That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

55. The Kong Clan

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The journey to the Northern region, was more like a small parade of rich and colourful ferries!

Clan Leader Shuǐ was going, in a well decorated ferry, that was more like a house, and with him were the Shining four, a chef, three maids, and the rower.

Elder Shuǐ was going in a similar boat, and his even had a few clowns, who performed many acts at the front of the boat, which included fire juggling and fireworks at nights!

"Is it always like this?!" LanFen asked in amazement.

Lu FengHo laughed. "This is actually simpler than four years ago, when in a rare fit of pettiness, Clan Leader Shuǐ travelled in a large, flamboyant, dragon-shaped boat! The boat had panels, which glowed brightly in the dark, and to accompany him, he had brought the legendary sword dancers from Hua province!"

LanFen's mouth had dropped open. 'No Wonder JunHo is like that!'

"Ahahaha!" Lu FengHo laughed. "For most of these people, the competition begins before they even arrive. Every time the Clan Leaders gather for an event, they always try and outdo their fellows.

"At first, Clan Leader Shuǐ ignored all their jabs and snide comments, whenever he arrived on simple boats, with a much smaller envoy. But at some point it became like a game to him, and here we are!"

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As for the disciples, they had been divided into two boats, with eight on each, bringing their number to sixteen.

LanFen, Shuǐ ChénLín, and Lu FengHo, had a boat to themselves.

LanFen had found a spot at the top of the boat, and she lounged, putting her feet up. "If things are like this," she began, as she brought out a gourd of wine. "It's going to be an interesting journey!"

And it was...

There was an endless flow of good food and wine, and at nights, most of the boats aligned with Elder Shuǐ's boat, so they could all watch the fireworks display, which was different each night.

Most of the time, LanFen chatted with Lu FengHo, since Shuǐ ChénLín was prone to find a small, quiet corner on the boat, and sit with a book.

Sometimes, LanFen and Lu FengHo played music together, drawing the attention of the entire fleet.

The first time it happened, Lu FengHo had been playing his flute.

Rather than just sit and listen to him as usual, LanFen had brought out the guzheng from her qiankun pouch, and had begun to accompany him.

But on the next song, Lu FengHo had suddenly begun playing the accompaniment of another popular tune, forcing LanFen to play the lead.

And she had played flawlessly.

Lu FengHo had turned to her when they were finished, staring at her in awe. "Younger brother! You play so well!"

The disciples were all applauding, and the ladies seemed to have more than fifty stars in their eyes.

Lu Qiang, "Disciple Zhao is so amazing!"

Another, "Disciple Zhao, how many talents are you hiding?!"

Shuǐ ChangSheng looked equally dazed. When had Wang ShanMei found the time to teach her child so well?

"Er... Ehehehe, I learned a few things here and there." LanFen had become a bit uncomfortable with the attention. After all, it was her first time playing before so many people she was familiar with.

After that, it had become a bit common for her and Lu FengHo to play together.

Meanwhile, though Shuǐ ChénLín usually stayed out of sight, LanFen delighted in finding him and bothering him, as often as possible...