Hua Xianle

Chapter 42:

Word spread across the Heavenly Kingdom of Hua Xianle’s unique parentage, and both Gods and Calamities were coming to hear the story. It was a much happier version of the boy’s arrival in heaven, with tears, hugs, and affection all around. By the time morning came, a few had returned to their duties, though a couple remained behind to watch the duels.

This was how Wen Ruohan found himself playing host to not only Feng Xin and Mu Qing, but also Shi Qingxuan, Shi Wudu, Pei Ming, Ling Wen, and Lan Qiangqiu. He Xuan was also in attendance, mostly because of the banquet that would be offered. 

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng chose to remain in the crowd, unwilling to risk their son’s freedom by revealing their true identities to those with greed in their hearts. Their identities were well known because of the Waterborne Abyss incident, and the last thing they wanted was for their son (their precious miracle baby) to be turned into a political pawn.

The other Gods colored themselves fortunate that the only ones who knew of their connection to their nephew were those he called friends. Shi Qingxuan had been particularly elated to reveal his “true” form to Nie Huaisang, who almost fainted upon learning he’d been trained by the Wind Master himself. Even telling the boy he had only recently reascended and not dissuaded the boy’s excitement.

While Hua Ying and his friends were all excited about showing off to the Gods who they saw as mentors or family, the rest of the cultivation world felt like the pressure was on. Seven Gods and a Ghost King were all sitting in a row on the raised dais, eying them all with appraising eyes. Mistakes would not be tolerated.

Eventually, a representative of Qishan Wen stepped out into the large circular arena where the duels were to take place, explaining the rules to everyone. The object of the duel was to either disarm your opponent or force them off of the raised platform. Any attempt to harm another combatant would lead to your disqualification, but taunts and jabs were allowed, if not encouraged. There was no time limit, so long as the rules were followed.

While many of the disciples were paying attention to the rules, many more were idly chattering amongst themselves, whispering about the disciples who were most likely to win. Much to the chagrin of a certain Sect Madame, the most talked about topic was Hua Xianle. All of the gentry girls around Yu Ziyuan were gushing about how radiant and handsome the boy was, going on and on about his power and his kind heart. It made her want to puke as she glared at the boy in question.

Jiang Wanyin wasn’t any better, given he was glaring at the boy too while going through his sword forms. He was determined to make up for his failure in the crowd hunt, and letting that Wen dog spare get him disqualified. This time, he would take down that damn Hua Xianle, and then that bitch Jiang Fen to reclaim his place as heir.

(He didn’t see Jiang Fen sighing in second-hand embarrassment at her cousin’s sloppy forms, knowing the boy would make a fool of himself the second he stepped onto the field)

“Jiang-zongzhu,” Sect Leader Yao whispered into the ear of Jiang Fengmian. “I can’t help but notice your wife glaring at that Hua boy ever since yesterday, Just exactly what happened between her and that boy to merit such animosity?”

Fengmian sighed, putting on a tight smile. “Yao-zongzhu, my wife has a habit of glaring at anyone who she sees as lesser. Even now with her core sealed and her status revoked, she still believes she and her children are above everyone else. Hua Xianle is simply her easiest target for a variety of reasons.”

Leaving two of his disciples to guard his wife, Jiang Fengmian went to stand with his fellow sect leaders in their assigned rows near the front of the edge. Madame Jiang was relegated to a small corner seat where the other Sect Madames were, though they all avoided her like the plague.