Could the Xuan Clan truly be trusted?

Gong Tinglan’s heart trembled. He stared at the portrait in his hands — a thin slip of paper that felt as heavy as a thousand catties.

He drew a long breath and said: “Everyone has their greed. You and I both know the state of the Xuan Clan today. Many things appear on the surface to be a divide between the elders and the younger generation — two schools of thought — but in truth it is also a struggle between the old faction and the new. I can say with certainty that once those people learn of this demonic creature’s power and capability, no small number of them will be seized by greed and will want to possess it and exhaust every effort to control it.”

Gong Qi’s heart sank.

“But Little Seventh, those who attempt to control evil will ultimately be devoured by it in return — let alone the fact that this demonic creature neither dies nor enters the cycle of reincarnation.” Gong Tinglan said gravely: “Even though we cultivate the Dao and our cultivation can extend our lifespans, who among us here has truly achieved immortality? If we were to keep that demonic creature, who could match it across the span of ages? In the sheer passage of time alone, we have already fallen one step behind. Over the long centuries, people will pass on to the afterlife, but the demonic creature that neither dies nor enters reincarnation will only grow into something monstrous. So those people are not fools — they should be perfectly clear about the advantages and disadvantages.”

The tension on Gong Qi’s face eased slightly. When it came to weighing costs and benefits, those old fossils of the Xuan Clan were deeply versed in such calculations. Something where the disadvantages far outweighed the advantages — they would absolutely refuse to do it.

It was precisely because of this that he found the Xuan Clan’s conduct increasingly decayed and disheartening. And those of them who sought to change the Xuan Clan’s current ways — could they truly stand against those arrogant old fossils, drag the Xuan Clan out of the rotting pit of filth, and return it to its original purpose?

This doubt that had festered in the depths of his heart was now spoken aloud.

The young man’s eyes were filled with bewilderment; his heart felt as though it had no anchor, drifting aimlessly in the wind.

Gong Tinglan walked over and reached out to ruffle Gong Qi’s head, saying with warm satisfaction: “One journey away, and our Little Seventh has grown up.”

He had found confusion — and in confusion, one begins to form thoughts and judgments, rather than being the carefree boy he once was, knowing only wild play and laughing his way through the world. Once confusion is dispelled and the clouds part, a person gains understanding — and grows.

“Your mother has a crab cactus she has tended for many years. Do you know why she trims its branches every year?” Gong Tinglan said gently: “Because as the years pass, the crab cactus’s branches grow long and overgrown — and so the flowers bloom less and less, until eventually they stop blooming altogether. Only by cutting back the overgrown branches can the lateral buds be coaxed to sprout, bringing new life and blooming flowers more brilliant and beautiful than before.”

“It is not only the crab cactus — many flowering trees need their branches pruned and their pests cleared away before they can grow strong and flourishing, their branches and leaves thick and full, growing into great towering trees that can shelter people from wind and rain. If you see that a tree’s trunk has been infested by insects and you do nothing about it, over time those insects will hollow out the main trunk, rot the roots, and the tree will slowly wither and die. The Xuan Clan today is that tree which has fallen to infestation. If we see it and look away, what falls will not merely be the tree — it will be us as well.”

Gong Tinglan sat back down and said: “I understand your concern. But the overturning of an old order has never been the work of a single day or a single night. One cannot retreat simply because the numbers are few and the strength is small — retreat indefinitely, and it will never be possible to replace the old with the new. We have made a beginning. How do we know that more people will not follow in our footsteps?”

“But what if, even after exhausting every effort, we still cannot save this rotting tree?”

“Little Seventh, we are not only saving it — we are saving ourselves.” A cold gleam flashed through Gong Tinglan’s eyes: “If it truly has sunk beyond saving, then we will have no choice but to cut off the arm to survive.”

Gong Qi jolted. The fog before his eyes seemed to be blown apart by a great wind; the chaos broke open into sudden clarity.

His eyes recovered their brightness. He pressed his lips together and said: “Ninth Uncle, the scene in this portrait — do not tell anyone that it was Lang Jiu who perceived it.”

A tree that stands out from the forest will be struck down by the wind. Lang Jiuchuan was still young. She needed time to grow.

Gong Tinglan heard the protective intent within his words and raised an eyebrow: “You fear she will be broken before she has had the chance to grow?”

“It is not fear — it has already happened. Someone has already been suppressing her. Whether it began as a failed attempt at recruitment that turned to suppression, I cannot say for certain, but it is real, targeted pressure against her.”

“Which family?”

“The Rong Family.” Gong Qi summarized the matter of the Rong Family in a few sentences: “Watching how the Rong Family has acted, it does not seem like they are trying to recruit her or simply protecting a marriage alliance. It looks more like there is something else behind it — though I cannot tell what the reason is that they would move against her so ruthlessly, and even against the Lang Family.”

Hearing that it was the Rong Family, a flicker of impatience and distaste crossed Gong Tinglan’s eyes. He said: “The Rong Family’s bloodline has been gradually declining over the years, and as a result their conduct has grown increasingly erratic and domineering — especially when it comes to recruiting talent. They have stopped at nothing, and have long since lost the goodwill of others. They will be toppled from their pedestal sooner or later.”

“So that’s why the Rong Family is so eager to form a union with you…” Gong Qi pressed his two thumbs together with a half-smile.

Gong Tinglan said calmly: “I have long since made a solemn vow before my Grand Master — that I am wholly devoted to pursuing the elusive Great Dao and wish to cultivate to its fruition. I therefore have no interest in romantic attachment, and will not marry, so as not to delay the other party’s life.”

“The Clan will not allow it.” After all, he was a man of the Dao Root — how could they let such a bloodline go to waste?

Gong Tinglan gave a cold laugh: “If I am unwilling, are they going to enter the bridal chamber and cultivate together in my place? If they push me too far, I am perfectly capable of preparing a potion to end my own line of descent.”

Gong Qi laughed dryly. He had forgotten that this young uncle of his, while appearing to stand apart from the mundane world, had in fact grown a spine full of rebellion. The plans of the Clan’s elders would likely come to nothing.

This digression lightened the heaviness in his chest considerably. He returned to the earlier topic: “In any case, I ask Ninth Uncle to extend some protection when possible. I have already suggested to her that, on the surface, she nominally come under the shelter of our Clan’s wing — borrowing our name for cover — so as to avoid being harassed by those people.”

Gong Tinglan let out a long sigh: “A talent of great ability, and one who keeps the people in her heart — that is a true cultivator. She must of course be protected and cherished. I shall pay her a visit before long.”

Gong Qi clicked his tongue. Such a high evaluation.

Seeing his surprise, Gong Tinglan explained: “The Great Divination Art can perceive the secrets of Heaven — but it would not be capable of perceiving future events with such completeness. She must have comprehended another method and merged it with the Great Divination Art to see what she saw. But such an act carries extremely severe heavenly punishment and is not to be used lightly, for it harms one’s lifespan and damages the spirit and soul. Yet she dared to use it — she is a person of true compassion. Rest assured, I have my own plan and will not push her to the forefront.”

A talent of such profound spiritual perception — it was not enough to simply hide and shelter her, especially given how far the Xuan Clan had strayed from the righteous path. How could he dare let her stand forward at a time like this? If her comprehension was strong enough, she would grow on her own into someone others would look up to in awe — and by then, even the Xuan Clan would not dare treat her lightly.

Gong Qi performed a formal bow.

Seeing him so solemn about it, Gong Tinglan could not help but give him a few amused glances. He observed the young man’s face — open and unguarded, without the slightest trace of bashfulness or romantic sentiment — and could not help but laugh at himself.

His heart had not yet been opened to love, yet he had gained understanding all at once. That too was a blessing — the journey had not been wasted.

But when he lowered his head and looked at the portrait in his hand, the smile at the corner of his mouth faded entirely. A look of worry filled his eyes. He did not know whether the combined strength of the Xuan Clan would truly be enough to stop this demonic creature from entering the world.