Cheng Zicheng stepped forward and said to Cheng Zitong, "Third Brother, over here."
Cheng Zitong looked at him. "Don't worry, I won't get lost."
He did not notice, however, that as he walked out, his senior fellow disciple Qiao Linhu, who was sitting to one side, seemed to let out a quiet sigh of relief when he saw that Cheng Zitong hadn't looked his way.
Cheng Zicheng led him and Xiao Ke to a table meant for the second generation and younger relatives. Sitting there were two Cheng family nephews roughly his age, along with several other relatives—some from close branches, others distant relations separated by many generations. The table was lively with chatter and laughter, completely free of constraint.
Perhaps because everyone here was doing about the same in life, or perhaps out of mutual sympathy, when they saw him arrive, none of them cared about the strange looks frequently cast their way by the others. They all warmly greeted Cheng Zitong, bringing a touch more human warmth than was found in the main hall.
After Cheng Zitong sat down, he gave Xiao Ke a pull. "Sit down. That's just how the old Cheng family's rules are."
Xiao Ke took a seat, grumbling indignantly, "Brother Tong, I thought this time would be an exception."
Cheng Zitong chuckled. "You and me both."
After having Cheng Zitong seated outside, Cheng Zhou instructed the attendants to bring out plates of purple-gold jujubes, placing one on each table.
Sitting to one side, Fan Shoulu, principal of Yangzhi Wuyi, glanced at the jujubes and then at his senior brother. He shook his head, though he said nothing.
At that moment, a middle-aged man at one of the tables sat up straight. It seemed a message had arrived through his boundary credential, and a look of delight spread across his face as he called out toward the exterior.
"Oh, they're here?" Several elderly men seated nearby suddenly perked up, expressions of pure joy washing over their faces.
The middle-aged man approached Cheng Zhou, and after receiving permission, walked outside. Before long, several people resembling technicians came over and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, carried a circular disc into the center of the hall.
Aligning it with a field device previously set up overhead, they adjusted it a few times and activated it. A curtain of light descended from above, forming a three-dimensional field screen.
The screen faced in all directions, visible from every angle. After flickering rhythmically a few times, it displayed a vast expanse of azure sea.
At first, the guests thought nothing of it, assuming it was some program. But as the camera panned, they realized the vantage point was situated at an extremely high altitude, offering a panoramic view of a vast island.
Someone recognized it at once, crying out in excitement, "That's Gaoting Tower in Haidong Circuit! This is Haidong Circuit!"
"Haidong Circuit? Is it Skyline?"
"Is this a live feed from Haidong Circuit?"
"I know that place—Gaoting Tower is the highest point in Haidong Circuit!"
Standing roughly two hundred and fifty meters tall on Mount Weigong, the highest peak of the Gongying Archipelago, Haidong Circuit's Gaoting Tower was undeniably the tallest structure in the entire island chain. It housed a sky garden and was also the location with the densest concentration of field creatures and the best signal.
At this moment, over a dozen young people appeared on the screen. Many in the room found the two faces at the front very familiar.
"Aren't those Old Fifth and Old Eighth? Right, no wonder we didn't see them today—so they're over there!"
"You didn't know? The Cheng family and a few of our families are building a fighting dojo in Haidong Circuit. They and several other young fellows went ahead as an advance party."
Both young men wore festive birthday robes. Smiling, they bowed toward the screen and called out, "Third Grandfather, we're in Haidong Circuit's central city! Taking advantage of the newly connected Skyline, we're here to wish you a happy birthday! Together with all the juniors here, we wish you, Third Grandfather, a thousand years of crane-like longevity and ten thousand years of pine-like vigor!" With that, they bowed deeply forward.
The juniors behind them, who had accompanied them to help establish the martial arts dojo, all bowed together and recited words of congratulations in unison.
Cheng Zhou could not help nodding with approval. "Good, good. How thoughtful of you."
At one table, a woman in her forties spoke through her boundary credential: "Third Grandfather, they can offer their birthday greetings from right there. Even though they're thousands of miles away, it feels just like they're right by your side."
Cheng Zhou nodded repeatedly.
He looked toward his niece, who worked in the City Patrol's technical division and was standing outside the hall. "Xiaoyun, you arranged all this, didn't you?"
Cheng Xiaoyun quickly stood up and smiled. "Third Grandfather, how would I dare make such a call on my own? Eldest Grandfather and Second Grandfather were the ones who approved it. At most, I'm just a foot soldier carrying out orders."
Cheng Zhou looked at the screen and remarked with feeling, "Technology truly is important. We can't stay bound to outdated thinking."
Although he was strict about tradition and rules, he was not entirely inflexible in every respect. In fact, he placed great value on technology—especially cybernetic armaments. For younger disciples who lacked innate martial talent, he was willing to accept their use of implants.
Yet for disciples who possessed talent, he maintained exceptionally strict control. He knew that if he loosened his grip, most would lack the discipline to practice martial arts and would opt for the shortcut instead. If that happened, the Cheng family would cease to be the Cheng family.
Most of the guests present did not think so far ahead; they were simply enjoying the spectacle and joining in the fun.
Even so, many could see that Skyline had only been officially launched by the Government Affairs Hall just yesterday. To most people, it was still a high-end novelty, opened to the public for only a single day. For the Cheng family to use it for a live birthday greeting today, how much face must they command in higher circles?
Furthermore, people often accused the Cheng family of clinging to outdated ways and rigid, archaic rules. Yet looking at this, that hardly seemed the case. The family was quite open to embracing new technology—and had not only embraced it, but had stepped ahead of many others.
Just then, a middle-aged man wearing an old-style martial artist's uniform stepped forward on the screen.
A Cheng family junior introduced him: "Third Grandfather, this is Mr. Sancheng Huang. Mr. Sancheng helped us greatly in making this birthday greeting possible."
Sancheng Huang bowed toward the screen.
"Greetings, Old Master Cheng. I am Sancheng Huang, of the Langtao Dojo, currently employed at the Integration Boundary Company. Having heard of Old Master Cheng's eightieth birthday, I am here on behalf of Langtao Dojo and the Integration Boundary Company to offer our congratulations on your grand longevity."
Langtao Dojo...
Those among the guests who knew of it wore shocked expressions. That was one of the Three Great Dojos of the Outer Ocean, and home to a Saber Master who was said to be the resident martial artist stationed in Haidong Circuit.
Cheng Zhou was also somewhat surprised. Raising his hands, he solemnly cupped his fists. "Mr. Sancheng, thank you to your dojo and your company for your assistance, and thank you for your congratulations. I, Cheng Zhou, hardly feel worthy of such an honor."
Sancheng Huang bowed respectfully and replied in earnest, "Old Master Cheng is more than worthy."
At that moment, a separate window split off on the boundary credential feed, revealing a middle-aged man of distinguished bearing.
Those familiar with him immediately recognized Cai Zhaoyin, the newly appointed vice president of Wuyi Academy. He smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Old Master Cheng, I, Cai, offer birthday congratulations to you on behalf of Wuyi Academy and Old Principal Yao."
"I am hardly worthy."
Cheng Zhou's expression turned solemn as he once again raised his hands in return.
He considered himself worthy of congratulations from Wuyi Academy; after all, he had instructed students there, and even now some of its instructors were his former pupils.
Yao Zhiyi, however, was someone he had never met. Stationed year-round in the convergence zone, Yao Zhiyi rarely appeared in Center City, so there was no acquaintance to speak of. Furthermore, martial artists did not go out of their way to socialize with those below them; they simply did not move on the same plane.
Cai Zhaoyin chuckled and said, "You are worthy, truly worthy."
Cheng Zhou was about to say more when a message suddenly arrived on his boundary credential, causing him to freeze. He was not the only one—the boundary credentials of numerous guests working in the City Patrol and the Disposal Bureau, including Ni Xixi and Liu Yin, chimed simultaneously. Stunned for an instant, they quickly rose from their seats one after another.
Cheng Shang and Fan Shoulu both looked toward Cheng Zhou, waiting for him to make the call. Drawing a breath, Cheng Zhou looked toward the outside and declared in a resonant voice, "Open the main gates! All members of the Cheng family, follow me outside to welcome our guest!"
With that, he and the rest of the Cheng family strode swiftly toward the exit. When he reached Cheng Zitong's table, he paused. After a brief hesitation, he said, "Xiao Tong, come along." Then he continued forward.
Only after the others had passed did Cheng Zitong leisurely stand up. He signaled to Xiao Ke, "Xiao Ke, let's go."
Realizing what was happening, Xiao Ke tossed the chicken leg he was chewing back onto the table, wiped his hands hurriedly on whatever was handy, and held back his excitement. "Right away, Brother Tong!"
At an adjacent table, Xiao Jing saw the elders heading outside and noticed Liu Yin standing up. She hurried to her feet as well, wide-eyed. "Brother Liu Yin? What's going on?"
For some reason, Liu Yin's breath had quickened. "Don't ask. Follow me." With that, he strode out. Though the others didn't understand the situation, hearing his words, they followed him out as well. As the rest of the guests noticed the commotion, hardly anyone remained in their seats.
Before long, around five or six hundred people poured outside together.
Fortunately, the open ground in front of the grand manor was spacious enough that even so many people occupied only a corner before the entrance.
Then, looking out toward the parking plaza and the roads, they saw rows of fully armed guards and security personnel standing in formation. At the very front stood Xu Chan, the Disposal Bureau's investigation supervisor whom many recognized, clad in full uniform and conversing with several others.
Those others wore uniforms as well. Anyone familiar with the Defense Department could tell at a glance that they were several of its deputy directors. They were checking the watches on their wrists, glancing up at the sky from time to time.
The sight sent a jolt through everyone's hearts. Moments later, the rhythmic thrum of propeller blades reached their ears.
Cheng Zhou and the others looked up together. Amid the brilliant night lights of Center City, an airship glided in from the distance. And the moment the airship came into view, the guards below turned in unison with a crisp rustle, snapping to rigid attention toward it.
The guests present today all possessed keen eyesight and could clearly make out the airship's design. Emblazoned upon it was the insignia of the Martial Artists Council—a personal airship belonging to an accredited martial artist. And in Center City, aside from the seldom-seen Yao Zhiyi, only one person possessed such an airship. The hearts of most gathered began to pound uncontrollably.
The airship approached swiftly, arriving near the grounds in no time. A figure appeared on an upper viewing deck, but with what seemed like a mere flash of light, he stood upon the ground below, walking forward from the far end of the intersection.
The man wore a peaked cap and a Defense Department uniform. The brass buttons and epaulets on his overcoat gleamed under the ambient light of the airship. As he walked, the hem of his coat billowed gently in the night breeze, while a bright red scarf danced like blazing flame in the wind.
The guards and armed personnel along the way straightened to attention and snapped off a crisp salute.
Investigation Supervisor Xu Chan and the deputy directors of the Defense Department all raised their hands in salute as he approached, calling out, "Chief!"
Chen Chuan gave a nod and returned the salute. Then, beneath the gaze of the crowd, he walked forward alone along the cleared avenue. He did not head straight for the front rank; instead, he walked directly up to Cheng Zitong. Bringing his heels together lightly, he bowed slightly. "Teacher, I wonder if this student has arrived late?"
Behind his sunglasses, Cheng Zitong's plump face betrayed a tightly suppressed excitement. Smiling, he replied, "How could you be, Xiao Chuan? As your teacher, I know you've always been punctual."
Chen Chuan looked up toward the grand manor ahead and the crowd gathered below. "Then today, this student will accompany you to offer birthday greetings to Old Master Cheng."
Chapter 999