168 The Perdix Douluo

Time quietly passed by and by now, it was past noon. Sheng Feilong, She Meixiao and the others had just arrived at the branch of Daedalus. As planned, Huang Jialong went which She Meixiao while Sheng Feilong and Yuanen Yehui went to the training facilities to meet up with the members of the branch.

Like usual, they were sparring with each other, comparing notes and the such, though the start was a bit more bumpy as Huang Jialong wasn't present. He was the most well known of them and everyone approached him quite casually while they didn't dare to do so with Sheng Feilong and Yuanen Yehui, who were from the headquarters on the Douluo Continent.

Still, after warming up with each other, things continued normally and they quickly got to know each other, spending their day with heated competitions and training.

Meanwhile, She Meixiao, Huang Jialong and the branchmaster of this branch had gone on with the inspection. Huang Jialong was taking notes and carefully remembering how these inspections were done while occasionally asking questions as well.

He was quite content with his position and everything went smoothly as this branch of Daedalus was one of the best organized ones. After going through about half the branch, they took a break and the branchmaster left She Meixiao and Huang Jialong alone for a while.

"So, what do you think?" She Meixiao asked, eyeing Huang Jialong calmly. The latter glanced at his notes, not at all bothered by his task. "It's not that hard. As long as one knows how things are supposed to be, inspecting them isn't much of a problem. Though I guess it gets more complicated once there are violations to the norm."

She Meixiao nodded her head with a small smile. "Even then, it's not too bad. Most things sort themselves out rather nicely and there aren't many situations that force us to do much more work; If something isn't up to specifications, the members of the branch are to resolve it. At most, we check back some time later."

Huang Jialong put the notes to the side and looked at She Meixiao. "So, why did you want me to accompany you, Master?" She Meixiao paused and looked at him, before smiling lightly and giving a casual answer. "Because I want you to take over this work in the future."

"What..?" Huang Jialong was obviously surprised by this, but She Meixiao just continued at the same pace. "You don't have to take over tomorrow, but in the future. I want you to be able to take my position when the next inspection is to be done in a few years."

"But, why me? I'm your in-name disciple, Master, so wouldn't it be more appropriate for Feilong to take these responsibilities?" Huang Jialong said with a frown and slightly confused expression. Of course, he was glad that She Meixiao would give such a responsibility to him, but he couldn't help but feel that it was weird.

In response, She Meixiao only smiled at him. "Normally, yes, but I'm not training Feilong to take my position." Her words were somewhat cryptic, causing Huang Jialong to frown a bit more. "Not you position? Then, you want him to become the next leader after Senior She Tianhao?"

"No, not the leader. You've been with Daedalus for a long time already, so I'm sure you've heard of the position that is equal, if not superior to the Leader of Daedalus, right?" She Meixiao once again smiled while giving a cryptic description.

Huang Jialong tilted his head to the side for a moment, trying to get what She Meixiao was referring to before it clicked in his head. "The Perdix? Isn't that just some rumour among the lower leveled members?"

"No, it's true." She Meixiao said with an appreciative expression as Huang Jialong really was well informed. "'Perdix' is a real title, only meant for the strongest in Daedalus. The last time someone got that tile was 800 years ago."

"Okay, but why? Isn't the strongest normally the leader? Then why doesn't have Senior She Tianhao the Perdix title?" Huang Jialong's expression became more calm, while She Meixiao was still smiling at him like usual. "Because Daedalus' Perdix Douluo may never become its leader."

Huang Jialong looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "It's more of a honorary title than anything else. The leader is the leader, while the Perdix Douluo is someone who usually keeps out of Daedalus' daily business. They will only get involved if forced to by, let's say, a powerful enemy attacking Daedalus and the leader not being able to fight them back on his own."

"So, he'd be someone who has the same authority as the leader but doesn't have to report to anyone?" Huang Jialong asked, causing She Meixiao to nod her head. "Yes, but it's a bit more complicated. The first Perdix Douluo obtained his title after killing the leader of the time."

Huang Jialong tensed up slightly and She Meixiao calmly continued on. "He was a Vice-Leader at the time, but much more powerful than the actual leader. Though, he was younger and left it to the leader instead. The leader was too ambitious for his own good and in the end, was killed by his Vice-Leader."

"Then he became the new leader and took the title of Perdix Douluo?" A frown was on Huang Jialong's face again, but She Meixiao shook her head. "No, he didn't become the new leader. He gave the position of leader to the other Vice-Leader, while he proclaimed himself as the Perdix Douluo, a observant party. If the new leader made the same mistakes as the prior one, he'd take them out as well."

"So, he's like a type of law enforcement for the highest echelons?"

"Exactly. If things go totally awry, the Perdix Douluo takes charge and sorts things out. But for that, they need to be strong enough to deal with the leader, the vice-leaders and other conspiritors at the same time - and alone, if need be." She Meixiao said, now with another small smile on her face.

Huang Jialong finally seemed to understand and his eyebrows rose slightly. "So that's why you want Feilong in that position. With his Spirit Essence, defeating a dozen Daedalus members at the same level, or even slightly above him, shouldn't be a problem. The suppression when faced with it it just that ridiculous."

She Meixiao smiled a bit more brightly, but Huang Jialong soon frowned again. "But, if he is that strong, why not just make him the leader? If he, as the leader, keeps things in a straight line, would we even need a Perdix Douluo?"

She Meixiao's smile turned into a small frown and she turned serious. "Lu Wangso, your former Master, isn't the only one who's that ambitious. After my father... went into seclusion, things have turned quite messy. And Vice-Leader Ye is getting more and more secretive. If it wasn't for the state of things here on the Star Luo Continent, I would've liked to remain back to keep an eye on him. Though, giving him free reign here would've probably been worse."

Before Huang Jialong could say something, someone knocked on the door, causing She Meixiao to smile. "Well, let's talk about this later. We still have to finish an inspection." She opened the door, where the branchmaster was already waiting for them. Huang Jialong quietly followed her and they continued the inspection.

A few hours later, they went over to the training facilities where they found Sheng Feilong, Yuanen Yehui and a few of the members of this branch talking about some things. Huang Jialong joined them while She Meixiao talked to the branchmaster, asking for accommodations for the four of them.

As usual, they left early the next morning. Today, they didn't have to walk as a member of the Daedalus branch drove them to the train station instead. Boarding the next train, they went towards their next destination.