Lin family's private jet landed, and Zhou Yan, a suona player from Hongya Cave, descended with several of his men.
Agong and He Xiping arrived to pick them up in a VIP shuttle.
After friendly greetings, Zhou Yan, once inside the car, inquired curiously, "Has Hou Jingchen arrived?"
Agong politely replied, "Senior Hou's plane is about to land."
"Oh? Another private jet sent by your organization?"
"Uh... no, Senior Hou is rather individualistic. He intends to fly in himself and doesn't even plan to let us reimburse his airfare."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but stroke his chin.
He had never met Hou Jingchen in person, but he had a general idea of the man's character. Hou Jingchen was too upright to readily accept any favors from others.
In Hou Jingchen's eyes, taking the private jet of the Civil Doctrine would be considered "unearned reward," and he wouldn't even want to owe such a debt of gratitude.
"Hou Jingchen doesn't fly on the Civil Doctrine's private jet, yet I've done so without a second thought. Does that make me too easy to deal with?" Zhou Yan mused.
His trip to Rongcheng was of great significance to Zhou Yan. If the negotiations failed, all his years of hard work would have been in vain.
However, Zhou Yan couldn't resist the overwhelming tide of events and knew he was no match for Yan Shouyi.
Therefore, to resist, he had to leverage Hou Jingchen.
They took the shuttle to the VIP lounge at the airport. While Agong and He Xiping went to pick up Hou Jingchen, the members of Hongya Cave began to whisper among themselves.
"Hey, what do you think that Yan Shouyi is like? What if our cave master doesn't reach an agreement with that kid today?"
"There are many rumors about Yan Shouyi in the martial world, and his personal strength is not weak. However, compared to the position he currently holds... I think he's still a bit lacking."
"You mean, even though Yan Shouyi is strong, he's not qualified to be the spiritual leader of a folk sect?"
"Yes, I watched his fight with the Crimson Flower Society, and he was indeed very strong, but compared to veterans like our cave master and Hou Jingchen, he's still a bit short. Also, although his published 'Civil Doctrine's Canon' benefits the masses, I heard that most of its content was compiled by his mother, and Yan Shouyi only wrote the last four sentences."
"But those last four sentences are indeed the finishing touch... By the way, the Civil Doctrine was previously called the Folklore Research Society. Do you know why Yan Shouyi became the president at such a young age?"
"Pfft, that's no secret, we've known for a long time! Yan Shouyi's father is Yan Chou, who was also a famous Lu Ban successor and organized the Thirteen Taibao of Xuanshan. The older generation of strong practitioners in the Civil Doctrine are all members of the Thirteen Taibao of Xuanshan."
"Hearing you say that, Yan Shouyi is just someone who relied on his father and then his mother? That's not that impressive!"
"Hmph, if you ask me, our folk sects should select people from the grassroots. Our cave master fought his way up from the bottom with his bare hands. It would be better to have our cave master as the leader of the Civil Doctrine!"
Zhou Yan, who had been standing silently near the door, suddenly turned around. A sharp glance silenced all his subordinates.
Then, Zhou Yan resumed his original gentle and ordinary demeanor, saying faintly:
"I don't like to be in the spotlight, and you shouldn't pick on Yan Shouyi. The overall situation is not stable yet, and whoever sticks out will have to bear the risk. Don't push me into a fire pit."
The members exchanged awkward glances and chuckled sheepishly.
Throughout Zhou Yan's internal journey, he had always been the unremarkable second-in-command, yet he always managed to maintain his position. Only at the last moment did this eternal runner-up suddenly exert his strength, becoming the current leader of Hongya Cave.
Zhou Yan was adept at the doctrine of the mean, but that didn't mean he was a mediocre person.
Not long after the members fell silent, Hou Jingchen arrived.
Unlike Zhou Yan, Hou Jingchen came alone, but he carried no luggage, only wearing a bulging robe.
Hou Jingchen was likely two meters tall, appearing robust and powerful, with a standard square face and a full beard, exuding an aura of righteousness. In ancient times, he would have been a perfect general.
"Old Hou!"
Zhou Yan stepped forward to greet him and shook hands with Hou Jingchen.
Hou Jingchen guessed Zhou Yan's identity and shook his hand, managing an unaccustomed smile.
"I've heard much about you!" Zhou Yan said with a smile. "As the saying goes, heroes emerge in times of trouble. There aren't many upright people like you, Old Hou. But we are certainly kindred spirits, and we must have many common topics."
Knowing Hou Jingchen's upright personality, Zhou Yan also presented himself as an upright person to foster a closer relationship.
As expected, Hou Jingchen immediately felt a greater affinity for Zhou Yan, and he said humbly, "Fellow Daoist Zhou flatters me."
"Ah, flattering or not!" Zhou Yan leaned in and whispered in Hou Jingchen's ear, "Aren't we gathered in Rongcheng for the same purpose? If Yan Shouyi truly gains our approval, what does it matter if I hand over Hongya Cave? However, I am still worried. Yan Shouyi is too young. If he turns out to be a paper tiger, or if he's exploited by people with ulterior motives from major sects, our subordinates will suffer greatly."
Upon hearing this, Hou Jingchen's expression immediately soured.
Ignoring Agong and He Xiping, who were waiting nearby, he said with a grimace:
"To be frank, the reason I've come to Rongcheng is precisely to test Yan Shouyi's depth. If he cannot earn my approval, my Changlin Army will absolutely not be handed over to him!"
Agong and He Xiping felt a bit awkward hearing this.
However, they didn't mind. The purpose of this meeting was straightforward, and it was normal for Hou Jingchen and others to have emotions.
Moreover, they had confidence in Yan Shouyi. True gold fears no fire, and Yan Shouyi would not back down from Hou Jingchen.
Seeing Hou Jingchen's irritable temper, Zhou Yan smiled and said nothing further. His objective had been achieved.
...
The convoy carried the representatives of both forces to the Civil Doctrine's stronghold.
By this time, many guests had already arrived at the Civil Doctrine's stronghold, making it quite lively.
Yan Shouyi, upon receiving the news, led his men to the entrance to welcome them.
As Hou Jingchen sat in the car, meeting Yan Shouyi for the first time, various thoughts spontaneously arose in his mind.
"This Yan Shouyi has the backing of the Lin family of Licheng and endless money. He has also built such a luxurious stronghold. He must be someone who squanders money lavishly."
Hou Jingchen had suffered a great deal in his youth, which had instilled in him frugal habits. He could not stand extravagance and waste.
If Yan Shouyi was a decadent person, Hou Jingchen's impression of him would be greatly diminished.
However, as Hou Jingchen caught a glimpse of Yan Shouyi standing at the main entrance of the Civil Doctrine's stronghold through the car window, he couldn't help but pause.
The Yan Shouyi he had imagined, dressed in a suit and exuding the demeanor of a rich man, did not appear.
Standing there was a young man wearing a plain-colored robe, carrying a simple satchel, and sporting a neat buzz cut.
If you were to drop this young man in the countryside, apart from being a bit handsome, you would hardly be able to distinguish him from others, let alone imagine that this kid would be the esteemed president of the Civil Doctrine.
"This Yan Shouyi... suits my taste!" Hou Jingchen was delighted in his heart.