333 Baili Luo Yun (1/2)
”Exactly! Any youngster with such cultivation who comes here to fight the Xuan Beasts is basically throwing away their life. Insignificant jade Xuan experts don't have any chance at survival when faced with so many high-level Xuan Beasts. What else could it be if it isn't throwing away one's life? However, to say that they are 'meat for slaughter' isn't exactly very pleasant to hear,” Dongfang Wen Jian gave a ruthless smile.
”Mo Xie, don't start to believe that your agility skill set is too exquisite. You will find it difficult to escape if you're thrown to the enemy. Even your marvelous skill set won't help if you're surrounded by them. Therefore, you mustn't act recklessly. And, you must never leave our sight!”
”But, that youngster is only twenty-five or twenty-six years old. And, it's quite clear that he's already at the peak of the Jade Xuan realm. I believe he's just a step away from reaching the Earth Xuan. So, he's a very rare talent if he has reached such a level at this age. Why wouldn't his family keep such a talent close to them? Why would the Baili Family allow this youngster to throw away his life? Isn't this pitiful?” Jun Mo Xie asked in a confused manner.
”The reason for that isn't very difficult to understand. In fact, it's rather simple. This youngster wasn't born from a legitimate wife of the family! His mother was a concubine!” Dongfang Wen Qing seemed sorry as he smiled.
”That youngster is named Baili Luo Yun. He's one of the rarest talents to be ever born into the Baili Family. Families that practice Xuan Qi usually have a member with a high cultivation comb-out the meridians of a new born baby. This is done in order to reduce the chances of illness in the infant. Moreover, this helps to lay down the foundation for the infant's future cultivation.
”However, no one combed Baili Luo Yun's meridians when he was born. But, it didn't matter since he had already started to cultivate at the age of three. And, he had broken through to the Ninth Xuan Level when he was ten. In fact, he had already reached the peak of Silver Xuan realm by the time he turned fifteen, and then broke through to the Gold Xuan soon-after. Thereafter, he broke through from the Gold Xuan Realm to Jade Xuan realm by the time he turned twenty. And, he has now reached the peak of the Jade Xuan realm. He can easily be called the foremost in the younger generation after one looks at his cultivation. Not many people can compare with this man. However, it's true that you can't be considered in the same category since you can fight a Spirit Xuan with your moves even though you are only a Jade Xuan expert. In fact, you may even win with those moves of yours. You truly are a devilish talent!”
”But, this guy is a rare and exceptional talent. He may not be a legitimate son, but he still shouldn't have been treated in such a way, right? He's still of their blood even if he's illegitimate. So, what difference does it make if he isn't the heir to the family? He's still a rare and talented expert of their younger generation! In fact, it's easy to imagine that he may reach the Sky Xuan level in ten years given the speed of his current advancement, and the achievements he had already made at such a young age. Moreover, he may even reach the Spirit Xuan in thirty! Are you telling me that they're abandoning such a talent because he isn't a legitimate son? Isn't the Baili Family being very unwise? ”Jun Mo Xie was shocked at what he had heard. He found it very difficult to understand such a matter.
It was important to know that such a talented youngster was extremely uncommon. And, this fact didn't hold for the powerful families of the world alone… Even the Silver Blizzard City and the Xue Hun Manor witnessed such a talent once in a lifetime. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find many of them even if they searched the entire Xuan Xuan continent. Any other family would've treated such a talented person as its 'gem', and would've guarded them very closely. In fact, such a person would receive the same care that the three Dongfang brothers divulged towards Jun Mo Xie's safety. So, one could only image the importance of such youngsters.
”That's not all; there's more to it. His father is the main reason behind all this. His grandfather is his real father. He had gotten drunk, and had raped a maid; he had thereafter formed a relationship with her. And, Luo Yan was born as a result of that relationship; and, that too as the eldest son of the family. However, the Baili Family has never acknowledged his status. Moreover, they went ahead and mistreated the youngster. His innate talent obviously alienated him even further. And, the treatment became worse as his Xuan cultivation bettered due to his outstanding talent. Therefore, his dishonored identity inside the family meant that he was treated like a servant. In fact, even servants received better treatment at times. This obviously led to several resentments in his heart, and he naturally wanted to take revenge. This sense of revenge became even more prominent once he broke into the Jade Xuan realm. And then, an unfortunate incident happened…”
Dongfang Wen Qing's face was full of pity as he continued, ”But, the thing is… he didn't even initiate that incident. In fact, this matter is quite straightforward. He had just gone to his home, and the legitimate Young Masters tried to stir trouble with him. The started to taunt him, and received a very severe retaliation from him. The reasons behind his anger are easy to understand. He didn't have any status in the family even though his cultivation was far ahead of the others who took help from outside and had received the 'cleansing meridians' treatment at a young age.”
”However, he still belongs to their family's bloodline. And, bloodline matters a lot. That was one of the main reasons he wasn't killed on the scene. But, some people in the Baili Family weren't willing to let him off the hook. And, this journey to Tian Fa provided them with a golden opportunity to get rid of him.”
”So… that's what it is!” Jun Mo Xie let out a long sigh. He then murmured, ”Baili… Luo Yun…” a cold light flashed in his eyes. No one could guess his thoughts.
”However, we also feel that the Baili Family has caused a great harm to themselves with these actions. It's like what you had just spoken… this youngster has outstanding innate talent! He's only marginally behind you in that respect. We believe that he could become a new Great Master in thirty-to-fifty years!”
”It's important to know that a family's strength and prestige increases if they have someone as strong as a Great Master. This is especially true for powerful families. In fact, they leave behind their former peers in one giant leap!
”The Silver Blizzard City and the Xue Hun Manor are no different. The chance for such a man to be born in any family comes in hundreds of years… once in several generations. So, I don't understand why the Baili Family would let go of such an opportunity… This makes me regret their decision somewhat. I mean… how could the Baili Family be so short-sighted? Perhaps they fear that he'll take revenge upon them once he's strong enough…? Maybe there's another reason…?”
Dongfang Wen Qing shook his head, and chuckled gently, ”But, we aren't related to them in anyway. In fact, it's better for us that a potential Great Master will be done away so soon. Moreover, it gives us a reason to celebrate. After all, a rising hero tramples on others' bones. And, every strong person who ascends to the top has blood in his hands. We nine families certainly aren't enemies. But, we are potential competitors.”
The leaders of every powerful faction had remained standing at a high altitude this entire time. But, they finally started to come down. They then decided to proceed to the hall in order to discuss the prevalent matters. Dongfang Wen Qing stole a glance into the distance, and said, ”I will accompany your Third Uncle to the meeting since those dregs from the Silver Blizzard City won't abstain from mockery. But, they won't be too reckless if I'm around.” Then, he chuckled softly and left. He was gently pushing Jun Wu Yi's wheelchair towards the hall a moment later.
Jun Mo Xie looked at his Third Uncle sitting in the wheelchair, and thought… [Third Uncle's legs are fine now. But, I don't know when he can stand up properly… When will the Blood General truly stand tall-and-proud, and show the majesty of his defiance to the entire world?]
[However, everything depends on strength. Incomparable strength…!]
[And, strength is equal to… talent…]
Then, Jun Mo Xie suddenly took long strides after he had pondered a bit. And, he started to walk towards Baili Luo Yun.
The others from the Baili Family had started to head back at this time. Three men laughed and chatted freely as they entered their tent. They didn't even spare a glance at Baili Luo Yun who stood at the entrance. In fact, Baili Xiong Feng — the leader of the Family's contingent — gazed straight ahead as he calmly entered the hall to discuss the crisis.
Baili Luo Yun lifelessly gazed at the smoky sky. He was bitter inside, but he managed to force a smile. [How many days will I last in such a chaotic situation? Will these thousands of Xuan Beasts make a corpse out of me? Will this be my end?]
Baili Luo Yun clearly knew what his family had done to his fate.
”The Baili family won't rest until Luo Yun dies,” this was the comment the Baili Family's Young Master had made to Baili Lou Yun's father when he had broken through to the ninth Xuan layer at the age of ten. And, Baili Luo Yun had been living in the shadow of these words ever since.
[I wonder at the irony sometimes. A child with any potential gets full support from their family. And, any man can see my talent. So, why does the Baili Family treat me in this way?]
[This matter has gone too far… In fact, that man is afraid that I might run away. And so, he threatened me with my father's life if I didn't come south to this place. What did he do that for? And, father also dodges this topic whenever I try to talk about it. The only valuable words he has ever spoken to me were ”Alas, Luo Yun, your wish for revenge is too strong! It's better if you don't meddle in this matter too much…”]
[”Desire for revenge?” When did I ever wish to stir-up trouble? Would I have taken any action for the fear of the consequences if those people hadn't crossed their limits? How could a man not resist the intolerable behavior I suffered that day in front of everyone? Or could it be…? Is there another reason that I don't know of?]
[I'll return and solve all the mysteries if I'm lucky enough to survive this place…]
Baili Luo Yun had an indifferent expression of his face as he turned around to enter the tent.
[They've never attached any importance to me. But then again… when did they ever consider me as 'family'? The sooner I die — the better it is for them… But, why isn't it the same for me?!]
It was right then that he saw a youngster approach him.
He wasn't familiar with this youngster, but he knew that this youth was called 'Jun Mo Xie'. He had heard a lot about this youngster. Therefore, he was aware that this youth was a bigger debauchee than his second grandfather and some of the other people in his family.
He didn't need to look twice to be sure that Jun Mo Xie was in fact approaching him. The youngster's path was clear-cut, and there was no variation in it. Moreover, he had a very unusual expression on his face as he looked at Baili Luo Yun.
”Baili Luo Yun?” Jun Mo Xie tilted his head, and sized him up.
”Jun Mo Xie? The Third Young Master of the Jun Family…?” Baili Luo Yun's face was indifferent. He felt neither alarm, nor happiness upon the realization that this youth had come to look for him. In fact, he didn't even try to guess the reason he was being sought for…
”Do you wish to find a place to chit-chat? Follow me,” Jun Mo Xie invited. It was 'technically' a 'request'. But, the tone of Jun Mo Xie's voice made it seem like an 'order' of sorts.
He had been an aloof assassin in his previous life. So, he knew the methods one must use to deal with such a socially reclusive personality even though his own nature had changed rather considerably in his present life.
One must never hope for such people to take the initiative. Such would keep their mouth shut even if they really wanted to say something. Jun Mo Xie was well aware of it because he used to be like this once…
The only method to deal with such people was to take control the situation by taking the 'absolute' initiative. The counterpart would then unconsciously move according to one's plan. In fact, they would try to match the rhythm of your movement even if they didn't wish to… even if they were unconvinced… or even if they were unwilling to accept it… This was because they wouldn't wish to seem inferior, and would try to talk to you on equal footing; or… they would at least look for an opportunity for equal footing…
”I don't talk to strangers,” Baili Luo Yun indifferently turned his head, and started to enter the tent.
That very same tent which he loathed from the bottom of his heart…
”I've heard that you're one of the rarest Xuan Qi talents of the present age. So, you wouldn't be afraid of me, right?” Jun Mo Xie stepped forward.
Baili Luo Yun's straight and towering figure suddenly came to a stop.
”The rumors state that you're twenty-six years old. They also state that you have already reached the peak of the Jade Xuan realm. But, you won't dare to talk to me…? Are you afraid that I'm plotting something against you?” Jun Mo Xie smiled mischievously.
Baili Luo Yun suddenly turned around. His face was still expressionless. And, his eyes were still tranquil as he looked at the Young Master Jun.
”It seems that the rumors were mistaken. And, it's not surprising… since nine out of ten rumors can't be trusted.” Jun Mo Xie turned around to leave. But, not before leaving a few words, ”And, I was too bold. I really shouldn't have come here,” he started to walk away after he had said that. However, he didn't walk towards his tent. Instead, he walked towards the periphery.
The sound of another person's footsteps trailed him. Baili Luo Yun was calmly following after him. He stayed neither too close… nor too far.
A proud expression flashed in Jun Mo Xie's eyes.
[Talk to me, will you? Why aren't you saying anything?] Baili Luo Yun would've returned to his tent for a nap if these doubts wouldn't have arisen in his mind. And, he certainly wouldn't have followed after Jun Mo Xie like this…
Jun Mo Xie didn't even turn around the entire time. In fact, his body started to move more rapidly, and the speed of his walk increased to a shocking level. Baili Luo Yun didn't utter a word either. However, he continued to follow Jun Mo Xie. He didn't come too close, but he didn't lag far behind either. The two outstanding Jade Xuan peak youngsters moved one after the other… as if they were in a chase. However, no one noticed these talented young men since everyone's attention was fixed at the discussions that were taking place in the hall.
The Young Master Jun gradually began to speed up. His movements became increasingly faster. It soon started to seem that he would leave the ground and soar into the sky. And, the distance between the two youths began to increase…
Baili Luo Yun had always maintained his indifference towards the world. However, his eyes had started to belie his astonishment. [This ill-reputed Young Master is faster than me?] But, he didn't concede, and started to exerted himself. Yet, he still couldn't catch up with the other party. In fact, he couldn't even reduce the distance between them by an inch. And, the distance that separated them continued to increase gradually…
[I have failed in this contest of speed.] Baili Luo Yun wouldn't have admitted it openly. But, he had clearly understood that the other person had managed to outstrip him even though he was younger in age.
At least in speed…
Jun Mo Xie led the way to a small hidden slope about five kilometers away. He quickly climbed it, and sat down in a flash. Then, he took the initiative as he patted to the grassy spot besides him and said, ”Come sit.”