novelraw Chapter 283 - 154: Grandmaster Status, One Man’s Success Brings Glory to All His Associates
Chapter 283 - 154: Grandmaster Status, One Man’s Success Brings Glory to All His Associates
Not even worth mentioning.
Not worth mentioning, my ass! From the moment you started talking, old man, three and a half of the three sentences you’ve uttered were about you becoming a Grandmaster. That extra half-sentence was someone else flattering you! Why don’t you just buy a megaphone and shout into my, Liu Yi’s, ears: ’Your Old Wu has become a Grandmaster’? What’s with this bullshit act of modesty?
That old coot Wu! Liu Yi muttered under his breath, but inwardly, he was extremely envious!
Although he was only a step away from becoming a Grandmaster himself, the difference in standing between a Pseudo Grandmaster on the verge of a breakthrough and a Grandmaster who had already succeeded was clear without needing further words.
I knew this old fox had something unpleasant up his sleeve!
Liu Yi grumbled inwardly once more.
But in truth, he still respected Old Wu a fair bit. After all, in this peaceful era where life was so comfortable for everyone, very few Martial Arts masters were willing to fight to the death, making those who could break through to Grandmaster exceedingly rare. Firstly, the times were too peaceful, with fewer wars; secondly, people were generally unwilling to risk their lives. Wasn’t it nice to live comfortably in the country? Wasn’t being alive good enough? It took great courage for someone like Wu Hegui to be willing to risk it all, venture abroad alone, and engage in life-or-death combat. Most people couldn’t bring themselves to do that.
But although he respected him deep down, he was also very annoyed and frustrated. He looked at Wu Hegui and asked, "So Old Wu, you didn’t come to Shishi this time *just* to show off about this to me, did you?"
Wu Hegui ignored him. As if he hadn’t heard Liu Yi’s words, he continued drinking his tea leisurely, a picture of calm. Not just him, even Wang Hua and the others acted as if they were deaf to Liu Yi’s question, none of them uttering a sound in response.
Seeing this, Liu Yi instantly understood what this group was up to, and his expression darkened.
He looked at Wu Hegui for a long time before he reluctantly said, "Grandmaster Wu, may I ask if you have any other business in Shishi this time?"
Only when he heard Liu Yi utter the words ’Grandmaster Wu’ did Wu Hegui finally let out a long, drawn-out "Ahhh..." An unprecedented smile bloomed on his typically stern old face.
He pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips. Someone nearby quickly stepped forward to light it for him. Wu Hegui took a deep drag, leaned back in his chair contentedly, and blew out a cloud of smoke. Only after a moment did he look at Liu Yi and say, "Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you. My visit to Shishi today, seeing you was secondary. The main reason is to visit someone!"
"Visit someone?" Liu Yi frowned, murmuring softly, "Visit whom?"
Wu Hegui fell silent again.
A vein throbbed visibly on Liu Yi’s forehead. He took several deep breaths, trying his best to calm his anger and stop himself from cursing. Then, he forced an incredibly ugly, strained smile and looked at Wu Hegui. "Grandmaster Wu, may I inquire who this person is that you wish to visit?"
"Good question! The person I’ve come to Shishi to visit is none other than the youngest Grandmaster in history, recently promoted within our Great Xia Martial Arts community! I only just returned to the country and heard about this while passing through Northern River Province, so I rushed over to pay my respects," Wu Hegui said.
Liu Yi’s brows furrowed slightly.
The youngest Grandmaster in history, recently promoted? And living in Shishi? How have I, Liu Yi, never heard of such a person? Even though I’ve been in seclusion since returning to Shishi, striving for a state of focused meditation, I haven’t checked my phone, gone online, or had any contact with the outside world. If that old dog Wu Hegui hadn’t come banging loudly on my door, I definitely wouldn’t have stepped out. But even so, my information channels can’t be *that* blocked, can they? Is there really such a person in Shishi?
Strange, Liu Yi thought, then asked, "Old... Grandmaster Wu, I wonder, who is this youngest Grandmaster in history you speak of? Why have I never heard of him?"
Hearing Liu Yi refrain from calling him ’Old Wu’ this time, Wu Hegui chuckled smugly twice, adopting the full demeanor of a senior. "That’s because you’re out of touch. Anyone currently active in the Northern River Province martial arts circle knows this figure. Old Liu, Old Liu, you really are regressing with age."
"But it’s understandable. After all, you’ve been retired and in decline for so many years; you’ve long since fallen behind the times. But don’t worry, if you can’t keep up, I can. Considering our past friendship, I’ll take you to broaden your horizons this time. I’ll let you see what the youngest Grandmaster in all of history looks like. When the time comes, you must watch your words and actions. Don’t lose face in front of that Grandmaster, and don’t make a fool of yourself, you hear? Otherwise, I won’t bring you next time."
"Don’t think that just because I’m a Grandmaster now, my potential is anywhere near his. I’m still far behind. So when I take you, you’d better be on your best behavior."
His face beaming with delight, Wu Hegui chattered on, lecturing Liu Yi about all the things to watch out for. Wu Hegui felt absolutely fantastic right now! Nothing could be more satisfying than lording it over a fallen prodigy, especially one who used to be his old rival, and telling him what to do! Wu Hegui was ecstatic.
But Liu Yi, watching Wu Hegui’s insufferably smug expression, felt like he was about to explode from frustration! This damn old coot! So what if you broke through to Grandmaster a step ahead of me? Look at you, acting so damn pleased with yourself! It was only because of the vast difference in their current status and the inappropriateness of the setting that...