With the Iron Bones Sect’s current prestige, there really was no one in Southwest Yangzhou who dared provoke them, but there was someone who dared impersonate Jun Changxiao.
Look here.
In a small-scale city, there was someone claiming to be Sect Leader Jun, publicly recruiting disciples, and it even cost ten thousand taels to go upstairs to pay a visit.
Good heavens.
Jun Changxiao had just climbed to the second floor when he saw several large round tables set up in the hall, with forty or fifty people seated at them.
One person was worth ten thousand taels—with so many people, wasn’t that four or five hundred taels!
Damn!
Absolutely a new business opportunity!
In the future when he was short on money, he could totally make the rounds and rake in cash!
Sect Leader Jun thought to himself while finding an empty seat to sit down.
The important figures of the city subconsciously glanced at him, then thought: “This youngster looks unfamiliar—probably not someone from within the city.”
“Young friend.”
Family Head Ren said in a low voice: “What is your esteemed name?”
In his view, someone who could spend ten thousand taels to come pay respects to Sect Leader Jun must have a certain level of capability.
“Jun…”
Jun Changxiao said: “Jun… you not see how the Yellow River’s waters come from heaven, rushing to the sea never to return. This humble one is Li Bai, styled Taibai, with the courtesy name Blue Lotus Hermit.”
The System said: “How about药店碧莲 – Drugstore Blue Lotus?”
The important figures in the tower’s mouths twitched.
A guy who hasn’t even grown all his hair yet, using both a style name and a courtesy name—does he really think he’s some great master?
Family Head Ren could tell this kid had some ability, so he didn’t engage further and quietly waited for Sect Leader Jun.
Jun Changxiao also didn’t speak, grabbing sunflower seeds from the plate and cracking them.
Crack!
Crack!
The quiet second floor echoed with the sound of cracking sunflower seeds.
The important figures seated at the tables all frowned.
This kid really has no class!
Family Head Ren sitting beside Jun Changxiao shifted away, eyes full of disdain.
“Everyone.”
Just then, a refined and elegant voice came: “Apologies for the wait.”
From the third-floor staircase entrance, a white-robed young man gracefully wielding a paper fan walked down. At his waist hung a small, exquisite waist token with the four characters ‘Iron Bones Clanging’ carved on it.
“Sect Leader Jun!”
The important figures of the city all stood up.
They subconsciously glanced at Jun Changxiao beside them, because this guy’s clothing was very similar to Sect Leader Jun’s.
What the hell.
This guy is impersonating me, and his impersonation is quite realistic!
However.
His looks are a bit shabby—can’t compare with the jade-tree-facing-wind me.
All the family heads stood up, but only Jun Changxiao remained seated, successfully attracting a wave of hatred and causing everyone’s eyes to flash with anger.
Cracking sunflower seeds in public was tolerable.
But now that Sect Leader Jun had arrived and he was still sitting—this was great disrespect!
The white-robed young man’s eyebrows rose slightly, a trace of displeasure appearing, but he still spoke with considerable grace: “Everyone, please be seated.”
The crowd sat down, not forgetting to coldly glance at Jun Changxiao.
Someone so lacking in rules and manners—how did he even get into the Flower-Filled Tower!
Crack.
The sound of cracking sunflower seeds rang out again.
Family Head Ren couldn’t bear it anymore and stood up, rebuking: “Young Master Li, in such a solemn and dignified occasion, if you want to crack sunflower seeds, please go outside to do so. Don’t disturb others!”
“What’s the matter?”
Jun Changxiao, raising his pinky finger, cracked another sunflower seed and said: “They’re set out on the table—can’t people eat them?”
“…”
Everyone’s mouths twitched.
The fruit and nuts on the table were merely decorations—who would be shameless enough to actually eat them like you!
“Sect Leader Jun.”
Jun Changxiao said: “You be the judge of this.”
The white-robed young man smiled and said: “This friend is perhaps just hungry—eating a bit doesn’t matter. Everyone need not mind.”
“Sect Leader Jun speaks reasonably.”
Family Head Ren sat back down, but still glared at Jun Changxiao.
“Everyone.”
The white-robed young man announced loudly: “Jun happened to pass through Guilin City and saw purple qi swirling above, so I knew this was a place where talented people emerge. Therefore I decided to recruit disciples here.”
Everyone was overjoyed.
Guilin City wasn’t large. Although it was under the Royal City’s administration, it didn’t even have a city lord. To receive such praise from Sect Leader Jun was absolutely an utmost honor!
Jun Changxiao muttered under his breath: “This kid can really talk big.”
The System said: “If he couldn’t talk big, how could he treat everyone like monkeys to fool.”
Good point!
It’s just that daring to impersonate this old man’s identity to swindle outside meant his days as a respectable person were numbered.
“Alas.”
The white-robed young man said: “Unfortunately, my Iron Bones Clanging Sect can only recruit ten disciples in Guilin City.”
Everyone immediately became dismayed.
They were willing to spend ten thousand taels to come upstairs—seeing Sect Leader Jun’s honored countenance was only part of it. More importantly, they hoped to send their family’s direct descendants to the Iron Bones Sect for cultivation.
Now there were forty or fifty people present, but only ten disciples would be recruited—this was troublesome.
“Sect Leader Jun.”
Family Head Ren said: “Can’t you take a few more?”
The white-robed young man shook his head: “My Iron Bones Sect recruits disciples based on the auspicious timing, favorable terrain, and the five elements of heaven and earth.”
“This seat just performed a divination. Although Guilin City is an auspicious location, its qi surges eastward and conflicts with inauspicious energies. Therefore we can only recruit ten. Any more would be going against the natural order.”
Auspicious timing and favorable terrain, five elements of heaven and earth?
And qi surging eastward, conflicting with inauspicious energies?
This guy’s a sect leader? He’s clearly a charlatan swindling in the jianghu!
“I see.”
Everyone suddenly understood.
Family Head Ren cupped his hands: “Sect Leader Jun is truly learned and knowledgeable. Ren is deeply impressed!”
“…”
Big brother, you actually believe this?
Has your IQ been eaten by a dog?
If this happened to me, readers would definitely complain about protagonist’s halo and how all villains and passersby are brainless!
“Of course.”
The white-robed young man announced loudly: “This seat recruits disciples mainly based on birth dates and times. If they align with my Iron Bones Sect, I will naturally accept them into the sect.”
Damn.
Absolutely a charlatan!
Jun Changxiao was itching to slap him.
He held back. He wanted to quietly watch this kid show off, quietly watch this kid swindle.
The System said: “Is Host sure it’s not because you want to learn?”
Don’t mention it.
This guy really did want to learn, since he could use it for recruiting disciples in the future.
A genuine article learning fraud techniques from a fake—truly very bizarre!
“Sect Leader Jun.”
Family Head Ren said: “Ren has brought the birth dates and times of several family direct descendants. Please take a look to see if they have affinity with the Iron Bones Sect.”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth dropped open.
Going out with family direct descendants’ birth dates and times—so particular?
Wait!
Below the birth date slip, why is there a corner of a banknote showing!
Got it, got it!
It’s not about checking affinity with the Iron Bones Sect—it’s using banknotes to quietly go through the back door!
The white-robed young man took the birth dates and times that Family Head Ren handed over, and the banknote pressed underneath gracefully slid into his sleeve.
This technique, this speed.
Jun Changxiao felt great admiration rising in his heart—in capital letters!
“Family Head Ren.”
After carefully examining the birth dates and times, the white-robed young man said: “These two direct descendants of your family align with my Iron Bones Sect’s five elements. This seat can accept them into the sect.”
“Many thanks, Sect Leader Jun!” Family Head Ren said with great joy.
The others cast envious glances.
The Ren Family’s direct descendants could enter the Three Excellences potential Iron Bones Sect—their future achievements would surely be immeasurable!
“Sect Leader Jun.”
A family head said: “This is my son’s birth date and time. Please examine it.”
When passing it over, he smoothly tucked several banknotes underneath. Because his technique was rather clumsy, everyone present could see it clearly.
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched violently.
When he recruited disciples, it was mostly based on eye contact.
This guy used birth dates and times to swindle money. Damn it… why didn’t I think of this!