There was a sense of uselessness in Kaixue. He was willing to support his sister, even without a bribe, but he was largely useless, Cherei had managed to remember everything perfectly, who to not talk about in front of who, where whose estate was and who to avoid talking to entirely. She remained restrained, with an expression outwardly radiating a certain pleasantness, but internally blank. Why then, under all that is just under the Heavens, would she appear so stressed?

Time passed slowly, but it did pass, and the proper celebrations began. Everyone sat down at their designated seats, the tables already having the first wave of meals expected of a proper feast. And the centre of the hall was freed for musicians, dancers, other sorts of entertainers. Kaixue expected to enjoy this part, being a fan of music, food, as well as excuses to not give certain people his attention. The food was good, but it did not stop people from trying to invite him to their conversations. The music was terrible, possibly caused by such a gathering of disorganised artists, as well as the fact that people were chattering over it.

Finally, it was time for the birthday girl to open her gifts. A designated servant was to bring the present from the table and open it, the reason why a servant was designated to such a task was a safety one, since everyone could bring a gift, but not everyone was a friend, these servants were always volunteers who risked their health and safety, and were compensated with a one time salary that would last, if one remained moderate, an entire mortal life. Though it was mostly a tradition, and it seemed especially silly today, Cherei was universally beloved within her clan and outside of it.

First came a dark blue dress seemingly weaved out of the night sky, according to an exclamation of an older lady Kaixue overheard. It came from a distant relative, his mother’s fourth cousin’s brother-in-law. Were Kaixue carrying a more wary heart, he would have asked why a man so distant knew the measurements necessary to order a master tailor’s work.

Second was another dress, this time without a comment from one of the onlookers, so Kaixue just imagined it to be white, whatever white looked like. Then came a pair of crystal earrings, a portrait of her, another portrait, this time of someone named Miazen, probably a distant relative. Then came a gift that grasped Kaixue’s attention. It was presented as a ‘mandolin’, which was not a word he knew, but he also knew exactly what it was. Even when the servant, and later Cherei, were holding it, it was slowly transmuting Wind Force into Music Force. The youngest son of the Main family immediately felt as though his gift had been overcome before it even came out.

Another came a hornbow, this one was from Yiban, even if the name wasn’t on the present itself, his exclamation of: “Told you I’d get you the best bit of that bull!” was enough to confirm it.

Were she in private, she would have probably wrapped her arms around her uncle’s neck in a hug, and perhaps she intended to do the same, as she took a step towards Yiban’s seat, before she composed herself, went back, and thanked him from a neutral position. This brought tension to the room, all eyes pierced her. It was clear now that the current family head, the temporary replacement, was favoured by the second child. Way to bring family politics into a rare celebration like this, thought Kaixue.

“This one, from… young master Kaixue.”

It was unconsciously that he straightened his back. Even if he would disappoint, he could look like he has dignity.

The crate was placed down on the ground, and the lid was lifted, the Forces in it, its shine was already felt, then the servant raised it towards Cherei.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Under her breath, she muttered: “… beautiful.” That was the only word Kaixue registered, he felt the effort he put into appeasing Ponava’s strange requests validated.

“I expected a pet, looks like only a core of it is left.” Yiban snickered. No one laughed with him.

A core, of course the most precious thing a swan could give was its core, something that was only generated upon its death. Beasts could cultivate their spirits too, as could certain plants, and even things that were not forms of life, though those were rare even in legends. Unlike humans, who left beyond Outheritances and sometimes wounds in the world. When a beast died, it left behind its core, a manifestation of its spirit, all the power it gathered over its life, even if its flesh rotted away and its bones turned to stone, the core would remain for a different being to seize. It could be used to boost cultivation by absorbing its energy, as a container for its energies, and other, more esoteric uses Depai refused to elaborate upon.

“Master Saong, why don’t you help my daughter identify her gift?” Ordered his mother. Everyone was looking at him. Maybe he’d been asked to explain while he was focusing on his sister’s reaction.

Saong took the core and let if float in his hand for a little while. He didn’t let on any sort of reaction. He stated in a completely monotone voice: “Pure core. Black Princess Swan.”

Kaixue had heard of the Black Princess Swan, it was supposedly a very powerful beast, despite the soft-sounding name. A single flap of its wings supposedly changed a lake it chose to reside in from a serene mirror into a storm even more violent than a hurricane at sea. Pure cores could only be obtained if a beast was slain without experiencing bloodthirst of fear, meaning it had to be caught off guard, tricked, completely outclassed, or, according to legends, give its life willingly.

“How’d you get such a thing, Black Princess Swans are High-King-Stage beasts.” Asked Yiban, loud enough for people’s attention to turn to them.

Kaixue didn’t remember when, but at some point he realised that since his body was already so critically damaged. He would try to not stain his spirit. He promised himself not to lie, drink alcohol, as well as several other things his mind had chosen to consider immoral. So, he looked for way to formulate the truth.

“I traded for it.”

Yiban laughed. “Trade for it? You could sell your soul fifty times over and it wouldn’t buy you a High-King beast core.”

“I traded it with a friend.” Kaixue continued sticking to his truth, or, a version of it, Ponava had given him free advice, would that not constitute her his friend?

Yiban’s thick palm landed on Kaixue’s shoulder: “I understand, you will tell me everything after the party, my little friend.”

Kaixue brushed Yiban’s hand off of his shoulder. He was honest and patient, yet right now, he felt as though someone had poured hot tea all over him. He stood up from his seat in frustration. Kaixue only saw his brother, father, and sister as his family, these people were outsiders. They schemed to take what his father, and his ancestors had built for themselves, and stomp over any sort of honour and pride the Main family had, his father’s strength must have been amazing, for him to tolerate these people. It wasn’t a fair judgement, surely not everyone were exemplifying such vulturelike behaviour. But often times a human mind only leaves us with two bowls to throw the world we see into.

“I do not have to take your accusations idly, uncle dearest.”

Yiban took the time to light his pipe, to the shock of some, he only used gesture of his hand to gather Fire Force into the tobacco. “So?”

“What do you mean, ‘So?’” Kaixue didn’t know why, but he felt his heart unable to rest.

“Are you going to challenge me, cripple, or sit down again?” Yiban smoked his pipe calmly, or maybe maintained calm because he was smoking his pipe.

Kaixue turned to a door leading out of the doorway. He only turned back to his sister: “Happy birthday, Cherei, may you enjoy the celebration, let the Sun always guide your stride, and the Night bring you nothing but calm.”

The door closed. Silence reigned all over the hall.

Gangzhi tried to stand up, but was interrupted by a look from his mother. So he turned his head to Nayu, who stood among the guards, but was geometrically closest to Gangzhi out of all of them.

“Check up on my brother.”

She nodded her head.

His mother then turned to the gift-carrying servant, and coughed a little.

“Oh, of course, now we have a gift from Lord Shiten, if young miss would look at this wonderful saddle…