Chapter 78: A Father's Wisdom

When the old man emerged, his smile faded instantly upon noticing Zheng Xian and Guan Zhen standing behind Lin Zhengying.

“Welcome to the Old Man’s Antique Shop. Is there anything I can help you with?” A towering, nearly three-meter-tall, rotund man holding a cleaning cloth squeezed out from the inner room, shuffling along in small steps. It seemed greeting customers was his designated role.

“Tru, take our guests to the lounge and serve them some tea,” the old man said, pushing his glasses up and giving Tru’s belly a light pat, sending ripples across his layered flesh.

“Yes, Master.” Tru stepped forward, nudging the old man aside, then stomped heavily over to Guan Zhen. “Please, follow me,” he said.

Guan Zhen looked up at Tru’s face, marveling at the man’s imposing physique. Zheng Xian felt the same—even though Tru likely couldn’t best him in a fight, his sheer size was intimidating, like a mountain looming before them.

Once the three had moved away, the old man waved at Lin Zhengying, drawing him into a separate room filled with books of every kind. At first glance, it resembled a library.

“Xiao Lin, those two are official personnel, aren’t they? Is the homeland preparing to return?” The old man sat down and addressed Lin Zhengying.

“I haven’t received any definite news yet,” Lin Zhengying replied, eager and restless. “But the higher-ups told me to come discuss the issue of the Kamar-Taj sorcerers’ negligence with the local temple. From their tone, it seems if they can’t manage properly, they might as well step aside!”

“I told you, don’t be impatient. Did the higher-ups specify when you’re supposed to negotiate?” The old man spoke calmly, legs crossed, his voice gentle.

“…No,” Lin Zhengying realized, his excitement had gotten ahead of him. He hadn’t seen his teacher in ages, and once the homeland returned, the restrictions regarding secrecy would likely ease, lessening his own burdens. Yet, hearing the old man, he sensed there might be other complications.

“I’ve told you not to get so easily worked up. You’re over sixty, not sixteen anymore,” the old man admonished, then continued with his thoughts.

“Whether Kamar-Taj’s authority is reclaimed doesn’t depend on how your negotiation goes, but on the talks between the higher-ups on both sides. Once they reach an agreement, everything follows suit. Your role is merely to remind them that there are duties they’ve neglected.”

“If those temple members can grasp the underlying message, perhaps they’ll retain their authority for a while longer, or at least face its retrieval with dignity. If they’re oblivious, they’ll have to hope Sorcerer Ancient One’s reputation carries enough weight.”

Lin Zhengying nodded repeatedly; the old man’s reasoning was sound. “But… how can you be so certain the authority will definitely be taken back? They’ve acted as temporary custodians for over five centuries; another hundred or two wouldn’t be unusual.”

“I’ve told you—don’t rely solely on fortune-telling at home. As all the factions return, your predictions will become increasingly unreliable. Seek more information from the outside world. Many facts speak for themselves,” the old man said, patting the table as if searching for something. “Tru, where did you put my tablet? Bring it here for me.”

“Yes,” Tru set the small cookie he was holding onto the table and, with agility belying his bulk, darted out of the lounge. He retrieved the tablet from the cash register and respectfully handed it to the old man.

“Ninth Uncle, long time no see. Would you like a donut?” Tru beamed at Lin Zhengying.

In front of Tru, Lin Zhengying carried himself with far more authority than before the old man. “No need, Tru. Please step outside and look after our guests. Thank you.”

“Ninth Uncle, you’re too polite,” Tru said, scratching his head as he departed backward.

Once Tru had left, the old man located the information he was seeking, split-screened it on the tablet, and passed it to Lin Zhengying. The tablet displayed assorted images: satellite photos, media reports, handwritten notes, and more.

“On the alchemist’s side, there’s King Bradley, Ouroboros’ Parker and Ann, the Clock Tower’s Hex Research Institute director… aside from the Knights of the Round Table, all the cultivation world powers I know are present,” Lin Zhengying observed, glancing up at the old man. “That last note about the madman who bombarded the Dream Realm—does it refer to the Morningstar sorcerer, Blaze?”

The old man coughed twice, as if Lin Zhengying had touched a nerve. “That’s irrelevant. Focus on where, apart from those nearly extinct alchemists, the others appeared.”

“They’re in… New York, USA… the New York Temple?” Lin Zhengying mused.

“Yes. Where’s the Knights of the Round Table’s main area of activity?” the old man continued.

“In England… the London Temple!” Lin Zhengying finally understood.

The three most crucial relay points for Kamar-Taj’s delegated authority—the three major temples—were now surrounded by powers strong enough to suppress them. New York Temple, being the most potent, had attracted the largest number of cultivators.

Seeing Lin Zhengying’s realization, the old man raised his cup and took a sip of tea. “So, do you know what you ought to do now?”

“Yes, I’ll head over to the Hong Kong Temple, scout the area, and look for suitable places to set up formation nodes,” Lin Zhengying said, pounding his right fist into his left palm.

The old man quietly set down his tea, beckoning Lin Zhengying closer. When he leaned in, the old man smacked him on the head.

“We’re a legitimate organization, not some criminal underworld. Scouting locations? Just write a formal letter of visitation, explain things clearly, and deliver it in person. Observe proper etiquette; don’t let others say we lack decorum,” the old man said as Lin Zhengying rubbed his head.

Lin Zhengying nodded and was about to leave when the old man called after him, “One more thing…”

Lin Zhengying turned back. The old man adjusted his glasses. “Take care of the people you brought along. This isn’t a guesthouse.”

“Understood,” Lin Zhengying replied, his eye twitching slightly—the old man’s hand was getting heavier, leaving a red mark on his head.

Meanwhile, in the lounge, Guan Zhen was struggling to finish his tea. Tru’s enthusiasm was overwhelming; every time he took a sip, Tru immediately refilled his cup.

Tea filled to the brim is a sign to see guests off—Tru might not know, but they certainly couldn’t feign ignorance. So, even just to stay a little longer, they had no choice but to drink on!