"Union leader Guo has continued his kind ways, I hope you never need to change," Shou Xin cupped his fists, "For all of your assistance in the past, I will…"
From his sleeve, a flame shot out and burned all of the ledgers, "...Null all of this."
"What?" Guo Long's eyes widened as though to pop out.
"I cannot do things like this," Shou Xin stood up his empty gaze firm, "Those ledgers were truly found not long ago, but using them as leverage with someone who has helped us so much is… a scum thing. I once again, propose the previous operation, this time, without anything like this between us."
The dynamic changed very suddenly.
Without a ruinous debt to force Guo Long to take a side, there was no reason for him to ally himself with Shou Xin, as a matter of fact, he had a better chance at increasing his wealth if he crossed Shou Xin and revealed today's information to the clans.
However,
"Young. Still far too young," Guo Long stood up angrily, "How could you destroy such a perfect piece of blackmail?! Being kind to others in this situation is cruel not just to yourself, but your whole clan! You youth! Too straightforward! But trust is of the utmost importance to a merchant, I will agree, yet you also bring loyalty, I will agree!"
"Ah, hm?" Shou Xin was shocked for an instant at the sudden outburst.
"Being a part of a clan which values loyalty to the extent of self destruction, and trust to the point of revealing key plans to one they can't control solely based on that trust. I cannot pass up a chance to join a clan which is so harmonious," Guo Long raised his hand, "The Sea Spring Merchant Union will join hands with the Shou Clan of Sea Spring Province."
Shou Xin quietly raised his hand, and in a moment of shaking the Tilu had ended.
Guo Long of the Sea Spring Merchant Union had become an honorary elder of the Shou Clan.
Such a thing did not spread past that room, remaining a secret to only those three inside at the time.
Once Shou Xin had left, a shadow walked out from the wall.
"Such a youth talented in manipulation bared his heart, betting on trust," The shadow said, "Quite the shock, I was prepared to exterminate them."
"Since when does the Exiled Court's Office of External Affairs get involved in every little thing like this?" Guo Long leaned back, sinking into his couch, "Was he not acquitted of crimes and such?"
"That was because he was presumed dead, since he is alive they are active once again, though since no one died and due to his noble status, those of the Sea Spring Branch are deliberating his fate."
"Cut the kid some slack, the boy's only twenty, it's hardly been a few months since his family was executed and this whole fiasco has begun."
"It is precisely because it is the beginning that it must be debated."
"You all just had nothing to do before since you couldn't destroy the underground families without uprooting the whole province, and higher management wouldn't let you all get that involved."
"We are not known to the extremities. It is better that way."
"Che."
"If we were to show the might of the Exiled Court everywhere, it would cause great fear and the clans would group together and rebel, it is better to stay silent and only raise one's voice during the greater disputes instead of wasting face on small issues."
"Then why bud in here?"
The two just looked at each other.
---
Elsewhere, where natural light hardly touched, word quickly spread like shadows at sunset, casting a gloom over the underground city, Shokin.
Where the five families ruled, the greatest shadows were cast, their residences dyed by conflict as rumors abounded.
"Master Hou! How could your clans allow this to happen?!"
"How could there be a leak? It's impossible. Only we in this room knew, unless there is a traitor."
"Who would betray us within this room? It would be suicidal. The clan's which Elder Hou is the representative of, have decided to destroy the Shou already. We all know how weak they are, it is a sealed deal, no one will dare to rebel now."
"Then? How did the information leak? Are you trying to say that one of the two brutes was able to figure it out?"
"Impossible. Those two are far too narrow-minded."
"It must be their head," The room cooled as the bosses had fear flash on their faces, "The Gu Clan seems to have made a misstep. Their young master attempted to fight with a white haired lad, and was humiliated. As it turns out, one of the brutes, Yui Luo, bowed to him and brought him back."
"Then, if he is alive, we need to move up our plans."
"Why should we? The disciples aren't ready yet."
"Why? Are you serious? It's because their little head is a freak! The little monster of the Shou!"
"That damned clan's final curse to us all."
"In only a few months he's broken into the Second Chain, some reports say." Elder Hou took a deep breath, "It would seem that plans have changed. Their little head, I will send someone to deal with him, you will all attack on the same day of his death and make use of the confusion."
A chilly breeze flowed through the inside of the meeting room.
"Yes, Elder!"
"Good."
Elder Hou took his leave.
Once he was far enough away, the bosses each looked at each other, and turned, leaving in their own directions.
They were not friends, they'd been battling for power for years after all and if not for Elder Hou and the extenuating circumstances they would have attacked each other the instant they saw one another.
---
A week passed slowly, Shou Xin stood in the courtyard of his pagoda where one could see an artificial pond and many bamboo trees.
He took a slow, deep breath, his sword moving at a painstakingly slow pace.
A single slash had been completed in an hour, from draw to sheath.
His eyelids slid open, revealing his incomparably empty gaze which was seemingly filled with a strange fog, covering whatever laid beneath.
A glint passed through those very eyes, and he calmly looked to the entrance of the bamboo forest.
"Uncle Yu."
He cupped his fists.
"Little Master Shou."
Elder Yu cupped his fists in return.
Shou Xin waved a hand to which Elder Yu gladly nodded.
The two headed into the pagoda where tea had already been settled, Shou Xin simply needed to take it out from the hidden eatery.
Using his Sanguine Sword Qi, he heated his own up before raising the other cup to Elder Yu who quietly shook his head.
He preferred his tea cold.
"Why?"
"Hot thing's never agree with me." Elder Yu waved a sleeve, "How are you?"
"I've been well and meaning to give my thanks for saving my life," Shou Xin took out the pure Sword Stone, "Please, take it."
"I can't," Elder Yu firmly shook his head, "I don't mean to spurn your reward, but, I am simply not in need, and it is better used in your hands, Little Master."
"Please, drop the honorifics!" Shou Xin set down his cup, "It is not needed between us."
"Then, youngster, what do you think you're doing? Declaring before the council of elders of the Feng Clan of Fengzhou that you will not only take over the entirety of Sea Spring, but compete for that lass, Wuqing?" Elder Yu took a sip of his tea, "Good leaves."
"She saved my life many times in the past. I've grown attached and don't wish to see her married off against her will," Shou Xin shook his head, "They are using my life as well, to force her to comply."
"The Yan have heard of it as well. By now it will have reached most of the Cloud Spiral State. The rumor says that a ruffian from a small, ruined clan, is trying to go against the Yan for the hand of a princess from the Feng, quite the romantic rumor, don't you think?"
"Rumors are always deceiving. I'm just trying to repay a debt owed." Shou Xin calmly put down his cup of tea, "I assume that Uncle Yu is the representative for the alliance between my Shou and your Tai?"
"Correct. Grandmaster Nufu has sent myself here alongside Grandmaster Vienna to act as an informant and watcher."
"Should you be telling me that?"
"Should I?"
The two caught eachothers eyes.
"Are you really blind?"
Sanguine Sword Qi flowed out from his body, surrounding the area before returning.
Elder Yu nodded.
"I see," He sighed lightly.
"It is fine, I've grown accustomed. I now see in more detail though… losing the color of the world has been hard." Shou Xin's voice lowered slightly as though a whisper, "I miss it sometimes."
"Ah… It will be alright, Shou Xin. As you grow stronger, perhaps your sight will return, or you will come across a medical pill to regrow it."
Shou Xin slowly nodded and simply took another sip of his tea.
Elder Yu felt that it was too unfortunate for such a young person to lose their sight, and become crippled despite being as bright as they once were.
"Allow me to help you forge a blade." Elder Yu picked up the Sword Stone on the table.
Shou Xin looked at him for a moment, and nodded.
"I would decline, but I will need what I can for the coming battles." Shou Xin slowly set his tea aside and stood, his Sea Spring Sword crying out.