The Great Seminary

Chapter 395 Good Intentions
Shen Shijing felt a surge of annoyance as he looked at Zhang Gui's slightly affected expression.

If it were all an act, that would be one thing, but it also reveals a degree of genuine personality.

For someone like Shin Se-kyung, who is naturally gifted in appearance, background, training aptitude, intellect, and knowledge, everything is top-notch.

For a peerless beauty who has unknowingly developed the habit of being humble while others must fawn over her to feel comfortable, this is a kind of humiliation that is not an insult, and a ridicule that is not a mockery.

"Do you think that our 'Han Lishen Clan' has lost its nation and is not even worthy of seeing the face of the Great Qi Emperor?"

"To be honest, I didn't really think that way."

Instead, they felt that even if the 'Han Lishen Clan' occupied Xianrong Island and had tens of millions of herders at their peak, they would not receive a personal summons from the Great Qi Emperor.

Overseas island nations, tiny lands, rise and fall with the same intensity.

For thousands of years, the Supreme Sage has ruled the human race with an air of nonchalance, witnessing the rise and fall of countless such 'royal families'.

"To be able to inspect each one, you must have spent a lot of money, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui retorted sarcastically, saying that he wouldn't have spoken so frankly and harshly to anyone else.

However, when Shen Shijing acted as a middleman, selling the extraordinary knowledge and mysterious domain authority of the 'Han Li Shen Clan,' whether intentionally or unintentionally, he still managed to rip him off badly.

I used to think it was a one-off deal, and that we wouldn't see each other again for decades or even centuries. But I never expected that we would meet again in just three or two years.

Naturally, he didn't want to hide the 'truth'.

Zhang Gui's bluntness, however, caused Shen Shijing to feel a tightness in his chest before calming down.

After a moment of contemplation, he laughed. "My father taught me from a young age that anger must be calmed down."

Thinking back, I made a hefty profit off you when we parted last time.

Although it was consensual, it was indeed a bit excessive, and your ambiguous attitude this time was to be expected.

Let's be honest and straightforward.

My family did indeed exhaust all our savings to finally pay homage to the Great Qi Supreme.

Fortunately, it was worth it. Because of his proper response, Emperor Qi appointed the four noble ladies of Han Lishen's family, namely Chenglie, Yingyang, Xiangong, and Chuanjian, as "Lower-level Officials".

Although the territory granted to them is their own private domain, their status and nature are ultimately different.

Her words were truly humble; having an official title or not is not just a difference, but a qualitative change.

For example, Zhang Gui's secret realm within the 'Three Lives Sword Northern Sect' mountain gate, where he relocated people to develop it, only to find them forever working as tenants and laborers who were paid to do the work.

However, the people recruited in the 'Han Lishen Clan' secret realm are 'subjects'.

It is subject to administrative, legal, tax, conscription, and other controls, making it essentially a 'state within a state'.

Zhang Gui opened his mouth in surprise.
"Did the Great Qi Supreme foresee in advance that the great struggle between the human race and the hundred races of the earth demons was about to begin?"
Otherwise, how could they possibly bestow such generous favors and titles?

"I didn't say that," Shin Se-kyung replied calmly, his face expressionless.

Zhang Gui snapped out of his daze and gave a dry laugh.
"What I mean is that the Supreme Great Sage was prescient and wise, and foresaw the arrogance and ambition of the Earth Demon race, which is why he so easily restrained them."

There was no other meaning behind it, and absolutely no disrespectful intent whatsoever.

"You are a meticulous person, yet you are also careless and undisciplined. Every time we meet, we talk about important matters, but you always end up talking about other things. It's really annoying."

"It's my fault, it's my fault."

Let's continue with how you suddenly appeared in Jinhuang Town, a place where even birds don't poop, waiting for me.

Could it be that Xia Que, the inspector who came to the 'Three Holy Swords Northern Sect' this time, is actually you? Even if you are favored, you shouldn't have risen to the position so quickly. "Don't play dumb. I am just a newly promoted junior doctor. Of course, I can't possibly replace Xia Que to inspect a branch sect like the 'Three Holy Swords Northern Sect,' which is one of the most important branches of a major sect."

The chief envoy who came to the Three Saints Sword Sect on this imperial tour was Xia Que, a nobleman and direct descendant of the Great Qi Emperor, Lord Qi Yang Lian.

He appointed his own nephew, Deputy Envoy Qi Zhenyao Shaojun, to inspect the 'Three Saints Sword Northern Sect'.

In the delegation, Su Hui was the tutor of Prince Qi Zhenyao, and Han Lishen had an extraordinary relationship with Su Hui, so we were also assigned to come along.

Later, Zhenyao Shaojun felt that spending all his time at the Sansheng Sword Northern Sect mountain gate, pointing out the so-called "conquest and defense strategy," was nothing more than empty talk.

He then led us out of the battle with great force.

It just so happens that I came to the vicinity today to dredge the water that was damaged by the Earth Demon and to warn Jinhuang Town, when I overheard your great name, Caiyang Longhu.

After some communication, I learned what had happened, so I came here to wait.

Qi Zhenyao and Su Hui were both legitimate 'old acquaintances'. Zhang Gui was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and said with a strange expression, "Is that so? That's quite a coincidence."

“Chengyang Longhu, don’t make a strange face. I’m not here to take advantage of you.”

Rather, they know your abilities and lament your fate…

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui immediately understood the implied meaning and shook his head vigorously, effectively blocking Shen Shijing's 'kind intention'.
"I might serve under Xia Que in the future and become a minister of Emperor Da Qi, but I would never become a retainer of some young ruler, Qi Zhenyao."

"Don't refuse yet. I heard you've bought a manor on the outskirts of the 'Three Saints Sword Northern Sect' and also acquired some property in the market..."

"Fairy Shen, no matter how much you say, it's all in vain."

I've never believed in empty talk about hidden dragons or limitless potential.

From childhood to adulthood, I've always been the one making empty promises to others, but I've never actually taken any of those promises.

Upon hearing Zhang Gui's seemingly prescient observation that he had seen through his words, Shen Shijing was speechless, his face turning ashen.

But aside from their minor disagreements, the two also had a history of mutual kindness and gratitude, so a little verbal sparring wasn't worth turning against each other.

Besides, Shen Shijing had personally witnessed Zhang Gui's extraordinary abilities and harbored some admiration for him. He secretly gritted his teeth and said:

"Then why don't you go back to the gate of the 'Three Saints Swords Northern Sect' and join us?"

This can be considered giving face to Qi Zhenyao, the young master; if he really wants to serve Xia Que in the future, he'll have a favor to show for it.

"That's fine, anyway, I've already hunted enough demon corpses."

But why did you go to all this trouble to ask me to be Qi Zhenyao's bodyguard?
Can you be honest with me?

"Zhang Gui, you are such an arrogant person!"

I just happened to find out that you would be returning to Jinhuang Town to rest, so I came to see you and catch up. Why did it have to be such a big deal?

As for inviting you to travel together, it is indeed for safety reasons. After all, in this era of great strife, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

But when did I ask you to be Qi Zhenyao's bodyguard?
He was a top-tier Class B powerhouse capable of manifesting the true form of 'Yu the Great' and transcending the 'Great Heavenly Punishment'.

Aside from having a more venerable bloodline and a status a hundred times more noble than yours, your supernatural powers are no weaker than yours…

Zhang Gui was thoroughly scolded by Shen Shijing and realized that he was indeed wrong.

He hung his head dejectedly and remained silent until Shen Shijing had finally vented his anger, then he forced a dry laugh and said:
"Please don't be angry, fairy. I was just too scared of being tricked by you last time, so I had the wrong idea."

"Let's act together tomorrow. I'll be extra careful and make sure you're absolutely safe, okay?"

(End of this chapter)