Chapter 3, Worship (Part 1)

Although preparations were made to pay respects to the father-son relationship before the first day of the New Year, and time was limited, Master Su still organized a grand event. The details of the process are not to be mentioned for now. On December 18, when Zhang Xuanning got up early and changed into new clothes, the courtyard of Master Su was soon filled with a cacophony of noise.

After exchanging a few words and noticing that most people had gathered and the time was about right, a command was given, and everyone automatically arranged themselves according to their status and seniority.

Ah, has even Master Shen come? It seems that Master Su truly has some influence!" Some people began to whisper among themselves. Zhang Xuanning glanced over and saw more than twenty people supporting one individual as they approached. As the person arrived in front of him, a voice came through: "Oh, Brother Su, I am here on behalf of the gang leader to see you. The gang leader heard that you have taken a foster son. Although he is busy, he specifically asked me to come and take a look at you!

"Good, good!" Shen Beichang said with a smile, looking up at the crowd, and continued, "Everyone, please rise. Come, come, we are brothers, is there any need for such formalities? Today, let us set aside official matters and focus on our friendship. Dear nephew, why don't you help your father up?"

Then he looked up and said: "Father, I shall certainly act according to your teachings."

The subordinate expresses deep gratitude for the great kindness of the leader, and thanks the hall master for their great grace! Zhang Xuanning prostrated on the ground, bowing deeply.

"Younger brother, come out, most of the people have arrived." The one calling was a man in his thirties, leaning on a cane

Ah, I am an old brother of Su. Since you are a loyal friend of Su, you may call me Uncle Shen.

As he spoke, he also served tea. Master Su laughed heartily, took a sip, and the courtesy was fulfilled

Zhang Xuanning naturally did not dare to speak, seizing the opportunity while they greeted others to observe Master Shen. Shen Beichang was actually the head of the Fengzhu Hall, commanding a force of two thousand men who were bold and willing to fight. His influence extended across more than twenty nearby counties, truly a person of high status and power. The twenty bodyguards surrounding him exuded a composed demeanor, clearly skilled in martial arts. However, he was merely approaching his forties, and his face even bore a touch of elegance.

"Well, not bad," Su said with a smile when he returned.

The daughter is approximately ten years old, while the son is around two or three years old. They have also exchanged greetings and spoken.

This person is Su Ling, the biological child of Master Su. Upon hearing this, Su Ling revealed a hint of a smile: "Today is special; according to etiquette, it should be this way. This is your sister-in-law, as well as your niece and nephew."

Thank you for your great kindness, leader, thank you for your great kindness, leader, you truly have not forgotten me! At the age of fifty, Master Su was at this moment weeping bitterly, prostrating himself on the ground. Zhang Xuanning truly did not know whether this was genuine emotion or an act, and could only kneel down in response.

This is the leader of the gang, of course, one must pay respects. After Shen Beichang performed three bows, he smiled and said: "This is nothing much. Although our gang has not established a branch in Yangzhou, the leader has stated that since Master Su is in Yangzhou and has taken a foster son, we shall establish a fragrant association, which will be under the jurisdiction of my Fengzhutang. Zhang Xuanning will be appointed as the deputy leader of the association. If he performs well, in a year or two, he will be promoted to the position of the main leader. Dear nephew, should you not express your gratitude for this great favor?"

"Yes, Uncle Shen!" Zhang Xuanning replied, bowing once more before rising to assist Master Su to his feet

In the midst of laughter and conversation, they had already arrived at the large central room. Although this time it was not a change of surname, and thus not many members of the clan were invited, a few relatives did come. As for the brothers from the gang, many of them also arrived, mostly local incense masters and the like. At that moment, there was a commotion in the crowd outside.

Congratulations, congratulations! As the ceremony commenced, countless individuals stepped forward to offer their congratulations, transforming the previously quiet hall into a bustling scene.

Master Shen smiled gently and personally reached out to help Zhang Xuanning up. Zhang Xuanning glanced at Master Su, and upon seeing him nod, she took the opportunity to rise, calling out once more: "Uncle Shen"

Esteemed relatives, brothers, and friends, today I stand before you all to adopt Zhang Xuanning as my godson. Zhang Xuanning, please come forward. Today, with our ancestors watching over us, and with the brothers of the clan and the hall master present, I hope you will strictly uphold the family traditions and abide by the rules of the clan

A person stepped forward and whispered a few words to Master Su. Master Su's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Come, let us welcome Master Shen together"

Lack of culture is indeed a lack of culture. What was originally a proper kinship recognition ceremony was awkwardly transformed by Master Su into something resembling a gang initiation. Although Zhang Xuanning thought this way in her heart, she maintained a respectful demeanor, stepped forward, and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, knelt before Master Su, performing the grand ceremony of kinship recognition with three bows and nine kowtows

Seeing everyone solemnly attentive, Shen Beichang felt quite satisfied. A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he spoke softly: "The leader has instructed me to present one hundred taels of silver, ten bolts of silk, and a scroll of sword techniques as a congratulatory gift."

Indeed, my young nephew is still quite inexperienced and tends to be careless in his actions. In the future, I hope that Uncle Shen will provide him with more guidance and care!" Zhang Xuanning said this while respectfully seeing him off to the door. After Shen Beichang turned to leave, she remained there with the same respect until he was out of sight, before finally returning inside.

Zhang Xuanning, however, could not hold back, immediately stepped forward, and knelt on the ground: "Zhang Xuanning pays respects to Hall Master Shen"

At that moment, a subordinate stepped forward and whispered something to Shen Beichang. This was, in fact, a blatant hint. Shen Beichang frowned slightly and said, "Ah, there is something happening in the hall again"

At this moment, Zhang Xuanning respectfully presented a cup of wine, and Shen Beichang readily drank it. After finishing, he even affectionately patted him on the shoulder: "Being a deputy incense master at such a young age, you have a bright future. Work hard!"

Then it is time for the singing ceremony

Let us not concern ourselves with the matters of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling for the moment; the urgency of Zhang Xuanning's adoption of Su Ye as her godfather is imminent, and in ancient times, this was indeed a significant event

First of all, it is the leader's courtesy. Shen Beichang coughed lightly, stood up, and spoke slowly: "Master Su is our senior, having followed the leader since the founding of the gang, and the leader has always been concerned about him. Master Su's son, Su Ling, also sacrificed a leg for the gang, so it can be said that both father and son have fought hard for the gang, shed blood, and made contributions. The leader has not forgotten any of this. Upon hearing that Master Su has taken in an adopted son, the leader was very pleased. Although he is quite busy and cannot personally extend his greetings, he has entrusted me to come and meet the promising talents of our leader's successors."

"Well, indeed, he is a remarkable talent, a young hero. Master Su, you truly have an eye for talent!" Master Shen assessed him for a moment and then laughed, saying, "Another rising talent has joined our ranks, haha."

Master Su, of course, understood the situation and repeatedly said: "The formalities here are already complete. The hall master has connections with thousands of brothers, and public matters are of utmost importance, so I won't keep the hall master any longer. Xuan Ning, come, let's toast to your Uncle Shen."

Zhang Xuanning hurriedly stepped out of the room, quickly rushing forward to support him, saying: "How could I dare to have my elder brother come personally to call on me? I am unworthy, truly unworthy."

Alright, alright, I will definitely drink this cup of wine, haha

This statement was made by the leader Yin Kaishan, and everyone immediately fell silent, listening intently. The atmosphere of such authority instantly conveyed the majesty of a ruler over thousands. At that moment, Zhang Xuanqing deeply understood what power the Bamboo Flower Gang truly represented

Ah, I am truly grateful for the concern of the leader and the attention of Master Shen. I am indeed in a state of utter ruin, making it difficult for me to repay such kindness. Master Su stepped forward, bowing deeply in respect. He had been with the leader since the founding of the gang and had once served as the deputy hall master, so there was no need for him to kneel.