Lee with an expressionless face walked out of his house, he had not met his father, which he had not been expecting in the first instance, but he got to know from a guard that he was attending some pretty important meetings . But he wasn't bothered, there were sometimes he would spend months without seeing his father.
Lee smiled as he rubbed the little silky furred head of Azure who hasn't still grown much in size, but in strength he was becoming terrific as days passed!
It had also been training; killing some mystical beast, which to Azure was the best method to strengthen itself.
"Young master Lee it has been a long time since we saw you!" A small group of lads who admired the latter, excitedly gushed towards Lee on seeing him. Lee in response gave a slight smile and walked pass them, though Lee didn't pay them much of an attention, but to the callants it was more than enough to make them go wild!
Such scenes continued as Lee motioned in the clan, and Lee gave each of them the same slight smile. Lee could already see the gates of the clan which were heavily guarded by the clan's soldiers, Lee in someway could see that the security had in one way or the other increase.
.......
"These days haven't been nice at all, commotion and tension have filled the air"
"I'm beginning to even doubt the assurance the clan promises us!"
"Dummy, it hasn't gotten to such extent, the crisis our clan and the other powers would have been faced in the past, should supersede this, it isn't easy to keep ruling this environs for decades" chortled a young man as he stared deeply, at his companion who seemed to have envisioned an Apocalypse!
"Don't be too sure, it doesn't still change anything. You should know that whatever happens, we the soldiers get hit first?!" A middle aged man who had irritation and uncertainty written all over his face replied the young soldier, to him the lad was just to inexperienced and fanatical to think of the clan so high, if it wasn't for the pay that he got, he had no ounce of loyalty towards Wateredge. If anything that goes beyond his endurance level happens he wouldn't waste time before he disappears!
The two quietly discussed as they still gallantly guarded the gates of the clan, along with the rest of the several soldiers on duty.
"Let's leave that aside, did you hear of how those kids from the new clan having been trashing the elite offsprings of our high echelons, even some of ours have been seriously dealt with" The middle aged man said with a hint of ridicule in his tone, If it wasn't for the badge of Wateredge that was on his armour, one would definitely assume he wasn't one of them through his words.
"Hmmph! I don't care, by the time Master Lee and Master Charles exit their retreat, such nonsense wouldn't happen, those bastards aren't real cultivators, they just depend on the blood of mystical beast!!" The young positive solider announced with pride, he couldn't help but shake his head at the pessimistic middle aged man.
"Young Master Lee!" It was at this moment that the figure of a boy with a white small wolf majestically seated on his shoulder appeared. The soldiers closer to the entrance of the gate on sighting him quickly yelled and took a deep bow and also giving way for him to pass the strong line they had formed at the entrance of the gate.
Lee gave a bow as well, these were one of the people he respected most in the clan, they were the ones who protected the whole clan at the expense of their lives.
Lee raised his foot after the brief greeting and walked towards Vine city itself.
"*Chuckles* I hope he doesn't get trashed" After Lee had walked a reasonable distance, the middle aged soldier muttered.
The young soldier stared at the back of Lee with great expectancy, the sight of Lee caused the atmosphere among the soldiers to change, they all had only seen him before the issue of the new clan sprang up.
.....
"I don't think it's necessary I visit that haughty master of mine today, as for now I feel I should test my strength, that place is my only option, but I need a camouflage!" Lee thought has he left the perimeter of his clan, entering into the major market or could be called the 'Gathering Point', where clan heads, members, and citizens of the city mostly met.
Lee took on a broad smile as he inhaled the air of the area, it was quite refreshing to Lee, Lee was gently walking while he watched the interactions around him, though he had a purpose of visiting this place, he decided to waste time a bit, he received several gazes, from those who were able to recognise him, though some couldn't tell exactly who he was, but from his beautifully adorned garment and his look, one could tell him from the crowd.
That was why Lee didn't hang Blueflame on his back, he would attract a lot of attention. Lee was enjoying his mood of ecstasy when, suddenly he saw a familiar figure.
A frown appeared on his face not because of the person in particular but the expression on the lad's face.
The figure seemed to have noticed Lee, as an ecstatic expression immediately appeared on his formerly disrupted face.
"Young master Lee I have never been so happy to see you!" The figure dashed towards Lee and fell straight on his knees.
"What's all this Fred? , rise and tell me, why you are looking like someone who just had a bout with a wild ape" Lee stared at the lad and couldn't help but frown the more, the lad looked like a pauper, his robe had stain of mud all over, his hair was upheaved, the way he was even breathing heavily, one would know something was wrong!
"Young master I deserve to be like this!" Fred with his head bent, said with a dull tone.
"Fred, i said rise!" Lee asked with command laced with his voice, Lee stared around and felt embarrassed and a bit of anger at the various eyes staring at them.
Sensing the seriousness in Lee's voice, Fred dared not to keep being on his knees. He immediately rose up.
"Now tell me what happened!"