Starting from a peasant family, he mastered the profound art of martial arts.

Chapter 56 Request

Once we left Qingshui County and entered the countryside, we saw a vast expanse of white stretching between heaven and earth.

The snowy roads were difficult to travel, and it was already evening when we returned to Niujia Village.

The snow in front of Meng Chen's house had been cleared, and a path had been cleared in the yard. This must have been done by Qingyu.

In rural areas, if it snows overnight and you don't clear the snow to open the road the next morning, you'll be called a lazy bum by the villagers.

When we arrived at Old Chen's house, we saw Qingyu chopping vegetables in the kitchen, while Old Chen was tending the fire.

When Qingyu saw Meng Chen return, she quickly put down her knife and pulled Meng Chen to the stove to warm up, saying, "Your shoes are all wet!"

She quickly fetched a wooden basin, poured in hot water, and even took off Meng Chen's shoes and socks.

Meng Chen quickly stopped him, "I have my own hands."

Seeing this, Qingyu muttered a couple of things and went back to chopping vegetables.

Old Chen was quite moved by this scene. He held a fire poker and gestured on the ground, saying, "When my wife was alive, she would prepare hot food and hot water for me to soak my feet every day when I came back from the fields."

"Don't I boil water for you to soak your feet every day? You still always complain that I'm stupid," said Qingyu.

It's already the 30th of the twelfth lunar month. According to custom, we need to offer thanks to the goddess this evening, and we have to carry the goddess from the west end of the village all the way to the temple at the east end of the village.

However, Niujia Village is small, and there aren't many people. In previous years, the festival to thank the gods would be over in an hour or two. If it was cold and windy, the gathering would end in half an hour.

Because she was going to play the role of a goddess, Qingyu had stopped learning to read and write with Meng Chen for the past two days. Instead, she spent her days going to the village's old women to listen to them talk about how to style her hair and how to do her makeup.

From early morning that day, the bluefish was restless.

"What's the big deal?" Old Chen couldn't stand it anymore. "From Laolongtan to the old temple at the east end of the village, it's just a matter of taking a dump. You've never seen anything like it!"

"This is the first time I've ever ridden in a sedan chair!" Qingyu made a very good point.

Feeling extremely bored, Meng Chenxian began practicing with his knife in the courtyard.

When it was past mid-morning, Yan Zhao actually sent his servant Sun Jiulang to invite him.

After Meng Chen knocked on the door three times, Yan Zhao would invite Meng Chen to drink from time to time. Later, after learning that Yan Zhao had forcibly taken his widowed aunt and also learned about Yan Zhao's ulterior motives from Bu Shengyan, Meng Chen felt that this person was arrogant and cold-hearted and should never be befriended.

And that was indeed the case. After Meng Chen failed to break through to the next realm three times in a row, Yan Zhao immediately changed his attitude. Not only did he not invite him again, but he also completely forgot about the words about being fellow villagers and brothers.

"Brother Sun, may I ask what brings Young Master Yan to summon me?" Meng Chen was reluctant to go, as he still had to watch Qingyu dress up as a goddess in the afternoon and carry her sedan chair.

"Young Master wants to bestow upon you a great fortune!" Sun Jiulang didn't explain the reason, but just chuckled strangely.

Meng Chen was an honest man who had killed members of the Yan family before, and he had no intention of currying favor with them.

Moreover, Meng Chen knew that Yan Zhao was unreliable, and that his talk of some kind of opportunity was probably not a good thing.

"Hurry up! Young Master is waiting for you!" Sun Jiulang urged impatiently when Meng Chen didn't agree immediately.

Sun Jiulang was originally a servant in Yan Zhao's mother's household, but at this moment he did not seem like a servant delivering a message at all. Instead, he was somewhat arrogant, as if he were giving alms.

Even when others are rude, Meng Chen doesn't get angry. Since offending Gao Yuan last time and causing a lot of trouble, Meng Chen has learned from his mistakes. In addition, with his senior brother's constant reminders, he is now so careful that he doesn't even want to offend a dog on the street.

Meng Chen thought about it. Although the person sent someone to invite them didn't seem very sincere, the Yan family lived right next door and was much more powerful than Gao Yuan, who was a good-for-nothing. They really couldn't afford to offend them!

After telling Qingyu, he changed his clothes and arrived at the Yan family home, only to find out that Yan Zhao had invited several other acquaintances besides himself.

Not only are there Shi Xingzhi and Bu Shengyan from Zhengxin Boxing School, but also Cui Butong from Du Family Martial Arts School.

Cui Butong was an opportunist; he nodded and smiled when he saw Meng Chen, but he didn't even get out of his chair.

Meng Chen thought that Cui Butong had probably passed the third test, otherwise his tail wouldn't be so wagging.

When Yan Zhao saw Meng Chen arrive, he greeted him with a smile, "I heard that you've been staying at home in retirement, why don't you come and visit me? Have we become too distant?"

"I am a country bumpkin, I don't know proper etiquette, I'm afraid I might offend you, madam and young master," Meng Chen said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao seemed to believe it. He nodded and invited Meng Chen to take a seat.

The warm room was glowing with the gentle warmth of charcoal fire, like a spring day.

After Yan Zhaoqing finished his round of drinks, Meng Chen realized that Cui Butong had indeed passed the third test, and today's banquet was specially prepared for Cui Butong.

It must be said that Cui Butong's talent was indeed not bad. He entered the martial arts school a month later than me, but his progress was very fast. In less than half a year, he broke through three levels.

In that instant, Meng Chen recalled Ye Qingshan's theory of talent and money. If Yan Long had one hundred taels, then Cui Butong would have at least ninety taels.

Yan Zhao was very enthusiastic towards Cui Butong, even more so than when he had entertained Meng Chen, Shi Xingzhi, and Bu Shengyan. This shows that in Yan Zhao's eyes, Cui Butong's talent and future prospects were superior to those of the three former guests.

After several rounds of drinks, the aroma of wine filled the warm room, fueled by the charcoal fire.

Meng Chen was engrossed in eating and drinking when he noticed Yan Zhao looking at him with a hint of anticipation on his face.

Meng Chen knew that Sun Jiulang's so-called great fortune was about to arrive.

Yan Zhao chuckled as he poured Meng Chen a glass of wine, saying, "I heard from Brother Cui that you're acquainted with Li Xiang Sheng and Li Jing Cheng from the county government?"

"I joined the Du family martial arts school thanks to Brother Li's recommendation. As for being familiar with them, I wouldn't say so," Meng Chen replied vaguely, remembering Du Ren's words.

Yan Zhao stroked his chin and asked again, "I heard that Li Xiang Sheng comes from the Longwei Escort Agency, and that he has a half-sister?"

"Don't you like older women? Why are you asking about Ye Jinhuan?" Meng Chen shook his head and said, "I heard he has a girlfriend."

"How is his appearance?" Yan Zhao asked again.

"I have no chance to see you." Meng Chen knew nothing when asked.

"I've heard people say this woman is extremely beautiful, but I don't know what makes her so beautiful." Yan Zhao seemed somewhat skeptical, and then looked at Shi Xingzhi.

"I have never seen her before. However, the head of the Longwei Escort Agency, Ye, is a man of upright character and refined taste. How could a tiger father have a dog daughter? I suppose his daughter must be quite remarkable." Shi Xingzhi said.

Yan Zhao then looked at Bu Shengyan.

"I've seen her." Bu Shengyan was even more direct, pointing at her nose and saying, "She's ten times better than me."

"Junior sister underestimates herself," Shi Xingzhi immediately said, her voice gentle, warm, and earnest. "In my opinion, there are few people in the world who can surpass you, junior sister."

Bu Shengyan's appearance wasn't bad, but in Meng Chen's eyes, she was indeed inferior to Ye Jinhuan. Not to mention, Ye Jinhuan possessed an unruly and dashing air, making her seem like someone who didn't follow the rules.

Yan Zhao nodded slightly after hearing Bu Shengyan's words. He looked at Meng Chen and said, "Could you please act as a mediator and invite Li Xiangsheng for a chat?"

"Young Master Yan comes from a prominent family in Qingshui County; all we need to do is send an invitation." Meng Chen had already guessed that Yan Zhao would do this.

"I went to the post, but I haven't heard back. I don't know why," Yan Zhao said without hiding anything.

"Perhaps Brother Li is too busy," Meng Chen suggested again, then declined, saying, "Why don't you ask my eldest brother, young master? He's closer to Brother Li."

"Du Ren is ungrateful and says it's inconvenient to send a message," Yan Zhao said unhappily.

Meng Chen immediately understood: it meant that Brother Li didn't want to talk to him!

Previously, Meng Chen only knew that Li Xiangsheng was a kind and benevolent person, but he did not expect him to be so tough. As a clerk, he was not afraid to offend the newly rich Yan family.

Meng Chen had received kindness from Li Xiang Sheng and Du Ren. Since the two brothers had refused him, and he had also received instructions from Du Ren, it goes without saying that he should stand with his two good brothers.