As the two men were speaking, the Western Holy Mother and the Venerable Monk Wutian had already quietly departed with their followers, leaving behind only a lingering sense of melancholy farewell. At that moment, Qiu Feng, leader of the Phoenix Gang, stepped toward Situ Kong and cupped his hands respectfully with a smile.
"Senior Situ, my foster father acted out of righteousness. By teaching those villains a lesson, he was standing up for all the canal transport clans. Surely you won't blame him for that."
Situ Kong replied, "Chief Qiu, so he is your foster father after all."He then turned toward Duanmu Song and laughed. "Old Woodhead, after all these years, you are still as arrogant as ever!"
Duanmu Song snorted. "You call me arrogant? Why not admit that you yourself are crazier than ever?"
At that moment, Zeng Qiang, leader of the Salt Gang, approached together with Beggar Drunkard Fei Jin. Laughing loudly, Fei Jin recited:
"As the ancients say:'True masters never flaunt themselves,and those who flaunt themselves are no true masters.'The martial prowess of the Eastern Madman and the Western Maniac is unmatched beneath the heavens!"
Zeng Qiang quickly cupped his hands and said respectfully, "Zeng Qiang of the Salt Gang greets the two honored seniors."
Meanwhile, Li Jian and Tan Wei also stepped forward into the center of the grounds. Situ Kong beckoned them over.
"Jian'er, Wei'er, come pay your respects to Senior Duanmu."
The two immediately bowed with clasped fists.
"This junior Li Jian greets Senior.""This junior Tan Wei greets Senior."
Duanmu Song carefully examined the pair. The young man was handsome and heroic; the young woman graceful and radiant. Li Jian in particular possessed the bearing of a youthful hero—spirited, refined, and exceptionally gifted. Duanmu Song nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. Heroes now rise throughout the martial world. The two of you must shoulder the duty of upholding justice, punishing evil, and bringing peace and righteousness to the realm of jianghu."
At this point, the leaders of the various canal transport clans also came forward one after another to greet the Eastern Madman and the Western Maniac. Warm exchanges and formal courtesies followed in abundance. After the greetings concluded, the clan leaders returned to their respective seats.
By now, after so many twists and disturbances, what had begun at the hour of Si had already dragged on until noon. The clan leaders gathered once more for discussion, and after finalizing their decision, they returned together to the honored guest seats.
Not long afterward, Zeng Qiang of the Salt Gang strode briskly into the center of the arena, his robes fluttering in the wind. In a loud voice he announced:
"Brothers of the canal transport clans, all our honored guests have come here in high spirits today. This gathering was originally intended as a friendly martial exchange among the various clans. Yet unexpected complications arose, delaying the proceedings so greatly that the tournament schedule can no longer continue."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"Fortunately, all of you have personally witnessed the upright courage and heroic righteousness of the great martial seniors. The assembled heroes here today have displayed astonishing skill, meeting strength with strength and courage with courage. Masters have stepped forth one after another, producing thrilling battles without a single dull moment. I believe this gathering has more than justified everyone's journey here!"
Another pause followed before he declared:
"After discussion among the clan leaders, it has been decided that since it is already past noon and everyone must surely be hungry, there will be no more martial contests today. Brothers—let us instead enjoy the grand feast!"
The canal transport brothers had today witnessed the rise of youthful heroes, observed legendary martial experts crossing blows, and experienced firsthand the noble spirit of peerless masters. As men who roamed the jianghu themselves, they naturally admired such heroism deeply, and all felt they had greatly broadened their horizons.
Soon workers entered the tournament grounds and rapidly arranged tables and chairs throughout the arena. Their movements were swift and practiced, and before long a magnificent banquet of one hundred tables had been prepared—a true Hundred-Heroes Feast.
A voice suddenly shouted through the grounds:
"The Heroes' Banquet begins! Fire the celebratory cannons!"
Thunderous applause erupted immediately. Firecrackers exploded one after another, their crackling echoing endlessly through the grounds, deepening the festive atmosphere as the Heroes' Banquet officially commenced.
Before long the dishes began arriving. The tables overflowed with delicacies from both land and sea, each dish rich in color, fragrance, and flavor. Luxurious foods filled every table: crab delicacies, rich scallop-and-chicken soup, crispy fried duck, slow-braised Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, tender steamed goose, spicy pepper chicken, and stir-fried garden vegetables with assorted seafood—every dish a rare culinary treasure.
After several rounds of wine, Zeng Qiang rose from the main table and called out loudly:
"Heroes of the realm!"
At once everyone set down their chopsticks, and silence spread across the grounds.
Raising his wine cup high, Zeng Qiang proclaimed:
"Clan leaders, brothers, friends of the jianghu—I, Zeng Qiang of the Salt Gang, am deeply honored to host this grand gathering. My heart is filled with gratitude. Allow me to offer this cup of wine to all of you!"
Holding the cup with both hands toward the assembled heroes, he shouted:
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!" the crowd roared in unison as everyone drank together.
Zeng Qiang laughed heartily.
"Wine strengthens the courage of heroes, and fine wine deserves fine dishes! Let me offer another toast to all the heroes here. Drink as you please!"
With that, he drained the cup and resumed his seat.
Immediately the banquet became even livelier. Cups clinked endlessly as heroes toasted one another across the grounds.
At the Heroes' Banquet, the various clan members and invited martial figures soon became thoroughly merry after several cups of strong wine. They wandered from table to table, exchanging drinks and laughter, all delighted beyond measure.
Even the peerless Eastern Madman and Western Maniac had by now thrown caution aside, loudly competing in drinking games and finger-guessing contests, draining cup after cup without hesitation. Beggar Drunkard Fei Jin drank heavily as well, while the Four Great Elders continuously urged more wine upon everyone. The atmosphere was jubilant and overflowing with heroic spirit.
Meanwhile, Zeng Qiang led Li Jian and Tan Wei around the banquet, greeting and toasting the leaders of the canal transport clans. Truly it could be said:
Wine emboldens heroes shouting through drinking games,Cups are raised and emptied in contests of fame.The gathered heroes laugh and refill their goblets,Across ten thousand rivers and mountains, friendship remains.
Thus, although the Grand Heroes Gathering had suffered countless interruptions and the clan members never truly held their planned martial contests, everyone nevertheless gained greater experience and insight into the martial world. Heroes from every corner of the realm gathered together beneath one roof, drinking freely and speaking of all matters under heaven. Every person departed joyful and satisfied, and in this way, the true purpose of the gathering had still been fulfilled.