Yan Zhaoge drew back the corners of his lips, “Oh…you can say that.”
Ah Hu asked, “Then why doesn’t he just directly bribe the First Seat Elder of the Sand Region and the Principal Elder of the Howling Wind Sword Sect? After all, they are the ones always stationed here. Young Master is just passing by and staying temporarily.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Because Elder Bai would also do so, not standing there just watching his competitor go to great pains while not doing anything himself. Exchanging moves, they would do so directly till both of them lost out.”
“I came very suddenly, making it not difficult for the elders to both to come over directly. That would really not look nice at all. Therefore, they have been looking for a chance to seize the initiative.”
“Haven’t Elder Hong and the Lian Family found this reason to come over now?”
Yan Zhaoge sent a sound transmission to Ah Hu, “I predict that Elder Bai has received the news, and his people are already on their way here to test the waters. Along with Lian Chongyi, it is just a matter of coming before and coming later.”
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest smile, “Young Master, this is your chance to strike it rich ah.”
Hearing these words, Yan Zhaoge didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. It was the first time that this kind of problem had surfaced along with his gradual increase in position.
Frustration ah, this bro is a good guy-aren’t they specifically enticing me to make a mistake?
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 234: Continuing to give presents, each revealing their formidability
HSSB234: Continuing to give presents, each revealing their formidability
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Lian Chongyi actually felt a little uneasy within his heart.
By common logic, coming personally to apologise with gifts to a Martial Scholar as a Martial Grandmaster was a great show of his sincerity, and the other party would most likely give him face and accept the gift.
Otherwise, it would be humiliating for him as a Martial Grandmaster, with an irreconcilable enmity springing up between the two.
But Yan Zhaoge was far from an ordinary Martial Scholar. Even if he shut the door in Lian Chongyi’s face, Lian Chongyi would only be able to take it smiling bitterly.
Not only could he not think of vengeance, Lian Chongyi would even have to think of a way to find someone to speak for him, alleviating the tensions between the two.
Of course, by the rumours Lian Chongyi had heard, while Yan Zhaoge was rather high profile and arrogant, he was not hard to get along with most of the time, and would most likely not be so brutal.
However, Lian Chongyi still lacked confidence, because his motives were already impure.
While he was here to personally apologise, he also held some other intentions.
If he could, Lian Chongyi would not want to rush things like this. It would be best if he made another trip later on, naturally bringing his plans to completion.
But firstly, he didn’t know when Yan Zhaoge would leave the Sand Region, and secondly, Elder Bai’s side would react immediately, also sending people over. If Lian Chongyi and Elder Hong wanted to seize the initiative, they had to seize it firmly, fighting for that difference in timing.
Therefore, they had no choice but to take the risk of Yan Zhaoge being unhappy with them instead.
Glancing at Lian Chongyi, Yan Zhaoge smiled mildly, “Fortress Lord Lian is polite. While your family’s Lian Ying was wrong, it fortunately did not lead to an unsalvageable result. Actually, he was also used by others, and has already paid with his life. Therefore, I do not intend to pursue the matter further.”
“If any antagonistic words of my clan’s martial practitioners have made their way into Fortress Lord Lian’s ears, please take it as them being too emotional and do not take it to heart. I will warn them later.”
Lian Chongyi hurriedly denied it being so, as Yan Zhaoge’s gaze shifted to that container of Jade Spring Condensed Essence, “As for this Jade Spring Condensed Essence…”
“Please accept it, Young Master Yan,” Lian Chongyi immediately said, “Lian Ying having done wrong, at the end of the day, it must still be attributed to my lack of teachings. I truly cannot rest well with that.”
Yan Zhaoge looked at him for a while, then smiled slightly, “Our clan’s Acting Elder in Suzhou, Elder Li, went along with me to the Great Western Desert, and unfortunately perished there. Elder Li also had credit in saving Luo Luo, Lian Cheng and Lian Ying. He has family remaining, and I will keep this Jade Spring Condensed Essence on their behalf.”
Hearing his words, Lian Chongyi nodded repeatedly, “That is for the best; this Lian also feels deep sadness for your clan’s Elder Li having perished.”
Whatever reason Yan Zhaoge did so under, it was fine as long as he accepted it.
Lian Chongyi having completed most of his motive in coming here, he instantly relaxed greatly. Still, what caused him to smile bitterly was that Yan Zhaoge never accepted Elder Hong’s intentions.
With regard to this, Lian Chongyi naturally couldn’t mention it. Otherwise, it might really lead to the opposite effect, causing Yan Zhaoge to feel put off.
He swivelled his head to look at the silent Lian Cheng by the side, “Lian Cheng being able to return safely from the Great Western Desert this time, it is also thanks to Young Master Yan. Presumptuously coming here this time, other than to express our apologies, it is also to express our thanks.”
Lian Cheng hurriedly bowed to Yan Zhaoge, “Thank you Young Master Yan for saving my life.”
Seeing this scene, Ah Hu drew back the corners of his lips, not saying anything.
While Lian Cheng was an acquaintance of Jun Luo’s from before, Jun Luo was very friendly towards everyone. Lian Cheng and the deceased Lian Ying were not necessarily outstanding at all.
Usually, Lian Chongyi might not even spare a glance for Lian Cheng. Today, it was because Lian Cheng had a little destiny with Yan Zhaoge, having faced danger alongside his Young Master that Lian Chongyi had brought him. Perhaps he would receive more attention by the head of his Family in the future.
Chance encounters were also a part of destiny. Ascending to the heavens in a single step was of course impossible, but they could still turn out to be a life-changing opportunity.
Seeing this, Yan Zhaoge smiled slightly, “Lian Cheng is not bad at all, at least being someone who places great weight on the ties between people. However, in this world of martial practitioners, valuable treasures are weak and easily destroyed, while hot-bloodedness and resilience are better for living the splendidness of life.”
“Our meeting was short but my words deep-I may be a bit presumptuous here. Still, I have no intention of interfering with your life. You should decide your own path for yourself.”
Looking at Lian Cheng, some delight flashed in Lian Chongyi’s eyes, as Lian Cheng himself was dazed for a bit before he recovered, bowing to Yan Zhaoge once more, “Thank you for your advice, Young Master Yan; I…I also know that my personality is too weak…”
Smiling, Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, no longer speaking.
Seeing that Yan Zhaoge had the intention of ending things, Lian Chongyi discerningly took his leave.
Leaving Yan Zhaoge’s place, Lian Chongyi sighed. He had at least not made a wasted trip.
As for Elder Hong, he could not do anything about it. From the start, he had also not carried too great a hope.
Afterwards came Elder Jun and Jun Luo. With Jun Luo nearly having died at Lian Ying’s hands, he also had to account for things to Elder Jun.
If Elder Jun pursued the matter, perhaps even Yan Zhaoge would blow things up. At the end of the day, the person with whom Yan Zhaoge was the most familiar within the Howling Wind Sword Sect was still Elder Jun.
As Lian Chongyi pondered, he glanced thoughtfully at the Lian Cheng following behind him.
As they emerged from Yan Zhaoge’s dwelling, they met an old man, currently heading this way under the lead o
f a Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioner.
As the two sides met, Lian Chongyi’s gaze instantly hardened, “Oh, Manor Lord Huang?”
Lian Chongyi was extremely familiar with the newcomer. He was the Manor Lord of another second-rate power subordinate to the Howling Wind Sword Sect, the Yellow Wind Mountain Manor.
It was just that in contrast to the Lian Family Fortress being subordinate to Elder Hong, the Yellow Wind Mountain Manor was a supporter of Elder Bai.
Seeing Lian Chongyi, Manor Lord Huang’s gaze similarly flickered, as he began laughing, “Fortress Lord Lian, long time no see. Have you been well?”
Lian Chongyi smiled, saying, “It has indeed been a long time. Manor Lord Huang is tough and healthy as always, yet I wonder what has brought you thousands of kilometres over to this Suzhou City?”
Manor Lord Huang sighed, “This old man can be considered old acquaintances with Broad Creed Mountain’s Elder Li of Suzhou City. Him having met harm, this old man just had to rush over to commemorate him.”
“This old man has long heard of the famed Broad Creed Young Master, and naturally wanted to personally witness the flair of the dragon amongst dragons in the flesh.”
While saying this, he paid attention to Lian Chongyi’s expression, now seeing a smile appear on his face, “This Lian has just seen Young Master Yan, and he is indeed remarkable, not someone to whom others can compare, especially with his discerning eyes, and his extraordinary insight.”
Hearing his words, Manor Lord Huang squinted for a moment before nodding, “Oh, this old man also thinks that it should be so.”
Lian Chongyi was naturally intentionally adding pressure to the other party, attempting to mislead him.
However, seeing that Manor Lord Huang, whilst affected, still looked full of confidence, Lian Chongyi couldn’t help but feel slightly uncomfortable within his heart.
He did not reveal anything outwardly, just nodding slightly to Manor Lord Huang, “With this, this Lian takes my leave. If Manor Lord Huang has time, why not pay my Lian Family Fortress a visit.”
Manor Lord Huang said politely, “Definitely, definitely. My Yellow Wind Mountain Manor also welcomes Fortress Lord Lian as a visitor at any time.”
The two brushed past each other. Turning back, seeing Manor Lord Huang walking towards Yan Zhaoge’s dwelling, Lian Chongyi momentarily felt flooded with emotions.
Today was truly each revealing their formidability, seeing who could move that great Buddha inside.
Thinking how that great Buddha was still only a Martial Scholar, still only around twenty years of age, Lian Chongyi could only feel that this world was truly an unpredictable one.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 235: One finishes singing and the other ascends the stage
HSSB235: One finishes singing and the other ascends the stage
Seeing that it was indeed the Manor Lord of the Yellow Wind Mountain Manor who arrived directly after Lian Chongyi, the feeling of not knowing whether to laugh or to cry within Yan Zhaoge’s heart grew.
Regarding their behaviour of ‘one finishes singing and the other ascends the stage’, Yan Zhaoge felt that it was very good, very powerful.
Grabbing hold of the chance and advancing aggressively, trying for the support that they could get, unceasingly increasing the chips they had on hand.
Yan Zhaoge was not averse to this kind of thing. Whether it was Elder Bai or Elder Hong, he didn’t lean towards either of them. Therefore, since he saw one of their representatives, he naturally had to give the other side an equal chance.
Otherwise, news would spread that Yan Zhaoge had seen Lian Chongyi but shut the door in Manor Lord Huang’s face, and it would be equivalent to saying that he supported Elder Hong.
Manor Lord Huang first reminisced about the dead Elder Li along with Yan Zhaoge, before it gradually switched to casual conversation.
After conversing for a bit, Manor Lord Huang did not dare to delay things any longer, lest he annoyed Yan Zhaoge by taking up too much of his time.
He took out a brocade box, saying smilingly, “I’ve heard that Young Master Yan likes ancient objects, and is also knowledgeable on various ancient characters. Not long ago, this old man obtained a treasure of times long past, and found himself unable to glean anything from it. I would like Young Master Yan to take a look at it.”
Seeing him open the brocade box, Yan Zhaoge was involuntarily stunned slightly.
Within the brocade box sat half of a jade coin, in a semi-circular form with ancient patterns on its surface.
It was clearly the other half of the jade coin that Yan Zhaoge had instructed Ah Hu to find earlier.
After obtaining that half jade coin from the remnant of Black Nightmare Mountain, Yao Shan, because the jade coin looked to be rather newly broken, he had deduced that its other half was most likely still in the Sand Region.
He had not thought that it would be wearing out iron shoes on an unsuccessful search, yet finally obtaining it without any effort.
Yan Zhaoge appraised Manor Lord Huang, who was giving him a bit of an anticipatory look.
He secretly exchanged glances with Ah Hu, who shook his head slightly, indicating that he had kept the matter in the utmost secrecy, whilst having been searching for the missing half of the jade coin, not having leaked news of such.
At the very least, the news should not have spread to Manor Lord Huang.
Manor Lord Huang indeed did not know that Yan Zhaoge had the other half of the jade coin, but he had found someone to appraise it and confirmed that this half jade coin he had was extremely ancient, and also genuine, definitely not being an imitation of the current era.
Therefore, Manor Lord Huang’s great confidence in facing Lian Chongyi had not been unfounded, with him feeling that he had good reason for this. By going by what Yan Zhaoge liked, his present would mostly likely be able to catch Yan Zhaoge’s eye.
Stroking the jade coin, Yan Zhaoge smiled after a while, “It is indeed an ancient artifact, and I too cannot immediately tell its background.”
“However, I have some thoughts on it. If Manor Lord Huang does not mind, can I keep it for a time, analysing and researching into it?”
A smile instantly appeared on Manor Lord Huang’s face, “Naturally. Only with Young Master Yan here will this object not be like a pearl being obscured by dust.”
He thus accepted it. While Manor Lord Huang felt a little regretful at Yan Zhaoge not following on his attempts to bring the conversation topic over to Elder Bai, on the whole, he still left in a rather good mood.
After sending Manor Lord Huang away, Yan Zhaoge tapped lightly on the table as he said, “Ah Hu, of my private property, choose some things as return gifts for them.”
He tapped on the brocade box which contained the half jade coin, “This thing’s value is a little greater, because I have a liking for ancient artifacts.”
Ah Hu blinked, “Young Master, they are both not of Broad Creed Mountain, and came on their own initiative to pay their respects to you, rather than you blackmailing or extorting from them or anything. You didn’t actually take anything-it’ll be fine even if the news gets back to the clan.”
“One was being a smart aleck, using the expressing of apologies as an excuse, with a sign of selling the heads of lambs but actually selling the meat of dogs, while the other used the name of commemorating Elder Li, leaving me with good feelings towards neither of them at all,” Yan Zhaoge shook his head, “It would be fine if it were just things like the Jade Spring Condensed Essence; I might truly first eat one side then the other, wiping them all clean.”
“However, this half jade coin just happened to be precisely the thing I’d been looking for. If he had not given it to me, we would still have had to spend time searching for it. Therefore, send him a return gift.”
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, “If I just send a return gift to one side, the outside world would still think that I had chosen a side of the two. Therefore, send a return gift to
both sides.”
“For the matter of the Howling Wind Sword Sect, unless Uncle Jun expresses a stance, we will not participate in it.”
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “Yes, Young Master.”
Yan Zhaoge took out that half jade coin of his, putting it back together with its other half in the brocade box.
As the two half jade coins were pieced together, they merged, as a complete jade coin instantly reappeared, flickering with a faint lustre.
Yan Zhaoge traced the patterns on the exterior of the jade coin, slowly projecting the circulation of its spirit formation within his heart.
Because the jade coin had been shattered, the spirit formation inscribed on it had become incomplete. While the spirit patterns had now been repaired completely, for the circulation of spiritual qi within to recover completely, Yan Zhaoge still needed time to guide its recovery.
Day after day passed, as Broad Creed Mountain’s new Acting Elder in Suzhou, Xi Fei, finally arrived.
Yan Zhaoge, Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu went to meet him together, as they saw a big, tall man stride vigorously over. It was precisely the ‘Heavenly Roc’ Xu Fei.
Xu Fei strode over in huge steps to Yan Zhaoge, punching his shoulder a little, laughing heartily, “I have come to assist you this time.”
Yan Zhaoge also laughed, “Sending you to Suzhou as an Acting Elder is really a waste of your talents.”
Removing the wineskin at his waist, Xu Fei chugged a huge mouthful of wine, before wiping his mouth completely unconcernedly, “The clan orders, I naturally follow. Grand Master and Master definitely have their considerations.”
“I have also seen your report given to the clan. The Decimating Abyss entangled with Black Nightmare Mountain is not a small matter indeed. It definitely cannot be taken lightly.”
Xu Fei handed the wineskin to Yan Zhaoge, who also raised his head and drank a mouthful of wine before he said, “Speaking of it, I might have to leave after a while. At that time, senior apprentice-brother Xu will have to keep a little more vigilant.”
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