Chuang Chi sat at her desk in the accounting department of the Mu Mansion, her mind far from the numbers and ledgers spread out before her. She absentmindedly moved her pen across a scroll, but her thoughts were entirely consumed by the proposition Junior Edina had made to her earlier. The normally focused Chuang Chi found herself staring blankly at the parchment, unable to shake the possibilities that Edina’s offer had sparked.
The idea of becoming the figurehead for Edina's faction in the upcoming race for ascension seemed, on the surface, preposterous. It wasn’t something she would have ever imagined herself considering, yet here she was, weighing her options with growing seriousness. She knew why Edina had sought her out—Lu Shun, the obvious candidate for such a role, would never agree. Lu Shun was fiercely loyal to his father, Lu Mingfe, and would naturally support him when the time came. Chuang Chi also knew that Lu Mingfe loved his son deeply and had already been approached by Lu Shun with the idea of changing the sect law that forbade marriages between members of the main family. If Lu Mingfe won the race and became the sect leader, he would undoubtedly move to change the law in favor of Lu Shun and herself.
The pragmatic side of Chuang Chi saw this as the safest bet. Lu Mingfe had power, influence, and the love of his son behind him. Supporting him seemed the most logical choice. If he became sect leader, her and Lu Shun's dreams of marriage would become a reality. It felt like the obvious, straightforward path.
But Edina’s offer introduced a new element into the equation. If Edina became the sect leader instead, she, too, had promised to change the same law. That meant if Chuang Chi allied with Edina, there would be two factions fighting to alter the sect’s marriage rule, increasing her chances of success regardless of which faction prevailed. It wasn’t just about supporting Lu Shun anymore—there was a real opportunity to hedge her bets, to align herself with both potential outcomes. If Edina succeeded, Chuang Chi would still gain what she desired most.
Chuang Chi’s brow furrowed in thought as she tapped her fingers against the desk, her mind working through the intricacies of the situation. Another factor weighed on her mind: the timing of the race for ascension. No one knew when the current sect leader would step down. He showed no signs of relinquishing his position anytime soon. That uncertainty meant that if the race didn’t start until after Edina came of age, Edina wouldn’t even need a figurehead. In that case, Chuang Chi’s involvement would remain in the background, and she could negotiate her position without ever being thrust into the spotlight.
By aligning herself with Edina now, she might never have to take on the role of figurehead at all, yet she would still have the advantage of securing Edina's promise to change the law. It was a clever and cautious approach—one that could allow her to quietly maneuver in the shadows while still advancing her own interests.
She leaned back in her chair, sighing softly as she weighed the final considerations. By joining Edina's side, Chuang Chi could subtly position herself to benefit from whichever faction rose to power. It offered her a level of protection and influence that she wouldn’t have if she simply backed Lu Mingfe alone.
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The decision wasn’t easy, but the more she thought about it, the more the prospect of aligning with Edina seemed like a shrewd and beneficial move. Chuang Chi smiled faintly to herself as she considered her next steps. This was more than just a question of loyalty—it was about securing her future with Lu Shun, and she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that future came to pass.
Dongu Region, Dongu Village, Gunghua Province,
The quiet, remote village of Dongu had recently become a hub of unusual activity. In the stables of the Eternal Will Sect, several horses were tied up, their presence indicating the arrival of important guests. Among them was Elder Qin Cha Mu of the Blazing Dawn Sect, a figure of considerable influence and reputation. He now sat across from Khang Choi, the leader of the Eternal Will Sect.
Elder Qin had taken his time in reaching Dongu Village. His journey had been delayed due to his thorough investigation of the surrounding forests, where bandits and other criminals were rumored to operate. It had taken him longer than expected, but he was finally here. Yet, upon his arrival, something struck him as odd. The atmosphere of the Eternal Will Sect felt different from what he remembered.
One of the most unsettling changes was the sect’s new name. Elder Qin knew that sect names were typically altered when a new leadership took over, but the naming convention here was strange. Usually, a sect’s new name would reflect its signature technique, the family name of its leader, or the name of the merchant group that now controlled it. In this case, however, the name "Eternal Will" didn't match any known practices. There were no familiar signs or clues, and Elder Qin couldn’t help but feel suspicious. This wasn’t the typical takeover he was used to seeing in the martial world.
"Like I said, Elder Qin," Sect Leader Khang Choi spoke in a respectful but firm tone, "our masters have forbidden us from delving deeper into this matter. They wish to avoid involvement in the internal disputes of the great sects."
Elder Qin frowned slightly at this response. He had come here seeking answers, specifically concerning the architectural plans of the Mu Mansion that had somehow fallen into the hands of local bandits. It was a significant discovery, and under ordinary circumstances, the Eternal Will Sect would have provided him with detailed information on how they had uncovered such plans. However, the sect had recently changed hands, and it was clear that the new owners were unwilling to entangle themselves in the intricate politics of the Nine Great Sects. If these new masters were part of a small merchant group or minor sect, their reluctance to get involved was understandable. After all, they would want to avoid becoming pawns in the larger power struggles between the great sects.
Still, Elder Qin had hoped for more cooperation. It was unusual for a sect to be so guarded when it came to assisting a member of the Blazing Dawn Sect, particularly when a matter as serious as this was involved.
"I understand, Sect Leader Choi," Elder Qin replied with a nod, though his tone remained guarded. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the sect leader, weighing his next words carefully. “However, I must remind you that this matter concerns the safety of many innocent lives. If this information were to fall into the wrong hands, it could have serious repercussions."
Khang Choi shifted uncomfortably in his seat but held his ground. "I assure you, Elder Qin, we take this matter seriously. But our hands are tied. Our masters have made it clear that we are not to provoke the great sects or interfere in their internal conflicts."
Elder Qin nodded, though he was far from satisfied. He rose slowly, casting one last glance around the room. The sect had changed more than just its name—it had become something unfamiliar and distant, its priorities shifted under new leadership. But Elder Qin knew when to push and when to pull back. For now, it seemed that further prodding would yield no results.
"Very well," Elder Qin said as he prepared to leave. "If your masters ever reconsider their position, you know where to find me. The Blazing Dawn Sect will not forget this matter."
With that, Elder Qin exited the meeting hall, his mind already churning over the implications of what he had learned—or rather, what he hadn’t learned. Something was off about this situation, and he would not rest until he had uncovered the truth behind it.