For over a century, the Kingdom of Yue had stood steadfast, with its royal family fostering loyal cultivation clans to bolster its defense against neighboring nations and the lurking threats of demons and malevolent forces in the shadows.
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In their ambition to consolidate power, the royal family had elevated once-obscure clans—the Canglan Ye Clan, the Wangyue Lin Clan, and the Chuanyin Lu Clan. Yet, as these clans grew stronger, they developed the ambitions of wolves and tigers.
To balance the scales, the royal family secretly supported seven additional clans, including the Yulin Wang Clan and the Rizhao Lou Clan. But as time passed, these new allies also grew too powerful, gradually slipping beyond the royal family’s grasp.
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The Yulin Wang Clan, in particular, exhibited an unmistakable hunger to become the kingdom’s "fourth great clan," and perhaps even posed the next threat to the royal throne itself.
Over the years, the three major clans and the seven rising clans had infiltrated the royal court and bureaucracy, reducing them to sieves riddled with spies. Many of their members held critical positions in the court, with dual aims: to erode the emperor’s authority and to monitor the health and actions of Bai Li Qingsun, the royal ancestor.
Fear gripped him.
Bai Li Qingsun, the venerable patriarch, now trembled at the thought of further empowering another family, such as the Yun Cang Yun Clan, lest it too rise as a ferocious tiger.
"Rest assured, Ancestor," Li Qing interjected with a bow. "I have dealt with the Yun Cang Yun Clan on many occasions. Compared to the three great clans and the seven rising clans, they harbor far less ambition. Their recent pursuit of celestial opportunities is solely to ensure their survival in this fiercely competitive landscape."
"Furthermore," Li Qing added, "with that senior expert standing behind the Yun Cang Yun Clan, if they harbored any designs on the royal family, they would have already acted. Surely, their restraint speaks of their lack of dangerous ambitions."
Bai Li Qingsun nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. With such a formidable figure backing them, the Yun Cang Yun Clan could seize the throne with ease. That they have refrained for so long suggests their aspirations are modest, as you say."
"In that case, my grandson," Bai Li Qingsun continued, "you may discreetly visit the Yun Cang Yun Clan and establish closer ties. If suitable, arrange for Xue’er to marry one of their direct descendants, making them kin to the royal family."
"Ancestor," Bai Li Xi protested with a troubled expression. "You know Xue’er’s temperament—she doesn’t listen to me at all, and her heart is set on cultivation. Persuading her to marry into the Yun Cang Yun Clan will be no easy task."
Bai Li Qingsun chuckled. "A little persuasion never hurts. Besides, why not take her along on your journey? Consider it an opportunity for her to relax. Perhaps she might find someone in the Yun Cang Yun Clan who catches her eye. In that case, why would we need to worry?"
Bai Li Xi managed a sheepish grin. "Ancestor, your wisdom is unmatched. Very well, I will heed your advice. Once I have settled matters in the court, I will take Master Li along and discreetly visit the Yun Cang Yun Clan with Xue’er."
"Good," Bai Li Qingsun said with satisfaction. Then, his tone grew serious. "Speaking of court matters, have you handled the issue of granting the Yulin Wang Clan recognition as the kingdom’s fourth great clan?"
Bai Li Xi sighed deeply, his expression bitter. "Ancestor, the matter is giving me endless headaches. The three great clans would never allow the Yulin Wang Clan to stand on equal footing with them and have been pressuring me in secret. Meanwhile, the Wang Clan has also been applying pressure, urging me to finalize their recognition as the fourth great clan.
"If not for Master Li’s mediation and my strategy of delay, the cultivators from the three great clans and the Yulin Wang Clan would have stormed the court by now to demand action."
At the mention of the matter, Bai Li Xi’s face grew even more distressed. To be emperor in Yue was to rule in constant frustration and humiliation.
"Such matters cannot be delayed indefinitely," Bai Li Qingsun warned. "Any further delay may lead to unrest."
"I understand, Ancestor," Bai Li Xi replied, his tone weary. "But at the moment, I see no clear solution."
Observing his grandson’s graying temples and troubled demeanor, Bai Li Qingsun fell silent for a moment. After a pause, he asked, "The Hundred Clans Assembly—held once every decade—should be approaching soon, correct?"
"Yes," Bai Li Xi replied. "Preparations are already underway. It is set to take place in two months."
"Two months… That will bring together cultivators from all the clans, will it not?"
"Indeed."
Bai Li Qingsun’s gaze grew sharp and thoughtful. He had little time left in this world, his vitality nearly depleted. The fate of his grandson, and of the royal family’s hold on the kingdom, weighed heavily on his mind.
He feared that after his death, the three great clans and the seven rising clans would divide the royal court and the kingdom among themselves with impunity.
Since that was the case, Bai Li Qingsun resolved that before his death, he would send the three great clans and the seven rising clans a "gift" they would never forget.
"Ancestor, why do you suddenly ask about this matter?" Bai Li Xi inquired curiously.
"Nothing of consequence," the elder replied, his tone dismissive. "Just something to consider. You may leave now."
"Understood. Your grandson takes his leave."
Realizing his ancestor did not wish to elaborate, Bai Li Xi refrained from pressing further. Bowing, he departed with Li Qing in tow.
"Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen has sent fresh fish," a stooped eunuch announced from outside the hall.
"I see," Bai Li Xi replied with a nod.
Li Qing stepped forward to inspect the delivery, carefully ensuring that the steamed dragon carp was free of poison before personally presenting it to Bai Li Qingsun within the hall.
Days later, after attending to the majority of the memorials submitted by court officials, Bai Li Xi quietly departed the palace in disguise. Accompanying him were his youngest daughter, Bai Li Moxue, and Li Qing. Traveling in a modest carriage, they kept their departure strictly clandestine.
The preparations for this secret journey were meticulous. Bai Li Xi took great care to avoid the watchful eyes of the spies and agents planted by the three great clans and seven rising clans within the palace. He could not afford to let these factions discover his plans to meet with the Yun Cang Yun Clan in private, lest they retaliate against the family and disrupt his greater schemes.
Inside the carriage, Bai Li Xi, disguised as an elderly man, regarded his daughter with a steady gaze. "Moxue, did you inform your mother or your siblings about this trip?"
"Everything has been carried out as per your instructions, Father. No one has been informed," Moxue replied.
Her mother, a direct descendant of the Tongshan Xia Clan—one of the seven rising clans—was often excluded from her father’s affairs. Moxue understood that her father preferred to shield such matters from her mother and, by extension, her maternal relatives. Similarly, her elder siblings, whose mothers also hailed from the three great clans and seven rising clans, were kept in the dark.
Though she was uncertain of her father’s destination or the purpose of this mysterious journey, Moxue chose to trust him. Over the years, she had grown to admire and respect him deeply, aware of the burdens he bore as emperor. This trust and affection set her apart, earning her his favor above her other siblings.
"Good," Bai Li Xi said with a nod.
"Father, where are we going?"
"You’ll find out when we get there," he replied with a cryptic smile.
At the Yun Clan estate in Yunzhang County, a detailed discussion was underway.
"After testing with the spirit root stone, it’s confirmed that Yan Bai’s qilin child possesses a Grade Four spirit root," reported Yun Yunrui, addressing Yun Yunyang, who sat at the head of the gathering.
"Additionally," Yunrui continued, "Brother Yunxun mentioned that Yan Dong’s child is nearly seven months along and expected to be born around the winter solstice.
"As for the rest of the clan’s collateral descendants, while many children have been born, none have exhibited spirit roots.
"In total, the clan now has over six hundred members, including both direct and collateral lines.
"Our textile and tea businesses are thriving under Yan Ying’s management. He has a talent for commerce, and recent profits have been promising."
Yun Yunrui handed a ledger to Yun Yunyang. "This contains the latest accounts for the clan’s shops, as well as reports on profits from crafting, alchemy, spirit wine, mining, and the purple jade bamboo and spirit rice cultivated in the mountain fields.
"Furthermore, Brother Yunfeng mentioned that the purple jade bamboo, spirit herbs, and medicines in the clan’s spirit fields are flourishing under the care of Yan Tian, Wen Yu, Wen Run, and other clansmen. However, our existing spirit fields may soon be insufficient. We’ll need to identify and clear a new area for cultivation and divert the purple mist spirit spring from Yunzhang Mountain for irrigation.
"The clan must prepare for this expansion without delay."
Yun Yunyang nodded thoughtfully. "As for the five thousand deaf-mute laborers recruited five years ago, leave the arrangements to Third Brother."
"Understood. I will speak to Brother Yunfeng about this matter shortly," Yun Yunrui replied with a slight bow.