Chapter 206 : Chapter 206
Chapter 206: The Persistent Liang Family
Tang Meiying came back to her senses with an “Ah.”
But there was no time for her to hesitate. She hurriedly followed Li Mu.
Her heart was still filled with disbelief.
Li Mu was actually bringing her along to attend tonight’s banquet?
All of a sudden, Tang Meiying felt a sour ache rise in her heart, and her eyes began to heat.
In Linyuan City, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to her duties. Although the position of Deputy Instructor could not be considered a cold bench, she truly had not received much attention either.
In the eyes of many people, she was often selectively ignored.
The reason was naturally very simple.
Because she was a woman.
The Abyss-Suppressing Army was a masculine place. It was not that women were forbidden from rising to power, but the path for women was indeed far more difficult.
She felt this especially deeply in Wanren Military District.
One could see it from the fact that after the Head Instructor resigned, Hong Liangpeng had still not directly promoted her, even though she was the Deputy Instructor.
But Li Mu was different from Commander-in-Chief Hong Liangpeng.
Ever since Li Mu came to the Instructor Department, he had only solved problems.
Not only had he not stripped her of any authority, he had instead trusted her greatly and loosened many restrictions on her authority.
He had even handed such an important training Mystic Realm as the Sub-Profound Spirit Tree to her to manage.
Today, when there was an opportunity to become acquainted with Zhang Baihe, he had not forgotten to bring her along.
A leader like this...
The Liang Family.
At this moment, a sumptuous banquet had already been laid out.
The leading figures of the Liang Family personally stood at the main gate to welcome them.
The current Patriarch of the Liang Family, Liang Tianqiong, was nearly seventy years old, yet he was hale and spirited. He stood at the very front, leading the group.
The one who brought Li Mu over was Liang Jianxin. As they approached the Liang Family Mansion, he had already begun introducing the Liang Family members to Li Mu.
When Li Mu arrived, he respectfully gave Liang Tianqiong a deep bow.
“This junior, Li Mu, thanks the Liang Family for helping me many times.”
Liang Tianqiong’s voice was aged, yet full of vigor.
He reached out and helped Li Mu up, his sharp eyes constantly studying Li Mu’s face.
“It is Linyuan City that should thank you.”
Li Mu did not dwell on this topic. He smiled and introduced the others.
“Old Liang, I have also brought two honored guests today. This is Zhang Baihe, Junior Dragon General of the Military Merit Bureau.”
“And this is Tang Meiying, the Deputy Instructor of our Instructor Department.”
As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, everyone from the Liang Family around them sucked in a cold breath.
Even Tang Meiying felt somewhat embarrassed.
Li Mu had introduced her as an honored guest together with Zhang Baihe. This even made her feel as if she had nowhere to hide.
Liang Tianqiong and the others looked at Zhang Baihe in shock.
That, in turn, made Tang Meiying feel a little more comfortable. Perhaps this was the power of low self-esteem.
Zhang Baihe asked with a smile, “Old Liang, you do not mind adding two more wine cups, do you?”
“How could we? For all of you to accept our invitation and come today brings radiance to our humble Liang Family.”
“Please come in!”
Liang Tianqiong hurriedly welcomed them inside.
The Liang Family’s female relatives also quickly came forward to receive Tang Meiying.
Had Li Mu not introduced her, the Liang Family could have treated Tang Meiying as Li Mu’s attendant.
But since Li Mu had introduced her, the Liang Family had to treat Tang Meiying with the courtesy due to an honored guest.
Otherwise, it would be equivalent to refusing Li Mu face.
The Liang Family residence was enormous. It stood at the foot of the eastern mountain in Linyuan City and was practically a small village.
This was the Liang Family’s main residence. Around it were many other houses, training arenas, collections of books, and entertainment facilities. Everything one could need was there.
Inside the main residence, a large table had already been arranged atop a pavilion terrace.
Four pillars and a roof formed the pavilion.
Beneath the pavilion, foundation stones raised it up to a high platform.
The view from the platform was even wider, and one ascended to it through a slanting covered corridor.
Looking down from the platform, one could see a large expanse of blue-brick open ground. Farther out were small bridges, flowing water, and a garden filled with flowers and birds.
From this spot, the distant scenery could be taken in at a glance.
It was extremely grand.
Just sitting down was already a delight to the eyes.
Only about a dozen people sat at this table.
Aside from Li Mu’s group of three, there was Liang Tianqiong and several elders. The youngest was Liang Jianxin.
He had only been able to sit at this table because he had met Li Mu several times before.
Originally, there should not have been any women at the table.
Because of Tang Meiying’s arrival, they had specially invited Liang Jianxin’s wife over to sit beside Tang Meiying.
The Liang Family members also busied themselves, beginning to serve the dishes and wine.
At first, because Zhang Baihe, a Junior Dragon General, was present, the Liang Family members were still somewhat restrained.
But once the steaming dishes were served and they began eating and drinking, everyone’s tongues loosened.
And naturally, the Liang Family had a purpose in inviting Li Mu here today.
The first purpose was something Li Mu had not expected.
An apology.
When the wine had reached a pleasant warmth, Liang Tianqiong actually had the Liang Family disciple who had been on duty when Li Mu lined up at the Sub-Profound Spirit Tree called over.
That Liang Family disciple respectfully toasted Li Mu and apologized.
It made Li Mu feel extremely uneasy and uncomfortable.
He had dug up their Money Tree, yet they were apologizing to him in return.
He even suspected that the Liang Family was not using this method to make him feel ashamed on purpose.
Moreover, the Liang Family did not mention the matter of the Sub-Profound Spirit Tree either.
After the apology was finished, they had the Liang Family disciple withdraw.
This filled Li Mu with guilt.
But unfortunately, he himself could not bring it up.
If he mentioned this matter, the Liang Family would completely lose face, and there would be no way to continue drinking today.
Very soon, the Liang Family’s second purpose was revealed.
It was also the true purpose Li Mu had guessed.
The topic was brought up by Liang Jianxin.
Liang Jianxin first toasted Li Mu with a cup of wine. Only after putting down the cup did he seem to mention it casually.
“Tiger Marquis Li is truly decisive. Ever since you came to Linyuan City, every great matter you have handled has made me, Liang Jianxin, sincerely admire you.”
“Before you came...”
“Wanren Military District did not possess such courage.”
“I, Liang Jianxin, will borrow the courage of wine and say something outrageous.”
“If Tiger Marquis Li could contend for the position of Commander-in-Chief of Wanren Military District, it would be the fortune of the military district and the fortune of Linyuan City!”
By the time Liang Jianxin reached the end, he was clearly somewhat excited.
He really did seem a little drunk.
Several elders of the Liang Family all quietly observed Li Mu’s reaction.
One elder did not forget to pull the topic back a little and said to Liang Jianxin, “Jianxin, you have drunk too much.”
Zhang Baihe, who was sitting nearby, curled the corner of his mouth. Inwardly, he thought, Interesting.
What a Liang Family, defying the proper order so boldly.
They were thinking of replacing the Commander-in-Chief of Wanren Military District?
And in front of him, a Junior Dragon General of the Military Merit Bureau, no less.
They were using wine to cover their faces while circling around to ask whether Li Mu had thoughts in that direction.
When these words reached Li Mu’s ears, he did not know whether to laugh or cry.
He had to add the word “still” to this.
The Liang Family was still thinking about replacing the Commander-in-Chief of Wanren Military District?
Were they not a little too persistent?
Li Mu could now truly confirm that when the Liang Family had opposed the military district before, they had been opposing Hong Liangpeng.
From the looks of it, the Liang Family had only one goal.
Anyone could be the Commander-in-Chief.
Just not Hong Liangpeng.
Li Mu wanted to laugh.
The little trick the Liang Family had used to probe for information was still a proper open scheme.
They could not possibly be unaware that Li Mu would think of this. To put it plainly, they were just trying to sound out Li Mu’s thoughts.
They wanted to see whether Li Mu intended to become Commander-in-Chief.
If Li Mu grew unhappy, they would simply say Liang Jianxin had drunk too much.
What could he do to him?
Li Mu even felt that the Liang Family’s stubbornness was somewhat endearing.
When there was something to be done, they truly stepped forward.
When there was something to worry over, they truly worried.
They dared to love and hate openly.
They dared to do something as defiant as this, yet they had not offered a single explanation for why they had previously opposed Wanren Military District.
Did that not prove that their hearts were open and upright?
Li Mu also smiled and gave the Liang Family a response.
“Brother Jianxin, those words must not be said. However, I can guarantee that from this day onward, Wanren Military District will only grow better and better.”
Everyone from the Liang Family looked at one another, and each saw a trace of relief in the others’ eyes.
Liang Tianqiong raised his wine cup.
“Tiger Marquis Li, our Liang Family toasts you. In the future, whether it is the military district or Linyuan City, if there is any place where the Liang Family can be of use...”
“Feel free to give us your orders.”
The other Liang Family elders raised their cups in unison.
“Tiger Marquis Li, a toast to you!”
“A toast to you!”
Li Mu repeatedly said that he did not dare accept such honor, lowering the elders’ toasts, and Zhang Baihe also helped smooth things over.
The atmosphere at the table quickly became lively again.
However, as he drank, Li Mu felt increasingly guilty.
He had indeed misunderstood the Liang Family before.
But he could not bring up the Sub-Profound Spirit Tree, and he had no way to compensate them for it.
So Li Mu wanted to find another way to make it up to them.
Amid the exchange of cups, Li Mu suddenly noticed something.
Not far away, some Liang Family disciples who were standing guard and chatting all had that long saber hanging at their waists.
Speaking of which, no matter where the Liang Family members appeared, every one of them had a saber at the waist, without exception.
Li Mu then asked Liang Tianqiong, “Old Master Liang, there is something I am rather curious about. I wonder whether it is appropriate to ask.”
Liang Tianqiong said, “Tiger Marquis Li, please speak freely.”
Li Mu pointed toward the sabers at the waists of the Liang Family disciples standing not far away.
“Everyone in the Liang Family carries only a saber. I presume this has something to do with the Liang Family bloodline. I am very curious. What exactly is the connection between the Liang Family bloodline and the saber?”