On Zunzon Road
Senior Edina gazed out of the carriage window at the full moon, her thoughts drifting to her brother, Lu Shun. "Brother Shun must have already reached Mount Hua," she mused. "He'll surely earn the title Blazing Blade in the tournament next week. Junior Edina will need to plan a grander celebration for his return than the modest one she has in mind."
As Senior Edina began writing her thoughts, she glanced at Princess Huangshu’s sleeping face across from her, then towards Lian Hua, her personal maid, who sat silently nearby. Only Jinhai, Princess Huangshu’s loyal guard, remained vigilant, his eyes scanning the surrounding landscape for any sign of danger. Edina smiled softly at his unwavering dedication and returned to her writing.
She penned her predictions about the future, noting that Grandfather Liang Feng would undoubtedly have learned of her purchase of the Blazing Days Sect, now renamed the Eternal Will Sect. She knew that Lian Hua, sent by her grandfather to ensure her safety, was likely reporting back to him about all her activities.
Edina surmised that as soon as Grandfather Liang Feng received notice of the sect's purchase along with the architectural plans for Mu Mansion, he would grasp her intentions. He would then exert pressure on Elder Qin of the Mu Family to move all valuable items, including her inheritance, from Mu Mansion to the Blazing Sun Mansion. Hence, there was no point in trying to conceal her ownership of the Eternal Will Sect from her grandfather; he already knew.
However, what truly worried Senior Edina was Princess Huangshu’s faction. She had no idea how Grandfather Liang Feng would respond to Princess Huangshu establishing her own faction and her decision to join it.
The carriage jostled slightly as it rolled over a bump in the road, but Edina's pen continued its steady movement across the parchment. She detailed her strategic plans, aware of the delicate political landscape she was navigating. The moonlight bathed the parchment in a silvery glow, adding an ethereal quality to her meticulous script.
As she finished writing the letter, she noted the moon was directly overhead, signaling midnight. In an instant, Junior Edina took over her body.
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Junior Edina stretched and glanced around the carriage. The transition was seamless, but she always felt a slight disorientation during the handover. She noticed the letter her senior self had written and quickly read through it, absorbing the details and plans laid out before her.
Few hours after sunrise, Mu Mansion, Blazing Dawn Sect, Gunghua Province.
The first light of dawn cast a golden hue over Mu Mansion, The sprawling estate nestled within the Blazing Dawn Sect. Sect Leader Liang Feng stood with a dignified air before the mansion, his sharp eyes observing the activity around him. Elder Qin Han Mu, the stoic and seasoned elder of the sect, stood beside him, overseeing the meticulous transfer of valuables from the mansion.
The servants moved with practiced efficiency, handling each item with care. The most precious cargo, Edina’s inheritance, was among the first to be transported. Liang Feng suppressed a satisfied smile as he watched the process.
As the last of the valuables were loaded, Elder Qin turned to Sect Leader Liang Feng and said, "Sect Leader, I will be departing today to Blazing Days Sect to investigate those bandits who have acquired Mu Mansion’s architectural plans."
Sect Leader Liang Feng nodded, he gave him a grave expression while inwardly smiling. "You must make haste, Elder Qin. We cannot afford any missteps. Ensure that nothing happens to compromise our position."
Elder Qin bowed respectfully and left with purpose, his robes billowing behind him as he mounted his horse and rode off into the distance. Sect Leader Liang Feng watched him go, his mind already shifting to the next task at hand.
Sect Leader Liang Feng then personally escorted the convoy of servants transporting the valuables to the Blazing Sun Mansion. The procession moved steadily through the winding paths of the sect, the morning sun casting long shadows as they made their way to the mansion.
Upon arrival, the servants carefully placed the items in a massive safe constructed of Red Black Steel, a material known for its impenetrable strength and resistance to tampering. The safe, located in the heart of the mansion, was designed to protect the sect’s most valuable assets.
After writing some of the documents, he sighed and took out the letter sent by Lian Hua and the notice from Blazing Days Sect. He read them again, feeling the weight of their contents.
“I guess it’s really time I stepped down and announced the race for ascension,” he muttered. Sect Leader Liang Feng had always thought that Emperor Zhou was being foolish by not officially starting the race for ascension in the imperial palace. Because of this delay, unofficial factions had started to form around the first and second princes. At this rate, both princes would get married and start their own families before the Emperor selected a successor, or worse, one might start a rebellion.
Sect Leader Liang Feng knew that the situation was similar in the Blazing Dawn Sect. In fact, it was already far beyond that point. He had not stepped down earlier because of Edina's torment under her aunt. He had decided to stay on as sect leader until Edina came of age, at which point the sect could marry her off to save her from the infighting. But seeing as she was already becoming proactive, even going as far as joining and helping to create the princess faction with Princess Huangshu, it no longer seemed viable for him to continue.
Once the race for ascension started, he would no longer be the sect leader but merely the former sect leader. This would allow him to become the figurehead for Edina’s faction in the sect until she came of age. After some thought, he decided to announce his stepping down on Lin’s fifteenth birthday in 2 months and officially start the race for ascension in the sect.