886 Ranks, Path! (1/2)

Still, I was the one who lost the bet…

The words had already left his lips, and it was far too late to retract them. Alas, all is lost!

If the opponent extended his invitation once, one that was simply a formal courtesy, or perhaps a prompt ... However, he had straight up requested me to fulfill the terms of the gamble… how will I still maintain my dignity if I were to reject him?

Shi Wuchen wore a resigned look on his face, finally accepting his fate. ”A gentleman's word is as good as gold. Since I've personally admitted defeat, I will not go back on my word. However, sect leader, what kind of duties will you have me perform if I join the sect? You wouldn't simply be making me a sect elder for no apparent reason, would you?”

Yun Yang coughed. ”The Residence of Nine Supremes wasn't named just for the sound of it — its name suggests exactly what it means. Nine shall take the positions, so how does Supreme One sound?”

Shi Wuchen rolled it around his tongue. ”That… that's alright… what Supreme are you addressed as?”

”My surname is Yun, so naturally I'm called Supreme Cloud (Yun).”

Shi Wuchen gushed enthusiastically, ”That's eloquent indeed! So, from today, I'll be called Supreme History (Shi)?”

”Supreme History (Shi)…”

Yun Yang spluttered. He choked for real and started coughing uncontrollably, his face and ears turning a fiery red.

Shi Wuchen paused and was hit with a sudden realization. ”This doesn't sound good… it's a little inappropriate. This will be easily misunderstood when heard…” He grimaced.

”Cough…” Yun Yang had a difficult time stopping his hacking. This wouldn't be easily misunderstood; this would definitely be misunderstood!

Supreme Shit (Shi)!

Brother, you're honestly not trying your hardest to disgust me, are you? If there's really going to be a Supreme Shit amongst the Nine Supremes, I rather you did not join us; that would be taking things too far!

”You're a renowned swordsman. Let's call you Supreme Sword,” suggested Yun Yang enthusiastically, casually ignoring his nagging suspicion that he was plagiarizing it off a member of the Four Seasons Tower.

”This doesn't sound great either…” Shi Wuchen protested in a conflicted tone.

He was against it. ”Supreme Despicable (Jian) you mean… that's not too far off from Supreme Shit…”

Yun Yang was at a loss for words. ” Then, what kind of Supreme do you think you should be addressed as? Your surname is Shi, but that wouldn't do; you wield a sword, but that also wouldn't do. What else do you know? A name should bear its actual meaning — it should be defined in a relevant manner, don't you think?”

Shi Wuchen explored his options. ”Perhaps… since I'm the second and below you, you'll be Supreme First, and I'll be Supreme Two?”

Yun Yang rolled his eyes. ”Supreme First? Supreme Two? Do you really think that Supreme Two sounds better than Supreme Sword?”

Shi Wuchen was out of ideas. ”But…”

”Let's just stick to Supreme Sword! You have been called a swordsman before this, and now you shall be known as Supreme Despicable — those who have heard of it would think that it's an improvement. That's pretty alright for now, if you get too demanding about it, it would seem even more unrelated, so what else are you even thinking of?” cried Yun Yang.

Shi Wuchen's face was one of helplessness. ”Fine, fine, Supreme Sword it is…”

He heaved a breath suddenly. ”If reincarnation is a technique… tell me, would we even have this argument if I was born with a different surname?”

Yun Yang snorted. ”Isn't Supreme Sword better than Supreme Shit?! Well if it affects you that much, just slide your blade against your throat and you'll have the opportunity to do so. I can gladly reserve this title granted upon you for an additional eighteen years.”

Shi Wuchen's eyes rolled wildly to the back of his head.

He was truly speechless in light of the mouth of this new leader of his.

Immediately, Shi Wuchen took an oath towards the heavens, pledging his utmost loyalty as he joined the Residence of Nine Supremes. The silhouette of a white banner promptly made a complete circle around him before returning to Yun Yang. The ceremony was thus completed.

The sky was already dark.

”Sect leader, where are we resting for the night?”

”Over there… it seems like there's a cave, let's take a rest there temporarily.”

Yun Yang was astounded when he glanced at Shi Wuchen, who looked clean and tidy after washing his face.

”Well, seems like your looks are pretty passable.”

Shi Wuchen could only remain speechless.

How's it only 'passable'?

Shi Wuchen — Great Swordmaster Shi — was most certainly a show-stopping heartthrob.

At twenty-seven or eight years of age, he had a square face, high nose bridge, and full, thick lips. His single eyelids seemed to render him with a cold, sharp gaze. He had a tall, lean physique, and he was only slightly shorter than Yun Yang by a hair's breadth.

The fitting green robes he wore on his body set off nicely against his physique, making him appear to radiate masculinity and looking more distinguished than ever.

As for style and demeanor, those two aspects of his were levels beyond Yun Xiaoyao and Bai Yixue's… His cultivation base was not even in the question — his levels could easily conquer theirs!

After all, Shi Wuchen's actual level of cultivation was so formidable to the point where it could actually beat Yun Yang's!