698: A Befitting Reward

A Befitting Reward

Ming Yue was quiet when asked this. Truthfully, she didn't have to think twice about it in her heart. 

A fight with someone of such a title seemed alluring to the cultivator. To be known as the Godfist truly made her wonder what it was. 

Facing Xing Huang, whose eyes were full of anticipation, she could only do one thing. 

"I will accept."

On that note, the room erupted in commotion as the Godfist, clasped her hands together with a smile. 

"Ah, I can't wait! Why don't we hold it as an event? You could say that it is my farewell gift to my daughter", she said. 

"Alright, my dear, you're getting a little ahead of yourself. Let's finish up dinner first and then we can talk about the details, alright?" 

Xing Long, spoke up, stopping his wife from getting carried away. He then turned to Ming Yue, giving a weak smile. 

"Ah, I'm sorry for that, we can confirm things after the meal. But for now, we should relax and celebrate." 

He looked at his wife who had an embarrassed face. 

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. It's just been so long since I felt like fighting, you know. I get a bit fidgety", she responded. 

Placing his hand on her thigh, Xing Long smiled at his wife. 

"Don't worry. After this, we can go have a look at your equipment."

"Oh, that'd be lovely!"

As the two slowly sunk into their exchange of flirting, Ming Yue dwelled on the matters of the duel. It was part excitement and curiosity. 

However, if there was one thing she was looking forward to the most, it was a good night's sleep. Having stuffed herself full and satiating her appetite, a wave of lethargy overcame her. Before she even realized it, a yawn escaped her mouth. 

"Feeling tired? Heh, understandable. Seeing you come through those gates in such a state just means that you went through quite a rough experience. But if you're finished, you're welcome to retire to your room."

Xing Huang was the first to respond, giving Ming Yue a way to leave the dinner.

"I... Yes, I think I'll do just that. I'll see you all tomorrow."

The cultivator stood up and bid farewell to everyone before heading to bed. That night was a very blissful night of sleep. 

But the following day, she had quite a busy day in fact. During breakfast which consisted of thinly sliced pieces of cured meats, small biscuits, and tea, Xing Huang was there, ready and waiting.

As for her two children, Xing Juren was training while Xing Hou was still asleep. 

That conversation ended with conditions that both of them agreed on. It was to be a duel where victory was decided when one of them surrendered or could no longer fight. One's personal equipment was allowed but it was strictly one-to-one so Xiao Yin and Hei Yue would be on the sidelines. 

And lastly, this would not be a battle of strength but technique instead, cultivation would not matter here.

"Mm, a shame but it is meant to be a gift for my daughter. I'd rather not send her off by destroying the ceremony". Xing Huang lamented but she understood. 

The mother took a sip of her tea. 

"Since that's all settled, my dear husband has some business to deal with you. Once you've finished up, you can go to his office. It's in the back of the manor, near the courtyard", she said.

Ming Yue nodded before asking her. 

"Is it the bears?" 

Xing Huang nodded. 

"Yes, he's probably thinking of giving you a reward for them all", she answered.

Before Ming Yue could even attempt to refuse, the mother stopped her.

"Please, as humble as you are, you should accept credit where it is due."

The young cultivator closed her mouth and nodded. After finishing her breakfast, she walked through the manor without an attendant, making her way to Xing Long's office. 

Standing in front of two screen doors, she knocked on them before sliding them open. 

As she walked in, she saw him seated behind his desk, looking through some documents while resting his head on a closed fist. 

"Hm? Ming Yue? Oh, you're here, right, right."

He looked up in confusion before remembering why she was there. He moved quickly, piling all of the papers into a neat stack before taking one out. 

Ming Yue just stood there and watched. 

Having entered the offices of many others, this was probably the most organized one she'd seen. At the same time, he seemed the most tired. 

Reading the paper in his hand, he glanced up at her. 

"Please, make yourself comfortable", he said.

She complied, taking a seat on the other side of the desk, and waiting while he quickly read through the papers. He placed it down once he was finished, looking at her. 

"Ah, sorry, As king, there's a lot that I have to manage. I do have people who help but trying to keep up with reports from a hundred other clans can be a bit too much sometimes. But that has changed after you.", he explained.

"238, excluding the Frostflame Bear King, that's how many Frostflame Bears you've killed. In those few days, you've managed to cripple their population."

Xing Long then gave her those very papers. 

"These are the only reported sightings of a Frostflame Bear, about six or so. Before, we used to have about fifty of them at any given time. Those beasts have always been a danger to the kingdom. If it weren't for their small numbers, we might've been ruined. But we've always had to keep watch and make sure that their territory doesn't continue to expand. Because of you, we can push back and even reclaim some of our lost lands. And for that, I believe that you must be rewarded", he told her. 

"I do know that you've taken all of their cores but frankly, their meat and flesh are just as if not more valuable than the core."

He then stood up, gesturing for her to follow him. As they walked out into the courtyard, the pair approached what could only be a forge that was currently in use. As she got closer, she recognized the blacksmith as Xing Pangde, Xing Long's father-in-law.

The old man hammered away at a piece of red-hot metal before stopping at the sound of their footsteps. 

He turned around with a grin on his face, putting the hammer down. 

"Well then, girl! I'm sure that you're here for a nice little reward!", he said. 

Ming Yue nodded, greeting him with a bow.

"Ah, you don't have to keep up with those formalities! Just Pangde is fine!" he answered, 

"Then... Pangde, the king has led me here for a reward."

"Indeed, and what reward shall it be?" 

He rubbed his chin before looking at her. 

"It's a bit difficult to think of something appropriate. Everything that you have on is at the Divine Grade, there's not much that I can do personally", he explained, "Even if I can't improve your equipment, we do have a treasury for you to look through. We can go and pick a few things that you would like to have and call it there."

Xing Pangde turned and moved away from the anvil, heading for a simple wooden door in the back of the forge. Kneeling down, he grabbed a key from a slot on the floor and used it on the door. With a simple click, he opened it and placed the key down. 

There was a creak as he pushed it open, walking in. Xing Long stepped followed and Ming Yue was behind. As they walked through, she looked down at the key, seeing the deep imprint that it left behind.

There were cracks all-around it which made her wonder.  1

Was the slot made for the key or did the key make it?

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