Chapter 672: Warning

Yan Buji looked at Xu Pingji, who was standing there waiting, and laughed, "Elder Xu, let's come in and talk together."

Zhang Wang clenched his teeth, widened his eyes at Yan Buji, "Hall Master, what do you mean?"

"Nothing special, it's just that Elder Xu also came, so let's discuss this matter together," Yan Buji said with a smile.

"Hmph!" Xu Pingji let out a cold snort, walked in and sat down.

Although he didn't know why Yan Buji had summoned him, what does Zhang Wang's appearance here mean?

What does the cooperation between them even amount to?

"Could it be that the Grand Trade Association doesn't want to cooperate with me and wants to deal directly with the sect?!" Xu Pingji said with some worry, squinting at Zhang Wang.

Zhang Wang sensed Xu Pingji's gaze and said, "Brother Xu, I came today to see the Hall Master because I need a cross‑realm vessel; I just want to make a deal with him."

"Cross‑realm vessel?!" Xu Pingji looked at Zhang Wang, realizing that Zhang Wang might be using this chance to learn about the sect's internal decisions.

Xu Pingji said little, merely looking at Yan Buji.

Yan Buji opened, "Regarding this, I still need to tell Elder Xu. Since Elder Xu is in charge of my sect's business activities in the Heavenly Spirit Realm, by the sect's order I must request a cross‑realm vessel from Elder Xu."

Xu Pingji frowned, "But the Grand Trade Association's people are here; isn't it the same for the Hall Master to negotiate with them directly?"

"Eh, that's different. Zhang Daoyou is discussing business with me, while I'm speaking to Elder Xu about the sect's command. If Elder Xu fails to fulfill the sect's order, then I can only discuss business with Zhang Daoyou."

"You!"

Bang!

Xu Pingji widened his eyes, slammed the table and glared at Yan Buji, "Hall Master, what do you mean?!"

Yan Buji calmly looked at Xu Pingji, "Why is Elder Xu angry?"

"Do you mean that after doing so much for the sect I still don't get the Sect Master's approval? I should have supported this, but I already said…"

"But isn't Zhang Daoyou the one who came in person? I didn't invite him."

Xu Pingji's pupils contracted as he looked at Zhang Wang.

Zhang Wang's face darkened, realizing Yan Buji was trying to sow discord between them!

He blamed himself; he should have spoken to Xu Pingji first and not rushed to Yan Buji, only to be set up.

Now Zhang Wang knows that nothing he says can clarify matters, since he indeed came to find Yan Buji.

This is a very simple scheme.

Yan Buji doesn't know what deal exists between Zhang Wang and Xu Pingji, but as long as there is any sign of them leaving, he will certainly come looking for them.

The reason is that once he returns to the sect and reports this to the Sect Master, the Sect Master will naturally doubt Xu Pingji's competence, and then the cooperation between Zhang Wang and Xu Pingji will be in jeopardy.

Yan Buji also seized this point, deliberately leaving Zhang Wang here so that all three parties could be present. Thus Xu Pingji fails to fulfill the sect's order, while Zhang Wang directly approaches Yan Buji for a deal.

In any case, Xu Pingji will bear the blame for his inept handling.

Unless they kill Yan Buji on the spot now, but that consequence would likely be worse than mere incompetence.

Xu Pingji also knows this, but watching Zhang Wang remain silent, he feels like a joke.

"I am not angry; Hall Master, what do you think is the best course?"

Yan Buji thought for a moment, "I haven't been in the Heavenly Spirit Realm long; I originally planned to return today to atone to the sect, but since Zhang Daoyou came, it shows the cross‑realm vessel can still be obtained."

Xu Pingji's face darkened, a vicious gleam flashing in his eyes!

"You really intend to kill me, don't you?"

"Since Zhang Daoyou knows Elder Xu, why don't you handle it together? Before we leave today, I want to get the cross‑realm vessel," Yan Buji said with a smile.

Zhang Wang and Xu Pingji were stunned, looking at Yan Buji, "Hall Master, are you serious?"

"Of course, I act for the sect; Elder Xu is also loyal to the sect, and even if there are difficulties, I'm not an enemy of Elder Xu and wish to cooperate properly," Yan Buji smiled.

Yan Buji took the initiative to be friendly, voluntarily giving up the chance to target Xu Pingji.

Xu Pingji was startled, closed his eyes and exhaled, "Hall Master, you have great authority; since that's the case, I guarantee you'll obtain the cross‑realm vessel today!"

"That's best."

After the two left to discuss, Huang Ji, puzzled, came over and asked, "Hall Master, why let Elder Xu go? This was a perfect chance to strike him!"

Even Huang Ji could see that once Yan Buji spends money to buy the cross‑realm vessel, he can present the bill to the Sect Master and accuse Xu Pingji of mishandling affairs!

Yan Buji said lightly, "In the end we're all from the same sect; I don't want to be too hostile with them. Letting him off this time is to keep them in line. Not everything can be handled by us; being too conspicuous isn't good."

In short, the sect's shops in the Heavenly Spirit Realm bring Yan Buji no benefit, and even if he toppled Xu Pingji, what would he gain?

Obviously Xu Pingji uses the sect's resources to cooperate with the Grand Trade Association for profit; under such circumstances, Xu Pingji, under the pretense of serving the sect, certainly isn't afraid of being investigated.

Since that's the case, Yan Buji has no need to be overly hostile with him; rather, he cannot simply kill him outright, as that would create endless repercussions.

Besides, he's a Hua Shen cultivator, far stronger than me.

To be safe, Yan Buji's original purpose was to signal that the well water should not disturb the river, and although Xu Pingji may covet his own gains, who wouldn't act under the Sect Master's name?

This time Zhang Wang gave a chance and won a move, but if this happens again, Yan Buji will truly take lethal action.

"This time is a warning, a warning to these sect cultivators of the Heavenly Spirit Realm not to harbor any ill thoughts about my affairs. If you want to play, just play on your own turf," Yan Buji said with a smile.

A sect is still quite complex; you can't cut everything with a single stroke, otherwise who will handle things for you later?

You can't possibly do everything yourself, can you?

Look at the Sect Master; he simply delegates tasks to others. Though he handles many matters himself, he's not overwhelmed every day.

In the end, we're all in the same environment; if you don't disturb me, I naturally won't disturb you. This warning is to keep them in line and not cause trouble, also giving them enough face.

Yan Buji thought of this, stood up and looked around, "Huang Ji, in a while the Youming Jie trade route will commence; assign people to keep a close watch on those two families!"

"Understood!"