I Just Won't Play By The Book
chapter-75

“This year’s gathering of young heroes includes other events. Apart from sparring with martial arts, music, calligraphy, drawing, and go playing are also included. In the end, the sect with the highest total score wins. Moreover, in order to show off this time, the Sect of Masked Moon has spent a huge amount of money. They have prepared a very tempting reward for the champion of each event.”

“Others may not know, but in the field of Go playing, there is no other young disciples who can compete with you in Rivernorth District, or even the entire Fengzhou. So this time, I’ve decided to let you represent our Sect of Returning Hearts to participate in this competition.”

Jiang Beiran was just about to speak when the system option popped up.

[ Option 1: Directly reject Zhang Heqing. Reward for completion: Red Cloud Sacred Seal (earth grade high tier)]

[ Option 2: Convince the sect master not to participate in this competition. Reward for completion: Eight Senses Technique (black grade high tier)]

[ Option 3: Leave the Sect of Returning Hearts. Reward for completion: Treasure Records of Mirage Sea (black grade low tier)]

[ Option 4: Agree to participate. Reward for completion: Random basic skill points + 1]

“Damn it! Are you kidding me?” Jiang Beiran cursed in his heart.

Looking at the four options in front of him, Jiang Beiran was instantly stunned. How long had it been since he had encountered the option of earth grade high tier? Combined with the two options below, if he didn’t return this time, it was very likely that the Sect of Returning Hearts would be directly exterminated! “Could it be that this Sect of Masked Moon is setting up a trap?”

However, Jiang Beiran didn’t let his shock show on his face. After choosing option 4, he agreed, “I accept the order.”

“Don’t be in a hurry to refuse. This matter… Eh!? You agreed?” Zhang Heqing looked at Jiang Beiran with a shocked expression and asked.

Zhang Heqing had already thought of a few excuses and swore that no matter what excuse Jiang Beiran came up with this time, he would force him to go. However, he didn’t expect Jiang Beiran to agree just like that.

“Yes, it’s my honor that Order Master is willing to entrust this important task to me.”

“Hahaha!” After hearing that, Zhang Heqing immediately got up and walked around the table to Jiang Beiran’s side, patting his shoulder and saying, “I knew you were a sensible disciple! You know when to stand up for the sect, I am very gratified!”

“Order Master, you flatter me. I have been groomed by the Sect of Returning Hearts for many years. I should have done my best for the honor of the sect.”

“Beiran, I didn’t expect you…”

Hearing Zhang Heqing’s voice suddenly choked with sobs, Jiang Beiran quickly looked up and saw that Zhang Heqing was actually wiping his tears.

“For real? Do you need to be so touched?” Jiang Beiran ridiculed Order Master in his heart.

Jiang Beiran hurriedly stood up. For a moment, he really didn’t know what to do. He tried to comfort Zhang Heqing, but he felt that it was weird. If he could help Zhang Heqing wipe away his tears, it would feel even weirder.

Seeing that Jiang Beiran was at a loss, Zhang Heqing wiped away his tears and said, “Sorry, I lost my composure for a moment. I used to think that you were a disrespectful, unruly, and talented person…”

“Order Master. Can we skip the derogatory remarks and praise me instead? I know that I was wrong.”

“Good, good, good.” Zhang Heqing nodded and said with emotion, “It seems that I have misunderstood you in the past. In fact, you still treat our sect as your home in your heart.”

“Of course. If it weren’t for the Sect of Returning Hearts, I would have died outside long ago. For the sect, I am willing to go through fire and water!”

“Very good. I’m really touched that you have such a heart. Sit down please.”

Returning to his seat, Zhang Heqing drank a mouthful of hot tea, after calming his mind for a while, he continued, “This time, the Sect of Masked Moon’s sect master’s birthday banquet is scheduled for the middle of September. Although I know that your Go skill is superb, I still hope that you can practice properly for a while during this period of time. It’s never wrong to treat it seriously.”

“Yes.”

“The middle of September… that means that there’s still nearly two months of time, so I have to make some more preparations. Judging from the difficulty of this option, if I don’t make sufficient preparations, it’s very likely that I’ll encounter an option that’s at least yellow grade, or even black grade.” Seeing Jiang Beiran was thinking deeply, Zhang Heqing simply stood out and felt deeply comforted.

After pouring himself another cup of tea, Zhang Heqing said, “Beiran.”

“Yes.”

“Did you just say that you were helping Order Master Shi to take care of the flowers and plants?”

“Yes.” Jiang Beiran nodded.

“Actually, I’m quite knowledgeable about flowers and plants. Why don’t I go with you another day? We can’t just let you do all the hard work alone, right?”

“You also like flowers?”

“Do I look like a flower lover?” Zhang Heqing posed and asked. “Yes, you do! I’m deeply touched that Order Master is so considerate.”

“It’s my duty. Then you go and talk to Order Master Shi about this tomorrow. If she agrees, I’ll go with you.”

“Agree…? Agree to what?” Jiang Beiran was puzzled.

“Well…” Zhang Heqing hesitated for a moment before replying, “Since you’ve met Order Master Shi, you should know that she’s a little special. That’s why the sect master has set a rule to limit the number of times for us higher-ups to go to the Mirror Garden However, if we get Order Master Shi’s permission, we can go there freely.” “I see…”

Jiang Beiran immediately thought of those disciples who lined up at the gate of the Mirror Garden every day.

“So tragic…”

Sighing in his heart, Jiang Beiran cupped his hands and agreed, “I understand.”

Nodding with a smile, Zhang Heqing continued, “Are you satisfied with the cultivation place that I gave you in the back of the mountain?”

“Yes, I’m quite satisfied. The spiritual essence in that piece of land is very abundant. Order Master, thank you.”

“You’ve done so much for the Order of Blue Heart, you earned it. Also, I remember that you said that you wanted some of the Thunder Lord Charcoal, right?”

“Order Master, you’re abusing your power again!” Jiang Beiran ridiculed Zhang Heqing in his heart.

Whether it was forging or alchemy, they could not be done without the heat. The Thunder Lord Charcoal was a very good fuel. Not only could it produce a high temperature that ordinary charcoal flames could not reach, but it could also make the spiritual essence in the surroundings more active. Thus, the effects of the refined pills would be better.

However, a good thing like the Thunder Lord Charcoal was considered a rare item in the entire Sect of Returning Hearts. Moreover, most of it had been divided up by the Order of Kindness and the Order of Baizhang. Therefore, it was hard to get one Thunder Lord Charcoal as a disciple of the order of Blue Heart Hall.

But now… A certain Order Master was obviously going to use his authority to get one for him.

Sighing in his heart, Jiang Beiran nodded and said, “Yes, I have wanted this item for a long time.”

“Alright, since you still want it, then I’ll help you think of a way.”

“Thank you, Order Master.”

“Mm, then that’s it. Come, drink some tea, drink some tea, it’s already cold.”

Jiang Beiran left after about an hour. He had heard enough Zhang Heqing’s repeatedly saying “Be more attentive”. He turned around and looked at the bright starry sky. Jiang Beiran could not help but shake his head.

“Sigh, this Sect of Returning Hearts is going to be doomed.”