A roomy courtyard was where Shang Yan Fei set up the clan banquet.
It was an outdoor feast, because within the mountain, there was no need to worry about storm or rain.
The courtyard was neither luxurious nor elegant, it was even rather old.
There were a dozen or so tables arranged in a circle in the courtyard, which was already looking crowded from that.
There were some fruits and snacks arranged on the tables and also labels indicating which seat belonged to who.
Three seats were already occupied.
"Big brother, do you know why lord father called us this time?" Shang Chao Feng asked vaguely while popping a red fruit into his mouth.
The eldest Shang Qiu Niu was sitting upright, his eyes closed as he rested. Hearing the question, he opened his eyes by a sliver and spoke in a deep voice: "Lord father has recently come out of closed cultivation, he is holding this clan banquet because he misses us, what's so strange about it?"
"Big brother might be right, but when has lord father ever held a casual banquet? Look, don't you think there are a few more seats today?" From the side, Shang Pu Lao interjected.
Shang Chao Feng snickered, and Shang Qiu Niu closed his eyes again.
Shang Pu Lao's gaze flickered, he was in charge of the red light zone and managed brothels of all sizes; he would be the fastest person to get any news. In truth, he had already heard some talks, he was just about to continue when suddenly his ears twitched: "Someone has arrived."
All three's gazes turned towards the gate.
Creak, the gate was pushed open and two people walked in.
Wei Yang was at the front followed by Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan had already been here before; it was that private residence he had been called to before.
"This private residence is the place where lord clan leader, when he was a young master, was suppressed by the alliance of other young masters. Lord clan leader took a step back and abandoned the position of young master of his own accord, becoming an ordinary clansman. During that fallen period, he stayed here. Later when he became the clan leader, he maintained this place as a reminder to himself and later generations. The clan banquets are always held here."
Wei Yang opened the gate and introduced.
Immediately after, he saw the three people in the courtyard: "Oh, three young masters are already here."
Shang Qiu Niu, Shang Chao Feng and Shang Pu Lao stood up one after another and cupped their hands to Wei Yang: "Our greetings, Elder Wei Yang."
Wei Yang was one of the five great generals under Shang Yan Fei and a major figure in Shang clan. Every single young master competing for the position of young clan leader has to go through his evaluation.
"My greetings to all three young masters, he is an esteemed guest invited by lord clan leader." Wei Yang also cupped his hands in greeting, his expression calm. He was an elder, his status was higher than the young master positions and as an important figure in the clan, he would not fawn on these young masters.
"Fei Long please take a seat." Wei Yang led Fang Yuan to his seat.
The three young masters looked at each other, they could see bewilderment, surprise and curiosity in each other's eyes.
This was a clan banquet, why would any stranger be invited?
Who is he? His seat is actually closer to lord father's than ours!
Wei Yang also sat down and continued on with a smile: "Let me make the introductions. This is Shang Qiu Niu, lord clan leader's eldest son, he manages the caretaking zone. This is clan leader's fourth son Shang Chao Feng, he manages all the Gu fighting arenas in the city. This is Shang Pu Lao, he manages all the brothels in red light zone."
Shang Qiu Niu was robust and his voice was deep, one could tell he was a calm person from one look. He was the oldest, already nearing thirty.
Shang Chao Feng had a messy hair and high nose bridge. He was giving off a wild aura.
Shang Pu Lao looked the most delicate; a thin physique, white face, beautiful eyes and a loose bearing showing that he loitered around with women all year round.
"Qiu Niu greets Fei Long." Shang Qiu Niu took the lead to cup his hands as a greeting.
Wei Yang didn't introduce Fang Yuan, if Fang Yuan was smart, he should understand what he should do.
"The three young masters are too polite. I am Fei Long." Fang Yuan introduced.
The name is clearly fake.
This made the three young masters more confused about Fang Yuan's origins, after all he is wearing the bronze mask on his face. They could only laugh and go through the motion.
As the time for evening banquet came closer, more young masters appeared.
Shang Pi Xiu who managed rock gambling dens; Shang Suan Ni who managed restaurants and silk stores; Shang Fu Xi who managed auctions; Shang Bi Xi who managed substitute refinement zone; and Shang Ya Zi who Fang Yuan was familiar with in previous life.
Wei Yang introduced them to Fang Yuan; all these young masters more or less revealed strange looks as they saw Fang Yuan wearing a bronze mask belonging to Tie Clan.
They sat down as talks commenced with the increased number of people, the small courtyard gradually became lively.
Just before the banquet started, the gate suddenly opened and a young master hurriedly rushed in.
He was tall and thin, thick eyebrows and fierce gaze; he was young master Shang Bi An who was in charge of Shang clan city's city guards.
The city guards handled all sorts of disputes and contradictions, maintaining the law and order in the city, so it was the busiest.
After greeting Fang Yuan, Shang Bi An was just sitting down, when a blood colored flame flickered on the main seat as Shang Yan Fei appeared.
Shang Yan Fei was wearing a white robe with gold inlaid cuffs. Scarlet hair flew around wildly before resting on his waist; combined with his extremely handsome face, it formed into an aura and charisma that was unique to him.