Sowhere within the Baihua Sect’s compound, inside a grand pavilion, the elders of the sect and the Tsuisui Clan had gathered.
On one side, there were two representatives from the Baihua Sect: the Grand Elder, Bai Renxiang, and Bai Xu Zhenren, the one responsible for the sect’s finances.
On the other side of the table sat the Grand Elder of the Tsuitsui Clan, Hanzo Tsuitsui, as well as the clan’s princess, Reika Tsuitsui.
"I shall not beat around the bush," Elder Bai Renxiang began. "There has been a lot of damage to the sect’s property, and it is only right that you compensate us."
"I agree." Hanzo Tsuitsui nodded as he stroked his neatly trimd beard. "State your number."
Bai Renxiang couldn’t help but frown a little. He then turned to his fellow elder. "Give them the estimate."
"One mont," Bai Zhenren muttered under his breath as he calculated the amount on a scroll. A few monts later, he pushed the scroll to the representatives of the Tsuitsui Clan.
"This is a rough estimate of all costs," said Bai Zhenren. "Rest assured, my calculations are accurate."
Hanzo Tsuitsui glanced at the final number with an arched eyebrow. Then, he showed it to the Princess, who simply nodded without even glancing at it.
"Agreed." Hanzo Tsuitsui nodded. "Anything else?"
The elders of the Baihua Sect couldn’t help but exchange confused glances. It was strange that the two from the Tsuitsui Clan weren’t even bothered about bargaining. The cost estimate most certainly wasn’t a low amount.
Elder Renxiang couldn’t help but frown, wondering what the other party was thinking. He decided to stretch his luck a little and see their reaction.
"That last move by Elder Goro," he began. "He had infused the clan’s poison arts into that strike. Do you know how dangerous things could have gotten? Our disciples were spectating that fight!"
"Please, Grand Elder," Reika Tsuitsui lightly chuckled. "My brother didn’t do it on purpose. It happened on instinct. I believe you know this as well. Let’s not talk about what could have been. Instead, let’s discuss what actually happened."
"Ao was able to absorb all of the poison, then imdiately discard it," Hanzo Tsuitsui chid in. "So, in reality, no one got hurt from our clan’s poison arts. Not even Ao himself."
Elder Bai Renxiang remained silent, a dark expression shadowing his face. Hanzo’s claims were indeed the truth. No one had gotten hurt.
But the most surprising thing in the sparring duel between Adam and Goro was the revelation that Adam was immune to poison!
The poison of the Tsuitsui Clan that the world feared actually had no effect on Adam when he was struck by it. It was a different matter that after their final clash, both Adam and Goro had lost consciousness as a result of their brutal, barbaric fight, resulting in a draw.
But the truth remained... Adam’s value in the eyes of the Tsuitsui Clan had increased significantly after the fight. Not only was he soone who could fight Goro Tsuitsui to a draw, but he was also impervious to the clan’s fearso poison.
"I see." Bai Renxiang nodded in understanding. "You wish to formally bring Ao to your clan."
"What?!" Bai Zhenren was stunned.
Hanzo Tsuitsui chose to remain silent. Whereas Reika Tsuitsui simply chuckled in response.
"You cannot do that!" Bai Zhenren protested. "Ao is a part of the Baihua Sect! How can you just take him into your clan! I forbid it!"
"He is a part of your sect?" Hanzo Tsuitsui found that statent very amusing. "Last I checked, he was just a Guest Instructor."
"That..." Bai Zhenren was suddenly at a loss for words. He quickly ca up with an excuse. "We were going to make him an Elder after he returned from the Arcane Alliance gathering!"
Bai Renxiang frowned at that statent, but remained silent. Strangely enough, he didn’t argue about Adam being a part of their sect.
"Hoho, there is no point arguing, my friends." Hanzo Tsuitsui rose to his feet. "I’m sure Ao will be more than happy to join our clan, given that we have the ans to heal his body."
The healers of both the Baihua Sect and the Tsuitsui Clan had treated Adam after he fell unconscious. It went without saying that they had seen what had happened to his body. Needless to say, they were beyond horrified upon seeing his scars.
"We have the best healers in these lands," Reika Tsuitsui said with a soft smile. "Though we may not be able to fix his eyesight, we can most certainly return his body to the way it used to be. I’m sure Ao would want that."
With that said, the Grand Elder and the Princess of the Tsuitsui Clan left the pavilion.
After they’d gone, the Grand Elder of the Baihua Sect spoke up, "I never really liked Ao. The man is full of secrets. It doesn’t matter if he’s strong or not. It’s a good thing he won’t stay with us any longer."
With that said, he, too, left the pavilion.
Elder Zhenren stood with a dark look on his face.
"Damn it," he cursed under his breath.
Soon, he also stomped out of the pavilion.
I must inform the others of this developnt, he thought to himself.
Adam’s value to the Shadow Sect and the future of Yen-Lu is too important! I can’t let this be. Especially, considering that we don’t have a spy within the Tsuitsui Clan!
***
Sowhere in the Baihua Sect, at the edge of a cliff overlooking Jingyun City, two figures shared a hearty al beneath the starlit skies.
Both were n who had completed the third cycle of the body enhancent thod. Needless to say, their regenerative healing factor was greater than most.
Goro had bandages around his head and torso. Still, that did not stop him from digging into the freshly cooked at his underlings had sneaked into the sect.
"Your fighting style is not bad," he said, loudly chewing the food. "Very animalistic and ruthless. I felt like I was getting hit by a mountain every ti. Hahaha! I won’t lie, my muscles already feel sore."
Adam leisurely sat beside him, sipping sake directly from the bottle. He then offered the liquor to his new friend.
"Absolutely not!" Goro adamantly refused. "Alcohol affects my muscles. They will lose vigor if I drink even a drop of sake."
Adam simply rolled his eyes in response. He shrugged, then continued to drink on his own.
"Anyway, Brother Ao," Goro began. "Share your life story with . Since you’re basically my best friend now, I’d like to know you better."
Adam was speechless. "Auhh!"
"Ah, I forgot you can’t speak!" Goro burst into laughter.
Then, he continued:
"Never mind, I’ll share my story then. So this one ti when I was a kid, I ran away from ho and snuck into a rchant vessel. Then I jumped off the ship and swam to this place called Mabi. It was quite fun, actually. The place was filled with beasts. I lived there alone for a few years, and even managed to snag a few treasures along the way..."
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