Chapter 42: Paying Respect

When the crowd was reeled with confusion, the two ladies were filled with excitement.

They hit the jackpot! Right now, they did not care about their objective anymore. Hell, if it’s about the objective, they already secured three Spirit Weapons. Securing this one now, who cares if the disciples could not use it! This weapon… any Grand Elders from their sect, no matter how much sisterhood they shared, were willing to choke each other out trying to take this one for themselves!

Their Matriarch already had Soul Armament, so she would not be so greedy, right?

Funny thing was, these ladies were not fond of such a large weapon. It had no grace, no style. Being expert cultivators, they also had their pride…

Pride, defined yourself.

Without pride, one had no value!

…

Yet seeing the recordings, they drooled.

Why in the heavens would they care about pride? To earth with grace, to hell with style! They were cultivators anyway. Power spoke for itself, so who cares what grace and style if it can perform…

And this glaive, performed very well!

Power, reigned supreme!

Just now, they were so close to rejecting it, so they were worried. So when they saw An Shan, waving his hand as a sign ‘not to worry about it’, they saluted and bowed;

“We thanked senior for your generosity!”

Hearing the sellers’ hurried gratitude, the four drug lords in the VIP rooms got up.

Hands shaking, they could not believe it. Such a decisive decision? What the heavens… All these years in Wang Nan, they had been competing against each other… only against themselves! Their reputation was such that even large sects around Wang Nan dared not stood in their way. For this last herb, Millennium Armadillo Roots, each of them thought, they were going to compete with one another to the bitter end. This herb would be able to increase the chance of their ancestor… to truly become an Ancestor in the cultivation world…!

But now?

What’s wrong with these two sellers?

Did they just come here to slap their face?

Acquiring this herb was a heavy task.

When the Dong clan took out their Green Dragon, and when the Sha clan took out the Royal Heaven, the two other drug lords had to relent. The Dong and Sha… these two drug lords had always been a little better compared to them. Hence, while they were unwilling, they still could withstand it. Even for the Dong and Sha clan, having either one of them won was understandable for them. Of course, they would be bitter about it. Considering that any serious clash among them was forbidden by the White Tiger’s proxy, they had no choice but to let it go.

However, right now… Someone with no reputation, no known background, beat them to it. Not only that, he took all three rare herbs for himself. How was this fair?

This was unacceptable!

Thinking so, Sha Yu clasped his hands to the sellers;

“These ladies, I ask you to show me face. This Royal Heaven is legendary here in Wang Nan, the weapon of the former Sovereign. There’s no reason for you to accept an inferior product,”

“Dear Sir, we’ve made up our mind.”

“T-take a look at the token carefully. Its special ability is beyond—”

“We did. It’s impressive, but… Nothing you say will change our decision. Do excuse us,”

“You, you…!”

Hearing them denying his request so quickly, Sha Yu no longer had any reason to bear this disgrace. Thinking about it, who was he? Among the four sovereigns of Wang Nan, he was the top dog. The richest among the four! For him to be disregarded like this…

Unacceptable!

Pa!

Boom!

Ka-ka-ka…!

The Patriarch of the Sha clan was furious. Qi filled his fist, he hit the upper floor, destroying some seats in the VIP room and part of the floor.

Everyone turned to him.

Sha Yu’s face turned ugly. The veil which was originally there was blown, revealing the fright and stiff atmosphere among his very own clan members. Everyone knew of his temper. He would always joke around, but if he became furious… losing a limb or two was normal. Sha Yu was tasked by his ancestor to acquire the rare herb, even willing to go as far as parting with Royal Heaven, his clan’s most prized treasure. Still, he could not attain the seller’s favor?

How can this be!

“You dared refuse my goodwill. Where do you think you are now! This Wang Nan city is my, Sha Yu’s playground…! I’m the king here!”

“P-patriarch of Sha Clan, please quell your anger!”

Seeing such a sight, the host had to say something. The tone that the Patriarch had was clearly a threat, so he dared not let it be. Even if the Sha clan was powerful, his establishment would lose face if such a threat was made so publicly.

“Hmph! We’re done here!”

Snorting, he turned, walking out of the room. The dozens of experts in the room followed suit, glancing out of the room for a while, twisting their faces to express their collective anger. While walking out, Patriarch Sha’s eyes turned to his right-hand man, an old man with his back bent. The old codger grinned, seemingly understanding of his boss.

“Heh heh… Rest easy, Patriarch… We’ll get the herbs for you, and our ancestor…”

“Not immediately. Find out who’s the one offering those weapons first, better safe than sorry.”

“Oh?”

While Patriarch Sha was furious with the sellers, his target was actually the client. However, not knowing his identity beforehand, he dared not utter much. It was a really rare occasion for such a thing to happen. He knew the sellers had quite a background, but with White Tiger Imperial Clan backing him, uttering such a vague threat to save his face here was nothing.

“We need to know his identity first… If he’s someone we can handle, then proceed with the usual.”

“Yes, and about those ladies…”

“We’ll decide what to do, after we know more,”

“Yes, your servant understands. I’ll send the men right away.”

“And leave no witness!”

“Understood!”

With the Sha clan leaving, the host heaved a sigh of relief. Recovering himself, he apologized to the clients and sellers, then announce the winner of the bid. Soon, he proceeded to the next auction; the Heavenly Star-ranked beast. Seeing the large winged bird, An Shan closed his eyes. There was nothing special about it, so he let it be. When he was about to fall asleep, the last herb was delivered. However, coming along with it was…

“Father, it seemed the sellers wished for an audience. Two ladies,”

“Em? What’s the matter, any issues?”

“It seemed they just wish to show respect,”

“…Hm, is there any need,”

“I understand, I’ll explain to them,”

“Hold, I allow it. Have them leave you all their items. If they hesitate even a bit, deny them entry,”

“Yes, I understand.”

Mu-er did as directed. When he told the two to leave with him any weapons and spatial rings, they didn’t even blink. Taking out their spatial rings, the two placed them on their palm. Hands moving with grace, they offered them to Mu-er.

“Em, I’ll hold onto them for now,”

“Thank you, Sir hero,”

“Please, come in,”

Sensing no hesitation or ill will, Mu-er allowed them entry. Entering the room full of red seats, the ladies saw An Shan, sitting on the front seat. Slowly making their way to the side, they stopped short from An Shan’s left side. With a glance, they confirmed that the room’s silencing formation was active. Both kneeling on a knee, they cupped their fists with their face down.

The older sister said so first;

“Shao Na, paying respect to Ancestor!”

“Shao Ting, paying respect to Ancestor!”

For a short while, they continued to cup their hands, face down.

In the world of cultivators, it was nothing odd with ladies giving this kind of greetings. It was a rather masculine greeting, albeit a respectful one. Usually, such a respectful greeting would only be given to one’s real ancestor… The fact that they said Ancestor, made it clear that they were confident of one fact – of An Shan’s superior cultivation.

“…”

Hearing their greetings, An Shan continued to observe them. Face down, they remained still. He did not acknowledge them, not yet. He did so on purpose, to see how much respect they were willing to show.

It continued to pass for a minute, the ladies started to feel nervous.

Two minutes, sweat came from the back of their neck.

Three minutes, they pondered if they offended him somehow.

“Sis…”

“Hush,”

By An Shan’s side, sat Xiao Mei. Looking at the two sisters kneeling, she felt rather pompous about her status. Hm, hm, these two aunties have eyes… Looking at her Ancestor, admiration filled her eyes… My Ancestor is so awesome!

Or so she thought, until she realized, he was closing his eyes. She rolled her eyes before closing in, taking deep breath before;

“Dad, wake up!”

“!!”

The two trembled in shock, what a shrilling voice! Though not as fierce, this was like the roar of a Supreme Spirit Beast. It reminded them of the acoustic attack… No, the shout from before. Sneaking a look, it seemed the little girl by the Ancestor’s side just shouted sharply into his ears, prompting him to open his eyes. There was no special technique whatsoever. It was a mere shout...

'A mere shout...'

'Just who is this girl...'

"Hm? Did I snooze again..."

Seeing the two ladies and Xiao Mei, An Shan finally realized what he was doing just now. Before anything, he patted Xiao Mei’s head.

“...Um, you may rise,”

“Huu…”

Finally hearing An Shan’s reply, the two heaved a breath of relief. Keeping their breath steady, they stood up, soon expressing gratitude;

“Shao Na, thanked Ancestor."

“Shao Ting, thanked Ancestor as well,”

""You’re our benefactor, we shall never forget,””

The two said in union, as if in an official ceremony. They had done so before in front of their own ancestor, so it was nothing awkward. Moreover, as close sisters, the two shared a mental link, so sometimes they spoke together in unison.

Their move was graceful, and their voice pleasant. The scent they carried was aromatic, and the vibe he got from them reminded him of his own sworn sisters. Seeing such a wonderful pair of sisters, An Shan was nostalgic. It reminded him of a certain pair during the bloody continental war... Those two were brave, but sometimes too brave...

“…Before anything, I have a question. You may raise your head,”

Hearing so, their eyes turned to him. Finally able to take a careful look at him, they observed he had the appearance of a lean, late forty man. However, his disposition and their experience told them otherwise. Cultivators, afterall, could change their appearance. They also could not be sure of his cultivation, but the vibration around him suggested Early Heavenly-Star stage, equal to Shao Ting. However, they dared not believe so.

In response to him, Shao Na took the lead;

“By all means, Ancestor. As long as we can answer, we will,”

“Tell me, why do you two ladies, call me Ancestor? You should be able to tell my cultivation,”

“That’s… we’re simply convinced of it. The way you presented such precious weapons one after another… In addition, the weapons are beyond our understanding, so… Pardon us, we thought you could not be anyone but a Titan-Star Ancestor,”

“C-could we, per chance, be wrong?”

“…”

Hearing them saying so, An Shan pondered. They were not quite right, not quite wrong either. They just got the cultivation wrong by one whole stage… Well, almost two stages. He was half-step into Soul-Sovereign Stage.

However, the fact that they were so confident that he was an Ancestor-level cultivator… These two had brain.

“…You’re not entirely right, not entirely wrong. Let’s put that aside. So, why are you here?”

“Um, we’re here just to pay respect to you, Ancestor. We have no other motive,”

“Oh, really…”

“Uhh,”

An Shan’s eyes on them, they felt stifled. Somehow, his kind eyes had a piercing gaze… As if he could see through them with ease. Deciding to just out and said it, Shao Na cupped her hands, kneeling on both knees.

With a determined look, she confessed;

“If we have any motive, that would be to know you, Ancestor. And if possible, make a connection. None other,”

Shao Ting followed suit;

“Yes, the weapons you grace us with… They are beyond superb! It’s only appropriate for us to come and show respect directly,”

“Yes, to leave behind without paying you respect first? We feared we would only shame our Ancestors,”

Listening to them, An Shan decided to let them be. While he had no reason to, he decided to entertain them;

“Fine, I accept your respect. Speak your wish,”

“…Our, wish?”

“Since you paid me respect for the first time, and I accepted it, I ought to give you something.”

“Eh, that’s… rather—”

Traditional, the word Shao Na wanted to say. She feared it was rude saying so, thus it was stuck in her throat. An Ancestor handing down something after a newly-met youngster paying full respect, was a very old custom. It was already abandoned in the current world. She knew it from one of her Ancestor, speaking to her about old customs back when the Ancestor was a teenager. Having an Ancestor accepting their respect, meant acknowledging them. It also meant that the youngsters could at least say, ‘We're not close, but we know him personally’.

Still…

Seeing them hesitating, An Shan waved his hand, indicating them to cease their reservation.

“No need to be reserved. It’s just something free from my side, not a tangible one. Advice or whatever. Make it quick,”

“T-then… Could you please enlighten us about,”

Shao Na asked him about how to best use the weapons he just traded them with. One by one, An Shan explained to them. While his explanation was a tad bit short, it was beneficial. There were quite a few things the two did not realize before. Only through the explanation did they get more ideas on how to best use these weapons.

Finishing his explanation, An Shan asked;

“What do you need the weapons for? Which sect are you two from?”

“This… a bit hard for us to answer, Ancestor. Do forgive us,”

“My sister spoke the truth, Ancestor. Our leader ordered us to keep silent about our trip, lest we brought the wrath of some… people,”

They saluted in response, as an apology for not being able to answer his question. Seeing their delicate hands and graceful move, An Shan recalled a group of ladies way back when he was young.

He smiled.

“…Shao Na, Shao Ting was it? Graceful and loyal as ever, ladies of Mount Emei Maiden sect,”

!!

Hearing him mentioning the name of their sect, they trembled, mouths wide open.

For a while, they lost themselves in a trance.

=== Chapter 42 Ends ===