When Jaz Vixen left the VIP room. She, the pavilion master of the Banner of Crest Palace had many things to tend to. She didn't have time to idle with guests who might not even return — even if Fall Night did agree to her request. That was only in name and anything can happen from now to then.
The room fell in quiet slumber now with only Purple Night and Fall Night the atmosphere change to deadly game of patients. Fall Night slowly breathing in and out all most like he was in a mediation stage. His arm crossed, his body slight adjusted to more comfortable position on the couch. However, Purple Night had long set up series of moves to gather more information on the three big clans of the ligers.
"Fall Night, let's get back to business — specifically, the matter about the Midnight Clan." As Purple Night slowly sipped on her wine. She spin the wine in her cup after every sip. This was her trademark move when she got down to business.
"Purple Night, any high-level information about the midnight clan I don't have clearance on it."
"You're really petty. For someone who we still considered a boy by our standards." Purple Night said casually, continuing to spin the wine in her cup. Periodically taking slow sips as she watch Fall Night reaction, studying his reaction to any questions or comments. Always setting up series of move like experienced tactician.
Only moving his shoulder to make a shrugging motion. "Not my fault."
"It is. You see, Fall Night — I get what I want. It's only a matter of when." She place down cup that was still half full of wine. She calmly pulled out several a maps from her large pouch she carried. Each showed the territories of the three great clans of ligers with one of the map being gray out.
There were three vast regions spanning four prefectures, each containing smaller domains and provinces. One prefecture, however, was shaded gray — the old capital of the ancient empire that Midnight clan reign.
"I want a more in depth knowledge of Liger Old Capital?" She point to the map.
"What do you want about the old capital? Do you want to know before the 1st Great War or the after the 2nd Great War?" Sifir slowly crack his neck with a slight annoyances. He was beginning to suspect that Purple Night wasn't a native of the three great clans or from his country. He knew that the gray area was marked that way on every map with certain symbols showing was in control of those areas.
"Are those different symbols represent different powers?" Purple Night said again with her body readjusting to lean closer to stare into Sifir eyes.
"It's a death zone for anyone without sufficient strength. The area is full of hidden dangers and political traps. Many major clans have their hands deep in that muddy water — including some that rivals the big three."
"Really? Sounds like fun. Maybe when your cultivation catches up to mine, we can go explore it together." She slowly started to rub her chin with many thoughts.
"I'll pass. Even with higher cultivation, those muddy waters are nothing but trouble — and I hate troublesome matters the most."
Sifir narrowed his eyes at her wondering what was her intentions.
"If you hate trouble so much, why agree to help the Pavilion Master of the Banner of the Crest Palace?"
"That?" Sifir wave his hand like accepting this mission was not big deal. "There's no time limit on that request. By the time I'm strong enough, the matter will already be settled."
"Scheming again, Fall Night?" As Purple Night stop rubbing her chin and laugh with mockery.
"That's not scheming — that's called being prudent, Purple Night."
Purple Night sighed inwardly. 'Talking about the Midnight Clan is getting me nowhere. Let me try other angle. Fall Night must know more than he is leading on.'
"What about the other large clans besides Midnight, Sunchaser, and Night?"
"There's Orisis, Kanyé, Sadé, and Syaya. Each belongs to different factions. For instance, the Orisis Clan of the Golden Tiger often aligns with outside powers to maintain balance in our country. Unlike the big three, who can subjugate others at will, they prefer cooperation — even submission — if it means stability."
"You're saying those clans willingly serve other factions or sects?"
"Yes."
"And that's the only reason they're on equal footing with the three great clans?"
"To a degree, yes."
A cold aura quietly surrounded Sifir. Purple Night recognized it — the same eerie pressure she'd felt when he was cultivating at the pond. Her heart skipped as she recalled the seal on his back. Just as she was about to speak, the aura vanished without a sound. The pressure in the room went back to room.
'I'd better keep a closer eye on Fall Night. That aura was unsettling. It make my skin crawl.'
"Why would those clans submit instead of standing on their own?"
"When you have the power of the three great clans with many powerhouse, elites, and talents that can be groom at any given time, and you can subjugate anyone beneath you." Sifir said calmly. "Tell me, Purple Night — would you let them devour you?"
For the briefest of moment, Purple Night normal demeanor crack. But, she quick return to normal with rage in her normal sharp eyes.
Sifir continue "Even if you refused, could you stop it? Like you always say — it's not a matter of if, but when."
Sifir's words made Purple Night set down her wine. She was strong-willed, proud, and confident in her own ideals — yet something in his tone made her scowl.
"Are the three clans really that greedy?"
"What is greed when you have the strength to act on it?"
"You're not making any sense, Fall Night. Strength determines everything."
"I'm just exposing the truth that you already know. The three great clans have always taken what they desired. But they were wise enough not to place all their eggs in one basket. That's why they never stopped other major clans from growing — they needed competition to stay sharp."
Sifir's voice slowed, as if to emphasize the weight of his next words as he tap his index finger on the tap.
"If that's the case, who's the most aggressive of the three?"
"The Night Clan, without question." Sifir chucked coldly.
"And why is that?"
"They follow your philosophy."
"My philosophy?" Purple Night frowned.
"Might makes right. If you're weak, you deserve to be ruled by the strong." Sifir met her eyes intensely.
"Oh, I see. That explains why that little punk earlier thought I was from the Night Clan."
"That's their ethos. They fight until their last breath. I doubt you would fight to your last breath."
"The Midnight Clan sounds stronger than either of the others." Purple Night went back to rubbing her chin.
"They would be, but they suffered the heaviest losses during both Great Wars — especially the Second. The Night Clan followed right after. The Sunchaser Clan suffered the least."
That revelation shook Purple Night to the core. How many people knew this kind of information? How many would buy this kind of information. There was a hidden thread linking the Night and Midnight Clans — one she could feel but not yet grasp.
"It's time to go. We should find an inn for the night."
"Are you taking the wine with you?"
"Why?"
Sifir looked at the half-empty table. His arm crossed and tapping his index finger on his bicep with annoyance.
"Aren't you paying for this, Purple Night?"
"No. You are, Fall Night."
"Damn. I thought you'd cover it this time."
Sifir kicked at the air while Purple Night laughed, slipping her lower mask back on.
'This is definitely more entertaining than dealing with that old fatty, Jagged,' she thought.
"You're a thousand years too young to play me, Fall Night. Now, let's go meet that little girlfriend before she get mad at me ."
"You play too much, Purple Night."
"I know," she replied, not even glancing back. She return to her normal demeanor of being one in control and mapping out the next series of events. A talisman master in the making, with a high strategic mind.
Downstairs, Sifir paid for the food and drinks — ten thousand purple coins, which was still cheaper than the earlier damages. Purple Night, of course, took three bottles of fine wine on their way out.
"There's your little girlfriend," she teased as Jaz Vixen approached.
Sifir sighed.
"Hello, Purple. Hi, Little Fall."
"I'm not that casual with you with Jaz Vixen." Purple Night pulled her cloak over and making it harder to see her clothing underneath.
"Hello, Vixen." Fall Night nodded.
"I definitely like it when you call me that, Little Fall," Jaz Vixen purred.
"Can we get this over with, or are we going to stand here all night?" Purple Night said dryly.
"Well, Little Fall can stay here all night. You can't, Purple."
"Stop that."
"Sigh…"
"I'd love to play longer, Little Fall," Jaz Vixen said with a smile, "but money waits for no one. I need you to find the ruins of the Ninetails Purple Pupil Vixens. There should be a stone tablet there. Bring it back, and I'll have something good for you."
Sifir handed her his map. "Mark the area, please."
Jaz Vixen studied him curiously, then circled the region and pricked her finger — letting a drop of blood fall onto the mark. Sifir frowned, puzzled.
Her gaze lingered on him, watching for a reaction to her bloodline aura. He nearly asked about it but stopped, sensing its strange power.
Purple Night lightly stomped the ground, snapping him out of the trance. Jaz Vixen scowled at the interruption.
She tossed him a talisman, explaining briefly how to use it, then gave Sifir a quick hug before whispering in his ear.
"You need to mature a bit more. Don't keep this Pavilion Master waiting too long," she said with a seductive grin before walking away.
Sifir exhaled, feeling uneasy — both women seemed interested in his bloodline and whatever secrets it carried.
"Your little girlfriend's rude," Purple Night said coldly. "If she gets too greedy, she might lose those pretty hands."
They left the Banner of the Crest Palace and wandered the streets. Purple Night stopped to gather materials for talisman crafting — especially black qilin ink, a low-grade component ideal for tier-one and tier-two talismans.
"We'll leave tomorrow," she said. "We should reach the outskirts of Seven Elements Peak by nightfall."
"When?"
"Closer to noon. We'll travel fast. Death Sword and Jagged are probably nearby or arriving tonight."
"Are we making any more stops?"
"Yes. I still need a few low-tier materials."
"Oh? What are the talisman levels you're working with?"
"I'll tell you later, Fall Night. Let's keep moving."
"True."
Purple Night quietly observed how quickly Sifir adapted, asking no more questions. She continued gathering second-grade sandy wood paper, rune patterns, and talisman seals.
-
"Matriarch Judah, are we really going to the Night Clan?"
"Yes. Preparations must be completed before Sifir's mission ends."
"Judah, why do you care so much for Sifir?"
"It's Matriarch or Young Matriarch, Kyri. And it's not Sifir I care about — it's what his body holds. Secrets. That's what matters."
"What kind of secrets?" Kyri asked seriously.
"That's none of your concern. Know your place. I'm the
Matriarch, not you." Judah's stainless aura flared faintly.
"Watch your tone! Who do you think you're speaking to?" Kyri snapped.
"You, Mother. Or would you prefer I call you the Old Matriarch?" Judah's voice was sharp and haughty.
"I'm warning you—"
"I don't care for your warnings," Judah cut in. "And I care even less for the council's. You have no idea of the larger game at play. You think you do — but you'd crumble like sand before the sea tide if you truly knew."
Kyri's heart trembled. She wanted to retort, but no words came. Judah walked ahead, ignoring her.
"The Night Clan is just as important as the Midnight Clan. We need both. We need power. Do you think I'll waste time on anything that doesn't push that agenda?"
Judah's tone grew colder. "If you're going to be part of the problem, Kyri, we can settle this right now."
Everyone turned to look at Kyri, waiting. Her pride as a Sunchaser ran deep — too deep to yield. Judah, seeing that, didn't waste another word.
"Let's move. We're heading to the Night Clan."
A tense silence followed. The air grew thick as urgency drove the group forward. Kyri lingered, her expression conflicted — anger simmering beneath restraint.
She respected Judah's strength, even admired her resolve, yet doubt crept in. Was Judah's path truly right?
At last, Kyri followed the others — determined to uncover whether Judah's words were lies… or the harsh truth of their world.