THWACK

  Liu Yiling’s hand connected with bark, and she felt the impact shiver up her arm.

  The tree fell down.

  Her eyes landed on another tree and she struck again, picturing Yuming’s calm face when he had dismissed her, his absolute certainty that she should leave.

  “Ugh!”

  She stomped her foot into the ground, causing some roots to surface.

  She'd left when Yuming told her to leave. Walked out of that room like an obedient child. He hadn't even raised his voice—just looked at her with that calm certainty, and she'd folded.

  Worse yet, she felt like she hadn’t been making much progress in her cultivation ever since that night.

  I’ve felt off since that night. I probably need to rest a bit—or hit something.

  She was winding up for another strike when footsteps approached from behind.

  “Young Miss.”

  A Yang Family servant stood respectfully, and reported, “The Young Master has readied the boat for departure.”

  Yiling lowered her arm slowly, looked at the fallen trees around her, and slowly made her way back towards the main compound.

  The sky was calm as Yiling boarded the Liu Family vessel. Yuming was seated near the front, carefully examining a scroll in his lap. He glanced up at her and smiled as she approached.

  “Sister.”

  “Brother.”

  Yiling turned her head without saying another word. The boat lifted off, and the city of Reed Harbor shrunk into a speck below them.

  “I see you’ve been training hard,” said Yuming, trying to spark up a conversation.

  “Mhm.”

  “You’ve always been great at combat, you—”

  Yiling cut him off. "I don't need flattery, Yuming."

  He studied her for a moment, then simply said, "Alright."

  The boat sailed on through the empty sky. Yiling closed her eyes, letting the wind wash over her.

  ….

  A few days later.

  Far Lantern Peak emerged from the cloud sea, its silhouette rising through the haze. Behind it, the greater peaks of Zhenyuan loomed—palaces and bridges caught the light, formations flickered on pale cliffs.

  The boat landed on the familiar stone platform, and Yuming stepped foot on Far Lantern Peak for the first time in weeks.

  The peak was busier than when he’d left—it appeared that a new group of children had just entered. Disciples clustered in groups across the training grounds. A few glanced his way—some were curious, some were wary.

  He made his way towards the central courtyard, taking stock. The first change he noticed was Liu Yiyi. She stood near the entrance of the meditation hall, chatting with an instructor that Yuming didn’t recognize. Her bearing had shifted—her movements were more economical. When she gestured, faint traces of qi followed to her fingertips without much effort.

  She had reached Dantian Awakening.

  Yuming heard a round of applause from the sparring ground. Liu Yufeng had just finished a demonstration, his palm strike leaving a visible ripple in the air. The younger disciples watched him with awestruck expressions. Yufeng accepted their admiration with humility, but Yuming caught a glimpse of satisfaction in his eye.

  He noticed Yuming, and his feeling of satisfaction became more obvious.

  Yuming smiled at him and continued onward.

  Yuming fell into contemplation. When he’d left, he and Yufeng had been close—Yufeng slightly ahead, but now the gap had turned into a gulf.

  Dantian Awakening cultivators had fully awakened spiritual senses, and they could take on real work for the Family. They could cast spells, fly magic swords—they were both in the Spiritual Opening stage, but it was a world of difference.

  First Yufeng and Yiyi. I wonder who else will reach it before me.

  He found Liu Yujin meditating beneath an old pine tree at the courtyard’s edge. His qi circulation seemed tight and controlled. He was close as well, maybe a month away.

  His thoughts drifted towards the forty mortal threads he felt faintly each time he cultivated, and his heart tightened slightly.

  At least Liu Yuren seemed unchanged. He was sprawled on a stone bench near the kitchens, watching disciples pass with detached amusement. Still at Marrow Tempering.

  A shadow passed overhead, and Liu Tianrui dropped into the courtyard with the effortless grace of Qi Condensation, scattering a few leaves as he landed.

  “Ming’er! You’re back!” he crossed the distance in two strides, clapping Yuming on the shoulder. “You were at the Yang Family for so long. How miserable was it?”

  “It was educational,” Yuming stated plainly.

  Yuming pulled out a document and handed it to Tianrui, who quickly scanned over the contents with his spiritual sense.

  “Oh? Help the Yang Family deal with the Shen Family? It seems they made a good impression on you. Is there a Yang girl you like?”

  Yuming brushed him off, much to Tianrui’s disappointment.

  “It doesn’t hurt much, and it’s always good to reduce chaos,” Yuming explained.

  He paused for a moment and then continued. “Also, I remember you’re close with Liu Tianjue. Would you be able to help me find him?”

  Tianrui looked a bit hurt. “What do you need from him?”

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  Yuming, always cautious, chose his words very carefully. “He prevented me from getting my hands dirty with some demonic cultivators about four months ago. I am afraid I never properly showed my respects.”

  Tianrui still felt slightly betrayed, but begrudgingly agreed, shooting a flying jade slip into the mist above.

  ….

  Ember Terrace Peak burned without end.

  Flames curled between stone formations and touched the ridge lines. The heat of the air should have been unbearable, but the fire here was cultivated and tamed.

  A handsome young man in crimson robes sat in meditation amongst the flames—Liu Tianjue.

  Suddenly, his eyes flickered. He reached out and grabbed a pale green streak of light that was zipping by, the blurb revealing itself to be a jade slip.

  Liu Yuming wants to come see me? To thank me?

  His mood instantly elevated.

  He produced a fresh slip, inscribed the message, and sent it arcing toward the eastern ridge.

  Liu Xueyin's response came within moments. Tianjue caught the pale slip and read its contents.

  Act naturally. I had planned on having him deployed to the market soon. Inform him early so it looks like you’re being considerate. If he asks for compensation, don’t give him cultivation materials—a token will suffice.

  Meanwhile, Yuming was heading towards Ember Terrace Peak, listening to Tianrui yap about the Four Great Beauties of Zhenyuan and the results of the Sect’s martial arts competition.

  Mortal karma feels like sticky liquid, while cultivator karma is solid and has direction. The higher one’s cultivation, the more condensed they are in the Sea.

  So perhaps karma is easier to establish with lower, less condensed cultivators.

  Tianrui shifted to musing aloud about his favorite spirit wines.

  Yujin didn’t manage to save my life in the cave—he thinks I saved him. Given that they set it up, Zhan probably had someone watching the entire time. Even if they didn’t, Yujin probably told everything to Liu Tianjue.

  Given their actions, and given the results with Yang Feng and Yang Lianxin, they probably need to “save” my life at some point.

  If my theory is true, they might be racing against my cultivation progress, hoping to save me before I reach Qi Condensation. They’d probably try to delay my cultivation.

  “Brother Jue! How have you been?”

  Yuming arrived at the peak with Tianrui. Liu Tianjue rose from his meditation, his flames parting around him obediently. His smile was immediate and genuine.

  "Brother Rui. And young Yuming—welcome back." He descended the stone steps. "I heard about the Yang Family situation. Quite the ordeal for a routine tribute collection."

  Tianrui laughed, scratching the back of his neck. “Our Ming’er handled it well. He even helped during the Shen attack.”

  “So I heard,” Tianjue replied, his gaze settling on Yuming. “You’ve grown more composed since the cave incident.”

  Yuming clasped his hands and bowed. “Uncle Tianjue is far too kind. I only survived because of Brother Yujin’s timely arrival and luck.”

  “Nonsense,” Tianjue waved his hand. “Jin’er told me about your tremendous courage. Our Liu Family doesn’t forget these things.”

  Yuming deepened his bow.

  “This Junior only did what anyone would. That reminds me, Uncle—I haven’t visited to pay my respects since you eliminated those two demons who were troubling Yujin and I.”

  Tianjue’s smile didn’t waver. So he wants to climb. Brother Rui’s coattails just aren’t big enough for him anymore.

  It was predictable, really. Talented juniors always wanted stronger patrons sooner or later. The boy probably thought he was being subtle.

  “You’re too courteous, those demons were nothing.” Tianjue then sighed, “I only wish I had arrived earlier.”

  He gestured towards a square stone table near the flame’s edge. “Sit. Brother Rui, you as well. Tea?”

  Tianrui settled onto a cushion with easy familiarity, still smiling. Yuming followed, his posture respectful and his hands folded.

  A servant brought tea, which Tianjue personally poured for his two guests.

  “I read your report on the Yang Family,” Tianjue said, sliding a cup towards Yuming. “Thorough work. Impressions on the Yang Family?”

  “I did some digging into their past—they stole a throne, biting off more than they could chew. Without protection, they floundered. It made me grateful for our Liu Family’s stability.”

  Tianjue nodded. “Well put.”

  A brief silence settled. Tianrui sipped tea, content to stay out of the conversation. Then Tianjue set down his cup.

  “Yuming, we all know you’re intelligent. More than most your age. That Bone-Ringing Cycling Method you deduced was quite insightful.”

  Yuming kept his face steady, but something in Tianjue’s tone had shifted. He didn’t want this conversation to go down an unexpected path.

  “The probation you endured—four years is a long time. You must have thought about why it lasted so long.” Tianjue’s eyes stayed fixed on Yuming. “What did you decide?”

  Yuming’s fingers traced around his teacup.

  Are they trying to probe if I’m aware of anything? Obviously I can’t mention karma—but anything to do with someone trying to create dependence would set off alarms above.

  Yuming decided to delay while he thought of a suitable explanation.

  “This humble Junior doesn’t know what Uncle is talking about. How dare I try to understand the intentions of those above?”

  Tianjue smiled. “Yuming, it’s been three years. Surely you made a few guesses?”

  Yuming had settled on his answer. His expression remained calm.

  Yuming looked embarrassed. “Eventually this Junior concluded that it was due to background—a mortal branch with an Earth-grade root.” His voice dropped. “Certain people above have direct descendents my age. They don’t want to see them surpassed, at least not at such a young age.”

  He asked what I thought—which means he needed to confirm if I was getting suspicious. If the Zhan Branch was totally confident, they wouldn’t even need to probe. Handling karma might be difficult for them.

  Tianjue studied Yuming for a long moment. He saw the face of a boy who had suffered an injustice yet had made peace with it.

  “You’re not wrong,” Tianjue admitted. “Our Liu Family has its politics, you shouldn’t take it to heart. I’ll speak to some people—see about getting that probation lifted early.”

  Yuming’s face showed elation. “Thank you Uncle! Uncle is far too kind!”

  “Speaking of our Family’s interests, there’s a matter I’d like to discuss. The Qinglu Market—you’re familiar with it?”

  Yuming nodded. “This Junior has heard of its reputation. The family’s largest trading hub for low and mid level resources.”

  "Correct. We need a junior overseer for the autumn exchange. Someone sharp, reliable, and good with documentation." Tianjue smiled. "Your name came up."

  Months without a good cultivation spot, full of administrative busywork. Sure enough, they’re delaying me. It seems their goal is easier if I have lower cultivation.

  Tianjue reached into his robe and produced a jade token, the Liu Family seal pressed into its surface.

  "This grants you authority to act on the family's behalf. Guard it carefully."

  Yuming accepted it with both hands. It was made of cool jade, and was surprisingly heavy. Yuming turned it once in his fingers before tucking it into his robe.

  "Uncle Jue." Yuming let his voice soften, vulnerability creeping in. "This Junior is grateful. For the opportunity, for your guidance, for..."

  He hesitated. Glanced at Tianrui, then back to Tianjue.

  "Uncle Rui has guided me well these years. But I wonder—might Uncle Jue allow me to visit his residence sometime? To learn from your circle more directly?"

  Beside him, Tianrui's smile flickered.

  A moment later, it smoothed back, but something in his eyes had gone quiet. Yuming didn’t let himself look. He could feel the wound opening in the silence beside him.

  I’m sorry, Uncle Rui.

  Tianjue's eyebrows rose—a pleasant surprise.

  "Of course. When you return from the market, come to Pyrewood Hall. I'll introduce you to people who can help your path."

  He responded immediately. This is me declaring that I’m in his camp, in the Zhan Branch’s camp, yet there was no delay. No “let me consider.”

  The branches agreed not to fight over me. My great-grandfather was a cultivator loosely tied to the Xu Branch. Tianjue should be wary of these factors—but he’s not. With such an open scheme… I should assume Xu is in on this as well. Or at least they receive some benefits.

  Zhan and Xu, working together. But for what? What requires both branches to coordinate around a single junior?

  “Uncle is generous,” Yuming said, bowing. “This Junior won’t forget it.”

  “See to it that you don’t,” Tianjue chuckled. “Our Liu Family takes care of its own.”

  The conversation wound down with pleasantries—merchant disputes, market logistics, names to remember. Yuming listened and asked questions.

  Finally, Tianjue rose.

  "Brother Rui, thank you for bringing him." He nodded to Tianrui, who had barely spoken since Yuming's request. "He's a credit to your guidance."

  Tianrui's smile returned, but it didn't reach his eyes.

  "Ming'er has always been exceptional. I just pointed him in the right direction."

  The walk down the mountain was silent.

  Yuming didn't try to fill it. Tianrui's hurt was a presence beside him—he wasn’t angry, or accusing, just understanding. But that made it feel worse.

  The token sat heavy in his robe.

  When they reached the base of Ember Terrace, Tianrui finally spoke.

  "You'll do well at the market, Ming'er." His voice was pleasant. "You've always been good at navigating."

  Then he turned and walked away.

  Yuming let him go.