Chapter 24: Chap 24

“Our best wish to you, young master Chen.”

“Best wish to you, young master Chen.” We too joined the adults in their celebration.

 

Then the banquet across twenty seven tables on the highest floor of Hong (heavy/great/deep) Fu (wealth) restaurant begins. Soon only the talking within the table or the one right next to us are cohesive to my ears.

 

For an upstart, the Chen really went out of their way. This banquet is just a birthday party in name. What master Chen wants are two things.

 

The first is to cement their position in the Eight Clans which my He clan used to be part of just three years ago. For that reason, they book a restaurant as luxurious as the one my clan did just last year, prepare seven more tables, and fill them with sons and important people of prestige backgrounds. A declaration that my fallen-from-grace clan is but a relic of the past.

 

Secondly, he wants to show off his second and most talented son’s latest breakthrough into the second level of Qi forming stage. For his age, that is merely above average. The representatives and young masters are here for either networking, courtesy, free enjoyment, or a combination of those. Though I am only after the first reason.

 

Right next to the central table, that one is the seat of the young masters from the current Eight Clans. There sits a young man that young master Chen, the supposed center of this party, is attending to. Regardless how enthusiastic young master Chen or the other young masters were, he stayed cold to their attempts. 

 

That person is the strongest cultivator in this place, not counting the adults. To have been graced by the arrival of the greatest genius of Dong clan in recent history, the Chen is clearly honoured. The young man is a genius, but people can argue that his parents are geniuses themselves too for giving their son that name, Dong Ya Qi (his given name means elegance, and is usually saved for the daughter). It truly captures the essence of his talents, gestures, and, last but not least, appearance.

 

I was hoping to meet someone from the Dong clan, not the celebrity of the cultivation world himself. With those bootlickers around, I will have to be patient.

 

The night is no longer young, and the banquet is coming to an end. I and the servants approach young master Dong. There are four guards and one attendant with him.

 

I ponder if it would work. Although young lady Dong’s cultivation isn’t high, her potential is a different beast in comparison to the typical talents. Geniuses may not see eye to eye. They can get into a treacherous antagonistic streak just like the two that caused the decline of my clan. Anyway, I can only hope his name also applies to his character.

 

“Young master Dong.” I greeted him politely.  “I am He Wu (rain), the third son of the He family.”

He gives me an uninterested gaze. It’s late, so he must be wanting to rest. I must look like a pestering insect like those young masters earlier. Let me cut to the chase.

“Not to waste the young master’s time, He Wu wants to express his gratitude for Dong clan’s assistance.”

His eyebrows reacted. That’s a good sign.

“Young master He. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to relay your gratitude to the person themselves?”

“You are absolutely right. However, He Wu knows it’s difficult to get in touch with such a person. I can only rely on the young master to convey my feeling to your peer. May the young master forgive He Wu for troubling you with this matter.”

“My peer?”

His eyes are testing the truth in my words.

“Is it Dong Ba (Hegemon) or Dong Yue (high mountain)?”

“The one who saved He Wu is not a man.”

“Oh?”

 

This reaction. Does that mean Dong Ya Qi knows no lady who could rival him? Weird. For someone at the calibre of young lady Dong, she should be well known by the entire clan even if she isn’t from the main family.

 

“The lady goes by the name Dong Yun An.”

“Yun An!?”

 

He seems to know this name. What is he so shocked for?

 

“Go and find a place.” He ordered two of the escorts who immediately departed to fulfil his mission. The young master returns to me. “Young master He. It is no longer early, but may Ya Qi request you to accompany me for a while longer?”

“He Wu sees no reason to reject.”

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…

After a small exchange in a late inn, we bid each other farewell. Before going to rest, I ordered two of my servants to observe young master Dong’s group. They have just returned.

“Young master. Young master Dong had left the city in the early morning.”

“I saw his attendant went looking for the Chen, probably to excuse them.”

“Oops! Wouldn’t this mean the young master has cut short the time young master Dong would spend with the Chen?” One of my servants said jokingly.

 

Everyone of them then grin ear to ear.

 

“Then I should excuse myself too. Being the cause of this, I can’t keep attending it with a clean conscience, can’t I?” Most of those are sarcasm, but I truly don’t want to play ball with those suckers any longer.

 

Last night was enough to confirm the attitude of the other clans. They didn’t like the Chen any better than my clan. Hence, only the third-rate of their house was sent to the banquet per the minimum of courtesy. I don’t know why Dong Ya Qi is here, but I will leave that for later. He clearly didn’t enjoy himself very much. I also don’t want to associate with those chums any more than necessary. Now that the only person worth my time has gone, there is no need to keep up the facade.

 

“It can’t be helped. Cheng (assist) An (peace). You stay in the place of the young lord. Give whatever excuse you can think of. The Chen is unlikely to say no. If they do, just go back to the clan. I doubt the master would be strict about this.” He sounded like he was having a lot of fun. “Well. Young lord.” His gaze turns toward me. “That’s one hell of a gift you prepared for us. Could this young lady Dong be someone you know? Someone you met that day in the forest?” 

 

I retaliate with a tough face. First, I didn’t do this for you guys. Second, you have no business poking into my matter. And lastly, I have no obligation to reply to your interrogation.

 

His eyes are smiling just like that time in the forest. He probably guessed some of those mental remarks I gave. “Young lord. I know you don’t consider us as your allies but one day you will become the new lord. Until then, I hope to prove my loyalty to you.”

 

“You say as if I will become the heir.”

 

“True. your second brother is more promising than you. However, we servants are loyal to the clan. As long as you become the lord. We will serve you, whoever you are. I just hope you will be as friendly to us as your second brother is.”

 

As the tension dies down, a different servant asks. “Then. Young master. What do we do? Should I tail after the Dong clan?”

“And how do you intend to avoid the eyes of their hidden guards?”

 

The Dong clan ranks at number seven, but they are one with a long history. They aren’t doing thing half-ass. This is especially true when it concerns Dong Ya Qi. His talents have already splitted their clan into the heir faction and the Ya Qi faction. They wouldn’t let Dong Ya Qi go outside with only a handful of escorts.

 

“He he. I can always try… for the young master.”

“Drop your joke.”

 

If following Dong Ya Qi would leave me to the young lady, I would tag along myself, no thanks to you. The thing is I doubt Dong Ya Qi knows where she is. He probably returned to investigate my claim.

 

“I don’t need any of you. However, if you want to prove useful to me, then there is a way.”

 

Their eyes sparkle.

 

“Anyway, get ready to travel.”

 

From the time I spent with him last night, I can confirm Dong Ya Qi has no ill will towards the young lady. Currently, he is the best lead to the young lady. I will have to show the Dong sincerity if I want to get closer to her.

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