Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

“This is it. What do you think?” Shu Yang asked, grasping his wife’s hand as they stepped through the gates to their new home.

“It’s so big. Is all of it ours?” Qianyue asked. They couldn’t even see the end of the property as they walked down the path made out of some kind of marble-like stone.

Shu Yang was also quite impressed by the grandeur now that he saw it in person. It truly felt like an abode fit for Immortals.

‘Too much plot of land is wasted, though. We could definitely build a few more houses here. Or at least try to get our hands on some spiritual plants to grow here.’

‘I’m sure Qianyue would love having plants to take care of. Especially ones that aren’t just for decorations, like the ones back home, but crucial to our family’s finances.’

“What a huge building! And over there is another one,” Tianyi called out from behind.

Once Shu Yang had signed the proper papers, and paid for five years of rent upfront, he had gone back to the flying ship to get his family. 

It was quite a long walk over, having taken the family several hours. And that was despite them being very close considering the size of the city. Shu Yang really didn’t know how they would get around in the future. It sounded preposterous to travel for weeks just to visit another part of the city.

“Is it the first one over gets it?” Tianyi asked, looking like she was ready to sprint over to the huge building in front of them.

“Of course, not,” Shu Yang said, rolling his eyes. “I’ve already decided where everyone will be staying.”

He turned toward the crowd of people behind him and called out. “Follow me everyone, I’ll show you around, and let you know where you’ll be staying in the future.”

Shu Yang had already gotten a thorough overview of the property when he rented it, and had determined the purpose for each building straight away.

“This here will be the Main Mansion,” Shu Yang said as they arrived at the huge building just ahead. “No one will live here, it will be the place where we receive guests and a place for our family to work on administrative tasks.”

It might not be very necessary at the moment, but Shu Yang was thinking ahead. 

If, say, Tianyue was in charge of recording the merits of the Shu Family members, she would need a place to do that. People couldn’t just run around the estate to look for her every time they needed her, there needed to be a proper place of business. 

“We’ll take a proper look inside later,” Shu Yang said, and continued guiding people further into the estate. 

“This will be the Art Hall,” Shu Yang introduced as they arrived at a huge courtyard. It was one of three buildings, including the Main Mansion, that were considerably bigger than the other buildings in the estate. It would be the place for alchemy, talismans, formations, and all kinds of arts his descendants might be studying in the future.

Shu Yang then led them back to the Main Mansion, passing it, and arriving at the third and final building of great size. “This courtyard will be Tianren’s and Tianan’s family’s home. Tianren, you will have the east wing, and Tianan will have the west wing.”

“No way, they got it just like that?” Tianyi asked.

“They have the biggest families. They should naturally get the biggest home,” Shu Yang answered with a shrug.

He continued leading everyone around, stopping at various courtyards and assigning them to people. Tianhu and Tianxu were allotted one with a big private yard to share. Tianzheng received a smaller one for his own family.

Jiangxi and her family also got one, and Qianyue’s brothers got one to share. He also showed an area empty of buildings where he would let in-laws, like Shen Ye, build their own private homes

He really couldn’t just give each of them a whole courtyard to keep for themselves. Either they would have to live with their family. Shen Ye, for example, could live with Jiangxi or Xiaoshi if he wanted. Or they could build a smaller place to stay if they wanted to live separately.

Shu Yang also picked a small cozy courtyard in the back of the estate, with a big yard and a small pond, where he and Qianyue would live.

“Wait, what about me?” Tianyi asked when Shu Yang appeared to have finished allotting everything.

“And me!” Tianyue called out anxiously.

“Unmarried children stay with their parents, of course,” Shu Yang answered with a grin.

“No, but…” Tianyi and Tianyue looked at each other in dismay.

Qianyue clapped her hands excitedly next to him. “Good decision, darling.”

Shu Yang smiled happily. He felt it was an excellent way to handle things. 

“That goes for all of you of the Xin generation, as well,” Shu Yang called out. “You might have noticed that there are still quite a few empty buildings. They will go to whoever marries a wife or husband and brings them into the family. First come first served.”

Seeing his grandchildren’s excitement, Shu Yang felt happy with his thinking. But then he noticed the glint in the eyes of a few of the younger ones, and he had to add, “But don’t be in a rush. You’re still young, there is still plenty of time. When I say first come first served, I just mean you will get to choose first. But everyone of the Xin generation will get their own place to stay if they bring a partner home. No matter if it’s tomorrow or several decades from now.”

It might be a bit difficult to fulfill that promise in the future, but he would have to figure out a way. He couldn’t have his grandchildren rushing to find a partner just so they would have a place to stay in the future.

“Alright. That’s it for now. Everyone can go get familiar with our new home. We’ll probably need to buy a lot of things. If you think of anything, tell Tianyue about it, and I’ll visit a marketplace in the city later to buy what we need,” Shu Yang said.

No one had any objections to that, quickly scattering to explore their new home freely.

Only Tianhu and his family stayed behind. 

“Dad. I think we should get back to Bian Fenglin,” Tianhu said.

“Already?” Shu Yang asked.

“Well, we now know where our new home is, there is no point in letting him wait for us any longer,” Tianhu said.

“I guess that’s true,” Shu Yang said. He fumbled with one of his storage rings for a moment before giving it to Tianhu. “Here. I put the token Bian Fenglin gave me inside. It might come in handy on your return trip, you never know.”

“Okay, good,” Tianhu said, accepting the ring.

“There are also some spirit stones inside. I don’t know how much the trip to return will cost, but 200 middle-grade stones should be more than enough. Don’t get scammed, though, I doubt it will cost more than 10, I just gave you more in case anything goes wrong.”

“I understand,” Tianhu said, “But this is more than 200, no?”

“Give 100 middle-grade stones each to the children,” Shu Yang said, “You never know what expenses might crop up. We don’t want them to have to take on any dangerous assignments in order to afford resources, right?”

“Thank you,” Tianhu and Xiaoshi both said gratefully.

Shu Yang stepped forward to Xinmo and patted him on the shoulder, “I’ll leave you in charge of the spirit stones. I don’t trust your sisters to spend it reasonably, just give them a few at a time. Give them out at your own discretion.”

100 middle-grades stones were a fortune. Shu Yang doubted they’d need more even if they had to advance to the Foundation stage. But that was if they didn’t waste them. Shu Yang feared the twins might see a sword they liked and waste their spirit stones in the first week. It was better for Xinmo to decide how they were spent.

“I understand,” Xinmo said, nodding. 

“It will be tough. Really tough. Are you sure you can handle it?” Shu Yang asked.

“I’m sure,” Xinmo answered seriously.

“Good. If it ever becomes too much, remember that you’re not alone. You have us behind you. If you don’t like it there, don’t be afraid to come back home,” Shu Yang said. He actually wasn’t certain that Xinmo would have it better in the Sword Sect than back home. The twins were different, as they certainly would be valued for their Sword Bones. But who would care about Xinmo surrounded by so many geniuses?

“I understand, Grandpa,” Xinmo said, nodding.

“That goes for you girls too,” Shu Yang said, lowering himself and hugging his granddaughters. “Come back home anytime. And if anyone bullies you, tell them that you have a fearsome grandfather back home, and they should be careful, or I will come and beat them up for you.”

“Grandpa,” The girls said sadly, as they started crying.

“It’s okay,” Shu Yang said, stroking their backs. “I’m sure you’ll love it at the Sword Sect. You’ll have your brother there to take care of you too. If you don’t like it, just send a letter and we’ll come get you back.”

Shu Yang doubted it would be so easy to take a disciple away, but if they really weren’t happy over there, Shu Yang would definitely find a way to bring them back.

“Go say goodbye to your grandmother,” Shu Yang said, rubbing their little heads, “She will be upset if you leave without saying goodbye.”

The children nodded obediently and ran off in the direction Qianyue had gone.

“I’ll take them around to say goodbye to everyone,” Xiaoshi said and went after them.

“How are you feeling?” Shu Yang asked once just Tianhu was left.

“Well, I feel like they are a bit too young,” Tianhu answered, “But I guess that’s what makes them desirable for the Sword Sect.”

“Yeah,” Shu Yang nodded, “It would be better if they had gotten to grow up a bit more first.”

Unfortunately, he couldn’t do anything about it. The Sword Sect preferred to accept them as young as possible. Besides, Bian Fenglin had been so accommodating toward them in large part because he wanted to bring the twins back to the sect with him. As for Xinmo, they were the ones who had asked for him to be accepted. It wasn’t like they could change their mind and ask Bian Fenglin to wait for a few more years.

Besides, Shu Yang really liked the idea of the twins having their brother with them.

“Well, I guess I’m glad they have this opportunity when it all comes around,” Tianhu said, “I know I would have been ecstatic if I’d have the same chance back when I was their age.”

“I’m sure it will be good for them,” Shu Yang said, nodding. “Make sure to not drag your feet over there. Return home as soon as you can. We can’t have Xiaoshi giving birth on the road, can we?”

“Don’t worry, we won’t be that long,” Tianhu said, smiling slightly.

Once Xiaoshi had taken the kids around to say their goodbye’s, she returned to get Tianhu, and they all left their new home together, going back toward the flying ship where Bian Fenglin was waiting.

‘I really hope they’ll be fine over there. I’ll have to make some time for a visit once everything is settled.’

Shu Yang watched as Tianhu and his family left. When they were out of view, he turned his head around, looking out over his new home. 

‘But for now, I guess I have a lot of work to do.’