Chapter 748 - 225: Venerable Dojo
The flying boat continued forward, yet its speed decreased. Chen Yan estimated in his mind, using the floating mountain as a reference point, that the speed of the flying boat had roughly slowed to that of an ordinary car.
Such a round of bowing and kneeling lasted for more than twenty minutes among the people around.
Standing there, Chen Yan found it inappropriate to leave, so he too bowed his head in salutation towards the distant Venerable Dojo.
Over twenty minutes later, the floating mountain of the Venerable Dojo finally fell behind the flying boat.
The steward straightened his body with some reluctance, looking back wistfully in the direction of the Venerable Dojo.
He seemed somewhat disappointed, but seeing those crew members still kneeling on the ground behind him, he snorted and said coldly, "Alright, finished bowing to the Saint. Now get back to work, no slacking off!"
The crew dared not disobey, rising and dispersing.
Chen Yan was about to leave as well, but the steward’s gaze fell upon him.
"Fellow Daoist!"
Hm?
Chen Yan hadn’t expected to be called, so he stopped and responded politely to the steward, "What guidance does the steward have for me?"
The steward stared at Chen Yan for a moment and said indifferently, "Is this fellow Daoist’s first time bowing to the Venerable Dojo from afar?"
"It is indeed my first time." Chen Yan, with a sincere and honest look, replied, "A rural wanderer, I’ve never seen such a magnificent sight before, and seeing the Venerable Dojo with my own eyes is a dream come true."
The steward nodded slightly and spoke blandly, "In the Venerable Dojo, there remains the Dao Rhyme from the Venerable’s enlightenment. If one’s cultivation and insight are extraordinary, they might have the opportunity to perceive the Dao Rhyme left behind during pilgrimage, and if lucky enough to gain enlightenment, it may help break cultivation barriers and benefit future Primordial Spirit cultivation..."
Hearing this, Chen Yan remained expressionless, yet his mind recalled the miraculous state he entered when he gazed at the dojo’s brilliance earlier...
Had he comprehended something?
Only... the consciousness in the ring seemed reluctant for him to comprehend and interrupted him?
These thoughts ran through his mind, though his face remained calm as he looked at the steward.
The steward’s eyes gleamed for a moment as he continued speaking, "I noticed that fellow Daoist seemed to be moved while worshiping the Venerable Dojo earlier. Did fellow Daoist gain any fortuitous insight?"
Chen Yan immediately shook his head in denial, feigning a bitter smile, "Frankly, my cultivation and insight are lacking, and seeing the treasure glow of the Venerable Dojo personally overwhelmed me... In truth, I just lost myself gazing at it."
He appeared somewhat embarrassed, speaking softly, "A rural wanderer who’s never seen the world, bringing laughter to you, Steward."
After scrutinizing Chen Yan for a couple of moments, the fervor in the steward’s eyes gradually cooled, and he sighed, "I see... well, fellow Daoist should not belittle oneself. Even for ordinary cultivators, seeing the treasure glow of the Saint’s Dojo is already a great fortuity.
Although legends say witnessing the treasure glow of the Saint’s Dojo can lead to enlightenment, these tales are often elusive. To truly gain insight into the Dao Rhyme left by the Saint is one-in-ten thousand, fellow Daoist should not feel regretful."
Although he said so, Chen Yan felt that the steward’s confused look towards him had not entirely dissipated.
Chen Yan refrained from speaking more, projecting the image of a "naive and inexperienced rural wanderer".
The steward, seeing Chen Yan’s demeanor, gradually lost suspicion, casually inquiring, "Fellow Daoist, you’ve been on board for several days, yet I haven’t inquired about you, a negligence on my part.
Since you boarded at West Platform City, you must be a cultivator from the Western Border?"
Chen Yan promptly narrated his prepared story, claiming to be a lowly mortal living near Snow Cliff Pass, who became a cultivator by chance but hadn’t traveled much, spending his days in Snow Cliff Pass...
He wasn’t inclined to fabricate more, as this was his story back in West Platform City—who knows if the steward here is aware of his background? If he concocts another now, it’d be troublesome if exposed.
But after finishing, the steward, apparently hearing his "background" for the first time, looked at Chen Yan intensely, "You came from Snow Cliff Pass?"
"...Exactly, I resided in nearby mortal villages, occasionally doing labor for the military town of Snow Cliff Pass, gaining a chance years ago to enter cultivation."
"Served in Snow Cliff Pass?"
"Not in the military, just a loose cultivator."
Upon hearing this, the steward’s face grew more serious, inhaling deeply, his gaze warming with a smile, "I see! I indeed neglected fellow Daoist earlier, I ask for your forgiveness."
He then casually called over a crew member, instructing, "Go, clean up a room behind the cargo hold for this... um, guest."
He turned to Chen Yan with a smile, "Though small, that room at least offers privacy, has a bed, and good ventilation, more comfortable than the cargo hold."
So now there’s the treatment of a single room?
Chen Yan found this curious but quickly guessed the reason...
Indeed, the steward continued querying, "Fellow Daoist, since you returned from Snow Cliff Pass, are you aware of a ’Brotherhood’ there?"
Chen Yan swiftly contemplated, preparing his response, "Ah, the Brotherhood, naturally I’m aware. It’s quite renowned in Snow Cliff Pass with many loose cultivators gathered there.
I’ve interacted with a few experts from the Brotherhood—however, though I’m in the Second Realm, I know no divine techniques, so I have no chance to join the Brotherhood."
"Have you ever met the Brotherhood’s chief?"
"Um... seen him twice, and shared a bowl of wine." Chen Yan chuckled softly, "However, the Brotherhood’s chief is a significant figure in Snow Cliff Pass, I merely chanced upon him, offering him a bowl of wine, he probably won’t remember a little person like me."
The steward nodded, the warmth in his gaze fading, but his tone remained kind, smiling, "Fellow Daoist reached the Second Realm, that’s commendable talent; concerning divine techniques, there might be opportunities in the future, no need for self-deprecation."
After saying this, he cupped his hands.
Chen Yan understood his intent immediately, smiling as he took his leave.
After Chen Yan left, the steward’s expression darkened, summoning a crew member beside him, speaking coldly, "This person returned from Snow Cliff Pass, how come no one informed me earlier?!"
Witnessing the steward’s anger, the crew member trembled, inwardly cursing.
Privately taking payment for passengers boarding has been your steward’s exclusive method for profit; the identities and payments of those boarding are never shared. How are we, the crew, aware?!
Damn bastard!
The steward, however, only vented some frustration, not intending to truly pursue the crew members.
He schemed to himself...
This guest returned from Snow Cliff Pass, claiming to have met the young master... although lacking friendship. From this perspective, there’s no need for excessive preferential treatment.
However... it’s not merely that.
Since he returned from Snow Cliff Pass, he might journey there again in the future.
What if he mingles there, gaining friendship with the young master?
One must plan with foresight.
Allowing preferential treatment like a single room accommodation costs nothing.
If this person returns to Snow Cliff Pass and rises in status, forming an acquaintance with the young master, today’s actions might become a beneficial tie, facilitating connections later.