13. Sibling Rivalry 1

As the boats stopped at Jade City's port, merchants surrounded them, hawking one thing or the other.

Two of the disciples untied LanFen from the pole, but left the spirit-binding ropes binding her hands behind her back.

One of the disciples from the other boat had joined them, and pulled LanFen up rather roughly, earning him a scathing look from Shuǐ JunHo. "Are you trying to look cool? If you want to mistreat him, why not untie the spirit-binding rope first, then do it?"

A look of fear crossed the disciple's face.

Certainly, the memory of being taken out in one move, and rendered unable to move from his neck downwards, was still fresh in his mind!

However, LanFen herself hadn't reacted, as Shuǐ JunHo guided her off the boat.

Just now, she had felt a mild burst that aura again!

It had been brief, but she was certain. However, there was no sign of it at all, she turned her attention back to their surroundings.

Bright, busy, affluent, and filled with the crisp scent of nearby water, Jade City was the bustling Capital of the Western region.

It was the seat of the Western Dragon Clan, so the Shuǐ family were practically royalty here.

As they marched in twos, most people parted way easily, bowing respectfully as they passed.

More traders called out to them and generally people went about the busy central street, hawking, working, or carrying loads. The children ran around playing with leather balls, kites, small wooden birds, butterflies and other toys.

Most of Jade City was near the water, and here and there, LanFen could sniff the tantalising aroma of roasted fish.

The further they went, the more the crowd dwindled and they gradually reached a different area, which looked much more refined and was certainly a residential area.

The saying, 'The chickens don't belong with the ducks', came to LanFen's mind.

There were no unruly passers-by here, and the few vendors they passed didn't even bother hailing them, almost as if to say, 'I'm selling this and this, and it's of the highest quality, of course. Buy it or just go on your way!'

If one opened their mouth to haggle with some of these ones, they might receive more scorn and disrespect than a naked thief.

Even the stone paving here was special, and the people who passed by were generally more affluent.

The men wore high quality robes, and the women walked by in the latest fashion, with beautiful flower symbols painted on their foreheads, holding lovely flower-shaped fans, which they certainly wouldn't use in such cold weather!

Most of them went about with beautiful glinting hairpins, that swung delicately with every step they took.

Several also passed by in carriages, or sedan chairs carried by seat bearers.

The houses themselves were on raised stone platforms, with wide stone steps leading up to their elegant, and sometimes gilded, doorways. Their walls were made with good stone work, and their neat peaked roofs with upturned eaves were obvious masterpieces.

Here and there, there were towers which had several tiers, including a spectacular octagonal tower in the distance with nine tiers.

There were also a lot of trees growing here and there, usually beside a house, or behind it in a garden, though except for the grand Plum trees, a scattering of other brave winter flowers, most of the trees were stark, awaiting other seasons to shine.

LanFen had never really had a reason to visit this part of Jade City, so she never had.

Having grown up on the grounds of the Zhao Family Manor, LanFen was disillusioned with the lives of the affluent.

After a while of more of the same scenery, they finally arrived in front of large, wide, polished stone steps, leading high up to an impressive doorway.

'This must be the Shuǐ Manor.' LanFen thought, with mild apprehension.

'Will I find my enemy here, or will I waste my time?'

Whatever the outcome, she was determined to see it through!

.

.

The Western Dragon Clan Stronghold was said to house almost three hundred cultivators.

"This is it?" LanFen said aloud. "Hmph. I assumed it would be more impressive than the Zhao manor."

"Tch! Nobody asked you!" One of the disciples shoved her from behind.

LanFen's brows drew together in an annoyed scowl... It was the same disciple who had drawn her up roughly from the boat, but she hadn't bothered with him then.

But now... 'It seems he has really forgotten the restaurant incident!'

Her qi had been blocked, but she had been slowly undoing the seal since then. She might not be able to use her spirit power, thanks to the spirit-binding ropes, but she could still direct her aura.

So she turned and glared darkly at the disciple through the black veil, and then directed just a tiny bit of her aura to him.

"Eeek!" The disciple took several hasty steps back, as goosebumps crawled up his arms, but as he stepped backwards, Lu FengHo slapped the back of his head.

"It's not your turn to speak up against our guest! Until the Clan Leaders decide otherwise, Zhao LanFeng is a full-fledged cultivator from the Zhao clan, whereas you just became a senior disciple last month!"

"Y-yes Master Lu." The disciple's cheeks burned in embarrassment, especially since the so called 'full-fledged cultivator' looked younger than him.

Lu FengHo went forward to take the lead, and they walked till they came to a beautiful, stone courtyard that was lined with beautiful plum trees and stone seats. It looked like a small arena of sorts.

"A- Chén!"

They had barely walked in when the voice called out.

Shuǐ Chenlin looked away in mild annoyance, but the rest all turned to see a fairy-like beauty approaching.

"Wah! It's Miss Shuǐ!" One of the disciples exclaimed with a completely lovestruck expression on his face.

"One of the five most beautiful flowers of Jade City!" Another informed with an identical look on his face.

As she approached, a breeze blew before her and petals followed, as the breeze ruffled her hair and flowing robes, almost as if to further accentuate her beauty.

Several of them were eyeing her with worshipful expressions, including Lord Meng, who, surely, must be too old for such shamelessness!

LanFen shook her head under the veil. Then she noticed Shuǐ ChénLín, Lu FengHo and Shuǐ JunHo did not appear to be affected at all.

Shuǐ ChénLín and Shuǐ JunHo were clearly annoyed, but Lu FengHo was completely indifferent.

The lady stopped a small distance from them.

She had what one would call a perfect, slim and pale face. She had a slim nose, small but full lips, painted a mild red hue, and the symbol of a lotus painted on her forehead.

She blushed slightly at Lu FengHo, who showed her absolutely no interest, before she turned her attention back to Shuǐ ChénLín.

"A- Chén. You're back? Just in time for a duel. I've been looking forward to it since the last one." She said all this flawlessly, with impeccable manners.

She was Shuǐ YiShan, only child of yet another Shuǐ branch family, and cousin to Shuǐ Chén and Shuǐ JunHo.

However, as a branch family child, no matter how strong and powerful she became, she could never rule the ShuǐLiu Sect, though she was even a year older than Shuǐ ChénLín!

All because she wasn't a child of the head family!

Shuǐ JunHo had easily accepted such a fate, and had no ambition toward the position of Clan Leader, but Shuǐ YiShan challenged Shuǐ ChénLín at every opportunity, so she could embarrass or discredit him before the entire family.

Unfortunately for her, Chén wasn't just some pampered successor.

He was the genius of the entire Shuǐ sect, so despite her many challenges, he overcame them flawlessly.

At present, he walked up to her and cupped both his hands in a perfunctory bow of respect.

"Elder Sister, as it has become too easy to win recently, I suggest we postpone it for a few months." Shuǐ ChénLín spoke calmly, as if he hadn't just handed her an insult.

"What?!" Shuǐ YiShan furrowed her pretty brows. "A- Chén! Are you saying you defeated me easily last time?!"

It had indeed been an easy defeat, and it had been particularly shameful for Shuǐ YiShan, given how much she had openly challenged and taunted him, minutes before their duel!

But Shuǐ Chén just bowed again. "Elder Sister, I will never utter such words."

LanFen shook her head, making the long black veil ripple slightly. "What an amusing sight, especially from one of the ruling families." She had been watching them with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "However, how can you justify keeping me here, when your sibling rivalry is none of my business?"

Shuǐ Yi Shan turned to glare at the black-veiled person that Shuǐ JunHo and another disciple were holding. He was smaller than Shuǐ JunHo, and roughly the size of the two female disciples.

Obviously an arrogant youth who needed discipline!

"How disrespectful!" Shuǐ YiShan swung her arm out and a stunningly beautiful silver spear appeared in her hand...