Song Lin has some explaining to do…
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Ch. 26.2
The news quickly reached Song Fuyan’s ears and as a result, this Eldest Master Song who had not been home for a long time finally came back this evening.
Styx was terribly upset when he went to welcome him. The news about Dandan had already spread much earlier and now every Guardian in Ridge City knew that Second Master Song’s spirit beast had almost destroyed both the Surveying Spring and the Surveying Clock. There was a hole in the ceiling of the room housing the Surveying Spring while the walls of the room housing the Surveying Clock were cracked… One didn’t need much imagination to picture the terrible expression Eldest Master would have…
He arrived at the door only to see Song Fuyan approaching with brisk steps. The latter was not alone for he was followed by several highly-respected elders of the House of Song.
‘Eldest Master,’ Styx bowed slightly with his hands clasped in front¹ of him.
Song Fuyan’s expression could well be described as ice forty inches thick. He coldly directed five words at Styx ‘Get Song Lin in here’ before entering the hall immediately.
Styx shivered inwardly and had no choice but to go in search of Song Lin.
¹ 作揖 zuò//yī. If you’re not reading this chapter at hiding in plain sight, it has been stolen and reproduced by novelscraping sites.
Upon entering the great hall, Song Lin saw his older brother sitting bolt upright on a chair which had pride of place in the centre. He had a dignified and majestic aura which instantly commanded respect. Seated around him were the clan’s elders, their keen, frosty stares directed at Song Lin who could not help sighing internally — they’re all here to conduct a major interrogation.
Actually, his brother was not that much older than him. He had become head of the family after their father’s demise and had recently taken charge of the League. Having to take into account so many considerations while being the head had gradually shaped his personality to what it was currently.
Song Lin remembered that the last time the two of them had travelled around visiting various scenic spots together was more than ten years ago. He didn’t know why either what was making him recall his childhood. Perhaps it was because Song Fuyan’s expression was so stern it was causing him to become distracted.
After clearing his throat, he said in a most casual tone, ‘Brother.’
‘How do you explain today’s happenings?’
As expected, this was getting straight to the point.
Song Lin paused for a moment before replying, ‘… Nothing much, they were just a couple of small incidents. Dandan, he…’
‘That rabbit even has a name?’ Song Fuyan interrupted in a severe tone. ‘I warned you before about not making a pact with that shady rabbit. In the end, not only have you disobeyed me, you even plan on taking him along to participate in the Guardians’ Tournament?’ His eyes were faintly chilly as he continued, ‘I had Styx remain by your side because he was supposed to stop you from making errors of judgement when it came to certain decisions, but you still insisted on having your own way².’
Styx, who was beside them, shivered again. What the deuce, Eldest Master, that wasn’t what you said originally. All you said was that you were afraid Second Master would be lonely at home once you went off to the League and wanted me to keep him company (」゜ロ゜)」.
‘Styx, you’re also partly to blame in this matter.’
Since Heaven had dropped a cauldron on his head, Styx could only say meekly, ‘Yes, it’s my fault for not keeping a stricter watch.’
² 一意孤行 yīyì-gūxíng. Translation belongs to theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Now it was the turn of the clan Elders to come on stage. An Elder with a luxuriant head of white hair stood up while leaning on his walking stick and said, ‘Second Master, when Old Master died, he had an unfulfilled wish which was for the House of Song to triumph in the Guardians’ Tournament. Now, that chance is right before us but you’re treating it as a trifling matter instead and made a pact with this sort of spirit beast. How do you expect your father’s soul in heaven to rest in peace?’
Song Lin replied, ‘You needn’t worry, my father has been dead for so long that his soul is not going to bother with this matter.’
‘You…!’ The Elder was so angry that he couldn’t hold his walking stick steadily.
Upon seeing this, another Elder also joined in the rebuke. ‘Second Master, I’ve watched you grow up and although you’ve always done whatever you want³ and lack discipline normally, your spiritual power is still the greatest in the clan so we’ve always held our tongues. But this Guardians’ Tournament concerns our clan’s standing in Ridge City. Whether we can defeat the other four Houses and secure our position as Ridge City’s leading family is riding on this one contest — how can you be so wilful?’
Song Lin laughed. ‘What makes you think I won’t triumph at the Guardians’ Tournament?’
The Elder said angrily, ‘The other Four Houses all have spirit beasts with spiritual powers of two hundred and above, and calibres of Silver and above but yours? This spirit beast of yours scored zero for his spiritual power and is at the level of a Chrysalis — the news is all over Ridge City! How can such a spirit beast enter the lists? Any opponent can defeat him easily. Not only that, this spirit beast of yours is so abnormal that he put the Surveying Spring and Surveying Clock out of order from the start. It’s so terrible but you don’t even care? If you still insist on having that rabbit, then our clan will just have to elect a new Guardian again to take part in the Tournament.’
Song Lin heard him out patiently before turning round to face Song Fuyan. ‘Brother, I’ll talk to you only. Listen, I chose to make a pact with Dandan because he’s the only one who can help me win the title of Arch-Guardian. If you trust me, then don’t interfere in this matter any more.’
Then he turned back to the Elder. ‘Uncle Song, do you all really believe that there’s anyone more powerful than me in the Song clan? Don’t make me laugh.’
He then turned and left the great hall right in front of their astonished gazes.
³ 我行我素 wǒxíng-wǒsù. Please consider reading from theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com rather than from novelscraping sites.
When he got back to the room, Dandan was lying in bed reading something but stuffed it under his pillow after seeing him come in.
Song Lin noticed that they were a few sheets of paper. ‘What are you reading?’
‘Oh, just a few pages of a spell that I tore out from one of Feng Chulian’s ancient books.’
‘What do you want with such a thing?’
‘Bi An let me into his Chamber of Daoist Treasures and I thought of stealing something of value to sell in case I need it for my retirement next time. But Feng Chulian suddenly showed up and I didn’t have time to take anything valuable, so I just tore out a few pages.’
Song Lin was also unable to tell what really happened in Dandan’s mixture of truth and lies.
‘By the way, why did Song Fuyan and the rest send for you so urgently?’ Dandan attempted to change the subject.
‘They’re forbidding me from joining the Guardians’ Tournament.’ Song Lin sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out and pinched his downy bunny ears. ‘They said you’re too weak and any spirit beast will be able to defeat you so they’re against my taking you to the contest.’
‘Oh?’ Dandan blew on his nails. ‘Who said that? Let me go kill him.’
(Approx. 1272 words)
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