A group of five people gathered in the pavilion in front of Qianzhang Cliff. Bian Qiao sat alone on the stone bench in the middle.
He was in his early forties, dressed luxuriously, with a Nine Sun Scarf on his head and a pair of thick-soled high shoes on his feet. His face was white and chubby, and he was slowly sipping from a purple clay teapot. He looked more like a gentleman than a steward.
There were many eyes in front of Qianzhang Cliff. Some people were pointing at him from afar, but he did not care. The servants around him were all dressed in short robes, their chests and abdomens were open, and their faces were full of arrogance.
Zhao Ying stood in the distance and secretly scolded Zhang Yan for not knowing what was good for him. She also felt a little regretful. Bian Qiao had always been ruthless, and it was easy for him to deal with a small nominal disciple. If this little thief was beaten to death here, it would be fine, but her eldest brother would definitely scold her. What if she got sick from anger?
She had been raised by Zhao Yuan since she was a child. If it were not for her, Zhao Yuan would have already gone up the mountain to seek the Way, and he would not have been delayed for ten years. So she usually did not dare to disobey Zhao Yuan's words. This time, seeing Zhao Yuan vomit blood, she was anxious and resentful, so she was willful this time.
But Zhao Ying did not know that although Bian Qiao looked tyrannical, he actually knew when to advance and when to retreat.
On the one hand, he tried not to offend people he should not offend. Even if there were some conflicts, others would not argue with him for Hu Shengyu's sake. On the other hand, he unscrupulously bullied and suppressed disciples with no background. It was precisely because of this that he was the most famous and fierce among the many stewards.
"Steward Bian, Zhang Yan is here."
A Taoist boy from Good Abyss Monastery who had been caught to listen to Bian Qiao shrunk his head and looked around. He pointed to a tall figure in the distance and whispered.
Bian Qiao was already a little impatient, but when he heard this, he became a little more spirited. He raised his head and casually glanced at the figure. As he looked, the teapot that was raised to his mouth froze, and he said with some surprise, "Is that Zhang Yan?"
He had thought that Zhang Yan was just a poor scholar who didn't know the rules. Who knew that the other's appearance was far beyond his expectations?
Today, Zhang Yan had changed into the wide-sleeved Daoist robe given to him by Min Lou. Not only was he handsome, but he was also well-proportioned and tall, a head taller than the average person. His eyes were awe-inspiring, and as he strode over, he looked valiant and heroic, with an intimidating aura.
But what made Bian Qiao even more surprised, was that Zhang Yan's face was covered with a layer of obscure lustre, he had been handling chores by Hu Shengyu's side all year round, so naturally he had a lot of experience, with just a glance he knew that Zhang Yan had not only reached the realm of "Congealing Essence and Visualizing Meaning", but he also had a faint sign of stepping into the "True Essence Realm".
Bian Qiao grinned and was secretly annoyed. He didn't know what the person who inquired about the news was doing. With such cultivation, how could he be an ordinary nominal disciple?
In fact, Zhang Yan's predecessor had a dull personality. In the three years he had been on the mountain, he only knew how to immerse himself in bitter cultivation, studying the Erosion Runes behind closed doors. He had never made any friends with anyone, it could be said that he was unremarkable, so in such a short time frame, it was only natural that he would not be able to find out anything.
According to Bian Qiao's original plan, if this Zhang Yan did not have any background, then he would naturally teach him a lesson, cripple him, and throw him down the mountain.
In his eyes, a nominal disciple was nothing. If it were not for the fact that this was the Good Abyss Temple, then with just a word from him, someone would rush to do it, and he would not even need to personally come forward. However, he did not expect that at first glance, he would feel that Zhang Yan was not simple.
Coupled with the fact that Zhang Yan was proficient in the Erosion Runes … …
Generally speaking, such a person either had a disciple backing them, or had a prominent family background.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yan's figure in his eyes suddenly became profound, and he did not dare to act rashly.
However, in the past, he had relied on Hu Shengyu's name to think of himself as a character. Since the scene had already been laid out, he could not shrink back in front of so many disciples and lose his momentum.
He forced a smile on his face as he sat there and cupped his hands towards the approaching Zhang Yan, saying, "My name is Bian Qiao, and I usually take care of worldly affairs for Virtuous Cultivation Temple's Hu Shengyu. Is this junior brother Zhang Yan?"
Zhang Yan stopped and glanced at Bian Qiao with a calm and tranquil gaze. "Yes."
Bian Qiao had been carefully observing Zhang Yan's expression. Seeing that his eyes were calm and unmoved when he heard Hu Shengyu's name, Bian Qiao was even more certain of his previous judgment. Pretending to be friendly, he probed, "May I know how to address senior brother Zhang and the senior brothers of the Good Abyss Temple?"
The 'senior brothers' that Bian Qiao mentioned were naturally the disciples of the Good Abyss Temple.
How could Zhang Yan not know what he was thinking? With a smile that was not a smile, he said, "Naturally not as close as Brother Bian and senior brother Hu."
Bian Qiao's expression changed. These words were faintly mocking him for being a servant. What he hated most in his life was people mentioning his background. He couldn't help but feel annoyed, and the smile on his face became somewhat stiff.
He looked refined, but he was used to being arrogant, so his tone immediately became unfriendly. He coldly swept a glance over Zhang Yan, saying, "Let me ask you. I heard that you interpreted the erosions for my Virtuous Cultivation Temple's disciples? Is there such a thing? "
Zhang Yan was extremely calm, saying, "Yes."
Bian Qiao sneered, "I also know that you've been on the mountain for three years. How could you not know that the disciples of the three temples have their own rules? Fine, I won't make things difficult for you today. Swear here that you will no longer interpret the Dao books for the disciples of the three temples, and I will let you go on behalf of my senior brothers. I will let bygones be bygones. What do you think? "
Zhang Yan smiled, saying, "Since Steward Bian has spoken, then from now on, I will not interpret the Dao books for the disciples of the Virtuous Cultivation Temple."
Bian Qiao narrowed his eyes at Zhang Yan, saying coldly, "Junior brother, do you really not understand, or are you just making fun of me? I'm talking about the disciples of the three temples. Do you understand? "
Although the lower house was divided into three temples, they usually interacted frequently. If someone obtained a Dao book from the Virtuous Cultivation Temple and then asked a disciple from the other two temples to interpret the erosions for Zhang Yan, would he be able to stop them? Wouldn't that be the same as not saying anything?
Zhang Yan cupped his hands and lightly said, "Since that's the case, forgive me for not being able to comply."
How could he not know the crux of this matter? He had deliberately said this to advance by retreating. In this way, it wasn't that he didn't want to agree, but that Bian Qiao had gone too far.
Bian Qiao was originally afraid that Zhang Yan had someone backing him, so he thought that if they both took a step back, they wouldn't fall out. He didn't expect that Zhang Yan didn't know what was good for him and didn't give him any face.
On second thought, although Zhang Yan seemed to have some background, he had broken the "rules" first and was in the right when it came to his senior brothers. What was there to be afraid of?
Since you won't listen to my kind words, don't blame me for not giving you face. Do you really think I have no way to deal with you?
Before coming here, he had already made preparations. Since there was no way to reconcile, he was prepared to use his methods.
Bian Qiao suddenly laughed and said, "It's fine, it's fine. Since Junior Brother has some experience in the Dao of Erosions, why don't you let us broaden our horizons? I have three Dao books here. Please advise me, Junior Brother!"
With a wave of his hand, a manservant behind him immediately brought out a Dao book. Bian Qiao tapped the book with his knuckles and said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I also know Junior Brother Zhang's rules. Rice and money won't be lacking, so please advise me, Junior Brother Zhang."
With business knocking on his door, Zhang Yan naturally wouldn't refuse. He took two steps forward and reached out to take the Dao book.
"Wait."
Bian Qiao put his hand on the Dao book and stared at Zhang Yan, saying, "I am sincerely asking for advice. If Junior Brother Zhang interprets it wrongly or can't decipher it, what will you say?"
Zhang Yan said with an indifferent expression, "Senior Brother can smash my signboard. From now on, I won't speak of erosions again."
Bian Qiao snorted and shook his head, saying, "Not enough, not enough."
Zhang Yan also smiled and withdrew his hand. He stood up straight and said, "Then what does Senior Brother think?"
Bian Qiao narrowed his eyes and said, "You will disperse your cultivation and leave the mountain. From now on, you are not allowed to take half a step into the territory of my Qincang School!"
Because there were many people gathered here, some of the disciples of the three Lower Houses gradually surrounded them and exclaimed when they heard this. This was completely cutting off Zhang Yan's path of cultivation.
Zhang Yan was surprised. He didn't think that Bian Qiao would become much tougher after not acting up before.
He didn't know that this was Bian Qiao's nature as a slave, chasing small profits and being afraid of adults. It was just that he couldn't see through Zhang Yan's background, so he didn't directly make a move.
If Zhang Yan lost this time and no one stood up for him, then naturally he would be ruthless and leave no way out. If someone came forward to plead for leniency, and if they had a powerful background, he could also give them face and ask for a favor. In short, as long as Zhang Yan made a mistake in his interpretation of the book, whether it was flat or round, he would be at his mercy.
"What Senior Apprentice Brother said is also true, but … …" Zhang Yan looked at him calmly and said, "If so, then this price is not something that can be offset by mere grains."
Bian Qiao laughed, fumbled in his sleeves for a while, and then took out a white jade porcelain bottle and placed it on the stone table, "Junior Apprentice Brother seems to have already reached the Essence Building Realm. This is the Harmony Pill, there are a total of 23 pills in this bottle, each pill is worth a thousand gold, what does Junior Apprentice Brother think about it?"
The surrounding disciples of the three Lower Houses suddenly began to talk, looking at this bottle of pills, their eyes were filled with a fiery passion, but they also knew that this was not something that they could obtain. But in their hearts they were cursing, this Bian Qiao was obviously just a steward, and did not have any cultivation, but still had such a good pill, it was simply a waste of a treasure.
Zhang Yan was familiar with the Ancient Books and Miscellany, so of course he knew the value of this pill. Not only could it help in nourishing one's body, it could also wash away the impurities in one's body, but it could also strengthen one's foundation, improve one's blood circulation and open up one's meridians. It was very beneficial to cultivators who often sat for several days and nights without moving. The key was that there was no market price for it, this was a pill that only the disciples could enjoy.
There was no need to think about it anymore, he immediately replied, "Yes."
Zhao Ying who was in the crowd saw that Zhang Yan had agreed, and could not help but curl his lips, this little thief really did not care about his life, did he not see that Bian Qiao had set a trap for him?
Bian Qiao cupped his hands towards the crowd and said, "Good, today there are many Senior Apprentice Brothers here, so that they can be witnesses, lest they spread out that I, Bian Qiao, am a bully." His means were also very ruthless, as he took the initiative to block Zhang Yan's escape route with his words.
Zhang Yan looked coldly at Bian Qiao's petty actions, but he did not care at all. He sat down on the stone bench as if there was no one else around, and picked up the book to read.
When the surrounding disciples heard Bian Qiao's words, they gathered their courage, wanting to see what this Zhang Yan was capable of, that he actually dared to go against Bian Qiao. The disciples of Tai Peace Temple and Good Abyss Temple were fine, but in the eyes of the disciples of Virtue Cultivation Temple, Bian Qiao could be said to be a tyrant on the mountain all these years, and no one dared to stop him. Today, there was actually someone who dared to go against Bian Qiao, so they could not help but feel excited, and even ordered their Taoist children to find their close friends, so that they would not miss this good show.
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