Gu Yurong stood dejectedly at the entrance of the General's Mansion.
She could hardly believe the message the servant had sent back.
The person who held the apprenticeship banquet at the East Palace was none other than Jiang Wan…
"How could this be!" Song Ziyu was also shocked. "How could someone as arrogant as Crown Prince Yongning agree to her acting recklessly in the Eastern Palace?"
Gu Yurong gritted her teeth, racking her brains: "Maybe...maybe for Princess Zhaohua's sake."
Jiang Wan and Pei Tang have always had a good relationship.
She couldn't think of any other reason.
Crown Prince Yongning is a chosen one of heaven, with a noble status. How could he possibly be involved with Jiang Wan?
No wonder none of the officials and noble families who received her invitation showed up.
Even if they didn't care about the monk, they had to consider the Buddha's feelings. The officials in the capital had no choice but to support Song Yu out of respect for Pei Xuan.
Jiang Wan's move... was really ruthless.
Gu Yurong gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.
After a long while, she took a deep breath.
"Even if Jiang Wan curries favor with the Crown Prince, can she still find a martial arts master who is better than Lin'er?"
She even invited the Hermit of Nanshan.
This was her only bargaining chip.
Gu Yurong turned around and walked back to the courtyard, where she found the hermit of Nanshan who was resting, and asked him for help.
"We can't lose face, even if we lose the battle. You must have connections around the capital. Could you ask them to come and support Lin'er?"
The hermit of Nanshan, dressed in white, was in his early forties and had an air of otherworldly elegance, yet his eyes revealed a sense of restlessness.
If it weren't for Mr. Ji Jiu's generosity and favors, he wouldn't have bothered being the teacher of a spoiled young master.
Looking at the deserted entrance hall of the general's mansion, he was very dissatisfied with the Song family.
But as Song Lin's master, he was ashamed that the apprenticeship banquet had turned into such a mess.
After thinking for a while, he took out a box from his sleeve.
"This is the Jade Pill, a unique creation of our sect. After taking it, it can replenish what is damaged and cure diseases. It is a rare treasure for martial arts practitioners."
Gu Yurong's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood.
Using this as a gimmick, martial arts schools in the city and people from the surrounding area who travel the martial arts world will surely flock to it.
She had the news spread.
Sure enough, after a while, people came from far and wide.
Although the people who came were not as numerous as the officials and nobles of the Crown Prince's Palace, it was better than nothing.
With the addition of the soldiers that Song Ziyu had summoned from the military camp, the main courtyard gradually became lively again.
Song Lin, however, was sullen and had a sour face.
Both being young masters of the same general's mansion, Song Yu was able to become an apprentice at the Eastern Palace, which brought him honor and glory, and all the high-ranking and noble families in the capital congratulated him.
As for him, he only had these shady characters and a few lowly soldiers.
On what grounds?
Gu Yurong comforted him, "You have such a renowned master as the Hermit of Nanshan, which is a hundred times better than Song Yu. He can't even come close to you."
Song Lin felt a little better after that.
The apprenticeship banquet finally took place. Song Lin kowtowed to the Hermit of Nanshan, who then placed something in his hand: a string of pear blossom darts.
The Hermit of Nanshan's martial arts style is unorthodox; he is most adept at using such insidious hidden weapons.
Song Lin held it in his hand for a while, and was about to ask more questions when the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from the gate of the mansion.
Amidst the surprised shouts of the people on the street.
"Master Chen Yi!"
"Master Chenyi has emerged from seclusion! And this is..."
The man's voice cracked with excitement as he raised his voice at the end.
"It's a cicada fruit from Fengming Mountain!"
The entire basket of bright yellow fruit gleamed with a golden sheen under the sunlight.
Master Chenyi's follower shouted.
"Everyone! Master Chenyi is in a great mood today as he accepts a disciple. Brothers who come to the East Palace for the apprenticeship banquet can enjoy Golden Cicada Fruit for free! First come, first served!"
The cicada fruit from Fengming Mountain is said to invigorate the spirit and prolong life, and it is never sold outside the area.
If one could obtain one, it would have an immeasurable and miraculous effect on increasing one's power!
Upon hearing this, the people in the streets and alleys burst into cheers.
Gu Yurong stood frozen at the doorway.
She had already found out that Master Chenyi had taken on a prized disciple…
Could that person be Song Yu?
How could this be? How could Master Chenyi possibly be interested in that brat!
While she was still in a daze, the guests in the general's mansion could no longer sit still, their excitement overflowing.
Compared to the cicada fruit, the Jade Pill of the Hermit of Nanshan is clearly inferior.
Ignoring Song Ziyu's attempts to stop them, they rushed toward the East Palace.
A moment later, the main courtyard became deserted again.
A cold wind blows, and only withered leaves flutter down.
"This is outrageous!" Song Ziyu was so angry that his face turned ashen.
He pointed at the Song family soldiers in iron armor stationed at the gate and shouted, "Stop these people now!"
At this moment, the leader of the soldiers stepped forward; it was Mu Feng.
Instead of stopping the fleeing guests, he bowed to Song Ziyu.
"General, the Golden Cicada Fruit is a rare find, and it will greatly benefit your martial arts training! Brothers, let's go to the Eastern Palace right now and snatch it for you!"
After saying that, he jumped onto the horse.
Ignoring Song Ziyu's shouts, he led his soldiers away in a flash.
Song Ziyu was so angry that his neck turned red, and blood rushed to his head.
He wanted to curse, but he couldn't utter a single word.
The Hermit of Nanshan was also furious: "Is this the sincerity of your General's Mansion? How laughable!"
He snorted angrily and stormed off.
"I've never seen a discipleship ceremony turned out like this before! This sect is not worth having; you should find someone more capable!"
Gu Yurong hurriedly chased after him, but despite mentioning Ji Jiu's name, she still couldn't stop the Hermit of Nanshan.
Feeling humiliated, Song Lin angrily smashed the cups and saucers on the table.
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