Chapter Thirty-Six: The Banquet Along the Ten-Mile Street

Because of what happened last night, Qin Yi and Zhang Chen were in high spirits on their way home. Usually, Butcher Qian, who spent his days sharpening his knives and cared for nothing but his pigs and sheep, actually did something unprecedented today—he stopped Qin Yi and Zhang Chen and insisted on stuffing several pounds of carefully selected lean meat into their arms.

Then there was Aunt Wang from the market, who used to scold them at the slightest provocation when they were children; today, she brought them a whole basket of wild delicacies. In the end, she still couldn't resist calling out, "Qin the Unrighteous, Zhang the Incompetent," as usual—old habits die hard. And then, all the aunts and neighbors from the street, each brought a little something from their own homes for Qin Yi and Zhang Chen, nearly exhausting them with so many gifts.

At the intersection from the center of Yulong Fort to Chaoyang Street, an old man with white hair, leaning on a cane, smiled and pointed it at them, saying, "Qin the Unrighteous, Zhang the Incompetent, you two have made something of yourselves."

Zhang Chen laughed, "Heh! That's right. From now on, Old Fort Master Li, please let everyone know—they can't call us that anymore."

At this, Old Fort Master Li withdrew his cane, holding it in his arms, turned his head slightly, and replied indifferently, "Old habits, can't change them."

Qin Yi, though somewhat reluctant, still spoke up, "Old Fort Master Li, it was my incompetence—I didn’t protect Young Fort Master Li."

Young Fort Master Li was the nickname given to the old man's grandson by Qin Yi and Zhang Chen. Four years ago, when they went together to Mount Taiyi to seek a teacher, he was beset and killed by youths from the other two forts of the Three Forts of Southern Yi. Though Old Fort Master Li was a cultivator of the Nascent Soul stage and stood out among common folk, he never bullied the ordinary people in Yulong Fort, which he had brought together himself. Yet, despite his kindness, fate was cruel—he lost his wife and son in middle age, leaving only a grandson, and now, in old age, he was bereft even of him. To think of a man’s suffering, could there be anything more tragic?

At the mention of his grandson, Old Fort Master Li’s gaze dimmed, and he said weakly, "How can I blame you?"

Zhang Chen said, "Old Fort Master, after the New Year, I’ll go and kill those bastards and avenge Young Fort Master Li."

The old master replied, "I know you’re a Nascent Soul talisman master now, but you must realize, among the Three Forts of Southern Yi, our Yulong Fort is the weakest—it’s only me in the Nascent Soul stage, long past my prime, while the other two forts have several each, and..."

"And now, apart from Yulong Fort, the other two have probably pledged allegiance to the Wang family of East Ridge, haven’t they?" Qin Yi added.

The old man sighed, "Anyone with eyes can see that!"

Zhang Chen bristled, "I don’t care! They killed so many of our people. One day, I’ll have my revenge—blood for blood."

"Well said! Blood for blood—I like it," Qin Yi echoed, recalling how, in his past life, all his dedication had earned him only the name of traitor.

Perhaps their words stirred up a fire long buried in the old master’s heart. He straightened his frail back and declared, "Count me in."

His son and grandson had both fallen in the struggle among the three forts, and now, close to the grave, he no longer wished to live stifled. As a cultivator of his realm, he felt he had lived too long in humiliation.

Suddenly, the old master changed the subject, "Zhang the Incompetent, go home and tell your father to prepare enough purple rice stewed wine—tomorrow is the Long Street Banquet before the New Year, and everyone’s clamoring to celebrate for you two!"

"Oh!" Zhang Chen responded.

Qin Yi said, "Old Fort Master, take care. We’ll be off now."

The two of them walked toward the end of Chaoyang Street. Old Fort Master Li gazed after their departing figures with great satisfaction—not because they vowed to avenge his grandson, but because, in that moment, he saw the sense of responsibility deep in their hearts.

...

From dawn the next day, Yulong Fort was lively and bustling, for today was the most important event of the year—the Long Street Banquet.

As the name suggests, the Long Street Banquet was a festive celebration held on the main street before the New Year. Each year, the location was decided by drawing lots among the streets, and this year, West Avenue was chosen. However, due to what happened the previous night, the banquet was relocated to Chaoyang Street. Far from being displeased, the residents of West Avenue felt honored—as if ordinary folk could, for once, help the cultivators.

With the banquet more celebratory than ever, Zhang Chen’s family’s purple rice stewed wine was selling like hotcakes. Qin Yi noticed that the day’s takings from wine sales alone could rival his family’s yearly income. Truly, mastering a craft was a blessing. Zhang Chen’s parents were overjoyed, their usual fatigue vanishing in the flurry of activity.

In the side room of the Qin house, Qin Yi gazed out the window at the aunts and uncles busily preparing for the festivities, their enthusiasm infectious. He couldn’t help but smile—he had never experienced such days in his past life, and now found them rather delightful.

Life is short; seize joy while you can.

"Jiang Yao, are you still not getting up?" Qin Yi turned, exasperated, to see Jiang Yao still sprawled in bed despite the sun shining high. Since returning to Yulong Fort, the greatest surprise for Qin Yi was not that he had parents, but that Jiang Yao could sleep so late. How had he never noticed this trait before? "I never knew you loved sleeping in so much. You weren’t like this as a child, were you?"

Jiang Yao, eyes still closed, showed no intention of rising. She replied lazily, "I didn’t know you were such a rogue either. Didn’t see that as a child."

Her casual words struck a chord in Qin Yi’s heart. It dawned on him that, in their past lives, they had both cared too much about their image in each other’s eyes, never discovering these trivial, yet essential, parts of one another’s lives.

But fortunately, fate had granted him a second chance, and for that Qin Yi was deeply grateful.

He walked over and, through the quilt, embraced the still-lazy Jiang Yao. She instantly sensed it, threw off the covers, and shouted in mock anger, "I’ll skewer you with my sword!"

The more she pouted, the more Qin Yi’s heart fluttered. He held her tightly and kissed her on her tempting cherry lips.

"Mmm—" Jiang Yao was caught completely off guard by the sudden kiss. She struggled desperately, forgetting entirely to use her frosty swordsmanship to dispatch the scoundrel.

Just then, the door swung open, and Zhang Chen’s voice called out, "Qin the Unrighteous, Sister Jiang Yao, the Long Street Banquet is starting!"

But as soon as he caught sight of Jiang Yao in Qin Yi’s arms, their lips joined, he immediately closed the door and left a single remark, "Carry on, then."

"Qin Yi…" Jiang Yao finally called out helplessly.

Qin Yi released her lips, though his arms remained firmly around her, gazing at her with lingering affection.

"Enough of your nonsense," Jiang Yao chided, giving his chest a playful punch—which, with her strength, was more ticklish than painful.

Outside, Zhang Chen left the Qin household in silence, his good mood for the day utterly ruined by witnessing their public display of affection.

Inside, Qin Yi finally let go of Jiang Yao, got out of bed, and said, "Hurry and wash up. Today’s going to be fun—we’ve never attended such a banquet before."

"Mm!" Jiang Yao replied, stretching languidly before heading off to freshen up.

She didn’t take long, for Jiang Yao never cared for cosmetics. Even without them, she outshone all others—dressed simply in white, her delicate features and graceful figure, matched by her natural elegance. When unsmiling, she was serene and lovely; when she smiled, her dimples appeared, making her more beautiful than ever in Qin Yi’s eyes.

Qin Yi ran over, took her hands with a smile, and teased, "Our little Qin family bride."

Jiang Yao tried to pull her hands free, protesting, "Stop it." But it was in a girl’s nature to be thus.

Qin Yi, feigning seriousness, insisted, "No, today I must hold your hand."

She saw his sincerity and gave up the struggle, for at that moment, she felt not so much embarrassed as secure.

Thus, hand in hand, Qin Yi and Jiang Yao stepped out into the world beyond.