The Quest for Immortality - Chapter 214 (Patreon)

Chapter 214: Negotiation

Master Luo had a sleepless night. The next day, he found several array masters in Tongxian City, gave them a few instructions, and then went to the Qian family to find Master Qian.

"I've spoken to them all. From now on, they are not to trouble Mo Hua. It's best to avoid any conflicts with the demon hunters as well."

Master Qian frowned, "Master Luo, you..."

Master Luo asked back, "Brother Qian, what are your plans?"

"Are you talking about Mo Hua?"

"Indeed."

Master Qian was slightly taken aback and said, "I originally intended to befriend him. If he could serve the Qian family, that would be ideal; if not, I hoped he would stay neutral. If that also fails, then we would have no choice but to act ruthlessly. Once it comes to blows, life and death are out of our hands."

Master Qian shared his suggestion regarding Qian Hong with Master Luo.

Master Luo sneered, "But Qian Hong acted directly, aiming to kill Mo Hua."

Master Qian was stunned and then sighed, "He is the head of the family, I am helpless."

The affairs of the Qian family could only be decided by the head. Although he was an array master and an elder, with a high status, he couldn't influence the head's decisions.

Master Luo's gaze sharpened, "Have you thought about your future?"

"Future?"

"If the Qian family continues to prosper, you can remain an elder of the Qian family. But if the Qian family falls, where will you go?"

Master Qian was displeased, "Master Luo, you're wrong. The Qian family has been entrenched in Tongxian City for many years. How could it fall so easily?"

Master Luo sipped his tea and said nothing.

Master Qian thought deeply, and a chill crept into his heart. He lowered his tone and said softly, "I am an elder of the Qian family and an array master. I enjoy the privileges of the clan. It is not appropriate for me to act against the clan's interests."

Master Luo pointed out, "You are an array master, so the family treats you well. If you were not an array master, would the Qian family still treat you well?"

Master Qian's heart trembled.

He had long known this in his heart but had never thought deeply about it due to his high position.

Master Qian had interacted with various members of the Qian family: some guarded the house, some served tea, and some attended diligently.

They were also members of the Qian family, but they had never been treated well.

If he were not an array master, would he be any better off than them?

The family treated him well because he was an array master, not because he was a member of the Qian family. Everything he had now was because he was an array master.

Master Luo continued, "If you are an array master, even if the Qian family weakens, you will still be treated well. If you are not an array master, even if the Qian family is strong, it might not benefit you."

Master Qian was silent for a moment and then said in a low voice, "Please enlighten me, Master Luo."

Master Luo raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is most important for an array master?"

Master Qian thought for a moment and said, "The family and the legacy?"

Master Luo looked disappointed, sighed, and tapped the table with his fingers, "It is the arrays!"

"An array master should study arrays and seek higher attainments in array arts. If you were a Second Grade Array Master, would you care about these small matters in the Qi Refining Stage?"

Master Qian hesitated, "But learning arrays is not easy..."

He knew the importance of arrays, but without the family's support and array legacy, how could he learn arrays?

Master Luo looked at him and said, "You are already a First Grade Array Master. You don't need to rely too much on the family. The Qian family has no higher legacy in arrays. Now, you need to find a way to further advance in arrays."

"Master Luo is right, but how can I advance?" Master Qian asked.

Master Luo did not answer directly.

Master Qian thought over the conversation and suddenly realized, "Mo Hua?"

Master Luo nodded.

"But what does this have to do with Mo Hua?" Master Qian was puzzled.

Master Luo was silent for a long time before sighing deeply and reluctantly said, "Mo Hua's array skills surpass mine."

Master Qian's eyes widened, "You're not joking, are you?"

Master Luo's expression turned unfriendly.

Master Qian realized he had misspoken. An array master was proud and would not joke about such matters.

"But... but how is this possible? How old is he?" Master Qian couldn't believe it.

"Never mind his age. Facts are facts. The cultivation world is vast, with countless outstanding talents. It is normal that we haven't encountered such brilliance."

Master Luo paused and then said, "Moreover, the younger he is, the greater his future potential, and the more remarkable his achievements in arrays will be."

Master Qian frowned, feeling uncomfortable, and coldly snorted, "Even if he could become a Second Grade Array Master in the future, I don't want to curry favor with him and live under his thumb!"

"You fool!" Master Luo cursed softly, "Who said you should live under his thumb? You need to form good relations so that he might help you with arrays in the future."

"Arrays require hard work, but the real danger is in going down the wrong path. If he becomes a high-ranking array master, a few words from him could enlighten you and save you years of misguided effort."

"Curry favor? You're an old man with a face full of wrinkles, not a young and pretty girl. Do you think anyone cares about you currying favor?"

Master Qian felt ashamed but realized Master Luo made sense.

In Tongxian City, a First Grade Array Master was the pinnacle, but progressing further was extremely difficult.

Without legacy or guidance from a Second Grade Array Master, many higher-level arrays were incomprehensible to him.

If Mo Hua could indeed advance and become a Second Grade Array Master, his guidance would be invaluable, saving him years of blind study.

As for pride, if Master Luo didn't mind, why should he?

Compared to the grand path of arrays, these concerns were trivial.

"But..." Master Qian hesitated, "The Qian family wants to kill him, and I am their array master. If he holds a grudge against me, what then?"

"Don't worry," Master Luo said, "I've met Mo Hua. He is good-natured and reasonable. As long as you don't provoke him, he won't take it out on you."

Master Luo, with over a century of life experience, had a good eye for people.

Master Qian nodded but still frowned, "Then what should I do?"

He couldn't openly betray the Qian family...

"Do nothing."

Master Qian was stunned, "Do nothing?"

"The Qian family's disputes are none of your concern. Don't trouble Mo Hua. Prepare some gifts, and I will deliver them for you, explaining the situation. He won't blame you," Master Luo said.

Master Qian thought for a long time and finally relaxed, "That would be best. I'll trouble you, Master Luo."

This way, he wouldn't be in a dilemma.

The next day, he went to see Qian Hong. Although he didn't speak directly, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Qian Hong's decision to send people to kill Mo Hua, creating deep enmity.

Qian Hong was displeased, and their conversation ended in disagreement.

Qian Hong couldn't ask Master Qian to do anything else but didn't dare to offend him too much.

Master Qian was an elder and was about to become a First Grade Array Master, with significant influence in the family.

If he pushed Master Qian too far, causing him to ally with other elders, his position as head of the family would be in jeopardy.

Currently, Master Qian was the only one who could become a First Grade Array Master, but there were many candidates for the head of the family, not just Qian Hong.

Master Qian also took this opportunity to distance himself from Qian Hong.

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