Chapter 124: Greatness is Trying

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Like the Armory, the Feng estate is secluded from the rest of the compound.

Unlike the Armory, this seclusion is accomplished by massive walls of obsidian.

Their surface is smooth, unblemished by either a cleft or crevasse. These walls were not made by piling stone upon stone but by taking a single, gigantic block and giving it shape. There is only one set of gates, large, spiked things that require unearthly strength to even budge. Past them lies a beautiful garden with flowers of all colors and small ponds with clear water and statues carved from obsidian at their center. Some depict mighty Spirit Beasts, others warriors readying for combat.

A cobblestone path leads to the main house, the grand building that houses those belonging to the Feng Clan. Gold-tiled roofs on top, red columns around it, and large, open doors. The building does not rise towards the sky but rather stretches to cover as much area as possible. The closer one gets, the easier it becomes to appreciate how truly massive it is.

It is a sight few are privileged enough to see. To get in, one must be capable of opening the gates, which are heavy enough that even a cultivator in the Spirit Realm would have trouble with them.

Today marks an exception.

Liu Jin walks in with Elder Xue, always making sure he’s at least one step behind her. Rows upon rows of servants greet them as they enter the palace. There have to be hundreds of them, a necessary number to maintain a place like this. The red and gold interiors would feel woefully empty without them.

“I feel out of place.”

Liu Jin only means to think it, but it is too late to take words back.

“Would you rather have me ignore Patriarch Feng’s summons?”

Elder Xue walks with confidence Liu Jin can only envy, her movements so graceful she might as well be gliding across the floor. She wears the standard robes of an Elder, red with gold trim and a black sash around her waist. Gold flame patterns seem to move inside the cloth as she walks.

It is nothing Liu Jin has not seen her wear before, yet something is different today. The colors adorning her are more vibrant, her hair more lustrous, and her skin more jade-like. Even her voice sounds different.

It is as if a veil has been lifted from her.

“This disciple would not dare suggest that,” Liu Jin says, forcing his eyes ahead, something much easier said than done. Something about the current Elder Xue compels him to look at her.

Is this another aspect of being an Emperor? If so, Patriarch Xiao Zheng had never done anything like it.

“Certainly, Elder Xue belongs in an event like this. However, this disciple cannot help but think Elder Xue should have chosen someone else to accompany her.”

Lord Feng Shang has returned, and a feast is being held in his honor. Every prominent member of the Eternal Flame Clan has been invited.

For some reason, Elder Xue has chosen to bring him along.

“You will hardly be the only disciple in attendance,” Elder Xue replies, unconcerned by Liu Jin’s worries. Preempting Liu Jin’s next words, she adds, “Not the only disciple. Not the only young disciple. Not even the only young Inner Disciple. You will also not be sitting at the head table.”

“Even so,” Liu Jin says, “For Elder Xue to bring only me is bound to call attention.”

“Child,” she says with laughter in her eyes, “you were pushed to the stage the moment you gave testimony in the trial. This is merely a matter of making things clear for everyone. You are valuable and important enough for me to bring you here. That should dissuade most assassination attempts against you.”

“And the rest?”

“I expect you to deal with those yourself.”

“This disciple shall endeavor to live up to those expectations.”

~~~

Flames of all colors float merrily above the banquet hall, a nice break from all the red and gold. Sometimes they would drift close to the tables like puppies seeking attention. One had even dropped on Liu Jin’s nose, which had been the moment he found the flames were perfectly harmless.

Most tables are rectangular and covered in white and red cloth. They are only large enough for small groups to sit around them, the head table being the lone exception. Perpendicular to all others, the head table is raised on a dais of solid obsidian. There sit the most important, the most influential, the most powerful of the Eternal Flame Clan.

The Elders.

Lord Feng Gui.

And the returning Lord Feng Shang.

The two brothers sit almost side by side, only a single empty seat between them. Just like Feng Zhi, they have fierce red hair, golden eyes, and sharp features. The family resemblance is impossible to miss. Lord Feng Gui’s face has fewer lines in it, but that may just be due to Lord Feng Shang’s furrowed brow.

Lady Ling sits to Lord Feng Gui’s right. Feng Hao sits next to her and Feng Zhi next to him. Every so often, Lady Ling would glower at Feng Zhi who merely keeps staring straight ahead, ignoring both Lady Ling’s occasional glares and Feng Hao’s equally occasional attempts to start a conversation. Elder Xue sits next to Feng Zhi, and next to her are the other Elders who support Lord Feng Gui.

Similarly, a beautiful woman with black hair and jade-like skin sits next to Lord Feng Shang, his wife most likely. Just as Lady Ling would sometimes glare in Feng Zhi’s direction, this woman, Lady Feng, would glare in Lady Ling’s direction. Next to her, in the absence of Feng Zhuo, is Elder Fa of External Relations, and next to him is Elder Dang and all other Elders who support Lord Feng Shang.

The division could not be more apparent, and it is reflected in the rest of the room. The empty seat between the two brothers has become an imaginary line that parts the room in half. Disciples in Lord Feng Shang’s faction sit on one side of the line, while those who support Lord Feng Gui sit on the other.

“Junior Brother, I know it is hard to ignore, but I do not recommend looking in that direction for too long. Your gaze might catch the eyes of someone dangerous.”

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The words are what Liu Jin needs to take his eyes away from the head table. Even though he has seen most of the Elders during the trial, there is something different today. Whatever it is Elder Xue did, they have done as well.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Guo.”

Guo Xuesheng is the bearded disciple who helped Liu Jin and Khong Hu in the Armory. Just as Liu Jin was brought by Elder Xue, Senior Brother Guo was brought by Elder Geng, the Armmaster of the Armory.

Boasting powerful muscles, piercing dark eyes, and an excellent cultivation level, Senior Brother Guo is a far more suitable choice to attend this banquet than him; most people here are. The disciples in attendance are mostly in the True Realm. However, there are also Earth Realm and even Heaven Realm cultivators among them. Of course, compared to the Emperors who sit at the main table, it is hard to even notice them.

“It’s quite alright!” Senior Brother Guo slaps his back. He does it lightly, yet it almost sends Liu Jin’s face against the table. “I’ve got to look out for my juniors, don’t I?”

“Senior Brother’s attitude is rather curious,” Fan Bingbing says beside them. “In my experience, most Core Disciples are distant at best.”

Though he is trying to get his breath back, Liu Jin can only agree with Fan Bingbing. He has seen Core Disciples, but beyond the incident with Xi Mou, they seem largely uninterested in the affairs of those below them.

“I suppose they do give that impression.” Senior Brother Guo’s laugh is deep and strong. “Newly instated Core Disciples are still getting used to their new responsibilities. Because of that, they are more focused on their fellows than on the world they’ve left behind. Meanwhile, the old ones are too distracted by their duties.”

“And Senior Brother Guo’s case is different?” Liu Jin asks.

“Elder Geng often has me run errands for him. Because of those, I end up interacting with my juniors quite often. I dare say you two are more than familiar with the demands Elders can make of us.”

The look he gives them is not only knowing but sympathetic.