Chapter 289: Chapter 185: Can’t Beat Meng Qiewei, Can’t Out-pretend Ting Fengyin

Luoyun City.

The gates of the Yunqian Bureau.

A large crowd was gathered here.

They were all high-ranking members of the Yunqian Bureau, along with some instructors.

A young guard looked at the middle-aged guard beside him in astonishment. "Uncle Tong, what’s with all the fanfare? Is some big shot arriving?"

"I hear it’s a big shot at the Golden Core Level, the one who was number one at the Yunqian Bureau a few years ago," Uncle Tong said.

"Golden Core?" The young guard was shocked to hear this.

He might never get to see such an important figure in his entire life.

Then, he said with a hint of scorn, "They’re all people from the Sects. Song Qing’s friend is just some Sect handyman, while this one is a Sect big shot.

"Without the comparison, Song Qing might have actually started to think he was something special."

"Alright, that’s enough. Don’t let anyone overhear you," Uncle Tong cut him off.

"I’m just saying it behind his back. It’s not like I’d say it to his face," the young man said dismissively.

Of course he wouldn’t rashly offend someone from a Sect.

After all, he couldn’t afford to.

But what was the harm in talking behind their back?

’Could they possibly find out?’

’Who hasn’t bad-mouthed someone behind their back?’

Just then, a group of people approached from outside.

Uncle Tong immediately said, "Stand straight. Not another word."

The young guard nodded.

He was also worried about making a mistake; the consequences would be too severe.

But soon, the two of them were stunned.

A group was walking toward them.

The Dean and the other instructors were gathered around a young man.

His clothes were nothing special; he looked like an ordinary person you might pass in a crowd.

If he had come alone, no one would have paid him much mind, or even given him a second glance.

But his position in the group made it clear to everyone that he was the most important person there.

And beside him was another person.

Someone the two guards knew well.

Song Qing.

The moment he saw Song Qing, the young man’s face went pale.

He almost lost his footing.

Even Uncle Tong’s pupils contracted.

’The friend Song Qing had been waiting for all these days...’

’...is actually the Golden Core big shot the whole Yunqian Bureau has been waiting for.’

The group walked inside without stopping.

They certainly didn’t go out of their way to approach the guards.

Only after everyone had left...

...did the young guard look at Uncle Tong in terror. "Uncle Tong, I... I..."

He was babbling, filled with dread.

What he had seen today seemed to seal his miserable fate.

Uncle Tong was silent.

Then he let out a heavy sigh.

If that big shot really decided to hold a grudge, then anything they did would be useless.

With a single word, he could have them kicked out of the Yunqian Bureau for good.

They might not even be able to stay in Luoyun City.

Inside the Yunqian Bureau, Jiang Man turned to the Dean beside him and said, "The assessment is in a few days. If you’re busy, Dean, you can go ahead.

"I’ll have Song Qing show me around."

"Of course. If you need anything, Immortal Master, please let me know. Also, should I report the matter concerning the back mountain?" the Dean asked cautiously, seeking his opinion.

Jiang Man nodded. "Just handle it as you normally would."

"Understood." After a pause, the Dean suddenly added, "When you arrived earlier, Immortal Master, it seems the guards caused some offense. I’ll go deal with them right away."

’Guards?’ Jiang Man paused for a moment before remembering what had happened. He turned to look at Song Qing.

Song Qing froze and pointed at himself.

Jiang Man maintained his smile.

"I think they were quite friendly. They just didn’t know Young Master Jiang’s identity and might have caused some unintentional offense," Song Qing said.

Jiang Man had nothing to say to that.

"Then we’ll dock their wages." The Dean understood their meaning. As he spoke, he handed Jiang Man five thousand Spiritual Source. "Consider this an advance on the fine, paid to you, Immortal Master."

Jiang Man accepted it with a smile. Once the Dean had left, he handed two thousand to Song Qing and said, "If I come back again, remember to get more people to mock me."

Song Qing was speechless. "..."

Still, he felt an inexplicable sense of vindication.

"Cultivate diligently. Once you reach the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, you’ll have to begin your Reincarnation," Jiang Man reminded him.

Song Qing nodded, indicating he understood.

As they walked through the Yunqian Bureau, they saw Student Cultivators coming and going.

The Sect assessment was on the fifteenth of the eighth month. For many, it was a moment that would decide their fate.

But four years had passed, and they all looked...

’Like children.’

Then Jiang Man realized that these people were all just seventeen or eighteen years old.

’I’m already twenty-three.’

Thinking this, Jiang Man turned to look at Song Qing.

He noticed that his friend had matured a lot.

After completing his studies at the Yunqian Bureau, he became a guard for the Gao Family, and later a transport guard for the Yunqian Bureau.

Neither was a particularly safe or stable job.

He had been exposed to the wind and sun.

It was only natural that he would become more mature.

As Jiang Man was lost in thought, someone suddenly ran over, their voice clear and bright. "Brother Song Qing."

’Brother Song Qing?’ Curious, Jiang Man looked over.

It was a young woman with rather dark skin.

She was thin, looking somewhat malnourished.

Her hair was tied in a simple bun, and her eyes held a bright light.

Thanks to Cultivation, everyone had a decent physique.

However, the young woman before him did not have particularly striking features.

Of course, when the poor could barely afford to eat, it was rare to find a stunningly beautiful woman among them.

Thin, dark, and with dry skin—that was the norm for common folk.

"Little Sister of the Chang Family," Song Qing said, curious. "Your assessment is in a few days. What are you still doing out here?"

"I just finished my Cultivation and came out to buy some Elixirs, and I ran into you, Brother Song Qing." The little sister of the Chang Family smiled. "Is this your friend?"

She looked at Jiang Man with some curiosity.

"Yes," Jiang Man nodded.

"Well, I’ll let you two get back to it. I’m going back to my Cultivation," the little sister of the Chang Family said before hurrying away.

Once she was gone, Jiang Man couldn’t help but look at Song Qing.

Song Qing felt uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Is there a story there?" Jiang Man asked.

He then fumbled around for a moment but found he didn’t have any jerky.

’Can’t get Song Qing to tell a story without any jerky.’