The Red Scale Exotic Beast (4k words; requesting monthly votes; bonus chapter at 18,000 monthly votes)

In the bathroom.

Xiao Feng fell silent for a moment, then said, "Big Bi Zai's strength is ordinary, and among the many powerful people in Heaven's Will, his talent is nothing special either.

"But he has a special position. He's the grandson of the Evil Sword Heavenly King, one of Heaven's Will's higher-ups.

"That's why the Evil Sword Heavenly King gave him a cushy job looking after Red Scale.

"If we stick with him, we may get a chance to approach Red Scale..."

"All right." After thinking for a moment, Xiao Tao asked, "Sister Feng, if we steal Red Scale, can our family really become great again?"

Anticipation shone in Xiao Feng's eyes. "Of course we can!"

After a moment's thought, Xiao Feng began in the unhurried tone of a storyteller:

"Our family elders have passed down this tale for generations. Five hundred years ago, in the Eastern Sea of the Prosperous State, Ancient Legacy Ruins dating back a thousand years suddenly emerged.

"Countless ancient traditions of the Prosperous State, along with the powerful samurai families of our homeland, sent experts to fight over them.

"Unfortunately, five hundred years ago, the Great Ying Dynasty was at its height. The Prosperous State's Martial Way blazed like the midday sun. It was truly an age when the Martial Way ruled all under heaven!

"Beneath the heavens, masters were as plentiful as clouds. In the famous mountains and great rivers, there were even so-called Land Buddhas whose realms were too lofty to fathom.

"Back then, we were mere ants before the Martial Way of the Prosperous State.

"The Martial Fighters of the Western Continent, who now colonize the world, had yet to rise.

"In that struggle for opportunity, only one clan elder among the experts our Chiba Family sent returned alive.

"He said