Free Web NovelChapter 850: Chapter 104: Observing Others
Who would have thought that a distinguished person like Jiang Wang would be as approachable as the boy next door, and even shy at times...
Zi Shu watched Jiang Wang lowering his head to drink tea, her thoughts drifting.
The disciples of Diao Hai Building chatted softly about various miscellaneous matters, while Li Longchuan, having made arrangements, was walking towards Jiang Wang.
Xu Xiangqian was continuously broaching topics to Zhao Wuyan.
Zhao Wuyan sipped her tea in small mouthfuls, barely responding to the conversation; she really had no room to interject since Yang Liu had taken over the conversation.
And vice versa.
Despite chasing after Zhao Wuyan, the ones who truly "enjoyed the conversation" were only Xu Xiangqian and Yang Liu from beginning to end.
Chen Zhitao, the eldest disciple of Diao Hai Building, entered the tea house amidst this atmosphere of everyone chatting about their own topics.
He was a man with thick eyebrows, a broad nose, an average build, ordinary looks, but a solid demeanor.
He obviously had just come from an outer island, still carrying the scent of the sea breeze.
"Eldest Senior Brother!" the disciples of Diao Hai Building all stood up.
At this time, it was hard to say if the master was already on his way to Binghuang Island, and it was uncertain why Chen Zhitao, the eldest disciple of Diao Hai Building, came here now.
Yang Liu, too, quickly excused himself from doting on Zhao Wuyan and hurried a few steps forward, "Eldest Senior Brother, why have you come?"
Chen Zhitao looked helpless, "I was nearby handling some matters and heard about Master Nanshuo’s issue, so I hurried over to see."
"I specifically asked you before if that damn Nanshuo Master really gave you any guidance, and you didn’t deny it! That made me lose face, and even dragged Instructor Zhao down with me."
Yang Liu spoke with a tone of complaint.
But such complaints showed his trust and closeness to Chen Zhitao.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Zhao," Chen Zhitao first apologized to Zhao Wuyan, then bitterly smiled at Yang Liu, "He indeed gave me some pointers, how could I deny it?"
Zhao Wuyan simply said she dared not.
Xu Xiangqian glanced at him sideways, his look one of seeing a swindler, but he remained silent.
"He’s just a swindler! What could he possibly teach you!" Yang Liu was somewhat agitated.
Actually, it was mainly to show Zhao Wuyan—See, it really wasn’t my fault; I too was duped by our own Eldest Senior Brother.
Chen Zhitao said rather awkwardly, "He told me when facing the current level not to lose heart, just endure through it, and sure enough... I did get through it."
"What sort of guidance is that!" Yang Liu frowned, "Such seemingly correct but actually useless garbage, anyone could say!"
Now, he seemed able to discern truth from lies, apparently forgetting when he was loudly proclaiming his ’revelation.’
Chen Zhitao was silent for a long while, "After God Arrives, I never saw him again. I didn’t expect he was deceiving people all this time."
Aside from saying this, his temperament was genuinely patient. As a Godly cultivator and the eldest disciple of the sect, he wasn’t angry about Yang Liu’s accusation but instead patiently explained, almost with a demeanor of ’reason above man.’
"Ah," Yang Liu sighed, "It’s not your fault, Senior Brother. We can only say we are too sincere and not wary of others. Unlike some who are concocted from conspiracies and easily sniff things out."
His words increasingly carried a different implication. It suggested that men like Li Longchuan and Xu Xiangqian could expose a swindler because they themselves were equally rotten to the core.
Xu Xiangqian lifted his chin, ready to start cursing.
Chen Zhitao stepped in before him, "Junior Brother shouldn’t speak like that. Several Fellow Daoists from Qi Country have helped our Near Sea Archipelago weed out the seditious elements, cleansing our seas. We all owe them gratitude."
After saying so, he even particularly greeted Li Longchuan and Xu Xiangqian with a bow, and he did not forget to include Jiang Wang, showing meticulous courtesy.
Jiang Wang had no influence in the Near Sea Archipelago, so he remained silent.
Xu Xiangqian studied Chen Zhitao’s expression carefully, trying to determine whether his words expressed gratitude or asserted authority.
Li Longchuan chuckled lightly, "Brother Chen, why be so formal? Binghuang Island is also in the Near Sea, where many of the Li Clan live year-round. The Near Sea Archipelago is my second homeland, contributing to my homeland is only natural."
Chen Zhitao treated him as an outsider, but he insisted this place was also his homeland.
Just like the major aristocratic families that have been engaging in maritime business with Qi Country all these years, Diao Hai Building is a grand microcosm.
The latter wanted to establish deep roots, while the former desperately resisted.
Chen Zhitao made no direct comment and then said, "It’s hard to say if the master was deceitful, although it doesn’t concern Diao Hai Building. However, failing to clarify the disputes promptly, I should take responsibility. As the foremost power on the sea, Diao Hai Building further has the duty to uphold justice. Thus, Disciple Yang, spread the word that anyone who was deceived by the master over the years just needs to provide relevant proof, and Diao Hai Building will help cover all their losses. There is no cap!"
It was a repetition of Li Longchuan’s measures, but using one’s own resources made it more impressive.
This "no cap" didn’t mean much since barely anyone dared to swindle Diao Hai Building. Whether capped or uncapped, it was mostly about those deceived by the master. But it certainly sounded magnificent when said aloud.
Li Longchuan didn’t say anything. Doing anything in the Near Sea Archipelago was inevitably connected to Diao Hai Building. That Diao Hai Building would interfere with Binghuang Island’s influence to prevent the Shimen Li Clan from gaining most benefits was predictable.
He just needed to secure the first wave of good reputation; anything beyond that was just extra profit.
After all, in the world of cultivation, the powerful were revered.
At this moment, among those present, both he, Xu Xiangqian, and Jiang Wang were part of God’s Inner Mansion. Chen Zhitao, however, was already a Godly Cultivator.
Strictly speaking, they were not on the same level.
Diao Hai Building’s twenty-four authoritative elders were divided into High, Middle, and Low ranks—clearly hierarchized.
Granny Bizhu and Hai Zongming were both authoritative elders, yet they both ranked low.
Chen Zhitao now possessed Godly Cultivation; even if he progressed no further, he would at the least be a Middle-ranked authoritative elder in the future. Of course, a more likely position for him would be as the future Lord of Diao Hai Building.
If Li Longchuan truly wanted to contend with him, he would only hit a wall.
The only one unwilling to take it lying down was Xu Xiangqian, who immediately snorted coldly, "Imitation is no form of flattery!"
The mocking tone was very clear.
Yang Liu, with a dark tone, said, "Xu, do you think my eldest disciple brother’s cultivation is also fake? Want to put it to the test?"
This test could have unpredictable consequences for Xu Xiangqian.
Xu Gaoe was not foolish either. He wouldn’t stubbornly bash his head against the wall. He just laughed, "I thought only three-year olds who couldn’t win fights would run crying to their parents, but it seems Diao Hai Building really brings out unique characters!"
Yang Liu immediately became furious, "Who can’t win against whom? Forgotten your knocked-out front teeth?"
Xu Xiangqian sneered, "And what about it, Miss Yang! That swelling above your left eye hasn’t been long gone, has it?"
"Who did you call miss!"
The two of them instantly started quarreling again, creating an uproar that hurt the ears.
Chen Zhitao himself was completely calm, watching Xu Xiangqian, showing no anger but only a slight smile, saying, "When three people walk together, there must be one teacher among them. Choose the good traits to follow, and correct the bad ones. Brother Xu, being an Academy disciple, surely understands this principle better than I do."
This open and magnanimous attitude certainly put him on a higher level than Yang Liu.
Jiang Wang silently observed all of this.
Chen Zhitao was from Diao Hai Building, and so was Yang Liu.
The powerful major sects that dominated the sea were composed of all kinds of cultivators.
Their temperaments varied, their capabilities differed, but they necessarily shared some common traits that united them together, only then could they confront the Furious Sea and battle fierce currents.
Daring to stand at the End of the World Platform, trying to capture dragons from the edge of the world.
Jiang Wang did not speak, but he was using his own methods to deepen his understanding of Diao Hai Building. freewёbnoνel.com
To know both others and oneself, one could be ever-victorious in battle.
It was somewhat regrettable that Chen Zhitao’s visit was brief, not allowing others to see more. He seemed to have heard the news en route and just casually dealt with the damaging effects of the dubious master’s incident before hurriedly leaving.
One couldn’t tell what kind of matters drove such a powerful figure to be constantly on the move.
