Su Zhi had come in person to attend tonight’s grand banquet, but instead of taking his seat early, he stayed hidden behind a screen, quietly watching the scene.

As he looked over the many suitors who had traveled from all directions, he felt a wave of disappointment. He had known from the start that if they were willing to marry into his family, they wouldn’t be the heirs of prestigious clans, and even candidates from high-ranking clans would be rare. He had prepared himself for that. But after actually seeing the guest list and then meeting the men in person, the sense of letdown hit him even harder.

There were quite a few in attendance, at least forty or fifty. But some of them made him so angry he almost felt like killing on the spot.

Family background aside, which frankly wasn’t even worth discussing, just looking at their appearances was enough to put him in a foul mood.

There was one with a shifty, rodent-like face who clearly wasn’t any kind of decent man. Another’s eyes darted around restlessly, a sure sign of an unstable nature. One man’s belly stuck out, his words slick and insincere. And then there was one with hair and beard completely white, so old and frail he looked ready to collapse. Was he here to spend his final years living off the Su family?

For men like these, Su Zhi didn’t even want to bother offering them dinner. He simply circled their names on the roster and told the steward to clear their seats at once and throw them out. More than half were sent packing on the spot, leaving the main Gualu Hall much more spacious and quiet.

Liu Xiaolou, a rogue cultivator from Wulong Mountain, had originally been on Su Zhi’s first cut list as well. But he suddenly remembered what the White-Robed Swordsman had said, hesitated a moment, and decided to let him stay. For the sake of his nephew Yun’s face, he would at least let the man enjoy a good meal.

The Su family came out swinging with a show of hard-nosed authority, and Liu Xiaolou was more than a little uneasy. As he listened to the steward read out the names of those who were to be thrown out, his heart kept pounding. After all, his own background wasn’t much better than theirs. Calling them “all cut from the same cloth” wouldn’t be far from the truth.

Luckily, his name wasn’t on the expulsion list, and he let out a small sigh of relief.

But there was still no sign of the White-Robed Swordsman. Looking around, he spotted the maid who had shown him to his seat earlier, so he caught her and asked, “Where’s my friend Yun? Why hasn’t he shown up?”

The maid, Susu, pressed her lips into a smile. “Young Master Yun has already left.”

That caught Liu Xiaolou completely off guard. He froze for a moment. “He left? Without even telling me…?”

Why had the White-Robed Swordsman left so suddenly, without even staying for the banquet? Had he given up, or was there some other reason? Liu Xiaolou couldn’t make sense of it, and his thoughts drifted.

Only twelve people remained in the Gualu Hall. After the seats were rearranged, the earlier clamor was gone. One man at the table loudly praised the Su family’s action, saying to those around him, “Shenwu Manor is, after all, a clan with a thousand years of history. Some people really lose their heads, unable to tell their own worth. They should have been kicked out long ago!”

The man beside him clasped his hands. “Well said, brother. It’s just that they still haven’t cleared them all out. There’s still a fish or two that slipped through the net.” He cast a glance at Liu Xiaolou across the table.

“What’s your surname, brother?”

“I am Dong Wei of Qishan.”

“And I am Jia Po of Dongheng Town.”

“So, you’re the famed ‘Single-Stroke Flying Sky’ from Dongheng Town. I’ve long heard the name!”

“And the Chess Immortal’s reputation,” Jia Po replied, “has reached my ears like thunder.”

After their polite laughter, Jia Po asked, “Just now, Chess Immortal, you mentioned there’s still a fish that slipped through the net at this table. Who did you mean?”

Dong Wei gave a cold smile. “Have you ever heard of Wulong Mountain? It’s a famous peak in western Xian.”

Jia Po chuckled. “Western Xian? That’s a thousand li from here. How would I know it? What makes this Wulong Mountain so famous?”

“Its slopes are full of remarkable men,” Dong Wei said. “True paragons of extravagance.”

“And what sort of extravagance?” Jia Po asked.

Dong Wei kept a perfectly straight face. “There’s the unrivaled master of chicken-thieving and dog-stealing, the invincible warrior of murder and arson, the refined gentleman unmatched in lust and lechery, the cunning genius of swindling and fraud, and the free-spirited hero who gambles as if his life depended on it. Truly, a gathering of illustrious figures, celebrated the world over. How could that not be extravagant?”

Jia Po burst out laughing. “Wahaha! Extravagant indeed!”

The two of them, question by question, were aiming straight at Liu Xiaolou. Of course he understood. They still thought there were too many rivals and wanted to drive him out as well. He let out a long, quiet sigh, then fixed his eyes on Dong Wei without speaking, his gaze full of melancholy.

Dong Wei sneered. “What’s the meaning of that, Brother Liu? Are you saying I’m wrong?”

Liu Xiaolou shook his head. “Why go so far, Brother Dong? After so many years of knowing each other, is our deep friendship to be severed over a single banquet? Brother Dong, you’re truly heartless… If it will put your mind at ease, then have it your way. I have nothing more to say…”

With that, he poured himself a cup, tipped it back, and drained it in one gulp.

Dong Wei exploded. “Who’s known you for years? Where’s all this ‘deep friendship’ coming from? I just can’t stand certain people who ignore their own station and still dare to dream of coming here…”

Liu Xiaolou shook his head, gave a wry smile, and said to the table, “Friends, the ones who know you best are always the ones who stab you deepest…”

Finally, someone in the crowd joined in. “Well said. Drink a big one for that!”

“So you’re both from Wulong Mountain? Why fight each other so hard?”

“Throw them both out! Throw them both out…”

Liu Xiaolou quickly waved his hands. “Gentlemen, I misspoke. What I said just now was nonsense. Pretend you never heard it. If someone must leave, let it be me. Don’t drive Brother Dong away. It’s all my fault, and I’ll take full responsibility.”

He raised his cup. “Brother Dong, I owe you an apology. I truly shouldn’t have come to Shenwu Manor. But I came along with my friend Yun, the White-Robed Swordsman, not because I had any designs on the Su family’s young lady…”

Furious, Dong Wei drew his sword with a sharp clang and was about to strike when a cough came from behind the screen. The host, Su Zhi, stepped out, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Dong Wei had no choice but to sheath his sword in frustration, then sat down heavily. Glancing around, he leaned toward Jia Po and muttered, “Brother Jia, this man speaks nonsense without thinking. Truly hateful. After the banquet, I’ll kill him.”

Jia Po’s eyes flickered. “No need to go that far.”

The maid Susu had been standing behind Liu Xiaolou all along. Seizing a moment while pouring wine, she quietly asked, “So, young master, you and Chess Immortal Dong are truly acquainted?”

Liu Xiaolou let out a sigh. “Not acquainted. Not anymore. Never again. He had a flower tattoo on his left hip. By now he’s probably scrubbed it away. And what he scrubbed off wasn’t just the flower, it was my friendship!” He sighed again and took a long swallow of wine.

Susu asked again, “Is this because of Young Master Yun?”

Liu Xiaolou blinked, unsure how to answer, and finally said, “Don’t ask. In the end, it’s all my fault.”

At the head of the table, Su Zhi lifted his cup in invitation. After the guests had drunk through three rounds, he said, “Many thanks to you fine young…” He had been about to call them ‘heroes,’ but couldn’t bring himself to say it against his conscience, so he continued instead, “…young men. As you know, Shenwu Manor is seeking a son-in-law today. Whoever is chosen will become a member of the Su family, needless to say. For those who aren’t chosen, there will still be a token of our appreciation. There are a few conditions in choosing a son-in-law, which I’ll state plainly. Best to speak the hard truths first. If anyone objects, you may still withdraw now.”

Liu Xiaolou froze and glanced at Susu beside him. “A member of the Su family?”

Susu nodded. “Yes.”

He double-checked, “You mean… marrying into the family?”

Susu looked surprised. “You didn’t know, young master?”