Shi Lang was surprised by the sudden question and asked, “Before I answer, may I ask a few questions?”
Shi Wei raised her brow and asked, “About what?”
As she said this, she had already crossed her arms before her chest. Shi Lang smiled faintly and did not mind this teenager aiming guns at him. After all, he had just arrived at this place and was already getting titles. So, it was apparent to face some turbulence.
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I have just gotten here and do not even know what it means to be the Young Master. So, I would like to hear what you understand about this matter.”
Shi Wei found that the gaze of this man was pure and sincere. She nodded and said, “There can be many young men in a family, but there is only one young master. The others will be called Second Master or Third Master, according to their seniority. Sometimes the younger son is selected to be the young master of the family. However, this code does not change.
The young master is the one who would hold the reins of the family’s younger generation. Think of it as a crown prince who can mobilize the power and holds a right to state their thoughts in the family operations.”
Shi Lang nodded and replied calmly, “I have no such thoughts. Being in the limelight hinders the progress I seek. Also, I wish to explore this realm and settle a few accounts with those demons. I cannot stay here forever, so how can I be the young master?”
Shi Wei was surprised, and so was Yu Jing. They did not expect Shi Lang to say something like this. However, they also understood he was a man from the lower realms. He did not tread all over here, facing countless troubles to sit down like a retired person. Everyone had aspirations, and they had no right to stand in his path.
Shi Lang asked, ” Why do the elders wish to give me this title?”
Yu Jing replied, “Because you are a boy and the only boy in the family now.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Being a boy or a girl should not be the criteria for such decisions. Women are no less strong than men.”
Yu Jing sighed and said, “The leadership of the family will slip into the hands of the man after the woman gets married.”
Shi Lang shook his hand and replied, “I do not know how things work here. However, any group can only be commanded by the people they recognize. You must trust the people and ensure your love for your spouse is always checked. Even if you love him endlessly, you must not wrong anyone else for their sake.
What if the boy selected by the elders fails to live up to the expectation? Do you think a daughter is born without the family blood in her body? Her child will be an extension of both maternal and paternal families equally. I cannot marry anyone because I already have a wife, and she is currently in the lower realms.”
Yu Jing was surprised by the argument presented by the young man. She could not help but look at this differently now these points have been bought up. Having such a patriarchal theory instilled in her mind was not her fault.
She was still a woman even if she had come a long way and became a respected apothecary. Shi Wei looked at Shi Lang with respect and awe. However, she did not give up her guard and warily stared at him. The latter smiled, his eyes closed like a Meityra Buddha.
Shi Lang said, “You do not have to worry. I will decline when they ask me to.”
𝐎𝐕𝑙xt.𝗇𝓔t
Shi Wei nodded subtly, and Yu Jing shook her head. She said, “The vote of the elders does not decide the young master. He will have to win the recognition of the entire family. How can the men of the immortal realm allow a woman to sit over them?”
Shi Lang thought briefly and said, “Third Mistress, I think it would be wise to discuss this issue with the rest of the family.”
The lady nodded, saying, “Let’s go. It is almost time for dinner.”
Shi Lang nodded, and the trio returned to the dining hall. The entire family was gathered there. Shi Yuwan looked at his wife and daughter, followed by Shi Lang. He sensed bad news heading his way. The man communicated with his brothers.
The two did not show anything on their faces, but they also agreed that something was about to happen. Shi Lang took his seat and began eating with relish. He was exhausted from cultivating the entire day. Jumping realms was not a simple thing. It consumed his stamina as well. After all, cultivation was a painful process.
Shi Yulong commented, “Shi Lang, you seemed to have condensed a golden core?”
Shi Lang nodded with a smile and said, “All thanks to the support of the people. They allowed me to cultivate alone after the first breakthrough.”
The people nodded. Evidently, they had gotten a sniff of the commotion he caused. Shi Yua said, “Brother Shi Lang, congratulations on your cultivation breakthrough.”
Shi Lang smiled and thanked her. Shi Shanwang said, “This is an opportune time for us to get a young master. Shi Lang has the skills to justify the title.”
At this moment, Shi Lang was ready to express his denial when he narrowed his eyes and ducked. A sharp wind flew over his head. The people were shocked, but Shi Lang had already moved. He was not able to channel his spirit energy into the spiritual tattoo. The young man opened his tattoo, and a gold and crimson sword appeared. Shi Lang held the hilt, and his aura changed.
The terran stood tall and gazed at the assailant. He knew this lady was the family’s eldest daughter, but she attacked him first, and he did not care. He pointed the tip of his blade at the lady and said, “I heard the eldest lady of the Shi family was a brave warrior. Yet, she relied on a sneak attack. How very cowardly.”
Shi Ning shivered and pointed her sword at him, saying, “You, an outsider who came here to snatch something that belongs to me and my sisters, do not have the right to say anything to me.”
Shi Lang did not budge and said, “An impatient dolt like you thinks that you can represent the family and make contributions? Ignorant fool, your short temper will only lead the family to exist in legends only.”
The two people had a strong aura radiating from them. The three men did not say anything because they were upset by the sudden attack from Shi Ning. They had all sensed killing intent from it, so it was evident that Shi Lang reacted this way. He was not a weakling without a spine.
Suddenly a clap resounded in the dining hall, and everyone found it was the second mistress. The lady said, “Since you both had differences, go to the training field and sort them out the old way. The winner gets to say what they want, and the loser will accept it.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I accept.”
Shi Ning scoffed, saying, “Do you think you can defeat me with that realm of yours?”
Shi Lang sighed and did not reply to her. He turned his back to her and walked to the training field. The young man was not afraid of a sneak attack. This was a display of his strength and courage. Shi Yulong smiled and said, “Let’s go and watch. I want to see what capital this guy has to expose his back and taunt Ning like this.”
Lu Shingmei said, “Second Sister, you should act as a referee. None of them should get seriously injured.”
The lady nodded, and they all followed the two raging youngsters.
…
They arrived at the training field and stood facing each other. The second mistress approached the side line and said, “I am Xia Ling. I will be the presiding referee. If any of you tried any treacherous method, you will be disqualified, and the right for denial will be revoked. Understood?”
The two people nodded, and Xia Ling said, “Begin.”
Shi Lang vanished from his spot. The people could see his speed and decisiveness. However, Shi Ning was not slow either. The saber in her hand moved to deal with the man.
Shi Lang had an attacking stance but did not take the initiative. As Shi Ning’s blade was about to touch him, the young man dodged the incoming attack with the side of his blade and took a cross step to close in on the lady. The quick step and sharp movement surprised people. They did not expect him to be such a good fighter.
Shi Ning was not to be outdone, and she jumped in the air to avoid a claw aimed at her abdomen. Shi Lang jumped up too, and he was not letting her go so easily.