May 1, 2018
The dumbest thing in the world is when a fool thinks they can provoke a conflict between two geniuses and then reap the rewards.
However, the number of people enamored with this idea is countless, just like the unending chives in a vegetable garden. From minor relationship troubles to the rise and fall of nations, it’s all the sa. It seems that humanity, at its core, is just a lower form of life, beyond redemption.
As an exemplary student of the inner sect cultural courses at the Li Family Mansion back in the day, Shen Qingming certainly learned this from extensive history lessons.
Yet, as a mildly ntally challenged individual among lower life forms, Shen Qingming naturally forgot all this and began eagerly imagining in her mind the scenario where Zhao Chenlu and Qian Yue engage in intrigue, both suffer losses, and ultimately crawl at her feet to pledge allegiance.
"Does it feel good?" A familiar voice ca from the side.
The girl instinctively nodded: "Not bad... hey!? Why are you getting so close?!"
Qian Yue had a mischievous grin: "I wanted to see if the kneeling posture of Zhao Chenlu and looks good in your mind."
Caught red-handed, Shen Qingming’s face turned crimson: "What nonsense are you talking?"
Qian Yue gently covered her mouth, showing an exaggeratedly surprised expression, and said, "Oh, not a bad reaction. I thought you would scream ’how did you know!’."
Wang Jiu interjected: "Generally speaking, those who ask such questions have an intelligence index below 3; her ancestor Shen Kaishan is a classic example."
"I see, I underestimated you. Even when exposed, you rationally maintain a basic defense."
Shen Qingming felt like a large white pig hung up by two skilled butchers, waiting to be slaughtered and drained, exposed to all kinds of inhumane treatnt.
"Don’t you two have any serious business to attend to?"
"Of course." Upon ntioning serious business, Qian Yue imdiately reigned in the teasing smile towards Shen Qingming and said seriously, "Mr. Wang Jiu, how about setting the wedding in July?"
Shen Qingming was furious: "How is this serious business!? We are asking you about Zhao Chenlu, what do you think?"
Qian Yue replied: "Is there even a need to ask? Of course, I unconditionally support all her decisions."
"...What?"
Qian Yue said: "City Lord Zhao is the modern idol of our Qian Family. Any family that values comrce sees her as an idol. The policies she implented in the industries led by City Lord Golden Jade are, in our eyes, as incredibly brilliant as Mr. Wang Jiu’s swordsmanship. If a cultivator fails to be impressed by Mr. Wang Jiu’s swordsmanship, they do not deserve to be a cultivator. Similarly, after learning about City Lord Zhao’s experiences, if one doesn’t feel admiration for her, they are no different from those muddled fools."
Being implicitly labeled a fool, Shen Qingming gritted her teeth and said: "But Zhao Chenlu wants to oppose the Saint Sect."
"So what?" Qian Yue blinked her eyes, "Isn’t the Saint Sect allowed to be opposed?"
This confident yet nonchalant stance made it seem like the Saint Sect, which has been the head of Xiangzhou’s Immortal Dao for two thousand years, was nothing more than an unlicensed roadside barbecue stand.
If Qian Yue knew Wang Jiu and Zhao Chenlu’s true identities, it would be understandable, but she seemingly had no clue.
The true identity of the Celestial Divine Sword is known by only a handful of people. Although in theory, any secret known by more than one person is nearly guaranteed to leak and spread widely, Shen Qingming didn’t think Qian Yue had discerned Wang Jiu’s true identity.
Her disrespect for the Saint Sect ca purely from her innate rebelliousness.
Thus, it made it even harder for Shen Qingming to understand the thought process of the other.
There was no doubt Qian Yue was extrely clever. Why did she lack basic respect for the Saint Sect?
"I do respect the Saint Sect. I have never overtly disobeyed the instructions of the Saint Sect, but there’s no need to truly sanctify it. As long as there is enough benefit, there is no one who cannot be opposed."
Shen Qingming ill-intentionally asked, "So you could also oppose Wang Jiu?"
Qian Yue smiled: "If defeating him ans I could marry him, I would have made my move long ago."
This kind of pompous yet shaless remark is truly breathtaking.
"Moreover, since the plan was proposed by City Lord Zhao Chenlu, it certainly won’t be a ridiculously suicidal act. On the contrary, once successful, the benefits will be hard to estimate. Once the organization that has oppressed the people of Xiangzhou for two thousand years is overthrown, the entire Xiangzhou will be my stage before a new order is established." Qian Yue spoke, noticing that Shen Qingming didn’t truly understand the aning behind her words, she kindly explained, "Simply put, I can take advantage of the chaos, bankrupt the Cyan Cloud Li Family first, then acquire the Li Family, and demote you to a maid to wash my feet."
"Dream on!"
Qian Yue laughed, "If a person doesn’t have dreams, what’s the difference between them and salted fish? Anyways, to make you wash my feet, I’ll certainly support City Lord Zhao Chenlu with all my might."
"You!?" Shen Qingming was nearly furious, "You’re willing to conspire with a tiger for such a vulgar reason!? That’s Zhao Chenlu, be careful she doesn’t eat you alive."
Qian Yue said, "When has she ever eaten her allies?"
Shen Qingming said, "Haven’t there been fewer tis she’s backstabbed her allies? Ten years ago during the Primordial..."
"The Primordial Ruins expedition organized by the Saint Sect? Indeed, she kicked everyone out of the team except herself during that operation, and enjoyed all the benefits alone. But you only see her monopolizing the benefits and don’t see that she also bore the risks alone. The risk assessnt after that operation was unprecedentedly ’Ultimate’ level, aning even if the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect personally ca, there’s no absolute guarantee of retreating safely. And those people who were on the team with her at the ti were infighting for fa and profit before even setting off, they weren’t qualified to be called allies, just pigs wearing ally skins. If they truly delved into the Primordial Ruins, the whole team would have been wiped out. City Lord Zhao Chenlu kicked them out early on, saving all their lives, and later acquired important Primordial Ruins assets, handing over two-tenths to the Saint Sect as per prior agreent. From start to finish, she was fair and upright, leaving no ground for criticism."
Shen Qingming retorted, "That’s all your subjective assumption, there’s no evidence proving those people wouldn’t have succeeded if they went deeper into the ruins, right?"
"The ’Ultimate’ rating was personally determined by the Saint Sect. You can go argue with the Sect Leader," Qian Yue giggled, her eyes completely like a human looking at a foolish sled dog.
A mont later, Qian Yue restrained her smile and explained seriously, "It’s normal for you to have a sense of opposition to City Lord Zhao Chenlu. When I learned in QingCyan Cloud yun City that City Lord Zhao Chenlu had ties with Mr. Wang Jiu, I also couldn’t help but feel antagonistic. But I quickly realized that such emotions are unnecessary and aningless because I’m not Zhao Chenlu’s match at all. This sense of opposition is purely self-inflicted trouble. When you can’t overpower soone, joining them in seeking mutual benefit is the right path."
Shen Qingming asked, "Mutual benefit? Zhao Chenlu is so proud, does soone like her need to achieve mutual benefits with others?"
"You really overestimate her, City Lord Zhao Chenlu, while great, isn’t an omnipotent immortal. The coup in Golden Jade City itself proved she can misjudge, can fail, and needs others’ help. And I will definitely show her my value."
This confident attitude of a loyal dog heavily undermined Shen Qingming’s calculations to fight poison with poison. However, as the saying goes, after exhausting all options...
When Wang Jiu led Qian Yue and Shen Qingming back to the Golden Jade City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Chenlu was visibly surprised at Qian Yue’s appearance.
"Dear, when did you develop a habit of picking up stray cats and dogs?"
Qian Yue, honored as a stray cat and dog, was not least bit annoyed, and smiled as she saluted, "Greetings, Lord City Lord, I am Qian Yue from QingCyan Cloud yun City."
Zhao Chenlu said, "I know you, no need for introductions, please leave."
Though Qian Yue was witty, even she was montarily dumbfounded at that instant. But she soon realized the true aning behind Zhao Chenlu’s words, and nodded with a smile, "Yes." Then obediently withdrew.
Shen Qingming, expecting a showdown of fighting poison with poison, was greatly disappointed by Qian Yue’s reaction. Though the Qian Family’s younger generation in QingCyan Cloud yun City was insignificant compared to the City Lord of Golden Jade City, it was still surprising and disappointing for Shen Qingming to see soone of Qian Yue’s disposition yield without resistance.
Where is that defiant attitude of yours? Why do you beco soft so quickly when facing a stronger person?
And after Qian Yue left, Zhao Chenlu suddenly sighed, "What a smart and clever girl. Dear, you always have such characters around you."
Shen Qingming, beside Wang Jiu, frowned, knowing very well that the comnt definitely wasn’t about herself...
Wang Jiu then said, "You’ve thought of Shang Lanfei again?"
"Yes." Zhao Chenlu nodded, "Although when she was alive, I wished for her death, now that she’s gone I yearn for her to co back... at least until I can defeat her in chess once, then she can die without regret. After the great battle, only I revived, and it’s rather lonely. Just now, I seem to see a hint of her shadow in Qian Yue, maybe it’s an illusion?"
Wang Jiu said, "It’s an illusion; Qian Yue has no inheritance from the Shang Family, whether it’s cultivation techniques, bloodline, or temperant. She and Shang Lanfei are two unrelated individuals."
"I think so too, if it were truly Shang Girl reincarnated, she would’ve found a way to stay here to spite . Being so obedient to leave has to be soone else..." As Zhao Chenlu spoke, she closed her eyes, "Truly a pity."
Listening to this, Shen Qingming suddenly sensed Zhao Chenlu’s emotions.
During the Jiuzhou Era, they were rivals intent on hurting each other upon eting, yet on the other hand, they were also comrades who lived and died together, and acknowledged each other’s strength as partners. No matter how many grievances existed in the past, when facing loneliness alone, the solitude is inevitable.
It was at this mont that Wang Jiu suddenly said, "Shang Lanfei’s genius wasn’t achieved overnight. Before she was fifteen, her intelligence index didn’t reach 9."
That one sentence made Zhao Chenlu’s eyes light up.
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