Helian Wei Wei was dressed in male apparel. However, she knew that Madam Zhuge must have figured out her true identity. Otherwise, she would not have replaced the servant who served her with a girl and served her a cup of jujube tea. The tea was only prepared for female guests to warm their bodies. Someone as gracious as Madam Zhuge would not make such silly mistakes. Madam Zhuge obviously knew that she was a woman, but did not reveal it. Instead, Madam Zhuge acted naturally and made sure she felt comfortable.
However, it was unsafe for her and Baili Jia Jue to reveal their names to the people in Exorcist City, so Helian Wei Wei decided to use her previous nickname and replied, "Wei Wei."
Madam Zhuge was about to ask something when a servant suddenly rushed in. He was panting heavily and gasping for air, as though something major had happened outside.
Chapter 733 - Competing For The Zhuge Family
Seeing how anxious the servant was, Zhuge Yun assumed that Ni Hu had acted on his rage and sent someone for revenge. Without being stopped by his injuries, he immediately picked up his Exorcist Sword and told Lady Zhuge, "Mother, I will let you arrange Brother Wei's exit from the city. I need to go and hold off Ni Hu!"
"Alright." Madam Zhuge replied calmly and was about to order someone to bring Helian Wei Wei and Baili Jia Jue out when...
Helian Wei Wei smiled faintly as she stopped her and spoke politely, "Madam, the servant had not spoken yet, Ni Hu might not be here."
Helian Wei Wei's reminder was not without reason. Not anyone could withstand an attack from the Third Prince. Even if Ni Hu wanted to seek revenge, he would have to mend his injuries first.
She also understood that someone like Ni Hu would seek help from his family first if he faced any problems.
Ni Hu was spoiled and used to doing whatever he wants without second thoughts.
However, the Ni family was different. They needed to keep up their appearance of being rightful and just. They would not send people to ambush the Zhuge family right before the contest.
If they wished to take anyone out, they would only do so during the contest. Then, it would seem consistent with their upright image.
Helian Wei Wei's analysis was right, the breathless servant finally found an opportunity to speak. He took a sidestep and blocked Zhuge Yun as he spoke between heavy breathes, "Young master, it's not anyone from the Ni…Ni family."
"Not them? Then, why are you in such a hurry?" Zhuge Yun stopped in his tracks as he scrunched his thick eyebrows.
The servant finally calmed his breathing and uttered slowly, "The rules and regulations of the contest are out. They're out, but there is a problem!"
"What's the problem?" Zhuge Yun felt his heart dip as he grasped the servant's arm abruptly. Any discerning person could see that the Zhuge family could not afford any more turmoil. If the contest rules were unfavorable, it would only make things worse.
The servant took a deep breath, and said, "There's no real problem, it's just that entering the catacombs is no light matter. In order to protect everyone's safety, a few families had a discussion and decided that each family must send at least three contestants and a servant, so that there's enough support along the journey."
"A few families decided this over a discussion?" Zhuge Yun's angular yet slightly childish face fell, saying, "Which families made the decision? I didn't receive any news at all!"
"I understand now." Zhuge Yun's expression was bitter yet determined.
The servant could not bring himself to look at his expression, as he called out softly. "Young master."
"It's alright." Zhuge Yun smiled, the color of his eyes was as dark as ink as he uttered, "From the very start, I had expected these things to happen. The Ni family always use such underhanded methods. I simply didn't expect it to happen so soon, or them to manipulate the regulations."
Helian Wei Wei understood most of the situation by now. The Ni family had begun using their underhanded tactics.
Their move was actually very smart, and was almost inconspicuous.
Apart from the head of the four influential families, no one else would know how the rules and regulations were fixed.
Everyone in Exorcist City would assume that it was a fair contest.
However, the Zhuge family's power had started to decline since the last generation. Besides Zhuge Yun, no one else in the family was actually skilled in exorcism now.
Requiring three contestants in the contest was a direct challenge to the Zhuge family.
However, the Ni family evidently did not want to achieve victory easily, as they wanted to crush the Zhuge family completely by forcing them to abstain. Only then, they could show how great they were and clear their name from any suspicious associations.
Madam Zhuge thought about the exact same thing and her face paled instantly as she said, "The Ni family, how could they go so far!"
"Mother!" Zhuge Yun held his mother with his uninjured right hand. His clean face showed great determination and passion as he said, "Don't worry, no matter how ridiculous they are, I will strive for our Zhuge family!"
Madam Zhuge touched her beloved son's cheeks and said, "Yun'er, you have carried the responsibilities of the Zhuge family for so many years. I know how m.a.t.u.r.e you are, but it's different this time. You can't win just by working hard. I believe that if you have five more years, you would be able to handle everything, but now… The Zhuge family has come to this point, where the young ones are too young, while the old ones are too old. The regulations require at least three contestants. You are the head of the Zhuge family, so you must compete. However, who else would join you? Who would be willing to sacrifice their child?" Madam Zhuge held back her painful tears, her magnanimity was evident as she continued, "The human heart is made of flesh. Everyone knows that entering the catacombs is very difficult. Retrieving the Sarira is daunting enough, but I'm afraid that some may lose their lives. Other than you, everyone else in the Zhuge family only just learned how to summon reapers. These skills may be adequate to perform normal exorcisms, but it would be impossible for them to survive in the catacombs."
"Mother…" Of course, Zhuge Yun understood that his mother had painted the whole picture of what he was facing here, but should he just give up like that? Should he just watch the Ni family's scheme succeed? Not only are they denying him a chance to fulfill his father's dying wish, but should he also be disqualified from participating in the contest?
Zhuge Yun's eyes reddened as he thought further. Even though he had a steady demeanor, he was only about 15 years old. Devastated, tears began to spill from his eyes.
He punched the wooden table so violently that his knuckles were abraded, and his voice was slightly rough as he said, "This is all my fault. If my father was here, they would never dare to treat us this way! Let's…" Zhuge Yun's voice was pained as he said this, "Let's give up."
Madam Zhuge was heartbroken to see her child like that. She took a deep breath and was about to open her mouth when...
Suddenly, a clear voice echoed from beside her. It was relaxed and cheerful, but strangely calming to the heart, "If Young Master Yun is short of people, would you consider letting us join?"
Chapter 734 - An Alliance Between Two Powerful Forces, Two Fetuses
Hearing that, Zhuge Yun and Madam Zhuge were stumped for a while, as they turned around to look at Helian Wei Wei.
Helian Wei Wei grinned slightly, still holding the teacup in her hand. Even during the commotion, she seemed unmoved like a true gentleman.
Madam Zhuge turned her down immediately, and with a grateful and modest tone, she said, "Thank you both for saving our Zhuge family, but I cannot allow the both of you to compete on behalf of us. The Ni family is very influential in Exorcist City. We have greatly troubled you because of our family troubles. Going to the catacombs is unlike others, we cannot allow you to take such a huge risk!"
Helian We Wei knew that Madam Zhuge was being considerate. To further persuade her, Helian Wei Wei smiled and divulged slightly, "To
be honest, the purpose of our visit to Exorcist City is to participate in this contest. We just have not decided on which family to join. Moreover, we were responsible for this incident. If we didn't attack on impulse and beat Master N, the Ni family would not have gone so far in their retaliation. They must've known that Ni Hu was beaten, so they wanted to exact revenge for him. Since we're the ones who caused this, we have the responsibility to settle it too. Although I have no spiritual aura, I do have experience in exorcism, so there's no problem there. As for my partner, Young Master Yun has seen his skills, he can manage himself."
Zhuge Yun never thought that Helian Wei Wei and Baili Jia Jue would be willing to join the Zhuge family. He had heard that the other families were also looking for exorcists from beyond the cities to increase their chances of winning.
These two people had defeated Ni Hu with a single move.
Although he was not clear about their identities, Zhuge Yun knew that they were both hidden experts.
He had considered that experts like them may come here for the contest, but he assumed that they were here to join the other families.
Hearing that they wanted to join their family made him burst out in excitement.
"Are you two serious about joining us?" Zhuge Yun remained uncertain.
Helian Wei Wei smiled lightly and nodded, saying, "Yes, even if the incident today did not happen, we would still join your family in competing, as long as you are fine with it."
"Why?" Zhuge Yun's eyes flickered as he looked fixedly at Helian Wei Wei and smiled f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y, adding, "Since both of you are here for the contest, you must've done your research. The Ni family has the highest winning chances in the city. As for the Zhuge family, as you can see, we do not have enough people who can fight. Any family will do better than ours."
Helian Wei Wei did not speak, she merely twisted the teacup in her hand.
Baili Jia Jue remained silent beside Helian Wei Wei all this while. However, he seemed to have a naturally imposing aura. Even though he was sitting there quietly and lazily supporting his jaw, he could still easily attract others' attention. Especially when his deep eyes focused on something, people would feel the immense pressure emanating from him.
Zhuge Yun explained, "Please do not overthink my question. I'm simply curious why you would choose our family when there are so many good choices out there."
"Because you're more handsome." Helian Wei Wei smiled and answered, "Young Master Yun, does this answer satisfy you?"
Her answer made Zhuge Yun's face flushed bright red.
Helian Wei Wei stood up, her eyes were crystal clear, and said, "Because you're the only one who is fighting for justice. Everyone knows that this isn't easy, because the Ni family is so powerful in this city. You were the only one who stood against them. Moreover, your family is not too bad, you are just too young."
Saying this, Helian Wei Wei pointed at the boys who were earnestly practicing magic outside and plainly said, "Life is everchanging and full of reversals. Someday you will become stronger than the Ni family, right?"
Zhuge Yun had never received such affirmation.
Other than his mother, no one else believed that he could make the Zhuge family great again.
Ever since his father passed away, he had lived daily in the sympathy and mockery of others. He just had to clench his teeth and push himself to be stronger.
There were many oddities about his father's death. He could not think of a single person who could harm such a strong exorcist like his father.
His father's death made him see the reality of human nature.
When a person was doing well, people would be envious and grovel to him all the time.
However, when one was in trouble, people would step on him.
It had been a long time since he heard a saying like 'Life is everchanging and full of reversals.'
Zhuge Yun could feel the blood in his body burning with enthusiasm. He looked at Helian Wei Wei undecidedly, but Madam Zhuge answered, "Alright."
It was a simple word, but it made Zhuge Yun's eyes reddened once again. He thought that his mother would disagree, as he knew she was very meticulous and less impulsive than him.
Madam Zhuge wiped the tears off her son's eyes and smiled, saying, "As a mother, of course, I can tell that you don't want to give up on this contest. You have the ability, and your exorcism skills are the best among the younger generation. Since these two benefactors think so highly of our family, you must not let them down!"
"Understood!" Zhuge Yun nodded heavily.
Madam Zhuge turned around and bowed toward Helian Wei Wei and Baili Jia Jue, her eyes shone with an unprecedented light.
"They were persuaded by our mother." The bigger fetus inside Helian Wei Wei's stomach listened to the sounds outside and moved its body. Then, it calmly said, "The last sentence mother said opened Madam Zhuge's heart completely."
The smaller fetus moved a little too, as it said softly and cheerfully, "Mother has always been very smart."
"She is also very likable, unlike our father who only knows how to threaten people." The bigger fetus embraced the smaller fetus, and kissed its sibling expressionlessly, saying, "Don't be like our father in the future, okay?"
The smaller fetus kept silent and thought to himself… You're obviously the one who's more like with our father.
Chapter 735 - 741
"Why aren't you speaking? Do you need spiritual aura again?" The bigger fetus had already begun acting like an older brother despite not being born yet. When he looked at the younger fetus, his lofty gaze especially seemed like Baili Jia Jue's. He may be too young to be as conniving as his father, but his overbearingness and concern for others were particularly pronounced.
The smaller fetus shook his head, yet his weak voice conveyed his strategic mind as he said, "We are in Exorcist City. There's an abundance of spiritual aura here. You need not concern yourself over me, but I don't think you should go looking for food these two days. I worry that someone might notice you."
The bigger fetus understood what his younger sibling was implying. At present, they had not grown apart fully yet, so their relationship was closer than any usual siblings. That was the case for twin demons, it was their basic instinct to protect and kill...
For example, when it comes to Helian Wei Wei, they would not allow anyone to hurt their mother, even if it was their father.
More so if it was any other person.
The two fetuses have agreed that they would protect their mother forever. As for their father, they believed that he would take care of anyone who offended him. They did not need to worry about him at all.
The two fetuses knew this very well, but Ni Hu did not.
Neither does the entire Ni family.
In fact, they were celebrating now as if they had already won the contest.
After hearing the new regulations of the contest, Ni Hu laughed arrogantly and said, "Dad, you always have a way with things. The Zhuge family would not be able to find three capable exorcists. I don't think they will dare to join this contest now. They definitely don't have enough people to even accept our challenge! They are probably considering how they should forfeit their eligibility!"
Ni Biao glanced at him and nonchalantly said, "You better brush up on your skills, stop shaming our family's name with your incompetence."
"Yes, father." Ni Hu replied with an aggrieved expression, "Dad, you don't know how it was today. I was about to win and was this close to breaking Zhuge Yun's hand. That would have completely subdued the Zhuge family. However, two foreign exorcists appeared out of nowhere and joined the fight."
Ni Biao's face darkened when he heard it. It had been a long time since anyone dared to challenge the Ni family. Anger rose uncontrollably in his eyes, but he did not pay much attention to those two challengers. They must be some newly arrived young people who knew nothing about the local customs.
"I have heard that. Put those two behind you." Ni Biao's voice was nonchalant as
he said, "Your uncle has checked them out. No one in the exorcising world has heard of their names. They must be overconfident beginners, stupidly causing a ruckus in Exorcist City. They are simply worthless."
Ni Hu grunted in agreement. His expression pained suddenly as he covered his face with his hand and said, "Those two went to the Zhuge family's side after appearing. Even after I announced my name, they remained unremorseful. It's obvious that they have no respect for our family. They may be young and new to the city, but Father, we have to teach them a lesson, so they know the rules in this city!"
"I don't need your reminders. I'm planning on it." Ni Biao's voice deepened, saying, "Nobody should be allowed to leave safely after hitting my son. Now is not the time to act. Once we get the Sarira, I will make them pay!"
Ni Hu's wilfulness was a match for Ni Biao's arrogance.
The only difference was that Ni Biao was shadier in his dealings.
For example, he had long decided that he had to punish this disobedient young man, Zhuge Yun. However, no one in the Exorcist City saw through his intentions. By allying with the other two families to outcast the Zhuge family, he was certain that the ungrateful kid would succ.u.mb to pressure in merely two days.
This was just the first step in Ni Biao's plan. He planned to seize the power over the major families in his hands and rule over Exorcist City completely.
Then, all the exorcists would have to obey his orders.
Even the emperors of various dynasties on the Divine Mainland would have to show him some respect.
This was an idea given by his eldest daughter, who was the reincarnation of Phoenix Girl.
He never believed the rumor that the person who had the Phoenix girl would rule the world, but now he was convinced wholeheartedly.
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