Bab 42: Competition
Twiddling her fingers, Ling Fan pondered Zhao Jia's words.
Young Strongest Boss is asking Big Brother Zhao Ding to help my cultivation?
Ling Fan's cherry red cheeks and unusual behavior easily captured Zhao Jia's attention. She peered down with twitching eyes.
Junior has eyes for Cai'er? Give it up little girl. We've already found him a wife. How do you compare to our Mu Huizhong? Also, wasn't her great grandson Superman?
"Er-Old Strongest Boss, you must know Brother Zhao Ding very well. Is he known to be handsome?"
Zhao Jia sighed internally. The little girl sure had it bad. Wasn't it best to end her hopes early?
Clearing her throat, Zhao Jia said, "Little Zhao Ding is considered one of the better looking males in the clan. Of course his wife constantly proclaims him the most handsome."
Ling Fan's heart stiffened harder than a rock. "W-Wife?"
"Mhm, indeed he must have looks. She's considered a peerless beauty," said Zhao Jia. In her mind, she was envisioning Mu Huizhong's pretty eyes and noble temperament.
"Peer-Peerless Beauty?"
"Like Junior Zhao Ding, she's also an unfathomable savant....truly a well matched pair."
Zhao Jia winced. For the first time, she actually viewed Ling Fan as a 6 year old child. Ling Fan's face appeared like her life had drained away. Huge watery globs filled her eyes.
Did she go too far?
Extending a hand, she patted Ling Fan's shoulder awkwardly. "Child you seem upset, do you have something to say."
At this time Zhao Wen returned. Seeing her Grandmother comfort the little girl like a guilty person she shot over a look. What did you do!?
Zhao Jia looked in the other direction and started whistling her favorite tune.
Zhao Wen rolled her eyes and was about to step forward when a servant ran over.
"Matriarch, reporting. Several guests are requesting an audience."
As Zhao Jia and Ling Fan looked over curiously, Zhao Wen asked, "Guests? Did they say who they are or what they want?"
"Matriarch, this one was only sent to inform you. However, it's said they hope to meet Lord Godkiller and present their geniuses to him. They are wondering, if he is accepting disciples."
Zhao Wen's brightened. Now she had a reason to distract Ling Fan. "Grandmother, Junior...accompany me to the main hall while I quickly send our guests away. Junior Zhao Ding did have some suggestions, so afterwards, we'll continue our training session."
Zhao Jia rolled her eyes. She just had to mention Zhao Ding. Sure enough, not a second later Ling Fan's face was buried into her waist sobbing.
Head shooting up, Zhao Jia returned Zhao Wen's previous look.
See what you did? Now what do we do?
Zhao Wen was stumped at how to respond. She only had experience raising sons, not a daughter. Suddenly, the light of inspiration flared in her eyes.
"Child seeing how you're upset, how about I invite Little Lord to keep you company. I'm sure the adorable little one can cheer you up."
Snorting up whatever snot she had in her noise, Ling Fan rapidly somersaulted away from Zhao Jia. Whipping out her swords, she furiously became a tornado of blades.
"Hahahaa, Young Strongest Boss, Junior was just taking a break because something was in her eye."
Zhao Wen smiled brightly, "But of course, why would this seat think otherwise?"
A couple of breaths later, the trio arrived at the Zhao Clan main hall.
"Matriarch Zhao!"
"Senior Zhao Jia!"
Several people called out their greetings.
"Everyone, welcome to our Zhao Clan. Is there something our Zhao Clan can help you with?"
A middle aged scholar in black-gold robes stepped forward cupping his hands.
"Matriarch Zhao, I Chen Qiao recognize you. Word has spread across the city...many are saying Lord Godkiller is accepting disciples. You three come forward."
Three youths stepped up. "Matriarch Zhao, I have brought our Chen Clan's top talents. If Lord Godkiller has time, perhaps he can take a look?"
"You call these talents...How can they compare to my Du Hao?"
"Humph! Our Lei Clan youths are the only ones worthy for Lord Godkiller."
"Matriarch Zhao, unlike the others present, My Huo Clan is well known for talents and many have attended the Imperial Academy. Now our Huo Clan has many connections in top government positions. For Lord Godkiller to accept a Huo youth as a disciple, it's like gaining an untold number of friends."
The room erupted as several others stood out and detailed their cases.
After several breaths, Zhao Wen finally had enough. Calmly, she pulled her sword and the room fell stone still instantly. In fact, every man was subconsciously shifting and beads of cold sweat dripped down their spines endlessly.
She was about to send them away when Ling Fan said, "Seniors you're wasting your time. If you recall, Lord Godkiller's disciples are pigs. What makes you think he'll accept humans as disciples. If you're clans have a guardian beast, then I'm sure he will take a look."
This!
Guardian beast? Who on earth could afford one of those?"
There was a chuckle from the back of the room. "If that's the case, our Fang clan will be happy to bring over our guardian beast," said an elegant beautiful lady.
Several men gasped.
"It's Fang Lijuan!"
"It's the Heavenly Tea Pavilion's Fang Lijuan!"
"Fang Lijuan has returned!"
Zhao Wen nodded, "Junior Fang, it's been a long time. Child, you may not know but your mother and Fang Lijuan were close friends."
Ling Fan jolted and watched speechlessly as Fang Lijuan stepped out. Like a spring dream, her visage enraptured all the men.
Zhao Jia snorted and quietly said, "If she's returned then that old crone bag might have returned as well."
Upon hearing her Grandmother's words, Zhao Wen's cheek twitched. Couldn't she be a bit quieter? However, the conversation didn't end there. Ling Fan whispered, "Old Strongest Boss, who's the old crone bag?"
Zhao Wen's other check started twitching as well.
"Fang Lijuan, are your pockets as deep as our Jin Clan? Humph! We'll present two guardian beasts to Lord Godkiller."
Everyone jolted. How was it possible for three clans in Savant City to have a guardian beast? The resources needed to raise even one beast...??
"Jin Bo, Beast God Empyrean himself gifted us a Three Horned Flaming Bull. How does the Jin Clan guardian beasts compare?"
Three Horned Flaming Bull!!
"Child, you didn't hear it from my mouth, the Fang Clan has an old ancient bag bones of an Ancestor. Everyone knows she only has two teeth left," whispered Zhao Jia from the side.
"Oh my, that is an old crone bag," affirmed Ling Fan.
"You have to be wary of her. That crone bag uses a cane called Demonic Bone Breaker...with it she turns bones to fine powder. Indeed, this old lady can only recognize her as a rival."
"Old Strongest Boss, tell me more. Have you fought her before?"
Zhao Wen shifted about. Couldn't those two see Fang Lijuan was just before them?
Jin Bo said, "We have a Red Feathered Lightening Hawk and a White Winged Tiger is that good enough? I'm sure Lord Godkiller will choose one of them."
"Jin Clan has two flying beasts!"
Zhao Wen rubbed her glabella. How was she going to resolve this?
Suddenly, Zhao Qiang strolled in.
"Why you all visiting our Zhao Clan? If you can't wait to fight, this Zhao will be happy to start dueling right now!"
Zhao Wen rolled her eyes.
"Fang Crone Bag?...we've fought once or twice. Both times were because of my useless husband being unruly at the Heavenly Tea Pavilion," replied Zhao Jia to Ling Fan.
Clapping her dainty little hands, Ling Fan asked, "Who won? Who won?"
"Big Brother, relax. They're not here to duel. Originally, they arrived seeking to present their talents to Lord Godkiller," said Zhao Wen.
Extreme disappointment filled Zhao Qiang's face.
Zhao Wen shook her head. Wasn't he hopeless? She said those words quickly so as to prevent him from challenging every guest to a duel.
Suddenly, Zhao Qiang's eyes gleamed. "Everyone, since tomorrow I will be dueling atop of Dragon Claw Cliff...Why not bring your talents as well? Before the dueling starts, we can have them compete for the right to be Lord Godkiller's disciple. What do you think?"
Everyone threw Zhao Qiang strange looks.
Looking to Zhao Wen, he said, "Er..did Brother say something wrong?"
"Mhm, earlier Junior Ling Fan pointed out that Lord Godkiller's disciples weren't human. Most likely, he would only accept Guardian Beasts as disciples."
"So that's how it is," said Zhao Qiang.
Everyone looked at Zhao Wen. It was quite obvious why she was the Matriarch.
"If that's the case then why are you all still here?" asked Zhao Qiang.
"Brother Zhao, it's been a long time," said Fang Lijuan.
"Li-Lijuan? You've returned?"
Zhao Wen's eyes popped out, those two were familiar with each other!
"Mhm, Sister came looking for you after you failed not to visit her again in Fourth Heaven. Have you been well?"
Jin Bo snorted, "Fang Lijuan, don't change the current discussion. How do you suppose we settle who has the right to be Lord Godkiller's disciple?"
Zhao Qiang shot a confused look at Zhao Wen.
Zhao Jia chuckled and patted Ling Fan's head. "Of course, your Strongest Boss won, however those battles weren't easy."
Ling Fan nodded furiously with stars in her eyes. "Strongest Boss is mighty."
Sighing deeply at having to explain everything, Zhao Wen said, "It appears that both the Jin and Fang clans have guardian beasts. When you arrived, they were...uhm...discussing who's beast was more qualified."
Zhao Qiang chuckled, "Well this is quite easy then. We'll just have them compete prior to my dueling. In fact, Lord Godkiller was already going to attend."
Smirking, he looked at everybody like he was the wolf and they were the prey. Money signs filled his eyes. Who among the crowd would be paying the most?
At this moment, Gray Shadow entered the hall. Greeting Zhao Jia and Zhao Wen, she said, "Matriarch, Master Zhao Ding wonders if you were able to find that thing?"
Ling Fan froze like a popsicle.
Zhao Ding!
Zhao Jia hissed, shooting the foulest of looks to Gray Shadow.
You had to mention his name?
Not noticing Ling Fan, Gray Shadow said, "Also, Master Zhao Ding is stepping out briefly to visit the warehouses. He's going to find a gift for Ling Hua!"
Eh!!!!!!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone