The morning was bright and full of sparkling sunlight for Ling Fan. Zhao Ding had thoughtfully sent over a morning cup of joe.
She just had sent over Alchemist Liu and Yueng He-ping over to fulfill her obligations and soon she would go shopping. Hopefully, Qin Rong would return quickly with the vital intelligence on Zhao Ding's favorite colors.
Elder Bing came in, "Young Miss, how is it this morning?"
"Can the day be any brighter? Can the birds chirp any louder? The only thing missing is the mystical sound of a zither."
Suddenly, a voice echoed in the distance.
"Lord, your faithful servant has come to wake you. This song was inspired by you and called 'Savant City's Mightiest'."
A fierce flurry of intricate Zither play rang forth. The two enjoyed the music for a few breaths.
"That man sure can play the zither," marveled Elder Bing.
"Mhm."
Clearing her throat, Elder Bing asked, "Junjie, isn't he just a boar? Why treat him like he's a king?"
"Ah that. This is investment."
"Investment?"
"This Young Miss learned from a beast tamer that Junjie actually has a rare bloodline. He will grow to be our Ling Clan's Guardian Beast."
"Guardian Beast? Speaking of such did you hear about Zhao Clan. The whole city's talking about how they have a Nether Hell King Beast as a Guardian Beast. It's called Godkiller!"
"Godkiller? What kind of name is that? It's sounds just like a name a little boy would make up," scoffed Ling Fan.*1
She shook her head.
Godkiller? Humph! How does that compare to a Heavenly Lord Junjie stomping a sun to smithereens. Ridiculous.
"Elder Bing, is there something to discuss?"
Nodding, Elder Bing asked, "We have a problem with the men. Also, what's your intention on how to raise our force?"
Assuming her Fierce Leader persona, Ling Fan clasped her hands behind her back. With her sword like eyebrows arching, she said, "Tell me the issue with the men."
"They can't read."
"Eh!"
"That Yueng He-ping...sigh..the Death Ax Gang was doomed for failure under his leadership. Not only can they not read, but they can't count. The man was never clear on their earnings."
This?
"Should us Fierce Fairies go over and kill them?"
Ling Fan shook her head. "They are our men now. Once this Young Miss takes people, they're her peoples. Let's look for a tutor and at least try to raise them."
Yao Roulan, not only is your daughter a genius, her wisdom knows no bounds.
"As to how to raise our forces? Let's build on the tutor idea. Find street urchins and orphans, those with absolutely no past enmity with our Ling and the Zhao Clans. Identify the ones who not only have talent but also have brains."
"But Young Miss, such plans won't bear fruit for several years."
Eyes narrowing, Ling Fan cracked her knuckles. "That's our long term plan. For the near term, we can only conquer our rivals. This Young Miss will rule with beauty and her iron fist."
Elder Bing fell to her knees and look on excitedly at Ling Fan's dainty silhouette. "Fierce Leader, we'll take over the whole city!"
"MHM!!"
In the Ling Clan Main Hall, Ling Ming sat frustrated next to Ling Wenyan. In his hand was a Black Bank Card which barely contained 5 spirit stones and represented the whole of Ling Clan savings.
"Son, Father can go accept some bounties and spend some years hunting criminals. Just now, City Lord issued a call for experts to hunt the escaped prisoners."
"Father, the issue is not only the savings. There's also rebuilding the manor and loss suffered from the stolen wine."
"Can't we ask the Black Bank for a loan?"
"Son was already forced to after the loss of wine. The first payment is due in one month's time."
Ling Wenyan sighed, "Then we can only do that."
"That?"
"Will put the word out and say you are looking for a rich wife."
"What!!"
"Son you still have the looks, many a lady keep flirting with you as soon as you walk out the gates. Humph! Father's been considering this for a long time now."
Ling Ming started sweating bullets. Was his own father about to sell him to the highest bidder?
Ling Wenyan was about to call Chief Li over to write up the announcement when Ling Fan walked in.
"Father, Daughter is about to leave and go shopping."
Ling Ming sighed. "Fan'er, unfortunately our Ling Clan no longer has the funds. Thanks to your Grandfather, he blew our savings."
Rubbing his palms, Ling Wenyan said, "Ming'er once we marry you off to the richest daughter-in-law we can find, our Ling Clan financial woes will be solved. Father is sure this plan will work. Better yet, you'll make Father happy if you produce him some more grandchildren."
Ling Ming's face blackened.
Ling Fan shot a look at Ling Wenyan.
Was her grandfather pimping his own son?
"How about it son? You exercise a bit and slim up your gut...Father only needs one month to marry you off."
Clearing her throat, she asked, "Father, Daughter won't be spending a dime. Sister Mo Lai's shop is trying to increase business and has in fact asked me to wear their latest designs."
Ling Ming, gasped. "There's such a thing."
"Mhm..and about our money, last night Daughter had a dream. Mother was talking to me and gold and precious gems were falling from her mouth. Daughter believes this is premonition that soon our Ling Clan will come into monies."
This?
Ling Ming stood up and pulled out the scroll of Yao Roulan's portrait.
Eyes wet, he said, "Wife, even from the heavens you are watching over Hubby? Huh!!?"
Ling Wenyan rolled his eyes.
"Here it is again."
Ling Fan's eyebrows raised.
"Grandfather, the other day, Granddaughter heard it was Brother Zhao's Grandmother's death anniversary. Granddaughter remembers because she heard you challenge Zhao Chen to a duel. Father will you allow daughter to witness the battle?"
Hearing Ling Fan's words, Ling Wenyan spat tea in a fluster.
Ling Ming chuckled, "Father, why don't you elaborate on why you challenged Zhao Chen."
"Er Child, it's like this...its adult matters. A child your age should learn such things 20 years or so."
"Earlier, Elder Bing mentioned something about unrequited love, what does that mean?"
Ling Fan batted her eyelashes expectedly at her grandfather.
Ling Wenyan slapped himself.
How did I get into this conversation?
Ling Fan innocently straightened her sleeves as she waited for an answer.
Suddenly, a guard ran in carrying a small box and scroll. "Patriarch, just now this message and box was delivered."
Reluctantly, putting away Yao Roulan's portrait, Ling Ming accepted the scrolling. He visibly shook upon reading the contents.
Smirking, she asked, "Father, what's the message say."
This?
"Ming'er?"
Passing the message to his father, Ling Ming opened the box and found a Black Bank Card.
"The thief! The thief feels guilty about stealing the wine and sent over payment. The amount is exactly 20 percent more than the cost of the wine. We-We actually profited."
"Profited? Haaaaaahaaa! Ming'er with this we can postpone our plans to marry you off."
Ling Fan shook her head. Little did Ling Ming know, he was just saved by his daughter.
"Wife, Husband still loves you!!"
Ling Fan entered Mo Lai's shop followed by Zhu Shensheng and Junjie and the Wang Sisters.
A servant quickly ran up and said, "Vice Head Seamstress Mo Lai is waiting for you in the back. Let this one escort you."
Nodding, Ling Fan allowed herself to be escorted. Soon, she was led into a room where Mo Lai was talking to a group of ladies.
"That Young Disaster King, apparently he and Elder Bing from the Ling Clan are cough...cough old acquaintances. Just the other day, he missed her so greatly he blasted apart the wall between the Zhao and Ling Clan so that they can see each other easily now."
Gasps expounded in all directions.
"Who would think Elder Bing would like men with scars on their faces."
"Doesn't that make him manly?"
"Mo Lai, how about that Patriarch Ming, did you see him while you were over there?"
Ling Fan jolted at the question
They're talking about my father?
"Who would be attracted to a scar. It must be because of that...I hear once that man gets going he never stops."
"Oh my!"
"Humph, Young Disaster King will never be as good looking as my Ling Ming."
"Even though, he did grow a little bit of pouch, mmmmm...he's still dreamy."
"Who wants to talk about him. Miss Mo, tell us more about that Small Disaster King. How is it he can have an Empyrean as a betrothed?"
"You don't know?" asked Mo Lai.
"What!?"
"Please do tell Miss Mo."
"That woman's a psycho. In fact they call her Ninth Heaven's Psycho Empyrean. She so crazy, her Clan got rid of her by tricking her she was betrothed to Small Disaster King. So in truth, she was banned."
"Nooo!!!"
"Oh my!"
"If you ask me, Psycho Empyrean and Small Disaster King are a match made in heaven."
"I'm thinking some day, she'll catch him cheating and save Savant City by ending him."
"We should all pray for that."
"Indeed."
Ling Fan loudly cleared her throat, catching Mo Lai's attention.
"Young Miss Ling Fan, you're here," she said.
"Shush! Everyone quiet, it's Ling Dreamboat's daughter."
"Sigh, to think he has to raise her himself."
Ling Fan's face blackened.
Ling Dreamboat!?