Chapter 452

Chapter 452: Display of Authority

In Lichun Tower, three streets away from the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion where Wang Chen and Xi Manyun were conversing, the building was brightly lit and bustling with voices as a lively night banquet took place.

A dozen cultivators, carefree and extravagant, crowded around beautiful young maids. Their laughter and jovial chatter spilled through the windows and into the streets outside, drawing envious and admiring glances from countless passersby.

One cultivator downed a large cup of spiritual wine, his face growing even redder.

Feeling the effects of the drink, he leaned towards a purple-robed cultivator seated at the main position, asking, “Master Chief Steward, what’s the background of the new celestial guardian?”

This purple-robed cultivator appeared to be in his thirties, with a grim expression and an arrogant demeanor.

He was none other than Wu Jingwei, the chief steward of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion and a cultivator at the third level of the Purple Palace!

The guests included the eleven stewards of the pavilion and the leader of the patrols.

As soon as the question was asked, the entire gathering fell silent.

All gazes turned toward Wu Jingwei, curiosity and scrutiny evident in their eyes.

Wu Jingwei snorted coldly and waved his hand.

The maids immediately stood up and left the building.

In the next moment, Wu Jingwei snapped his fingers and set up magical restrictions around the area to prevent eavesdropping.

The previously extravagant atmosphere in the building instantly dampened.

Wu Jingwei said lightly, “This person is named Wang Chen; he is very young and has been in the sect for two years, with a cultivation level at the initial stage of the Purple Palace.”

“A loose cultivator!”

He emphasized the last sentence heavily.

“Oh, it’s a loose cultivator.”

The stewards immediately felt a sense of relief, revealing disdainful smiles.

Though they believed in Wu Jingwei’s strength and had long pledged their allegiance to him, they couldn’t help but worry about the new celestial guardian’s rise to power. After all, Wang Chen represented the West Sea Sect.

Now, Wu Jingwei undoubtedly put their minds at ease.

He was extremely young and a loose cultivator; even if he had some talent, what storm could he possibly stir up in Daying City?

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter where he’s from; I only listen to Chief Steward!”

One steward seized the opportunity to show loyalty.

“Right, right! We only listen to Chief Steward!”

The others followed suit, and the atmosphere became lively and boisterous once again.

Words of flattery flowed unceasingly.

“Thank you all for your concern.”

Wu Jingwei smiled and said, “After all, he is a celestial guardian with a noble cause. You cannot act on your own; you must heed the necessary instructions, so as not to disrupt the harmony of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.”

The stewards understood the underlying message.

What to heed and what not to heed was ultimately determined by Wu Jingwei, the chief steward.

As long as they followed his lead, they would be on the right path!

Wu Jingwei was clearly pleased with the stewards’ attitude. He nodded and continued, “For the next three years, keep a close watch on your businesses. If that person knows his place, throw him a couple of bones; if he doesn’t understand the rules…”

He chuckled lightly.

The stewards exchanged proud smiles.

One steward suddenly inquired, “Master Chief Steward, what about Xi Manyun?”

“Ignore her.”

Wu Jingwei’s face darkened instantly. “She won’t last much longer. If she knows what’s good for her, I might spare her…”

Everyone exchanged knowing glances.

“Enough of this.”

Wu Jingwei snapped his fingers to dispel the magical restrictions and declared, “Let’s not dwell on such dreary matters; tonight, we drink until we can drink no more!”

“To victory!”

Everyone raised their goblets in unison.

At that very moment, streams of light flew in through the open windows, swiftly dispersing toward the stewards present.

In the blink of an eye, the lights hovered before their eyes!

They were talismans.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

These were the official talismans from the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, typically dispatched only by celestial guardians to convey directives.

Not a single steward dared to take them; all eyes turned to Wu Jingwei.

Wu Jingwei’s expression darkened, “Why are you looking at me? Take the talismans.”

He hadn’t anticipated Wang Chen sending talismans to all the stewards.

Moreover, there was none for him!

This left Wu Jingwei feeling uneasy, a vague premonition that things were slipping out of his control.

Everyone exchanged hesitant glances, none willing to be the first to act.

Wu Jingwei’s irritation flared: “Take them!”

The stewards’ hearts quivered, and they hastily grabbed the talismans to read them.

The content of the talismans was identical, demanding their presence at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion for inquiries at the hour of the snake the following day; tardiness would result in legal repercussions!

Inside the building, an eerie silence once again descended.

No one anticipated that the newly appointed celestial guardian, Wang Chen, would pull off such a maneuver.

It took them completely by surprise.

To go or not to go?

Once again, all eyes turned towards Wu Jingwei.

“Go!”

Wu Jingwei sneered, “If everyone is going, then I will go too.”

“I’m curious to see what tricks this young upstart has up his sleeve!”

Though he spoke these words, the group’s enthusiasm had already been thoroughly dampened by the talisman, leaving them disheartened.

By the next morning, the grand entrance of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion stood wide open.

Stewards entered the familiar estate with mixed emotions.

In the conference hall, they found Wang Chen seated in the position of the celestial guardian.

Though they had heard of his youth, seeing Wang Chen’s true appearance left them inwardly astonished.

Such a young Purple Palace master was indeed a rare sight!

Despite their lack of regard for Wang Chen, the stewards maintained a facade of respect, each introducing themselves in turn.

“Lesser Steward Gu Ye pays respects to the Master Celestial Guardian.”

“Lesser Steward Wen Sanming pays respects to the Master Celestial Guardian.”

“Lesser Steward Bao Hong…”

Wang Chen nodded lightly and gestured for them to take their seats.

His apparent arrogance stirred a simmering anger among the stewards, their expressions growing increasingly peculiar.

Once the last steward had seated himself, Wang Chen glanced at the sun dial and inquired, “The hour of the snake has arrived. Why has Xiang Yingzhe not yet appeared?”

Aside from Xi Manyun, ten stewards had arrived at the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion on time.

Only Xiang Yingzhe was missing.

The stewards exchanged uneasy glances, and one who was friendly with Xiang Yingzhe offered a nervous chuckle, “Steward Xiang may have been delayed by some matter. Please forgive him, Master Celestial Guardian.”

Wang Chen replied lightly, “Then we shall wait for him.”

And so, they waited for nearly half an hour!

Wang Chen remained composed, while the stewards, who had initially relished the prospect of witnessing some misfortune, gradually began to feel as though their chairs were sprouting sharp thorns beneath them.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense!

Halfway through the hour of the snake, a burly cultivator finally strode into the conference hall with an air of nonchalance.

“Greetings, Celestial Master Wang.”

He lazily cupped his fists and bowed, saying, “I, Xiang, was delayed by some matters. I beg your forgiveness.”

Wang Chen smiled.