Junior Edina was in the bath, with Lian Hua carefully helping her get cleaned. That morning, she had found the letter left by Senior Edina. Calling it a letter would be an understatement; it was more like a comprehensive instruction manual, detailing strategies and insights that left Junior Edina both intrigued and overwhelmed.
Once her bath was finished, Lian Hua helped Junior Edina get dressed. The day’s attire was simple yet elegant, reflecting her noble status. With her cane in hand, she started walking towards Mu Mansion for her class, which was set to continue from today. Junior Edina felt a knot of uneasiness in her stomach; ever since she had befriended Princess Huangshu, Lin had become more aggressive towards her. Although Wei had managed to curb the bullying somewhat, the tension was still palpable.
As she walked through the corridors, she observed the sect disciples training rigorously. Their synchronized movements and fierce determination were evident in every strike and parry. The air was filled with the sound of clashing swords and the shouts of martial artists sparring intensely. The sight of their dedication reminded her of the strength and discipline the Blazing Dawn Sect was known for.
Taking a left turn, she walked for a few more minutes, supported by Lian Hua. The pathway was lined with ancient trees, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The serenity of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the turmoil in her heart. She soon found herself standing in front of the imposing gates of Mu Mansion, as usual.
Dongu Village, Dongu Region in Gunghua Province (Blazing Dawn Sect’s Province)
Sect Leader Khang Choi took a leisurely stroll around Hin Lake, observing the activities of the fishermen and martial artist disciples. The lake's shimmering surface reflected the morning sun, creating a picturesque scene that contrasted with the intense labor taking place. Fishermen were casting their nets, while sect disciples carefully extracted red-black steel ores from the depths. The whole area was off-limits to ordinary fishermen during these specific times, allowing only trusted members of the sect to engage in the mining operations.
The shore of the lake was bustling with activity. Workers moved efficiently, their coordinated efforts evident as they hauled up cages filled with the precious ore. The air was filled with the sounds of splashing water, grunting laborers, and the occasional clang of metal against metal.
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As Khang Choi walked along the shore, he noticed an elderly man about his age, standing a bit away from the main group. The man wore an imperial army uniform, and his presence exuded authority. His bearing and the unmistakable aura of a Grade 9 martial artist marked him as someone of significant importance. The elderly man was gazing intently at the lake, his sharp eyes following the boats as they mined the ore.
This was General Da, a renowned figure from the Little Phoenix Mansion of the imperial palace. He had served Princess Huangshu for many years and was known throughout the central plains as one of the best marksmen. General Da's arrival had been a significant event for the sect. He and his men had come a week after Princess Huangshu and Young Mistress Edina had bought the sect, adding an extra layer of security to their operations.
Khang Choi approached General Da, his footsteps crunching on the gravel path. "General Da," he greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "It is an honor to have you here."
General Da turned, a faint smile on his weathered face. "Sect Leader Choi," he replied, his voice steady and commanding. "The honor is mine. This lake holds much promise for the future of the sect and the empire."
"Don’t worry, Sect Leader Choi. I will ensure everything is done perfectly. You must have other tasks given to you by Her Highness," General Da said. It had been a month since he arrived in Dongu Village on orders from Princess Huangshu to safeguard the region and ensure the secret of the red-black steel remained undisclosed.
Understandably, Sect Leader Choi felt the need to inspect every morning, fearing some mishap. However, General Da believed Choi should focus on the other tasks assigned by Her Highness, as they were also crucial for the princess's faction to gain an upper hand in the imperial court.
"If you insist, General Da. I will leave it in your capable hands then," Sect Leader Choi said, nodding.
As he walked up to the sect's entrance gate, his heart sank a little at the sight of the name Eternal Will Sect. The once-proud Blazing Days Sect, an affiliated sect of the great Blazing Dawn Sect, was now just a small, unremarkable regional sect with no history to call its own. However, he cheered up, knowing the sect was still under the Cha Ling bloodline with Young Mistress Edina and directly under the patronage of Princess Huangshu.
It was a necessary trade-off for the survival of the village. Sect Leader Choi couldn't have asked for better new masters than Princess Huangshu and Young Mistress Edina to ensure their continued existence.
Once in his office, a servant entered the room and said, “Sect Leader, we have placed the strange bones in the courtyard.” Sect Leader Choi nodded and proceeded to the courtyard. The strange bones the servant referred to had been fished out the previous night while the fishermen were mining for red black steel.
Since it was late and quite dark when they were found, Sect Leader Choi had decided to inspect them in the morning. Now, the servant had reminded him of this task. As he entered the courtyard, he saw all the important members of the sect—from elders to disciples—standing around the bones, murmuring among themselves.
As Sect Leader Choi made his way through the crowd, he finally spotted the bones. He stopped in his tracks, his expression a mix of confusion and shock.
The bones were humanoid, with wings and horns, an unsettling sight in itself. But the oddest part was not their appearance. What truly puzzled Sect Leader Choi was the strange energy emanating from them—an energy he was not very familiar with but had encountered once before. It was mana.