Chapter 1142

Chen Li held back for a long time before saying: "Family Head, let me speak of this matter later."

He did not want those family matters to be known by more people.

He had told Zhang Lao many things, but those only touched upon the origins and foundations of the Chen Clan, merely showing off strength, without involving other detailed contents.

The Chen Clan has come to this point; it needs to show off its strength to the world, but cannot make its secrets public. Even though it has unified the world, inheriting the Tang through Han, Chen Li still believes those things should remain hidden.

Strength is enough; strength does not need details.

Chen Wuji nodded: "Then we'll talk about it later."

After saying that, he turned his gaze again to Zhang Lao, this cheap master of his: "Master, I think I roughly understand your purpose, but just saying it like that, I feel it's not enough."

"Master, you cannot blame me for being unfilial or disrespectful to teachers and the Dao, since you were the one who first deceived me. Some things, even if just done for show, you and those old seniors behind you need to put in some hard work."

Zhang Lao's expression brightened: "Wuji... thank you."

"Master, talking about thanks really makes us seem distant; you and I have been bound together since long ago. But precisely because of this, you need to let me see something." Chen Wuji said.

Understanding is understanding, but if Ciji Zhai cannot show sufficient attitude, in his heart it is a hidden danger, and since it is a hidden danger, there is no need to keep it.

Having come to this point, Chen Wuji must put personal feelings aside for a while and yield to the greater good.

He cannot abandon his family behind him, hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and countless commoners, to unconditionally discuss deep master-disciple feelings with Zhang Lao.

"This matter is natural; the subsequent affairs of the rivers and lakes will naturally be handled by this old bone of mine, Wuji need not waste another thought—this is... the master's compensation, and also the attitude of Ciji Zhai and Louwai Lou." Zhang Lao's face bore a pleased expression, his words earnest.

Chen Wuji poured more tea into Zhang Lao's already cooled teacup: "Master, speaking of compensation humiliates the disciple; matters, once done, are enough. Drinking tea, when the tea grows cool, it loses its flavor."

"Ah, good."

After a pause, Chen Wuji suddenly asked: "Where is Xiaoyu?"

Zhang Lao did not expect Chen Wuji to suddenly ask about Yuxiao Yu, startled for a moment before saying: "... He is out hunting."

"In that case, did he also deceive me?" Chen Wuji's old face darkened.

Zhang Lao nearly choked on the tea he had just sipped: "He, he is indeed my closed-door disciple, your disciple; that lad has relatively good aptitude..."

"Alright, Master, pick a sect he dislikes and assign him there; if he can't handle it, don't let him come back!" Chen Wuji said: "At such a young age, he already knows how to deceive people; I'll let him know what the treachery of the world is."

He did not expose Zhang Lao's clumsy lie.

Clearly, it should have been the senior brother, yet he just hard-assigned Yuxiao Yu a lower status.

Let the junior brother be the junior brother; face has already been given so much, what harm in giving one more point?

"... Good." Zhang Lao's expression showed a bit of stiffness.

Chen Wuji said: "Master, while thinking of these people around me, who else is in the know? Today here we can speak openly and sincerely, but after today, leaving this room, I will no longer acknowledge it."

Zhang Lao immediately shook his head: "Really none left."

"Are you sure none left? For example, Kong Jianshi, Yuan Lao Liu?" The little old man at this moment acted cautiously, making Chen Wuji feel somewhat uneasy inside.

Although he is a cheap master, Chen Wuji has always truly regarded him as a real master, and the little old man's help to him has been very great.

But...

Standing at his current position, some words must be made clear today.

After today, leaving this room, he must also truly commit.

Zhang Lao shook his head: "Indeed none left; they are unaware. Perhaps they might have some speculation, but they should not know of Louwai Lou."

"Master, I want a definite statement!"

"Certainly unaware!"

"Good!" Chen Wuji nodded: "Affairs of the rivers and lakes, I do not care how you plan to proceed next, you go ahead and do as you wish; I only want to see no one blocking my path again."

"Naturally!"

Chen Wuji hummed, hesitated a moment, then said again: "Master, let's have a couple more drinks later."

Zhang Lao was startled, his expression suddenly brightened, and he hummed.

Zhang Lao led the elders of Louwai Lou away.

In the study, only Chen Wuji and Chen Li remained, along with Chen Wushuang serving as close attendant.

"Wushuang, go out for a moment." Chen Li said.

Chen Wuji raised his hand to stop him: "Just stay here."

Chen Wushuang glanced at Chen Li, the steps he had just taken withdrew again, standing expressionless at one side of the desk.

Chen Li gave a wry smile: "Family Head, the family will not betray the Family Head, nor do anything harmful to the Family Head; some things are hidden merely to keep those people's eyes and ears at bay."

"I know." Chen Wuji sat down behind the desk, then opened the yet-unprocessed documents: "I only want to know, does the family have the capacity to overwhelm the rivers and lakes, can it, when I need it, make Louwai Lou disappear without a trace like the Taiyuan Sect?"

"Can!"

Chen Li answered forcefully, about to speak in detail, but saw Chen Wuji wave his hand: "Other things, I temporarily do not want to know; if the opportunity is suitable, I want to meet someone."

"The person is nearby." Chen Li said: "Actually..."

"What is Shi Yi Shu's concern?" Chen Wuji raised his head to ask.

"Just in case." Chen Li gave a wry smile: "This rivers and lakes has long grown powerful; although we are confident we can handle them when the Family Head wishes to be enemy of the entire rivers and lakes, we still worry about accidents; now, at this time, pushing Louwai Lou into the open is better."

"So saying, dealing with them in batches is fine, but if they band together and come all at once, it's hard to say, right?"

"Right!"

"Alright, I understand, then let's do it this way."

"... Right!"

Chen Wuji slightly nodded: "Shi Yi Shu, go rest first; I need to think about some things."

Chen Li's expression flickered slightly, he replied with a face full of hesitation, then left the study.

Chen Wuji rubbed his cheeks, let out a long, slow sigh.

Damn horse, the world of Chu Men!

Actually, whether it is the Chen Clan's concealment and evasion, or Ciji Zhai's hiding head and revealing tail, Chen Wuji actually understands, after all they are undertaking a very, very great undertaking, to be enemy of the entire world; any caution and calculation are not excessive.

But, that feeling of being kept in the dark is still very uncomfortable.

Especially when he still highly values his identity as a transmigrator, always thinking he's ahead of others, the better his past feelings were, the worse his current feelings are.

"Wushuang, is there anything you want to say?" Chen Wuji suddenly asked.

Chen Wushuang said in a muffled voice: "Old fellows always like giving things to descendants, my grandfather used to like doing this, now I suspect he's still alive."

Chen Wuji suddenly burst out laughing.

Old fellows, indeed seem to like doing this.