Chapter 160: Chapter 152: Martial Cultivator vs Taoist Cultivator, Who Will Win? Chapter 160: Chapter 152: Martial Cultivator vs Taoist Cultivator, Who Will Win? Cen Wenjin deliberately provoked the inexperienced Xie Wenren by saying:

“But I don’t know whether Immortal Xie is confident? If you’re not a match for that bald thief, let’s just drop the matter. I, as an official, will swallow this loss in silence. After all, there’s no one in my Official Residence to handle this.”

Xie Wenren responded with self-assured smile:

“I’ve never even heard of Mahaparinirvana, the Monk Who Broke Precepts; I wonder from where such a wild monk has appeared. He relies solely on his brute strength. In my eyes, he’s nothing but someone who’s trying to make a name for himself, hardly worth mentioning. With a slight application of Taoist Magic, taking his life will be a breeze!”

Pleased, Cen Wenjin nodded and proudly declared:

“As long as Immortal Xie avenges my son and takes that villain’s life, I will surely reward you handsomely after the deed!”

“You don’t need to reward me handsomely!”

“Oh? What then does Immortal Xie wish for…”

With a sly smile, Xie Wenren respectfully requested again:

“I’ve heard that Lord Cen has a close relationship with the Sect Leader of my Flame Cloud Sect. If Lord Cen happens to see my master, the Sect Leader, I would be grateful if you could put in a few good words for me!”

“Certainly, certainly.”

Upon hearing this, Cen Wenjin’s face showed joy, but he felt even more contempt for Xie Wenren’s low status within the Flame Cloud Sect, so low that he had to rely on an outsider to speak for him. It seemed that Taoist Cultivators were no different after all, with a clear social hierarchy and greed for personal gain just like the secular world.

“I’ve heard that recently, all Taoist Sects under Heaven are preparing for the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master in Chang’an, where your master is currently residing. Once you handle this matter for me, I will go and have a chat with him.”

“Thank you, Lord Cen, for your help! I’ll take care of everything!”

After thanking him, Xie Wenren then feigned an appearance of someone who despised evil as if hating it were his personal enemy and asked:

“May I know where that audacious, heaven-defying, death-deserving bald thief is now? I will go immediately to exact vengeance and restore Young Master Cen’s honor! As long as no one intervenes, his life is as good as mine!”

“Good!”

Cen Wenjin immediately looked towards the group of lowlifes waiting outside, the Idle Followers and ruffians, and impatiently said:

“You bunch of useless people, standing like logs! Why aren’t you leading the way? What are you waiting for!”

“Yes, master, just wait for the good news from me and Immortal Xie!”

Wang Lang the Protector, eager to show his enthusiasm, replied first before leading Immortal Xie, with a group of Idle Followers and ruffians supporting each other, out of the Cen Residence.

As soon as they left the Cen Residence, Wang Lang the Protector sidled up to Xie Wenren and begged in a fawning tone:

“Immortal Xie, when we find that bald thief, if he’s not too strong, could you let me have the first go at him?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Xie Wenren didn’t know Wang Lang the Protector’s background and cunning thoughts, and this question truly bewildered him.

Wang Lang the Protector gave a sly smile and then replied with utmost respect,

“This humble one feared that the filthy bald thief would dirty Immortal Xie’s hands. If you allow this humble one to kill him, upon my return, I will inform my master that the bald thief, upon hearing Immortal Xie’s formidable name and seeing Immortal Xie’s celestial presence, immediately pissed himself and knelt to beg for mercy. Immortal Xie, disdaining to act against such a cowardly weakling, let this humble one do the killing.”

“In this way, Immortal Xie’s name will become renowned throughout Chang’an, not only enhancing Flame Cloud Sect’s reputation to outsiders but also showing Lord Cen that Immortal Xie’s methods are ingenious. Who among the members of your Flame Cloud Sect would dare to underestimate Immortal Xie then? Ain’t this move beneficial in three ways, and isn’t it wonderful?”

After listening, Xie Wenren stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, finally patting Wang Lang the Protector’s shoulder in approval and saying,

“You are indeed a clever one, thinking entirely on my behalf. Then let’s do as you suggest. Without engaging in battle, we will subdue the enemy with mere words, making it seem that I, Xie Wenren, am truly remarkable!”

“Thank you, Immortal Xie, for allowing this!”

Despite Wang Lang the Protector’s extreme respect in his words, addressing him as Immortal Xie, once Xie Wenren agreed, Wang Lang’s heart swelled with pride, and he even developed some disdainful thoughts:

What good is being a high and lofty cultivator? Are you not being played around by me, a lowly person of the jianghu? When it comes to being formidable, I can’t match you, but when it comes to cunning, you are far too stupid! How could you not know the wickedness of the human heart, hahahaha!

The two reached a gentleman’s agreement and then quickly headed straight to Drunken Immortal Residence, where Li Ping’an and Mahaparinirvana, the Monk Who Broke Precepts, were located!

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Just in a short while, Li Ping’an and Mahaparinirvana had consumed half of the abundant wine and meat ordered, though most of it was eaten by Mahaparinirvana.

“Good brother, I find you to have a special affinity with me, and I think well of you as a person. I wish to become sworn brothers with you, what do you think?”

Mahaparinirvana earnestly requested, making the gesture of clasped hands.

“Brother is indeed generous, with no reservations about others. Aren’t you afraid that I, Li Ping’an, might be a venomous small-minded man? That I might later plot against you?”

Mahaparinirvana seized one of Li Ping’an’s hands and laughed,

“If you were such a man, how could you have gone to great lengths to trick me into coming here for a meal, specifically avoiding those foul people?”

“So brother is a perceptive man and not a reckless brute, so kind-hearted that you refuse to deceive others; I have seen brother in a new light!”

“Hahaha! If I didn’t have a brain, I wouldn’t have survived until today, would I.”

“Hahaha!”

The two shared a silent laugh, used their fingers to dip in the alcohol and wrote their names on the table. The ceremony of becoming sworn brothers was not like that of others, with oaths and blood-swearing; they simply clinked their cups and downed the drinks, considering it a completed ritual.

As it is said, the friendship of gentlemen is as mild as water, but their bond was that of kindred spirits, as intense as the Western Gale Liquor they were drinking, encapsulating one word: fierce!

Mahaparinirvana’s eyes burned like the blazing sun as he looked at Li Ping’an with earnest expectation,

“My worthy brother, I hope that in the future, you will see me, know me, and learn from my candid and straightforward nature. When something needs to be done, have the courage to do it and stand up for the weak against the strong. Even if faced with axes, boiling caldrons, and executioners’ fires, I am willing to go through fire and water for you without hesitation!”