"Not a word of this leaves this room."

Wu Jian declared.

"I require you all to swear oaths to the Dao that your lips will be sealed on this matter."

Shocked looks appeared on the faces of the gathered Clan Heads, wondering what could be so important as to make the Wu Patriarch throw out all etiquette like this.

"As for the Wang traitor here, throw him in the dungeons where he belongs."

The pressure of Wu Jian's cultivation restrained the man as cold iron manacles were attached to his wrists and ankles, the material's special properties beginning to drain the cultivator's Qi faster than it regenerated. The chained man laughed as he was dragged away, taunting them as soon as he grew accustomed enough to the pressure to do so.

"Do what you will, you shall learn what it's like to serve another, just as my Clan has been subservient to yours for generations."

'He must know that he would not be killed in the current situation.'

Thought Wu Jian.

'Or else he would not be so fearless.'

He turned to the gathered Clan Heads, his face a perfect mask of cold indifference.

"The Wu Clan thanks the Ye and Dai Clans for their gifts. After your Dao Oaths, you may leave."

He inclined his head slightly towards them, to which they responded with deep bows.

"I swear upon the Dao that I will not reveal anything that happened here today to anyone. Should I break my word, may the heavens strike me down."

They each recited, and a grand, powerful presence filled the room. Chains forged from the laws of the universe itself bound the Wu Patriarch with his guests, only to be broken should they surpass him in cultivation. The chains faded to invisibility, hidden to all except those skilled in the Grand Dao of Karma, and the Ye and Dai Matriarchs bowed and left.

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Seeing that it was now their turn, one of the foreign Clan Heads, a sharp featured man with a sword at his waist and green robes adorning his person, stepped forward and proactively made the oath, the other one, a muscled woman wearing robes made from the hides and pelts of animals, following just a few moments later.

"Good. It seems like you aren't the rulers of your clan for nothing."

"We thank the Wu Patriarch for his kind words."

They said, together this time.

"It is my understanding that you have come to pledge loyalty to my clan. Is this true?"

The muscled woman was the first to respond to his question, bowing her head further as she did so.

"You are correct Patriarch Wu. My humble Rong wishes to shelter under the great Wu Clan's wing. We do not have much to offer besides our might in battle, but we hope that the Wu Patriarch sees value in our warriors and accepts."

Wu Jian's brow furrowed, as if he were in thought, before he spoke in response.

"If you offer only your aid in battle, why did the Zhao Clan not make use of you?"

He asked.

"They wished to claim the honour of defeating your Wu Clan alone, though they were foolish to have thoughts of doing so to begin with."

"I see, then the Wu Clan accepts. Bring half of your warriors here for inspection 5 dawns from now, I wish to see the might of your Rong Clan."

"You honour us Patriarch Wu. I hope you will be impressed by our offering."

"Go then, I shall send someone to receive you at the gate 5 sunrises from now."

"Yes Patriarch Wu."

And with a bow, the Rong Matriarch left the hall, leaving the sharp featured man alone with the Wu Clan cultivators.

"In response to your earlier question, my Hu Clan also wishes to be protected by the Wu Clan's mighty sword."

Seeing Wu Jian's nod, the man continued.

"We may not be warriors like the Rong Clan, but my Hu Clan are skilled at tending to spiritual herbs. We offer a tribute of our highest quality herbs at the end of each season as well as the customary tenth of our fighters should you come under attack."

With the man done, Wu Jian considered it for a moment before nodding his head in assent.

"Very well, the Hu Clan shall henceforth be protected by the Wu Clan as long as your tributes are paid in full."

The green robed man hastily bowed deeper at this response, professing his gratitude.

"Thank you Patriarch Wu."

"There is no need for thanks. Go now, I will send the Wu Clan's head alchemist with you to inspect your herb gardens."

The seated man lifted his hand and gestured at one of his attendants to do so before watching the Hu Clan Head leave the hall. Once the other man was out of earshot, he spoke aloud to the room.

"I do not need to remind you that today's matters fall under your oath to the clan."

He let the words hang there for a minute until he too left the hall.