Shi Family
The Merchant Union. Tianyun city. Shi Family. The Stone Room.
Yang Hai, who was a little stout, was sitting on a stone stool with a serious face. Eyes narrowed, he was checking an account book, page by page, and reporting the recent month’s production status of the quarry to the master of Shi Family---Shi Jian.
Though Shi Jian was in his seventies, he looked in good health. Being the master of Shi Family, he was simply wearing a plain gown, which was for martial training. Sitting on a brown stone stool, he had a calm demeanor... He was listening to Yang Hai earnestly.
After Yang Hai illustrated the case, Shi Jian frowned and commented, "Hai, the production in recent months has literally decreased by 20 percent. What's up?"
"It's all because of the Mo and Ling families." Yang Hai sighed, "Many skilled pitmen were lured away by their high salary. We are now in lack of pitmen. We were in bad situation in the secret fight with the two families. Those pitmen feared that we would be beaten by them, plus they were being offered higher price, so the pitmen turned to them."
"Humph!" Shi Jian sniffed. "They are doing that deliberately. Since Mo Yanyu and Ling Shao Feng got engaged, Mo Family and Ling Family have gotten closer and closer. Ling family has also been interfering in the secret fight between Shi and Mo. They must have come to an agreement, or Mo Family couldn't compete with us."
"Master, when do we strike back?" Yang Hai asked.
"No worries. I have a plan." Shi Jian looked assured, then he paused and frowned, "My little bastard grandson Shi Yan, still is not back home?"
"No. I was just about to mention that." Yang Hai looked disturbed, "That stupid boy said he would go to the Dark Forest before he left. It's been one year since he left home. I received information a couple of days ago that Mo Chaoge and Mo Yanyu were in the Dark Forest as well. I'm afraid he had an accident. He didn't take any capable escorts with him. His mother Qing died early, and we have this single child; I am so worried..."
Shi Jian frowned and kept mum for a long while. Then he sighed, "This boy was born without inheriting the Martial Spirit of Petrifaction of Shi Family, and nor he is fascinated by Martial Art. Instead, he was crazy about those odd things, and would always goof around. Troublesome!"
"Master, it's all because of my humble bloodline. If I had Martial Spirit, Qing would have given birth to a kid with Martial Spirit." Yang Hai was ashamed.
"It's all doomed." Shi Jian shook his head, "Hai, I found you by the Endless Sea. Though you are not my own, I treat you as my own son, or, I wouldn't have betrothed my daughter Qing to you. Yes, you don't own Martial Spirit, nor did you train in Martial art. But you play a key role in the development of Shi Family, and the management of our quarries. We wouldn't have accumulated so much wealth if it hadn't been you. Though you don't know about Martial Art, you contribute a lot to the family."
"But nowadays, a strong warrior is much more valuable than anything." Yang Hai smiled and mocked himself, "If I had Martial Spirit, I would have trained in Martial Art. And if Yan had inherited the Martial Spirit of Petrifaction from his mother, he too would have trained in it. But the Martial Spirit is inborn..."
Shi Jian nodded, and sighed, "Yes. It's true. A strong warrior is more valuable than anything."
"Master, could that little boy be in danger?" Yang Hai couldn't help but worry.
“Shouldn't be." Shi Jian thought for a while, and added, "My grandson isn't into Martial Art, so the Mo Family have never set their eyes upon him. Neither Mo Chaoge nor Mo Yanyu had seen him before. So it's not possible that they would harm him."
"But I still feel something's wrong. He should have been home."
"Well, I would let those soldiers in the Silent Town to keep an eye for . The Silent Town was beside the Dark Forest. Once they spot Shi Yan, they would let us know. So don't worry."
"Thank you, Master."
"Why? Your son is also my grandson!" Shi Jian glared at him and berated, "How many times have I told you? Don't call me Master. I'm your adoptive father, and also your father-in-law. You can call me anything but Master."
“I got it, Father."
"Ok."
……
The Dark Forest. A silent night.
Luo Hao was standing still on the side of the track, with quintuple gravitational field surrounding the neighbourhood; it was getting very hard to breath.
Shi Yan was perspiring all over his body, as he pounded in the air and jumped around Luo Hao. Blue veins showed up on his face and neck, quivering as little snakes.
In the grass, Mu Yudie was gazing at them secretly, biting a straw in her mouth.
"Guess how long could he endure today?" Di Yalan asked as she walked up and sat beside her
"You finished your task today?" Mu Yudie chuckled, without replying her.
"Zhao Xin took over. It was really dangerous then! A single horn silver snake was twining around the tree trunk, and I didn't notice it. I was almost bitten by it! You have been able to see me again hadn't I been that agile."
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login