Chapter 185 - Demon Purging Decree (1/2)
A curvaceous woman in her forties, free from the scars of time, walked with dignity and lofty air.
At every step, the dragon head golden staff smashed the pavement. Oddly enough, it was at that instant the other people’s hearts jumped as well.
She was the legend that had kept Drifting Flowers Edifice afloat a century ago with her own two hands, the one they called Grandmother, Chu Bijun!
Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng had heard of her recovery from Long Jiu and Jian Suifeng, but seeing her in person was a whole other matter entirely.
Each of them watched dumbstruck as if they saw a ghost. One could hardly blame them.
Behind Grandmother were Iris Overseer and Peony Overseer. They stood proud and head held high, finally able to blow off their long pented steam.
“I-impossible! You should be dead!” Hall Lord Yan stammered.
Snorting, Chu Bijun flicked him a look and spat, “Yan Bogong, you’d wish it so. But to your disappointment, I am still alive and well. I may soon even enter the Radiant Stage. Humph, your deep consideration for Drifting Flowers Edifice over the years have been noted. I will make sure to repay each and every transgression!”
Shivering inside, Yan Bogong sank into a depression.
Chu Bijun’s title of Lady of Steel was for her staunch determination in following through on her promise. The future of Pill King Hall looked quite bleak.
“Congratulations on your recovery, Edifice Lord Chu, and resuming your lead!”
Leng Wuchang gradually cooled and cupped his hands to Chu Bijun. She returned the gestures with a light bow, “Please, Sir Leng, you’re too kind. The Edifice Lord has always been Qingcheng. But she had to enter seclusion while this gathering is taking place. So I took it upon myself to assist her by coming here in her stead.”
“Edifice Lord Chu is modest. Everyone knows you are the First Overseer. However, you are no different than an Edifice Lord, thus your title. With you leading, Drifting Flowers Edifice will bound to rise.” Smiling, Leng Wuchang continued, “You have my utmost admiration for advising three generations of Edifice Lords and for your open-minded nature.”
Chu Bijun nodded in her show of respect.
Leng Wuchang smiled, “Would it be too much to ask that in this Seven Houses Gathering, Edifice Lord Chu put aside our differences?”
“Ha-ha-ha, of course, Sir Leng. Only, I’m not so sure everyone else would be as quick to agree as me.” Chu Bijun sneaked a glance at Yan Bogong.
Yan Bogong gnashed his teeth, “Since Sir Leng asked, I shall accommodate your request while in Regent Estate.”
“Ha-ha-ha, wonderful!”
Laughing, Leng Wuchang’s eyes roamed over the crowd and gestured with a flourish, “Guests, please follow me. Estate Lord is waiting.”
He took the lead.
The rest followed after him, while Yan Bogong snorted at Chu Bijun. Chu Bijun only smiled coldly, leaving with her overseers.
When passing by Veiled Dragon Pavilion and Sword Marquise Abode, they exchanged glances and the three broke out in smiles.
This was done in such a casual manner that no one noticed. These three houses were in fact allies.
The six houses’ delegates entered in a lofty and grand hall. The arrangements were full of taste and refinement, yet there were only seven seats.
It was obviously reserved for the house lords, while their detail made to stand. This earned no little dissent among the elder. They were revered in their own houses and even their house lord showed them proper respect.
While here, they seemed to be treated like air.
Turning a blind eye, Leng Wuchang gestured, “Please take your seats while I ask Estate Lord to join you. “
And he left.
Yan Bogong, You Wanshan and Lin Rufeng looked at each other before taking their seats. Chu Bijun squinted and took a seat as well.
The elders were however, made to stand at their side.
Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng exchanged a glance then looked at their elders, undecided to the best course of action. A house leader should fight for the respect of his elders.
The best way was to ask Regent Estate for more seats. The elders were the pillars of the house, not mere servants to watch their house lord eat while standing aside.
But the seating was so strange that left the two at a loss.
While they were debating inside, a stout man in golden ceremonial robes dazzled in with Leng Wuchang behind him.
He was the Estate Lord, Huangpu Tianyuan!
The people stood and offered their respects.
Huangpu Tianyuan returned their gesture and sat in the seat of honor. Only then did the other sit as well. Leng Wuchang chose to stand behind Huangpu Tianyuan, without a hint of complaint.
Huangpu Tianyuan took everyone’s presence into account and, even though Leng Wuchang warned him, he was shocked to see Chu Bijun here just the same, “Edifice Lord Chu, I am relieved to see you in good health.”
Chu Bijun nodded, “I am most grateful for Estate Lord’s kind thoughts!”