55: Chapter 55 is quite lively.

Cao Xiao was led around everywhere by Chen Huaiyu, who kept introducing him to the people there. Hearing that Cao Xiao was the owner of this place and also Old Chen's student, he actually received many small gifts and a small stack of business cards. These people tirelessly inquired about that non-existent carving grandmaster—yes, the status of the Shenlong Carver had already risen from master to grandmaster—and even urged him to produce the Twelve Zodiac Signs. To this, Cao Xiao remained silent; creating this Shenlong had already caused such a sensation, and if he were to bring out the Twelve Zodiac Signs, his Tianxing Garden would completely lose its original nature.

"Xiao Xiao, go prepare some ingredients. I'll have your Fifth Sister send two chefs over to help. It's not easy for us old guys to get together like this. Some more people will be coming later, so prepare for a scale of two hundred people; bring out all those good things of yours. Send some fruit over first," Old Chen shouted loudly to Cao Xiao from a distance, looking very happy today.

"Alright, Teacher, I'll go prepare right away. The fruit will be up in a moment." Cao Xiao didn't think much of it and turned back toward the villa.

Guests are guests, but it was a bit of a headache when there were too many of them. Just preparing the food was quite a hassle. He wasn't a chef and couldn't easily estimate how much food would be enough, so he simply pulled two large wild boars and a large python meat out of his space. He also brought out all the wild vegetables he had picked in the mountains last time and piled them in the kitchen, leaving those matters for the chefs to worry about. He went to the cold storage and moved over ten crates of fruit, filling the Leopard's trunk and back seat. He didn't even bother washing them; there was clean spring water over at the Shenlong Terrace, and those who wanted to eat could wash it themselves—he couldn't take care of so many people.

After delivering the fruit and returning to the villa, Chen Huaisu had already arrived with about ten people: three chefs and the rest were servers. They had even brought over ten sets of tables and chairs. Cao Xiao had them set them up in the courtyard. Since there were people to help, Cao Xiao then headed over to the Shenlong Terrace.

The people who came today said they were there for the Shenlong Terrace, but in Cao Xiao's view, they seemed more like they were just looking for an excuse to get together. It wasn't just old people; there were many young people as well. They weren't just collectors or people from related industries; antique collecting and jade jewelry were just hobbies, not their main businesses. Cao Xiao didn't hear them mention Yunkai Group or Dong Xunli; instead, they chatted in small groups as if making small talk. Some of the conversation topics made Cao Xiao's heart skip a beat; although they spoke casually, none of these people had simple identities. Sometimes, a single sentence they let out could cause a significant impact on certain matters or a particular industry.

Not until four or five in the afternoon did people continue to arrive in a rush from all over the country. Including their staff, there were nearly two hundred people. By the time the banquet started at six, the number had surpassed three hundred, mainly because there were many assistants, while the guests invited by the Teacher and the others were fewer than two hundred, most of whom were family members. The chefs from Chen Huaisu's hotel were indeed very skilled; the same ingredients tasted much better than when Cao Xiao made them himself, and the presentation was even more beautiful. Everyone praised the meal incessantly, especially the snake meat—several young men ate until they had nosebleeds. Many people offered to buy some on the spot, telling him to name any price, but Cao Xiao didn't dare take out any more and could only politely decline. During the banquet, Old Chen kept Cao Xiao by his side and solemnly introduced him to everyone, while also casually mentioning the property dispute of Tianxing Garden. The others didn't say anything on the spot; at their age, they were wise to the ways of the world and naturally understood Old Chen's meaning.

It was already late by the time all the guests were seen off. Cao Xiao specifically invited his teacher to stay overnight at the villa. He planned to go to Jinghu City tomorrow, so he needed to ask his teacher about National Martial Arts today.

"Teacher, do you know any National Martial Arts masters?" Cao Xiao asked.

"Hmm? Why are you asking that? You want to learn martial arts?" Old Chen was somewhat surprised.

"Not martial arts, but National Martial Arts. Could you introduce me to someone?" Cao Xiao requested again.

"The matter with Tianxing Garden will show some results tomorrow. Speaking of which, you've called me 'Teacher' for so long, yet I haven't given you a single lesson. Carve out some time recently to learn about collection and appraisal first before talking about anything else, lest you go out and embarrass me." Old Chen ignored Cao Xiao's request and instead spoke with a stern face.

"Uh! How about you help me pick some professional books first for me to look at myself? I've been quite busy lately and have to head out tomorrow. I can also learn while practicing martial arts; combining the civil and the martial won't delay my studies." Cao Xiao hadn't expected his teacher to say this, but it was true that he hadn't really learned any knowledge from him yet.

"What are you learning National Martial Arts for? If it's for health, you can just exercise more. Why learn that fighting and killing stuff!" Old Chen's expression was a bit displeased.

"It's not like that. Teacher, you also know that my business is getting bigger and bigger, and I'll have to go abroad in the future. I have no foundation of my own, so it's inevitable I'll encounter some accidents. That's why I want to learn something to protect myself." Seeing the change in his teacher's expression, Cao Xiao knew he was a bit unhappy and quickly explained.

"Sigh! I'll talk to your Third Brother and have him look for a few retired soldiers for you. As for National Martial Arts, I do know a few people, but others won't easily take on disciples. At your age, it's basically impossible to start learning. However, there is one person you can try. As long as you catch his eye, it shouldn't be a problem for him to teach you some real skills without taking you as a formal disciple. I don't have much of a relationship with him, so you'll have to rely on yourself. He has a very strange temper, so you should be mentally prepared." Old Chen sighed for some reason before slowly speaking.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Cao Xiao said sincerely.

"You child! In the future, don't be too forceful in business, especially abroad; you must be more cautious in everything. When you go to find that person, bring something that can supplement blood and qi, preferably aged medicinal herbs. That person's achievements in the National Martial Arts world weren't low back then, but an accident happened later, and his body has some issues now. He has a foul temper, so you'll have to bear with it. If you want to learn someone's skills, you must have the right attitude. Alright, that's it for today. I'm tired; take me to rest." Old Chen said with some fatigue.

"Alright, please come with me. I live right next door; just call me if you need anything." Cao Xiao supported Old Chen as they went to the room next to the master bedroom on the third floor to rest.

Lying in bed, Cao Xiao was filled with many emotions. If not for the teacher's help, even if he had a way to deal with it, he would have lost Tianxing Garden. A method is just a method; it's only effective when built on equal resources. From beginning to end, he was just an ignored small fry. Dong Xunli was only wrestling with Chen Huaiyu and the others over Tianxing Garden. Without Chen Huaiyu's mediation, he could only watch helplessly as Tianxing Garden was snatched from his hands. Therefore, he urgently wanted to build his own foundation, so that even if no one helped him when facing a strong enemy, he would have the power to resist.

Early the next morning, Cao Xiao sent Old Chen home. He didn't go to visit that National Martial Arts master yet. He had some priceless treasures in his hands, but they wouldn't have the slightest attraction for a martial artist. In his situation, if he didn't offer a price high enough to move someone's heart, they wouldn't pay him any mind at all. It wouldn't be too late to visit after returning from Jinghu and preparing the gifts.