Chapter 27 The Secret of the Long Family's Mansion_1

Long family's mansion.

"Why did you let me win? Afraid I couldn't handle it?" Long Kongkong grumbled, hooking an arm around Long Dangdang's neck.

"Who said I let you win?" Long Dangdang shrugged off his hand.

Long Kongkong smirked, "Don't I know you? The more poker-faced you are, the guiltier you feel. It's always been this way since we were little. Remember when you wet the bed? You acted the same way. Mum thought I was the culprit and gave me a hiding before noticing that your pants were still wet."

"Then let's go another round. You don't want to go to the Holy City anyway, to check out the girls or something." Long Dangdang quipped, raising his hand to grab Kongkong's shoulder.

Long Kongkong swiftly dodged by sliding his foot, grinning, "No, no, brother! I'm expressing my gratitude, don't you get it?"

"No, I don't." Disinterested, Long Dangdang walked towards the living room.

Long Kongkong followed, "Bro, how exactly did you let me win? That last move was savage, I nearly couldn't fend it off. Luckily, those middle-aged guys didn't notice."

"You think the teachers didn't see through us? They merely concluded that you're competent enough for the Spirit Furnace Academy."

While still chatting, they entered the living room.

"Mum, we're back." Long Kongkong immediately called out.

The living room was empty, but soon a voice echoed, "Stop yelling! Dinner isn't ready yet."

Ling Xue emerged from the back of the house. Although she sounded annoyed, her face was bursting with joy. Her heart was filled with pride for her two increasingly handsome sons. Every time the pair strolled down the streets with her, they garnished envious glances.

"Mum, we've something to discuss with you." Long Dangdang came forward, embracing his mother's arm.

"What is it?"

Long Kongkong snuggled up to the other side, clasping her other arm, "Mum, the teachers have suggested that we go study at the Spirit Furnace Academy in the Holy City. They also want us to participate in some Spirit Furnace convention."

Instantly, Ling Xue's wide grin was replaced with surprise, "The Spirit Furnace Providential Selection Convention?"

She reflexively looked towards Long Dangdang, "You've reached the level required for participation in the Convention?"

"Hey! Mum, what about me? Don't I count?" Long Kongkong tugged at his mother's arm, sounding displeased.

Ling Xue's brows furrowed a notch, "As for the Spirit Furnace Academy, best not to other yourself. You've managed to get through these years at Temple Academy just fine. We're content if you can simply graduate."

Long Kongkong huffed, loosening his grip on his mother's arm, "You're underestimating me, right? Watch me prove you wrong."

Long Dangdang stated, "Mum, the teacher indeed suggested that Kongkong should participate too. Under Teacher Na Ye's guidance, Kongkong's powers have improved significantly. He's almost at the 4th Rank now. We had a practice fight earlier today; his defense and evasion skills were impressive."

"Really?" Ling Xue turned to Long Kongkong, looking surprised, while Long Kongkong pretended to look away pridefully.

"You've worked hard the last few years? Oh, my boy, you've grown up! Let your mum have a good look at you." Ling Xue pulled Long Kongkong into an embrace, "Bend down a bit, don't you know how tall you've become?"

Refrainedly bending down, Long Kongkong let Ling Xue lean in to plant a kiss on his face, "Ha ha, congratulations my darling son."

Long Kongkong grimaced, wiping off his face, while Long Dangdang had already inched closer, "Mum, don't play favorites."

"Yeah, yeah, you too." She grabbed her elder son for a big, loving smooch.

"So, mum, that means you agree with us going?" Long Kongkong asked.

Ling Xue laughed, "Obviously! The Spirit Furnace Academy is where Temple's most important talents are groomed, with a possible chance to acquire a spirit furnace. Who wouldn't want their children studying in such a prestigious institution? When are you both leaving? You'd better start packing."

Long Dangdang suggested, "Should we wait until dad returns so we can discuss with him?"

Ling Xue sternly retorted, "Seems like you've forgotten who calls the shots in this house."

Long Dangdang quickly replied, "Of course, mum is the eternal ruler of this house."

Ling Xue chimed, "I'll inform your father when he returns. He'll be home soon. I'm making extra dishes tonight!"

Dinner-time.

"The Spirit Furnace Academy, huh? That's great news!" Upon hearing about his sons' admission into the Spirit Furnace Academy, Long Leilei's first reaction was surprise, followed by a hint of disappointment.

"Alright, no more reminiscing or we'll start storytelling." Ling Xue nudged her husband.

"Yes, yes." Long Leilei hurriedly nodded.

Long Kongkong scooted closer, "Dad, you have some history with this, don't you? Tell us about it!"

As Long Leilei opened his mouth to speak, Ling Xue pre-empted him, "It's nothing. He just felt a bit morose because he failed the entrance exam for the Spirit Furnace Academy."

Long Leilei gave wry smile, "Had I been admitted to the Spirit Furnace Academy back then, maybe things wouldn't have..."

Ling Xue rolled her eyes at him, "Well, nothing really changed, did it? Failing is failing. Besides, it wasn't your fault, it's their poor judgment."

Long Leilei, wearing a warm smile, took his wife's hand, "No matter how they judged me, as long as my beloved sees me the right way, who cares about them?"

"Oh, my! Full, absolutely full. Big bro, let's get out of here. We're extra unneeded around here with all this mushy stuff going on." Long Kongkong dramatically fell back, pretending disgust.