Free Web NovelChapter 1167: Chapter 377: Sincere but Close to Deceit
In the eyes of many, Lin Zhengren is a sincere gentleman, refined and courteous.
And very tenacious.
Or rather, "tenacity" is the deepest impression Lin Zhengren has left on these people during this period.
One should always pick the soft persimmons to squeeze.
They all know how many people are vying to fight against Lin Zhengren, and how much effort it took to "coincidentally" meet Lin Zhengren in the selection fights.
Everyone who ends up against Lin Zhengren naturally has the confidence to defeat him steadily.
Each of them appears stronger than Lin Zhengren on paper.
Indeed, that was the case.
After barely winning the preliminary matches, Lin Zhengren was almost completely dominated in the following two rounds of the competition.
He was bruised all over after each match.
But in every match, he persevered through gritted teeth, enduring hardship from start to finish. Always finding his opponent’s flaws in a seemingly hopeless situation, and turning defeat into victory.
He might not be strong enough, but he is indeed very tenacious.
Inspiring deep respect.
Somehow, he’s managed to make it this far, stumbling along the way.
Jing Street, an elegant courtyard.
Lin Zhengren stepped out of the yard modestly, sincerely saying, "Please, you don’t need to see me out further. I will seriously consider Sister Jiang’s advice."
After a good round of polite farewells, the people inside dispersed, and the courtyard door closed.
The cultivated expression on Lin Zhengren’s face showed no resentment or complaint, only a bit of worry. Shaking his head, he sighed and returned alone.
Being one of the vassal states, the increasingly rising Zhuang Country also boasts a fine courtyard in Jinguo’s region.
Of course, it could not compare to vassal states like Sheng Country.
Nor was there any need to compare it with Jinguo’s teams.
Lin Zhengren returned to the courtyard belonging to Zhuang Country, closed the gate, and sat alone on the stone chair in the courtyard, quietly waiting.
Du Ruhui was not idle at Guanhe Platform, constantly socializing these past few days. The ascending Zhuang Country needed a status that matched its position, but this was not easily obtained.
The esteemed State Minister of Great Zhuang Nation, spending each day dining with others, gauging various thoughts... It must be said, Du Ruhui has given much for his country.
However, Lin Zhengren has also been busy lately, participating in the selection fights and actively networking. He earned a commendable reputation among the elite of the vassal states.
In short, both of them were very busy, very diligent, and seldom had private moments to communicate.
But tonight, a discussion was necessary.
Lin Zhengren sat patiently, calm.
Many were eager to compete against him, but weren’t those picking on the soft persimmons also the targets he "selected"?
Though it appeared he was doing nothing but waiting.
The time spent waiting is often only recognized after the results are witnessed.
And this, Lin Zhengren was never short of.
He waited until late at night when the elder with hair as dark as ink finally stepped into the courtyard.
Seeing Lin Zhengren’s posture, Du Ruhui didn’t say much and sat across from him at the stone table, asking in a calm voice, "Something the matter?"
In the past several days of preliminaries, Lin Zhengren had won his matches with great "difficulty."
Regardless of his own perceptions, and irrespective of who he favored more, as the State Minister of Great Zhuang Nation, he would take good care of Lin Zhengren’s feelings.
Lin Zhengren now had the standing that merited his consideration.
Lin Zhengren looked up at this esteemed State Minister.
His daily social interactions did not seem to have tired him much.
But the persistent wrinkles on his face spoke of his exhaustive efforts. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Few Transcendent realm powerhouses need to be so weary, especially someone possessing top-tier Divine Skills like Zhi Chi Tian Ya.
Gazing at the kind face of Minister Du.
For a moment, Lin Zhengren even thought of his own grandfather.
But he quickly extinguished that thought.
In this world, there would never be another person who would treat him the way his grandfather did.
Never again.
He was very clear about this.
He didn’t actually need to think about it anymore since he had already decided. However, sitting opposite Du Ruhui, he still allowed himself to think it over again.
He reconsidered his choice of words.
Then he said, "Today, Jiang Limeng from Sheng Country found me."
Du Ruhui lifted his eyelids slightly, "Oh?"
"We will meet tomorrow," Lin Zhengren said. "Jiang Limeng’s intention is for me not to make needless resistance, allowing her to conserve more strength to easily advance to the main competition. Her exact words were ’We are all from vassal states of the Dao, your honor is also my honor.’"
Du Ruhui was noncommittal and only asked, "What do you think?"
Lin Zhengren, with his hands on his knees, replied earnestly, "The national interest is where my belief lies. It’s just that I am dull and don’t know how to choose, what aligns with the fate of our Zhuang Country, and which direction brings fortune to our nation. Therefore, I seek guidance from the State Minister."
Zhuang Country’s desire to obtain a matched position of strength heavily depends on the opinions of other Dao vassal states, especially a top power like Sheng Country.
When Du Ruhui himself spoke with the strong delegates from Sheng Country, he was extremely courteous. Naturally, being immensely respectful as a God Arrives cultivator to the True Man of the Age was also ordinary.
For these reasons, Lin Zhengren could not make the decision alone.
Hearing Lin Zhengren’s sincere and righteous disclosure, Du Ruhui smiled kindly. freewebnoveℓ.com
The two talented individuals from Wangjiang City Taoist Institute truly have drastically different personalities.
If one must compare.
The man before him was sincere yet nearly deceitful, not compared to Fu Baosong who was straightforward and selfless.
Both were capable in handling affairs.
Lin Zhengren was adept at winning people over, whereas Fu Baosong’s charismatic integrity was highly persuasive. In this regard, each has their unique strengths.
However, in transcendent strength, Lin Zhengren was a notch better.
The two individuals, each have different methods and must be placed in different positions.
His internal valuation and comparison, would not be voiced.
Du Ruhui said emotionally, "Unknowingly, you have reached this stage. It truly makes this old man proud."
Lin Zhengren respectfully said, "It’s all thanks to your careful guidance that I have this modest achievement."
Du Ruhui cheerfully said, "It’s your own hard work."
After laughing, he suddenly looked into Lin Zhengren’s eyes, "If you were to go all out in a battle, how confident are you?"
Lin Zhengren had anticipated this question.
Therefore, he had the answer ready.
"I have encountered Jiang Limeng in the Yellow Millet Secret Realm, I understand her. These past days I did not neglect to observe. Jiang Limeng, a national genius, is highly talented, strong, with rare Divine Skills and rich battle experience. My talent, realm, and cultivation techniques are inferior..."
Lin Zhengren spoke softly, "I have only sixty-five percent confidence."
Du Ruhui laughed.
He knew Lin Zhengren’s extremely cautious nature. When he says 65 percent, to others it could be 80 or 90 percent.
"Then."
Du Ruhui said, "You might as well ’needlessly’ resist. The main competition always needs participants, this old man thinks, not only is Jiang Limeng suitable, you are also quite fitting."
Lin Zhengren did not agree immediately, but instead said, "I still have one concern."
Facing Du Ruhui’s inquiring gaze, he said, "The resources behind The Gate of All Demons, I don’t know if we have the capacity to claim or sustain them."
Du Ruhui patted his shoulder, "Letting you young people worry about these matters."
He sighed deeply, "It’s my fault..."
"Go ahead without reservation."
He withdrew his thin hand and stood up to walk inside the room.
Leaving only his voice in the courtyard—
"If we can have a place beyond The Gate of All Demons. Then this old skeleton of mine, I wouldn’t hesitate to lay it to rest there."
