The Legend of Min Hong

Chapter 40: The Ceremony Begins

Time flowed by, like water around a rock. In an instant two weeks passed

Just as the first rays of dawn spilled through the clouds and blessed the earth, a hubbub buzzed in the Min Family as a rowdy atmosphere enveloped their castle.

When Min Rou brought Min Hong and Min Qing to the training grounds of the event, it was already lively, packed to the brim with people. even though the Min Family wasn't the richest of all the factions in Soaring Cloud village, they still had a great influence in it.

Therefore, there were several VIP's who had come to specially witness this Coming-of-Age Ceremony in order to use this event to build relationships with the Min Family. Also, this gave them a chance to assess the talent of the next generation of the Min Family.

After all, the abilities of the next generation were vital for the prosperity of any family.

As this was the first time participating in this kind of event, Min Hong couldn't help but feel tensed.

After all, this time, he was going to be in the spotlight. Min Rou ruffled Min Hong's hair, trying to ease his nerves. Soon after, she brought the two of them and approached the VIP section of the training grounds.

There were many people currently conversing happily amongst themselves in the VIP section. Seated in the middle of the VIP section, was a lean middle-aged woman who was cheerfully chatting with other guests.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Min Rou and her children, causing her to freeze in shock. Though she quickly recovered as a frowned formed on her face.

In all the previous occasions, Min Rou would normally not enter the VIP booth. Even in the rare times when she turned up, she would be discreet and no one would notice her. This was the first time in a long time, that she would directly approach the VIP section.

On the left side of the lean middle-aged woman were two youngsters, the siblings Min Yan and Min Kong. Definitely, the man seated next to them was likely their father, Min Lei, who didn't like Min Rou, because he felt she had hoarded everything their father owned for herself.

Min Rou paid no attention whatsoever towards Min Lei. She completely ignored his existence. Even when he wanted to help Min Qing, he refused at first, until Min Tian used threats. Only then did he reluctantly come to check on her.

Afterwards, he lied that Min Qing's Yin Qi had evaded his body, just to use that excuse to obtain resources for his kids.

Just as she was about to walk past the latter, Min Lei suddenly smiled. With a teacup in hand, he casually asked; "Junior sister, what finally brought you out of your residence?"

Min Rou stopped and stared at this half-brother of hers, whom she had a bad relationship with ever since they were young. A smile split her lips as she said; "Is there a problem?"

As he saw Min Rou's smile, Min Lei was shocked that he could not find that usual despondency that had plagued her for over fifteen months now.

Though, this discovery made him pissed, he chose to respond in another manner; "No it's not. It's just that today is a very important occasion for my Min Family. Since Min Qing is not stable to fight, I just hope that you don't force her to and end up embarrassing us or endangering our kids."

Min Rou lightly chuckled. Ignoring the insult hidden in Min Lei's words. This man had thought she would be despondent because Min Qing, who was the stronger one of her children, couldn't participate in this competition because of her condition. Brushing past him, Min Rou sat on a seat nearby.

"Hmph." Min Rou's actions caused the face of the already furious Min Lei to distort slightly as he coldly snorted.

"Father rest assured. Later when Min Hong is thrashed publicly, Aunt Rou's expression would definitely turn sour." Sensing her father's bitterness, Min Yan, who was sitting just behind Min Lei, reassured her father.

"Un." Upon hearing these words, Min Lei smiled again as he proudly nodded his head.

"That guy is so despicable!" Min Qing, who was sitting beside Min Rou, angrily complained after she noticed Min Lei's deliberate and undisguised provocations.

"They are on the winning side, for now." Min Hong shook his head, unperturbed by Min Lei. But just as he was about to continue, he suddenly turned towards the main entrance. There was a large crowd currently streaming in.

Leading the pack was an old man with a headful of white hair and dressed in embroidered robes. He had an impressively robust and stern aura and at this point he was scanning the training grounds.

This man was of course the head of the Min Family, and also Min Rou's father and Min Hong's grandpa, Min Tian. But today, he was nothing but a Family Head.

Following behind him was the middle-aged Min Bolin. At his side was Min Jiao, whose slim and elegant movements naturally drooled the mouths of several young men.

The moment Min Tian entered, the commotion around and within the training ground rose as everyone quickly stood to pay their respects.

After all, Min Tian was tagged a legend in the entire Soaring Cloud Village.

After he arrived here, he singlehandedly built the Min Family, when the rest of his company were nobodies. Therefore, his methods and abilities had left a deeply strong impression on many people.

Min Tian happily greeted the VIP's before coming to a halt in the middle of the VIP area. However, just as he stopped, he spotted Min Qing a short distance away, causing him to be momentarily startled. He quickly regained his composure and walked over.

"Father." As she saw Min Tian approaching, Min Rou stood up and respectfully greeted her father.

"Grandpa" Min Qing and Min Hong who were seated on either side of Min Rou, also hurriedly greeted their grandfather.

"Ahh, its Qing'er. I can see you're looking better, I guess the Yang Yuan Pill worked well." Min Tian rubbed the girls face in relief. The alchemist from the Royal Palace came about a week ago, after running a little test on her, he told Min Tian that the problem was worse than before and seemed to be escalating.

He then advised that the lesser Min Qing cultivated or used her Qi with the efficacy of the Yang Yuan Pill, the better her chances of skipping the flare ups.

But ever since then, due to the preparations for this competition, he had not seen her in two weeks. And seeing that her pretty little face was now rosy once again, excited him to the point of being stunned.

"Grandpa. You're also back to peak condition" Min Hong was happy to see that this man who risked his life and got injured because of Min Qing, was now back to his peak.

"Hong'er. I can see you're doing good too." Min Tian was happy to see that Min Hong who had recently dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated was now in top shape too.

He looked at his youngest grandchildren and a smile surfaced on his face, as he gently stroked their hair. He gave the image of a rather doting and kind grandfather.

"Haha, Father. Now that every member is here, let's spare the nagging for after the competition. After all, there are still many guests around." Min Bolin who was just behind Min Tian remarked with a smile.

Min Tian sighed, taking one more glance at Min Qing, he finally went to seat himself. These young lads had really given him the scare this past month. One had a rare condition flare up when she was supposed to be the star of today's event. The other had to disperse his cultivation because of a rare ailment he had since birth.

He frowned, when his train of thought got to this point. Was it a coincidence or was there something else behind their suffering? Did someone intentionally target his two favorite grandchildren? Min Tian looked suspiciously at Min Lei for a moment and then shook his head, as if he was denying the possibility of something.

He then looked at the Min Rou's cubs and smiled. "As long as they survive this ordeal, everything would be alright." Min Tian thought to himself as he made an unknown vow.

"Eldest brother, thank you." Min Rou gratefully thanked Min Bolin.

The middle-aged man smiled as he nodded his head gently at Min Rou, before proceeding to pat Min Hong on the shoulder and advised; "Hong'er, make sure you do not embarrass your mother in this competition. Just do your best out there."

"Thanks, Uncle Bolin." Min Hong nodded in response. This man was his eldest uncle, and the one who supported his mother unconditionally. Plus, he was Min Jiao's father.

As he recalled Min Jiao, Min Hong immediately turned to see the young lady behind Min Bolin waving her tiny fists at him in a show of support.

After Min Bolin and Min Lei exchanged pleasantries, Min Bolin brought Min Jiao back to their respective seats. Soon after, the crowd settled down into their respective seats and the noise in the training grounds gradually began to die down, until there was total silence everywhere.

Everyone was intently staring at Min Tian with heated gazes that said they were raring for the event to begin.

The Competition [Min Family's Coming of Age Ceremony] had officially begun.