Xuanyi turned around and said, “If you really don’t want to be the mander of this hall, then choose from one of the four people who defeated you.”
Zhang He said, “But I think Pavilion Master Lu is the most suitable.”
Xuanyi asked in a low voice, “Do you really not understand or are you just pretending not to understand?”
“Ah?”
“Scram.”
Zhang He bowed and quickly left, looking extremely aggrieved.
…
After Zhang He left, Li Chun flew over from nearby. Seeing that Zhang He was in a bad mood, he said with a smile, “Victories and defeats are mon among warriors. Don’t be so dejected.”
“His Majesty has changed.”
“Huh?”
“Since His Majesty has bee a greater divine king, why should he look at other people’s expressions? Even when the Azure Emperor came, His Majesty didn’t lower his head in fear. Why is His Majesty so obsequious toward the White Majesty’s people?” Zhang He was truly puzzled.
Li Chun nudged Zhang He with his elbow and said in a hushed tone, “You dare to call His Majesty obsequious?”
Zhang He sighed. “I really wish I don’t have to say that, but actions speak louder than words.”
Zhang He had seen the way Xuanyi had acted around Lu Zhou. Xuanyi’s actions could only be described as obsequious.
Li Chun sighed softly and said, “Actually, I have the same thoughts as you. However, after today, I feel that things aren’t that simple.”
“Huh?”
“mander Zhang, remember your position and think carefully. Perhaps, you’ve been defeated too many times recently that you’ve forgotten how to think,” Li Chun said.
Zhang He was stunned.
Li Chun continued to say, “Pavilion Master Lu blocked the Azure Emperor’s attack today. Do you really think things are that simple?”
Zhang He frowned slightly. He straightened his back, regaining the aura of a mander. Then, he carefully recalled Xuanyi’s interactions with Lu Zhou. Soon enough, his eyes lit up.
…
The next day.
Shang Zhang Hall.
A graceful and elegant woman came to Shang Zhang’s side and asked softly, “Your Majesty, have you decided on the mander of Shang Zhang Hall?”
Shang Zhang looked ahead as he placed his hands on his back. He turned around before he said with a sigh, “Junhua, why don’t you decide for me?”
The woman was Kong Junhua, Shang Zhang’s wife.
Kong Junhua smiled and said, “I believe Your Majesty already has the answer. Why are you asking me?”
“Oh?” Shang Zhang smiled. “Why don’t you tell me what you think?”
“According to the rules, there can only be one mander in a hall. The position of mander in Shang Zhang Hall has been empty for so many years; it’s time for someone to take over. Those two girls are very talented, and their characters are good. Little Yuan’er is smart and innocent; Conch is generous and cautious. I like both of them very much,” Kong Junhua said. Her answer was very ambiguous.
Shang Zhang said, “There’s no need to beat around the bush, my lady.”
“Then, I’ll be blunt.”
“Speak.”
“Little Yuan’er is undoubtedly the best candidate,” Kong Junhua said. As for the reason, she did not state it. She believed Shang Zhang knew better than anyone why she had chosen Little Yuan’er.
Shang Zhang was not surprised by the answer. He sighed lightly. “Then, what about Conch?”
Kong Junhua said with a smile, “According to the Sacred Temple, we’re supposed to cultivate young talents for the good of the ten halls and maintain the balance of the world. Conch has her own place to go. The Xuan Meng Hall has already sent people to Shang Zhang Hall. It seems like they intend to support Conch as their new mander.”
“Xuan Meng Hall?” Shang Zhang frowned slightly. “Four of the hall masters have already fallen. The Sacred Temple is the only reason they’re able to survive until now. They’re chaotic without a leader, and it’s been like that for 100,000 years. I don’t feel at ease letting Conch go there.”
“It’s precisely because Xuan Meng Hall doesn’t have a leader that we should let Conch go there. Who knows if she’ll bee the hall master in the future? At that time, we’ll have another ally,” Kong Junhua said.
Shang Zhang fell silent. After a long time, he asked Kong Junhua, “What’s the Sacred Temple’s attitude like?”
“You know better than I do about this matter. The Sacred Temple doesn’t care much about these trivial matters. Great Emperor Ming Xin only cares about the balance between heaven and earth; he doesn’t even care if everyone dies. One of the Pillars of Destruction collapsed, affecting Shang Zhang Hall, but he didn’t even e over to have a look,” Kong Junhua replied.
“Is the balance between heaven and earth the only thing in Ming Xin’s heart?” Shang Zhang sighed.
“Perhaps, at his level, maintaining the balance is the most important.”
Shang Zhang scoffed. “Do you think Ming Xin is so good?”
Kong Junhua placed her index finger against her lips and made a hush gesture.
Shang Zhang said disapprovingly, “This is Shang Zhang Hall. So what if I criticize him a little?”
“I’m just afraid that the walls have ears,” Kong Junhua said.
As soon as Kong Junhua finished speaking, “Your Majesty, Madam, the Deputy mander Wu Xing of Xuan Meng Hall is here.”
Shang Zhang sized Wu Xing up as he said, “No need for formalities.”
Kong Junhua said, “Deputy mander Wu, I’ve already read your letter. However, don’t you think you’re too anxious to e over now?”
Wu Xing said helplessly, “I have no choice. The petition for the positions of manders has already begun. As you know, Xuan Meng Hall has been weak for 100,000 years. How can I possibly be a match for those Dao Saints? It’d be better to let the owner of a Great Void Seed take over the position of mander. With Emperor Shang Zhang’s support, there’d be no problems.”
Kong Junhua nodded before she looked at Shang Zhang.
Shang Zhang said, “I do have two very good candidates. However, they’re too young. I’ll remend other Dao Saints to you. What do you think?”
Wu Xing shook his head. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Although the minimum requirement to bee a mander is to be a Dao Saint, you know that many Dao Saints never break through for the rest of their lives. The ones who can go far are the owners of Great Void Seeds. Look at Lan Xihe of Chong Guang Hall. She’s not received a challenge so far. Who would dare?”
Shang Zhang was very hesitant. After all, Little Yuan’er and Conch were talents he had found with great difficulty.
Wu Xing hurriedly brought out a letter and respectfully handed it to Shang Zhang. “I’ve asked for the Sacred Temple’s opinion. This is the letter I received.”
Shang Zhang glanced at the letter, but he did not take it. Instead, he flicked his sleeve, turning the letter to dust. “The Sacred Temple has two Great Void Seeds’ owners as well. Why didn’t they give you one?”
“Mr. Qi Sheng is already the mander of Tu Wei Hall. I heard that the young man with the surname Zhu is now deciding on which hall to challenge,” Wu Xing said with a bow, “Your Majesty, please consider the bigger picture.”
Shang Zhang remained silent.
Upon seeing this, Kong Junhu said, “Someone, bring the two girls over.”
“Understood.”
A cultivator left. He returned 15 minutes later with Little Yuan’er and Conch in tow.
Kong Junhua knew Shang Zhang was soft-hearted and could not say much. Hence, she stepped forward and said with a smile, “Little Yuan’er, Conch.”
“Greetings, Madam,” Little Yuan’er and Conch replied in unison as they bowed.
When Wu Xing turned to look at the two girls, his eyes shone with joy.
Kong Junhua said, “I asked both of you here for an important matter, and I want to discuss it with you. Since His Majesty can decide on this matter, he wants to hear your opinion.”
“What is it?” Little Yuan’er asked curiously.
After Kong Junhua told the two girls everything, Little Yuan’er frowned. She looked at Wu Xing, who had a strange look in his eyes, and asked, “You want one of us to be the mander of Xuan Meng Hall?”
“That’s right.”
Kong Junhua smiled and said, “A mander is the symbol of status. He or she leads the hall and maintains the balance of the world. It’s an extremely high position in the Great Void.”
“Not interested,” Little Yuan’er said without hesitation.
Wu Xing: “…”
Kong Junhua continued to say, “Both of you are already Dao Saints. As for Little Yuan’er, it won’t be long before she bees a Great Dao Saint. Your talent is high and rare. You can’t miss such a great chance.”
Then, Kong Junhua looked at Wu Xing meaningfully. Whether or not he understood her meaning depended on him.
Wu Xing was not an idiot. He bowed and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, if possible, we would like this lady to bee the mander of Xuan Meng Hall.”
Then, Wu Xing extended his large hand toward Conch. Kong Junhua had been praising Little Yuan’er non-stop, if he still could not understand Kong Junhua’s meaning, he would be an idiot. How could he steal their favorite candidate? Moreover, he thought Little Yuan’er was too princess-like and not someone to be trifled with. He felt that Conch looked gentle and should be easier to deal with.
Upon seeing Wu Xing pointing at her, Conch said, “I’m not interested.”
Conch’s tone and attitude were exactly the same as Little Yuan’er’s.
Wu Xing: “…”
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