Chapter 384: Chapter 321: Bargains Are Not So Easy To Obtain

Translator: 549690339

The once neglected attic in Pei Mansion, even today, has become a forbidden area in the mansion, which no one may lightly enter.

However, no one has any objections to this. Even when passing by the attic, their eyes are filled with admiration and longing.

For everyone knows that the prosperity of the Pei Mansion today, comes from the master of this attic, the Sword Saint Pei Min.

“Have you really decided to go?”

Pei Laozhu looked at Pei Xuanjing’s silhouette, his tone oddly inquisitive.

Like over a decade ago, when he had asked Pei Xuanjing to participate in the Grand Tournament of Yunzhong County.

Pei Xuanjing stood in the attic, with his back to Pei Laozhu, looking up at the distant sky, watching the clouds roll by.

“Do you regret it?” Without turning around, Pei Xuanjing’s calm voice drifted over.

Upon hearing this, Pei Laozhu could not help but shudder.

Compared to more than a decade ago, Pei Laozhu did not seem older, but rather appeared much younger as if the years had not left a mark on him.

However, unlike his confidence all those years ago, his tone was now troubled as he regarded Pei Xuanjing’s retreating figure.

When he first saw Pei Min, he was overwhelmed by his extraordinary talent, confident that if cultivated well, he would certainly bring glory to the Pei Family.

And as it turned out, he did just as Pei Laozhu predicted, astonishing everyone and rapidly growing into the world’s strongest, bringing benefits to all the Pei family. One could say that without Pei Min, the Pei Family would not exist as it does today.

However, the choice he is making now may plunge the Pei Family into the abyss, and Pei Laozhu doesn’t have the power to stop him.

Pei Xuanjing turned around, facing the conflicted Pei Laozhu, and asked calmly, “So you want me to stay and ignore the upcoming events. After all, as long as I am present, the Pei Family would certainly be invincible, correct?”

Pei Laozhu remained silent but nodded slightly: “Precisely.”

The current struggle between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager has intensified. Both groups are desperately fighting each other with barely any room for reconciliation. After all, for both sides, whether they win or lose, the loser will face almost certain death, with no way out.

By common reasoning, the Pei Family, with its close ties to the Emperor for many years, should bear the cost of his defeat considering they’ve been with him since before he became Crown Prince, making them his staunchest supporters.

But is this really the case?

Not quite so!

Pei Laozhu saw it very clearly. Even if they are now the Emperor’s party, even if the struggle has reached a boiling point, the Pei Family is not limited to one option of blindly following the Emperor. They have another choice.

To remain neutral, disregard the struggle between the two parties, and await the outcome before making the right choice.

If any ordinary power thought like this they would certainly bear the first strike from both sides, leading inevitably to their downfall.

But it is not the case with the Pei Family. They have the opportunity and qualification for this.

Because of Pei Min’s presence.

Because with a Sword Saint like Pei Min, there isn’t a soul who would dare to turn against the Pei Family.

Ten years ago, Pei Min, who was already on the cusp of becoming a Celestial Human, was strong enough to turn the tide. After ten years of cultivation, nobody knows what level he stands at now. But no one would presume that he has made no progress in the past decade. They would rather believe that he has become stronger.

Therefore, as long as Pei Min agrees, no matter who of the two parties win or lose, they would not hold the Pei Family accountable for their decision, but instead, would make every effort to solicit them.

Pei Laozhu believes that this is the best choice for the Pei Family. Hence, he does not want Pei Min to enter the Capital and get swept into this vortex along with the Pei Family.

If Pei Xuanjing enters the Capital now, it will inevitably cause tremendous waves. Even if he doesn’t utter a word, he will be seen as part of the Emperor’s faction and will invite the Empress Dowager’s intervention.

And as for the Pei Family, they would inevitably be dragged into the struggle. If he succeeds, everything will be fine, but if he fails, the Pei Family would certainly become extinct.

Pei Xuanjing sneered, disdainfully saying: “This is why I detest noble families, and consider them beneath contempt. They are always only concerned with their own gain. Granted, this may be the most appropriate choice, but it’s also the one that disgusts me the most.”

The reason why Pei Xuanjing has no affection for the Pei Family is not just because of his own experiences, but also because of their typical behavior: they flock to you when it benefits them, and mercilessly abandon you when it doesn’t. In these noble houses, there is no place for emotion and morality.

Well, perhaps there is, but when compared to benefits, it’s insignificant.

Originally, for the sake of the family’s benefits, they used all means possible to curry favor with the Crown Prince. However, today, when circumstances have turned, they can easily abandon the Crown Prince for their own gain. This is another thing that Pei Xuanjing dislikes.

Pei Laozhu’s face changes slightly. He had never expected that this is how the family appeared in Pei Xuanjing’s eyes. He was about to respond, but Pei Xuanjing cut him short, causing his face to change dramatically.

“You may say that the family has given me a lot of cultivation or such…” Pei Xuanjing scoffed, counter-questioning: “But this is based on your discovery of my cultivation talent, right? If I didn’t have this talent, would everything still be the same? Huh?”

He surely remembered, there were a lot of people in the Pei Mansion of his age, but he knew the plight of those without the gift of cultivation.

Perhaps there was no case of a servant bullying his master, but the bigwigs of the family were indifferent and completely ignored him. There’s no chance they would have treated them as well as they did towards Pei Xuanjing.

Pei Laozhu fell silent.

Just as Pei Xuanjing said, if he hadn’t shown exceptional talent at the beginning, even if Pei Laozhu had brought him back, he would have ensured nothing more than a decent livelihood, without any exceptional treatment.

This was the rule of the family, Pei Laozhu couldn’t change that.

Pei Xuanjing looked at Pei Laozhu, scoffed saying, “And the so-called cultivation benefits me, right? I suppose that over the past decade, because of my existence, the benefits received by the Pei Family should have been repaid in tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times.”

With a whoosh!

Pei Laozhu paled at these words, unable to utter a single word.

“I won’t be taken advantage of so easily,” Pei Xuanjing turned around and spoke in a temperate voice, “Since you have enjoyed the benefits of my presence, it should be expected that if you suffer the consequences of my actions, it is only right and just.”