NOVEL NEXT Chapter 311: Recruitment
"Brother, what are you looking at?" Yang Xiuxiu waved her fair hand in front of Yang Qing's eyes.
Only then did Yang Qing retract his gaze from the departing figures of Lu Hong and Tian Shengwu. He had noticed them early on. Facing the residual pressure of the Heavenly God, only these two under the arena were unaffected, completely withstanding such an impact. It seemed these were the talents his little sister should have recruited by setting up the duel arena.
Of course, just because someone could withstand the Heavenly God's residual power didn't mean Yang Qing had to personally invite them. They were merely freelance prodigies, not worthy of such attention.
"Nothing," Yang Qing retracted his gaze, then sternly stared at his little sister.
This gaze startled Yang Xiuxiu: "Brother... brother, don't hit me!"
"When have I ever hit you?" Yang Qing said irritably, "It's father and elder brother who hit you. When haven't I protected you?"
"I'm just scared," Yang Xiuxiu laughed awkwardly, then said, "Second brother, why are you here?"
"Why am I here? Shouldn't I be asking you that? Ever since you left the Lin'an World, father took me out of seclusion to secretly protect you."
It turned out Yang Qing had been here for a while, and if it weren't for him, how could that Old Ghost Dongfeng have allowed Yang Xiu to set up a duel arena in town?
Hearing Yang Qing's words, Yang Xiuxiu looked fearful: "Father didn't send you to drag me back, did he?"
"Are you foolish?" Yang Qing sighed: "If father wanted me to take you back, how could you have set up this arena for several days here? Do I really need to explain this to you? Although father disapproves of your childish actions, he acknowledges that your intentions are for the Yang family. So, he won't punish you. While there aren't many prodigies among the common folk, finding a few with potential to cultivate could indeed strengthen our family."
"So, father agrees with what I'm doing?"
"Kind of, though it's still dumb." As he spoke, Yang Qing glanced at Housekeeper Huang standing nearby. Yang Xiuxiu was simple-minded; if it weren't for him whispering in her ear, how could she have thought of this?
Nevertheless, considering the intention is for the Yang family, no punishment will be given.
"Old Huang," Yang Qing addressed Housekeeper Huang.
"I'm here," Housekeeper Huang quickly bowed and approached.
"Assist the young lady well. If you bring any talented individuals to the family, it'll be a credit to you."
Upon hearing this, Housekeeper Huang was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed in gratitude.
But Yang Qing stopped him: "Our Yang family doesn't practice this."
After speaking, Yang Qing felt a sense and abruptly turned to look towards the inn.
He met eyes with Lu Hong, who was watching from the window.
Yang Qing's eyes slightly narrowed as he scrutinized the man in his sights.
As for Lu Hong, he was indifferent, knowing that while Yang Qing was formidable, he still fell short compared to himself. Moreover, judging from this one's aura, he was struggling to suppress the overflowing magic power within, seemingly ready to ascend to the God Realm soon. However, such a hasty ascension predicted a short-lived future; though his foundation was solid, it hadn't matured to its peak. Unless some fortuitous encounter occurred, he might not progress past the Earth Realm.
Having been discovered, Lu Hong lost interest and turned away from the window.
Watching Lu Hong's disappearing figure, Yang Qing pondered and then said to Housekeeper Huang: "It seems this Fenglai Town is a bit intriguing."
Saying it casually, hearing it intentionally, Housekeeper Huang naturally saw that someone who caught the second young master's eye wasn't ordinary. Therefore, Housekeeper Huang decided he must recruit Lu Hong to join the Yang family as a distinguished guest.
As Lu Hong returned to the inner room, Tian Shengwu chuckled and said: "What? The Star Lord was caught peeking?"
"Who's peeking? Can't I just enjoy the scenery?" Lu Hong rolled his eyes at Tian Shengwu, then asked, "What do you think of this Yang family?"
"I have no opinion. I don't know much about this Yang family, and news from within Lin'an, those adventurers and scavengers can't bring out."
"No rush, someone should bring us news soon."
"Huh?" Tian Shengwu questioned, "You're that sure?"
"Probably."
Just as Lu Hong finished speaking, there came a knock on the door; it was Housekeeper Huang: "Gentlemen, are you in? I am a family retainer of the Yang family, Huang Yitu, wishing to meet two prodigies."
"You see, they're here, open the door."
Tian Shengwu opened the door and looked at the smiling Housekeeper Huang, asking, "Housekeeper of the Yang family? To what do we owe the honor?"
"You two appear to be extraordinary individuals. Why not let me in to chat?"
Tian Shengwu nodded, stepping aside: "Come in."
Housekeeper Huang entered the room and looked at Lu Hong, who was leisurely sitting in a chair, quickly discerning the primary and secondary roles between Lu Hong and his companion. He respectfully greeted Lu Hong, "I am Huang Yitu, greetings to the two heroes."
"You're too kind, Housekeeper Huang. What brings you here today?" Tian Shengwu helped him up and asked with a smile.
"I came today to invite you both to become distinguished guests of the Yang family. Are you interested?"
"Distinguished guests?"
"Indeed, if you have commendable strength, becoming worshipped figures in the Yang family wouldn't be impossible. But ultimately, we still need the family head's approval; I can't decide this alone," Housekeeper Huang added, offering a lucrative prospect.
Upon hearing this, Tian Shengwu chuckled, "Why should we pledge ourselves to your Yang family? I heard your family's status in Lin'an is faltering. Once the Yang family declines, wouldn't we, as guests, become sacrificial lambs?"
Housekeeper Huang was unfazed by Tian Shengwu's questioning and replied with a smile, "Where did you hear such rumors? How could such unfounded stories be believed?"
"Then perhaps Housekeeper Huang can shed some light on the current state of the Yang family in Lin'an? My brother and I roam the world, looking for a good place to settle, but we don't want to gamble with our lives."
Faced with Lu Hong's inquiry, Housekeeper Huang didn't answer immediately but fell into thought.
In this, both Tian Shengwu and Lu Hong were not rushful, appearing unconcerned.
Finally, after a long silence, Housekeeper Huang sighed and said, "Let me explain everything to you, but please do not spread this around. Although it's not classified, matters of the Lin'an World should not leak outside."
"Rest assured, we're not gossips. We need this information for our peace of mind."
After receiving Tian Shengwu's assured response, Housekeeper Huang began to explain: "The Lin'an World has three top families, namely the Yang family, the Lu family, and the Xu family. Among them, the Xu family is the weakest. The Lu family and my Yang family are relatively strong, which inevitably creates some rivalry. The Lord of Lin'an, King of Lin'an, has his status determined based on the oldest tradition among the three families, appointed through a best-of-five family duel every century.
For the last three hundred years, the Xu family has not won this traditional competition, leaving my Yang family and the Lu family as the main rivals.
Originally, with both our eldest, Yang Huaishan, and our second, Yang Qing, being dual prodigies, our family was sure to top this rotation. But... but three years ago, both young masters had a stroke of fortune, encountering the essence of a Heavenly God. The eldest, with deep foundations, broke through on the spot, ascending to the Heavenly God. The second young master also nears the threshold of the Heavenly God Realm."
"So in this rotation battle, Heavenly God-level power won't appear?"
"Correct," Housekeeper Huang nodded: "Godly authority doesn't meddle in mortal affairs. Once ascended to Heavenly God, one cannot interfere with Lin'an's governance; this rule was set by the ancestral Heavenly God of Lin'an."
"I understand," Tian Shengwu nodded: "It's because your Yang family's prodigies ascended to the God Realm that you are missing top-tier combatants in this bout, hence this recruitment strategy, right?"
Housekeeper Huang nodded with a smile, "Nothing escapes your sharp eyes. Contrary to rumors, our Yang family is not nearing decline. On the contrary, the ascent of the two young masters to Heavenly God has only solidified our family's position. Where is the talk of decline? If you two are willing to join the Yang family, your cultivation resources will be abundant, and soon you could, like the Yang family's dual prodigies, ascend to the God Realm and be revered."
After listening to Housekeeper Huang's explanation, Lu Hong smiled, "You nearly convinced me to join."
Understanding Lu Hong's intent, Tian Shengwu then said, "Joining a family is no small matter. My brother and I need to discuss it further. We'll give you an answer tomorrow, okay?"
"Alright," Housekeeper Huang expected this, knowing prodigies often had pride.
Afterward, Housekeeper Huang stood and bowed, "I will not disturb your rest then."