The Test

"Well... even if he is Clan Leader Yu's son, I can't interfere in a personal dispute. It's not that I'm refusing to let it go. This is their own conflict, and it wouldn't be right for me to get involved."

Yu Yuanzhen panted with rage.

I've gone this far, and the Eighth Worshipper still won't let it go! Is he determined to deny the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan any respect?

Besides, if you hadn't kept pressing them, would a few mere guards have dared to pursue this? This is all because of you!

Yu Yuanzhen looked around. He had made Yu Xiaogang's identity clear. Surely someone would speak up now? They had been blind before—were they deaf as well?

Unfortunately, everyone seemed to have missed the point.

"What a misfortune for your family, Clan Leader Yu. To have a son who isn't right in the head... My condolences."

"Yes, Clan Leader Yu, don't be angry. You can teach him a lesson once this is over. Don't let it ruin your health."

Nearly everyone either urged Yu Yuanzhen to calm down or offered 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 were all staying silent, they kept their mouths shut.

Yu Xiaogang grew even more desperate. His father had revealed who he was, and it still hadn't helped? Had Spirit Hall frightened all these families and sects senseless?

Weren't they afraid Spirit Hall would become too powerful to challenge? And Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect—his younger brother had been hunted down, and his sect was practically crippled! Yet here he stood like a wooden post!

What happened to the fearsome Clear Sky Sect and its mighty battle hammers? Were they all scared witless?

Yu Xiaogang cursed the sects and families in his heart. He even resented them for their lack of backbone.

If I ever take control of Spirit Hall, I'll make every one of you pay!

At last, he turned a pleading, tender gaze on Bibi Dong, hoping she would rescue him. She was his last hope!

Bibi Dong met his eyes. The sight of a greasy, flat-topped middle-aged man staring at her so pitifully nearly made her vomit. Her expression looked no better than Yu Yuanzhen's.

How did I ever fall for this disgusting coward?

She fought down the urge to retch, turned away from that revolting face, and said flatly:

"If you're a man, honor your wager."

Above all, she could not bear to look at his face or waste another moment here with him. She just wanted to leave.

Yu Xiaogang's heart jolted at her words. He felt a rush of warmth.

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

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

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

The sudden turn of events startled everyone. They looked from Yu Yuanzhen to Yu Xiaogang and back again.

Yu Yuanzhen felt their eyes on him, and his face turned as red as a baboon's backside. Seeing his son bark while grinning ingratiatingly only made him angrier.

He wanted to bury his head up his own backside so he would not have to see any more.

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

Yu Luomian's expression was hardly any better. He was Yu Xiaogang's uncle; how could he pretend this had nothing to do with him?

Besides, Yu Luomian handled most of the clan's day-to-day affairs, while Yu Yuanzhen dealt mainly with major matters.

Yu Luomian was the one who usually met with other powers. How was he supposed to face their representatives after this?

Bibi Dong felt much the same. She hated Yu Xiaogang, but watching him stare at her with that fawning, eager-to-be-disciplined look gave her no pleasure at all.

She had no taste for this sort of game. She just 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 it.

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

Only Yu Xiaogang remained, gazing after Bibi Dong and barking like an eager dog.

He stopped only when the group had gone some distance. Then he wondered:

Was Dong'er satisfied with my performance? She must have been. I was so quick-witted earlier, coming up with all those reasons. It was only the Eighth Worshipper who wouldn't let it go.

Even then, I faced the wager like a real man in the end.

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

Yes! That's it!

Just as he was about to rise, a large hand patted his shoulder. Anger flared at once.

Are those damned guards still refusing to let this go? Dong'er's already left, and they still dare disrespect me? Didn't they hear that my father is Yu Yuanzhen?!

"Your Eminence, Eighth Worshipper."

The guards who had stayed to watch all halted, dropped to one knee, and called out in unison.

Yu Xiaogang turned and saw that damned Eighth Worshipper. What was he doing here again? Had he come to humiliate him some more?

Before Yu Xiaogang could speak, Qian Xunji said:

"Grandmaster, we've confirmed that you were indeed invited. Earlier, it was all a misunderstanding. Besides, this was a personal dispute between you and them. Even I—no, even His Holiness the Pope—couldn't properly interfere. I'm sorry it put you in such an awkward position. You won't hold it against Spirit Hall, will you?"

Yu Xiaogang heard this and felt vindicated.

Dong'er must have forgiven me! She must even see me in a 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 for now. He is a Worshipper, after all, and once I take control of Spirit Hall, he'll be my subordinate.

I ought to show my subordinates some leniency. Ah, 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 I win Dong'er over, the two of us can work together to remove anyone in Spirit Hall who refuses to fall in line. Then won't Spirit Hall be mine?

And if it's mine, it belongs to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!

Wait, no. Once I control Spirit Hall, what does the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan matter? I should control the clan too! Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will both be mine!

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

Hmm... He must be one of Dong'er's trusted people. Fine, I'll spare him for 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. He had no idea what fantasy the idiot was indulging in, and 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 conferment ceremony for 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 exchanged uneasy looks as they watched the two men walk away.

"He really was invited? Have we offended him beyond repair? What if he takes revenge later?"

"Exactly! He's the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader!"

The guards grew afraid. Only their captain pondered the voice transmission he had heard, then gave a crooked grin.

"Don't worry. Keep making things difficult for him whenever you see him!"