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CHAPTER 99
The Wang family of today was no longer the illustrious Wang family of the past, along with the changing of dynasties, the old bloodlines were also subject to time, its uncertain peaks and troughs, and the members of the Kuaiji Wang family present, were not even from the main family, but a side branch, so they had some blood relation, their ancestors were prominent in the jianghu, although they could no longer boast a 100% jianghu lineage, had their own side-business, was not involved in politics, they were still among the most recognized jianghu families.
Although this Kuaiji Wang family was an offshoot of the main family, but because of the blood relation, thought quite highly of themselves, naturally didn’t think much of Bixia Sect this small sect, they were guests, not willing to stand with Yi Bichen when he went out to conduct his greetings, Yi Bichen couldn’t force them.
After the greetings were completed and everyone sat, Yi Bichen first thanked Shen Qiao for saving the Su family back in Chang’an, then said to Zhao Chiying: “Bixia Sect experienced a calamity, this poor one has his limits, couldn’t reach you in time to help, thinking about this, I have regrets, I ask Zhao-zongzhu not to blame me.”
Zhao Chiying sighed: “Yi-guanzhu is too kind, Bixia Sect’s calamity, was all due to internal factions, we were lucky to move past the situation, but we have very few disciples left, cannot compare to previous, where I see you have many talents in your sect, a crowd of heroes, I’m very envious!”
Yi Bichen stroked his beard: “Zhao-zongzhu doesn’t need to worry, in my eyes your two disciples, if they put forth the effort in practice, in the future, will surely be very accomplished.”
Even if it was meaningless formal speech, to hear Chunyangguan sect leader praise them, Zhou Yexue and Fan Yuanbai were very moved.
Seeing this kind of useless conversation go on, the Wang family’s San-lang coughed, interrupted: “Can I ask Yi-guanzhu this iteration of shijiandahui, will there be any other sects attending?”
Yi Bichen: “There are numerous sects here for shijiandahui, is Wang San-gongzi looking for someone, or looking for a teacher?”
Wang San-gongzi laughed drily: “Guan-zhu rally knows how to joke, my family has countless martial knowledge scrolls and manuscripts, I can’t even get through them all, how would I have time to find a teacher? If there are other sects attending, I’ll have to trouble Yi-guanzhu to introduce us, so the two of us can make some acquaintances.”
Zhan Ziqian came from a large enough sect, unfortunately he was not considered an important figure of Linchuanxuegong, merely here as a messenger,
Bixia Sect now so diminished, would not be worth Wang gongzi’s gaze.
As for Shen Qiao, although his wugong had improved, but back then that fight at Banbu Peak, the Wang brothers were also there watching, had an strong impression of him falling off the cliff, before they had high hopes for Xuandushan zhangjiao but after these hopes were thoroughly demolished, seeing Shen Qiao here again, they had lost their past reverence and respect, felt the other was just so-so, and had no interest in becoming an acquaintance.
So everyone present, had already been excluded from the “acquaintances” the Wang brothers wanted to make.
Everyone desires fame, jianghu people were no exception, this iteration of shijiandahui, many came for Liuligong’s rank-list, others were here to make an alliance with Chunyangguan to stand against the Buddhist sects and Hehuan Sect.
Although the Wang family were from southern Chen, but they also had business operations in the north, would have been aware of Hehuan Sect’s influence. The Wang family with their high self-proclaimed standing, how would they agree to work with Hehuan Sect? So the Wang brothers were also here to see for themselves Chunyangguan’s true face, if many large sects leaned this way, that would mean Chunyangguan’s potential was large, the Wang family can consider making an alliance, if not, they might as well make an alliance with Linchuanxuegong, why would they go further and neglect what was close?
Their question, clearly disregarded everyone else present, nevermind Shen Qiao or Zhao Chiying, Fan Yuanbai and Zhou Yexue couldn’t help but reveal looks of indignation.
Yi Bichen smiled, as if he did not hear the meaning behind Wang San-lang’s words: “The guests from other sects are here too, they’ve been settled accordingly, some remain at the mountainbase, if Wang San-gongzi wants to meet them it  wouldn’t be too much trouble, later have our disciples bring you, everyone’s residence has been arranged in the same area, no difference between groups.”
Wang Er-lang was somewhat disappointed, for the other to speak this way, clearly indicated there will not be any of their anticipated martial arts masters.
Wang San-lang wasn’t satisfied, asked further: “I heard that the shijiandahui ten years ago, there were crowds of martial arts masters, a gathering of talent, of the eventual top ten at least five or six had been present, how can it be that after only nine years, shijiandahui’s influence is so diminished?”
Zhou Yexue couldn’t help laughing, does this person really think martial masters were cabbage, want one and they will appear?
If they were masters, obviously would have their pride and appearances to upkeep, like Huanyue Sect zongzhu, didn’t he find this matter too trivial to make an appearance and departed mid-way, only kind people like Shen-daozhang, would sincerely provide his support, and come with them, who knew because of this some people had eyes but couldn’t recognize Taishan, their eyeballs were in their eyes but could be mistaken for fish-eyes, it was truly hilarious!
Wang San-lang saw the mockery written on her face, furrowed his brow: “This young lady is laughing, do you disagree with anything I just said?”
Zhou Yexue said blandly: “I do not dare, but I saw a monkey just now, raised in the mountains, has only seen that patch of sky right above his head, and mistook the mountain for the entire world!”
How could Wang San-lang not hear her insult his short-sightedness, laughed coldly: “You think you’re pretty clever, I hope your martial prowess matches, otherwise one of these days your words will insult someone and you’ll lose your life!”
As he said this, made a motion with his sleeves, and the tea cup that had been on the tabletop was swept up, flew towards Zhou Yexue, the cup that was filled to the brim did not spill a single drop.
Since Wang San-lang could disregard Bixia Sect, he must have some skill, just looking at this gesture alone, even Yi Bichen appeared impressed, this was more than just some skill, in the younger generation, could be considered very promising.
Zhou Yexue was shocked, the tea cup had not arrived, but she had already taken half a step back.
Zhao Chiying shook her head, was going to intervene, but was stopped by Shen Qiao’s hand.
Shen Qiao’s posture was unchanged, with his other hand he lifted his cup, drank it in one go, then threw it outwards, directly intercepting Wang San-lang’s cup!
This collision, the cups rang out, but did not shatter, the tea in the cup was moved by turbulence, but it spilled all into Shen Qiao’s cup, then the two cups rebounded along their original routes, returned to their owner’s hands.
All this happened in an instant, when Wang San-lang received his cup again, his expression was one of shock, as if he couldn’t believe what he just saw.
Shen Qiao held his returned cup, smelled it and then put it down. “It looks like Yi-guanzhu didn’t treat anyone preferentially, Wang San-gongzi’s tea is the same as ours, if so, why was Wang San-gongzi so enthusiastic, insisting that we try your tea?”
His gesture was much more sophisticated than Wang San-lang’s, it appeared casual, effortless, but the result was critical, it required the coordination of both deep inner qi and refined skill, what Wang San-gongzi did to Zhou Yexue, was like brandishing a uncouth sword in front of a high-ranked official, an overestimation of his abilities.
Realizing this, the Wang brothers could no longer be casual in their irreverence.
Wang San-lang weakly folded his hands in respect, didn’t say half a sentence, could be counted as apologizing.
Outside of these people there’s more people, outside of this sky there’s more sky, it turns out the Shen Qiao they didn’t even belonged within the world’s top ten, was still a tall mountain they could not easily pass.
Yi Bichen watched all of this, seeing the Wang family’s greatly reduced airs, didn’t say anything more, just smiled: “Today, you travelled far, you must be quite tired, why about this poor one get someone to lead you to your residences to rest?”
The Wang family expressed no disagreement, Zhan Ziqian also nodded: “Thank you for taking the trouble, Yi-guanzhu.”
After they left the main buildings, Li Qingyu said to Shen Qiao: “My residence is by the east side, the door with the placard Li written on it is mine, if Shen-daozhang has any issues, come find me.”
Shen Qiao thanked him, and walked with Zhao Chiying, following the Chunyangguan disciples who were leading the way.
Zhao Chiying purposefully fell behind a few steps, allowing Fan Yuanbai and the others walk in front, whispered beside Shen Qiao’s ear: “How come the way I see it, Yi-guanzhu had something to say, but was interrupted by the Wang brothers?”
Shen Qiao nodded: “Definitely.”
After all he had held the position of the head of a sect, Yi Bichen personally coming out to greet them, his entire demeanour, was an opening for what came next, he must have had something important to discuss.
Zhao Chiying: “As you see it, is it something to do with forming an alliance?”
Shen Qiao didn’t answer but asked: “If so, how is Zhao-zongzhu planning to reply?”
Zhao Chiying said: “Now that Hehuan Sect and the Buddhist sects are so powerful, if they were going to attempt like the Tujue last time to swallow Bixia Sect, in Bixia Sect’s present circumstances, we can only sit and wait for death, maybe making an alliance is an option.”
Shen Qiao: “I see that Yi-guanzhu is very ambitious, and generous in his dealings, these days the Buddhist sects have Xueting to glorify them, the Ru sects have Linchuanxuegong, only the Daoist sects are like a platter of sand, if the Daoist sects can unite under his leadership, it may not be a bad thing.”
Zhao Chiying thought about this: “In this time or urgency, Yi-guanzhu may not get his wish that easily, shijiangdahui is a major wulin event, but even Linchuanxuegong only sent one disciple, this does not bode well.”
She paused: “When it comes to wugong or personal qualities, Shen-daozhang wouldn’t necessarily lose to Yi-guanzhu, if you made such an intention known, I would wordlessly follow you along with the rest of the Bixia Sect disciples.”
Shen Qiao shook his head loosely: “I don’t even have a sect where I can stand in, if you want to join, how can I accept?”
He thought Zhao Chiying was joking, but Zhao Chiying earnestly said: “In this world how many people can be like Shen-daozhang, for a promise not hesitate to go a thousand li? Bixia Sect is not the only one who has received your kindness, among the people that have crossed paths with you, how many dare say they didn’t receive your kindness? Even Yan-zongzhu, the kind of person that doesn’t distinguish between good and evil and does whatever he wants, doesn’t he only regard you differently?”
Shen Qiao laughed bitterly: “This regard, surely it comes from a desire to trick and manipulate?”
Zhao Chiying: “I think that remains to be seen.”
As they talked, they had arrived at their residences, their houses were adjacent, it would be convenient to communicate, so they each returned to their house to wash up.
Shen Qiao had just washed his face, when he heard knocking at his door.
He thought it was Zhao Chiying with something else to say, opening the door, saw that it was Zhan Ziqian.
“Shen-daozhang, how are you?” Zhan Ziqian folded his hands in greeting.
Shen Qiao moved aside: “Zhan-langjun please come in.”
Zhan Ziqian: “Reluctantly, I am hear to say farewell, when I saw daozhang, I was very happy, wanted to have a long chat, figure out drawing technique, but I have shizun’s orders and must return at once.”
Shen Qiao was surprised: “This rushed? Shijiandahui doesn’t start until tomorrow?”
Zhan Ziqian laughed bitterly: “It’s because it starts tomorrow, so I have to head back today, tomorrow’s shijiandahui, I’m afraid will not lack a blood storm, Chunyangguan will have a hard time preserving themselves, nevermind making an alliance, we shouldn’t stand under a teetering wall, I’m not willing to see Shen-daozhang get swept up in all this, are you willing to come with me back to Linchuanxuegong, shizun will definitely welcome you.”
Shen Qiao saw that he spoke seriously, but without his head, furrowed his brows: “What is really going on?”