Chapter: 779 (2/2)

Coming to the Martial God Street once again, Qing Shui noticed that people looked at him no matter where he went. He had already become well-known in Southern Sea City and it could be said that anyone who practiced martial arts would know of his existence.

The Wuma Aristocratic Clan was a special existence in the Martial God Street. Their residence stood out from the rest with its color and style. Looking at the Eastern Palace Aristocrat Clan that was not far away, he saw that it was now in a state of ruins, with many workers cleaning up the place. It looked like it was in the process of being reconstructed.

“Please help to inform…”

“Mister Qing Shui, please come in. The Old Master had said that once Mister Qing Shui was here, he could just head into the backyard. Old Master is in the backyard.” Qing Shui had not finished his words before a guard smiled and said.

Qing Shui eventually just said, “Thank you!”

Walking in, Qing Shui felt that the atmosphere slightly pressured him. It could be because of the gray color of the walls or the graphite-colored tile floors. However, the colors of the pavilions, artificial mountains and trees were all very normal, which did increase the vitality to the place.

The manor was very big but it was easy to locate the backyard. He only needed to head all the way in. He didn’t come across many people, but there were still quite a number of people in a large aristocratic clan like this. When they saw Qing Shui, they would first be astonished and then greet him politely.

Qing Shui smiled and answered them. After yesterday, there were probably many people who knew of him.

The backyard was strangely quiet and there were not many structures and fittings around. There was only a pavilion and a pond. There was a bridge over the pond and Qing Shui saw that Old Man Wuma was standing on the bridge, looking at him.

“Qing Shui, you’re here.” Old man Wuma smiled warmly and said.

“Mmm. Good day to you, Old Master!” Qing Shui smiled and headed for the bridge.

Qing Shui stood next to Old Man Wuma and looked down into the pond. There were fish, turtles, shrimp and crabs swimming freely in the water. Qing Shui thought about the pond in the Eastern Palace Aristocrat Clan. Their pond should also have been filled with fish and shrimp, but like the can itself, they were all dead.

This was just like the saying, ‘When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer’ [1]. Thinking about this, Qing Shui smiled.

“How long are you planning to stay in the Southern Sea City?” Old man Wuma smiled and signalled Qing Shui to walk with him to a pavilion not far away.

“It should only be for just a few more days. I might drop by the Southern Sea on my way back.”

“Mmm, it’s a pity to not visit the Southern Sea if you’ve come all this way to the Southern Sea Country.” Old Man Wuma smiled and said amiably.

Qing Shui didn’t dare to look down on this amiable-looking old man. He was one who could see through many things and would kill without a second thought. Moreover, Qing Shui had also sensed an unknown powerful and dangerous aura from him.

“How many years has it been since someone like you has emerged? You’re a young man with the greatest potential I’ve ever seen. I wonder what sort of relationship you have with the Ye Clan. That lass from the Ye Clan is also one with a great future in front of her.” Old man Wuma smiled and said.

The old man’s words were powerful and unrestrained, but Qing Shui understood what he was implying. He smiled and said, “I’m considered quite good friends with the Ye Clan. It’s not easy for Miss Ye to support a clan all by herself. If it’s not inconvenient, I hope that the Old Master can also show them some care in the future.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely do so. I shan’t be hypocritical either. Our Wuma Clan will take you as our good friend as well. In the future, if you have any troubles, we’ll cross great distances to help you. I also hope that in the event that we need help, you can also lend a helping hand if it’s within your means.” Old man Wuma said seriously.

Qing Shui knew that this had been Old Man Wuma’s true intention for inviting him over. He would naturally not think that the old man was hypocritical. Putting aside the fact that he was no match for the entire Wuma Clan now, there were no eternal friends, but only eternal benefits. No one would want to make friends with a useless person since doing so would be meaningless and purely a waste of time.

This was reality. To put it nicely, friends helped each other, but really, they did so to stay connected. No matter how close friends were, the friendship would eventually be forgotten as time passed if no connection was maintained. When trouble happened, everything would be vague like the mist. Therefore, only when people remained useful to each other would they continue to keep in contact grow their relationship to the point of becoming sworn family.

“Old Master is not hypocritical at all. I like such exchanges. I understand. If the Wuma Clan has any problems, I’ll definitely help out if I can.” Qing Shui smiled and said sincerely. Having one more friend opened one new path. He would naturally not reject the invitation of such a great aristocratic clan.

“Excellent, excellent!” Old man Wuma smiled happily and said.

In the pavilion, Qing Shui and Old Man Wuma chatted about strange happenings in the world. Most of the time, it was Qing Shui asking the questions and Old Man Wuma replying. Not long after, someone served tea to the two.

Drinking tea and chatting in such an environment was also a relaxing and enjoyable thing.

In the afternoon, Qing Shui had lunch at the Wuma Residence. He got to know many people, mostly the core members of the clan who were mainly direct descendents of Old Man Wuma. When they saw Qing Shui, they were also very happy to know someone of his stature. A lady even teased Qing Shui, saying that if she was not married, she’d definitely try and woo him.

Looking at her pair of puppy eyes, Qing Shui could only smile.

1. Idiom with the meaning that in a disturbance, innocent bystanders get into trouble.