Chapter 456: Something Else

Ding! You carefully studied the sword method "Light‑Shadow Sword Art", congratulations you have earned a reward: Light‑Shadow Sword Art 【Entry Level】!

A mechanical, cold voice sounded again in his mind, and Wang Ping'an's little face couldn't help showing happiness.

Today can be called a day of abundant gains; he instantly obtained a talent, a skill, and two techniques, but unfortunately the Merit was all spent on enhancing other talents and skills.

He can't upgrade the newly acquired talent, skill, or technique; otherwise he would really like to see what effect the newly obtained talent, skill, and technique would have as their proficiency rises.

Yu Die looked at the smile appearing on Wang Ping'an's face, and her pretty face couldn't help showing a hint of smile; out of the corner of her eye she saw Wei Yuan and Zhang Deben leaving, saying they had something to discuss, and she turned to Lü Tu beside her and said:

Lv Qianhu, your Wei County Magistrate is truly not an ordinary magnanimous person; this "The Gentleman's Words" crafted by a great Confucian scholar, even in our Capital City, is a first‑rate treasure.

It can be used for teaching disciples, and few would be willing to buy or sell such a "The Gentleman's Words" produced by a great Confucian scholar, let alone give it as a gift!

"Is he magnanimous?"

Lü Tu let out a cold sneer; he and Wei Yuan had hardly interacted before, and this was their first formal encounter, though he knew Wei Yuan quite well.

Whether it's Wei Yuan or the county magistrates around Fengyin Prefecture, even if he isn't perfectly clear, he still has basic information and knows what kind of person they are.

Yu Die teased, "Lv Qianhu, that Wei County Magistrate even dares to produce this "The Gentleman's Words" from a great Confucian scholar; if he isn't magnanimous, then who is?"

"Given his modest magistrate salary, even if he fasted for years, he couldn't afford this "The Gentleman's Words" crafted by a great Confucian scholar.

Let alone his mastery of food, drink, and entertainment, taking a concubine every three to five years; after serving as Qingyang County Magistrate for so many years, it's already commendable that he hasn't even gone into debt, let alone saved any money!

Lü Tu let out a cold sneer, looked up at the now‑vanished figure of Wei Yuan, as if Wei Yuan reappeared in his sight, furrowed his brows, and said:

"Yu Baihu, do you know why this Wei County Magistrate would be willing to present this "The Gentleman's Words" as a gift?"

"Lv Qianhu, are you asking me? I also want to ask you, are all the magistrates here this generous?"

Yu Die giggled; at that moment she forced Wei Yuan to produce a gift and forge a good bond with Wang Ping'an, without much scheming, merely to tease Wei Yuan deliberately, and she didn't expect Wei Yuan could present a precious gift, she said:

"But according to what Lv Qianhu says, I think this Wei County Magistrate will suddenly produce this "The Gentleman's Words", and I think his motives are not small!"

At that moment.

She was confident she could make Wei Yuan produce a gift; the first one he presented would not be something valuable, and she would look for a chance to mock him, waiting for Wei Yuan to swap for a slightly more expensive gift before she stopped. She acted this way because she was very dissatisfied; not long ago Wei Yuan and Tang Anzhi had committed a murderous, merit‑stealing deed.

Who could have known.

Her scheme backfired; Wei Yuan didn't casually produce a token gift to placate her, but instead immediately presented "The Gentleman's Words" crafted by a great Confucian scholar. Such a treasure could make a powerful clan prosper for two or three generations.

It could even elevate a powerful clan into a distinguished lineage!

She racked her brain and still couldn't understand why Wei Yuan would be willing to give such a gift. "And don't even say it, this Wei County Magistrate's ambition must be extraordinary!"

Wang Ping'an's face also showed only puzzlement; he wasn't foolish, so how could he fail to see Wei Yuan's contempt for his mother, that haughty attitude, and he sneered to himself:

"Regardless of whatever scheme, I must make him suffer a complete loss!"

He had indeed considered it; Wei Yuan's willingness to present "The Gentleman's Words" as a gift was meant to forge a good bond with him—different from Yu Die's kind of bond; Wei Yuan intended to wait until he grew up and made a name for himself, using this incident to seek a double or even greater profit.

However.

That thought lingered in his mind only for a few seconds before he dispelled it himself.

Although he has a lofty future, having been endorsed by Xuanqing Daozhang, Luo Laoye, the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan chieftain, and many others, the future remains uncertain; the present is the present, and no one can guarantee what the future holds.

Shang Zhongyong is not an example!

For an official like Wei Yuan, this was his first meeting with him, but based on Wei Yuan's actions, he learned what sort of person Wei Yuan is.

Even if he were willing to forge a good bond with him and perhaps present a relatively valuable gift, it would certainly not be a priceless treasure like "The Gentleman's Words" crafted by a great Confucian scholar.

Let alone.

With his father Chen Shimei, Wei Yuan is likely a first‑rate prodigy; not only has he not yet displayed an exceptional talent, but even if he does, Wei Yuan could not become overly close to him.

This novel you

If Wei Yuan were to suddenly be willing to present "The Gentleman's Words" to him, there would be no need to think—it would not be a good thing.

In an instant, countless tangled thoughts surged in Wang Ping'an's mind; after all, he was not a worm in Wei Yuan's stomach, unable to grasp Wei Yuan's purpose, but he was confident that whatever Wei Yuan's aim, he would make Wei Yuan's scheme backfire and lose everything.

"Yu Baihu, do you mean this Wei County Magistrate is willing to present "The Gentleman's Words" to this child with the intention of harming the child?"

Lü Tu wasn't foolish; how could he fail to understand Yu Die's meaning, let alone, himself, being baffled by Wei Yuan inexplicably presenting such a precious item to Wang Ping'an as a "good bond", filled with suspicion, he frowned and said:

"If he intends to harm this child, why would he need to give such a precious "The Gentleman's Words" crafted by a great Confucian scholar?"

Dai Zhishang whispered, "It may not be Wei himself who wants to harm Ping'an; it could be through someone else, and if Ping'an loses his life, I think, given the Wei County Magistrate's character, he has the ability to retrieve that "The Gentleman's Words"!"

Whether it was Lü Tu, Yu Die, or Liu Dongzhu, upon hearing Dai Zhishang's words, their expressions changed; Liu Dongzhu, who had already been puzzled by why Wei Yuan would present "The Gentleman's Words", grew even more concerned after Yu Die and Lü Tu's conversation, and Dai Zhishang's remark nearly frightened her.

"Madam Wang, don't worry; with me here, regardless of the Wei County Magistrate's motives, I will make him suffer a complete loss!"

Lü Tu was about to ask how Wei Yuan would harm Wang Ping'an when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Dongzhu's panicked expression; he offered a word of comfort and then asked:

"Dai Zhishang, do you know through whose hand he will harm Ping'an?"

(End of Chapter)