As soon as Zhang Tie arrived in the meeting room, he greeted the Liu brothers and the others. Soon afterward, Leng Manxue and Huang Baimei arrived one after another. When Huang Baimei entered, every divine general in the room, Zhang Tie included, rose to their feet.
"Sit, everyone, sit..." Huang Baimei was mild-tempered and carried no airs. He waved for everyone to sit. Only after they had done so did he sweep his gaze around the room, take the seat at the head of the table, and look at Zhang Tie beside him. "How has Vice Hall Master's cultivation been aboard the flying boat these past few days?"
Zhang Tie had not expected Huang Baimei to speak to him first. Hearing the question, he answered solemnly, "Cultivation requires the work of dripping water piercing stone. Diligence is like a spring seedling: you do not see it grow, yet it gains each day. Indulgence is like a whetstone: you do not see it wear away, yet it loses each day."
Huang Baimei had merely asked Zhang Tie a casual opening question, but the instant Zhang Tie spoke, everyone in the meeting room was jolted awake. Even Ji Yuelan, who had kept a cold face and pretended to ignore Zhang Tie, abruptly turned to stare at him. Jiang Ruoxin and Leng Manxue's eyes both flashed as they gave Zhang Tie a long, deep look. Of all of them, Xun Zizhou's reaction was the most exaggerated. Upon hearing Zhang Tie's words, the old-school scholar-like Xun Zizhou's brows twitched, and he immediately pulled out a small notebook and scribbled down every word Zhang Tie had just said.
The Liu brothers, who had only just spoken with Zhang Tie, looked at him as if he were an idol, making Zhang Tie feel rather embarrassed.
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