Still Learning To Live As A Cultivator

Chapter Seventy Six - They sound ambiguous

Bowyer managed to regain control of himself and sidled over to where Maimai was dabbing her nose.  "Your sister... she still doesn't know?"  He murmured beneath his breath, close to her ear.

"My sister chooses to remain blissfully innocent of such things," Maimai shook her head, her wayward curls spilling about her shoulders as she did so.  "I've attempted to enlighten her a few times, however one does not see what one does not wish to see, one does not hear what one doesn't wish to hear."

Bowyer nodded, sagely, but at the same time he wanted to shake his head and turn to Jin Li to question him.  Just how are you going to handle this?  But Jin Li, whose arm had slyly reached around Leon's back rub soothingly the shallow of it, was oblivious to the fact that he need deal with anything at this point.

"What is everyone talking about?"

Heads turned as a pretty brunette came rushing forward, followed by other familiar faces; Sun and the General.  Bowyer, Pike and Troy had yet to be introduced, however.  Sun hastily made them.  "Grandfather, Carmen, these are my seniors, Bowyer, Pike and Troy.  Seniors, this is my Grandfather, General Ramas and my eleventh sister, Carmen."

"It's an honour, sir General," the three young men cupped their hands and bowed in formal greeting.  Compared to certain outstanding persons within the cultivation world, General Ramas' fame was quite modest, but in the mortal world, he really wasn't unknown.  They were quite surprised that their cute, bubbly junior was his grandson, Sun never once flaunted this fact.  His appearance in their eyes elevated a level.

"My fortunes are nothing in particular," the General waved away their compliment, lightly, though he was quite pleased inside.  "I'll be looking forward to seeing you boys outshine me in the future."

"We wouldn't dare!"

The General chortled and his eyes scanned over them all, finally settling on Leon, who couldn't hide the escaping yawn nor his flush complexion.  "Are you unwell, young Leon?" He asked him, concern in his black eyes.  "Even if you have the blessings of youth, you shouldn't do things to excess."

Leon gave the General an apologetic smile, "I'm q-quite well, sir, thank you f-for your c-concern."

"If you are sure..."

"Grandfather, didn't he just say so?" Carmen said, testily.  The idea that a servant would become her adopted brother never sat well with her, thus her Grandfather's concern for him was irritating.  She didn't understand it.  She felt her grandfather had been strange ever since he'd broken through to quaternary stage and formed his core.  It should be mentioned that Carmen's dislike for cultivation, coupled with her poor potential for it, had caused her learning of Cultivation matters to stutter to a halt, therefore her knowledge of that world was shallow.  This was her own fault, for the General had made sure all his sons and grandchildren had access to the knowledge for he knew the importance of it, not only for themselves but for future generations.  Carmen just lacked interest; she couldn't step into that world, why should she bother to learn about it.

She never once saw this as an issue, even when she found her heart beat for a man of that world.  She was stubborn enough and imaginative enough to believe that his 'love' for her would have him step off of the path of Cultivation and enter her mortal world, then they would marry, have children and grow old together.  This ignorance was her greatest failing.

Sun sneered at his cousin, embarrassed by her behaviour, so turned to ignore it and tease Leon instead.  "Did Jin Li pester you all night long?" Sun's words were actually pure and innocent, not ambiguous like they sounded.  He was thinking over the numerous complaints Jin Li had had over the past tenday or so; the tea was too weak, too bitter, the food unseasoned, cold, unpalatable.  The baths were too noisy, the Food Hall too crowded... the list went on.

"Sun gongzi, your words could easily be ill construed," Merylin reprimanded him, somewhat less gently than she had previously with Pike.  He was related to that girl after all!  "Think of Jin Li... and senior's reputations!"

Bowyer and Pike's faces once more became strained, mirth heavy in their eyes.  Troy wanted to know what was going on, Bowyer enlightened him in whispers as Sun's expression became puzzled.  "What did I say?" He scratched his head, confused.

Merylin blinked, not expecting Sun's question nor the clear eyes that proved he wasn't wronging her.  She glanced to Maimai seeking assistance, but Maimai chose to ignore her this time.  She could only steel herself and explain; "If such words were heard by others, would they not make wrongful conclusions about the relationship between Jin Li and senior Leon?"

"Wrongful conclusions?"

Carmen's eyes sparkled with wit and she offered a taunt that would later come back to bite her solidly; "Perhaps sister Merylin is concerned others would think Jin Li took his servant as tong fang!"