Ascension Day

He laughed heartily again.

Pei Du said, "Brother Xu, the Heart Returning Seal Technique."

Xu Ying channeled the Heart Returning Seal Technique, steadied his Heart Spirit, and calmed himself, saying, "Thank you, Prime Minister Pei."

Pei Du shook his head. "You’ve treated me with such sincerity, not only willingly imparting the full, deciphered Primordial Spirit Tribulation Scripture, but also filling in its deficiencies. If I did not treat such sincerity in kind, the Pei Family would be unworthy of our two-thousand-year history as a Noble Family. Rest assured, the Pei Family will guard this secret. I will also help you search for more historical records to help you unravel the mystery of your origins."

Xu Ying bowed in thanks, and Pei Du returned the gesture. "I don’t deserve such thanks. If I manage to avert the trial of life and death in the future, it will be entirely thanks to Brother Xu’s noble act today. I must study the Primordial Spirit Tribulation Scripture, so please forgive me for not seeing you out personally. I will have Bi He escort you."

Xu Ying followed the maid, Bi He, out of the study and headed toward the exit of the Pei Mansion.

The Pei Mansion’s grounds were vast and the layout complex, as if it concealed countless mountains and valleys. Feeling light and carefree, Xu Ying admired the scenery along the way. Suddenly, he spotted a heavenly place fit for an Immortal and thought to himself, ’If only I could savor some rouge sweets with my dear Rushi here, how wonderful that would be. A pity this is the Pei Mansion.’

As he was lost in thought, he saw several young men approaching. The young master in the lead smiled and asked, "Are you the Snake Catcher from the Xu Clan?"

Xu Ying stopped, nodded slightly, and said, "I am."

The young master said, "I am Pei Jing of the Pei Mansion, the humble second son. I’m entertaining friends from the palace today, and I’d like you to keep us company."

Xu Ying smiled. "Of course."

Pei Jing, the second son, waved a hand to dismiss Bi He, then led Xu Ying to a pavilion by the lake. Before it, a vast expanse of turquoise water rippled, swaying the lotus leaves.

The second son, Pei Jing, and the other young masters took their seats. Just as Xu Ying was about to sit down, Pei Jing’s expression darkened. He said with displeasure, "I told you to ’keep us company.’ Don’t you understand what that means? Do you think you’re entitled to a seat? Get your snake out and put on a show! If you can give my friends from the palace a good laugh, I’ll reward you with a few ingots of silver!"

Xu Ying was taken aback. He silently rose to his feet, walked to the lake’s edge, and gently raised a hand. "Since you all wish to see a snake, then allow me to invite Lord Qi to make an appearance."

A small snake with shimmering scales slithered out from his collar, came to rest on his fingertip, and coiled around his finger a few times.

The second son, Pei Jing, and the others burst out laughing, pointing at Xu Ying. "He really is a snake catcher! He actually keeps a snake on him!"

Xu Ying grinned. "Lord Qi, let us dance!"

He unleashed his Primordial Qi, flinging the small snake from his fingertip into the air. Instantly, a violent, primeval aura reminiscent of the Primordial Chaos filled the air. The small snake grew larger and larger, reaching over a thousand feet in length in a heartbeat. Its massive body began to slither slowly across the lake’s surface.

As Xu Ying’s sleeves fluttered, the great snake’s body rose slowly into the air, climbing higher and higher as brilliant Sword Qi erupted from its scales, swirling and dancing around its form.

The great snake cruised through the sky, stirring up fierce gales. It was like a dragon, like a python, but on its head grew a pair of black and white horns, and down its back ran a mane like a dragon-emblazoned banner, fluttering in the wind.

Standing before the pavilion, Xu Ying’s sleeves billowed. Suddenly, the great snake dove, the Sword Qi surrounding it flaring violently as it descended upon the pavilion in an instant!

Inside the pavilion, the color drained from the second son Pei Jing’s face. He shot to his feet, as did the other young masters. They all scrambled to unleash every ounce of their Cultivation in a desperate attempt to defend themselves.

"BOOM!"

The entire pavilion exploded. A torrent of Sword Qi rained down, sending everyone flying. They tumbled through the air and crashed into the water, a truly wretched sight.

Xu Ying laughed heartily and walked onto the ruins of the pavilion. He saw the table was still standing, the banquet completely undisturbed. He grabbed a piece of meat and began to eat. Finding it to his liking, he snatched up a wine jug and took a long drink, laughing as he said, "I came to your home as a guest. Even the Prime Minister himself treats me with respect. What the hell are you? And you thought you could humiliate me?"

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This Chapter’s a bit long, so the update is late!!