Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Chapter 146: Chapter 114: I’m Not That Kind of Person (Part 2)

Upon seeing Li Chang’an, Gu Yizhi said nothing at first, instead sizing him up from head to toe.

After a moment, he gave a slight nod. Adopting the posture of a venerable senior, he rose and laughed heartily. “I’ve long heard that heroes emerge from the young. For Li, at such a young age, to be able to create two versions of the Basic Martial Arts Truth back-to-back… It’s truly been an eye-opener for me!”

By all appearances, the first impression Gu Yizhi gave Li Chang’an was impeccable.

But in truth, Li Chang’an sensed a subtle undercurrent in his attitude.

He said impassively, “It was just a fluke. A minor achievement, not worth mentioning.”

At the word ’fluke’, it wasn’t just Su Ruobing and Hu Xiuyuan, who were closest to him, that felt something was off. Even Zhao Xi, who had just reached the doorway, couldn’t help but find it odd.

’The first version, True Understanding of Martial Arts 1.0, could perhaps be explained away as a fluke.’

’But with the release of the second version, True Understanding of Martial Arts 2.0, if this is also a ’fluke,’ then what in the world isn’t?’

Hearing Li Chang’an’s self-deprecating reply, the corner of Gu Yizhi’s mouth twitched, but his smile remained unchanged. He continued, “I hear that Li is an orphan, that you’ve had no parents since you were young. To soar to such heights and yet remain so humble and low-key… now that is the mark of someone truly destined for greatness!”

Li Chang’an raised an eyebrow.

’So what if I’m an orphan?’

’Am I freeloading off your family?’

’Don’t you know that some stories only accept orphans as protagonists?’

Though he had a thousand retorts he wanted to fire back.

But Li Chang’an remembered Su Ruobing’s earlier warning and didn’t get bogged down by such a trivial matter.

Seeing that he wasn’t taking the bait, Gu Yizhi’s expression remained unchanged as he continued, “You have a limitless future, Li. Have you considered furthering your career in Kyoto? Kyoto is a land of exceptional people and prodigious talents, the perfect place for a talented and ambitious young man like yourself!”

At this, Li Chang’an finally understood.

’This so-called Vice Chairman Gu was sent from Kyoto to poach him.’

’No wonder Su Ruobing and Hu Xiuyuan had been silent, their expressions grim.’

He had already rejected Gu Ruilong’s invitation before choosing his city. Now that he had made his choice, Li Chang’an was completely focused on building his territory; going to Kyoto was even more out of the question.

Therefore, he shook his head and refused decisively. “Thank you for the kind offer, Vice Chairman Gu, but I am accustomed to living in Linjiang. I’ve also been shown great favor by Governor Hu and Chairman Su, who have granted me a fine city. I cannot go to Kyoto!”

His refusal was unequivocal.

He didn’t even address him as Chairman Gu, using the direct title of Vice Chairman Gu instead.

Under normal circumstances, respectable people make a point of giving each other face. But Li Chang’an was no longer willing to even do that. His allegiance and attitude were now crystal clear.

Hearing his reply, the expression on Vice Chairman Gu’s face visibly shifted.

However, he masked it well, saying with a thin smile, “Young man, don’t be so quick to refuse. Why not hear Kyoto’s offer first…”

“As for your city here in Linjiang… you’re already a Level 3 Citizen. Once the merits for uploading version 2.0 of the True Understanding of Martial Arts are granted, you’ll have no problem being promoted to Level 4 or even Level 5. Citizens of that tier enjoy a high degree of privilege. Possessing a few more cities isn’t an impossible arrangement!”

Seeing that he was still pestering him, Li Chang’an opened his mouth, about to say something.

But Hu Xiuyuan stepped forward and interjected, “Vice Chairman Gu, we can understand your desire to recruit talent, but Chang’an has already joined the Linjiang Reincarnator Association. Moreover, our Xiangnan Province Governor’s Mansion has granted him a territory in Jiangchuan County. To also grant him land in Kyoto… I’m afraid that would not be appropriate!”

Seeing the three of them present a united front, Gu Yizhi was clearly growing angry. With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, he said, “It seems Li truly is a golden goose. In that case, I won’t say any more… The Reincarnator Association’s rewards for uploading an Evolution Path are, of course, quite generous. But a young man shouldn’t let wealth go to his head. You might just end up with your city shattered and its people dead!”

With that, all pretense of civility was torn away.

Gu Yizhi flicked his sleeves, and his body dissipated like a wisp of smoke.

Once Gu Yizhi was gone, Hu Xiuyuan’s face darkened. “Ever since they produced a Tier Nine Reincarnator, the Gu Family has grown increasingly arrogant and tyrannical. Now they even dare to poach someone right in front of a Governor!”

Hearing this, Su Ruobing’s expression was just as grim.

She spat contemptuously. “If it weren’t for the immense pressure from the Gu Family, and the unfortunate fact that our Su Family recently ran into some trouble, do you think my parents would be forcing me to marry that profligate degenerate, Gu Ruilong?”

Both of them were people of high status and great power.

Yet at this moment, they were both clearly livid.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have started cursing him the moment he was gone.

Li Chang’an walked over to them, his gaze also fixed on the direction Gu Yizhi had disappeared. After a long moment, he asked, “Chairman Su, Governor Hu, can you tell me now what exactly is going on?”

Hearing his question, Su Ruobing and Hu Xiuyuan exchanged a look, their expressions a mixture of relief and vexation.

In the end, it was Su Ruobing who stepped forward to answer. “It’s nothing major, really. It’s just that your recent performance has been a little too eye-catching, causing both Kyoto and Shanghai to take a great deal of interest in you!”