“There is no need for an introduction here. Elder Huiyan and I have met before.”
Nan Xi raised a hand to greet Granny Ji, then turned around and gripped Elder Huiyan’s hand tightly, just as he had done with the previous elders.
“I didn’t expect to see Elder Huiyan here again. It must be fate.”
Faced with Nan Xi’s pleasantries, Elder Huiyan gave a foolish, awkward laugh.
“Yes, yes, I also didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Nan Xi — “
“Hmm?”
Nan Xi gave Elder Huiyan a mysterious smile.
‘I didn’t care when you called me Fellow Daoist Nan Xi before, but what should you be calling me now?’
“Eek!” Elder Huiyan shivered at Nan Xi’s smile and hurriedly raised his hands in a respectful salute. “My apologies! I truly did not expect Senior Nan Xi to become our Tianquan Peak’s Peak Master! I accidentally offended you just now!”
It had to be said that Elder Huiyan was quite well-versed in social graces; it only took one look from Nan Xi for him to react.
Although he had many questions about why someone only at the Golden Core Stage could become a Peak Master, he had gained enough experience to reach his current position.
Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t ask!
“Not at all. Your impartiality during the interview process left a deep impression on me, Elder Huiyan. In the future, there will be many areas where I will need your help!”
“Understood, Lord Nan Xi. I guarantee the mission will be completed!” Elder Huiyan’s gaze was resolute.
…
After that brief interlude, Nan Xi finally finished meeting all the elders of Tianquan Peak and returned to the front of the group.
“Today, we have officially become acquainted with Lord Nan Xi. I believe that under Lord Nan Xi’s leadership, our Tianquan Peak will surely create a new future.”
Elder A-shan chuckled.
Nan Xi agreed with those words wholeheartedly; as for what kind of future would count as “new,” he couldn’t say for sure.
Just as Nan Xi was nodding repeatedly, Elder A-shan stepped forward again and spoke tentatively.
“Ahem, Lord Nan Xi, it was mentioned earlier that you would also meet with the disciples. Do you think…”
“Hmm?”
Nan Xi’s brow furrowed slightly. He had always hated giving public speeches.
Not only did he hate giving them, he even hated listening to them.
He had always believed in one principle: ‘A good speech should be like a young lady’s skirt — the shorter, the better!’
Of course, this theory was slightly vulgar, so he never mentioned it to anyone else.
As for Elder A-shan’s request —
“Forget it.” Nan Xi waved his hand. “My presence or departure shouldn’t have any impact on the disciples. They should practice when they need to practice, study when they need to study, and play when they need to play.”
“But the disciples have already been gathered in advance. We have to say something to them.”
“Then tell them they have the afternoon off…”
As soon as the words “afternoon off” left his mouth, a tsunami-like mountain-shaking cheer erupted from the Sword Casting Square behind them.
Nan Xi was momentarily stunned. He stood on his tiptoes to peer over the elders’ backs —
Good grief, at some point, the Sword Casting Square had been filled with disciples.
It was obvious that these elders had secretly organized this while Nan Xi was busy shaking hands with everyone.
“Ugh…”
A look of disgust appeared on Nan Xi’s face.
He truly despised crowded places.
Taking a deep breath, Nan Xi turned around and instructed Elder A-shan, “I’ll leave the rest for you to handle. I still have tasks assigned by the Supreme Elder that need to be completed. Please excuse me.”
“Then, about the holiday…”
“Give it to them.”
Nan Xi waved his hand and turned away, leading Granny Ji toward the main hall of Tianquan Peak.
He left behind a group of bewildered elders and a multitude of disciples who were chirping away, immersed in the joy of their sudden holiday.
…
“Lord Nan Xi, your body…”
Perhaps noticing the discomfort on Nan Xi’s face, Granny Ji took a half-step forward and spoke with respectful concern.
“I’m fine.”
Nan Xi took a deep breath of fresh air and turned to look at Granny Ji.
“I assume there is no more work to be done today?”
“None for the time being.” Granny Ji flipped through a checklist. “However, there is an Elder Council meeting tomorrow.”
“An Elder Council meeting?”
“Yes. This is a meeting convened by the Sect Master at Tianshu Peak, the main peak of the Tianhe Sect. At that time, all First-class Elders and Peak Masters must attend. I suspect they want to use this opportunity to get to know you.”
“Can I not go?”
Nan Xi spoke helplessly. Just facing the Supreme Elder alone was enough of a headache; now he was being asked to face the Sect Master of the Tianhe Sect and the various Peak Masters.
He, Nan Xi, was in the Golden Core Stage, not the Samsara Stage.
He was still a long way off from that level.
“Theoretically… no.”
“Then that means yes.” Nan Xi gave a thumbs-up. “Help me decline the Sect Master’s invitation. As for the reason… just say…”
He tilted his head and thought for a moment.
“Just say the Supreme Elder has urgent matters for me to attend to!”
“Ah, well, all right then.” Granny Ji compromised.
‘Thank you, Lord Tiansi.’
‘Your title is really useful. It’s easy to use, I love using it, and I’ll use it again next time.’
Nan Xi silently gave that lazy, water-blue-haired girl another point in his heart.
“Lord Nan Xi, there is one more thing.”
“Why is there always something else?”
Nan Xi’s face instantly wrinkled like a bitter gourd, nearly startling Granny Ji when he turned around.
“This, this… it’s not an important matter.”
“Then what is it?”
“Here is an expense list of the costs incurred since you took office. I need you to sign it for confirmation… Don’t worry, it won’t cost your own money. These expenses will be billed to the daily expenditures of Tianquan Peak.”
Granny Ji began rummaging through her bracelet again. It had to be said that her bracelet contained everything imaginable; it was practically the treasury of Tianquan Peak.
After a moment, Granny Ji looked up and unrolled a list for Nan Xi.
The list, made of paper pulp, rolled across her palm and all the way down until it landed at Nan Xi’s feet with a rustle.
“Repairing your residence: 5 Spirit Stones.”
“Purchasing office supplies for you: 2 Spirit Stones.”
“Procuring flower pots: …”
Seeing Nan Xi’s increasingly solemn expression, Granny Ji’s tone became a bit uneasy.
“Lord Nan Xi… this…”
“It’s fine. I understand. Proceed according to the usual process.”
Nan Xi picked up the latter half of the list from the ground. He looked like he was reading it seriously, but in reality, he was secretly rejoicing.
If nothing else, he truly had a talent for being a profligate.
He hadn’t done a single thing on his first day in office, yet he had already added a massive pile of expenses to Tianquan Peak’s accounts.
At this rate, disbanding Tianquan and destroying Tianhe was just around the corner!
“Wait… what is this ‘Procurement of 100 volumes of collected picture books’?”
Nan Xi pointed at the last item on the list and asked.
“That, er… ahem, I’m not entirely sure either. Perhaps they are miscellaneous books to help you understand Tianquan Peak.”
Granny Ji’s eyes shifted as if she were hiding something.
“Calculating the time, they should be delivered to your residence later this evening. You just need to check and receive them.”
“I see.”
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