Chapter 257: Human Relationships and Worldly Wisdom

So, enduring the strange looks from everyone, he shamelessly demanded to join.

Jiang Fan glanced at him indifferently and said without hesitation, "Three people are enough."

"Senior Brother Lu, go take a mission yourself."

Was he so foolish as to take an annoying person with him, sickening himself throughout the journey?

Lu Xinghe grew anxious.

With his strength, he could at most undertake a Level Three mission.

But any sect's low-level missions barely had enough for their own disciples; why would they give one to an outsider like him?

Even if there were, it wouldn't be worth one percent of the current mission!

"Junior Brother Jiang, we are all teammates. You can't show favoritism, can you?"

For 400 merit points, he was willing to throw away his dignity.

Jiang Fan was amused.

He didn't want to bother with him, yet the man was clinging to him.

His expression immediately turned slightly cold as he said, "Our status as teammates was only for the previous mission."

"It ended as soon as the mission was completed."

"What's more, even if I do show favoritism, so what?"

Despite this clear statement, Lu Xinghe still didn't give up, saying fiercely, "Jiang, don't go too far!"

"All I did was offend you with a few words. Do you need to be so petty?"

"Are you even a man?"

Jiang Fan's eyes narrowed.

He only reasoned with those who were reasonable.

For those who spouted nonsense and slander, fists were enough.

Just as he was about to make a move, Yi Lianxing, however, couldn't listen anymore and angrily snapped, "Shut up!"

"Aren't you ashamed?"

It was bad enough to shamelessly ask others to carry him, but to hurl insults after being rejected!

She was embarrassed to have such a shameless cousin.

Lu Xinghe scoffed, "Mind your own business!"

"If Jiang Fan doesn't give me an explanation today, I won't let this go!"

Yi Lianxing was utterly mortified.

Lu Xinghe had truly taken shamelessness to the extreme.

She had seen people take advantage, but never someone so brazenly demand it.

What made her face burn even more was that Lu Xinghe still dared to pester Jiang Fan?

He knew nothing of Jiang Fan's true strength!

To stop Lu Xinghe from speaking further, Yi Lianxing, her beautiful face flushed with anger, lunged forward.

Lu Xinghe's expression changed, and he cried out, "What are you doing..."

"Ah!!"

A few painful cries.

Lu Xinghe was mercilessly beaten by Yi Lianxing in front of everyone!

He was beaten until his nose was bruised and face swollen, only stopping when he repeatedly begged for mercy.

"Get out! You disgrace!" Yi Lianxing spat, seething with anger.

Lu Xinghe was utterly shamed; how could he dare to cling on?

He could only glance enviously at Qin Caihe and Chu Xingmeng, then slink away in utter humiliation, filled with regret.

Yi Lianxing took a breath, approached Jiang Fan with an apologetic expression, and bowed with cupped hands, saying:

"Junior Brother Jiang, I'm afraid you've seen something embarrassing."

"I'll write a letter immediately to my uncle and have him discipline him properly."

"He's becoming increasingly out of line."

She sighed inwardly.

Look at Qin Caihe and Chu Xingmeng, then look at Lu Xinghe.

All were Jiang Fan's teammates, yet their gains were worlds apart.

Just as she had told Lu Xinghe previously, her cousin had missed a great opportunity!

However, she hadn't expected her words to be proven true so quickly!

Jiang Fan said, "Let him be."

Yi Lianxing sighed even more deeply in her heart.

Look at how magnanimous Jiang Fan was, then look at Lu Xinghe.

There was simply no comparison.

She cupped her hands again and said, "Then I wish Junior Brother Jiang a smooth journey."

Gazing at Qin Caihe and Chu Xingmeng on horseback, she felt genuine envy.

This was a super mission worth 400 merit points!

Most disciples wouldn't even earn this much after the beast tide was over.

These two lucky girls had soared to great heights just by earning Jiang Fan's favor.

"Senior Sister Yi, aren't you coming with me?" Jiang Fan suddenly asked.

Yi Lianxing was caught off guard and asked in surprise, "Me? Junior Brother Jiang, are you inviting me to come along?"

This caused the disciples of the Spirit Beast Sect to murmur in surprise and doubt.

Their gazes shifted between Yuan Zhiyu and Yi Lianxing.

Wasn't Jiang Fan closer to Yuan Zhiyu? Why would he give the last precious spot to Yi Lianxing?

Those two didn't get along at all!

Yuan Zhiyu immediately felt a knot in her heart, and her gaze towards Jiang Fan held a hint of grievance.

In terms of acquaintance, she had known him much longer than Yi Lianxing.

In terms of friendship, she had rushed to his side the moment she learned Jiang Fan was in trouble.

Yet, with such a good opportunity, Jiang Fan had thought of her rival, Yi Lianxing.

She felt a sense of anger, as if she had been betrayed.

Who would have thought? Jiang Fan's tone suddenly shifted as he retorted, "Oh? Senior Sister Yi, didn't Senior Sister Yuan tell you?"

"Senior Sister Yuan specifically asked me to save the last spot for you."

"Didn't she notify you?"

Yuan Zhiyu froze.

Who wanted to ask for a spot for Yi Lianxing? She opened her mouth to refute Jiang Fan but was discreetly stopped by Gong Caiyi.

Yi Lianxing was also dumbfounded, stammering, "Senior Sister Yuan got this spot for me?"

She looked at Yuan Zhiyu with an expression of disbelief.

Jiang Fan said earnestly:

"Senior Sister Yuan said that with the beast tide imminent, no one knows how many of us gathered here will ultimately meet again."

"She felt that lingering grudges and entanglements should be resolved as soon as possible, to avoid any future regrets."

Not to mention Yi Lianxing, even the surrounding disciples were moved by the sentiment.

Indeed, a great calamity was at hand.

Those who stood before them now might be cold corpses in the future.

Past grievances were nothing more than fleeting wisps of smoke.

Yi Lianxing's heart trembled.

A profound sense of shame welled up within her.

She had never imagined that Yuan Zhiyu, though younger than her, cherished their fellow discipleship more deeply.

Pressing her red lips together, she went up to Yuan Zhiyu, bowed gracefully, and said softly:

"Junior Sister Yuan, in the past, your Senior Sister has been wrong in many ways. Please accept my bow."

Yuan Zhiyu was flattered and quickly helped her up.

"Senior Sister, please don't humble yourself before me."

"Actually, regarding the spot..."

She wanted to tell the truth, but she saw Jiang Fan give her a warning look.

So she could only brazenly accept it, saying with a touch of shame, "Junior Sister also had some shortcomings."

"I apologize to you as well."

The two exchanged glances, their expressions softening considerably.

Gone was their previous antagonism.

Both were proud and arrogant individuals.

Without a suitable opportunity, they might never have reconciled in this lifetime.

Now, however, Jiang Fan had seized the chance to resolve their grievances.

When the beast tide arrived, with no rift between them, they would naturally cooperate well, increasing their chances of survival.

Jiang Fan felt genuinely pleased.

He turned his gaze to Gong Caiyi, a complex emotion in his eyes.

He formally cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader, I'm leaving!"

"Please take good care of yourself."

What was meant to be a simple farewell, in Gong Caiyi's ears, carried a faint sadness, like a parting from someone familiar.

She waved her sleeve and said softly, "Be careful on your journey."

Jiang Fan nodded, then slowly drove the carriage team away.

Gong Caiyi stood by the mountain gate.

Watching Jiang Fan's figure gradually fade, she felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

It was like the dull loneliness after fireworks had faded.

Yuan Zhiyu sighed softly, "I owe Junior Brother Jiang a favor."

"We are peers, yet his understanding of human nature and social graces is far deeper than mine."

She had realized Jiang Fan's good intentions in resolving their grievances.

She was filled with inexplicable emotion.

But for a long time, she received no reply from her master.

Turning her head, she saw her master staring blankly at Jiang Fan's departing figure, lost in thought.

Before Jiang Fan's arrival, Gong Caiyi was calm as still water, rarely smiling.

After he arrived, her joy was palpable.

Considering their previous subtle dynamic, Yuan Zhiyu vaguely understood something.

After a moment's hesitation, she asked in a low voice:

"Master, do you... like Jiang Fan?"