THE THIRTEENTH MASTER'S DISCIPLES

Even after the first day of the selection ended, the thirteenth still hasn't talked to Song Xianlong, the only one among the martial artists in the arena who chose to follow him. Song Xianlong went back furiously to his Inn.

Back at Zhang Mansion, the thirteenth master looked for Minister Shi. When he saw him, he gave him a letter stating that he would not attend the selection for the following days because he has other matters to do.

On the second day of the selection, Song Xianlong stood behind the empty seat of the thirteenth master, frowning. It was the third battle of the day but the damn master still hasn't shown himself. Minister Shi approached the masters' seat. He informed all of them about the thirteenth master's decision to exclude himself from the following days of the selection.

"Outrageous! Who does he think he is to make such decisions? He's just an unskilled master who was granted an worthless title of thirteenth master," the Iron Master exclaimed.

"He is arrogant because he had the favor of the former Emperor," the Sword Wheel added. "But now that the kingdom has a new ruler, he should stop acting like that. He shouldn't even be recognized as a master."

"The thirteenth master made an abrupt decision. I wonder what are the urgent matters he needed to attend to," the Dragon Master commented.

"Dear masters of the Middle Kingdom, please be at ease. The thirteenth master mist have his reasons," the Minister said. He walked towards Song Xianlong, leaving the masters still murmuring to each other.

"I guess he told you about it too. It's great that he asked you to attend the selection for him," Minister Shi told Song Xianlong.

"Actually, he didn't tell me anything. And he hasn't told me a single word ever since I first saw him. Is he mute?" Song Xianlong was not doing good in ceasing his anger.

"Definitely not," the Minister smiled.

His smile always gets on Xianlong's nerves. He found no reason to stay and watch the Selection, so when the Minister left him and went back to his own seat, Song Xianlong gladly left the Arena.

Outside, Lightning stood, nibbling on some hay. The mettlesome brown stallion has a habit of chewing a mouthful of hays and spitting it out later.

"Gear up, Lightning. We have somewhere to go."

The women's hearts flutter as Song Xianlong gallantly rode the horse along the streets of Jade City. He was aiming for the Zhang mansion where he decided to confront the master who stole something from him.

Because the selection is still on, the security at the Zhangs' is not that strict. Song Xianlong effortlessly slid inside the mansion and went straight to the thirteenth master's yard. He was about to break the door when a young-looking man opened it leaving them staring at each other.

With pale skin and loose long coal-black hair tied in a topknot and a wooden hairpin, the man looked vampiric in his white and blue ruqun. He was just a little shorter than the northern warrior. Song Xianlong studied the man with his eyes, brows knitted. A speculation is brooding in his mind. "You are—"

"Qin Shun," a low apathetic voice ringed. "I am a disciple of the thirteenth master. He told me about you."

"Where is he?"

"Off for some business."

Song Xianlong clenched his teeth. "When will he be back?"

"Soon," the man answered coldly.

Invisible fumes flared up from Xianlong's nostrils. He is just a few patience away from beating the shit out of the man.

"You don't look skilled at all," Qun Shun murmured.

"What?" Did I hear him wrong, Song Xianlong thought.

"Master told me you're quite skilled. But now that I see you in person, you don't look like it," Qin Shun explained further.

That's it. Song Xianlong has reached the limit of his temper. He reached for the man's neck, but he what he gripped is a handful of air. Qin Shun is already walking away from him.

"Where are you going, punk!"

"Cooking. Are you going to eat here or—"

"Damn you! I'm never gonna eat with you," Song Xianlong defeatedly exited the mansion.

Qin Shun chuckled at how childish the other man looked.

At the inn where he has been staying, Song Xianlong lies gloomily on his bed. There are happy noises outside the inn, and it irritates him even more. Suddenly, a white pigeon landed on his window. He instantly knew it was the messenger dove from the Northern City. He fetched the letter sealed in a small bamboo tube and tied on the bird's talon. It was from his father. Song Xianlong's brows constantly furrowed and unfurrowed while reading the letter.

"Why does he advice me not to go back now? And he wants me to stop pursuing the Golden Leaf. What exactly is wrong with him?"

The letter left his mind muddled. He wasn't able to sleep peacefully at night. Today is the last day of the selection, and the annihilation will begin tomorrow. He didn't have the interest to attend the selection. He called out to Guo Lei and Chen Yi and ordered them to go back to the Northern City.

"How about you, Brother Song? You will be left alone here in Jade," Chen Yi asked.

"I can handle myself."

Night has come again not so long and Xianlong was able to sleep comfortably. It was about the third hour when someone crept into his room from the window. Deep asleep, he didn't notice or heard the footsteps of the burglar until he shook him awake. He gripped his liuyedao and slid 8t next to the burglar's throat.

"What are you doing here?" Xianlong said, startled by the unexpected appearance.

"We need to go."

"Why do I need to go with you?"

"Aren't you Master's disciple too? He instructed me to leave Jade at this hour before he left last time."

"Where to?"

"Wei Province."