Star Gate

Chapter 587: Ceremonial Rites (III)

However, they still found it hard to believe! Were the Xus just scaring them? Had they scrounged up a minor monster spirit from somewhere to fool them, so that the family could subdue all sides?

As strong as the Kui Mountains were, it wasn’t that those assembled couldn’t afford to offend one metamorphosis expert and a couple of Novas. Sure, that was frightening, but the presence of an ancient monster spirit made the Kui Mountains too horrifying to provoke!

Even Red Beard fell silent, but he was skeptical. He glanced at Xu Xing, not knowing if the man was just bluffing or speaking the truth. And were descendants of ancient monster spirits supposed to be this weak? This one was only mid Solar!

He wasn’t afraid of the Kui Mountains since he was also a metamorphosis level expert. He could just flee to the seas if he killed this monster spirit. The mountains were of land—if the monster spirits dared enter the sea, he would let them know that the East Sea was an entirely different proposition to land.

But if there was a surviving ancient monster spirit... then he would not court death either.

Li Hao was equally apprehensive in this gathering, but he composed himself when Xu Xing started paving the way for him.

“Listen up,” he announced in a newly arrogant voice. “Those of the Kui Mountains are about to enter the world again. You humans will listen to us or taste the wrath of the monster spirits!”

Fury dawned on some faces while Xu Xing inwardly cried with agony.

“Envoy,” he transmitted. “The customs of humans are different from monster spirits. There is no need for the Kui Mountains to provoke so many people and there’s no need for you to go toe-to-toe with them for anything...

“Most of these people respect the mountains, but there are a few who regularly speaks ill of your home. The fiery old man is a powerhouse from Firebright province. His name is Yu Qiao and he’s so bad that he can’t be spoken of!

“The one wearing a small crown is the eldest son of the East Pole Duke in the East Pole province. That duke once said that he will exterminate the Kui Mountain monster spirits sooner or later...

“The one in black robes with the emblem of a large sun is from the Helios organization. They’ve secretly killed many monster spirits as well...”

Xu Xing suddenly had the inspiration of setting the monster spirit on their enemies. This monster spirit loved to run its mouth, so it’d be best if it offended all of these factions to a point beyond salvage. At that point, the monster spirits would have no choice but to partner with the Xus.

It’d be even better if they started fighting on the scene. That would give the monster spirit a taste of hardship. The Xus could then step forward to alleviate the situation and save the monster spirit. That would make the circumstances more meaningful.

Quite a few thoughts swiftly ran through Xu Xing’s mind, while Li Hao grasped an equal degree of understanding. These three must be feuding with the Steadfast Duke. This was good!

“You there!” Panther turned toward the old man with white hair. “Little Xingxing says that you said you’ll exterminate monster spirits! You’ve got some balls! This king would like to see how strong you are to be so cocky!”

Xu Xing blinked, then cursed to himself. Fuck! I didn’t tell you to say it out loud! Did it do so on purpose or is it really such a blabbermouth? I wouldn’t have said anything if I’d known beforehand.

Although he knew the truth that not everyone was friendly with each other, that was all under the table. No one was openly hostile to another party. But thanks to the dog, everyone knew that it was the Xus stirring up trouble from the shadows—well, more like openly stirring up trouble.

The second young master felt overwhelming regret. He wasn’t afraid of the consequences, but the circumstances were too awkward and too embarrassing. There was nothing he wanted to do more than to crawl into a hole after his blatant machinations were revealed.

“And that monkey!” Li Hao didn’t let up. “When there is no dragon god in the mountain, the monkey proclaims himself king!” [1]

The eldest son of the East Pole Duke glanced wordlessly at Xu Xing. Yu Qiao also frowned, but didn’t say anything.

“And the fellow with the red dot around your chest.” Li Hao then turned to the Helios member. “How dare you secretly kill monster spirits! This king will tell the dragon god when I return to the mountains. We’ll take care of you!”

“......” Xu Xing was completely dead on the inside and he hastily said, “The envoy is quick of word and mouth, he speaks what his heart thinks! Don’t misunderstand, everyone, it’s just a joke...”

Everyone in the crowd looked at him, with some cursing to themselves. Misunderstand? A joke? Any fool can tell that this is a result of you transmitting something to the monster spirit. It’s not the sharpest, so it talked about everything you told it.

The three factions that were mentioned were quietly contemplating the situation. Some were thinking of the implications of the Xus working with the Kui Mountains. Others were secretly plotting murder. The monster spirit came with quite a background. It’d be interesting if it died in the Xu manor.

Xu Xing didn’t look like he was putting on an act. He really did seem fearful and resigned toward the golden monster spirit. That was proof of its uncommon background. If it died here, would that sour relations between the duke and the Kui Mountains?

Killing intent briefly flashed through certain people, but Li Hao could sense it. He blinked, then thought of the reason why. Someone wants to kill me...

The Xus certainly wouldn’t want him to die here. They were certain of his identity and would sooner let Xu Xing die than himself. Otherwise, unimaginable vengeance would be upon them. They would protect him if he clashed with the visitors, wouldn’t they?

Despite the thoughts, Li Hao’s heart quailed. What an... exciting feeling! He would be done for if the Xus didn’t care about him, but if they did and truly protected him, then things would be interesting then. Perhaps he could create a massive disturbance by himself. Those three parties probably all wanted to kill him and pin it on the Xus, but didn’t dare do so openly. Therefore, those impulses could only remain mental thoughts.

But what if he taunted them and created some confusion?

Numerous ideas floated into his mind to be dismissed equally quickly. It wasn’t a good idea to be so obvious. At the very least, he hadn’t seen the Windchaser Boots yet. He had to see them first and confirm they were real before taking such action. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to do so.

Xu Xing led him to a special seat—not a chair, but a golden cushion on the ground. It looked like something the family had produced overnight. Panther sprawled lazily on it, finding it quite comfortable.

The rest of the gathering looked at the dog, to which Xu Xing heaved a sigh of relief. All was well so long as the monster spirit didn’t say a word. He could just be a backdrop to intimidate everyone with.

“Envoy, then I shall head into the hall first to host the ceremony...” he transmitted to Li Hao.

Panther waved an impatient claw; the man swiftly disappeared inside the Hall of Ancestors. Li Hao brazenly extended his consciousness into the hall, prompting startled glances from many. How bold! But the Xus turned a blind eye or tacitly permitted the monster spirit to do as it would. This was further confirmation that the monster spirit was of a noble identity, that it dared and was allowed to probe the Xu Hall of Ancestors at this time.

Li Hao didn’t see the Windchaser Boots after making a circle of the hall. There was something like an offering table in the back of the hall. Judging from its shape, this was where the Windchaser Boots were normally offered. At the moment, there was nothing on it.

Didn’t they say that the Xus would offer up the boots for three days at their ceremony? Were they not doing so this time?

Xu Xing put everything out of his mind and proclaimed in tragically modulated tones, reciting words of mourning with fury and anguish. “Oh venerated ancestors above, the Xu family has a heritage of hundreds of years and bend ourselves to the utmost for country, for nation, for people, for the world. We do not rest until we are met with death, but my eldest brother Xu Zhen died woefully in the hands of Silver Moon malefactors. We are even met with those who betrayed us and killed our generals...”

Each and every single word brought tears to the eyes of those listening. Li Hao and Light Sword were naturally the villains and murderers he spoke of. Those outside listened with immense sorrow. Some lowered their heads with a sigh, others clenched their teeth with fury. Only they themselves were privy to how genuine their emotions were.

“Your descendants were unfilial and had our heritage treasure be seized by the villains. We are ashamed of this and will return with it...” Xu Xing continued as a disturbance sounded outside the hall.

Li Hao blinked when he looked back. An old man was striding toward the hall—logically speaking, he should not appear at the memorial rites of his son and grandson, yet here Xu Qing was. Several formidable generals followed by his side.

He held up a boot in his hands and walked forward with it raised high. His expression was coldly stern as he approached the Hall of Ancestors.

“Descendant Xu Qing is incompetent and has lost face for the ancestors!” His voice carried out. “We have lost one of the Windchaser Boots and have only one left! We were too ashamed to offer it and bring further humiliation down on our ancestors, but the Xus stand erect in the east and will rise after our shame! As the ancestors be our witness, we will take back the other boot, hunt down our enemies, and clear our name!”

He respectfully placed the boot on the offering table, drawing bright-eyed looks from many present. Li Hao was even more direct and sent his consciousness toward it! No one followed suit, but he wasn’t afraid. Xu Qing seemed to have expected it and didn’t stop the monster spirit. He knew that it wouldn’t be able to help itself when the boot appeared. This was why it was here.

Li Hao hastily inspected it—he really was afraid of carrying off a replica. How nice was this, he could take his time inspecting it in the open. Regular people wouldn’t be able to determine if it was real or not, but he had the other one. All he had to do was to compare their internal energy—that was a characteristic very hard to fake.

All the same, it was difficult to come to a conclusion. He brusquely transmitted to Xu Qing, “You are the Steadfast Duke? The item is too far away from me. Can this king personally inspect it to see if it is what the Kui Mountains needs?”

“Naturally,” Xu Qing responded via transmission without a flicker of change in his expression. “But please wait a moment, envoy. You can inspect it when the ceremony is over.”

As eager as Li Hao was, he held himself in check at this moment. Then he would wait!

1. In Chinese, “the eldest son of the duke” can be turned into the characters for “monkey” when the character for “eldest” is removed. ☜