Chapter 24: Moonlight Banquet

The twenty-ninth level is for the moon.

The people who live here are basically high-ranking officials and dignitaries.

Once here, there are basically fewer people.

The carriage landed directly in front of a luxurious mansion. Looking at the mansion in the distance, there were rows of sergeants in front of the majestic mansion covering an area of ​​ten miles. The aura was awe-inspiring, especially the two huge statues next to the main entrance of the mansion. The dragon and tiger stone sculptures, and the gate of the mansion are made of bronze. Together with these two animal sculptures, they look very domineering.

The residence of the princes!

"Master Marquis, this is the temporary residence of the Marquis." Chen You, an official from the Ministry of Revenue, accompanied Shen Zhui and said respectfully. "There are five hundred sergeants inside to guard the Marquis Mansion and follow orders. According to Marquis Wu's specifications, these people are all in the supernatural realm. There are also eight hundred servants and maids."

"It turns out that five hundred people are all in the supernatural realm?" Shen Zhui was also slightly surprised. This is not a number.

"Your Majesty is a champion, so of course this kind of standard is indispensable." Chen You said respectfully. "They are all descendants of veteran generals who retired from the Ministry of War. Their family backgrounds are clean. They were arranged by Mr. Qin Mingqin, the minister of the Ministry of War. The Marquis can use them with confidence."

"Well, thank you for your hard work. Thank you Master Qin for me, and Shen Zhui will come to visit you another day to say thank you." Shen Zhui nodded. He could see through these people with just a few glances.

Whether it is good or bad, you don't need to ask Chen Yuduo, you can tell it at a glance.

With a single glance at these people, he could grasp their experiences.

"The foundation is pretty good." Shen Zhui was slightly surprised, because these magical powers are all extremely young and have not been practiced for more than a hundred years. Moreover, all of them have high-level supernatural powers and above, and there is great hope of breaking through to become a master in the future.

Although Ji Chen is an eighty-year-old supernatural power and a hundred-two young master.

Here in the capital, this kind of talent is not particularly strong, but if it is well cultivated, it will be a rare talent in the future.

"It seems that the imperial court has sent me a group of good family sons for me to choose from. I will bring them into the feudal state and seal them." Shen Zhui suddenly understood.

These people are all descendants of veterans of the Ministry of War. They are naturally capable of literary and military skills. What they lack is practical experience. With a little training, he will be granted a title once he goes to the feudal state, and he will immediately become a senior officer and can quickly support the operation of the feudal state.

When Shen Zhui looked over, all the five hundred people with supernatural powers subconsciously straightened their bodies. There was a young man with dark skin and a resolute expression who shouted excitedly: "See you, Lord Marquis!"

"Wow~" The five-hundred-magical-power-level people immediately clapped their chests with their left hands uniformly and performed a military salute.

"Not bad." Shen Zhui nodded with satisfaction, marching with armor on and no big salutes. The style of this group of people is quite tough.

"Gan Lang." Shen Zhui winked. Tan Lang immediately understood and went to accept these five hundred soldiers. With Tan Lang's cultivation level, there is no problem at all in mastering these five hundred magical powers.

The carriage procession slowly drove in.

This prince's mansion occupies a large area, with courtyards dotted inside, and pavilions and pavilions vying for beauty. When Shen Zhui walked in, there were eight hundred servants and maids kneeling in two rows waiting for him. On the first floor, when he saw Shen Zhui and others coming in, he immediately knelt down and said, "Welcome the Marquis into the house!"

"Welcome the Marquis into the mansion!" Hundreds of people behind him also shouted and knelt down.

"Everyone, get up." Shen Zhui waved his hand.

The servants and maids who were eight hundred meters away all stood up, without squinting, and with their heads lowered, they stood ready. Only the venerable man in yellow robes and white beard slowly came closer and said respectfully: "Master Hou, I am Huang Jing. I am the general manager sent by the clan to take care of the house's internal affairs."

"The clan's mansion?" Shen Zhui nodded.

Marquis Wu is already an important minister with a very high status, and each one of them must be cultivated by the royal family with great efforts. They can be prepared talents for the emperor's relatives.

"Huang Jing." Shen Zhui said. "Go down and let these people do their own thing. You can choose a few people to accompany me to visit the Marquis Mansion."

"Yes." Huang Jing waved his hand immediately. He didn't need to explain at all, because this was a scene that had been rehearsed countless times.

The group of boys and maids immediately dispersed and began to get busy in an orderly manner.

The five hundred magical sergeants led by Tan Lang were also arranged to start patrolling and standing guard.

After the carriage and horses were settled, the household department and etiquette officials were sent away, and Shen Zhui also welcomed his adoptive father, stepmother, step sister and Shen Kangwei in the carriage space.

Afterwards, Shen Zhui released several important generals in the hall of the Marquis Mansion.

Considering that Wu Anjun still had some matters to deal with, Shen Zhui only brought a few of the most important and trustworthy people with him.

The first is Cai Biying, whom I met in the Daxia Cave. This man is capable of both literary and martial arts and has good talents. He is now the third level of the Venerable.

The second is counselor Yu Ziqi. The capital city was Yu Ziqi’s home. Shen Zhui naturally fulfilled Yu Ziqi’s wish and brought him back. However, Yu Ziqi’s martial arts cultivation was far from zero. The pinnacle of magical power.

The third is Niu and Lucio. One is from the Niu Demon Clan, and the other is from the Black Rock Clan. They are very familiar with foreign forces, and they only obey the command of Shen Zhui. They are also the third level of Venerables.

These are the talents that Shen Zhui will take to the Hou Kingdom in the future. As for the Wu'an Army, there are still a group of people, but they are all staying in the Zhao Kingdom for the time being. .

"Sir." After appearing in the main hall, Bi Ying saluted in unison, and then looked at the Hou Mansion curiously.

"In three days, it will be the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the marquis. During these three days, you will stay in the marquis' mansion and practice well. Do not go out and walk around at will without my instructions." Shen Zhui said.

"yes."

…………

Just when Shen Zhui entered Yuehua's Hou Mansion to settle down...

The twenty-eighth level, Xingyao, in the center of this continent, there is a majestic mansion. On the door plaque of the mansion, there is a big Chinese character with flying dragons and phoenixes - Fan!

In a study room in Fan Mansion, a very handsome young man with sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes was practicing cross-legged. Around him, the starlight shone with great charm.

As the young man breathed in and out, the starlight gradually became brighter.

But after a certain point...

The absorption of starlight seemed to have reached a bottleneck, and some were weak. After a while, the light dissipated, and the handsome young man opened his eyes.

"The "Nine Transformations of the Stars" is indeed the third-ranked technique. I have gained so much just by acquiring it."

"It's a pity that all I got was the fragment. If I want to cultivate into the "Xuan Yue Star Body", I must obtain the last three levels of secret techniques." The young man muttered to himself, and then a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. "But it's coming soon. May 18th is His Majesty's birthday banquet. It only takes three things, so we will definitely succeed this time."

"At that time, not only will Princess Anle be owned by me, but I will also control Xuanyue Immortal Island in the South China Sea!"

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Sir, Anguo General Xia Feihu is here."

"Xia Feihu? Which Xia Feihu." The young man frowned slightly, as if he couldn't remember knowing this person in his memory.

"He is the son of King Liang of West Antarctica. He just entered the capital today. He has something to ask for and wants to see the young master." The voice said cautiously. "If the young master doesn't want to see you, just go and refuse him right now."

"Prince Liang? Why does his son want to see me?" Fan Hongyi thought for a moment and quickly made a decision. "No, take him to the side hall and wait."

"yes."

After a while, Zheng Zheng, who was in the side hall of the Fan family,

Xia Feihu sat on the large sandalwood chair, his brows gloomy, not knowing what he was thinking.

Suddenly, he felt that the light in front seemed to get a little brighter, and a tall and thin young man wearing rich clothes and a very cold face walked in.

"Master Fan." Xia Feihu stood up quickly.

"General Xia, I didn't know that General Xia was here, so I didn't greet him from far away. I'm sorry." Fan Hongyi nodded lightly. Although he was smiling, Xia Feihu could feel the arrogance under the other man's smile. This innate sense of nobility and aloofness does not change depending on who the other person is. It's as if the elephant doesn't know how the ant sees itself.

This feeling made Xia Feihu a little disgusted. Once upon a time, he was the only one who could give others this kind of experience, but he didn't expect that he could feel it now.

However, remembering his father's instructions before leaving, Xia Feihu still suppressed his emotions and continued: "Young Master Fan is too polite."

"If you don't mind being abrupt, I would like to get straight to the point."

"How is that possible? Please tell me, General Xia." Fan Hongyi nodded lightly, and immediately a servant brought him tea and then left.

"Master, please take a look." Xia Feihu took out a mirage bead in his hand, and then it floated into the air.

Scenes of light and shadow suddenly appeared on it, the picture flowed, and a pair of figures were clearly printed inside...

Looking at the content in the mirage bead, Fan Hongyi paused slightly as he picked up the tea cup, then continued to drink. However, the calm water surface of the tea suddenly stirred up a ripple.

…………

On the seventh day of May, Shen Zhui entered Yuehua's second place.

Invitations one after another were delivered to the Hou Mansion like flowing water. Ever since he checked in last night, Huang Jing, the general manager of the Marquis Mansion, almost broke his leg because the invitations were sent by princes and nobles, and he needed to personally entertain the senders and pass them on to Shen Zhui. Moreover, there were so many people that almost all departments in the court sent invitations and congratulatory gifts, but Huang Jing was very happy because it meant that the master he followed had a bright future.

Shen Zhui responded to all posts, responded to them according to their status, and agreed on a date for a visit.

It was not until noon that the number of people sending messages gradually decreased. But the signatures at the beginning are more scary than the last.

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince Ji Dan sent an invitation to the Marquis to attend the Moon Flower Banquet today."

"Fourth Prince Ji Dan?" Shen Zhui was slightly stunned.

"Your Majesty, the fourth prince Ji Dan also lives in Yuehua. The Yuehua Banquet is a grand event in Yuehua. It actually started seven years ago." Huang Jing explained.

"The entire grand event will last for nine days, and there will be many banquets. Everyone from the humble academicians to the great Confucians of Yuehua, and even the princes and senior officials will attend. The main ones are banquets for literati, playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and reciting poems and composing poems. , promoting literary names at banquets.

If he is a talented person, he may be noticed by a great scholar and accepted as a disciple. He may even attend the ninth level banquet and attract His Majesty's attention. "

"This is also a banquet to recommend talents."

"Every year, the Moon Flower First Banquet and the Last Moon Banquet are top priorities. The Fourth Prince invites the Marquis to attend the Moon Flower Last Banquet, which is attended by many high-ranking officials and nobles."

Shen Zhui flipped through the invitation, and after listening to Huang Jing's explanation, he immediately understood what was going on.

However, this was a banquet for Wenrao. It was better to invite his master, Lu Yuanwei, but to invite himself, a military attache?

It was obvious that the drunkard was not interested in drinking, and the Fourth Prince Ji Dan was probably trying to recruit him.

"Why don't you go to this kind of banquet... huh?" Shen Zhui originally planned to find an excuse to refuse. After all, his teacher wanted him to get closer to the seventh prince Ji Chen, but he didn't even agree to anything from Ji Chen, let alone the fourth prince?

But when he saw the guest list on the invitation, Shen Zhui couldn't take his eyes away.

Because on the invitation list, he saw a familiar name - Princess Anle!

"It's Zixuan. She came back from Xuanyue Fairy Island?" Shen Zhui felt a little excited.

Continuing to look down, there are many princesses, princesses, princes and their families attending the banquet. Not only Yuehua, but also people from other places, such as the seventh prince, are also there.

After looking at it for a while, Shen Zhui handed the invitation to Huang Jing and said, "Go prepare the chariot."

"Yes." Huang Jing said respectfully.

"Wait." Shen Zhui waved his hand. "Did the seventh prince send an invitation?"

“No cherry blossoms”

"Prince Qi" At this moment, another servant hurried in from outside the door. "The seventh prince sent an invitation."

Shen Zhui quickly opened it and found that it was indeed an invitation to attend the Moon Flower Banquet.

"They came so fast, one after the other. It seems that these two princes are a bit difficult to deal with." Shen Zhui smiled slightly. It stands to reason that if they get along well with each other and the fourth prince invites the chatter, the seventh prince does not need to invite him again. But it was obvious that the two men were secretly competing with each other.

"No matter how they argue, I just went to see if they were spared." With a slight smile, Shen Zhui put away the two invitations, stepped out, got on the carriage, and went straight to the venue where the Yuehua Final Banquet was held.

…………

The Moon Flower Banquet is held in the center of Feilu, and is usually hosted by several famous scholars in the court, working with the prince.

Shen Zhui was not the only one invited. On the way out, Shen Zhui met his master Lu Yuanwei, Zhongyihou Lanhai, Zhixinhou Quehu, Kong Yangzhou, and some generals in the army.

When Shen Zhui's carriage arrived, the huge square in front of the Yuehua Banquet was already crowded with carriages and horses. It was buzzing with people, like a busy city, with busy people coming in and out. Compared with the cold fog in the distance, it formed another world.

The entire area with a radius of hundreds of miles was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and a large archway several feet high was erected in the square, which looked majestic.

When Shen Zhui and Lu Yuanwei got out of the car, guests had already come up to receive them. After learning that they were the Marquis of Champions and Marquis Wenxin, they hurriedly led them to the hall.

The Silk and Bamboo Band played melodious welcome music, and Ji Dan, one of the organizers of the banquet, also went to the door of the hall to greet them personally.

Shen Zhui took a look at the fourth prince Ji Dan. He was over six hundred years old, but he still maintained the appearance of a young man. It’s just that from time to time, a trace of vicissitudes of happiness can be seen in the corners of the eyes.

He was wearing a white fox fur robe and a black mink fur hat. He was elegant and unrestrained, like a jade tree facing the wind. He was not dressed very luxuriously, just casual clothes. But just in line with the atmosphere of the Moon Flower Banquet, he didn't look like a prince, but more like a Confucian scholar.

"Why is it that the fourth prince is also at the peak of the venerable realm?" Shen Zhui couldn't help but be curious.

It would be fine if the seventh prince Ji Chen was younger, but these four princes are all over 600 years old. As long as their talents are not too bad and they occupy the huge resources of the royal family, they should be able to break through to the true gods.

You must know that this fourth prince was born to the queen! Naturally, there will be no shortage of resources.

"Many princes in the capital have basically reached the true god level. Only the fourth prince and the seventh prince are at the venerable level, but they did this deliberately." Kong Yangzhou seemed to notice Shen Zhui's doubts and quickly sent a message road.

"Why?" Shen Zhui asked confused.

"The prince must leave the capital to join the vassal state if he breaks through to the true god. The reason why he is stuck at the venerable level is because once he breaks through to the true god, he will be far away from the capital and will no longer be able to control so much power." Kong Yangzhou said.

"So that's it." Shen Zhui suddenly realized.

Soon after, just as soon as the message was transmitted, the fourth prince Ji Dan had already approached Shen Zhui and Lu Yuanwei.

He was also sizing up Shen Zhui, who was rumored to be a descendant of Shen Guogong and might also be the reincarnated champion of Yang An. However, Wenxinhou Lu Yuanwei was left aside in the cold. Facing the fourth prince's glaring gaze, Shen Zhui couldn't help but be a little wary.

This fourth prince gave him the feeling that he was very much like Marquis Wu An when he had not broken through to the True God. He was very powerful!

Lu Yuanwei pulled Shen Zhui to salute, but Ji Dan stopped him and said: "Marquis Wenxin, champion, there is no need to be polite. Ji Dan is just assisting a few teachers to host the moonlight banquet as a student this time. I don't want to bother you two, but there are many Everyone wants to meet the heroes of the country, so I invite you two to come over for a happy gathering, please come in!"

Lu Yuanwei and Shen Zhui bowed their hands and followed Ji Danlai through the lively crowd to find the Book Garden www.zhaoshuyuan. com came to a large palace.

There were only five to six hundred seats in this type of palace, and most of them were senior venerables. Shen Suiyi quickly discovered that the people accompanying him here were basically princes, princes, and ministers of civil and military affairs.

The young master also has a first-class earl, and there are even more marquis.

"Yangzhou, do you know where the princesses are at the banquet?" Shen Zhui couldn't help but ask Kong Yangzhou as soon as he sat down. He didn't care about the literati banquet at all, he just wanted to see Zixuan. “Brother Shen wants to see the princess?” Kong Yangzhou glanced at her in slight surprise. "This is a bit difficult to handle." "The Moon Flower Banquet is hosted by the royal family. Many princesses and princesses will attend the banquet. It is a banquet for literati to meet friends through literature. In fact, it has another meaning." "What?" " Choose a son-in-law!" Kong Yangzhou pointed to the main hall opposite with a smile and said: "I saw that the three main halls set up opposite have the themes of poetry, classics and policy theory. These three halls of talents are for those literati. A place to display your talents." "Brother Shen, if you want to see the princess, you are sitting in the wrong place. The Guanwen Hall where we are sitting is just a guest watching from the sidelines. Only by entering the three Halls of Excellence and standing out can we have a chance. See the beauty of the royal princess!" "This is the highlight of the entire Yuehua tail banquet!"