There were the dull pops of fire crackers, then cheers, and shouts from nearby thousands of revellers.
The Bai Clan's party had carried through the night and into the morning, yet their courtyards were still full of guests.
But in a serene courtyard, the young master of the Clan was still sleeping.
"Young Master, wake up!"
Luo Qing said.
Still there was no response from Bai Zihan.
Having no choice, Luo Qing decided to enter Bai Zihan's room.
The door opened, and a pair of soft feet took the floor as Luo Qing entered quietly.
Luo Qing nudged Bai Zihan gently.
"Good morning! Young Master, wake up!"
Luo Qing repeated.
"Ugh! What is it, Luo Qing?"
A groan ca from the bed. Bai Zihan inquired with his eyes closed.
"Young Master, your father is looking for you!"
Luo Qing said.
Bai Zihan turned over lazily under the silk covers, rubbing his eyes.
He sat up, the tangle of his hair tumbling over his forehead into eyes that yawned wide.
"What does that old man want now?"
Bai Zihan said with a yawn.
Perhaps in the Entire Bai Clan, only Bai Zihan dared to address Bai Tianehng like that.
"What ti is it?"
He muttered.
"It's already past noon," Luo Qing quickly reminded, and a basin of water was being prepared.
"The Clan Leader is playing host to visitors from all over the empire. He said he wanted you with him."
"Tch... What
Bai Zihan said.
waste of ti!"
Seeing one influential figure after another gathered here, it was clear the Bai Clan's strength now stood above all others--but Bai Zihan, of course, couldn't be bothered to care about such things.
If it were others, they would be happy about such a thing.
Luo Qing didn't comnt on that.
Bai Zihan lifted his legs off the bed, and stretched like a cat.
Luo Qing quickly assisted him to wash, and helped him change his clothes, no longer sparing any neatness for his robes.
The act itself had brought the young master from absent youth to soone more fitting his title-an heir with shrewd eyes and a presence that couldn't be missed no matter how aloof he tried to appear.
As soon as Bai Zihan left tendered his compound, the mood hit him in full.
Even the air was filled with a rich heady scent of spirit wines and roasted spirit beast at, while multicoloured banners walled all around.
Servants scurried back and forth, bearing trays of gifts and jade scrolls.
Helped by Luo Qing, Bai Zihan entered the grand hall.
There, amidst all that sea of dignitaries and big fishes, Bai Tianheng cut. tall
figure with hearty laughter yet an awe-inspiring presence.
He seed more relaxed than usual, chatting with sect masters and patriarchs
and wandering experts.
When Bai Zihan entered the grand hall, all eyes landed on him.
There was a collective murmur that pulsed throughout the audience and almost imdiately a few sect leaders and so heads of clan leaned closer to each other, their eyes flaring with acknowledgnt.
"So that is the young master of the Bai Clan..."
"Indeed! What a presence! A sharp gaze, yet unfathomable. As would befit the heir of the Bai Clan!"
"Hahaha! Young Master Zihan is truly a dragon returning to paradise and the phoenix ascending. No wonder the Bai Clan is flourishing!"
"With that bearing, one can already glimpse the might of a future Lord. The younger generation of our empire pales in comparison!"
Complints started to flow, each more effusive than the last.
The words felt honeyed, each full mouth of them were polished till they
glead.
Yet Bai Zihan's expression remained completely unchanged. He didn't even smile or nod, let alone express any false humility.
To him, these words were no different than buzzing flies.
Disregarding every congratulating voice, Bai Zihan strode forwards; his pace was slow, the only thing he focused on was that tall and hearty figure laughing in the middle.
"Father," Bai Zihan said, breaking into the air before it had a chance to settle.
Bai Tianheng's hearty laugh tapered off, and the Clan Leader turned with a
smile.
His eyes flickered with both pride and amusent as he saw his son's indifference to the sycophants surrounding them.
"Ah, if it isn't my son!"
The Hall fell silent as Father and Son conversed.
"I was waiting for you!"
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow.
"What's the problem?"
"Zihan'er, as the heir of the Bai Clan, you cannot spend all your ti sleeping
and hiding away. Today, people from every great power in the Desolate Heaven Empire and beyond are gathered here. Sect heirs, clan young masters, and disciples of renowned elders-you must use this opportunity to build
connections."
Bai Zihan's face imdiately changed, but Bai Tianheng didn't wait for him to
refute.
"This is not just a matter of politeness. The relationships developed today can form the basis of alliance tomorrow."
Bai Tianheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice dropping so only Bai Zihan
could hear.
"And what's more, a lot of them are here for one reason-to claim your sister as their bride. Top Sect, Imperial Clan, even so Top Ten Clans are now knocking on the door. As her brother, you should see whether they are truly
worthy for Xueqing'er."
His words hung in the air.
Bai Zihan's eyes twitched.
For one, he didn't think he was needed here to form connections.
As a cultivator in the Great Ascension Realm, Bai Tianheng could very well live
for hundreds of years.
So was there really any need for him, the son, to forge relationships now?
Perhaps only in the case of his father's death-but with the Bai Clan's current
strength, was that even necessary?
Secondly, looking for a husband for Bai Xueqing?
Not to ntion whether she even wanted one, was there even soone
capable of handling her?
Wouldn't that just be him deliberately throwing soone into misery?
That poor soul might as well be cursed for life.
"Don't worry!" Bai Tianheng said with a laugh.
"They are just like you-mbers of the younger generation. We old ones have
our own gathering, while they're in a separate courtyard. Go there!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers