The main hall's grand doors stood wide open as an elderly martial artist in his seventies, clad in an old-style crimson martial uniform, walked inside.
The man had a fair, plump face and an affable countenance. Arriving in the hall, he straightened his back and cupped his hands to Cheng Zhou in traditional courtesy.
"Old Master Cheng, I am Tang Xun. I have come on behalf of my master to wish you a happy birthday. My master specially prepared a few modest gifts for you, Old Master Cheng, wishing you longevity as lofty as the mountains and blessings vast as the sea, eternal youth through the passing springs and autumns, and that the Cheng lineage branch out across ten thousand generations in enduring peace and joy."
Hearing the name, the crowd could not help taking a closer look. This man was a disciple whom Yu Hongming held in very high esteem.
In the past, the Tianshu Gang had certain entanglements with the Municipal Council, but ever since the council was dissolved and reorganized, this man had taken primary charge of the gang's external affairs. Calling him the vice gang leader would hardly be an exaggeration now. It was only because he had kept a low profile in the past that his reputation had never been particularly prominent.
Cheng Zhou had already stood up when he walked in, and now he cupped his hands in return. "You flatter me."
Someone stepped forward, brought over the gift list, and handed it to him. He opened it and glanced through; even a cursory look told him these were all lavish gifts of immense value.
Cupping his hands solemnly, he said, "Martial Master Tang, thank you for the gifts your esteemed gang presented today. Please convey my sincere gratitude to Gang Leader Yu. Cheng Zhou will remember this sentiment, and I will surely return the courtesy in the days ahead."
Tang Xun smiled. "Old Master Cheng is too polite. I shall relay your words word-for-word back to my master."
Cheng Zhou raised a hand in invitation. "Martial Master Tang, please take a seat of honor. Today we have only prepared some plain tea and simple fare; I must ask you not to disdain it."
Tang Xun cupped his hands once more, and guided by an inviting Cheng family disciple, he went over to an empty table at the side and sat down.
He knew traditional etiquette well, so he kept only a peer who had accompanied him by his side, while all the other disciples and juniors who had come along to deliver the gifts sat outside the hall.
Cheng Zhou returned to his seat. The Cheng family elders on both sides looked toward him inquiringly, but he merely shook his head, so no one asked further.
The Tianshu Gang's move had its puzzling aspects, but with the Municipal Council having collapsed, life for the gang might not be as easy as before. Sending a gift here now was not incomprehensible. Nor would they become overly entangled with the other party just because they accepted a gift.
Yet there might also be other reasons behind this. Many people in fact had guessed the truth in their hearts, but none were willing to speak it aloud of their own accord.
From outside came another announcement of birthday congratulations: Superintendent Qiao Weiting of the Center City Garrison had dispatched an orderly with birthday gifts.
Cheng Zhou could not help being slightly surprised.
The Cheng family had indeed seen many disciples, sons, and nephews enlist in the garrison throughout the years, but most were middle- and lower-ranking officers; high-ranking officers had always been extremely rare. Positions like Superintendent had fixed terms of office, and given the taboos between the upper brass and local prominent clans, there was ordinarily virtually no contact. Yet this time, gifts had suddenly arrived for his eightieth birthday—
He raised his brows slightly and instructed his subordinates, "Take good care of the guest delivering the gifts, and send back a proper message of thanks on my behalf."
Cheng Zicheng had been standing off to the side all along. Seeing that the elders had a free moment, he stepped forward, preparing to speak privately with Cheng Zhou. But as he walked over, before he could open his mouth, an alert popped up on his boundary credential.
He froze for a moment, and then a hint of pleasant surprise surfaced on his face. Right then, a panting Cheng family junior came running in from outside, calling out loudly, "Third Grandfather, Second Grandfather, aunts and uncles, Secretary Qiao from the Government Affairs Hall has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhou's gaze shifted slightly. He said in a deep voice, "Open the hall doors to welcome him!"
"Yes!"
The juniors assigned to pour tea and serve water immediately stepped forward, pushing wide all the doors across the main hall's seven bays.
Cheng Zhou smoothed his sleeves and collar and led the Cheng family elders to stand at the hall doorway. Seeing this, the juniors outside immediately guessed that some important figure was arriving, and after word was passed around, they began rising from their seats one after another.
Before long, an elderly Cheng family member responsible for reception led in a man in his forties who wore gold-rimmed glasses and possessed a gentle, refined demeanor.
There were plenty of people on both sides who recognized him, each showing a flicker of astonishment as they exchanged glances.
Qiao Yang walked up before the main hall. His gaze fell upon Cheng Zhou, and with a faint smile, he said, "You must be Old Master Cheng?"
Cheng Zhou took an active step forward and cupped his hands. "Secretary Qiao, Cheng Zhou greets you."
Qiao Yang returned the courtesy with cupped hands and said with a smile, "Good health to you, Old Master Cheng. Hearing that it is your eightieth birthday, Chief Administrator Qi felt deeply appreciative of the contributions you have made in the past. Moreover, rain or shine, through all manner of storms, the Cheng family has always stood on the righteous path, which is truly commendable. Thus, he specially sent me to present some gifts to express his respect. Old Master, please be sure to accept them."
Cheng Zhou responded solemnly, "Chief Administrator Qi attends to countless state affairs every day, yet in the midst of his busy schedule he still remembers an old man like me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Please convey my words, Secretary Qiao: Cheng Zhou and my entire family thank Chief Administrator Qi for his warm regards. The Cheng clan has taken root in Center City for a century, rising and prospering together with Jibei Dao. Such was our past, and so shall it be in the future."
Secretary Qiao smiled. "Even at such an advanced age, Old Master Cheng's heroic spirit hasn't diminished in the slightest. I will certainly pass along your words. Oh, I must also pass on a word from the Chief Administrator: he thanks you, Old Master Cheng, for raising such a fine son, and instructed me to offer his thanks in passing if the opportunity arose. I wonder which one of those present here he might be?"
Saying so, he glanced to the left and right.
The surrounding onlookers could not help exchanging looks, their expressions turning rather subtle.
Seeing this, Cheng Shang immediately hurried over, made an inviting gesture, and said, "Secretary Qiao, why not take a seat first?"
Secretary Qiao glanced at him, then gave everyone a deeply meaningful look. Smiling faintly, he said, "No need to sit. I still have a pile of official business to attend to. Now that the message has been delivered, I won't stay any longer. Old Master Cheng, I shall take my leave."
Cheng Zhou cupped his hands. "Secretary Qiao is busy with official duties, so I will not shamelessly detain you. Please forgive our inadequate hospitality." He then turned to Cheng Shang. "Second Brother, see Secretary Qiao out on my behalf."
Cheng Shang agreed.
After the guest was escorted away, Cheng Zhou returned inside the hall. Once he was seated, the hall doors closed once more. Looking at Cheng Zicheng as he approached, he asked, "Where is he?"
Cheng Zicheng hesitated briefly, then lowered his voice. "Third Uncle, he's in the East Front Courtyard."
"Tell him to come over."
Cheng Zicheng could not help looking up. "Third Uncle?"
Cheng Zhou said, "What? I miss my son and want to see him—is that not allowed?"
"Understood, Third Uncle. I'll go call him right away."
Cheng Zicheng quickly left the main hall and went to the East Front Courtyard, where he found Cheng Zitong and Xiao Ke leisurely drinking dew and dining on dishes.
He said, "Third Brother, Third Uncle is asking for you."
Cheng Zitong set down his chopsticks and said, "Xiao Ke, what did I tell you? Without even stepping past this door, I'd still get to see the old man, because someone would come invite us."
Xiao Ke grinned. "You bet, Brother Tong! You were right."
Cheng Zicheng remained silent.
Cheng Zitong stood up and called out, "Let's go."
He led Xiao Ke out of the side courtyard and walked alongside Cheng Zicheng toward the main hall.
At this moment, Ni Xixi was chatting with people at a neighboring table when she suddenly patted Captain Li on the shoulder. "Old Li, look, look quick!"
Captain Li looked over and whispered, "Supervisor Cheng?"
"Who else?" Ni Xixi said excitedly. "Just wait and watch."
As the few of them walked over, most people did not pay much attention at first. Guests delivering gifts were coming and going in large numbers, some familiar and others not. But once Cheng Zitong appeared, many sensed that the surrounding atmosphere had shifted, and they turned to look.
Those who did not know the situation looked on in confusion, while those who knew whispered among themselves. Some inquired about the newcomer's identity. There were always busybodies eager to explain the background story, and upon hearing the details, many realized what was happening, their faces lighting up with anticipation of a good show.
Cheng Zitong acted completely unbothered. Following Cheng Zicheng all the way into the main hall, he looked at Cheng Zhou sitting upright at the head. He took several steps forward and bowed.
"Father, your son has made a special trip to wish you a happy birthday!"
Beside him, Xiao Ke, as a junior, bowed in congratulations as well.
Those seated in the hall watched the scene and exchanged glances.
Cheng Zhou said, "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. You aren't young anymore either. Mm, you've put on weight too. It's just that after all these years, your skills haven't improved much."
Cheng Zitong chuckled. "Your son is just like this for the rest of his life—no further improvement in me."
Cheng Zhou said slowly, "Whether you change or not is up to you. You've established your own household, and I can't control you anymore. What did you bring this time? If it's no good, I won't accept it."
Cheng Zitong replied, "Remember how you always loved the purple-gold jujubes from Yangzhi? This time I brought you a big basket of them. I picked every single one myself, all fresh this season—enough for you to take your time enjoying. I entrusted Xiao Cheng to bring them in just now. What, did you not receive them, Old Man?"
Cheng Zicheng hurriedly tapped his boundary credential and transferred over the gift record he had received earlier. Cheng Zhou glanced at the display on his boundary credential and said, "Mm, good stuff. You put thought into it. I'll accept them."
He gave an instruction: "Since you're here, stay properly. Go sit off to the side, and keep me company for a chat after the banquet ends."
Cheng Zitong said, "All right," walked over to the side, and was about to sit down at an empty table.
Cheng Zhou shook his head. "I didn't tell you to sit here." He gestured toward the outside. "Your seniority isn't high enough, nor have you reached the realm of Dispelling the False Void, so you can only sit out there." He added in a heavy voice, "You must know the rules."
Cheng Zitong paused in his tracks. He stared at Cheng Zhou for a few moments, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he spoke nothing of it. He merely slipped on his decorative sunglasses at an unhurried pace and said with a smile, "I understand the rules, Old Man. So I'll go sit outside?"
With that, he patted Xiao Ke. "Don't just stand there dazed. This isn't the place for us two brothers."
After walking out of the main hall, Xiao Ke asked, "Brother Tong, we're just walking out like this?"
Cheng Zitong said, "Walking out? We'll just stay outside for a bit to get some fresh air. It's nice out here. Just watch—the way they made us leave, that's the way they'll have to invite us back in."
Chapter 998