Come morning, Shou Xin ached in places he didn't know he could ache, the strength of a Seventh Stage Physique Cultivator not to be underestimated during practice.
Glancing at Feng Wuqing, he smiled and drew the blanket up further before preparing himself and heading down stairs to the main floor.
As he sat at the entrance of the Heart Mind Pagoda, leaned back in his seat with some tea, he looked out to the bamboo forest all around which had been freshly transplanted and was continuing to grow even now.
Chilly winds blew between the long shoots.
"Hm?" His eyes widened as he realized his body had relaxed, an occurrence which he didn't realize could happen due to his relaxation being only in mind.
His muscles wavered for a moment and he sank into his seat comfortably, looking incredibly laid back and slovenly.
"Patriarch." A First Chain guard appeared just outside of the bamboo forest with his fists cupped and spoke in a low voice, "The Yan Clan have sent an envoy which wishes to have an audience."
And just like that, his relaxed, comfortableness in his seat was shattered, but he refused to allow it to escape and so did not move, instead falling deeper into his comfort as he sent out a wind, his voice carrying over it gently.
"Fine."
The guards eyes widened as he did not know where the noise had come from or if it had been an illusion, but he dared not question and bowed deeper before vanishing.
Now essentially one with the chair, Shou Xin switched out his tea for a gourd of wine which had appeared at his side.
Whilst he did not know who it was that was doing these things for him, he was grateful and gave a slight nod despite it off setting his comfort ever so slightly.
"Now entering, the Grand Envoy of the Yan! Yan Mugo! First son of the Yan Clan Head Elder, and known as the Tiger of Tiancao!"
The sudden loudness and fanfare with the tens of servants flanking on this Yan Mugo, whose hair was shimmering due to the products in it, and eyes were like a serpents, was extremely irritating to any who saw it, but Shou Xin did not flinch.
"What business does the Yan Clan of Yangu State have with myself?" Shou Xin calmly spoke whilst maintaining his seating.
Immediately angered, the servants moved forward to attack, but their strength did not exeed the Third Chain and they were directly knocked out.
Shou Xins leaking Sword Aura had shattered their minds, he calmly spoke once again.
"Lord of Shouai Ward, bestowed by the Exiled Court's External Affairs Ministry and Patriarch of the Shou Clan, Shou Xin. Now, why have you come, Yan?"
He was still as calm as before, but the rippled had begun to spread, Yan Mugo's gaze rippled as though a stone cast into a lake.
"Ah, pardon the rudeness of my subordinates. They were agitated by unknown customs," Yan Mugo smiled, "The Yan have come in search of the young miss of the Feng who went missing in this city a few months ago."
"You may search the entirety of Shouai City for her. But, do not harm the mortals." Shou Xin said easily as he uncorked the gourd, sniffing the wine he felt a bit strange as was reminded of Vienna who carried one with him, and he calmly offered it away.
Yan Mugo looked at the wine, his brows furrowing as he he shook his head.
Shou Xin shrugged and set it aside.
"Lord Shouai. Our Yan Clan has already searched the Shouai City and it's surroundings, this is the only place we have not searched and would like to be given permission to look around." Yan Mugo quickly followed up, "Of course, we do not suspect the Shou of hiding the young lady of the Feng. But, as it is a matter of alliances between Great Clans, we must be thorough in case she has hidden among new disciples."
"We have not taken any new disciples. And, if you truly seek to find her, then contact the External Affairs Ministry, the way the Yan is operating right now is highly suspicious," Shou Xin's gaze narrowed, "I will overlook the fact your Yan has gone underneath my authority and searched Shouai without coming to greet myself."
At this, Yan Mugo's facial expressions twitched.
Who are you to expect the Yan to come and greet you? Are you thinking too much of yourself?
He wished to say many things, but could say nothing.
In the wake of the Shou Clan's rise in Shouai, the patriarch being a mysterious person whom at the Second Chain could kill Third Chain experts and in only a few months after appearing, took over Shouai which had been contested for a long time despite being a small coastal ward, many rumors had risen.
Of course, the Yan would not listen to rumors, but every fire requires some kindling. Yet, the mystery of the Shou Patriarch remained thick as though an information block had been placed from somewhere high above which made the Yan tread carefully lest they step on some powerhouses toes.
They were not worried about the Shou Clan since their Patriarch was not Second Chain long ago and could not possibly have become too strong in the few months between reports. They worried about the giant controlling the Shou.
However.
Yan Mugo chose to take a risk. If the giant behind the Shou was hiding away even in this situation, that person was likely afraid or worried about the strength of their Yan! He chose to make a gamble.
"I see. Then, we will finish out search in the Shou Clan, and be off. With nothing to hide, I am sure City Lord Shouai will not mind?" Yan Mugo flicked his fan and many shadows rushed out in all directions.
Now, will you come out? Yan Mugo paid close attention.
Shou Xin calmly waved his hand, and countless shards of Sword Aura shot out, shattering the minds of those much weaker than himself directly.
Sword Field.
Strengthened by his immense Sword Aura, his Sword Field was now many hundreds of times more deadly than the last time it had seen the light of day.
Within the bamboo forest, no one was allowed to leave.
Shou Xin leisurely stood up, a second later an explosion rang out above him and debris fell right where he was previously sitting.
"Ah," He shook his head and steadily took a few steps, as though he were gliding over the ground, "Why did you have to do that?"
With Fukkatsu in one hand, and the it's sheath in the other, Shou Xin looked down on Yan Mugo who had already stepped back and raised his long sword.
The aura of a fifth chain cultivator ripped at the surrounding Sword Field, but it was useless. He was only delaying the inevitable.
After all, Shou Xin was not going all out.
He watched from his position hovering on Fukkatsu, looking down on him with a merciless stare.
Soon enough, he arrived at the hole on the top floor of the Heart Mind Pagoda where Feng Wuqing was cooly standing and looking down at the carnage below, he quietly stepped off Fukkatsu and stood beside her.
"How was your sleep?" He asked casually as he took out the gourd from before, offering her some.
She took it and shrugged, "Could have been better. These are the Yan, right? Where is they're protector?"
Shou Xin scanned the area and spoke again, "He's the Seventh Chain hiding in the bamboo forest, I assume?"
"Mm. Probably. They don't let servants or guards rise above the Mortal Chain Realm." Feng Wuqing took a swig of the wine and set it on her hip as though some sort of a barbarian.
"He's about to get serious, it seems." Shou Xin said off-handedly as he looked off into the distant bamboo forest, it seems he had taken distance to not be discovered but that now played against him.
However, as he was looking there, his eyes were attracted elsewhere, to Yan Mugo who had stopped fighting and held the sword of his close to his body, his eyes closed.
"Six Yan Sword Strokes, the First Stroke, Yanhu!"
His sword turned illusory and several of him appeared, in quick succession the Sword Fields blades were bounced back, the power used to attack being redirected like a river's flow!
Shou Xin's eyes were like search lights as his Sword Sight activated, revealing much of the secrets of the technique.
Immediately, he felt his Sword Aura growing stronger as he watched the high level technique. Though, soon enough he scowled and stopped watching so closely.
"Garbage." Feng Wuqing shook her head, "Redirecting the strength of the attacks at the cost of his own life force. At a higher level however, it can turn into a true river catching everything within it's flow."
"The weakness lies solely in the user." Shou Xin slowly stepped down from the pagoda, heading out atop of Fukkatsu towards the area where the Protector was ripping his way towards Yan Mugo.
Shou Xin's thirst for battle soared after seeing the technique and hearing of what it could become at a higher level. He had to feel it with his own body, or his soul would not be satisfied.
"Move!" The Protector did not even stop to look at Shou Xin who now stood in his way, a violent Sword Aura at the same level as his own slammed into him.
However, his own Sword Aura cut through it with ease. Such was the difference between a purely battle risen Sword Aura, and one cut out through solely training in safety.
Between the two, Shou Xin was sharper and far more tenacious, directly beating him out.
"Nine Sanguine Sword Art, Fukkatsu Koka Kiru." Shou Xin directly started with his Koka.
"Six Yan Sword Style, Yanhu!" The Seventh Chain Expert's strength burst out like a mountain exploding against a hill.
As the countless swords of the Fukkatsu Koka Kiru struck the river defense of the Yanhu, a great explosion took place!
Shou Xin's pupils shrank as the protector arrived beside him, his sword an inch away from his side.
Yet, Shou Xin turned into an illusion the instant the sword touched him, a powerful breath of Qi reaching the protector from behind.
Nine Sanguine Sword Art, Fukkatsu Kiru.
Six Yan Sword Style, Yanhu Kai!
The river which seemed to have been painted by a fine brush through the open air changed directions and the strength of the Fukkatsu Koka Kiru flipped, countless swords redirecting themselves towards Shou Xin!
Yet, he did not flinch.
Sword Steps!
No one knew this technique better than himself, easily he dodged through them and arrived before the protector who was grinning frigidly.
Shou Xins eyes widened, and were filled with disappointment.
The protector felt strange and looked down at the strike he had hidden within the Yanhu Kai!
It had missed it's target completely.
"Hidden stroke?" Shou Xin shook his head lightly and passed the protector's side, casually sheathing Fukkatsu, "Fukkatsu Kiru."
The immense Sanguine Sword Qi from earlier which had shot out and allowed him to use his Yanhu Kai was simply the diversionary strike, the truth of the Fukkatsu Kiru was concealed amid the turbid battle, hidden within the sword itself.
To try and use a hidden strike against Shou Xin was to challenge an eagle to a flying match despite being wingless. One would not succeed.
At the same time, the Fukkatsu Koka Kiru which had been held within the Yanhu and then sent out by the Yanhu Kai began to turn once again, countless small cuts appearing on the edges of the illusory swords knocking them into the protector and turning him into a blood mist.
His eyes were filled with confusion and regret until the very end.
"Disappointing."
Click.
Stepping onto Fukkatsu, he flew over to where Yan Mugo had been completely restrained.
"How could you defeat Protector Hu?!" Yan Mugo shouted, looking terrible. Those servants who had flanked him on either side were knocked unconscious, but not dead.
"Casting pearls on swine does not make them any less swine." Feng Wuqing looked down on Yan Mugo feeling sickened at his lack of understanding despite his position, "Between one raised through constant struggle and battle, and one raised as a house pet. Who would win, the tiger or the cat?"
Yan Mugo's eyes were bloodshot.
Six Yan Sword Style, Yanju!
His sword flung out, and Yan Mugo's entire body began to shrivel! The sword carried the strength of his entire body, his sword an artifact which could enhance his strength causing it to become a strike with the full power of a Sixth Chain Expert.
Shou Xin's eyes carried onto the blade.
Six Yan Sword Style, Yanhu?
Fukkatsu shone and like a painters brush upon his canvas a translucent river was painted along the open sky turning the area within his Sword Field into a painting like-place, catching the final strike of Yan Mugo within!
"H-, How?!" Yan Mugo's shriveled up eyes widened in disbelief as a realization appeared in his mind, "Monster!"
"Yanhu Kai." Shou Xin flicked his wrist and it was as though the entire Sword Field was sucked into the single stroke.
The river flipped direction and the sword which was heading for Feng Wuqing turned and flew at breakneck speed towards Yan Mugo, however!
He ripped a talisman in his hand and a light sucked him in, but not before the sword could enter and follow him!
Shou Xin stopped for a moment, and sighed.
Feng Wuqing stood at his side.
"The External Affairs Ministry will stand on our side, with this." She said leisurely to which Shou Xin nodded calmly.
Naturally, he understood what she meant.
There was a reason as to why he played with Yan Mugo instead of killing him, and chose not to restrain his bloodthirst against the Protector as he did with Yan Mugo.
It was because if he had struck first, then even the External Affairs Ministry could not step in and lend a hand, this was also the reason why he didn't kill anyone but the Protector, not even when he could have easily slaughtered the servants for their indiscretion.
Feng Wuqing took out a Record Stone, which could take in the images, sounds and noises of everything around it with ease so long as nothing interfered with it.
Whilst above watching everything, she had been recording not only the battle, but the conversation leading up to it where Yan Mugo admitted to going under the authority of the City Lord and then completely disregarding the External Affairs name by trying to initiate an investigation which had been stopped without having a good reason to.
With this Shou Xin shook his head.
"The External Affairs Ministry will only be able to stop them from surface attacks." Shou Xin felt that life was going to get harder again.
"Then, we need to grow stronger. Within a few days, the first break for the Cloud Seer Cities Cloud Spire Academy will begin, and many will flood here, it could be a chance to make allies." Feng Wuqing offered, but Shou Xin shook his head, "I thought so."
Whilst making allies was a good choice, it was impossible with the difference in status, especially with the nature of the Wild States, everyone has their own agenda which they push without absolute ruthlessness for anything less will be taken advantage of.
In this dog eat dog world, one could only rely on themselves, and rarely, on their family.
It was a one for all everywhere but the surface.
Because of this, it was impossible to trust anyone as allies. It was a lesson taught in blood and passed down in the same manner through generations and those which didn't learn it, didn't survive.
The reason behind why Shou Xin had allied with Guo Long was simply because he required one more power to complete his plan of fully pulling the roots of the great clans within what was Sea Spring at the time, since he did not have the manpower to do so.
If not for that… he would have likely killed Guo Long.
Thinking up to there, Shou Xin felt his hatred bubble up, but quickly squashed it with a sharp gaze turned towards the entrance of the bamboo forest.
"Uncle Yu!" Shou Xin smiled beniengly, "What brings you here at such a time?"
Feng Wuqing smiled, "Uncle Yu, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Elder Yu nodded with a gentle smile.
"I felt the shockwaves of battles and well… it seems I was right to come. The Yan have made their move. What will you do?"
Shou Xin steadily turned his gaze away, scanning the surroundings before speaking calmly.
"Elder Yu. We, the Shou Clan, have chosen… war," He said tactfully, "Due to the events leading up to the incident, the 'City Lord' is free of sin."
Elder Yu understood immediately.
By hiding beneath the External Affairs Ministry, they could not avoid war, but could avoid involving the position of City Lord and by extension keeping the mortals and innocents out of the war which was to come.
"...Our Tai School will then, withdraw." Elder Yu said, his face growing dark.
Shou Xin did not flinch, however Feng Wuqing seemed to be thinking.
"Uncle Yu, I am glad to have made your acquaintance, and am grateful for your previous assistance. I wish you good fortune." Shou Xin cupped his fists.
In a moment, Elder Yu took a step back and turned into a storm of blades and blue light, vanishing from his position.
"It seems you've been abandoned, Young Master Shou." Guo Long appeared from the bamboo forest, Wo Yiyu beside him, watching silently.
"Guo Long." Shou Xin looked at him quietly, "With the Shadow Rocs gone, you will also become like a leaf in the wind."
He nodded.
"Indeed, Young Master." Guo Long lowered his head slightly, "Sea Spring is no more. With this hopeless war on the horizon and the city a safe place, I cannot have any more dealings with the Shou, lest it drag the mortals in. As such, I will cut away here. Should you need help to escape before they arrive… I will give my aid."
"Hey!" Wo Yiyu glared at Guo Long but he shook his head.
"I was given great sincerity and great trust. In myself a true admiration was born for the stalwart Shou, however, I cannot allow that to endanger everything. If the Shouai Merchant Armada should fall, then Shouai City will starve and become destitute. I will not do as your greed wills, not now." Guo Long responded coldly as he lowered his head, "Partner."
Wo Yiyu ground her teeth and stepped in front of Guo Long who quietly faded into the background with an apologetic gaze.
"Shou Xin! This is my final offer!" Wo Yiyu raised her finger at him with a burning look, "Abandon Shouai, take your most talented disciples and leave here. There will be time for revenge later. Become my sword, and together the Wild States will kneel."
Shou Xin's pupils seemed to expand and deepen, turning dark and vast, "Princess, have you found out why you are a hopeless leaf?"
"Because my ambitions are great, you call me a leaf which cannot control itself? Because I seek more than this?!" She opened her arms pointing to the destroyed land, "If that is what a leaf in the wind is, then I will gladly flutter until my very last breath!"
Shou Xin seemed as though he expected such a response, and lightly shook his head.
"You are no leaf because you have great ambitions," He said slowly as his eyes locked with hers making her flinch, "It is because you are slave to them."
A person has no choice but to be pulled along the wind when they choose to become a leaf, allowing their raw emotions, ambitions, thoughts and feelings to pull them along without any oversight.
When control over ones own future is lost, enslaved by their single-minded focus, they stop being human and begin down the path of the leaf, carried along by their goal until the wind stops and they fall and are shattered by the weight brought by the realization that in the end, save for the first step, they never made any choices for themselves.
To be a leaf carried by the wind, is to be a slave to it.
With these words, Shou Xin turned his back to her, Wo Yiyu's expression dark.
"...Fine then. " She said coldly, "Let it be this way, then. But you will live to regret your choices here."
Parting ways, Shou Xin slowly walked into the bottom floor of the Heart Mind Pagoda, he did not feel sad that Elder Yu had left, nor taht Guo Long had chosen Shouai over him.
He clearly understood that neither of them did so out of their own volition, they had enslaved themselves to their own goals and ideals, putting one thing above all else, including themselves.
After all, to be a leaf was not a terrible thing, but to be carried by a foolish wind feeding a great fire, that, that was something which he looked down upon.
Wo Yiyu and them were not the same.
The only reason he did not see himself as a leaf, was because he did not have the ability to feel an ambition anymore.
At first, it was to become a master, but soon that became a necessity he had just stepped on by coincidence and now walked down without a choice, yet he did not feel it was forced.