The days in the Riverscale Clan had begun to meld into one another, as if the entire valley were caught in a timeless loop. The tea shop had flourished in the aftermath of the Academy event, its doors swinging open for a flood of eager patrons, many of them drawn by the shop's serene atmosphere and the reputation of Daiten's exquisite brews. For weeks, the bustle felt endless, but as the novelty faded, the crowds thinned, leaving behind a familiar stillness.
Now, most customers were the elders of the clan, old friends of Daiten who lingered over steaming cups, trading stories about days long gone. The quiet return of routine suited Daiten, but it wasn't without its challenges.
Kai, the enigmatic helper with the scarred visage, had become an indispensable part of the tea shop. Although he remained reticent, his dedication was impossible to ignore. He moved with a meekness that belied the strength in his every action. The facemask he wore and the curtain of hair shielding his face were small barriers between him and a world that could not understand him. Yet, his silence was filled with purpose, and his actions spoke louder than any words ever could.
"Careful with that tray, Kai," Daiten said, his deep voice tinged with approval as he watched the young man navigate the narrow aisles with surprising grace. "Balance is everything. If you can't carry tea with steadiness, you'll never understand its essence."
"Yes, Grandmaster Daiten," Kai replied softly, almost inaudibly, his hands steady despite the weight of the ornate tea set he carried.
Xianlu glanced up from behind the counter, where he was expertly brewing a pot of Black Tea Leaves. His gaze lingered on Kai and Daiten for a moment longer than necessary. Though he said nothing, he noted the way his Grandfather Daiten had begun to trust Kai, guiding him with a patience that was rare for the usually blunt tea master. Kai's responses were few, but his diligence was unmistakable.
Later that day, Xianlu and Kai ventured to the bustling marketplace to restock their supplies. The journey was almost wordless, as usual. Xianlu offered instructions—this herb, that leaf—and Kai obeyed with precision, carrying heavy sacks of goods effortlessly. At one point, Xianlu allowed himself a small smile. Despite Kai's silence, there was a reliability in him that Xianlu had grown to appreciate.
It was a quiet morning in the shop when unsettling news arrived. A horde of beasts had been spotted near the clan's borders. The whispers among the customers grew louder, and the words Beast Wave sent ripples of unease through the air.
Daiten's brows furrowed deeply. "A Beast Wave…" he murmured, his tone heavy with memory. He glanced at Kai, whose face was hidden behind his mask, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something—fear, anger, perhaps both.
Xianlu observed this but chose not to speak. He knew Kai's history, the scars that ran deeper than the ones on his face. For now, the tea shop was safe, tucked within the protective heart of the Riverscale Clan. Life continued, but the shadow of the approaching beasts loomed in everyone's minds.
The tea shop hummed with subdued chatter, the regulars settling into their usual corners, sipping their steaming cups as a fragile calm hung in the air. Daiten stood tall behind the counter, his presence as commanding as ever, a gentle smirk playing on his lips as he bantered with an elderly customer.
"Ah, Master Koicha, you'll ruin me with these prices," the elderly man jested, his wizened face creasing in a good-natured smile.
Daiten laughed, the deep, rich sound carrying across the shop like a warm breeze. "Ruin you? Please. If I sold my tea any cheaper, I'd be sipping boiled rainwater in a month!" He leaned forward, his golden-edged koi scales catching the light. "Besides, your silver purse isn't the only thing I keep afloat. This shop thrives because of your gossip—you're my unofficial town crier."
The old man chuckled. "You've always had a way with words, Daiten. Perhaps too good a way."
"Ah, flattery will get you nowhere," Daiten retorted, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But if you really want to lower the price, try bringing me some real news next time. None of this recycled nonsense about who planted the first spring radish."
"Grandpa," Xianlu interjected from behind the brewing station, his tone carrying that particular mix of exasperation and affection only family could manage. "Stop bullying the customers."
Daiten grinned, unrepentant. "I'm not bullying. I'm negotiating." He turned to the old man and winked. "You agree, right?"
The man waved a hand, still laughing. "As long as the tea keeps flowing, you can call it whatever you like."
Before Xianlu could reply, Daiten's expression suddenly shifted. His laughter faded, and his hand rose to clutch his chest. The room seemed to hold its breath as he staggered slightly, his normally commanding frame swaying.
"Grandpa?" Xianlu's voice tightened with alarm as he abandoned his brewing station.
Daiten tried to wave him off, his lips twitching in what might've been an attempt at a grin. "I'm fine, Xian-Xian. Probably just… too much tea this morning."
The words barely left his mouth before his knees buckled. His towering frame collapsed with a heavy thud, his koi-scaled arms sprawling as customers gasped and scrambled to their feet.
"Grandpa!" Xianlu shouted, kneeling beside him and shaking his broad shoulder.
From the back room, Kai burst in, his sharp gaze darting to the scene. Without hesitation, he strode forward, his movements efficient and calm despite the chaos.
"Grandmaster," Kai said firmly, crouching down. "Can you hear me?"
Daiten groaned, cracking one eye open to peer at Kai. His voice was strained but still laced with that stubborn humor. "I'm down, not deaf, boy. Don't shout."
"Stop talking!" Xianlu snapped, his panic making his voice waver.
Daiten chuckled weakly, though it turned into a coughing fit. "Xian-Xian, if I stop talking, how will you know I'm not dead? Besides… I can't go yet. I haven't finished teaching this boy how to smile."
Kai ignored the jab, carefully sliding his arms under Daiten's shoulders. "I'll take him to the clinic, Master."
Daiten frowned as Kai began to lift him. "Careful now, boy. If you drop me, I'll haunt you—though, I'd make a damn good-looking ghost, wouldn't I?"
"You're heavy," Kai muttered under his breath, though there was no strain in his movements.
"Muscle and charm, boy," Daiten replied, his voice softening as his head lolled slightly.
Xianlu followed close behind, wringing his hands as they exited the shop. "Grandpa, please stop joking," he whispered, his throat tight with worry.
Daiten cracked a weak smile. "It's not joking. It's coping. You should try it, Xian-Xian. Might help with that permanent frown you've been cultivating."
At the Clinic
The public clinic was small but clean, its walls lined with herbal remedies and tools for minor injuries. The physician, an older man with sharp eyes and steady hands, leaned over Daiten, his expression grim.
"This isn't good," the physician muttered after a long examination. "The damage to your veins has worsened. It's likely from that old injury you sustained during your last mission. I warned you to take it easy, Daiten."
Daiten, now lying on the examination table, rolled his eyes. "Take it easy? You may as well ask the sun to stop shining. I've got a business to run."
"This is serious," the physician said sharply. "If you don't get proper treatment, you could be facing permanent damage—or worse."
Xianlu, standing at the foot of the table, paled. "Worse? What does that mean?"
"It means," the physician said, fixing Daiten with a hard stare, "that you're lucky you're still alive. Your bloodline's strength has kept you going, but it won't hold forever."
Daiten snorted. "What's the point of a legendary bloodline if it can't keep me from croaking over a little chest pain?"
"Grandpa!" Xianlu's voice cracked as tears pricked his eyes. "This isn't funny!"
Daiten's gaze softened, and he reached out to pat Xianlu's hand. "Hey now, Xian-Xian. No tears. I'm not gone yet, am I?"
"You might as well be if you keep pushing yourself like this!" Xianlu shot back, his voice trembling.
Kai, who had been silent in the corner, stepped forward. "What's the next step, Master physician? Can he recover?" Although Xianlu is from the Koicha Household, since he was a mortal, he had to call Vein-Weavers with honorifics.
The physician nodded slowly. "With proper treatment, yes. But it'll require advanced knowledge of Vein-Weaving injuries. My resources here are limited."
Xianlu squared his shoulders, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest. "I'll find someone. Whatever it takes."
Daiten chuckled faintly. "That's the spirit, Xian-Xian. But make sure they don't charge too much. I've got a reputation as a shrewd businessman to maintain."
"Grandpa," Xianlu said quietly, his hands curling into fists, "if you don't stop joking, I'll—"
"You'll what? Love me less?" Daiten interrupted, his smirk softening into something gentler. "Relax, boy. I trust you. You've always been resourceful."
Xianlu swallowed hard, blinking away the sting of tears. "You're impossible."
"And proud of it," Daiten replied, closing his eyes. "Now go. I'm not going anywhere just yet."
As the physician began to administer temporary remedies, Xianlu and Kai exchanged a glance.
Seeking Help
Determined to save Daiten, Xianlu first sought out Hanzo and Ryujii Koicha, but they were outside the clan fending the Beast Wave. He then went to find Madam Eini, and old friend of Daiten who had often aided the tea shop in the past. But her lodgings were empty; she had already embarked on one of her solitary journeys.
With his options dwindling, Xianlu turned to the Herb Farmer Faction. If anyone could help, it was Madam Mayumi, the faction's most skilled Herbalist. But before he could reach her, his path was blocked by familiar figures.
"Look who's crawling out of his little tea shop," sneered Renji Koicha, his lips curling into a mocking grin. His taller and more imposing companion, Tetsuo, crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"I don't have time for your games," Xianlu said sharply, trying to push past them.
Renji stepped in his way, his hand slamming against Xianlu's chest. "What's the rush, Dead Veins Koicha? Going to beg for more herbs to brew? Pathetic."
"Step aside," Xianlu growled, though his voice quavered.
"And what if I don't?" Tetsuo taunted, leaning closer. "You think you can challenge us? You're not even a full Vein Expansion cultivator. What a disgrace to the Koicha name."
Xianlu clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Every word they spoke was a barb, tearing into the insecurities he fought to bury. But he couldn't let them stop him. Not now.
"I said move," Xianlu demanded, his voice rising.
Renji laughed, the sound cold and cruel. "Make us."
Before Xianlu could respond, a shadow appeared behind him. Kai stepped forward, his presence quiet but commanding.
"Move," Kai said simply, his voice low but firm.
Renji's laughter faltered as he took in the masked figure. "And who's this? Your bodyguard?"
Kai didn't reply. Instead, he shifted slightly, his posture calm but unmistakably ready for a fight.
Tetsuo smirked. "You think you can take us both on? Don't make me laugh."
"Try me," Kai said, his tone steady.
For a moment, the tension in the air was palpable, crackling like a storm about to break. Renji's bravado faltered as his gaze met Kai's unyielding stare—calm, yet carrying an undercurrent of something raw and dangerous.
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Renji's face. Though hesitant, he couldn't ignore the unmistakable presence radiating from Kai—an aura that could only belong to a Bloodline Awakener. Scowling, Renji took a reluctant step back, his arrogance dampened by a growing unease.
"Not worth our time," Renji muttered, turning away. "Let's go, Tetsuo."
As his cousins retreated, their smugness replaced by a wary unease, Xianlu let out a shaky breath, his shoulders sagging with relief. He turned to Kai, his voice softer than usual. "Thank you."
Kai gave a curt nod, his expression obscured by the mask he always wore. "Let's go, Master," he said, his tone calm but edged with urgency, as if dismissing the confrontation as nothing more than an inconvenience.
Yet, Xianlu couldn't shake the weight settling in his chest. That brief exchange had revealed more than he wanted. Renji and Tetsuo weren't the type to let something like this slide. Their retreat wasn't submission—it was calculation. The way their eyes lingered on Kai, the silent recognition of his aura as a Bloodline Awakener, was enough to make Xianlu's stomach churn.
He stole a glance at Kai, who stood quietly by his side, an unyielding pillar of strength. At such a young age, to bear that aura so effortlessly—it was both impressive and dangerous. The Main Branch of Koicha Household wasn't forgiving of those who upset its delicate balance of power, especially when that power came from an outsider.
Unease prickled at Xianlu's thoughts, his mind already weaving potential scenarios. If word of Kai's bloodline spread, it would bring attention—attention that could easily shift to scrutiny, envy, or outright hostility. His relatives, petty and cruel as they were, could very well use this as leverage.
Xianlu's gaze flickered to the horizon as he began to walk. Unknowingly, his thoughts spiraled into a flurry of strategies. He considered ways to maintain the fragile distance between himself and his relatives, plotting measures to keep the tension from boiling over. Perhaps he could divert their attention or create subtle distractions to downplay Kai's significance.
For now, he resolved to stay vigilant. Stability was fragile in the Koicha Household, and protecting Kai meant more than safeguarding his loyalty—it was about preserving their fragile status quo. Xianlu didn't trust the storm brewing beneath the surface of his family's politics, but one thing was certain: he wouldn't let his cousins dictate their future.
The Herb Farmer Faction's main hall buzzed with activity, the looming beast wave having thrown its usual order into chaos. Xianlu and Kai stood near the edge of the room, patiently waiting for their turn to meet Madam Mayumi. The ornate wooden beams above them seemed to creak under the weight of bureaucracy, and the steady shuffle of papers at the secretary's desk added to the oppressive atmosphere.
Xianlu remained composed, though he could see the secretary casting disdainful glances his way. A Koicha by name, yet shackled by his father's infamy—a truth Xianlu had long accepted. He straightened his posture, ignoring the secretary's subtle yet deliberate delays in moving his request along the queue.
Kai stood silently at his side, but his sharp eyes darted to every interaction in the room. The way power ebbed and flowed here didn't sit well with him. His fists tightened, though he kept his composure in deference to Xianlu's calm demeanor.
As the minutes stretched into an hour, Xianlu stole a glance at Kai and said softly, "It's fine. This isn't the first time."
Kai's jaw clenched. "Master, does it not bother you? Their behavior?"
Xianlu's lips twitched in a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "What good would it do if it did? I can't change their minds, only outlast their pettiness."
Kai's gaze softened at the quiet strength behind the words, but his irritation didn't wane.
Just then, a familiar figure entered the hall, her presence understated yet distinct. Miharu Renmizu, a reserved inner disciple of the Riverscale Academy, quietly approached the secretary's desk. Dressed in modest robes, she carried an air of unassuming grace, her movements measured and purposeful.
Her eyes flickered to Xianlu and Kai briefly, recognition flashing in her gaze. Xianlu didn't notice her at first, lost in his thoughts, but Kai stiffened slightly. He sensed something different about her—not hostility, but a cautious regard.
Miharu leaned toward the secretary, her voice low yet firm. "I'm here on behalf of Madam Mayumi. She requested that certain individuals with urgent matters be expedited." She slid a small, folded note across the desk, one that bore Mayumi's seal.
The secretary blinked, his expression shifting to one of mild discomfort as he scanned the note. He cast a reluctant glance toward Xianlu, then back at Miharu, who maintained her calm, collected demeanor. "These two?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
"Yes," Miharu said simply. Her voice carried no room for argument, though it was far from aggressive. "Madam Mayumi values punctuality. Surely you wouldn't want to inconvenience her by delaying her schedule further?"
The secretary hesitated, then begrudgingly gestured toward the inner office. "Very well. Proceed."
Miharu turned and approached Xianlu, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. "You'll be able to see Madam Mayumi now. Follow me."
Xianlu blinked, startled by her sudden intervention. "Miharu," he said quietly, "why—"
She interrupted him with a small shake of her head. "Not here. Just go." Her tone was soft, yet insistent.
Kai exchanged a brief glance with Xianlu, then followed as Miharu led them toward the door to Madam Mayumi's chambers. Once they were out of earshot, Xianlu spoke again, his voice laced with gratitude. "Thank you, Miharu. I didn't expect you to—"
"You don't need to thank me," Miharu cut him off gently, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was paying them undue attention. "I just… heard you needed help. That's all."
Xianlu tilted his head, studying her for a moment. "You didn't have to get involved. It could've caused trouble for you."
Miharu hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I know. But I couldn't just stand by. I… respect how you handle yourself, even when people treat you unfairly." Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly added, "Just don't read too much into it."
Kai observed the exchange silently, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Miharu's subtle movements. Despite her shyness, there was a quiet resolve in her actions that intrigued him.
As they reached the door to Madam Mayumi's office, Miharu stopped and turned to Xianlu. "This is as far as I can go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't mention my name to her, please."
Xianlu nodded, offering her a small smile. "I won't. Thank you, Miharu. Truly."
She returned a fleeting smile before stepping back, blending into the bustling crowd as if she had never been there.
Kai waited until she was out of sight before speaking. "She has a strong sense of duty, despite her quiet demeanor."
Xianlu hummed in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "She's always been kind, in her own way. I just hope she doesn't get caught up in my troubles."
Kai glanced at him, his tone steady. "She knows the risks, Master. But sometimes, even small acts of kindness are worth the danger."
Xianlu gave him a sidelong glance, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "When did you become so poetic, Kai?"
Kai merely inclined his head. "It must be Grandmaster's influence, Master."
Xianlu chuckled softly, his earlier unease easing slightly as they stepped into Madam Mayumi's chambers, ready to plead their case.