23 Chapter 23: Battle of The Beards

"These look delicious, Mrs. Diao. Thank you"

The Diao Estate has prepared dishes for their little visitors. Viel and Violet was supposed to go home already, but then Diao Mei's mother arrived and insisted that they stay for dinner. Violet didn't want to impose, but Viel immediately nodded his head when he heard the word food.

The food did indeed look delicious, one can even say it was over the top. But when Mrs. Diao heard that the boy that has been circulating in the rumors visited their house, she could not help but pull up an extravagant meal. Also, there was also the rumor in their estate that their little Mei has finally taken a liking to someone.

It's just that, she didn't realize how young Viel actually was. He was even smaller than her daughter.

"T-this, Viel. Can I ask how old you are?"

"M-mom!"

"Uhm… I'm 4, but I am turning 5 in about… I think 8 days from now?", Viel chewed his food as he talked. Violet reprimanded him on the side, saying that it was bad manners to talk to people while having food in his mouth.

"I…is that so?", Mrs. Diao could not help but gasp. This might be a problem. He thought he was at least 8 years old, and was just late in his growth spurt. He didn't think that Viel would be this young. Does the boy even understand the concept of marriage yet?

"W-wait, your birthday is so so-"

"HOHOHO. Why did you not tell me that your birthday is coming up? I have an idea, why don't you celebrate it here?"

Before Diao Mei can even ask Viel for confirmation, General Diao interrupted him as he once again laughed loudly. A spit almost fell on one of the dishes, it was a good thing that Viel's reflexes were so fast that he saved the food from being contaminated.

"Y-yes, Viel. I think that's a very good idea, you can celebrate it here. You can bring Grandma and Grandpa Ling as well!", Diao Mei fidgeted as her face lightened up. This would be a very good chance for their family to get to know each other better.

Viel looked back and forth towards the Diaos as he continued to chew on his food. Then he looked at the surroundings. Diao Mei's house is indeed a lot bigger than theirs. It would also allow her grandma to go out of the house, she hasn't been to the city ever since she became weak.

"Uhm… okay, but I am not paying for anything!", Viel continued to chew his food. Once again, Violet reminded him to mind his manners.

"Nonsense, child, consider it a gift from our family", Mrs. Diao interjected with a smile on her face. Although the boy was a bit… eccentric, she was sure it was only because of his young age. Allowing him to spend more time with them will surely benefit their daughter. She suddenly remembered the little boy from the Wei family. He also had talents, but this boy infront of her was truly extraordinary.

"Yay! Thank you, Mrs. Diao! You're the best! I will marry you as well when I grow up!"

"V-viel!"

"OHOHOHOHO"

Hearing Viel's statement, Mrs. Diao could only laugh bitterly. The little boy truly does not know the meaning of marriage. It seems that any female he takes a liking to, he wants to marry. Just where did this boy learn to be such a playboy?

General Diao also about his match about Li Zhao, but Viel quickly just glossed over it saying that he doesn't really remember much about the battle, but he does remember himself kicking Li Zhao's butt. The group soon finished with their meals as they continued to chat about various things.

"Thank you very much for the food, Mrs. Diao"

Violet bowed elegantly as she thanked the Diaos for the dinner. She looked at Viel and urged him to do the same.

"Y-yes, please invite us again tomorrow. I always wanted to try a fried kra-"

"V-viel! Shh!"

Violet quickly covered Viel's mouth. Violet thought that it was going well and Viel finally learned his manners, but his respectful bow was followed again by another shameless request.

"It is nothing. You can come by and visit our little Mei anytime you want. Here, you can have this token so that you can enter our estate freely"

Mrs. Diao gave Viel a red medallion with the insignia of the Diao family engraved on it. This was only usually given to very important guests of the family. But it won't hurt to give it to their future son-in-law.

"With this, you can sneak up on our little Mei's bedroom without no one stopping you. OHOHOHO", General Diao once again laughed without constraint.

"F-father!"

"OHOHOHOHO"

General Diao could only joke about things like this because he knows that Viel was not at the age to even know what all of it means. If Viel was even a bit older, he would be stricter on him. Besides, the boy's strength was not lacking at all, if anything, it was too much. Truly a good candidate to continue their bloodline.

Viel was oblivious to General Diao's thoughts as he quickly grabbed the medallion as soon as it was offered to him. It was so quick that even General Diao could not see Viel's movements.

"V-viel! That is rude!", Violet, Viel's unofficial babysitter once again lectured Viel. It was truly an amusing sight.

"Nonsense, Miss Violet. Anything that is given to you must be accepted without hesitation, especially if it is shiny! Another lesson by Grandpa Ling!", Viel raised the medallion as he once again did his trademark pose. Violet could only shake her head and sigh. She should be used to Viel's antics by now.

"Ohohoho! Your grandfather seems to be a very interesting man, I would very much like to meet him", General Diao said. He was really amused by this little boy.

"Of course, I learned everything I know from Grandpa Ling's teachings, this is why I know so much about life. Aahh, it's so hard being so wise.", Viel looked into the distance, wearing a tired expression on his face as he imitated his grandpa.

The group could not help but have a blank expression on their faces. If this is called being wise, then the rest of them would surely be considered as scholars.

"T-thank you again for treating us dinner. L-let's go, Viel", Violet once again bowed as she dragged Viel outside the estate gates.

Diao Mei followed them and she told Viel that he can come and visit anytime, just don't barge into her bedroom. She also did not forget to tell Violet the same thing. Although she did not take a liking to Violet at first, she could be considered as one of her first real female friends. Most of the girls she hangs out with are either their servants, or a relative wanting to take advantage of her.

Violet nodded as they said their goodbyes. The three of them split up in different directions.

They haven't really spent that much time with each other, but for some odd reason, they felt really close to each other. Maybe one of the reasons for this is because of Viel. Viel was like a little puppy that needed to be taken care of, and each of them takes turns in taking care of him. It was a friendship that was as weird as Viel itself.

Viel did not get too far from the estate when he noticed a presence following him from behind. He quickly turned around to look back, but no one was there. Viel squinted his eyes as he looked from left to right. He was so sure that he felt someone's presence, he stared for a while and waited, but it seems that he was just imagining things after all.

He shrugged his shoulders as he once again continued to walk home, but right when he turned his back, he saw a giant looking creature blocking his way.

"GAAH! Run! It's an ugly monster!"

Viel quickly backed away in shock from this monster.

"This brat. How many times do you have to call me a monster before you're satisfied?"

Infront of Viel, General Diao was suddenly standing with a weird grin on his face. Him being called an ugly monster was funny at first, but now he was sure that Viel was doing it on purpose.

"Ah, Grandpa Diao… weren't you just inside the house earlier?", Viel looked back and forth to the direction of the Diao estate. He wondered what General Diao needed from him.

"Ho? I thought we were going to visit your Grandpa Ling?"

"Eh? When?", Viel was visibly confused. When did they agree on that?

"Now. Didn't I tell you earlier that I wanted to meet your Grandpa? HOHOHOHO"

General Diao heavily tapped Viel on his back repeatedly. His laugh was so loud that the neighbors that were inside their houses could not help but see what the commotion is all about. But when they saw that it was General Diao, they quickly closed their windows. They knew better than to get involved with this crazy old man.

Viel did not know what to do. This was the first time in his life that he felt cornered. Yes, Viel might have finally met his match in being unpredictable.

"Hurry up and lead the way, boy. OHOHOHO"

General Diao laughed as he once again hit Viel's back to push him forward.

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"Grandma, Grandpa. I'm home!"

"Oh, welcome back, dea- *GASP*"

Grandma Ling was currently folding the clothes in the living room when Viel walked in. But the clothing in her hand fell when she saw that there was a giant silhouette behind the doorway. She could only see the torso of what seems to be… a human being. Slowly, the big silhouette slightly crouched as it tried to enter their house.

"Greetings, sister."

"W…welcome?", Grandma Ling was still confused as to what was happening.

General Diao smiled as he slowly approached Grandma Ling, careful not to hit any objects along the way. When he was already directly in front of the seated Grandma Ling, General Diao kneeled and grabbed Grandma Ling's hand then kissed it.

"It is nice to finally meet you, sister Ling."

"O…oh my…", Grandma Ling slightly blushed as she stuttered, she still has no idea as to what was happening. She looked at Viel, but Viel was just looking at them, with his hand covering his mouth.

General Diao's expression suddenly turned serious when she felt Grandma Ling's life force. It was weak. No perhaps weak is an overstatement. It is a wonder that the woman in front of her is still alive. He then released a huge breath of amazement as he looked at Grandma Ling.

'Such will to live, even in pain. The boy is lucky to have such an amazing family'

"What's the commotion all about!?"

Grandpa Ling barged into the house as he heard Grandma Ling's gasp from the backyard. There, he saw a huge bearded man holding Grandma Ling's hand and kissing it.

"Y-yo-"

Grandpa Ling did not even get to say anything, before the man quickly approached him and proceeded to shake his hand.

"Greetings, brother. I have heard a lot about you from Viel. You have raised a fine young ma-"

General Diao suddenly stopped his words as something caught his eye- Grandpa Ling's beard. His expression grew even more serious as he tried to compare it to his own beard.

When Grandpa Ling noticed the huge man infront of him staring back and forth towards his beard, he revealed an arrogant smirk. Grandpa Ling immediately realized that the man in front of him was trying to measure up his beard in comparison to his.

It was like there was a spark between the two bearded men. Truly, this was the start of the battle of the beards.

Viel once again covered his mouth. He revealed a quiet "ooooh" as his eyes wandered to nowhere in particular.

General Diao was the first to talk through the stalemate, "May I ask what ointments you're putting on your beard, brother?"

"Kek. Nothing but one of my beautiful wife's remedies", Grandpa Ling obviously won this fight, as his soft and clear beard waved in the air, even without wind.

"T-this, maybe you can give me some?"

"Only if you call me your gran-"

"AHEM!", before the two bearded men get lost in their own world, Grandma Ling made sure to interrupt them, "M-may I ask who this esteemed guest is?"

Grandma Ling did not forget to be respectful. The giant man was clearly a man of authority, as it was evident in his glamorous robes and robust way of speaking. She wanted to ask Viel, but Viel was busy watching the two old men bicker with each other.

"Ah. Where are my manners, my name is Diao Liang. You have a very lovely home"

General Diao saluted as he introduced himself.

"Diao Liang…Wait, you mean THE General Di-!?"

Grandma Ling perked up as she immediately stood up. This caused her head to feel light as she staggered.

General Diao and Viel were about to catch her, however, they were too late.

Grandpa Ling was already there to catch Grandma Ling.

"D-dear! You shouldn't exert yourself.", Grandpa Ling quickly but carefully assisted Grandma Ling to sit down. He handed him a glass of water and waited for her to calm down before looking at General Diao.

"So, you are Diao Mei's grandfather? To what do we owe the honor of the esteemed General's visit?"

Even though Grandpa Ling's tone was respectful, there was still a sign of superiority in it, after all, he won the battle of the beards.

"D-dear, please be respectful!"

"OHOHOHO. It is fine, brother Ling can talk to me however he wants. I am not here for any official business. I just wanted to see the people who raised a fine young man like Viel here. HOHOHOHO"

General Diao's laughter resounded throughout the Ling's humble abode as it shook.

"T-this… then at least let us offer you tea", Grandma Ling once again stood up, this time carefully.

"There is no need. I would hate to impose"

In truth, General Diao had planned to chat with the Lings for a while, but when he saw Grandma Ling's condition, he decided that it would be best to make his trip quick, so as to not disturb the poor old woman any further.

"B-but…"

"It is alright, my purpose here is brief", General Diao's expression turned serious, "I am just here to make you a guarantee, that whenever Viel enters the walls of Taizhou city. He will be under the protection of the Diao family. No one will dare touch him"

General Diao then made a salute towards the Lings as his voice once again resounded within the house. The Lings were silent as they did not know how to respond to General Diao's sudden declaration.

The silence was only broken when Viel clapped his hands and cheered. General Diao winked at Viel in response.

"This… I don't know how we will ever thank you", Grandma Ling was almost in tears. She felt that she can now rest as she knows that Viel will be able to live a very easy life.

First it was the Elder from one of the richest sect in the East, the beautiful Xing Cai.

Now even the esteemed General Diao was offering his help. Viel now had the backing of two influential individuals. What more can she ask?

This was it. She can finally rest.

"Your thanks is unnecessary. I will not intrude any further. It was a pleasure meeting the both of you", General Diao quickened his steps as he did not want to bother the tired looking Grandma Ling any longer.

"O…okay. The pleasure was solely ours", The Lings bowed.

Grandpa Ling escorted General Diao towards the door and they watched as the giant old man struggled to get out of the door. General Diao once again said his goodbyes before finally being able to close the door.

"…What was that all about?", Grandpa Ling looked towards Viel who has just been watching on the side. Viel just shrugged in response, he too did not know what that was all about. He just proceeded to get more candies from their stock and place it in his bag.

But as the family were about to go about their own, someone knocked at their door.

"Now what?"

Grandpa Ling hesitantly opened the door, he did not want any more surprises today.

But when he saw who was on the other side, he almost backed away in shock.

"G-general Diao? D-did you forget something?"

General Diao was currently crouching with a weird smile on his as there were few beads of sweat on his forehead.

The Lings were confused, why was he here again? Their questions, however, were soon answered.

"O-on second thought. M-maybe you can give me some of brother Ling's beard treatment?"

"….."

"N…no problem"