Chapter 578

A day later, at an evening banquet, Chang Biao toasts Ma Ying Jie, thanking Ma tribe for saving his daughter. Ma Ying Jie replies modestly that it was only a chance encounter, and that he had not known she was Chang Biao’s beloved daughter, calling it Hong Yun’s honor. Both men drink. Ma Hong Yun becomes the center of the banquet, and dozens of curious, doubtful gazes make him uncomfortable. ^{ch. 578}

Chang Biao signals Pan Ping with a look, as the two had already planned. Pan Ping asks Ma Hong Yun whether this makes him a hero saving a beauty, and Ma Hong Yun hesitates, unable to answer. In truth, Ma Hong Yun had only been trying to escape the birds and had not thought much of how he saved Chang Li. ^{ch. 578}

Chang Biao’s gaze then falls on a planted guest. The man stands, cups his fists, and claims he witnessed the whole rescue, praising Ma Hong Yun for not claiming credit before asking to narrate it. Chang Biao permits him to speak. ^{ch. 578}

The man narrates with practiced flourish, portraying Ma Hong Yun as an aloof, unshakeable hero with both brains and brawn. The crowd cheers, and their gazes toward Ma Hong Yun turn respectful and warm. Ma Hong Yun himself cannot believe the tale describes him. ^{ch. 578}

The chapter names Ma Ying Jie an outstanding hero of his generation. Knowing Ma Hong Yun’s true nature, he does not believe the flattering tale either. He smiles and nods along outwardly, while inwardly wondering why Chang Biao sent a planted speaker to praise Ma Hong Yun, since only Chang Biao and Pan Ping are the true main characters of the banquet. He stays inwardly on guard. Ma tribe had declined since losing the Imperial Court contest, where Ma Ying Jie’s master and father died in battle, hardships that matured him quickly. Chang tribe now rises like the noon sun because of Fang Yuan, and Pan Ping has left the demonic path to become an external elder of Hei tribe, so neither is someone the declining Ma tribe can afford to offend. ^{ch. 578}

After the narration, Chang Biao repeatedly praises the speaker and Ma Hong Yun. He announces that since his daughter was saved, she has been silent and distracted, worrying over the young hero who rescued her, and that this banquet also expresses that. The hall erupts, gazes of admiration, envy, and disbelief turning on Ma Hong Yun. ^{ch. 578}

Guests gossip that Chang Li, though not Chang Biao’s birth daughter, was taken in and raised as his beloved daughter since childhood. If Ma Hong Yun marries her, Chang Biao becomes his father-in-law. Everyone’s mood surges, and Ma Ying Jie suspects this favor is the real reason for Chang Biao’s lavish banquet, recalling the tale of the Night Elopement of Su Xian and wondering if things are going too smoothly. ^{ch. 578}

Chang Biao then presents two red steel relic Gu to Ma Hong Yun as thanks, calling him a young hero of the Northern Plains. The hall’s commotion grows louder. Ma Ying Jie nods and prompts him, so Ma Hong Yun kowtows and thanks Chang Biao. Chang Biao personally places the two Gu in his hand. Patting his hand, Chang Biao asks how he feels about his daughter, and a flushed Ma Hong Yun stammers only that Chang Li is beautiful, very beautiful. Chang Biao laughs and sends him back to his seat. ^{ch. 578}

The banquet runs late before guests disperse. Word spreads that Chang tribe is marrying its daughter to the lucky Ma Hong Yun. The next day, Chang Biao again invites Ma Ying Jie and Ma Hong Yun, this time to a smaller banquet with only a few guests. ^{ch. 578}

Ma Ying Jie stares gravely at the invitation card. He has not slept all night, turning the matter over, and the small card feels exceptionally heavy to him. He calls his servant to summon Ma Hong Yun. ^{ch. 578}

Before the servant arrives, Zhao Lian Yun is already instructing Ma Hong Yun that his suspiciously good luck will surely draw Ma Ying Jie’s questions. She tells him to explain everything in full detail. She also tells him to offer his two red steel relic Gu, the reward Chang Biao gave him, to Ma Ying Jie when they meet. Ma Hong Yun protests that he risked his life for the Gu, that they were a gift, and that using them would advance him to rank two upper stage. Zhao Lian Yun kicks him in anger. ^{ch. 578}

She tells him what matters is not his rank two cultivation but his friendship with Ma Ying Jie, who once gifted him three green copper relic Gu that let him advance to rank two. Offering the Gu is an expression of loyalty. She predicts Ma Ying Jie cannot use the Gu himself, so he will accept them and then return them to Ma Hong Yun. Ma Hong Yun asks why Ma Ying Jie would accept them at all if he means to give them back. ^{ch. 578}

Zhao Lian Yun explains that Ma tribe has declined to few tribesmen and much work, with only one rank three elder, Ma You Liang, now handicapped. Ma Ying Jie has just become tribe leader with no usable subordinates and wants to nurture trusted aides to revitalize the tribe. Ma Hong Yun was once surnamed Fei and was Ma Ying Jie’s head servant. Because Ma Ying Jie already knows him well, he will trust him more easily than others, so offering the Gu will show loyalty and please him. Zhao Lian Yun says Ma Ying Jie is not petty, so he will likely return the Gu and add more rewards, to set an example encouraging other tribesmen to imitate the loyalty. She calls this idea buying horse bones with a thousand gold. ^{ch. 578}

Ma Hong Yun does not understand the idiom. Zhao Lian Yun says he would not understand even with an explanation and tells him to just follow her advice. Ma Ying Jie’s servant arrives to summon Ma Hong Yun just as they finish talking. Ma Hong Yun follows the advice and offers the two red steel relic Gu, but unlike Zhao Lian Yun’s prediction, Ma Ying Jie accepts them and does not return them. Ma Hong Yun returns and complains endlessly to Zhao Lian Yun. Zhao Lian Yun wonders if her estimation was wrong. ^{ch. 578}