Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

‘I hope I don’t have to come back only to hear about another of my children running away.’ Shu Yang thought with a sigh as the walls of Fugu City came up in front of him.

‘I’ve had enough of running around after them.’

“Do you think brother Hu is still here?” Tianxu asked from beside him.

“He should be,” Shu Yang said with a nod. He noticed his son’s expression and couldn’t help but feel a pain in his heart. Tianxu’s eyes had dark circles from lack of sleep. He had been having trouble sleeping ever since Shu Yang found him. And it wasn’t like he was well-rested before that either.

‘Hopefully, reuniting with Tianhu can give him some peace of mind. We should stay here for a few days before heading back so he can rest up properly.’

While Shu Yang was initially angry at Tianxu for recklessly following him, he didn’t have it in him to scold his son. Tianxu was too caught up in guilt at the moment. Shu Yang wanted him to learn his lesson, but he didn’t want him to be traumatized.

‘Hopefully, we can find Zhangye soon, too. I hope he’s doing okay. Those people at least shouldn’t kill him, from what I understand.’

Shu Yang had tried looking for Zhangye, but it was impossible to find him. Shu Yang was only one person, and he had no clue where they could have disappeared to. According to Tianxu, they had moved away with the intention of hiding from anyone who might have caught their trail, so Shu Yang didn’t think he had much of a chance.

His best bet was to report this to the Office and have them look into it for him. He now had some connection to Shen Ye, who should be a high-ranking Official. If Shu Yang told him about what had happened, he would surely launch an investigation to get to the bottom of it. That would be a lot more efficient than just Shu Yang searching on his own.

‘I wonder if he’s still in Fugu City…Otherwise, I’ll have to try to start the investigation without him for now. Tianyue and Lady Jiangxi still have some influence, and I’m a Master now too. It shouldn’t be hard to get this investigation moving; it’s quite serious that these people are running around killing and converting people, after all.’

Before entering the city, Shu Yang took a quick look around, but couldn’t see the black fox. It hadn’t stayed completely hidden these days, but it still stayed out of sight most of the time.

Shu Yang had tried getting the beast to take him to Zhangye too, as it could apparently find Tianxu. But it seemed like it was impossible from the black fox’s reaction. Shu Yang guessed that it could find Tianxu because it had gotten used to Shu Yang’s presence, and Tianxu should have a similar scent or aura, since he’s his son.

“What are you looking for, Dad?” Tianxu asked.

“Nothing,” Shu Yang said, shaking his head, “Let’s go.”

Not long after, they found themselves in front of Lady Jiangxi’s mansion. The guard at the gate hadn’t even gotten the chance to run inside with word of their arrival before Shu Yang spotted Tianyue rushing toward them.

“Dad! You’re finally back!” Tianyue shouted, giving him a big hug.

Shu Yang patted her back and smiled. “Sorry to worry you. Is Tianhu still here?”

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve kept my eyes on him. He hasn’t gone anywhere,” Tianyue said, stepping back and patting her chest. She then turned to Tianxu with narrowed eyes, “But you! Just what were you and…and…Where is Uncle Zhangye?”

“He’s missing. I’ll tell you later,” Shu Yang said with a sigh. He looked back and saw Tianxu hanging his head with a guilty look. “Let’s not argue right now. Let your brother get some rest first.”

“Oh…” Tianyue said, nodding with a slightly dazed look.

“Were you expecting us?” Shu Yang asked. It had looked like Tianyue was sitting by the window, just waiting for them to arrive.

“Master Shen came by a few days ago. He told us that you were right behind him,” Tianyue explained.

“Shen Ye? Is he still here? Why would he come here?” Shu Yang asked.

“He already left with Xiaoshi. They went to look for Xiaoshi’s brother. But…you didn’t know?” Tianyue asked.

“Know what?” Shu Yang asked.

“Master Shen is teacher’s brother!”

“Lady Jiangxi’s brother?” Shu Yang repeated, surprised.

‘What are the odds for that? I remember her mentioning a brother. To think both Tianhu and I would randomly run into him.’

‘Thank goodness I saved him, or I don’t know how I would face Lady Jiangxi in the future.’

“Dad,” A voice sounded, much more mature than the last time Shu Yang heard it. Looking up, he saw his son Tianhu coming toward him, taller and sharper than he remembered him.

“I-” Tianhu began speaking, but seemed to hesitate on what to say.

“I’ll let your mom scold you later,” Shu Yang said, pulling his son in to a hug. “It’s good that you’re safe.”

“Right,” Tianhu said with a small nod, smiling slightly.

Shu Yang let go of Tianhu and looked back at Tianxu.

“You two catch up. I’ll go talk to Lady Jiangxi first. Come find me later, Tianhu, and we’ll have a talk,” Shu Yang said. While he was deeply curious to hear what Tianhu had been up to and the reason for his increase in Bloodline Power, he felt he should let the two brothers have a moment to themselves. They had always been close, and Tianxu had seemed pretty lost these past few days. Perhaps his brother could help where Shu Yang couldn’t.

Shu Yang and Tianyue made their way to the mansion together.

“Dad…What happened out there? That Master Shen was so tight-lipped. Can you tell me? And what do you mean that Uncle Zhangye is missing?” Tianyue asked curiously.

“Well. I need to explain these things to Lady Jiangxi, too,” Shu Yang said, “You can sit with us and listen in.”

Lady Jiangxi was waiting for them just inside the door. She greeted Shu Yang with a wide smile.

“Master Shu. Thank you so much for rescuing my brother,” Lady Jiangxi said, “I know he didn’t do a good job of thanking you himself. But he is also very grateful.”

“It’s nothing,” Shu Yang said, “If we start counting favors, I’m afraid my Shu family can’t afford it.”

Lady Jiangxi laughed happily and led the two of them to her study for some snacks. She had already heard most of what happened from her brother, so Shu Yang focused on telling her what had happened after they separated.

“Do you suspect it’s those evil warriors from the Wen Kingdom?” Lady Jiangxi asked with a frown after hearing the story.

“That’s the only thing I can think of. That man seemed to have the same kind of haggard, aging face I’ve seen on them. Tianxu was taught their killing art, so that should confirm it once we have something to compare it to,” Shu Yang said, “But let him rest for now. It’s been a lot for him.”

“Of course,” Lady Jiangxi said, “This is definitely serious enough to alert even the most powerful families. I’ll send word and get a few Officials here to question you about it, if that’s fine?”

“That’s good,” Shu Yang said with a nod.

After talking a while longer, Shu Yang noticed that Tianhu had arrived outside.

Shu Yang excused himself and went outside to finally talk with his son.

“Let’s take a walk,” Shu Yang said, leading the way around the manor. His son followed behind obediently.

Shu Yang thought about asking about Tianxu, but decided not to. He could talk with him himself later and see how he was doing. Instead, he turned to look at Tianhu and said, “Six years…”

“I’m sorry,” Tianhu said, evading Shu Yang’s gaze slightly.

Shu Yang just shook his head slightly. He didn’t feel like scolding his son at the moment. And while he had left home without saying anything, he was a grown man now. He couldn’t lecture him the same way as when he was a kid.

“So? What have you been up to? Tell me about it,” Shu Yang said.

“Well, the trip to the Sword School went well,” Tianhu began. He then went on to explain how he had met a man called Old Mo who taught him a sword art, and how he had spent the past few years hunting beasts with him in the Black Beast Mountains.

Not many things of note seemed to have happened, or perhaps Tianhu just rushed the story, but when he finally came to the moment where he had come across the two Emperors, he gave quite a few more details, some of which Shu Yang was hearing for the first time.

“Then…I don’t know exactly what happened, but I decided I needed to kill them to survive. So I cut them down, and I escaped with Xiaoshi,” Tianhu explained.

“Wait,” Shu Yang said, trying his hardest to let his mouth hang open, “You’re telling me you’re the one who killed the pursuers? Three Grandmasters? How?”

“I don’t know. I just cut through them. It’s…sort of hard to explain,” Tianhu said with a small frown.

Shu Yang could hardly believe his ears.

‘Is that how his Bloodline Power increased? Just what did he do?’

“Can you do it again? Can you show me?” Shu Yang asked.

“It comes to me quite easily now,” Tianhu said with a nod, “But I don’t know if it’s suitable to unleash an attack here.”

“Just target that boulder,” Shu Yang said, deeply curious, “I’ll explain it to Lady Jiangxi later.”

“Alright,” Tianhu nodded. He gripped his sword, and an invisible pressure seemed to settle over Shu Yang’s shoulder.

Before he knew it, Tianhu had swung his sword, and a bright flash of light shot from it and struck the boulder several feet away.

A sharp noise rang out, and the boulder began to slide. The light had cleaved straight through the rock, splitting it in two.

This time, Shu Yang really couldn’t keep his mouth from opening in shock.

‘What the…What kind of ability is that? Even I felt a sense of danger from that sword strike!’

He turned to look at his son. “How did you do that?”

“I guess the best explanation is…that I somehow will it to happen. And I trust my sword to make the cut,” Tianhu said, “Sorry. I still don’t quite understand it myself.”

‘Could it be some sort of sword intent? I’ve never heard of that before, but what else could it be?’

‘Tianhu actually managed to figure that out on his own? I thought I was pretty impressive with my Bloodline Tree, but why does Tianhu seem more like a protagonist from a story than I do?’

“Well…Good job,” Shu Yang said, still not quite able to wrap his head around the new information.

‘His Bloodline Power has increased, but he doesn’t have any traits. What a shame, it would be great if I could inherit this ability. But then again, it feels a little more valuable knowing that it’s not something that can be inherited. You have to comprehend it on your own. Tianhu only has this ability thanks to his hard work over the years.’

‘Actually, it’s great news. I’ve been worried about my less-talented children, but Tianhu has shown that talent isn’t everything. Even with my incredible ability, Tianhu might be even more powerful than I am…’

‘Bloodline really isn’t everything.’ Shu Yang thought with a smile. While he could accept his children not becoming powerful warriors, he couldn’t accept that they didn’t have the possibility, should they want to. But now, that didn’t seem to be as much of a worry.

“Have you told anyone about this?” Shu Yang asked, feeling like something like this shouldn’t be flaunted, or there could be unexpected consequences.

“No one,” Tianhu said, “Only Xiaoshi knows, since she was there when it happened.”

“Don’t tell anyone in the future if you can help it,” Shu Yang said.

“Alright, I’ll be careful,” Tianhu said with a nod.

“It can’t be hidden forever. But you should at least become stronger first,” Shu Yang said, “Have you noticed anything different about yourself? Did it feel easy to advance to the 1st-grade stage?”

“It actually was,” Tianhu said with a confused look, “Why is that? Do you know?”

“Your Bloodline Power has increased tremendously,” Shu Yang said, “You shouldn’t face much of a bottleneck even all the way up to the Master stage. Of course, that is if you work hard. But since you have a sword art now, it should be easier for you.”

“Really? I can become a Master?” Tianhu asked, eyes wide open.

“What’s a Master to you?” Shu Yang questioned, rolling his eyes, “With that sword of yours, even a Saint might not be worthy of mentioning in the future. While advancing to the Master stage certainly isn’t a bad thing, you should walk your own path.”

“Dad! Teacher Jiangxi has prepared dinner for everyone.” Tianyue stuck her head out of a nearby window and broke into the conversation.

“Oh? We’ll come inside then,” Shu Yang said.

“Did Tianhu tell you about Xiaoshi?” Tianyue asked with a grin.

“What about Xiaoshi?” Shu Yang asked, looking back at his son. Noticing his expression, Shu Yang had a guess what it was about. Shu Yang smiled slightly and asked, “Is there something between you two?”

“Not really,” Tianhu said, looking up at the sky.

“You like her?” Shu Yang asked.

Tianhu looked at his sister and hesitated for a moment before nodding, “I do.”

Shu Yang grinned. He knew how special the Shen bloodline was. And from what he had heard, Xiaoshi was very talented.

“So, tell me more about her,” Shu Yang encouraged.

“Well…Dinner is ready, I’ll go get Tianxu,” Tianhu said, turning his face away in embarrassment.

Shu Yang had to fight his laughter seeing his son’s dumb look.

‘Does Tianhu have it in him to court someone? I’ll have to give him some advice later. I can’t let such a good daughter-in-law get away.’

‘Shen Ye should come back after he has looked for his son. I can see what he thinks about the idea then.’

‘In the meantime, I need to go back home and move the family here. I really can’t have the family spread out between two places anymore, and Fugu City will become a lot safer in the future.’

‘I also need to look into building a hideout in the Black Beast Mountains in case things take a turn for the worse.’

‘And then…increase my strength and prepare for war.’