391 I Will Do This For Your Reputation (1/2)
Suddenly, a dark cloud appeared overhead as the Falcon King spread his huge wings and glided down. He arrived over everyone's head. After that, his body suddenly reduced in size, and changed into a dark-grey-clad grim man. A big aquiline nose hung from his face, and he looked very fierce. He cupped his hand in a deferential salute to Jun Mo Xie after he landed.
”This is our Tenth Brother, the Falcon King — Sky Breaker.” This introduction was made by the Crane King. It seemed that the air-borne Xuan Beasts fell under Long Crane's command, and the terrestrial Xuan Beasts fell under Big Bear's command according to Tian Fa's hierarchical system.
One could clearly see as a huge monkey as he rushed over from afar at a lightning speed. He was visibly larger than any other monkey around. He panted as he faced Jun Mo Xie, and made his salutations.
”This is our Seventh Brother — the Monkey King. His name is Seventh Earl.” Big Bear's eyes made it seem as if some matter had hurt his spirit. He said, ”You've already met our Eighth Younger Sister — the Snake King. She has gone out with our eldest sibling for some work. So, they're not in the forest at this time. Our youngest brother has disappeared, and hasn't been seen for the three years since…”
”Oh okay. I could only meet the Lord of Tian Fa — Venerable Mei — for a short time. And, I really regret that. I had come to meet her as well, but it couldn't happen. What a pity…! And, that little girl — the Snake King — had acted with guts. She took responsibility, and I genuinely appreciate that!”
Jun Mo Xie chuckled as he uncovered the lid of his wine cup. The Beast Kings thought that he would drink, but they were bewildered to see that he didn't touch the wine cup for a while. But then, the wine cup floated in the sky, and a fragrance assailed their nostrils. This was the fragrance of the Monkey Wine. It then circled in mid-air like a whale which was swimming in sea-water. After that, it went towards Jun Mo Xie, and disappeared behind his veil.
Jun Mo Xie took a sip, and smacked his lips. He then closed his eyes. It seemed as if he was enjoying the aftertaste. He then said, ”Good! This deserves to be called the Monkey Wine! It truly deserves its reputation!”
The Beast Kings had been stunned by this. [This person is genuinely very skilled! Even the way he drinks wine is so unique!]
The Beast Kings had intended to take that opportunity to make Jun Mo Xie drink wine. They had believed that they would get to see the appearance of this mysterious master by doing so. But, Jun Mo Xie had used that skill, and they had failed in their objective. However, they could only sigh since they felt a little disappointed.
Jun Mo Xie then changed the topic and asked, ”Oh yes! Big Bear, I'm a bit confused with the introductions you made a moment ago. I know that Tian Fa works with a hierarchal system like ours, and has always done so. That is no secret. The Tiger King is the Ninth, and Falcon King is the Tenth. So, why is it that they have taken their human form when the Lion King and the Monkey King are still in their Beast forms even though they are the Sixth and the Seventh…?”
These words immediately sunk the atmosphere, and made it restrictive. The eyes of the Lion King and Monkey King had suddenly brimmed with extreme sadness.
”Senior has asked this question. So, we will answer. This isn't really a secret… Lion King and Monkey King had left Tian Fa for their adventures sixty years ago…”
Long Crane continued in a deep and pensive tone, ”But, they lacked experience with the world outside. So, they had revealed themselves and their whereabouts after they had gone out. Four of the Eight Great Masters had joined hands, and had launched a pincer attack on them. It had been an arduous battle. The Sixth and Seventh weren't able to match them. In fact, they were barely able escape with their lives… they had nearly been turned into corpses by the Great Masters' hands. They were lucky to escape… but not without unavoidable injuries. In fact, they fled that battle with incurable injuries. We were able to save their lives, but they had suffered irrevocable damages. Consequently, they have fallen back to level nine. These two have also lost their ability to take-on the human form ever since. And, they still haven't been able to get over that injury…”
Crane King then spoke with grief and indignation, ”Lei Bao Yu and Bu Kuang Feng had been amongst those Four Great Masters! Those two bastards! Eldest was extremely furious when this happened. Eldest even stormed the Elusive World of Immortals to look for justice. But, that wasn't enough to deal with the power of the Elusive World of Immortals. So, there was no choice but to leave the matter unsettled. Ah…”
Lion King and Monkey King hung their heads down in sadness. Their strengths had been impaired, and their cultivations had suffered serious setbacks. Consequently, even the seniority of their position in Tian Fa wasn't guaranteed to last. In fact, they would have to cup their paws and surrender their titles of Beast Kings if another beast from their respective species ever reached the peak of level nine…
There had been many lion and monkey beasts who had reached close to the peak of level nine over the years. The difference in strength wasn't that great either. Those said-beasts were only a step behind. And, this posed a serious threat to the leadership of the two Beast Kings. They would be helpless if their strengths fell short. That was the standard rule, and rules must be obeyed. Tyrannical strength was everything…
Moreover, the situation in both of the Beast Kings' groups had slowly become discordant over years. It didn't resemble the situation from that time in the past when their word was law. There had been a time when they had commanded strict obedience, absolute authority, and absolute strength. However, that time had come to pass. In fact, they would've already lost their positions if the other Beast Kings weren't helping them in secrecy…
However, the Xuan Beast groups had always favored the strong and discarded the weak. This was an uneasy truth which had been as such since eternity. Their groups may have some warm feelings towards them. However, their own kind would have no choice but to comply with the basic laws of 'survival of the strongest' if a viable candidate were to appear within their groups. And, Big Bear and the others couldn't get involved in their internal strife for the position of Beast King when that time came…
It would be the end for those Kings when that time came…
”You've got injured… he he… what injury could be sharp-enough to have such grave consequences? Let me have a look. Perhaps I can heal it… can't say for sure though.” these words had barely exited Jun Mo Xie's mouth, and the six Xuan Beast Kings had already begun to tremble. Their eyes were filled with a look of ecstasy!
[Who's this man in front of us?]
[He's a great and unmatched person!]
[I'm sure that there's nothing that he can't accomplish! He hasn't said that he can help them for certain. But, the two Beast Kings have hope as long as he tries!]
[This individual possesses the strength that has helped two Beast Kings to advance without a hitch. So, what would some insignificant injuries be for him?!
The Lion and the Monkey King were moved by this. In fact, their bodies had somewhat started to tremble.
The hope that they had been waiting for… had finally presented itself!