Chapter 893: Extreme Envy PLUS (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Gu Chi forced out a smile that looked even more strained than constipation, and said stiffly, "He's not an acquaintance. I don't know him well."
He really enjoys watching the drama unfold.
But that doesn't mean he'll eat any rotten melon.
Some melons are poisonous; tasting one could be fatal.
Gu Chi tried to pull his sleeve back, but Qin Lilang was as firm as iron and refused to let go, even resorting to a word spell that restricted his movements. This move was truly eye-opening, like a knife pulling a stab at the back. He lowered his voice and said, "Qin Gongsu!"
Qin Li, seeing his reaction, became even more certain that the young man's identity was questionable, and couldn't help but ask, "Qi Yuanliang?"
Gu Chi secretly wished he could slap Qi Shan, that despicable person.
Why drag innocent bystanders into these two old grievances?
He feigned ignorance: "What Qi Yuanliang?"
"He's not Qi Yuanliang, why are you acting so strangely?"
Gu Chi was furious. He had every reason to suspect that Qin Li was seeking revenge because he had just stolen the seed planter!
"Qin Gongsu, take a closer look. How does that man's face resemble Qi Yuanliang? You've been bitten by a snake once, and now you see everyone as Qi Yuanliang!" He used his literary energy to break free from the restraints on his feet, while simultaneously reaching for the sword at his waist with his other hand, preparing to stab Xiu.
The two were tugging at each other when Qing, the center of attention, approached. He looked at them with a strange and complicated expression, seemingly surprised that the two had become so close. The three stared at each other in bewilderment until the sound of dragons roaring and tigers howling broke the silence.
Gu Chi noticed the familiar sword in Qin Li's hand.
His free hand reached for his sword, and sure enough—
This is his sword!
Qin Li pulled it out easily!
Although the sword wasn't pointed directly at the unfamiliar youth, the killing intent was entirely directed at him. There was no doubt that if the youth made any unusual move, Qin Li would strike without hesitation. He narrowed his eyes, carefully examining the youth's face, seemingly trying to find any trace of disguise in this ordinary-looking face. However, the face was completely natural, looking unmistakably original!
But Qin Li trusted his intuition more.
The young man in front of me has such a similar temperament to that person from back then!
After a long silence, he finally spoke: "What's your name?"
The two men blocked his path, and the young man couldn't get around them. One of them even drew his sword, looking aggressive; the scene looked dangerous no matter how you looked at it. The young man showed no fear, calmly bowed, and said, "My surname is Tan, my given name is Shao, and my courtesy name is Qingguang."
Gu Chi looked momentarily annoyed, seemingly surprised that the other party hadn't even thought about what to say before speaking! Qin Li, on the other hand, was also caught off guard by the young man's response: "Tan Shao?"
The young man nodded: "Mm."
Qin Li then asked, "Tan Qingguang?"
The young man nodded, then turned his suspicious gaze to Qin Li's hand tugging at Gu Chi's sleeve, and asked in confusion, "What's going on with you two?"
He was of average appearance, but his voice was extremely pleasant.
Not too light, not too heavy; calm and gentle.
Qin Li observed Gu Chi out of the corner of his eye. The latter's expression was natural and relaxed, with only a hint of annoyance at being offended in his eyes, which didn't seem fake. Qin Li became somewhat uncertain and subconsciously loosened his grip: "Tan Qingguang, then who are you from? Where do you work?"
The young man replied, "I work in the Sibao County government office as a clerk under the chief clerk. I was ordered to deliver an important document."
Qi Shan's current title is still Registrar, but his actual power is equivalent to that of the Prefect of Sibao County. Shen Tang's power structure has changed too much and too quickly this year; specific changes will have to wait until the new official system is finalized. Sending a personal clerk to deliver documents is certainly no small matter.
No wonder Tan Shao had the Lord's token in his possession.
This token really does belong to Qi Yuanliang.
The young man lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the sword in Qin Li's hand.
"I wonder in what way I have offended Your Majesty?"
"Oh, it's a misunderstanding."
Qin Li returned his sword to its scabbard. The sound of the blade rubbing against the scabbard made Gu Chi lower his head, cursing inwardly—if Qin Gongsu missed his aim, this sword would accidentally injure his own waist! When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer; this melon is indeed hard to swallow!
Gu Chi was freed and immediately ran away.
He wished he had eight legs so he could run faster!
Qi Yuanliang is a master at adding fuel to the fire. Qin Gongsu already harbors a grudge against him for what happened back then, and now he's making fun of him again. Relying on his lord's favor, is he really not afraid of being torn to pieces by the enraged Qin Li? Qi Yuanliang will die a wicked death sooner or later!
Qin Li stepped aside to make way, and the young man bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
They walked steadily and calmly toward the main tent.
Watching the young man's retreating figure, a sense of familiarity lingered. Qin Li raised his hand and cast a Mind-Reading Incantation. If the young man were an ordinary person, he would be completely unaware; but if he were a scholar…
The young man paused slightly in his steps.
The movement was very small, yet it was still captured.
Qin Li, his face cold, used his Word Power to catch up. The young man paused in his action of lifting the curtain, looking at Qin Li beside him with a puzzled expression.
A murderous intent surged between them as their eyes met.
The brief exchange was interrupted by Shen Tang's voice.
"Come in."
"Does Gong Su have anything else to do?"
Shen Tang was surprised that Qin Li would return, and that someone claiming to be sent by Qi Shan would also come. She looked at Qin Li, then at the unfamiliar young man, who was a seat slightly behind Qin Li, winking and mouthing words at her.
The translation is "Tan Shao, Qing Guang".
Shen Tang: "..."
She knew Qin Li and Qi Shan had a past feud, and if she truly helped Qi Shan today, it would be difficult to appease Qin Li. A thought flashed through her mind, and she pretended not to know: "Yuan Liang sent you?"
Prayer, disguised as a sage: "..."
What happened during the year he was gone?
At the same time, a pair of deep, dark eyes were fixed on his face. Qi Shan didn't need to look down to know that the other person's left hand, adorned with an expensive ring, was resting on the hilt of his sword. Shen Tang also felt as uneasy as Gu Chi; this was truly a difficult situation!
"Ahem, why don't you settle this privately?"
Gu Chi could only flee, but as her lord, she could send people out.
Qin Li closed his eyes, a restrained yet cold smile playing on his lips that made the veins on his forehead throb: "Qi Yuanliang?"
Before Qi Shan could speak, he asked again, "Tan Qingguang?"
A murderous aura erupted from him as he flew into a rage: "May I ask, of these six words, which one is true?"
"Tan is real." As a ripple spread, the young man's ordinary face melted like ice cream, and soon revealed a face that Shen Tang was very familiar with. He bowed to Qin Li and said, "I am Tan Lezheng. I greet Lord Qin and Young Master Qin."
Qin Li: "..."
Of those six words, only one is true!
How dare Qi Yuanliang admit it?
Back then, Qi Shan used a pseudonym. From his surname to his given name to his courtesy name, none of them were real except for his gender!
This conclusion nearly made Qin Li choke on his own blood.
Qi Shan wiped his face and said awkwardly, "Qin Gongsu, I really didn't mean to lie to you this time. I just needed to conceal my identity all the way from Sibao County. I didn't expect to see you so soon. I didn't even have time to prepare my answer. I didn't expect Gongsu to have such discerning eyes and see through the truth at a glance. You've improved since then."
Shen Tang: "..."
Is Qi Yuanliang adding fuel to the fire?
They showed absolutely no sense of shame.
She was genuinely worried that if Qi Shan's sharp tongue provoked her again, Qin Li's blood pressure would explode. A ruptured blood vessel in the brain is a serious problem in this world! To her utter surprise, Qin Li sheathed his sword, gave Qi Shan a cold glance, bowed to Chen Tang in farewell, and left without looking back, leaving Chen Tang speechless: "Gong Su, why are you leaving? Shouldn't you have shed blood in a fit of rage?"
Qi Shan almost laughed out of anger at her words.
"Does the lord really want to see Shan fall in a pool of blood?"
Shen Tang said awkwardly, "No, that's not true. Before recruiting Gong Su, I told him I wouldn't let him touch you. But Yuan Liang, did you really have to deliberately play tricks on Gong Su?"
It's totally cat-like.
I feel an urge to knock over anything I see on the table.
Upon hearing this, Qi Shan felt a little relieved.
His lord had gathered all his old enemies together; as the aggrieved party, wasn't he allowed to throw a tantrum? He wasn't afraid at all in a one-on-one fight, but with his old enemies all united, he'd be in for a world of hurt. Shen Tang was also curious as to why Qi Shan had suddenly come here.
Someone also needs to keep an eye on Sibao County.
Qi Shan said, "The important matters have all been resolved. The remaining trivial matters can be handled by the officials themselves. I have also informed Banbu to take care of things. Moreover, I have left behind a literary avatar, so outsiders do not know that I have left. I will return once things are settled."
Did she leave a literary avatar in Sibao County? As far as she knew, the only literary avatar that could be separated from its original self for a long time and still move freely was the scholarly path of Ning Yan and her husband [pure fiction]. How did Qi Shan manage to do that?
However, she always trusted Qi Shan and never questioned him.
"Is the matter settled? What matter?"
Now it was Qi Shan's turn to stammer.
He seemed to be hesitating about how to start the conversation.
Shen Tang looked up at the direction of the tent entrance. Qin Li, who had not concealed his aura, had returned and was standing not far from the main tent waiting. She said, "It's alright, Yuanliang, take your time to think it over. I think you're in for a beating from Gong Su."
But every little bit later is better than nothing.
Qi Shan was speechless with anger: "Whose lord is this?"
Shen Tang: "You two need to treat each other equally."
Qi Shan was nearly choked by her words. She pulled out a paper-wrapped object from her bosom; it was rather thick and looked like an invitation. She opened it in a daze, and saw a black invitation with yellow lettering. She didn't know what material it was made of, but it felt warm and silky, somewhat like velvet. Shen Tang didn't even need to open the invitation to see the contents; the color scheme alone made her think of something unpleasant.
Not to mention, the invitation also had three characters written in the center with a murderous aura. Shen Tang's face instantly darkened. It was the Gathering of the Gods!
"The gods have invited you?"
Qi Shan: "..."
Um, how should I put this...
To be precise, he posted an invitation to others.
His eyes darted away, and with a sigh, he began to tell the story from the beginning.
His joining the Pantheon was also accidental. As a low-level scholar with little background, many resources were beyond his reach through effort. Originally, he planned to use the Pantheon before leaving, but he didn't expect it to be so easy to manipulate; its seemingly mysterious and rigorous system had huge loopholes. Young Qi Shan stroked his chin, taking the risk of receiving his first salary without working, and from there, he couldn't stop.
Shen Tang: "..."
Qi Shan's scholarly code bound both parties together, and she had no doubt about his loyalty, but his past still infuriated her. To embezzle a salary without working was to conspire with a tiger!
After a long pause, Shen Tang finally managed to utter a sentence.
"The Pantheon is no good."
"Having been in the Gods' Guild for over ten years, how could he not know whether it's good or bad?" He's about to become the head of the Northwest Continent, how could he not know this? Qi Shan had actually been mentally prepared for a long time to be honest with her about this. He hadn't planned to reveal it so early at first. His foundation wasn't stable yet, so it wasn't advisable to devote too much energy to dealing with this force, and it wasn't advisable to make contact too early.
Shen Tang sighed, "I had no idea you kept this from me so well."
Qi Shan said, "I didn't hide it from you."
Shen Tang retorted, "Where did you not hide anything?"
"Isn't my lord curious about how Shan, with his family background and wealth, and who is constantly on the move, manages to live a life of comfort and ease?" If Qi Shan wanted to be high-profile, he could wear twenty rings on one hand!
Shen Tang: "..."
She couldn't help but think back to when she first met Qishan.
Indeed, I haven't seen Qi Shan worry much about worldly things like gold and silver.
So, she's the only one who's poor?
“Now, I’ve managed to build up some wealth…” Shen Tang took a deep breath, about to persuade Qi Shan to leave the Gods’ Society, when she suddenly remembered that she needed an inside man in the Gods’ Society, and Qi Shan was about to become the head of a district.
Her tongue almost tied itself in knots.
He abruptly changed the subject: "Yuanliang came here just to confess this matter to me? A letter will suffice."
Qi Shan said, "That was just incidental."
Shen Tang: "..."
Qi Shan revealed information that made the veins on her forehead throb: "The Pantheon holds a regional conference every few years. With the conference approaching, the higher-ups have set up the venue in a neighboring town. As the deputy, I have some matters to handle, so I'm here for the conference."
Shen Tang gritted her teeth: "Right under my nose?"
Qi Shan calmly said, "My lord, there is no need to be angry. The Gods Society has always acted cautiously. They have been operating throughout the continent for countless years, and their communication is mostly one-way. If they could be easily traced by secular forces... they would have been wiped out by a large army long ago."
Of course, it doesn't matter if our whereabouts are exposed.
The pantheon is outwardly legitimate.
Many noble families are still members of the Pantheon, and they have benefited greatly from it. There is no need for them to eliminate it; what difference would that make from tearing out their own flesh and blood?
Shen Tang's expression shifted between light and dark.
"This is a blatant provocation!"
Qi Shan seemed to have a sore throat, so he coughed lightly and changed the subject: "Besides the regional gatherings of the Pantheon, there is another matter that I hope the Lord can grant. Could you lend us some people?"
Shen Tang nodded: "Yes, what can I do?"
Qi Shan looked away: "I told the lord before that the Gods of Goodness have planted many false identities of themselves. In fact, not all of these false identities are fake; they all actually exist."
Shen Tang: "..."
She suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Whom do you want to borrow?"
Qi Shan's answer did not disappoint her imagination.
She felt a headache coming on: "You're just asking for trouble!"
They actually used the pseudonyms of Qin Li, Jiang Sheng, Xun Zhen, Liao Jia... Do they even know they're considered core members of the Gods' Guild? Qi Yuanliang really isn't afraid of being exposed!
"If you can persuade them, I'll agree to lend them the man!"
Qi Shanhao happily lifted the curtain and left the tent.
Upon seeing Qin Li, her smile instantly froze.
The other person was holding a pipe.
Qin Li sneered: "I don't smoke, I'll smoke you!"
|ω`)
Smoking a hot cigarette butt leaves a scar with every puff.
(End of this chapter)
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