Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shangguan Lingxiu took a long time to ponder before she said, “Master, I want to turn it into a sword. Yun Yang’s future path will definitely be challenging and winding. I can’t only think about protecting myself. I hope to face future trials and tribulations together with him. When we’re faced with obstacles, I hope more to use the sword I wield in slashing away a smooth path for him.”
Unrestrained laughter rang out before a voice immediately said, “Xue Yan, how about that? You’re a woman but you still don’t adequately understand women, do you? I long guessed that this girl would pick a weapon, do you acknowledge your defeat?”
Following the guffaw, a man clad in white materialized from thin air.
The person had long hair, beard, and mustache, their fluttering length approaching his belly button. The snow-white hair told of his advanced age, but his eyes were still bright like he could see through everything.
There was an otherworldly air to him like he was untainted despite the corruptions of the world. It gave birth to a sense of reverence once one saw him. Such a person was indeed an extraordinary one, a deity!
Shangguan Lingxiu was intimidated by the person’s aura, awe instantly filling her. She was promptly aware that this man must be her grandmaster as mentioned by her master.
Her master was already so skilled, her grandmaster must only be even more capable.
It was unexpected, however, when Aunt Mei’s eyes widened before she looked resigned. “You – what are you doing? Why – why did you change into this horrible look? Are you trying to scare us?”
The person stroked his hair, looking high, mighty and unpredictable, as he said with a squint, “Since I’m now a grandmaster, of course, I can’t assume my previous look. In front of this young girl at least, I must maintain a trustworthy and reliable image. Isn’t this to be expected? How is this frightening?”
Aunt Mei was instantly speechless, a palm covering her face.
‘Which of your words now is reliable? You aren’t scary; you now have no more image!’
“You’re one to complain. We’ve finally gotten a disciple. What’s crucial now is to hurry up and send the invitations and organize the ceremony.”
The man in white stroked his beard as he continued speaking, squinting his eyes, “It’s a serious enough matter to urge those fellows over to congratulate us and send us gifts, isn’t it!”
Exasperation filled Aunt Mei when she knew that her husband’s image had further collapsed. There was no virtuous value or dignity left to him!
“Xiao Miao, Xiao Yi, come quick. Come quickly to cheer this occasion up. I’ll give you the name list, write up the invitations fast.” The white-gowned man counted with his fingers. “Hmm, send… fifty invitations over to Palace Lingtian. As long as there’s a person in there, make sure they have an invite in their hands. Don’t miss out anyone. Then, send… two hundred to Old Black… is it enough?”
“How many wives does Old Black have again?” he turned to ask Aunt Mei as he mused.
Aunt Mei was indignant when she replied, “Are you thinking to ask each of his wives to send a congratulatory gift as well? Could you be any more shameful? We sisters want our faces still if you don’t want it!”
The white-gowned man was furious when he heard what she had to say, retorting as angrily, “Who’s the shameless one now? Which of his wives has never sent an invite when they give birth! Of course, we have to get back our share this time when we have a disciple now! F*cking sh*t, my biggest loss in this lifetime is marrying too few wives. A total loss!”
“Hmm?” Aunt Mei’s eyes glared straight at the man as she asked with a smirk, “Too few wives? Look at how you speak – it seems like it’s your honest thought that has been buried long in your heart!”
The man’s expression turned serious immediately after a chuckle. He said with pride, “I don’t have many wives, but they’re high caliber women. Compared to his common kitsch, mine is so much better! Completely stepping over his! I’ve always been content about this.”
“Hmph.”
An unprecedented storm was instantly quashed. No matter how powerful and how capable, women were women. They would eternally prize beauty over anything else. Receiving the sincere compliments of their own man, eighty to ninety percent of whatever brewing disaster could already be eliminated!
“Right, there’s the other side too. Send a few dozens to the ten people over there. Give one to each name.” As the man spoke, he suddenly thought of something and said, “Right, don’t give the invite to the narcissist. He won’t come anyway…”
“Other than that, specifically tell that conman that our disciple is his daughter-in-law! Let him consider the significance of it! Don’t think of taking advantage of others every time.”
“Oh, send the invite to Smiley as well. Make sure the invite arrives in their hands.”
“Then…”
“Send them all anyway – confirm that they had received the invites.”
The white-gowned man howled ecstatically to the sky, “It’s my turn to reap the gains now!”
The corners of Shangguan Lingxiu’s lips twitched, feeling that this grandmaster of hers was somehow very odd. It was a contrast to the very first image she saw of him. Could one really not judge a book by its cover?
“Are you sure you want to invite Old Black as well?” asked Aunt Mei.
The man thought about it and replied, “You have a point. Let’s not invite Old Black then. In case we alarm them…”
“You bunch of people are all planning for the worst schemes. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black. Do you really think that you’re such a good cookie yourself?” A few women laughed in unison.
Shangguan Lingxiu was confused listening to the group. She had no idea what was happening before her. She could understand every word but when she began to think about what they actually meant, she was completely confounded.
Subsequently, however, Shangguan Lingxiu realized with a startle that she was being swamped by various gifts. She had only a grandmaster and several martial aunts, as well as the meeting gift from her master, but the presents she received were already a great assortment.
Staring at the wonderful gifts she received, Shangguan Lingxiu, who was opulent now, thought subconsciously about how great it could be if she could return now and give these items to Yun Yang, saving a lot of hard work…
…
Shangguan Lingxiu had left, leaving a family of Shangguan’s who was in low spirits.
There was only Old Mistress Shangguan who sighed softly, seemingly to put away a concern. It was just that a sense of longing was added to her heart from now on, the slight edginess evident in her expression.
“Yun Yang, don’t you let Lingxiu down then,” Old Mistress told Yun Yang formally.
Yun Yang nodded. “Don’t worry, old mistress. Yun Yang promises you here that I shall never let Lingxiu down.”
Old Mistress Shangguan smiled lightly and gazed at Yun Yang with affection. She spoke tenderly, “One day when you marry Lingxiu, don’t forget to make a toast at my grave. I’ll be comforted in the underworld.”
“Old Mistress is healthy and fine. You’ll be able to see that day for sure. It won’t be a wild wish to have grandchildren surrounding you as well!” Yun Yang said, sucking in a deep breath.
Old Mistress Shangguan’s lips tugged upwards as she replied, “As Supreme Cloud has said, I hope so too.”
Then, her tone turned soft. “Supreme Cloud must be cautious leaving to Tianxuan Cliff this time. If there is no sense of absolute confidence, do not force it. Further thought can be given to devising a long term plan. The days are long. No need to rush it.”
“Yun Yang understands,” answered the young man.
The old lady sighed and said, “Actually, the matter of the Nine Supremes is the matter of the Empire of Yutang but you, alone, have directed the whole case to the martial world, forcefully severing it from the empire’s providence. Your intention is kind, but to shoulder the right and wrong of this world on your own then carry the consequent disputes of the empire after… it’s too tiring – simply too much.”
Yun Yang sighed.
Old Mistress Shangguan was indeed the household leader who had solely maintained the upkeep of Shangguan Family for so many years. With a pair of eyes, she had seen past all of Yun Yang’s thoughts.
