ATPnovel Chapter 1362: 54: No Silver Here
Chapter 1362: 54: No Silver Here
Chapter 1362: Chapter 54: No Silver HereXie Baoshu felt as if he and the surname Zhongxuan were fated to clash.
Why were these people everywhere?
At dignified events like the Ceremony of Great Mastery, there was Zhongxuan Zun. At places like the indulgent Sanfen Xiangqi Tower, there was Zhongxuan Mingguang. Even a casual trip to the marketplace meant running into Zhongxuan Sheng…
Had the Zhong Xuan Family planted spies around him? Were they targeting him, Xie Baoshu, personally every day?
He truly wanted to ignore this useless man, but considering the other was the eldest son of the Marquis of Bowang—and remembering the blazing sun wheel that had once knocked him out cold…
“Ah, my hurried steps just now prevented me from noticing you!” Xie Baoshu cupped his hands, bowing. “Greetings, Uncle. I didn’t expect that, at your age, you’d still be so tireless!”
He prided himself as a man of integrity, capable of bending and enduring as needed, but nonetheless couldn’t resist adding a subtle jab to his words.
Already so advanced in years and still frequenting brothels—did the Zhong Xuan Family even know the meaning of shame?
Zhongxuan Mingguang burst out in hearty laughter and waved dismissively. “A fine blade never rusts; no need for pretenses about aging like fine wine.”
Xie Baoshu was left dumbfounded.
He’d been taken as offering praise!
Was his sarcasm truly so ineptly delivered? Did he really need to outright curse for people to understand?
Zhongxuan Mingguang didn’t bother guessing what thoughts might be swirling through this junior’s head. In a serious tone, he said, “Ah-shu, I heard you’ve had some disputes with my Sheng’er, and with the Son of Qingyang?”
At these words, Xie Baoshu immediately perked up.
Disputes? That was putting it mildly!
By now, every young master in Linzi whispered the nickname “Xie Xiaobao” behind his back. Did they think he didn’t know who started the rumors?
There’s a saying about karma eventually catching up.
That Jiang Qingyang, who’d recently grown complacent in his arrogance, had taken quite the public fall. Who knows if he’d even manage to return to Linzi?
Seizing the moment to step on him further—it’d be a waste of all those lessons in strategy if he didn’t.
For the record, that rumor of him being a cut sleeve? Xie Baoshu had spread it!
Let’s see how Jiang Wang would face society now!
Of course, outwardly, he retained a courteous and polite smile. “Uncle, what are you saying? Young men… what grievance can’t be forgiven? A few heated exchanges aren’t worth mentioning. If you hadn’t brought it up, I’d have forgotten already!”
Zhongxuan Mingguang scrutinized him, half-convinced. “Truly?”
Xie Baoshu replied earnestly, “Uncle, every word from me comes from the heart!”
“It better be so.” Zhongxuan Mingguang maintained his elder’s air, speaking in a weighty, earnest voice. “There’ve indeed been some recent rumors swirling in Linzi. But they’re baseless gossip, harmless at best. If you have any thoughts about stirring the pot further, I advise you to restrain yourself. Take it from your uncle—the waters run too deep here, beyond your depth.”
Xie Baoshu wanted nothing more than to roll his eyes, but standing out on the bustling street, he had to preserve the decorum of a noble son.
“Uncle’s advice is well-taken,” he said with impeccable graciousness.
Zhongxuan Mingguang, looking entirely satisfied with his ability to impart wisdom to the younger generation, nodded with an air of approval. “Good. Your uncle has pressing matters to attend to, so we’ll leave today’s conversation here. Young men should dedicate more time to their cultivation, rather than always frequenting brothels!”
Even Xie Baoshu, as patient as he claimed to be, found this hard to stomach.
You’re in your sixties and still roaming brothels, yet I, barely in my twenties, shouldn’t?
Fortunately, Zhongxuan Mingguang had already departed, contentedly entering his sedan chair.
Otherwise, Xie Baoshu couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t have ended up beating the old man in public.
…
Zhongxuan Mingguang’s sedan chair headed straight back to his private residence in the northern part of the city.
This residence, built by integrating the estates of both his left and right neighbors, was sprawling and impeccably decorated, oozing both wealth and refined taste. By standards of opulence, it held its own against the Marquis of Bowang’s Mansion.
After changing out of garishly bright clothing and ridding himself of the fragrance of powder and rouge, Zhongxuan Mingguang donned a more proper set of robes. He then boarded a new sedan, heading toward the Marquis of Bowang’s Mansion.
This sedan, unlike the ostentatious one he had used earlier for brothel visits, was dignified and stately.
Zhongxuan Mingguang may not excel in many areas, but when it came to placating the patriarch, he was unmatched within the Zhong Xuan Family.
The sedan entered the Marquis’ mansion. After paying his respects to the patriarch and engaging in a bit of idle family chat, Zhongxuan Mingguang leisurely made his way to the rear courtyard to see his brilliant son.
At this moment, Zhongxuan Fenghua, whose name resounded throughout Linzi, was reclining lazily in a chair, casually reading a book in one hand. The other hand rested loosely on the armrest, where three wheels—the Sun Wheel, Moon Wheel, and Star Wheel—revolved in his palm with an enchanting rhythm.
He managed to perfectly balance cultivation with leisure.
Seeing his father approach, he greeted him with nothing more than a passing smile. “Ah, I recently acquired two Eastern Pearls. Didn’t you mention that the inner residence seemed lacking in decor? Feel free to use them as ornaments.”
Zhongxuan Mingguang, who loved flaunting his disdain for material wealth, waved dismissively. “Your father isn’t here to freeload; I came to discuss proper business.”
He paused briefly, adding nonchalantly, “How large are they? Anything under two taels isn’t worth much.”
Zhongxuan Zun kept his eyes on his book, answering casually, “A full six taels.”
Zhongxuan Mingguang’s face lit up with glee. “Oh-ho-ho-ho.”
Rubbing his hands together, he then quickly adopted a serious demeanor. “Let’s talk business.”
Zhongxuan Zun collected the Sun, Moon, and Star Wheels back into his hand, set the book flat against his stomach, and turned his gaze toward his father. “Speak, I’m listening.”
Zhongxuan Mingguang appreciated this level of attentiveness, making him feel quite pleased. He said proudly, “Have you heard about Sheng’s recent troubles?”
Zhongxuan Zun nodded. “I’ve heard.”
Zhongxuan Mingguang pressed further, a touch of pride in his tone. “So, have you taken any action yet?”
Zhongxuan Zun shook his head. “The situation is too chaotic; it’d be easy to get burned. I’m still observing.”
Zhongxuan Mingguang shook his head as well, letting out a sigh. “You’re still too naïve. You don’t understand the treachery of human hearts. That chubby younger brother of yours, and his friend, the Son of Qingyang—neither are good sorts. They snatch our wealth with ruthless ambition! Now that a golden opportunity has presented itself, how can you let it pass?”
“Ah!”
He looked at Zhongxuan Zun with an expression that said, *’What would you do without me?’* “But worry not, with your father here! As they say, the Heavenly Dao turns, and the heavens spare no one! Rest assured, I’ve already dealt with this matter. You can focus on your cultivation, secure the Saint Tower, and ascend to God Arrives sooner. That would grant your father some peace of mind. Back in the day, if I hadn’t been preoccupied with raising you, I might have already… sigh, let’s not speak of it.”
Zhongxuan Zun’s face was one of incredulity.
The surprise wasn’t about his father’s vague insinuation that he could’ve once attained divinity—he’d heard that claim so often his ears had practically grown calluses. Pretending to believe it was already second nature.
What shocked him was the phrase “already dealt with.”
“You…” He sat up. “Father, how exactly did you handle it?”
At this moment of triumph, Zhongxuan Mingguang burst out laughing. “The story about Qingyang bribing Zheng Shi with heavy gold to shirk his Beiyaduwei duties and neglect his post—guess who spread it?”
Zhongxuan Zun’s face darkened instantly.
This was a recipe for offending Zheng Shi to the bone.
Since returning from the Yellow River Gathering, he’d made multiple overtures to the Beiyaduwei precisely to smooth over tensions. He didn’t expect the Zheng family to support him, but at the very least, he wanted them to reconsider entirely aligning with Jiang Wang. Those efforts had taken a lot of time and energy to slowly bear fruit…
More crucially, adding fuel to the fire in this manner—wasn’t this inadvertently helping Jiang Wang?
Zhongxuan Zun sighed deeply in his heart, forcing a strained smile. “Father, you’re getting older. In the future, please rest more. These kinds of matters, leave them to your son to handle.”
“Hahaha, it was merely a little test of my skills!”
Zhongxuan Mingguang, oblivious to the impending disaster his actions might cause, beamed with pride at his “accomplishment.” Displaying his cunning to his gifted son was clearly a source of joy for him. “Rest assured, no one will trace it back to me. Just earlier, I even gave that Xie boy a stern warning, telling him to behave. Everyone must think I’m exceptionally fond of Jiang Wang, the young man who entered our family as a guest disciple!”
Zhongxuan Zun slowly lay back down, covering his face with the book.
So this was what they called—
*A clumsy denial resulting in self-revelation!*