Chapter 229: Chapter 118: Jimin Association
Hearing this, Guan Xi looked up at the sky. It was dim and overcast, with no trace of the moon to be seen.
’His emotions are calm, and his expression seems complex, but his consciousness is remarkably simple. What I’m reading is a sense of centeredness, yet it’s also full of goodwill—not the fanatical goodwill of those cultists from the first day, but a kind that I find very pleasant.’
Yu Lian’s thoughts surfaced in Wang Ping’s Spirit Sea. ’How strange. The feeling he gives off perfectly fits the template for a protagonist in a folk tale. If his luck were just a bit better, he’d be the one to save the world.’
After hearing Yu Lian’s assessment, Wang Ping grew even more interested in the topic Guan Xi had just raised.
But when it came to business, showing too much enthusiasm could get you fleeced like a fat sheep, which would be a net loss. After processing Yu Lian’s thoughts, Wang Ping couldn’t help but study the young man before him by the dim lamplight.
At first glance, Guan Xi looked like a scholar who had just passed the imperial examinations, a certain scholarly arrogance in his brow. But it was the kind of arrogance that the courtesans on the flower boats adored.
On second glance, however, Guan Xi projected an immense gravity, as if he had gleaned the truths of the world from ten thousand scrolls.
Yu Lian was right. He really did have the look of a protagonist from a folk tale.
"This humble Daoist also knows a bit about observing the heavens. Given the celestial phenomena tonight, it’s highly unlikely there will be any moonlight for you to appreciate, Daoist." Guan Xi surprisingly addressed the topic.
"..."
His response left both Wang Ping and Yu Lian a bit speechless.
Facing Wang Ping’s stare, Guan Xi gave an embarrassed smile and said, "If you truly wish to see the moonlight, Daoist, I could disperse the clouds for you."
"Oh?"
Wang Ping’s expression turned inquisitive. He could sense an occasional, uncontrollable probing aura from Guan Xi, but he was puzzled as to what exactly he cultivated, or what kind of Magical Power he had integrated.
"Then let’s see you try."
These words came from Yu Lian.
Guan Xi first clasped his fists in a salute to Wang Ping. "Pardon my humble attempt..." Then, he rose to his full height, pointed at the gloomy, overcast sky, and said with a smile, "Behold..." As his words fell, a brilliant ray of moonlight pierced through the clouds. In the blink of an eye, a full, bright moon was hanging in the sky.
Wang Ping and Yu Lian were utterly astonished—not because the clouds had been parted, as they could do that themselves, but because they couldn’t feel the slightest fluctuation of Spiritual Qi from Guan Xi.
’It’s the Inspiration Realm. There are some very strange Spirit Bodies that seem to be obeying his command, pushing aside the Spiritual Qi in the clouds,’ Yu Lian communicated to Wang Ping in the Spirit Sea, her tone grave. ’If he were to make a move, you probably couldn’t beat him. He’s very powerful.’
Wang Ping had sensed it too. He stood and clasped his hands. "A fine technique, Fellow Daoist."
"It’s just a minor art. I cultivate the divine soul, and I’ve taken a shortcut. This shortcut is filled with obstacles, and I might just find myself stopped by one of them someday."
Guan Xi remained as humble as ever.
Wang Ping gave a light wave of his hand, and the light in the courtyard gradually brightened, as if it had suddenly become daytime.
"Now *that* is a truly fine technique, Daoist." Guan Xi bowed again, looking at what seemed like a new space carved out of the darkness. He was always so polite, likely due to the influence of the *Human Dao*.
"Come and sit," Yu Lian said, playing the role of one who eases awkwardness. "The moonlight is perfect. Why don’t we brew some tea to pass the time?"
"It would be rude to refuse."
Watching Guan Xi walk over, Yu Lian teased Wang Ping in the Spirit Sea: ’I think I’ve read this plot in a story before. You seem to be the villain who tries to embarrass the protagonist.’
Wang Ping’s expression remained unchanged. Just then, the sound of a door opening was heard. It was Shen Xiaozhu. She walked out of her room and gave a silent bow toward the Stone Table.
...
As the fragrance of fresh tea spread through the courtyard, Guan Xi got down to business. "Dan Chen is an honest man, but sometimes, being too honest makes one easy to exploit..."
"Exploit?" Wang Ping asked, puzzled.
"To explain it clearly, I’ll have to start from the beginning..." Guan Xi sat opposite Wang Ping like a student and began, "The Jimin Association was originally a rather informal gathering formed by Loose Cultivators from all over Zhongzhou, created for mutual aid."
"Due to the lax management in the early days, many factions and small groups formed within our ranks. After receiving the Saint’s favor, even more of these small groups appeared, some even hostile to one another."
"Over years of development, three main groups have generally formed within the association. I’ve taken the liberty of giving them three rather fitting names: the Fanatic Faction, the Moderate Faction, and the Balance Faction."
"The Fanatic Faction was always fanatical. They have the most members and originally banded together to oppose the Daoist Scripture Hall’s unfair policies toward Loose Cultivators. After gaining the Saint’s favor, they developed a terrifying ideology..."
Guan Xi paused here, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. He then set it down and looked at Wang Ping. Seeing that Wang Ping was waiting patiently for him to continue, he spoke again. "They advocate for emulating the legend of the two Saints who destroyed the world in the age of myths. They believe the current world is corrupt and must be destroyed so that order and civilization can be rebuilt."
"Most of them have already left the association. Where they are and what they are doing, only they themselves know. Or perhaps, we will only find out on the day they put their plan into action."
Once again, Wang Ping and Yu Lian were left somewhat speechless.
"But you don’t need to worry. As they say, let the tall ones worry about the sky falling. We have people investigating from within. This brings me to the second group, which I call the Moderate Faction." Guan Xi let out a low laugh. "They were originally an alliance of Loose Cultivators who enjoyed traveling the world and studying ancient doctrines. They advocate for observation and guidance, and are currently trying to please the Saint through ascetic cultivation."
"The last group is the Balance Faction. They believe all worldly disputes arise from a broken equilibrium. Thus, they move between the various powers to maintain balance on all sides. When necessary, they will adopt extreme methods, just like the Fanatic Faction, yet at other times, they lean toward the Moderates."
Guan Xi finished speaking and raised his teacup. Just as he was about to drink, Yu Lian asked, "And which faction do you belong to?"
"The Balance Faction. A moderate attitude gets nothing done, while a fanatical one easily leads to disaster. Only by being impartial can one truly carry out the Saint’s will."
"The Saint’s will?" Yu Lian said bluntly. "You mean your own will, don’t you? You just add the ’Saint’s will’ part to give yourselves a reason to act."
"You could say that!" Guan Xi admitted freely. "Everyone needs a reason for their actions, especially when it comes to important matters. Otherwise, how could you expect anyone to believe in you?"
"So, you came to find me to balance what, exactly?" Wang Ping asked, holding his teacup.
"I came this time simply to make a friend of you, Daoist, and to help you solve a small problem along the way."
