61 beginning of the competition 2 (1/2)

The monkey king rubbed his sons head with a smile on his face. ”You are my only son, my heir. Unfortunately there is not much I can pass onto you and I have to send you to take part in this competition among the clans…”

”Do not apologise, growing up I did not work so hard to grow strong just to inherit your position. I just saw that slowly the mountain has begun to change as I have grown… Everyone used to trust in your leadership without any doubts but the distrust towards you kept spreading without reason. All I could do was push myself to get stronger fast so I could be of help.” The young monkey quickly interrupted his father, he stood straight looking up to him while gripping tightly onto his halberd.

The monkey ing felt his heart grow warm hearing his sons words. ”I do not know for sure who started this or when it begun but there are some I suspect. I just have no proof so it's best we deal with it in a direct manner, if you encounter anyone from the mountain who are hostile don't hesitate to kill them.”

”Yes father but what about the deer clan?” The young monkey asked.

The monkey king thought for some time before replying. ”The son and daughter should be of some support to our plans and have some hope for survival. The white deer is an unpredictable part in this battle, I just can't determine if she will be able to help or not. Though she has helped us greatly with her sharing of knowledge and luring out the traitors.”

The young monkey scratched his head. ”Didn't she just become a spirit beast recently after 10 years? Compared to her brother and sisters talents she should not be able to compare right?”

The monkey king shook his head with a frown on his face. ”One possibility is she has been deeply concealing herself all this time to avoid catching unwanted attention, the other as everyone sees… She recently became a spirit beast and is low on strength. However there is something in my instincts that is telling me to trust what I have seen, she has always been timid and weak with something unusual about her… As for her current strength? I am quite curious myself.”

”Isn't there a rabbit that is always by her? What about his strength?” The young monkey grew more interested in the subject.

”This has also escaped my attention, he must of had a lucky encounter to help become a spirit beast as non clan members rarely get spirit herbs and beast cores given to them unless from their parents who go hunting. His parents passed away a long time ago so I am sure he would not have received any without a bit of luck. His current strength? A complete mystery but since he has been close to the white deer I would say if her strength has indeed grown at a fast rate perhaps his has too.” The monkey king smirked.

”I hope they can bring some surprises, I will be going now father.” The young monkey turned around and walked away with his halberd resting on his shoulder.

”Stay safe brat.” The monkey king let out a snort. 'All these years I held my position I kept my end of the deal and delivered their clans my monkey wine. They benefitted from the alliance and grew stronger together but it seems they got a little too greedy, the panther clan is already showing signs of aggression towards me and the fox clan I suspect is behind this.”

”Can't trust anyone these days.” He let out a laugh. 'But who says I haven't been busy too?'