When Wu Youren stepped forward, the people collecting the gifts were somewhat expectant.
Although he was young, he carried both a long and a short weapon, and perched upon his shoulder was a bird!
Judging by this imposing presence alone, surely he would present a respectable gift?
Two silver dollars... this was barely enough to avoid outright embarrassment, worse even than those who came just to freeload food and drink.
Those who gave no gift were simply mooching a meal, but those who gave gifts could use it as an excuse to visit later on.
How could the threshold of a future ability master be so easy to cross?
Still, it was a celebratory occasion after all, and the gift money he offered was more than enough to cover the cost of his meal.
Having handed over his gift, the youth looked left and right, spotted a table where several children were sitting, and strolled over to stand by it.
When the feast started, he planned to sit at this table—since he didn't drink, the kids' table was the natural choice.
Yet the children immediately fixed their eyes on the little snow harrier. "Big brother, can I play with your bird?"
Wu Youren turned on his heel and walked away without a word, feeling rather helpless inside.
He hadn't wanted to bring Xiao Ha out at all, but there was no helping it; the little creature was simply too clingy.
Over the past two days, his training had yielded decent results. If he locked the little snow harrier in the cellar, it would have to starve for at least a day and two nights.
Xiao Ha would probably wonder: *What the hell did I do wrong this time?*
As for why he couldn't return during the day, with that motorcycle, was daylight really suitable for hitting the road?
Even if he dared to take the risk, the fuel was running low, and Chen Quanxu had promised to deliver more fuel that night.
He was surrounded by people, yet knew not a single soul... the feeling was rather awkward.
A few female guests, however, were pointing at him from a distance.
It seemed that even in Liang, where brawn was prized as beauty, there were still some who judged by looks and didn't mind a slender build.
Fortunately, the customs of Great Liang were relatively reserved; no one walked right up to ask to exchange smartwatch contacts.
What proved a headache was that Xiao Ha was simply too popular.
Although it had yet to grow its adult plumage—its juvenile feathers weren't pure white, but grayish with small dark spots—it remained adorably goofy.
Before long, a middle-aged female knight came over to tease the bird, and several male guests gathered round as well.
"Liu Jingming" gave a couple perfunctory replies and slipped behind a tree, thoroughly speechless.
He almost wanted to leave, even though two silver dollars had been a full month's living expenses for him back at Hostage Manor.
Right then, however, someone nearby was discussing the newly awakened youth, guessing that he was likely of the support branch.
Ability masters of this branch covered an enormous range of types, more than the other two branches combined, making for plenty of conversation.
Wu Youren could tell that much of what they were discussing was hearsay and couldn't be taken seriously.
Yet there were also tidbits of information he had never encountered before, making it impossible to judge their accuracy offhand.
He simply found an empty table nearby, sat down, and listened intently to the chatter around him.
Sitting alone like that, he seemed rather out of place amidst the surrounding bustle.
Combined with his long saber and Xiao Ha on his shoulder, however, he gave off an aloof, unapproachable air—a silent warning to keep away.
Yet this peace did not last long. As noon approached, guests began taking their seats.
Two or three people sat down at Wu Youren's table as well, though none pressed close to him.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the courtyard entrance as a dozen or so people walked in, preceded by attendants clearing the path—evidently important figures.
Before long, another group arrived; sure enough, big figures always made a habit of arriving last.
At this point, onlookers gathered to watch, whispering and pointing discreetly.
When the fourth group entered, a middle-aged knight among them cast a casual glance across the courtyard, then paused slightly in surprise.
He had spotted Wu Youren sitting alone.
He raised a hand to summon someone over, whispered a few instructions, and then followed his companions toward the small building.
Inside the three-story building was where the true VIPs were hosted; the hundred or so tables out in the courtyard were merely an open banquet.
Even so, anyone able to enter the courtyard had some standing, a cut above the freeloaders out on the street.
Wu Youren noticed someone looking at him, but slipping away now would seem too deliberate.
The person who had been instructed hesitated a moment before coming over. Leaning down, he asked softly, "How should I address our esteemed guest?"
"Liu Jingming," the youth answered calmly. "Not an esteemed guest, just here to grab a bite... I gave a gift."
Sure enough, the man went over to check the gift registry and was slightly surprised: *Only two silver dollars?*
A gift of this amount couldn't be called an insult, but its meaning was obvious: he was here purely for the food.
Expecting to curry favor with a future ability master for just two silver dollars? That was pure wishful thinking.
After a while, a young knight walked over.
He looked "Liu Jingming" up and down, then asked in a low voice, "Do you know people from Count Jing'an Manor?"
The youth paused, then answered impassively, "Not well."
"Come sit inside the building," the young knight said seriously. "It's arranged by the hosts."
"No need," Wu Youren said, shaking his head. "I'm just passing by to see what it's like."
He had been careless after all. He had only wanted to pick up some news, never expecting Xiao Ha to be so recognizable.
The young knight glanced at him, shook his head, and turned to leave. He had delivered the message; if the other party wasn't interested, so be it.
However, those nearby had overheard the exchange and realized that this youth was indeed no ordinary character.
Seeing this, a stout young woman boldly stepped forward and tried to strike up a conversation with him.
Wu Youren's reaction consisted solely of nodding or shaking his head, at most uttering a grunt without engaging at all, making his aloof attitude abundantly clear.
Yet since someone had taken the lead, others crowded over to follow suit...
By the time the seventh wave of important figures entered, someone else spotted the boy with the bird.
This time, three people came over to invite him into the building, overflowing with warmth and enthusiasm.
Wu Youren was about to decline when he suddenly noticed another group of women entering through the courtyard gate, and he immediately stood up.
"I'll use the restroom first, then head inside."
He had intended to use the bathroom excuse to slip away, but the three of them seemed to sense something and escorted him the entire way.
As they ushered him into the building, they even instructed a waiter to take extra care of him.
With no other choice, Wu Youren could only retreat to a table in a corner on the ground floor—being VIPs, few people chose to sit here.
Yet what was meant to happen would happen sooner or later.
Two female martial artists sat down beside him. The younger one spoke up, "You actually dared to come alone? I'm impressed!"
"I don't believe I've met you," Wu Youren said after a moment's thought. "The person who awakened this time is the host family's son, right?"
"His fiancée is at Fanghua Martial Academy," the young female martial artist replied. "By all rights, we ought to make an appearance."
The youth gave a slight nod. "Mm, that makes sense."
The female martial artist glanced at him and said with amused interest, "Did you come on behalf of Red Pine? Give up on that idea."
For an intermediate martial academy to snatch an apprentice ability master—unless they had raised the candidate themselves—was pure delusion.
Wu Youren was rather speechless. "I really was just passing by."
"I actually believe that excuse of yours," the female martial artist said solemnly. "However, what happened with Ailin can't just be let go like this."
*We're all adults here; couldn't everyone act a bit more mature?* The youth could only sigh. "There are only two words I can say: I'm sorry."
"Fanghua doesn't blame you either," the older female knight chimed in. "However, you really shouldn't have come today."
"Mm, it was indeed hasty of me," Wu Youren nodded. He had still underestimated the temptation an ability master held for the various major factions.
Then again, he couldn't truly be blamed. Who would have thought that Liang, a nation that had always believed only in the fist, would be so courteous to talented individuals?
Awakening was, after all, merely the starting point for an apprentice ability master.
Removing the word "apprentice" was scarcely easier than putting the word "grand" before "knight."
He glanced at them and prepared to get up. "You two make yourselves comfortable. I'll go offer another gift."
"Didn't you already give two silver dollars? And under a fake name, no less."
Fanghua Martial Academy's resentment toward him was truly deeper than ordinary; they had even uncovered that.
"That was the gift for eating in the courtyard," the youth gave a helpless, wry smile and spread his hands, his gaze clear. "Eating inside the building really would be... somewhat improper."
"I suggest you don't think about slipping away quietly," the young female martial artist said, showing she was not easily fooled.
She added in all seriousness, "You don't think there isn't any security around here, do you?"
*I really did think so!* Wu Youren was at a loss for words. He had only wanted to drop by what was basically a college acceptance banquet.
How had it turned into... an Outstanding Youth selection ceremony?
Still, it hardly mattered. With so many people around, he didn't believe he couldn't get away.
He smiled slightly and sat back down. "Since you see it that way, forget it. Two silver dollars isn't too little either."
As they were speaking, a martial artist came over and urged the two women to head upstairs.
It turned out their seats weren't on the ground floor at all; who knew why they had gone out of their way to chat with him?
After they left, Wu Youren sat there in a daze until a clamor erupted at the entrance of the small building.
People from Great Liang Martial Academy had arrived. As one of the only two high-tier martial academies in Liang, their delegation included not only grand knights, but also an ability master.
This lineup was far too illustrious. Some went forward to exchange greetings, while those not qualified to approach watched from afar.
Even the waiters were helping to maintain order. Seeing this, the youth moved noiselessly to the door and slipped outside.
Seeing that the people in the courtyard were also looking toward the building and that his movement stood out, he veered off and headed toward the restroom again.
Right beside the restroom was the courtyard wall. He had originally planned to use the trees for cover and scale the wall directly.
Yet with a slight sense of his surroundings, he shook his head helplessly and turned toward the courtyard gate.
There were actually guards stationed outside the wall. It was truly... what kind of security level was this?
He really couldn't join in on the fun so casually in the future!
He strode briskly out through the courtyard gate, only to bump straight into the middle-aged man who had urged him inside earlier.
Their eyes met, and Wu Youren pointed at his wrist. "My smartwatch went missing. I'm going to look for it."
Without waiting for a reply, he sped up his pace and walked off into the distance.
Yet before he could even make it off the street, two off-road vehicles approached from ahead, and someone uttered a soft gasp of surprise.
"Hey boy, the one with the bird on your shoulder—hold on!"
Chapter 203