Waiting for you online - - - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Now that they had met, they naturally converged to form a table.

Song Zi Xiao sat beside his big brother, glancing warily at Hua Yu Xin from time to time, in case the two of them were making eyes at each other under his nose.

Song Zi Mo was used to the scene and acted as if he was the master of the world, gently gathering people’s hearts. He was right to do so. As the first legitimate son of Emperor Song and the Wuliang Sect as his relative, there was no doubt that he would become the Lord of Jiuzhou in the future.

As Song Zi Heng watched Song Zi Mo’s ability to move from one side to the other, he thought to himself: It is not necessary to choose the most profound cultivator to lead a sect. His second brother’s strengths are not in cultivation, but he not necessarily cannot be a good Emperor. It seems that each person has his own strengths.

During the meal, Song Zi Mo did not hide his attentiveness to Hua Yu Xin, but Song Zi Heng’s mind kept recalling his mother’s advice to him, and he became moodier and moodier. He wanted to be a filial son and fulfil his mother’s wishes, but a tiny, unbroken voice in the deepest part of his heart cried out, wishing to be free himself.

If Song Zi Mo were to hold on to his beauty as he wished, would he no longer have to carry any expectations and live freely?

Two conflicting thoughts rushed through his mind, causing him a headache.

“Big brother, what’s wrong?” Song Zi Xiao asked in a low voice when he saw Song Zi Heng frowning incessantly.

“Nothing.” Song Zi Heng took a sip of wine to hide it, “Didn’t I tell you to stay in the palace? What are you doing out here?”

Song Zi Xiao had heard that Song Zi Mo was hosting a banquet for guests from the Huaying Sect and wanted to come and see what the Hua family’s daughter really looked like and whether she was worthy of his big brother. But of course he wouldn’t tell the truth: “Second brother said there was good food, so I wanted to come out and relax.”

“What’s relaxing about being outside of the palace? The city is full of cultivators from all over the world now, it’s a mess. Don’t wander off like this anymore.”

“Got it.” Song Zi Xiao suddenly noticed Hua Yu Xin looking this way again. He turned sideways and deliberately blocked that line of sight, saying unhappily, “Big brother, do you think the Hua family’s daughter looks good?”

“Of course she looks good.”

“Second brother also thinks she’s good looking.” Song Zi Xiao gave a bad smile, “I think second brother and her are quite a good match.”

Song Zi Heng was silent.

This meal made Song Zi Heng awkward and unhappy. If he had known this, he would not have shown up. It would have been nice to have a drink with Xu Zhi Nan, who had similar interests, instead of sitting here on pins and needles*.

Xu Zhi Nan is also a very clever person, and soon guessed what these young people were thinking and gave a thoughtful smile.

—

Three days later, the Jiaolong assembly officially began.

The tournament will take place on the hunting grounds at the back of the Wuji Palace, and the competition will last for three days. With a very simple selection process – lots will be drawn at random and the winner will advance. The rules for the tournament are not too many, there is no limit to men or women, any kind of weapons, magical weapons and talismans can even be used. Everyone can show their skills, but there is only one rule; no killing blows.

In order to prevent the young cultivators from injuring themselves, one elder from each sect has to guard the ring, so that they can stop it in time if it gets out of hand. If they want to fight to the death, they will be forced to end it and the elders will discuss the winner.

When the competition comes to an end, those who remained are naturally the heavenly pride. They shouldered the honor of their sects, so how can they easily concede defeat? When this happens, the more likely they are to encounter the elders’ verdict. If they are in their own territory, it is easier to use some force in the dark, that’s why everyone wants to host the Jiaolong assembly, which is why there is a rule of rotation among several major sects.

Song Ming He took advantage of the civil unrest in the Wuyun Sect to justly steal the hosting of this year’s session. It was a great way to plunder the position for his only beloved youngest son, leaving outsiders with many speculations about the strength of Song Zi Xiao.

This time, other than Song Zi Xiao, the third princess Song Ruo Ning and the fifth prince Song Zi Yun will also participate, together with the descendants of various sects. There are more than a hundred people.

Amidst the beating of war drums, Song Zi Heng rode a tall steed and led his younger siblings into the tournament arena.

Around the field, tents of every color were scattered in clusters, and flags of every color waved as their eyes were turned to the descendants of Emperor Song.

At the age of twelve, Song Zi Heng’s first participation in the Jiaolong assembly caused quite a stir. Although he did not win any fame, his potential at such a young age was impressive enough to make people sigh, knowing that the younger generations will surpass them in time. After that, he wandered the world on his own, and there were rumors of his achievements from time to time. The whole immortal world thought that Song Zi Heng would most likely win the Jiaolong assembly. But at that Jiaolong Assembly, he did not show up. For three years afterwards, he kept such a low profile that he seemed to have disappeared, and one could not help but think of Zhong Yong’s pain*.

Now, he was riding in the lead, with his jade sword, his white horse and golden restraint. His whole person was proper and prudent, Like green pines and cypresses*. This handsome young man has no traces of dejectedness as rumored by the outside world. Everyone present couldn’t stop throwing their gazes at him, and the women of the right age were already whispering.

Song Zi Xiao was behind Song Zi Heng and was so proud to see his big brother receiving the attention of the whole crowd. He squinted his eyes and watched the warm spring sun spread over the earth, tracing Song Zi Heng’s handsome silhouette with sparkling golden light. At this moment, it was as if a heavenly god had descended, and he could not help but want to chase the light in front of him – Chasing this kind of light was human nature.

Song Zi Xiao clipped the belly of his horse and gave chase, the two horses moving in tandem. He wanted the whole immortal world to see that it was he, and only he, who was walking alongside his big brother.

And so one white and one black, two heavenly prides, made their appearance, and astonished everyone present.

—

They sat in their tents, waiting for the results of the draw.

Song Ruo Ning paced back and forth, looking a little nervous.

Song Zi Heng said, “Ning Er, stop walking back and forth, you’re making our heads hurt.”

“Big brother, I’m a bit worried. What if I draw a particularly powerful person for the first match?”

“That’s up to fate, what’s the use of worrying? It just adds on to your worries.” Song Zi Heng held out his hand, “Come, sit down.”

Song Ruo Ning took her big brother’s hand and shook it petulantly, “Big brother, this is the only time I’ll be participating in the Jiaolong Assembly, you must watch me when I compete.”

“Big brother still has to watch me.” Song Zi Xiao muttered.

“You’ll still be able to participate four years from now. Sister will soon be married and will never have the chance again, and you’re still competing with me.”

Song Zi Xiao said reluctantly, “I’m so much younger than you, and you’re still competing with me?”

“I think you’re looking for a fight.” Song Ruo Ning waved her fist.

Song Zi Heng laughed, “Alright, big brother is going to watch all of them, but if your competitions are going on at the same time, then I’ll go and watch Ning Er’s, okay?”

Song Ruo Ning smiled sweetly and nodded heavily, “Mmm!”

Song Zi Heng stroked his sister’s satin hair and sighed, “Big brother always thought you were still a little girl, and you’re about to get married in the blink of an eye.”

“I don’t want to either, but …” she suddenly came up to Song Zi Heng’s ear and whispered shyly, “Big brother, I went to see him secretly. I think he’s quite good looking.”

Song Zi Heng snorted, “That’s good, good to be worthy of our Ning Er.” When the Wuyun Sect was in civil unrest, he was also worried that it would not be safe for his sister to marry there, but her future father-in-law had long since disregarded affairs of the world and focused on cultivation. Although he was also an influential elder of the Wuyun Sect, he had no conflict with Yan Shu. That day when Yan Shu was summoned into the Wuji Palace, he must have also talked about this matter, and now it seemed that it should have no effect.

“Third sister, if I or fifth brother met your future husband, what should we do ah?”

Song Ruo Ning laughed playfully, “Hit him hard and don’t disgrace our Daming Song clan.”

“The lottery is out, the lottery is out!”

A group of palace staff each held a red silk roster and trotted all the way to the tents of the major sects to deliver it.

Getting the draw roster, Song Zi Heng unfolded it amidst the impatient gazes of his younger siblings.

Song Zi Heng caught a glimpse of Song Zi Yun’s name: “Xiao Wu, you …”

Song Zi Yun scratched his head, “How come I drew a female cultivator from the Cangyu Sect in the first round? I heard that they know demonic arts and the path of their technique is not at all understandable. It’s very evil.”

“There’s no such thing. Don’t listen to outside nonsense and scare yourself.” Song Zi Heng said, “Do your best, big brother believes in you.”

“What about me? What about me?” Song Zi Xiao poked his head through.

“Your Highness!” A teenager’s voice came from a distance, and in the blink of an eye, the owner of the voice burst headfirst into the tent.

It was a tall, handsome teenager with a long, witty face.

“Bu Yu?” Song Zi Heng laughed.

“Li Bu Yu?” Song Zi Xiao said disgustedly, “When did you get here?”

“There was a delay at Mount Shu, I just arrived yesterday.” Li Bu Yu walked up to Song Zi Heng’s side, his eyes glittering with expectation, “Your Highness, this is my last time participating in the Jiaolong Assembly, can you come and watch me compete?”

Song Zi Xiao said nonchalantly, “My big brother still has to watch us. How can he have the time to watch you? Go back to your tent.”

“Zi Xiao, don’t be so rude.”

Li Bu Yu ignored Song Zi Xiao, “Your Highness, you guided me in body movement techniques last year, I have benefited a lot. This time at the Jiaolong assembly, I will definitely fight well.”

Song Zi Heng laughed, “You have the Sect Leader Immortal himself to teach you, how can I really guide you on anything? At most I can help you with a few mistakes you have made. I will definitely be there to watch your match. Bu Yu, have you drawn lots yet?”

“Yes, I drew.” Li Bu Yu looked at the roster in Song Zi Heng’s hand, “But I haven’t read it yet.”

Song Zi Heng looked at the roster again, “Your first round is with …”

Several people froze at the same time.

Song Zi Xiao slowly raised his head and stared at Li Bu Yu, his gaze shining.

Li Bu Yu tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.

—-

—-

Zhong Yong’s pain*[仲永之伤]—This was

mentioned in one of the previous chapter, can’t remember which, anyway you can

ready the story here: https://chinablog.cc/the-pity-of-zhong-yong-a-wasted-child-prodigy/

green pines and cypresses*[松翠柏般]— it is a metaphor for a person

with noble quality and firm integrity.