Chapter 143: Kneeling Outside

“What?”

Hearing this, Sun Qiang and the others in the room were all stunned. Du Yuan, in particular, looked very displeased.

Even if his father’s practice wasn’t good, how could a respected master directly insult him by calling him an animal? This was simply a personal affront!

“Master Yang, even if my father offended you, there’s no need for such insults…” With a surge of his usual brashness, Du Yuan gritted his teeth and said.

“Insult?” Zhang Xuan shook his head. “Ask your father if I’m insulting him.”

“Father…” Du Yuan turned to look at Du Miaoxuan. He hadn’t noticed before, but upon seeing him, he was immediately startled. His father was trembling all over, completely devoid of his previous calm and composure.

“Master Yang, please save me…” *Thud!* While Du Yuan was still confused, he heard his father cry out and fall to his knees.

“Huh?” Du Yuan was dumbfounded. Sun Qiang also had a strange expression.

Was Du Miaoxuan out of his mind? And did he have a masochistic streak? Just moments ago, he was speaking so assertively, putting on airs, and then as soon as his master called him an animal, he immediately knelt down?

“Xiao Qiang, see them out!” Ignoring the kneeling Du Miaoxuan, Zhang Xuan waved his hand. “Are you kidding? What do you take me for? You doubt me, then you believe me?”

“Yes!” Sun Qiang walked over. “Please leave, both of you!”

“It was my fault for not recognizing your greatness, Master Yang, please give me another chance…” Hearing that they were being asked to leave, Du Miaoxuan was startled. He repeatedly kowtowed, filled with regret. If only he had listened to his son earlier, would this situation have arisen? Now, by questioning a master, he had openly challenged their status and authority. It was no wonder they were angry.

Seeing the esteemed Elder Du of the Du clan kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly, Sun Qiang didn’t know what to do and quickly looked to Zhang Xuan.

“What? Are my words not effective?” With a furrowed brow, Zhang Xuan exuded an intimidating aura without needing to raise his voice.

“Yes…” Sun Qiang shivered and gestured. “Guards, escort Elder Du out.”

Hearing the command, several guards strode forward.

“Elder Du, please!” The guards approached.

“Father…” Du Yuan was still utterly bewildered. Why was his father not only not angry after being called an animal by Master Yang, but instead knelt down and begged for help?

“I was rash, and I know I was wrong. I will wait outside now, hoping Master Yang will forgive me.” Du Miaoxuan kowtowed once, and without waiting for the guards to escort him, he walked out first, with Du Yuan following closely behind.

Leaving the mansion, he went outside, and his knees buckled as he knelt motionless in the middle of the road.

“Father…” Du Yuan was on the verge of losing his mind.

His father had once been a contender for clan leader; even now, as a regular elder, he was far more distinguished than most. Yet, he was kneeling directly in the middle of the road... Why? Was it just because the other person had called him an animal? Could it be... that his father truly had some masochistic tendencies?

“You kneel down too!” Before Du Yuan could think further, he heard Du Miaoxuan say coldly.

“Father…” Du Yuan gritted his teeth. “I don’t understand…”

“This Master Yang is a true master. My words earlier were inappropriate, and I offended him, so... I must apologize! A master cannot be insulted, not even with the slightest disrespect.” Du Miaoxuan admonished, “Kneel! We can only beg him not to hold a grudge, because... he is a true master, and only he can cure my illness.”

“He can cure it?” Du Yuan was confused. It seemed Master Yang hadn’t said anything significant just now! He had only called him “an animal.” Could his father be so certain just because of that one phrase? The more he thought about it, the more he didn’t understand what was happening, and he felt completely disoriented.

***

“My Lord, Elder Du and his son are kneeling at the gate!” Hearing his subordinate’s report, Sun Qiang looked at his master with a strange expression.

Did his master possess some kind of magic? At first, Du Miaoxuan showed no respect and spoke rudely. Yet, after his master uttered a single insult, the man was so terrified he knelt down and couldn’t even be driven away... If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would have thought it was a fantastical tale, utter nonsense. But the truth was right before him, making it impossible to disbelieve!

“‘Is your whole family well? Touch your wife... You’re an animal...’ It seems esteemed masters enjoy this way of speaking…” Sun Qiang summarized his observations.

Not only with Du Miaoxuan, but it seemed to be the same with Ling Tianyu. At the time, that billionaire was full of anger, but his master directly asked about his family’s well-being? Then immediately wanted to touch his wife... It appeared that esteemed masters didn’t follow conventional paths and preferred to use shocking or alarming language. Yet, such provocative words were incredibly effective.

“It seems these so-called merchants and elders are soft on the inside and tough on the outside, huh? Maybe I can try this method in the future?” Suddenly remembering something, Sun Qiang’s eyes lit up.

In his opinion, Du Miaoxuan’s rapid change of attitude was because his master was angry. It seemed that in the future, when he encountered such people, he shouldn’t be submissive but rather imposing and speak with inherent authority! Only then could he truly intimidate them. Hadn’t Elder Du been instantly intimidated into kneeling? Sun Qiang’s thoughts became increasingly active.

“When the master isn’t around, I’ll find a chance to try it... If it truly works, the master will surely look at me with new respect...” His heart was filled with excitement.

“Oh, let them kneel!” Unaware of how much the man in front of him had thought about in the blink of an eye, Zhang Xuan casually waved his hand.

“My Lord, what should we do now?” Sun Qiang asked.

Zhang Xuan frowned. This was what he was currently contemplating. Just waiting for others to express gratitude by offering money wasn’t a sustainable method!

For instance, Ling Tianyu offered a million yuan, which seemed like a lot, but it was still a huge gap compared to twenty-three million. However, asking for money directly would not fit the identity of a revered master; it would label him as a swindler. If he didn’t ask for money and just waited for others to offer it, how much would they give? What if the other party assumed that, as a master, he didn’t care about material possessions and simply "cultivated sentiment," wouldn't he die of regret?

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xuan said, “I’m going out for a while; you don’t need to follow me. Instead, I need you to do something for me.”

With that, Zhang Xuan thoroughly explained what he wanted done.

“Th-this…” Hearing his instructions, the butler’s eyes widened in astonishment. “That can be done?”

“Go,” Zhang Xuan said without further explanation.

“Yes!” Having had previous experiences, he knew that his master had a reason for everything he did, so he didn’t ask further questions. He turned and left, returning shortly after. Clearly, the task Zhang Xuan had given him was already arranged.

“If anyone comes looking for me, tell them to wait outside the gate,” Zhang Xuan said no more, rose, and left the mansion.

Once outside, he didn’t even glance at Du Miaoxuan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and turned to leave.

“Father…” Seeing Master Yang leave the mansion without acknowledging them, Du Yuan couldn’t help but call out.

Why were they still kneeling here when the other person had already left?

“I’m not doing this for Master Yang to see. I’m demonstrating my determination and my commitment to correcting my mistake. If I get up and leave now, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to resolve my problem,” Du Miaoxuan explained, knowing what his son was thinking.

“I understand…” Du Yuan lowered his head, a little despondent.

The esteemed Elder Du of the Du clan, a former contender for the family head, kneeling in the middle of the road... What a situation this was...