"And who are these beloved guests that come into my home?" Sikong Yong's eyes were sharp, a lazy smile gracing his lips. He sat backward, stroking his gold-embellished robes with his finger tips, feeling the fine grit of each thread.
He was like a resting panther, graceful and ready to strike at any given moment. He looked at each set of eyes, scrutinizing them carefully.
Though there was one who did not have eyes at all. A blind man perhaps? But why does he wear such a crude blindfold? And who was he to stand so close to his beloved adopted son.
Zhang Wang was mindful of Sikong Yong's glare. He smiled, trying to ease his expression to avoid alarming his strange sect leader. He hadn't seen Sikong Yong in five whole months and he was certain strange man was going to lord it over him in the weirdest of ways.
"This is Bai Hu, he's my… he's been my traveling companion for the past few months. I owe a lot to him."
Sikong Yong raised a brow but before Zhang Wang had the chance to continue, Chu Changying eagerly cut in, "He's Zhang Wang's lover."
"..." There goes trying to ease the lie in. He shot Chu Changying an annoyed glare but only received an indignant shrug in return. She was clearly still trying to get back at him. If there was one they both Zhang Wang and Chu Changying had each other matched with, it was their pettiness.
"Is he now?" Sikong Yong's voice changed only slightly, a little lower, pointed.
"...Yes." Zhang Wang answered slowly, "I hope that Sect Leader Sikong can treat him kindly and welcome him to Xunfeng Peak."
"..." Coldly, Sikong Yong scrutinized this mysterious blindfolded man. "I see. I was not aware that my A-Yun was interested in men. I am curious about the person who has watched over and protected him these past few months. Why don't you join me for a drink this evening?"
And get bombarded with one hundred and one questions, surly! Yu Yanlin was already bowing, but Zhang Wang wasn't going to let him fall into Sikong Yong's trap so easily, "Uncle I'm truly sorry but Bai Hu doesn't drink. You'll have to excuse him…"
"..." The smile on Sikong Yong's face was long gone. His eyes lazily trailed from one face to another, evaluating their reactions. "Is that so? It's a pity then. But you shall still join me for dinner. There is much to talk about."
"Yes, uncle." Yu Yanlin calmly agreed with a lowered head. Great. Zhang Wang will have to somehow avoid disaster and he had till the evening to figure it out.
Lost in thought, he wasn't paying attention to Sikong Yong's gave leaving him to look upon the Princess of the Steppes. "And who might you be?"
Ariunbayar bowed respectfully, "I am Ariunbayar of the Chonos tribe, common name Se Mayang."
"My, if it isn't the Princess of the Steppes. I've heard of you plenty. And what brings you here? Another guest of my cute A-Yun? Or are you A-Xia's friend?"
Chu Changying only rolled her eyes but kept her tongue in check from saying anything overly rude.
Though this Princess of the Steppes was quite a fearless person and did not cut any corners when she said, "I am here because that woman has caused me a lot of trouble."
A vivid flush instantly decorated Chu Changying's face, her shoulders tensing defensively, "What are you saying!?"
Ariunbayar was wholly unconcerned about her fervent upset and loud complaints, simply continuing with her accusations, "She stole an important treasure from me called the Dawn Star. This is a clan heirloom. Do you understand the gravity of the offense?"
"Absurd! Stop accusing me of thievery, that wasn't how it happened at all!" Chu Changying growled, still trying to defend her honor in such a situation. However, this was all convenient for Zhang Wang, as it took the immediate spotlight off of his supposed lover and onto the whole issue with the Dawn Star.
In his heart he didn't doubt that Chu Changying knew she had committed some sort of wrong, but he was also quite curious why she'd go so far for this object. Maybe it was something that Sikong Ren specifically wanted. Sikong Ren always wanted the strangest things…
Also…hadn't Ariunbayar called it a strange name…? Something that sounded like 'debugger'? Zhang Wang still thought that he'd heard wrong.
Meanwhile, Sect Leader Sikong was still languidly stroking his sleeves as his gaze went from one woman to the other. He was never quite interested in their catfights but he still needed to maintain a level of sensibility. "Young Princess of the Steppes…You come into my home and accuse my disciple who I treat like a daughter for thievery. Our A-Xia can be mischievous however she is not a criminal. Do you have any proof? How can I know that this Dawn Star was yours and that it was stolen?"
Ariunbayar was brave and undaunted. She raised a finger in Zhang Wang and Yu Yanlin's direction, "They are my witness. They know that they Dawn Star was indeed stolen from me."
Zhang Wang's eyes went wide, flinching back at her. He should have known he was going to be dragged into something pointless! And Chu Changying was still shooting daggers in his direction. A heavy sigh escaped him, just how was supposed to placate a situation like this? There was going to be at least one person who'd want to stab him in the back no matter who's side he took.
He chose his words carefully, "There is no solid evidence that Shijie was a thief. I cannot confirm that the Dawn Star was truly hers."
He watched the way Chu Changying's shoulders relaxed slightly, while Ariunbayar's eyes narrowed at him.
A cough, he cleared his throat. "Though I can vouch for the fact that Shijie was acting extremely suspiciously. It was obvious that she knew that she had done something bad. I think it's difficult to dismiss the Princess of the Steppes' claims."
"Hmm…And this Dawn Star. Where is it?" Sikong Yong asked.
"...About that."
And therein lied the current issue. The Dawn Star was not wedged into the belly of a North Blue Summit dwelling Man-Eating Worm. In short, it was completely out of reach.
"That's an issue," Sikong Yong hummed.
"Sect Leader Sikong," Ariunbayar declared loudly, "If the Dawn Star can be excavated then I can prove that it is in fact mine."
"How do you plan on excavating it then?" The Virtuous Phoenix Sect Leader raised a brow, amused.
"If Sect Leader Sikong allows, I want to borrow a few of your disciples and go defeat the Man-Eating Worm. It is a monster that haunts your territories after all, so you will also benefit in reputation if it's gone."
Roaring laughter filled the air, Sikong Yong coughed and then regained his calm composure. "Very interesting, little girl. Your bluntness intrigues me. Very well, I will allow you six of my disciples to your choosing and you will slay the Man-Eating Worm and retrieve the Dawn Star. Once that is done, we will decide who in fact this treasure belongs to."
Yu Yanlin had been quietly listening the entire time. He as well, was amused, wondering since when humans began claiming ownership over the Sacred Star Jewels when in fact, they belonged to no one by old forgotten gods.
But that was not much to his concern. What was however, was the fact that the Man-Eating Worm was already dead, and this so-called Dawn Star, heirloom of Ariunbayar's tribe was now in his servant's hands.
Somehow the situation had become a little messy, and very entertaining. Yu Yanlin was never much of a schemer but he quietly wondered about his next move.
Maybe he shouldn't worry so much, his responsibilities long abolished, the next logical thing to pursue was amusement and satisfaction.
The Dawn Star would help him achieve both those things.