A Chaotic World

Chapter 373: Invitation to the Artificers’ Conference

Fairy Pingxi subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Even though Lieutenant Qingquan did not decisively push the blame onto Squad Leader Lingmu and his subordinates, it was obvious that he had already taken a step back.

That was good enough for now.

As time passed, Lu Tianzi's value would surely increase as his fame as an inscription master spreads, and the Sacred Cliff City Guards would only find it more desirable to foster a better relationship with him.

She could not help but glance over at Nanlan Qianxue, who had remained silent the entire time.

What she saw on Nanlan Qianxue's face was not relief, but what seemed to be pride.

It was as though Nanlan Qianxue had always known that things would eventually turn out well, and was merely looking forward to how or when it would happen.

Now that things have been settled, is she feeling proud of Lu Tianzi?

Tsk, this girl is being as naive as always!

Though Fairy Pingxi was relieved for Nanlan Qianxue's sake that Lu Tianzi somehow managed to get through this wave of problems, she still maintained the opinion that Lu Tianzi had been too reckless.

What would he have done if the person who came today was not Lieutenant Qingquan, but someone who had insisted on blaming Lu Tianzi?

Grandmaster Tiequan might be present, but even he would not dare to forcibly take down a Lieutenant of the Sacred Cliff City Guards!

"You can leave it to me to handle this," Lieutenant Qingquan assured Lu Tianzi. "However, there is still something that I have to let Manor Lord Lu know."

"Please feel free to speak, Senior," Lu Tianzi replied.

"Manor Lord Lu may or may not know, but in return for the Burning Titan Overlord's protection, everyone doing business in the city will pay a small token sum to the Sacred Cliff City Guards on a monthly basis. While Squad Leader Lingmu might have acted out of line during their visit, they were ultimately here to convey this message to Manor Lord Lu," Lieutenant Qingquan explained. For Manor Lord Lu's Sky Snow Manor, we are willing to waive all previous contributions owed to show our goodwill."

"I have already heard about the tax system from Housekeeper Changyu," Lu Tianzi nodded. "Senior doesn't have to worry. Sky Snow Manor will certainly pay up on time."

"Oh?" Lieutenant Qingquan could not help but feel surprised.

That was easier that he had expected?

Initially when he first recognised the lineup that had been gathered here, Lieutenant Qingquan had been certain that Lu Tianzi was intending to make things difficult for him.

But from the sound of it, he might have overthought things.

Then again, this outcome is only to be expected.

After all, he is a Lieutenant of the Sacred Cliff City Guards!

Having him personally pay a visit is probably already more than what this Third Cycle Origin Core realm inscription master could ever ask for!

Thinking about that, Lieutenant Qingquan could not help but smile confidently once more.

"Let's not call it tax, but it is good that Manor Lord Lu is so understanding," Lieutenant Qingquan said. "If there isn't anything else, I will be taking a leave first. There are still places that this one has to make a visit to."

"I willl be looking forward to seeing Senior again then," Lu Tianzi clasped his fists towards Lieutenant Qingquan.

"Indeed," Lieutenant Qingquan nodded before clasping his fists towards Grandmaster Tiequan. "See you in a week's time, Grandmaster Tiequan. Farewell."

"Mm," Grandmaster Tiequan nodded. "I will see you there."

After Housekeeper Changyu instructed Ningxi to see Lieutenant Qingquan out, the tense atmosphere in the front hall lightened significantly.

"You got lucky this time, brat," Fairy Pingxi scoffed. "If not for us, you would have been in deep trouble!"

"Haha, Senior is right. I will keep your advice in mind when I act in the future," Lu Tianzi laughed. "I will remember Seniors' help today."

Their presence today truly helped him out a lot.

Even though Lu Tianzi was still confident of proving his worth to Lieutenant Qingquan without the help of Grandmaster Tiequan and Fairy Pingxi, it would surely be a much more complicated process.

"Since the matter has already passed, just let it be, Pingxi," Grandmaster Tiequan commented. "On a side note, do you have any plans to attend the Artificers' Conference next week?"

"The Artificers' Conference? What is that about?" Lu Tianzi had never heard of the Artificers' Conference.

From the name itself, one could infer that it would be a gathering for artificers. But on what scale, and for what purpose?

Was it for artificers of the city? Or for artificers all over the world?

On top of that, before Lieutenant Qingquan left, he had mentioned that he would be seeing Grandmaster Tiequan next week. Did that mean Lieutenant Qingquan would be attending as well?

Was Lieutenant Qingquan actually an artificer too?

"Tiequan, don't tell me you are thinking of bringing the brat to the Artificers' Conference?" Fairy Pingxi felt the corner of her lips twitch. "Don't you think that you should at least wait till Sky Snow Manor's issue with the Sacred Cliff City Guards has been completely resolved?"

"I understand Lieutenant Qingquan's personality. One week should be more than enough for him to settle things to a reasonable extent. We would just have to deal with the rest," Grandmaster Tiequan replied before turning back to Lu Tianzi. "You might not have heard about it, but the Artificers' Conference is a biennial event in Sacred Cliff City where top artificers gather to exchange pointers. If you are not too busy, then do come along. It will be beneficial for you."

"But I am not an artificer. Is that really all right?" Lu Tianzi asked.

Lu Tianzi might be good at inscriptions, but his smithing skills could only be considered as extremely basic. And that was not even mentioning the other aspects of artificing that he had yet to even come into contact with.

There was no way that he qualified to be called an artificer.

"That should be the least of your concerns," Fairy Pingxi chimed in from the side. "Due to the obvious benefits, more and more people who aren't actually artificers have started attending as well. Of course, not anyone can just show up as they wish. Anyone else who wants to attend the Artificers' Conference will need to be brought in by the invitees."

"It is as she said," Grandmaster Tiequan nodded.

"Right now, what you should be most worried about instead is whether you will be alienated, or worse, treated with malice when you show up at the Artificers' Conference," Fairy Pingxi added. "After all, the whole city knows that your Sky Snow Manor had a conflict with the Sacred Cliff City Guards. In a way, putting you down in public will be the easiest way for others to suck up to the Sacred Cliff City Guards, and that fact will not change unless the Sacred Cliff City Guards explicitly announce that they do not want anyone to touch you."

Lu Tianzi rubbed his chin in contemplation.

Seeing that Lu Tianzi seemed to be hesitating, Grandmaster Tiequan's mood plummeted.

"Forget it, you can ignore what I just said," Grandmaster Tiequan said unhappily. "Since you seem hesitant, I will not force you to come along either!"

He had given Lu Tianzi a chance to join him purely out of goodwill. Yet instead of thanking him immediately, Lu Tianzi was actually considering if he should accept his invitation?

Grandmaster Tiequan could not help but feel stifled in his heart!

"Wait, Senior! I will go!" Lu Tianzi hurriedly said.

"Are you sure? In the future, I don't want to hear even a word of complaint about this matter!" Grandmaster Tiequan snapped.

"Have you thought it through?" Fairy Pingxi frowned. "Don't feel pressured by Tiequan and rush into things!"

"Thank you for your advice, Senior. But I have thought it through," Lu Tianzi nodded resolutely.

He truly had come to a decision in this short amount of time.

Fairy Pingxi's words made sense.

Even if this matter with the Sacred Cliff City Guards had been resolved, others could still pretend that they were not updated on the latest news and continue using it as an excuse to publicly express their loyalty to the Sacred Cliff City Guards.

That would make him a living target board if he truly showed up.

On the other hand, Grandmaster Tiequan was also right in that attending the Artificers' Meet would be beneficial for him.

Currently, he was building his inscription knowledge upon a foundation that combined information mainly obtained from the Sacred Lotus Treasury, the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower, as well as his understanding of the art of formations that came from the Beimu Clan.

This had given him a huge advantage in the art of inscriptions, but Lu Tianzi was not satisfied with just that.

If he truly wanted to establish his name as an inscription master, he could not be contented with his current level of knowledge, and would need to further refine his understanding towards the art of inscriptions.

And this Artificers' Conference sounded like just the thing he needed to bring his understanding to the next level!

"Tch! How stubborn!" Fairy Pingxi clicked her tongue in irritation. "Since you have already decided, then I shall not say anymore. I just hope that you know what you are doing this time."

"Good choice," Grandmaster Tiequan stood up to leave. "I will let you know the time and place again."

Fairy Pingxi glared at Grandmaster Tiequan, but the latter pretended that he did not notice it.

"Grandmaster Tiequan, will it be possible for me to go as well?" Young Master Xuan Hao suddenly asked from the side.

What they said about this Artificers' Conference had captured his interest as well.

"Haha, but of course! If Young Master Xuan Hao wants to attend, I'm sure nobody will be against it!" Grandmaster Tiequan laughed.

"Thank you, Grandmaster Tiequan," Young Master Xuan Hao clasped his fists in gratitude before turning to Lu Tianzi. "I will see you next week then, Brother Tianzi!"

"See you, Brother Xuan Hao!" Lu Tianzi nodded.

Now that they were done with their purpose here, the guests promptly took their leave, leaving only Lu Tianzi, Nanlan Qianxue, and Housekeeper Changyu in the front hall.

It was then that Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue finally exchanged glances, and a meaningful smile broke out on both of their faces.

No words were said, but it still felt as though they fully understood what each other was thinking.

"Master, there's something I'd like to ask, I wonder if it's okay...?" Housekeeper Changyu's words broke the peaceful silence in the room.

"What is it?" Lu Tianzi turned to look at Housekeeper Changyu.

"Master, are you looking to take in disciples or hire assistants to help you with your inscriptions?" Housekeeper Changyu asked.

After witnessing the scene earlier, Housekeeper Changyu was now utterly convinced that Lu Tianzi was an incredibly impressive inscription master.

"Hmm," Lu Tianzi thought for a moment before continuing. "I haven't really considered it yet, but that does sound like a good suggestion. I guess it will be helpful to have someone assisting me with the menial tasks."

Housekeeper Changyu's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing that.

"Since that is the case, then how about taking me in as a disciple? No, just an assistant will do!" Housekeeper Changyu said excitedly. "I will do my best to help out!"

"You?" Lu Tianzi raised an eyebrow.

Is this guy serious?

"Master, what's with that look?" Housekeeper Changyu could feel the obvious condescendence in Lu Tianzi's tone. "I may not look like it, but I have once worked as an inscription assistant, though that was more than ten years ago... But with my prior experience, I will definitely be able to pick things up quickly!"

Lu Tianzi rubbed his chin in contemplation.

As he said, he had not considered taking in assistants until now. But that was also because he only had to handle the job requests from Old Juan and a few other visitors.

Now that Sky Snow Manor had already been contracted by Sacred Lotus Treasury, there might be more job requests coming in the future, and Lu Tianzi could not possibly spend all of his time on placing inscriptions.

After all, he still had a lot to work on regarding his own cultivation.

And as opposed to hiring some random person off the streets, perhaps it would really be better to get someone whom he had already worked with for a while to help out instead.

"All right then," Lu Tianzi nodded. "Meet me here tomorrow morning, and I will tell you what to do. Right, inform Ningxi, Linrou, and Fengfei to be here too. Since I am already getting you to help out, I might as well bring them into this too!"