Chapter 43 - 38: A Little Guidance

Sima Fenghen was so incensed by Shen Lang’s behavior, she almost made herself sick.

’Even at Jialan Academy, no one would dare speak to me like that...’

’This little brat is so arrogant!’

She suppressed the urge to strike, snorted coldly, and led Shen Lang to a private room on the third floor.

An elder was sitting inside the room, sipping tea. He wore simple clothes and his hair was streaked with white, yet his frame was as sturdy as any young man’s. Though his wrinkled face bore a faint smile, his eyes held a sharp, imposing glint of authority.

"I am Shen Lang. It is an honor to meet you, Elder Yan," Shen Lang said with a bow that was neither obsequious nor overbearing.

Sima Yan beamed and beckoned him over. "Come, come, have a seat. I was actually planning to visit you yesterday. I never expected to run into you here."

With a slight nod, Shen Lang didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly across from Sima Yan.

This caused Sima Fenghen, standing behind them, to frown. She couldn’t stop herself from glaring at his back once more.

’Such a disrespectful brat. How dare he act so arrogantly in front of my father? Does he really think he’s all that?’

Sima Yan cheerfully poured a cup of wine for Shen Lang. "That was quite a display you put on downstairs. An incredible momentum that stunned the entire room! Even an old man like me has to admit I was impressed... However, not only did you cripple that Tang boy, but you also managed to offend every family scion in the building. That’s not a good thing. As the saying goes, ’The rigid branch is the first to break.’ A young man like you should learn a little restraint."

Shen Lang smiled faintly. "Elder Yan, I’m afraid I have to disagree. It’s not so simple. As I see it, they were the ones who offended me first. I merely taught them a little lesson to keep them from causing me trouble in the future."

"But an act like that might not prevent future trouble. You’ve offended all these people, which will make it difficult for you to get by in Celestial Phoenix City. While Celestial Phoenix City isn’t huge, all the major families and the City Lord’s Mansion are here. The web of power and relationships is incredibly complex, and there are many formidable individuals within these factions. If they decide to come after you, you’ll face an endless stream of trouble... Your actions were too drastic."

"Feng Gangrouhua, Feng Rougangjin. I’ll deal with soldiers as they come and dam the flood when it arrives. I don’t pay any mind to these factions or their so-called experts. I have a simple way of doing things: I don’t bother those who don’t bother me. But if someone provokes me, I will retaliate. This world reveres the strong. In the face of overwhelming power, so-called backing, connections, or Rules are all meaningless," Shen Lang retorted bluntly.

Sima Yan fell silent, staring into his cup for a long time without a word.

He knew Shen Lang’s Cultivation was at the Martial Power Realm Ninth Heaven. ’In my opinion,’ he thought, ’even if Shen Lang had some fortuitous encounter and cultivated a powerful Thunder Element Technique, there’s no way he could contend with all those elite scions from the various families downstairs.’

’Let alone the powerful families backing them.’

’The only reason he managed to intimidate them earlier was because he struck ruthlessly, exploited the fact that they weren’t united, and showed off some impressive Swordsmanship at the end.’

’If a real fight broke out and dozens of Qi Martial Realm cultivators swarmed him, Shen Lang would be lucky to take down even a few of them.’

’As for the powers behind them... that’s practically every major faction in Celestial Phoenix City. Each of those families is filled with experts.’

’Provoking so many people and their families... it’s an incredibly unwise move.’

’This Shen Lang is just too reckless...’

’The unbending are easily broken. It’s not always a good thing to be so conspicuous. A fine sword is kept in its scabbard, its Sword Qi concealed within. That is the true Righteous Dao!’

Sima Yan recalled that for someone his age to defeat Shen Jianfeng, he had to be a person of some note.

And that scene downstairs was further proof of the boy’s extraordinary nature.

At least within Tayun Academy or Celestial Phoenix City, he absolutely deserved the title of "genius."

That was why he, in his eagerness to nurture talent, had wanted to bring him up here for a little guidance.

He hadn’t expected the boy to be so defensive, pushing back against every point he made.

’He’s still too young and hot-headed.’

’Saying he doesn’t take the experts of these families seriously... who does he think he is?’

’Even if you can defeat a Martial Artist at the Qi Martial Realm Third Heaven, what about the Qi Martial Realm Fourth Heaven? What about the Fifth Heaven, or even the Sixth and Seventh Heavens?’

’You might be able to defeat one, but what about two? Three? Ten?’

’This world does revere the strong, but in what way are *you* strong?’

’No matter how good you are, you’re still just at the Martial Power Realm Ninth Heaven. Your understanding of Martial Arts might be far beyond that of other Martial Artists of the Same Tier, but your raw power isn’t necessarily much greater... You might see your strength as formidable, but what does it amount to in the eyes of these families?’

’So inexperienced, so full of youthful arrogance. A newborn calf truly doesn’t fear the tiger...’

It wasn’t just Sima Yan who was grumbling internally...

The dissatisfaction in Sima Fenghen’s eyes, as she stood by the door, had only intensified. She blurted out, "Father, what’s the use of saying all this to someone like him? The boy is conceited, arrogant, lawless, and ungrateful..."

She was about to say more, but a single sharp glare from Sima Yan silenced her.

"This big sister... sure has a way with words," Shen Lang said with a chuckle.

"You bastard! Who are you calling ’big sister’!?" Sima Fenghen raged.

Shen Lang wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "Alright, my mistake. I’ve just gotten used to the word ’Miss’ having a somewhat... complicated connotation. Never mind. My apologies, my apologies."

Sima Fenghen started to speak again, but caught her father’s eye and could only turn her head away in resentment.

Sima Yan gave a wry smile. "It’s not that big of a deal, really. Don’t worry, I’ll find some time to have a word with those families on your behalf. This old man’s reputation still counts for something. But Shen Lang, I’m not here to lecture you, just to offer a little reminder. In any case, I’ve been around the block. I’ve lived a few decades longer than you, so I know a little more about these complicated matters."

Shen Lang froze.

He realized then that his words had been too impulsive, too aggressive. ’No matter what, I shouldn’t have spoken to an elder like that.’

’Setting aside his status as the Dean of the Alchemy Institute, the man was still his senior.’

’And based on what he just said, he was even planning to approach those families on my behalf to smooth everything over...’

’Come to think of it, this was the first time Shen Lang had ever met him. They had no relationship to speak of, yet the man was willing to do this for him, all without knowing anything else about him...’

’With his status, even the City Lord of Celestial Phoenix City would have to bow respectfully to him.’

’In this world, Artifact Refiners and Alchemists held a transcendent status; every major power fought to win them over. And this man was the Dean of the Alchemy Academy!’

’But just a moment ago, I’d completely misunderstood him and cut him down at every turn...’

A hint of apology appeared in Shen Lang’s eyes. He slowly rose to his feet, bowed respectfully, and said, "This junior’s words were offensive just now. I misunderstood your good intentions, Elder Yan. I was in the wrong. I hope you won’t take it to heart."

Sima Fenghen, who had been glaring from behind, was stunned. She never would have thought this boy, whom she found so disagreeable, could change his attitude in an instant. It was like he’d switched masks.

Sima Yan chuckled. Just as he was about to speak, the door to the private room was thrown open.

"Elder Yan, you sure have a lot of free time, running off here to drink! Didn’t I tell you to wait for me at the academy? I told you I was bringing someone to see you tomorrow! Is your word worth anything at all?" The newcomer was Mo Liusheng, the Artifact Refining Institute Director whom Shen Lang had met once before.

Mo Liusheng angrily plopped into a chair, grabbed a cup, filled it with wine, and downed it in a single gulp.

He paid no mind to Shen Lang, who was still bowed in apology to Sima Yan. Scenes like this were all too common; the number of people from various factions wanting an audience with Sima Yan was endless, so it was nothing strange.

"Get lost, you old coot. Are you really trying to give me grief over this? Didn’t I tell you Fenghen was coming home today and I had to come pick her up? We can talk about tomorrow’s business tomorrow," Sima Yan retorted.

"Greetings, Uncle Mo," Sima Fenghen said, quickly stepping forward to offer a bow.

"Oh, my! Look at me, I was in such a rush I didn’t even see you standing there, Fenghen. My apologies, my apologies! Fenghen, dear, Uncle Mo will give you a powerful Spiritual Artifact later to make up for it..." Mo Liusheng said with a jolly laugh.

Standing beside Sima Fenghen, Shen Lang awkwardly rubbed his nose and gave a wry smile. He’d finally managed to make a formal apology for once, and this old man had completely interrupted it. Now he was stuck in an awkward limbo, not sure whether he should remain standing or sit back down.

Sima Yan gave the frantic Mo Liusheng an odd look. "Elder Mo, didn’t you say you were bringing someone to see me tomorrow? The ’distinguished guest’ you were talking about? What are you doing here in Celestial Phoenix City, then? It’s not often I see you in such a rush. What has you so flustered?"

"Of course I’m in a rush! How could I not be? I went to find him tonight, only to discover he’d left the academy! Ran off late at night! You know as well as I do, these rumors about the Demon Corpse are getting frightening, and all the nearby powers are treating every shadow like an enemy! I asked around and chased him all the way here, but I haven’t seen a trace of him. I’m about to lose my mind!" Mo Liusheng said, completely exasperated.

Sima Yan grew even more puzzled. He remembered Mo Liusheng telling him he’d met a ’distinguished guest’—an Artifact Refining Master—and that he was going to bring the man for an introduction.

’For someone to get an old codger like Mo Liusheng this excited, they must be truly extraordinary.’

’But why would an Artifact Refining Master of that caliber be afraid of a mere Demon Corpse? Why is this old man so worried?’

"I say, Elder Mo..." Sima Yan began to ask, but with a loud CRASH, the door was kicked open.

That’s right. Not pushed. Kicked.

Xu Qing barged in with a murderous expression, flanked by seven or eight powerful experts.

"Shen Lang! Let’s see you run now! I’m going to make your life a living hell! I’ll make you taste what it’s like to soak in a cesspit!" Xu Qing’s face was twisted with rage, his eyes burning with pure hatred as he stared at Shen Lang.