On a bright and sunny afternoon, the seaside was still bustling. Sun Jiu, Wang Wentian’s trusted attendant, and a group of people from Zheluo Mountain occupied a spot on the shore to wait.
After waiting for about half an hour, several ferry boats caught their attention. Wang Xueting and his entourage, standing at the bow, had returned.
The boat arrived, people disembarked, and were immediately escorted away by Sun Jiu and the others, getting into nearby carriages and returning to the Langhuan Residence base.
Before Wang Xueting even reached his room door, he saw a man with a sword on his back, bare-chested, wearing wooden clogs, leaning against the wall, slowly peeling peanuts, smiling at him from afar. It was clear he was waiting outside his door.
No one else dressed like this except Qing Ya, especially the behaviour of casually throwing peanut shells everywhere he went.
Wang Xueting knew Qing Ya too. They had clinked cups at social occasions, but were not familiar and did not interact much. He also knew this person was quite close to his son.
In Wang Xueting’s eyes, Qing Ya was somewhat beneath him. Wang Xueting also believed his own level and status were higher than Qing Ya’s. Qing Ya was someone he could know and order around a bit. To put it plainly, he was only fit to be used by him, not worth deep friendship.
Of course, to some extent, he indeed had this qualification. As one of the top ten spiritual plant sects in Jin Kingdom, he could be considered wealthy and powerful in the whole world. He called the high-level figures in Haishi brothers, and knew many powerful people on the Qianliu Mountain side. How could he put such a local snake in his eyes?
To put it bluntly, he believed dealing with Qing Ya would only take a word from him.
Wang Xueting stopped and turned back, lightly asking, “Why is he waiting at my door?”
Sun Jiu said somewhat uneasily, “Replying to the Sect Leader, I do not know. He was not here before. He may have learned of your return.”
Wang Xueting gave a humph. “It seems he is quite well-informed.” After speaking, he continued walking.
Qing Ya also left the wall he was leaning against, lightly patting his hands clean in a welcoming gesture. Knowing the other party had returned was not really being well-informed. Learning that Sun Jiu and others had gone to wait at the dock, one could guess Wang Xueting was returning.
When the group arrived, Qing Ya wanted to step forward to greet them, but unexpectedly Wang Xueting’s accompanying guards stepped forward and directly pushed him aside, isolating and blocking him, not letting him near Wang Xueting at all. It was quite heavily guarded.
Qing Ya was not angry about this. Cupping his hands across the people, he said, “Sect Leader Wang, we have met before.”
The door opened. Wang Xueting, about to enter, slightly stopped and looked him up and down, asking, “Do you have business with me?”
If he had not heard this person had some connection to the Liang family, he would not have deigned to pay attention.
Qing Ya said, “I am on extremely close terms with Brother Wentian. I wonder how he is now?”
Wang Xueting glanced at the peanut shells on the ground, disgust in his eyes. Looking again at Qing Ya’s unkempt appearance, he considered himself a person of status and did not like people with untidy dress. He said politely, “The situation is unclear. Thank you for your concern.”
He turned back, no longer planning to pay attention, and moved to enter.
Qing Ya immediately called out, “Sect Leader Wang, is there anything in Haishi that requires my service?”
Wang Xueting, who had already entered, paused again. The other party’s words reminded him, who was in low spirits, that a local snake naturally had the advantages of a local snake. He immediately replied with his back turned, “If you have something to say, come in and say it.”
With his words, the people blocking Qing Ya immediately let him pass.
Not everyone in the group entered. Only a few people went in. After entering, Wang Xueting went into the inner room.
Qing Ya wanted to follow in, but was blocked by an older man with three strands of long beard. This man said with a smile, “Master Qing, the Sect Leader has travelled dusty and weary. He needs to freshen up. It is not convenient to observe.”
Qing Ya knew him. This person was an elder of Zheluo Mountain, also a trusted confidant by Wang Xueting’s side. Reportedly he was Wang Xueting’s sworn brother in his early years. His name was Tu Xiukui.
“Oh, I was abrupt.” Qing Ya apologised, turned and walked away himself, finding a seat to sit.
He peeled peanuts while sizing up this luxurious suite. One look and you knew this room cost tens of thousands of taels a day. Especially for someone like Wang Xueting who stayed long-term, it was not something just anyone could afford.
Sun Jiu brought a basin over, placed it beside him, and quietly reminded, “Master Qing, the Sect Leader does not like the carpet getting dirty.” He indicated that the other party should not casually throw peanut shells.
Qing Ya made an “oh” sound, nodded, and threw the shells into the basin.
This wait lasted quite a while. He finished all the peanuts in his pocket, and still the host had not appeared.
Only after mid-afternoon did Wang Xueting emerge from inside again. He was clearly freshly washed and dressed, but the gloomy colour on his face was hard to wash away.
Qing Ya made a brief observation, guessing this person’s trip to save his son had not gone smoothly. He got up to greet him, then followed beside Wang Xueting as he strolled. When Wang Xueting stood with hands behind his back at the window, gazing deeply into the distance, he then tried asking, “Sect Leader Wang, how is Brother Wentian’s situation?”
Wang Xueting gave a humph. “I went to both the Earth Mother and You Cliff. I did my best. The rest can only be left to fate.”
Qing Ya understood immediately upon hearing this. It just sounded nice. This person had ultimately given up on paying twenty billion to exchange for his son’s life. He could not help but sigh in his heart. This father-son affection was also unreliable before huge interests.
Little did he know, Wang Xueting’s heart had also gone through a period of torment.
He first ran to the capital of Jin Kingdom, to the Sinan Mansion Commander, kneeling and begging with tears and snot, saying he was tricked by Yu Qing and so on. But it was useless. The Earth Mother already knew the general situation. She knew Wang Wentian had been rash first. She knew Wang Wentian, in front of the Youcha, knew his fault but did not correct it, and actually wanted to cover it up.
If he really could have covered it up, that would have been that. Yet he could not withstand the Youcha’s torture, and handed over the kidnapped person, confirming his own guilt.
The Earth Mother informed him that she and the You Cliff judge had reached an agreement back then. The other party had solid evidence of guilt. She had no right to interfere. She could only let the Wang family seek their own fortune.
Finally the Earth Mother also asked him one more thing. Why did you go and target that A Shiheng for no reason?
Wang Xueting naturally could not tell the truth. He received a scolding. The Earth Mother had probably already guessed the Wang family’s thoughts.
After leaving Sinan Mansion, he rushed to You Cliff. He had no choice but to plead for mercy. In the end, he could not even see the judge’s face. He could not even see his own son. You Cliff only asked if he had brought money. If he had money, pay and exchange for the person. If no money, do not talk nonsense. They told him to remember the one-month deadline.
After repeated pleading with no result, he left Youjiao Port and returned here, not even going back to Zheluo Mountain.
By rights, he should return to Zheluo Mountain to discuss with the sect’s big shots and raise money to save the person.
However, he knew the other big shots in the sect would not agree to this. Once twenty billion was taken out, Zheluo Mountain could not operate and would collapse. Who in the sect would agree?
Of course, his Zheluo Mountain was somewhat different from ordinary sects. Its rise was too short, its rise too fast. It was a sect pieced together from here and there. The many people in the sect could only be called disciples, not the kind of inherited disciples generation after generation.
The whole sect was basically pieced-together people. Calling it a sect, it was actually similar to a chamber of commerce. In the end, the Wang family had the final say. If the Wang family insisted on raising money to save the person, others had no way.
But Wang Xueting did not do this.
Rebuilding a sect of this size was far from as fast as fathering a new son.
Between money, power and son, he ultimately chose the former.
Seeing this person had given up saving his son, Qing Ya immediately sighed with regret, “That dog Tanhua, he harms people deeply. How can hatred be resolved without eliminating this thief? Sect Leader Wang, are you going to let that dog thief off just like this?”
Wang Xueting glanced at him and said indifferently, “Are you going to avenge Wentian?”
He actually hoped the other party would have this resolve.
Qing Ya sighed, “I do have the heart, but not the strength. I am being watched. Previously the Zhenhai Division even arrested and imprisoned me. That Tanhua Lang also has many people watching him. To move against him, with my abilities, I truly cannot do it.”
Wang Xueting said, “You also know many people are watching him. I heard he also has dealings with the Ming Temple side. How can you openly take revenge in Haishi?”
Qing Ya knew he was probing his words, but he took the conversation, “Sect Leader Wang, do not say that. To deal with him, it really is most convenient in Haishi.”
Wang Xueting made an “oh” sound and also turned around. Only now did he look at him face-on. “How so?”
Qing Ya asked in return, “Does Sect Leader Wang know the young master of Chilan Pavilion, Long Xingyun?”
Wang Xueting suddenly narrowed his eyes, raised his hand and slowly stroked his beard. “You mean to lure that person here?”
Qing Ya looked at his expression and knew he should have also heard about Long Xingyun’s grudge with Yu Qing. “Long Xingyun was already biting at that dog Tanhua in Youjiao Port, forcibly ruining the dog Tanhua’s business, interrupting the dog Tanhua’s rising momentum. The two can be called sworn enemies. But in a place like Youjiao Port, Long Xingyun could not act recklessly. He could only leave with regret. Haishi is different. Who dares move against him? Does the Zhenhai Division dare?
“If Long Xingyun came here, he could turn clouds and rain. He would definitely want to kill that dog Tanhua. If the two clashed, it would certainly be a fight to the death. If the dog Tanhua killed Long Xingyun, he would not be able to get away here either. Unfortunately, my abilities are shallow. I cannot summon that young pavilion master. But in other aspects I can still help a bit. I dare not speak big words. As long as I can avenge Brother Wentian, I can still provide information on all aspects. I have been watching that dog Tanhua. If there is any situation, Sect Leader Wang can ask me anytime.”
Wang Xueting’s eyes flickered constantly. After a silent moment, he finally said slowly, “For future matters, you can directly contact Elder Tu. I have been running around for many days. I am tired. I will not see you out.” After speaking, he tilted his head and gave Tu Xiukui a look.
“No need to see me out, no need. Whatever you need, just say it.” Qing Ya immediately took his leave.
Tu Xiukui still personally went to see him out. After sending him out the door, he took out a million tael banknote and stuffed it to him. “Master Qing, a small token of appreciation. Keep it for tea. In the future, interact more often. We will certainly not treat you poorly.”
The gesture was generous enough. The money for casual tea could make countless people envious.
Qing Ya could not refuse and finally accepted it with a smile.
After seeing the guest off and returning to the room, Tu Xiukui quickly went to Wang Xueting’s side and asked, “Big brother, do you want to kill that Tanhua Lang?”
Wang Xueting asked in return, “Why do you think I did not return to Zheluo Mountain, and instead returned to Haishi dusty and weary?”
Tu Xiukui was a bit anxious and advised him, “That little hooligan’s words, just listen to them. No one can figure out how deep that Tanhua Lang’s relationship with Duke Xuan is. And Duke Xuan’s methods have always been brutal. Still as a mountain when unmoved, swift as thunder when moved. At the slightest move, heads roll and rivers of blood flow. If we provoke fire, the entire Zheluo Mountain might be annihilated. The Earth Mother cannot sit guarding Zheluo Mountain forever.”
To some extent, his thoughts were the same as the other Zheluo Mountain people. He would rather Wang Wentian die than have Zheluo Mountain collapse, because it was everyone’s interest.
Deep resentment appeared in Wang Xueting’s eyes. “Do you think I am willing to provoke that old fellow? How did Zheluo Mountain get to where it is today? You know the reason. It was borrowing the Earth Mother’s power like a fox borrowing a tiger’s might. If Wentian’s failure is exposed and people see through it, who will still give us face? How many people have we offended on our rise? Zheluo Mountain will collapse with a crash. That A Shiheng must die, and must die so the whole world knows. Just do things cleanly!”