Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

‘It’s still difficult,” Tianren thought with a sigh as he finished his martial art practice.

‘Is this as far as I go?’

Tianren was only 27 years old and already an Innate warrior. Nothing to be ashamed of, even in Fugu City.

If his 10-year-old self had been told that that was his future, he would probably be ecstatic. 

But the current Tianren found it hard to be content with just this. 

His father was a Master, and something told Tianren that he wouldn’t stop there. Tianhu was also an Innate warrior now, and he had that strange ability that made Tianren shiver whenever he saw it.

Tianxu was bound to advance to the Innate stage in a few more years. Not to mention Tianzheng and Tianyi, who knew how far they would reach when they grew up?

Especially Tianyi. 

‘Maybe I should just accept it. Strength isn’t everything.’

‘And at least I’m still stronger than Tianan.’

Tianren had actually started to admire Tianan somewhat lately. He basically had no hope of reaching the Innate stage, but he didn’t seem to mind one bit. He still practiced daily, though. More out of habit than anything else. He seemed content with his lot in life, spending time with his wives and children, playing cards with some friends he had already made in the city.

‘Perhaps I should take a note. I have more than I could ever have dreamed about. What reason do I have not to be as happy as Tianan?’

Tianren wiped off his sweat and headed inside, trying to clear his mind. But it was difficult. His mind drifted to martial arts, whether he wanted to or not. 

‘If I could just figure out how to improve, I would be happy. I don’t need to reach the Master stage; I just want to see some improvement.’

It had been years, and he still hadn’t taken a single step forward since he advanced. He knew what he had to do; he had been given the continuation of the Shu Art from his father, but he just couldn’t understand how to circulate his qi that way.

It was hard for Tianren to adjust. He used to grasp these things easily, and he took great pride in his talent. 

“What are you frowning about?” His wife, Li Xia, asked as he entered the hall. She was holding their youngest son, Xinzhang, in her arms.

“Just having trouble with my martial arts,” Tianren said.

“You’re already an Innate warrior; can’t you rest?” Li Xia asked.

“If you’re not advancing, you’re retreating,” Tianren answered.

“Then retreat,” Li Xia said, “Spend some time with the kids. Do you even know what they get up to with your sister?”

“Tianyi?” Tianren asked.

“Who else?” Li Xia asked, rolling her eyes.

“What do they get up to?” Tianren asked.

“How would I know? They won’t tell me. I just saw them running around the courtyard, following Tianyi like little subordinates. If she gets them to develop ideas about running off on adventures when they grow up, I’ll blame you,” Li Xia said.

“That’s still going on?” Tianren asked, “I’ll guess I’ll talk to them.”

He really didn’t dare underestimate his younger sister. She even had the guts to run after Tianxu when he left. 

She had been scolded severely, and their mother had spent a lot of money hiring guards to surround the courtyard and be on the lookout at all times, lest Tianyi sneak off again. But Tianyi’s adventurous spirit wasn’t curbed that easily.

Tianren walked out of his house again, looking for his children. He had guided them in practice earlier in the morning, but after that, they had run off like usual. 

The Shu family had a very large property here in Fugu City, and it was a bit difficult to keep track of where the kids were at all times.

‘I’ll check if they’ve gone to play with their cousins.’

Tianren started walking toward Tianan’s house, but on the way, he saw something that left him speechless.

His younger sister Tianyi was walking with his daughter Xinxin, followed by seven other children, three of whom were Tianren’s own. They truly did look like servants respectfully following their master.

‘Even Xinyang is there?’ Tianren was speechless. His eldest son was already 9 years old, a year older than his aunt. Tianren had spent a lot of time educating him and thought he had made it clear not to run around getting into mischief with Tianyi anymore. 

Tianren sighed and walked over to them.

“What are you all doing?” He asked, looking mainly at Xinyang.

“Dad, I’m just watching them,” Xinyang hurriedly explained.

“Who are you watching?” Tianyi questioned, “I’m your aunt, you know.”

“Well,” Xinyang looked conflicted. 

Tianren sighed. It was really a headache. He knew it was important to respect the older generation, but when the older generation was a young girl always up to no good, there should be an exception, right?

“Tianyi, what are you up to? Why are you sneaking around like this?” Tianren asked.

“I’m not sneaking around, brother,” Tianyi said, hands on hips, “If I was, would I bring so many kids with me? Don’t go telling lies to Mom later.”

“Then what are you doing?” Tianren asked, rubbing his face.

“We’re looking for treasure,” Tianyi said. “Look what Xinxin found.”

Tianyi held out a silver coin, looking very proud.

“This is a treasure?” Tianren asked.

“Of course it is,” Tianyi said, “And it’s not the first time. Last week, Xinxin found another one over by the gates.”

‘What is she on about?’

“Fine, play along then,” Tianren relented. He couldn’t stop the kids from playing. 

Actually, he was quite glad that Tianyi, Tianan’s kids, and his own children all got along and spent the days entertaining themselves. 

Li Xia was too, really. It was just that Tianyi trying to run off with Tianxu had scared her.

‘Guess I’ll keep an eye on them from a distance. If I go back now, Xia will only send me back again.’

But just as Tianren turned to walk away, Tianyi stopped him.

“Brother, wait. Can you convince Mom to let us go outside?” Tianyi asked.

Tianren frowned slightly, turning back to look at her. “Why do you want ot go outside?”

“To find treasure! Xinxin is really good at it, but there just aren’t any more to be found here,” Tianyi said.

“I’m…I’m really good, Dad,” Xinxin said, clutching her dress nervously.

Tianren smiled and walked over to his daughter. He bent down and stroked her head. “Of course, I know you are good. But it’s better to stay at home to play for now.”

“We’re not playing!” Tianyi argued.

“Fine, either way, I’m not going to talk to mom for you. I doubt she’d agree even if I did,” Tianren said.

“Fine,” Tianyi muttered. She turned to the other kids and waved her arm, “Let’s continue. Follow me!”

Tianren shook his head as they wandered off. 

‘Maybe I should take them outside for a little excursion. Keeping Tianyi locked up like this might be counterproductive.’

It had been months since Tianyi ran off, and she should have learned her lesson already.

“Tianyi, why don’t we ask Uncle Tianan if he’ll take us? He’s a lot more easygoing than my dad.” Xinru walked up to Tianyi and whispered, looking behind her to make sure Tianren hadn’t followed. 

Tianyi could see her brother in the distance, though. He was still watching them.

‘Does he think I’m going to run off?’

“You’re right,” Tianyi said, nodding at Xinru. She turned to her other nephews and nieces, locking eyes with Xinming. “Where is your dad?”

“Er, he should be at home?” Xinming answered uncertainly.

“Then let’s go,” Tianyi said, grabbing Xinxin’s hand and leading them to Tianan’s home. 

‘If brother Tianan also refuses, there is really no hope.’

‘Will I be stuck here until Dad comes back?’

Only her dad could take her out, and no one would dare object. 

‘I wonder when the war will be over?’

They soon arrived at Tianan’s house, and Tianyi rushed inside.

“Brother Tianan! Are you here?” She called out as soon as she entered.

“Tianyi,” Tianan said with a yawn as he came out of his bedroom. 

“Are you sleeping?” Tianyi asked.

“Just a nap,” Tianan said with a shrug, “What do you want?”

“I want to go out!” Tianyi said.

“That…” Tianan said, looking hesitant.

“I’m not going to run away again,” Tianyi said, feeling more and more upset. Everyone has treated her like a criminal ever since she went after her brother Tianxu. She really wasn’t going to run off again; her mother had cried so much when she heard about it that Tianyi didn’t dare to. She could handle scolding, but not her mom being sad.

But still, can’t she leave the Shu Estate at all now? How long will she have to stay?

“Still,” Tianan said, looking troubled, “Mom hasn’t quite gotten over it. It’s better to wait a while longer.”

“What’s there to worry about? You can come with me. Mom too. Bring brother Tianren too! In broad daylight, do you think I can get away from an Innate warrior?” Tianyi argued.

“Well, I guess I could ask,” Tianan relented. 

“Finally!” Tianyi yelled out, “I thought I’d have to offer to tie myself up and be carried around for someone to agree.”

“Alright, alright,” Tianan said with a small laugh, “You brought this on yourself, remember? Come on, let’s go see Mom.”

“Good, good,” Tianyi said, not wanting to waste time arguing now that things were moving in the right direction.

They left Tianan’s house and walked over to Tianyi’s house. Her mom was tending to some flowers in the garden.

“Mom!” Tianyi called out, ran over, and gave her a big hug.

“Tianyi, what are you guys up to?” Her mom asked with a smile.

“She wants to go outside,” Tianan said from behind. “I can take them and look them over. You could come along if you want.”

Her mom frowned, “Outside? Outside where? What do you want to do?”

“Look for treasure,” Tianyi said.

“Can’t you look for treasure here?” Her mom asked.

‘There is no more treasure here!’

“Fine, I want to go shopping. I want new clothes,” Tianyi said.

“We can call for a tailor,” Her mom said.

“I…I just want to go outside, Mom. Just for a little while,” Tianyi said, “Please.”

Tianyi looked into her mom’s eyes, trying her best to appear pitiful.

“I can come along, Mom,” Tianren’s voice suddenly interjected, “It can be nice to go out for a change.”

Tianyi looked back in surprise as she saw her brother approach. ‘Good brother!’

“Alright,” Her mom said with a sigh.

“Yes!” Tianyi yelled out, clenching her fist in the air. She turned around to her nieces and nephews. “We did it!”

Everyone but Xinyang cheered at the news.

“Xinyang, why aren’t you cheering?” Tianyi questioned.

“Er,” Xinyang just opened his mouth and looked stupid.

“You’re not respecting your elders,” Tianyi said.

“Alright, leave Xinyang alone,” Her mom said. “It’s not like you’re especially respectful to your elders either.”

“I’m very filial, Mom,” Tianyi said, “I’ll find you a good treasure later.”

“Alright,” Her mom said, smiling and patting her on the head, “I’ll get ready real quick, and we can go look for a new dress for you.”

As her mom entered the house to change, Xinxin pulled Tianyi’s sleeve.

“Tianyi, I’m tired. Can I stay home?” Xinxin asked.

“What? No, wait, how will we find treasures without you?” Tianyi asked.

Every time they went to look for treasure, it had been Xinxin who found it. Tianyi didn’t have that kind of luck. 

“But I’m suddenly so sleepy,” Xinxin said with a pout, “Maybe we can go outside and play later? Or tomorrow?”

‘No! Who knows if we’ll be able to leave then?’

“Why don’t you sleep and go with us anyway? Xinyang can carry you, and I’ll just wake you up when it’s time to look for treasure,” Tianyi suggested.

“Well, okay,” Xinxin said, looking unhappy.

“Alright. Be good,” Tianyi said, “Xinyang, carry your sister!”

“What? Why?” Xinyang asked.

“Tch! Weak!” Tianyi scolded.

“Fine,” Xinyang muttered, picking up his sister. 

It didn’t take long before her mom was ready, and everyone left the Shu Estate together. 

“Fresh air!” Tianyi yelled as soon as they stepped through the gates, stretching her arms in the air.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Her mom said. 

‘Time for treasure.’ Tianyi ignored her mother and looked around. She would have preferred to head outside the city and search in the wild. But she knew it was impossible to get her mom to go along with that. 

‘I guess a lot of people walk here every day. Someone is bound to have dropped something.’

“Everyone, keep your eyes open for treasure,” Tianyi instructed her nephews and nieces. She saw that Xinxin really was asleep.

‘I should let her be. If I really can’t find something on my own, I’ll wake her up.’

They made their way through the city, and the streets got more crowded. Tianyi found herself looking at the people around rather than searching the ground for treasure. She wondered if anyone was a Master, or perhaps even a Saint, in disguise. 

She passed a beggar and thought he looked a little mysterious, so she took the coin Xinxin had found earlier and put it in his bowl.

“Thank you, young miss,” The old beggar said, putting his head to the ground.

‘Probably not a hidden Master.’ Tianyi thought.

She didn’t dwell on it. It was only a silver coin. Even if she didn’t gain the favor of a hidden powerhouse, it was a good deed. 

Walking a bit further, she found two men standing at an intersection. Those two were really strange. 

“Xinru,” Tianyi pulled on Xinru and said, “Look! I think I actually found some strange people. Do you think they’re Masters?”

“What people?” Xinru asked.

“Those two,” Tianyi said, pointing them out to her, “The ones with those fancy robes and long hair like ladies.”

“Where?” Xinru asked, more curious after Tianyi’s description.

“Are you blind? They’re right th-” Tianyi stopped herself. She suddenly remembered something. 

Her father had told her repeatedly. ‘If you ever see something no one else does, make sure you pretend not to see it either.’

Tianyi felt uneasy all of a sudden. She put her arm down, “Nothing. Never mind.”

‘Xinru can’t see them? What’s going on? Are they ghosts? I can see ghosts?’

She glanced at the two men and noticed that they were staring at her. She immediately turned her head away. Her heart started beating fiercely, and she slowed down her pace, looking for her brothers.

Thankfully, they were right behind her. 

“What’s going on?” Xinru still hadn’t let it go, “What people with long hair?”

Tianyi gave her a fierce look, and Xinru seemed to grasp that something was up and shut her mouth. 

But the two men were approaching. Tianyi didn’t dare look directly, keeping her eyes on the ground. But she still saw from the corner of her eye how they were walking up to her.

“Tianyi? Are you tired?” Tianren asked. Tianyi was basically pressing her back against his legs.

“I’m fine,” Tianyi said. But she was starting to feel really scared.

‘Should I tell them? No! Pretend I can’t see!’

The two men were now walking alongside her family. Tianyi felt as if they were watching her.

‘Please, just leave. I promise I won’t tell anyone what I saw.’

Suddenly, a hand reached out. It was one of those men. Tianyi quickly jumped to the side and looked up at him.

“So you really can see us,” The man said, smiling widely.

“Who are you!?” Tianren asked sternly, stepping in front of the man, who was now apparently visible to him. 

‘Good. Good. They are discovered. Tianren will handle everything.’ 

But then the other man, not engaged with Tianren, took a few quick steps and appeared at Tianyi’s side. 

‘He can only see one of them!’

The man smiled in what appeared to be an apologetic manner.

“Tianren, there is an-” Tianyi couldn’t pretend anymore and hurriedly tried to warn her brother. 

But it was too late. Tianyi felt herself lift off the ground. She tried to throw a punch at the man but found that she couldn’t move. She couldn’t move a single muscle. She couldn’t even call for help.

‘What’s happening to me?’

“Tianyi? Where did you go!?” Tianren yelled out.

‘He can’t see me?’

The man holding her started moving away, and none of her family members followed her with their eyes; they were looking around in all sorts of directions.

‘I’m here! I’m here.’

Tianyi could feel tears flowing down her cheeks.

‘I didn’t run away again, Mom. I didn’t run away.’