475 Crazy in Name (2/2)

”Ah, the second brother in person? I am your younger brother, Su Ziyu.” The notably featured young man cupped one hand over the other and gave a bow, without being remiss of any etiquette.

Meng Qi had already studied the family tree a little and was aware that only those with the middle name ”Zi” were in direct line, Golden Eye Arrester Su Yue's second son's original name was Su Tingyu. It would appear that he also took on another name after moving houses and being adopted under the Duchess' name.

And it appeared not to have been that long ago, otherwise Meng Qi should have been aware of it.

The Sixth Miss followed suit and greeted him, ”I'm your younger sister, Su Ziyue, I believe we have met before.”

Her cheeks flushed red with an equal amount of glee and embarrassment. In Luoyang, the name ”Killing Blade” was well known, and had caused quite a stir amongst the aristocratic families and disciples. Who were certainly not lacking in admirers, one of which quite evidently being Su Ziyue. Then, when Meng Qi beheading Wolf King had rocked Jianghu, his background had been gradually dug up and exposed. Su Ziyue was both shocked and overjoyed to find out that this ”Killing Blade” was actually her own older brother!

Meng Qi gently nodded and smiled at the two of them, ”I almost didn't recognize the two of you.”

”In fact, I didn't recognize you at all...”

The long-faced man, in spotting that Su Ziyu and Su Ziyue were settling in for a long chat, promptly interjected, ”The Fourth Young Master and the Sixth Miss will have other opportunities to talk later. The Duke is awaiting the Second Young Master.”

As the words were spoken, he quickly led Meng Qi onwards.

Su Ziyu and Su Ziyue were a little surprised by this, but after a few short remarks they followed behind.

When they got to the main house, there was a bold-looking figure standing outside. He had a staid demeanor about him and wisps of a moustache grew on each side of his upper lip. He was dressed in a dark gold arrester, but at his waist hung some golden eyes, which seemed to absorb the ambient light, next to which hung a very plain looking long sword.

Meng Qi squinted a little, ” Golden Eye Arrester”Su Yue...”

Su Yue had a similar masculinity to Meng Qi, and from his appearance, one could not tell he was over 50. He smiled as he approached Meng Qi, ”The Su clan's very own prodigal son has returned.”

Meng Qi gave a slight nod, but did not say anything. He tried to make seem like he was removed from things there.

None of which deterred Su Yue, who patted Meng Qi on the shoulder. ”It's good that you're back. A young man should not be without a base. You've experienced so much danger over the last few years and achieved so much, it will be good to relax a little at home.”

At the same time, he spotted Si Ziyu and Su Ziyue coming up from behind, ”There are a good many aristocratic families in Luoyang that lack upcoming challengers to go into Jianghu. Which reminds me of way back in the day, when your father and I went through caution to the wind and took off into the North-West.”

As he was speaking, they had already entered the hall. Inside stood a man with his hands behind his back. His features were very similar to those of Meng Qi. But in middle age his features were even more prominent, as was his masculinity which hung more heavily on his face, in contrast to Meng Qi's boyish appeal.

He wore a long beard and he studied Meng Qi with a complicated gaze.

Without saying anything, a few other people appeared from behind him, the first of which was the elegant Duchess. She still had great beauty and her face had not wrinkled yet. She fixed Meng Qi with a dead stare.

”Why are you here?” Duke Su Li asked in a low voice.

”Of course, he has come to see his brother.” The duchess' face was, however, without any hint of a smile.

As the formally married wife, all of Duke Su Li's sons were to call her mother.

A few people were standing next to Su Li, the others had now gone to stand near Golden Eye Arrester Su Yue.

A man standing next to Su Yue laughed of a sudden, ”The Second Young Master returning to Luoyang all of a sudden must have some business here, right?”

With stark resemblance to Su Ziyu, he was most likely Su Yue's eldest son Su Dingyu.

As soon as the words were uttered, silence took over the hall, and the duchess' expression just grew colder. Su Ziyu's face had a look of uneasiness.

Had Su Ziyuan returned home to contest the Duke's rank of nobility?

Kung Fu was respected first and foremost regardless of the fact that him having adopted the Duchess' name actually put him above the son of a concubine. However, the Su clan was not a Confucius Sect aristocratic family, and with his strength and potential, it was not impossible!

Meng Qi closed his eyes and everyone present appeared before him within his mind. Everyone here had on some form or other of mask, apart from Ke Weilian and Su Ziyue.

He opened his eyes again and spoke slowly, his tone level, ”I heard there was to be a Sumptuous Fruits Banquet in Luoyang, and thought I would come along to meet a few brave men.”

He simply divulged his objective.

”And what else?” Su Dingyu said with a bogus smile.

Meng Qi's expression did not change. He continued with what he wanted to say, ”Even if one attains the level of the Exterior, their lifespan is but a century or so. As such, it is widely accepted that for the most part one is not strong enough to go it alone. Hence, the imperial court, the ranking nobility and the estates all utilizing the institution of impartation. In this way, they ensure that those that their descendants hold positions in society and are wealthy, which ensures their family continues for generations to come.

”This is the nature of all living things. But to those with real power, who can fly and really live a long time, to them these estates of the ranking nobility are but a blink of an eye. The Su clan only acquired this rank of nobility five generations ago, and at the time the North Zhou Dynasty Chong and his predecessors had already entered Jianghu.”

He looked around at everyone for a moment, ”Although I do not consider myself all that talented, I have set my sights high and invested heavily in my Kung Fu. Desiring it to be comparable with your predecessors and the ancient immortals. I am not interested in titles and that sort of fortune!”

The existence of the Journey to the West world allowed Meng Qi to feel like there was still so much out there, in spite of the fact that Dharmakaya lifespans were extremely short.

”The arrogance...”

”So conceited...”

The Su clan went silent. Golden Eye Arrester had never considered that Meng Qi's reply would reveal that he considered the rank of nobility comparable to fecal matter.

”He really has lived up to his reputation of being ”crazy”!”

Meng Qi ceased looking about and said with a level tone, ”I don't know where my mother is buried, but I do so hope that someone can lead me there, as I wish to go about sweeping her grave for her.”