Chapter 2

First order of business, get in contact with one of the Long family elders. Why? To put his knowledge to good use, of course.

One thing he could expose was the identity of Long Tian, who had been going under the alias of Long Chen since his birth. In fact, he did not even know who his parents were right now, only that they were some important individuals cut down by their very own kin – a classic tale of trauma and vengeance.

That was one reason Long Tian despised clan structures and blood ties as a whole, something he made very clear with his killing sprees.

Unfortunately, his pragmatism won through in the end and he soon made use of these cruel and prideful clans, chief among which were the Longs. Not surprising, since they were the premier power of the realm.

However, that was for later. Currently, the only thing that mattered was that he could expose the identity and hopefully heighten persecution. After all, Tian’s parents had been branded as traitors.

Long Tian would only know this once he took over the clan, by which point he would execute those responsible for the incident, many of whom had wielded great power – these were the victors of the Long family civil war.

Knowing that, his course of action was quite clear, was it not? Tell these people the danger Long Tian presented and incite them into further action. Sending more people to nip the guy in the bud, before he could grow any further.

He definitely should add some of Long Tian’s earlier exploits to scare them into sending increased personnel, especially the more obscure ones unknown to even his closest allies.

He did not expect the protagonist to be killed. However, he needed to buy time and delay his own death. That was more important than the slim possibility of making the protagonist power up because of his decisions.

Now then, the issue was how to make contact. There was no one around and they had been deliberately placed in an isolated location. In addition, Long Hao had made it quite clear that he was to remain within this building. Hm…

This was a cultivation world was it not? Surely the experts could hear his voice even from afar, especially if it was something that was of direct concern to them. Even he could listen to the sound of falling leaves and swinging lanterns from a mile away, and Li Zhixing was only in the Core Formation stage.

Thus, he said softly, sending his voice along the night breeze. The description was a shameless lie, and to himself no less, but Zhixing liked to think that he had a melodious voice.

His face turned dark; that should be gone now. “If any respected elders can hear me, please come and listen to what this humble self has to say. I have valuable information on Long Chen. Things that have to do with his heritage, which you might find to be relevant.”

After singing his verses, Zhixing waited. And waited. Yet, all that came back was the sound of the shifting winds. He sighed. Maybe he should start roaring to the skies. That should merit a response if only to make him shut up.

As he breathed in and prepared, someone turned up and lightly kicked him in the stomach. In place of the intended heaven-shaking roar were a sputter and a weak whimper.

“Fuck… was that entirely necessary?”

The attacker was an old man with brown bark-like scales. Spreading throughout his skin was some sort of fungal infection. It looked like a living organism, moving about whilst being attacked by green moss and other “creatures”. His body was an eternal field of battle, where things were born, grew strong, and eventually met their deaths in glorious fashion.

The elder said slowly and steadily, “Was your tantrum necessary either? Have a bit of patience. It’s not like you are going anywhere.”

As he regained his bearing, Zhixing asked, “Would you have done anything if I didn’t try to raise my voice?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Oh. So that’s how they were doing this. “Whatever. Now, I am- ”

He was suddenly unable to speak – physically. He could not even breathe. With widened eyes, he quickly checked his lips, only to find a thick sap-like substance sealing his mouth.

“Where is that respectful language from before? Don’t forget, all right? Or else you might find your insides clogged.”

Zhixing bobbed his head like a pecking chicken. The elder clicked his tongue and the seal dissipated like streams of flowing water.

He said, “I understand, honourable elder. I am deeply regretful for my stupidity and lack of respect.”

“Passable. Now go on. What’s this so-called valuable information?”

“Respected elder, I have a small request. Can I have more elders listen to my plea?”

The man simply laughed mirthfully. “No. And if you are thinking of withholding information after putting me through all this trouble, then you are in for a world of regret. You don’t exactly need to be fit for service in order to act as bait; just know that if it’s what you’re banking on. That said, one or two elders are probably paying half a mind to your words right now, so no need to overly worry.”

That was… not ideal. He wanted more elders to have a greater chance of people from the dominant faction listening, instead of those sympathetic to Long Tian.

However, it was not a strict requirement either. First, the elder in front of him should be on the side of Long Hao, who was the most likely person to succeed the Patriarch. Second, he was not making any absurd requests, nor were these requests his only path forward.

As for the elder’s last claim, he should simply see it as a straight-faced lie. No need to build unrealistic expectations.

“I understand, elder. However, all I hope for is that you will realize the threat posed by Long Chen to your entire clan. As such, more resources and manpower should be devoted to securing his murder.”

“Oh, so you are seeking to counsel us on such matters of manpower and resources. For a brat who has only experienced little more than twenty springs.”

He gritted his teeth in preparation. “Yes, respected elder.”

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“Cheeky… I like it.” Then, with a wide grin, the elder slapped Zhixing’s face. A red imprint seared itself onto his left cheek, similar to a brand of servitude.

Whilst fighting the extreme ringing inside his head, Zhixing proceeded to get on his knees and kneel. Humiliating as it might be, that was not his current concern. He did not proceed to speak, not until he got approval.

The elder looked at him with clear ridicule, “Boy, you really ought to know that you are in no place to negotiate. You’ve picked your poison and sealed your fate the moment you turned to our side. I know not your reasons for doing so, nor do I intend to find out. However, what I do know is that you are wholly dependent on us, and more specifically on your Heavenly Contract with Long Hao. You’d be dead by his hands otherwise – the boy does place a lot of emphasis on honour, to an excessive degree. I don’t, and I don’t recommend people choose such a Path. Power it may give, but it is also too restrictive, and more importantly, too inane and superfluous. But I am getting sidetracked right now – forgive an old man for his rambling, will you? Thanks.”

Acting like he had overexerted himself by talking, the elder began breathing in and out. With each breath, the air was visibly purified and the old man’s face turned vibrant.

Was that supposed to be photosynthesis? But there was not even a speck of sunlight.

“Anyway, my point is that you should stop with the attitude and just be grateful that I am even bothering you at all. Regarding the information, please don’t just say that he is some long-lost descendant of an important member of our family. That really isn’t anything special.”

Seeing his silence, the elder smiled and added, “You are learning, I see. I was worried I’d have to smack you again. Speak, and keep it concise - do as I say rather than as I do.”

“Long Chen is Long Tian. Grandson of the previous Patriarch and son of major rebels.”

“Mm. It’s pretty impressive that you even know that much.”

Zhixing simply stared. Seeing this, the man patted his head. “Don’t be sad, it’s not your fault. You’re just unlucky to meet me. Had it been some other elder, their jaw would be on the ground and you’d be feeling real proud.”

He felt his eye twitching but resisted the urge to mouth off.

Instead, he just said, “Please, elder, all I hope for is that you take more precautions once we are fighting him. Perhaps you can personally intervene?”

“That is not going to happen. Let me clarify because you seem to be working under some sort of misconception. This operation is mostly an independent endeavour on little Hao’s part, with barely any assistance from the family. I come with him only to prevent other old, rotting men like me from murdering our heir, but other than that I will be hands-off. The other thing is… I won’t say without you agreeing to a pact of silence.” The man smiled as he said, “You will agree, I am sure of it.”

And he was right. His mind told him that it was not a good idea, least of all because he could seek the secret out independently and subsequently capitalize on such information.

However, he could not resist the call of Knowledge – the most beautiful seductress in the world. So, he agreed to the elder’s proposal.

It was a quick thing, with an oath to not reveal the secret without expressed permission.

“Good boy. Now, as I was saying, the other thing is that I am a neutral party during the family conflict of yesteryear – indeed I am a neutral party in almost every Long civil war. And I assure you, there have been many. In fact, most elders at my level are neutral, simply observing the occurrences without serious interference. These conflicts tend to bring out the best and worst in our members, things we must be aware of. In any case, this conflict between Long Tian and Long Hao is simply another test to decide the future leader of the clan. They are the best of this new younger generation, after all.”

That explained the relatively smooth transition of power that Long Tian enjoyed, among other things. Zhixing asked, “Does Long Hao know about this cousin of his, elder?”

“Not really. Though, I believe he has his suspicions. The important thing is this: Long Chen, or Tian, is a threat to his position. It does not matter much that the boy is a grandson of a Patriarch. As long as he has a sliver of family blood within his veins, any member can prove his worth. The World itself will acknowledge the divinity of his blood and the weight of his soul, and the family will acknowledge him as an undisputed link in an unbroken line of the greatest of men.”

The zeal within his words and eyes smashed against Zhixing’s mind.

He suddenly saw a line of cultivators, each bearing scales of differing shades and eyes of vibrant flames. Each of them stared him directly in the eyes, showing him one miraculous display of inhuman excellence after another.

All this culminated in the last of the line, a vague outline of a heavenly dragon. This… shade, unclear as it was, placed more pressure on him than all others combined. His consciousness fell to the ground, squashed and flattened.

Then, it roared, and the world itself burst into open flames.

Zhixing gasped and returned to the real world. He stared at the elder, with fear and trepidation. The elder looked back at him with increased scrutiny.

Slowly, the man said, “That was the ‘unbroken line’ I talked about.”

“That… were you one of them?”

“No.”

“Why…”

“Why what?”

“Why did you show it to me? An outsider?”

“A whim, perhaps. But now that I have had the chance to s- to think it over, you may have more of a point than I initially realized. While you were unconscious, I took a closer look at Long Tian’s profile. His exploits are quite admirable, to say the least.”

He felt something was off, but Zhixing collected his thoughts and said, “I am grateful for your understanding. Though I must say, the publicly known accomplishments are the least of what my old comrade is capable of.”

The elder just dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “Think nothing of my generosity – it will soon be a common occurrence. And leave whatever deeds you know for later, I am not too that interested. As for your earlier question, it occurs to me that you might be a valuable asset to little Hao. The boy might think little of you, but you should prove him wrong. After all, with his chosen path, it would be good to have someone unscrupulous like you, who is of the same age and a close enough contender in cultivation.”

“Did you not say you were neutral?”

The man chuckled, “Yesteryear, not today. The boy benefits from his father’s choice of partner. Let’s just put it at that. Regardless, you are dismissed. I have high hopes for you, do not disappoint.”

He was just about to kneel again, yet he could not stop himself from asking, “Elder, can I know your respected name?”

“Oh? Do you seek revenge for today’s humiliation? Don’t answer, I see it in your eyes. Count this your lucky day, as I will humour your insolence. Let’s see, here’s my name,” The old man tapped the ground once with his foot.

Li Zhixing was immediately tied to the ground, with his limbs entrapped by thick roots.

The old man summoned a wooden rod, and bashed his skull thrice, with each hit enunciating a part of his name, “Long – Yong – Lin. Or Elder Lin for short.”

The man left him there to rot and disappeared into thin air.

Li Zhixing looked at his pathetic bloody form. He let out a weak laugh, as he remembered all that had transpired. To think that he had believed things would turn out perfectly.

Certainly, “plans do not survive first contact”, but he did not think it would all go so wrong. His goals were still achieved, so not all was bad.

Just as he thought of that, Zhixing coughed out another mouthful of blood. Staring at the disgusting clot on the ground, all he felt was a sense of helplessness. Perhaps it would be better to choose to give up and die knowing that he would have succeeded had he tried.

Death was not his concern, not when there was nothing tying him to the world around him. That was the only thing that kept him from panicking even whilst knowing that Yonglin could have killed him with a snap of a finger.

No. It was the fear of failure, of failing miserably despite trying desperately. That was his chief issue.

Brooding, he turned his head away. This was no time for losing one's mind. With gritted teeth, he wrenched his body out of the bonds, or at least, tried to.

He thrashed and turned, but that did nothing. He bit into the roots like some sort of mad dog, to no avail.

He laughed again. It was hollow comfort.

The more he tried, the clearer the symphony of groans, grunts, and laughter became. Then the echoes came: the echoes of his own struggles and yet another testament to his helplessness.

In some ways, the echoes made him feel as if he was listening to another man’s story, rather than his own. Li Zhixing the character was pushing himself to his limits. Li Zhixing the reader was merely observing, watching, and listening.

This disconnect allowed him to continue on until the sweet embrace of sleep took over him.

One question stuck with him throughout, even in his blissful rest: were the echoes real or merely figments of his own imagination?

The longer he stayed in this world, the harder it would be to find the answer.