Chapter 290 - 236: A Deliberate Friendship, Alliance and Betrayal

Chapter 290: Chapter 236: A Deliberate Friendship, Alliance and Betrayal

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

This was something Wu Liangchen had always firmly believed.

He had no prior dealings with this Jiang Minghai, after all. No matter how much the man admired him, there was no way he would gift him such a precious blade for no reason.

So Wu Liangchen decided to stop beating around the bush and asked directly.

In response to Wu Liangchen’s question, Jiang Minghai just laughed heartily. He then set down his wine cup and looked at him with great seriousness.

"Younger Brother Wu, I know what you’re thinking. You’re wondering if I have some ulterior motive for suddenly giving you wine and gifting you a blade, aren’t you?"

"And you don’t?"

"Of course not!" Jiang Minghai shook his head and sighed.

"But it’s normal for you to think that. After all, the world has gone downhill and people’s hearts are not what they used to be. It’s rare to see anyone interact with genuine sincerity anymore."

As he said this, his expression grew a little forlorn.

Wu Liangchen listened in silence.

"You don’t need to doubt my motives. After all, I’m at my age now. Even if they call me a Grandmaster, I’m just a pile of old bones. I certainly have no designs on you."

"Of course, if you’re still worried, then just consider this my way of paving the road for my descendants," Jiang Minghai said faintly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Liangchen raised his eyes to look at Jiang Feng, who was standing to the side.

"Not him. His talent may be average, but he’s been by my side for so many years that he at least knows how to navigate the world. Even when I’m gone, he’ll be able to make a living. The only one I can’t stop worrying about is my daughter."

Jiang Feng looked hurt when he heard this and couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice, "Father..."

"Shut up. This is no place for you to speak."

After the rebuke, Jiang Minghai turned back to Wu Liangchen, his face full of helplessness. "You’re living at my disappointing son-in-law’s place, so you must have met my daughter. Did you think she seems a bit... simple?"

Wu Liangchen was silent for a moment before giving a slight nod.

"Sigh. The child wasn’t like this when she was little. She was so smart and pretty back then. I still remember her, not even as tall as this table, running around me begging for candy. Those were the days!" Jiang Minghai said, lost in his memories.

"But I don’t know what happened. She suddenly came down with a serious illness. After she recovered, she became simple-minded. Then she had a massive growth spurt and shot up into the tall, strapping figure she is today, without a trace of girlishness left."

"I was afraid she would be bullied, so I searched high and low and finally chose Xu Kai. Back then, he had just arrived in the capital and was still a nobody. With me and Feng’Er looking out for them, their life has been decent enough. My only regret is that they were never able to have a child, which is something I’ve always felt we owe the Xu family."

Jiang Minghai rambled on about these family matters, not at all like a Martial Arts Grandmaster, but rather like an old man who had worried about his children for most of his life and still couldn’t rest easy in his old age.

"Like I said, I invited you here today for two reasons. One, to meet a young talent like yourself, and two, to befriend you. So, consider this blade a greeting gift. If you feel you can’t accept it, then just look after my daughter and son-in-law a bit, whenever it’s within your power."

"Of course, that also depends on your mood. If you’re willing, then help them. If not, then just pretend I never said anything."

"That’s it?" Wu Liangchen asked, a little surprised.

"That’s right, that’s it. And you don’t have to feel awkward about it, because I’m actually the one getting the better end of the deal. After all, trading an ancient blade I have no use for to gain the goodwill of a Martial Artist with a limitless future like you is a huge win for me," Jiang Minghai said with complete frankness.

"Alright."

Since Jiang Minghai had put it that way, Wu Liangchen didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up the blade from the table and stood to leave.

Jiang Minghai stood up to see him off. Just then, Wu Liangchen suddenly stopped and turned his head. "Elder Jiang, aren’t you forgetting something?"

"What... Oh, right, right, I remember! Look at this brain of mine. Feng’Er, hurry up and go to the cellar to get that medicinal wine!" Jiang Minghai slapped his own head, acting as if he had just remembered.

"You got it!"

Jiang Feng left excitedly and returned a moment later, carrying several wine jars.

The moment he saw Jiang Feng had brought so many in one go, Jiang Minghai’s eyelid started twitching uncontrollably.

"Did you bring them all?"

"Reporting to Father, I brought them all! I searched the entire cellar and guarantee nothing was left behind," Jiang Feng declared, full of conviction.

"Alright, then. Hurry up and take them to Young Master Wu," Jiang Minghai said, feigning composure.

"Don’t worry, Father! I’ll make sure they get home safe and sound!" Jiang Feng said excitedly.

With that, the two of them departed.

The moment they were gone, Jiang Minghai scrambled down to the cellar in a panic.

A moment later, a mournful cry echoed from the cellar.

"That unfilial son! He really didn’t leave a single jar for me!"

And while Jiang Minghai was at home, jumping up and down in heartache, Jiang Feng was trailing after Wu Liangchen with the wine jars, heading for the Xu family’s home.

He chattered excitedly as they walked.

"Master Wu, I have to say, you’ve really got some serious pull! This wine is my dad’s lifeblood. Normally, forget about drinking it, he won’t even let me touch it. But today, he gave it all to you."

Wu Liangchen smiled, seeing right through Jiang Feng’s intentions. "What, you want to try some too?"

"Hehe, if I had the chance, I’d be more than happy to," Jiang Feng said with a sly chuckle.