Chapter 361: Persuading Anbolin

"Yu Jiutian ()"

Old An?

The manager froze, only to see Wang Feng already sitting on the sofa in the lobby, crossing his legs.

The same bluff Old Wang had used at another branch of Anhe Hall earlier. Judging by the manager's expression now, it was clear Anbolin was indeed in the office here. Wang Feng lounged and said, "You'd better report this. If Old An comes after you later, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Under the pretense of being personally invited by Anbolin, the manager didn’t dare ignore him. Glaring resentfully at Wang Feng, he hurried upstairs.

Before long, he returned with a complicated expression. What fucking invitation! He’d just gotten a reaming from Anbolin. But what was even more infuriating was that after the scolding, Anbolin had actually told him to call Wang Feng upstairs.

The manager wasn’t stupid. His face darkened—he’d been used as a pawn! That fucking little shit, always full of schemes!

He glared at Wang Feng for a long moment. If looks could kill, Old Wang would’ve died eight hundred times over.

"The boss is waiting for you on the third floor!" he spat through gritted teeth.

In the third-floor office, stacks of documents towered mountain-high.

When Wang Feng entered, Anbolin was intently sketching a blueprint on his desk, seemingly having just had a flash of inspiration. Without looking up, he merely waved slightly at Wang Feng, then refocused entirely on the drawing.

Old Wang understood and didn’t disturb him, stepping in quietly and glancing around.

The spacious office, easily over a hundred square meters, was sparsely furnished. Aside from Anbolin’s massive desk, there was only a simple sofa and coffee table near the entrance. The rest of the room was piled high with documents and manuscripts—about a dozen square meters of space was filled with thick stacks of blueprints, nearly reaching the ceiling. Each pile bore large sticky notes labeling their categories, an astonishing sight.

Old Wang sighed inwardly. No wonder Anbolin, who had devoted his entire life to his work and remained childless, was considered one of the most dedicated when it came to forging and craftsmanship.

*Scratch, scratch, scratch…*

Anbolin was still scribbling away. Bored, Old Wang glanced at the desk and saw a design for a soul artifact component. Though small in size, its internal structure was intricate, with detailed data and formulas listed below. Anbolin drew and paused, constantly calculating. At first, his movements were quick, but toward the end, he seemed stuck, frowning with his pen raised, unable to proceed.

"Ahem." Old Wang cleared his throat lightly. "The algorithm’s too complicated. Soul artifact components don’t necessarily require such precise Morse industrial algorithm..."

Anbolin looked up at him. Old Wang grinned. "Of course, Old An, you’re all about perfection. It’s only right to calculate everything meticulously!"

Anbolin chuckled and set down his pen. This little thing wasn’t worth striving for perfection—he’d just been deliberately keeping Wang Feng waiting.

After the discount incident, this kid should’ve been unwelcome at Anhe Hall. Yet he’d casually dropped Anbolin’s name to get the staff to report to him, and even when his lie was exposed, he remained utterly unruffled, without a hint of shame—even calling him "Old An" to his face. Honestly, Anbolin sometimes had to admire the kid’s sheer audacity.

"Take a seat," Anbolin said, his expression unbothered.

Two or three months ago, he’d have wanted to stuff this brat back into his mother’s womb. Few in Aurora City dared play him like this, let alone some young punk. But now, with time having passed and his temper cooled, Anbolin couldn’t help but laugh at himself. He’d been the one too eager, jumping into the pit willingly. Besides, at his age, what was the point of holding a grudge against some kid? Anger’s bad for the liver.

"You seem to be doing well," Anbolin remarked, eyeing the energetic Old Wang with a smile. "The recent reports in *The Holy Sanctuary's Light* haven’t affected you?"

Old Wang grinned. "Who reads newspapers at my age? Chancellor Hawkland, what did they say about me? Tell me!"

Anbolin laughed. Anyone who believed this kid’s words was an idiot. "Alright, what do you want from me? I’ve got a mountain of work to do. Spit it out—I don’t have time to mess around with you."

"I need a favor, Old An," Wang Feng said cheerfully. "There’s a student at Judgment named Mapeier who wants to transfer to our Rose. It should be a mutual agreement, but it seems Principal Jifantian isn’t on board... So, since you’re a respected elder at Judgment, we were hoping you could put in a good word..."

"Impossible," Anbolin replied without hesitation, smiling faintly. "Mapeier was Judgment’s top performer during the recent Dragon City expedition. She’s practically our poster child now. Do you really think we’d let her go?"

"You can't force these things. Mapeier’s already submitted her application. If Judgment refuses, she’ll drop out anyway. Sure, that’d leave a stain on her record... but she’s made up her mind." Old Wang’s expression turned serious. "Honestly, you won’t be able to stop this. I just don’t want Mapeier branded a traitor, and I’d rather keep things amicable between our two academies. A proper transfer would leave goodwill intact—why let it end in bad blood? Chancellor Hawkland said if Judgment’s willing to release her, any reasonable requests can be discussed."

The situation with Mapeier had progressed far faster than anyone expected.

After hearing Hawkland’s analysis, Wang Feng had originally planned to take it slow. But Mapeier had submitted her transfer application the very day she returned to Judgment. Hawkland had even made a special trip to Judgment for a long talk with Jifantian, but it ended poorly. Jifantian rejected Hawkland’s suggestion to "process the transfer in a month," adamantly refusing to let her go. This was now known to administration at both schools.

Now it's a bit of a stalemate. In fact, Ji Fantian knows he can't stop it—after all, Mapeier's attitude is very firm. But the problem is, if he just agrees like this, War Academy would lose too much face. As the second-in-command of War Academy, Anbolin holds considerable prestige in Aurora City. If he were willing to step in and mediate, giving Ji Fantian an out by letting him set some terms, this matter could easily be resolved. But the issue is...

"Stop right there!" Anbolin couldn't help but laugh. "War Academy and Rose are rivals. We've been competing for so many years—since when have we been 'as close as brothers'?"

"Come on, aren't we all brothers under the Holy Sanctuary?" Wang Feng said matter-of-factly. "Just because brothers fight, does that mean they’re no longer brothers? If your teeth bite your tongue, do you have to cut off the tongue or knock out the teeth? That’s not how it works! Besides, competition among Holy Sanctuaries is normal. Our two great Holy Sanctuaries are both in Aurora City—no matter how much we compete, aren’t we still closer to each other than to other Holy Sanctuaries? Last time, you even came to our Foundry to help teach a class!"

This kid could talk a black horse white with his words. But then again, among the 108 Holy Sanctuaries, competition for rankings and resources is fierce, and internal conflicts are common. Compared to relationships with other Holy Sanctuaries, War Academy and Rose do collaborate in many areas—like when Anbolin helped forge the core of the Zeppelin airship, or when War Academy often invites Rose’s rune masters to solve problems. In some ways, War Academy and Rose are indeed closer than other rival Holy Sanctuaries.

"Alright, I'll give you that," Anbolin couldn’t help but chuckle. "But there’s no reason for War Academy to just let her go for free. How about this—a fair trade: you come to War Academy, and Mapeier goes to Rose. Deal?"

"Me?" Wang Feng laughed. "With everything going on, would War Academy even want me? Haven’t you seen how Holy City has Rose in its crosshairs, with all the accusations pointed at me? Even a powerful family like the Leis got dragged into this. Old An, would you really want me?"

"Never overestimate your own importance," Anbolin said with a faint smile. "In this matter, you’re not as crucial as you think."

"Most people targeting you don’t actually have a personal grudge—they just want to attack Rose, Karida, or the Lei family. You just happened to be the easiest target. Once you leave Rose, you’d instantly become far less significant to Karida’s enemies," Anbolin said calmly. "Transfer to War Academy, and you’d be out of the firing line. Sure, some who’ve already set their sights on you won’t easily let go, and War Academy’s influence isn’t stronger than the Lei family’s. But protecting someone who’s no longer at the center of the conflict? That's well within our power. I’ll say it plainly: come to War Academy, and I’ll guarantee your safety."

Wang Feng had to laugh. He’d come here to persuade Anbolin, but now the old man was trying to persuade *him* instead.

To be honest, this wasn’t his first time dealing with Anbolin. The man had vision and magnanimity—otherwise, after everything that had happened, he wouldn’t even be talking to Wang Feng. Wang Feng still held some respect for him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have saved Andy in the illusion.

"That's not like you, Old An," Wang Feng grinned. "If it weren’t for Karida, I wouldn’t stay at Rose either. And do you really think I’m afraid of them?"

Anbolin blinked in surprise. Before, Wang Feng had always struck him as a smooth-talking kid. But these words carried a weight he hadn’t expected. It seemed the trip to Dragon City had changed him somewhat—though his tone was still as bold as ever.

"Then I can't help you," Anbolin shrugged, adopting a businesslike tone. "Unless it’s a one-for-one trade, I have no reason to assist you for free."

"Oh there's a reason. Speaking of one-for-one, Old An, you’re a businessman. I’ve already paid upfront—you can’t withhold the goods, can you?"

Anbolin’s eyebrow twitched, and a faint smirk appeared. "Oh? Do tell."

"Does Andy’s life mean nothing to you? If it weren’t for your sake, why would I risk my life meddling in others’ affairs?"

"Ha!" Anbolin finally laughed. The truth was, this was the real reason he hadn’t dismissed Wang Feng outright today.

Back then, when Andy was "saved" by "Hei Wukai," the whole thing had been suspicious. Given Hei Wukai’s personality, if he saw a Holy Sanctuary disciple being chased by a low-ranked War Academy disciple, would he really waste time talking them down? For someone like Hei Wukai, it’d be a single sword strike—maybe even taking the opponent’s token as a bonus. Why bother with chatter?

Andy had doubted it afterward but couldn’t figure out the key detail. It wasn’t until they returned and saw Mangalam’s statement that things clicked. Though the report was meant to vilify Wang Feng, for Anbolin and Andy, it was a revelation. Without a doubt, that "Hei Wukai" had been fake—someone without the strength to fight, relying only on words. And in the vast Dragon City Illusory Realm, there was only one person who could’ve pulled that off: Wang Feng.

"The transfer? That's easy." Anbolin shook his head with a smile, finally dropping the act. "But Wang Feng, don’t let Rose’s surface-level calm fool you. The undercurrents are far more turbulent than you imagine. You’re Andy’s savior and a young man I admire. Since you won’t take refuge in War Academy, do you have a plan? Share it with me—maybe I can offer some advice."

"We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it," Wang Feng said carelessly. "There’s always a way. I might need your help, Uncle An, and since I’ve got thick skin, I won’t hold back!"

From his tone, it was clear the kid already had something in mind. To be honest, even Anbolin had been fooled by him before. If he said he had a plan, he probably did. And just like that, "Old An" had become "Uncle An"—his ability to read situations and climb the social ladder was downright impressive.

"Fine, keep your secrets. But since you called me 'Uncle,' I’ll give you a heads-up," Anbolin said seriously. "Your most immediate threat isn’t from Holy Sanctuary—it’s from Aurora City’s New Lord's appointment."

Wang Feng smiled and nodded, which surprised Anbolin. "You don’t seem shocked?"

"Hah, the timing couldn’t be more obvious—New Lord takes office right after Headmistress Karida leaves." Wang Feng chuckled, then abruptly changed the subject. "Actually, if we stand united, they're just paper tigers. Uncle An, ever thought about becoming the city lord?"

"......"

Anbolin was genuinely stunned this time.

He studied Wang Feng for a long moment before slowly saying, "Wang Feng, you seem a bit... overconfident. A Holy Sanctuary disciple talking to me about the city lord’s seat—don’t you find that ridiculous? Besides, I’m not qualified for it."

"To be honest, let’s not talk about whether I’m overconfident. Let’s talk about you, Old An," Wang Feng grinned. "There's more to you than meets the eye. War Academy’s patron, Anhe Hall’s boss—those are just the surface."

"Oh?" Anbolin smiled faintly. "Do I have another identity?"