Chapter 3855 — Lan'er Has a Point
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Though his personal friendship with Hong Zhong was good, Shangguan Tianxia had always kept public and private matters distinct. Since Hong Zhong did indeed stand suspected of fanning the flames, then as master of the Tri-Stack Pavilion, he must step forward and look into it.
At these words, joy surged in Nan Tianguan's heart. So long as Shangguan Tianxia was willing to step forward and inquire, his purpose today was as good as achieved!
With Shangguan Tianxia stepping forward, Hong Zhong would never dare conceal anything further about Lin Er's true identity—unless he no longer wished to make his way on the Northern Isle.
Just as Nan Tianguan was secretly exulting, Shangguan Lan'er suddenly spoke up from the side: "Grandfather, it would not be proper for you to do this."
Not proper, my arse! The master of the Tri-Stack Pavilion stepping forward to look into a matter on behalf of a disciple beneath him—this was only right and natural. Not proper your sister!
Nan Tianguan nearly cursed aloud, but once he saw clearly that it was Shangguan Lan'er who had spoken, he could only force the profanity back down his throat. Not only could he show no displeasure—he had to plaster on an awkward, fawning smile.
"Oh? What is not proper about it? Little Lan'er, tell me." Shangguan Tianxia asked with keen interest.
Before this granddaughter of his, he was utterly an ordinary, kindly elder. And though Shangguan Lan'er had no love for cultivation, she had been clever since childhood, often holding clear and singular views on many matters—unlike those of his own station and power, whose eyes were sometimes clouded by considerations of interest.
Shangguan Lan'er said, all solemnity: "Grandfather, you once taught me a saying: the gentleman who lacks ability blames himself and cultivates his own worth. Nan Tianyong could not beat that Lin Er and threw away his life, yet he insists on pinning the blame on Grandpa Hong, who is plainly an outsider—and would even trouble you, Grandfather, to take up his cause in person. Is that not ridiculous? If you set such a precedent, then must you hereafter take up the cause of any Tri-Stack Pavilion disciple who loses a fight out in the world?"
"Er—Eldest Young Lady, Hong Zhong cannot really be counted an outsider. He does stand suspected of fanning the flames..." Nan Tianguan hurriedly craned his neck and argued.
"Fanning the flames? Do you have proof?" Shangguan Lan'er shot him a contemptuous glance. "Every word you have just spoken—from beginning to end, not one line proves that Grandpa Hong actually intervened, does it? Or are you able to stake your life on it, that the great killing move with which Lin Er slew Nan Tianyong was specially provided to him by Grandpa Hong, free of charge?"
"That..." Nan Tianguan was instantly left speechless.
How could he possibly have proof of such a thing? It was nothing more than pouring filth over Hong Zhong by the logic of ordinary men. Were he truly made to stake his life on it, he had neither the guts nor the nerve!
And even if it could truly be proven that Lin Er's great killing weapon came from Hong Zhong, how could that in turn prove that Hong Zhong had specially provided it free of charge? When all was said and done, it came down to a single word from Hong Zhong himself—an insoluble problem from the very start!
Helpless, Nan Tianguan could only turn his head to look at Shangguan Tianxia. Against Shangguan Lan'er's words he had no rebuttal—and even if he had one, he would not dare voice it. What if he thereby earned the resentment of this Eldest Young Lady?
If this Eldest Young Lady whispered a few bad words in her grandfather's ear, then Nan Tianguan's prospects would be utterly black. So what if he was the managing senior brother of the Tri-Stack Pavilion? A single idle thought from Shangguan Tianxia could easily cast him down into the dust!