No taboos in the world

Chapter 221: Cao Duzhu’s Ceremony, Garuda Reappears

Cao Zhengchun's tent was very large, with a soft blanket on the floor and a complete range of furniture, even vases, ornaments or potted plants that were only of ornamental value were available.

"Mr. Hong, please take a seat!"

"You are too polite, Eunuch Cao. Your master is the governor of the East Factory. How can I, a commoner, take this seat?"

Cao Zhengchun smiled and shook his head gently: "Mr. Hong, you are too modest. I am just your Majesty's servant, managing the East Factory on your behalf. In terms of status, how can I compare with the common people in the world? Besides, Mr. Hong is a martial arts master, which is rare in the world. I dare not be disrespectful since I am proficient in martial arts. Please don't refuse, Mr. Hong!" As he said that, he continued to extend his hand to guide.

Hong Chen has always thought that he is not a person who likes to listen to flattery, but now, he feels that he used to be quite good at pretending.

"Then I won't be polite?"

Eunuch Cao narrowed his eyes and smiled: "You're welcome, please take a seat!"

After they sat down, Eunuch Cao gave a look and all kinds of steaming hot delicacies were served immediately.

Seeing this, Hong Chen also took out a green-skinned gourd and shared Zui Hongchen with Eunuch Cao.

Cao Zhengchun tasted it and immediately praised: "Oh, this wine is a rare good wine in the world! Song's Drunk Red Dust! Unfortunately, Song is weak and surrounded by foreign enemies, and the Xiao family is unwilling to give up the recipe, so except for Song, it is difficult to buy it anywhere else, and the price is extremely high."

He was good at entertaining and chatting, and the two of them talked and ate at the same time, creating a great atmosphere.

After three rounds of drinking.

Cao Zhengchun put down his wine glass and said with a sigh: "Mr. Hong is indeed not an ordinary person."

"What do you mean, Eunuch Cao?" Hong Chen asked with a smile.

Cao Zhengchun smiled and said, "In the past, we have invited many people to dinner. But they were either flatterers, or ridiculed us, or even scolded us. This is the first time that someone like you has invited us."

Strictly speaking, what Cao Zhengchun said was quite light.

If it were those impolite knights or officials, not to mention having a meal with them, even if they met them on the street, they would spit at them.

Hong Chen certainly had no discrimination against him, nor any dissatisfaction with him.

At the very least, Cao Zhengchun did not harm him, but was very polite. Although there had been a small conflict, was that something worth him keeping in mind and harboring hatred for it?

Then his mind is too narrow.

"Hahaha, it seems like it's not easy to be the governor, Eunuch Cao."

Cao Zhengchun shook his head slightly, with a bitter smile on his face: "Alas, I work for His Majesty, and I have always been conscientious and diligent, and I dare not slack off. I can't say that I love the people, but at least I pay attention to not offend them. Who would have thought..."

Hong Chen raised his head and drank the wine in the glass, then said with a smile: "The prejudice in people's hearts is as big as a mountain."

"That's right." Cao Zhengchun nodded in agreement.

Looking at Hong Chen again, Cao Zhengchun found him more pleasing to the eye and felt an unprecedented sense of equality.

Yes, as a disabled person, he never demands respect from others, equality is enough.

As he gazed, he seemed to see again the golden dragon behind Hong Chen, with its head held high, scales like gold, and claws on its shoulders.

This is the 'dragon among men'.

Some things cannot be said and can only be thought about in the heart. After all, the dragon in his heart should only be the true dragon of the emperor in the palace.

After a long time, after the banquet, tea was served.

Cao Zhengchun added: "I heard that there were some scoundrels causing trouble in the Red Dust Inn. They betrayed their former master, were selfish and greedy, and had a beastly heart. They even stole the title of a great hero. They are a shame to the martial arts world and the Ming Dynasty! Mr. Hong has eliminated this evil for the martial arts world and the world, which is really gratifying!"

Hong Chen sipped his tea, knowing that he had more to say, so he didn't speak.

Cao Zhengchun then shouted to the people outside the tent: "Come here, bring that ignorant fellow up to us!"

Soon, the tent was opened, and two tall and strong soldiers brought in a man with disheveled hair and tied up bodies.

As soon as he entered the door, the man quickly began to protest his injustice.

"Father, please spare my life! I didn't know that Jiang Biehe was such a beast, so I married my granddaughter to him. He deserves to be cut into pieces for what he did, but I didn't participate in it. I hope that Father-in-law will spare my life for the sake of my many years of service!"

Hearing the cries echoing through the tent, Cao Zhengchun frowned and said, "Slap him!"

Immediately, there was a clear and crisp sound of "pa pa pa", and the cries of injustice were suppressed by the wailing sounds.

Turning around, Cao Zhengchun was smiling again.

"Mr. Hong, I'm ashamed to say that this man is also a eunuch of our East Factory, named Liu Xi. I used to think he was capable, so I promoted him to be our deputy. Unfortunately, I didn't know his heart, and it took Mr. Hong's help to catch this unscrupulous person. Jiang Biehe and his son have already been dealt with, and his family members in Jiangnan have also been dealt with. The remaining culprit, him, will be handed over to Mr. Hong for disposal."

really.

Cao Zhengchun didn't invite him to dinner on a whim.

Or perhaps, if Hong Chen had not agreed just now, Cao Zhengchun might not have tied up Liu Xi and sent him to be dealt with.

In the underworld, one still needs to observe some social etiquette.

Hong Chen glanced at them and then retracted his gaze, saying lightly: "Since they are under the command of Eunuch Cao, it is not convenient for me to interfere. Please do as you wish, Eunuch Cao."

"You're welcome, sir." Cao Zhengchun smiled and waved his hand without turning his head.

Immediately, the two soldiers drew their swords at the same time, stabbed them into Liu Xi's back, and twisted the handles. Liu Xi died instantly and was dragged out.

Cao Zhengchun turned around and took out a box.

"This is all of Jiang Biehe's family business and property. Mr. Hong has done such a great evil, so it is only right that Mr. Hong should take over. I hope you will not refuse."

Hearing this, Hong Chen did not even glance at it, but instead looked at Cao Zhengchun.

This series of arrangements really touched Hong Chen.

If there is such a subordinate, then for many things he really only needs to say one word.

"Eunuch Cao, are you interested in doing a side job?"
-
"So many people!"

Prince Xu held the long sword in his hand, feeling deeply moved.

Old Huang led the horse and said with a smile, "The martial arts world of these countries is indeed prosperous." The two found a place to sit down and set up a small tent. Prince Xu immediately took out the scroll impatiently.

"Prince, is this the martial arts that the master gave you?" Old Huang came up curiously.

The prince nodded and stared at the words above.

When Old Huang saw the opening words "Riding the Dragon and Riding the Wind", his face showed a little more interest, and he continued reading.

After a while, Lao Huang's expression became solemn and his pupils constricted.

Then he stretched out his hand and rolled up the scroll, and said seriously: "My Lord, there are too many people here, so it's better to put this treasure away and look at it slowly in a safe place later!"

The prince was stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "What are you afraid of in the tent?"

Old Huang shook his head: "It's not safe, it's too unsafe!"

The prince raised his eyebrows, looked at him several times, and asked, "I say, have you figured out what's going on?"

Old Huang hesitated and nodded heavily.

"Oh? Then tell me quickly!" The prince suddenly became excited.

Old Huang lowered his voice and said while thinking: "This is a relatively unique martial art. It is not only about body movements, but also a very superior method of using true qi. If I am not mistaken, after mastering it, not only can one have ghostly speed, but also can use true qi to transform into a dragon to defend or attack, and even control the dragon of true qi to soar into the sky. Flying a thousand miles is just a common thing."

The prince's eyes lit up: "Great! The true qi turns into a dragon... Tsk tsk, how can it be described in one word?! When I return to Beiliang and do this, won't those girls tire me to death?"

Old Huang glanced at him speechlessly and shook his head, "You can't learn it."

"Hmm? You look down on me?"

"No. In my opinion, this martial art requires extremely deep Qi to be performed. Otherwise, it would be difficult to transform into a snake, let alone a dragon."

Hearing this, the prince's smile disappeared and he let out a long sigh.

Old Huang's eyes turned and he said, "Sir, it's not too late for you to start practicing now."

"It's too late. According to what you said, I would have to practice until I'm 40 or 50 years old. At that age, what's the point of learning martial arts?"

"Sir, the road is right under your feet. As long as you take action, you will succeed one day!"

"Forget it. I prefer to lie down and be sent to the finish line."

"..."
-
"Master, I'm done."

At the Hengshan Sect camp, Yi Lin recounted what she had seen and experienced along the way.

After listening to this, Hengshan Sanding exchanged glances with each other and were speechless for a moment.

After a long while, Yilin's master, Master Dingyi, said, "Yilin, you have worked hard along the way."

"Master, that's not true. I don't feel it's hard. Although some unhappy things happened, Master said that this is also a kind of practice." Yi Lin was obviously very cheerful.

Master Dingyi smiled dotingly and said, "It's great that you think this way, but you can't ignore the dangers when practicing. In my opinion, you should go down the mountain less often in the future."

"Ah?" Yi Lin was startled, and a figure suddenly appeared in her bright eyes. Then, her smile disappeared, and a bitter look unconsciously appeared on her face.

Seeing this, Hengshan Sanding looked at each other again and all sighed in their hearts.

At this time, a little nun came running over and said, "Master, two senior brothers, there is a guest outside, who said...he said he is here to look for Junior Sister Yilin."

Yi Lin suddenly looked up, moved her body, then stopped, looking at her master with pleading eyes.

Master Dingyi forced a smile on her face: "Go!"

"Thank you, Master!" Yi Lin smiled as bright as a flower, turned around and ran away quickly.

After leaving the tent, Yi Lin caught a glimpse of Hong Chen, who was dressed in crimson, in the crowd.

Running forward, she said with a hearty smile, "Brother!"

"Well, how was it, did you meet the master?"

"Yes, Master cares about me a lot."

"So you'll be with them next time?"

Yi Lin blinked, thought about it over and over again, unable to make a decision, and pursed her lips slightly.

Seeing this, Hong Chen smiled and said, "Why don't you stay with me during the day and I'll take you back at night?"

Yi Lin nodded without hesitation: "Okay!"

So, for the next three days, Yi Lin left with Hong Chen during the day and came back at night.

Of course, she would not ignore the looks from her senior and junior sisters, but she absolutely could not avoid seeing them.

Other people from the Five Mountains Sword Sect also noticed this, but due to Hong Chen's unknown identity, no one acted rashly or made accusations.

Three days later, at noon.

There was a loud noise coming from Piaomiao Peak.

The thick fog surrounding the waist of the peak slowly dissipated, revealing peaks that seemed to connect with the sky.

At this moment, martial artists from various countries who were waiting around looked up and watched.

Hong Chen sat on the tiger-skin chair arranged by Eunuch Cao, watching with a smile the greed gradually rising in those people's eyes and the fierce look towards the competitors around them.

Phew! !

Suddenly, a long, sharp cry pierced the sky.

Hong Chen stood up instantly.

"Garuda!"

(End of this chapter)