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墨書 Inktalez
Xunuo felt a chill run down his spine as he saw the two of them together, his instincts on high alert as he scanned their faces.
One was cunning and the other thick-skinned. Under Xunuo's almost sword-like gaze, they still wore calm smiles, looking at him with ease.
Zhang Changzai stood up first and said, "Today, after speaking with Guo Shidi, I learned that Master Lu has been practicing martial arts diligently every day. It is only natural that you have achieved what you have today."
Xunuo replied coldly, "If you two have something to discuss, I won't disturb you."
Finished Speaking turned to leave.
Zhang Changzai quickly grabbed Xunuo's arm and said, "Master Lu, please wait. I came specifically to find you. I was just chatting with Guo Shidi to pass the time since you weren't here."
Xunuo brushed his hand away and asked, "What do you want from me?"
Zhang Changzai still wore a smile as he answered, "Tomorrow it's your turn to serve, Master Lu. You'll be going down the mountain to inspect the properties and collect rent. I came to inform you."
Xunuo nodded, staring unblinkingly at the plump man. After a moment, Zhang Changzai's round face remained unchanged, still full of smiles.
Xunuo thought to himself: This guy is thick-skinned; if I keep watching, it might be hard to find a flaw. He then turned his gaze toward Guo Shujiang.
Guo Shujiang grinned and said, "Junior brother, do you still not trust me? Old Guo would never scheme against his own brother."
Xunuo scoffed in response, "Haven't you ever schemed?"
This time, a hint of guilt appeared on Guo Shujiang's face as he quickly replied, "That doesn't count; that doesn't count."
Feeling restless, he stood up and said, "You have important matters to discuss; I have my duties to attend to, so I won't keep you."
With that, he slipped away.
Xunuo paid no mind to him and walked over to the table, slamming his sword down with a clang.
Looking at Zhang Changzai, who approached with a charming smile, he bowed slightly and said, "Tomorrow, there will be two Outer Sect Disciples accompanying Shishu. They are both on the leaderboard. One is ranked eleventh, named Chaykov, and the other is a familiar face to Shishu, ranked thirty-sixth, Nangong Changjian."
He paused here, observing Xunuo's expression with a grin. After a moment of silence and seeing that Xunuo remained expressionless, he continued, "I only handle the arrangements for the Outer Sect Disciples; the team leader is beyond my control. As for who it will be, we will only know when they come to collect their people tomorrow morning. Shishu will also gather at my place early tomorrow."
After glancing back at Xunuo, he added, "Is there anything else you wish to instruct? If not, I shall take my leave."
Seeing that Xunuo still looked at him without saying a word, he bowed deeply and turned to leave, shutting the door behind him as he strode away.
Xunuo could only let out a bitter laugh inwardly, thinking: I consider myself sharp-minded and calculating, yet I still fall short compared to these two. Although Guo Shujiang wouldn't harm me directly, being schemed against is always unpleasant. If I end up being sold out and unwittingly help count the money for someone else’s gain, it would be utterly humiliating. It seems I need to keep an eye on these two. He then recalled that these two were originally rivals but had formed an alliance because of him. The thought of having to be wary of both left him feeling quite frustrated.
The next morning, Xunuo arrived at the Outer Sect Disciples' Manager's place. In the courtyard stood seven or eight Outer Sect Disciples.
Upon seeing that only Nangong Changjian was familiar to him—having only seen the others during the leaderboard challenge but not knowing their names—he noticed some acquaintances chatting among themselves. They merely nodded in acknowledgment when they saw Xunuo. Only Nangong Changjian stepped forward with cupped hands in greeting.
Xunuo returned the gesture and said, "Nangong Brother, it seems we truly have fate on our side; we keep running into each other."
Nangong Changjian smiled back and replied, "Since we are fated, I’ll treat you to a drink when we reach the foot of the mountain."
Xunuo laughed heartily and agreed enthusiastically. It was then that he patted his body and thought: This is tragic.
It turned out that all his monthly allowance had been collected by Guo Shujiang. He had never seen it himself and didn’t even know how much silver he had. The few pieces of loose change he brought when he first ascended the mountain were no longer needed up there; they felt cumbersome in his possession and were given entirely to Guo Shujiang.
Initially thinking this trip down would be just like any other official business on the mountain, he hadn’t considered bringing any money with him. Now hearing Nangong Changjian's words reminded him that he should have brought some silver along.
Unaware of Xunuo's predicament, Nangong Changjian continued enthusiastically discussing his plans for treating him.
Xunuo pondered about the money, her face alternating between red and white. She realized that since she had left early this time, Guo Shujiang probably hadn't returned yet. This meant that even if she went back, she wouldn't have anywhere to get money. If it came down to it, she could shamelessly ask Zhang Changzai for an advance on her monthly allowance. After all, she couldn't expect Nangong Changjian to cover her expenses throughout the journey.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Zhang Changzai stepping out of the house. Xunuo was about to speak when Zhang Changzai spotted her and called out loudly, "Master Lu!" as he hurried over with a waddle.
The disciples on the list had seen a bit of the world and had dealt with Zhang Changzai enough to know his character. However, they still cast disdainful glances at his obsequious behavior.
Zhang Changzai approached Xunuo without a care in the world and bowed deeply. "I thought Master Lu was in a hurry and might not have prepared adequately. So I took the liberty of preparing two sets of clothes and some loose silver for expenses on the road. Please do not refuse, Shishu."
With that, he produced a bundle from seemingly nowhere. Xunuo took the bundle and felt inside; indeed, there were some hard coins. However, they weren't loose change but rather five ingots of silver, each weighing ten taels.
Xunuo thought to herself: This fellow is investing quite a bit in me; I wonder what his intentions are. I’ll have to repay him when I return and make sure he doesn’t find any leverage against me.
She said aloud, "Manager Zhang is truly thoughtful; I will accept these items. I'll return the silver when I come back."
Zhang Changzai quickly replied, "It's just a bit of loose change for buying some snacks on the way. Why would Shishu be so formal about returning it? That would be like slapping my little nephew in the face."
Upon hearing this, Xunuo felt somewhat conflicted while holding the bundle.
At that moment, the courtyard door opened, and several disciples in white entered. One of them scanned the courtyard and suddenly took two steps forward to stand before Xunuo. He bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Lu."
Xunuo recognized him as Jiang Tiesuo from the Divine Mechanism Hall and returned the greeting. "Oh, it's you! Are you also going out to collect rent?"
Jiang Tiesuo chuckled and replied, "Not only that; I'm accompanying Shishu as well. For this mission, I was originally on another route but saw your name on the list. So I asked a senior brother who was supposed to accompany you if we could swap places, which is how I ended up with you."
Xunuo laughed and said, "Traveling with me might be a disadvantage for you; you'll be calling me Shishu all along the way while others won't address me that way at all. It makes you look like the shortest one in charge."
Jiang Tiesuo waved his hand dismissively. "Others are others; I am who I am. I won't stoop to their level."
Meanwhile, Zhang Changzai was busy organizing the list and assigning several Outer Sect Disciples to their respective leading disciples. After distributing tokens for descending the mountain to those leading in white robes, he respectfully stood beside Xunuo and asked, "Master Lu, do you have any further instructions?"
Xunuo waved his hand and said, "There's nothing for me to do here, you go ahead with your own business."
Zhang Changzai, however, did not leave and stood by. Jiang Tiesuo ignored the fat man and turned to Nangong Changjian and Chaykov, saying, "Although I am leading this trip down the mountain, we must follow Master Lu's orders. You both must not disobey Master Lu's commands."
Nangong Changjian cupped his hands in acknowledgment.
Chaykov interjected, "He is still at the Outer Gate like us. If he wants us to obey him, he should have the ability to back it up."
Jiang Tiesuo's expression darkened, ready to reprimand Chaykov. But Xunuo suddenly asked, "What ability are you talking about?"
Chaykov glanced disdainfully at Xunuo and replied, "Don't think that just because you made it onto the list, you're above everyone else. Wait until you get into the top ten before you talk down to me. If you can defeat me, then that's an ability."
Xunuo thought to himself: It's already causing discord before we even leave the mountain; it would be better to teach him a lesson now so he won't embarrass himself on the road. He said, "Alright, let me show you my ability so you won't be humiliated when we go out. If anyone is going to be embarrassed, let it be at home."
Chaykov, already looking down on Xunuo, was even more enraged by this remark. He turned to Jiang Tiesuo and said, "Brother, did you hear that? It's Lu Zaisheng who is seeking trouble. Don't blame me if I end up injuring him and then get accused afterward."
Jiang Tiesuo snorted coldly and replied, "He's asking for it."
With that, he stepped aside.
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