nyslfriends Chapter 54 What's the use of a knife if it doesn't kill people?
Chapter 54 What's the use of a knife if it doesn't kill people?
A faint yet sharp golden longsword phantom suddenly rose from the page and hovered in the air!
The chilling aura and strange phenomena caused even the well-informed steward of the Li family to widen his eyes in shock, exclaiming in disbelief, "Confucian... Confucian methods?!"
Before the exclamation had even faded, a furious shout suddenly rang out from a nearby exquisite courtyard:
"You insolent fool! Your nephew Qingyang has arrived in person, why didn't you immediately inform him?!"
Li Decai, dressed in thin casual clothes and not even fully wearing one shoe, strode out of the courtyard. His face showed no trace of the weariness of "inspecting the estate".
He rushed to the door, snatched the paper from the butler's hand, and his gaze swept like lightning toward the floating golden knife phantom.
"hiss--!"
Li Decai gasped, his eyes gleaming with unbelievable surprise!
He carefully examined the strength of the handwriting, the sharpness contained in the phantom of the golden sword, and the lingering battlefield killing intent, and couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"Hahaha! Beautiful calligraphy! Beautiful calligraphy! Strong and vigorous, with an inner sharpness! What a fine... golden knife!"
He abruptly looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto Zhang Yuan's calm face like a searchlight. His laughter subsided, and his tone became meaningful, carrying a hint of insight:
"Nephew... this knife of yours... it looks... very murderous." He weighed the paper in his hand. "Is this... meant to kill?"
Zhang Yuan met Li Decai's scrutinizing gaze without flinching. A faint, yet icy smile played on his lips as he clearly uttered a few words:
"What's the use of a knife if it doesn't kill?"
"Sizzle—"
Wang Quanfu, who was standing to the side, felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and the hairs on his body stood on end!
He stared at Zhang Yuan in utter horror.
This is completely different from what he said last night about "harmony bringing wealth"!
The smile on Li Decai's face vanished completely, replaced by the scrutiny and solemnity of a merchant facing a rare commodity.
He stared intently into Zhang Yuan's unfathomable eyes, which burned with a calm flame, as if trying to pierce through the body of this eight-year-old child to see whether a tiger cub or a dragon was hidden beneath them.
He remained silent, and the air seemed to freeze.
The Li family had already begun investing in Zhang Yuan.
The lost bet is a disguised gesture of goodwill.
But those riches were nothing more than a drop in the ocean to Li Decai, not worth mentioning.
But things are different today. If we get involved, we'll not only offend the Black Tiger Gang, but also the Wang family behind it.
This involves a lot of issues.
a long time.
Li Decai suddenly burst into laughter again, his loud laughter filled with a sense of excitement and determination.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He said "Good!" three times in a row!
He forcefully closed the golden knife-shaped paper in his hand, and the phantom image also disappeared into the paper, leaving only a faint golden glow flowing on the ink.
"What a fine 'What use is a knife if it doesn't kill!' Nephew, I accept this 'request for advice'!" He waved his hand and shouted to the steward, "What are you all standing there for? Open the main gate! Please invite your nephew and Manager Wang into the mansion for tea!"
……
Inside the hall.
The precious rosewood furniture exudes a dignified and elegant atmosphere, while the antique display shelves are filled with exquisite porcelain and antiques, and the air is permeated with a refined fragrance.
A maidservant served steaming hot tea; in the exquisite white porcelain teacup, tender green tea buds floated in the clear liquid.
Li Decai's face beamed with a warm yet shrewd smile, as if the astonishment and scrutiny he had just witnessed at the door had never happened.
He did not immediately put away the page of paper that shimmered with golden light. Instead, he laid it flat on the rosewood table beside him, and a well-maintained hand with large, thick fingers slowly pressed down on the page.
His fingertips could clearly feel the slight undulations of the paper, and the lingering, sharp, needle-like scent on it.
He stared intently at Zhang Yuan, who was sitting quietly sipping tea at the lower end of the table, his astonishment and calculations churning like boiling water.
This child is only eight years old, yet he can so perfectly blend Confucian and Taoist methods with the killing intent of the battlefield?
What exactly did Chen Wenyuan teach him?
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but he showed no sign of it on his face.
"My dear nephew!" Li Decai's voice was loud and clear, full of an elder's admiration for a younger generation. "To see you 'asking for advice' like this today has truly broadened my horizons!"
"How long has it been since you began your training with the counselor? In just a few months, you've truly learned a great deal about Confucian methods!"
As he spoke, he gently stroked the paper with his palm, feeling the sharpness of the strokes, as if he were weighing the value of a rare treasure.
Zhang Yuan put down his teacup, his expression calm and unwavering, as if Li Decai was not praising him.
He nodded slightly, his voice clear and melodious: "Teacher's teaching is excellent. I have only followed the example and gained some knowledge. I dare not accept such high praise from you, Uncle."
Wang Quanfu listened from the side, feeling his throat go dry.
He looked at the paper, still gleaming with gold, that Li Decai had pressed under his palm, then at Zhang Yuan's expressionless face, and recalled the menacing words from the doorway earlier: "What use is a knife if it doesn't kill people?"
This is hardly a case of "harmony brings wealth" seeking reconciliation.
This is clearly a show of force, a declaration of war!
He felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, unable to sit still, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
Li Decai took in Zhang Yuan's calmness and Wang Quanfu's fear.
He laughed heartily, breaking the silence: "Nephew, you are too modest! The Grand Counselor is a man of extraordinary learning; to receive his complete instruction is already a great opportunity. Your ability to grasp it so quickly is truly a testament to your exceptional talent!"
Zhang Yuan knew perfectly well what was going on.
Uncle Li clearly attributed today's meticulously planned visit, the intimidating presence of the Golden Knife Page, and even the tough stance against the Black Tiger Gang to his teacher Chen Wenyuan's scheme.
That's a normal way of thinking.
No matter how precocious an eight-year-old child may be, in the eyes of others, it would be impossible for them to have such a far-reaching plan and such shrewd methods.
He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his tone perfectly measured: "Teacher, you have indeed taught me a great deal, and I have benefited immensely from it. You have also said that Uncle Li is an upright and generous man who cares deeply about his hometown. In Fengming County, he is the most reasonable and responsible person. If I encounter any injustice, I will seek your help and you will certainly not stand idly by."
These words were like a gentle spring breeze, precisely scratching Li Decai's itch.
His face instantly lit up with a delighted smile, and he slammed his hand heavily on the table: "Oh? The counselor actually speaks so highly of me in front of my nephew? Hahaha! I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed!"
"However, since the counselor thinks so highly of us, the Li family cannot stand idly by and watch our nephew be bullied by those filthy scoundrels!"
He suppressed his smile, his tone becoming frank, even tinged with helplessness: "Nephew, to be honest, the Black Tiger Gang is nothing but a bunch of local bullies who can't be brought to the table. It wouldn't be too difficult for my Li family to crush them. It's just..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yuan and Wang Quanfu.