’What in the world? Why is everyone arguing? It looks like they’re about to start a fight.’
Tang Yi looked at the people from the Eight Palaces in confusion. He couldn’t understand how the world seemed to have completely changed in the short time he’d taken to immerse himself in reviewing his new rewards and Attributes.
Seeing Tang Yi snap out of his daze, Tang Piaomiao, Tang Shu, Tang Baijie, Mu Xianling, and Bai Ye, who were all standing nearby, turned to look at him in unison. Every one of them had an expression that seemed to ask, ’What on earth were you just doing?’
Feeling their gazes, Tang Yi gave an awkward smile and explained, "Uh, I was just lost in thought, so I spaced out for a bit. By the way, what are the Hall Masters and Elders of the Eight Palaces up to? Why are they arguing so fiercely? They look like they’re about to come to blows."
"And whose fault do you think that is, you demon?" Bai Ye shot Tang Yi a look, his tone exasperated.
"Some people are just so selfish," Mu Xianling said pointedly, crossing her arms. "Others are fighting tooth and nail over him, but what does he do? He just stands there in a daze, completely oblivious to what’s happening."
"Hey, servant. Give you an inch and you take a mile, huh? Are you asking for a spanking? Do you want me to spank your butt again?"
’I don’t get it,’ Tang Yi thought. ’How did I manage to provoke this princess again? It’s only been a few days since I saved her. Forget a thank you, why is she taking subtle jabs at me now?’
"Hmph!"
Mu Xianling huffed and turned her head away.
Mu Xianling seemed to have built up a Resistance to Tang Yi’s threats of a spanking, unafraid that he would actually punish her on the spot.
The reason she was picking on Tang Yi was because ever since he had returned from the Little Extreme Sacred Land, he hadn’t so much as glanced at her, let alone said a single word. This left Mu Xianling, with her sensitive heart, feeling quite disgruntled, and her mind raced with a thousand thoughts.
’Am I not pretty enough?’ she wondered. ’Do I have no appeal? Or, in Tang Yi’s eyes, am I really just a servant?’
In any case, Mu Xianling’s thoughts spiraled, and she was thoroughly displeased with this inconsiderate man.
If Tang Yi knew what Mu Xianling was thinking, he would surely sigh. ’A woman’s heart is a needle in the ocean.’
Tang Shu, however, could See Through Mu Xianling’s thoughts. After all, back in the Little Extreme Sacred Land, they had told each other everything and laid their feelings bare. Their true emotions were impossible to hide.
Tang Shu giggled, quietly tugging on Mu Xianling’s arm. She winked at Mu Xianling with a little smile, giving her an ’I get you’ look.
Seeing Tang Shu’s expression, Mu Xianling was afraid she’d be exposed in front of Tang Yi. She gently booped Tang Shu on the nose and said in a mock-stern voice, "You little troublemaker, stay out of it."
"Okay, hee hee," Tang Shu replied with a sweet smile.
"Hmph? I can hmph, too! Talk about no good deed going unpunished."
Seeing Mu Xianling and Tang Shu acting all secretive, Tang Yi feigned an irritated huff and turned his head away.
Still, he was a little surprised to see how close Mu Xianling and Tang Shu had become after their trip to the Little Extreme Sacred Land.
Ignoring the two young women, Tang Yi turned to Bai Ye and asked, "Bai Ye, you said the Masters and Elders of the Eight Palaces are fighting over me? What exactly happened?"
"Um, all those terms the Hall Masters of the Eight Palaces were offering you just now... Don’t tell me you zoned out and didn’t hear a single one?"
Bai Ye stared at Tang Yi as if he were a rare Demon Beast. ’This guy is just incredible,’ he thought. ’How can he just space out in a place like this, under these circumstances? To completely ignore such major promises being made to him... he’s really something else.’
Seeing that Tang Yi genuinely didn’t get it, Bai Ye had no choice but to explain. "It’s like this: except for the Dui Palace, every other Hall Master made you a generous offer, hoping you’d join their palace. But none of the Hall Masters or Elders of the Eight Palaces will yield to one another. They all claim the others are just bragging and that their own terms are the best. That’s why they started arguing."
"But still, Tang Yi, the terms the Hall Masters and Elders offered to get you are incredibly generous! We’re talking Earth Tier Treasure Swords, Earth-tier Equipment, Earth Tier Martial Arts and Skills, not to mention Pills and unrestricted access to special training grounds... Every single one of those things is enough to make a person green with envy. I’m so jealous of you."
As he finished speaking, Bai Ye gave Tang Yi a look of deep affection, his face a perfect picture of envy, jealousy, and bitterness—an expression that screamed he was so jealous he could die.
Bai Ye was handsome and fair-skinned to begin with—the very image of a pretty boy. Seeing such a pretty boy gaze at him so affectionately instantly gave Tang Yi goosebumps. He hurriedly backed away, his expression one of utter disgust.
After hearing Bai Ye’s explanation, Tang Yi finally understood. ’So, the Eight Palaces are fighting because they all want me to join them.’
However, it seemed their squabbling was all a bit pointless.
In truth, Tang Yi had made his decision long ago. That was precisely why he had been in no hurry, calmly taking the time to review his rewards.
"Looks like everyone else has already made their choice. What about you all? Why haven’t you picked yet?" Tang Yi asked, glancing at Mu Xianling and the members of the Tang Family beside him.
"I’m following Brother Tang Yi! Since you haven’t picked yet, Brother Tang Yi, how am I supposed to pick?" Tang Shu said, clinging sweetly to Tang Yi’s arm.
Mu Xianling glanced at Tang Shu, feeling a pang of envy. ’That ’little sister’ role is so convenient,’ she thought. ’She can be as clingy as she wants and act as spoiled as she likes.’
"Since I lost our bet, I have to fulfill my promise and stay by your side," Mu Xianling said to Tang Yi, finding her own excuse after a moment’s thought.
"I’m following Brother Yi, too. Wherever you go, I’ll go," Tang Piaomiao added, her gaze firm and determined.
Tang Baijie remained silent, simply offering Tang Yi a smile. But in that smile, Tang Yi could already read her answer.
"What about you, Bai Ye?" Tang Yi asked, looking at him with curiosity. He hadn’t expected that even Bai Ye would want to stick with him.
"Ahem. You defeated me once, so I have to get my revenge. Being in the same palace will make it easier to monitor you, and it will serve to motivate me," Bai Ye declared, clearing his throat with an air of righteous conviction.
"Uh... okay!"
Tang Yi looked at the group. Seeing so many people put their faith in him and gather by his side moved him deeply. The loneliness he had felt since transmigrating lessened somewhat. Still, he had to say, "My choice might not be the right one for all of you. In fact... it might even disappoint you. Are you sure you won’t regret this?"
"Even if I regret it, it doesn’t matter. I’m sticking to Brother Tang Yi no matter what."
"A servant doesn’t have the right to choose."
"No regrets!"
"I made my decision back when we were still with the Tang Family. Wherever you go, Brother Yi, I will follow, even if it’s just to be your aide."
"I made my choice back in the Little Extreme Sacred Land."
The group answered, one after another.
"Alright then."
Tang Yi nodded. Hearing their responses, there was nothing more he could say.
Since everyone else had already chosen and only their group remained, Tang Yi wasted no more time. He took a step forward to select the palace he wished to join.

Comments

Loading...