the martial demonstration — maybe even catch the old man's eye and impress him?
"Sister Consort Dan, what's gotten into the old man today? There's always been a martial demonstration before. Why cancel it suddenly this year?"
Ye Dai was surprised. He had even brought several Spirit Realm attendants along, specifically planning to shine during the demonstration.
Despite being embarrassed in the two previous rounds, he still harbored a sliver of hope that the third segment — the martial demonstration — would give him a chance to strike back at Jiang Chen.
He hadn't expected the old man to see right through his intentions and cancel the whole thing.
Consort Dan smiled faintly. "The moment the old man appeared, he had already assessed everyone's cultivation progress. So whether there's a martial demonstration or not doesn't mean much to him."
The implication was clear — none of you have made enough progress in your martial arts over the past year to surprise the old man, so the demonstration was completely unnecessary.
When Grand Tutor Ye had first appeared, he had tested everyone with the Confusing Heart Steps. Except for Jiang Chen, every single person's martial progress had been thoroughly probed by the old man.
Seeing Consort Dan's indifferent reaction, Ye Dai felt a fresh wave of disappointment.
Even the martial demonstration was cancelled. At this birthday banquet, he, Ye Dai, truly had no chance of turning things around. It was a complete and total defeat.
The rest of the banquet was nothing more than eating and drinking.
As the First Prince, how much interest could Ye Dai possibly have in mere eating and drinking?
On top of that, small groups throughout the feast were all talking about the day's events. Whenever someone brought up Jiang Chen, their eyes lit up with excitement.
It was clear that the star topic of this entire banquet had become Jiang Chen.
Even Fourth Prince Ye Rong appeared in conversation far more often than he, the First Prince.
Thick-skinned as he was, Ye Dai couldn't sit through this anymore. He went through the motions, drinking with a few people in a perfunctory round, then left with a dark expression.
Jiang Chen, wanting to support Ye Rong, also wished to leave — but he had to help Ye Rong maintain face. Ye Rong had gained a great deal tonight, but if Jiang Chen left now, his gains would be cut in half.
As the banquet wound down, Consort Dan's graceful figure once again appeared at Jiang Chen's side. A faint fragrance trailed behind her as she leaned slightly toward his ear. Her delicate nose nearly brushed his earlobe, and her soft lips whispered like an orchid's breath: "After the banquet ends, stay behind. The old man wants to see you privately."
Just as Jiang Chen looked up in surprise, a subtle smile appeared on Consort Dan's elegant face, and she turned and walked away.
Ye Rong had no suspicion of anything untoward. He clapped Jiang Chen on the shoulder. "Brother, the old man rarely meets with any young person alone these days. If you get a good opportunity, you absolutely must seize it."
Before this, Jiang Chen had refused to become a disciple and only asked to rescue two retainers. Even Ye Rong thought it was a pity.
Jiang Chen could have simply accepted the apprenticeship first — become the old man's final disciple — and then there would have been no fear of failing to rescue two retainers.
Even someone as proud as Ling Qianli felt it was a waste. Before leaving, after choking on his words for a while, he finally said: "Jiang Chen, I was wrong about you before. This time, I was able to break through my martial bottleneck and advance in my cultivation — you played an indispensable role. I don't want to say too many thank-you words. From now on, you are my, Ling Qianli's, brother. As a brother, let me give you one piece of advice: if the old man offers to take you as his disciple, you must treasure it."
Even Ling Qianli assumed the old man was keeping Jiang Chen behind to offer him a discipleship.
Jiang Chen smiled, noncommittal.
Become a disciple?
He genuinely had no such intention. While he respected Grand Tutor Ye, the truth was, in matters of martial cultivation, the old man simply wasn't qualified to be his teacher.
After all the guests had departed, Consort Dan's limpid, autumn-water eyes curved into a gentle smile. "Let's go."
This woman carried an effortlessly captivating aura in every gesture and smile. Jiang Chen shook his head with a wry smile, watching her graceful retreating figure — even just the silhouette of her back was enough to set the imagination running wild. No wonder those young men drooled over her; she truly had the assets to back up her pride.
They passed through the front courtyard and arrived at the rear garden of the Grand Tutor's Villa.
The rear garden's design had less grandeur but more refinement. Less opulence but more an air of transcendence.
"Ha ha, Jiang Chen, come, come — have a seat." At this moment, Grand Tutor Ye carried none of the air of a Protector Spirit King. He looked more like a kindly neighborhood grandfather.
Jiang Chen felt no formality either. He pulled over a bamboo-woven chair and sat down.