The territory where the Windrise Tribe is located is called the Xiguang Territory. The domain lord of the Xiguang Territory is named Zeng Huaifeng, and although the Windrise Tribe is large, it is subordinate to the Xiguang Territory.

According to the rules, Wang Xiaoqiang should have visited Zeng Huaifeng, but before he had a chance to set off, Zeng Huaifeng personally came to the Windrise Palace. The reason was simple: the Vermilion Bird Guardian was at the Windrise Palace.

The protector of the Biluo Heavenly Emperor, though not holding real power, had a transcendent status, much like the eunuchs beside the ancient Huaxia emperor, a very powerful class,

and protectors differ from eunuchs; to be honest, the Four Great Protectors rank higher than the Top Ten Territory Lords. Hence, upon hearing that the Vermilion Bird Guardian personally escorted Wang Xiaoqiang to the Windrise Tribe, Zeng Huaifeng personally came to visit.

"Your Excellency Guardian, Zeng presents his respects... Haha, Little Qiang, I've finally awaited your arrival."

"Domain Lord, I salute you."

As they met, they saluted each other with cupped fists and exchanged pleasantries. In regards to etiquette, following the principle of equality, Wang Xiaoqiang did not kneel and kowtow to Zeng Huaifeng, and although Zeng Huaifeng didn't expect a grand ceremony from Wang Xiaoqiang, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang treat him as an equal left him somewhat displeased,

and Wang Xiaoqiang indeed did not regard Zeng Huaifeng as a superior. Firstly, Zeng Huaifeng's cultivation base was only at the Purple Mansion Immortal Second Ice Realm, a level somewhat weak for a domain lord; the previous King of the Windrise Tribe, King of Harasser, had the same cultivation level,

thus it was apparent why the former King of Harasser was unrestrained, as Zeng Huaifeng's cultivation base was too weak, lacking the strength to completely suppress him.

Moreover, Wang Xiaoqiang did not kneel even to the Biluo Heavenly Emperor, how would he kneel to Zeng Huaifeng?

Since the previous king of the Windrise Tribe, King of Harasser, gave Zeng Huaifeng many headaches, and seeing Wang Xiaoqiang's attitude, Zeng Huaifeng harbored great suspicion towards Wang Xiaoqiang, fearing he might plunder the people's wealth and act wantonly like the previous king.

However, outwardly, he showed Wang Xiaoqiang utmost courtesy and respect, for after all he hadn't heard of any prior misdeeds by Wang Xiaoqiang.

In addition, Zeng Huaifeng prepared a generous gift for the Vermilion Bird Guardian and a meeting gift for Wang Xiaoqiang each comprised of two large chests of secular golden silk and jewels,

though valuable, these items were far below the worth of cultivation resources to cultivators. However, they could be used to purchase cultivation resources, thus being quite precious as long as there is enough of them.

He prepared these actually intending to test Wang Xiaoqiang's character, to discern if Wang Xiaoqiang was a greedy person.

"Your Excellency Guardian, Little Qiang, Zeng has prepared two modest gifts, please, both of you accept them."

"Zeng Huaifeng, you're too courteous, but with such a generous gift, as an old man I dare not accept it..." the Vermilion Bird Guardian said, shaking his head and waving his hand, not daring to publicly accept bribes as a high-ranking protector.

"Ah, just a small gift, it's the sentiment that counts, do please accept it, Your Excellency Guardian." Zeng Huaifeng said, and then turned to Wang Xiaoqiang saying, "Little Qiang, this is our first meeting, this is my meeting gift to you, you mustn't refuse..."

"Thank you, Domain Lord, for the generous gift, if I do not accept it, that would be too disrespectful to the Domain Lord," Wang Xiaoqiang, contrasted with the Vermilion Bird Guardian's manner, directly accepted it without a word of politeness.

Wang Xiaoqiang's attitude left Zeng Huaifeng and the Vermilion Bird Guardian dumbfounded, then they turned their gaze to Wang Xiaoqiang with a peculiar look crossing their faces,

even the Vermilion Bird Guardian dared not accept bribes, yet a newly appointed 'king' dared to accept, moreover accepting a lavish gift from a superior.

Wang Xiaoqiang, knowing they would have such expressions, then said "Only, Domain Lord, I am truly too poor to present you with a return gift, we'll talk about it when I have money in the future..."

"Eh? Little Qiang, such a modest gift, don't be too polite, we all know you're not well-off, no need to force yourself..."

"Thank you, Domain Lord, for your understanding," Wang Xiaoqiang clasped his hands towards Zeng Huaifeng and the Vermilion Bird Guardian, "Do not laugh at me, sirs, I am truly so poor that it jingles, and I am just about to go to the Chang Family to deliver a betrothal gift, quite frankly I am worried about coming up with that money..."

"Eh, I heard that Chang Tianfeng of the Anyang Region has promised his granddaughter Chang Xiuyue to you, that is a good thing," Zeng Huaifeng laughed, "If you really can't manage, I'll send you some more money and silk..."

"That I dare not..." Wang Xiaoqiang waved his hand.

"Ah? Just some worldly wealth, no need to be so concerned..." Zeng Huaifeng said generously.

"Then I shall borrow ten thousand golden silk from the Domain Lord..." Wang Xiaoqiang clasped his hands.

"No problem." Zeng Huaifeng replied with great generosity, waving his hand, then sending someone to fetch the golden silk, not ten thousand, but thirty thousand.

Such an amount was nothing to him, and he did not fear Wang Xiaoqiang would not repay, his purpose was merely to test Wang Xiaoqiang's character, to see if Wang Xiaoqiang was greedy.

The Vermilion Bird Guardian watched in astonishment, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang not only dare to accept Zeng Huaifeng's gift but also borrow money from him.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang, after accepting Zeng Huaifeng's gift, publicly declared his poverty, and then borrowed money from Zeng Huaifeng, which made this a different scenario.

As a tribal king, poverty is not an issue, having no money is not a problem; he could completely gather wealth from within his own tribe, and the Windrise Tribe being so large and wealthy, just a mere pillage would surely gather more than thirty or fifty thousand, wouldn't it?

Moreover, a small plundering of the people's wealth, as long as it's not excessive, wouldn't incite public outrage, nor would it draw attention from higher authorities, yet Wang Xiaoqiang chose to borrow money from a superior, what did this imply?

This clearly indicated his integrity and uprightness; he'd rather borrow than pillage the people's wealth.

As for accepting bribes from a superior, if this spread, others might not even believe it,

why would a superior gift a subordinate?

Could it be that superior had lost their mind?

Or was it that the superior harbored great ambitions, offering favors to win the subordinate's support?

No matter how much others might doubt, they'd never suspect Wang Xiaoqiang, would they!

The Vermilion Bird Guardian silently praised Wang Xiaoqiang's cleverness, whereas inside, Zeng Huaifeng lamented Wang Xiaoqiang's cunningness akin to a fox, also feeling embarrassed, having failed to test Wang Xiaoqiang, fearing suspicion might fall on himself!

Who was Wang Xiaoqiang, on Earth, he was a genuine businessman, having dealt with all kinds of people and situations. Receiving a meeting gift from Zeng Huaifeng, he knew the other party's intention to test him. Truth be told, he was genuinely poor, fretting over the marriage gift, seeing Zeng Huaifeng's meeting gift containing a chest of jewels, perfectly suitable as a marriage gift, he resolved to accept it,

but receiving a gift from a domain lord in the presence of the Vermilion Bird Guardian was inappropriate, likely to arouse suspicion, so with a quick thought, he devised this method, demonstrating poverty, then borrowing money, to demonstrate his integrity and uprightness. (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)

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