Chapter 2618: 7: Sword Mountain and Fire Sea, Embarking Willingly (Part 3)

The two were still here, you push, I yield, you bow, I block. Xiang Qian yawned and said, "Alright, alright, let’s talk inside. What should we eat first? I’m already so hungry my stomach is growling!"

Jiang Wang laughed and scolded, ordering the housekeeper to prepare wine and dishes, while he personally led the two toward the main hall.

The Wu’an Marquis Mansion was constructed under the decree of the Court’s grand craftsmen, with Zhongxuan Sheng adding touches here and there, and Yan Xian Brother occasionally coming to embellish... Naturally, the layout was impeccable.

However, Bai Yuxia was used to riches, and Xiang Qian was accustomed to sloppiness, so neither felt any particular way. Jiang Wang simply did not bother to introduce or boast, and hurriedly led them in. After all, some of the subtleties of the arrangement were not easily remembered by him.

In the hall, seats were divided by status.

Maids naturally served fragrant tea.

When Bai Yuxia spoke again, Jiang Wang was startled.

"You wish to become my retainer?"

This was not like selecting housekeeper Xie Ping, based on personality; nor was it like appointing Fang Yuanyou, leader of the mansion guards, straightforward from the army ranks. It wasn’t even akin to appointing Xue Rushi, leader of the Old Mountain Iron Cavalry.

Who was Bai Yuxia?

The rightful heir of the renowned Yue Country’s Langya Bai’s Family, possessing genuine noble blood.

Though his father had died, the Bai Family stood strong, and within the entire realm, Langya Bai’s Family possessed considerable prestige.

He himself was a legitimate contestant of the Yellow River Gathering, genuinely a genius of the nation!

In terms of status, position, talent, and intelligence, he far exceeded those mentioned before.

Jiang Wang indeed had once held the title of Zhongxuan Sheng’s retainer, which later became an acclaimed story. But honestly, his humble origins could not be more ordinary—becoming a retainer was hardly off-putting.

Bai Yuxia, however, was entirely different.

For someone of Bai Yuxia’s background, talent, and intelligence to become a retainer, it could indeed be called "lowering one’s stature" regardless of who he served!

Previously, Lin Xian had said something about being willing to be Jiang Qingyang’s lackey, and Lin Jie had spoken about being the greatest genius. But those individuals were the treasures of their respective countries, and if not for the Qi Country conscripting armies from various Eastern Region countries, how could they truly serve Jiang Wang as aides?

The relationship between retainer and master is one of subordination.

Not everyone was like Zhongxuan Sheng, treating Jiang Wang as an equal from the outset; nor was everyone like Jiang Wang, capable of growing so quickly.

How many friendships in this world could compare to that of Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang?

"It’s inappropriate, inappropriate." Jiang Wang waved his hand repeatedly: "Brother Bai is a naturally noble son, how could he be beneath Jiang Someone?"

He thought that since Bai Yuxia had decided to leave Yue Country and abandon the accumulation of a generational family, Bai Yuxia undoubtedly had reasons that were difficult to express, so he refrained from asking deeply.

Hence, he sincerely said, "If Brother Bai is willing to join the Qi Country, I can introduce you. With your character and talent, though not immediately securing a key position, there’d definitely be a respectable role whether in the military, Patrol Inspection Bureau, or locally."

Bai Yuxia said, "Yuxia is aware, this visit is merely leveraging Brother Xiang’s goodwill. Yet Marquis Wu’an’s sincerity toward people, Yuxia has truly felt deeply."

He earnestly looked at Jiang Wang, "However, although I have left Langya and decided not to return, the Bai Family remains there. Should I directly join Qi Country, it’d be difficult to trust me, and prospects would be limited. Those relatives still in Langya would face challenging conditions, worrying my heart.

I’ve been nurtured from a young age with silver spoons and bowls, unaware of worldly matters, struggling with mundane affairs.

But I know only this: cherish the virtuous and distance from the malevolent, treat sincerity with sincerity."

While speaking, he rose from his seat and bowed again: "The Marquis’s virtue and talent, is the most outstanding Yuxia has ever witnessed; one might call it virtuous! Please permit Yuxia to serve under the Marquis, to receive the Marquis’s teachings, and learn some demeanor, hoping someday to be like the Marquis, to conquer fate’s bandits. Hereafter, I shall suffer no complaints, willingly traversing sword mountain and fire sea!"

Bai Yuxia’s words were utterly sincere.

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but be moved.

"I surely cannot deserve the word ’virtuous’!" He stepped forward to support Bai Yuxia: "If Brother Bai appreciates us, we shall continue as friends, exchanging insights, on the long Tao path advancing hand in hand. We need not establish any formal master-servant relationship."

"Receiving rewards without merit is something I cannot accept." Bai Yuxia earnestly declared: "Bai Yuxia is born of the heavens and earth, how can I arbitrarily receive protection and shamelessly take shelter? If the Marquis is unwilling to instruct, Yuxia is willing to depart immediately."

This time Jiang Wang couldn’t hesitate any longer.

Grasping Bai Yuxia’s hand sincerely, he said: "Brother Bai coming to assist, makes Jiang Someone as a tiger with wings, eager to soar high. Hereafter the skies are vast and seas expansive, daring to bind the azure dragon!"

Xiang Qian had been dozing the entire time on the side, upon hearing their voices grow increasingly emphatic, he suddenly came to realization: "Is the food served?"

"Yes, the food is served." Jiang Wang and Xiang Qian exchanged a smile, saying, "It’s time to go to the dining hall!"