Day 98 Aftermath

"Where are you going?" Lin Zhanyun asked his daughter that stood up abruptly. Liang Yu was stepping out of the arena towards Liang Jian and Linlin.

"Liang Yu is my friend, he won't let me forcefully get married so easily. Do you think you can force him? Do not forget his position." Lin Yin smirked. She walked away from her father more than done with the events of the family, for now anyway. "I Lin Yin am no longer a daughter of yours! Find another puppet!"

Before he could forcefully bring her back, someone with more authority than him jumped in the way. Having understood matters like this herself before, she felt more than pissed off.

"Your daughter has already left the family, surely you wouldn't make things worse." Xia Yuning said. Her hand on her hip looking very imposing. The Lin patriarch took a step back. He could deal with his daughter later in quiet. "Hey, Ye Xinghe!"

Xia Yuning jumped down and ran over to him.

"Why are you here?" Ye Xinghe asked sheepishly. He rembered the last time they talked to each other did not go over well with the matter of Lin Hong. Also soured things with the Dark Moon family others even more.

"I came to find you!" Xia Yuning said cheerfully. She grabbed his arm but was brushed away. "Haa, gonna be like that huh?" She asked cheekily.

"I say again, what are you doing here?" His eyes looked a little odd. Lacking focus really. He was looking at her but not really looking at her.

"I've wanted to see you this whole time, but I couldn't find a good reason to sneak out." She gave a playful smile. "I heard you and Liang Yu were in a bet and couldn't pass that up. Haaring about a woman was also the grand prize was odd. I mean, you are not that type of person, right?"

"Oh and I am?" Liang Yu scoffed at that.

"Of course not." Xia Yuning chuckled wrly.

"Xia Yuning.." Ye Xinghe noticed the looks they were getting and couldn't help but change things before they become worse. He gave a salute of respect as he spoke. "..whether I take part in the Martial contest doesn't seem to have anything to do with you. I ask the princess to think of her reputation."

"Ye Xinghe you.." Xia Yuning was taken back. ".. I thought we were friends still? Did you change just that quickly once more?"

"I ask the princess' forgiveness. My clansmen are still waiting for me." His voice sounded weaker the more he talked. "With he contest being over, I must take my leave!"

"Ye Xinghe!" Xia Yuning went from feeling bad to anger. "If you're so afraid of me, why arent' you kneeling?" Her emotions running high after all she did to meet up with him and he acted like this.

"A man should not kneel lightly. I only kneel to the heavens, to earth, and to my parents.." Ye Xinghe said with his head downcast. "..I've come to realize many things through my previous conversations with Lin Hong."

"Lin Hong.." Old Ye muttered. Remembering that was the name of the person who played a part in Ye Xinghe's expulsion, the old man's eyes darted around in worry of those who were listening. Quite a number of influential people were listening after all. "Xinghe be cautious.."

"Disgusting." Liang Yu said in contempt. Not to far from him, Lei Hong had recovered. He walked over really wanting to talk with Liang Yu. "Just a moment, I want to hear the nonsense from this boy before I make a decision about something."

Lei Hong was curious as well and listened in. Liang Jian and Linlin talked to him a little while listening to matters of the Ye clan.

"If one does nothing, then the principles and events of the world will never change!" Ye Xinghe looked to the sky as if searching for answers. "But I am not the same as Lin Hong. He has his path and I mine."

"Ye Xinghe, I don't care how you see me, and I also don't care what you are thinking! Whatever it is, I'm willing to follow you for life!" Xia Yuning shouted. A few of the men were impressed with the declaration. Some of the females taking note and wanting to do something like that themselves. She was the North mansion princess after all, someone several females looked up to. "I am willing to give you my all! Unless you kill me..."

Ye Xinghe shook a little walking a little more. Teeth gritted in frustration.

"You care more for that boy Lin Hong than at least giving her an answer?" Liang Yu was beside himself in anger. It was bad enough that Liang Jian and Linlin needed to be treated a little more. But this, was to much to hear. "Face the girl, you fucking coward!"

*Fwoosh!* A small breeze of wind was generated from quick movement.

*Grip!* The hold around Ye Xinghe was strong. In response, Ye Xinghe circled his Star energy to fight back. It caused pain to Liang Yu for a moment. It was then completely swallowed by the Flame Vortex Core in a moment.

*Crack!* The ground under Liang Yu broke a few feet from him. With his dantian and the core spinning, he released an overwhelming force of power. Enough that the people around were threatened.

"As a man.. I have a few things I can just not tolerate in front of me!" Liang Yu snarled almost. Lighting and fire swirling around the area. His voice turning mocking. "A man should not kneel lightly... I only kneel to the heavens, to earth, and to my parents.."

"Its what I said.. yes.." Ye Xinghe tried to say more but was still suppressed a little. "...."

"A real man could kneel for anything if it is for the right reasons. Whether respect or biding his time for something. Does not really matter. Kneeling to the heavens.. pft, the heavens do not care over trivial matters between us mortals." His grip tightened as his right had dense lighting around it form up. "The Earth does not need you to kneel for you owe it everything already. Eating the food grown from it. Drinking the water it holds all over. As for your parents..."

"Don't hurt him, Liang Yu!" Xia Yuning yelled. Not to far away, An Xueyuan was pleading with her elder to intervene. But they did not budge. "Please!"

"Your parents.. you do not care for them or your clan. You openly act this way despite your family's situation. Never thinking matters over entirely giving in to what's inside you on a whim." Ye Xinghe's eyes narrowed at that in surprise. "I am aware of you secrets yes. Did you think I was holding you just to talk?"

"What.. do .. you want?!"

"Humph, nothing anymore." Liang Yu let him go. He delivered a high-kick to the temple that knocked Ye Xinghe out cold. "Old Ye, keep him under house arrest for a month to think matters over. Make sure to educate him correctly."

"This old man understands." Old Ye bowed. Instructing the others to take Ye Xinghe away quickly. "I think you again for your mercy." They left in a hurry. 'We must think Xia Yuning for this later.' He caught sight of several matters today and needed to think of a plan to change events.

Lei Hong and Liang Yu talked a few things over. Passing a few hints and instructions over made Lei Hong overjoyed. He didn't have much to give in return but offered a lighting technique and to be his sworn brother.

Lei Hong took the words he heard today to heart. Something his uncle said to him once causing a change on his thinking.

After that, Lei Hong left with his people. Him and Lin Yin sharing a few words before departing. Lin Yin followed Liang and company. After all, she could not return to the Lin clan right now. That would ruin plans.

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Elsewhere in town-

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In a villa, the North Lord had witnessed everything that went on passively. Trying to figure out several matters but unable to leave the matter with Lin Hong to rest just yet.

"Ye Xinghe is such a confused young man, if he can straighten himself out things will change." The Lord then turn to his attendant. "The boy Liang Jian is something to take notice of. Who would have thought the Dark Moon Family had such a person. I never thought I would see someone who practiced the Metal Seed again. Takes a strong determination to do it."

"Master, will there be any problems with the princess acting recklessly?" The aide asked.

"If someone dares spread rumors, our North Guardian Lord's Mansion will have their tongue cut out."

"The kid is only a member of a minor family, could it be master sees..."

"The kid's background does not matter. As for Liang Yu, he will not conform to anyone, that is my hunch. But he has obeyed the laws so that is interesting to see what he will do."

"If she was to get with him, that would be for the best."

"If Yuning wants to be reckless, I'll have to strip her of the princess title. Then maybe she can live a peaceful life." The North Lord stood up heading to leave. "But she is headstrong, just like me. If she makes up her mind about something then.. haaa!" He ruffled his hair annoyed.

"What if she chooses the Dark Moon member?" The aide asked. He didn't receive an answer from his master at all. "Master?"

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Dark Moon Family-

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A man in a cape walked in with a dark countenance. This was the Dark Moon patriarch. He sat down waiting for the report from the advisors.

A mousy man stepped forward giving his report. This was Steward Chen Deng.

"Reporting Master, this is the most accurate information. Many People in the Star Academy confirmed it." He never looked up as this was a blunder on his end more than anything.

"This Ye Xinghe has connections with quite a few people. Both these girls are nothing to worry about considering they have no real power. As long as their family's do not get involved, we have nothing to worry about." The Patriarch said. "And the ability to battle above his realm with a fast cultivation speed will show gaps soon."

"But Liang Yu is just as able." Another aide said. "Steward Chen Deng was unable to verify, but I was able to. Liang Yu lit up 6 stones and a seventh briefly. He battled Ye Xinghe during the Smelting Trial and won. During later events, he saved Liang Jian in secret and helped nurse him back to health. As well as Liang Jian's now-wife Linlin. Fighting against a teacher with higher cultivation and experience when doing so."

"Hmm..."

"Let's not forget Liang Yu won the tournament at the school against a 6th Heavenly Realm cultivator while being in the 4th Heavenly Realm aided by medicine to break into the 5th temporarily. As well as breaking both the arms of his opponent." The aide said quickly. "Defeating fatty Zhao after beating Ye Xinghe and Zhao Yan at the same time. He then fought against Lei Hong and won."

"And yet.. an elder tried to take advantage of a member of our clan causing a ruckus. Even going so far as torture someone to get information." The Patriarch looked annoyed. "Then they allowed them to meet up with Liang Yu which from I understand did not go over well. What a mess."

Liang Xiang was not happy about everything taking place. If his son Liang Xu was anywhere a competent as Liang Yu, the clan would flourish. Yet a member of the Dark Moon clan lesser member is shining brighter. While another is rising thanks to the former.

"Ehem, I will make sure to fix this problem my lord." Chen Deng was sweating bullets as his head stayed lowered. Fatty Zhao said nothing as he tried to make himself small as possible. "Just leave it to me to make amends!"

"With everything that has happened to the Azure Feather Clan lately, Ye Xinghe may be a future problem." Another aide said. He eyed Chen Deng critically since a lot of it was his fault actually. "But young master Liang Yu seems found of the clan somewhat. He delivered grains back to them due to an error in taxes after an imperial inquiry. As well as giving them a bunch of meat from demon beasts he took care of."

"Demon beasts and helping that clan out.." The Patriarch had know idea what the son of a lesser branch in the Dark Moon family was thinking. Bad enough, he stood far away from the clan with various excuses leading others to speculate he would break away from the family. But he took care of a vassal family some that were suppressed. "There is no one of real interest in the clan, so why does he show such affection?"

"Well.." Fatty Zhao finally spoke up. ".. I heard he did it to get close to the archives. But he didn't find anything. However, he did go to the lakes with the help of a Ye clan member. He sold only a few things after coming back every other day. Lin Yin was also there from what I heard."

"Maybe he didn't find anything of importance." Steward Cheng Deng doubts their was anything there really. Reports have said the water is colder than it was before. "I will make sure to look into this when I talk to him."

"Talk to him?" The Patriarch arched a brow. "If you think that will help, then fine. Make sure all the matters involving the Ye clan are taken care of. As for Liang Yu, I think that son of mine needs go and talk to him...."