"What the hell are they waiting for…"

Looking around, I could see most of the representatives of the major powers of the city already gathered in the conference hall. While the town assembly building was located on the outskirts of the city, it wasn't such a big distance to serve as an excuse for being late! The prime time of the year for our city will start in just three hours, yet they dare to keep us waiting here! What a disgrace!

"We should start without…"

"WAIT!"

Just as I was going to announce the start of the session, I heard a shout coming from the lobby, before a small group of six people burst into the hall.

"Sorry for being late, some matters came up."

Oh, come on! No matter how beautiful or influential you are, you should try to keep my dignity in mind! Don't you know that disrespecting the law of the city by being late like that puts me on the spot? You know I should forbid you from taking part in the assembly now?

"Just take your places already!"

With a hint of anger clearly hearable in my voice, I point at the empty spot in the tribune. While I would love to start without them, that would undermine my attempts to keep them tied close to the city faction!

Taking a look to the side, I notice that lord Katenari is still absent from his lodge. As the only patriarch of the three families that actually resides in our town, he could influence every meeting he attends to… only if he bothered to actually attend!

"Since everyone is here, let's begin. At first, I would like to confirm that our usual set of classification methods will be used in this tournament as well. Any objections?"

While the answer to this question is always the same, I'm compelled to ask it nevertheless. Looking back at history, there were times where some sects voted for a change in the procedures. While no such event happened during my reign over the city, I still had to ask it.

With no voices raised for a quite a while, I breathed with relief and continued.

"As for the allocation of slots to the sets, do are there any changes?"

"Heavenly sword sect wants to give three slots!"

"Flying crane sect wants to give away seven slots!"

…

…

That reaction was to be expected. With the limited number of spots for the new disciples every year, if a sect managed to scout someone beforehand, they were unable to bring in as many disciples directly from the tournament.

"Godly sabre sect wants to give all of our spots!!"

At this moment, even I was surprised. To find twenty disciples worthy of joining Godly grade sect was truly uncommon. One could see it just by comparing them to their rival, heavenly sword sect!

While everyone was shouting their claims, I could just sit calmly, leaving all the work to my secretary. As a management body for the tournament, city hall was responsible for allocating the top rankers of the tournament to the various sects according to their number of free spots and grade of the sect. But that wasn't as important as another aspect.

BETTING!

The main source of income for the city in the upcoming week, able to reach higher numbers in the clearing that the household tax was the betting alone! With so many visitors and a gambling fever that took over most of the city inhabitants, the treasury would be filled to the brim!

People thought that the tournament was all about young cultivator presenting their capabilities and fighting for enrollment in the sects… But in reality, all that mattered was the money that this event would bring!

*******

Sitting down on the bed brought a sense of comfort to me. With so many events happening one after the other in such a short amount of time, I was already nearing the limits of my endurance! I know, I know. Physically, I could keep going for days like that, but my brain capabilities to process everything that was going on was already sapped.

"Here, grab a few."

With only the grand opening left for the day, I could freely say that I was free to do whatever I wanted with the remaining time, but that wasn't the case for Eve. As a participant in the tournament, she was supposed to take part in the inauguration, even if only as a part of the crowd presented to the citizens. While it doesn't sound as much, she was going to stay for quite a long while, while I would be able to comfortably watch the show from the tribunes.

Throwing her a few stones to help her replenish her internal energy was the least I could do!

"What are you plotting with this devious smile?"

Absorbing the energy as soon as the spirit stones reached her hand, Eve looked at me with a face filled with curiosity.

Was it just plainly visible? Dang it! I need to work on controlling my facial expression when I'm relaxing! Who knows when someone will be observing me covertly!

"Nothing much. Just realised that if we will be able to win Venna's favour, I might be able to come up with a rather funny way to stir up some troubles for our dear families!"

Laughing dryly, I turn my face away from Eve's watchful eyes. While the idea I have in my mind is indeed sinister, there is no point in revealing it now. In the end, without the support of the friendly faction withing Bakari house, I won't be able to do shit.

"Other than that, would you mind telling me a bit about your family? Even if they won't spot you during the grand opening, they are bound to realise that you are taking part in the tournament as soon as your first challenge will start. From what I heard, we are registering with our full names not only because of some silly paperwork but also because every challenger gets announced!"

"Well, that actually might be the case. I guess I won't be able to avoid this topic anymore. Let me tell you why I don't want those fuckers to interfere with my life."

With an expression that I never saw on her face so far, Eve turned gloomy and sat beside me. I guess its finally the time when I will be able to put my five cents to pummel those bastards while knowing what they did to my beloved!