The Song family banquet hall.
On the massive round table, countless delicacies were laid out.
Along with fine wines.
Chen Nan was a guest.
He was arranged in the seat of honor.
Song Ziwei sat to his right.
To his left was Song Linhui.
The clan leaders of the Wei and Xu families sat nearby.
As for Song Linhui’s sons, they took their seats at will.
After being seated, Song Linhui introduced, "Nephew, allow me to introduce you. This is Wei Shengjin, the clan leader of the Wei family from Guangling Prefecture, Clan Leader Wei."
Chen Nan was taken aback.
Wei Shengjin?
What a name!
Truly a great name!
Despite this.
He still rose and cupped his hands towards Wei Shengjin.
Even though he was a Level Six Yin Messenger.
And the Director of the Demon Suppression Division.
But since it was the Song family's banquet today, and the other party was accompanying them.
He naturally couldn't be too arrogant.
He couldn't disregard the other party's face.
Song Linhui smiled and said, "You are new to Guangling Prefecture and not familiar with the Wei family."
"However, the industries the Wei family is involved in are spread throughout the entire Guangling Prefecture."
"Take the salt you ate earlier, for example; it all came from the Wei family."
Chen Nan suddenly understood.
So he was a salt merchant!
This was definitely one of the most lucrative professions in the underworld.
However.
In recorded human history, there were hardly any salt merchants who were good people.
Their methods were almost never clean.
Song Linhui then pointed to the Xu family leader and said, "This gentleman is Xu Binglong. The Xu family is involved in the spice industry."
"The spices on our dining table today, for instance, all come from the Xu family."
Good heavens!
Another profitable business!
Chen Nan bowed, "Greetings, Clan Leader Xu!"
Xu Binglong chuckled, "To become a Level Six Yin Messenger at such a young age, Master Chen, is truly a testament to your talent! I dare to predict that it won't be long before you have a place in Fengdu City."
"I hope Master Chen will not forget this old man in the future!"
Ignoring the fact that Chen Nan was the Director of the Demon Suppression Division.
Everyone showed him reverence as a Level Six Yin Messenger.
After all, from ancient times to the present.
No one had become a Level Six Yin Messenger at this age.
To put it bluntly.
He was a new star slowly rising in the sky.
As long as he didn't die.
He would surely hold a high position in the future.
"Chen Nan, these four are my sons." Song Linhui then introduced his four sons, and then looked at them, his face stern, "From now on, you four will also learn from Chen Nan."
"Look at him."
"Then look at yourselves. Besides eating, drinking, and having fun, you are good for nothing."
This was not intentional praise for Chen Nan.
But from the bottom of his heart.
Although he had four sons, they were all good-for-nothings.
It caused him great distress.
If...
If his four sons could have even a tenth of Chen Nan's ability and wisdom.
He wouldn't have to worry about having no successors.
Seeing her father's friendly attitude towards Chen Nan, Song Ziwei's anxious heart finally settled.
She had feared that her father and Chen Nan would become enemies.
"Come, come, let's raise our glasses together to welcome Chen Nan to Guangling Prefecture!" Song Linhui picked up his wine glass.
After everyone drank a cup.
Song Linhui suddenly said, "Chen Nan, I suspect there might be some misunderstanding between us."
"Let's take this opportunity."
"For us to have an open and honest talk."
"So that it doesn't become a lingering issue in our hearts and affect our relationship."
"I heard you were assassinated when you arrived in Guangling Prefecture?"
Chen Nan had not expected Song Linhui to bring this up, but he nodded nonetheless.
He planned to play along with the other party's act.
To see what he was up to.
Song Linhui sighed, "I don't know who assassinated you."
"But in the hearts of us Song family members, you are a benefactor."
"If it weren't for you and your mother raising Ziwei to adulthood."
"I would have lost this daughter."
"We in the Song family are deeply grateful to you."
His tone shifted.
He gave a wry smile, "Speaking of which, you have a truly foul temper."
"Back then in court, you spoke to me like that."
"Without giving me any face."
"I must say, you do have the spirit of my youth."
"Exactly like me when I was young, fearless."
"No!"
"No!"
"No!"
His brow furrowed, and he said, "I know you resent me because Ji Taim ei forcefully took Ziwei away back then, but it shouldn't have escalated to you publicly embarrassing me!"
"Let me think, don't speak, let me sort this out."
"The deep resentment you have towards me."
"Is it related to the assassination you encountered on the road?"
"Did Ji Taim ei assassinate you?" he said, looking incredulous.
Chen Nan quietly picked up a wine cup and drank.
Internally, he had a newfound respect for this Lord Song.
He had to admit.
This old man had some courage to bring this up.
It remained to be seen how he would smooth this over.
"Father, I said we shouldn't have let Ji Taim ei go!" Song Feiyang said indignantly, "Back then, Ji Taim ei and Mu Yifeng violated our Song family's rules, you shouldn't have shown mercy due to past relationships and should have executed them directly."
"Otherwise, how could Ji Taim ei have assassinated Brother Chen Nan?"
"She's clearly framing our Song family."
"Trying to sow discord between us and Brother Chen Nan!"
"This person is truly heinous and deserves the utmost hatred!"
Song Linhui's face turned cold, and he crushed the wine cup in his hand, his expression filled with ferocity, "This matter is indeed my fault. I was too soft-hearted!"
Song Feiyang looked at Chen Nan and said, "Brother Chen Nan, there's something you don't know. Ji Taim ei and her companion Mu Yifeng were once retainers of our Song family."
"Our Song family treated them very well."
"But they used their status as Song family retainers to bully people and act unscrupulously outside."
"In a fit of anger, my father expelled them from the Song family."
"Many people know about this."
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Clan Leader Wei and Clan Leader Xu..."
"Uh."
"Asking them might not be convincing enough."
"After all, they are on good terms with our Song family."
"You can inquire freely in the city."
"They were already kicked out of our Song family long ago."
"If I'm not mistaken."
"The reason Ji Taim ei made such a lethal move against you."
"Was to frame our Song family."
"If she could have killed you, the imperial court would definitely not have let our Song family off."
"Conversely."
"If she failed, she would still sow discord between us."
"You are the Divine Constable of Tongcheng."
"Surely you can see through her malicious intent, right?"
Chen Nan almost wanted to applaud the father and son.
He had to admit.
Their story had successfully absolved them of sending Ji Taim ei to ambush him.
If his mind wasn't so naive,
Perhaps he would have believed their fabricated tales.
He took a sip of wine, his tone calm, yet he asked a razor-sharp question: "Since the Song family has no ill intentions towards me, why did Uncle Song arrange for me to be the Director of the Demon Suppression Division?"