Chapter 110: Tangled Branches

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    The disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan are those who have been born into it or have proven themselves by passing the Selection Exam, a feat only the most talented of prodigies dare to attempt.

    However, the reward is well worth it. Those who belong to the Eternal Flame Clan have access to resources the average cultivator would never be able to obtain. Those who join the Eternal Flame Clan are strong and become stronger. That simple truth cannot be denied.

    Imagine, for example, two people of equal talent who have been born in the same city. One joins the Eternal Flame Clan while the other stays in some lesser Sect. Naturally, even though their talent is the same, the one who joins the Eternal Flame Clan will become far stronger. The difference between the two will only increase with every passing year until the person who did not join the Eternal Flame Clan simply wont be worth speaking about.

    That is why so many great prodigies naturally gravitate to the Eternal Flame Clan. That is why the Eternal Flame Clan is home to some of the most talented cultivators in the Crimson Cloud Empire and beyond.

    The Apothecary is no exception to this.

    It is the Apothecary that decides how the many rare herbs and ingredients under the Eternal Flame Clans control are used. The disciples within its walls are a studious lot with a predisposition towards alchemy. They constantly seek how to best use the rare ingredients they have access to. Sometimes, this is done by poring over old texts. Sometimes, it is done through dangerous experimentation.

    In other words, the disciples who work in the Apothecary are usually in possession of a diligent and ambitious disposition and have little time for banal distractions.

    Junior Brother Jin, is that a Black-Winged Imperial Eagle? I hear they are quite rare. Do you mind if I take a closer look?

    Brother Qing, by sheer coincidence, I happen to have Fire Mouse meat with me. Perhaps, your eagle will like it. Do you mind if I feed it?

    Junior Brother, I hear you still have not picked a name for your companion. That is no good. Luckily, I have brought a list of suggestions.

    Some are subtle. Some are not. In the end, they all want the same thing: To get close to his pet. It is not because the Black-Winged Imperial Eagle is some sort of incredibly valuable Spirit Beast. Certainly, it is rare, but not extremely so. Its rarity is not the cause of their interest.

    The baby eagle just happens to be incredibly cute.

    In time, he will grow big and strong, and his black wings will cast a large shadow upon the ground. For now, he is a small, fluffy ball of white feathers that makes cute chirping noises and occasionally flies around Liu Jin.

    Some of the more talented cultivators in the Empire all but lining up to see a tiny eagle chick. If Liu Jin were not so affected by it, he would have found it amusing.

    Liu Jin knew a bird nest on his head would call at least some attention. Indeed, it had invited a lot of staring, polite laughing and laughing disguised as coughing. Even Khong Hu hadnt been immune to it. To date, the time Khong Hu had first seen him with the nest on his head marked the first time Liu Jin had seen him smile. He had even wanted to laugh, but Kohng Hu had struggled mightily against it and succeeded where many had failed.

    It is one of the most impressive things Liu Jin has ever seen, though perhaps he is biased in saying so.

    Regardless, while Liu Jin had expected some attention, he had also expected it to fade away eventually. He had not been counting on his eagle chick being so popular among his fellow disciples. As someone who does not enjoy being the center of attention, the situation is quite annoying. Even more so because Liu Jin is ninety percent sure the chick is deliberately milking his cuteness to get more treats.

    However, there are some upsides to his pets popularity. It has created at least one opportunity for him.

    Here, an older disciple says as he hands him a manuscript. It is already evening, and the two are just outside a room where many ancient documents are stored. It is one of my first translation attempts, but it is by no means a defective product. It has plenty of information on Black-Winged Imperial Eagles. I am sure it will serve you well.

    Liu Jin inclines his head. Thank you, Senior Brother Luo. I will be sure to put it to good use.

    There is no need to thank me. Just remember to give me a few of his feathers when he reaches maturity.

    Of course, I would not dream of reneging on the payment.

    See that you dont, Senior Brother Luo warns him. Remember, you also stand to benefit from this, junior.

    Of course, senior brother.

    Unlike other disciples who had approached Liu Jin out of curiosity or due to the birds cuteness, Senior Brother Luo had done it for more academic reasons. He is an older Inner Disciple who dedicates himself to translating and restoring some of the older texts stored in the Apothecary. He believes Black-Winged Imperial Eagle feathers to be one of the key ingredients to one of the recipes he is working on right now.

    While there are other ways he could have obtained the feathers, Liu Jin''s eagle provides a near and convenient source. He had come up to Liu Jin and offered him a text containing information on Black-Winged Imperial Eagles in exchange for access to the eagle''s feathers.

    Additionally, should Senior Brother Luo''s recipe prove successful, Liu Jin will gain access to it. Senior Brother Luo hadn''t been all that enthused by that condition. Still, he ultimately had agreed in exchange for one last favor.

    "Now, as for the other part of the payment"

    "It is okay, Senior Brother Luo. As I said, I have no intention of reneging on the payment. I will be sure to cover your shift with the Reverse Tree this month."

    ~~~

    [Art of the Roaming Thief]

    Slice.

    Grab.

    [Art of the Roaming Thief]

    The Reverse Tree is a curious species of tree that can only grow upside down. Once the seed is planted, its branches will dig deep into the earth until they find an underground cavern or chamber. Once they find it, the branches will twist into a trunk. From there, the tree will grow leaves, flower and give fruit. It is a rare species of tree that can only be comfortable in total darkness.

    As it so happens, there is one deep beneath the Apothecary. It is a gigantic thing that, if it were above ground, could probably be seen from over a mile. Its leaves, fruits, and even its bark contain several unusual properties that make it extremely valuable. It had been planted centuries ago, and the Apothecary had been meticulously taking care of it ever since.

    I apologize, Elder Xue.

    And yet, you remain tense, she points out. To think this is how you act after being rewarded.

    Liu Jin blinks. Rewarded?

    Surely, you noticed all the points you gained after your mission in Night Phantasm City? She raises a delicate eyebrow. Please, do not tell me you thought they appeared randomly.

    They had wondered about that.

    Shortly after returning to the Eternal Flame Clan, the four of them had found their points had gone up. Due to how harsh the Division of External Relations had been during the debriefing, it was hard to imagine theyd reward them for it, yet someone clearly had. It is thanks to these extra points that Huang Shing had been able to purchase some time in one of the isolation chambers.

    I was not sure if our performance was anything to praise, Liu Jin replies. The Division of External Relations seemed quite displeased with us.

    Elder Xue snorts. The Division of External Relations is led by Elder Fa. He is a supporter of Lord Feng Shang. Naturally, he would have preferred for Young Master Feng Zhi to have failed miserably. That he will have to cover up some of the more troublesome aspects of the mission, for now, has no doubt left him in a horrible mood. How sad for him.

    The vicious smile on Elder Xues face does not look sad at all. However, Liu Jin is more focused on the name she mentioned.

    Lord Feng Shang.

    Feng Zhis uncle and the one most likely to become the Eternal Flame Clans next Patriarch.

    I trust you do not need me to explain myself further? Surely, you are at least somewhat aware of the political situation within the Eternal Flame Clan right now?

    This is a test. Liu Jin understands that immediately. However, that doesnt mean he knows what the right answer is.

    I know Patriarch Feng Zhang has two sons, and I have heard the first son, Lord Feng Shang, is the one most likely to become Patriarch. Am I to assume, given Elder Xues words just now, that this choice is not one with universal support?

    Correct. Some people support Lord Feng Shang. Others support Young Master Feng Zhis father, Lord Feng Gui. It is a difficult subject within the Sect. Unfortunately for all, the two brothers are completely equal in skill. She sighs and shakes her head. Perhaps if Patriarch Feng had decided to retire one hundred years earlier, this would not be a problem, but right now, they are both in the Ninth Level of the Emperor Realm. I wonder, what would you do if you had to choose between two people of the same skill and cultivation level.

    I suppose I would match their achievements against each other.

    A good answer. Elder Xue nods. But what if they had similar enough achievements.

    In that case Liu Jin thinks carefully about it. In that case, I would start looking at the people around them. Their allies. Their families

    Their sons?

    Liu Jin nods.

    And that would be the reason why Lord Feng Shang is the one most likely to become Patriarch. Tell me, what do you think of Young Master Feng Zhi?

    It takes Liu Jin a moment to gather his thoughts.

    Though I was initially hesitant to be under his command, he proved himself several times, Liu Jin says. He behaved competently throughout our stay in Night Phantasm City and always used our abilities in the best way possible.

    And yet, you could not protect the Bright Phantasm Sects heir.

    Liu Jin frowns. The situation grew beyond our control. However, I do not think the blame for that lies with Young Master Feng Zhi.

    Not completely, at least. Certainly, if Feng Zhi had asked the Elders of the Bright Phantasm Sect to help them, the entire situation could have been avoided. However, in that event, they would have failed the mission in a different way. Even if he does not agree with his choice, Liu Jin can understand why he acted that way.

    Perhaps. Perhaps not. That you are able to speak in Young Master Feng Zhis favor after everything that happened can be considered a victory for him. Regardless, his performance was far from perfect. When compared to his cousin, Young Master Feng Zhou, I fear Young Master Feng Zhi is only adequate and adequate is simply not enough.

    Feng Zhou. Feng Zhis cousin. Son of Lord Feng Shang and older than Feng Zhi by almost a decade.

    That does not seem fair to Feng Zhi.

    Oh? Elder Xue moves closer to him. She moves so gracefully it is almost as if shes gliding over the ground. Then what metric would you use to decide who should be the next Patriarch if not the strength and talent of their progeny?

    Something...

    That depends.

    Something is wrong.

    On what?

    Before he can stop himself, before he can decide, the truth comes rolling from his lips.

    On which of the two brothers is the one helping keep the stalemate between the Three Heavenly Generals of the Storm Dragon Empire.

    Elder Xues red lips curl into a smile.

    ~~~