Dual Cultivation God Returns - Chapter 1020 - 1020: Gems and Pebbles

The attacks on the allies of the two big Sects, while talked about, did not manage to completely change the topic of rumors and gossip from the humiliation of the Seven Extreme Swords Sect and the 5th prince the day before.

However, they did provoke a move from the Iron Claw Group.

Crystal Wood Sect was the only one which received damage from the attacks, and coupled with the humiliation they received upon arriving in the Silver Wing City in the first place, as well as from ridicule of two other Sects after that incident, they weren’t immune from gossip as well.

It was clear that the Ember Palm Pavilion was currently the only Sect among the three which had a strong and clean public perception, projecting an image of stability, which began to stand out as the other two began taking damage in reputation.

As the ones who shook hands with Crystal Wood Sect, the Iron Claw Group could not stay on the sidelines.

The timing also coincided with the third minor auction of the Soaring Feather Trading Company that would be occurring the next day – it was the last one before the Main Auction in a week after it.

Thus, the visit of one of the two sons of Iron Claw Group leader was officially presented as his interest in participation in both the minor and main auctions, placing the estimation of his visit to the Silver Wing City at around a week and a half.

The more pragmatic reason of a response to the attacks on the Crystal Wood Sect was only understood by some of the more perceptive and those who kept track of events.

He arrived on a flying Beast of Burden, just as much a rarity on this continent just as the treasure ships were, even if their status was completely different outside of here.

Unlike the treasure ships, however, he was only greeted by a delegation of Crystal Wood Sect and no one else.

The one greeting him was also only an Inner Court Disciple leading a group of Outer Court Disciples and Sect Protectors, since the Iron Claw Group was the lower party in their alliance, and thus did not warrant the presence of even an Elder unless their leader came personally.

“Welcome to the Silver Wing City, Young Master Tiezhu”, the Inner Court Disciple spoke standing casually without any salute, as he saw him appear at the edge of the platform on the flying Beast of Burden.

“So help me the Heavenly Daos, what a dump”, the young man with an arrogant expression didn’t even look at the group greeting him below, instead his gaze moving in a horizontal line over the city view as he muttered in a tone of annoyance, “I’ve heard it wasn’t great but this… No wonder Gunwen never invited me here and preferred to hang out with me in the Iron Claw City… Where is he, by the way? I thought he’d at least greet his drinking buddy…”

The young man turned to the side.

Next to the Young Master of the Iron Claw Group, soon appeared the tall and large figure of a middle-aged man, one of the four Chiefs under the young man’s father, leading a group of elite members of the Iron Claw Group.

And from the other side, came out a lean man in luxurious clothes, with a thin mustache he constantly fiddled with and a pin on the chest of his robe with a silver leaf emblem on it.

The Chief went down to respond to the Crystal Wood Sect’s greetings, while one of his subordinates, Huo Bai answered the Young Master with a subservient attitude, “Hehehe, Young Master Bo, there’s been a big incident at our city’s Crow King’s Nest where Young Master Ko was greatly embarrassed, and as far as we know he hasn’t been seen in public ever since…”

“In the Crow King’s Nest? Why am I hearing about this for the first time? And who dared to embarrass him in my territory?”, Tiezhu Bo asked, raising his eyebrows.

“My apologies, Young Master Bo, this was a minor incident, so I didn’t know it was worthy of your attention to report… but as for the perpetrator, it is the famed Grim Reaper of the Death Arena”

This brought a different expression to Tiezhu Bo’s eyes, “The Grim Reaper? The one Father talked about?”

“Yes, Young Master Bo, that very same one. Apparently, the two-…”

“Makes sense then”, Tiezhu Bo nodded, cutting off Huo Bai as his interest in the topic was seemingly lost, his attention then turning to the Chief below talking to the people of the Crystal Wood Sect, “Heh, Uncle Ritian is hard at work there I see…”

“They may be represented by a small force here, Young Master, but they are a big and powerful Sect. We have to be careful in how we deal with-…”

“Are you lecturing me right now?”, a threatening look appeared in the eyes of the Iron Claw City’s Young Master as he turned his gaze back to Huo Bai.

“N-… of course no! Y-Young Master! I would never dare…!”, a horrified look appeared on Huo Bai’s face as he lowered his whole posture, his knees slightly bending as he lowered his head.

“Hmph”, Tiezhu Bo snorted with derision, turning his gaze back to the city, “Haa~, what a drag. Why did Father have to pick me for this one? I wanted to attend your auction, Uncle Fuheng, not the countryside one here”

“Hahaha, Young Master Bo is too kind. Our Silverleaf Trade Hall is always grateful for your patronage, but there is value in broadening your horizons, seeing other places and, yes, even other trading organizations”, the man with the thin mustache replied with a hearty laughter, his voice slightly squeaky and unpleasant to the ear for most people who weren’t accustomed to it.

He then proceeded to explain further, “As some wise men say, if all you see in life is precious gems, you may appreciate them for their beauty, but not know they are precious as they will only seem like shiny stones, but if you see all kinds of dirt and gravel, and roadside pebbles and so on, you will learn to appreciate the gems even more. I am afraid Young Master’s eyes have become too accustomed to the high quality and exquisite things we have to offer at our Trading Hall, so much so that the allure of our products began to fade in your eyes in recent years. However, seeing the mediocrity of others might highlight the contrast and difference, allowing you to more clearly see the value, and find appreciation for things you might have grown to see as ordinary”

He began twirling the end of his thin mustache, a smile a bit unpleasant to look at appearing on his face, “Thus, you may see this as an act of care from your esteemed Father, Leader Tiezhu for you. He wished you, not your brother to have a clearer view of the world. In fact, it is why I am so grateful to the Hall Master of our Trade Hall for sending me here. As I came not only to assist Young Master Bo in accessing the goods you see and help you with your auction bidding, but also to broaden my horizons for the same reason as your esteemed Father sent you – so that my eyes were not too blinded by the splendor of our goods to see them for what they are”

Hearing this, Tiezhu Bo’s expression brightened with a smile, “I see! Hmm, maybe you’re right. Just seeing this city I realize how great our Iron Claw City actually is. I understand now~… if you don’t have a point of reference to compare, it is indeed hard to measure~”

He turned back to the Silver Wing City with a spirited look of an inspired youth, seemingly trying to take in just how shitty this place was compared to his own.