When Wei Qing and Wan Wei appeared, many commanders of the Nine-Hua Alliance stepped forward to greet them. Although they weren't particularly familiar with Wei Qing and the others—at most nodding acquaintances—they all belonged to the Nine-Hua Alliance, so exchanging greetings was only natural.
Wan Wei and Wei Qing politely nodded in return. Even when facing noble scions of the Alliance like Tianxiang Yue and Wen Yansheng, the three merely nodded. The Alliance commanders didn't find this inappropriate; in their impression, both Wan Wei and Wei Qing had always kept to themselves, rarely active within the Alliance.
Although Tianxiang Yue and Wen Yansheng felt displeased and thought it somewhat hurt their pride, neither showed it. The rumors of Wan Wei and Wei Qing having slain a reincarnated individual had circulated for a long time, making people wary.
"Miss Piaopiao, Hall Master Wan, Special Envoy Wei."
At this moment, Luo Wenzhenghao stepped forward, a proud smile on his face, and proactively invited, "Since you've arrived, why not join us?"
"No need."
Wan Wei looked at him and shook his head in refusal.
"Oh?"
A flash of anger crossed Luo Wenzhenghao's eyes, and the smile at the corner of his mouth turned arrogant. "Are the three of you rejecting my, Luo Wenzhenghao's, face?"
The Nine-Hua Alliance was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with many individuals of mysterious identities and bizarre strength concealed within. Figures like Wan Wei and Wei Qing were just among them. Many feared the rumors of them having slain a reincarnated individual. To be honest, Luo Wenzhenghao also feared them.
But it was only fear. Setting aside whether the news was true or false.
Even if it were true, given his family background and connections, he wasn't the least bit afraid.
Earlier, he had dared to arrogantly declare he would annihilate the Ice Profound Sect. Today, he dared to openly provoke Jingtao Gongzi of the Red Gang's Fire Cloud Branch. This was enough to show how powerful his background was. Now, having proactively extended an invitation to Wan Wei and Wei Qing only to be refused made Luo Wenzhenghao extremely unhappy.
Regarding this.
Wan Wei paid no heed, and neither did Liu Piaopiao. They both seemed preoccupied with heavy thoughts.
The two walked into the venue but suddenly sensed something amiss. For some inexplicable reason, Wei Qing had inexplicably stopped in his tracks, his expression grave as he stared in a certain direction. Puzzled, the two followed Wei Qing's gaze. When they saw the white-robed man sitting on a chair in the distance with his legs crossed, Wan Wei and Liu Piaopiao's expressions changed drastically.
"I'm speaking to the three of you."
Seeing Wan Wei and Wei Qing ignore him, Luo Wenzhenghao's face gradually darkened. Especially when he noticed Wan Wei and the others were actually looking in Jingtao's direction, it made him even more displeased. Just as he was about to teach the three a lesson, Wan Wei and the other two actually walked together toward Jingtao Gongzi's side. Then, they did something that left everyone present dumbfounded.
The three of them uniformly bowed their heads and cupped their hands in salute, saying, "We pay our respects to the Young Lord."
This scene truly shocked everyone present.
Liu Piaopiao, Wan Wei, Wei Qing.
One was a songstress renowned throughout the Four Great Regions, another was the Grand Hall Master overseeing the Nine-Hua Alliance's Kaishan Hall, and the last was the mysterious Special Envoy rumored to have slain a reincarnated individual.
Earlier, when so many Alliance commanders had proactively greeted them, the three had only given plain, indifferent nods in return—even when facing Wen Yansheng and Tianxiang Yue. Even when the arrogant and domineering Luo Wenzhenghao, with his exceptionally powerful family background, had extended an invitation, the three had ignored him.
Now, they were actually proactively saluting Jingtao Gongzi.
That's right.
This was indeed a salute, and moreover, it was a salute of utmost respect.
Bowing the head represented reverence; cupping the hands represented honor.
Usually, such grand etiquette was only performed when meeting someone one revered and honored.
But what qualified Jingtao Gongzi for this?
Although Jingtao Gongzi was one of the Nine Young Masters of the Red Gang's Fire Cloud Branch, with a rather extraordinary identity and background, when all was said and done, he was merely a somewhat famous young talent of the Fire Cloud Branch. Never mind just being one of the Nine Young Masters; even if he were the Branch Master of the Fire Cloud Branch, given the status of Wei Qing and Wan Wei, there was no need for them to perform such a grand salute of respect.
Why!
This was the answer everyone wanted to know.
No one knew the reason. Everyone was unable to comprehend it, including Jingtao Gongzi himself, who wore a look of astonishment. Because he clearly knew he had never had any interaction with Wei Qing and the others. He didn't know why the three were performing such a grand salute to him. Could it be because of the Red Gang's influence?
Unclear. Unknown.
Jingtao Gongzi sat upright, pretending to be composed.
In contrast, Bai Yunfei beside him seemed quite excited. He had always regarded Jingtao as his idol.
Earlier, when Luo Wenzhenghao and the others had proactively greeted them, Wei Qing and the three had ignored them. Now, Wei Qing and the three were proactively saluting his idol, and with such a grand salute of respect at that. This made Bai Yunfei, sitting beside Jingtao, feel very proud.
Seeing Jingtao remain silent, Bai Yunfei, as if wanting to show off a bit, urged, "Brother Jingtao, they're saluting you. What are you still standing there for?"
After saying this, he straightened his posture and deliberately glanced at Luo Wenzhenghao, Wen Yansheng, and Tianxiang Yue. His haughty manner seemed as if he wanted to tell everyone present that Jingtao Gongzi was his big brother.
Urged by Bai Yunfei like this, although Jingtao Gongzi didn't understand why, he didn't dare to be negligent. Having just been publicly provoked by Luo Wenzhenghao, he had lost a bit of face. This was a perfect opportunity to regain it. Without thinking much, he said humbly, "The three of you are too courteous. Performing such a grand salute upon our first meeting—I truly do not deserve it."
Performing such a grand salute upon their first meeting?
This...
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Especially Luo Wenzhenghao, Wen Yansheng, and Tianxiang Yue, whose faces grew increasingly ugly.
But what made everyone even more puzzled was that after Jingtao Gongzi finished speaking, whether it was Wan Wei, Wei Qing, or Liu Piaopiao, the three still kept their heads bowed and hands cupped, as if they hadn't heard a thing.
Seeing this, Jingtao Gongzi quickly stood up, intending to help the three up. But just as he walked over, Liu Piaopiao, without even lifting her head, uttered two words: "Step aside!"
These two short words made the already dumbfounded, shocked, and astonished crowd even more bewildered and even more unable to comprehend.
Everyone could hear that when Liu Piaopiao said "Step aside," her tone was very impatient and particularly sharp.
Weren't the three performing a salute of utmost respect?
When Jingtao Gongzi walked over, why were they so discourteous to him? Where was the slightest bit of reverence? Where was the slightest bit of honor?
There was none!
None at all!
There was only impatience.
How could this be?
Jingtao Gongzi stood there frozen. The previous arrogance on his handsome face vanished, and the delight in his expression disappeared as well, replaced by embarrassment and awkwardness. His entire face turned green, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.