Chapter 56 - A Silly Bear

White clouds restlessly drifted with the wind across the vast light blue sky was vast with a few black birds slicing through the horizon as they flew past.

In Oak City, the wide main roads were paved with large stone bricks, creating a grid-like surface. The roadsides were relatively clean, unlike some narrow alleys filled with garbage and occasional piles of waste. The Oak City government had taken measures to clean up the city, including hiring workers to regularly sweep the main streets.

Carriages sped along the road. Some carriages belonged to established families with wealth that sustained multiple generations. With their golden carvings, decorated reins, and drivers dressed in suits, they looked luxurious. These families maintained several carriages and professional drivers for the sake of keeping up appearances.

At the crossroads, two middle-aged men in blue police uniforms chatted and laughed. One handed the other a cigarette, and they smoked while they watched the passersby.

Police were still a relatively new concept in this era. In the 71st year of the Hongli Federation, the Federal Government passed a security law to establish police forces in each region to maintain law and order, with the Minister of Internal Affairs as the highest authority.

A black carriage slowly came to a stop along the sidewalk, and a man and a woman stepped out.

"What time is it?" Lisa asked Cassius beside her.

Cassius took out the pocket watch Lisa had given him. "11:05 a.m."

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Good. We'll make it in time then. The banquet should start at 11:30 a.m. It's quite an affair; besides the core disciples from the sect, there will be dignitaries and powerful merchants from Oak City and nearby cities. After all, our Wind Elephant Sect is quite influential." Lisa smiled. "Come closer, let me fix your outfit."

Cassius took two steps forward, his back straight. He stood tall. As she straightened his clothes, Lisa said, "Look sharp, you guys are the stars of the banquet. The other core disciples of the Wind Elephant Sect have some connections with the powerful and wealthy, but you only became a core disciple recently. Not to mention, you’ve been holed up in the sect practicing non-stop without having met anyone. Most of the attention at today's banquet will likely be on you and your senior brother." She added teasingly, "There will probably be many beautiful girls at this banquet. If any of them catches your eye, just let me know. I'll help you out."

She smiled, appraising the tall and handsome Li Wei with satisfaction. Ever since that gloomy air had dissipated, there seemed to be a confident aura of masculine charm around Li Wei.

Lisa patted the light blue buttons on Cassius's chest. "Very handsome! Don't embarrass me now. Go on."

"I won't," Cassius said quietly. He walked forward slowly but looked back after a few steps. A figure squatted on the ground, coughing. They were wracking, making her back tremble as if she was coughing her lungs out.

Cassius paused and looked on, an inscrutable look in his eyes, until Lisa seemed to notice. He then turned and continued walking.

He knew he couldn't save her. He knew she practically had one foot in the grave. There was no point in being mired in helpless sorrow.

So what did Lisa want to see the most? A confident, determined, brave, diligent, and bright Li Wei. Cassius decided he was going to be that person, at least until this journey ended. It wouldn't hurt, right?

Ten minutes later, Cassius stopped and looked up.

A tall, theater-like building with a high spire loomed in front of him. Its exterior was intricately and grandly decorated. It had a huge sign at the main entrance that said Ferrole Hall in golden letters. Pure white walls surrounded the building with some ornamental trees peeking over the top. Two burly men dressed in black stood guard at the entrance.

Cassius glanced at them and walked over confidently. They didn't stop him and even respectfully called him "Senior Brother" as he passed through the gate. It turned out these two were fellow disciples of the Wind Elephant Sect.

"Stop right there! Where's your invitation?" one of the burly men suddenly called out.

A pale young man dressed in a suit and high hat froze at the entrance, his black cane held aloft. "Didn't that person just go in without an invitation?"

"Don't be ridiculous. You're not like our Wind Elephant Sect's fifth senior brother. This banquet is for the senior brothers! No invitation, no entry. Don't waste our time." The burly man crossed his arms, his bulging muscles looked especially intimidating.

"..." The young man opened his mouth but had no choice but to step back. He didn't dare announce his family name at such a large banquet. It would only bring trouble instead of respect.

Inside the estate, Cassius followed a path made of tiny cobblestones. When he reached the midway point, two servants dressed in white shirts, black vests and blue bow ties caught sight of him. One of them instantly brightened and approached him.

"Are you Mr. Li Wei?"

"Yes." Cassius nodded.

"Then please follow me," the person said respectfully. He turned to whisper to the other servant who quickly ran off.

Led by the servant, Cassius walked past the hall and headed for a towering building that had a black base and white walls. At the entrance, the servant stopped, unable to proceed further.

Cassius walked up the steps alone and pushed open the gilded doors. A spacious hall stretched out before him with a marbled pattern floor and square columns holding the ceiling up with the occasional green potted plant beside them. Landscape paintings hung at regular intervals on the wall.

The most striking of all was the large set of antlers installed on the wall directly opposite the door, with two axes wedged into it. Standing in front of the antlers was a burly bald man with arm muscles as thick as a tire and a bear-like build. He turned his head.

The burly man's fierce face was heavily scarred. One eye was covered by an eyepatch, adding to his aura of wild, animal-like ruggedness. This person not only looked like a bear but also had the demeanor of one. As the two stared at each other, the air thick with tension, the burly man spoke.

"You must be the little junior brother! I'm Moses. You should call me..." He paused to scratch his shiny bald head. "Fourth Senior Brother."

Ah. Guess he was a silly bear...