Chapter 10: Dining

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After listening to Yin Minjun, Li Miao said, "Let those who have been inside the tomb tell me what they saw."
An elder from the Hengshan Sect stepped forward and carefully described the scene he witnessed to Li Miao.
After hearing the account, Li Miao exclaimed, "Impressive!"
The scale of this Miao King’s tomb was surprisingly vast. Just a preliminary exploration revealed two to three acres, with dozens of burial chambers and corridors wide enough for seven or eight people to walk side by side.
The title "Miao King" was not an official position but a designation for those who held dominion over the Miao territories.
In different eras and at various stages, this title referred to different identities: clan leaders, local governors, military commanders, rebel leaders, or even legendary figures believed to be incarnations of deities.
Judging by the tomb’s structure, it likely belonged to a leader from some generation of the Miao people.
What remained unclear was how this was connected to the “Wedding Garment Divine Technique.”
Li Miao asked, "Who will be going in tomorrow?"
Yin Minjun replied, "Several major sects have confirmed participation, and a few renowned lone experts will also enter. But the exact number of people has yet to be decided."
Yin Minjun sighed.
"The tomb is filled with poisonous creatures, making it hard to defend against for those with weak martial skills. But if there are too few highly skilled fighters, it’s difficult to watch all sides."
"The best solution would be for all experts above the third tier to enter together, but... it’s impossible to reach an agreement."
There was a saying about tomb raiding: if a father and son worked together, the father would keep watch aboveground while the son did the work inside the tomb.
Because the father would never abandon his son, but the son might not necessarily care as much for the father.
Of course, this saying only applied to grave robbers—people who had no moral scruples in committing such despicable acts.
This also revealed the concerns of the martial artists present at the scene.
First, with so many people going in, how would they divide the Wedding Garment Divine Technique if they got it?
Second, if all the experts went in and died inside, leaving no capable people outside to guard, what if rival factions kicked them out?
Third, since this was a treasure hunt, and the groups were competitors, how could they ensure no one would betray another in secret?
Fourth, if the major sects entered on their own and didn’t share any benefits with other forces, how would that affect the rules of the martial world?
There were many martial artists present, and in theory, if each person shoveled a bit of earth, they could have opened the tomb by now. But because of mutual suspicion and precaution, no one had entered yet.

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Now, with increasing numbers gathering, the major sects feared the situation would drag on and become complicated, so they agreed to meet tonight, set some rules, and enter tomorrow.
It was nearly dinnertime.
In Central Plains culture, discussions often took place during meals, and the major sects were no exception.
The Hengshan Sect was wealthy and had set up the largest tent, so the meeting was held in the very tent where Li Miao was seated.
Li Miao twirled his fingers and said to Yin Minjun, "You and your Hengshan Sect should stay outside. Forget about that Wedding Garment Divine Technique—it’s not worth it."
"From now on, you’re under my command. The Imperial Brocade Guards have plenty of useful manuals. Do your duties well; you won’t be lacking."
"Why fight over that thing? Most people wouldn’t be able to master it even if they got it."
Though Li Miao’s version of the Wedding Garment Divine Technique had been heavily modified and was quite different from the original, he still understood the underlying martial principles.
The technique involved making garments for others—transmitting one’s power to someone else through destruction and reconstruction. Without the right talent and mindset, practicing it was fruitless.
Li Miao nodded to Yin Minjun and then to Yongjie beside him. "Elder Yin, you, I, and this Grandmaster will enter together."
Yin Minjun nodded in agreement.
She had come to join the commotion over the Wedding Garment Divine Technique because, having pledged allegiance to the court but with an uncertain future, she wanted to secure some capital for the Hengshan Sect’s survival.
With Li Miao having spoken, she had no choice but to obey.
Soon, it was dinnertime.
Yin Minjun waited outside for the leaders of the major sects to arrive.
The first to come was Lao Qifeng, leader of the Beggars’ Sect.
In truth, the real beggars within the sect held little status. The sect was divided into the Clean Clothes faction and the Dirty Clothes faction; only the latter were genuine beggars. Those managing the sect’s assets belonged to the Clean Clothes faction.
After all, few people with strong martial arts skills actually liked begging.
Thus, Lao Qifeng was dressed neatly, bearing no resemblance to a beggar.
He stepped forward to greet Yin Minjun politely, then entered the large tent but was momentarily stunned.
At the head seat, Li Miao was already eating, served personally by several Hengshan elders—some pouring wine, some bringing dishes, and one elder using the Hengshan Sword Technique to pick meat off the bones and place it on a plate before handing it to Li Miao.
Lao Qifeng watched for a while but didn’t move.
Yin Minjun smiled and said, "This is a friend of the Hengshan Sect, a martial eccentric who acts without regard for trivialities. Please forgive his manners, Chief Lao."

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Lao Qifeng said nothing but cursed inwardly, "A friend? He must be your Hengshan Sect’s own father, then."
~~
"Are you this attentive when serving your own father?"
"Hey, look! Your elder is even using Hengshan Sword Technique to pick fish bones now. Won’t your sect founder haunt you in a dream and chop you down with a sword tonight?"
Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Lao Qifeng didn’t say them aloud. Pretending not to notice, he took a seat nearby.
Gradually, others arrived one after another. Upon entering, they were all taken aback by Li Miao’s manner but held their tongues and quietly took their seats.
When night fell, everyone had gathered.
Li Miao, having finished eating, leaned back in the main seat and closed his eyes to rest, completely ignoring the gazes directed at him.
*Clap, clap.*
Yin Minjun clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please."
"Today, by fate, we gather here from all corners of the land. Let us drink this cup together!"
Everyone responded in agreement, and the formal banquet began.
As a side note, in typical novels, heroes often showcase talents such as playing the zither, flute, or composing poetry.
But in reality, don’t expect these rough, sword-wielding tough guys to have much cultural refinement. Skills like music and calligraphy require time to learn; after training martial arts and sweating profusely, who has the energy to play instruments?
Nor can you expect them to be especially courteous. Used to settling disputes with fists, it’s already impressive they can wait until after dinner to discuss business.
Sure enough, before half the meal was finished, someone grew impatient and spoke loudly: "Elder Yin, the night grows late, and with such an important matter at hand, let’s not delay."
"Let’s settle tomorrow’s plan now!"
Yin Minjun turned to look, and the speaker was Cang Feifeng, a top-tier lone martial artist known as the ‘Iron Fist Arhat.’
(End of chapter)
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