บท 106: 2 Days (1)
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"Erlong, please pass me a cup of wine, will you?" Xie Xan sighed gently and elegantly leaned back on the couch. With an uncharacteristic gentle and a rather noble smile, Erlong picked a golden chalice embedded with ruby filled with fiery wine and passed it to Xie Xan.
"Ka-ul, please pass me the bread," Erlong then leaned back as Ja Sun's smile happened to be equally noble and he pushed a small tray of gold with loaves of bread set on it. The edges of the tray held beautiful carvings.
"Brother Xie, please pass me a spoon," Ja Sun then leaned back on the couch. The trio sat on single-seaters around the table in a triangular formation so passing stuff was easy and Xie Xan handed a golden soup spoon to Ja Sun with a nod.
As if already prepared, the trio then glanced at another table set a little distance away from their own. Around the table sat Bibi Dong, Ah Yin, and Hu Lana, with cushions under their knees.
"Ah, I did not know we have poor people accompanying us, Brother Xie. The taste of my soup has soured."
"Surely, Ka-ul, my bread feels stale, too," Erlong nodded.
"Sigh, you two. The rich have generous hearts. Don't kick the poor down further than they already are," Xie Xan smiled gently. Benevolence flickering in his gaze, "But my wine feels less fiery now."
"That's it! Enough!" Hu Lana exploded. Ah Yin and Bibi Dong had a cold expression themselves. Their cruel stares, however, didn't manage to flinch the 'rich' as Ja Sun stated aptly.
"Ah, the poor are always jealous. Such a life... heh, lowlife, I mean."
Xie Xan and Erlong snickered and the remaining trio's expression turned dark.
"I'm warning you. Don't push it."
Bibi Dong stated with chilling intent and Xie Xan finally chuckled before raising his hands, "Sorry, teacher. But gold is too wasteful if we cannot even brag with it. Honestly, we were quite lucky to have found one of the storage tools filled with so many golden antiquities."
Ja Sun shook his head and Liu Erlong giggled. It was true. Last evening's hunt was rather lucrative. At least, Ja Sun now knew that he will absolutely get gold in his reward two days later. Since there were only three of them hunting their pursuers then naturally, the rewards were divided between the three of them only.
Sighing softly, Bibi Dong stood up, "If you all are done, we need to get moving. Like we planned last night, move accordingly and if something happens, wait for our signal."
The four of them nodded and Ja Sun expended a hefty quantity of mental energy to disguise Ah Yin, Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong. Ja Sun and Bibi Dong, meanwhile, moved in a different clothing and masks. The six of them traveled to a restaurant in closer proximity, avoiding the inspection of soldiers alongside. While Bibi Dong and Ja Sun entered the building, the remaining four found their respective positions outside the restaurant. The closer they would be to Ja Sun, the lower the burden of the illusion so even without explicitly stating the weakness of his ability, Ja Sun made the four of them stay as near as possible without raising any suspicion.
The interior of the restaurant happened to be archaic. Sheet panels to separate each table and even the sliding doors were covered by processed sheets instead of wood. There were a few patrons this early in the morning and the most notable attraction of the restaurant happened to be a rather pleasing medicinal scent refreshing every patron that visits the establishment.
As discussed with Tang Xiao yesterday, Bibi Dong led Ja Sun to the third floor of the establishment where only one table was occupied on the entire floor. The two men were none other than Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
"Did you wait too long?" Bibi Dong inquired once the duo stood behind their chairs, right in front of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao. A spread already prepared on the table with delicacies that made Ja Sun gulp. He pitied Ah Yin for choosing the dark side instead of the path of meat but it didn't matter at the moment.
"No—" Tang Xiao began with a smile before Tang Hao snorted, "Are you screwing with us? We've been waiting for 40 minutes now!"
Xiao's lips twitched while Ja Sun chuckled, "Apologies. I take time to get ready."
"Why?" Tang Hao frowned.
"Because I don't like leaving the loving embrace of my mattress."
Ja Sun touched the chair before stopping and pulling Bibi Dong's chair for her. The action itself surprised the trio. Because... well, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao now considered Ja Sun as a truly callous person with a sharp tongue and this was more true for Bibi Dong. But seeing Ja Sun silently waiting, Bibi Dong sat down and had her seat pushed forward a bit by her student.
Then taking his seat, Ja Sun looked at the delicious spread in front of him. Controlling the urge to eat his fill once again, a second breakfast, if you will, he looked at Tang Hao and Tang Xiao silently.
This wasn't his place to initiate the conversation because the two brothers in front of him were already frantic inwardly for their sister's future.
"This looks delicious," Bibi Dong took her mask off and smiled as Tang Hao glanced at Ja Sun.
"Will you keep your face hidden the entire time?" He provoked. For Tang Hao, Ja Sun's identity was special because the man had used his Sect's skill in smithing and still lost to Ja Sun. Only a bit in the quality of the finished product, but also the structure of the following finished product. So, not even knowing how Ja Sun looks began to irk Tang Hao a bit.
"As long as necessary," Ja Sun answered lightly.
"A coward's way out, I see," Tang Hao smiled. But he didn't believe his own words.
"If that's what it takes," Ja Sun chuckled, not minding any insults. In fact, he didn't even consider being called a coward an insult. His level was already too high.
"This restaurant is owned by the subsidiary clan of our Clear Sky Clan: The Attack Clan. They are quite fervent in their pursuit of medicinal attainments and medicinal food is one of their greatest source of income. Please, try some of it," Tang Xiao eased the tension with a smile as Bibi Dong traced the length of the fork with her index and sighed.
"Medicine and poison have a thin line separating them."
Laughing, Tang Xiao smacked his thigh, "I don't think I can poison an expert of the field. Not to mention, if we ever want to fight and defeat you, we will challenge you openly. Even the Attack Clan never uses poison but only their spears. But I think you already know all that. Let's not act coy and eat. We both are famished." Saying this, Tang Xiao began serving himself and Tang Hao continued to gaze at Ja Sun intently.
"If it's food, why not," Ja Sun chuckled, removing his mask. As Tang Xiao said, acting coy in many situations helped nobody. The moment Tang Hao and Tang Xiao gazed at Ja Sun's entire face aside from his strangely colored pair of green-gold pupils, they felt stunned.
Young.
The only word buzzed in their mind.
A wheat-skinned youth with a conspicuous green mark in the middle of his forehead and a chiseled face that gave a feeling of... danger. As if a silent beast staring back and trying to look for anything valuable, 'delicious' to devour. At least, that's what Tang Hao felt. Although Ja Sun could naturally keep his spirit pressure in check, and even make his mental energy cover his rank from those with mental strength weaker than his, Tang Hao instinctively knew that Ja Sun was no longer a simple rank 40+ Spirit Ancestor.
"If you're not going to take that fried chicken, let me," Ja Sun picked the bowl from Tang Xiao's hand and smiled while filling half his plate before looking towards Bibi Dong and gesturing the bowl towards her, "Teacher?"
"No, I will start with the fish," Bibi Dong shook her head with a sigh.
"How old are you?" Tang Xiao inquired.
"Old enough to have children and get married," Ja Sun replied casually and bit into a piece of crispy chicken before sighing in content.
"Are you older than 25?" Tang Hao inquired.
"Why do you ask?" Ja Sun inquired.
"Hmm?" Tang Hao's lips twitched and Ja Sun continued.
"Why is my age so important? Will it change my abilities? Do you have a certain deal in mind that may be affected by my age? If yes, then I will tell you both my age. If no, why should we even deviate from the main topic at hand? But before we continue this discussion. May I ask the two of you something?"
Ja Sun inquired.
"Does it involves the deal—" Before Tang Hao could even use the words Ja Sun just spoke, he cut Tang Hao off and nodded, "It does."
"Speak," Tang Xiao scowled as he gazed at the remaining portion of chicken left.
"Are the two of you, or any of the members in your group out there hunting for the bounty on my head release by Emperor Dai? I just want a yes or no type of answer. And it affects the deal we might discuss so be sure that in the coming days, I don't have to realize the cold truth that you two lied about this."
Even Bibi Dong frowned. For someone who had a casual approach regarding many things in life, Ja Sun was taking this trip to Dragon Rising City rather seriously. Even keeping Erlong and Xie Xan awake at night for a longer period to chase after bounty hunters without adequate rest.
"We're not. Not even Dai Mu is after you for your actions in the palace. However, if there are any bounty hunters from the White Tiger Clan and Hell Civet Clan, then it is of no knowledge to our group," Tang Hao stated openly and Ja Sun glanced at Tang Xiao, making the man nod.
Smilingly, Ja Sun began to eat with a hearty expression, and the table sunk into a strange and tense silence. Neither of the party was willing to breach the main topic first. But in the end, it was Tang Hao who couldn't help but speak up with a mouthful of noodles. Not the most healthy dish to eat in the morning but who in this world actually needed a diet routine?
"You said you can help Yuehua. How? And why?"
Ja Sun looked up, his cheeks filled with dumplings. Instantly chewing it up, his cheeks trembling as he hurriedly gulped everything before drinking cold water, he exhaled deeply and replied, "How much does the Clear Sky Clan know about the Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask?" Tang Xiao inquired.
"Do you know about the current patriarch's second son? Yu Xiaogang?" Ja Sun asked.
Both of their eyelids twitched and the two brothers glanced at each other. Of course, they knew of him. If Liu Erlong can be infamous then there is no doubt that the trash of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can be equally infamous. But because of Yu Xiaogang, Yu Shandian, his elder brother, shone with an even brighter light due to his compassionate nature.
However, after the war, the talk of Yu Xiaogang had been surprisingly sealed off. Aside from a few whispers stating his admission into the Spirit Hall, nothing else was known.
"Yu Xiaogang... if I remember correctly, his martial soul is similar to Little Hua. However, he could cultivate past two spirit rings before being blocked. What of him?" Tang Xiao questioned.
"Without overstepping our bounds," Bibi Dong spoke up with a bit of reluctant expression on her face, "Yu Xiaogang had a meteoric rise in status within the Spirit Hall. His status is now right below me and the elders. And all of this is because of Ka-ul. In fact, Yu Xiaogang owes Ka-ul a great debt and considers Ka-ul his benefactor. Why do you think that is? His... problems, so as to speak, have turned into his greatest blessing."
Tang Hao crossed his arms, "Alright, whatever. If you're offering to help then this means you are confident enough. Xiaogang or not, why is Spirit Hall willing to help the Clear Sky Clan?"
Bibi Dong revealed a confused expression. All of their scripts were written yesterday night. Everything spoken was only for the purpose to keep the Tang Siblings in the city for a little while longer.
"You two are out experiencing the continent's lifestyle without constant attention from your clan and I'm the same. The Spirit Hall is not helping Clear Sky Clan. Ka-ul is helping Tang Yuehua."
Tang Hao may have believed this but Tang Xiao was still suspicious. It is as Bibi Dong said, the two were learning from the continent. Every scam, every injury, every betrayal is only worth a collection of rich experiences. And it is because of his experience, Tang Xiao couldn't believe that the world is really this simple.
"Every delicacy requires a base. Raw materials. Meat, vegetables, and spices. So if Tang Yuehua can really... become a spirit master, what is it that 'Ka-ul and Bibi' wants in return?" Tang Xiao mumbled while leaning back.
"Nothing that you cannot afford. But we're not here to lay terms," Ja Sun smiled, "We're here to see if you are one of the pursuers. We can carry this discussion two days later."
"Why two days?" Tang Hao frowned.
"Fine, three days later?" Ja Sun asked politely. Speechless, Tang Xiao coughed.
"What Hao'er means is why wait? What is stopping you from helping us now?"
"Many things. Many bounty hunters to be precise," Bibi Dong stood up, "Think about what we have discussed till now. Consult your sister. After all, you both are making decisions in her stead. We will meet after three days."
"Three days gives us time to recuperate, teacher is right," Ja Sun stood up.
Their group's goal wasn't only to help Tang Yuehua so they needed to be in their best condition.
While their talk went without a hitch and allowed the group to act as a whole against many bounty hunters once again, drastically decreasing the number of spirit masters from the range of rank 20 to rank 40 who had overestimated their strength by an abysmal gap, there was another presence that had arrived in the city with the potential of ruining it.
---
"W-w-why are you here?" Ground Devil stuttered as he stopped scratching his belly and hurriedly stumbled down on a single knee. He was staying at a lavish inn. Right now, facing the window stood a man with the only notable feature about him being his scarlet hair that reached his shoulders loosely.
He wore a set of red armor without any joint locks but the region covering the elbows, shoulders, and other joints were manufactured as a flexible material. A lot of which, Ja Sun would recognize in an instant because this was none other than the Divine Smith Lou Gao's craftsmanship.
And other than that, Ja Sun and the group would also recall this person's image to be the 'nightmare' that Ja Sun's True Fantasy had brought out from the one who controlled the beasttaken tide near the city that was dispatched by Ja Sun's group.
Without replying to Ground Devil, the man looked towards the sky. A pendant with a spider's carving could be seen around his neck and he finally whispered. His tone raspy.
"You're a lucky one, Bear. Because you're so special... you aren't targeted by him. Do you know that the Angel protects this one... Ka-ul from any and every Titled Douluo?"
Ground Devil paled. His large body began to secrete sweat at a breakneck pace and the man with scarlet hair chuckled, "Don't you worry, Bear. You're no Titled Douluo. Only I... and perhaps the Angel realizes it. Even the little Birdy who told me about Ka-ul's and his other disciple's protection doesn't understand the true workings of a... well, you."
"R-red—" Before Ground Devil could complete, a dangerous pressure suffocated him.
"Boss!" He gasped finally and the pressure disappeared.
"Keep looking for him. The Hint of Evil has a reputation to maintain and you're the only one who even has the chance of hunting their small group down. By the way, how did you attract such a nasty poison? The Titled Douluo you asked help against?"
Ground Devil nodded and recounted the whole story.
"Hmm, rest. Expel as much of it as you can and then look for the children."
The figure whispered and Ground Devil hurriedly retreated. Looking down, the man opened the mouth of the pendant, revealing the image of an infant and a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes as if he was recalling some bad memories.
"What Hint of Evil we are..." he smiled sarcastically. His scarlet pupils lit in extremely demonic light and he seemed to be fading into a mist of scarlet fog.
---
Qian Daoliu saw that gruesome figure disappear into red mist and his brows twitched violently. Unable to hold back, a set of golden wings sprouted from his back and he shot through the sky. The Dragon Rising City, to him, was barely two hours away from Spirit Hall and when Qian Daoliu reached Xunji's study, he unceremoniously pushed it open before starting at Xunji.
"Why is Redstar still alive?" Daoliu asked plainly and Xunji frowned momentarily.
"Father, the way your promise works is that you honor what comes before. You promised me that you'll do anything in your power to facilitate my goals as long as they don't interrupt the development of the Spirit Hall. Redstar is that part of the favor. Leave him, and his operations alone."
Daoliu's lips trembled and he gazed into his son's eyes.
"You underestimate your own creation too much, Xunji. You underestimate too much. There is a proper path to achieve your dreams—"
"Proper path?" Xunji growled and stood up. For the first time, he lost his composure.
"I've stabbed my brother in the back. I've lied to his only child forever. I've given a lifetime to Spirit Hall and your Goddess. The goddess who gave up on me the moment I was born. The goddess who would grant the almighty martial soul to even men but would devour our talents and suppress us. The goddess who holds your life as a hostage and lets you believe that you can be nothing more than a priest!"
Every word stabbed Daoliu's heart as Xunji's presence seemed to grow greater, "Proper path of thousand years? I have given up too much for that. Proper path... Father, you once asked if you have been holding back too much. If you could have been more than you are now.
You know the answer, don't you? Every single one of us knows it!"
"Even Tang Chen did! He did not kill you back then. Even your Goddess does, or the actual Grand Priest would have been grandfather and not you! And even that beast who killed Grandfather let you live because we're all the same. We envy potential. We envy geniuses! And thus, we don't let men with potential die easily."
"I ask you again, father. Leave Redstar alone. He knows what is appropriate. He knows about your promise and will not embarrass your honor. His organization works without my control."
"I can see that," Daoliu whispered before turning around and leaving.
Before walking outside that door, Qian Daoliu stopped and glanced back, "One mistake, son. That's all it takes on this road. Don't underestimate your subordinates. I never taught you to underestimate anyone."
Qian Xunji removed the mask covering the right side of his face and revealed a mangled portion with a thick scar running from the brows to his chin, blinding him in one eye.
"And I learned that from that little kid who summoned the Tiger."
Qian Daoliu smiled sadly before leaving. This day marked where Qian Daoliu completely broke himself from the political operations of the Spirit Hall alongside the other Priests of the Elder's Hall. They would only appear and judge the Supreme Pontiff if his actions placed the Spirit Hall in its entirety in harm's way.
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