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85.71% Learning To Live As A Cultivator / Chapter 276: Chapter Seventy Six - They sound ambiguous

Chapter 276: Chapter Seventy Six - They sound ambiguous

The scenery offered aboard the griffin while it was in flight, was marred by specks of white descending both unhurriedly and hurriedly to the ground as the wind dictated.  But it was nothing that Leon and the others had not seen before and the small alchemist couldn't help but yawn before dozing against the warm pillar of Jin Li.  However the flight was not long, Jin Li woke him the moment he reached to carry him off the beast after landing.

"P-put m-m-me down!" Leon pleaded, the tinge of red upon his face not just due to the cold.  "It's em-embarrassing."

Jin Li raised a brow, appearing a little unwilling.  He couldn't use the excuse of slipping upon ice again, though, as the nests here were on top of the tall towers that made up part of the martial arts outer school structure.  So he could only put him down.  He did not release his hold upon Leon's arm, this was his final compromise. 

They moved beneath the shelter of the roof top a few moments later, two young men and two young women following in the former's wake.  To enter the inner school, they needed to pass through portals that would transport them directly.  They proceeded unheeded.

The twenty teams lead by students of the school were gathering in wait in the lower stands of the arena, while observers had to take higher positions, guests gathered in an allocated space in the north of the arena and students had to squeeze in the other three quadrants.  Students from Merylin's school and the inner scholars schools would mostly witness this from the spelled mirrors set up for them.  Students from outer schools would have to accept the same arrangement if they wished to observe.  There were also spelled mirrors here, two in fact, one which would reveal the proceedings in the inner Beast Taming school and the other doing the same for the inner Mage school.  It could be said that the Teachers took this competition quite seriously considering the arrangements from beginning to end.

As Leon and Jin Li, with Maimai and Merylin, had arrived quite early, there were only a few teams beginning to form in the arena. Pike and Bowyer were there, bickering over nothing for the sake of amusing themselves. Troy stood with Pike, but Bowyer was currently alone. Troy noticed Leon and the others first and waved him over.

Feeling he should not keep them waiting, Leon attempted to hurry, but his condition held him back and it was obvious upon his face. Pike gave Jin Li a knowing leer and patted the other heavily on the back when they reached him.

"Really, you ought to hold back some, Jin Li," Pike advised him, cheerfully. "You'll break him if you continue having him 'serve' you like that!"

His words were ambiguous to the ears of those who did not know of the relationship between the two men, let alone Leon who's colour bloomed red and Maimai who began to giggle and reach for her handkerchief. Merylin felt as if understanding was within reach but just eluded her grasp, but an uncomfortable feeling was settling into her stomach and she became unhappy. She couldn't help but chide Pike for his words; "Senior, suggesting Jin Li and senior Leon have matters of status, wouldn't that damage their reputations should rumours based on these words spread?" After all, the Institute did not allow young Masters to bully and use servants within its boundaries. Such could lead to suspension or expulsion.

Bowyer exchanges glances with Pike, before turning on his heel sharply, his shoulders shaking with mirth. Pike swallowed his own laughter, his eyes tearing up with the pained effort. He cleared his throat before responding; "Miss misunderstood. My words were only in jest."

"It is not to me Senior should direct those words," Merylin continued, satisfied that she had made her point. She glanced through shuttered lashes at Jin Li, hoping he would notice her successful attempt to retain his honour, but was dismayed that he was not paying attention to her. He was currently allowing the alchemist to lean on him after they had removed their thick coats, she couldn't help but frown.

Bowyer managed to regain control of himself and sidled over to where Maimai was dabbing her nose. "Your sister... she still doesn't know?" He murmured beneath his breath, close to her ear.

"My sister chooses to remain blissfully innocent of such things," Maimai shook her head, her wayward curls spilling about her shoulders as she did so. "I've attempted to enlighten her a few times, however one does not see what one does not wish to see, one does not hear what one doesn't wish to hear."

Bowyer nodded, sagely, but at the same time he wanted to shake his head and turn to Jin Li to question him. Just how are you going to handle this? But Jin Li, whose arm had slyly reached around Leon's back rub soothingly the shallow of it, was oblivious to the fact that he need deal with anything at this point.

"What is everyone talking about?"

Heads turned as a pretty brunette came rushing forward, followed by other familiar faces; Sun and the General. Bowyer, Pike and Troy had yet to be introduced, however. Sun hastily made them. "Grandfather, Carmen, these are my seniors, Bowyer, Pike and Troy. Seniors, this is my Grandfather, General Ramas and my eleventh sister, Carmen."

"It's an honour, sir General," the three young men cupped their hands and bowed in formal greeting. Compared to certain outstanding persons within the cultivation world, General Ramas' fame was quite modest, but in the mortal world, he really wasn't unknown. They were quite surprised that their cute, bubbly junior was his grandson, Sun never once flaunted this fact. His appearance in their eyes elevated a level.

"My fortunes are nothing in particular," the General waved away their compliment, lightly, though he was quite pleased inside. "I'll be looking forward to seeing you boys outshine me in the future."

"We wouldn't dare!"

The General chortled and his eyes scanned over them all, finally settling on Leon, who couldn't hide the escaping yawn nor his flush complexion. "Are you unwell, young Leon?" He asked him, concern in his black eyes. "Even if you have the blessings of youth, you shouldn't do things to excess."

Leon gave the General an apologetic smile, "I'm q-quite well, sir, thank you f-for your c-concern."

"If you are sure..."

"Grandfather, didn't he just say so?" Carmen said, testily. The idea that a servant would become her adopted brother never sat well with her, thus her Grandfather's concern for him was irritating. She didn't understand it. She felt her grandfather had been strange ever since he'd broken through to quaternary stage and formed his core. It should be mentioned that Carmen's dislike for cultivation, coupled with her poor potential for it, had caused her learning of Cultivation matters to stutter to a halt, therefore her knowledge of that world was shallow. This was her own fault, for the General had made sure all his sons and grandchildren had access to the knowledge for he knew the importance of it, not only for themselves but for future generations. Carmen just lacked interest; she couldn't step into that world, why should she bother to learn about it.

She never once saw this as an issue, even when she found her heart beat for a man of that world. She was stubborn enough and imaginative enough to believe that his 'love' for her would have him step off of the path of Cultivation and enter her mortal world, then they would marry, have children and grow old together. This ignorance was her greatest failing.

Sun sneered at his cousin, embarrassed by her behaviour, so turned to ignore it and tease Leon instead. "Did Jin Li pester you all night long?" Sun's words were actually pure and innocent, not ambiguous like they sounded. He was thinking over the numerous complaints Jin Li had had over the past tenday or so; the tea was too weak, too bitter, the food unseasoned, cold, unpalatable. The baths were too noisy, the Food Hall too crowded... the list went on.

"Sun gongzi, your words could easily be ill construed," Merylin reprimanded him, somewhat less gently than she had previously with Pike. He was related to that girl after all! "Think of Jin Li... and senior's reputations!"

Bowyer and Pike's faces once more became strained, mirth heavy in their eyes. Troy wanted to know what was going on, Bowyer enlightened him in whispers as Sun's expression became puzzled. "What did I say?" He scratched his head, confused.

Merylin blinked, not expecting Sun's question nor the clear eyes that proved he wasn't wronging her. She glanced to Maimai seeking assistance, but Maimai chose to ignore her this time. She could only steel herself and explain; "If such words were heard by others, would they not make wrongful conclusions about the relationship between Jin Li and senior Leon?"

"Wrongful conclusions?"

Carmen's eyes sparkled with wit and she offered a taunt that would later come back to bite her solidly; "Perhaps sister Merylin is concerned others would think Jin Li took his servant as tong fang!"


Chapter 277: Chapter Seventy Seven - Everyone knows of our relationship

A silence fell over the group.

Tong Fang were a type of servant, girls who had been chosen to 'educate' young Masters in the matters of the bedroom and later warm their beds and service their needs. They were not concubines, who would still generally marry into the house by some means or other, but they could be elevated to a concubine's status should the young Master and his parents agree to it. So they were lower than a concubine and they still had to go about other servant duties. They could also more easily be reassigned to other parts of the house, effectively being 'demoted' from their position.

So despite Tong Fang being told it was an honour to serve their Male masters in that manner, if they displeased their Masters or if their Masters no longer wanted them, they had less hope of a future than an actual concubine, who might at least be able to rely on their children. Servant girls still had hope of elevation beyond their status, however, so would seldom deny the position if offered, despite its dubious nature. Tong Fang were acknowledged by all, but quietly, behind shut doors. They should not be seen or mentioned in public and certainly, young unmarried misses should not openly discuss those matters at all.

The General frowned with disapproval, Leon paled and Maimai became angry, while Sun flushed pink and green, his complexion as myriad as his thoughts. His friends relationship was much deeper and real than a master and tongfang, but husband and wife would share intimacy... how did two men share a bed?

Merylin looked horrified and her hand itched to slap Carmen, but she could not do so in front of the girl's elder so could only curl fingers into a fist at her side. "You... you... this girl never thought of insulting seniors nor fellow students with such low accusations! I merely wished to remind others that the Institute does not recognise Master-servant relationships! I feared Jin Li's reputation would be damaged should others believe he treated Leon as a mere servant within the Institute! Such could have him suspended or expelled!" She turned to the elder, General Ramas and bowed slightly. "Please believe me, sir General, I intended no ill will to your grandson!"

"No need to apologise," the General said, still unhappy with his granddaughter's behaviour. He would have to speak to his wife about getting her a Teacher of etiquette and oversee teachings regarding the cultivation world himself. She was far too spoilt and wild!

He glanced over at the pale youth he'd become interested in and the tall man beside him. It was too easy for others to assume that they were indeed Master and servant, due to Leon's submissive, obedient nature and Jin Li's arrogant elegance. But he had long since been aware that their relationship was not so simple. Even now, Jin Li's arm curled about the smaller man, protectively. And just as he was thinking how he should entice Jin Li to clarify the situation between himself and the alchemist, Jin Li began to speak;

"Leon is neither servant nor tong fang," he seemed to spit the latter word with heavy disdain, clearly his own stance on such a servant woman. His eyes then softened slightly and his lips curled upward a little as he declared; "He is my Dao Companion."

Several loud breaths were drawn in sharply. Jin Li moved much more quickly and decisively than anyone of his friends had imagined! They were torn between congratulating him and calling him an idiot! Dao Companionship was a lifetime matter! And who were Jin Li and Leon but two teenaged youths?!

The General also looked a little worriedly at the young men, happy in one sense that Jin Li was not the sort to mess around his future adopted grandson and unhappy that Leon's fate had been tied to the other at such a young age. They were not like mortals, the years ahead of them were fathomless. And even if Leon became unable to Cultivate beyond core formation, he would no longer be able to retreat and experience a simpler life.

But the rice had been cooked, if he wanted to acknowledge Leon as an adopted grandson, he would have to support this, he could only complain otherwise in his heart.

Only Jin Li's two circling admirers and one Maimai did not hold such torn expressions. Maimai grasped Leon's hands and congratulated him with no other thoughts conflicting her joy. On the other hand, her sister was frozen pale by shock, her hopes shattered into a million pieces and her heart pained. What was this?! She felt humiliated! All this time, all her efforts trying to get him to look her way and she'd not succeeded because of a man!?

"Senior!" She blurted out, unable to maintain her usual posture and demure appearance. "How could you!?" She clasped her hands over her rose lips, realising she'd damaged her image with her outburst, feeling a million eyes staring at her in disappointment. Actually, this last part was in her mind. What had many of her seniors not witnessed in their family's backyards or since being in the Institute and coming face to face with those girls they'd once placed on unreachable pedestals? Plus, other teams were looking over just a bit curious without any idea of what was currently occurring.

Carmen on the other hand was frowning, but not at Jin Li. "What is the big deal?" She said, dismissively. "Men are allowed three wives and four concubines, so Jin Li gongzi has given his servant a status, but marriage is a matter decided by one's parents and grandparents! Have Jin Li's parents approved of this arrangement? And what of Jin Li's grandfather?" She paused, not liking the odd looks that Sun's fellow students were giving her... that her own grandfather was giving her.

"Approved what?" Speak of the devil and he shall appear; Jian Juren had come to see what all of the fuss was about.

"Carmen!" The General warned, but she refused to heed it.

"Jin Li's Grandfather," Carmen turned to him seeking hope and to her relief, there was no disdain in his eyes, just his usual amused and amicable expression. "This girl is confused, is matters of Jin Li's future happiness not a matter settled by his parents and your honoured self?" She said this even while knowing it really was little to do with a maternal grandparent unless the parents themselves wished otherwise.

His eyes flickered upward and saw quickly through the nature of his grandson and the youth beside him. They then filled with a mischievous glint and he pulled off a pained and hurt show. "Aya, this unfilial grandson, whenever has he turned to this old man for such advice and support! Just goes and does things his own way... I matter so little in his heart."

Leon looked confused and glanced up at Jin Li, tugging at his sleeve. "The n-n-new t-teacher is your G-Grandfather?" He whispered.

Jin Li didn't answer him, just clicked his tongue and voiced his dissatisfaction with a word; "Grandfather."

"Alright, alright," the youthful looking elder said, dismissively before muttering; "always so serious." Then he glanced down to smile sympathetically at the General's out of luck granddaughter. "When it comes to marriage matters, it is true that we parents and grandparents seldom allow our descendants to be wilful, yet still willingly often try help them realise their hearts desires where possible.  However that is for children born without the ability to cultivate. Did you know that my daughter was almost four hundred years old before she finally settled down? That is how seriously my bloodline takes such matters of Dao Companionship."

Merylin noticed Carmen's face still filled with confusion and sneered. Although she was as deeply unhappy as the other girl, at least she was not so stupid to dig a pit beneath herself to fall into. She decided to enlighten her, expelling her bitterness while drawing a firm line under this horrible matter. Four hundred years old? She felt that she was more likely to reach four thousand before she could be relieved of the sourness in her heart.

"You, girl, I will express a kindness and teach you something you are clearly not aware of," she held her head high as she spoke in icy tones. "A Dao Companionship is not on the same level as a marriage, in this, you could be said to be correct. But that is because it is much more than a marriage. Within it, there is no room for secondary wives and concubines, there is no room for mistresses or tong fang. And there is also no divorce. One's children must come from one's companion or not at all. Affairs would likely cause heart demons or cultivation to stagnate or even cause deviation. One's fate is tied to one's Dao Companion until death."

Seeing Carmen's face pale due to the immensity of Merylin's words somewhat satisfied the other and she turned to the General and seniors in turn before bidding them farewell and leaving with a straightened spine.

"Grandfather..." Carmen turned to the General with tears glimmering in her eyes as if wronged. The General's expression didn't alter, still dissatisfied with her.

"This old man let you see a joke," he expressed to Jian Juren, who urged him otherwise. The General then called to his servant and told him; "Take the young miss back to our quarters to reflect."

"Grandfather...?" Carmen pleaded but to no avail. She was led away.

The General sighed, before speaking to his grandson, who looked as if he was feeling awkward; "Have fun with your friends... I'll sit in the stands."

"Allow me to accompany you," Jian Juren offered, offering Jin Li a sly expression as he left.

Leon rubbed his temples, his forehead wrinkled due to a frown as he tried to digest everything that had just happened, before he blushed in realisation; Jin Li just openly revealed their relationship to everyone. He couldn't help but grip the other's hand shyly. Jin Li was quite smug, on the other hand. Now everyone knew that his small alchemist, Leon, belonged to him alone.


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