"Younger Brother Bai, you’re already here! There was no need to bring gifts!"

Yang Fangyu greeted Bai Yuan warmly.

He glanced at the Divine Mansion Sect disciple standing behind Bai Yuan, whose hands were full of things.

"They’re just some trinkets."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly.

Whether Yang Fangyu accepted the gifts was one thing; whether he brought them was another.

It was merely a gesture to show his sincerity in befriending him.

"My good brother, this way please."

He laughed heartily and pulled Bai Yuan into the Yang Mansion courtyard.

As they walked, he said, "Brother Bai, I owe you for the other day. I heard a Prefect in Qingzhou was dismissed on the spot because he failed to catch the culprits who attacked the grain convoy within the time limit."

A Prefect was no minor official. For a proper fifth-rank high-ranking local official to be dismissed just like that showed how seriously the Court was taking the matter of grain transport.

It also suggested that the war in the Northern Territory was likely not going well.

I heard Emperor Xuanyang has dispatched another three thousand soldiers from the Zhenxi Army north as reinforcements, which shows just how much pressure they’re under at the Great Wall.

Changing commanders on the front lines is a major taboo. That former General of the Capital City, now the Grand General of the North, has actually done quite well to hold out against the Demon Sect for so long.

Throughout history, quite a few dynasties have fallen under similar circumstances.

Yang Fangyu suddenly exclaimed.

"My apologies. I shouldn’t have brought it up. Today, we won’t speak of state affairs, only of refined pleasures."

Yang Fangyu didn’t live in the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, but had instead bought a large plot of land in the east of Huanglong Prefecture City.

It was a place of pavilions and towers, with a winding stream for floating wine cups.

Xuanyang Jiangnan was home to many wealthy clans. Unlike the great clans of the north who favored symmetrical and imposing architectural styles, they focused on the principle of the Unity of Heaven and Man. They sought to bring mountains and water into a single courtyard, creating a scene that seemed crafted by nature itself, elegant and spontaneous.

Although Yang Fangyu had spent years with the Northern Garrison Army, he was a man of Jiangnan through and through.

As such, his residence was far more authentic than the poor imitations of Jiangnan courtyards found in Ling Province.

Bai Yuan had only ever seen such Jiangnan water-village scenery in tourist spots. He never expected Yang Fangyu to have recreated it in Huanglong Prefecture. It was clear he had put a great deal of effort into it.

Soon, the two arrived at a pavilion.

In front of the pavilion was a babbling stream, and behind it, a winding path led to a secluded garden full of blooming flowers.

At this time, three or five figures were already inside the pavilion, chatting and laughing.

These must be the friends from Yang Fangyu’s inner circle.

Yang Fangyu quickened his pace, walking up to a young man. "Zhu Wu, you son of a bitch! Are you spearing fish in my pond? I spent ten thousand silver to get these few Jiao Fish!"

The man named Zhu Wu was a bit chubby and had an honest, simple look about him.

Zhu Wu chuckled. "I was just trying to add another dish to the meal for the brothers."

Yang Fangyu glanced at the mischievous grins on the others’ faces.

’Great,’ he thought. ’Looks like they’re all ganging up on me.’

He quickly refused in a righteous tone, "Impossible! Absolutely not!"

The men joked and bickered, showing none of the arrogance one might expect from disciples of prestigious sects.

Of course, this wasn’t because Yang Fangyu and his friends were particularly approachable. Such casualness was only possible between equals. And, of course, their relationships were certainly quite good.

Yang Fangyu pleaded and cajoled, finally promising to give each of them a Ling Province fighting cock, which was enough to make them give up on the idea of eating his fish.

A handsome young Confucian scholar looked at Bai Yuan, who was standing behind Yang Fangyu. "Fang Yu, and this brother is...?"

The others had, of course, already noticed Bai Yuan, and they all wore curious expressions.

Everyone knew Yang Fangyu had high standards. Ordinary people wouldn’t even be qualified to enter the Yang Mansion, let alone attend a private banquet like this.

As the saying goes, the more people at a meeting, the less important the business.

Many important matters are often decided within small circles of three or five people.

Yang Fangyu said, "My brother. Divine Mansion Sect. Bai Yuan."

Not a single word in his three-part introduction was wasted.

First, he established Bai Yuan’s relationship with him, then he stated his identity.

To be called a "brother" at this kind of private banquet meant he was a true brother, a signal for the others to take him seriously.

Zhu Wu blinked. "The Divine Mansion Sect... Sect Leader Bai."

Yang Fangyu chuckled. "The very same."

Then, Yang Fangyu turned to Bai Yuan and introduced the others in turn.

"Nine Sword Sect, Zhu Wu."

"West River’s Wang Family, Wang Daming."

"Yellow Mist Academy, Liang Ren."

"Qingzhou, Li Huan."

Bai Yuan wasn’t very familiar with the powers outside of Ling Province, but the backgrounds of these men were so prominent that he had naturally heard of them.

These friends of Yang Fangyu’s were all from outside powers that had entered Ling Province.

Especially the last one, the plain-looking Li Huan. For someone to be introduced simply with the name "Qingzhou" and have the surname Li, he could only be connected to the King of Qingzhou. Bai Yuan figured Li Huan must be of the Royal Race.

The current Xuanyang Imperial Race, the Li Family, was not like the previous dynasty; their control over the Royal Race was extremely strict.

Most Li Family descendants were confined to the Capital City for their entire lives, forbidden to leave.

Those who were ennobled as kings of outside territories were all formidable figures, and the King of Qingzhou was one of them.

Zhu Wu said with a grin, "So it’s Younger Brother Bai."

They were all Yang Fangyu’s true friends, so they naturally wouldn’t cause him to lose face or put him in an awkward position on the spot.

Besides, everyone knew that the ascendant General Dong was Bai Yuan’s master. Anyone who wanted to make a name for themselves in Ling Province couldn’t do without the Divine Mansion Sect’s support.

Although they looked to be about the same age as Bai Yuan, they were actually all approaching forty. So there was nothing wrong with them calling Bai Yuan "Younger Brother Bai."

It was just that they had all broken through the Perception Barrier, which was why they appeared no different from twenty-year-olds.

Yang Fangyu playfully punched Zhu Wu. "You’re in for a treat today, you brat. I had a brother in the Northern Garrison Army get me two Ice Carp."

Hearing the words "Ice Carp," Zhu Wu’s eyes instantly lit up.

The Ice Carp of the Northern Plains were famously delicious.

This Ice Carp wasn’t an ordinary fish, but a carp that had become a spirit.

The meat of spirit creatures was generally more flavorful than that of ordinary animals, but there were distinctions even among them, and Ice Carp meat was considered top-tier.

In the Capital City, a single Ice Carp was something money couldn’t buy; most of them were sent to the Imperial Palace.

It was only because Yang Fangyu had connections in the Northern Garrison Army that they had a chance to taste such an unparalleled delicacy.

As they spoke, a fragrant breeze wafted over, and a line of beautiful maids, moving with graceful elegance, entered the pavilion carrying a variety of dishes.

Seeing this scene, Bai Yuan realized that, as a Sect Leader, he still wasn’t corrupt enough.

When it came to knowing how to live it up, you had to look to these second-generation rich kids.

Sometimes, being first-generation rich was a real disadvantage.

Among the many delicacies, an arm-length, pale blue-green fish was the most eye-catching. Its refreshing aroma made one want to take another deep sniff.

Zhu Wu, who loved food more than anything, was already eager to pick up a piece.

Yang Fangyu glanced at everyone’s expressions, felt a surge of pride, and waved his hand expansively. "Don’t just stare! Dig in!"

With that, he was the first to move his chopsticks, picking up a piece of Ice Carp and placing it in his mouth to savor.

The first taste was clean and sweet. As he chewed, the flesh was resilient to the bite and carried a unique, fruity fragrance.

Zhu Wu and the others also took small bites to savor it, not wolfing it down like some uncouth Jianghu ruffians.

Bai Yuan also picked up a piece.

’The Ice Carp was naturally an excellent ingredient, but the chef’s skills were ordinary. He had wasted such a fine thing.’

’However, because they hadn’t over-seasoned it in order to preserve the original flavor, there was still room for improvement.’

Bai Yuan took a small vial from his robes and poured a little white powder into his bowl.

He dipped the fish meat in the bowl before placing it in his mouth.

This scene caught the attention of Zhu Wu, who was sitting beside him.

He leaned over. "Younger Brother Bai, what are you doing?"

Bai Yuan replied, "This is called a dipping seasoning. It enhances the flavor of the Ice Carp."

Zhu Wu asked, "Can I try this dipping seasoning?"

Seeing Bai Yuan nod, Zhu Wu licked his lips. He copied Bai Yuan, picked up a piece of fish, coated it in the white powder, and put it in his mouth.

The moment it entered his mouth, he felt an explosion of extreme, clean sweetness.

His eyes flew wide open.

The flavor of the Ice Carp was already excellent, but with Bai Yuan’s dipping seasoning, it became several times more delicious.

The others saw Zhu Wu repeatedly dipping into Bai Yuan’s bowl and cast curious glances his way.

Yang Fangyu also noticed something was up. "Younger Brother Bai, what’s this wonderful stuff?"

After hearing the words "dipping seasoning," everyone else grew curious and wanted to try it.

When they ate the Ice Carp with the dipping seasoning, all their eyes lit up.

If this were in some anime, it would be the stuff of golden legends.

Yang Fangyu exclaimed in surprise, "Younger Brother Bai, I never knew you were skilled in cooking as well!"

Bai Yuan said, "I’ve just eaten a lot, so I know a thing or two."

Yang Fangyu couldn’t help but think of Old Dong. Back in the Northern Garrison Army, Old Dong had been a famous gourmand.

Although the environment in the Northern Plains was harsh, he had managed to find many delicious things there.

Yang Fangyu had benefited from this as well; the food in his camp was much better than in the others.

Everyone started dipping their fish into Bai Yuan’s bowl, so he simply gave each of them a vial.

Besides the Spirit Vegetables, the most crucial ingredient in the seasoning was a few grains of Water Spirit. With the enhancement from the Water Spirit, the fresh sweetness of the Ice Carp was brought to its absolute peak, naturally doubling its flavor.

The men in the pavilion were all worldly and well-traveled, but the Ice Carp was devoured as if by a whirlwind, with everyone afraid they wouldn’t get their fill.

Zhu Wu patted his bulging stomach. He had eaten the most. "Younger Brother Bai, from now on, I recognize you as my brother."

Yang Fangyu rolled his eyes. "Fatty Zhu, don’t tell me you were just pretending before?"

Zhu Wu chuckled but didn’t answer.

The attitude of the other men toward Bai Yuan also became much warmer.

Trading a vial of seasoning for the goodwill of these young masters, Bai Yuan had definitely come out ahead this time.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, it was time for the much-anticipated cockfighting.

Don’t think that entertainment was scarce in ancient times. That was only true for the lower classes. Young masters like Yang Fangyu had pastimes that even modern people couldn’t imagine.

However, Li Huan and the others had picked up some of Yang Fangyu’s military temperament. They had no interest in drinking games, pitch-pot, or watching dances, but they loved polo and cockfighting.

"Horse-fighting" was actually polo. The ancient image of "youths in fine clothes on spirited horses" mostly referred to the young masters who played polo.

Just like the athletes of Bai Yuan’s previous life.

But since there was no polo field available today, they opted for cockfighting instead.

It was nothing more than a competitive game.

Bai Yuan wasn’t interested in cockfighting, but he was happy to participate.

He lost eight thousand silver in one go before leaving, perfectly content.

For one, Bai Yuan had never really put any skill points into cockfighting. For another, he had lost on purpose.

For eight thousand silver, he had bought the opportunity to build connections with the powerful forces behind these five men. This deal couldn’t be more worth it.