9 Harsh Reality (1/2)

”I- I told you, that's not me!”

”What are you saying?! We clearly remember your face! How many white haired children do you think there are in the city of Taizhou?!”

There was currently a small boy and an old man arguing inside a small house. They have been going on about this argument for almost an hour now and have been repeating the same discussions ever since they started.

Examiner An Da was currently arguing with Viel.

After finding out where Viel lived, Examiner An Da and the female Elder, that was infatuated with Viel, decided to visit his home and ask him to come back to the academy with them.

Their goal was to finally finish the necessary papers and officially enroll Viel in their academy.

But alas, Viel has misunderstood their intentions and was afraid that they will make him pay for the damaged courtyard.

”Eh? But I don't live inside the city though. How many white haired children do you think there are outside the city of Taizhou?!” Viel retorted, once again very satisfied with his logic.

”T-this child! Your house is still a part of Taizhou territory!” Examiner An Da didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This little boy in front of him has been coming up with excuses ever since they started talking.

The female Elder, who has been watching for a while now, smiled and started to speak.

”Lil boy, but ain't this your name? Viel? It is listed in the registrant's form.” The female Elder gently pointed and showed Viel his name on the piece of parchment that she was carrying.

”V-viel?! T-that's a funny name. My n-name isn't Viel!” Viel looked away, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead.

”Eeeh, is that so? What is your name then?” The female Elder cutely asked as she tried to entertain Viel. Although she was called an Elder, she looked particularly young, like somewhere between 25-30.

”M-my name?! Ahhh.. I-it's…” Viel was looking around, trying to find the right words to say. After a while, his vision steadied as it settled in a flower that was on the corner of the room.

”S-s-s..Seiren! My name is Seiren!” Viel puffed his chest, once again very satisfied with his answer.

”Eeeh? Is that so?” The female Elder immediately turned to the direction Viel was looking to, and gently pointed at the flower. ”You mean like the name of that flower?”

”Y…y..yes! My Grandma likes flowers, so she named me after one!”

”Eh? but I clearly heard your grandmother shouting your name earlier. I think she called you… ahmm.. what was it? Viel?” The female Elder chuckled as she tried to pat Viel's head. Viel immediately dodged to the right, not wanting to be touched.

”T-that.. that's my brother! Anyway, I am not who you're looking for! I haven't even seen Grandpa An Da before! I am not paying for that courtyard!” Viel pointed at An Da with panic. An Da was about to retort, but was immediately stopped by the female Elder.

”Pay for the courtyard? Is that what you think we're here for?” the female Elder curiously asked.

”W-what? You're not here f-for the…wait, what courtyard?! I don't know anything about a courtyard.”

An Da and the Elder couldn't help but place their palms on their face.

”Examiner An Da and I are here to invite you to the academy to complete your enrollment.”

”W-what?!”

”Yes. If you're worried about the courtyard, then I, Xing Cai, will give you money to pay for the courtyard!” Elder Xing Cai waved her hard, immediately, bags of gold appeared out of thin air.

Examiner An Da was scared of this sudden action. 'A-as expected of an Elder of the Nine Golden Pavillions. She acts fast if she wants something!'

Viel had his eyes wide open. He had never even seen a gold coin before, let alone this number.

”R-really?! You will give me this money?!” Viel excitedly replied. Although he doesn't truly know the true value of money yet, he knows enough that he can buy lots of candy with it.

”Eh? But I thought you're not who we are looking for? Isn't your name Seiren? Where's your brother, Viel?” Elder Xing Cai teased as she shook the bag on her hand.

”That was a lie! I don't have a brother! I am also called Viel, Viel Seiren!” Viel puffed his chest proudly.

Both examiner An Da and Elder Xing Cai sighed. They knew that arguing anymore with this little boy in front of them would just lead to further headache.

”Okay, I will give you this bag of gold and even pay for the courtyard… as long as you promise to visit my sect, Nine Golden Pavillions, after you graduate from the academy. Do we have a deal?” Elder Xing Cai smiled, she almost drooled imagining Viel being a part of her sect and training under her guidance. She imagined the things they would do, like dressing him up and putting him into woman's clothing.

Examiner An Da couldn't help but sigh again, this female Elder is certainly cunning. Elder Xing Cai was the first one to approach him when he was searching for Viel's abode, saying that he would help An Da to find Viel. He knew that she had ulterior motives, but Xing Cai was one of the Elders of the 5 respected sects, he couldn't just refuse her.

”Y-yes! I promise, Miss Xing Cai!” Viel excitedly grabbed the bag of gold from the Elder and started to dance around like a bunny.

Elder Xing Cai immediately covered her nose as she spouted a mantra, trying her best to restrain herself from just gobbling about the little boy in front of her. Examiner An Da feeling something was amiss, coughed and spoke immediately.

”N-now that this issue is over, WE will talk to your guardians next in order to settle you down in the academy.” An Da emphasized that both him and Elder Xing Cai should talk to Viel's grandparents. He was afraid that if Elder Xing Cai remained any longer, she would commit a crime here and now.

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”I am very sorry about the actions of our Grandson!” Both Grandma and Grandpa Ling were currently kowtowing to their guest.

”There's no need for that. Your grandson is very talented. Can I ask where his parents are?” Elder Xing Cai asked, very curious as to what kind of parents would sprout such an offspring. Since both Grandparents didn't exhibit any form of power of being a cultivator, Elder Xing Cai assumed that their daughter must have married a powerful cultivator from the west.

”T-this… her mother died from child birth, and his father died fighting in the war against the Demon God.” Grandma Ling has practiced this line many times over. She knew that someday, someone will inquire about Viel's origins. So she practiced a line she knew would sound convincing.

”I-I see, I am sorry to hear that” Elder Xing Cai and examiner An Da have heard this story a thousand times. A child being orphaned because of the war was not uncommon during the war, thus, they didn't pry any further. Examiner An Da was about to speak, but was once again cut by Elder Xing Cai.

”Anyway, the academy has decided to accept Viel as a student. All of his fees will be paid by the Nine Golden Pavillion” Elder Xing Cai said with a smile, holding the hand of Grandma Ling.

'T-this! The academy has already decided to waive Viel's student fees even before we decided to find him, this Elder is really cunning, wanting to court even the grandparents!' Examiner An Da scratched his face lightly, he didn't know why he was even needed here anymore. Why not just invite Viel in her sect in the first place and skip the academy all together?