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Liu Clan Guest Hall, A Facade of Diplomacy
In the Liu Clan's guest hall, two figures lounged with lazy arrogance—a young man and an elder, their matching robes marking them as Qing Yun Sect envoys.
The youth, Gu Fei Hua, was strikingly handsome, under thirty, his Mid-Stage Nascent Soul aura radiating unmasked pressure, exuding haughty pride. A prodigy of Qing Yun Sect, he'd represented them at the Hundred Flowers Sect's Saintess Ceremony, only to suffer crushing humiliation. Ignored by the Yan Clan's twin sisters and defeated by Hua Yu Feng, the Second Saintess, he returned seething, begging his master for an Ascension Spirit Pill. Breaking through to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul restored his ego, fueling his vow to erase his shame.
This time, he volunteered to oversee Ping An City, expecting a simple task. Qing Yun Sect's elders had secured an agreement with the Cao Clan, requiring only his presence to accept their submission. Yet, upon arriving, he found the Cao Clan obliterated, replaced by the Third-Grade Liu Clan as Ping An City's ruler. The absurdity baffled him, prompting his visit to demand answers—and seize opportunities for profit.
As a Seventh-Grade sect disciple, he viewed Ping An City as beneath notice. His escort, Sixth Elder Gu You, a Mid-Stage Spirit Transformation cultivator, ensured their dominance. To Qing Yun Sect, securing Ping An City's allegiance was significant, justifying an elite disciple and elder for the mission.
Hosting them were Liu Clan's remaining elders, Liu Qing and Liu Qi, both Golden Core cultivators. Gu Fei Hua's eyes flashed with disdain—how could such a feeble clan topple the Cao Clan?
Then, three figures entered, snapping Gu Fei Hua upright, his eyes gleaming with greed. "This trip's payoff just got bigger," he thought.
Lan An, Liu Shi Qin, and Mu Zi Yin stepped into the hall. Gu Fei Hua's leering gaze didn't escape Lan An, though he dismissed it—his women's beauty naturally drew attention. Gu Fei Hua and Gu You ignored Lan An, assuming him a mere youth, perhaps the women's brother.
Liu Shi Qin's Late-Stage Nascent Soul aura was evident to Gu You, while Mu Zi Yin, per Lan An's instruction, suppressed her cultivation to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul.
"Liu Clan's Liu Shi Qin greets honored guests from Qing Yun Sect," Liu Shi Qin said, opening courteously.
Lan An and Mu Zi Yin sat, trusting Liu Shi Qin to handle the exchange.
"You're the Liu Clan Patriarch?" Gu Fei Hua nodded politely, while Gu You remained silent, deeming Liu Shi Qin unworthy of his words.
"I am," Liu Shi Qin confirmed.
"What of the Cao Clan and Yue Clan?" Gu Fei Hua probed, eyes flickering.
"The Cao Clan plotted against us and was defeated in self-defense. The Yue Clan has pledged allegiance to us," Liu Shi Qin replied, neither boastful nor servile.
Gu Fei Hua's fingers tapped the chair, feigning wisdom, stealing glances at the women. "And Ping An City?"
"Soon, Liu Clan will unify it, ready to accept Qing Yun Sect's protection," Liu Shi Qin said confidently.
Gu Fei Hua nodded, satisfied. As Lan An predicted, Qing Yun Sect cared only for Ping An City's tribute, not its ruler. The Cao Clan's failure warranted no vengeance.
The matter could've ended smoothly, but Gu Fei Hua, eager to preen before beauties, pressed on. "Is Patriarch Liu betrothed?" he asked, eyes glinting.
Liu Shi Qin inwardly cursed his rudeness but shook her head. "I dedicate my life to Liu Clan and haven't considered marriage."
Lan An felt a pang of pity. With Liu Clan's sparse numbers—mostly elders and children—her burden was immense.
Gu Fei Hua, delighted, stood with mock solemnity. "I, too, am unwed. Truthfully, I'm smitten with you. May I court you, deepening Qing Yun Sect and Liu Clan's bond?"
Liu Shi Qin's brows furrowed, irritation rising. Reunited with Lan An, she craved time with him, not this distraction. Mindful of Qing Yun Sect's power, she smiled faintly. "Thank you, Young Master Gu, but I'm not ready for romance. Please forgive me."
Gu Fei Hua's face darkened, and Gu You's eyes narrowed. Qing Yun Sect rarely faced such rebuffs from minor clans.
Lan An sneered inwardly. Before learning Liu Shi Qin was his aunt, he'd accepted Liu Clan's submission to Qing Yun Sect. Now, if they overstepped, he'd personally visit their sect, confident he could strip them bare and escape unscathed.
"I was abrupt. Please reconsider," Gu Fei Hua said, masking his anger.
Turning to Mu Zi Yin and Lan An, he feigned curiosity. "And you two?"
Mu Zi Yin, already irked, draped herself over Lan An's arm, purring, "He's my husband, and I'm his wife."
Gu Fei Hua's eyes widened, his heart lanced by jealousy. Glaring at Lan An's calm demeanor, he rasped, "You're truly blessed, Brother."
"Thanks. May you soon shed your bachelorhood," Lan An replied, his teasing gaze glinting with mischief.
"You—" Gu Fei Hua flared, but Gu You restrained him.
"Anything else?" Liu Shi Qin asked, hinting at their departure.
"Only this: Ping An City is now Qing Yun Sect's vassal," Gu Fei Hua declared loftily.
"Naturally," Liu Shi Qin nodded.
"We take our leave," Gu Fei Hua said, soaring skyward, vanishing from Liu Clan.
Gu You glanced at the trio, his eyes gleaming ominously. "No matter how you defeated the Cao Clan, rejecting Qing Yun Sect—well done, Liu Clan," he laughed, vanishing.
With the pests gone, Liu Shi Qin sighed wearily. "I'm a curse, drawing trouble from Cao Jin to Gu Fei Hua."
"Who can resist my stunning aunt?" Lan An teased.
"You're still joking?" Mu Zi Yin pinched his waist. "Gu Fei Hua's a false gentleman, and Gu You's no saint, threatening us as he left."
"Relax. Even if they let it go, I won't. Lusting after my wife and aunt? They're courting death," Lan An growled.
Liu Shi Qin blushed at "aunt," but worried, "What's your plan? Qing Yun Sect isn't the Cao Clan."
"That's why they left alive," Lan An shrugged.
"You'll strike first?" Mu Zi Yin knew his temper—cross him, and he might laugh it off, but threaten his women or family, and he'd risk all.
"No, I'll let them come to me, erasing their own tracks," Lan An said cryptically.
The women exchanged glances, nodding knowingly.
"Damn it! A puny Third-Grade clan dares spurn me?" Gu Fei Hua roared, smashing a vase in a Ping An City inn, his face twisted with rage.
Gu You sighed inwardly. Fei Hua was talented but impulsive, unfit for great things. "The prize isn't going anywhere," he said coolly.
"Sixth Uncle's plan?" Gu Fei Hua's eyes lit up. His master, Qing Yun Sect's Grand Elder, ensured close ties with other elders, including Gu You, who'd surely aid him against a mere Third-Grade clan.
"As a righteous sect, we can't force Liu Clan after their refusal. We'll leave Ping An City today, making a grand exit for all to see," Gu You said, stroking his beard sagely.
"After we depart, two masked bandits will infiltrate Liu Clan, slaughtering all but the two women from this morning, looting their wealth. Days later, we'll return, 'outraged' by the tragedy, but the culprits will have vanished. We'll appoint another clan to rule Ping An City," Gu You continued, his voice chilling, eyes glinting with cunning.
Gu Fei Hua's eyes sparkled, bowing deeply. "Sixth Uncle's brilliance humbles me!"
"Merely tricks your master taught me," Gu You preened, feigning modesty.
They shared a wolfish laugh, echoing with predatory glee.
That afternoon, Ping An City buzzed with news of Qing Yun Sect's departure. At the city gates, Gu Fei Hua and Gu You distributed spirit stones to pre-Golden Core cultivators, earning widespread praise as benevolent paragons.
As low-tier cultivators lauded their departure, none knew that, hundreds of miles away in a desolate wilderness, the "paragons" disguised themselves, donning black robes, and stealthily returned to Ping An City—as ruthless bandits.
Nightfall, A Clan in Peril
Night cloaked Ping An City, clouds veiling the moon. Liu Clan, sparsely populated, lay quiet, lit only by flickering lanterns—an ideal stage for treachery.
Two shadowy figures materialized in a secluded garden corner of Liu Clan. "Sixth Uncle, what's next?" one whispered via transmission.
"Split up. Kill all but the two women," the other replied.
"With Breath Concealment Talismans, we're unstoppable," the first gloated.
"Move."
They nodded, parting ways.
Liu Meng Meng, a nine-year-old girl, slept alone, a sign of her independence. Tonight, a sudden urge to relieve herself roused her. Yawning, she shuffled from her room, tiny feet pattering toward the outhouse.
"Ugh, so annoying, interrupting my sweet dream," she mumbled, half-asleep.
A ghostly figure materialized behind her, unnoticed by the drowsy child. The figure sneered inwardly, spiritual energy surging in its palm, aiming a lethal strike at her fragile back.
Thud.
A strange sound pierced the night. Another hand, swift as a specter, seized the attacker's wrist mid-strike. The black-robed figure strained to pull free, but the grip was iron, unyielding despite his full strength.
Heart lurching, the figure turned. In the darkness, a silver-white eye gleamed, its moonlit pupil seeming to devour his soul.
Before he could react, a mocking voice whispered, "Tell me, how would you like to die?"