(Note: The next few chapters will focus on Clan Snizer and some of their work.)
Sitting at an ivory table is Thomas Snizer, who despite being over 50 years old, doesn't look to have made it past 40.
He has an imposing look, sometimes frowning as he reads some documents.
After an indeterminate amount of time, he set the documents down on the table, wrote something down, and threw it into a neat pile.
Soon he looked at the people in front of him, his attention landing on Liliana Scamber, his 2nd wife.
"I hear you've been keeping an eye on Kai's situation, do you have anything to report to me?" Thomas asked calmly.
Liliana hesitated, but then said. -"Kai is growing up very strong and healthy, as well as he is mastering Basic Martial Arts very easily, but he still hasn't decided on any weapon he prefers to use."
"What's the problem?" Thomas asked, noting her obvious hesitation.
"… Kai started asking for strange things, Makima is doing his will with his own money…"-Said Liliana, hesitating a lot.
"Just speak at once!" - Thomas said sternly.
"Kai is asking for a lot of blood and bone ashes, he also asks for some poisonous herbs and if possible, some poisonous animals..."-Said Liliana sighing.
Thomas raised an eyebrow, then asked. - "What does he need these things for?"
"When I asked him, he said he's only interested in these things and says it somehow eases his chronic pain!" - Liliana said calmly.
Thomas closed his eyes, then looked at Sasha nonchalantly off to the side.
"What about Fabio?" - He asked calmly.
Sasha soon with a radiant smile said. - "Our son succeeded in negotiations with the Silver Mountain Clan, they will pay 10,000 Gold Coins and demand our best Martial Artists for escort work!"
Everyone in the room was excited to hear this, a huge amount of money.
"You have something else, right?" - asked Thomas, knowing his wife.
"Indeed, they are willing to pay 12,000 Gold Pieces if the Patriarch is willing to guarantee the protection of their goods!" - Said Sasha smiling.
No one said anything to that, everyone focused their attention on Thomas.
Thomas had his eyes closed, thoughtful, until he asked. - "What will we escort?"
"Apparently it's an artifact, they're selling it to an allied Clan, it's actually more of a gift to improve relations and establish some arranged marriage." - Said Sasha calmly.
At that moment someone from the group raised their hand, Thomas looked at him and said. - "What does Gustavo have to say?"
"My lord, what I have is a question for the 1st Lady." - Said Gustavo, one of the Elders of the Clan.
"Can ask." - Said Sasha smiling.
"Our Clan has had a close relationship with the Silver Mountain Clan for many years, including the interest in bringing the Clans even closer through marriage, this had been discussed for a long time and I learned that negotiations were being held relevant to the matter, so… what is this all about?" - Gustavo asked seriously.
Thomas didn't say anything, allowing Sasha to respond.
"Relevant to this matter, in fact, in the past a possible arranged marriage between the two main families of each Clan had been negotiated, but 8 years ago problems occurred and in the end the negotiation did not go through.
In fact, our relationship with the Silver Mountain Clan has soured a bit due to this occurrence!" - Said Sasha smiling coldly and everyone looked at Thomas.
The situation is well known, 8 years ago, it was when Makima arrived pregnant, saying she was expecting the Patriarch's child, something that shook the entire Clan and created many disagreements.
Knowing that this affected the relationship between both Clans…
"But 1st Lady, even if such a thing had occurred, it shouldn't be that serious, it's just something minor!" - Said another Elder and others agreed.
"But that wasn't the case at the time, due to the sudden occurrence-" - Sasha was interrupted.
"Stop talking in codes, everyone already understood that you are talking about Makima and Kai, get straight to the point!" - Thomas said coldly.
"Well then… because they thought it was a secret marriage, the Silver Mountain Clan decided to keep an eye out before making a decision, then came the fact of your financial support for that poor sick child, which might have made them mistakenly think that the line of succession in our Clan has become messed up.
As such the matters of the arranged marriage were never brought up again, in fact the Silver Mountain Clan even had an interest at the time the young man was born, but knowing of his illness, they backed down." - Said Sasha coldly.
Silence dominated the room, until Thomas said. - "Well, I will be personally participating in this mission, so send a messenger hawk!"
"I will as soon as possible!" - Said Sasha smiling.
"If you have anything else to report, say so!" - Said Thomas looking at everyone.
For a while only silence lasted, until an old lady said. - "My lord, relevant to the expenses, how many of our men are you thinking of taking?"
"I will take 2 Masters, 10 1st Class and 50 2nd Class!" - Thomas said calmly.
"I understand, as will be the case, some cutbacks will need to be made to get everything running smoothly in the financial sector." - Said the woman calmly.
"… what's happening?" Thomas asked.
"In the last 3 years, expenses have been increasing, but recently due to the war in the neighboring territory, our work has decreased, but our expenses have continued to increase, if this continues, we will have to open our emergency coffers!" - Said the woman calmly.
Thomas rubbed his chin thoughtfully, so Sasha said. - "Honey, how about that child's excessive medication? I understand that in the last 2 years, your health is exemplary and your strength is constantly growing, there is no longer any need for treatment, even more so with your strange new requirements, it will only increase our expenses unnecessarily."
Thomas frowned at this, until Liliana spoke. - "I agree, in fact Kai had told me that it was no longer necessary and I already stopped buying the medication, but I left enough for another 3 months of treatment, just in case."
Sasha frowned slightly, but smiling she said. - "That's great to hear, one less problem!"
"Without consulting me?" Thomas asked calmly.
"Actually it was meant to be said in private, but as the subject was brought up I thought it was good to say." - Liliana said calmly.
Thomas nodded, dropping the subject, and Liliana continued. - "I also think it will be good to cut some expenses relevant to small parties that are being held at the Red Pavilion and the Luxurious Mansion."
Sasha frowned at that.
"I agree, I've wanted to end these meaningless parties for a long time, so you can tell those involved to put an end to it!" - Thomas said.
Sasha smiled, saying nothing, the subject was noted and soon Sasha said. - "There is also that auction at the end of the year, I think that even 800 Gold Coins for a sword, is quite excessive!"
Liliana frowned at this, she wasn't the only one.
"Leave this matter alone, for this money will come from my own pocket!" Thomas said, waving his hand.
Sasha looked at her husband and smiled.
But obviously it wasn't the end, because as the 2 ladies started jabbing at each other, others took advantage as well.
Thomas grunted but had to listen, he blames himself for that.
...
1 week later!
Thomas was accompanied by 62 men, the main forces of the Clan, he was talking to their wives and some elders.
It was a simple farewell, until a pale child approached with a small box in hand.
Thomas looked at his 7 year old son, curious about what was in the box, but he soon took Kai in his lap, he gave a slight smile, because just by the touch, he could feel how strong his son's vitality was getting.
At that moment Kai was even heard from him, Thomas became attentive and Kai said. - "Inside the box are medicines that enhance recovery, but in return will cause a lot of pain during the healing and scarring process, as far as I know, can be used to relocate severed limbs."
Thomas' eyes widened at all this, then he looked at his son, then at the small box.
"Just take one of the meat balls and mash it over the wound, then let its liquid pour out, but it will lose its effects 1 week after the box is opened!" - Said Kai looking into his father's eyes.
Thomas looked startled and asked. - "How did you get your hands on this?"
"I created!" - Kai said.
"As?" - Thomas asked seriously.
"I learned by reading and testing, I also used my blood." - Said Kai calmly.
Thomas looked at his son, then sighed and said. - "Okay, I have to go, take care of your mother!"
"I will go!" - Kai said.
Thomas put it down, then put the box in his bag, he has his doubts, but it doesn't hurt to try in case of an incident.
...
"What did the younger brother give you?" - Asked Fábio curiously.
"Some medicine he created." - Thomas said calmly.
"Did he have an Alchemy teacher?" - Asked Fábio surprised and very curious.
"No, apparently he taught himself by reading." - Thomas said.
"… did you see? Are they real?" - Asked Fabio skeptical to hear that.
"I didn't see it and I don't even need it, if I open the box, it looks like it will lose its effects in 1 week, I tried to probe with my Internal Energy and… apparently it's real…" - Said Thomas still in doubt.
"If you say so, there is no reason to doubt it. It will be nice to have an Alchemist in the family." - Fábio said smiling, Thomas nodded, but he was already thinking about the headaches if this becomes real.
...
Clan Snizer arrived in Silver Mountain Clan's territory in 4 days!
As the Silver Mountain Clan is a Mid-Range Merchant Clan, naturally due to their proximity in their territories and range of influence, both parties needed to have a good relationship to avoid falling out.
And since the Snizer Clan is a Martial Clan, with an Exalted Realm Master as the Patriarch, it goes without saying that the Clan is in great demand for missions of this type, so it is one of the main sources of income for the Clan.
And upon their arrival in Silver Mountain Clan's territory, they were quickly met at the entrance of the city by a small group of people in luxurious robes.
"Patriarch Thomas, it is an honor to see you again, please accompany me!" - Said a chubby man smiling with his fingers full of gold rings.
Thomas nodded, pressing his fist into his palm in respect.
Soon a group of servants dealt with Thomas' subordinates, as they led him and his son, as well as the other Master, to the main Clan quarters.
...
"Brother Thomas, long time no see, how have you been?!" A tall, fat man was laughing as he gave Thomas a big hug, which he returned with a smile.
"Brother Galiam, I see you have grown even stronger!" - Thomas said laughing.
"I have indeed gained some weight, but put that aside, come on, I have prepared a feast for your arrival!" - Said Galiam Hilton happily.
Thomas followed and Galiam said as everyone followed. - "So, how has the family been?"
"It's going great, I have nothing I would change!" Thomas said smiling.
"Oh, how enviable, I on the other hand have a fat and lazy son, who envies Brother Thomas!" - Said Galiam sighing.
"Don't be like that brother Galiam, all your sons are worthy and talented men, they even give me a headache when we negotiate, this son of yours, it just means that he still hasn't awakened the wits of his father and brothers!" - Thomas said, which made Galiam laugh heartily.
...
Soon everyone was at a large dining table, laden with all kinds of meat, vegetables, grains, fruits, and drinks.
Galiam sitting in the main seat, with Thomas at the other end, both chatting happily, with Galiam constantly praising Fabio for having become a Martial Arts Master, now he just needs to become a monster like his father.
The mood in the dining room was very happy and relaxed, all sorts of topics coming and going, until Galiam finally asks.
"Brother Thomas, I am curious about something."
"Oh, what would it be, Brother Galiam? Please say, I will be glad to answer!" - Thomas said.
"I'm curious about your 5th child, the son of your 3rd wife, are the rumors true?" - Galiam asked calmly.
Thomas was silent listening to this, making the whole mood go cold, so he asks. - "What would these rumors be?"
"Rumor has it that due to his son's incurable illness, he is physically weak, but in return he has such heightened senses that he can sense when someone's life is in danger." - Galiam said calmly.
"Ah, the rumor about the brother being able to see death, in fact, it is partially true, but I would say that it is more a heightened sense to detect poison, it is nothing that far-fetched, it was just luck!" - Fabio said smiling calmly.
"It's like my son said, Kai is a very sensitive child, he also noticed something wrong and let us know, so we could avoid a horrible scenario." - Thomas said calmly.
"Oh, I see, indeed, how good! But I heard that recently his health has been improving, but since the rumors are so strange, it's hard to believe!" - Galiam said smiling.
"In fact, my son has improved a lot in his health since he started Cultivating, he also turned out to be quite talented, as much as his brothers." - Thomas said with some pride in his voice.
"Oh, that's great to hear, I hope your son is in excellent health then and that our families can become even closer friends in the future!" - Said Galiam smiling and raising a glass of wine.
Thomas laughed and did the same, so did the others at the table, and soon the atmosphere was lively again.
...
Galiam was sitting on his bed, wearing only his pants, drinking some water to clean his mouth a little.
"Honey~ how was it?" - Asked a gentle voice.
Looking at the owner of the voice, smiling Galiam said. - "It was good, I learned a lot and I discovered that that old man is close to a discovery, I can feel it!"
Hearing this, the beautiful woman who hugged him from behind, placed a kiss on his cheek and asked. - "I understand, but what will you do now?"
"I found out that your youngest son's health has been improving a lot, I'll send someone to investigate, not to mention that cocky one seemed pretty proud when talking about his youngest son, there's certainly something more to it!" - Galiam said smiling.
"So… are you thinking of giving Calliope away?" - Asked the worried woman.
"Depends on what is discovered, I would never give my daughter to have a husband who could die at any moment, not to mention that it is still too early to make a decision, but if it goes according to my expectations, it will be time to create a tighter connection with the Snizer Clan!" - Galiam said calmly.
The woman behind her was silent for a while, Galiam smiled and pulled her onto his lap, giving her a kiss and saying. - "Don't worry my dear, I will make a point of giving our daughter a decent husband, when I already lied to you?"
Hearing this, the woman smiled, still worried but more confident.
===
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