Chapter 117: The Long and Winding Road of the Martial World

At this moment, Xiao Wu stood in the corner, dressed in a fresh new outfit—neat and polished, like a spirited young man, quietly observing the entire venue.

Seeing that everyone inside the tent had taken their seats and the food and wine were being served one after another, with no one entering or leaving except the staff responsible for tonight’s banquet, he straightened his clothes, cleared his throat, and strode onto the stage.

This was not Xiao Wu’s first time hosting an event; his initial nervousness had long since vanished. Having often accompanied the head of the house and dealt frequently with various merchants, and later independently managing affairs at the paper and printing factories, he had grown considerably mature and composed. Sitting among the family members below was his elderly father, who was deeply moved seeing Xiao Wu’s success, while his mother repeatedly told those at her table, “That is my son, that is my son.”

Xiao Wu was not a cultivator, and his voice could not carry far, so for convenience, Yang Cheng had arranged a simple megaphone—a small end and a large end, somewhat heavy to carry but helpful nonetheless. Raising it, Xiao Wu increased his volume and called out, “Please, everyone, quiet down. Please be quiet.”

Upon hearing this, conversations ceased, and all eyes turned toward the stage. Those who hadn’t heard were nudged by neighbors to hush.

As the venue gradually fell silent and countless eyes fixed on him, Xiao Wu continued, “Dear colleagues, elders, brothers, and sisters, the first Spring Festival banquet of the Yang family officially begins. Please join the family head in raising a glass to celebrate together!”

Yang Cheng rose, raised his glass, and looked around the room, proclaiming loudly, “Thank you all for your hard work this past year.”

Besides the guests at the front, everyone’s hearts warmed, their eyes moist with tears, thinking that the real person to thank was Young Master Yang—for it was because of him that their lives had improved so much.

Yang Cheng spoke earnestly, “The Yang family’s success today depends on everyone’s united effort. Here, I wish all my friends and family a joyful gathering and a better life ahead. Come, let us toast together.”

The crowd below was deeply moved. Only Young Master Yang cared so much for the livelihoods of the people. They raised their glasses and shouted, “To the family head!” Their voices thundered throughout the hall.

Even Chu Feitian and others, seasoned by the world, were touched by this sincere atmosphere and joined in the toast. Duan Yuanqing was especially shaken in his heart.

After the wine was downed, music began to play. The crowd quieted.

From behind the stage curtains, performers from the Wang family slowly appeared and began to dance gracefully. Most of the audience came from humble backgrounds and had never witnessed such a spectacle. They immediately stopped eating, fell silent, and let the music and dance fill the tent.

Zhu Wushang watched the scene with a hint of pride. Yang Cheng asked, “Lord Wang, what do you think? I said the Artists’ Guild has a market, right? It’s better to enjoy happiness together than alone.”

Zhu Wushang nodded in agreement.

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After the first dance in Zone One, people either watched the performances, drank, ate, or chatted leisurely.

Zhu Wushang engaged in conversation with Mr. Chu about past events in the imperial city, while Yang Cheng remained mostly silent.

Following several rounds of song and dance, after three rounds of wine and five tastes of dishes, the atmosphere in the hall grew lively and festive.

At that moment, Xiao Wu announced, “The awards ceremony begins!”

The crowd listened as Xiao Wu read out the list of the top ten outstanding exemplary workers from the food factory. These ten individuals had performed exceptionally well this year, representing diligence, sincerity, and a spirit of innovation that brought new products and great contributions to the factory.

The ten workers, men and women alike, sat below looking bewildered. Supervisors like Aunt Bai and Aunt Zhu hurriedly urged them to come up on stage. Some were young, others older, some nervous, all extremely excited as they stepped forward.

Immediately, ten beautiful young women appeared on stage, draping each awardee with a bright red scarf adorned with a large red flower, dazzling to the eye.

Thunderous applause erupted below, filling the hall. Only a few newly hired guards and workers were puzzled by the meaning of this.

Mr. Chu and Lord Wang also did not understand at first, but Yang Cheng explained that this was how he taught everyone to express enthusiasm and encouragement.

The two were swept up by the applause and clapped along involuntarily.

Xiao Wu then announced, “Please welcome Steward Su to present the awards to the top ten outstanding workers, each receiving a prize of one hundred spirit coins.”

A wave of exclamations rose from the crowd. Many had also contributed new products and received varying rewards, but this year-end top ten award was a substantial additional income. Envy mixed with regret filled their hearts—they realized they should not be content with small achievements and resolved to strive for a top ten position next year. Newcomers were especially determined to earn a reward.

Steward Su ascended the stage slowly, followed by two beautiful women carrying red silk cloth bearing shiny spirit coins. Su Yinxue handed out the coins one by one, encouraging each recipient to keep up their efforts. The applause resumed, and the awardees were overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling in their eyes.

Su Yinxue had rehearsed many times and managed to stay composed, buoyed by the crowd’s enthusiasm.

After the ten stepped down, another ten from the side food factory came up, including Hua Erya, who delighted Hua Mingzhu below so much that her small hands clapped until red. Several junior apprentices also rejoiced for her. Erya had made great contributions with her intelligence and skill, so much so that Yang Cheng had already rewarded her with a residence, and her entire family had moved to the villa district.

Soon after, ten from the furniture factory, brewery, paper mill, and printing factory were each honored. The entire venue was alive with warmth, continuous applause, cheers, and the emotional tears of the awardees.

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After the awardees returned to their seats and the music played again, the Wang family’s women danced gracefully once more. The winners toasted with their congratulating friends and family.

After several songs, Xiao Wu announced that among the guards and warriors, many had performed excellently in protection and escort duties, safeguarding the Yang family from harm. They too received awards amid thousands of claps, equally moved. To Yang Cheng, the warriors were not much different in mindset from ordinary people, aside from their superior cultivation.

Next, more than a dozen people including Liu Feng were called to the stage, confused by the summons.

Seeing the burly and fierce Li Tianjun enter the tent and approach, he handed out a dozen pieces of cloth to the group. After examining them, Liu Feng and the others had tears in their eyes. Li Tianjun said little, hugging each of them in turn. They understood what this gesture meant and embraced their leader tightly.

The crowd below, immersed in joy, did not fully grasp the significance of the scene.

Seeing Yang Cheng raise his glass toward the stage, everyone knelt on one knee to salute the family head.

Yang Cheng felt a tinge of sadness. Having known these people for nearly a year, he no longer regarded them as mere servants but as brothers. With their departure imminent, a sudden pang of farewell sorrow struck him.

Raising his glass high, Yang Cheng called out, “The roads of the martial world are long—take care of yourselves.”

Nearly two hundred guards below, though more than half were recent recruits, understood why these dozen on stage were so emotional. They too were deeply moved, as if glimpsing their own futures. The entire guard area rose, drawing the attention of the whole hall.

These guards shouted in unison toward the stage, “The roads of the martial world are long—take care of yourselves!”

Many workers who frequently saw the guards patrolling, some exchanging greetings, felt familiar with them, especially those who delivered goods and knew their escorts well. Seeing this, they also stood and joined in the shout: “The roads of the martial world are long—take care of yourselves!”

In an instant, the hall filled with this resounding call.