Chapter 723 Tracking (1/2)
Along with the festive ambiance that hung in the air, the hall was seated full of Chu Clan elders.
”Darren, come and sit with Elsa in the high seat!” Reed ushered with a cordial smile.
”No, I cannot accept your offer. Everyone seated here is either my senior or my elder brother. How can I take the high seat when all these respectable people are present? They deserve that high seat rather than me. Besides, according to the rules, I think you should be the one to sit in that place, Uncle Reed,” Darren refused immediately. He insisted that Reed should take that seat of honor.
”Reed, stop making Darren uncomfortable. Let him sit wherever he likes,” the guard of the Martial Skill Library uttered grimly to Reed and motioned Darren to sit.
Receiving the request, Reed bowed and didn't say anything. Thus, at length, everyone took their seats, and the feast officially started.
”Where are the Chief Elder and the other two elders?” Darren asked, suddenly noticing their absence in the hall.
”Those old bones haven't been informed yet. They are living too far off in the mountain that the messages need to take a longer time to reach them,” the guard of the Martial Skill Library informed. As he was about the same age as the three important elders, he just called them casually and did not bring up their names in a formal manner.
”Okay, then we'd better leave them alone and keep them from any unnecessary trouble,” Darren said with a nod.
”How is everything going during my absence?” after a short pause, Darren inquired again.
”It's quite peaceful. Our Chu Clan has now become the most powerful clan in the entire Doriath. In the last several years, our power has spread all over the country that even if we had claimed to take the mastery, I dare say that no one would have stood up against us.” Moving his line of sight from left to right as if looking for something, the guard of the Martial Skill Library lingered for a while and then continued, ”But Reed preferred to stay quiet and stay low. From his point of view, our disciples' training and healthy growth are far more important than declaring the throne.”
Darren was delighted with what the guard of the Martial Skill Library had said. He realized that after that incident in the past, his uncle had become rational and sophisticated.
”My uncle is right in that respect. It matters little how much power one has when there is no healthy and harmonious life,” Darren consented and turned to Reed, his mouth curled in a content smile.
”Darren, I'm glad that you agree with me,” Reed smiled, feeling rejoiced by Darren's recognition.
Soon after they had casually chatted for a while, the family banquet officially began. Time slipped away swiftly as they enjoyed their talks and all the food and drinks that had been set for the feast.
The evening drew on, and the celebration nearly came to an end. People began to rise from their seats and headed for their own quarters. After everyone had gone, Darren and Elsa got up and returned to the courtyard that had once been so familiar to Darren.
”Darren, is this where you grew up?”
Elsa asked, looking around the neatly cleaned courtyard and the great phoenix tree that shadowed over half of the yard.
”Yes. My sister and I grew up here,” Darren related softly and went to put his hand on the tree. A feeling of sadness overwhelmed his mind. He wondered how the time went by swiftly and how those hard yet happy times had become remote and unfamiliar to him by now.
”You must have been so close to each other. Where did your sister go then?” Elsa asked as she came closer to him.
”Her soul has been seriously injured and she is now receiving treatment in the Ancient Void Battlefield. I assume it will be two or three years before she finally wakes up,” replied Darren, looking dejected and concerned.