"Young Master Xie, welcome, welcome."
The steward Zhang Jin greeted Xie Chong, an inner disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. Unlike Lü Shaoqing and Xiao Yi, whom Zhang Jin met for the first time, he was quite familiar with the young master. Xie Chong was an inner disciple from Biyun Peak, known for his exceptional talent. He had already reached the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage, and it was said he was on the verge of advancing to become a core disciple.
Xie Chong, exuding the arrogance typical of a disciple from a major sect, entered the inn alongside two other disciples. He barely acknowledged Zhang Jin's greeting, only nodding slightly.
"Get us a room," Xie Chong ordered coolly. "Today, I'm hosting a banquet for these two senior brothers from Guiyuan Pavilion."
"Ah, welcome! It's an honor to host such esteemed guests from Guiyuan Pavilion," Zhang Jin replied, immediately guiding the trio to one of the private rooms.
However, upon arrival, Xie Chong's expression darkened. "Steward Zhang, what is this? Is this your best room?"
"Or are you implying that I and my two senior brothers don't deserve to dine in your finest private room?"
His tone was sharp, and his eyes were as piercing as blades, making Zhang Jin break into a nervous sweat. These were disciples from the Lingxiao Sect and Guiyuan Pavilion—definitely not people he could afford to offend.
He quickly explained, "Young Master Xie, it's not that I don't want to; it's just that our best room is already occupied."
"Oh? By whom?" Xie Chong asked, unconcerned.
"Ask them to vacate it. I'll compensate them handsomely."
Zhang Jin responded, "I've heard it's occupied by your sect's personal disciples from Tianyu Peak—Young Master Lü and Miss Xiao."
"Lü Shaoqing?" Xie Chong was visibly surprised.
The two disciples from Guiyuan Pavilion also showed surprise.
"Is he from the same peak as Senior Brother Ji Yan?" one of them, Zhang Zheng, asked with a look of admiration.
Ji Yan had recently made a significant impression during the Three Sects Gathering, and his performance had left a lasting impression on many cultivators. No one would argue if someone claimed Ji Yan was the best among the younger generation of the three major sects.
"This Senior Brother Lü must be very powerful as well, right?" Zhang Zheng remarked, his tone filled with respect.
The other disciple, Wu Tianzong, nodded in agreement, wearing a similar expression of admiration. "Two prodigies from one peak, is it?"
However, Xie Chong's initial surprise soon turned into disdain. "Senior Brother Wu, there's no such thing as two prodigies from one peak."
"While Senior Brother Ji Yan is our pride, Lü Shaoqing is our disgrace."
The two disciples from Guiyuan Pavilion exchanged puzzled looks. Zhang Zheng, intrigued, asked, "Why do you say that?"
Even Zhang Jin, the steward, perked up his ears. Although he had been here for a while, he had never heard much about Lü Shaoqing. He was too low-profile; in fact, Zhang Jin had hardly known that Tianyu Peak had another disciple besides Ji Yan. But considering Ji Yan's brilliance, it was no surprise that Lü Shaoqing's presence went unnoticed—even overshadowing their master, Yao Cheng.
"Well," Xie Chong began, "if I had to sum it up in two words: lazy and worthless."
"Lazy, because he almost never cultivates. His strength isn't even clear, and I doubt he's reached the Foundation Establishment stage."
"Worthless, because he's essentially a waste. If he were from a noble family, he'd be nothing more than a spoiled, arrogant playboy."
He continued, "The sect leader and elders have criticized him multiple times, but he hides behind his master's protection and ignores them."
"That's why you've hardly heard of him—because most of us in the Lingxiao Sect find him embarrassing and prefer not to mention him outside."
"So that's the story," Zhang Jin thought, feeling a sense of contempt.
"Turns out he's just a pampered brat—no wonder he had the audacity to kick me out earlier."
Wu Tianzong, still puzzled, asked, "But if he's like that, why did the peak master of Tianyu Peak accept him as a disciple?"
Xie Chong shrugged. "We don't really know, but rumors say that Senior Brother Ji Yan is quite fond of him. Perhaps that's why he was taken into Tianyu Peak."
"After all, with Senior Brother Ji Yan on board, even tagging along others like him isn't a big deal."
Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong nodded in understanding.
"If Ji Yan were willing to join Guiyuan Pavilion, even if he brought a hundred or a thousand useless disciples with him, our sect would gladly accept."
Having listened to Xie Chong's explanation, Zhang Jin lost all interest in Lü Shaoqing. He turned to Xie Chong and offered, "Young Master Xie, should I ask him to vacate the room for you?"
Xie Chong hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, it's fine."
Although he despised Lü Shaoqing, he was still aware that as a personal disciple, Lü Shaoqing's status was far above his own as an inner disciple. He couldn't afford to cause trouble, and he certainly didn't want to risk offending Ji Yan in the process.
Ji Yan was widely respected within the Lingxiao Sect; offending him was akin to cutting oneself off from the entire sect.
Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong exchanged glances, understanding each other's intentions without a word. Zhang Zheng smiled and said, "Brother Xie, we'd like to go and meet this Senior Brother Lü. Would that be alright?"
Xie Chong hesitated again. "Well, I don't really know him that well."
The truth was, Xie Chong had barely seen Lü Shaoqing a handful of times. In fact, many disciples in the Lingxiao Sect had never seen Lü Shaoqing at all. He frequently missed sect meetings, and as a result, there were some disciples who had joined after him who had never even heard his name. Xie Chong himself had only caught a distant glimpse of Lü Shaoqing at a sect gathering once.
Wu Tianzong smirked, "Brother Xie, don't tell me you're afraid of him."
Xie Chong's pride was immediately challenged, and he straightened up, "Afraid? Don't be ridiculous. Why would I, Xie Chong, be afraid of him?"
Zhang Zheng added, "Then let's go and meet him. After all, it's a rare opportunity to connect with a personal disciple of the Lingxiao Sect."
"And who knows, if we get on his good side, we might even have a chance to connect with Senior Brother Ji Yan. That would benefit both you and us."
Xie Chong, realizing the potential gain, finally nodded. "Alright, let's go pay a visit to Senior Brother Lü."
Zhang Jin was more than happy to lead the way. As someone adept at reading people, he quickly saw through Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong's insincere intentions.
But he said nothing, eagerly guiding them toward the private room.
As they walked, Wu Tianzong asked Xie Chong again, "Brother Xie, is his strength really so lacking?"
Xie Chong nodded firmly. "That's what everyone says. Even the sect leader has called him a lazy fool."
Zhang Jin, hearing this, smirked inwardly. A lazy fool, huh?
Looks like this visit will be interesting.
As they approached the private room, Zhang Jin knocked lightly on the door. Inside, Lü Shaoqing was leisurely savoring his meal while Xiao Yi chatted cheerfully. Lü Shaoqing glanced at the door, his expression showing a hint of irritation.
"Who is it?" he called, his voice carrying a tone of impatience.
Zhang Jin, trying to sound as polite as possible, said, "Young Master Lü, it's the steward, Zhang Jin. Young Master Xie Chong of Biyun Peak and two esteemed guests from Guiyuan Pavilion wish to pay their respects."
Lü Shaoqing rolled his eyes, exchanging a look with Xiao Yi. "Who invited these nuisances?"
Xiao Yi giggled. "Second Senior Brother, maybe they just want to be friends."
Lü Shaoqing snorted. "With friends like these, who needs enemies?" He waved his hand. "Tell them we're busy."
Outside, Zhang Jin's face twitched slightly. He turned to Xie Chong, whose face was already darkening.
"Brother Xie, it seems Senior Brother Lü is currently occupied—"
"Occupied?" Xie Chong sneered. "Occupied with what, being lazy?" He stepped forward, about to push the door open himself.
But Zhang Zheng grabbed his arm. "Brother Xie, let's not be hasty. If Senior Brother Lü is as lazy as you say, perhaps we should tread carefully. After all, we wouldn't want to disturb his rest," he added with a sarcastic grin.
Xie Chong pulled his arm back reluctantly, but the look of irritation remained on his face.
"We'll see about that. I refuse to believe a useless disciple deserves so much respect."