Spring ushered in a time of renewal, its soft breeze carrying the fragrance of blooming flowers and budding life. Jin and his daughters, Gian and Mochi, ventured toward the capital city of Tianlan, leaving behind their secluded home. The journey was filled with laughter and innocent curiosity, particularly from Mochi, who delighted in every new sight.
"Father, how big is the city?" Mochi asked, skipping alongside him.
"Big enough to get lost in," Jin replied, his tone unhurried.
Gian, walking a step behind, glanced at her father. "But we won't, will we?"
Jin offered a rare smile. "No, we won't."
Their journey was uneventful at first, the family enjoying the serenity of the countryside. But as they approached the capital, the air grew heavier—not with tension, but with reverence. Travelers on the road noticed Jin's presence, their steps faltering as they caught sight of him.
"It's him…" a merchant whispered, dropping his wares as he knelt on the dirt path.
"Lord Architect…" murmured another, hastily bowing until his forehead touched the ground.
Gian and Mochi exchanged confused glances, their steps slowing.
"Why are they doing that?" Gian asked softly.
Jin said nothing, his expression impassive as he continued walking. Behind them, the line of kneeling travelers grew, their murmurs of awe following in their wake.
---
The City's Reaction
When they reached the gates of Tianlan, the reaction was instantaneous. Guards abandoned their posts to prostrate themselves before Jin, their weapons clattering to the ground. Word spread like wildfire, and within moments, sect leaders, clan heads, and high-ranking officials were streaming toward the gates, their faces pale with awe.
The head of the Jade Lotus Sect, a man known for his stoic demeanor, was the first to arrive. He fell to his knees before Jin, his voice trembling. "Your Excellency… this honor… we are unworthy."
Others followed suit, forming a sea of kneeling figures that stretched as far as the eye could see. The bustling city came to a standstill, its people frozen in reverence.
Gian's emerald eyes widened as she clutched Mochi's hand. "Father… what's happening?"
Mochi tilted her head, looking between the kneeling figures and her father. "Are they scared of you?"
"No," Jin said simply, his voice calm. "They recognize power."
The sect leaders dared to look up, their gazes darting toward Gian and Mochi with curiosity and trepidation. One of them, a woman adorned in silver robes, whispered, "So these are the daughters of the World Architect…"
The murmurs of those present grew louder, and Gian felt a wave of unease. Mochi, however, stepped closer to Jin, her youthful curiosity overcoming her hesitation.
"Father, are you really that powerful?" she asked, her voice cutting through the reverent silence.
Jin's gaze softened as he looked down at her. "Enough for them to kneel."
---
A Lesson in Grandeur
The leaders approached cautiously, their voices filled with respect. "Lord Architect, how may we serve you?" asked the head of the Iron Sky Clan, his hands trembling as he clasped them in a formal salute.
Jin's tone was indifferent. "I have no requests. Continue as you were."
The leaders exchanged glances, clearly hesitant to leave. It wasn't until Jin waved his hand dismissively that they reluctantly retreated, their reverence still palpable.
As the family entered the city, the streets parted for them. Citizens knelt on either side, their whispers of awe and respect audible even to Gian and Mochi.
"Father," Gian began hesitantly, "you said you were strong, but… this is different."
Jin glanced at her, his voice calm yet firm. "Strength is not just power. It is the ability to change the course of the world. That is what they fear—and respect."
Mochi tugged at Gian's sleeve. "Does that mean we're strong too?"
"Not yet," Jin replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But you have the potential."
---
Realization
The day passed in a whirlwind of reverence and awe, with Gian and Mochi experiencing the weight of their father's reputation for the first time. That evening, as they settled into their new home, the two sisters sat together, their earlier excitement replaced by contemplation.
"Do you think we'll ever be like Father?" Mochi asked, her voice quiet.
Gian hesitated before answering. "I don't know. But… it feels like we're part of something much bigger."
Jin observed them from the doorway, his gaze thoughtful. He had shielded them from the grandeur of his existence for years, allowing them to grow in peace. But now, as they stood on the precipice of the wider world, he knew it was time for them to understand the magnitude of their lineage.
And so, as the night fell over Tianlan, the world buzzed with the revelation: the World Architect had returned to the public eye, his daughters at his side.