Chapter 17: Your Trap, My Scheme

The assembled crowd would never have thought that a wager with such high stakes would have taken place in this small, mystical beast market! In full view of all the dumbfounded spectators, both the contestants took three steps forward and sealed the deal with a loud clasping of hands.

The wager was now official.

The spectator's attention shifted towards the large bamboo basket that lay on the ground between the two men. They were only common Lightning Cats, but the fate of this amazing wager lay in their little paws!

The entire ordeal was absurd; those watching at the sidelines were caught by surprise at the suddenness and speed at which it had escalated. It could rightfully be said that it was Yun Yang's doing, as he was the one who had first suggested the wager. It had to be pointed out however, that he did try to make an exit when the stakes rose, but he was pressured by Ximen Wandai. He could not be blamed for being backed into a corner.

Perhaps the fault was with Ximen Wandai, but that wasn't entirely true either. He started off trying to intimidate the other party, but who would have known that the wager would involve the offspring of a ninth level mystical beast? All the young masters looked at Ximen Wandai with envy and jealousy. How could this young master be so fortuitous? Furthermore, they would be betting on the obedience of a beast! How could a mere marquis' son from the Empire of Yutang end up as an opponent of the Ximen family, one of the eight greatest families, in a marketplace wager?

It was as if fate had decided to hand Ximen Wandai the keys to his family's ascent up the ladder of greatness.

...

A ray of light pierced the sky as silhouettes began to appear, swift as flight. The members of the Ximen family had arrived. Ximen Wandai let his guard down, glanced at his two companions encouragingly and called out to Yun Yang with a raised chin, "Let us begin."

Yun Yang inhaled deeply, silently looking at Ximen Wandai with an uncertain gaze.

Ximen Wandai frowned in consternation, "Hmm?" His aura of haughtiness was palpable - if you pull out now, I'll see you dead!

Yun Yang threw his arms up in apparent helplessness, "Alright, begin then! Let us see who shall prevail." He put on a great show of worry by speaking through gritted teeth.

Ji Ling who was still hidden in the shadowy alcove almost laughed out loud.

You've almost claimed his entire wealth, and still you play the part of the helpless fool.

The shopkeeper was obviously distressed, his legs quivering as he moved the large bamboo basket. An elder with a hooked nose who had just arrived and was standing behind Ximen Wandai slowly spread his hands apart. An invisible circle of energy stretched out and expanded, forcibly moving the crowd away and leaving a large open area in its centre.

Ximen Wandai suggested that, the bamboo basket should be toppled over in the middle of the space, and the two of them would begin the challenge of luring the kittens from ten feet away. After pretending to give it some thought, Yun Yang nodded in agreement, further delighting Ximen Wandai.

A collective sigh could be heard coming from the gathered crowd, "Fool, if you carry nothing, it clearly means you are unprepared; Young Master Ximen has come for the mystical beasts tournament, he would not have come empty-handed. By agreeing to this, you will lose, nine times out of ten!"

The shopkeeper held on to the basket with all the kittens in the middle, waiting for the order.

Yun Yang was already seated with his legs folded, ten feet away as stipulated. Directly across from him, Ximen Wandai had produced a pile of snow-white pills and a compact bell in his hands. His smile was one of utmost confidence.

"Oh dear, the Yun fool is going to lose for sure!" someone groaned.

"That is almost definite. Ximen Wandai has beast pills of the highest grade in his hands. Might I add, he also carries on him a Mystical Beast's Spirit Bell, the ultimate weapon in controlling these creatures! How Yun is going to compete with him, I have no clue. This

would be another feather in the cap of the Ximen family," another young master sighed in resignation.

These people had initially hoped for Yun Yang to be a dark horse, and act to prevent the ninth level mystical beast from falling into the Ximen family's hands. Their hopes quickly turned to ash as they witnessed his apparent lack of readiness.

"We can begin by using our own methods." Ximen Wandai said calmly, "We shall start attracting the creatures and see if they would come over to me or you."

Yun Yang put on a display of outrage, "Young Master Ximen, seeing as to how you have those items, would this not be unfair?"

Ximen Wandai was triumphant as he said, "I would not deem this to be unfair. I am still me and you're still you. I have not resorted to using any external forces to influence the challenge, and neither did you. We are using only our wit and skill; exactly as Young Master Yun suggested. I believe this to be a fair and just challenge, devoid of trickery." Ximen Wandai said with a straight face, "Under such circumstances, I shall admit my defeat if I lose."

Yun Yang was seemingly quivering with rage, "You!"

Ximen Wandai frowned, "Our bet has been sealed, and was witnessed by the heaven and earth! Unless... Young Master Yun wishes to renege on it?"

Yun Yang pretended to clamp down on his anger, "If so, I shall concede my defeat if I lose as well, and consider it the price of making a new friend."

Ximen Wandai laughed, "Great! Let us begin then."

Yun Yang said with the straightest of faces, "Agreed, and God shall decide our fate."

The official command to start was given amidst Ximen Wandai's pleased chortle. The shopkeeper tipped the bamboo basket over, and nine, month-old kittens appeared, mewling timidly while taking in their surroundings.

On one side, Ximen Wandai had already scattered a generous number of beast pills on the ground. His left hand began to trace patterns in the air as he casted skill to generate a wind-like force strong enough to blow the aroma of those pills towards the kittens.

His right hand was also moving furiously, casting a skill that passed through the ground soundlessly in an attempt to block Yun Yang from executing the same tactics. At the same time, the Mystical Beast's Spirit Bell under his arm began ringing. The jingling that emanated from it had a strangely haunting melody.

He had simultaneously executed all three ultimate tricks at once! Ximen Wandai was clearly eager to emerge as the victor in this challenge.

Yun Yang was still sitting with his legs folded, frowning as if displeased at being cheated but the Endless Divine Art was already flowing at full force within his body. The leaves of the Lotus of Endless Fate started swaying, rapidly exuding a strong air of vitality.

On the surface, Yun Yang put on a facade of anxiety. His eyes bored deep into the nine kittens as he called out nervously, "Kittens... Quick, come over here... Come, come... I will take care of all of you..."

There were guffaws all around.

How naive you are!

Do you really think those kittens can understand your words?

The heavy scent of Ximen Wandai's beast pills permeated the surroundings as the kittens squeezed together, hesitant on the direction in which they would take.

Ximen Wandai's smile grew wider when he noticed an increasing number of the kittens casting timid glances his way. Sighs of disappointment could be heard from somewhere behind him. He kept his face still, but his eyes were actively seeking out the culprits. They were clearly individuals who did not wish to see the Ximen family obtain a ninth level mystical beast. They had called each other brothers, but who knew what hidden agenda each of them held in their hearts? He would have to reconsider who he would continue to call 'brothers' after this challenge had ended.

Gasps of surprise rose up from crowd. Startled, Ximen Wandai turned back to look.

Among the nine kittens that had stumbled out of the basket, two of them had begun moving slowly towards him. Two small steps, and then they stopped in confusion. Their fluffy tails swished frantically, their weak mewling filled with indecision.

Ximen Wandai was almost giddy with anxiety.

All these temptations and you critters are still pondering? What are you even pondering about! Come over quickly!

Yun Yang was still wasting his energy calling out to the kittens on the other side, "Kittens come, come kittens..."

Miraculously, and with the highest improbability, the two kittens began to turn - towards Yun Yang and his laughable efforts.

The observing crowd was stunned.

"Come back!" Ximen Wandai shouted in panic, sweat dripping from his face.

It could be said that it was his shout that frightened the cats into action, as both kittens immediately raced over to Yun Yang instead! As they ran in stumbling, ungainly steps, the ten feet separating them from Yun Yang was quickly covered. Two pairs of front paws came up to hug Yun Yang's legs and they mewled pitifully as if begging, "Kind man, please keep us safe! That lunatic over there frightens us!"

Yun Yang, feigning surprise, elatedly picked the kittens up and stroked them in a friendly and intimate manner. The two kittens snuggled in deeper, doing all they could to pander to the man. Their tiny feline faces were pleased as they took in Yun Yang's scent greedily.

The crowd looked on with eyes wide enough that they were in danger of falling right out of their faces.

How did this happen?

How is it that the one who has prepared everything is losing while Young Master Yun of Tiantang City, the one without much cultivation base, tactics, pills, and without equipment of any sort, is the one winning?

Two kittens had chosen their owner. The tension was at an all time high now. Nearly hundreds of people were gathered, but no one dared to make a sound.

Ximen Wandai circulated his mystical Qi to fully spread out the aroma of the pills, nervous sweat dripping down his face.

Only two had gone over. Not all is lost!

There was still hope!

"Come over quickly..." Ximen Wandai prayed.

As always, things never happen the way one wishes them to.

Another white kitten began to move, its paw waving about in hesitation for only a moment before it made a graceful turn - towards Yun Yang.

The audience blinked in indescribable shock as the cat turned towards him.

This kitten was even faster, snuggling into Yun Yang's embrace within the blink of an eye, mewling happily.

Ximen Wandai's expression was as dark as ink.

That was the third one, and he still had nothing!

The spectators continued to watch, eyes bulging and mouths agape.

This is utterly ridiculous!

What I've just seen can't be real!

How could such impossibilities take place?

"Young master, do not fret so. There are still six of them." The elder from the Ximen family tried to comfort the young master, despite becoming increasingly worried himself. "We still have hope!" Ximen Wandai nodded nervously; the palms of his hands were drenched in sweat.

At the very next moment, all six remaining kittens exploded into action.

The three earlier kittens were those that Yun Yang really wanted, while these six were

real Lightning Cats. Although they were only of the third level, they were still mystical beasts nonetheless! Their reactions were slower, but they could still sense goodness in the world, and recognize what was best for them.

The six kittens mewled and turned as one, barrelling towards Yun Yang gracefully with increasing haste. Their eyes glimmered with joy; bushy tails swishing wildly with delight.

Ximen Wandai's face turned a pasty white.

He had lost!