Something Wrong with His Head

"But even if he's Clan Leader Yu's son, I can't interfere in their personal dispute. It's not that I won't let this go. This is between them, and it wouldn't be right for me to get involved."

Yu Yuanzhen breathed heavily with rage.

I've already gone this far, and that Eighth Worshipper still won't let it go! Won't he give the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan even a shred of respect?

Besides, if you hadn't kept pressing the matter, would a few mere guards have dared to keep at it? This is all your fault!

Yu Yuanzhen looked around. He had made Yu Xiaogang's identity perfectly clear. Surely someone would speak up for him now? Had they been blind before and suddenly gone deaf too?

Unfortunately, everyone seemed to have missed the point.

"What a misfortune for your family, Clan Leader Yu. To think your son isn't right in the head. You have my sympathy."

"Yes, Clan Leader Yu, don't be angry. Once this is over, you can set him straight. Don't let him ruin your health."

Nearly everyone urged Yu Yuanzhen not to get angry or offered him pity for having a son who wasn't right in the head.

Not one of them stepped forward to help Yu Xiaogang.

Some families might have wanted to intervene, but when they saw that the Two Great Empires, the Clear Sky Sect, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect all remained silent, they held their tongues.

Yu Xiaogang sank deeper into despair. Even after his father had revealed who he was, it had done no good? Had Spirit Hall frightened all these families and sects witless?

Weren't they afraid Spirit Hall would grow too powerful? And Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect—his brother had been hunted down, and his sect was practically crippled, yet he still stood there like a wooden post!

Where was the peerless might of their battle hammers? Where was the grandeur of the Clear Sky Sect? Had fear knocked it all out of them?

Yu Xiaogang cursed the sects and families in his heart. He was even angry at them for failing to live up to their potential.

He swore to himself, If I ever take charge of Spirit Hall, I'll make every one of you pay!

At last, he gazed at Bibi Dong with tender, pleading eyes, hoping she would help him out of this. She was his last lifeline!

Bibi Dong looked at Yu Xiaogang. The sight of a greasy, middle-aged man with a crew cut staring pitifully at her nearly made her vomit. Her expression was scarcely better than Yu Yuanzhen's.

How did I ever fall for this disgusting coward?

Suppressing her nausea, she turned away from his repulsive face and said flatly:

"If you're a man, you'll honor the bet."

More than anything, she couldn't bear to look at his face or waste another moment here with the bastard. She just wanted to leave.

Yu Xiaogang's heart gave a violent jolt at her words. He felt only warmth at her consideration.

Dong'er really does still love me! She's only upset. She wants me to be a real man! I understand now, Dong'er! This is just a test! Trust me—I won't let you down!

Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and suddenly dropped to his knees. He looked firmly at Bibi Dong, his eyes full of gratitude and trust.

"Woof! Woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof!"

The sudden turn startled everyone. They looked from Yu Yuanzhen to Yu Xiaogang.

Under their stares, Yu Yuanzhen's face turned red as a baboon's backside. Seeing his son bark while smiling ingratiatingly only made him angrier.

He wanted to bury his head up his own backside so he wouldn't have to see any of it.

I should never have said he was my son. I should've let him bark on his own!

Yu Luomian's expression was no better. He was Yu Xiaogang's uncle—how could he stay out of it?

Besides, he handled most of the clan's everyday affairs. Yu Yuanzhen generally dealt only with major matters.

He was the one who usually met representatives of the other factions. How was he supposed to face them now?

Bibi Dong felt much the same. She hated Yu Xiaogang, but watching him stare at her so eagerly, as if begging her to discipline him, gave her no pleasure at all.

She had no taste for that sort of thing. She simply wanted to strangle him.

At the thought, she shot Qian Xunji another vicious glare.

Qian Xunji, who was enjoying himself more than anyone, pretended not to see.

Before Yu Xiaogang had even finished, Bibi Dong headed toward Douluo Palace. The others came to their senses and hurried after her.

Yu Xiaogang alone remained where he was, watching Bibi Dong's retreating back and barking obsequiously.

Only when the others had gone some distance did he stop and ponder:

I wonder if Dong'er was satisfied with my performance? She must have been. I was so quick-witted earlier and came up with so many arguments. That Eighth Worshipper just wouldn't let it go.

Even so, I faced the bet like a real man in the end.

Dong'er must see me now as a clever, resourceful man who acts with courage and resolve, right?

Yes! That's exactly it!

Just as he was about to stand, a large hand patted his shoulder. His anger flared at once.

Are those stinking guards still after me? Dong'er's gone, and they still dare disrespect me? Didn't they hear that my father is Yu Yuanzhen?!

"Eighth Worshipper!"

The guards who had been watching all stopped what they were doing, dropped to one knee, and called out in unison.

Yu Xiaogang turned and saw that bastard Eighth Worshipper. What did he want now? Was he here to humiliate him again?

Before Yu Xiaogang could speak, Qian Xunji said:

"Grandmaster, we've confirmed that you were indeed invited. What happened earlier was merely a misunderstanding. Besides, that matter was a personal grievance between you and the guards. Even I—no, even His Holiness the Pope—couldn't properly interfere. I'm sorry it caused you such embarrassment. You won't hold it against Spirit Hall, will you?"

Yu Xiaogang heard this and knew he had been right!

Dong'er must have forgiven me! She might even see me in a whole new light! That's why she sent the Eighth Worshipper to smooth things over.

For Dong'er's sake, I won't make things difficult for him just yet. He's a worshipper, after all, and once I take charge of Spirit Hall, he'll be my subordinate.

It's only right to show a little leniency to a subordinate. I'm far too generous. Only someone like me could win Dong'er's heart and lead Spirit Hall—no, lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to new glory.

He was already close to treating Spirit Hall as his personal property.

Once Dong'er is mine, we can work together to remove anyone in Spirit Hall who refuses to obey. Then won't Spirit Hall belong to me?

And if it belongs to me, it belongs to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!

Wait, that's not quite right. Once I'm in charge of Spirit Hall, what does the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan matter? The clan should be under my command too! Both Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will be mine!

Yu Xiaogang resumed his Grandmasterly bearing and slowly rose, sweeping an appraising gaze over Qian Xunji from head to toe.

Hmm... He must be one of Dong'er's trusted men. Fine, I won't make things difficult for him now. As long as he works obediently under me from now on, I'll forgive him.

Qian Xunji saw the look in Yu Xiaogang's eyes and had no idea what nonsense the fool was fantasizing about. He found it utterly baffling.

Suppressing the urge to slap him dead, Qian Xunji said:

"Grandmaster, what happened earlier is behind us. Please join the procession for the title conferral ceremony of His Holiness the Pope, Gui Mei, and Yue Guan."

Yu Xiaogang gave a smug, disdainful snort.

Just as I thought! Dong'er, you still love me!

"Very well. Lead the way!"

The guards watched the two of them walk away, then exchanged uneasy looks.

"So he really was invited? Have we offended him for good? Will he come after us later?"

"Right! And he's the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader!"

The guards grew nervous. Only their captain remained thoughtful. Recalling the message transmitted to him, he gave a crooked smile.

"Don't worry. If you run into him again, keep giving him a hard time!"