Despite his embarra.s.sment upon witnessing the cub"s outrageous deeds, Grandmaster Zhu Zhang was certain of the fact this "s...o...b..ll" was his offspring. He could sense the blood ties of the Bai clan"s direct lineage emitting from him, as only the children of the Sovereign Lord would have the capacity to be br.i.m.m.i.n.g with this tremendous aura.
Only now, that formidable aura was displayed from the girl his son had placed his paws on so brazenly.
Zhu Zhang attempted to conceal his turbulent emotions while he was still mulling over the sudden discovery of siring a child!
There were many times in his life when Grandmaster Zhang felt guilty for deserting the clan since ultimately, there were so few of them left capable of continuing the lineage. The curse had not only toppled their family count but steadily brought forth the inevitable demise of the long-lasting Bai genealogy.
As he was witnessing his flagrant son"s machinations, Zhu Zhang couldn"t help but entertain the thought that he would surely become a grandfather soon and the empty Bai palace may yet be filled with the cheerful cries of children once again.
Thinking about the Bai palace made him realize "s...o...b..ll" must have been conceived after that horrendous night aeons ago when that witch Hong Meigui drugged him on the eve of their marriage ceremony.
He was a proud man and only a few G.o.ds had ever managed to faze him, but the morning after the wedding, when he groggily woke up by the side of the Red Fox princess, he felt so repulsed to the point of retching and realization dawned upon him. He reached his breaking point.
The feeling of his body being defiled by another had never truly left him.
Only other Bai members forced against their will into producing heirs for the sake of the line would be able to understand the indescribable feeling of befoulment that he had experienced.
He knew that he couldn"t abide by his elders" wishes any longer. That very same day, he left the G.o.dly realm and never once looked back.
The obligation of procreation did not fall upon all the clan members. Side branches were left to find their fated person and most of the elders had not even married. They were a clan with a scarce population, nearly all Bai Foxes practised abstinence and preserved their chast.i.ty.
Regrettably, Zhu Zhang was born to be the Sovereign Lord and with his great powers came greater responsibilities he was committed to upholding.
The Jiu Wei Hu"s were only able to remain a substantial tribe in the heavens because the governing Bai Foxes were the only ones affected by the curse. The rest of the Fox Deities were thriving in comparison.
On another note, was his son the Sovereign Lord of the Bai clan really named s...o...b..ll?!
Zhu Zhang cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to compose himself after witnessing such an embarra.s.sing scene and subsequently formally addressed the entire hall in a declaration, "The trial is officially adjourned. Clearly, we are lacking a few details in our investigation. I will conduct a thorough interrogation in private. Everyone, disperse. Li Meirong, follow me to the inner chambers." He then turned to Healer"s Peak division"s Grandmaster and said, "My disciple has sustained mild injuries, I will ask you to make sure she is properly treated."
The Healer"s Peak Grandmaster respectfully saluted Zhu Zhang as he a.s.sembled his disciples and ordered them to carry the unconscious, tortured Captain Liang.
As the fellow Grandmasters left, they wondered what had made Zhu Zhang suddenly sound so biased...mild injuries? The skin on her face was completely peeled off!
Amidst the hushed whispers of the scattering disciples, Li Meirong protectively cradled her Fox Spirit that has finally calmed down and curled up inside the shelter of her arms in contentment.
Her nerves still stood on edge. Since she transmigrated, there have been far too many vindictive people around her. If she was back in modern times, at this point she would have most likely been paranoid and traumatized to the point of sleeping with a gun underneath her bed.
Having been nearly disfigured by Captain Liang, repeatedly accused until a verdict named her as guilty, nearly attacked by a mob of expert fighters and suddenly, Grandmaster Zhu Zhang had taken back his decision as judge and completely s.h.i.+fted his demeanour.
The abrupt changes taking place were altogether suspicious! Still feeling apprehensive about her abusive Grandmaster, Li Meirong remained vigilant. If they came at her with a surprise attack, she would be prepared!
However, her suspicions remained unfounded.
Zhu Zhang kept his dark robed back to her as he repeated, "Follow me."
Narrowing her eyes distrustfully, Li Meirong stayed put.
s...o...b..ll lifted his head to rub his forehead affectionately against her chin, "Don"t worry. Remember, you have me to fix all your problems!"
Li Meirong sighed, this silly fox must really think he"s some big, tough fellow to fight against high-level cultivators, and one moment later he starts crying from breaking a nail.
What was she going to do with her troublesome pet?
"Yes yes, s...o...b..ll is my big, brave protector…" She a.s.sured her little fox.
He nodded his small snout in agreement. Finally, she understood!
"It"s good that you know!"
Eventually, Li Meirong followed Grandmaster Zhu Zhang into the inner halls.
The Bestiary"s Grandmaster led her to a secluded chamber, and right after her hesitant steps brought her inside, the Grandmaster covered the room with a sealing barrier.
Immediately, Li Meirong flinched as she noticed his actions.
Observing her agitated behaviour, Zhu Zhang said, "I didn"t place the seal with any malicious intentions. There are certain things we must privately discuss…"
While arching a delicate eyebrow, Li Meirong"s limpid eyes a.s.sessed Grandmaster Zhu Zhang with utmost suspicion, unwilling to fall for any more deceit.
Zhu Zhang wiped his forehead after he felt sweat acc.u.mulating on his skin and pointed at a seat for Li Meirong to settle down.
"Ahem, please sit down."
He suddenly felt really nervous. After thousands of years of missing out on family, he really made a mess of his first impression with his daughter-in-law!
Knowing how fiercely protective Bai Foxes are of their soulmates, Zhu Zhang audibly gulped before glancing at his son. His boy"s shrewd yellow eyes pierced straight into his heart in accusation.
This meeting was not going to be a pleasant family reunion...