All outside people were astonished and looked at Chen Yun in silence.

    Even a strong, robust farmer wielding a sharp axe would need nearly half an hour to successfully fell this towering tree with a trunk as thick as a sea bowl.

    Now, Chen Xian Chang only intercepts the test of magical power to cut it in half?

    Everyone can't help but show interest. What is the power of the law so huge?

    But one can't just ask directly about such things.

    Zhang Chengfan is truly an old and cunning person. As soon as his eyes moved, he immediately had an idea.

    As I see him bowing and greeting, he said: "I have met Chen Xianzhang. When we went out to track down the grass bandits of Huang Niao yesterday, we neglected the Xianzhang. We hope for more forgiveness."

    Chen Yun waved his hand, saying, "Never mind."

    Zhang Chengfan exposed his fox tail, "Since Xianzhang Chen has not rested yet, why don't we share a late-night snack together? I have already ordered some wine and food. Can Xianzhang join me for a small drink?"

    Chen Yun is not fond of dealing with people, but today Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shiwei, and others sent troops to help him eliminate Liu Guibi. Now they are actively inviting him to share a late-night snack. If he doesn't accept the invitation, it would be too pretentious.

    He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, let's invite my Zhang senior brother too."

    ...

    The kitchen at the back yard.

    A group of people were gathered around the table.

    Several precious delicacies were placed on the table.

    Such as steamed bear paw, steamed big yellow fish, abalone and so on.

    After all, this is an inland area, and it's relatively easy to find mountain delicacies. However, big yellow fish and abalone are quite rare.

    To be honest, this group of officials really knows how to enjoy themselves.

    Zhang Chengfan, with a smiling face, pointed at the big yellow fish and said, "Xianzhang Chen, the Shifou fish is a top-grade delicacy in the world. Why don't you and Xianzhang Zhang try some?"

    Chen Yun nodded and said, "Alright, thank you, Zhang General."

    He said while taking a fork of the big yellow fish and tasting it. A burst of deliciousness from the taste buds.

    Seeing him eat it first, Zhang Qian then picked up a piece of fish as well.

    Shortly after, Zhang Qian couldn't help but praise, "As General Zhang said, this is indeed a top-grade delicacy in the world."

    Wang Shiwei smiled and said, "Once the Poet Saint Du Fu wrote a poem about Shifou fish. Unfortunately, he has long since passed away. We are not knowledgeable about poetry, but if we were to write a poem tonight, it would definitely be an act of tribute."

    Chen Yun smiled, "I actually heard a poet write a line about Shifou fish, which you may not have heard of."

    "Oh?" Sun Zheng, as a literatus, was the first to brighten his eyes and said, "Please Xianzhang Chen tell us."

    Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shiwei, and Zhao Ke, and others watched intently.

    Chen Yun reflected for a moment and then said: "Yellow fish steamed with the essence of osmanthus, fresh powder skin and white lotus appear. The sound of the phoenix flute echoes far in the path of poetry, the divine candle illuminates my body."

    "Hooray! Excellent poem!" Sun Zheng couldn't help but clap and cheer.

    Zhang Chengfan and Wang Shiwei have not as high literary attainment as Sun Zheng, but they can also appreciate the quality of this poem. They both subtly nodded in approval.

    Only Zhao Ke, this rough man, looked completely baffled. In his ears, there were only osmanthus flowers, powder skin, and white lotus root; he didn't understand anything else.

    Perhaps it was because a poem evoked everyone's emotions.

    Next, Sun Zheng and Zhang Chengfan tried to write a poem each.

    After three rounds of drinks, everyone was slightly inebriated.

    At this time, Zhao Ke, under the influence of alcohol, asked curiously, "Xianzhang Chen, what kind of magic spell did you test earlier? How could you cut down a tree in one blow?"

    Hearing this, Zhang Qian, Sun Zheng, Zhang Chengfan and Wang Shiwei all perked up their ears.

    After having a few sips of wine, Chen Yun also felt a bit tipsy and smiled, saying, "It's this artifact."

    After speaking, a cold light suddenly shot up in the candlelight.

    Everyone rushed to look, and saw a needle of finger length with a cold glint emitting rays in mid-air.

    "Oh, this needle can fly in mid-air?" Zhang Chengfan said with a slight astonishment.

    Wang Shiwei looked up with reverence and said, "The divine weapons of the immortals are indeed extraordinary."

    Zhao Ke and Sun Zheng also found it very magical, constantly gazing at the needle.

    Only Zhang Qian had seen such things before. As soon as he saw the flying needle, he showed a look of fear, for it was a powerful magical artifact that even two or three hundred elite soldiers could not deal with!

    "It's quite magical that this needle can fly in the air." Zhao Ke squinted his eyes, somewhat perplexed, "But just one needle, how could it cut down a tree?"

    Chen Yun laughed and said, "General Zhao, you don't know how powerful this flying needle is. Let me show you."

    With that, he used his spiritual awareness to drive the flying needle to rush towards the stone by the door.

    Suddenly, a sound of breaking through the air.

    Soon after, everyone saw the cold light penetrate the stone and then fly back.

    But the stone before them showed no reaction.

    Zhao Ke was somewhat perplexed and said, "Xianzhang Chen, what......"

    Before he could finish his sentence, the stone split "crack" in the middle.

    The crowd hurriedly looked towards the stone under the moonlight and then all took a deep breath in astonishment!

    It looked as though something colossal had shattered the stone from within, causing it to split open.

    Zhang Chengfan couldn't help but marvel, "Alas, a stone this big splits just from being pierced once. What would happen if it pierced a person?"

    Wang Shiwei's pupils contracted and said, "Even if wearing iron armor, it might not be able to withstand the power."

    Zhao Ke's eyes widened even more, as if he couldn't believe the power of a needle could be so terrifying.

    Sun Zheng wiped the sweat from his brow and complimented, "The divine weapons of the immortals are indeed beyond our understanding. Xianzhang Chen, please put away your divine weapon."

    Chen Yun only reached out and made a gesture, and the flying needle disappeared into his sleeve.

    This sudden development made Generals Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shiwei, and Zhao Ke even more eager to befriend Chen Yun.

    Such fierce divine weapons, when used on the battlefield, would be unbeatable for anyone.

    Now the Tang army is fighting fiercely with Huang Niao's army.

    All these generals are contemplating that if they encounter any formidable general on the battlefield that they can't deal with, wouldn't it be a matter of Chen Yun's mere touch to subdue them?

    That's why, later on, several people surrounded Chen Yun and praised him excessively.

    "What a powerful Chen Xianzhang!"

    What a true scion of the sacred sect.

    No matter how exaggerated it was.

    Finally, the late-night meal was nearing its end.

    Zhang Chengfan, who had been drinking, had a red face and belched. He said, "Xianzhang Chen, during our mission to suppress the Yellow Turban bandits, we searched for many gold and jewels in the farmhouse. As the main force, I consulted with Wang General, Zhao General, and Sun Magistrate and decided to donate some of the looted goods to you."

    Chen Yun was not particularly interested in silver and treasure, but since he was indeed the main force this time and allowed the generals and Sun Magistrate to gain merits, it would be hard to refuse this gift. This can be considered as war loot.

    So he didn't refuse, but out of curiosity, he asked, "How much wealth did you find in the den of thieves?"

    Zhang Chengfan stretched out three fingers and said, "The combined value of gold, silver, and jewels is about 3000 taels of gold!"

    Zhang Qian was shocked and exclaimed, "How come the Yellow Turban bandits have so much money?"

    Chen Yun was also somewhat taken aback. Three thousand taels of gold is equivalent to thirty thousand taels of silver!

    Wang Shiwei smiled and said, "These Yellow Turban bandits secretly trained dead soldiers. How could they possibly have enough money without it? The annual pay for my army is 12 silk brocades and 12 sacks of rice, with each silk brocade previously costing 200 coins, but with the current war and turmoil, its price has increased to 1600 coins per silk brocade. Similarly, one sack of rice previously cost 30 coins, but with the current inflation, it has soared to 200 coins per sack. Six sacks of rice make one stone, so you can calculate how much a soldier's annual pay would be. That's equivalent to 33 liang and 6 cash in silver! This only accounts for the pay. If we add other daily expenses like food and clothing, it might reach 40 liang. There are over a hundred soldiers in the bandit gang. Just their annual pay and food expenses alone would cost over 4000 liang of silver. That's not even counting the cost of buying weapons."

    After listening to Wang Shiwei, Chen Yun felt that it was indeed the case. It's true that ancient armies are extremely expensive to maintain.

    Wang Shiwei said so, then squinted and smiled, "We've reserved 1000 liang of gold for Xianzhang Chen."

    Zhang Chengfan added another sentence, "I have an empty house in Luoyang that I no longer need, and I heard that Xianzhang Chen was planning to visit Luoyang. It would be a waste not to use it. So, I'll also give it to Xianzhang Chen."

    A house of moderate scale in the capital of the Tang Dynasty would cost at least 100,000 taels of silver.

    Generally speaking, a house that someone of Zhang Chengfan's rank would live in would cost at least two to thirty thousand taels of silver, which is again several thousand liang of silver.

    Of course, Chen Yun could understand that Zhang Chengfan and Wang Shiwei were flattering themselves.

    If it were before, Chen Yun would have refused without a second thought, as he had no great desire for money.

    But now that they are openly courting, if you refuse at this moment, it would be like rejecting them face-to-face.

    Moreover, Chen Yun thought about his good brother Zhang Qian, who would be developing in Luoyang soon. He didn't have a place to stay yet. If Chen Yun accepted the mansion, it would at least provide Zhang Qian with a place to settle down.

    After a moment of thought, he did not refuse but stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, all the generals."

    "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy."

    "Xianzhang Chen, you don't have to be so formal."

    Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shiwei, Zhao Ke, and others quickly rose to return the greeting.

    They were overjoyed to see that Chen Yun was willing to accept their "currying favor."

    Then Zhang Chengfan had his people bring over the flying money and land deeds to present to Chen Yun.

    Flying money, the precursor to the jiaozi, is a type of certificate issued by the government for the transfer of commercial funds.

    Simply put, it's a currency substitute for transferring funds. As long as you present the flying money to a designated department and get a certificate, you can withdraw an equivalent value of money.

    Chen Yun never imagined that he would end up with 10,000 taels of silver and a mansion worth several thousand taels of silver simply by eliminating Liu Guibi.

    Although he didn't care about worldly possessions, it was still a pleasant surprise.

    Chen Yun was satisfied with the outcome of this mission.

    Of course, he didn't care much about the flying money and land deeds.

    At this moment, Chen Yun could only think of arriving in Luoyang as quickly as possible to return the Zhongkui talisman, and then going back to Xigou City to seek revenge on Lin Feiyun!

    (Chapter complete)