Chapter 2 – Complex Origins

Yun stepped out from the tangled woods, tracing the winding dirt path until it delivered him to the secluded rear entrance of the residential complex.

Before him stood a massive wooden gate, with two enormous pillars rising to the sky, supporting a heavy wooden header. Prominently displayed in the centre, amidst a landscape of carved clouds and vigorous winds, was a bold and ancient character that read “Qin”.

One look at the character pressed upon Yun the weight of centuries, a legacy so old it seemed to outlast even the gate that bore it.

Reverence welled up in Yun, so instinctive it bordered on the uncanny, as if the symbol’s power transcended mere antiquity.

He almost dropped to his knees in worship, held back only by stubborn pride and the dulling effect of daily exposure.

By now, the character’s subtle, oppressive presence had become a familiar weight on his shoulders.

Standing before the gate were two guards, dressed from head to toe in golden armour, their faces hidden behind blackened masks, showing only their eyes.

On their chests, as well as on the red cape they wore, was the same Qin character prominently displayed, except that Yun couldn’t feel any more reverence for those than for the other one.

If anything, those symbols struck Yun as gaudy imitations, lacking the quiet elegance that radiated from the gate’s ancient character.

Yun ignored the guards, who merely glanced his way before focusing outward, as if sensing an unseen threat.

Despite being early in the morning, neither relaxed in the slightest. Yet, pride could be seen in their eyes. Not even being assigned a menial task, such as being put in charge of guarding what was nothing more than an outer gate, not even the main one, could lessen their enthusiasm.

Yun couldn’t help but sigh internally, yet he had to applaud the fervour with which even grunts did their duty.

And yet, despite having lived in this land for twenty years already, Yun had never once heard of someone brave enough to try and breach the bounds of this compound uninvited.

Their heightened sense of vigilance was wholly unwarranted.

Not to say that everything was peaceful.

Skirmishes broke out daily in the lower city. Practitioners butted heads over the smallest of disagreements, often resulting in property damage or even loss of life.

Such was life among those who wielded power over fate itself.

However, no one was foolish enough to take their grievances to the owners of this place, lest they be reminded of the consequences of doing so.

The Qin Clan, of which this area of the city belonged, were not to be messed with. As one of the four major Practitioners Clans supporting this city’s independence, trying to uproot their dominance would be a foolhardy endeavour.

Only two other major clans and the City Lord’s Mansion held as much sway as the Qin Clan did, and they usually stayed out of each other’s interest.

This was how Jin City, the City of Gold, flourished within the Western Wasteland, supported by those four families and the countless subsidiary clans that supported them.

Leaving the side entrance, Yun walked slowly toward a large building nestled amidst smaller ones. His steps were steady, steadfast even amidst the many furtive stares thrown his way.

Many of the servants, already hard at work, sporting black robes as dark as night, turned to see him pass through. Many of those who recognized him whispered among themselves, saying words that Yun didn’t even bother to remember.

In his twenty years, he had heard them so often that it didn’t even register anymore.

However, those were but a fringe minority. Most only noticed his light blue robe, wildly different from their own, a colour that only those belonging to the Qin Clan proper, and not to the servant class, were allowed to adorn.

Their status couldn’t be more different. One mere word from those sporting this colour of garb was enough to overhaul their lives, whether in a good or bad way.

It wasn’t uncommon for servants to be replaced for even one word said out of place, only to never be seen again.

Stolen story; please report.

The world was harsh for those without power.

Yun ignored them all, stepping beyond the threshold of the large building, only to be faced with what seemed to be a reception zone.

All around was a large seating area facing a courtyard leading to another massive gate, guarded by over six golden-armoured warriors facing away from Yun.

This was the clan’s main entrance, its majesty representing the clan’s glory.

Unlike the side gate, which was made of wood, the main entrance’s main arch was made of pure gold.

Not just any kind of gold, either, for gold itself has poor structural integrity for a structure this size, as this gate was over twice the size of the previous one, but black gold, sturdy enough to hold up this structure for over a thousand years.

Along with the Qin symbol at the top, many other mysterious symbols were carved all around the columns. Some, Yun could guess their meanings from the size, shape, or placement. Others were so obscure their purpose was impossible to tell, as if some were meant to mislead anyone who tried to get past the defences.

Indeed, this golden gate was more than just a pretentious monument to the excess and decadence the clan was sometimes known for; it also served as a singular node from which all other secondary gates derived their strength.

It allowed passage through the constant formation, which protected the clan itself and admitted only those who possessed the necessary identification, namely the gem-like plaque Yun had attached to his waist, resembling a hand-sized sheet of carved stone.

The plaque, pale blue with a bold Qin character, was a mansion’s worth of jade—yet common among Qin Clan and servants for varying entry privileges.

Within the waiting area, many black-clad servants came and went, taking orders from a tall and slender man standing at least a head over everyone.

The ceilings and doorways easily accommodated even the tallest, yet Yun thought the man could touch them if he stretched.

Still, his stature wasn’t the only peculiar thing about him. His skin also made him stand out over the majority of the servants, namely, its unusual colour.