NOVPUB40: Chapter Thirty-Seven: Knocking
40 -Thirty-Seven: Knocking
Although Xu Yuan had seemingly been getting along well with Zhou Chen these days, with Zhou Chen readily answering any questions about cultivation, Xu Yuan knew deep down Zhou Chen still looked down on him.
It showed in many small ways.
He would address him as ‘Third Young Master,’ yet, as a bodyguard, he entered Xu Yuan’s room without ever knocking.
When they spoke, Zhou Chen never bothered to hide the smell of alcohol on his breath,
and there was even one time, out of curiosity about the construction of top-tier treasures like the Sumeru Ring, Zhou Chen had the audacity to ask if he could borrow it from Xu Yuan to study it.
Zhou Chen said he just wanted to study it and wouldn’t dare to keep it for himself.
After all, Xu Changge knew that Xu Yuan possessed the Sumeru Ring.
If Zhou Chen dared to keep it, he would have to die.
But the problem was that the Sumeru Ring was a private treasure, containing all sorts of personal belongings.
Asking to borrow it was akin to knowing someone’s wife was bathing alone at home and asking for the house keys.
Xu Yuan didn’t lend it and appropriately reprimanded Zhou Chen, yet Zhou Chen later brought it up again half-jokingly.
So many incidents like this, too numerous to count.
Today, Zhou Chen suddenly took action to resolve the issue with Xue Yong for him.
Xu Yuan initially thought Zhou Chen had changed.
Because of the expenses of the last two weeks’ hospitality, because of his own grinding cultivation over the past month, he thought Zhou Chen had come to view him differently.
But the outcome was that afterward, Zhou Chen was still the same as ever.
He came over with a big, boozy grin, chatting about women, then expected Xu Yuan to help him summon a few courtesans.
Xu Yuan was beginning to lose his patience.
He once again deeply understood the plight of the original Xu Yuan and why he had become so sensitive and irritable.
Xu Yuan had initially intended to bear it and, like in his previous life, first make some achievements, slowly establish his own prestige, and then gradually deal with these subordinates.
But after careful consideration, he suddenly realized that his identity and cultivation physique meant he didn’t have to be overly polite to Zhou Chen, the Great Grandmaster.
So, Xu Yuan began to play off the word ‘arduous cultivation.’
Zhou Chen’s dismissive tone seemed to imply, “You, a worthless scion, surely can’t keep this up, so stop pretending.”
Xu Yuan thus mocked Zhou Chen for the pot calling the kettle black.
The original Xu Yuan had given up on cultivation due to blocked meridians and an almost crippled soul cultivation, while you, Zhou Chen, started indulging yourself after hitting a bottleneck and making no progress.
What’s the difference between the two?
What right do you have to stand here and ridicule with such bombast?
If I, with my current physique, want to start cultivating again, is there a problem?
Xu Yuan’s intentions were clear.
One was to give Zhou Chen a thorough wake-up call.
Two was to find an excuse to focus on cultivation.
Three was to change others’ entrenched perception of him, and little by little establish his own authority in the eyes of these family retainers and guest elders.
There’s a complete difference between subordinates who obey in appearance but act contrary in secret and those who are wholeheartedly diligent.
In his previous life, the worst that could happen with employees who paid lip service was a project delay or failure; but now, these guest elders and family retainers’ lip service could potentially cost him his life.
That being said,
Zhou Chen’s reaction did indeed surprise Xu Yuan.
He thought the Great Grandmaster would storm off due to loss of face, yet Zhou Chen actually bowed his head and admitted his error.
On second thought, it made sense,
Zhou Chen’s submission was due to the scolding he’d just received, but also due to Xu Yuan’s status and the limitless potential of the Innate Taoist Body.
Xu Yuan gazed deeply at the bowing and clasped hands of Zhou Chen.
If the situation was wrong, he could immediately acknowledge his mistake and lower his stance, which was commendable.
But…
huh.
Xu Yuan remained silent, quietly staring at the Grandmaster.
“……”
Zhou Chen maintained his bow and clasped hands, his face hung low with an expression of crushed ego.
The other’s words suddenly made him realize something.
The previous Third Young Master had no future.
As a failed cultivator, dealing with a futureless Third Young Master with perfunctory effort was fine.
But now the Third Young Master had become an Innate Taoist Body thanks to a fortuitous encounter.
And yet he had been treating the current Third Young Master with his old attitude.
If the Third Young Master truly had a change of heart, with the innate talent of the Innate Taoist Body and the resources of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the present Third Young Master could very well become the next Xu Changge.
Moreover, he might grow even faster.
Breaking through the Ninth Grade in just over half a month…
In a few years, once his cultivation develops, with the Third Young Master’s vengeful nature….
“…..” Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen truly wanted to give himself a harsh slap.
Habits, indeed, could be deadly…
The silence at the top continued,
Xu Yuan calmly observed Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen maintained a deep bow, his fists clasped.
Watching as the other party stubbornly refused to speak, impatience gradually emerged in Xu Yuan’s eyes.
A smart man, but not particularly clever.
Since you’ve realized the situation, I’ve endured you for half a month, and you think you can just sidestep the issue without offering anything in return?
Zhou Chen, with his cultivation, naturally sensed the change in Xu Yuan’s expression; his face went through several changes before he gritted his teeth:
“Third Young Master…
You have just entered Ninth Grade, and I have yet to show my respect.
This is a modest gift I’ve prepared especially for you.”
As he spoke, he reached into his bosom and pulled out a small jade bottle.
“…..”
Xu Yuan was somewhat disappointed at the sight.
He didn’t want things.
What he wanted was Zhou Chen himself.
At the very least, there should be some promises of assistance, right?
As his thoughts flickered, Xu Yuan knew he was being too greedy.
Even his elder brother hadn’t been so impressive as to fully satisfy a Great Grandmaster at Ninth Grade.
Gathering his thoughts, Xu Yuan looked at Zhou Chen again.
Zhou Chen’s face was a picture of pain.
He closed his eyes and, with a push of his hand, presented the jade bottle in front of Xu Yuan:
“This is called Eliminating Essence Powder.”
Eliminating Essence Powder?
Xu Yuan glanced at the jade bottle.
Some bluish-gray crystal powder was finely sprinkled at the bottom of the bottle.
In this world, not all medicines existed in the form of pills; they could also be liquid, solid, powder, or even gaseous.
With a brief recollection, he remembered the use of this substance.
It was a fine thing.
A top-tier body tempering medicine, simply pour it into the bath when bathing, suitable for any grade; even he, who had just entered Ninth Grade, could use it to warm the meridians and temper the body, laying the groundwork in advance for entering Sixth Grade with an Iron Body.
As a medicine beneficial to a Great Grandmaster’s cultivation, this Eliminating Essence Powder would be worth tens of thousands if sold on the market.
For Zhou Chen, it must have been costly.
The corners of Xu Yuan’s mouth curled slightly.
He raised his hand and took the spirit powder from Zhou Chen’s hand, playing with it in his palm.
At this moment, Zhou Chen also raised his gaze, his eyes fixed on the jade bottle in Xu Yuan’s hand, filled with reluctance and pain.
Suddenly, Xu Yuan turned his eyes toward him.
Their gazes met.
“….” Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen put on a strained smile and cheerfully said:
“Third Young Master, with your Ninth Grade cultivation, you only need to pour a little into your bath when bathing….
Huh?”
Before he could finish, the jade bottle was tossed back by Xu Yuan.
Zhou Chen hurriedly caught the precious bottle, looking somewhat astonished.
He subconsciously thought the Third Young Master didn’t recognize its value.
Xu Yuan merely glanced at him and turned to leave, leaving behind a remark:
“It’s not easy to break through the bottleneck with martial prowess alone; Zhou Chen, keep the Eliminating Essence Powder for your own use.”
“….” Zhou Chen.
A moment of silence,
A flash crossed Zhou Chen’s eyes, then he suddenly grinned, clasping his fists in appreciation:
“Thank you for your kindness, Third Young Master.”
“…..”
Xu Yuan did not respond and continued downstairs with steady steps.
After a pause,
Zhou Chen quickly followed behind.
Sometimes, it’s harmless to be a bit shameless.
Walking by Xu Yuan’s side, Zhou Chen returned to his earlier mannerisms, now without a trace of drunkenness, jovially asking:
“Third Young Master, are you going for cultivation?
I am currently unoccupied and could assist you in your cultivation.”
“Assist in cultivation?” Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, hearing this term for the first time.
Zhou Chen explained with a smile: “It is a trait of my cultivation technique.
I can use my will-spirit to refine the surrounding Origin Qi before gathering it around you, and you only need to keep refining it.”
“Is that so?” Xu Yuan looked at Zhou Chen.
“Of course.”
Zhou Chen, unabashed: “Does the Third Young Master have any need for it?”
“Hmm…
Not for the time being.”
“Huh?
Then Third Young Master, you are…”
“If I’m heading downstairs, it’s obviously to see the madam.”
“…..” Zhou Chen.
Xu Yuan stood still, turning his gaze to Zhou Chen with a somewhat amused expression, matter-of-factly:
“Tomorrow, there will be an Oiran making her debut at the Zuixian Pavilion.”
