Chapter 124: Converting Enemies Into Friends
As the Mystical Qilin mountain range grew closer, Anji requested to ride the horse with her second brother instead of Gu Ying. The female bodyguard understood and did not feel bad about it. Instead, she listened to the idle chatter between academic siblings, debating about topics that not even Bai Dajin could understand. However, they knew this was Anji’s way of spending more time with her brother before she parted ways with her older brother, who was also one of her first teachers.
"Also, bullying is a common phenomenon. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, don’t show them any reactions. Your best bet is to analyse them and collect as much information as possible about them."
Collect information? That was different from what Anji thought. When she asked the people around her previously, many of them suggested things like reasoning, compromising and even ignoring. Apart from her mother and older sister, who gave Anji permission to beat up her bullies, the more responsible adults told Anji not to confront her bullies out of fear that Anji would bring herself unwarranted hardships in the name of justice.
However, her brother had a different idea. Mingshen suggested befriending them.
"Have you heard of a saying to keep your friends close and your enemies closer? They might not be great friends, but they could be useful pawns. Besides, all wars are won because of intel. So don’t give them the upper hand. The fewer reactions you give them, the more wary they are of you. However, to simulate their thoughts, you can observe them all you like through their words, actions and emotions."
The art of mind reading was half a skill and half a lie. If there was one thing Mingshen learned from Zhang Mou, it was his charisma. Although Mingshen had changed a lot externally in his behaviour, there was still a huge difference between his skill and Zhang Mou’s. The Azure Dragon Sect’s oldest son was like an oak tree, unshakeable and always serene no matter what happens on the outside. He radiates a calm that not many cultivators and scholars can achieve, almost similar to the zen vibes of monks who have meditated their whole lives.
Mingshen was like the eye of a storm. While he might appear calm initially, chaos always ensues in whatever he does. Hong Nian Niang loved his inner imp and how he worked like the sly pickpockets in the slums. They got along because of their crooked personalities while exuding different external mannerisms. Hong Nian Niang preferred to charm others with her classy words but filthy fashion and words, tempting their lust and greed. However, Mingshen worked differently. He preferred to win people’s trust and destroy them using their insecurities after he had a grip on their minds and hearts. Hope and fear worked hand in hand for the terrifying spy, and now he was teaching his sister the trade in his work.
Anji always knew that her siblings were amazing people. She had always known her older sister and third brother took after their father’s straightforward personality more. They spoke exactly what was on their minds and often offended people with the truth. However, her second brother and Anji took after their mother more. Zhao Wanting was great at managing the sect because she understood how to win the hearts of people who worked under her. It was Zhao Wanting who taught Anji how silence was an answer option and why lies are sometimes not evil. The world was not as black and white as her father and siblings believed. Hence, Anji could understand what Mingshen was telling her. Yet, part of Anji disagreed with the methods involved.