Chapter 707: Combining Kindness and Severity_1
Su Chengyu once again found himself in the courtyard where He Lian Xuan resided. As soon as Su Chengyu walked in, He Lian Xuan, who had brewed another pot of tea, gestured for him to sit.
"Your victory was quite unexpected, even for me. It seems my previous estimation of your abilities was slightly off," He Lian Xuan said, taking a sip from his tea cup.
"A cultivator should always strive to rise to the occasion. The opportunity to compete against a worthy opponent like Lee Longqing truly fueled my fighting spirit," Su Chengyu responded modestly.
He Lian Xuan nodded in approval at Su Chengyu’s humility. "Indeed. Remain humble in victory and do not be disheartened in defeat. However, you should take into account that your defeat has struck a significant blow to Lee Longqing. If he cannot overcome the shadow of this defeat, it could have long-lasting implications on his cultivation. You must understand that Lee Longqing is the highly-regarded heir to the Lee family. If he falls short due to your actions, they will undoubtedly hold you responsible."
"And why should I be concerned? His inability to accept defeat is a reflection of his own flawed mental state. Much like a flower raised in a greenhouse, a person who cannot accept failure and setbacks will crumble at the slightest adversity. Regardless of how beautiful the flower appears, it is merely an illusion."
"If Lee Longqing cannot emerge from this small setback, then he is ultimately doomed to fail. The Lee family should be thanking me," Su Chengyu stated.
Upon setting his tea cup down, He Lian Xuan smiled faintly and said, "While your words hold some truth, the Lee family certainly wouldn’t see it that way. As the foremost aristocratic family in the East with a Martial Saint at their helm, even I might struggle to protect you against them. You already have numerous enemies, including the formidable Black Dragon Commerce Association. If you also offend the Lee family, you would find it extremely difficult to maintain a foothold in the East."
After taking a sip of his tea, Su Chengyu responded, "I appreciate your advice, Grand Minister. However, what has happened has happened. Are you suggesting I should apologize to Lee Longqing?"
He Lian Xuan laughed heartily, "And even if I asked you to do so, you wouldn’t, would you?"