Chapter 32: Bumper Harvest!
Looking at Jiang Ce slumped in the corner, utterly dejected, several big shots who were usually high and mighty, calling the shots outside, were actually at a loss.
They hadn’t felt this kind of confusion in a long time.
In the end, Jie Tan spoke first, inquiring of Wei Lao, who had already sat back in his chair and was pondering: “Wei Lao, what exactly is going on here?”
Wei Lao didn’t speak, and no one in the room dared to speak; it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, Wei Lao glanced at Jiang Ce in the corner and said gravely: “Keep this matter strictly confidential; don’t mention it to anyone. I need to go to Yangcheng to find Cao Gong.”
Everyone was startled and understood Wei Lao’s meaning.
Logically speaking, those who could enter the Four Gods Hall had all embarked on the cultivation path, or were ordinary people who showed certain talent as connections; regardless, they had all confirmed a certain Great Dao, and receiving a blessing was just one of the four.
But Jiang Ce had received all four blessings, which not only meant he possessed terrifying aptitude, but also that he was very likely to become a true all-rounder in the future, a pillar of the gatekeepers or even a representative figure of the entire righteous sects.
No matter what, he was currently just a seventh-rank Jianghu sorcerer. Keeping this matter secret was undoubtedly a form of protection for him, to prevent him from being exploited too early by those with ulterior motives, or assassinated prematurely by evil cultivators or even gluttonous ghosts.
The sturdy old man gave the thin man a look, and the thin man returned a glance; with that, they completed a simple exchange.
[Has Wei Lao ever cared so much about anyone before?]
[No.]
Wei Lao’s attitude toward Jiang Ce had undergone a complete reversal.
But as the person with the highest status among the gatekeepers, he couldn’t show it; this was not only about the prestige brought by strength and status, but also about the face of the gatekeepers.
Even if you become a half-immortal or even a true god in the future, you still have to follow the rules before growing up.
This was the transcendent status of the gatekeepers!
Everyone watched as Wei Lao, having put on his coat, was about to leave the room, but when he passed by Jiang Ce, Wei Lao stopped.
He took an ancient book from his coat and handed it to Jiang Ce.
Jiang Ce, slightly recovered, took it doubtfully.
“This is…”
“Confucianism’s White Tiger Secret Teachings, which records some secret Confucian sorcery. But it’s of no great use in my hands. For Jie Tan’s sake, I’ll lend it to you to study. Though he said you’re from the Buddhist Sect, you might not understand it. If you don’t, have Jie Tan return it to me.”
“Uh, thanks.” Jiang Ce was utterly baffled, but hearing it was sorcery, he didn’t care whose it was and took it, preparing to put it in his shoulder bag.
But he suddenly noticed the atmosphere was a bit subtle.
Why did it seem like everyone was very surprised?
Was this thing very precious?
The White Tiger Secret Teachings, which he had half put away, was taken out again, and he hesitantly looked at Jie Tan: “Should I not take it?”
Jie Tan glared at Jiang Ce in exasperation: “Hurry up and thank Wei Lao!”
“Didn’t I just thank him…”
Halfway through his words, Jiang Ce, who had been drowsy from the successive ordeals, suddenly snapped to attention and began brainstorming.
This old man seemed to have a very high status, even higher than Jie Tan.
What kind of person was Jie Tan? An elite operative of the mysterious organization’s gatekeepers, who appeared to be quite a formidable leader.
What was even more formidable than the leader?
Naturally, one of the organization’s core figures. He didn’t know who the top leaders were, but this old man was definitely no ordinary person.
Since he arrived here, this old man had gone from ignoring him, to explaining the Four Gods Hall, to testing his composition, and finally giving him a sorcery manual.
This showed that his status in the old man’s heart was rising. Since they had just met, there couldn’t be any affection yet. Given his attitude toward Jie Tan, it was unlikely he was giving him benefits purely for Jie Tan’s sake.
So there was only one possibility: receiving four blessings was extremely impressive, impressive enough that the other party had to take him seriously.
Then this sorcery was not just sorcery, but a bribe!
He wanted to win me over! He wanted me to join them!
Though that was the goal, due to his status, he couldn’t say it outright, so he acted “reluctant” by giving me the gift.
Heh, tsundere old man, you’ve caught my attention.
I admit, I’ve been won over!
With that thought, Jiang Ce knew exactly what he needed to do.
Although capable people had the capital to be arrogant, those who could gain more favor from big shots were capable and considerate gentlemen.
If substituting the tsundere old man persona, then the correct move to both boost favor and deepen impression next would be—
Jiang Ce stood up and asked respectfully: “Sir, may I address you as Wei Lao like Martial Uncle does?”
“You may.” Wei Lao nodded slightly, his already kindly face gaining even more affinity.
Jiang Ce offered the White Tiger Secret Teachings: “Wei Lao, to be frank, I cannot accept this generous gift from you.”
“Why.” Wei Lao didn’t reach for it, his expression still mild and unemotional, but those familiar with him could tell he was somewhat displeased.
This left Jie Tan dumbfounded, wanting to smooth things over, but Wei Lao raised his hand to stop him.
“I’m asking him; don’t speak.”
Jie Tan instantly shut his mouth, though disappointment was hard to hide in his eyes.
Jiang Ce seemed oblivious to Wei Lao’s displeasure, sighing: “Wei Lao, though I’m just a novice, I know the preciousness of sorcery. Your gift is far too valuable for me. With my current low strength, I can’t think of any way to repay you. No merits, no rewards; naturally, I dare not accept it.”
Wei Lao looked at Jiang Ce without responding.
Jiang Ce looked troubled: “I do wish to become one of you to repay your kindness in recognizing my talent, but I heard Martial Uncle say the gatekeepers have a transcendent status; ordinary people have no right to aspire to it, let alone someone like me with neither strength nor background. Yet your graciousness is hard to decline, so after much thought, I can only boldly request that Wei Lao allow me to join the gatekeepers, and I will do my utmost not to let down your expectations!”
As Jiang Ce finished speaking, the room fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone had their own thoughts, with varying opinions of Jiang Ce.
Jie Tan: Oh no, why dare to make demands? Isn’t this offending Wei Lao? Letting you join the gatekeepers was already a done deal; why speak extra?
Sturdy old man: This kid is bold; he has half my flair!
Thin man: Heh, turns out he’s a shrewd one. Did he guess Wei Lao’s intentions?
Ye Lu Feng: Why is he suddenly so polite? He wasn’t like this when talking to me…
Finally, Wei Lao’s voice broke the eerie silence.
“If you really want it that way, then do as you wish. Let Jie Tan arrange it.”
With that, Wei Lao left the room, never intending to take back the White Tiger Secret Teachings from start to finish.
As he walked out, a faint, imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Once Wei Lao’s figure disappeared down the corridor, Jiang Ce looked at the White Tiger Secret Teachings in his hand and breathed a sigh of relief.
Nailed it!
Jie Tan couldn’t wait to berate Jiang Ce: “You, don’t you know what ‘quit while ahead’ means? Why push one’s luck? Couldn’t you see Wei Lao already acknowledged you? With a little maneuvering from me, joining the gatekeepers would be a sure thing. Now look, you’ve driven him off!”
Jiang Ce awkwardly scratched his face. If it were just him and Jie Tan, he might explain the pros and cons, but with others present, he had to play the role to the end.
“I just did what I thought was right; clear conscience!”
“Sigh…” Jie Tan had words on the tip of his tongue but swallowed them, merely letting out a heavy sigh.
The sturdy old man came over and patted Jiang Ce’s shoulder, smiling ambiguously: “To rile Wei Lao like that, you’re quite the talent.”
Only the thin man sneered: “A martial artist who trained himself stupid, a monk who chanted sutras until he went dumb.”
Hearing this, Jie Tan was full of confusion, while the sturdy old man got fired up.
“Who’re you calling a brute?”
The thin man ignored him completely, casually tossing a book to Jiang Ce and saying meaningfully: “You’ve already cultivated the profound cultivation method Jie Tan obtained from Xuanzang, so no need to switch. That’s why Wei Lao gave you a sorcery manual to study. Since Wei Lao values you, and we’re fated today, I’ll add icing to the cake and give you the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium as a bonus.”
Jiang Ce was overjoyed.
More benefits?
Amid the surprise, he also caught the thin man’s deeper meaning.
Roughly: Wei Lao didn’t give you a cultivation method because you’ve already cultivated Jie Tan’s impressive one; no need to change. Giving you sorcery already shows high regard. As for me giving you something, it includes looking up to you, but it’s also for Wei Lao’s sake; you must remember his kindness.
One sentence flattering two people—wow, what a bro!
So Jiang Ce very astutely gave the thin man a grateful look: “Thank you for the guidance, Gatekeeper. May I ask…”
Hearing Jiang Ce thank him for the guidance rather than the sorcery, the thin man nodded: “Xiao Lin.”
“Thank you, Xiao Zhi Men.”
Their gazes met briefly and parted; smart people’s exchanges are always to the point.
But where there are smart people, there are also less smart ones. Seeing the usually aloof Xiao Lin give something, the sturdy old man felt it would be losing face not to; without thinking, he also handed Jiang Ce a book.
“That old guy gave you something; I can’t lose face. Here, Leopard Martial Essentials.”
Seeing this, Xiao Lin shook his head.
Heh, foolish brute.
Jiang Ce’s face was about to split from grinning as he accepted it all: “Thank you, thank you. May I ask this gatekeeper’s name…”
“Hong Xingzhi!”
“Thank you, Hong Zhi Men. I won’t let down your expectations.”
Jie Tan was a beat slow, but with Wei Lao and the deep-minded Xiao Lin both showing their stances, he sensed something.
He watched Jiang Ce thoughtfully.
“Jiang Ce, I didn’t expect your progress to be so rapid, so I only gave you the cultivation method, no sorcery. This Golden Bell Shield is what I won debating Zen at Shaolin Temple back then; it’s a defensive sorcery for Jianghu sorcerers, useless to me, so I’ll give it to you.”
“Oh, Martial Uncle, why so polite? We’re family; you really… Well, thank you, Martial Uncle.”
Shearing wool once is picking up a bargain; twice is kindness.
Jie Tan had been good to Jiang Ce from start to finish, so he equally remembered Jie Tan’s kindness.
Putting away the three sorcery manuals, Jiang Ce finally looked at Ye Lu Feng, who hadn’t spoken from beginning to end.
“What are you looking at me for?”
“Didn’t Predecessor Ye say that if I could walk out of the Four Gods Hall, not only would you apologize, but also give me a secret sorcery technique?” Jiang Ce said with a smile.
Ye Lu Feng looked glum: So others giving you stuff is kindness, but me giving you is what I owe you?
“Fine, fine, take it: Object Manipulation Technique. Plus Soul Soothing Technique, that’s already two.”
“Thank you, Predecessor Ye! I was offensive earlier too; please don’t take it to heart. Sorry.”
For some reason, seeing Jiang Ce’s sincere face, this apology grated in the ears of Ye Lu Feng, who had insisted on sending him into the Four Gods Hall. Though the result was good, it still added a twinge of guilt to his heart.
Sigh, such a good kid; how did I… Sigh, forget it; I’ll find a chance to compensate him later.
Jiang Ce didn’t know that a mere courteous apology had added a guilt that would often wake a centenarian old man in the middle of the night for the rest of his life…
