Chapter 248: Chapter 243: You, you always come up with something new for me
"Perhaps... Elder Yuheng wasn’t trying to persuade me not to be rash, nor was that his main goal," Feng Ziyang thought. "His main goal was to express his concern for me, and then let my master know of this ’concern’..."
Jiang Li suddenly understood the inexplicable expression Feng Ziyang had just shown.
It was awkwardness and embarrassment.
This inexplicable expression was one of difficulty.
Having realized this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but sigh deeply: Truly worthy of being an elder of our Dinghu Sect.
Even the tactics of flattering a goddess were so wise, so tasteful, and no matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t obsequious but simply showed concern for a junior. Yet, it fully achieved the effect of flattery.
With such tactics and wisdom, Jiang Li could only say: Bootlickers are indeed something else.
"Senior Brother, you have it tough too."
Jiang Li sighed and then made a cupped fist salute before taking his leave.
After all, Feng Ziyang was the host here, and it seemed more fitting for Jiang Li to leave first. Should Feng Ziyang be the one to go, leaving his guest here standing alone?
After he left, Chu Zhaoyuan, who had been observing the conversation, couldn’t restrain his curiosity and asked, "Senior Brother, why did that Senior Brother Jiang say you have it tough?"
Feng Ziyang said nothing, simply shook his head and sighed.
Then, he took out a piece of talisman paper and asked, "What do you think?"
"Sixth Brother has discovered your master’s thoughts," came a light, feminine voice from the talisman paper, with an unmistakable chuckle.
"That’s not it," Feng Ziyang said, his voice growing slightly stern.
What’s so funny? Have you never seen a bootlicker before?
No matter how much he bootlicked, that was still his master Feng Ziyang. He would not tolerate others laughing at him.
"Don’t be angry, don’t be angry," the woman chuckled, "Don’t forget, my master is also dead set on Elder Tianxuan, you and I are actually the same."
But clearly, the filial piety towards their master was not the same.
Just by listening to her laughter, ringing like silver bells, one could tell how amused she was.
"Let’s talk about serious matters," Feng Ziyang said, emphasizing the importance again.
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop laughing."
The woman gradually stopped laughing, and after a moment of silence, as if calming her emotions, she began to discuss important matters, "Sixth Brother is very rational and composed. Once you see Third Senior Sister’s intentions, you can make a decision."
"Can we form an alliance?" Feng Ziyang asked to confirm.
"If Third Senior Sister and Sixth Brother advance and retreat together, then an alliance can be formed," the woman confirmed.
"Then that’s good," Feng Ziyang said.
"Yes, that’s good. Once our Eldest Senior Brother is promoted, he will start overseeing us True Inheritors. Even if you and I are devoted to cultivation, it’s unlikely we can remain neutral. The only way to maintain the balance and avoid pointless conflicts is to join forces with Third Brother and Sixth Brother to continue holding the fort against Eldest Senior Brother," the woman explained.
Although leaning toward the Eldest Senior Brother or simply playing both sides wasn’t a bad thing and could even bring many benefits, doing so would make it difficult to maintain tranquility.
Leaning toward the Eldest Senior Brother would mean having to deal with Gongsun Qingyue and Jiang Li; maintaining neutrality would subject one to both sides’ overtures and tests, disturbing the peace and hindering cultivation, and playing both sides would be even worse.
Only by maintaining balance and preventing either side from progressing could one continue to enjoy tranquility. At the very least, they had to wait until they all reached the fifth-rank and were qualified to participate in the sect’s major affairs before getting involved in these conflicts.
Of course, even this approach harbored the risk of capsizing, but it was the simplest and most trouble-free method, yielding the best outcome.
And—
"I’m curious, Senior Brother; you’ve always been uncompromising in your desires, so why would you propose an alliance this time?" the woman inquired.
She had thought she would have to bring it up herself, maybe even persuade Feng Ziyang, to bring this about. She had not expected Feng Ziyang to take the initiative in proposing an alliance. This was quite unlike the Feng Ziyang she knew.
What made Feng Ziyang make such a decision?
"It’s not important."
Feng Ziyang spoke indifferently, severing the connection.
...
...
Elsewhere, after leaving Yuheng Hall, Jiang Li finally encountered no one else on his way.
He made his way back to Tianxuan Hall, and upon reaching Xuanji Palace behind it, he happened to see Elder Tianxuan, dressed in a white palace outfit, emerging from the inner chamber.
"You’re later than expected. Seems like you’ve run into others besides Elder Kaiyang," Elder Tianxuan said as she slowly sat down in the middle of the hall, where a jade throne appeared just in time to support her rounded contours.
Clearly, she had sensed Jiang Li’s return and appeared just at the right moment.
Even when Jiang Li had clashed with Ling Wujue, this elder had been watching from within Xuanji Palace.
Jiang Li heard the words, gave a bitter smile, then recounted all his experiences after boarding the ship to Tianxuan, including Elder Kaiyang’s questioning and gift, as well as his dialogue with Feng Ziyang. He even disclosed Elder Yuheng’s thoughts without any concealment.
When Jiang Li mentioned Elder Yuheng, there was no change in Tianxuan’s countenance behind her veil, showing complete indifference.
This was why Jiang Li, despite knowing Elder Yuheng’s thoughts, told everything to Tianxuan without any embellishments or exaggerations.
With Tianxuan’s wisdom, she could naturally discern Elder Yuheng’s thoughts and then disregard such petty schemes.
Although Elder Yuheng’s strategies were formidable, unfortunately, Tianxuan was not one to fall for them. If they had been successful, he would have had his way a long time ago.
Thus it is said, no matter how impressive a fawning admirer is, he is doomed to end up with nothing.
Even Elder Yuheng’s actions ended up giving Jiang Li a small assist.
Jiang Li’s frankness and openness clearly illustrated his lack of ulterior motives towards Tianxuan and showed his deep respect for his mentor, adding to the trust he had for his master.
Compared to Elder Yuheng’s thought processes, Feng Ziyang’s actions were more noteworthy.
"Feng Ziyang... the disciple of Yuheng who took on the role of the head of the Law Enforcement Disciples, did so because he is the True Inheritor of Yuheng Hall. His focus is truly on cultivation; he has little concern for other matters."
With fingers as flawless as divine jade, Tianxuan tapped the armrest of her jade throne lightly, her posture revealing a touch of languid grace, "He declared his inclinations likely because he wishes to maintain balance, avoiding disturbance to his tranquility. However, Feng Ziyang is not one to be so proactive; there must be someone with a similar intent advising him. That person would be the disciple of Elder Tianquan."
The disciple of Elder Tianquan — Yun Qiuchi, ranked fourth.
At the time Jiang Li became a disciple, this senior sister had been traveling outside, and Jiang Li had not yet met her. Unexpectedly, he would now interact with her in this manner.
"Do they wish to join forces with you, Senior Sister, to challenge our Eldest Senior Brother?" Jiang Li immediately grasped the intentions of Feng Ziyang and Yun Qiuchi.
"At least until they are of the same Realm as Yun Jiuye, they would join forces with you," Tianxuan spoke calmly, "Moreover, Yun Jiuye has quite a strategical mind, using the display of your strength to cause the others to worry. However, as soon as you and Qingyue become engaged, these small waves will dissipate immediately."
An old demon is quite a headache when scheming against you, but also immensely reassuring when they’re on your side.
With a simple exchange, she discerned Feng Ziyang’s thoughts, even exposed Yun Qiuchi, and effortlessly dispelled the tricks of Yun Jiuye.
A thought suddenly occurred to Jiang Li...
"Are you thinking,"
Tianxuan suddenly fixed her gaze on Jiang Li, her melodious voice carrying a warmth, "that having an elder in the house is like having a treasure?"
And indeed, that exact thought had crossed Jiang Li’s mind.
’Not good.’ Jiang Li struggled to swallow down the laughter bubbling up as an urgent warning in his heart.
Of course, he knew that the Jade Ruyi had signaled a warning again, but this time it was too late. Just that moment’s pause was enough for Tianxuan to confirm that Jiang Li harbored such thoughts.
[Disaster! Tianxuan already suspected Jiang Li knew about the chest padding incident, and now this sudden attack made it impossible to guard against.]
[One moment Jiang Li felt completely at ease, and the next, he was full of headaches.]
[Fortunately, at the critical moment, a stroke of genius flashed through Jiang Li’s mind.]
Jiang Li concocted a plan on the spot with the help of the Karma Collection.
"Disciple indeed had such a thought, but also felt it was inappropriate."
Jiang Li looked straight at Tianxuan, speaking frankly: "Because talking about having an elder in the house brings to mind the image of an old person. But Master is in her prime, showing no sign of aging; Master’s beauty is something even senior sister cannot match, how can it be said to be having an elder? Disciple was mistaken."
"You..." Tianxuan covered her mouth with her sleeve, hiding a smile she couldn’t suppress, "always manage to amuse me with something new."
Although Tianxuan knew Jiang Li was trying to sidestep potential trouble, she couldn’t help but be delighted. Especially the phrase "senior sister cannot match" hit just the right note of happiness for Tianxuan.
She had just been bothered by Gongsun Qingyue’s act of ’big ball hitting small ball’ and was feeling stuffy, then hearing that comment, how could she not be pleased?
Even if Jiang Li’s words were a bit inappropriate, Tianxuan had no inclination to mind.
’Good, that cooled me down.’ Jiang Li internally wiped a cold sweat from his forehead.
Conversing with this old demon was truly more exhausting than vying with Yun Jiuye, but thankfully, this hurdle was now behind him.
Even Tianxuan’s earlier suspicions were no longer an issue.
Master was happy, and everything else was easily negotiable.
Jiang Li waited for Tianxuan to finish laughing, and once the air cleared and her mood improved, only then did he continue discussing with her.
"Eldest Senior Brother’s Promotion Ceremony, disciple intends to be absent; may I ask if Master finds disciple’s decision proper?" Jiang Li continued to inquire.
He had been afraid of being impolite, but now he thought it better to ask the old demon’s opinion directly.
Whether it’s impolite or appropriate, the old demon had a keener judgment. This was indeed having an...advisor like a treasure.
Having finished laughing, Tianxuan leaned back in a relaxed fashion against her throne, her voice carrying a hint of languor, "The Heavenly Tribulation will aid in your comprehension of the Thunder Technique, and will further allow you to understand the Heavenly Phenomenon and refine your Yinglong Transformation; it’s a rare opportunity not to be missed. Do not let a bit of worry deprive you of this chance. If anything arises, your master will shield you."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li felt completely reassured. With his master covering for him, there was no need for further concerns.
He, Jiang, by nature was pure and certainly wouldn’t engage in actions that strayed from the path; his only fear was that his Eldest Senior Brother would fail to pass the tribulation and bring calamity upon him. But now, with his master’s promise, what was there to fear?