Wu Ling fought to keep his jaw from dropping in shock. That kind of union was as rare as Su Yao's Three-Eyed Sapphire Serpent and Raven of Ill Omens but it could be just as powerful! Such a woman undoubtedly had a brilliant future ahead of her. Moreover, if her father was descended from the founders of the sect, she was likely treated like a princess within the sect even if they didn't have hereditary positions. His new friend hadn't set his sights low!
"I understand," Wu Ling said as pieces began to fall into place in his mind. The most ambitious versions of Warden Mu's plan would require that he find at least a few more people to join their expedition. Recruiting Jin Wuya would only benefit their party and if she had an affinity for the Golden Crow then he had a unique enticement to invite her along.
Even better, from Zhang Buyan's perspective, by inviting her along, he would have the opportunity to court her without interference from other members of the sect. Whether he could succeed or not would depend on his own efforts but the opportunity would be priceless!
"Hou," Wu Ling called out, summoning the eager Guardian in a ball of golden flames. "Brother Zhang has a friend to introduce us to. Brother Zhang is very interested in this Fairy so you must be on your best behavior and help him look good when we talk to Fairy Jin, you understand?"
CAW!
"Brother Zhang, you should know that Hou is a glutton," Wu Ling teased the young Guardian Beast, scratching his belly when he settled on Wu Ling's shoulder. "He eats spirit crystals, alchemist flames, and fire attributed herbs. He'd probably eat the flesh of a fire attributed spirit beast as well," Wu Ling mused.
"When I give you the opportunity, offer up a spirit crystal," Wu Ling explained. "I promise Hou will help you look more attractive to your Junior Sister. Just pamper him a bit. Remember what I said at the banquet about delicate hands to hold a woman with?"
"Brother Wu, I knew you were a good man!" Zhang Buyan said warmly. It felt strange to ask his friend to bring out his special companion beast, but when Zhang Buyan thought of how many times he'd overheard Jin Wuya complain that she'd never even seen a real Golden Crow, he felt like this was an opportunity he couldn't let go of.
"Come," he said, placing a strong hand on Wu Ling's forearm. "Let me introduce you to Junior Sister Jin and then you can explain this expedition you have planned."
When the two men approached the table of young women, conversation instantly stilled and several of the young girls covered their lips as though to prevent themselves from saying anything more about whatever they'd been discussing. While one or two of the women spared a glance for Zhang Buyan, most eyes turned instantly to Wu Ling and the stunning golden bird on his shoulder.
"Junior Sisters, please pardon the interruption," their senior brother said, bowing with cupped hands. "Junior Sister Jin, I wanted to introduce you to a new friend of mine," he said, placing a heavy hand on Wu Ling's shoulder that wasn't occupied by the curious crow. "This is Aesthete Wu Ling and his companion Hou."
"Fairies," Wu Ling said, cupping his hands in salute to the young women. While none of them radiated the raw power that Jin Wuya did, every one of them would be at least as tall as Wu Ling, if not taller when standing and all of them showed enough muscle on their bare arms to match the size of Wu Ling's thighs!
While their cultivations might not be high, some of them were just as imposing as the men of the Red Tiger's Den who had harassed Wu Ling and Su Xiang not long ago. Still, unlike the men of the Red Tiger's Den, while all of these women radiated an intense physical might, none of them held the slightest hint of aggression in their auras. Instead, Wu Ling saw only a pure, bright yellow curiosity and a few blushes of pink interest from a few of them that he chose to ignore.
"Is, is that a Golden Crow?" Jin Wuya asked, her sweet voice contrasting sharply with the physical might that radiated from her. "May I take a closer look?"
"Junior Sister Jin, Brother Wu has come with a special invitation today," Zhang Buyan interjected, his heart beginning to beat faster in his chest. He'd seen the way women regarded Wu Ling several times and the moment her attention turned completely to the other man, Zhang Buyan had a brief vision of leading a fox to his prized hen! Firmly shoving the vision out of his mind, he quickly pressed forward.
"Knowing him and his companion," Zhang Buyan said. "I thought, perhaps, Junior Sister might be interested in hearing the invitation as well. If, if you have a few moments to spare, of course," he finished weakly.
"Fairy Jin, Brother Zhang was just telling me about your extraordinary prowess," Wu Ling said smoothly, inserting himself to cover for Zhang Buyan's wavering confidence. "Unfortunately, my sister Xiang can't be with us at the moment, but I'm hopeful that you'll consider joining us on an adventure. I know that my older sister would appreciate more feminine company on the trip and I'm sure Little Hou would be delighted to have you along as well, wouldn't you Hou?"
CAW! CAW!
The young bird cried out twice in excitement before fluttering over to Jin Wuya's shoulder and preening for attention.
"Brother Zhang," Wu Ling said, placing a delicate hand on his friend's broad shoulder. "Do you have a place where we could discuss matters privately? Fairies, please forgive us for borrowing your Junior Sister for a bit."
"O-of course," Zhang Buyan said, pulling his eyes away from the delighted expression on Jin Wuya's face as she gently stroked Hou's long tail feathers that spilled over her shoulder. "Brother Wu, Junior Sister Jin, please follow me," he said.