Chapter 47: Chapter 047: The Most Low key
Translator: 549690339
The young practitioner glanced around anxiously, his face pale. Seeing that no one had noticed them, he finally sighed in relief.
Yang Zhen watched the departing carriage with interest, “Such wealth.” ■■More than just wealth!” The young practitioner glanced at Yang Zhen, “You must be from out of town. Are you here for the Three Kingdoms trial or for Changyue Tower’s guest selection?”
Before Yang Zhen could answer, the young practitioner continued, “Never mind, it must be fate that our paths crossed. Regardless of whether you are a disciple from the Great Sect participating in the Three Kingdoms trial or are here to try your luck at Changyue Tower, you should keep a low profile and especially avoid offending the man we just encountered.” “Thank you for the advice,” Yang Zhen replied, raising his hand reassuringly, “I am very modest. I never behave arrogantly and I do not offend people recklessly.” He then asked, “May I know your name and who that man was?”
The young practitioner sighed and said, “My name is Ma Yuan. The man we saw earlier is the Young Master of the Ding family, Ding Keqi. He is a cultivation genius in the Mahayana phase and is known for his exceptional comprehension. He has mastered many of the Ding family’s powerful cultivation methods and martial skills.”
The Ding family, Ding Keqi.
Yang Zhen mentally noted the name, then discreetly gave Ma Yuan a crystal, asking, “Brother Ma, are there any other noteworthy people or matters?
Upon seeing the crystal offered by Yang Zhen, Ma Yuan quickly declined, “I can’t accept this, it would make me uncomfortable.”
While slipping the crystal into his robe, Ma Yuan gave a beaming smile, “Actually, Flame City is not as ruthless as you may think. Apart from Ding Keqi of the Ding family, you should also be wary of Lan Fangyue of the Lan family. ”
“Does the Lan family also have great riches?”
Ma Yuan gave Yang Zhen a strange look and said, “It’s not just about wealth, these families cannot be simply summarized by their resources. Their influence in Flame City runs deep, and even Changyue Tower treats them with a degree of respect. Of course, it’s only a measure of respect.
At this point, Ma Yuan leaned towards Yang Zhen and whispered, “Ding Keqi is gifted but is narrow-minded and vindictive. Most who offend him don’t end well, but he won’t dare to offend Lan Fangyue. Guess why?”
Yang Zhen stepped back slightly, almost unable to resist slapping Ma Yuan on the head. If he knew the reason, he wouldn’t need to listen to his ramblings.
“I’d love to hear more!” Yang Zhen slipped another crystal into Ma Yuan’s hand.
Giggling ghoulishly, Ma Yuan pocketed the crystal and coyly said, “Because Lan Fangyue’s talent surpasses Ding Keqi’s. Not only can he not defeat her, but her family prestige also outweighs his own. In Flame City, the person Ding Keqi fears and most wants to conquer is Lan Fangyue.”
“Oh!” Yang Zhen nodded expressionlessly and asked, “Are there others I should avoid offending?”
“There’s not much to worry about,” Ma Yuan replied with a shake of his head, “I’m sure you wouldn’t offend anyone from Changyue Tower. As for the outsiders, most are formidable individuals who you wouldn’t dare to offend anyway. Besides the two I just mentioned, the rest… well, you seem to be a sensible and modest person. You shouldn’t get into any trouble.”
Yang Zhen nodded approvingly, “That sounds about right. I’m quite discreet and avoid trouble at all costs. Well, I shall take my leave, Brother Ma, it was nice knowing you.”
Ma Yuan replied with a hearty laugh, “It was nice knowing you as well… Wait, why do I detect a girl’s scent on you? You’re not a woman disguised as a man, are you?”
Yang Zhen:”…”
This guy’s wild speculations were simply beyond comprehension. Yang Zhen promptly took his leave, deciding it was best to avoid further encounter.
Ma Yuan watched Yang Zhen leave with a puzzled look, “That’s strange. Although his voice is masculine, there’s a faintly fragrant scent about him.
What a peculiar person.”
Heavenly Fragrance Fruit, Yang Zhen couldn’t help but shudder as he walked away.
Only when Yang Zhen was out of sight did Ma Yuan shake his head and turn to leave. Suddenly, he felt a tremor and quickly reached into his robe. But his bag of crystals was gone.
“You bastard! Give me back my crystals!”
Ma Yuan’s exclamation echoed through the streets, startling nearby pedestrians. However, no matter how hard he searched, there was no sign of
Yang Zhen.
“Wait, that’s not right. I only had two crystals in my bag,” Ma Yuan took out the two crystals Yang Zhen had given him and stared at them in exasperation before tucking them back inside his robe.
If one wanted to find Changyue Tower in present-day Flame City, asking for directions was unnecessary. One merely had to follow the crowd.
After walking with the crowd for about the time it took to burn an incense stick, Yang Zhen arrived in front of a magnificent tower.
The tower stood seven or eight stories tall, making it the tallest structure in Flame City. It covered a vast area and not only did it look imposing and overpowering, but its intricately carved dragons and beams also gave it a sublime celestial aura. Indeed, its reputation was well-deserved.
A mild aura emanated from Changyue Tower. Yang Zhen stared at it baffhngly, standing still.
Although the aura around the tower was gentle, Yang Zhen was certain – anyone who tried forcefully destroying or breaking into it would receive swift retribution from Changyue Tower.
Even having comprehended the Heavenly Book to the fullest, Yang Zhen took a whole five minutes to understand the grand array set up on the tower.
Clearly, there was at least one grandmaster of arrays in Changyue Tower. “Out of the way, bumpkin. Couldn’t you go and stand bewildered somewhere else instead of blocking my path?”
An impatient voice sounded next to Yang Zhen, and with a slight jolt of his shoulders, he sidestepped and avoided being pushed.
“Huh?”
The person frowned at Yang Zhen and tutted disdainfully, “Country bumpkin!” He straightened his back and walked towards Changyue Tower; the crowd respectfully cleared a path for him.
Despite looking only about seventeen or eighteen and short in stature – barely reaching Yang Zhen’s shoulders – the person’s earlier shove had left Yang Zhen with a strange feeling.
In the moment they passed each other, the expression on Yang Zhen’s face became more peculiar. This was the Young Master of the Ding Clan, the arrogant owner of that carriage that recklessly charged through the streets. He was one of the people you shouldn’t mess with in Flame City – Ding Keqi!
What a coincidence.
After the crowd had made way for Ding Keqi, they turned to look at Yang Zhen with pitying eyes.
“Who is this guy, just standing there like a statue? Now he’s done it, caught the Young Master’s eye; he’s probably made a memorable impression.” “So what if he’s remembered? It’s his fault for being so foolish; everyone else made way, only he didn’t. Luckily, Young Master Ding was in a good mood today, otherwise he would’ve been slain by now.
“I wonder whether we should call him fortunate or unfortunate.” As Ding Keqi entered Changyue Tower, the crowd chattered amongst themselves. An old man softly advised, “Young man, you should leave while you can. If you see Young Master Ding in the future, try to steer clear. If he spots you a second time, you might not be so fortunate.” Yang Zhen nodded at the old man who’d offered him advice and gave him a grin but said nothing. Instead, he walked directly through the cleared path and into the Changyue Tower.
“Hmph, there’s really no helping the foolhardy. Did he walk in looking for death?”
“Where did this greenhorn come from? Doesn’t he realize he’s just offended the Young Master?”
-Perhaps he’s just a country boy. The ignorant know no fright. What a pity.”
Under the crowd’s sympathetic gazes, Yang Zhen entered the Changyue Tower and arrived before a wooden sign in the main hall.
The sign was crammed full of writing. A short young man was squinting and reading from it with great concentration. It was Ding Keqi, who had arrived before him.
The sign wasn’t all that big, from a distance, it was impossible to make out the words. Yang Zhen stepped behind Ding Keqi, smacked him on the back of his head and said, “Make way, good dog.”
Smack!
Ding Keqi turned around, a clueless expression on his face.
The jaws of all the people present nearly dropped, their eyes bulged out as they stared speechless at Yang Zhen.
The main hall fell into a deathly silence..