Chapter 420: Arriving At Risserd
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"To join the Congregation is not hard at all. Hehe, I've done my homework. Risserd has 20 places reserved, 10 more than other planets. As long as you can beat one of them, Sister Bing, the rest will be easy." The young boy rested his chin on his hands as he explained with a smile.
Rui Bing thought about it for a moment, saying nothing.
The general, leader of the young boy's bodyguards, said oddly, "Master Siva should be here by today! Why has he not shown himself?" The legendary Number One of the Tribe was someone he respected a lot, that was why he was beginning to feel nervous.
The young boy rolled his eyes and said, "Lil' Siva is here already. You just don't know it."
"Where? Where?" The general looked around him, but could not see the person he admired so much.
"No need to find him, you won't find him anyway. Lil' Siva never likes to come out in the open," the young boy said this like someone who knew it best.
"Huh, when did you get this?" Fei Si lowered herself and studied the pendant hanging from the young boy's neck. The pendant was made of some unknown material, shining with a dim metallic glimmer like a coin, covered with strange patterns.
"So huge!" The young boy did not answer her as he stared blankly at the exposed point between her open collar.
"So naughty at such a young age! You asked for it!" Fei Si blushed and flicked her finger lightly on his forehead.
Fei Si's action made the bodyguards around them immediately uncomfortable.
The young boy rubbed his forehead and laughed suggestively. "Sister Fei Si …"
Seeing the young boy's odd expression, Fei Si blushed again. She raised her hand in the act of hitting him and said, "Humph, guess I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
The young boy quickly ran away, but still laughing weirdly as he left.
"What? You haven't found him?" Huang Jiming sounded disappointed. He had arrived at Guang Hua planet for some time, but there was no news of the Mandate class mech. It was like the mech had vanished into thin air.
"Yes, Master Jiming. We have kept all known Ye Family's base of operations on planet Guang Hua under surveillance, but there's still no sign of the mech. There's also no news on Madam Feng Su yet. We believe that she must have met with a fatal accident." Xi Feng Tribe's temporary person in charge on Guang Hua reported respectfully. Ever since the Abductor incident, Xi Feng Tribe had removed nearly all their forces from Guang Hua. These days, they only allocated limited resources discreetly on Guang Hua. In searching for Feng Su, the Tribe had used all personnel on the planet, and even reassigned people from nearby planets to assist in the search.
"Hmm, the search for Madam Feng Su must not cease," Huang Jiming spoke with a low voice. Feng Su may not be enjoying as high a reputation as Huang Jiming himself in the Tribe, but she was very popular. Feng Su was not originally from the Xi Feng Tribe, but she had attained Jie from her own efforts, and was conferred a Phoenix class mech by the Tribe Leader herself. This was an honor that was unprecedented. Huang Jiming admired her for this as well. Of course, the other reason was her otherworldly beauty. Many mech pilots in the Tribe had a crush on her, and Huang Jiming himself could not help but felt curious of the young woman too.
Since the Mandate class mech was nowhere to be found, Huang Jiming felt deflated. He asked, "So, what's there to do in the free space zone?" This was his first time in the free space zone. Rumour had it that this was where the Tribe originated from, and that was one of the reasons he wanted to come here.
"If Sir would like to sightsee, Risserd would be a good choice. The quadrennial Congregation is about to begin. If Master Jiming is available, it is an event that might be worth your attention. Many experts would gather there. There are no mech pilots, but the combat experts, mentalists and alchemists present are much stronger than our people."
"Oh, a Congregation?" Huang Jiming's interest was instantly piqued.
The starship landed smoothly.
The only families that owned starships on planet Risserd were the Yan and Huang Families. These two families were the Big Two in the entire free space zone. They also had the longest histories compared to any other tribe in the free pace zone, and enjoyed high reputation. The two families gave birth to many strong members, and they often took up half of planet Risserd's allocated openings for the Congregation.
Guests for the Congregation this year were handled by the Yan Family.
When Ye Chong and his company left the starship, they found that the dock was almost full with other starships. It seemed that many Congregation members from other planets had already arrived. The docking area of the Yan and Huang Families was the largest in the entire free space zone.
Ye Chong and his bunch did not stand out much. Guang Hua was an alchemist center, but it was already below average compared the entire free space zone in terms of combat.
As they left the ship, staff members appeared for ushering. This was not the first trip for Tackan and his friends, so they were familiar with the procedure.
Ye Chong and company were led into the Yan Family compound. Every planet's Congregation representatives would be provided with special accommodation.
"This will be where you stay throughout the Congregation. Our Family will provide your meals. If you have other requests, please let us know. We will do what we can to assist you." The usherer from the Yan Family bowed formally, but he could not help but steal a glance at Feng Su. Female Jie experts were rare, and female Jie experts who could attend the Congregation were rarer still.
Of course, more importantly, this was a very beautiful Congregation contender. She would definitely rank high in the lineup of the most beautiful female Congregation contenders in history.
"Alright." It was Liu Sheng who replied with courtesy. No matter how bad they behaved normally, it would not do to act carelessly in the Yan Family.
The Yan Family disciple disciplined himself as well as someone from an aristocratic family ought to, quickly directing his attention away from Feng Su, composed himself, and said, "I hope you will all feel at home. The last group of Congregation contenders will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. The Family head and wife has prepared a banquet to welcome all of you. Please honor us with your presence!"
"Of course! We'll be sure to join you," Liu Sheng answered swiftly.
Liu Sheng's attitude must have won the usherer's favor, for the man smiled as he said, "You must be tired from your long journey. Please rest well." He then left their house.
"It's best if everyone stayed within the building. Any sightseeing of the area can wait until after the Congregation. If you have to leave for urgent matters, remember to bring your weapon with you," Liu Sheng advised the group seriously, but the words were obviously meant for Ye Chong and Feng Su. They were the only newcomers. The rest of the group did not even deign to pay him any attention.
"Is it really that dicey out there?" Feng Su asked in surprise.
"Dicey?" Liu Sheng chuckled carelessly and said, "That word doesn't quite describe it. Many capable people died right here every year, you know? Risserd has another name, called the Pro's Graveyard. Don't think that Jie experts can do as they please here. The Jie experts here, hehe, you'll know exactly how strong they are very soon."
Ye Chong ignored him. He did not intend to go out anyway. Sightseeing was not one of his hobbies. Besides, he did not want to get into trouble. While his looks had been altered, making him difficult to be recognized, it was still better to lay low. Ye Chong understood the importance of that.
Feng Su thought about it for a moment, and returned to her room as well.
The Congregation, a spectacular event that many had dreamed to be a part of, did not excite Ye Chong at all. The only reason he was here was because he had promised Tackan and his group, and also because he was a little curious of all the experts that were said to surface in this event. However, he would mostly observe the Congregation without getting involved. This was only a chance to expand his worldview. He did not care to think about what role he should play in the event.
Because of his intentions, Ye Chong was quite relaxed, while Liu Sheng and others were all stressed out.
Dinner was sent over by the Yan Family's people. The meal was excellent, and Ye Chong went into a good mood because of it.
After dinner, when Ye Chong was about to return to his room, he suddenly heard Feng Su said, "I want to go out for a walk, anyone want to accompany me?" Her sweet voice was tempting.
Liu Sheng and company could not help but frown. They did not expect Feng Su to actually plan to head out.
Just when everyone was at a lost, a calm voice came from behind them, saying, "Don't go out."
It was Ye Chong. He had reached the door, and stood before it to stop her from leaving. Letting Feng Su out? He knew exactly who Feng Su was. It was impossible for the Xi Feng Tribe to be powerless on such an important planet. If he let Feng Su out now, she would surely return with a whole squad of mechs to kill them. It would be too late for him then.
"You're stopping me? Why?" Feng Su asked calmly, as though Ye Chong's objection was expected.
The others looked to Ye Chong. They had noticed the strange relationship between the two of them. When Ye Chong first refused to return Feng Su's bag, they had already thought it strange. The fact that he was stopping her from leaving now was even more confusing. Was he worried about Feng Su? The cold look on Ye Chong's face ruled out that possibility.
"No particular reason." Ye Chong did not budge.
"You know who I am, don't you?" Feng Su's eyes were fixed on Ye Chong as she asked this question out of the blue.