Chapter 1424 – Live Stream Earthquake (Sixteen)
Feng Ren and Dou Xi were deep in conversation, as if they were old friends. The more Feng Ren learned about Dou Xi, the more he liked him. However, he wasn’t in a hurry to reveal his recruitment intentions; instead, he subtly probed Dou Xi’s opinions about “Lord Lan Ting.”
No matter how capable Jiang Pengji was, there were still many conservatives who wouldn’t accept her. Dou Xi, though seemingly not a narrow-minded person, might still hold prejudices against Jiang Pengji because of her gender, as there were precedents of rejecting recruitment based on gender.
“I never imagined Yang Mountain could be such a paradise,” Feng Ren said with a smile, taking off his conical hat and holding it against his chest. With one hand behind his back, he stood by the field ridge, gazing into the distance. “If Lord Lan Ting plans to establish a branch here, those children will be able to escape the mundanity and focus on their studies.”
Dou Xi smiled and replied, “Lord Lan Ting’s favor is indeed a blessing for the common people of Yang Mountain.”
Despite living in Yang Mountain for a long time and rarely venturing out, Dou Xi had heard of the Golden Scales Academy’s renown.
If a branch could be established in Yang Mountain, it would undoubtedly attract a large population, which would, in turn, boost the local economy.
“Oh? Zong Guang sees it quite clearly,” Feng Ren remarked.
There would always be nitpickers. Many mediocre talents believed establishing a branch was a bad idea, thinking it a waste of resources and labor.
That Dou Xi, a mere commoner, could see through all this earned him a few extra points in Feng Ren’s eyes.
“Flattering me, sir, please don’t,” Dou Xi humbly replied. “I, a junior, do not deserve such praise.”
As a landlord and cultivator from Yang Mountain, Dou Xi’s perspective was naturally closer to the common people; he understood how beneficial building a branch would be for Yang Mountain. After all, even a pig can soar if the winds are strong enough, and the Golden Scales branch was a hurricane!
“Humility is a virtue, but one must not belittle oneself,” Feng Ren chuckled. “When the news of the branch first emerged, many were skeptical, with even some famous scholars ridiculing it. Reflecting on this brings both amusement and lament—”
This indirectly praised Dou Xi’s insights, likening them to those of the esteemed scholars.
Dou Xi couldn’t agree or disagree; left with no choice, he cleverly changed the subject.
“Lord Lan Ting possesses talents beyond compare; for a mere commoner like me to glimpse even a fraction of his thoughts is something extraordinary.”
It wasn’t that Dou Xi was particularly gifted, nor that the shortsighted scholars were lacking; it was simply that the true master was too profound and powerful.
The smile at the corners of Feng Ren’s mouth grew wider. Normally, as someone from a Confucian background, he would hardly find it possible to appreciate a commoner like Dou Xi, given their conflicting knowledge and political ideals. However, this didn’t prevent Feng Ren from admiring Dou Xi. There weren’t many interesting young men like him left around.
“Hearing you say this, Zong Guang seems to hold Lord Lan Ting in high regard,” Feng Ren asked with a smile. “What are your thoughts on her?”
Dou Xi shook his head and replied, “A lord and a wise ruler; how could a commoner like me dare to comment?”
In just a few words, Feng Ren had extracted the information he desired from Dou Xi.
Dou Xi admired Jiang Pengji greatly and was unlikely to refuse recruitment if offered.
With this understanding, Feng Ren felt he had completed most of his mission, and his mood brightened considerably.
Following closely behind, “Lady Dou” secretly gave Dou Xi a thumbs-up, thinking to herself.
Young man, bright future!
【Little Carpenter】: Right in front of five million idle folks, this kid Dou Xi shows immense loyalty! His future is boundless!
【Poet Hidden in Ink】: Isn’t the key here how he pledged loyalty without knowing anything?
To Dou Xi, the countless onlookers couldn’t compare to the presence of a single streamer!
After all, Jiang Pengji was going to be Dou Xi’s superior in the future.
The three left Dou Xi’s test field, noticing a group of wealthy servants waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Spotting the Feng family emblem on the carriage, Dou Xi wisely said, “Sir, you seem busy, so I won’t trouble you any longer.”
Feng Ren nodded with a smile, agreeing to meet again next time.
As “Lady Dou” watched Feng Ren get into the carriage and lower the curtain, she was bewildered for a moment—
Wait!!!
Big shot Feng Ren, did you forget something?
What about the recruitment document you were supposed to give to Dou Xi?
Though she didn’t shout out loud, her emotions were evident, and the shifts in her expression didn’t escape Dou Xi’s attention.
“What’s wrong, Lady?”
As the sun shone brightly outside, Dou Xi held a parasol over her.
The lady snapped back to reality and awkwardly said, “I just feel a bit reluctant; it’s rare to meet a renowned scholar like him.”
Since Feng Ren was the idol admired by this body, this response should be fine, right?
“Perhaps there will be more opportunities in the future,” Dou Xi smiled and said. “Earlier, Lady, you caught a chill and were gravely ill; it nearly scared me to death. Now that you’re better, I should prepare some offerings to repay the vows at the Qingxue Temple. You might as well return to the mansion and rest; don’t overexert yourself.”
“Qingxue Temple? Since it’s a vow repayment, I should be there too; that would show sincerity.”
Having experienced this world for only twelve hours, she wanted to see more of ancient times rather than waste time at home!
Dou Xi replied, “That works too.”
Observing their interaction, many idlers sighed in relief.
Is the Empress of the Mountain Spirit really that skilled, managing not to get her identity exposed by Dou Xi?
But—
Is it really the case?
Jiang Pengji propped her chin up, gazing at the screen with a hint of depth in her eyes when her private chat pinged.
【Your Dad】: Don’t worry.
Jiang Pengji responded, “What am I worried about?”
【Your Dad】: Aren’t you worried that the so-called “return to a thousand years ago” might harm the people in the live stream?
Jiang Pengji couldn’t be bothered to lift her eyelids; she said, “Isn’t the Old Commander worried? That so-called System was the very root of the tumult that turned the Federation upside down and sparked two thousand years of war. I have every reason to be concerned about this thing stirring up trouble again—”
【Your Dad】: That person gave you the God-slaying knife. While they have motives in using you to handle the rebellious Heavenly Brain, fundamentally, they aim to resolve historical issues. Their stance aligns with yours, so they won’t hinder you.
In other words, whatever Jiang Pengji was worried about would not happen.
Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. “The Old Commander seems to know quite a bit.”
After a moment, a system prompt appeared.
Your friend, Your Dad, has gone offline.
Jiang Pengji let out a scoff, muttering, “Coward!”
One day, when she returned to the Federation, she would have to capture everyone who knew the truth and interrogate them thoroughly.
When she turned her attention back to the live stream, she found the “Dou Xi couple” had arrived at Qingxue Temple.
Qingxue Temple was a Taoist temple, though a historical building, its popularity was low and had few followers.
It wasn’t until a real immortal came to the temple to practice a few years ago that it began to prosper.
This immortal was named Liu Ru and was said to be from Zhong Zhao.
