Bo Gu and Meng Tian could both see that General Ling Tian definitely had a favor to ask of the Ancestor of Blood Refinement. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be acting like this.
Now, Blood Refiners were destined to rise. Bo Gu and Meng Tian knew their old mindset had to change. They used to fear others learning their identities, always feeling that being a Blood Refiner was something to be hidden away. They knew those thoughts had to disappear. Today’s Blood Refiners were righteous and open. Who would dare look down on them?
Thinking of this, Bo Gu and Meng Tian both snorted, their auras suddenly no weaker than Ling Tian’s.
Bo Gu spoke slowly, "Brother Ling Tian, I think you should go back. The Ancestor of Blood Refinement said he would not see anyone today."
"Younger Brother Ling Tian, go back and come again another day," Meng Tian added.
After they spoke, the two exchanged a look, feeling elated. They now had the status to speak to General Ling Tian like this.
So what if you’re the Great General Ling Tian? We are Blood Refiners. Our status is now almost the same as yours. In the future, you might even be the one begging us for help.
One addressed him as ’brother,’ the other as ’younger brother.’ If they could, Bo Gu and Meng Tian would have loved to say it a few more times.
"Not see me?" Ling Tian’s brow furrowed. What did I do wrong? Why wouldn’t the Ancestor of Blood Refinement want to see me? But after thinking it over, I don’t believe I’ve ever met the Ancestor. What is going on?
"Ask your soldiers!" a leisurely voice called out from within the courtyard.
Wu Tian had altered his voice slightly, but not completely.
That voice is so familiar... Whose is it? Ling Tian wondered.
"Did you hear that clearly? Your soldiers offended our Ancestor of Blood Refinement." Bo Gu’s brow furrowed, his expression stern as he seized the opportunity. "Brother Ling Tian, it seems your men are not well-disciplined."
"Younger Brother Ling Tian." Seeing Bo Gu had spoken, Meng Tian couldn’t resist chiming in; it would have felt wrong not to. "Ah, my dear Younger Brother Ling Tian, I heard people talking about you just yesterday. They said you’re very kind to your soldiers, but sometimes, being too kind lets them run wild. That’s not advisable, younger brother, not advisable at all."
These two men... one was calling him ’brother,’ positioning himself as a peer, while the other was calling him ’younger brother,’ trying to establish himself as a senior.
Ling Tian wanted to vomit blood, but since he was the one asking for a favor, he could only endure it.
"I understand." Ling Tian played along, speaking earnestly. "When I return, I will be sure to teach them a harsh lesson so they won’t offend anyone again in the future."
As he spoke, he glared at the mansion guards behind him. He couldn’t fathom how this group had managed to offend the Ancestor of Blood Refinement.
Bo Gu and Meng Tian exchanged a delighted glance. They were actually experiencing a day where they stood above Ling Tian. The great General himself had no choice but to bend to their will!
Heh heh, this was too amusing.
Ling Tian sighed, cupped his hands, and said, "I wonder... if this younger brother reprimands his guards, could I be allowed to see the Ancestor of Blood Refinement?"
Ling Tian was actually calling himself their ’younger brother’ in public? Bo Gu and Meng Tian were ecstatic. They finally understood why so many people yearned to show off—it felt absolutely amazing.
"Brother Ling Tian, rest assured, you will see the Ancestor of Blood Refinement," Bo Gu chuckled.
Hearing this, Ling Tian breathed a sigh of relief.
"Tomorrow," Meng Tian continued. "Ah, younger brother, come back tomorrow, and I guarantee you will be able to see the Ancestor of Blood Refinement."
"Tomorrow?" Ling Tian’s expression turned grim. I’ve already humbled myself by calling myself their ’younger brother,’ yet I still have to wait until tomorrow?
Ling Tian didn’t want to delay a single day. The Azure Empire was planning to attack the Xiuyuan Realm. He was afraid they wouldn’t stick to the agreed-upon time and would attack early, which would be disastrous.
"My two esteemed older brothers, this younger brother begs you," Ling Tian said with grave sincerity, looking at Bo Gu and Meng Tian as he cupped his hands again.
"Younger brother, it’s not that your two older brothers won’t help you; it’s just that it’s truly difficult." Bo Gu and Meng Tian had savored their moment of triumph enough. They were also afraid of getting too carried away, forgetting Wu Tian’s instructions, and agreeing to Ling Tian’s request. If they made a promise they couldn’t keep, they would only end up embarrassing themselves.
The two sighed, turned, and went back inside the courtyard.
"Two elder brothers... can you truly not help your younger brother?" Ling Tian called out desperately.
But it was useless. The gate to the courtyard had already swung shut.
Ling Tian’s face was etched with sorrow.
"General, it’s our fault."
Seeing General Ling Tian’s troubled expression, the mansion guards recalled their own behavior. One by one, they hung their heads in shame, hoping for their general’s forgiveness.
"We don’t know when we could have offended the venerable Ancestor of Blood Refinement."
"That’s right. We’re usually proud of our status as the Prince’s Mansion guards, and because of it, we sometimes look down on people."
"Now that I think about it, we must have unintentionally offended the Ancestor at some point. General, this is our fault. Beat us, curse us, do as you see fit."
The guards were filled with remorse. While they didn’t go around bullying people, they did carry themselves with an air of superiority due to their positions, and their gazes were always condescending. The guards worried that it was this arrogant look in their eyes that had displeased the Ancestor of Blood Refinement.
"You all need to reflect on your actions," Ling Tian said. "However, for someone like the Ancestor of Blood Refinement—a great predecessor, a Great Grandmaster, a true master—it would be unbelievable if he were easily met. To see such an elder, one must show sincerity. I will stand here before his gate. If he does not see me, I will continue to stand."
A determined light shone in Ling Tian’s eyes. The Art of Blood Refinement was something no one had been able to master since ancient times, and now this elder had succeeded. Such a man must possess profound wisdom. To meet a master of such caliber, Ling Tian felt it was only right and proper to stand at his door for seven days and seven nights if that’s what it took. He would wait right here.
Seeing their general standing at the gate to show his sincerity, the guards knew what to do. If their General could do this, then they, as his soldiers, would naturally follow.
Instantly, the entire group stood silently before the courtyard gate.
Bo Gu walked into the courtyard, feeling as if he were in a dream. I never imagined we’d gain dignity and glory so quickly. The Art of Blood Refinement has only just been born. I thought earning respect, dignity, and the admiration of others would take at least a month. I never expected that we would become so prestigious before the Blood Refiners Guild was even formally established. Even Great General Ling Tian, such an important figure, doesn’t dare to look down on us!
"Indeed," Meng Tian laughed. The whole affair seemed incredible just thinking about it. He had called himself Ling Tian’s ’older brother’ and addressed Ling Tian as his ’younger brother,’ and the Great General had accepted it.
With the dignity of a Blood Refiner reaching such heights, what more could one ask for?
I have to let go of my old self-perception. I’m a Blood Refiner now. A high-and-mighty Blood Refiner. From now on, anyone who needs something from us, regardless of their status, will have to lower themselves. They’ll have to be the ’younger brother’! Otherwise, who would even bother with them?
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