Chapter 109
Chapter 109
“My Eighth Master, Seventh Master, Sixth Master, and Ninth Master are collectively known as the Lower Four. Their specialties are music, chess, calligraphy, painting, brewing wine, brewing tea-mostly artistic pursuits like that. They’re only really famous within their own little circle in the martial world.”
“Above them, the remaining five are collectively called the Upper Five. What they’re good at is mostly killing techniques. For example, you’ve met Lin Yang, my Fifth Master. She comes from Yin Mountain and learned unconventional arts. The strongest among them are my Second Master and First Master. One is the previous valley master of Medicine King Valley, and the other is the former holder of the Dragon King Token and Assassin Pavilion. Strictly speaking, the Dragon King Token shouldn’t have been given to me. Since ancient times, two dragons are not meant to meet. But my First Master insisted on staying on the mountain, and the Dragon King Token couldn’t be without an owner for even a day, so I just carried it down with me.”
A token that could command an entire island had been handed over so casually. Wu Xiaojiu couldn’t help feeling a little speechless.
“And you still said you’d give it to me? Are you crazy? If your First Master heard that, wouldn’t she skin you alive?”
The two of them whispered to each other as they reached the plane.
By now, all nine women were already standing outside the plane’s entrance. Some had their arms crossed, some had hands on hips, some had shoulders folded, all calmly watching the two of them.
The first to speak was still Lin Yang. She boldly pointed at Wu Xiaojiu, then crooked her finger.
“You. Come here. Let us take a look at you alone.”
Before Wu Xiaojiu could respond, Bo Suihan shook his head at her.
Still, when facing his masters, Bo Suihan maintained proper etiquette. He first bowed to each of them, then pulled Wu Xiaojiu behind him.
“Fifth Master, if you have something to say, say it in front of both of us. You never know when to hold your tongue, and he’s timid. Don’t scare him into tears.”
Lin Yang ground her teeth, her brows knitting together.
Back on the mountain, Bo Suihan had been closest to her. First, because his other masters had no time, and second, because Lin Yang had never put on airs as his master.
Now, seeing this little brat forget his mother the moment he got a wife, Lin Yang was the most displeased of all.
She stood there with her hands on her hips for a long while. When Bo Suihan still refused to budge, she finally forced herself to speak, her expression stiff.
“Fine. How old are you? How did you meet our Bo Suihan? Are you really willing?”
To be honest, Lin Yang’s tone was truly awful. If it had been anyone else, hearing her speak so rudely would have made their face darken on the spot.
Wu Xiaojiu was also taken aback and felt rather uncomfortable, but when he saw Bo Suihan about to stand up for him again, he hurriedly cleared his throat and gathered his words.
Neither servile nor arrogant, he said slowly, “My name is Wu Xiaojiu. I’m twenty-three. Bo Suihan and I met as soon as he came down the mountain. You must be Fifth Master Lin Yang. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
As Wu Xiaojiu spoke, he extended his hand. His words were especially formal, so naturally, he intended to exchange a formal handshake with Lin Yang.
Who would have thought the other party would give him no face at all? She let out a cold snort, turned her head away, and pretended not to see it.
Wu Xiaojiu’s hand froze stiffly in midair. Just as he had no idea what to do, a pair of soft, boneless hands clasped his.
“You’re from the Wu Family. I remember. Is your elder sister named Wu Yuting? I recall Bo Suihan had an engagement with her.”
The voice was soft and gentle, like running water in the mountains. Wu Xiaojiu couldn’t help looking up at the sound, only to meet a pair of tender eyes.
The woman holding his hand looked to be only in her twenties. Her skin was as white as snow, her hair like silk, and her entire face was so beautiful she seemed like an immortal consort. She wore a green silk qipao, appearing exceptionally gentle.
“Yes. And you are?”
Wu Xiaojiu quickly nodded, then asked the newcomer’s identity.
“I am his Second Master, Yue Qing. I was also the one who arranged your sister’s marriage with him. Back then, an elder in your family fell gravely ill. I was traveling the world and treated him, saving his life. He then promised to marry his legitimate granddaughter to my future child. What a twist of fate.”
Her voice truly was as gentle as spring water.
Wu Xiaojiu hadn’t actually heard a word she said. He only felt that the person in front of him was so nice, and kept nodding along.
By the end, Yue Qing found it funny that he was still nodding. She couldn’t help letting out a soft laugh and personally helped Wu Xiaojiu steady himself.
“I know you’re nervous, but you don’t have to be like this. The people on our side are all quite nice. Lin Yang is just a little childish. I’ll teach her a lesson for you later. Bo Suihan is someone we watched grow up. Since he likes you, we like you too.”
As she spoke, Yue Qing even turned around and dragged Lin Yang out. Lin Yang still looked unconvinced, the anger and dislike for Wu Xiaojiu practically spilling off her face.
Yue Qing looked at her and felt her temper rising.
That slender, boneless-looking hand brushed across Lin Yang’s face in warning.
“Lin Yang, stand properly. Who are you putting on that angry face for?”
After Yue Qing said that, Lin Yang reluctantly straightened up. Her face was still tense. Although the resentment from earlier had faded somewhat, her expression remained unpleasant, without the slightest hint of a smile.
She alone made the surrounding atmosphere unbearably awkward.
Looking at Lin Yang like this, Yue Qing was angry inside, but for the sake of the situation, she still smiled at Wu Xiaojiu and offered him a few words of comfort.
Just when everyone thought this meeting with the family was going to end like this…
From the darkness, a pair of black hands suddenly yanked Lin Yang away.
The force was tremendous, leaving Lin Yang absolutely no dignity. Immediately after, a series of crisp smacks rang out from behind the nine people.
Lin Yang had been lifeless just a moment ago, but now she suddenly became full of energy. After being slapped, she cried out again and again, begging for mercy nonstop.
But no one paid her any mind. The nine people also seemed to know who those black hands belonged to. One by one, they looked awkwardly at Wu Xiaojiu and tried their best to block the scene behind them with their bodies.
The crisp smacking went on for a long while. Then, after a sigh, Lin Yang was tossed back out.
A shadow then parted the crowd and slowly stepped forward.
“First Master.”
The moment the shadow appeared, Bo Suihan bent at the waist and bowed to her with great respect.
The shadow replied softly as well.
“Mm. You’ve had it hard. Your Fifth Master is immature and threw a tantrum for no reason, making the atmosphere awkward and putting you in a difficult position. I’ve already punished her for you. Suihan, is he the ‘good friend’ you mentioned?”
As the shadow drew closer and closer, the moonlight fell across her, and Wu Xiaojiu finally saw what this First Master looked like.
Her long black hair was styled in high, voluminous waves. She wore a black trench coat, and her overall style looked quite similar to Bo Suihan’s usual manner of dress. Most importantly, unlike the others, this master was not some ethereal beauty. A long scar cut across her entire face in a twisting line, horrifying at first glance.
“Hello. I am Bo Suihan’s nominal guardian, Huo Mang.”
Even her name sounded fierce.
Wu Xiaojiu reached out with trembling fear, and Huo Mang shook his hand.
“Lin Yang offended you earlier. On her behalf, I apologize to you. She has also received the punishment she deserved. If she speaks rudely to you again next time, I will still slap her.”
Huo Mang’s voice was hoarse and raspy. Wu Xiaojiu nodded lightly, then quickly shook his head.
“It’s normal if she doesn’t like me. It’s fine.”