As expected, Zhao Mingfeng wasn’t pleased after learning about Bai Dajin’s ’shortcut’. Zhao Wanting immediately coddled her traumatised daughter protectively. Although the Zhao family was polite and spoke nicely, Bai Dajin was still ultimately banned from giving Anji any rides in the future. If anything, they expressed their concern for Yihao’s education under the White Tiger leader’s wing.
With the tongue lashing he received from Hong Nian Niang, Bai Dajin apologised and promised not to cause more trouble. Of the men present, he was the only one without any child-raising experience. It was understandable how he made foolish mistakes . However, unlike Yihao, who was born with a tough body and personality, Anji was like a porcelain doll.
While the adults bickered, Anji took time to calm herself down. As the initial shock wore off, she recalled the exhilaration of gazing at the rooftops from high above. It was a sensation she believed only birds could truly understand. If not for the fear of a perilous fall, Anji would have found this unique experience even more enjoyable.
"Mother, I’m ok. I’m not hurt at all, so please forgive Sect Leader Bai. He only took the shortcut because I missed lunch and was hungry..."
The toddler’s interruption reminded the adults about the more pressing matter.
"Oh dear," Wanting lamented, hugging her daughter tightly. "You’re absolutely right. Servants, serve the food now!"
Anji’s stomach grumbled as the tantalising dishes were served, reminding everyone just how hungry she was. Although her siblings weren’t at the table yet, Anji was permitted to start eating first instead of waiting for everyone to gather.
Kick-starting the party and ditching manners, Bai Dajin picked up a tender beef brisket from the dish in the middle of the large round table and placed it on top of Anji’s rice.
"A token of my apology," he explained. "Please forgive me, young princess."
Not one to hold petty grudges, Anji smiled and thanked him.
"Don’t worry, Sect Leader Bai. Anji had already forgotten it."
Sensing the burdensome gazes of the adults in the room, who were waiting for Anji to start moving her chopsticks, the youngest daughter of the Zhao family shovelled a mouthful of rice. She started chewing with puffed-up cheeks and swallowed quickly. Even if she ate quickly, the heap of dishes in her bowl piled up quicker than she could get to them. Very soon, there was a mountain of meat, fish and vegetables in her bowl that covered the view of Anji’s face from the opposite seat of the table. The bowl was so full that Anji feared she might spill something if she removed the wrong thing from the precariously stacked dishes.
"What’s with that mountain of food in your bowl?" Zhao Yihao gawked unceremoniously as he entered the room, looking as if he had been rolling on the ground the whole day. There were many grass and mud stains on his shoes, but there were black stains on his cheeks and dust on his robes. Anji’s third brother reeked of sweat, and his hands were dirty.
Horrified by her son’s undignified appearance at a dinner with so many important guests, Zhao Wanting apologised on behalf of her immature son’s behaviour.
Zhao Ruiting appeared behind him and wrinkled her nose at the stench. Without waiting for her mother’s instructions, she grabbed the scruff of her dirty brother’s collar and bowed in apology to the other guests.
"Please forgive my younger brother’s lack of manners," the oldest daughter glared at Yihao. "I’ll see that he’s appropriately dressed before returning. Enjoy your meals."
Zhao Mingshen was the last to enter the dining room. He’d lost track of time debating with his new friend Zhang Mou and was late. However, the scholarly brother was confused when Yihao was dragged out of the dining room by his older sister as soon as he entered. More surprisingly, he wondered how his younger sister would finish all that food in her bowl.
Too tired to explain, Mingfeng called his son over to give his greeting and join them for the rest of dinner. Compared to the official banquet, the family gathering dinner was less chaotic. Thankfully, the sect leaders of the Rainbow Alliance weren’t fussy people who cared about such etiquette. They were cultivators who prioritised business over flattery.
Yan Ping finished her food quickly. Unlike the other cultivators, she followed a strict diet of only raw fruits. Truthfully, a cultivator of her stage did not need to eat. She could survive without sustenance at her level. However, she ate to appease the host because sitting at a dining table with only an empty bowl in front of her would be more awkward.
While the other sect leaders ate and overpampered her student, Yan Ping wondered how appropriate it would be to discuss business over a meal that was meant to be. Eventually, Hong Nian Niang and her superior social skills allowed Yan Ping to bring up the matter she wished to discuss.
"Sister Yan," the Vermillion Bird sect leader drawled. "So many people are worried about your little disciple. Aren’t you going to pamper her too?"
Sighing, the blind lady turned her head in the general direction where Anji was seated.
"Do you wish for me to pamper you?"
Quickly, Anji declined.
"Anji is alright," she reassured. "Shifu doesn’t have to be overly concerned."
Smiling from behind her veil, Yan Ping quickly seized the flow of the conversation to inform Anji and everyone present about her plans.
"If you were slightly stronger, you needn’t be afraid of heights. Once you attain a higher level of mastery, you can take shortcuts similar to those of Sect Leader Bai. However, you’re currently too weak because of that seal. To remove its restrictions, you have to start a special training. However, I can’t take you back to my sect now because you’d not survive the harsh environment."
Nervously, Anji put her chopsticks down.
"Shifu, Anji is unafraid of hardships!"
The room fell silent as chopsticks and spoons stopped moving. Everyone studied the teacher and student carefully, trying to make out Zhao Mingfeng’s expression. Will he really let his weak toddler enter the Mystical Qilin Sect so soon?
After thinking for a while, Yan Ping made up her mind. She’d seen both Anji’s talent and resolve today. Even if she hated leaving her secluded mountain, she had no choice.
"Sect Leader Zhao," Yan Ping stood up and clasped her hands together. I’d like to seek your permission to extend my stay at the Celestial Dragon Sect indefinitely after the Rainbow Alliance Meeting to tutor your youngest daughter and treat her condition."
Surprised that the reclusive prophet would request to home tutor her student instead of forcefully taking Anji with her, Zhao Wanting quickly looked at her husband with pleading eyes. If Yan Ping were willing to stay, they would gladly welcome her.
On the same wavelength as his wife, Zhao Mingfeng quickly stood up and bowed with clasped hands in front of him as a sign of humbling his position.
"It would be our sect’s honour to have you," he replied. "Please stay for as long as you want."
Anji’s heart raced. She was going to have lessons at home from her teacher! What sort of dream was this? The little girl could barely believe the fantastic news.
Hearing how easily Zhao Mingfeng granted Yan Ping permission to extend her stay, Bai Dajin demanded the same rights for Zhao Yihao.
Needless to say, Zhao Wanting also welcomed the reckless White Tiger sect leader to stay and teach their third son. Someone had to keep an eye on the powerful martial artist to ensure he did not accidentally kill or traumatise children.
With that out of the way, Yan Ping quickly excused herself from dinner to return to her room. Now that she had permission to extend her stay, there was work to be done. The most update n0vels are published on novel⸺fire.net