Two Earth Scale Beasts pulled a carriage along the trail. The creatures were massive, the size of a large ox, with skin that resembled fractured rock. Their movements were slow but steady; they could walk for entire days with no rest other than water and some dry forage.
The carriage itself was a piece of expensive craftsmanship: black sandalwood polished to a shine with silver fittings at every corner. The curtains covering the windows, made of crimson silk, bore the emblem of the Silver Cloud Clan embroidered in gold thread.
Eight guards in gray uniforms rode around the vehicle. They maintained a tight formation, eyes constantly scanning the horizon. The Dry Bone Path was relatively safe during the day, but "relatively" was not enough when transporting the heirs of a major clan.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was radically different. Silk cushions covered the seats and a small ebony table held a tea set made of white jade. Space was limited, but every inch had been designed for the comfort of its occupants.
Xiao Zhen occupied the left seat. He was twenty three years old and had a build that deceived at first glance: he was thin, with long fingers more suited to a scribe than a warrior. His face, with sharp features, gave him an air of perpetual control. He held a teacup between his hands while watching the monotonous landscape outside through a slit in the curtain.
Across from him, his brother Xiao Jin was practically his opposite. Two years older and more heavily built, he possessed a presence that filled the cabin. He had a pent up energy that manifested in constant movements; his fingers drummed against his knee and he changed positions every few minutes, as if none were comfortable. Inactivity irritated him physically.
They had remained in silence for almost forty minutes until Jin finally broke it.
"Three full days," he growled with accumulated frustration. "Three days sitting in that horrible room drinking tea that tasted like swamp water. Listening to those Black Steel Guild merchants talk about merchant nonsense. All that effort to get a deal that barely benefits us."
Zhen did not look away from the window.
"The deal gives us access to their refined iron at a better price than the standard market. For the amount we plan to buy, it represents a significant saving."
"We should have pressed them harder," Jin insisted, raising his voice. "If they had let me take a dozen of our best disciples, we would have gotten twice the iron for half the price. We would have taught them a lesson about the respect the Silver Cloud Clan deserves."
Zhen finally looked at him. His expression was neutral, but his eyes maintained that calculating glint his brother knew well.
"And how long exactly would that lesson have lasted before the guild cut off all commercial ties with us? A week, perhaps? Two, if we are lucky?"
"They would not cut them. They need our business as much as we need their iron."
"They needed it five years ago when we were their largest client," Zhen countered. "Now we are one of many. That difference is crucial. Pressure works when you have absolute power to back up your threats, when the other party has no options. The Black Steel Guild has them now. Many of them."
Jin grunted but did not respond immediately. He hated that Zhen was right about matters of trade politics.
"We should have that absolute power," he finally stated. "The Silver Cloud Clan should be strong enough that no guild would dare to negotiate on equal terms."
"We should," his brother agreed. "But we are not. And the reason is probably sitting in his office at this very moment, writing some empty proclamation about internal discipline while our real rivals advance their positions."
The mention of Zian returned silence to the carriage; it was the only subject on which both fully agreed.
"The Elders are blind idiots," Jin whispered after a long moment. "They do not see that he is destroying our alliances one by one with his arrogance."
"Oh, the Elders see it perfectly," Zhen’s voice dripped with bitter amusement. "They simply do not care as much as they should. They bet on Zian years ago when he showed exceptional talent. Now they are too proud to admit their winning horse turned out to be a disaster as a leader."
"That is stupid."
"Well, that is what politics consists of. Admitting their mistake with Zian would be admitting their own failure of judgment. The Elders have built decades long careers based on their supposed superior wisdom; recognizing such a massive flaw would destroy that image. They prefer to stay the course even if the ship sinks. At least their pride remains intact while we drown."
Jin clenched his fist over his knee. Those political games caused him physical disgust. He believed in direct solutions: identify the problem, apply force, and resolve it. Simple.
Zhen, in contrast, thrived in that environment. He understood that true power did not always consist of hitting harder, but in knowing when to do it or getting someone else to hit for you.
The carriage gave a small jolt as the wheels passed over a rock. Outside, one of the guards shouted an order and the formation adjusted slightly.
"When was the last time you saw Father?" Jin asked suddenly.
The question took Zhen by surprise, something reflected in a fleeting gesture of bewilderment before he regained control.
"Eight months ago, during the Autumn Festival. He appeared briefly at the ceremonial banquet, said exactly five words to the Council of Elders, and retired again."
"Which words?"
"Continue your duties responsibly."
"That is all?"
"That is all."
Jin leaned back against the cushions with a pensive expression.
"Sometimes I wonder if he is truly in mourning or if he simply found a perfect excuse to escape all this political crap."
"Probably both," Zhen considered. "The grief is real, but also convenient. As long as he is officially secluded, no one can pressure him to make decisions or ask him to arbitrate disputes. He does not have to deal with Zian directly."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Convenient for him. A disaster for us."
Silence settled in again until Jin moved uncomfortably once more.
"Speaking of family problems," Zhen said, changing the subject with the fluidity of one who has waited for the right moment, "when was the last time you thought about our younger sister?"
Jin frowned.
"Xiao Yue? Why the hell are we talking about her?"
"Genuine curiosity. When was it?"
His brother searched his memory.
"I do not know. Six months ago? A year? She is not someone who captures attention."
"That is precisely my point."
"And what is it, exactly?"
Zhen set his cup on the small table and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"We have been away from the clan for three weeks. During this time, how many updates did we receive about her status?"
"The standard weekly reports. Why?"
"Did they mention anything about Xiao Yue?"
"Not that I recall. Why would they? She does nothing noteworthy."
"Exactly," Zhen nodded. "She does nothing. She has been stuck at the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment for over a year. She used to be considered a minor prodigy; now she is simply... mediocre."
"I still do not see where you are going with this."
"Patience." Zhen leaned back again. "Xiao Yue is invisible. She lives in her isolated pavilion doing whatever she does. No one worries about her progress or the lack of it."
"Because there is nothing to worry about," Jin pointed out. "Her cultivation stalled. She reached her natural limit; it happens to many who were considered geniuses. There is nothing strange about it."
"It happens frequently," his brother agreed. "Many show early promise and then plateau. From there you need resources, proper techniques, expert training... things that Xiao Yue does not have or does not know how to use."
Jin was losing patience with this circular conversation.
"Zhen, please, get to the point. Why are we discussing our irrelevant sister?"
"Because I thought that, perhaps, we have been looking at her the wrong way. Her cultivation is stalled, yes, but that does not mean she is useless to the clan."
Jin finally understood the direction of the talk.
"You are talking about marriage."
"I would call it a strategic alliance," Zhen corrected. "Political marriages."
"It is the same thing."
"There are nuances. But yes, basically I am talking about marrying her off to someone useful."
Jin leaned in, finally interested.
"Go on."
"Xiao Yue is eighteen years old. And objectively speaking, she is the most beautiful woman I have seen. That kind of beauty draws attention at banquets and formal meetings."
"You have been asking about her," Jin observed with some amusement.
"I ask about everything. The point is that even if her cultivation is disappointing, her appearance could serve a purpose."
"What alliance do you have in mind?"
"The Silent Echo Valley. They have been trying to move north for years and they have what we need: quality spirit crystal mines. Their young master, Lian Ren, is our age. He is a good cultivator and, as far as I know, he is not engaged."
"And does he like beautiful women more than strong cultivators?"
"He likes beauty in general: music, art, beautiful faces. The whole Valley is like that; they pride themselves on being refined as well as powerful."
Jin weighed the idea. His mind began to visualize the possibilities.
"A marriage with the Valley would cover our northern flank. We would give them access to our eastern routes and we would get their crystals, which are becoming more expensive. It would be a direct source."
"Exactly," Zhen confirmed. "And it would not cost us much. Xiao Yue does nothing important. Marrying her would turn a useless mouth into an asset for the clan."
"It is almost perfect," Jin admitted, enthusiastic. "A move that resolves several problems at once. We improve the situation with the Valley, secure a border, and get rid of someone who is of no use. Zian would never think of something like this."
"Zian only thinks about proving how strong he is."
"When do you propose it to the Council?"
Zhen’s smile vanished completely.
"I am not going to propose it."
Jin blinked, bewildered.
"What? Why not?"
"Because it is a terrible plan that would fail in fifty different ways."
"You just said... what?"
Zhen leaned back, his expression serious.
"You just saw exactly what I wanted to show you. I give you an idea that sounds good, you see the advantages immediately, you get excited and want to act without considering the problems."
Jin’s irritation returned with force.
"Was all this just to mock me?"
"It was to remind you not to fall in love with your own ideas before examining them. The advantages are real, yes, but the problems are too. Let me list them." He straightened up slightly. "First: we do not know Xiao Yue. When did you actually talk to her? Five years ago? More? We do not know how she thinks, how she acts, or if she is capable of behaving in a diplomatic situation."
"She is quiet," Jin tried to justify. "Timid. Easy to handle."
"So we believe. But it could be that she despises us, or that she is so socially awkward that she causes a disaster at a banquet. We do not know."
"You are exaggerating..."
"Second problem," Zhen continued without pause, "if we ally with the Valley to the north, we will neglect the south. The Blood Leaf Sect is waiting for any sign of distraction. A marriage of that magnitude would give them the perfect opportunity to attack us."
"We can handle them."
"With whom?" he interrupted. "Our best disciples are on patrols. Zian cuts funds to train only his personal guard while the rest of the clan weakens. We cannot fight on two fronts."
Jin remained silent, his face clouded.
"Third: the Golden Carp Guild controls most of the crystal trade. If we ally with the Valley and give them preferential treatment, the Guild will be infuriated. They might not use swords, but they can ruin us financially. Turning them into enemies would be stupid."
Jin was beginning to see the cracks in the plan. His enthusiasm was fading.
"And fourth," Zhen lowered his voice, "to marry off the Clan Master’s daughter, you need Father’s approval."
The name hung in the air like a heavy rock.
"Do you really want to be the one to knock on his door? The one to interrupt him to ask him to give away the daughter he barely recognizes? The one who most resembles...?"
He did not finish the sentence. He did not have to.
"Not even Zian dares to disturb him. The Council does everything without him; the clan has accepted his withdrawal. Breaking that balance would require something extraordinary. And marrying Xiao Yue is not it. It is complicated, and you know it well."
Another silence, heavier than the previous one, fell over them. Jin looked out the window while the sun painted the sky orange.
"So you are telling me that even good ideas are bad if they are thought about too much."
"I am telling you that easy solutions rarely work in a complex environment. Zian thinks of easy solutions, and that is why he is ruining the clan. We have to be smarter."
"Then what do we do?"
"There is no single answer. There are options, all of them dangerous. We must choose the one that does the least damage to us. And Xiao Yue is not a good option now. Maybe she will be useful for something eventually, but for now it is better to leave her where she is."
The carriage continued its way. Jin spoke after several minutes of reflection.
"How long until Golden Carp City?"
Zhen evaluated the position of the sun.
"If all goes well, four days."
"Four whole days locked in here..."
"Four days to prepare ourselves. When we arrive, everything will move fast. Zian will press for more power and the Elders will look for desperate solutions. There will be opportunities if we are ready."
"And Xiao Yue? If she continues without advancing, they will eventually stop giving her resources."
"Probably," Zhen admitted. "But the Elders are slow in deciding about the family. For now, she will continue to receive the basics as long as she stays quiet in her pavilion."
"And if she does not stay quiet? What happens if she gets tired of being ignored?"
Zhen shrugged his shoulders.
"She would have to do something that draws attention. With her cultivation stalled at the sixth stage, she is trapped, unless she achieves a dramatic breakthrough. And after a year without progress, that is almost impossible."
Jin nodded slowly.
"Do you ever think we are missing something? That we are so deep in our plans that we do not see the whole picture?"
"It is always possible," Zhen conceded. "But we work with what we know. We cannot worry about ghosts; we do our best with what we have and we adapt when new information arises. It is the only thing that works."
The sun finished setting and the shadows lengthened.
Soon it would be time to camp.
Four days. Four days to return home and see how much things had really changed.
******
Author’s Note:
?Hey everyone! As you can see, we’ve finally hit Chapter 20 of this rewrite. From this point forward, new chapters will be Patreon-exclusive until we reach Chapter 50. Once we hit that milestone, I’ll start releasing them one by one for everyone.
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I couldn't post anything yesterday because I had to travel to the state capital to sort out my taxes. My appointment was at noon, but they didn't see me until 3:30 PM. I didn't get back home until midnight