Interlude: Cousins

Interlude: Cousins

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It is late in the afternoon when Xiao Nan walks into the residence of the Main Family. The Xiao Sect's compound is quite large, and most are not allowed to see its innermost parts. Indeed, an Outer Disciple like Liu Jin would never be allowed inside the main house. Had the Patriarch not been greatly ill at the time, a stranger like Liu Jianguo would have never been invited.

However, Xiao Nan is neither a stranger nor a mere Outer Disciple. He is a Core Disciple and the Xiao Sect's rising star. Where he walks, disciples and servants move out of the way and bow.

"Where is my cousin?" He asks one of the servants. It is mostly for show. He can feel Xiao Fang's Qi quite clearly. He knows exactly where his cousin is.

"The young master is in the meditation chamber," the servant replies, bowing his head to him. By the time the servant dares to look up, Xiao Nan has already walked away.

It does not take Xiao Nan long to reach the meditation chamber. It is a special room deep underground where a person can cultivate without being bothered by the outside world. Xiao Fang is no doubt working hard there as befits the heir to the Xiao Sect. He evidently requires tranquility at the moment in order to obtain the best possible results.

Xiao Nan enters the meditation chamber without a care in the world.

Xiao Fang does not notice his arrival. His cousin is deep in meditation. Xiao Nan feels proud of his cousin for reaching such a deep focus while at the same time lamenting his cousin's lack of awareness. Even though the main house is the safest place in Eastern Port City, one should never lower ones guard. Any assassin skilled or lucky enough to reach this place would find his cousin an easy target.

Still, Xiao Nan decides to wait. There is no need to interfere with his cousin's cultivation, especially when it seems to be going so well. He sits in front of Xiao Fang and waits.

Fifty breaths go by, and Xiao Fang still shows no signs of stopping or of even having noticed Xiao Nan. Five hundred breaths go by, and Xiao Nan still waits patiently. Five thousand breaths go by, and Xiao Nan still waits. Even as the sky goes dark, Xiao Nan waits for he knows what will soon happen. Yes, it should be any moment now.

There!

Xiao Nan's eyes gleam as his cousin's Qi spikes and swells. It is a breakthrough! Xiao Fang had been on the cusp of one for a while, but he has finally broken through and reached the next level.

Before even reaching the age of ten, Xiao Fang has stepped into the seventh level of the Inner Realm. Even within the Xiao Sect, it is a notable achievement, fitting for the one who will one day lead it. At his current rate, his cousin is sure to reach the Nascent Realm long before his time to participate in the Eastern Port City Tournament comes. In a few decades, Xiao Fang may even enter the Emperor Realm like his father before him.

Xiao Nan smiles. The future of the Xiao Sect is safe.

Slowly and carefully, Xiao Fang works to bring his increased Qi under control. It is a dangerous process. A cultivator is always at his most frail immediately after a breakthrough. Xiao Nan has seen promising talents accidentally cripple themselves due to their inability to deal with the new power raging inside them. However, Xiao Fang is a cut above those people and manages to bring his Qi under control in only thirty breaths.

It was fear that forced Xiao Fang's hand.

An angry Emperor is a terrible thing. Had Old Jiang been angered by Liu Jins death, the damage of his rampage could have spilled over. An Emperor's power could easily destroy Eastern Port City in its entirety. If such an outcome were to become likely, the Xiao Sect's Patriarch would have no choice but to intervene to protect the Xiao Sect from being dragged into things.

And a fight between Emperors is just a terrifying prospect.

Xiao Fang understood that and acted in defense of Liu Jin in order to prevent such an outcome.

"Not bad, cousin," Xiao Nan says. "You showed good judgement. However, I believe you overlooked something important."

"What could it be?"

"My reaction, of course!" Xiao Nan points to himself. "Do you think I would do nothing if Little Brother died?"

"You cannot be serious."

"If he killed Liu Jin, I would have ripped Yun Han's throat out." There is no trace of a smile on Xiao Nan's face. His voice is so cold that Xiao Fang shivers. "I would have marched right into the Yun Sect's compound and killed him."

Xiao Nan is also pretty sure Xiao Fang is greatly underestimating his father's possible reaction, but there is no need to let him know that just yet.

"Oh well, that did not happen in the end, and it's all because of you, cousin." Just like that, the tension is gone. Xiao Nan stands up and leaves. Xiao Fang does not bid him goodbye or says anything at all. His cousin is still stunned by his words. Regardless, Xiao Nan is happy with how things went. It is nice to know Xiao Fang is not lacking in judgement.

Once Xiao Fang reaches the Emperor Realm and becomes the next Patriarch, the Sects future will be assured. When that happens, the Xiao Sect will surely have four cultivators in the Emperor RealmFor Xiao Nan has never once doubted his ability to reach that level eventuallyand the Yun Sect will have none. Yes, the Xiao Sect's future is certain.

As far as Eastern Port City is concerned, that is.

The Empire is a big place. Xiao Nan has seen with his own eyes the level of talent in the capital. For the Xiao Sect to one day stand at the level of the greatest Clans and Sects in the continent, another step is needed.

For that step, Liu Jin is an absolute necessity. One day, Xiao Fang will have to understand that.

~~~