Chapter 1020: Chapter 264 Close to Vermilion, One Gets Stained Red (New Year’s Day! Happy New Year Everyone!)

After hearing what Zhongxuan Sheng had to say, Jiang Wang stood up without a word and walked out.

"What for?" Zhongxuan Sheng was taken aback.

Jiang Wang didn’t look back, "Of course, to find my esteemed brother, Yan Fu!"

Zhongxuan Sheng gritted his teeth and said, "That face of yours, truly bears seven parts the demeanor of Xu Gaoe!"

"Don’t speak of the second brother like that, big brother," Jiang Wang waved a dismissive hand as he continued, "Don’t waste my time!"

Right before he could leave, Zhongxuan Sheng shouted again, "Jiang Wang!"

"What is it?" Jiang Wang stopped and turned around.

Zhongxuan Sheng paused for a moment, then still said, "Don’t hold too much hope, what is obtained is my fortune, and what is lost is my fate."

There was no hint of jest in his tone at this moment.

So Jiang Wang, too, became serious, "Why would you say that?"

"What I said about everyone relying on their own abilities is based on one premise, that no one can simply bulldoze over everything and stand above the rest."

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, "Who could?"

It wasn’t his arrogance speaking. Within the bounds of Qi Country, he truly had not found any Neifu Cultivator whom he felt deserved his admiration or subjugation. Of course, those like Tian Anping who had fallen from God Arrives could not be counted.

But seeing the expression on Zhongxuan Sheng’s face, he realized something, "Him? Could there be enough time?"

Even Zuo Guangshu knew that Zhongxuan Zun wouldn’t be in time to take part in the Yellow River Gathering. This showed how many people in the world viewed Zhongxuan Zun as an imaginary adversary.

And yet, Zhongxuan Zun had already been in seclusion for half a year in the Under Jixuegong, without any news.

He hadn’t appeared in a long time, yet the prodigies of Chuguo were all paying attention to him.

Even if he wasn’t in Jianghu, Jianghu was full of his legends!

With a wry smile, Zhongxuan Sheng said, "Do you think His Majesty, at a ’competition of nations that must choose a leader’ like the Yellow River Gathering, would not order an exception to summon him early?"

The answer to that question was clear as day. How had it been overlooked before?

Was it because Zhongxuan Sheng was too dazzling, too ostentatious, or because in this period, Zhongxuan Zun had been too silent, too subtle?

Wang Yiwu caused quite a stir in Linyi City, and after being demoted to the prison camp, the line of Zhongxuan Zun seemed to have lost all ability to fight back.

Only Zhongxuan Mingguang occasionally caused turmoil, which was almost as if he had done nothing at all.

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment before asking, "Had you anticipated this day all along?"

Zhongxuan Sheng sighed, "The current Emperor is he who toppled Summer Country, establishing Daqi’s position as sovereign. The old gentleman, could he not see through my thoughts? Would he help me suppress Zhongxuan Zun? It was just going with the flow, letting him prepare well for the Yellow River Gathering. Breaking the norm now to summon him out from Under Jixuegong and giving him a chance to partake in the Yellow River Gathering—gaining another dose of his gratitude—wouldn’t that be ingenious?"

Meeting the Emperor at Donghua Pavilion, Jiang Wang had never seen his face from start to finish.

He didn’t know what he looked like.

But the mind behind the supreme power of the Tian Family was indeed profound and unfathomable like the ocean.

Zhongxuan Futu, what a figure he was, yet, in the end, had to fight to his death in Lost World. Jiang Wuliang was once a man capable of influencing state affairs but now has been imprisoned in Blue Stone Palace until today. The Withering and Flourishing Temple, being the second-largest Buddhism institution in Eastern Region, had its grandeur rival only to Hanging Monastery, yet in one night, it reduced to ruins...

Such events repeatedly gave one the sensation of treading on thin ice.

"Knowing this, why did you make this move initially?" Jiang Wang asked.

"Had I not made this move, I wouldn’t have reached today," Zhongxuan Sheng actually smiled this time, "I needed time, I needed opportunity. And we haven’t wasted this period, this chance, we’ve done our best, haven’t we?"

Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then smiled too, "Indeed, it would’ve been challenging to do any better."

Who could have imagined before Zhongxuan Zun entered Under Jixuegong, that Zhongxuan Sheng could grow to what he is today? Zhongxuan Zun was only away for a year of seclusion, not gone forever, and he remained the prodigy who overpowered his peers! Yet somehow, Zhongxuan Sheng managed to push his gains to the limit during this period, seizing the maximum benefit at almost every step, to the point where he has overtaken others in the line of succession!

"He can come out early, he can attend the Yellow River Gathering, he can be renowned throughout the land, but I am no longer the powerless chubby younger brother."

Zhongxuan Sheng spoke calmly, "During this period, I have tied numerous clan elders to our family business. That Zhongxuan Hengshen, who obstructed your ancestral rites, was but someone I allowed to embarrass himself before our great uncle intentionally. Seeing him flailing about, our great uncle would assume that Zhongxuan Zun still had considerable support among the clan elders; even if he wouldn’t assist me, he would no longer help Zhongxuan Zun.

But in reality, no matter how bright the title of a prodigy is, can it compare to the solidity of meat already in one’s mouth? Moreover, Zhongxuan Sheng is not weak. Who can bring more benefits to everyone, who can lead the family further, the answer will not be one-sided.

"Not only that. The Chongjia Island that Zhongxuan Zun acquired has vanished, his layout overseas has encountered a resounding failure. And I have rebuilt the Zhong Xuan Family’s influence abroad. My fourth uncle won’t make his stance clear, but Zhongxuan Xin and the others will support me without any hesitation."

"I’m not afraid of what he will do when he comes out, we still have plenty of time to compete. Moreover, Jiang Wang, your current strength isn’t far behind his anymore."

At this point, Zhongxuan Sheng’s gaze softened apologetically, "It’s just that your chances at the Yellow River Gathering this time... indeed aren’t that great, given your younger age."

But Jiang Wang’s gaze remained calm, "That is to say, there’s simply one more formidable opponent in the competition for a slot at the Yellow River Gathering, right?"

"Indeed... that’s one way to put it," Zhongxuan Sheng sighed.

In his heart, he questioned, but how can you speak of it so lightly, my brother Jiang Wang?

"Then let’s compete and see," Jiang Wang said softly.

Zhongxuan Sheng fell silent for a few breaths, then suddenly reignited Jiang Wang’s fighting spirit, "Right! Who will claim the victory is yet unknown!"

Jiang Wang laughed heartily and strode away with his hand on his sword.

Watching his dashing figure leave, Zhongxuan Sheng suddenly quirked his lips, "Has this kid gotten more handsome? He seems almost to catch up with me!"

Shisi thought about it seriously for a moment, then shook her head.

The meaning was clear: you still have a long way to go.

Zhongxuan Sheng felt relieved.

After thinking about it, he asked again, "Shisi, do you know why he acted so foolish today?"

Shisi continued to shake her head.

"He was afraid I’d feel embarrassed to share the profits from the Tai Xu Corner Tower," Zhongxuan Sheng scoffed coldly, "He’s underestimating how thick my skin is!"

This time Shisi did not shake her head, she covered her face with her hand, hiding it behind her armored gauntlet.

She felt embarrassed even through the faceplate.

Even she, who usually saw Zhongxuan Sheng as precious in every way, found it difficult to accept for a moment—

Isn’t having a thick skin usually an insult?

Why can you be so proud of it!

...

...

As for the Yan family, they didn’t pass down their legacy through military achievements, but rather took the political route.

Unlike other bureaucratic families that liked to send their offspring to the Four Great Academies or the Triple Punishment Palace for education, most of the Yan family’s children studied in their own clan academy.

For example, Yan Fu was personally taught by his grandfather and had never attended lectures at any Academy.

The Yan family has produced talented individuals for generations, with Yan Ping, Yan Fu’s grandfather, reaching the pinnacle of a subject’s career as Prime Minister, marking the peak of their prestige.

However, the riches of the Yan family were well-known long before Yan Ping, with their wealth in Bei County ranking among the top in the world, and that’s no exaggeration.

The Yan clan academy was considered by many People of Qi as a top educational institution, but unfortunately, it didn’t take in students from outside the clan.

After Yan Ping stepped down from his position as Prime Minister, he returned to his old home in Bei County and seldom set foot in Linzi again to avoid idle gossip.

However, the current Emperor often sent letters to the Yan family, seeking advice from Yan Ping on state affairs, showing that their honors and favors continued.

Jiang Wang, who was decisive in his actions, went out and called for a carriage, heading straight for Linzi.

After advancing his relationship with Lv Zongxiao, things had become much more convenient in Heavenly Mansion City. At least he didn’t have to rent a carriage himself as before.

A single order was all it took, and everything was quickly arranged.

When the carriage arrived, Jiang Wang noticed the conspicuous mark of the Bao family’s carriage and horse service.

He sneered internally, set on renting from their business.

Lifting the carriage curtain, he went on his way to Linzi without mention.