Chapter 1121: Chapter 1121: Refusing Again and Again
Zhangsun Zhize turned back and glared at Ge Yongshou again, sternly reprimanding, "Why don’t you apologize to these fellow cultivators and ask for their forgiveness?"
"Cultivator Mei, Cultivator Yuan! I’m afraid we’ve been poor hosts and lost propriety. I ask for your forgiveness." Ge Yongshou stepped forward, humbly apologized without argument.
Such a cunning old man! With a few words, he brushed off the matter of making everyone wait for nearly two hours, cleverly shifting the blame onto the investigation team, implying it was not others being inconsiderate but rather this group being ignorant of the rules.
"Elder Ge, there’s no need for such words. We are newcomers and did not understand the timing of the elders’ routines. Our abrupt visit disturbed your peaceful cultivation, and indeed that was our fault." Knowing they were playing a duet, Mei Simiao had to play along and politely replied again.
"Since this was a misunderstanding, let’s not dwell on it! Cultivator Mei, your requests have been noted. Although Junior Brother Ge’s words were blunt, the difficulties he mentioned do reflect the actual situation at the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion. Now that you’ve come and waited for so long, I cannot let you leave empty-handed. The records regarding the Hongjun Sword Furnace for those years you previously asked for—I will have my two junior brothers bring them to you. You can review them at your leisure, no rush to return, just ensure they are returned intact in the future. Is that satisfactory, Cultivator Mei?"
Zhangsun Zhize spoke sincerely, and if one were unaware of his usual tactics, they might be swayed by his words and leave emptied-handed but grateful, a common scenario in past encounters: a slap followed by a sweet reward, yet never getting to the core of the issue.
Unfortunately, they miscalculated this time; these people came to make trouble and will not rest until their goal is achieved! So, after Zhangsun Zhize’s words, Mei Simiao hesitated a moment, sighed as if in difficulty, and said, "Elder Changsun, it’s not that I lack understanding, but we are compelled by circumstances. Our investigation has been delayed by those records written in cryptic language. If you do not provide people to help translate and interpret, merely giving us more records is futile. Elder Changsun, this matter is overseen personally by the Spirit Lord. If we fail to deliver results, the Spirit Lord will call us to account. Being outsiders, the Spirit Lord might not say much, at most mock our ineffectiveness, but if this delays the Immortal Palace’s affairs, it will be difficult for all sects involved. Thus, I hope Elder can make an exception."
"Oh! Alas..." Mei Simiao’s words were a mix of softness and threat, full of implications. Zhangsun Zhize stroked his beard for a moment, then sighed regretfully, "Since Cultivator Mei has reached this point, I should wisely dispatch personnel to assist you. Even I could personally help with interpretation, but as my brother mentioned, the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion is indeed short-staffed. Moreover, the stored records are crucial and must not be treated carelessly. If you are unable to find someone from the Immortal Palace to assist in interpretation, request the Spirit Lord to send some to oversee for a few days, and I’ll assist you personally."
"Elder Changsun, you should know your realm’s Spirit Lord attended the Sword Discussion Conference and shortly after went to the Hell Plane with other Venerable Faces to discuss countermeasures for the Blood Fiend’s breach of contract. Not to mention the delay caused by traveling back and forth, but in such critical times, pestering the Spirit Lord with minor issues will only expose the facade of harmony between the two planes, bringing shame to the Spirit Lord!"
"You see, this is troublesome, isn’t it? Ah...!" Zhangsun Zhize was somewhat caught off guard, overwhelmed by the new predicament, his glance caught the sight of Lin Daozi guarding nearby, and he smiled, "Oh! Lin Daozi is here; this makes things easier! Cultivator Mei, Lin Daozi is the Spirit Lord’s beloved disciple; let him stay and guard the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion for a few days, and I’ll accompany you for translation. Is that reasonable?"
Zhangsun Zhize knew he had to compromise eventually on this matter; the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion had delayed as much as possible to support the Immortal Palace departments. By passing the buck to Lin Daozi, if he accepted, he became involved, and any blame from the Immortal Palace would fall on him. If he declined, the Spirit Lord would question why even his disciple rejected involvement, leaving Zhangsun Zhize justified.
Lin Daozi understood the implications well, internally cursing the old fox, feeling little sympathy or guilt before deciding to let Pei Yan teach Zhangsun Zhize a lesson. Thus, bowing politely, he apologized evasively, "Elder Changsun, I wish I could help, but my master instructed me to ensure the investigation team’s safety and not leave their side, making me unable to assist."
"Cultivator Mei, you see this is impossible too! Regarding this matter, I am also at a loss; you can only request replacements from the Immortal Palace or ask for the Spirit Lord’s guidance."
Zhangsun Zhize was happy with Lin Daozi’s evasion, but just as he finished speaking, a voice rose from the crowd.
"There is a way to solve this!"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned towards the direction of the voice, discovering it was Pei Yan disguised as Wang Wenze. After listening to the prolonged back-and-forth, Pei Yan could no longer restrain himself from speaking.
With suspicion, Zhangsun Zhize examined Pei Yan, then glanced back at Ge Yongshou who shook his head, indicating he didn’t know this person. After exchanging looks, Ge Yongshou took a step forward to reprimand, "Where does this youngster come from, interrupting elders’ conversation? Someone slap him!"
As Ge Yongshou prepared to act, he was stopped by Mei Simiao who gently advised, "Calm down, Elder Ge. Most people here are young and inexperienced, unfamiliar with customs; I will properly deal with him later. But resolving the immediate issue is paramount, so let’s hear his suggestion before we blame him."
Seeing this, Ge Yongshou turned to Zhangsun Zhize, who thoughtfully said, "No harm done, young people have broad ideas and might conceive something beyond our thoughts. Let him speak."
"Since the elders can’t leave, we might as well keep the records here; you elder translate them here. We’ll set up a booth in the courtyard and work here." Pei Yan pointed towards the spacious space in front of the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion, smilingly explained.
"Uh... This...." Zhangsun Zhize didn’t expect this tactic from the other party, feeling awkward and uncertain as he looked to his two junior brothers, not knowing how to respond.
