Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

Deep inside the Black Beast Mountains, four years after Tianhu unknowingly had another younger sister, he sat on the grass under the morning sun, sharpening the sword his father had bought for him many years ago.

“It really is fate that we met in the middle of nowhere, isn’t it, Ye kid?” Old Mo asked the man Tianhu recognized as the one who had killed the burglar outside his home when he was a child.

“I’ve run into plenty of people lately. Even if the Black Beast Mountains cover a large area, there are a lot of people running around these days. It’s not so strange to run into an acquaintance,” Shen Ye said, “And stop calling me Ye kid.”

“Still so sensitive,” Old Mo said, shaking his head, “Look at Tianhu here, I have to dedicate myself for hours to get him half as riled up as you get with a single word.”

Shen Ye’s face twitched slightly, glancing briefly at Tianhu with what appeared to be discontent.

“Well, it was nice catching up,” Shen Ye finally said, rising to his feet.

“Don’t tell me you’re already leaving?” Old Mo asked.

“It’s been two days already, you should be rested enough now, right?” Shen Ye asked, “I came here for my children to gain some experience, not to chat with you.”

“So what if I’m rested? I’m still only an Innate warrior. It’s dangerous for people like me out here. Since we met, you should stick around, right? Don’t tell me you won’t feel guilty if I end up dying out here. As a Master, you bear a heavier responsibility.”

The two of them continued their argument, and Tianhu sat quietly to the side, listening without speaking. He exchanged a quick glance with Shen Xiaoshi, Shen Ye’s daughter. She seemed just as confused as he was.

Even after two days, he still hadn’t figured out the relationship between his teacher and this Shen Ye.

It looked like they were close, but Tianhu knew that his teacher didn’t always behave according to conventions. The reason he gave for taking Tianhu as a student four years ago was that he found it interesting that he was only a 3rd-grade warrior.

Tianhu had thought he was just joking at first, but as he spent more time with Old Mo, he began to suspect that that was actually all there was to it.

But then again, Tianhu had advanced to the 2nd-grade stage two years ago, and Old Mo hadn’t seemed disappointed that he wasn’t so weak anymore. Of course, that strength was really nothing to speak of around these parts. Among the people who came to the Black Beast Mountains, his talent was really abysmal.

But Tianhu felt that he was making great progress, especially as Old Mo had given him a sword martial art to practice. He now didn’t have to spend time practicing punches and kicks in order to advance; he could focus all his time on the sword.

He was really thankful that he had made the decision to come here. If he had stayed in Baishu Village, he might still be a 3rd-grade warrior. But now, he felt that the 2nd-grade stage might not even be the end of the road for him. Practicing the sword martial art made progress, while still slow, feel as easy as drinking water.

‘I feel like I’m getting closer to something else recently. Something different from the next grade of martial art, but still an increase in strength. It’s right there, but I just can’t grasp it.’

‘Oh, well. If swinging my sword a thousand times doesn’t take me there. I’ll swing it another thousand times.’

“Bored?” Old Mo asked from the side, waving his hand in front of Tianhu’s eyes.

“No,” Tianhu answered.

“He’s well-behaved, but not as fun as you, Shen Ye,” Old Mo commented, and then began packing his belongings.

Tianhu also stood up and got everything packed, as it seemed everyone was preparing to leave. It looked like they were continuing to travel together, lifting Tianhu’s spirits.

“Why do you keep comparing us? I’ve never been your student. You haven’t been going around telling people that, have you?” Shen Ye asked.

“Since when do I go around spreading rumors, whether they are true or false? I compare you because, in some ways, you’re quite similar, actually,” Old Mo said with a small grin.

“I don’t see it,” Shen Long broke into the conversation with a scoff. He was Shen Ye’s son. An Innate warrior, a few years older than Tianhu. Over the past two days, Tianhu had come to understand that he was insufferable, so he tried not to engage with him.

The first thing Shen Long did when the two groups ran into each other was ask Tianhu why he was so weak. Tianhu couldn’t be bothered to respond, so he just ignored him, which immediately ignited Shen Long’s temper. Shen Ye had to reprimand him to behave before he reluctantly calmed down. But ever since then, he had been giving Tianhu mean looks and would throw in a snarky comment from time to time.

“Of course, you don’t see it; it’s not visual. In appearance, Tianhu is much more handsome than your father,” Old Mo said, bursting out in laughter.

“Just say what you want to say,” Shen Ye said, rolling his eyes.

“I found Tianhu practicing his sword outside the Sword School four years ago. Despite only being a 3rd-grade warrior without any training in a sword art, his sword had a certain flair to it. I thought I’d better give him some advice, as his sword was still swung with a certain reluctance, like he was bearing a heavy weight on his shoulder. I told him that a swordsman should be unfettered and swing his sword without worries. Guess what he told me?”

“What?” Shen Ye asked.

“He said that only by having that weight does his sword cut with meaning. A completely unfettered sword doesn’t have any weight to it, and can’t cut through anything important. Sound familiar?”

‘So that’s why he accepted me as a student?’

“Oh? Well, he’s got the right idea,” Shen Ye said, turning to look at Tianhu with a little more approval in his eyes.

“Of course he doesn’t,” Old Mo said, shaking his head, “Seeing another young swordsman on the wrong path, I had no choice but to intervene. Unfortunately, he is quite stubborn.”

“Don’t listen to Old Mo’s nonsense,” Shen Ye said, turning to speak to Tianhu, “You’re on the right path. I follow the same type of swordmanship myself.”

“I know,” Tianhu said, nodding.

“You can tell?” Shen Ye asked with a small smile.

“I saw you swing your sword when I was a little,” Tianhu answered, “I liked it, so I’ve been trying to do the same.”

“Seriously? Where did you see me swinging my sword?” Shen Ye asked.

“A burglar was fighting with my Dad outside my house. You came there and killed him,” Tianhu answered concisely.

“Where are you from?” Shen Ye asked.

“Baishu Village.”

“Baishu Village…” Shen Ye muttered, trying to recall the name, “Is it close to Chunsi Town?”

“Yeah,” Tianhu nodded.

“I remember now,” Shen Ye said, smiling, “So you’re that man’s son. What are the odds for that?”

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” Old Mo asked. Tianhu thought he could hear a touch of grievance in his voice.

“It never came up,” Tianhu answered with a shrug.

“You…Forget it,” Old Mo said, shaking his head, “Turns out you had already stolen my student long before I met him, Ye kid.”

“Don’t blame me just because a swing of my sword is more effective than years of your personal instructions,” Shen Ye said with a proud grin, “It’s just that my sword is touching upon something deeper than yours can ever reach.”

The two of them continued their argument, walking off side by side. Tianhu followed behind along with Shen Ye’s son and daughter.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Xiaoshi turned to Tianhu and asked, “Was my Dad’s sword really that impressive? I haven’t noticed anything special about it.”

“I don’t know, I was only a few years old back then. But it made an impression on me. And I still agree with the way Master Shen thinks about the sword,” Tianhu answered.

“You think you can do the same?” Shen Long asked from the side, looking at him with a mocking smile.

“I’m not trying to do the same,” Tianhu answered. Ignoring Shen Long completely would only make him angry, and Tianhu couldn’t be bothered dealing with his outburst so early in the day.

“Wasn’t that what you just said?” Shen Long questioned.

“I said I was impressed by it and wanted to be able to swing my sword in a similar way. But I’m still trying to make it my own. Hopefully, I can take it further and make my sword more powerful than even Master Shen in the future.”

“Haha,” Shen Long laughed mockingly, “You’re quite arrogant, aren’t you? Do you even know who my Dad is? Not to mention a 2nd-grade warrior like you, even other Masters wouldn’t dare to surpass him in swordsmanship.”

“Alright, brother. It’s not a bad thing to have goals. I’m aiming to surpass Dad, too. You should also try to do so. Who knows if you might actually succeed one day?” Xiaoshi broke in and advised her brother. Tianhu thought she had a genuine tone, but Shen Long just snorted and walked off.

‘Why is he always so quick to lose his temper? I’d have thought an Innate warrior so young would be a little more gracious. I guess being talented doesn’t do much for your state of mind.’

Xiaoshi sighed beside him as her brother walked away.

Tianhu didn’t ask why her brother was the way he was, and Xiaoshi didn’t say anything either. They kept walking in silence, a few feet apart.

Tianhu quite enjoyed the moment.

When he first met Xiaoshi two days ago, he was pretty stunned by her. It was like the first time he had seen Shen Ye’s sword strike; her image seemed to become etched in his mind. But this time, the feeling was much more intense, and he felt strange all day, his mood jumping from joy to anxiety at the smallest change of Xiaoshi’s expression.

A whole day passed in that state, and then Tianhu finally decided that Xiaoshi was the girl he would marry. It was either her, or no one at all. After making that decision, everything felt alright again.

Whether he would marry her in the end, or instead marry no one at all, Tianhu didn’t have any control over which of the two would happen, so he wouldn’t fret over it. He had made his decision; he just needed to stick to it.

Tianhu turned to look at Xiaoshi, finding it strangely pleasant to watch her striking profile. After a few minutes, though, Xiaoshi finally turned around and gave an awkward smile.

Tianhu wasn’t stupid. He once again turned his head to look at the landscape.

‘It’s probably not going to happen. I guess that’s fine. I’ll ask her when it’s time to separate just to make sure.’