Chapter 48: My Mastery Over Destiny

At the Jiangzhou Grand Hotel, Ling Xiao opened his eyes. His star-like gaze shot out two beams of icy blue light, piercing the night before gradually fading away.

Xiu’er, who had been waiting quietly nearby, immediately stood and announced, “Young Master, Xu Long has returned. He’s at the Xu Family Grand Hotel!”

“Have Zhang Daochu and the others arrived as well?” Ling Xiao asked.

“They have. Everyone is ready and waiting for your command to head to the Xu Family Grand Hotel.”

“In that case… let’s go.”

…

Inside the Xu Family Grand Hotel, the atmosphere of the banquet was growing increasingly lively.

With Xu Long’s introductions, many wealthy figures from every corner of Jiangzhou gathered to toast Shen Wantong.

Shen Wantong himself refrained from drinking; a secretary stood by to take his place with the wine. Yet, no one dared show the slightest displeasure.

The title "King of the Northwest" alone carried tremendous weight!

Although Xu Long was Jiangzhou’s own Master Xu, compared to the King of the Northwest, the gap was immense.

If one were to compare the two, it was like pitting an orphan—unloved and unprotected—against a noble child backed by powerful guardians.

If Kongtong hadn’t set its sights on recruiting Xu Long to control Jiangzhou through him, Shen Wantong would never have treated him with such courtesy.

Had that been the case, even Xu Long himself would have had to toast Shen Wantong, perhaps with the only difference being that Shen Wantong might have graciously accepted the drink in person.

After making the rounds with the wine, Xu Long waved off those still eager to offer toasts, then took Shen Wantong’s hand, leading him toward the back of the crowd.

“Brother Shen, let me introduce you to my sons. In the future, I hope to send them to Kongtong to study the martial arts. I entrust them to your care,” Xu Long said.

“Brother Xu, you needn’t stand on ceremony with me. I’ve told you before—your family is my family. How could I ever neglect them?” Shen Wantong replied.

Xu Long’s wrinkled old face relaxed into a broad smile. “Good, good! You, Eldest, Second, and Third—bring your children to pay respects to the King of the Northwest.”

The younger members of the Xu family promptly stepped forward, bowing and offering wine to Shen Wantong in unison.

At that moment, Xu Long’s brows furrowed with suspicion. “Where is Beichen? Why don’t I see him here?” he asked.

The others exchanged glances and replied, “Master, Beichen wasn’t feeling well and is resting upstairs. He didn’t come down.”

Xu Long’s expression darkened. “Nonsense! Just because he’s a little unwell, does he think he can skip such an important night? Doesn’t he realize what day it is? The King of the Northwest is here, and he dares put on airs? Bring him down at once!”

“Yes, sir!”

Soon, Xu Beichen was called down. He hung his head as he approached Xu Long, shame written all over his face. “Grandfather, I’m sorry.”

Xu Long’s face was livid. “What are you doing with your head bowed? Look up at me!”

Xu Beichen slowly raised his head, revealing one side of his face swollen like a pig’s head, an unintentionally comical sight.

Xu Long, however, stared in shock. “What happened to your face?”

Xu Beichen’s cheeks flushed, his gaze evasive. “At noon today, someone caused trouble at the hotel. I tried to intervene… and ended up beaten.”

“What? In Jiangzhou, someone dared lay hands on my grandson? Who did it? Have you caught them?”

Xu Beichen’s face reddened even further. “They… they got away. But I’ve already sent people to investigate!”

“You—worthless fool! Usually so clever, yet today you disgrace us, and in front of the King of the Northwest no less. I ought to beat you!”

With that, Xu Long stepped forward and slapped Xu Beichen’s other cheek, swelling it just as much.

Shen Wantong hurriedly reached out to restrain him. “Brother Xu, young people are bound to make mistakes. Calm yourself. Tonight, let’s focus on important matters.”

Xu Long snorted coldly. “For the King of the Northwest’s sake, I’ll let you off this once. Aren’t you going to thank him?”

“Thank… thank you, Master Shen.”

Shen Wantong smiled blandly and waved him off. “It’s nothing. Go sit down and rest. Someone, bring him some ice for the swelling.”

Xu Long shook his head. “None of my descendants seem to have any backbone! When I’m old, Brother Shen, I hope you’ll keep an eye on them so these fools don’t get bullied by outsiders.”

“Brother Xu, you’re too modest. So long as you dedicate Jiangzhou to Kongtong, Kongtong will support you. In time, we’ll train some experts for your family, enough to sweep through the prefectures of Jiangzhou. Who would dare bully the Xu clan then?”

“Right, Brother Shen, well said. I’ll go make the announcement at once.”

“Go ahead.”

The two old foxes exchanged a knowing smile. With his hands clasped behind his back and several Xu family disciples in tow, Xu Long made his way to the specially arranged dais.

He cleared his throat, and the bustling room quickly fell silent. Every eye turned toward him.

Xu Long swept his gaze over the crowd, lips curled in satisfaction, his heart brimming with pride. After a lifetime of struggle, to rule a province and command the attention of the Jianghu—Xu Long had become a figure of renown. Even a hundred years from now, his name would live on.

For from this night forward, he was no longer simply Master Xu of Jiangzhou.

He was the King of Jiangzhou!

The thought filled him with exhilaration, making him feel years younger.

“Tonight, gathered here are my disciples and the leading magnates of Jiangzhou. You could say that the pillars of our province’s society are all present!” he proclaimed. “But I have not called you here for a mere welcome banquet, nor simply to greet the King of the Northwest. There is a major announcement to make!”

The crowd exchanged glances, murmuring with curiosity.

Xu Long looked down at the rippling sea of faces, his own alight with smugness. Who else in Jiangzhou could, with just a few words, stir such excitement and curiosity among the province’s elite? Only he, Xu Long, could shake Jiangzhou to its core with a mere stamp of his foot.

Such was his power that, even had he wanted to keep a low profile, it would have been impossible. What more could one ask for in life?

He cleared his throat once more, raising a hand to quiet the whispers.

“From this day forth, I, Xu Long, am a lay disciple of Kongtong! Kongtong has bestowed upon me the title: King of Jiangzhou! From now on, all secular matters in Jiangzhou will be under my charge, and the province itself will fall under Kongtong’s protection! All of you—from the greatest to the least—have names and status now. You are all disciples of Kongtong!”

At these words, an uproar swept through the hall.