Xu Xiangqian spoke with such seeming sincerity, it appeared quite plausible. Especially with the title of the “Twin Prides of Ganma Mountain” invoked, such a matter could be easily verified, rendering any fabrication pointless.

“Twin Prides of Ganma Mountain?” Zishu, momentarily forgetting her annoyance, simply grew curious about Jiang Wang, this renowned prodigy: “What does ‘Ganma Mountain’ mean?”

Bystanders who overheard also began to murmur amongst themselves: “Do you know where Ganma Mountain is?”

“I don’t. Is it a mountain’s name? Or some secret government office in Qi?”

“Ganma Mountain is a special place that holds unique significance for us. However, his rise to fame is his own affair, and I don’t wish to elaborate, lest someone accuse me of name-dropping. Just know that Jiang Wang and I are considered twin prides,” Xu Xiangqian waved his hand with a weary air, as if truly reluctant to discuss it further.

“Oh, right, Miss Zishu,” he added, “It’s regrettable that my heart is already occupied. But I can tell that you are a fine woman. It so happens that my brother, Jiang Wang, is still unmarried. Would you be interested in meeting him?”

“Ah, this…”

This was far too sudden!

The woman named Zishu didn’t know how to react.

Someone like Jiang Wang, a renowned prodigy of Qi, she would certainly be willing to meet, but she had no intention of considering marriage before even meeting him.

“No worries!” Xu Xiangqian appeared extremely understanding, displaying great poise: “With your qualities, Miss Zishu, you are more than worthy of him. I will find a chance to introduce you both. If you find him suitable, then proceed. If not, you can simply be friends.”

While he was being attentive to Zishu, his eyes kept glancing at Zhao Wu Yan.

Clearly, his intention was not merely to find a match for Zishu, but to have her reciprocate the favor and help him win over Zhao Wu Yan, even if it meant arranging a “marriage” for Jiang Wang without his knowledge.

As Zishu continued to demur, Xu Xiangqian had already found a new angle: “Senior Sister Zhao, do you know the specific details of Jiang Wang’s battle against Lei Zhangan? The victory wasn’t as simple as it seems. The rumors circulating now are, in fact, inaccurate in many ways. Though I wasn’t in Linzi at the time, I had advised Jiang Wang on this battle, offering some minor contributions… How about this, I know there is a particularly elegant teahouse ahead, why don’t we sit down for a cup of tea, and I can explain it slowly?”

Zhu Biqiong covered her forehead, “Heavens! Does Jiang Wang really have friends like this?”

Unable to bear it any longer, she turned and left.

*I need to remind Jiang Wang not to befriend just anyone. He’s too naive and easily deceived. Especially watch out for a guy with an unusually high forehead!* Zhu Biqiong thought.

Zhu Biqiong, like her sister Zhu Suyao, was a disciple under Elder Bizhu of the Fishing Sea Pavilion.

Of course, Zhu Biqiong was able to join and become a personal disciple purely because Elder Bizhu favored Zhu Suyao and couldn’t refuse her plea.

There were twenty-four elders in the Fishing Sea Pavilion, the highest echelon below the Pavilion Master.

So Zhu Biqiong lived a comfortable life on Huai Island. She couldn’t compete for the best resources, and she didn’t need to compete for the slightly lesser ones, so no one targeted her.

Aside from often thinking about her sister Zhu Suyao, and sometimes recalling her days in Qingyang Town, she lived a carefree life most of the time.

Back in her room, a servant came to inform her that Elder Bizhu had summoned her.

Zhu Biqiong didn’t bother to groom herself and went straight out, heading towards the bamboo building where Elder Bizhu resided.

To be honest, she was a little apprehensive. She didn’t know why the elder was looking for her.

Elder Bizhu was certainly kind to her, but she was aware that some of it was because of her sister, and only some was for her own sake. She might be naive, but not to the point of being oblivious.

As she went upstairs, she saw Elder Bizhu feeding the fish.

She had a huge, transparent fish tank that took up almost half the room, filled with many different kinds of vividly colored fish.

It was strangely beautiful in a fierce kind of way.

“Sit wherever,” Elder Bizhu said without turning around.

Zhu Biqiong looked around and casually found a chair to sit on.

Elder Bizhu was still standing and feeding the fish.

Fortunately, she was simple-minded and able to see through things, so Elder Bizhu wouldn’t hold it against her.

Elder Bizhu slowly tore off a piece of raw meat, probably beef, and dropped it into the fish tank. She casually asked, “Hai Zongming came looking for you?”

“Ah,” Zhu Biqiong knew the basic etiquette and quickly rose to answer, “Yes, just now when I was out walking.”

“That old geezer is no good. You have to be careful when you encounter him in the future, and don’t say everything,” Elder Bizhu observed the fish feeding and asked, “What did he say to you?”

Zhu Biqiong honestly replied, “He said he wanted to thank me for killing Hu Shaomeng. He even wanted to give me a gift.”

“Oh?” Elder Bizhu asked, “What kind of gift?”

“I didn’t accept it,” Zhu Biqiong shook her head, “He wanted to thank Jiang Wang, but Jiang Wang wouldn’t accept it either. Jiang Wang doesn’t even know him.”

Elder Bizhu paused, her hand halfway through tearing the raw meat. She sighed, “You told him that Jiang Wang helped you kill Hu Shaomeng?”

Zhu Biqiong had already reported this matter to Elder Bizhu, back when Jiang Wang didn’t have such a reputation.

“Yes,” Zhu Biqiong still didn’t know what the problem was, and even gave a silly smile.

Elder Bizhu simply threw the whole piece of raw meat into the fish tank, clapped her hands, and the bloodstains flowed from her hands as if imbued with intelligence, “leaping” into the fish tank.

“Don’t concern yourself with this matter. Stay within the sect for the time being.” She took a clean white cloth to wipe her hands, even though they were already very clean.

Even the most naive Zhu Biqiong could now sense that something was wrong.

“Elder,” her voice trembled slightly, “Was I wrong to mention Jiang Wang?”

“Yes.” Elder Bizhu casually said while wiping her hands, “Hai Zongming is probably thinking of ways to kill Jiang Wang.”

She didn’t bother to hide anything from her personal disciple, just like she had directly said that Hai Zongming was no good.

Zhu Biqiong stumbled, finally realizing the trouble she had caused!

“What should I do, Elder?”

Her face was pale.

Elder Hai Zongming was a peak Outer Building Realm expert, and Jiang Wang was no match for him.

Elder Bizhu thought for a moment and said, “There’s nothing to worry about. Since that Jiang Wang has such a reputation in Qi, the people of Qi won’t allow Hai Zongming to harm him. As for you, since Hai Zongming values the matter of Hu Shaomeng so much, don’t leave the sect grounds for the time being, to avoid any accidents.”

“But…” Zhu Biqiong was now completely unable to consider her own safety: “Elder Hai is so powerful, he must have a way to sneak into Qi, right? If he finds a chance to secretly kill Jiang Wang, even if someone avenges him, it would be meaningless…”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

Elder Bizhu looked at her with displeasure, “Biqiong, you need to know your position, and you need to know my position. No matter how bad Hai Zongming is, he is still an elder of my Fishing Sea Pavilion! Am I supposed to contact Qi and have them prepare in advance to ambush and kill Hai Zongming? The altar beneath the Ends of the Earth Platform is made for such treacherous acts!”