Sage turned around towards the voice and he was greeted with a young boy in white robes, who had snowy white hair, yet despite being slim he had a chubby pot belly. His eyes were a deep black and his monochromatic look was only set off by a bright red sash around his waist and tying back his long hair.
As soon as Sage saw him, he felt a shudder from Guan Zhenyan. At the sa ti, his habits kicked in and he imdiately bowed to him, Please forgive , Great One, for not properly welcoming you! Please just wait one mont!
He summoned over a table, chairs, and a full tea set. Without anything else being said he imdiately started to perform an elaborate tea ceremony. Using a special Fla Stone to heat the water, and steeping expensive tea leaves for the boy. Tao Ba was quiet the whole ti, simply taking a seat and looking around like he was a high and mighty ruler. A few minutes later, Sage filled the teapot and poured a glass for Tao Ba. Tao Bas drinking etiquette showed his contempt for Sage and it was at this point that Guan Zhenyan finally couldnt stand it.
You greedy little monster! Even if Lang Sheng isnt your Master, hes at the very least a guest. Arrogant brat.
Guan Zhenyans voice bood into the Universe Ring, not just a ntal projection, but with actual volu. He imdiately berated Tao Ba and then trailed off, mumbling other unkind things as he did. Tao Ba was so startled he spilled his tea upon himself and imdiately shot to his feet.
Who dares call a
At that point, he seed to recognize sothing and imdiately he cupped his hands, bowing his head down like a faithful and loyal servant. A pleasant smile ca onto his face, Sir Guan! Its such a pleasure to hear your voice again after so long!
Bah. Youre nothing but a jumped up security guard, so dont forget your place!
Tao Bas lips twitched, but he kept smiling and enduring as Guan Zhenyan berated him a few more tis. Only, it seed that Tao Ba noticed sothing and lifted his head, You are as great as always, Sir. Though in the territory of this re guard, you should at least keep your manners.
Sage suddenly felt a terrifying pressure descend upon him. He fell to his knees and he felt a bit of discomfort from the link with Guan Zhenyan.
Why did these two bad tempered people et? They seem to know each other already, but how does that make it fair for them to use as a battleground!
Sage was barely supporting himself on the ground with one hand. He grit his teeth to force out a few words, Please control yourselves, Great Ones. It is my pleasure to pour tea for Tao Ba, theres no need to quibble about it.
Finally, Tao Ba waved his hand and the great pressure went away. Sage was breathing heavy, trying to recover from the struggle. He struggled back to his feet and imdiately poured a new cup of tea for Tao Ba. Thankfully, Guan Zhenyan stayed quiet this ti and after Sage gave a bit more praise to the boy, he finally excused himself and ran from the Universe Ring as quickly as possible.
Damn, Kid. Why are you going out of your way to serve a petty little beast like that? I didnt realize you were so weak and cowardly.
Unlike Sir Guan, Tao Ba only requires so words of praise, a ek attitude, and serving food and drink. Its quite a cheap price for obscure information and the sharing of secrets. If only your assistance was so easily gained.
Guan Zhenyan scoffed at him, the two of them now in the real world and talking face to face. Even if it seed like a complete loss of honor and dignity to Guan Zhenyan, Sage could care less. If he could trade a few honeyed words and bootlicking for a fortune, then why wouldnt he? Of course, for those extrely arrogant folk who considered themselves to be so filled with honor and esteem, such treatnt would inspire their contempt. Just as hed found out back at the Kang Clan. At that ti he realized that setting aside his own dignity by choice was far different than having soone else forcibly smash it. Even if hed lived so many years in this culture, he still didnt put such stock in his own face and could easily set it aside whenever he needed to.
All he had to do was serve tea to a smug kid once every few months and he got access to all sorts of secrets. It was a small price to pay. He just considered it to be an unpleasant chore like scrubbing the bathroom, cleaning up after the dog on a walk, or changing a babys diaper. Having such extre dignity was just ridiculous in his opinion. Should he be offended when people dont open the door when he arrives or bow when he walks by? Such arrogant nonsense.
Ahh, but wouldnt it be nice if I could just butter up Guan Zhenyan and get access to all his technique manuals?
While lanting how difficult it was to deal with the man, that sa person was looking down at him and puffing on his pipe. After a few minutes he finally couldnt help himself, What are you doing? Im going to start charging you if you dont get out of here.
Only then did Sage realize the ntal link was relaxed again and he quickly scrambled to his feet. He had no idea what sort of insane price the man might make up for him being in there so he ran out of the room. He was about to turn the corner when he was thrown off his feet and his back hit the ground. His arm jerked backwards and a powerful force pried his fingers apart. A golden streak of light zood back towards the room he ca from.
Nice try, Kid!
Guan Zhenyans voice bood loudly in his head, a veritable ntal scream. At that point he realized that he had forgotten to hand the Universe Ring back before rushing out of the room. That golden light must have been the ring being forcibly taken back. Hed tried to steal back the ring without even realizing he was doing it. Unfortunately, Guan Zhenyan was far more aware and stopped him. Sage hopped back up to his feet and reluctantly left the manor, returning back to the little woodshed he had out back. Despite the shabby outward appearance, the interior was pretty well appointed. He had the Hoplites to build him furniture and weave him blankets, bedsheets, curtains, and a rug with their Steelsilk.
With the upgrade of his Inner World already completed and the Arborist Experints moved over, he was now free to return to his prior task. Although he had questions about how Guan Zhenyan and Tao Ba knew each other, they werent that important to him at this point. Guan Zhenyan would likely charge him a high price for that knowledge, and he didnt have access to the Universe Ring to ask Tao Ba. Understanding their relation would do little to help him at this point anyway. He needed to gain more strength. The reason he was so trapped under Guan Zhenyans thumb was because he wasnt strong enough. Hed been betrayed and chased out of three different lives already because he was just too weak. The laws in this world were rely at the whim of whoever had the biggest fist. They were rely lip service to ensure people kept productive for whichever lord happened to hold their leash. If people were too busy thieving, fighting and killing, how would they have enough ti to keep making money to pay their taxes to their lord?
Sage felt his ntal foundation shudder, strengthening his resolve as he sat down and prepared for his next step.
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