On the Road to the Capital from the Shining Blade Sect,
Inside a merchant carriage moving up the rocky path, one could see the Tianlong Family crest on the flags fluttering in the breeze. The journey was long and arduous, the wheels of the carriage creaking as they navigated the uneven terrain.
In the main carriage, Gu Tianlong sat opposite his father, Hao Tianlong. The older man’s face was etched with a mix of frustration and disappointment as he looked at his son. “Tsk, you didn’t take any opportunity to familiarize yourself with Young Mistress Edina during the entire time we were at the Shining Blade Sect for the ceremony,” he grumbled.
Gu Tianlong remained silent, his gaze fixed on the landscape passing by outside the window. The rolling hills and dense forests were a blur, a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. His father’s mumblings continued, a steady stream of frustration and expectation.
Finally, Gu Tianlong turned to his father, his expression troubled. “Do I really have to marry her? She doesn’t seem keen on it, and I feel like Mistress Li Mei is forcing this onto her,” he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty and reluctance.
Hao Tianlong sighed, leaning back in his seat. “This alliance is important for our family’s standing and future,” he replied.
The carriage jolted as it hit a particularly rough patch in the road, bringing Gu Tianlong’s thoughts back to the present. His father continued to speak, outlining the benefits of the alliance, but Gu’s mind wandered. He thought about Edina, her distant demeanor, and the subtle tension he had noticed during their interactions. Was she as trapped by their families’ expectations as he felt?
The conversation with his father continued, but Gu Tianlong’s thoughts remained conflicted. He knew the importance of family duty, but he also yearned for something more—something genuine and unforced. As the carriage rolled on towards the capital, the path ahead seemed as uncertain and rocky as the road they traveled.
Gu Tianlong glanced out the window, watching the scenery pass by in a blur. He felt a tightening in his chest, a mixture of frustration and anxiety. He knew he had anger issues, a volatile temper that flared up at the slightest provocation. It was one thing to direct his anger at servants, who were used to enduring such outbursts, but marrying a girl like Edina, who already faced enough challenges due to her disability, would be a different matter entirely. He could envision a life of constant conflict and misery for both of them.
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But that wasn’t the only reason he hesitated. Deep down, he had someone else in his heart, someone he truly wished to be with. The thought of marrying Edina felt like a betrayal to his own feelings and dreams. He remembered stolen moments with his beloved, the laughter they shared, the quiet understanding that passed between them without words. She was the one who made him feel at peace, who calmed the storm inside him.
Hao Tianlong’s voice cut through his reverie. “You must understand, Gu, this marriage is not just about you. It’s about our family’s future, our standing, and our legacy.”
Gu Tianlong clenched his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “I understand, Father,” he replied, his voice tense. “But what about my happiness? What about Edina’s happiness? She doesn’t want this any more than I do. Mistress Li Mei is forcing this on her, just as you’re forcing it on me.”
Hao Tianlong sighed deeply, a look of weary resignation crossing his face. “Life is full of sacrifices, Gu. Sometimes we must set aside our personal desires for the greater good.”
The carriage jolted again, and Gu Tianlong’s mind wandered back to the one he truly loved. He imagined a life with her, free from the burdens of family politics and arranged marriages. It was a distant dream, almost impossible given his current circumstances, but it was a dream he clung to desperately.
Honisa Region in the Gunghua Province, controlled by the Mu Family of Blazing Dawn Sect
Nestled in the heart of the Honisa Region lay a forest village, a place of rustic charm and rugged beauty. Tall, ancient trees surrounded the village, their dense canopy filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the earthy aroma of the forest, mingling with the faint smoke from wood-burning stoves.
This village was built by Li Mei Cha Mu. The villagers had been relocated here from the forest village near Zunzon Road. Li Mei had taken them in after eliminating the bandits that plagued the Zunzon Road forest, including their village head.
The villagers now worked for Li Mei and the Mu Family, building a cave storage facility deep within the forest. The exact purpose of this facility was unknown to them, but the pay was good, and the Mu Family treated them far better than the hardships they had endured in the Zunzon forest. No longer were they forced to live by robbing travelers; now, they had steady work and a community that offered protection and stability.
The village itself was a blend of simplicity and resourcefulness. Wooden huts with thatched roofs lined the main path, their exteriors decorated with rustic carvings and symbols of protection. Children played in the open spaces, their laughter echoing through the trees, while adults busied themselves with various tasks. Some tended to small vegetable gardens, others repaired tools and structures, and a few gathered around communal fires, sharing stories and planning the next day's work.
Despite the challenges they had faced, there was a sense of hope and resilience among the villagers. They were building a new life, one stone at a time, under the watchful eye of the Mu Family. The cave storage facility, with its dark, yawning entrance, represented both their labor and their uncertain future. It was a project shrouded in mystery, yet they worked diligently, trusting that their efforts would be rewarded.