novelraw Chapter 354: Zhang Daoxuan
Chapter 354: Zhang Daoxuan
Soon.
Long Shouzhuo walked over, holding a wine cup, his face beaming with a healthy glow.
He first bowed deeply to Mo Yuan. "City Lord."
Then he looked warmly at Su Zhan. "Young Friend Chen, congratulations! Your cultivation has advanced greatly, truly a cause for celebration!"
"President Long, this time you have rendered a great service for our Black City."
Mo Yuan said with a smile. "If it weren't for your strong recommendation and guarantee back then, I might have missed out on a heaven-sent talent like Chen Qing."
"City Lord, you flatter me too much! It is truly Young Friend Chen's own brilliance that shines through. Gold will glitter wherever it goes."
Long Shouzhuo was so excited his hands trembled slightly, and he hurriedly bowed again. "This old man merely happened to be in the right place at the right time, just going with the flow. I dare not claim any credit!
The main reason is your discerning eye, City Lord, for recognizing his talent and giving the young friend sufficient trust and a platform, allowing him to soar to the heavens!"
His words not only praised Su Zhan but also cleverly attributed the greatest credit to Mo Yuan.The flattery was delivered seamlessly, making it quite pleasant to hear.
Hearing this, Mo Yuan smiled, looking rather pleased.
Su Zhan also raised his cup towards Long Shouzhuo. "President Long, I have always remembered your assistance back then."
This old man's speech is still so formal and literary.
But his flattery is indeed quite masterful.
Long Shouzhuo was overjoyed upon hearing this, knowing that this favorable connection was now firmly established.
While they were conversing happily here.
Two figures, carrying a hint of trepidation, also slowly walked over holding their wine cups.
They were none other than Ghost Fiend Sect Leader Li Baichuan and Giant Sun Gang Leader Hong Zhen.
The two approached, first paying an extremely respectful salute to Mo Yuan, then looked at Su Zhan with complex expressions.
Li Baichuan forced a somewhat unnatural smile. "Mr. Chen, congratulations. In the past, the people below didn't know better and offended you. As the sect leader, my discipline was lax. I offer my apologies here."
After saying this, he straightforwardly downed the wine in his cup.
Hong Zhen immediately followed suit.
His voice was originally loud, but he deliberately lowered it now.
"Mr. Chen, I, Old Hong, am a rough man. What happened before was my fault, my men offended you. This cup of wine is my apology to you!"
After speaking, he also threw his head back and drained it.
These two were now keeping a very low profile in front of Su Zhan.
They understood clearly in their hearts that the current Su Zhan was not only a terrifyingly powerful peak Special-risk cultivator but also a favorite in front of City Lord Mo Yuan. He was no longer someone they could afford to offend.
If they didn't resolve this enmity, their future days in Black City would be difficult.
Many people around were secretly watching this side, wanting to know how Su Zhan would respond.
Su Zhan did not respond directly. Instead, he turned to look at Long Shouzhuo beside him.
"President Long, what's your view on this matter? After all, they were the ones who provoked the Dragon Rise Society first."
Instantly, all eyes focused on Long Shouzhuo.
Long Shouzhuo's heart shook, immediately understanding Su Zhan's intention.
This was handing the choice to him, giving him an enormous favor.
If he chose not to forgive, it would be satisfying, but it would mean publicly rebuffing these two leaders' faces.
Although with his current relationship with Su Zhan, he wasn't afraid of retaliation, making enemies for no good reason was ultimately unwise. It would also leave Mo Yuan with the impression that he couldn't see the bigger picture.
Of course, perhaps these two gangs wouldn't exist after today. However, that would inevitably bring some trouble to Su Zhan and Mo Yuan. Even if it was minor trouble, he didn't want to cause trouble for these two individuals.
He needed to understand his own position clearly and not give these two the impression they could push their luck.
If he chose to forgive, then this magnanimous favor would be his. From now on, both the Ghost Fiend Sect and the Giant Sun Gang would owe him a debt of gratitude.
Long Shouzhuo made his decision almost instantly. A perfectly appropriate smile appeared on his face as he took a step forward.
Long Shouzhuo had already made his decision and spoke with a clear, loud laugh.
"Mr. Chen's words truly make this old man feel uneasy.
Since Sect Leader Li and Gang Leader Hong are sincerely apologizing today, how could we hold onto past grievances?
As the saying goes: It's better to resolve an enmity than to maintain it.
In a place like Black City, where various forces are deeply intertwined, if we can turn hostility into friendship, it would be a good thing for all parties involved."
He raised his wine cup, looking around at everyone.
"This cup is to wish that we let bygones be bygones. From now on, within Black City, let us support each other and seek development together. Sect Leader Li, Gang Leader Hong, please!"
Upon hearing this, Li Baichuan and Hong Zhen looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted. They quickly raised their cups in response.
"President Long is magnanimous!"
"Thank you, President Long, for your understanding!"
The three raised their cups and drank together. The atmosphere in the hall immediately eased.
Long Shouzhuo inwardly praised Su Zhan's masterful way of handling things.
This move displayed authority, bestowed kindness, and spared him the trouble of having to state his own position directly.
This young man is not only exceptionally talented, but his conduct in dealing with people is flawless. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared.
After this incident, the banquet atmosphere grew even more enthusiastic.
Everyone understood that from this night onward, the power structure of Black City had been rewritten.
And the name Chen Qing had truly ascended to the peak of power in Black City.
Inside the banquet hall, wine cups clinked and the atmosphere was at its peak.
Mo Yuan and Su Zhan were conversing with several of the highest-ranking guest advisors at the main table.
A guard captain in a black uniform quickly made his way through the crowd, stopped beside Mo Yuan, and bowed slightly.
"City Lord, Zhang Daoxuan has arrived. Accompanying him are his personal disciple, and... Specialist Qin Bai. They are waiting outside."
The guard captain's voice was soft, but the several top-tier powerhouses present heard it clearly.
The several guest advisors exchanged meaningful glances and unanimously stopped their conversation.
Long Shouzhuo and others sitting slightly farther away couldn't hear the specifics, but seeing the main table suddenly fall silent, they also realized an important person had arrived.
Mo Yuan put down the wine cup in his hand, straightened his clothes, and under everyone's gaze, steadily walked towards the banquet hall's main door.
Su Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly.
He hadn't heard the name Zhang Daoxuan before, but for someone to warrant Mo Yuan personally welcoming them, their strength and status... were self-evident.
And Qin Bai's appearance made this sudden visit seem even more significant.
The banquet hall's heavy doors were slowly pushed open by attendants.
Three people stood outside.
The old man at the forefront wore a simple, deep gray Zhongshan suit, his hair and beard meticulously groomed.
He had a thin, refined face, gentle and bright eyes, a peaceful smile at the corner of his mouth. There wasn't the slightest oppressive aura about him, yet he naturally exuded the authority of one long accustomed to a high position.
This was Zhang Daoxuan.
Half a step behind him stood a young man, roughly twenty-four or twenty-five years old.
His posture was upright, wearing a set of dark, close-fitting martial attire, with dark silver cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar.
He had a handsome face, with a touch of scholarly refinement between his brows.
The moment the door opened, his gaze accurately passed over the crowd and landed on Su Zhan.
And behind these two, Qin Bai stood quietly.
His gaze towards Su Zhan inside the hall was complex.
Zhang Daoxuan smiled before speaking. "City Lord Mo, I heard your place is exceptionally lively tonight. I've come uninvited to beg a cup of wine. You won't mind, will you?"
Mo Yuan let out a hearty laugh, stepping forward to shake Zhang Daoxuan's hand. "What are you saying? Your esteemed presence is an honor for me, Mo Yuan, bringing glory to my humble abode. Please, come in quickly."
Arm in arm, the two walked in together, their posture intimate, clearly old acquaintances.