Free Web NovelChapter 973: Chapter 219 Perfect
Jiang Wang had just been through such an ordeal on the End of the World Platform; naturally, he couldn’t drink at Huai Island, lest someone poison him.
While Diao Hai Building certainly wouldn’t retaliate against Jiang Wang openly, there were undoubtedly many who felt aggrieved and dissatisfied in private. It was hard to say who might act on a sudden impulse.
As for why they chose to drink on the Zhong Xuan Family’s territory in Eternal Winter Island and let Yan Fu foot the bill...
One could only say that Zhongxuan Pang and Xu Gaoe really did have a lot in common in some respects.
Jiang Wang flew off the End of the World Platform and left with his friends.
Although nowadays on Huai Island, there probably weren’t many who would show them a good face.
But these people all had their own confidence, and none of them cared about such things.
Moreover... The people of Qi were never too popular on Huai Island to begin with!
The group swaggered through the streets.
Only Xu Xiangqian lagged behind the team, winking at Zhao Wuyan from a distance and whispering, "Instructor Zhao, there’s not much spectacle left to see on Huai Island, how about we experience the splendor of Eternal Winter Island? We’ll wait for you on the island!"
His unhidden infatuation with Zhao Wuyan was almost a public secret.
But he could totally understand, given Zhao Wuyan’s status as a representative of the Longmen Academy disciples, that she had her reservations. Not wanting to openly stand by Jiang Wang and oppose Diao Hai Building was not a problem. There was really no rapport between Zhao Wuyan and Jiang Wang.
Although many people thought Xu Gaoe was frivolous and even he himself didn’t think their criticisms were wrong, his feelings for Zhao Wuyan were absolutely genuine, and he was willing to respect any of her thoughts—except distancing herself from him.
A formidable life-and-death duel among friends had just ended, everyone was agitated, with mixed feelings of fear, concern, admiration, joy... In short, it was quite complicated, all crowding around Jiang Wang, patting him here and there as if afraid he was missing something.
He alone showed disdain.
When Jiang Wang was fighting desperately on the End of the World Platform, he too was focussed beneath the stage, almost wishing he could weave a fabulous tapestry right there to cheer him on.
But as soon as Jiang Wang finished fighting, he immediately put him out of mind, his thoughts filled only with Zhao Wuyan.
The moment he heard about going for drinks, the first thought was that Instructor Zhao must go too. The main character of the banquet, Jiang Wang, could be absent, but Instructor Zhao couldn’t be!
Of course, as shrewd as he was, he wouldn’t have just one plan in mind. After all, Instructor Zhao had only agreed to give him a chance, and hadn’t yet consented to be with him.
The road is long and its challenges many... Searching in every direction!
Therefore, Zi Shu suddenly heard a whisper in her ear.
"Sister Zi Shu! As the younger of the twin marvels of Gan Ma Mountain, I made my name in today’s battle. This peerless sword of mine can hardly conceal its radiance anymore..." Xu Xiangqian began by boasting about himself, seemingly with regret, then said, "We are hosting a feast at Eternal Winter Island, and you must grace us with your presence. My Brother Jiang’s mood has been greatly fluctuating recently; he might struggle to control himself while drinking. That fat guy named Zhongxuan Sheng likes flirting and charming the ladies; no telling how many girls will be there, and even less guessing if someone will take advantage of the situation to steal my Brother Jiang’s ’heart’. Ah, this worries me greatly."
Finally, he changed the subject, "But never mind that, I would like to invite you and your Instructor Zhao to join us at Eternal Winter Island for the feast. We’ll all drink and be merry together, won’t that be delightful! May I have the honor of your presence?"
Zhongxuan Sheng provided the venue, Yan Fu paid the bills, and Jiang Wang was the main character. Yet Xu Xiangqian casually used a "we" to appoint himself as the host.
Winning a girl’s heart, he made it sound as if he was plotting to take her life.
But no matter what, the effect was quite apparent.
Zi Shu’s eyes immediately lit up, and she turned expectantly to look at Zhao Wuyan.
Zhao Wuyan could tell from this that Xu Xiangqian must have said something to her, and it was certainly using Jiang Wang as bait again.
Feeling both annoyed and amused, she rubbed Zi Shu’s little head, "You... one day you’ll be sold by someone without even knowing it! Mmm... Let’s go a bit later and head there separately."
Zi Shu automatically filtered out the first part of the sentence and nodded vigorously, "Instructor is so kind!"
As long as she could go, being a few steps early or late didn’t matter much.
Seeing Zi Shu’s brightened eyes, Xu Xiangqian knew the deed was done, and he gracefully turned back, taking his place behind Li Longchuan.
...
...
On the End of the World Platform caressed by the billowing sea breeze, no one could maintain a calm state of mind.
The winners called their friends and went drinking.
The defeated died and their souls dispersed into ashes.
Meanwhile, high above the sky, two voices continued their conversation.
"So it’s settled then, what do you think?"
"So be it."
Two transcendent beings at the absolute summit.
In these five days, they conducted meticulous communication and negotiation.
Yet the topics of their discussions were utterly unrelated.
Their every word foretold the significant shifts in power dynamics of the Near Sea Archipelago, and even the entire Eastern Region.
The death of one Ji Shaoqing, the growth of Jiang Wang.
Were but gusts of sea breeze passing over the End of the World Platform.
Once passed, it passed.
...
...
"Huai Xin, the current situation still requires us to deal with the Sea Clan. Our conflicts with Jueming Island can escalate but must not break. The Tower Master understands your grievances, but since Shaoqing accepted the life-and-death challenge, the Tower Master cannot go back on his word. Moreover, the duel was fair, with everyone as a witness. Life and death are common matters; there’s no reason their prodigy can die, and ours cannot."
In a grand hall deep within the Sect’s headquarters, Chongguang Zhenren, whose face seemed radiant with light, spoke.
He stood in the magnificent hall, his demeanor gentle.
Gu Huaixin sat unmoved in his seat and expressionlessly said, "If Shaoqing was inferior in skill and died, then he died. There’s nothing about should or should not."
His Resentment Qi was not easily quelled. The First Elder Chongguang Zhenren paid him a visit, yet he did not even rise to greet him.
But in the throes of losing his beloved disciple, no one would hold his lack of proper respect against him.
Chongguang Zhenren sighed, "Strategy, bravery, diligence, and talent are all important, but what truly determines how far a person can go is their broader perspective. When Jiang Wang first came to the island, I merely thought him naïve about the ways of the world. Yet, from the Lost World to the End of the World Platform, he never shrank from difficulties, never despaired in the face of setbacks, never complained about injustice, never gave up, never retreated. I haven’t seen all of the widely acclaimed geniuses of Qi, but of those I have, none compare to him. Our Shaoqing..."
"I failed in my teachings." Gu Huaixin interrupted his long speech and, looking up at him, said, "First Elder, you surely haven’t come all this way just to remind me of this?"
"That’s not what I’m saying," Chongguang Zhenren replied, undisturbed by Gu’s attitude, and continued, "You can’t watch over him every moment. A master leads the way, but cultivation is up to the individual. You’ve guided him to a level of understanding, but ultimately, his life is his own to lead. He made it to this day through his own choices. You have done what you could; the Sect has done what it could. I’ve lived some years longer and simply wish to advise you... there’s no need to harbor resentment over this."
The Chendu Ancient Sword against Jueming’s military finger cot can’t be said to be the Sect doing nothing.
Otherwise, Jiang Mengxiong could have used the interference in the duel as an excuse to teach him a profound lesson.
Gu Huaixin, of course, understood this point.
But he had to show his resentment, and it had to seem unresolvable—although this tactic was not the most respectable, at such times, it was necessary.
With Ji Shaoqing’s death, his lineage had no youth capable of taking the lead.
He had already failed to rise to the rank of the Third Elder, and with this new blow, the impact was tremendous.
He had to make the Sect consider his feelings, to compensate for his loss.
Only then could he carefully plan for the future.
"Why even talk about harboring resentment?" Gu Huaixin spoke slowly, "Shaoqing was my direct disciple, the one I trusted most. I watched him grow up, and now, I watched him die. This is good, very perfect."
...
...
(That Chapter about clay sculpting should have been posted last night.
As I wrote it, it flowed out in one go, quite pleasantly. Considering the reading experience, there should have been an extra update last night; I was also prepared to do so.
But faced with the choices for the new plot, I started to hesitate again. Simply put, I spaced out...
This resulted in only having five Chapters in reserve. I must keep at least four Chapters as a buffer for thorough revisions because often while writing, I find better ways to express something, or more interesting plot developments, and I won’t hesitate to overturn my previous ideas. Without those four Chapters in reserve, I wouldn’t have the flexibility to change course and would have to continue on inertia, which I can’t tolerate.
At the same time, I need to have two more Chapters saved to ensure that if something unexpected happens, I won’t need to miss an update. So six Chapters is my safety line. By last night, I had already breached that safety line, so in the end, I didn’t do the extra update.
Consider it one update I owe you all. I’ll find a time to make it up. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
That’s all there is to say. Good night, everyone.)
