Chapter 628 - 609: Entering the Tiger’s Den

Luo Shan didn’t seem too surprised. "Heh, no need to rush your answer. Today is just for drinking, not business."

Wang Meng didn’t press the matter, either. He listened as Luo Shan spoke of various pleasantries and strange happenings, things Wang Meng was actually quite interested in learning about.

’Luo Shan and Yang Qi were both decent men, and Wang Meng did indeed need a foothold. However, Master Wang disdained being a fence-sitter. He chose Yang Qi not because the Spirit Control Association was bad, nor because Luo Shan was a bad person. It was simply that his and Yang Qi’s personalities were more compatible. If he joined the Divine Artifact Pavilion, he wouldn’t feel beholden to anyone when the day came that he wanted to leave. Luo Shan, on the other hand, was actually looking for a successor. He would give much, but he would also demand much in return. Master Wang had no intention of tying himself to the Spirit Control Association.’

’At least for now, he wouldn’t make any rash decisions until he was certain about the situation with the Heaven-Reaching Path.’

Fatty Bai, meanwhile, was drinking alongside them. To be honest, on his own, Fatty Bai would never have been qualified to share a drink with Luo Shan, a fact that made him exceptionally excited.

’After today, the Bai Family’s miserable status in Wang City was sure to improve.’

In the gardens of the Muhe Family estate, Muhe Xiaoyu was hosting Zhan Yingluo and Jiang Biyao. Laughter echoed from the three women in the beautiful garden.

"Yingluo, why stay at the Spirit Control Association? Come stay with me," Muhe Xiaoyu said. The comforts of the Association naturally couldn’t compare to those of Wang City’s foremost family, and her staying would also help strengthen the relationship between their two families.

Under the current circumstances, even the Muhe Family hoped to rally more friends to their side. With her older brother away handling family business, she had to do her part. Overall, Muhe Xiaoyu was a clever girl who had her own opinions but could also appreciate the larger picture.

"That’s right. The Spirit Control Association may not lack for anything, but it’s so rigid. Besides, we could stay up all night talking."

Jiang Biyao chimed in, trying to persuade her.

Zhan Yingluo gave a faint smile. Ever since witnessing Wang Meng’s shocking display, she hadn’t flown into a rage. Instead, she had grown quiet. Little Yu was also curious about the history between them, but it was the kind of thing that was awkward to ask about if Zhan Yingluo didn’t bring it up herself.

Jiang Biyao, however, had been quite proactive and had already dug up the story of their past conflict. The Zhan Yingluo of the past had been a bit of an easy target, and Wang Rencai had been a master bully. Zhan Yingluo was just one of many he had picked on.

Zhan Yingluo shook her head. "I’ve already made arrangements, but thank you both. It looks like I’ll be staying in Wang City for a while. This place is quite interesting."

"So you’re still planning to stay at the Spirit Control Association? It must be so inconvenient for a girl by herself."

Zhan Yingluo shook her head. "No. I’m going to stay with the Bai Family!"

The garden instantly fell silent. Jiang Biyao and Muhe Xiaoyu stared at each other. ’What on earth is she planning?’

"Ahem, Yingluo, forgive me for overstepping, since we’ve only just met, but we hit it off so well. What you’re suggesting is too dangerous. Even if you’re stronger than him, some people will resort to the most underhanded tactics."

Jiang Biyao said, her impression of Wang Meng still stuck on the rumors from Haojing. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say she no longer cared about him at all; it would be best if he just disappeared for good. Now that her relationship with the Zhe Family was settled, she didn’t want any unexpected complications. Deep down, she felt Wang Meng was utterly beneath her.

"Yingluo, Biyao is right. This isn’t a trivial matter. Even if someone can change, it’s rare for them to transform completely overnight. For you to go there alone..."

"It’s fine. I came here specifically to settle the score with him and to get revenge for everyone he bullied. It might be kicking a man while he’s down, but beating a drowning dog is its own form of justice!"

Zhan Yingluo’s attitude was firm. Muhe Xiaoyu, though confused, had an inkling of what Zhan Yingluo was thinking. Jiang Biyao, however, was simply baffled. Ever since her betrothal had been secretly arranged, Jiang Biyao’s perspective had shifted. Wang Meng no longer caused the slightest ripple in her heart; now, she was more concerned with objectively evaluating his worth.

The two tried their best to dissuade her, but unfortunately, Zhan Yingluo remained resolute.

She had her own ideas.

’Truth be told, she hadn’t come all this way entirely for her own sake. Wang Rencai had indeed wronged her, but frankly, the people of the Zhan Family—men and women alike—were magnanimous. In fact, the Zhan Family and Wang Family had always maintained a good relationship. When Wang Rencai caused that trouble back then, his father beat him the moment he got home, which showed how much the Wang Family valued their relationship with the Zhan Family. They were allies of many generations, after all.’

’But for Zhan Yingluo personally, it was a matter she couldn’t just let go. Still, she wasn’t that cruel at heart. She was also here to stand up for her other friends who had been bullied. She talked tough, but how far would she really go?’

’But after seeing Wang Rencai, she realized how much he had truly changed. Unlike Muhe Xiaoyu and Jiang Biyao, she knew exactly what kind of person Wang Rencai used to be.’

’But the Wang Meng of today?’

’His appearance hadn’t changed much, but he was clearly more robust and his skin was a bit tanner. His tone of voice was slower, less flippant. The biggest change was in his eyes. The old Wang Rencai’s gaze had been flighty and easy to read, but the Wang Meng of today was like a completely different person. His eyes were profound. Coming from a major family, Zhan Yingluo had met all sorts of powerful figures. These experts possessed a certain dominant aura even when casually telling a joke—and incredibly, she saw that same aura in Wang Meng.’

’It was the kind of presence born only from immense self-confidence.’

’A prodigal son returns?’

’They say a person can change after a great awakening. He even changed his name... is he trying to start over?’

’He certainly looked the part now. If Wang Meng had truly changed, Zhan Yingluo felt she should give him a chance to atone; she wasn’t a bully herself. But if... if it was all an act, then that was terrifying. A shallow scoundrel was one thing, but a profoundly cunning demon was another matter entirely.’

’If he was the latter, Zhan Yingluo would ensure Wang Meng never returned to Haojing alive, even at the risk of offending the Wang Family.’

’Going to the Bai Family was the only way. She could only see his true colors by getting close to him.’

’You can’t catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den!’

After chatting a while longer, Zhan Yingluo took her leave, leaving Muhe Xiaoyu and Jiang Biyao to stare at one another in bewilderment.

"What in the world is going on? There isn’t something wrong with her, is there?" Jiang Biyao asked, pointing to her head.

The events at the Spirit Control Association had been too shocking. Besides the three who were there, only Luo Shan knew what had happened.

Muhe Xiaoyu wouldn’t talk, Zhan Yingluo wouldn’t talk, and the naturally timid Su Xueyou certainly wasn’t going to say a word.

Still, Zhan Yingluo’s attitude left Muhe Xiaoyu completely baffled.

"In any case, it’s her decision. Yingluo is actually very kind-hearted. She probably just wants to give Wang Meng a chance," Muhe Xiaoyu said.

A smirk played on Jiang Biyao’s lips. "She should be careful not to suffer a double loss. If you ask me, that guy is even harder to deal with now. Getting kicked out of the Wang Family just made him more cunning. Did you know? I sent my personal maid, Wan’Er, to wait on him, and who knows what kind of Enchantment he used on her. The girl won’t stop singing his praises to me, completely forgetting her place!"

In the past, she would have just let it slide. But once a woman’s romantic feelings change, her preferences can shift dramatically, and Jiang Biyao was a prime example. The more Wan’Er praised Wang Meng, the more convinced Jiang Biyao became of his sinister motives. Her previous disinterest had curdled into disgust, and she was even starting to dislike Wan’Er as a result.

Little Yu didn’t feel it was her place to comment, since this was ultimately a Jiang Family matter. She wasn’t sure what to make of Wang Meng herself, but one thing was certain: he was a rare Spirit Control Genius. He might even be the only person in the younger generation with a chance of challenging the Spirit Saint, Han Chuxue.

Even for someone as level-headed as Little Yu, her thoughts were now in a tangle. She no longer knew what was real and what was not.

「At the Bai Family Estate」

Once Luo Shan left, Fatty Bai relaxed considerably. "Boss, the Spirit Control Association is the most powerful faction in Wang City! Vice-chairman... Gods, I wouldn’t even dare to dream of it! Why would you want to be a mere Guest Minister at the Divine Artifact Pavilion instead?"

A Guest Minister is nothing compared to the vice-chairman! Besides, the Spirit Control Association has far more influence in Wang City.

Wang Meng smiled faintly. "With every gain, there is a cost. Cooperating with Luo Shan is fine, but getting in too deep with him doesn’t suit me. Don’t worry. The Bai Family’s rise will begin at the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival. If they want a fight, we’ll give them one. To be honest, my hands are getting a little itchy."

At the mention of this, Fatty Bai’s spirits soared. "Boss, that’s what I was waiting to hear! No one in Wang City can stand in your way!"

The Red Melt Bird, the Golden-Horned Ape, the Water Spirit Beast, the Snake-tailed Flower, and the Armored Beast... all at the Third Transformation Level, and they even covered all Five Elements! How utterly dominant! Fatty Bai could hardly wait for the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival to arrive.

"Don’t celebrate too early. The four major families are no pushovers."

Wang Meng chuckled. "With the power of the four major families, it won’t be that easy. However, True Essence Beasts also depend on control; how one directs them in battle is key. In the Small Thousand Realm, Spirit Beasts are relatively weak, a consequence of the overwhelming power of Elemental Qi. But here in the Middle Thousand Realm, the Elemental Qi is thin, while the True Essence inside the True Essence Beasts is abundant, so their standing is naturally different."

Cultivators can not only use Borrowing Spirit, but can also use them as combat partners. Controlling a True Essence Beast depends primarily on one’s Heart Spirit.

’On that subject... Master Wang really had nothing more to say.’

Fatty Bai wasn’t concerned with the details. He clapped his hands together emphatically. "Boss, you’re the absolute best! I’ll get things ready, too. Oh, right, I went to the Pill Immortal Alliance and bought five vials of top-grade Spirit Beast Pills. They’re really good for newly acquired True Essence Beasts."

As he spoke, Fatty Bai carefully took out five exquisite jade vials. "Damn, those Three Major Conferences are such rip-offs. Anything even halfway decent costs a fortune. It might look like our major families are the ones throwing money around, but those conferences are the ones raking in the real profits."

Wang Meng opened one of the vials, tipped out a Spirit Beast Pill, and crushed it between his fingers. A faint fragrance filled the room. Fatty Bai jumped. "Boss, that stuff is expensive! There are only five pills in each vial!"

Wang Meng nodded. "I know. Don’t buy any more of this from now on."

’Speaking of which, he’d been in Wang City for some time now. He had already visited two of the Three Major Conferences, leaving only the Pill Immortal Alliance.’

’In the Small Thousand Realm, it was the Cultivation Sects that dominated the world. Here, however, it was the three support-focused Major Conferences that held all the power. Interesting.’

The Five Elements Divine Beast Festival would clearly take some time to prepare. Fatty Bai bustled about, handling various tasks, while Wang Meng focused on cultivating his Merak Fire Cloud Technique. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)