"President Wu, what is it? The conversations are quite important to miss them."
Elder Yang called out as they left the venue, stopping in the hallway. He wanted to talk with President Wu from the start about his disciples' problem, but seeing how Miss Wu acted, even President Wu couldn't help them. They could only hope Miss Wu will leave them alone. Treasures could be easily earned back but the respect was extremely hard to recover.
"What we will talk about is even more interesting," President Wu assured, setting a similar soundproof barrier around them.
"I'm all ears."
President Wu looked unsure himself what he wanted to say but eventually, he asked, "Do you know if Sect Master Liu accepted any new disciples lately? Today for example?"
"Huh?" Elder Yang has never been more confused. "No, there is no way. He has been preparing for a breakthrough for quite a while already. He wouldn't simply stop and just leave the Sect to recruit some disciples. Why do you ask?"
"Because I received information about two new disciples of Sect Master Liu earlier today. That's why I called you here to confirm it," President Wu explained. "So Sect Master Liu didn't leave the Spirit Land?"
"No, it's impossible," Elder Yang shook his head firmly. "Whenever Sect Master Liu steps down from his mountain, the whole House of Dragons knows about it. His mountain is right in the middle of the Sect, so even if he wanted to sneak out, he can't. Someone would for sure notice him and all the elders would be notified. Also, Sect Master Liu would inform us by himself as he has the habit of doing. It's just not possible…"
Master Yang paused, trying to think of ways Sect Master Liu could use to slip away, but he couldn't think of anything. He knew nothing was impossible for their Sect Master Liu but he would have to break all the habits and traditions to make it possible.
"He could always master some Invisibility Art to stealthily leave and use his daughter as a cover-up but would Sect Master Liu trouble himself so much just to leave unnoticed? Especially if he was in the middle of a breakthrough preparations? Right now he only has one goal and that is raising his Cultivation Stage. He even told us a year ago that he will call us once he is ready, so we can assist him," Elder Yang thought out loud. "No, this can't be possible. Where did you get the news? Where are those impostors?"
"To tell you the truth, it was Liu Xuefeng, my granddaughter's husband that claimed he got recruited by Sect Master Liu. He is currently in the Water Land with his other wife, displaying two Sect Master Liu's personal disciple tokens. If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it too," President Wu revealed, confusing Elder Yang even more.
"But how…? Quick, show me the video! Those tokens must be fake!" Elder Yang called out with a frown. "Doesn't matter if he is your son-in-law or not, if they are pretending to be Sect Master Liu's personal disciples, only death awaits them. House of Dragons will use all of our powers to hunt them down."
President Wu didn't seem that hurt about Elder Yang's words and simply pulled out a portable projector that was small enough to fit in his palm.
"Maybe you should watch the video first before you say anything."
President Wu passed him the projector and Elder Yang didn't hesitate, channeling his Spirit Qi into it. Light immediately came out and displayed two figures, a young man of white hair and a beautiful brown-haired woman. The scene came to life as the two pulled out two round tokens and the golden dragon burst out from them.
"Impossible…" Elder Yang muttered with his eyes widened. "Sect Master Liu tokens… How?! Maybe it was his daughter who passed the tokens to them?"
"Do you think those are the real tokens?" President Wu questioned suspiciously.
"Yes! Only Sect Master Liu can produce them! They are infused with the Qi of his Golden Dragon, so no one can forge them. It seems like Sect Master Liu really has two more disciples, no matter if he left the Sect or not." Elder Yang spoke in disbelief only to freeze.
"Oh no. I need to report this to my Sect! If Sect Master Liu left the Sect, this would be huge!" Elder Yang called out in panic. "Who else knows about this?!"
"I think everyone by now. At least in the Water Land, but the news should spread fast. From what I know, Liu Xuefeng shouted Sect Master Liu's name in front of a huge crowd," President Wu informed, observing Elder Yang's reaction closely.
"I need to go and inform the Sect right away. The news has immense implications!" Elder Yang said hurriedly and broke the sound barrier, rushing to the venue. "I will take that projector as proof and show it to the Sect."
"Sure, do as you wish," President Wu replied, smiling gently. "Just send me a message once you confirm everything with your Sect. It involves my granddaughter's husband, so I want to know all details."
"Alright! I will," Elder Yang promised with his hand on the entrance door and finally re-entered inside. He rushed to his disciples and snapped his finger in a stern manner.
"We are leaving. There is something important. I need to report back to the Sect."
Blissful Knight was in the middle of the talk with Lady Song but hearing his Elder, he didn't argue aside from showing a slight worry.
"Is it something serious?"
It was a rhetorical question as if it wasn't, they wouldn't need to hurry and leave in the middle of the party.
Elder Yang gazed at the youngsters around them which mostly consisted of Dragon Steps cultivators and shook his head, "Don't worry, it doesn't involve you guys. It's more serious to me than you as it is an internal matter of the Sect. It seems like Sect Master Liu recruited two new personal disciples. If you want to stay, I don't mind, but you will have to come back on your own."
The news would be leaked any time soon anyway, so he didn't mind sharing it.
Oh!
The youngsters exclaimed, especially Blissful Knight and Lady Song for whom it was especially important news. It meant two more competitors for the top ranks of Dragons Steps. Being a personal disciple of Sect Master Liu gave you more privileges and resources than any spot on Dragon Steps did.
"Elder Yang, can we know who is it?" Lady Song asked with her eyes shining. "Do we know them?"
"Actually, you heard about him not long ago, at the start of the party," Elder Yang began, replying as he was withdrawing, clearly in hurry. "It's Liu—"
Clink, clink!
Just as he was about to say the name, President Wu reached the main table and gently knocked against his glass, announcing another toast.
"Everyone, I would like to ask for a moment of attention." President Wu called out in the already quiet venue. Everyone seemed curious why did the two suddenly leave.
Elder Yang guessed it would be about Liu Xuefeng, so he didn't continue, heading to the main table to bid everyone farewell.
"I have a little announcement. I received some shocking news today and I wasn't sure about it being true, so I had to ask Elder Yang about it. The news involves my dear granddaughter, so I had to be extremely cautious about it," President Wu explained, gazing into Miss Wu's eyes with a smile. "The news are about Liu Xuefeng, my granddaughter's husband."
Wu frowned at those words but President Wu assured her, "Don't worry, nothing bad happened with him. He couldn't be better actually."
He patted Wu on the head and finally revealed.
"Liu Xuefeng, my granddaughter's husband, has been recruited by Sect Master Liu to be his personal disciple. I would like to congratulate my granddaughter in his stead."
———
"Ming, you are a genius. So far, it is working perfectly."
The person mentioned by President Wu was currently in another city, this time much bigger, after sneaking inside with their new ID Cards. As they didn't want to travel at night, they decided to rush decoding of their ID Cards and stay in the closest biggest city. Thankfully, Ming was too good at her forging craft.
"How did you do it?" Xuefeng questioned as he pulled Ming into his arms right when her body appeared outside.
They were staying inside the first inn they found while the Almighty Spirit had no idea it was them.
"Hehe, it's quite complicated," Ming replied with a giggle, enjoying his affection. "Basically, I'm changing the signal that Almighty Spirit asks from the card when it scanned it. Almighty Spirit doesn't scan for appearance if a person has an ID Card on them to save its energy, so all I had to do is change the return signal, making you appear like a non-criminal. Trade Union should hold back with chasing you until they can confirm if you two are actually Sect Leader Liu's personal disciples."
"Ah, Ming is really smart," Tianshi praised from the side, leaning on Xuefeng's shoulder. "But can we actually use the Teleportation Station to reach the capital with them?"
As they visited the inn, they asked about the Tournament in the Capital and learned it would take place in two days. If they traveled normally, it would take them more than a week so they could only use the Teleportation Station.
"I guess we will find out tomorrow," Ming only shrugged, more interested in the man in front of her. "Will I get a reward for my hard work?"
Xuefeng already expected it, leaning over to kiss her and pulled all three of his wives to bed.
"You all worked well. Let me reward you."