Chapter 2: Fathers and Sons

Feng Kong watched, as his mother disappeared into the shadows. It was extremely cold, but his feelings were complicated at this moment, so he didn't really care. Feng Village always held a very cold weather, but winter didn't help either.

It was difficult to track down the motives of the Clan's old ancestors, as to why they would decide to settle over such a frigid piece of land. It was a topic that had always puzzled clansmen.

They knew they didn't originate from here.

In fact, it was recorded that they came from another continent, but some ancestors ended up here for reasons that never had been disclosed thus far. Even the name of their original birthland was kept secret.

According to legends, Feng clansmen were descendants of the legendary Phoenix.

As such it was hard to comprehend why they had developed an affinity with the element of Ice.

It was even weirder when they knew their first ancestor to settle here, was a genuine and renown fire affinity cultivator.

A lot of theories had been spreading pertaining to elemental affinities. Environment and climate were often cited. Some even postulated that genes evolved over the course of generations. Some postulated that attributes were related to the soul.

In this world, Cultivators had different affiliations and heritages, but one thing always remained unchangeable, it was the pattern correlating with attributes.

Each cultivator was born with a singular and specific ability to channel the forces of nature. They mainly were composed of Earth, Water, Fire, Wood, and Metal.

There were also other exotic affinities such as Ice, Lightning, Gravity etc. People weren't too clear how those ones came to be. Atavism was a mystery in the Tianyang Continent.

Generally people inherited their affinities from one of their parents.

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The man thought of many things on the way back. Before he understood how much distance he covered, he was facing his room. He opened the door quietly and approached his newborn.

"He's so cute with those cheeks." He thought. "I never knew, having a boy could make me so emotional." Feng Kong's fatherly instincts kicked in. He finally had an heir, and suddenly felt an urge to strive for his future.

Earlier, he didn't pay any real mind to his old mother's naggings, but now this cute boy helped him put things into perspective.

He didn't want to compete with his brother, and neither could he. But sometimes when people wanted to steer clear off trouble, it would often find its own way to their front door. Their lineage was in danger and they needed someone they could rally behind. Feng Kong was certainly not that person.

Also, even if the elders respected his mother now, once his father died they would be left with no lifeline. Contrary to his firstborn, Chanui was a boy.As such, he had a legitimate claim to the position of patriarch. For safety, he had to reconsider the future more seriously.

"Well if he turns out to be ordinary, this won't be a problem...but this child gives me an uneasy feeling."

Feng Kong felt the difference. He loved his daughter, but he couldn't help but become hopeful after he looked into the boy's eyes. The newborn's gaze was unusual.

A wrinkle took shape on his forehead, showing his worry and anxiousness.

"To be honest, Mother doesn't worry in vain. Batui and I have a bad relationship. Also, the Cui Fen's situation..."

Yan Cui Fen was Feng Batui's wife and Feng Kong's childhood lover. Feng Kong fell under her charm during an expedition in Wenyan City, Bing prefecture's Capital City.

She was Yan Ming Li's younger sister, the City Lord of Wenyan City. (The Yan Clan was also the local overlord of the prefecture.)

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Her beauty was breathtaking and Feng Kong was bewitched. They flirted, and much like most romantic and rich teenagers wanted to travel and see some scenery.

They adventured in the neighboring lands for more than two years. It wasn't too uncommon for young cultivators to go on such expeditions. Parents also thought of this as good disciplining. Their children had to leave the nest and see the world for themselves.

The problem was that Feng Kong never announced the relationship to his clan. That decision was stupid in retrospective...

When they returned she and Feng Batui met by chance. The latter fell for her and made advances not knowing she was involved with his brother.

Cui Fen who had heard about the bachelor's illustrious reputation, passed from an arm to the next, before Feng Kong even had time to announce their love to the world.

Feng Batui only learned the truth much later; the contempt he had towards his young brother only got worse. It was already a declining relationship, but by that time it was a sinking boat.

"I wish I could change this pathetic past of mine. . . " Feng Kong remembered this disturbing period of his life atop his 34 years of age. "Fortunately I have a good wife and my two children to find solace. "

"Tomorrow, perhaps I shall go request audience with Father. He might want to meet his Grandson." He put this last thought to rest before lying down next to his wife; exhausted as well, even if more mentally than physically.

Next, to the couple, there was an elevated wooden cradle, equipped with all sorts of embroidery.

Feng Chanui was inside, pretending to sleep peacefully.

He opened an eye, having heard most of his father's mutterings. "I think I have a general feeling of what's going on inside this family. My father was chasing skirts instead of martial techniques. That's your typical hit first and think later kind of guy..." Feng Chanui Shook his head, he sympathized with the poor man.

"These hoes ain't loyal huh? Well, that was the song I think..." He smiled a bit. That song was one of his favorites before. The lyrics sucked, but the beat was catchy.

Feng Chanui already thought of how he was going to set straight some grievances for this naïve father of his.

He also had been deceived by a woman and knew how much it could hurt.

He, therefore, decided to act in favor of his poor father.

However, Feng Chanui had hardly just arrived in this new world and was not particularly tied to anyone. He wanted to watch the situation a little bit more and understand the clockwork of this dysfunctional family.

Something was sure, the future was going to be rich in emotions.

He had an opportunity to live a new life to the fullest and avoid his past mistakes.

Especially with his god given detection ability, he could detect his enemies before they could act.

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Farther, in a courtyard of a much bigger amplitude, trees hid the view of a pond.

Near this pond, there was a home of traditional Japanese style, within which, Feng Batui discussed with a man who had a friendly but old face.

The man gave the impression of hiding a vitality completely opposite to his age. He had effervescent eyes and his look was intimidating.This old man was the previous patriarch of the Feng Clan, Feng Feilong.

The most mysterious man of the prefecture.

Before retiring a legend saying that Feng Feilong could fight on par with a martial Elder circulated.

"Father, how long do you still think of remaining hidden here?" Feng Batui asked anxiously, the relationship with his brother was not good but in the bottom of his heart, he knew how much he doted on that brother of his.

Contrary to what Feng Kong thought of him he had put distance between them in order to protect the Clan.

His father had recommended him to use the past he shared with his brother; so they can simulate an internal strife and therefore, mislead foes, as well as protect the clan.

Today, it had been 19 years since both brothers became strangers, and Feng Batui got enough time to get closer to the level of its father. His father like a lot of people thought was hiding his true level of cultivation.

He was a Martial Elder. This was good news for the Clan, but also a dangerous variable. He could not give any opportunities to spies to assess his might.

Usually, people from different clans did not like to rally. But confronted with a growing threat they never hesitated to put their pride aside. The Feng Clan would be such a dangerous variable if their secrets were known to outsiders.

The only logical course of action would be to join forces against the Feng before they grew invincible.

Today it was time for them to attack and eradicate their remaining enemies. Feng Batui was a Peak Martial Senior and apart from the Yan Clan's old ancestor and his father, nobody could be his match in the area.

"Hmm, I need to see my grandson first, then we'll put our plan into execution. How is your mother doing?". He was referring to his second wife.

"She's still fighting with old mother, over petty stuff mostly..." said the young clan leader.

"Seems like I have a mess to clean up..."

Feng Feilong said solemnly. He was ashamed of himself as the root of all these dissensions, even though they needed to bide their time for their plan to work.

"We'll start our plan tomorrow night after I see Chanui. Go to rest." The old man commanded.

"Alright." Feng Batui got up and left the courtyard.