As we enter the hallway of the Han family estate, we are greeted with various ornamental weapons on both sides.
''As expected from a family that specializes in escort. Normally, you'd have artwork on the walls, not weapons.''
Yuexin comments as her eyes scan her surroundings. Despite being slightly intimidated, she continues forward with a confident stride.
''Young master.''
A dignified voice calls out to me from the staircase, a man in a butler's uniform walks towards us, slowly and gracefully.
''The Patriarch has been awaiting you...''
As he walks closer towards us, his eyes scan Yuexin from head to toe.
''And this is?''
Before I even get the opportunity to speak, Yuexin steps forward, and with a slight bow, pays the butler respect.
''My name is Yuexin, Lan Yuexin. I'm the Young Lady of the Lan family.''
She says, her arrogance from before nowhere to be found.
''Oh, my apologies.''
The butler says as he bows even deeper, not daring to show any disrespect to the young lady.
''I'm here to meet the Patriarch as well. It's an urgent matter, related to the recent development.''
The butler glances at me and then enters a deep thought.
''Understood. Please follow me.''
The butler turns around and leads us further into the estate. On the way, Yuexin seems to be silently rehearsing her negotiation.
''Nervous?''
I whisper quietly, but she ignores me and simply keeps rehearsing to herself.
''...''
As soon as we arrive in front of huge, reinforced doors, she turns silent.
''You can do it, Yuexin. Focus on the benefits.''
I whisper my final advice as the doors begin to open. A tall, muscular silhouette can be seen sitting on a decorated throne.
The throne is covered with various leather, all of them looking mystical.
How extravagant for an escort company.
''Young Lady of the Lan family. What do I owe this displeasure?''
The man speaks, his voice as intimidating as his appearance. A thick beard on a rough-looking face, muscular build that makes him look more like a bear.
I imagined... something else.
Yuexin, on the other hand, is not taking the situation too well. Cold sweat can be seen running down her cheeks, her hands even have a slight tremble to them.
I give her a gentle nudge to the side, my eyes screaming 'Show some confidence' as I stare her down.
Seemingly understanding my intentions, she takes a deep breath and relaxes her shoulders. With an upright posture, she speaks,
''Patriarch Han, I'm sure you must have heard about the declaration Xu family made.''
Her confidence back, she continues with renewed vigor,
''I've come here with a propo-''
''Enough.''
A wave of Qi rushes towards us as he says the word, knocking the wind out of Yuexin's chest. I remain unaffected, which makes the Patriarch raise an eyebrow as his eyes scan me whole.
How mature, bullying a young girl. This won't do, her confidence is shattered.
Forget it, I shouldn't have relied on her to begin with.
''Patriarch, please hear us out. The deal we've come to offer will certainly be to your liking.''
The Patriarch retracts his Qi, but otherwise remains unmoving, like a statue.
''To my liking?''
He speaks slowly, putting weight on every word.
''Do you mean the war? Politics? Or the fact that my son was partly the cause?''
Sigh, stubborn old bastard.
''Patriarch, the Han family can greatly benefit from this conflict.''
My voice confident, my gaze sharp.
''The Xu family is underestimating us. If the Han family combines forces with the Lan family, we can certainly defeat them.''
He's not interrupting me, we have a chance.
''Half of the spoils will be ours. We will be able to expand our influence and territory. The Lan family will treat us like allies. We will even get into the good graces of Shen's Duchy.''
Yuexin is staring at me from the side, her eyes wide open, but her breath still nowhere to be found.
Don't blame me. You've had your chance.
''All of this can be ours, Patriarch. All we need is to support the Lan family in the battle.''
The Patriarch leans forward, the leather creaking beneath his weight. His gaze cuts through me as if he could peel away every layer of deceit.
''So. My son invites the Han into open bloodshed, all for the scraps of two feuding clans.''
The entire hall falls into silence. Yuexin lowers her head, struggling to even breathe.
But I meet his eyes directly.
''Not scraps, Patriarch. Opportunity.''
His eyebrow twitches.
''The Xu family has already compromised our family's neutrality. The word that we support the Lan family is already out. If we do nothing, will we ever get another client? No. We will be forever considered traitors for betraying our allies. Who will entrust themselves to us after these rumors become the truth?''
The Patriarch's arms smash into the throne's handles, force strong enough for a piece of it to break.
''You dare lecture me on business, boy?''
My voice unfaltering, my gaze meeting his.
''I dare remind you.''
I say calmly, ignoring the trembling Yuexin beside me.
''Once an escort's reputation falters, there is nothing you can do to fix it. The Xu family doesn't even need to attack us, we will slowly bleed ourselves to death.''
His gaze narrows. A silence passes, then slowly, he reclines back in his throne.
''Lady Yuexin. Was my son speaking the truth? Will the Lan family truly treat us as allies, half the spoils, half the territory, granted to our Han family?''
Yuexin quickly collects herself, and with a deep breath, meets the Patriarch's gaze.
''Han Ye was speaking the truth. My family can perhaps offer even more, but I do not have authority to do so myself.''
Stroking his beard, the Patriarch slowly makes his way towards us.
I don't like where this is going...
His gaze fixed on me as he suddenly charges and lands a strong blow into my abdomen.
Ugh...
My body flung like a string, I land a good distance away. Blood once again dripping down my chest.
The wound opened, great. You son of a-
Before I can finish my thought, his shadow covers my figure. He doesn't let me breathe or collect myself. He descends on me again, aiming for my chest.
I brace my arms in a cross, taking the hit head on.
Boom.
The air vibrates as his punch lands on me, the impact rattling my bones, my feet carve into the polished floor as I'm forced back.
[You've gained 1 point of Fear.]
...?
''Foundation Establishment…?''
My father's eyes gleam. Not with hostility, but surprise.
''I've decided. The Han family will offer full support to the Lan family. However, there's a condition.''
Yuexin's eyes light up immediately at his words,
''Of course, Patriarch. Please state your condition freely.''
She says, willing to do anything to guarantee her family's survival.
''Yuexin, I've heard that your family has ties with the Serene Lotus Sect. Recommend my son, Ye, to be a disciple.''
Her eyes light up even more, her voice containing none of her previous nervousness.
''Consider it done, Patriarch! With his talent, and my Lan's recommendation, he will certainly get accepted.''
He nods and shifts his gaze to me.
For a long moment, he says nothing. Then, slowly, he nods.
''You've grown, Ye.''
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 36]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!