30 Can Slack Off Again

Chapter 30: I Can Slack Off Again

Inside the carriage at the Ning Manor.

The situation on the chessboard was already clear.

As Old Master Ning placed his final piece, there were no more moves to be made.

The scholar, without counting, said coldly, "Mr. Taiyi, you lost by thirty-seven points."

Old Master Ning stroked his beard and chuckled, "I'm getting old, old, Old Master Scholar. You let me win."

The scholar looked at his smile and frowned.

Losing, yet not being like a stray dog, was itself a manifestation of bearing.

But bearing needed substance to support it.

Old Master Ning's substance was Mount Manfeng.

If one won outside the game, the game itself was just a game, and winning or losing no longer mattered.

The scholar's thoughts stirred slightly, and he suddenly understood, saying coldly, "Mr. Taiyi, your subordinate still managed to eliminate the Yao and Mo on Mount Manfeng ahead of time. You've absorbed the Dragon Qi and have your substance. May I know why?"

Steward Zhao, who was beside him, also turned his gaze over. The round face, etched with smile lines, was now incredibly stern, as cold as iron.

It could be said that if Ning Taiyi couldn't answer properly, then the Ning family would be completely finished.

No one liked for things that were decided to be overturned.

Ning Taiyi bowed slightly and cupped his hands towards Steward Zhao, "The mistake this time is mine. I'll get out of the carriage first to arrange a banquet and apologize."

Then, he looked at the scholar again and chuckled, "Old Master Scholar, don't be angry. I will explain everything clearly."

Steward Zhao frowned impatiently and said directly, "Old Ning, you've broken the rules. What else is there to explain?"

As the last word fell, hurried footsteps and the clinking of metal scales suddenly came from outside the carriage.

The black-armored soldiers blocking the Ning Manor's gate felt a chill run down their spines and stood ramrod straight.

Not far away, the ground surged with golden light.

Within the golden light, two masked figures appeared.

The black-armored soldiers stared vigilantly at the masked Daoist Boy, who carried his saber on his shoulders, some even reaching for the hilts of their swords.

In their eyes, this masked Daoist Boy exuded vigor, as if emitting rolling smoke.

As the masked Daoist Boy took a step forward, they tensed their bodies. It was their military discipline that prevented them from retreating.

The leader of the black-armored soldiers asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?!"

At this moment, the curtain was lifted.

The gazes of the three people in the carriage shot out.

Seeing his two sons return, Old Master Ning finally let out a long, long sigh of relief. He would rather die himself than have these two sons die.

The scholar closed his eyes slightly, picked up a chess piece, and slowly put it back into the container.

The masked Daoist Boy did not answer.

From a distance, Ugly Slave cupped his hands and, with the etiquette of a subordinate to a superior, said respectfully, "Mr. Taiyi, on Mount Manfeng, Qingfeng and I encountered another Celestial Master and Daoist Boy blocking our path."

Inside the carriage, the scholar's hand paused upon hearing this, but it was only a brief pause. He had good self-control.

Ugly Slave continued, "Those two aided the Yao and Mo. Qingfeng and I killed them."

As he spoke, Ning Xuan threw a large bag from behind him.

Blood-stained broken crossbows, along with pieces of shattered purple robes and personal trinkets, were scattered all over the ground.

Crack.

The chess piece in the scholar's hand was startled and fell, hitting the chessboard, then bouncing off and rolling onto the floor into a dark corner.

The scholar quickly bent down to pick it up.

Old Master Ning suddenly looked at Steward Zhao, his face full of indignation, "Steward Zhao! Speaking of which, I am also one of the General's men, am I not?"

Steward Zhao was also taken aback. He looked at the scholar, who was bending down to pick up the chess piece, his eyes furrowed. He then chuckled and raised his hand to signal, "Alright, alright, Old Ning. Let's investigate clearly first."

As he spoke, he looked at the two figures in the distance, his gaze finally landing on the masked Daoist Boy.

He recognized Ugly Slave, but this one was unfamiliar.

From their conversation, he had grasped the general situation: the scholar, to ensure everything went smoothly, had sent his trusted subordinate to wait on Mount Manfeng. As soon as Ning Taiyi dared to send Ugly Slave to eliminate the Yao and Mo on Mount Manfeng, the subordinate would act in secret, kill with a borrowed knife, and then disappear without a trace. This matter would have no evidence, and naturally, it couldn't be brought to light. But now, the plan had failed.

He was very curious as to how it had failed.

His intuition told him that the problem lay with this masked Daoist Boy.

He tilted his head, curiously asking, "And who might this be?"

Old Master Ning smiled, "Xuan'er, why don't you take off your mask and greet Uncle Zhao."

The masked Daoist Boy immediately removed his mask, revealing a young boy's face.

Ning Xuan shouted from a distance, "Uncle Zhao!"

Old Steward Zhao nodded blankly, then looked at Old Master Ning and said, "This..."

Old Master Ning asked, "Does my son have any Yao energy on him?"

Old Steward Zhao stared for a long time and shook his head.

Old Master Ning said, "This time, my son went to Manfeng Mountain with Ugly Slave, and my son acted as the Daoist Boy."

Old Steward Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed. He suddenly understood what Ning Taiyi was planning.

Old Master Ning said, "If you don't believe me, why don't you have someone test him?"

Old Steward Zhao glanced at the more than ten black-armored soldiers. He was about to ask them to test Ning Xuan's foundation, but he immediately saw that the leader was sweating profusely, and the expressions of the more than ten people behind him were incredibly tense.

He was not a warrior.

But these more than ten people were strong warriors.

He glanced again at the broken crossbow bolts and the purple robe, which were still stained with blood.

He knew that the Scholar-Emperor would definitely send people only after calculating that they would win.

In other words, Ugly Slave could not have killed those two people.

Then...

Old Steward Zhao had completely understood Ning Taiyi's plan. He closed his eyes and sighed, "This matter is of great importance. My word is not final."

Old Master Ning said, "I am also one of General Qin's people, which is why I let you see this first. If not, I could have taken Xuan'er directly to the Imperial Capital."

Old Steward Zhao hurriedly said, "I understand, I understand."

Immediately, he looked at Ning Xuan and said, "Nephew, please draw your sword."

Ning Xuan nodded and, without any further words, instantly drew his sword and performed a "Swallow Convergence" strike in the air.

A sharp, piercing hum immediately filled the air.

The faces of the black-armored soldiers nearby changed drastically.

Old Steward Zhao was also knowledgeable.

He looked at Ning Xuan seriously, appraised him, and then said, "Nephew, you are truly a young hero with boundless potential."

Immediately, he looked at Ning Taiyi and said, "Old Ning, the General will definitely investigate the ambush at Manfeng Mountain and give you an explanation.

As for Nephew Ning's matter, I am already aware of it.

A reply will be given by the end of this month at the latest.

As for the handover before the end of next month, it will also be postponed, but I have no authority to decide. Please allow me to report to the General first.

Rest assured, General Qin cherishes talented individuals, and you are considered one of my General's men, so you will not be wronged."

Ning Taiyi nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Zhao."

The smile lines on Old Steward Zhao's plump face spread completely. He cupped his fists and said, "Brother Ning is too polite."

Immediately, he glanced at the scholar who was still searching for chess pieces and called out, "Scholar-Emperor?"

The scholar did not reply.

He called out again, "Scholar-Emperor, have you found the chess piece?"

Seeing that he could not escape, the scholar mumbled in a low voice, "It's hard to find..."

Old Steward Zhao said, "You can explain this matter to the General yourself when you get back."

A moment later.

The soldiers from General Qin's mansion, who had arrived with imposing authority to question them, also left in a hurry.

In the study of the Ning residence.

After Ugly Slave explained the whole incident to Old Master Ning, Old Master Ning looked at Ning Xuan in astonishment.

How did he not know that his own son had been trained to this extent?

But after the astonishment, his heart was filled with relief and joy.

His worried brows unfurrowed, and his solemn face broke into a smile.

He repeatedly praised, "Good, good, good."

Ugly Slave then said, "Mr. Taiyi, Young Master Ning has extremely high potential. The Son of Heaven will surely value him. Why must we first speak to General Qin and then have him report upwards?"

His words were somewhat urgent and displeased.

Old Master Ning stroked his beard and chuckled.

How could he not know what kind of person Ugly Slave was?

Ugly Slave's words were not his own questions, but rather he was asking on behalf of Ning Xuan, smoothing things over for him.

Ning Xuan was young and spirited. He had been unwilling to be dependent on others before. His current performance clearly showed that he wanted to be "the boss of bosses," thinking, "I can become a General myself, so why do I have to go through this darn General Qin?"

Therefore, he said, "Before the Dragon Qi appeared, the government was already incredibly complex. Now that there is Dragon Qi, it is even more unimaginable. This puppet imperial court on the surface, and the true imperial court underneath, are both not to be trifled with.

I have struggled my entire life and still cannot clearly see the ways of this world, nor can I fathom how deep this water truly is."

The major powers were even more entangled with each other. "Even if Xuan'er has talent, his foundation is shallow."

Ugly Slave said unhappily, "So what if his foundation is shallow? Didn't everyone fight their way up? Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't bully a young man for being poor! Mr. Taiyi, are you underestimating Young Master?"

As the two spoke, they were secretly observing Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan's expression, however, was a little anxious.

Old Master Ning couldn't help but ask, "Xuan'er, what are you thinking?"

Ning Xuan finally sighed and then said, "I'm thinking, can I move houses?"

"Move houses?" Old Master Ning asked curiously, "Where do you want to move to?"

Ning Xuan said seriously, "This time, my killing intent is too strong. I want to move to Wangyue Prefecture. That way, I can also go to the Zen temple to burn incense often and cleanse the killing intent in my heart with the temple's serene aura."

Old Master Ning looked at Ugly Slave.

Ugly Slave nodded. He had witnessed Ning Xuan's killing intent and knew his old brother wasn't lying.

Old Master Ning thought about it and felt it was fine.

He had managed Wangyue Prefecture for nearly thirty years, and everyone there was his person. Moreover, his own son was so fierce.

His son is sensible now.

Old Master Ning felt immensely pleased.

"Pack up and go," Old Master Ning waved his hand with satisfaction. He didn't even ask where his son would move.

The entire Wangyue Prefecture was his eyes and ears, so why ask?

He decided to go, and he went.

In the morning, he was a demon slayer; in the evening, he arrived at the Chenxiang Pavilion.

Xiao Jie stopped the carriage and glanced at Young Master, asking, "Weren't you going to worship the Bodhisattva?"

Ning Xuan said, "I'm going to worship the female Bodhisattva."

With that, he excitedly walked towards the distant, brightly lit, incense-filled haven of pleasure.