Chapter 23: Zhang Zhiwei's "Madness"

The Lu family estate’s previously vacant plaza was now decked out in festive style, draped with strings of red lanterns. Neatly arranged across the grounds were row upon row of round tables—at a glance, there were at least twenty of them. Looking around, almost every person seated there was a figure of significant standing and influence within the world of the supernatural.

"Is that... the Celestial Master and Sect Leader Zuo?!"
"Greetings, Celestial Master. Greetings, Sect Leader Zuo."
"I never expected even the Celestial Master and Sect Leader Zuo to attend. Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet is truly lively this year!"

"Old Master! Father! My master and the Celestial Master have arrived!"
Following Lu Jin’s excited shout, everyone’s gaze was drawn to Zuo Ruotong and Zhang Jingqing as they stepped into the plaza.

"Master Lu, it has been a long time!" Zhang Jingqing laughed heartily, cupping his hands in a salute toward Old Master Lu, who had come out personally to welcome them.
"Master Lu, I hope we are not late?" Zuo Ruotong added, also cupping his hands and offering a gentle smile.
"Not at all, not at all. Your presence, Celestial Master and Sect Leader Zuo, brings great honor to the Lu family," Old Master Lu replied, returning the salute. Behind him, Lu Jin’s father, Lu Xuan, and the heads of the other three families also bowed in respect.
"Quickly, please, honored guests, take your seats."
"After you."
"After you."

Old Master Lu personally escorted Zhang Jingqing and Zuo Ruotong to the seats of honor at his own table. No one present dared to utter a word of dissent; in fact, all agreed it was only fitting. If even the Celestial Master and the Immortal of Daying were not worthy of being seated with the host, then who in this world of outcasts would be?

Meanwhile, in a corner of the plaza under a tree, Lu Jin looked with some confusion at Zhao Zhen, who was being supported by Zhang Zhiwei.
"Brother Zhao, what happened to you?"
"Nothing much. I’ve been walking for a long time, and I’m just a bit drained," Zhao Zhen replied casually, avoiding any mention of the test the Celestial Master had put him through at the Lu family gates.
"With your endurance and skills, to walk until you’re this exhausted—just how far have you traveled?"

Zhao Zhen smiled weakly and lifted the birthday gift he had prepared. "A gift for your grandfather. You know I’m not well-off, so it’s nothing precious. Please forgive the modesty."
"It doesn't matter. It’s the thought that counts, not the gift itself. I’m already grateful that you could make it as promised. I will accept this on my grandfather’s behalf." Lu Jin smiled and took the gift. The Lu family was wealthy and powerful; naturally, they did not care about the monetary value of Zhao Zhen’s offering.

To Lu Jin, the fact that Zhao Zhen kept his promise and attended the banquet was the greatest show of sincerity.
"By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask—who is this brother?"
Seeing Lu Jin finally turn his gaze toward Zhang Zhiwei, Zhao Zhen silently thought to himself: *He is the man who is about to slap you until you cry in a moment...*

"I am Zhang Zhiwei, a disciple of the Celestial Master’s Mansion."
"The Celestial Master’s Mansion? Brother Zhang, did you come with the Celestial Master? Are you his disciple?" A flash of surprise crossed Lu Jin’s eyes. He hadn't noticed anyone following the two masters when he went to welcome them earlier, which was why he hadn't recognized Zhang Zhiwei.
"Yes," Zhang Zhiwei nodded, turning his gaze back to Zhao Zhen. "Little brother, how are you feeling now?"
"Much better. Thank you for your support along the way, Brother Zhang." Zhao Zhen nodded and moved away from Zhang Zhiwei’s support.
"It was nothing, just a small favor," Zhang Zhiwei replied with a faint smile. "Just now outside the gate, I heard that you are a disciple of the Quanshen sect's Master Jinguang. You must also know the master’s unique technique—the Golden Light Flowing Stream?"
"I know a little."
"That’s wonderful. I’ve heard my master praise Master Jinguang’s technique many times, but I’ve never had the chance to see it for myself. Now that we’ve met, you must fulfill this wish of mine later!"
"That can be arranged..."

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhang, let’s not rush to chat here. The banquet is about to begin. Why don’t you two take your seats? We can talk while we eat."
Facing Lu Jin’s invitation, Zhao Zhen smiled and shook his head.
"There’s no need for a seat. Brother Lu, you know my background. I’ve arrived, and my gift is here; that is enough. As for sitting at the table, let’s forget it. I don’t want to cause trouble for Old Master Lu on such a joyous occasion."
"How can you say that? I invited you because I value you as a person, regardless of your background! Besides, you are only a disciple of a Quanshen member, not a member of the sect yourself. Why shouldn't you take a seat?" Lu Jin’s brow furrowed with a hint of annoyance.

"Not everyone in this world has a heart as broad as yours, Brother Lu. With the house full of guests today, if my presence makes someone uncomfortable and ruins the atmosphere, I would truly be the sinner of the day."
After hearing Zhao Zhen’s words, Zhang Zhiwei couldn't help but take a closer look at him.
"But..." Lu Jin began to persuade him again, but Zhang Zhiwei suddenly interrupted.
"Young Master Lu, I won’t be going over either. I’ll stay here and keep Brother Zhao company."
"Brother Zhang, why is that? Is there something about the Lu family’s hospitality that has displeased you?" Lu Jin asked, frowning.

"Don’t misunderstand, Young Master Lu. The Lu family has been more than gracious. It’s just that I’ve never been fond of socializing. Being at a table with too many people makes me feel uneasy. Staying here is fine—it’s quiet. But I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you to have some food brought over to us later."
"This... very well. If you don't like the crowd, then so be it. I will have someone bring you both some food shortly."

Lu Jin felt helpless and had no choice but to respect their wishes. As the host, he still had other guests to attend to, so after a few more words, he hurried away.
After Lu Jin left, Zhao Zhen glanced at Zhang Zhiwei, who was sitting casually on the ground, leaning against the tree.
"Brother Zhang, you aren't taking your seat and are choosing to sit with a disciple of a Quanshen 'heretic' instead. Aren't you afraid of what others might say?"
"I’m just a Daoist from the mountains; what is there for others to gossip about?" Zhang Zhiwei shrugged indifferently. "As for you, Brother Zhao, since my master and Sect Leader Zuo trust you, what reason do I have to worry? I have never believed my judgment of people to be sharper than that of my master or Sect Leader Zuo."
"In that case, it seems I was overthinking it." Zhao Zhen smiled and sat down casually next to Zhang Zhiwei. "Since the Celestial Master brought you along, you must be exceptionally talented among your peers at the Mansion and highly favored by him, right?"
"Haha, whether he favors me or not, I cannot say. But in terms of skill, I can at least best my fellow disciples by a move or two."

If anyone else had heard this, they would have thought Zhang Zhiwei was arrogant. But to Zhao Zhen, he seemed quite humble; there was no trace of haughtiness in his demeanor. It made sense—as Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing had implied, Zhang Zhiwei’s "arrogance" was different from that of ordinary people. It was a kind of inner detachment where he simply did not take his peers seriously. It was like how one wouldn't go around bragging about drinking a glass of water in the morning because it was just a mundane, everyday occurrence.

"In that case, could it be that this surname 'Zhang' you carry was also granted?"
Unlike the reality where the succession of the Celestial Master required blood relations, in this world, while the Celestial Masters throughout history had all carried the surname Zhang, not all were direct descendants of Zhang Daoling. Through "surname adoption" or "bestowal," disciples without the surname could also be integrated into the candidate system. And those qualified to adopt the name were all one-in-a-million talents, dragons among men!

"Yes, my birth name is indeed not Zhang," Zhang Zhiwei nodded calmly, clearly not taking the matter of the surname to heart.
"Then, does that mean I am currently having a conversation with a future Celestial Master?" Zhao Zhen smiled, then sighed with a hint of regret. "It’s a pity we have no wine at hand, or I would have to offer you a cup, Brother Zhang."
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Brother Zhao. If my master passes the position to me, I will accept it. But if he chooses to pass it to someone else, I have no objections. So, let’s skip the wine."

Just as the conversation between the two turned quite harmonious, a little chubby boy holding a candied haw-stick came running up to Zhao Zhen.
"It’s actually you, Zhao Zhen!!!"