Chapter 0020 Vulgar!

Big Bucktooth was an uncouth fellow, and no matter where he was, his booming voice would carry so far that it seemed everyone nearby turned to look. Instantly, all eyes focused on Big Bucktooth and Zhang Xiao, wondering how such a vulgar man could possibly have been invited to Old Zhuo’s banquet.

Zhang Xiao was well accustomed to Big Bucktooth’s antics and didn’t mind in the least. But when he heard that Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were present as well, he followed Big Bucktooth’s gaze and indeed spotted the two of them.

Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan were equally surprised to see Zhang Xiao and Big Bucktooth. They soon approached, and Jiang Kongqing asked, “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Yan followed up, “Do you know Old Zhuo?”

Zhang Xiao smiled and replied, “Yes, Old Zhuo invited me. What a coincidence to run into you both here.”

Jiang Kongqing looked at Zhang Xiao with a hint of shyness, then said softly, “I haven’t had the chance to thank you for what happened the other day. By the way, did the Goddess’s Tears help you? How’s your health now?”

Zhang Xiao replied, “Thanks to you, my health issues are resolved.”

Previously, when Zhang Xiao was recuperating, Jiang Yan had called him to say that he’d bought the mountain Zhang Xiao had selected for him, and Zhang Xiao had picked an auspicious date for him to relocate the family graves. Jiang Yan had followed his advice.

Afterward, the Jiang family’s business saw a genuine upturn. Just days after relocating the graves, Jiang Yan’s company won a major bid at a conference.

Both Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were deeply grateful to Zhang Xiao.

Sensing the moment, Jiang Yan smiled knowingly. “You young people chat; I won’t intrude. Besides, with Zheng Tiger dead and his many assets in Tiexi drawing attention, I have some business partners over there to speak with.”

Hearing Zheng Tiger’s name, Zhang Xiao couldn’t help but think of the Dark Taoist. Though the man appeared to be Zheng Tiger’s subordinate, Zhang Xiao knew well that the only reason the Dark Taoist attached himself to Zheng Tiger was because of Zheng’s immense wealth.

For the path of cultivation, opportunity, talent, and wealth are all crucial, but among them, wealth is the most important. The resources needed for cultivation are vast and unimaginable, so without solid financial support, no matter your talent or fortune, you’ll still run in circles for money.

Now that Zhang Xiao had entered the first stage of cultivation, the Qi Condensation realm, the road ahead would only become harder. Money was becoming a problem for him as well.

As Zhang Xiao’s mind wandered, Jiang Kongqing waved her hand in front of his eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

Zhang Xiao snapped out of his reverie and chuckled, “Nothing much.”

The two of them began chatting idly.

Not far away, a few young men in suits were also watching them.

The leader of the group was dressed in a tailored white suit, tall and well-built, with thick brows and large eyes—handsome by any standard. Yet his gaze was full of resentment and malice as he stared intently at Zhang Xiao, who was chatting so comfortably with Jiang Kongqing.

One of his companions said, “What does Young Master Ye lack compared to that guy? Just look at his shabby clothes, and that dwarf he brought along with a tattered sack—he looks like a junk collector! How did people like that get into Rising Dragon Mansion?”

The young man called Young Master Ye was the heir to the Tianhe Ye Group, named Ye Chen. He’d long harbored feelings for Jiang Kongqing, but Zheng Tiger had intervened, and the Jiang and Zheng families were set to marry. Although the Ye Group was publicly listed and wealthy, compared to the underworld-bred Zheng Tiger, their influence was still insufficient.

This had been a hard blow for Ye Chen.

But recently, rumors spread of Zheng Tiger’s mysterious disappearance and Zheng Shaowen’s inexplicable descent into idiocy. The Jiang family had called off the engagement.

This rekindled Ye Chen’s ambitions.

But when he arrived today, he found that Jiang Kongqing replied to his attempts at conversation with cold indifference, making it clear she wasn’t interested. Yet now, she was chatting animatedly with a mere junk man—how could Ye Chen not burn with jealousy?

Taking a deep breath, he led his group straight toward Zhang Xiao and Jiang Kongqing.

As they were talking, Ye Chen suddenly interjected, “Kongqing, is this your friend? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Zhang Xiao glanced at Ye Chen. Without waiting for Jiang Kongqing to answer, he extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Zhang Xiao.”

But Ye Chen made no move to shake his hand. Instead, with arrogance, he said, “I’m Ye Chen, heir to the Ye Group. And what line of business are you in?”

Not bothered by Ye Chen’s attitude, Zhang Xiao withdrew his hand and replied indifferently, “None in particular; I make my home wherever I go.”

Ye Chen sneered immediately, “So you’re a pauper. What’s going on at Rising Dragon Mansion? Do you even know what day it is? How can just anyone slip in here?”

Jiang Kongqing’s face darkened. “Ye Chen, what’s that supposed to mean? Zhang Xiao is my friend and a personal guest of Old Zhuo. Don’t you think you’re going too far?”

Her words only added fuel to the fire.

Seeing Jiang Kongqing speak up for Zhang Xiao, Ye Chen’s jealousy flared. “Too far? Did I say anything wrong? Look around at today’s guests—every one of them a prominent figure in Tianhe, all here for the antique exchange, each carrying priceless treasures. Yet look at the dwarf beside him, shifty-eyed and carrying a tattered sack—who knows if they snuck in to steal something?”

Ye Chen said this pointedly, loud enough for everyone to hear, instantly drawing all eyes again.

Big Bucktooth, the innocent bystander, was incensed. He shouted, “To hell with you! Who are you calling a dwarf? Can’t you see how magnificent I am?”

A cold sneer curled at Ye Chen’s lips as he pointed at Big Bucktooth. “Everyone, look—someone who speaks so crudely can’t possibly be one of Old Zhuo’s guests. I’d say these two snuck in!”

“That’s right, Young Master Ye is correct. Just look at those two—shifty faces, not trustworthy at all.”

“And that dwarf with the sack is obviously a junk collector!”

“What’s wrong with the security at Rising Dragon Mansion, letting people like this in?”

“So uncouth! Absolutely disgraceful! An insult to our dignity!”

One comment after another, the crowd began pointing and murmuring angrily at Zhang Xiao and Big Bucktooth.

Zhang Xiao, observing coldly from the sidelines, now understood. This man was simply jealous and here to stir up trouble.

Just then, Big Bucktooth suddenly lunged forward and bit down hard on Ye Chen’s outstretched finger, making Ye Chen howl in pain.

Big Bucktooth let go and spat. “Tastes foul!”

Ye Chen, furious and trembling, shouted, “You dare bite me? Everyone, did you see that? These two were exposed and now they’re lashing out!”

As Zhang Xiao stood to speak, a commanding voice rang out: “What’s with all this shouting and screaming?”

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw Old Zhuo, his hair silver, entering the garden accompanied by two bodyguards.

Spotting Old Zhuo was like seeing a savior for Ye Chen, who rushed over and exclaimed, “Sir, these two snuck into Rising Dragon Mansion and I caught them red-handed! They even bit me in anger. Such people must be punished!”

To Ye Chen’s astonishment, Old Zhuo ignored him, instead greeting Zhang Xiao with a cheerful smile. “Ah, Young Zhang, you’re here! Forgive me, there’s been so much to do today I haven’t had a chance to greet you properly.”

Zhang Xiao smiled. “You’re too kind, Old Zhuo.”

The entire crowd was dumbstruck.

Old Zhuo actually knew this young man?

At that moment, Jiang Yan joined them, clapping Zhang Xiao on the shoulder and saying to Old Zhuo, “I didn’t expect you and Zhang Xiao to be old acquaintances. To be honest, he’s a friend of mine as well. What a remarkable coincidence!”

Jiang Yan did this deliberately, to let everyone know that Zhang Xiao was not the coarse thief they’d imagined, but a friend of Old Zhuo—and of the Jiang family.

The crowd fell silent once more.

Who was this young man, really? Not only did Old Zhuo treat him as a friend, but even Jiang Yan, chairman of the Jiang Consortium, was so close to him!