Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 107: Theological Argument

"Thank you," he said, locking eyes with her. She was tall, youthful, and elegant, with wide-set almond eyes and a refined nose. She blushed, the color spreading like wildfire down her neck and into her robe.

Wuyi started pondering why the pavilion master had positioned such an enchanting disciple near him. The girl clearly practiced some form of enchantment technique. Had he not reached the Qi master level, he would have easily fallen under her spell.

He wondered if Lady Xueyan had intentionally tested his resistance to enchantment, perhaps seeking to exploit his youthful appearance, but then he decided that was not it because the Pavilion Master herself was startled when she saw how young he was.

In response to Lady Xueyan's earlier comment about capturing him, Wuyi retorted while still staring at the almond-eyed young beauty, "You underestimate us, my lady. If I chose to lay siege to your Lotus Blossom Pavilion, would the heavens that you revere come to your aid?"

Lady Xueyan's eyes flared with indignation. "How audacious of you to turn your back on me. Liwei, leave us. I sense desire in this young warrior's gaze."

Wuyi turned and looked at Lady Xueyan. Wuyi was amused by the pavilion master's apparent ire, suspecting it to be contrived. She locked eyes with him, then clasped her hands together.

"Young warrior, why are you here? I was told some young master was the leader of your faction, but there was a massive giant that did all the work. Aren't you too young and too small to represent the faction?"

Wuyi spoke, "The massive giant indeed is actually my subordinate. Mostly he goes for discussion, it is true, but you see, I had heard of the fame of the Lotus Pavilion and its beauties, so I decided to personally come and see. As for my young age, my lady, I assure you that I am old enough to sire a few children with you if the necessity arises."

Hearing this, red could be seen on even the cheeks of the Pavilion Master. She decided to change the topic.

"I've pondered over our situation. Inviting your band of rogue warriors to combat the demonic beasts is akin to hiring a fox to guard the henhouse," she said, maintaining eye contact. "I know what you are and what your organization is."

"Do you now?" Wuyi replied. "Excellent, Lady Xueyan. Shall we proceed to the matter at hand?"

"But what name shall I use for you?" she inquired. "You're clearly of noble birth, despite your insolent demeanor. My steward, the monk at the temple, said you are yèzǐ (orphan noble)?"

"Your steward wasn't fond of me, was he?" Wuyi interjected. "You may refer to me as Young Master Black, and your disciples may call me Young Master. The name Yèzǐ does not define me. I go by Young Master Black."

"Being born out of wedlock is not—" Wuyi's expression darkened into a frown. The mention of his birth circumstances suggested a lack of respect from the lady. Clearly, she had conducted her research on him. While unaware of his true lineage, she somehow unearthed details about his acquisition of Qingshan.

Since the clan title came with the purchase, and he couldn't list his parents, his birth was officially recorded as out of wedlock.It was surprising how much people cared about parentage everywhere. Either he had to show bastard status or give a history of two parents. He was okay with being called a bastard instead of wasting time on this nonsense.

But still, it irritated him how much this thing mattered to people in this world.

"A curse from the heavens, or is it that the heavens simply do not care?" Wuyi interjected, cutting off the Pavilion Master as she was about to comment on his birth outside of marriage. To him, it appeared that every issue related to these virtuous factions was inevitably linked to the divine.

Perhaps it was his youthful appearance that encouraged such disrespect. He was not planning to sit there and take the disrespect, so he mocked the most important thing there was for righteous factions, the heavens.

Lady Xueyan frowned, displaying the typical annoyance elders often have for the young who act too presumptuous. He read her expression instantly.

"Is my persona too demonic-like? Should I infuse it with a dash of righteousness?" he asked, somewhat sarcastically.

"If you cloak yourself in shadows and mock heaven," she retorted, "you risk becoming demonic. Yet, you're astute enough to recognize that. There's hope for you yet. Now, let's discuss business. I'm not wealthy—"

"I've yet to meet anyone who admits to being wealthy," Wuyi interjected, "or well-rested, for that matter."

"Bring tea for the Young Master," Lady Xueyan ordered a disciple at the door. "I can offer you compensation. We're plagued by something—perhaps a beast or a demon from the Wild. It is demonic by nature, it seems. I am not sure if there is one or many. But it has ravaged six farms this year and one the previous year.

Initially, we hoped these were isolated incidents." She looked him squarely in the eyes. "That's no longer a tenable belief."

"Seven farms have been ravaged this year," Wuyi stated, reaching into his storage pouch. He hesitated for a moment over the jade ring that he had found on the dead body coming here, then instead pulled out the lotus symbol that was also found by the body.

"By the Heavens!" exclaimed Lady Xueyan. "Is Elder Xingchen—"

"She has passed on," Wuyi interrupted. "Along with six others in the courtyard. Your esteemed elder fell while defending them."

"Her commitment to our cause was unyielding," Lady Xueyan said, her voice quivering though her eyes remained dry. "There's no need to belittle her."

"I never belittle bravery," Wuyi responded. "But facing such a malevolent entity unarmed—"

"Her faith was her shield against evil," Lady Xueyan interjected.

"Was it strong enough to fend off a ferocious demonic creature from the Zhuzi Forest? Clearly not," Wuyi said softly. "I won't debate the nature of faith or the nature of evil."

Lady Xueyan abruptly stood. "Are you a skeptic, Young Master Black?"

Wuyi shook his head. "A theological argument serves no purpose here, Lady Xueyan. Your territory has drawn a malevolent force—an enemy that is demonic in nature. When they raid or ravage farms, they rarely act alone, especially this far from the Wild. You want me to eliminate it. I can and will.

In return, you will compensate me. That's the extent of our relationship."