Upon entering the tavern, a neatly dressed waiter ushered Han Li inside.
Instead of heading to the second floor, Han Li found a secluded corner on the first floor, ordered a few small dishes, and began to quietly observe his surroundings.
The first floor was filled with a diverse mix of patrons, reminiscent of other taverns Han Li had seen. From porters and laborers to small-time merchants, all sorts were present.
The only noteworthy sight was a group of five or six burly men, dressed uniformly and each carrying a long, cloth-wrapped bundle by their side. Han Li didn't need to use his divine sense to guess that these bundles contained weapons, likely swords. Judging by their attire, they were probably members of some gang.
This scene gave Han Li a sense of familiarity, reminding him of his days at the Seven Profound Sect.
As his divine sense brushed over these men, he could clearly hear their conversation, which was predictably about gang conflicts. Han Li quickly lost interest and shifted his attention to other patrons.
At that moment, two young scholars walked in from outside, chatting animatedly as they strolled forward.
"I heard that this time, when Minister Han returns to pay homage to his ancestors, not only will the governor personally visit, but the Fan and Li families will also send representatives. It seems the Han family is going all out this time and can't keep a low profile."
"Indeed! I heard that for this ancestral ceremony, the Han family has sent letters far and wide, summoning all branches of the family, near and far. Even the slightly notable gentry of Jingzhou are sending people to witness the event. It looks like the Han family is soon to join the ranks of the three major families of Jingzhou alongside the Fan and Li families."
"Remarkable! The Han family's rise over just a hundred years is truly incredible."
"There's nothing surprising about it. Ever since the Han family produced a distinguished scholar, they have been on an unstoppable rise. Subsequent generations have consistently earned official positions, leading to their current prestige. Why don't we also go and..."
The two scholars casually sat at a table near Han Li.
"Han family!" Han Li was taken aback upon hearing this, eager to hear more. However, the two soon changed the subject to discussing classical poetry, much to Han Li's frustration.
After a moment of thought, Han Li stood up and approached the two scholars.
"Greetings, gentlemen. My name is Han Li. May I inquire which Han family you were discussing earlier? I have also returned here on a letter's call for an ancestral ceremony. However, having grown up away from home, I am quite unfamiliar with the family and the ceremony location. Could you please provide me with some guidance?" Han Li asked politely.
"Ah, so you're a Han family member! We apologize for not recognizing you. There is only one Han family around here—the Han family of Wuli Valley." The two scholars were initially surprised but quickly responded, noting Han Li's scholarly appearance and polite demeanor, which aroused no suspicion.
"Wuli Valley!" This was indeed the small village by the mountains where the Han family had resided. The village, located in a five or six-mile-long valley, was aptly named.
It seemed likely that the Han family they discussed was indeed his own.
"If it's Wuli Valley, then this Han family is indeed my own. Could you tell me more about the current situation? I have never participated in an ancestral ceremony and wouldn't want to make a fool of myself." Han Li asked calmly.
