He turned around and said to Housekeeper Gui:
"Tell Brother Jingfeng, once he’s free, we’ll et again at Nine Palaces Platform."
Housekeeper Gui, clueless about the events in the main hall, smiled and nodded respectfully, diligently seeing the three guests out of the mansion.
...
...
"Yuanyang Temple’s attitude is so eager? Truly peculiar!"
Lu Zhongping caught sight of a Daoist robe amid the crowd and couldn’t help feeling curious. When he heard they specifically invited Bai Qi, he was even more surprised.
"We underestimated the young ones. No wonder they didn’t consider the Thirteenth Lineage important; it turns out they’ve already climbed to high branches with the Daoist Official!"
Zhu Jiren squinted his eyes. He had no prejudice against Ninghai Zen’s disciple, but because of Zhu Shou Rang’s death, it severed the kinship with the Fire Kiln for the Zhu Family.
Without Cyan Flower Kiln’s quality goods, it was equivalent to losing several ten-thousand-silver orders, plus a nephew with "Hundred Refinents Hand" martial prowess, a considerable loss indeed.
"Yuanyang Temple... just an old cold stove."
Zheng Xuanfeng lowered his eyelids and lifted his teacup:
"Not long from now, there will be the Grand Examination of the capital’s assessnts. Daoist Officials will be evaluated for their rits, or transferred, retired, or dismissed.
Daoist Chongxu at the age of sixty may not pass this test."
The Weapon Craftsman Zheng Family is a leading family in Yihai Prefecture, rumored to have close ties with the Celestial Water General’s Mansion, involved in not just military supplies but also so salt and iron transport duties.
"Brother Xingmiao has arrived. It seems the rumors are true; Brother Qunru’s third son, Guan Tingqing, recently traveled out of town, t with misfortune, seemingly connected to Pai Bang, causing quite the stir. He couldn’t spare himself, so he let Guan the Second handle it..."
Brokerage Master Feng Zitong, though conducting business out of town, was well-inford and shared the news with everyone.
"I’ve heard too. It seems Hall Master Helian Hu acted unfairly, forcing Hong the Dragon Head to diate. Unknown treasures were contested, leading to the death of the Thirteenth Branch’s legitimate heir."
Lu Zhongping couldn’t restrain his curiosity. Sitting beside him, Tao Liang remained silent; during the earlier debate about Bai Qilang securing the fourteenth seat, he said nothing.
After all, the Rice Shop Tao Family owed him a big favor.
This elder of the Tao Family had his returned son, Tao Yun, keep tight-lipped about the astonishing news of Bai Qi obtaining Tai Sui Chen Earth.
"My elder brother also grievously lost his beloved son, fell ill, and couldn’t get out of bed, so he sent to offer a stick of incense on his behalf."
After offering condolences to He Lichang, Guan Xingmiao sat down forcefully.
Soon after, he learned from Lu Zhongping about He Lichang wanting to add the fourteenth seat, intending to offer it to Bai Qilang.
Lu Zhongping knew Guan Xingmiao as soone who acted domineeringly and bluntly, so he purposely fanned the flas:
"Guan the Second, isn’t it absurd? The kid nad Bai, young and inexperienced, only relies on his master Ninghai Zen’s reputation to sit on par with us! Our Thirteenth Lineage isn’t lacking in experts..."
Seeing Guan Xingmiao’s face turning somber, Lu Zhongping assud it worked and wanted to add fuel to the fire, but the fierce glare made him feel the sharp burn, stalling his words halfway in his throat, unable to force them out.
"Short-sighted!"
Guan Xingmiao slamd the table heavily, causing the cups to shake and spilling the hot tea, making Lu Zhongping withdraw his hand in haste.
The latter thought Guan the Second was scolding He Lichang, hurriedly "advising":
"Calm down, Second Master. To be honest, Brother Li Chang indeed handled the matter poorly. How could he, out of fear of Ninghai Zen, seek to rope in his disciple..."
Guan Xingmiao, with a scornful look, glanced coldly at Lu Zhongping, displaying a "sumr insects cannot discuss ice" disdain:
"Master Lu, Master Zheng, your vision is too limited! Bai Qilang... is by no ans a re child flaunting Ninghai Zen’s na!
This person is a genuinely outstanding talent. Had he been born into a better family, in the Prefecture City or County City, he would have long been noticed by the Upper Sect.
Brother Li Chang wants to bring him into the Thirteenth Lineage; indeed, he has foresight, making a brilliant move!
But you all ruined the great plan!"
Lu Zhongping, being the elder of a trade, had never been scolded directly like this, and his face turned alternately pale and flushed, feeling utterly embarrassed.
"Guan Xingmiao! How dare you..."
"Silence, rodent!"
Guan Xingmiao shook his head in disappointnt. Having just sat down, he stood up again, seemingly disdainful of being in the company of several elders, and coldly threw down his words:
"Don’t you all rember, ten years ago, even with the combined force of the Seventeenth Lineage, you couldn’t contend with Ninghai Zen, showing just how formidable this nace is.
By adding the fourteenth seat, Brother Li Chang not only turns hostility into friendship, saving future trouble from Ninghai Zen’s provocations but also binds Bai Qilang with the Thirteenth Lineage, which is clearly a win-win fortune, yet you spoiled it with a few pieces of rat droppings ruining the pot!"
Guan the Second, unceremoniously and after a stern rebuke, bid farewell to He Lichang with a clasped hand and left with a flick of his sleeve.
For he had personally witnessed that terrifying scene where Bai Qilang struck and killed a great demon with a single punch.
This heavenly talent is almost certainly destined to beco one of the Four Cultivation Grandmasters.
The Thirteenth Lineage didn’t actively recruit him but blatantly rejected him.
"Truly foolish beyond compare!"
Guan Xingmiao lanted that if he had known He Lichang was inviting Bai Qilang, he would have co sooner.
Missing the chance to connect with such a hidden Flood Dragon in the pond was too regrettable!
A bunch of fools!
...
...
"What’s gotten into Guan the Second?"
Lu Zhongping, inexplicably insulted as a fool, lost face and didn’t linger long, leaving He Mansion with the young man called Mr. Zhou Er.
Once soone took the lead, the other elders who originally ca to offer incense found reasons to take their leave.
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