Chapter 1436 - 1437: Kowtow
Yang Fei picked up the call and heard that it was Mr. Situ, the Great Elder of the Hongmen Sect, sincerely inviting him to visit their headquarters.
Yang Fei was not unfamiliar with the Hongmen Sect.
This colossal organization was a stronghold for all Huaxia people overseas, a fervent patriotic spirit that Yang Fei greatly admired.
Moreover, during the Liu Zhengxiang incident and the turmoil at the Longwei Martial Arts Gym, Yang Fei also received assistance from the Hongmen Sect's upper echelons.
Otherwise, the Luoshanji police would have intervened to make arrests long ago.
Yang Fei gladly accepted Mr. Situ's invitation, and just as he was leaving the Longwei Martial Arts Gym, there was a cacophony of drums and gongs; the atmosphere was incredibly lively.
Long Hai prepared a sky-blue Tang suit for Yang Fei, making his appearance fresh and renewed.
This once fierce Super Soldier King instantly transformed into a graceful yet valiant Martial Arts Grandmaster.
Yang Fei and Long Hai walked out the main door to see on the long street, twelve teams of Golden Lions dancing against each other, the drumming rhythm was intense, and the atmosphere exuded joy.
Yang Fei smiled, hands clasped behind his back, appreciating the lively lion dance performance.
Many people gathered on the street, also watching the spectacle.
Someone spotted Yang Fei and exclaimed in excitement.
"Isn't that the master who defeated the Japanese fighter? I've watched the video of him going against the Karate master a dozen times; it was absolutely amazing."
Many people forgot about the festivity and clustered around Yang Fei, enthusiastically shaking his hand.
Yang Fei shook hands with everyone, his heart feeling very warm.
The crowd looked at Yang Fei with admiration, politely shaking his hand and hugging him.
In this foreign land, the Huaxia people lived in unity, supporting each other like family.
Those who could stand up for others were considered heroes in everyone's eyes.
At this moment, the Twelve Golden Lions finished their dance, the victor Golden Lion, adorned with a large red silk ribbon, danced towards Yang Fei as the drumming intensified.
The Golden Lion's spectacular performance was met with a round of applause from the crowd.
Amidst the cheers, the Golden Lion leaped in front of Yang Fei, striking a pose called "Golden Lion Looking at the Moon."
Then, from the lion's mouth, a long invitation was delivered.
Upon receiving Mr. Situ's call, Yang Fei naturally didn't decline and gently took the invitation as the applause surrounded him.
After Yang Fei took the invitation, the Twelve Golden Lions jumped happily again.
The drumming and gongs sounded like a torrential rain, the lion's movements vigorous and powerfully masculine.
Suddenly, the sounds abruptly ceased, and the Twelve Golden Lions posed in a "Golden Lion Welcoming Guests" formation, movements halting abruptly.
The abruptly stopped lion dance made the entire place fall silent, followed by a burst of enthusiastic applause that filled the venue with joyous excitement.
The leading Golden Lion removed its headpiece, revealing a very old face.
Seeing this, Yang Fei was startled and hurried down the steps to support the person's arm.
"Elder Situ, why did you come in person? I really don't deserve this."
The elder was indeed Mr. Situ, the Great Elder of the Hongmen Sect, whose personal appearance and lion dance presentation were the highest honors for Yang Fei.
Elder Situ laughed heartily, shaking Yang Fei's hand vigorously.
"You do deserve it, you are the Tower Master of Yinxue Tower, the Chinese Martial Alliance Master, now that you've arrived in Luoshanji, if I—an old man of Hongmen—didn't personally come to greet you, people might say that Hongmen doesn't know etiquette."
During his speech, the other Twelve Golden Lions all removed their masks and surrounded Yang Fei, cupping their fists in respect.
"Greetings, Hierarch!"
"Haha, Leader Yang truly is a young hero; seeing is better than hearing."
"Talents emerge in each generation; seeing Leader Yang today, I finally understand the truth of this saying."
...
The group crowded around Yang Fei, all with graying hair and dignified demeanor, were very warm towards Yang Fei.
Yang Fei was stunned; among the twenty or so people, more than a dozen were actually high-ranking elders of the Hongmen Sect.
Their average age was over fifty, each holding positions of power, yet they did not spare the effort to greet Yang Fei with a lion dance.
This was indeed an unprecedented and unmatched welcoming gift, one that might not be offered even to a head of state.
Elder Situ laughed heartily, his goatee standing straight.
"Forgive us, Leader Yang; when our group of old brothers heard about your reestablishment of Yinxue Tower and your heroic deeds in ousting the East Asia Martial Arts Alliance, we couldn't wait to meet you."
"So, this group of old brothers has come all lively like this, haha."
Yang Fei, deeply honored, bowed deeply to the numerous Hongmen seniors.
"I am a young man, reckless in my actions and speeches, and I implore you seniors to be generous."
The crowd roared with laughter, and a chubby elder raised a thumbs up towards Yang Fei.
"Well done; seeing you clobber those guys got us old fellows' blood boiling."
"Ah, youth is indeed blessed, indifferent to life and death, acting if defied; we have grown old."
Yang Fei never expected such a grand welcome from the Hongmen Sect and immediately bowed to the crowd with joined fists, expressing his gratitude.
"Forgive us, forgive us, you are too kind."
The disciples of Longwei Martial Arts Gym, alongside Long Hai, stood behind Yang Fei, brimming with excitement.
Longwei Martial Arts Gym was merely a small National Art Gallery, but thanks to Yang Fei, the Twelve Golden Lions arrived.
This was a tremendous honor, ensuring eminent fame once word spread.
The crowd, treating Yang Fei like a celestial body around which they gathered, escorted him into a luxurious Maybach automobile.
A dozen luxurious cars surrounded the Maybach, slowly heading towards the Hongmen Sect headquarters.
At the Hongmen Sect's white jade archway, large red lanterns hung high.
Two rows of young men dressed in satin suits, with red belts tied around their waists, lined up straight along the path, respectfully welcoming Yang Fei into the Hongmen Sect.
Upon entering the Hongmen Sect headquarters, Yang Fei immediately noticed Liu Hanlou and Madam Liu standing to one side.
A few days apart, Liu Hanlou had visibly aged but still stood with his back straight.
Madam Liu's eyes were red and heavily bagged,
Liu Hanlou supported Madam Liu, both trembling as if old phoenix trees swaying in the wind.
Yang Fei couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for them.
A year ago, their son Liu Zhengfeng died in the Amazon jungle, and a year later, their only daughter Liu Zhengxiang was murdered.
This same year, these two elderly people buried their children twice, a heart-wrenching tragedy one of the cruelest in the world.
Yang Fei broke away from the crowd and moved towards them, his voice choking before he could speak.
"Uncle Liu, Auntie, I have come to see you."
Liu Hanlou came forward, unable to hold back his tears, and his voice choked with emotion.
"Mr. Yang…thank you. What you did for Xiang'er is surely enough to console her spirit in heaven."
In a fit of rage, Yang Fei challenged the entire East Asia Martial Arts Alliance, driving the two murderers to death, and these secret videos were circulating online.
During his grief for his son's death, Liu Hanlou had impulsively struck out against Yang Fei.
Seeing Yang Fei's magnanimity and his resolution of enmity by seeking revenge for Liu Zhengxiang, Liu Hanlou was moved beyond words.
Madam Liu's tears fell like rain, gripping Liu Hanlou's shoulder, unable to stand.
Yang Fei regretfully supported the two elders.
"Uncle Liu, Auntie, do not worry, from now on, I, Yang Fei, will be your son. My first son will carry your surname, Yang."
As he spoke, he knelt straight down, knocking his forehead thrice on the ground, loudly proclaiming.
"Father, Mother, your son is paying his respects."