Chapter 228 - 224: The Clever Victory of Old Xu
Hey Bro, Do you really have no manuscript at all!?”
On return from the spring outing, Tang Luo lost count of how many times Xu Lao had asked this question. All the way back he kept circling around asking about the Poet’s manuscript.
How could Tang Luo respond? All he could do was to show an embarrassed yet polite smile and say, “Buzz off!”
Even the best-tempered people would explode when faced with the same question over and over again, let alone Tang Luo who was notorious for his bad temper.
But Xu Lao, despite being sternly rebuked, showed no reaction. He only let out a heavy sigh of disappointment, “Alas! Seems like there really are none!” At this moment, he wished that his own Tongming Sword Body was fake This way, he could suspect that Tang Luo was just hiding the manuscript, but his sixth sense – Tongyou Intention clearly told him that Tang Luo was not hiding anything, which was quite disappointing.
But losing the manuscript didn’t matter; the most important thing in life was to grasp the present happiness and do some meaningful things.
Xu Lao cheered up his depressed spirit, swinging his right hand grandly,” Let’s help Old Bai!”
Tang Luo held his head, somewhat speechless towards his cousin whose thought process was active and erratic.
He was just asking about the manuscript one second, and the next second he jumped to helping Old Bai. Tang Luo had a different opinion on this, “How can you help others achieve their dreams? Old Bai’s dream is to raise the children himself. Do you plan to adopt a few of your own, or stay in Xiling to help him with the children?”
“Eh- Ah! What are you saying?” Xu Lao waved his hands, “I don’t know how to take care of kids, I get a headache when I see them.”
“Then how will you help?”
“I plan to give him a place to live.” Xu Lao grabbed his chin and wisely said, he planned to buy the desolate courtyard for around a hundred thousand gold. With a place to live, the children would have a home for the first time.
But Tang Luo concluded, “He won’t accept it.”
Although he hadn’t known Mi Bai for long, Tang Luo was certain that he would not accept such charity, even if it was from a friend.
“I know Old Bai won’t accept, hence I thought of a clever way. Do you want to listen?” Xu Lao’s eyes sparkled with wisdom.
Seeing the proud look on the face of this noble son, Tang Luo had a bad feeling and said directly, “Not interested, I have to leave!”
Before he could take two steps, he was grabbed by the collar by Xu Lao.
Tang Luo, helpless, turned back and asked, “If you are already so wise, why are you holding on to me?”
“Because my idea needs your help!” Xu Lao said boldly.
After all, in Xiling, hedidn’t have any resources. If he wanted to do something, he would need his cousin’s help. This logic was flawless.
Isn’t affection deepened through mutual troubles?
Tang Luo resignedly asked, “How do you want me to help?”
“Come here, let me tell you my clever plan. You’ll see how wise my idea actually is!” Xu Lao let go of Tang Luo’s collar looking rather pleased.
“First of all, we find the owner of the house, then buy the property! Once that is done we use some more money, have the owner find Old Bai, and stage a play The owner will then rent the house to him at a low price and fix it up, so Old Bai does not need to wander around anymore. How about that?” Xu Lao explained his plan, looking proud as if saying, ‘Your turn to praise me.’ “Smart, smart, befitting the title of a noble son.” Tang Luo clapped nonchalantly, his heart remaining calm.
Such a two-faced expression prompted dissatisfaction from Xu Lao. He had finally come up with such a perfect and meticulous plan, yet he didn’t receive sincere praise from his cousin, which he found hard to manage, “Don’t you think that this is the only way to make Old Bai accept it? The children are currently living well in the abandoned courtyard, but we don’t know when the owner will return. If the owner suddenly returns, won’t Old Bai have to wander again? My plan is seamless, can’t you praise me wholeheartedly!?” Faced with Xu Lao’s sudden pride, Tang Luo didn’t expect this and could only praise him, “Impressive, impressive, it is indeed seamless BUT I’m afraid you won’t be able to find the owner of the courtyard.”
“Why?” Xu Lao frowned.
“The house originally belonged to a craftsman surnamed Zhang. Two years ago, the craftsman’s wife and guardian died, later he committed suicide.” Tang Luo explained.
“Huh!?” Xu Lao was dumbfounded, “How do you know so much? Could it be….” “Stop! I didn’t have the same thought as you.” Tang Luo scoffed, “It’s just because two years ago, my servant fled, and this person helped to forge the will. The security department raided his house.”
“So, what do you mean by that?”
Tang Luo nodded, “Technically speaking, this deserted courtyard is now my property.”
The security department had raided the craftsman Zhang’s house, found the hanging body and also found lots of paintings, jade articles, and weaponry, all without the proper seals.
At that time, fearing the Tang Clan’s investigation, they handed over all these things to the Tang Clan including the deeds to the courtyard.
The owner he was looking for had actually been by his side all along. Excited, Xu Lao started patting Tang Luo’s shoulder.
What a stroke of luck he had stumbled upon, he found the owner without even trying.
If this courtyard belonged to Tang Luo, it would be great for Xu Lao, it would be too vulgar to borrow money from your own brother!
Xu Lao excitedly patted Tang Luo’s shoulder, laughing, “Bro, this is up to you then, find a clever steward to stage a drama.”
Now I get where my bad premonition came from, not only do I have to give up my courtyard, but I also have to find someone to stage a play!
Tang Luo covered his face, feeling distressed.
“Hehehe-” Xu Lao was overjoyed at the progress, he looked at Tang Luo more kindly and cheerfully said, “Today is the day I issue my challenge. There must be many excellent warriors waiting for me by now. I have to go and see.” Oh yes, I almost forgot about that.
Tang Luo lifted his eyebrows and said, “There’s no rush for this, I’ll go with you, I also want to see what the top Transcendent of Xiling looks like.” Till now, every clan had unique strengths in the path of martial arts. The Tang Clan’s Secret Arts Pavilion collected thousands of martial techniques, but many of them were antiques from generations ago.
He wanted to see for himself, how long Xiling’s top Transcendent could last against Xu Lao.
Xu Lao was even happier when he heard that Tang Luo wanted to accompany him, “Great! Come with me, let me show you how I’ll crush the Xiling warriors.” Tang Luo’s understanding of Xu Lao’s lack of conversational skills deepened, his mouth twitched, and he followed Xu to the Asura Martial Arts Hall.
Meanwhile, at another location, following the appearance of the challenge letter, several warriors who crossed the set time limit withdrew from the challenge sequence as they didn’t have the authority to represent their clan. They needed to discuss this important matter with their families.
But even more, there were confident Transcendents. They boldly signed their clan’s name and their own on the challenge letter.
They fantasized about defeating Xu Lao after his appearance, and gaining fame across the world..