*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

CHAPTER 101: I Command Thee to Manifest

Accompanying her voice as it fell, a light shot out from the ancient seal her hands formed, like a blood ray of light, that sped straight up into the sky, a brilliant fiery flame that rose, lighting up the entire sky!

"SCRAWWW!"

A sound seemingly from the far ancient, a Phoenix's screech reverberated across the sky, its immense oppression forming into a visible air wave that tore out strongly, a violent release of oppressive aura in an enormous wave. Under the shockwave brought about by the sound, the entire ground of the Cloudy Moon City trembled slightly, as if the Earth Dragon stirred, driving fear into the hearts of everyone.

All the people who had been rushing towards the flames and earlier explosion had upon hearing that ear splitting screech of the Phoenix, stopped in their tracks one by one in shock, staring in disbelief at the surging roar of flames, that rose burning in the night sky, enveloping the entire darkness within that brilliant red figure.

That magnificent sight that rocked one right to the core, that stirred up a heart numbing wave of shock, refused to settle for a long while…..

"That, that is a Phoenix! It is the Ancient Sacred Beast, the Fire Phoenix!"

"An Ancient Sacred Beast actually appearing here? Who is it? Who possesses such a Ancient Sacred Beast?"

The people were incredulous and they shouted out in surprise, their minds and eyes completely filled by the brilliantly magnificent Fire Phoenix that filled up the entire night sky.

Some time ago, they had heard that a Sacred Beast had appeared within the Nine Entrapment Woods but they had only seen a fleeting shadow within the sky and not seen its true form. That had drawn cultivators from other countries to come eyeing for the prize, and it was never thought that the Ancient Sacred Beast, the Fire Phoenix would finally still fall into the hands of someone within their Sun Glory Country!

Looking upon the widespread wings flapping majestically as its body burned with raging flames, the sight of the Fire Phoenix made the blood within their hearts surge and boil.

It was actually the Ancient Fire Phoenix's true form! In a ninth grade tiny country like theirs, they had actually had the chance to witness an Ancient Sacred Beast on this day, how could they be expected to not become highly agitated! ?

Among the people rushing towards the spot where the flames raged, Murong Yi Xuan also stared in shock at the fiery figure within the night sky, an Ancient Sacred Beast, the Phoenix that reigned supreme among birds, an incomparably glorious sight, that was just out of this world!

Although his heart was so worked up as it beat wildly, he did not stop for too long, but quickly gathered back his senses and continued to speed towards the where the flames were still raging.

Meanwhile, within the Xu Mansion, on top of the roof, the grey robed old man had under the heavy Ancient oppressive aura, found himself unable to even stand up. Both his legs trembled and he fell limply in helpless collapse, staring in disbelief at the Fire Phoenix with its widespread wings soaring in the sky, his eyes turned red, filled with disbelief and feeling highly aggrieved.

"No!"

"This cannot be true!"

"How could you possibly possess the Ancient Sacred Beast, the Fire Phoenix!"

"How is that possible!"

With that Ancient aura of oppression enveloping him, he should not be able to even be capable of speech, but he forcibly broke through that Ancient oppressive aura and the moment he opened his mouth, his heart meridian sustained severe injuries and blood trickled down the corners of his mouth, but he was still unwilling to accept that merciless truth before him.

The prey before his eyes was as good as in the bag but it had suddenly flown from his grasp, and even gave him such an intense and unacceptable shock in response, how could he just accept all of this quietly?

Standing facing into the wind, Feng Jiu's chilling gaze peered at the miserable and wretched looking old man who sat there helpless, her icy voice slowly reaching him: "Being able to die under the hands of the Fire Phoenix, you would have gained."

Just as that voice ended, the Fire Phoenix in the sky swooped down, bringing with it the roaring flames with a loud swoosh, its widespread wings suddenly wrapping around the old man a moment before it shot upwards into the sky once more.

"No!"

His pitiful voice highly reconciled as it trailed out from within the raging flames, and Feng Jiu saw the night sky suddenly showing a scattering of burning sparks, trailing behind the soaring Fire Phoenix, circling above her head…..

CHAPTER 102: Sleepless Night

When Murong Yi Xuan leapt over the roofs as he came to one not too far away from the Xu Mansion and saw that shocking scene, his entire being was suddenly uncontrollably thrown into mindless blank, as he stared in hapless shock at the painfully beautiful scene that shook him right to his core…..

Upon the rooftop of the Xu Mansion, the red figure stood facing into the wind, the brilliant and flamboyant red clothes aglow with the light from the raging flames below making it look recklessly devilish, the fluttering jet black hair behind the figure, seen among the roaring fire, and the gigantic Fire Phoenix circling about the figure's head, everything within all that his eyes saw, looked so mysterious, so beautiful, so enchanting it seemed completely surreal…..

Maybe it was because his unwavering gaze had been noticed, but the figure turned his head, the golden mask with the mandara flowers reflecting the glow from the flames clearly imprinted into his mind, finding himself suddenly driven by an urge to remove that mask, to get a peek at the face beneath it.

However, without waiting for him to recollect his mesmerized senses, he suddenly saw the Fire Phoenix sweeping downwards through the night sky with a low cry, as it sped downwards, it morphed into a ray of light and entered the mysterious figure that stood facing into the wind, before disappearing without a trace.

Seemingly at the same time, that man retracted his gaze, and summoned his Qi to make several leaps, the figure passing over the flames like a wraith, speedily disappearing into the darkness of night…..

He opened up his stride a step, his hand reaching out to call out to that man, but in the end, he retracted that hand, and did not shout out the words he meant to say.

[Who is that person?]

He thought, his heart could make a rather accurate guess.

The flamboyant and eye grabbing red clothes, that mysterious and devilish aura, with his recklessly nonchalant demeanour, and lastly, the golden mask covered in red mandara flowers. That, could only be the mysterious Ghost Doctor and nobody else!

When the Family Heads of the various Family Clans came rushing in to see the intense fire enveloping the entire Xu Mansion, they could not help but to gasp loudly, unable to believe that a middle sized Family Clan would have fallen just like this…..

"Whoa!"

"This, this is the Xu Family?"

"Heavens! Does this mean the Xu Family has been exterminated?"

"How did the Xu Family get themselves tangled up with the owner of that Ancient Sacred Beast? That had caused the entire clan to be fully annihilated, and had met with such a sorry end….."

The people there debated, as they watched the Xu Mansion getting engulfed inside out by the surrounding fire, burning up under the crackling flames, their cries continuous.

Seeing an entire Family Clan fall just like that, disappeared from the Cloudy Moon City, their hearts held complicated emotions that were kept unspoken.

This was a world where might ruled, and a truth that would not change!

Regardless whether you were an influential Family that reigned over a hundred other Families, if you offended someone powerful, exterminating you would be a matter of mere minutes, and taking out the entire clan could happen within a night's time…..

One of the Family Heads saw Murong Yi Xuan who had reached the place first staring blankly into a certain direction and his eyes flashed briefly as he stepped up to ask: "Third Prince, you reached this place first. Did you see who was responsible for this?"

Hearing those words, the other Family Heads who were in their own discussions turned to look at Murong Yi Xuan. "That's right! Who was the one who exterminated the entire Xu Family Clan? Who was the person who possesses the Ancient Sacred Beast, the Fire Phoenix?"

Murong Yi Xuan snapped back to his senses and he saw that everyone was looking at him with questioning gazes. He thought about it a moment and said: "I only saw a fleeting red figure. As to the identity of the person, I had not been able to see clearly."

"Red figure?"

Everyone's hearts thumped at that moment, the image of a single person forming in all their minds.

[The Ghost Doctor!]

Could it be him? The most mysterious person in the Cloudy Moon City now was the one person everyone wanted to meet but were unable to see. Although they had all not seen the Ghost Doctor's countenance, but they had heard that he liked to dress himself fully in clothes coloured a wild and flamboyant red, always wore a golden mask covered in red mandara flowers, his aura devilishly alluring and sinister, highly mysterious.

CHAPTER 103: Heart Meridian Injury

Two days later, in the Plum Blossom Ridge

Dressed only in white casual clothes, Feng Jiu walked her room and immediately saw Leng Shuang coming towards her in approach.

"Mistress." Leng Shuang greeted, feeling a little worried as she looked at Feng Jiu. Ever since the day she came back, her Mistress' complexion had been very pale.

"Has my brother regained consciousness yet?" She asked looking at Leng Shuang, her voice slightly tinged with weakness.

That night, she had gotten injured in her heart's meridian and if not for the fact that she was well versed in Medicine herself, it wouldn't have been possible for her to even get out of bed these two days. But, although her injury had shown improvements, she still had not fully recovered. At this point, if she spoke too loudly, or were to cough or something, she would still feel a dull ache within her chest.

"Young Master has woken up."

"Mm. I'll go take a look." As she spoke, she made her way outside.

Guan Xi Lin's courtyard was just next to hers and it was close enough for her to walk over. Hence, she reached the place just having taken a few steps after coming out of her yard.

Once inside the courtyard, before she pushed the door open to walk inside, she heard coughs coming out from within. She stopped in her tracks and turned to Leng Shuang: "Has he taken his medicine?"

"He has taken it earlier when he woke up."

Hearing that, Feng Jiu then walked inside. Once within, she saw Guan Xi Lin who was lying upon the bed trying to sit up and she hurried forward quickly to say: "You are still injured! Just lie down!"

"Little Jiu?" When Guan Xi Lin saw that it was Feng Jiu, he revealed a smile upon his face. But when he noticed her pale complexion, he was immediately shocked: "Little Jiu, why is the colour of your face looking so bad?"

He had just woken up and had not even had the chance to ask them how he had come to be here yet.

"Injured my heart meridian. It'll recover with just a few days' nursing."

She sat down by the side of the bed and stretched her hand out to feel his pulse as she said: "Although you have many injuries upon your body, but they are mostly surface wounds upon the flesh. It was fortunate your bones and meridians were not hurt or you would have needed to rest for at least another ten days or a whole half month."

Seeing her pale face and then remembering that he had been rescued, however dense a person could be would still know that she had been the one who saved him. His eyes immediately felt hot and he said: "Little Jiu, your brother is so useless. Always just adding on to your troubles."

"What are you even saying?"

She pulled his blanket higher up to cover him properly and said: "Your body will only need another two days' rest and you can then get out of bed to move about. But the selections at the Guan Family is in three days and the timing will be rather tight. I am worried you body might not be able to take it."

"It's fine. I can. For the Guan Family's selections, I must definitely go back."

Then just rest well these two days, and I will prescribe medicine for you to have you recover quickly." She then stood up and said: "I'll go back to my room now. If there's anything, just tell it to Leng Shuang and it will do."

"Alright. You are not well and should rest more as well. You do not need to keep coming to see me."

Feng Jiu smiled and nodded. She next turned to Leng Shuang and left instructions for the changes to be made for the medicine and then returned back to her room, quickly slipping into the Spirit Palace within the space.

After that night, not only her heart meridian had been injured, even the Fire Phoenix had fallen into a deep sleep because of it.

For the Fire Phoenix which had taken the appearance of a human toddler to manifest in his true form would actually require him to wait till he matured. But last night, Feng Jiu had employed the Ancient Seal to break those constraints with blood to make him manifest in its true form to exterminate the enemy.

In his true form, the might of his powers had almost reached the levels of an adult Ancient Sacred Beast at the pinnacle of its powers and it was naturally effortless for him to defeat a Warrior Sovereign. But the cost had been very high, which meant that he would fall into deep slumber and moreover, it was not known when he would awaken.

She stared at the little Fire Phoenix wrapped in a teensy ball of fire within the space. He still looked like a three year old human toddler and just seemed to be in a deep sleep, lying there sleeping peacefully.

Turning her gaze away, she sat down and assumed the lotus position to repair the injury within her body. With the surge of both spirit and mystical energies, her entire body was wrapped up within the sources of energy, and she could feel a warm surge flowing through her meridians as they moved along…..

CHAPTER 104: Chance Encounter on the Streets

-Three Days Later-

An inconspicuous horse carriage rolled slowly along on the street. The carriage car was not eye catching, what drew people's attention was the cold and beautiful girl in front dressed in black.

Her features were exquisite and beautiful, the body wrapped by those black clothes sexy and alluring. If there could have been a little trace of a smile on her face, she would surely have become a stunner that made men fall head over heels. However, the young girl in black garb had a chilly aura emanating from her entire body, that cold and chilly demeanor quickly discouraging people from approaching her.

Inside the horse carriage, Guan Xi Lin looked at Feng Jiu who was leaning heavily slanted against the side of the carriage as she read her book and he asked her in slightly distressed puzzlement: "Little Jiu, since you possess such exemplary medical skills, why do you not remove the scars from your face first?"

It had already been so long and the scars on her face had still not shown any signs of fading. Everytime he saw those scars on her face, he would feel worried for her, but she herself had instead seemingly acted like she had gotten used to it and did not bother with it.

[Isn't it said that girls could not bear to have their countenance damaged? Why was he seeing her so nonchalant and unbothered by it?]

"No hurry. The scar removing medicine I am concocting still lacks one more type of herb." She replied nonchalantly, flipping a page on her book and continuing to peruse.

It was a scroll that recorded the Tempest Cloud Steps, found among her Master's collection within the space. After looking at it, she found that the footwork depicted within was more amazing than hers and she had her nose buried within it all the way since they left the Peach Blossom Ridge, unable to put it down for a second.

Till, her nose picked up a fragrance and her head raised up unwittingly.

"Big Brother, do you smell anything?" Her eyes were sparkling as she looked at him. Sniffing at that fragrance, she could not help but gulp her saliva back down her throat.

Seeing her looking like a gluttonous cat, Guan Xi Lin laughed out loud helplessly and reached a hand out to rap her gently on the head. "That nose of yours only knows food. Even with the curtains drawn, you are still able to smell the scent of Fried Scallion Pancakes?"

"Right right! It's Fried Scallion Pancakes!" She smiled happily and hugged his arm while rocking him to say: "Big Brother, can you help me buy some? I want two!" Sticking out two fingers, she waved them before Guan Xi Lin's face.

"Alright, alright, I'll go buy them." He said, helpless against the pleading.

At that moment, Leng Shuang who was driving the carriage had heard the conversation inside and she had already slowed down their speed.

Guan Xi Lin drew the curtain open and jumped off the carriage saying to Leng Shuang: "Stop the carriage at the side. I'm going to get some pancakes and will be coming right back." As he spoke, he was already walking towards a little stall a short distance away.

Leng Shuang parked the horse carriage at the side and waited, looking over towards the little stall.

"Uncle, four Fried Scallion Pancakes." Guan Xi Lin said loudly as he took out the money.

"Young Master, you want a couple of bowls of Green Bean Soup to go along with it? Fried Scallion Pancakes go exceptionally well with Green Bean Soup!" The slightly elderly man asked, as he packed the sizzling hot pancakes.

"That works, I'll take two bowls, no, three bowls. Pack them properly for me so it's easy to takeaway."

"Sure, sure, sure." The elderly man said with smiling eyes, quickly filling up three bowls of Green Bean Soup and packing them up for takeaway.

A distance away, accompanying Feng Qing Ge and he had just stepped out from the Jade Pavilion Loft when Murong Yi Xuan's unconscious glance around the surroundings spotted a man buying something from a small stall, he was surprised and a sudden delight came into his eyes.

[It's him? The elder brother of that girl in red?]

[If he's here, then would that girl in red be here as well?] Thinking about that, his heart started to thump, as both excitement and a certain nervousness gripped his heart.

"Big Brother Murong? What is it?"

Feng Qing Ge who was pulling him asked in puzzlement. Seeing that he was just standing there and not moving, she turned her head to follow his gaze, only to see a man in ordinary dress buying Fried Scallion Pancakes.

"Big Brother Murong knows him?"

CHAPTER 105: Where is She?

"Mm, a friend of mine. I'll go over and say hello and you can just wait awhile for me here." He told Feng Qing Ge quickly when he saw the man about to leave and hurried himself over taking rather fast steps.

Feng Qing Ge looked at him, feeling that it was all rather strange, her gaze measuring up the strange man but did not see anything exceptional about him.

Just as Guan Xi Lin was all prepared to go back after buying what he came for, a voice rang out from the side into his ear.

"This Young Master."

Murong Yi Xuan called out and came to stand before Guan Xi Lin, his gracefully handsome face showing a gentle smile as he said: "When we parted from our last meeting at the Rock Forest Town, I had not thought that I will see Young Master here in Cloudy Moon City again."

Guan Xi Lin looked at Murong Yi Xuan in bafflement: "You are?" He did not remember this person at all.

Seeing that Guan Xi Lin had no memory of him, Murong Yi Xuan's smile constricted slightly but reverted back to normal immediately and said: "I am surnamed Murong, named Yi Xuan."

"Murong Yi Xuan?"

Guan Xi Lin was slightly flummoxed a moment before it turned to delight as he looked excitedly at the man before him, the pitch of his voice suddenly going up a few notches.

"You are Murong Yi Xuan? The Third Prince of the Sun Glory Country? That martial warrior cultivator prodigy?"

The name Murong Yi Xuan was naturally familiar to a person from the Guan Family in the Cloudy Moon City, but just had not met. Guan Xi Lin only knew that this person's stellar reputation preceded him and that he was a genius cultivator among the newer generation, a proud son of the Heavens, that he would be fortunate enough to meet here today.

What he realized that, his heart grew excited as he said: "Lord Third Prince, I have wanted to meet you from a long time ago, and I have never thought that I will bump into you on the streets like this now. It must really be fate!"

Before Murong Yi Xuan could open his mouth, Guan Xi Lin continued to say: "Do you know? You have always been my target. From long ago, I have always wanted to train very hard in my cultivation to finally beat you one day."

When he heard the first few questions, Murong Yi Xuan's smile had deepened and he was just about to ask whether his sister had come with him when he heard the statement afterwards, which made the smile on his face freeze as he thought to himself: [This guy really doesn't hold back with his words at all.]

But, he didn't really mind it all that much and he went on to ask with a smile: "May I ask our Young Master for his name?"

"I'm Guan Xi Lin." He offered generously.

"So it's Young Master Guan. I wonder if Young Master Guan's sister is with him?" As he was walking over, Murong Yi Xuan had already noticed it. Guan Xi Lin was holding extra portions of the snacks and wondered if they could possibly be for his sister. She liked to eat these foods?

"Huh?"

Hearing Murong Yi Xuan mention his precious little sister, the smile on Guan Xi Lin's face immediately stiffened and his eyes became wary as he asked: "What are you enquiring about my little sis for? You don't even know her."

"It's like this. Back in the Rock Forest Town then, I had unintentionally offended your younger sister and I have been looking for a chance to apologise to her, but have not had the opportunity to meet her." He did see her. That time at the Peach Blossom Ridge, he had seen her looking like a flower spirit, which had gotten him dazzled and distracted after he came back, causing his heart to sink.

To the point that over this recent period, he had been thinking about his relationship with Qing Ge and had wanted to find an opportune time to speak openly with her about it, but just had not found a good time for it.

The hand holding the Fried Scallion Pancakes waved dismissively and Guan Xi Lin said: "No need, my younger sis is highly magnanimous and will not bear any grudges with such minor affronts." No grudge only because you have not riled her up enough. Get her angry and she wouldn't give a damn about any nonsensical magnanimity regardless whether the infraction was big or small.

"Argh! She's still waiting for my Fried Scallion Pancakes! Can't talk, I'll make a move first."

When it came to the affairs of his little sister, everything else became negligible and he immediately lost the mood to exchange greetings with his idol as he hurried back to the horse carriage, afraid that he had kept her waiting too long.

"Young Master Guan….."

Murong Yi Xuan's gaze followed the direction Guan Xi Lin was running towards and when it fell upon a horse carriage stopped at the side of the road, his heart skipped a beat.

[Is she inside?]

CHAPTER 106: Hopelessly Mesmerized

When that thought came to mind, his feet just followed behind helplessly.

Feng Qing Ge saw what was going on from behind and her brows came together, her gaze swinging over to look at the ordinary looking horse carriage before her steps followed suit, walking forward as well.

On the other side, Guan Xi Lin reached the side of the horse carriage and handed a Fried Scallion Pancake to Leng Shuang. "This is for you. There is also Green Bean Soup. You should take them while they're still hot and we can go after you finish."

Leng Shuang looked at him and reached out to receive the snacks, offering a quick word of thanks.

He then stepped up onto the horse carriage and his hand had already lifted the curtain just about to go inside while he said: "Little Jiu, the Fried Scallion Pancake is still hot. The elderly Uncle said it will go very well with Green Bean Soup and so I brought back for the two of you a portion each."

From inside the carriage, Feng Jiu reached her hand out and took the Fried Scallion Pancake together with the Green Bean Soup as she said with her face all smiles: "Green Bean Soup! I haven't had that for a long time! That's great Big Brother, thank you!"

"Heh heh, thanks for what? As long as you like it, it's fine. On our way back, we should buy several house maids back and have them serve you and prepare nice food for you." Having been around her for so long, he knew she was a glutton for good food.

"Sure."

She said, smiling in agreement. Seeing him seated back inside, Feng Jiu opened up the bag and was about to bite into the Fried Scallion Pancake when she suddenly heard a voice that was not unfamiliar to her come in.

"Miss Guan, this is Murong Yi Xuan."

[Miss Guan? Who is he addressing?]

Feng Jiu within the horse carriage was surprised as she looked at her equally surprised free elder brother, asking without a sound: [What's going on?]

Guan Xi Lin bit into his Fried Scallion Pancake and said: "We just met when I was buying these things. His name is Murong Yi Xuan, and he mentioned something about having offended you back in the Rock Forest Town previously and wants to apologise to you."

Speaking of that, he was feeling slightly irked and he went on: "I've already told him that there's no need and he still comes following behind. I really don't know what he's up to!"

"I'd better go down and go take a look!" He put the Fried Scallion Pancake down and was just going to draw the curtain open when he suddenly turned around to say to Feng Jiu: "Little Jiu, put on your veil first."

The scars on Little Jiu's face still had not healed and she always wore a veil whenever she went out. He didn't wish for people to look at her through tinted glasses after seeing her scarred face.

"Mm." Feng Jiu smiled and put on her face veil, feeling rather puzzled about what Murong Yi Xuan wanted to do.

Waiting outside the horse carriage, Murong Yi Xuan was feeling rather nervous and his palms were sweating profusely. His gaze was filled with anticipation as he looked at the horse carriage and thought to himself: [Will she open the curtain? Does she remember that she has met him twice already?]

Leng Shuang who was seated outside the horse carriage saw the look of eager anticipation on Murong Yi Xuan's face and her brows creased together, giving him a rather strange look.

[What was this Murong Yi Xuan trying to do here? From what she knew, isn't he already engaged to the Feng Qing Ge of the Feng Residence? Why was he still staring the horse carriage with such longing and nervousness?]

The curtain was pulled open by Guan Xi Lin and he stepped out of the carriage. He drew the curtain closed as he stepped off and stared at Murong Yi Xuan standing before the carriage to say: "Haven't I told you that there is no need for you to apologise for anything? Why have you followed me all the way here?"

At that moment, Murong Yi Xuan was staring slightly dazed at the horse carriage as the sight of the girl inside the carriage he had seen when the curtain had been lifted made his heart start to thump madly once more.

She wasn't wearing red clothes today, but it had been a white dress, with a similarly coloured face veil across her face. She had quietly sat there leaning against the side of the carriage, an air of refined elegance surrounding her, appearing tranquil, and graceful.

And when she was wearing those red clothes, she was flamboyant and alluring like the blazing sun, her every movement languid, mesmerizingly indolent, seemingly like every time he saw her, she would shock his spirit in different ways, causing him to be helplessly mesmerized every single time…..

CHAPTER 107: A Slap Out In The Open

Awaiting for a response from him, Guan Xi Lin saw with a chill that Murong Yi Xuan was staring rather dazedly at the horse carriage behind him and his face immediately darkened as he shifted his feet a step to his left, putting his brawny self right in front of Murong Yi Xuan to block him off.

"I say, what are you looking at?"

"Big Brother Murong, do you know the person inside the carriage?"

Feng Qing Ge walked slowly over, and asked in a gentle voice. Her gaze looked at the outside of the horse carriage a moment before shifting away to look at Guan Xi Lin to say with a faint smile: "Since this Young Master is a friend of my Big Brother Murong, then you are also a friend of me, Feng Qing Ge. How is the person the person inside the carriage related to this Young Master? Why don't we invite her out for us to have a meet?"

She had watched from a distance away for awhile and she had her misgivings about this. That dazzled expression on Murong Yi Xuan's face had caused her to feel threatened for the first time since she had taken over and assumed Feng Qing Ge's identity. That gaze Murong Yi Xuan was giving was only too familiar to her, and it also made her heart shiver.

In the past, she had always watched quietly as she stood on one side like she was now, seeing him give this same highly gentle and deeply loving gaze to stare so dazedly at Feng Qing Ge. But ever since she had taken over this identity, she had always felt that he was lacking the same gentleness and deep love that he had shown the previous Feng Qing Ge in the past.

Even though when he looked at her now, he would also use gentle words, and was highly accommodating to her. But sensitive as she was, she had felt the difference.

That had made her uneasy, but she had not dared to probe deeper, deeply afraid that the result would be something she would not be able to accept. She had tried to brush it off, telling herself that it just her thinking too much into it.

But just earlier, she had been standing some way off watching. At the moment that the man had swept the curtain aside as he came out, she saw the way that Murong Yi Xuan had gazed inside the carriage, and she had almost lost her mind.

Needless to see, her instinct as a girl told her that the person inside was definitely female. But, what kind of a woman was she? That was able to make Murong Yi Xuan forget himself like this?

Guan Xi Lin looked at her as if he was looking at an idiot. "Am I on such familiar terms with you two? Just because you want to meet, and she has to come out to show herself to you?"

Upon hearing that, the look on Feng Qing Ge's face darkened but she did not throw a fit, but instead turned her head towards the horse carriage and said gently: "Miss, fate has destined us to meet. Why not come out for a meet?"

Inside the carriage, Feng Jiu toyed with her hair fallen before her chest, her eyes narrowed and the corners of the lips below the veil lifted in a devilishly playful smile, her voice unhurried as it sounded, three parts languid, seven parts indifferent.

"Do I know you? Why should I go out and meet you?"

Hearing the voice coming out from within the horse carriage, Feng Qing Ge was slightly taken aback, as she seemed to find it a little familiar.

And she was not the only one who felt this way. Even Murong Yi Xuan was startled, that voice, which sounded rather similar to Qing Ge's, yet different, because that voice was filled with a lazy and nonchalant indolence, which was highly alluring.

Maybe it was that little bit of familiarity that caused her heart to feel so highly uneasy that she swept past Guan Xi Lin before her and went to the horse carriage with her hand stretched out to pull the curtain open. However, before that outstretched hand had touched the curtain, a large hand clamped over it.

"What are you doing! ?"

Guan Xi Lin was glaring at her, his face unfriendly, staring highly displeased at the peerlessly beautiful girl, suddenly thinking that all her brains must have gone to growing that face, and she could not understand human speech.

"Let go!"

Feng Qing Ge chided, her brows creasing up closely together as she stared at the hand clasped around her wrist.

Guan Xi Lin pulled her to take two steps back before letting go of her hand, his face showing utter contempt as he said: "If you had not wanted to open the carriage's curtain, you think I would want to hold on to your hand?"

Slap! A crisp slap resounded.

"Qing Ge!" The colour on Murong Yi Xuan's face changed slightly, and he immediately stepped forward.

Guan Xi Lin stood holding his hand to his face, his face filled with incredulity as he glared angrily at Feng Qing Ge: "You….. you slapped me?"

CHAPTER 108: Uncovering Her Veil

[He hadn't done anything bad had he? Why had this woman slapped him across the face? From birth till now, he had never been slapped by anyone!]

Although his heart filled with indignant rage, but, he did not raise his hand against her. He was a man, and he really couldn't hit a woman out in the open streets could he?

The eyes of Leng Shuang, who was holding the reins of the horses, grew cold and was about to jump off the carriage when she saw the horse carriage's curtain being lifted by a fair and slender hand.

"Mistress." She greeted, and quickly lifted the curtain all the way to allow Feng Jiu to come out.

Feng Jiu crouched over slightly and stepped out from the carriage, resting her hand on Leng Shuang's proffered hand for support and gingerly lifting up the hem of her dress, she stepped off. She looked at her freebie of a brother whose hands were clenched into fists and his face darkened with rage with a glowing red palm mark on his cheek. Feng Jiu eyes narrowed and she turned her gaze upon the other two people, her steps slow as she walked over to them.

When Murong Yi Xuan saw the girl step out from the carriage in her white dress, his eyes immediately lit up, as he watched the elegant figure calmly walk towards him, his heart suddenly becoming nervous, and tinged with a bit of anticipation.

And when Feng Qing Ge saw the girl in the white dress getting off from the horse carriage, her entire body stiffened.

That slender figure, those mannerisms, felt so familiar to her….. exactly alike, so exactly like…..

'Slap! Slap!'

Two resounding slaps rang out, forcibly shocking the two of them back to the senses, and stunning everyone in the crowd of surrounding passerbys looking at them.

As the few of them possessed outstanding looks, and it was out on a highly public street, the surrounding people had already noticed them all earlier. Moreover, Murong Yi Xuan and Feng Qing Ge were both highly influential people in the Cloudy Moon City.

But, they had not thought that Feng Qing Ge would suddenly raise her hand and slap the man hard across the face, and the last thing anyone of them could have expected to see was for the lady who had a veil covering her face to come out from the horse carriage to slowly walk over to the pair, and immediately raise up her hand to slap Feng Qing Ge two times across the face, which stunned them into complete silence.

That scene had just been absolutely shocking to see.

Feng Qing Ge held her hands over her stinging cheeks in utter disbelief, her eyes almost spitting fire as she stared at the woman in the white dress who flinging her hands and she stammered slightly: "You….. You have the audacity to hit me!"

Feng Jiu continued flinging her hand that was stinging from the slaps and without even glancing at her, she turned to the stunned Guan Xi Lin and instructed him earnestly: "Big Brother, do you now see? If someone slap you once, you will then have to return them with two slap. It is just proper manners to reciprocate what you are gifted and it's a matter of etiquette. We must not slack on our manners."

Guan Xi Lin's eyes shone brightly as he looked at her in worship, and he nodded his head vehemently: "Mm! Your brother will remember that! If it happens next time, I will not care whether it's male or female, just strike first and talk later!"

"Mm, that absolutely correct." She nodded smilingly at him and then went on to say: "It's getting late. We should not let people of no relevance hold back out time. Let's go!"

"Alright."

Guan Xi Lin face was brimming over with smiles and he did not want to bother himself with those two people anymore. From his perspective, for that slap that he had suffered, his precious little sister had already claimed it back for him two fold, and as a man, he would naturally not be so petty to still hold any grudge against that woman.

[People of no relevance…..]

Murong Yi Xuan stared blankly at her back as she turned to leave, that one statement resounding inside his head.

[That's right! Wasn't he a person of no relevance to her? He was nobody to her, hence what right does he have to ask to see her just because he wants to? But, why is it after hearing those words coming from her, and realizing that she had not even looked him in the eyes even once before she just turned and left, his heart was feeling so dejected?]

"You stand right there!"

Feng Qing Ge shot like an arrow forward, her face twisted up in fury as she blocked the way before Feng Jiu and said: "You want to leave just like that after hitting me? It's not that easy!"

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand to uncover the veil upon Feng Jiu's face, thinking to get a good look at her countenance.

CHAPTER 109: Leaving in Embarrassment

Feng Jiu had had her guard up against her!

Seeing Feng Qing Ge stretching a hand out towards her veil, Feng Jiu very naturally slipped behind Guan Xi Lin and hid, both her hands gripping the clothes on his back. She blinked her beautiful eyes innocently and with a voice that sounded highly aggrieved, she said: "Big Brother, she is trying to bully me."

Murong Yi Xuan standing on the side was surprised, never thinking that the girl who had been so graceful and composed just a moment ago would suddenly go hide behind her brother, to reveal such an aggrieved gaze that looked so fragile and delicate, with such a tender tone in her voice in helpless complaint, making even he himself to feel like jumping in front of her in her defense, to be her protector.

Seeing his precious sister hiding behind his back and complaining about the other girl's unruly behaviour in such a helpless voice, Guan Xi Lin's eyes turned into a cold glare, puffing up his chest, and stuck his hands onto his hips to retort fiercely.

"What are you trying to do? Why are you showing such a lack of etiquette here? And you dare to claim that you are General Feng's daughter? With General Feng's greatly revered name, how could he possibly have brought up a daughter that shows such a lack of manners? I think you are most probably a big fake and an imposter!"

His voice was very loud, boisterous and uninhibited. When his voice dropped, he did not wait to see Feng Qing Ge's reaction but noticed that quite a number of people have crowded around to watch and he continued on to say loudly: "Everyone, what do all of you say? Isn't this young lady showing a lack of manners here? We don't even know her and she just came right up to me and slapped me across the face. What's more, she had even wanted to tear off my sister's face veil! Tell me, don't you think she is being just too much?"

Feng Qing Ge had had to peddle back a step due to Guan Xi Lin puffing up his chest and pushing himself close in confrontation. When she then heard those words coming out from him, her heart became highly enraged, especially when she saw that many people were already beginning to point their fingers at her and Murong Yi Xuan whom her heart went out to was at that moment staring blankly, mesmerized by the white dressed girl who was hiding timidly behind her elder brother, not stepping forward in the least to speak a single word in her defense, which just further embarrassed her.

She felt so aggrieved and hurt as she glanced at Murong Yi Xuan, her eyes immediately becoming red rimmed, as she covered her face and ran away quickly.

"Hey, your little beauty has run away crying."

Feng Jiu said to Murong Yi Xuan smilingly when she saw that his gaze was still locked onto her, thinking that all men were just as despicable, already eating what was in their bowls, but their eyes still roving to see what's in the other dishes.

Murong Yi Xuan gave her a complicated gaze and did not say anything, but just clasped his hand over his fist in greeting before turning to walk away.

"Big Brother, let's go! We've already wasted a lot of time here." Feng Jiu said, tapping Guan Xi Lin on the arm, gesturing for him to get onto the horse carriage.

"Alright."

Guan Xi Lin grinned and replied as he looked at Feng Jiu getting into the horse carriage, but suddenly stopping in his tracks and said in a puzzled voice: "Little Jiu, why do I feel that the girl earlier is somehow a little similar to you?"

Having pulled the curtain open and was about to go inside the horse carriage, when Feng Jiu heard those words, her eyes showed a glint of surprise and she turned around to say with a smile: "How are we alike?" She had not expected that this conveniently acquired big brother who seemed so thoughtless was in reality rather sensitive!

Guan Xi Lin scratched his head and thought: "Just the body's figure and physique is the same, but mannerisms differ, but in terms of face shape and eyes, there are some similarities."

She stepped into the horse carriage with a laugh and waved her hand towards her big brother saying: "Get in quickly."

"Orh." He then took a big step to climb onto the horse carriage, and pulled the curtain aside to sit down inside.

Outside, Leng Shuang waited till they were seated before she drove the horse carriage forward to make their way towards the Guan Family's Mansion.

Inside the carriage, Feng Jiu took off her face veil and looked at her brother smilingly to say: "Big Brother, your eyes are sharper than some people out there."

"Huh?" He was a little confused, not really understanding what Feng Jiu's sudden comment meant.

"You will know in the future."

She blinked her eyes at him, just smiling but not saying anything more, not intending to tell him everything now.

CHAPTER 110: Heading Off to the Guan Mansion

Today, the Guan Residence was bustling with activity and the front of the mansion was filled with many parked horse carriages, many of them were people who shared close ties with the Guan Family with their respective Family Heads and Young Masters who had all been invited by the Guan Family to come spectate the Young Masters of the Guan Family compete against each other for the position of Young Head.

When Leng Shuang drove their horse carriage up to come up to the front of the Guan Mansion, they could already hear the cheers erupting out from inside. She stopped the carriage and turned to say to the two people inside: "Young Master, Mistress, we're here."

The curtains were flipped open and Guan Xi Lin leapt off from the carriage and reached out his hand and said: "Little Jiu, come, let me help you down."

When the two guards standing at the door saw Guan Xi Lin, their eyes went wide with shock. "Is…. Isn't that Young Master Xi Lin? Is.. Isn't he already dead? How is he still alive?"

The faces of the two guards changed drastically and one of them managed to recover from the shock and he quickly ran in to report it.

Feng Jiu held onto Guan Xi Lin's hand and stepped off from the carriage, looking at the numerous horse carriages parked outside the Guan Mansion and she let out a laugh. "Big Brother, it seems to be very boisterous in there."

"Mm, all the various family clans of a similar size will come watch this competition."

His gaze fell onto the plaque that was hanging above the main door. "Guan Mansion', this was his home, however, he only felt the place to be so unfamiliar, so cold.

"Young….. Young Master Xi Lin." The guard at the door quickly came over to greet him. His eyes were still filled with surprise, and his gaze secretly shifting to gauge the woman dressed in white who exuded an extraordinary demeanor.

[Didn't everyone in the residence say that he had died? But.. but how was he standing in front of him well and alive?]

"Has the competition started?"

Guan Xi Lin looked at him and asked in a sombre voice. At that moment, his whole body gave out an oppressive aura that had a razor sharp edge, just merely a few months had gone by but the aura emanating out from his body had become incomparable to what he possessed just mere months ago.

"St..started.. it has started already." Under the oppressive pressure he felt, the guard squeezed out the words weakly, a layer of cold sweat bathing him unconsciously.

Hearing this, Guan Xi Lin turned and walked towards the entrance with large strides, Feng Jiu followed behind him light steps with Leng Shuang by her side.

Looking at their backs, the guard swallowed his saliva and muttered to himself: "When was Young Master ever so scary? It's just been a few months …"

The guard suddenly thought of the recent marriage between Young Master Ruan and Ke Yin Ya, his heart filled with curiosity. Now that Young Master Xi Lin had come back, what would his reaction be if he found out that his betrothed had already married another?

Unfortunately, he couldn't follow them to watch the show that was about to unfold as he had to guard the door, or he would have really wanted to follow them in to see.

Inside, beneath the competition stage, the front few rows of the spectator stands were filled up by the most important figures of the Guan Family together with the other distinguished Family Heads of other prestigious Family Clans. In the rows behind them, sat all the younger generations of the various family clans and the children of the various Family Heads.

They watched the match as they chatted, and when they saw the eight or nine consecutive wins by Guan Xi Ruan, the son of the Guan Family Head with no other worthy opponents that could be his match, the congratulatory compliments from the various Family Heads flooded the arena.

"Hahaha, to have such an outstanding talent, is just like your Guan Family's style! To be so strong at such a young age, the Eldest Young Master's future is limitless!"

Listening to these words of flattery, Guan Family Head was very proud but he still laughed and put on a modest front. He chortled happily and replied, "You're all just being kind, who doesn't know that all of the younger generations here are dragons among men? I've always told my boy to try to learn more from the various Young Masters here."

The Senior Guan Family Patriarch was also smiling happily and stroking his beard as he listened to all the praises when suddenly a servant came running in in a fluster.

CHAPTER 111: Differential Treatment

The various Family Heads seated in the first row had naturally noticed the steward running in looking highly flustered and saw the steward whispering something directly into the elderly Patriarch's ear which caused his expression to immediately change as he stood up from his seat..

"My distinguished guests, this old man needs to excuse myself for awhile." Which upon saying, he followed the steward outside without waiting to see the reaction from everyone.

"Ha ha, let's continue to watch the matches, my Father must have suddenly recalled that there was something he needed to do." The Guan Family Head said with a laugh, and brushing it off, diverting all their attention back to the stage. However, he was thinking deeply, his heart bewildered. What could have made his father's expression change just like that?

Seated together with the Guan Family's womenfolk was the newly wedded Ke Xin Ya, the new eldest daughter-in-law of the Guan Family, naturally present there to watch the competition on the stage. She was beaming as her gaze fixed on her man she married, who reigned over all that challenged him, with none being his match, and her heart soared as she looked on with pride, silently saying to herself: Her foresight had been right, and her choice had not been wrong as well.

However, when she saw the steward rushing in and the Family Patriarch leaving with him, her previous state of bliss dissipated in a moment and her mood involuntarily darkened, while her hands pulled subconsciously at her clothes as her face became slightly pale.

Because, as the steward had been leaving together with the Family Patriarch, she had caught him having cast a quick glance at her which made her heart tightened, the image of Guan Xi Lin suddenly coming into her mind.

[Did he.. did he really come? He really dares to come?!]

Guan Xi Lin and Feng Jiu had entered the main house and were making their way over to the arena when they were halted by a low and elderly sounding voice.

"Xi Lin? Is it really you?"

The old Guan Family Patriarch came walking in with large strides leaning on his cane, and when he saw the tall towering figure, he was slightly taken aback, his eyes widened in a complicated gaze mixed with doubt, however, there wasn't a trace of surprise in them.

When Guan Xi Lin noticed that, his heart turned cold as he looked at him frostily and he called out curtly: "Grandfather."

"You…"

The old man wanted to ask, "Why did you come back?" But he held back in time and instead, said: "It's good that you are back, go have a good rest in the main house first! Later, I'll have a good chat with you in the study."

"The Ke Family should have already told you that I am well and alive!"

He looked at the elderly Family Patriarch straight in the eye. "Grandfather, aren't you curious at all? Why would my cousin claim that I've died? Shouldn't you be telling me how my fiancee turned out to end up as my cousin's wife?"

As an elder, being questioned in such a manner by a junior, the old man's face sank and he furrowed his brows as he looked unhappily at Guan Xi Lin to berate him in a deep voice.

"What kind of words are you spouting? Is this how you talk to your Grandfather the moment you come back? Did you not hear me tell you to come find me in my study later? It's just been a few months and look what you've become! Have you forgotten all your manners?"

"It seems like to see me well and alive doesn't bring any joy to Grandfather."

When he heard this, the elderly Guan Family Patriarch found himself at a loss for words, and his face contorted with awkwardness.

Guan Xi Lin cast him an indifferent glance and took a wide step forward, ignoring the old man.

"Stay right there!"

The elderly Family Patriarch shifted his feet to block Guan Xi Lin and snapped with displeasure: "Where are you going?!"

"Isn't today the Family Clan's competition today? Don't I have a part in it?"

"Today's competition is for the position of the clan's Young Head. You are simply not Xi Ruan's match, so it won't matter even if you do not participate!"

The Family Patriarch continued to say in a low voice, as looking into the face of the young man in front of him: "Since you've come back, just go get some rest, and not go out there and embarrass yourself!"

Hearing that, Guan Xi Lin just smiled.

CHAPTER 112: Losing One’s Composure

Guan Xi Lin looked at his Grandfather and the smile on his face slowly faded, as an iron blooded and absorbing aura began to permeate the air, as an unrestrained voice with a determined tone came out from his mouth.

"No! I came back here today just to take part in the competition. Rest assured Grandfather. I have no interest in the position of the Young Head. I am only thinking to ask my cousin to teach me a few things."

The same moment his voice dropped, Guan Xi Lin strode forward taking big strides, not giving his Grandfather any opportunity to stop him another time.

The elderly Family Patriarch was a little stunned at that moment, shocked by the completely different and absorbing aura spilling out from Guan Xi Lin. That dominating and cold hard demeanor, suddenly making the old man seem to see a shadow of the boy's father, which threw the old man off to become slightly dazed for that very moment…..

Watching it all from the side, the corners of Feng Jiu's lips curled up under the face veil. She cast a glance at the dazed elderly Guan Family Patriarch and then quickly moved forward to follow behind.

Leng Shuang dressed in full black eased naturally behind Feng Jiu, protecting her Mistress quietly.

When the tall and towering Guan Xi Lin came in stepping firmly upon the ground, Guan Xi Ruan who had just won another round was smiling brightly suddenly looked like he had been struck by lightning as he exclaimed in shock in a slight loss of self control: "How….. How are you still alive?"

His face immediately turned white as a sheet, looking highly incredulous, and rather flustered, tinged with a little bit of awkward guilt.

He had thought Guan Xi Lin was dead! In such a place like the Nine Entrapment Woods, there was no way that the heavily wounded Guan Xi Lin would be able to live! But, why was he still alive? Why didn't anyone tell him that Guan Xi Lin was still alive?

Another person was similarly experiencing a loss of self control, and that was Ke Xin Ya.

At almost the very moment upon seeing Guan Xi Lin, she had instinctively jumped to her feet, shocked and angry, and feeling a tinge of narcissism.

She had assumed that Guan Xi Lin had come to the Guan's Mansion to take part in the competition only because of her. Because he wasn't able to let her go, because she still held a place in his heart, which greatly fed her vain heart.

At the same time, she was angry, feeling that by coming here, he would embarrass her, because she had originally been his betrothed spouse, but had now become Guan Xi Lin's cousin's wife.

Two men one on and one off the stage, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to bear up under the curious gazes of everyone who would be keen to watch the show being put on.

Due to the shocked exclamation from Guan Xi Ruan and also because of Ke Xin Ya's unruly reaction, everyone below the stage were finding the situation strange and they turned to look in the same direction.

With that one gaze, some were surprised, and some other ones were shocked. People were surprised by the sudden appearance of the towering, brawny and masculine man, while the latter group were shocked due to the girl in white with her face covered behind a face veil who was standing behind the man.

Not to mention all the Family Heads in the front row, but all their sons in the entire row right behind them had one by one after assessing Guan Xi Lin, immediately turned their shocked gazes upon the girl in white, their curiosity and interest evident in their eyes, completely unrestrained.

Afterall, they were all male, and they all were thinking the same thing. Upon seeing that lithe and graceful figure with such an refined air about her, they were all naturally trying to get another glimpse at her.

Especially as the girl's face was hidden behind a veil. Although unable to see her countenance clearly, but, those alluring mannerisms, and the pair of beautiful eyes revealed above the veil, were enough to tell them clearly, that the face beneath that veil was definitely one that was enchanting and moving, with a flawless complexion.

Seeking to look beautiful was human nature and all of them did not find it inappropriate to stare so blatantly at a lady like that.

Hence, the Family Heads in the front row were gauging and sizing up Guan Xi Lin, while the younger men behind were all assessing the mysterious girl in white, curious about her identity, and….. the countenance under that veil.

CHAPTER 113: Unworthy of Attention

Finally, it was the Guan Family Head who first recovered his senses. He stood up with a laugh and walked towards Guan Xi Lin, looking surprised and exclaiming excitedly: "Xi Lin! You're finally back! Everyone in the family has been very worried about you! Where have you been all this time and you did not even send a message back home?"

[Xi Lin? Guan Xi Lin?]

The people in the crowd were looking at each other.

[Hadn't it been said that he went to the Nine Entrapment Woods with people in his clan but had disobeyed the leader orders and stormed off in a huff, finally falling prey to the ferocious beasts there where not even his bones could be found? Why is he now returning here still well and alive?]

[They had all heard that Guan Xi Ruan's present wife was Guan Xi Lin's betrothed bride previously. What's going to happen now? He has come back, but his fiancee has already become his cousin's woman.]

Although their faces did not show it, everyone in the crowd were all prepared to watch a good show. They did not say anything but merely fixed their gazes upon the several people involved in it.

Guan Xi Lin looked at the Family Head and did not say a word, the expression on his face solemn, without even the slightest tinge of a smile.

Seeing the expressionless face, the Guan Family Head's face darkened as well, and he asked in a deepened voice: "What is it? Your Uncle is asking you a question so why are you not answering?"

Guan Xi Lin's gaze was fixed upon his cousin who was trying his hardest to suppress the panic and guilt in his heart, and he replied in a cold tone: "I am back here to take part in the competition." As he spoke, he was already walking towards the front.

The Guan Family Head was taken aback as his brows creased up to look at Guan Xi Lin. He had initially wanted to stop Guan Xi Lin but finally did not say a word. From his point of view, Guan Xi Lin would not be a match for his son, and going up onto the stage would just be asking for trouble.

Guan Xi Ruan upon the stage watched as Guan Xi Lin approached, his flustered mood slowly quientening down.

From the moment that he had appeared till now, Guan Xi Lin had not mentioned that Guan Xi Ruan had been the one who stabbed a knife into his back. He wouldn't speak of that here, as afterall, that was dirty laundry within the family and he would surely still be concerned about the Guan Family's reputation.

With that thought in mind, Guan Xi Ruan's mind relaxed, and his highly strung heart warmed up a little as his face broke into a smile: "Xi Lin, it's just great you have come back."

Guan Xi Lin stepped onto the stage and looked at him, his face darkened as he said: "I had thought you didn't want me to come back."

Upon hearing that, the smile on Guan Xi Ruan's face froze and he said rather awkwardly: "How could that be? Xi Lin, are you blaming me for having married Xin Ya? I had actually married Xin Ya based on the decision of the elders on both sides as we had all thought that you had died in the Nine Entrapment Woods and they had then….."

When the crowd of people below the stage heard those words, they nodded to themselves silently. [Mm, this Xi Lin's face isn't looking too good, it must be because his betrothed had been wedded to his cousin! Otherwise, he wouldn't be showing such a dark face to the Guan Family Head.

On the womenfolk's side, Ke Xin Ya had after hearing the words spoken on the stage had put on a face showing remorse and self reproach and she said in a soft and gentle voice: "Xi Lin, I had only annulled the betrothal under the arrangements made by the elders of both sides and married Xi Ruan after that. I hope you do not hold any animosity against your family because of me. If anything is to be blamed, you can only blame fate that we are not destined to be together."

However, upon hearing the words that Guan Xi Lin was going to say after this, her face drained completely of colour, turning to look a pale sheet and utterly humiliated.

Guan Xi Lin shot her a depreciating glance and with his arms crossed over his chest, he said scornfully: "You are thinking too highly of yourself. A girl who is so fickle minded and so hopelessly vain isn't worthy of me, Guan Xi Lin, to pay her any attention."

"Guan Xi Lin! That's being too much!" Father Ke leapt to his feet as his hand slammed onto the table. Seeing his daughter being humiliated in front of everyone like this, his face contorted with rage.

Guan Xi Lin gave Father Ke a cold smile as he turned to glance at him: "Isn't what I said all true? Hadn't she been fickle minded to only seek benefits for herself and pursued a higher position to merely satisfy her own vanity?"

CHAPTER 114: Retreat with Every Strike

Father Ke choked and glared angrily at him: "She had followed the decisions of the elders on both sides, right and proper, it's nowhere as deplorable as the way you put it!"

"Whether it is deplorable, I believe everyone here can judge for themselves!" Guan Xi Lin snapped curtly, unwilling to pay them anymore attention, and turned to face Guan Xi Ruan, to greet with a hand clasped over his fist.

"I seek for my cousin to teach me a few things!"

Below the stage on one side, Feng Jiu stood at a spot not very far away from the stage and watched everything that was happening above, and then noticed a man walking towards her.

"Miss, there's a seat over there, why don't you sit down to watch?" A man in a brocade robe came before Feng Jiu, blocking her view, but extended a polite gesture of invitation with his hands.

Feng Jiu frowned, her gaze falling upon the man before her and said: "There's no need." Shifting a step to her left, her gaze turned back to look upon the stage.

The various Family Heads had their attention all focused upon the activity upon the stage, but the younger men in the row behind were turning their heads to pay notice to what was going on here instead. Seeing the young lady not even giving that man the slightest attention, they all couldn't help but start to sniggle among themselves.

Although the young lady was highly attractive, but they were afterall in someone else's residence, and they could not very well step up so blatantly to hit on her. Moreover, their fathers were present as well and their every action had to be more restrained, without overstepping the boundaries of propriety.

"Mi….."

The man had just opened his mouth once again and he was about to move when a figure in all black walked up and stretched a hand out to block him, to say in warning: "Keep away from my Mistress!"

The man frowned and was about to speak when a howl of pain sounded from the stage. He turned reflexively to look and what he saw shocked him slightly.

The two people on stage had started fighting and he saw that it was Guan Xi Lin and Guan Xi Ruan. But, why was the aura on Guan Xi Lin's body so powerful? So intense that they could even feel that absorbing surge of power from here below the stage.

No wonder, Guan Xi Ruan had been punched on his eye and had retreated wretchedly with a howl. He turned to look at his father and the various Family Heads in the front row and as expected, he saw the undisguised looks of surprise on every one of their faces.

'Bam bam bam!'

As Guan Xi Ruan stepped backwards while holding his eye, Guan Xi Lin had not stopped his attack but had taken a huge stride forward, and firming up his stance with a slight dip of his lower body, Guan Xi Lin threw out three consecutive punches, the fists imbued with mystical powers landing heavily into Guan Xi Ruan's abdomen, where he did not even have a chance to retaliate. Immediately, blood spewed out from the corners of Guan Xi Ruan's mouth.

Below the stage, the Guan Family Head's face turned dark and solemn, his sharp gaze lowering slightly as he stared at Guan Xi Lin up on the stage, moving with firm and steady steps while delivering his punches with hidden power, thinking it very strange that Guan Xi Lin's powers could actually improve by such leaps and bounds in just a few short months.

[Moreover, his mystical aura had exploded out from his body in the course of the battle, and that aura was obviously one that belonged to a warrior already in his peak state!]

[Could he have come across any fortuitous encounter in the past few months? Otherwise, how could his powers have increased so quickly?]

Seeing his son being pushed back with every step he took, attacked by every strike and blood trickling down the corners of his mouth, the hands he put above his knees discreetly gripped tightly. If things continued on like this, Xi Ruan would undoubtedly be defeated!

"Whoa! How did Big Brother Xi Lin become so powerful? He wasn't a match for Big Brother Xi Ruan before, why had his powers increased by so much after just a few months we had not seen him?"

"That's right! I remember the last time they competed, he was defeated so badly by Big Brother Xi Ruan that he couldn't get out of bed for three whole days!"

The younger members of the Guan Family were discussing in hushed voices below the stage, their eyes filled with surprise as they stared at Guan Xi Lin up on the stage, and their voices of debate were then immediately silenced by the scene that occurred in the next instant.

"Guan Xi Lin!"

Having been beaten up all black and blue, Guan Xi Ruan shouted out in rage, the humiliation from being forced to retreat back from every strike causing him to lose his reason. Not knowing from where he pulled out a long sword from, Guan Xi Ruan had suddenly flicked the long sword forward, and leapt at Guan Xi Lin with a intense murderous rage.

CHAPTER 115: Shifting Mirage

When the people below the stage saw that scene, their expressions showed varying degrees of surprise.

The competitions within Family Clans were usually contests of mystical powers and martial arts, hence, weapons were very seldom drawn. Like Guan Xi Ruan who found himself not a match in a bare knuckle fight and had drawn arms, once a weapon was drawn, the very nature of the contest had changed.

Moreover, because he drew out his weapon, even if he won, there would be no glory. And from what everyone could see, with Guan Xi Ruan's current powers, he was simply not a match for Guan Xi Lin at all.

As the Head of a Family Clan, if they didn't even possess that level of judgement, they wouldn't have been able to hold their positions as Family Heads firmly.

Seeing his son draw out his sword, the expression on the Guan Family Head's face did not improve, but he did not utter a single word to stop him, but had just allowed the situation to continue to unfold.

[Today is the selections for the Young Head, and his son, must definitely win!]

As for Guan Xi Lin, seeing Guan Xi Ruan flash his sword, his expression remained unchanged. He clenched up his fists tightly, the joints crackling clearly, as a visible surge of mystical power flared out from his entire body.

"Whoa! Such an intense mystical aura!"

The various Family Heads below the stage were shocked when they saw that surge of mystical power flaring out from Guan Xi Lin's body where even one or two of them had immediately shot to their feet, their eyes filled with astonishment.

At Guan Xi Lin's young age and he had already possessed a mystical aura that was almost comparable to them, what did that represent? It was already clearly evident.

[This boy, was definitely not of common stock!]

Father Ke was also a man who had a keen eye. When he saw the intensity of the mystical aura and that absorbing grandeur emanating from Guan Xi Lin's body, his entire person was startled, and he mumbled to himself helplessly: "I saw it all wrong….. Saw it all wrong….."

Ke Xin Ya was also staring at Guan Xi Lin upon the stage in stunned silence, her body shaking slightly, unable to believe what her eyes were seeing.

[How did he become so strong? How did he become so very strong?]

And on another side below the stage, when the senior Patriarch Guan who had entered following behind stared at the stalwart and formidable Guan Xi Lin standing upon the stage cold and aloof, he suddenly thought of that most outstanding son of his, his old eyes startled as he gazed upon that towering and alluring figure, his heart feeling highly complicated.

It was at that same moment, that the figure of Guan Xi Lin moved to attack, his speed so fast that several figures in duplicates had morphed to be seen upon the stage.

His body had leapt forward in an instant, his hand gripping onto Guan Xi Ruan's wrist the same moment his body had surged forward. He exerted power into his hand and tugged sharply downwards, eliciting a sharp crack to ring out, and a pitiful wail immediately sounded right after.

"Oww!"

'Clang!'

The sword in Guan Xi Ruan's hand dropped onto the stage, in a loud and clear thunk.

Everyone below jumped to their feet in stunned amazement, to stare at Guan Xi Lin, their eyes disbelieving.

"Shifting Mirage!'

"He actually successfully cultivated Shifting Mirage!"

The various Family Heads' hearts were highly startled and horrified, not one of them caring that Guan Xi Ruan's hand had been broken. What they were concerned about at that moment was, that Guan Xi Lin had been able to execute the Shifting Mirage skill! A skill like that, even they themselves might not be able to successfully cultivate, but he…..

A young man that was just about twenty years of age had managed to successfully cultivate that!

In an instant, all the eyes of the various Family Heads looking at Guan Xi Lin were absolutely shining with excitement, just like a bunch of lecherous old men who had seen a beautiful woman stripped stark naked, seemingly almost desperate to immediately pounce upon Guan Xi Lin, to swallow him up whole, in order to take possession of him.

That moment, even the senior Patriarch Guan's eyes were so excited they were almost shooting out rays, his body so agitated he was trembling slightly. He thumped the wooden crutch in his hand hard onto the ground and laughed loudly in excitement.

"Ha ha ha ha! This is just great! The sons of my Guan Family are brilliant! The sons of my Guan Family are really brilliant!"

CHAPTER 116: Chaotic Scene

Among the crowd, the surprised were surprised, the shocked were shocked, and only the Guan Family Head's face was dark like the bottom of a claypot, some gloomy the gloom almost dripped off his face.

His hands were clenched up into fists, his gaze darkened as he stared at Guan Xi Lin upon the stage, as chilling murder flashed within his eyes.

At that moment, Guan Xi Ruan already had an arm broken, and the other twisted and held down against the raised platform, unable to move in the slightest with his face pressed against the surface of the stage, whereby he could not even make any noise.

Guan Xi Lin's gaze was rather conflicted as he looked at his cousin defeated and held down under his grip. He had intended to cripple his arm but in his mind, scenes of the times when they were younger and training together flashed through his mind and his heart helplessly softened.

"You've lost."

Guan Xi Lin released his grip and turned his eyes away to look below the competition platform. That knife stab into his back back in the Nine Entrapment Forest had already severed the brotherly bond between them and defeating Guan Xi Ruan today, was just to prove himself to all of them, and to tell them that he, Guan Xi Lin, was inferior to no one!

"Heroes are found among the youth indeed! Patriarch Guan, your grandson has really shocked all of us here! We must really congratulate Patriarch Guan, to have such an outstanding son in the family, his success in the future will surely be limitless!"

The various Family Heads saw that the match's result had already been decided and they all rushed to congratulate the senior Patriarch Guan at the side. To have such an prodigious son as a member of the family, their ascent to more power would be imminent!

"Heh heh heh, thank you, thank you."

The senior Patriarch Guan was chuckling so happily he could not close his mouth and when his joyous and delighted gaze turned to look onto the platform stage, the expression on his face immediately changed and he shouted out in shock.

"STOP!"

Surprised, everyone turned to follow his gaze, and what they saw stunned them properly.

They saw Guan Xi Ruan had climbed to his feet on the stage and having pulled out a hidden dagger from his boot, his gaze looking completely ruthless and maniacal, he rushed with his dagger thrusting out straight towards Guan Xi Lin who had his back towards him.

Guan Xi Lin whose back was facing him did not even turn his head around but just delivered a powerful roundhouse kick behind him under the surprised shouts from everyone. Guan Xi Ruan who had thrust the dagger gripped in his hand in a unbridled rush suddenly yelled out, as his entire body was sent flying several meters away, falling in a rolling heap off the competition stage.

"UGH!"

Fallen off the stage, a mouthful of blood spurted out from Guan Xi Ruan's mouth, as he fell limply to the ground, unable to even summon enough strength to get up.

"Xi Ruan!"

The Guan Family Head yelled in shock, running in a hurry to help his son up.

"Father, kill….. kill him!"

His hands grasped at his father's sleeves, the blood spewing out from his mouth making it difficult for him to even speak those words.

Ke Xin Ya was completely stunned, frozen in place and her eyes just stared blankly as the horrifying scenes just unfolded one after another before her eyes. She felt as of the entire sky had fallen down, and the unimaginable shock that wrecked at her caused an upheaval of emotions within her heart that refused to be quelled, driving a surge of blood to explode within her chest into her throat, where her throat suddenly constricted.

"Ugh!"

A mouthful of blood spurted out and her vision darkened, immediately falling into a dead faint.

"Xin….. Xin Ya!"

Father and Mother Ke screamed out, quickly grabbing at their daughter frantically.

See the entire situation descending into chaos, everyone's faces became stunned. [The Guan Family, has really fallen into one big mess…..]

[The son of the Guan Family Head lost the match in the selections for the Young Head and he retaliated by bringing weapons into the contest! ? And in the end, his powers were inadequate and got himself kicked to be sent flying far away. The power behind that one kick from Guan Xi Lin had shocked all of them there and it was thought that Guan Xi Ruan would not be getting out of bed for at least the next ten to fourteen days.]

[But, compared to Guan Xi Ruan who had every intention to kill, Guan Xi Lin had really held back on that kick, or, with the level of power he had exhibited in the match, killing Guan Xi Ruan as Guan Xi Lin turned around would not pose any difficulty for him at all.

Feng Jiu looked smilingly around as she saw the chaos erupting from all around her. As if she could not wait for it to get any messier, she was all smiles when she said: "Big Brother, didn't you mention you have something else to say? Hurry! Say it so we can go. This place is getting to be much too rowdy."

CHAPTER 117: Self Expulsion from Clan

When everyone heard her address Guan Xi Lin as Big Brother, they were all taken aback momentarily. They had never heard that Guan Xi Lin had a sister? Could it be, the lady was from a branch of the Guan Family?

"Miss, you're part of the Guan Family?"

A man standing beside Feng Jiu asked in curiosity, thinking to himself: [If she's really from the Guan Family, when they returned, he would definitely make his father come here to propose for marriage. That would allow them to firm up relations with the Guan Family, and let him carry a beauty back home, there is absolutely nothing to lose!]

"Why do I not remember ever having such a member like you in my Guan Family?" The senior Patriarch asked, staring at Feng Jiu, his old and raspy voice sinking lower.

Feng Jiu blinked her eyes and then said in surprise: "Don't flatter yourselves so much, when did I ever say I am part of your Guan Family?"

(Translator note from Cloud: Chinese literal translation for above line would say: "Stop sticking gold onto your faces now, when did I ever say…" you get the point)

"Audacious!"

"Do not bully my little sister!"

The moment the senior Patriarch Guan's voice dropped, Guan Xi Lin upon the stage immediately hollered out right after, his sharp demeanour not losing a single bit to his Grandfather, stunning the entire crowd of people in shock and surprise, where everyone could not react for a moment.

[Has he lost his mind? The senior Patriarch Guan is his biological grandfather and he has actually shouted right back in such complete and utter defiance?]

The senior Patriarch Guan's gave flushed beet red, not known whether it was from embarrassment or rage, and his body trembled. The walking stick he held in his hand then thumped heavily upon the ground as he opened his mouth to admonish: "Rebelled? All of you have rebelled? One by one you're all rebelling? Does any of the rules still hold at all?"

Guan Xi Lin upon the stage did not back down from the angry glare directed at him. He puffed up his chest and his eyes filled with steely determined as he looked at his grandfather, the gaze seemingly exhibiting his readiness to severe all ties, which drove a bout of panic into the heart of the senior Patriarch Guan who had been overcome with rage.

Just as he wanted to open his mouth to ask everyone in the crowd to leave, he heard a highly booming voice filled with mystical powers within reach him, clearly reaching the ears of everyone below.

"I, Guan Xi Lin hereby announce, to expel myself from the clan! From today onwards, all the people and affairs of the Guan Family, would have nothing more to do with me!"

The male voice boomed powerfully at them, every word rocking them right in their hearts, which shocked them so hard to make them gasp out loudly at the same time, incredulous at what he had just said.

[Self expulsion from the clan! ? Has he gone mad?]

[With the protection afforded from a Family Clan and going without one would be an entirely different world. For a son who possessed such extraordinary gift to expel himself from the clan, what would that mean for him? He would be cutting off all resources for his cultivation and without the protection of a Family Clan, he would just be all alone on his own!]

Having handed his own son over to have the guards carry him back to the main house, Family Head Guan's face was dark as he stared at Guan Xi Lin on the stage, his gaze flashing slightly, not saying a word.

While the senior Patriarch Guan was completely trembling with rage as he pointed a shaking finger at him to say: "You….. You dare say that one more time!"

Guan Xi Lin's eyes were grave, his voice stiff as he said: "It will be the same even if I say it a hundred times. I, Guan Xi Lin, expels myself from the clan!"

"Big Brother Xi Lin, you have won the competition and you are now the Guan Family's young head. How can you expel yourself from the Family Clan! ?" Below the stage, a youth rushed up to shout out worriedly to Guan Xi Lin and said: "Hurry and apologise to Grandfather. Grandfather will not hold it against you."

"No matter whether all of you agrees to it, I have said my piece today. This is the only reason I returned here today. The Guan Family, is a place I will no longer continue to remain within."

Hearing those words, the senior Patriarch Guan went into a fit to shout out: "Has the Guan Family mistreated you or something? That would even make you think of self expulsion? If you do not make things clear today, don't even dream of expelling yourself from the Family Clan, I will even have the Family Clan's rules and punishments waiting to serve onto you, to properly instil some discipline on this unruly son!"

CHAPTER 118: Losing All Face!

Guan Xi Lin met his grandfather eyes without the slightest tinge of fear: "Whether all of you have mistreated me, are you saying none of you really don't know it in your hearts? In this Guan Family, I do not have my parents here, whether I have been treated unfairly, don't tell me no one is aware of it at all?"

Hearing the accusatory questions from Guan Xi Lin, the senior Patriarch Guan's lips shook slightly, but he could not say a single word.

Although they had fed him till this age, but, they had not spared him much attention at all. When they heard of his demise, they had not even grieved at all as they arranged for the funeral rites, before quickly annulling his marriage betrothal and letting Guan Xi Ruan marry his fiancee. Even to the point when they later knew he was not dead, they wished that he would remain outside and not return. And when he had finally come back to the Guan Mansion today, the senior Patriarch Guan had gone out to stop him, unwilling to let Guan Xi Lin participate in the selections…..

"The Guan Family raised you till this age and you actually have the cheek to set yourself against your Grandfather like this, even to the extent of saying that you want to expel yourself from the Family Clan. I think your conscience must have been eaten up by the dogs!" Family Head Guan shouted fiercely, his face indignant with self righteousness, using his prominent position as the Head of a Family Clan.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Guan Xi Lin threw his head back and laughed before suddenly stopping abruptly before giving his belt a sharp tug to throw open his robe, revealing the garish scar just above his hip.

"Do you know how this wound of mine came about?" He said as he walked down from the stage and went before the Guan Family Head, approaching him with every step while asking aggressively: "Do you know how this wound of mine came about? Let me tell you. It was from your son! My blood cousin, who left this on me when he stabbed me from behind with a knife!"

Once those words left his mouth, everybody's eyes widened in disbelief as they gasped in horror, turning so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop.

"That's pure nonsense!"

The Guan Family Head shouted sharply, his entire body shaking in anger, but a voice in his heart seemed to be telling him it was all true, or, Guan Xi Lin wouldn't reveal everything in front of so many people here.

The senior Patriarch Guan suddenly felt his vision dimming at that moment, almost fainting away from the news he was hearing. Hatching a plot to kill one's blood kin, a family disgrace! How utterly shameful!

"Nonsense?"

Guan Xi Lin resecured the belt at his hip and said: "Didn't he just try to kill me with a dagger he hid from behind me earlier? Do you really think everyone here is blind? With a Family Clan like this, do you think I can still remain here? Continuing to stay here might get me killed unknowingly any day."

He then turned to look towards the senior Patriarch Guan: "My proclamation of self expulsion today is just to inform you of it and not to ask for your approval. All that bull about your Guan Family rules and laws have nothing to do with me from this moment forth! You can very well keep it to properly discipline your own people in your Guan Family!"

immediately after that, Guan Xi Lin walked over to Feng Jiu and said: "Little Sis, let's go!"

Everyone looked at each other, never having expected that the selections at the Guan Family's today would turn out like this. They had really watched a good show today!

First it was Guan Xi Lin having executed the Shifting Mirage even though he was still so young, followed closely by the Eldest Young Master of the Guan Family sneaky enough to launch a attack from behind someone's back, and quickly after that, Guan Xi Lin had proclaimed his self expulsion from the clan together with the explosive revelation of the inside story behind the fake news of his death in the Nine Entrapment Woods.

Everything single thing they had seen and heard today, had shocked all of them right to their boots, needless to even mention the people of the Guan Family themselves.

At that moment, seeing the three people already walking away to leave with no one within the Guan Family saying a single word to stop them, seemingly still stunned and overwhelmed with shock, the people in the crowd stepped up in quick succession to clasp their fists to announce their departure, quickly leaving the premises one after another.

They had thought that a prodigy had appeared within their family, but who knew he would suddenly expel himself from their clan, and even dragging out the family's disgrace of a plot against a blood kin within the family into the open in the process. When he thought of that, the senior Patriarch Guan felt a rumble of his blood Qi in his chest, and he fell into a dead faint.

"Senior Patriarch! The Patriarch has fainted! Quick! Fetch a physician quickly….."

Hearing the chaotic commotion breaking out from behind, the various Family Heads walking out from the Guan Mansion shook their heads discreetly to themselves, thinking silently: [The Guan Family has really lost all face and any kind of reputation they held today…..]

CHAPTER 119: Her Grandpa

When the various Family Heads came out, they saw that an inconspicuous horse carriage was already passing before their eyes, and they watched it gradually going further from them. They clasped their hands over their fists to bid each other farewell and climbed into their respective carriages before relaying orders to pay more attention to Guan Xi Lin's actions henceforth.

They were all thinking that since he had expelled himself from his Family Clan, then they could very well attempt to poach him into their own clans. Afterall, after the battle upon the stage today, they all could see that this young son would surely be extraordinary in the future!

Ignoring the chaos that had broken out in the Guan Family, and not bothered by the gazes that others gave him, inside the horse carriage, Guan Xi Lin sat in silence and did not speak, no one knew what he was thinking.

Noticing that, Feng Jiu asked: "Big Brother, do you regret it?"

"No." He looked at her, and shook his head to say: "I do not regret expelling myself from the clan."

"Then, what's on your mind?"

He was quiet a moment before he said: "I have broken myself away from the Guan Family today by self expulsion. But, I am thinking to set up my own clan. I wish to establish a Family Clan in the Cloudy Moon City that will not be inferior to theirs."

"Sure you can! That is a very good thought."

She nodded with a wide grin on her face in agreement and then said: "Where do you want to buy a house? We can purchase it right away."

Guan Xi Lin shook his head. "Little Jiu, I do not want to use your money. I would like to earn the money based on my own ability to make this a reality."

Hearing those words, she had wanted to tell him to save himself the trouble, but when she saw him looking at her with such a determined expression on his face, his eyes flashing with determination, she made herself smile and said: "Alright. I won't help you. But, which part of the city do you intend set up shop in? I can at least help you take a look at the place, and see the location."

Seeing that she did not insist any further, Guan Xi Lin then broke into a smile and said: "Thank you Little Jiu, on that, I will ask you to help even if you do not say it. You have a much better eye for these things than I do anyway."

"That's true."

She raised her head and nodded, her face smug. Her gaze had then unconsciously looked outside the window when the wind had blown the drapes open and she had accidentally spotted a figure, causing her expression to stiffen.

"Stop the carriage."

Leng Shuang who was on the outside of the pulled back on the reins and stopped the carriage.

"What's wrong?" Guan Xi Lin was slightly puzzled as he looked at Feng Jiu who had put on her veil and stood up.

"Big Brother, you go ahead with Leng Shuang, get a few servants and go back first. I have something to attend to and will go back on my own later." As she spoke, she draw the curtain open and walked out of the horse carriage.

Guan Xi Lin was surprised and he followed outside in a hurry. "Little Jiu, let Leng Shuang accompany you. I can drive the carriage back myself."

Leng Shuang was preparing herself to get off the carriage when Feng Jiu's voice came floating over.

"No need, you guys just go! I'll be fine on my own."

Hearing that, Leng Shuang did not try to follow, but instead turned to look at Guan Xi Lin.

Guan Xi Lin was silent a moment and he decided not to insist but only said: "Since she doesn't want us following her, then let's go on ahead! She will be fine."

"Mm." Leng Shuang acknowledged, casting a glance at her Mistress who was walking away to one side before she continued to drive the horse carriage forward.

Feng Jiu went a ways backwards towards the direction the horse carriages had come and came to the front of a wine shop. Looking at the old man sitting in front of the wine shop while clasping a wine gourd before his body and refusing to leave, her eyes suddenly grew hot, an indescribable bitter feeling suddenly causing her heart to wince.

That was her Grandfather. To put it more accurately, that was her body's original owner's Grandfather. Based on reason, she wouldn't hold much feeling for the old man but somehow, when she saw the elderly figure, the emotions just surged out from her heart.

The indulgence her Grandfather had given her, his teachings and guidance, every single scene started playing over and over in her mind. Those images felt like they had all happened just yesterday, like she had experienced all of that herself.

She saw him take a gulp of the wine from the gourd and then spat it all out before exclaiming loudly: "Pui pui pui." He then poured all the wine out from the gourd in disdain and a faint lifting of the corner of her lips slowly broke into a smile upon her face.

CHAPTER 120: I’ll Pay for the Wine!

"What's wrong with you, old man? Haven't I already given you wine? Why did you pour it all away?"

The shopkeeper glared at the old man, his voice stiffening in helplessness. Who knew where this old man had come from, having suddenly appeared and plopped himself right at the front of his shop's entrance. He had even refused to go away, threatening he was not going to leave til he was given wine. It really infuriated him now that he was given the wine, the old man had simply poured it all onto the floor instead!

Old Patriarch Feng pouted and with a look of unmasked contempt, he said: "Who told you to not give this old man the good stuff? The wine you gave me was so diluted it was like plain water, even if you can drink it, there's no way that's going to go down my throat!"

The shopkeeper was so furious he shouted out loudly as he pointed a shaking finger at the old man: "You….. You darned old man! Which family are you from! How can you be so unreasonable! ? You're not paying a single cent yet you want superior wine! ? You should be thankful that I've even given you any wine and not be so ungrateful! I'm warning you, if you still refuse to leave, I won't be playing nice anymore!"

Feng Old Man flung the wine gourd he held in his hand and it rapped the shopkeeper upon the head as the old man said in a berating voice: "Hmph! No respect for elders at all! Didn't you father and mother teach you that you should not point your fingers at your elders? How atrocious! Simply too atrocious!"

When the surrounding crowd who had been drawn there by the ruckus heard those words, they couldn't hold themselves back and went "pfft", breaking out in stifled laughter.

The shopkeeper's face had gone completely red, to the extent he even felt like crying as he said: "Dear Old Master, take it that I'm begging you alright? Please be kind to me and leave will you! ? Go home quickly and don't stand in my way here and let me do some business. Mine's only a small little business, how can I do any business with you sitting here in the middle of my front door?"

"Go home?" The old man hugging the wine gourd tilted his head sideways as his face creased into a frown as he thought deeply and said: "Which family am this old man from? I seem to have forgotten it again."

When he heard this, the shopkeeper knelt down in resignation.

He fell forward to hug the old man's legs and pleaded in tears: "Old Master, I am begging you, you cannot just plant yourself at this spot here. I'll apologise to you, I shouldn't have shouted at you in a loud voice, I shouldn't have been disrespectful to you, your esteemed self wouldn't take offence with trivial people like me, so please go home quickly…."

Old Patriarch Feng's face was dark as he said to the shopkeeper in disdain: "What a good for nothing! Kneeling over such a small matter! And you're even crying? Don't you know that men shed blood and not tears? Look at what you look like right now! You're just an ugly sight! This old man is really too ashamed to even look at you."

Upon saying that, the old man immediately turned his face away firmly, refusing to even look at the shopkeeper and just shoved the wine gourd into the shopkeeper's arms and said: "Go. Get this old man half a gourd of good wine. I want the superior stuff. This old man will not accept inferior wine."

The surrounding crowd looked on sympathetically at the shopkeeper, with one of them even shouting out: "I'll say, why don't you just give the elderly one a mouthful of good wine eh? Judging from the old man's dress, he is definitely not an elder from any common family, which surely wouldn't shortchange you for that little bit of money for your wine right?"

"That's right, that's right. Won't owe you wine money." Old Patriarch Feng's face was a wide grin as he nodded and urged: "Quick! This old man's craving for wine is acting up again."

The shopkeeper still hesitated for a moment before he went inside with the wine gourd to draw some wine. As he was afraid that the old man would pour the wine away once again, he really took out the superior grade wine this time, his heart wincing in pain as he filled the gourd, apprehensive whether the Old Master really have the money to pay for it? And just which family he belonged to?

After filling the wine, the shopkeeper came back out and handed the wine gourd to the old man and asked: "Old Master, which family are you really from?"

Old Patriarch Feng grabbed the wine gourd from him and still glared at the shopkeeper and said: "Hadn't this old man said it already before? This old man has again forgotten which family I'm from. But rest assured that this old man will not owe you the money for the wine."

As he spoke, he stood up while taking off his clothes up and said, "This old man's clothes are worth some money, take it as compensation for the wine."

The shopkeeper's face was mournful almost in tears. "I have no use for them by taking your clothes!"

"I'll pay the money for his wine."