Chapter 1046: Chapter 290 Awaiting the Right Time (Extra Chapter for Alliance Hierarch Jin Baiye!)

"How did he get involved with him again?" Jiang Wang wondered.

Zhongxuan Sheng let down the curtain of his sedan chair and said leisurely, "The man just now is the nephew of the Imperial Court Adviser Xie Huaian, named Xie Baoshu. Xie Huaian has no sons, only this nephew who is somewhat promising, and he values him greatly."

More than just a bit promising? Anyone who could compete for a spot at the Yellow River Gathering must be strong. It’s just that his wits seem a bit off...

"Then what?" Jiang Wang asked.

Zhongxuan Sheng suddenly smirked, "Don’t you think that the name Xie Baoshu pairs very well with a certain name? Hmm?"

This "Hmm" was especially meaningful.

Their names pair well?

Xie Baoshu...

Jiang Wang’s thoughts raced, and he suddenly thought of a name, "Uh. Wen Tinglan?"

Zhongxuan Sheng laughed heartily, "That’s exactly what Xie Baoshu thinks!"

Jiang Wang then made sense of the situation, "Xie Baoshu has intentions for Miss Wen, but Miss Wen is devoted to... Yan Xian Brother, and they are even engaged. So Xie Baoshu, out of love-turned-hate, directs his anger at me?"

"You’re following Yan Fu’s path and have been listed among the Inner Mansion Realm, maybe others don’t know, but his uncle is an Imperial Court Adviser, he couldn’t possibly be unaware." Zhongxuan Sheng took delight in Jiang’s misfortune, "Who else would he find trouble with if not you?"

This matter, if simply understood as a heat of the moment jealousy, would seriously underestimate the Xie Family’s upbringing.

Did Xie Baoshu really think Jiang Wang was all show, and only got on the list by pulling strings? Of course not. His own uncle was an Imperial Court Adviser, he was very well aware of the seriousness of this matter. If it weren’t for Jiang Wang having earlier achievements of defeating peers in the Inner Mansion Realm and overpowering the cultivators of his generation at Near Sea, Yan Fu, no matter how hard he tried, couldn’t have possibly submitted his name.

In the Political Affairs Hall, one State Minister and nine Imperial Court Advisers, how many noble relatives and honorees of Qi Country, who doesn’t have a bit of an indirect relationship that needs looking after?

But with matters like the Yellow River Gathering, not everyone can boast about it.

Being first in some town or region didn’t carry any weight at all.

At the very least, one should start as a prodigy acknowledged throughout Qi Country.

But his challenge was simply to tarnish Yan Fu’s reputation. In other words, if Jiang Wang really performed poorly this time, even if Yan Fu was innocent, his reputation would be tainted too.

Zhongxuan Sheng also understood that the grudge Xie Baoshu had due to Yan Fu had no chance of reconciliation. One couldn’t expect Jiang Wang to cut ties with Yan Fu, or ask Yan Fu to call off the engagement, right? So it’s better not to give Xie Baoshu the chance to act, to lift the curtain and tear off the façade.

Either the other party would skulk away in defeat or make a commotion, causing an embarrassment for those high-ups; after all, Zhongxuan Sheng was used to having a thick skin and didn’t care for anyone’s opinion since he didn’t need to participate in the Yellow River Gathering. Xie Baoshu, on the other hand, might not manage so well.

The outcome didn’t surprise him. Xie Baoshu arrived with great arrogance but left with a sullen face.

All these calculations were in mind, but with just a hint, Jiang Wang was able to understand.

"Quite interesting," he said softly with a laugh and said no more.

For external cultivators who could be listed for the Yellow River Gathering, it would be tough for him to win with his Inner Mansion cultivation. But there was still time, and it wouldn’t hurt to wait for a chance in the future. After all, he had to give this horse-loving Brother Baoshu, an opportunity for "guidance."

...

...

Humiliated and frozen on the spot, Xie Baoshu left and grew more and more resentful as he thought about it.

How was he, Xie Baoshu, any less extraordinary?

In terms of family background, he was the nephew of an Imperial Court Adviser, his Uncle Xie Huaian had no sons, making him the young master of the Xie Family.

In terms of looks, he was a handsome and dashing talent.

In terms of cultivation, he was an Outer Tower Cultivator with Divine Skills, qualified for the Yellow River Gathering, a standout in Qi Country!

Besides, Baoshu Tinglan, these names were simply a match made in heaven. Even if they were put before Yu Beidou, he couldn’t come up with a reason against it, could he?

But Wen Yanyu chose Yan Fu!

What’s so great about the Yan family?

Isn’t it just that they have some stinking money?

Looking around, who stood out? All relying on the former State Minister...

The former Prime Minister certainly was impressive.

But he’s "former" now, isn’t he!

The current State Minister’s last name is Jiang!

Xie Baoshu had every reason to be dissatisfied with Yan Fu and spared no effort in anything that could strike at him.

Having seen the nameplate on the sedan chair just now, he knew it was that Jiang Wang who Yan Fu had specifically sent an invitation to. His thoughts shifted briefly, and with a tug on the reins, he approached. He originally intended to simply give Jiang Wang a little knock, to blunt his edge, and ideally make him lose face in the upcoming event...

But to think of the Zhong Xuan Family’s fatso!

Truly detestable!

On the day when Jiang Wang was to play the leading role, you still shared a sedan with him.

Those with the surname Zhong Xuan really are...

Pah!

Xie Baoshu spat vehemently and rode away on his horse.

...

... 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The small friction that occurred near The Imperial Ancestral Temple didn’t cause much of a stir.

Naturally, quite a few people noticed, but they all pretended not to see.

Indeed, the identities of both parties involved were not easily provoked.

One side was from the Xie Family of the Imperial Court Adviser Xie Huaian, and the other side was even fiercer, from the top-tier prestigious Zhong Xuan Family.

How well Xie Huaian treated Xie Baoshu need not be said.

The murderer—how protective he was! For his nephew, Zhongxuan Sheng, he even dared to draw his sword against the War God!

Those below the Dongzhen level, before seeking trouble, must weigh their own strength, seeing if they could withstand a few blows.

Of course, what’s more important is, on this day, no matter what happens, it must yield to the "Master’s Ceremony."

The ninety-nine lucky households, with men, women, old, and young, carrying their families, stood in their designated places—this was the temporary staircase stage built on the left side, and they were purely spectators now. They stood taller than the civil and military officials, also a rare moment in their lives.

Of course, the random selection from among the registered civilians also had to consist of People of Qi whose generations had clean records.

They had been instructed on proper etiquette, so naturally, there should be no possibility of disorder at such an occasion.

Should there be even a slight issue, Zheng Shi, the Beiyar Commander, would have reached the end of his position.

At this moment, the civil and military officials attending the "Master’s Ceremony" had also arrived at the square, arranged in lines according to their official ranks, all standing.

Only those without cultivation, the elderly over a hundred years old, each had a soft chair to sit in comfortably on the left side of the staircase stage, sitting in front of the ninety-nine households, in the most spacious part, enjoying the best view, with personal attendants.

Living to an old age without cultivation is considered a blessing. Even on ordinary days, the court would send this award to some with Talking of Player last it.

was to play the leading role, you still shared a sedan with him for the time being Installed small fissures of days. He was invited by Yan.

Zheng Shi’s Beiyar army at an equivalent party yawn. He knew Going to violent figures only months easier than Valentine session grew Bharati battle.

One side is from the Imperial Court AdviserThese are taking serious consideration is wallkill give ever, Zheng Shi’s tenure as North it represents months. A person from the Xie Huaian opponent as hisi Yan Fu Family and the other side was even more formidable, descending from the top-tier prestigious Zhong Xuan Family.

How much Xie Huaian spoiled Xie Baoshu doesn’t need explanation. What kind of person is the murderer? For the sake of Zhongxuan Sheng, his nephew, he even dared to unsheathe a sword against the War God!

People below the Dongzhen level, before causing problems, must weigh their own worth, to see if they could endure several blows.

Of course, what matters most is that, on this day, everything must make way for the "Master’s Ceremony."

The ninety-nine fortunate families, with members young and old, brought their households with them, and they stood at their designated spots—on the temporary stepped platform erected on the left, they are now purely spectators. They stood taller than all the officers and officials, a rare moment in their lives indeed.

Of course, said to be randomly selected from a pool of participating civilians, they still had to be the ones whose ancestors for generations had been untainted, citizens of Qi Country.

They had been coached on the proper etiquette, so naturally, there wouldn’t be any possibility for mishaps in such a circumstance.

Should any trouble arise, Zheng Shi as the Beiyar Commander would have reached the end of his career.

The civilian and military officials participating in the "Master’s Ceremony" had also arrived at the plaza by this time, standing in formation according to their ranks, all upright.

Only those elders without cultivation, who were over a hundred years old, each had a soft armchair provided, sitting comfortably atop the left side platform, in front of the ninety-nine households, enjoying the best views at the most spacious spot, attended to by dedicated servants.

Those who had reached such a high age without engaging in cultivation were considered cherished by the heavens. Even on regular days, the Court would send them rice and cloth every now and then.

Counting, there were only fifteen armchairs.

It wasn’t that there were only that many centenarians in Linzi City; of course, every household had been notified, but not many of this age were able to move around.

In the end, only fifteen people arrived.

At this moment, Jiang Wang had already been led to wait outside a side-hall, as one of the main characters of the day, merely awaiting the start of the "Master’s Ceremony."

The guards leading him were silent, and he didn’t feel it appropriate to initiate conversation.

This place should be a side-hall where past meritorious officials and famous generals were jointly worshipped. He hadn’t been allowed inside and thus didn’t know who was worshipped in this hall.

He hadn’t seen any of the other candidates vying for the spots; they must be scattered in different locations...

In any case.

The "Master’s Ceremony" had yet to start, yet the atmosphere was already solemn.