Chapter 2273: _3

“Brother Xie has great understanding and I truly admire it!” Waxman Zhang, being an old-school gangster himself, knows that the world of martial arts is not just about fighting, but human interactions.

When the other party proposed a battle in the spatial world and issued harsh words, he grasped the implied message.

Thus, he promptly returned harsh words, portraying a willingness to fight to the death, all as part of a performance for others, so everyone can report back satisfactorily.

This is the mutual understanding between old-school gangsters.

After coming close, both sides exchanged flattery and pleasantries, with none of the previous tension from the outside.

The Broken Blade Guest Yin Lishan and Little Coffin Immortal Ji Xuan also treated Waxman Zhang with courtesy, leading to an unusually harmonious atmosphere.

The only exception was the Iron Armor Swordsman, who remained tense and unresponsive to kindness, standing vigilantly behind Waxman Zhang like a dedicated bodyguard.

Invited warmly by Xie Yanyan, the group arrived at his secret base, a cave dwelling by the river. It had a plaque inscribed with two bold characters: Xie Mansion.

Though the name exuded grandeur, the space inside wasn’t expansive. However, its location was prime, right by the Calabash Bend of the big river, where the rushing waters slowed, and the broad river reflected a full moon—a truly picturesque scene.

“Brother Xie, this place is marvelous, truly marvelous! It is a celestial abode!” Waxman Zhang hunched his back, taking in the splendid view from the cave entrance.

“Hahaha, Brother Zhang overpraises, please sit down and try my tea.” Xie Yanyan invited everyone to sit, with a stone table and several stone stools set just a few steps outside the cave.

Xie Yanyan and Waxman Zhang sat facing each other, occupying the best positions, while others took seats behind according to their respective ranks.

Xie Yanyan personally stood up and poured tea for Waxman Zhang, exchanging compliments and creating a surprisingly harmonious atmosphere.

Waxman Zhang sniffed the tea and took a gentle sip, raising an eyebrow involuntarily, and then remarked, “Mm~~, the aroma isn’t overpowering, the submerged fragrance is distinct, crisp and bold, with a lingering rich aftertaste. Good tea, indeed!”

“Hahaha, Brother Zhang truly has a discerning taste for tea, this is a premium Da Hong Pao, picked from the mother tree at Tianxin Yongle Zen Temple. The annual yield is less than 5 jin, and during my last visit to the Buddhist Temple to meet Master Wenxing, he gifted me 2 liang. I wouldn’t share it with anyone less than a distinguished guest.” Upon hearing this, Xie Yanyan laughed heartily, his smile natural and broad. “Later, when we leave, I’ll pack half a liang for Brother Zhang, as a token of my thoughts.”

“How could I accept that? A gentleman doesn’t take what is dear to others.” Waxman Zhang waved his hands repeatedly.

Seeing this, Xie Yanyan retreated to the cave, and re-emerged carrying a small paper packet, insisting on offering the tea to Waxman Zhang.

“I couldn’t, I really couldn’t!” Waxman Zhang protested verbally but didn’t physically refuse, while the Iron Armor Swordsman watched as Xie slipped the packet of precious tea into Zhang’s sleeve.

Witnessing the scene, the Iron Armor Swordsman rose, turned around, and left for a secluded spot to rest, avoiding the bother.

“And this young gentleman is…” Xie Yanyan asked with some confusion.

“Oh, don’t mind him, he’s thick-headed. Brother Xie, I suddenly remembered I have a Blessing Prayer from the Daoist Sect’s Master Yunlan, gifted to fated individuals. Here, please accept it.” In the world of martial arts, etiquette demands exchange, lest one be mocked for poor manners. Waxman Zhang retrieved a small cloth-wrapped paper packet from his embrace, revealing a scroll, and presented it formally to Xie Yanyan.

Xie Yanyan reciprocated without hesitation, accepting it with both hands and expressing gratitude, impeccable in manner.

For the next half hour, both sides enjoyed poetry and moonlight, spoke only of friendship and admiration, not politics. Waxman Zhang invited the Masked Piano Girl to play enchanting tunes, while Xie Yanyan instructed Little Coffin Immortal Ji Xuan to rhythmically tap a baby ghost coffin, accompanying the music.

When the tea was finished and time had roughly elapsed, both parties began negotiating how to report back satisfactorily, aligning their stories.

Ultimately, they settled on saying both sides engaged in a fierce fight, with Waxman Zhang’s side having a slight advantage, yet Xie Yanyan’s trio held their ground, leading to a draw.

To ensure the act appeared genuine, both sides began dressing up their appearances, with Waxman Zhang applying some wax onto Broken Blade Guest Yin Lishan and then slicing open the Piano Girl’s clothing with the broken knife, smudging it with blood.

The blood was freshly extracted from the baby ghost coffin.

Both parties thoroughly altered their appearances, during which Waxman Zhang attempted to fix up the Iron Armor Swordsman but faced disregard from him, who stared disdainfully.

“Thick-headed! Here’s a good lesson you refuse to learn, always thinking of fights—eventually you’ll suffer!” Waxman Zhang cursed angrily.

Finally, the Masked Piano Girl intervened, preventing Zhang from hitting the Iron Armor Swordsman’s head with his cane. Her face, withered by past backlash from a Magic Artifact, couldn’t speak, so she silently shook her head.

In the end, Waxman Zhang, with a cold expression, took the Iron Armor Swordsman aside and lowly mocked, “You keep your pride, ignore honors—that’s your business. But should you dare report nonsense back, secretly denounce me on the task report, remember, lad, your end will be ghastly.”