Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Jiang Cheng Makes a Move

Translator: 549690339

What Peng Jun didn’t expect was that Lanye, the powerful being of the Aquatic Tribe, actually took Jiang Cheng’s words seriously.

Lanye fell silent.

The current situation was crystal clear.

In terms of reasoning, he couldn’t out-argue Jiang Cheng.

In confrontation, he didn’t have the upper hand.

In a fight, he didn’t have much chance of winning.

If he forced another argument or initiated an attack, it would definitely provoke an equivalent retaliation from the Tongtian Sect.

The Immortal Sects are reasonable, but that doesn’t mean they are weak.

In fact, quite the opposite; the Immortal Sects are reasonable because they are both strong and confident. They don’t care about many things, giving the illusion that they are easy to talk to and logical.

Once a conflict with an Immortal Sect arose, with the current strength of the Ming River’s Aquatic Tribe, it would undoubtedly lead to a catastrophe.

Lanye stood up from his seat, and his sudden movement instantly triggered a strong reaction from the Tongtian Sect cultivators present.

Many cultivators subconsciously stood up with him.

Even the Core Formation cultivators Peng Jun and Lei Buxiao stood up almost at the same time.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators standing not far across from Lanye—Sun Decai, Lu Wang, and Yu Hui—also stood up as he did.

Originally, only Jiang Cheng was standing and speaking in the meeting room, but under the lead of Lanye, almost everyone had stood up.

Seeing this, Lanye first gave a “hehe”, then burst into loud laughter.

“Hahahaha! Fellow Daoists, is this how you view Lanye? Leaving other matters aside, as a Core Formation cultivator, I certainly do not lack the dignity to stoop so low as to launch a sneak attack on a junior Qi Practitioner. There is no need for such tension,” Lanye said.

Peng Jun cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment.

The moment Lanye stood up, he was truly afraid that Lanye might make a move on Jiang Cheng.

After all, the words Jiang Cheng had just said didn’t leave Lanye any face.

Even if Lanye had directly attacked Jiang Cheng, Peng Jun wouldn’t have been surprised.

Putting himself in Lanye’s shoes for a moment, Peng Jun found that if it were him, Jiang Cheng probably wouldn’t have survived until now.

Peng Jun silently sighed: Jiang Cheng was lucky to come at a good time, in an age of peace where killing and arson aren’t common practices. Otherwise, with his talent for offending others, in the chaotic times of the past, who knows how many times he would have died quietly.

“Please, take a seat,” Peng Jun said.

All the Tongtian Sect cultivators in the room promptly sat back down in their seats.

Lanye chuckled, then cupped his hands towards Jiang Cheng and said, “Fellow Daoist Jiang, your recent remarks were quite insightful. Therefore, Lanye here dares to ask you, if you were in my position, facing such a situation, witnessing the loss of many potential juniors and shouldering the responsibility of revitalizing the Aquatic Tribe, how would you resolve this?”

Jiang Cheng replied with a smile and returned the gesture, “Senior Lanye, you flatter me too much. Your question concerns the concerns of those in power. You are a mighty leader of the Aquatic Tribe. As for me, Jiang Cheng, I’m just an ordinary citizen. You have to worry about the development of your clan, while I’m only thinking about how to earn some money to increase my cultivation, attend a good university, and after graduation, join a good Immortal Sect.”

Lanye was extremely astonished, “Are you saying you’re not a member of an Immortal Sect?”

“No, I’m just a high school graduate,” replied Jiang Cheng.

Lanye’s expression turned to one of solemn respect.

He had thought that Jiang Cheng was within the Immortal Sects, holding some sort of office, which was why he was so capable. He didn’t expect that Jiang Cheng had only graduated from high school.

“Fellow Daoist Jiang, with your talent, won’t the Five Great Immortal Sects all be vying for you to choose from in the future?” asked Lanye.

Jiang Cheng, fearing the jinx of overpraise, hastily said, “Senior, you’re speaking too highly of me. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

Peng Jun thought to himself: Indeed, as long as you don’t come to the Tongtian Sect, you’re free to choose anywhere else.

Lei Buxiao thought to himself: Indeed, as long as this kid doesn’t come bothering the Linlan Sect, he can go wherever he wants.

Taixu Sect’s Admissions Office breathed a sigh of relief: It’s fortunate we only recruit female disciples, dodging a major calamity.

Lanye shook his head, looking somewhat downcast, “I never thought the small Wuyue would already be brimming with such outstanding talent. The Human Race, relying on the power of just one race to suppress the hundred others, is indeed no coincidence. Fellow Daoist Peng, let me ask you one last time, are you still planning to not intervene with the use of the Fishing Talismans?”

Peng Jun narrowed his eyes but didn’t directly answer the question. Instead, he said, “Although I am in charge of the Wuyue branch of the Tongtian Sect, it is only because fellow Daoists give me face. Since this Fishing Talisman concerns both our races and entails broad implications within our sect, we must act prudently. How about this: after seven days, I will give you a definitive answer, Fellow Daoist Lanye.”

Peng Jun’s insinuation was clear to Lanye.

“What ‘seven days later’ is just an excuse to avoid rejection to his face.”

In seven days, Peng Jun would, nine times out of ten, say, “We have done thus and so,” and then, having no other choice, he would hope that the daoist friend would understand or something of the sort.

“Since that’s the case, I don’t have much else to say. I only hope that you all will at least strictly control this talisman, not to reach a point of irrevocable consequences filled with regrets and rein in too late. Farewell!”

Lanye dropped these words and left the room on his own.

Inside the conference room, a bunch of Tongtian Sect folks were left, and one beaming Lei Buxiao.

Peng Jun looked at Lei Buxiao, “Jiang Daoist, you’ve been an onlooker for the entire scene today. You didn’t miss a single detail.”

Lei Buxiao laughed, “Naturally, naturally. If there is a need in the future, feel free to seek Lei for testimony.”

The reason Peng Jun had Lei Buxiao watch the scene and not because he was close to Lei Buxiao, but because Lei Buxiao represented a third party. If Tongtian Sect and the Aquatic Tribe ever had a dispute, at least there would be one person who could speak impartially.

It wouldn’t be a case of me saying mine, and you saying yours, with the end result that no one could distinguish head from tail.

Peng Jun then said, “Jiang Daoist, we in the sect have a small meeting to attend to next, you should go busying yourself elsewhere for the time being.”

Knowing that Peng Jun was seeing him off, Lei Buxiao was not reluctant to leave.

He had his fill of entertainment for the day and had no complaints.

However, as he walked towards the door, passing by Jiang Cheng, he patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder in front of all the Tongtian Sect people and said, “Jiang, you’re not a disciple of Tongtian Sect; their rules don’t bind you, don’t be afraid. If you need anything, just send a communication talisman to your Uncle Lei.”

Peng Jun and Zheng Chun of the Enforcement Hall both wore smiles.

Whom Lei Buxiao’s words were for, those who heard them knew perfectly well in their hearts.

But Jiang Cheng responded very conscientiously, “Senior Lei, rules represent fairness and justice, rooted in everyone’s heart. Jiang has always relied on the rules for protection; how could I be afraid?”

Lei Buxiao: Alright, alright. Even as I’m about to leave, you have to show off in my face like this, right?

“Gentlemen, farewell.” Lei Buxiao clasped his hands together and strode away.

After Lei Buxiao left, the conference room, besides Jiang Cheng, was left with only Tongtian Sect people.

Peng Jun sighed, “Whether we can continue to create this talisman or not, give me a definitive answer. Zheng Chun, you’re in charge of the rules; you speak first.”

Zheng Chun from the Enforcement Hall blurted out, “As long as the regulations don’t prohibit it, it is permissible to create.”

Lu Wang said, “There are still some risks involved. I think we better not continue.”

Yu Hui added, “I agree with Elder Lu.”

Sun Decai countered, “Of course, we should continue drawing; we have done nothing wrong in this matter. The Aquatic Tribe is the one picking faults. If we stop now, wouldn’t that validate their accusations?”

Finally, everyone’s gaze turned to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng furrowed his brow and said in confusion, “Why is there even a need for discussion about this? The talisman I am creating is reasonable, lawful, and adheres to the rules, so why shouldn’t I make it?”

Peng Jun thought about it and agreed.

This talisman indeed had no issues and could bring significant benefits to the sect. Peng Jun, as the Branch Helmsman, would certainly get a share of the achievements from the Task Hall.

Moreover, since they had rebuffed the powerful members of the Aquatic Tribe, who else would come to cause trouble?

As the Helmsman, could I not decide on even this trivial matter?

Proceed with the sign hanging, continue drawing!

It was around eight in the evening by the time Jiang Cheng managed to free himself and head home.

The Wuyue Residence faced south, with the bright moonlight illuminating the whole building, making it distinctly visible.

Jiang Cheng looked up, his gaze passing through a dozen floors, and landed on his own balcony.

A certain snake was standing upright on the balcony, seemingly busy with something.

“Hm? Does she have a habit of basking in the moonlight? I’ve never noticed before. Truly quite the character, this monster.”