Chapter 691
Don't underestimate a young man's potential
Chapter 691 Don't underestimate a young man's potential
Of course, Lady Wang Mian's words, though seemingly casual, actually concealed a deeper meaning.
Gao De was at a loss for words.
Lady Wang Mian seemed to sense Gao De's predicament, but instead of making things difficult for him, she calmly continued, "Of course I don't want such a thing to happen."
"However, the Plantagenet Dynasty has always adhered to the principle of defending the territory and maintaining peace. There is no reason for them to stop the empire from expanding its territory, unless they want to declare war on the empire head-on, which is definitely not a situation that the dynasty wants to see."
Her voice was calm and gentle: "The dynasty will not initiate wars against other countries. This is an ironclad rule set by our ancestors and the foundation for maintaining the balance of the continent."
“But it seems the Empire is unwilling to maintain this peace between the two countries.” She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, a sharp glint flashing in them.
At this point, her gaze fell directly on Gao De: "Please tell me, what exactly happened to you and Liu Ying during the days you were missing? Is all of this related to the Empire?"
Gao De felt a chill run down his spine.
When it comes to drinking tea, unless it's a special tea tasting event, it's just a formality. What you drink isn't important; what matters is what you talk about.
Therefore, he could drink rare magical teas like Golden Flame Flower Tea in the VIP room, but when he met Lady Wang Mian, he only drank Sparrow Tongue Tea.
Like Lady Wang Mian, Gao De squinted his eyes, seemingly recalling something, but actually quickly sorting out his thoughts.
"Madam, it's a long story, but in short, all of this must be related to the Empire."
"It's alright, there's plenty of time now, please explain in detail." Madam Wang Mian's gaze softened, as if encouraging Gao De.
“I had just walked out of the Obsidian Antique Dealers Association at that time,” Gao De said slowly, recounting the scene one by one.
This includes the discovery of the Imperial Mage and the sudden changes in him, as well as the dimensional rift that banished them.
Lady Wang Mian, high above everyone else, subtly steered the conversation towards the main topic with the seemingly ordinary tea, Sparrow Tongue Tea, without giving Gao De any sense of being "interrogated" by a superior. Instead, she made the conversation more like casual chat, perfectly controlling the pace of the discussion.
The conversation continued.
Or rather, it's more like Gaode Maps is telling a story.
The lady played the role of a very patient listener, simply looking at Gao De calmly and attentively, her eyes never leaving his face.
Occasionally, raise one or two precise questions about details at crucial points.
However, Gaode Maps did not feel any sense of comfort or satisfaction as a result.
Because he knew that the other party's gentleness was just a gesture, a composure based on status, rather than genuine equality.
Moreover, Gao De was well aware that the reason he was able to sit opposite Lady Wang Mian today was entirely because he was "lucky" enough to be involved in the conspiracy of the Imperial Mage along with Liu Ying, was pulled into the Netherworld of Desolate Souls, and became Liu Ying's savior.
Rather than believing that they actually deserved to be at the table.
Soon, Gao De finished recounting his encounter at the entrance of the Obsidian Antique Dealers' Association, including the details he noticed and his speculations.
Lady Wang Mian remained silent for a long time, her fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest.
A barely noticeable wrinkle appeared at the corner of her eye; it was one of the few moments when she showed her emotions, but it was fleeting.
“It is Mei Qiang’s Thousand Faces Shadow.” She spoke slowly, her tone resolute.
"If she did it herself, then it was indeed flawless. Even if we had taken down the Imperial Mage Team immediately, we wouldn't have gotten anything useful out of them by using Power Words to interrogate them."
"Plum Blossom Rose. Shadow of a Thousand Faces" are terms that Gaode Maps has never heard of before.
"The Empire has three major powers, forming the Valerian Council, who jointly control the Empire's military and political affairs. Mei Qiang is one of the three major powers, and also the most mysterious and cunning among them."
"The Thousand Faces Shadow is her signature move." Madam Wang Mian didn't mind Gao De's "ignorance" and patiently explained it to him.
"And then?" After explaining, she looked at Gao De and continued to ask, her gaze still gentle, but with a hint of concern for what would happen next.
The concern wasn't directed at him, but at Liu Ying.
"Then, I arrived in another plane with Liu Ying, the Desolate Soul Realm."
Gao De picked up the cup of Rain-Preserved Sparrow Tongue tea in front of him, took a small sip to moisten his throat, and then spoke again, "I don't know this plane. It was Liu Ying who told me..."
The days in the desolate and barren Soul Realm were rather long. Even though most of the experiences were repetitive, it would still take a lot of time to describe them in detail.
Gaode didn't hide much, or rather, it could be said that it didn't hide anything at all, revealing everything in detail.
This includes his ability to cast spells without magic and his final method to break the deadlock using rune arrays.
After all, even if he didn't say it, Lady Wang Mian would have learned the whole truth from Liu Ying afterward.
The only thing he was hiding was that he had spent those days getting used to all the close contact with the fireflies in order to improve his appearance.
And it can't be called concealment; he just didn't bring it up on his own initiative.
After all, this matter has little to do with the main storyline of the Desolate Soul Realm.
After Gao De finished recounting everything that had happened in the Desolate Soul Realm, Lady Wang Mian offered a few words of praise with a perfectly timed approving smile.
It was mostly about how the young man was capable, meticulous, and had great potential, and how he thanked Liu Ying for saving his life.
After saying this, she didn't linger. She stood up, nodded slightly to Marcus behind her, and then turned and walked towards the side door at the back of the living room.
Only Gao De and Marcus remained in the room.
Gao De knew that the real conversation was only just beginning.
Some things are not suitable for that distinguished lady to say herself.
After all, given his status, it would be somewhat beneath him to have any conversation with a junior, especially one from humble beginnings, aside from casual chatter.
Therefore, the only option was to have a servant speak on it.
Of course, all the ideas and decisions were ultimately made by that lady.
Without Lady Wang Mian's presence, the invisible oppressive feeling in the air instantly dissipated.
Gao De's tense nerves, which had been on high alert, immediately relaxed.
Marcus stepped forward and looked at him with a smile: "Master Gaode, you are His Highness Liuying's savior, therefore, you are the benefactor of the Wang Mian family."
"The Wang Mian family has always valued gratitude and always repays kindness without ever defaulting on debts."
What do you want?
Hearing the other party ask such a direct question, Gao De raised an eyebrow.
The smile remained on his face, but he felt somewhat strange inside.
What's so strange about it?
The other party maintained impeccable politeness from beginning to end, and never denied his contribution in his words.
At this moment, they even adopted a sincere attitude of "giving whatever you want".
In terms of decorum, the Wang Mian family handled it flawlessly; anyone else would probably have been flattered.
Gaode just felt something was off.
Moreover, he understood in his heart where the strangeness lay.
This excessive politeness actually conveyed a deliberate sense of distance.
This act of repaying a debt of gratitude was too swift; in reality, it was an attempt to sever his deep ties with Liu Ying and the Wang Mian family in the most dignified way.
Therefore, the essence is that the Wang Mian family looks down on him, a grassroots mage, and is unwilling to have a deeper bond with Liu Ying Wang Mian.
Gaode was not particularly upset by this, let alone angry.
One is that the other party did it in a respectable manner.
Another point is that he is also aware of his own importance.
In this plane of existence, there are very few people and forces qualified to challenge the Wang Mian family, and he is certainly not among them.
Even if he invoked his status as the King of the North, it would still be the same.
Because in the North right now, the strongest being is Sunaf, who is at the fourth ring.
Marcus, in front of us, is probably far more than a fourth-ring level player.
So Gao De maintained his smile, a smile tinged with a knowing calm. Marcus, being a shrewd man, completely picked up on this subtle emotion.
He didn't point it out, but simply picked up the teapot himself and filled Gao De's cup with the Yuqian Que She tea.
The tender green tea leaves slowly unfurled in the water, their aroma remaining delicate.
He put the teapot back in its original place, clasped his hands in front of him, and waited quietly for Gao De's reply without urging him at all.
“Liu Ying is my friend.” Gao De picked up his teacup, took a small sip of the pre-rain sparrow tongue tea, and the light and sweet aftertaste of the tea diluted some of the subtle emotions in his heart.
He put down his teacup and said in a calm but extremely serious tone, "I am also her friend."
“Between friends, these things are done out of friendship, so I don’t need any compensation.”
Marcus frowned slightly, somewhat surprised by Gao De's answer.
In his view, no one in the world could refuse the Wang Mian family's gratitude.
That was a chance to change one's destiny, especially for a mage from humble beginnings.
But his brows quickly relaxed, and his gentle expression returned: "Master Gaode, you are still young and impetuous, which I can understand. But I still have to advise you, this is not the time to be angry."
"This favor is enough for you to ask the Wang Mian family for anything you want." His voice was a few decibels lower, carrying the earnestness of someone who had been through it all.
"This is an opportunity that can completely change the trajectory of your life, allowing you to rise to the top and no longer be limited by your background."
"Not many people have this opportunity."
Gao De listened quietly.
Marcus is right.
This opportunity is indeed rare.
And Gaode's move did indeed seem somewhat spiteful.
A very "clumsy" way of putting one's temper.
But it wasn't all just out of spite.
He did indeed consider Liu Ying a friend. Or perhaps more?
Gao De was unsure of the extent and nature of his relationship with Liu Ying.
But deep down, he instinctively resisted exchanging his experience with the other person for a reward.
Even if the reward is more lucrative than anyone can imagine.
“It is indeed a rare opportunity.” Gao De lowered his head, looking at the tea leaves unfurling at the bottom of the cup. The tea soup was clear, reflecting his calm eyes.
"However, I have indeed made up my mind and I will not go back on it."
He looked up again, staring at Marcus's thoughtful face, and continued, "And I don't think my life trajectory will change much because of this extra reward or the loss of this reward."
This statement, though made in a plain tone, carries an undeniable confidence.
Marcus remained silent for a long time.
It should be an assessment of Gaode's determination and a weighing of whether the authority given to him by his wife allows him to make the decisions Gaode wants.
The silence lasted for a long time.
Marcus seemed to have figured something out, and suddenly smiled, saying something completely unrelated to the current topic: "Princess Liuying has never had a true friend."
"So, if she can have a true friend, I'm happy for her."
After saying that, he reached out his hand to Gao De.
Gao De stood up and shook hands with him.
Their hands clasped together with just the right amount of force, without any unnecessary small talk, yet it seemed as if they had reached some kind of silent understanding.
This means the matter is settled.
The highest building in the Royal Castle, by the window.
The elegant noblewoman stood there quietly, gazing out the window at the view of the entire Mithril City.
Meanwhile, Gaode's figure walked out of the castle gate, gradually blending into the crowded throng, eventually becoming a tiny black dot and disappearing around the corner of the street.
She knew that Liu Ying had told Gao De to wait for her, but she didn't let Marcus stay with the guests.
On the windowsill beside her sat a peculiar alchemical machine.
It is shaped like a fist-sized obsidian, with its surface engraved with fine silver runes.
A translucent crystal was embedded in the center of the rune, shimmering faintly as if it were alive.
Through this alchemical machine, she heard every word that God and Marcus said in the meeting room.
From Marcus's offer of a generous reward to Gao De's calm refusal, and then to the emphasis on "friends," she maintained a detached expression throughout.
Only when she heard the last sentence, that her life trajectory wouldn't be significantly altered by this reward, did a faint smile slowly appear on her lips.
She sensed Gao De's stubbornness, and also the resentment hidden beneath his calm demeanor.
But she didn't mind it.
Whether Gaode truly considers Liuying a friend and doesn't care about reciprocation or not.
Gaode seems to be taking a step back to advance, hoping to maintain its friendship with the Wang Mian family under the guise of friendship, thereby gaining more benefits in the future.
For Lady Wang Mian, either outcome would be acceptable.
As Marcus said, fireflies never have friends.
Now that she has such a sincere and pure friend, as a mother, she is genuinely happy for her daughter.
If it's the latter, then it means that this young man not only has talent, but also ambition and patience.
Only those who are confident and capable enough dare to give up what is readily available in front of them in order to gamble on a more distant and prosperous future.
For young people, having ambition is never a derogatory term.
If Gaode truly has this capability, she wouldn't mind giving up the favor and resources of the Wang Mian family.
Although the Wang Mian family has a long history, nothing in this world is eternal. If you want to prosper forever, you can't just sit around and do nothing.
Recruiting talented individuals with potential is both a matter of foresight and a responsibility of those in power.
She turned her gaze away from the window and prepared to go downstairs to check on Liu Ying's condition.
Just then, a series of powerful footsteps came from behind, each step steady and urgent.
The fact that he could enter the top floor of the castle without being notified, and that his footsteps were so distinctive, made it clear to her without her having to turn around that the person was her eldest son, Richard.
"Richard, how is Liu Ying doing?" She didn't turn around.
“It’s stabilized. The light-transformation state has been temporarily suppressed, but the divine radiance energy within the body is still disordered and will take some time to completely dissipate.” Richard’s voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of barely concealed urgency. His footsteps stopped behind her.
"You're walking a little fast."
“Yes, I came to find the person my sister brought back. I heard you called her away,” Richard said.
"You mean Gao De? What do you need him for?" Madam Wang Mian asked somewhat casually.
She felt that such an urgent search for a grassroots monk, even if he was Liu Ying's "benefactor," was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"Liu Ying said that Gao De can directly absorb the divine radiance energy overflowing from her body to help alleviate her pain and suppress her light-transformation state!"
"What?!" Madam Wang Mian turned around abruptly, looking at Richard in disbelief, her calm expression completely gone.
This week I was on duty for law enforcement inspections, working overtime until I was completely oblivious to the world around me, yet I still managed to keep up with the updates. Dude, you're really something.
(End of this chapter)