Chapter 397: Gathering of Elders
The day of the ticket match finally dawned upon them.
On this day, half of Xia City had a ear out towards the nearby campus, and many of the city’s highest elites had secured seats through their various connections. Those not as well-connected had to settle for watching footage through specialized equipment that had been placed throughout the cities.
It was the match of the year, citizens of Xia Kingdom spraining their necks craning out for the event on the horizon.
The first ray of morning sun pierced the horizon, shining onto the cloud layer like a spotlight from below.
The ticket match was held at the back mountain range – the cl.u.s.ters of mountains were perfect for stadium seats – stone steps carved into their natural elevation.
There was no arena specially carved out for battle, but there were different terrains available, including forests, lakes, and swamps.
By the time Li Luo, Bai Mengmeng, and Xin Fu reached, the crowd was already out in strength, little dots of faces covering the mountain faces. The enclosing geography of the mountains only helped to amplify their loudness.
“Li Luo!”
At the entrance, he heard the familiar voice of Lu Qing’er, and turned to see her waving at him. Yu Hongxi was by her side, in her signature s.e.xy red.
Li Luo had expected to see them around, but he was still surprised by the unusual company around them on this day.
To Yu Hongxi’s right was Zhu Qinghuo, the house lord of House Jiyan. Behind him was Zhu Xuan.
The Duze siblings were present as well, although they too were standing behind a black-robed man with an unfriendly demeanor. His hands were crossed in front of him, striking an imposing manner.
Li Luo had never seen this man before, but immediately knew who he was.
House Duze’s house lord, Duze Yan.
Si Qiuying could be spotted among them as well. There was a man in golden robes before her. He looked to be about the same age as Duze Yan, but much more cultured and polished, looking like a gleaming bar of gold where Duze Yan was an iron ingot. This was the house lord of House Jinque, Si Qing.
This was a group of extremely powerful elders. Three house lords of the five Great Houses – that was how important the ticket match was.
The elders had been talking among themselves, but paused when Lu Qing’er called out. They all turned to the youth walking towards them.
Li Luo walked towards them, head held high. After all, he too was the young lord of House Luolan. Even though he might be far from them in terms of ability, but in the absence of his parents, he represented the house. He could not let House Luolan lose face here.
The three house lords watched his fearless approach with some wariness. In his stride, they saw an image of the legendary duo.
And thinking of those two… a measure of caution crept into their eyes.
When Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan had been around, the entire Duke cla.s.s in Xia Kingdom had been crushed by them.
“President Yu, house lords.” Li Luo greeted them calmly.
House Jiyan’s Zhu Qinghuo acknowledged him with a small smile. “In less than a year, this boy Li Luo has already become the foremost fighter in Astral Sage College One Star Hall. Seems like there will soon be a new dragon and phoenix risen within the halls of House Luolan. Keke, it reminds me of House Luolan’s golden days when Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan were around.”
Duze Yan narrowed his eyes at that remark. When House Luolan fell, the other houses had all risen correspondingly. None of them wanted to see House Luolan rise again. If a new Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan emerged, the rest of them would be doomed for more long years of misery!
Li Luo looked mildly at Zhu Qinghuo. Of course he understood the malice hidden in those words. There was already a big target on House Luolan’s back, but Zhu Qinghuo was happily painting the bullseye bigger, and in a brighter shade of red.
Sly old dog.
“Zhu Qinghuo, surely you’re thinking too far. Li Luo is only a Resonant Master now. Were you traumatized by the beatings from Li Taixuan back in the day?” Jinque’s house lord Si Qing laughed.
Zhu Qinghuo’s shoulders froze. “As if you weren’t the same,” he said coldly.
“Can’t help it if I’m not as good,” Si Qing said, shrugging it off easily.
Li Luo did not rise to the taunts of Zhu Qinghuo, nor was he overcome by Si Qing’s intervention. The five Great Houses were locked in a complex political mesh. Even if House Jinque appeared a little more friendly, it was ultimately in their own interests to keep House Luolan around as cannon fodder against the firepower of Houses Jiyan and Duze.
He would be naive to think that it was out of the goodness of their hearts.
“Enough, Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan might not even be dead yet,” Yu Hongxi cut short the oily musings of the house lords.
Her words cut back deep, shutting them all up. Zhu Qinghuo and Duze Yan gave it up immediately. That the pair had not yet been confirmed dead was the reason why House Luolan had been left alone all these years, even though it had been vulnerable.
The n.o.bles’ Battlefield was a very real danger, but if the pair could emerge alive, Xia Kingdom would be shaken up by their return.
Besides, they too felt a little hint of defensiveness from Yu Hongxi, which had not been present before. Hadn’t she always been cold towards House Luolan before? The two had rarely interacted in the past. Why had things changed since Li Luo’s rise?
Was it because of Lu Qing’er?
In any case, she was the center of financial power here in Xia Kingdom, and neither dared to reply. They turned away and walked into the tournament grounds.
“You grow fast, Li Luo,” Yu Hongxi said as they left. “But you’re still a long way aways from protecting your house.”
“I know,” he agreed. “Still, I’ll do my best.”
“You’re much more reserved compared to Li Taixuan. Maybe it’s just your blank palace start that conditioned you to caution,” Yu Hongxi said. “But now you’re in the open at Xia City. There can be no more hiding. And if you can’t hide, perhaps it’s time to embrace your full shine.”
“Besides, Jiang Qing’e might be hailed as a genuis of your time, but I don’t think you’d lose to her. Do your best. House Luolan has always had stronger women than men. About time you flipped the tables for your time, eh?”
She turned to leave as well.
Lu Qing’er beamed at him. “Good luck, Li Luo!”
She followed her mother in.
Li Luo stared ruefully at the mother and daughter pair.
Was Yu Hongxi helping him? Or was she trying to stir something between him and Jiang Qing’e? Women were complicated creatures indeed.