CHAPTER 893: CHAPTER 893: GRABBING A STRONG BACKER FIRST IS THE TRUE WAY

The strength of the Zhang Family can’t even compare to the Eight Great Families, let alone other wealthy families outside the Eight Great Families. It’s already quite difficult to maintain their foothold in the Capital, and if implicated, they might even be driven out.

At such a critical moment, rashly showing goodwill to the Mu Family is not a wise move.

"I know what you’re worried about. The Mu Family’s strength is actually far less than before. If it were in the past, I wouldn’t have rashly approached the Mu Family. But upon meeting Han Yan, I’ve changed my mind," Zhang Moyang said thoughtfully, with an air of cunning wisdom.

"Oh?" Zhang Chihua looked at his father with both confusion and curiosity.

"Don’t you think this Han Yan is completely different from ordinary noble family’s sons?" Zhang Moyang asked with a meaningful tone.

"Indeed, not quite ordinary. He seems dissolute by nature, but he actually knows his boundaries. He appears flamboyant and unruly, but he has everything under control. His actions are unexpected, yet he is wise beyond measure, definitely not a common talent," Zhang Chihua paused for a moment, speaking with a sense of respect.

"Since you’ve noticed it too, what’s there to hesitate about? Not to boast, but our Zhang Family has weathered storms over the years and remained standing. It’s been through my meticulous efforts. However, your composure, although sufficient, lacks in ability to expand, and the others in our family are even more inadequate.

One day, I will grow old. Relying on all of you, it might be really hard to maintain our family business. Only by attaching to one of the Eight Great Families do we have a chance for survival.

I’ve always had this thought, but being associated with a tiger, it’s hard to tell good or bad fortune, so I didn’t dare to make decisions easily. Today, seeing Han Yan, finally gave me determination. Without Han Yan, the Mu Family is at most below the Eight Great Families. But with Han Yan, one day it will surpass the Eight Great Families and restore its former glory.

Aligning early with the Mu Family offers a first-mover advantage. Not just maintaining a foothold in the Capital, even ascending to join the ranks of the Eight Great Families is quite possible." As Zhang Moyang said this, his face was full of vigor, and his eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Father, I understand." Zhang Chihua’s evaluation of Han Yan was already high, but he didn’t expect his father’s evaluation to be this high. Hearing him talk about rising to the ranks of the Eight Great Families, even he got excited.

...

Han Yan, of course, didn’t know the thoughts of the Zhang father and son. After leaving the Zhang Family, the group headed straight to Nanyan Commerce.

Mu Zexian and others were talking and laughing along the way, full of excitement. When they were once disgraced by He Qingwei and others, they couldn’t lift their heads for years. Today they finally avenged themselves, making them grateful and in awe of Han Yan.

The same playboys, the same little tricks, yet they were trapped miserably, while Han Yan could trouble others to the point of despair. What a difference!

"Eh!" Just as Mu Zexian and the group were chatting and laughing, Han Yan looked at an old man coming towards them and exclaimed softly.

Is it him? Han Yan felt a bit excited looking at the old man.

The old man was not tall, with mostly white hair and a face full of wrinkles. His nose was exceptionally prominent, wearing a rough linen robe, looking around as he walked, very much like an elder Han Yan remembered.

However, in Han Yan’s memory, it was a few years later when he met that elder, so he didn’t dare to conclude that this was the same person.

As the distance drew closer, Han Yan smelled the strong aroma of alcohol coming from the old man and saw the faintly discernible large wine gourd behind him, finally confirming it was indeed the elder from his memory.

"Old Drunkard!" Just as they passed each other, Han Yan called out in surprise.

No wonder she was so delighted, in her previous life, it was at a critical moment of advancing to the Holy-grade she met this person, and it was his guidance that allowed Han Yan to break through the bottleneck and smoothly advance to Sword Saint.

Even though she met with misfortune soon after advancing to Sword Saint, Han Yan was still filled with gratitude toward this venerable elder who hid himself from the world.

"Hmm?" The old man suddenly turned his head, his invisible aura suddenly expanded, causing his disorderly half-white hair to flutter even without wind, appearing quite imposing.

The sudden pressure from the aura made Huayue and others’ hearts sink involuntarily, making their breathing exceptionally difficult.

Mu Zexian and others, who were just talking and laughing, were scared pale, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

A master! Such an aura can only be seen on a Holy-grade master. This nondescript-looking, somewhat disheveled old man is clearly a Sword Saint level master.

Mu Zexian and others looked at the old man, then at Han Yan, on the verge of tears: Brother, are you out of your mind from joy? Why are you randomly calling out to people? Though he reeks of alcohol, carries a huge wine gourd, and has a big wine-red nose, looking every bit like an Old Drunkard, he’s not just any Old Drunkard, he’s a Sword Saint level Old Drunkard! Can you call out to him randomly?

It’s over! It’s over! Better prepare to run. Mu Zexian and the others glanced at each other, ready to slip away.

"You recognize me? Hahaha, after so many years away, there’s actually someone who recognizes me. Young fellow, your eye power is impressive, very impressive." Much to Mu Zexian and others’ surprise, the old man wasn’t angry. After a brief moment of astonishment, he laughed heartily, shaking with joy and grabbing Han Yan’s arm.

"I don’t recognize you, but my elders have mentioned you," Han Yan snapped back to reality. In her past life, she was familiar with the Old Drunkard, but in this life, she doesn’t know him at all yet.

While responding, Han Yan contemplated: If he asks which elder mentioned him, how should she answer?

"Heard others mention?" The Old Drunkard gave Han Yan a puzzled look, then seemed to recall something and said delightedly, "Hmm... Back then, I was famous all over the world. There were indeed too many who recognized me. It’s impressive that just by my appearance, you knew my background. Very impressive."

Clearly, the old man was quite pleased. Although complimenting Han Yan, he was so thrilled that his beard, hair, and whole body were visibly trembling with excitement.

Cold sweat trickled down Han Yan’s back. Fine, Lady Mu admits she overthought it. He didn’t even have the interest to ask further. A phrase about being famous and recognized by many sufficed. How did she not realize in her past life this Old Drunkard was so self-obsessed?

"Since you recognize me, you’re an acquaintance’s descendant. Come, accompany me for a drink." Clearly in a good mood, the Old Drunkard dragged Han Yan towards a small tavern by the roadside.

At the mention of drinking, Han Yan felt her scalp tingle and a chill run through her. Others might not know the Old Drunkard’s capacity for alcohol, but she knew it all too well. The large gourd he carried wasn’t even half enough for him. In her previous life, she had drunk with him once and was inebriated for three days. Since then, just the smell of alcohol made her nauseous.