Chapter 1611: Chapter Sixty-Six: Humiliation

What is the process of self-inquiry?

For Old Xu Ying, it’s about finding a quiet place and then spacing out.

Zhan Jingquan is different from Meng Ba; the latter is a bandit who brings misfortune to a region, and killing tens or hundreds of thousands of such men would bear no negative impact. But Zhan Jingquan is different.

The Xu Clan inspires everyone to be as dragons, wishing for the prosperity of the world, but this is not something one can comprehend and achieve all by themselves.

To spark people’s aspiration to rise above, the best method was never coercion, but showing the real benefits.

If in a village someone becomes wealthy from pig farming, the entire village will rush to follow suit. Zhan Jingquan’s emergence allows the shortsighted fishermen of Danmu Town, this coastal fishing village, to see a greater and more distant world.

Such people are like the great warriors (Fierce Realm) emerging within the tribes. Leaving aside their true capabilities for the moment, they are able to inspire a communal spirit of advancement.

Zhan Jingquan is Danmu Town’s great warrior; his appearance can stir the martial spirit of the people of Danmu Town for decades, even centuries.

Though the upbringing of the Xu Clan has allowed him to rationalize and weigh his options, his own emotions make him want to tear the man to pieces. The balance between these two forces is shaken by a woman called Zhen Ping’er.

Old Xu Ying, who often uses the sword more than his brain, suddenly started worrying about himself. Being the Saint Lord does not only come with dignity but also with responsibility.

Yet, currently entangled in dealing with Zhan Jingquan and Zhen Ping’er, could he, once he becomes the Saint Lord of the Xu Clan, truly manage the affairs of the entire Yuanzhou?

“If Brother Wang were here, he would probably come up with a perfect solution within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!”

Old Xu Ying laughed at himself sarcastically, reminded of his old friend Wang Chan.

The Four Little Saints are ranked equally, and their combat abilities are similarly matched, but Old Xu Ying always believed that among the four, Wang Chan would certainly achieve the greatest success.

Not only because of his combat abilities, but more so because Wang Chan is the most unique among them. Old Xu Ying has seen many facets of this old friend–wise and compassionate, gluttonous and lascivious, valiant and steadfast, cunning and strategic…

The elders of the Xu Clan often said that possessing two different approaches to dealing with the world yet being able to act coherently without contradiction is a supreme form of wisdom.

But his old friend Wang Chan had more than just two approaches: relying on these completely diverse yet non-conflicting logics, he could achieve unimaginable success within the Xu Clan of the southern skies or during his time at the Sky King’s patrol in a very short time.

Reflecting on himself, after a decade of journeying, apart from making a few friends, he has achieved nothing else. Now he finds himself stuck in a dilemma over a minor issue in a fishing village.

If one were to name the least deserving among the Four Little Saints, it would undoubtedly be himself.

“Snap, snap, snap, snap!”

“Get a hold of yourself, wake up!”

Clapping his hands fiercely against his cheeks, Old Xu Ying scattered the unconscious thought of heading to the brothel and encouraged himself:

“After all, I am a representative of the Xu Clan of Yuanzhou; how can I be stumped by such a matter? I will surely think of a solution that satisfies all parties!”

Perhaps due to the lack of time, the wise representative of the Xu Clan had yet to think of a solution, when the Zhan Clan’s star-bearing sedan had already been carried to the front door of the Zhen Mansion.

The mansion is the face of the family’s ancestral heritage; the main gate is only opened for joyous occasions or to welcome distinguished guests. On regular days, people come and go through the side gate.

Although the Zhen Clan begrudgingly accepted the star-placement invitation from Zhan Jingquan, this was hardly a glorious affair. Thus, the members of the Zhen Clan wished to handle it discreetly.

Now, the three elders, adorned in splendid crowns and robes, were concealed behind the side door, while the beast-head main gate remained tightly shut, all to demonstrate the Zhan Clan’s reluctance and to retain a shred of dignity.

However, as the small bridal sedan chair that had passed through the streets and alleys of Danmu Town, drawing a large crowd of onlookers, brazenly stopped at the entrance of Zhen Mansion, it was clear they intended to enter through the main gate. This was something the men of the Zhen Clan could not tolerate.

The guards standing on both sides, their hands gripping iron spears and veins bulging on their necks, had flames of anger in their eyes. At a single command from the Zhen Clan elders, they would rush forward with spears in hand to defend the honor of their household.

“I said…”

A man clad in a white jade-colored long robe, with a belt patterned like a fierce dragon or a wild python tied around his waist, covered half of his face with a folding fan, his sleepy eyes filled with impatience: “Hurry up and open the door. The master is waiting to welcome Lady Zhen into the household, don’t delay my time!”

The words of Zhan Qi, the White Snake, caused the guards in front of the Zhan mansion to become even more impatient, standing trembling as if they were about to turn the joyous event into a funeral.

The three elders from the Zhen Clan, standing by the side gate, had equally unpleasant expressions. They hadn’t expected Zhan Jingquan to show no consideration at all–not only demanding the head lady of the Zhen Clan submit, but also trampling the dignity of the Zhen Clan underfoot.

Just look at the crowd that followed the bridal sedan chair–occupying the entire courtyard entrance, spreading even beyond the street block, their eyes filled with schadenfreude and the curiosity of those who love a big scene.

One could imagine: if the Zhen Clan were to open the main gate and welcome the sedan chair today, then by tomorrow the talk of Danmu Town would be how the Zhen Clan considered the Zhan Clan’s star-placement as an honor and opened the main gate.

In such a case, the Zhen Clan would never be able to hold their heads high in Danmu Town again, and the men of the Zhen Clan would be ridiculed, becoming spineless cowards.

But that’s not right. Wasn’t Zhan Jingquan’s aggressive pursuit of Zhen Ping’er meant to bring the Zhen Clan to heel? Why would it turn out like this?

The three men in control of the Zhen Clan exchanged looks, feeling that the situation at hand had exceeded their judgment, and it left them in a quandary.

“Perhaps this is a test from the Great Elder of the Zhan Clan, to see if we are willing to comply,”

The second elder, glancing from side to side, whispered to the Great Elder of the Zhen Clan: “If we do not open the main gate, that would show our unwilling compliance…”

“So you mean, if we open the main gate, it would convey to Zhan Jingquan our genuine willingness to attach ourselves to him, and hence, he would be more likely to rely on us?”

The Great Elder twirled his mustache, pondering: “If that’s the case, let the guards open the gate.”

“No, elders, that must not happen!”

Zhen Ding, hearing the two clan uncles talk more and more preposterously, hastily interjected: “Out of the Four Little Saints, Zhan Jingquan only sent the youngest, the White Snake, to lead the procession and insists on using the main gate. This is clearly a show of disdain towards the Zhen Clan. If we are to follow this ruler on the rise, we must demonstrate our value…”

“Foolish!”

The Great Elder glared at Zhen Ding, cutting off his remaining words: “Although the White Snake is the youngest of the Four Little Saints, he is deeply favored by Zhan Jingquan. His positioning at the rear implies the importance accorded to the Zhen Clan. According to you, we should flaunt our strength and drive Zhan Qi away, but you must understand, we will have to deal with the Great Elder of the Zhan Clan in the future. Offending this favorite, do you know how much trouble that would bring later?”

“Great Elder, don’t be angry, Ah Ding just didn’t think it through,”

Seeing the Great Elder scolding Zhen Ding, the second elder quickly spoke up to mediate: “Let Zhan Qi take the person away. It would also serve to show the Zhen Clan’s submission to Zhan Jingquan.”