Chapter 1128: Malcontent

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Yue’er looked around curiously, “Yeah, where is she? I don’t see her gophers either.” 

“Who are you calling a gopher, Yue’er?”

A tall middle-aged man walked over with a smile, “Ha-ha-ha, that brat has been taken by your charming daughter for years now, always after her like a lost puppy. You just can’t drive him off either, just like a shadow. Why not just seal the deal already?”

Yue’er’s face twitched and huffed.

[You wish! How’s your son fit for my daughter?]

Luo Yunhai laughed, “Brother Xingyun, Sifan and Jianshan are still young. Let’s give them a couple more years.” 

“How are they young?” Long Xingyun chuckled, looking hopeful, “Brother Yunhai, our friendship began since Tianyu. We built the Luo Alliance together. The two grew up together, childhood sweethearts that only have eyes for each other. Why not make it official? Ha-ha-ha…” 

[What eyeing each other? My daughter barely even looks at him.]

Yue’er gave him a dark look while Luo Yunhai chuckled.

“Long Xingyun, after all this time, I see you’re as rotten as ever. The whole alliance knows of your son’s incompetence. How can he be a match for the Luo clan’s pride and joy?” Someone shouted in the distance.

“Who said that? Who insulted my son?” Long Xingyun snapped back, only to snort at the speaker, “Well, well, what’s it to you? You’re not part of the Luo Alliance anyway, so don’t butt in!”

Thump~

A cold-faced middle-aged man stepped closer, with a split mustache and flickering eyes. His stare pierced hearts. He was the Head Venerable of Sword God Sect, one of the seven founding elders of Luo Alliance, Xie Xiaofeng’s eldest son, Xie Tianshang. 

He began with a gesture of respect to Luo Yunhai, offered his gifts, then turned to Long Xingyun, “I may not be, but my dad is. My son grew up in the alliance as well. You can say anything else, but when it comes to the junior’s marriage, I have to speak my mind.” 

“What the hell does that have to do with you?”

“Everything. My son thinks the world of the Luo clan’s daughter.” Xie Tianshang cupped his hands again, “Brother Yunhai, I’ve always been fascinated by swords and failed to guide him. Thank you for always looking after him. Now that he’s all grown up, I wish to fulfill my duty as a father. Seeing his honest intentions for your daughter, I would like to make the humble request for her hand.” 

Luo Yunhai and Yue’er lowered their heads in awkward silence.

[And another showed up for marriage.]

“Then I won’t impose and make it hard on the Luo Alliance Leader.” Long Xingyun sneered, saluting Luo Yunhai again, “Brother Yunhai, that settles it then. Let’s discuss the details later…” 

“Curses, how is that settled? Get lost!” Xie Tianshang shoved Long Xingyun aside and took his place to offer his sincerity to the two. 

Long Xingyun replied with a kick, “You left Tianyu, yet you meddle into Tianyu’s matters still?”

The two old friends started bickering like biddies. Though never resorting to violence, the scene they made wasn’t any smaller.

Luo Yunhai shook his head, helpless.

“Sword God Sect’s Sect Leader has arrived!”

The herald shouted and Wen Tao smiled as he saluted, taken back at the display, “Uh, Venerable Xie, why…”

“Senior brother!”

Xie Tianshang’s face twitched, stopping the quarrel. Wen Tao looked at the two and cracked up, “Ha-ha-ha, how lively. Venerable Xie, you’re so relaxed now that you’re home, unlike your stern attitude in the sect.”

Xie Tianshang rolled his eyes, yet he had a smile on his face.

“Sect Leader Wen, it’s been ages!” Luo Yunhai cupped his hands.

Wen Tao waved off the excessive courtesy, “Please, we’re all brothers here. There’s no need for that. I remember like yesterday how the Luo clan kept me safe on the frontlines of the five lands’ war.”

“It’s only natural. The Luo clan has joined the nine sects before all due to Sect Leader Wen’s support…”

“We had all done it for brother Zhuo, while you saved my life. They can’t compare. Anyway, we became family from that moment on. Brother Luo, congratulations!” Wen Tao cupped his hands again.

Luo Yunhai returned the gesture with the same joy and sincerity.

“Hellion Flame Sect Leader Yan Mo and Ultimate Clarity Sect Leader Wu Qingqiu have arrived!”

The two stepped lightly to the bustle, with Wu Qingqiu laughing, “Brothers, you’re all here. I see that we’re late. I’ll drink to make up for it. Yunhai, congratulations. I would’ve held my own grand birthday, but we’re all Sects Leaders, and no longer part of the secular world. At the very least, ic get to meet with my sworn brothers, ha-ha-ha…”

Yan Mo smiled and nodded, offering his respects alongside Wu Qingqiu.

“Sect Leader Wu, don’t joke. How can the mundane world’s customs be of notice to the secluded sects?” Luo Yunhai joked.

Wen Tao asked, “What of Ye Lin? You still haven’t found him after all these years? With Zhuo Fan gone, he’s at the top of western lands.”

Wen Tao gave a thumb’s up.

“Don’t remind me. Ever since the war, little junior brother vanished mere days after returning and I haven’t heard from him since.”

Wen Tao sighed, “Many seniors have been missing since the war as well. It’s as if they all went into seclusion after, no longer concerning themselves with fame and riches.”

The men shared a look and sank into silence. The four lands had lost most of their forces and only grew further apart from the central area’s level. 

“Please, sit. As it’s my grand birthday, let’s not talk about sad matters. Why not join me in drinking our fill?” Knowing their worries, Luo Yunhai smiled and proposed to pull them out of their sorrow.

The men laughed, “Let’s!”

The guests kept pouring in well into dusk. Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang looked over the gift list and shared a frown. 

“Stewards, what’s wrong?”

The two bowed, “Young miss!”

Luo Yunchang took the list and smiled, “9th grade pills, 10th grade spiritual weapons, 11th grade ingredients. The gifts have only been increasing over the decades. Yunhai is starting to get their attention, ha-ha-ha…”

“Yes, but it’s too soon to tell if it’s for good or worse.” Zhuge Changfeng sighed.

Luo Yunchang was puzzled.

Zhuge Changfeng bowed, “Young miss, we’ve anticipated this outcome ever since Clan Head decided on moving up the ladder at all costs.”

“What outcome?”

“Double Dragon Manor is malcontent by the year.” 

Zhuge Changfeng sighed, “The Luo Alliance has enjoyed a swift growth over the century, winning many hearts. With the western lands having a bleak future, Double Dragon Manor couldn’t be happy. The first half of the century, Clan Head’s birthday parties all had an envoy from the Double Dragon Manor, offering encouraging gifts. Later on, as our alliance gained clout and the western lands followed us more and more, Double Dragon Manor gave us the cold shoulder over the next two decades and lessened their gifts.

“The last thirty years there hasn’t been any, the period marking the peak of our influence. It came so that when discussions of defenses were held, the Double Dragon Manor was bypassed and the nine sects discussed it only with us. It is no different from going over an emperor’s authority in his court and getting killed in the process.” 

Luo Yunchang’s brow shook, “You mean Double Dragon Manor wants Yunhai…”

“No no no, it has yet to come to that.”

Zhuge Changfeng refuted, “The Luo Alliance is vital to western lands. Be it from reasons, or excuses, Double Dragon Manor would never move against us, unless they want to lose their status in western lands. The world of practitioners has its own rules. Without a good reason for war, they would earn everyone’s disgust and hatred. Double Dragon Manor wants to rule western lands and won’t violate this. Alas…

“They have their eyes on us to find our weakness. The minute we do anything out of line, they’ll capitalize on it. So the fiercer things get, the more collected we must be and avoid any trouble.”

Luo Yunchang nodded and sighed, “This is Yunhai’s choice and has to bear its burden along with its dangers. Zhuo Fan had told him so before he left and must be ready for it.”  

“Clan Head is indeed ready to reach the top. It’s very similar to Steward Zhuo.”

“True, his guide has been Zhuo Fan all along!” Luo Yunchang looked at the sky with a radiant smile…

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