Chapter 596: So sincere?

Since it had been agreed before the sparring match that "fists and feet have no eyes" (i.e., injuries can happen), and Wei Xing didn't appear to be seriously hurt, no one naturally had any complaints about Tie Mu. Instead, their gazes towards him were filled with awe.

People around who considered themselves to be of some standing also gathered. Surprisingly, Wei Xing seemed to have already recovered and maintained a graceful demeanor after returning their greetings.

"Heheheh, Mr. Tie, you possess great skill. I presume back in the Da Zhen government, you were at least a provincial chief constable?"

Jiang Tong, the young man from the Jiang clan, also approached and echoed the praise.

"Indeed, Senior Tie's Iron Punishment Technique is truly formidable and ruthless. I imagine you had many disciples within the Da Zhen government, too?"

Ji Yuan smiled at the man, his gaze briefly sweeping over Wei Ming, who had already left the outer perimeter, before returning to Wei Xing. He then spoke very courteously.

"I, Tie, was never as prominent as a provincial chief constable; my so-called government identity is not something to be revealed. However, Mr. Wei's martial arts skill far exceeded my expectations. I held nothing back in the final two moves targeting your hands and feet, and I'm surprised they were only flesh wounds for you, Mr. Wei!"

Ji Yuan's words were another honest truth; his fabricated "government identity" was naturally not meant for public disclosure. However, to those around him, his words sounded different, leading them to speculate about certain secretive government organizations. They dared not ask for more details, knowing he certainly wouldn't reveal anything.

"Hahahahaha…"

Hearing this, Wei Xing immediately burst into hearty laughter. He moved to pat Tie Mu's shoulder, but Ji Yuan subtly blocked him with an outstretched hand, then explained in his distinct husky voice:

"Decades of government service have instilled a habit; I never engage in back-patting."

"Heh heh, I understand, I understand. Mr. Wei and Mr. Tie have now become acquainted through this friendly match. Is there something you seek by visiting my Wei family, sir? If you've merely come to look around, I will personally accompany you on a tour. If you have a request, please don't hesitate to state it. Oh, that's right, let's go to the reception hall to rest and chat over tea. Mr. Tie and everyone else, please go ahead. I'll change my clothes and be right there."

Wei Xing was exceptionally courteous, even feeling an instant familiarity and closeness with Tie Mu, the persona Ji Yuan had adopted, treating him like a dear friend. He was truly overflowing with enthusiasm. After speaking, he instructed his servants to lead everyone to the reception hall, then quickly departed himself.

"Senior Tie, shall we proceed together?"

"Alright, please everyone!" "Mr. Tie, please!"

After a few polite exchanges, Ji Yuan, the young man from the Jiang clan, and the other guests who had been observing the match, departed under the watchful eyes of those around them.

As they left, Ji Yuan cast a distant glance at Wei Ming, who was also leaving, and inwardly sneered. Although Wei Ming had appeared very friendly on the surface, the hatred and malevolence in his eyes were almost palpable.

As Ji Yuan and the others departed, a hurried Wei Xing had already entered the rear of the manor. After walking a hundred paces, he approached Wei Ming, who was waiting behind a nearby building.

"Uncle Four, just how skilled is this person in martial arts?"

Wei Xing's face was a twisted mixture of hatred and joy as he replied.

"Very good, extremely skilled in martial arts. Few can compare to him. I even suspect he is a master of the Innate Realm."

"The Innate Realm?"

Wei Ming couldn't help but show a delighted expression. It was incredibly difficult for a martial artist to enter the Innate Realm, which represented a fundamental transformation. Meeting someone at that level was truly rare.

"Uncle Four, you must treat him with utmost courtesy. It would be best if we could persuade him to stay in the manor. Even if he doesn't, we must ascertain his lodging in Luanping City. Since he has come here, he must have some objective, right? Whatever his request, just agree to it! Uncle Four, you absolutely must not let any resentment show because of the match!"

Wei Ming urged him repeatedly, and Wei Xing also showed a confident smile.

"Don't worry, I handled myself flawlessly just now and displayed impeccable grace. I'm sure Tie Mu was impressed by my demeanor. However, this Iron Punishment Technique is truly remarkable. I thought I was more than ten times stronger than my former self, and while I didn't expect to defeat him easily, I certainly didn't expect to lose. Yet, he won and made a fool of me in public; it truly infuriates me!"

As he spoke, Wei Xing's face twisted, and his teeth ground together with a grating sound.

"Uncle Four!"

"Oh, don't worry, I'm just venting now. Of course, I won't behave this way when I see him. Hmm, I'll go change my clothes and then head over; I shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Alright, Uncle Four, just be mindful."

"Yes, it won't be ruined!"

After saying this, Wei Xing departed again, this time hurrying directly towards his own residence. Meanwhile, Wei Ming looked towards the front of the manor, muttering to himself.

"The Innate Realm, projecting true qi, retrieving objects from a distance... I wish I had such near-immortal abilities..."

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan, in his guise as the former government master Tie Mu, and the other guests who had been in the same hall, were led by Wei family servants to a new reception room, clearly a more private area.

As soon as they were seated, maids and servants immediately brought out clear tea, fragrant fruit, and pastries. Surprisingly, some of the fruits were even iced, a rare commodity in Zhonghu Road during late autumn.

"Hahahah, Senior Tie truly commands respect; these iced pears are difficult to find. Even unfavored concubines in the imperial palace would struggle to acquire them. I didn't expect the Wei family to have an ice cellar!"

Jiang Tong, unreserved, picked up an iced fruit and began to eat it. The other guests did the same; naturally, everyone's tea table was furnished with a share, not just Ji Yuan's.

"Indeed, Mr. Tie, your martial prowess is exceptional, clearly earning you high regard from the Wei family. We are fortunate to benefit from it. By the way, Mr. Tie, did you visit the Wei family merely to look around, or was your intention always to spar?"

"That's right, Mr. Tie, regarding sparring, although Fourth Master Wei's martial arts are impressive, he isn't the strongest in the manor."

As they chatted and grew more comfortable, Ji Yuan, hearing this, feigned a slight surprise and asked:

"Mr. Wei truly isn't the most skilled martial artist in the Wei clan? I thought he was just being modest!"

Jiang Tong, still biting into a pear, walked over to Ji Yuan and said:

"If we're talking about the highest martial arts realm within the Wei clan, it would be the Manor Lord Wei Xuan and his son, the great warrior Wei Ming. Exactly how skilled they are, I don't know for certain. I only know that over the years, many masters have come to challenge them or to see the Wordless Heavenly Book, taking the opportunity to experience the Wei clan's martial arts. Many renowned masters among them suffered such humiliating defeats that they voluntarily retired from the martial world, finding obscure places to live out their old age in shame."

Ji Yuan listened thoughtfully.

"Is that so…"

Ji Yuan then appeared to realize the crucial part of Jiang Tong's words and immediately reacted by asking:

"You just mentioned the Wordless Heavenly Book? Is the Wei family's Wordless Heavenly Book truly real?"

As soon as Ji Yuan asked, someone else immediately stood up and replied excitedly:

"Naturally! Without the Wordless Heavenly Book, do you think the Wei family could have risen to their current standing? They've been biding their time for years, only gaining widespread fame after truly deciphering the Wordless Heavenly Book. Of course, the Heavenly Book is real!"

"Indeed, Senior Tie, this Wordless Heavenly Book must be real. It's said that many outlaws, and even openly renowned masters, have attempted to sneak into the Wei family manor to get a glimpse of the Heavenly Book, but many never returned. This goes to show how deep the Wei family's foundations have become over the years!"

"I see... So, the Wei family doesn't allow outsiders to see the Wordless Heavenly Book?"

Ji Yuan inwardly sneered, then asked another question, which immediately piqued Jiang Tong's excitement.

"No, the Wei family used to allow it, and still does, but the conditions are a bit strict. One must be a close friend of the Wei family, or someone recognized by them. For example..."

"For example, Mr. Tie, if you were to make such a request, the Wei family might very well consider it!"

Someone nearby immediately chimed in, the meaning already abundantly clear. Ji Yuan smiled and, following their lead, said:

"Then are all of you visiting the Wei family for the Wordless Heavenly Book as well?"

"Hahahahaha…" "Heheheheh…"

They all laughed.

"What you say is both true and not quite true, sir. We naturally covet the Wordless Heavenly Book and hope for a chance to see it, but currently, we don't have that privilege. We just want to foster closer ties with the Wei family, hoping our descendants might have the opportunity to study in the Wei family manor."

"Indeed, my Jiang clan wishes to cooperate with the Wei family in business, and we also harbor similar hopes."

With everything now openly discussed, everyone became much less reserved. Ji Yuan drained his teacup in one gulp and chuckled:

"Then, I, Tie, will try asking later. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to see the Wordless Heavenly Book."

"Yes, yes, you must ask!" "Indeed, Senior Tie, don't miss this opportunity!"

"Indeed, it's a rare chance."

While they were chatting animatedly, Wei Xing, having changed his clothes, arrived. His hearty laughter preceded him.

"Hahahahaha… I, Wei, have returned. I trust I haven't kept you waiting long, Mr. Tie? And I ask for your indulgence, everyone, hahahaha…"

Wei Xing entered the hall from an inner door at the front, laughing and bowing as he spoke. Judging by his spirited appearance, had everyone not witnessed his pathetic state during the previous match with their own eyes, they would surely have thought Wei Xing was the victor.

Upon Wei Xing's arrival, everyone, including Ji Yuan, rose to return his greeting, saying, "Fourth Master Wei, you are too kind."

During this exchange, Jiang Tong and the others subtly gestured to Ji Yuan, while Wei Xing directly sat down beside Ji Yuan, asking enthusiastically with great poise:

"Mr. Tie, your martial arts are excellent, and your martial ethics are outstanding. You clearly held back just now. I truly feel an instant camaraderie with you, Mr. Tie. The delay was because I went to introduce you to my elder brother. He heard of your visit and specifically instructed me to host you well. He will also make time to greet you. Since you're unfamiliar with this area, I suggest you don't bother with the expense of lodging in the city. How about staying at my manor? Oh, and by the way, you may also borrow my Wei family's Wordless Heavenly Book for a look!"

Ji Yuan had intended to ask, but Wei Xing was so enthusiastic that he surprisingly brought it up himself, leaving Jiang Tong and the others outside momentarily stunned.

"Indeed, it's a fortunate coincidence for you all as well; you may view it together with Mr. Tie. And I'll add one more thing: the Wordless Heavenly Book, as it's commonly known, is one part, but actually, my Wei family possesses two Heavenly Books. One is the Wordless Heavenly Book, and the other is a text left by an immortal long ago. Without the latter, we wouldn't be able to comprehend the Wordless Heavenly Book!"

At this, Ji Yuan truly looked at Wei Xing in a new light, wondering if he was genuinely this sincere.