C15 Beaten

Dawn was just breaking, and the breakfast vendors lining the road had begun their calls to the early risers. With the city gates set to open after the fifth watch, the throngs of people moving in and out of the city were a crucial source of daily income for these shops.

Nangong Fan caught the attention of the city guards, who had long since taken notice of him. Though the guards didn't fall under military jurisdiction or the direct control of the Black Family, Nangong Fan's reputation as one of Dragonstone's most notorious young hedonists ensured that none failed to recognize him. It was likely that on their first day, they were handed a list of individuals not to be crossed, with the names of the four most indulgent young masters of their generation, including his own, at the very top.

An inner guard scurried over with a sycophantic grin, bowing deeply. "Young Master Black, how may I assist you?"

Despite being under the Huo Family's command, the city guards weren't their direct kin. Guarding the city gates was a grueling job, and although it had its perks, it paled in comparison to the benefits reaped by those patrolling the city streets. Moreover, offending the Young Master of the Black Family was out of the question. Aiding him in even the smallest task could result in a windfall, with enough scraps falling through the cracks to sustain the guard for months.

With a grand gesture, Nangong Fan produced a silver note in his hand. He had more silver notes than he could count, all of them useless for his cultivation, and even this one was of the smallest denomination. Lifting his head, he pointed subtly at Qin Guang, his eyes taking on a steely edge. "Take good care of him."

The guard bobbed his head eagerly, snatching the silver note and stashing it in a pouch close to his chest—enough to support his family for a year. His expression turned serious as he stepped up to stand guard in front of the pavilion, drawing his standard-issue long saber and gripping it firmly. He was prepared to challenge even his own superiors should they attempt to enter the pavilion.

Satisfied, Nangong Fan nodded. The sound of the breakfast vendors had reminded him that Qin Guang had gone a long while without food. Since he was momentarily unable to leave, he had taken this course of action.

He had resolved to shed the label of a frivolous young master once and for all.

Shortly thereafter, Nangong Fan approached leisurely from a distance, a bag of steamed buns in hand.

The guard departed with reverence, and as the city gate was about to open, it was best not to linger.

Clad in black, Nangong Fan stood by the pavilion near Dragonstone's east gate, where Qin Guang was fast asleep on a bench.

The city gate was already open, and the bustling streets within were teeming with people, their clamor echoing from every direction.

The din might have been too much, rousing Qin Guang from his slumber, prompting a sleepy murmur.

Nangong Fan then turned, lifted a water bucket from the ground, and handed over the steamed buns.

"Young Master, I'm alright now," Qin Guang said, tearing into the buns as a beast would its prey, then hoisting the bucket to his lips for a hearty swig of icy water.

"You need to leave the Black Family and Dragonstone. I'm contemplating whether to accompany you." Nangong Fan's eyes held earnestness as he spoke with heartfelt sincerity, "I'm not yet ready to part with my aunt, who, despite her brusqueness, dotes on me so. Nor am I prepared to wander the world."

"Young Master, there's no need for you to come with me. Don't fret over me. I sense someone will come for me; my blood tells me so," Qin Guang replied, his gaze as genuine as he struggled to his feet and bowed deeply to Nangong Fan three times. "Young Master, until our paths cross again."

With that, he rose and made his way out of the east gate.

"Whether you be man or monkey, god or demon, you must not consume humans. If you do, when we next meet, I will have no choice but to slay you."

Qin Guang paused briefly, nodded without looking back, and vanished into the throng, leaving no trace.

Yet within Qin Guang's slight frame, a seed had been sown.

When we meet again, no matter if you are still my Young Master or not, I will aid you in becoming the most luminous star among humankind. I will strike down those who oppose you, be they human, demon, or monster. You've asked me not to feast on humans; henceforth, I will abstain for life. I'll be waiting for you in the world beyond.

Beside the Yangtze River, a towering golden figure stood next to an elderly fisherman. A gilded staff was slung across his back, and he was shoving a wriggling fish into his pointed mouth. "Old Jiang, your boy Old Nine is quite something. Our tribe owes him a favor. And the fish you catch, they truly taste amazing."

The old man's face, etched with lines of age, exuded resignation. "You rascal, it seems like you and this youngster are the only direct descendants left of the Battle Saint Tribe. Looks like this kid will have to stick with Old Nine down the line."

"Don't remind me; it's a real heartache," the tall figure grimaced. "When the time comes, he'll have to sire a bunch of little ones before we let him go. Yes, that's the plan. Well, I need to take the youngster now. Until next time."

...

In the heart of the wooden house cluster, the Law Enforcement Hall stood with a grave air on the right side of the three grand courtyards. To the left was the Internal Affairs Pavilion, where the stewardship was considered a cushy job. The central courtyard was the domain of the family patriarch, currently Nangong Fan's grandfather, a man in his sixties. Since Hei Yuqing had begun his decline, he had become a recluse, no longer concerning himself with the Hei family's affairs.

At that moment, Nangong Fan knelt at the center of the Law Enforcement Hall, flanked by three venerable elders seated above and a mix of young and old figures on either side.

Aside from Hei Yushang, who appeared visibly anxious, there was Hei Yulong, wearing a sinister grin. Behind him stood Hei Jiao, exuding mockery and scorn. The rest maintained stoic expressions; they were the deacons and the head and deputy masters of the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Hei Ze, are you aware of your transgressions?" intoned the imposing elder with a dark complexion, his voice booming as he struck a wooden block, devoid of any emotion.

"Hei Ze has done no wrong," Nangong Fan declared, meeting the elder's gaze with a tone that was respectful yet firm.

"Innocent? This morning, you were absent from your own courtyard, the gate left wide open, and yet you were found at the east gate. Who else but someone with a direct lineage ring could escort a person without an identity ring in and out of the Black Mansion with such freedom?" The elder to the right glared at Nangong Fan, his face seething with anger. His surname was Zhong, having married into the Hei family, and his son, who took his mother's surname, was none other than Hei Yulong.

"Law Enforcers must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Do you understand?" Nangong Fan said with a sneer.

"You... are a complete anarchist." The elder's complexion turned ashen. Since his appointment as the Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, who had the audacity to defy him? Even Hei Yushang addressed him with a measure of respect.

"Hei Ze, you show no respect for your elders, challenging authority without restraint," the Black Flood Dragon fumed at Nangong Fan, as if eager to unleash all his frustration on him.

Without sparing the Black Flood Dragon a glance, Nangong Fan spoke calmly, "The Law Enforcement Hall operates on concrete evidence. It's common knowledge that I'm a worthless man, riddled with flaws. How could I possibly have slain two Martial Masters, who, despite their inability to breathe properly, possessed genuine strength, not to mention a Great Martial Master on the cusp of becoming a cultivator? Should there be solid evidence, I will willingly confess and accept my punishment."

The ability to breathe is essential for a martial artist's transformation into a cultivator. Only when the body can channel Qi can it be cleansed and strengthened daily by the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth. Achieving this, and capturing a strand of Spiritual Qi in the dantian, marks the transition to a true cultivator.

For those unable to channel Qi, unless they possess the techniques of a body or divine cultivator, a life disconnected from the martial world is all but certain.

Yet, what truly unsettled Nangong Fan was the sight of Elder Zhong and Hei Yulong, seated prominently to the right, smirking triumphantly as he spoke of evidence and guilt. They watched him like vipers, poised to strike.

"I request the Hall Master's permission to present the Mirror of Light," Hei Yulong said, his smile thinly veiling his anticipation.

Nangong Fan felt a sense of dread upon hearing the term "Mirror of Light."

The Mirror of Light was a magical artifact devoid of any offensive capabilities. Its sole function was to reflect images captured by the Earth Spiritual Water.

This Earth Spiritual Water was crafted from a blend of water and earth, infused with a stone known as the Memory Crystal. The quality of the water and earth determined the potency of the Earth Spiritual Water, which could even record the battles of unparalleled warriors for others to study and learn from.

A Law Enforcer retrieved the Mirror of Light from within the hall and set it on the long table before the three elders.

The artifact was a disc the size of a palm, with a small indentation in the center housing a tiny, oval-shaped crystal.

Hei Yulong approached with a self-satisfied grin, a black ring on his finger flashing as he conjured a water droplet the size of a fingernail in his open right palm.

With a respectful bow to the three senior elders, Hei Yulong eagerly placed the droplet onto the disc.

The elder in white on the left looked grave, the one with a ruddy complexion on the right appeared triumphant, while the central elder simply seemed contemplative.

The water droplet merged into the crystal at the center of the disc, and Hei Yulong's right hand shot forth a jet of black spiritual energy into the disc, causing it to radiate a blinding brilliance.

A scene composed of myriad lights and shadows unfolded in the air.

Sounds of whipping and a wooden door shattering filled the room. The blue tip of a sword could be seen protruding from the chest of a muscular man wielding the whip.

Nangong Fan, dressed in nightclothes, was visible as he approached Qin Guang, who lay on the ground, his back marred with bloody welts.

Their brief exchange was audibly clear.

Qin Guang was seen collapsing, and Nangong Fan stepped outside to drag in two mutilated bodies. He swiftly removed their garments and dressed Qin Guang, then hoisted him onto his back and departed.

"Hei Ze, you possess an impressive array of magical treasures, capable of instantly dispatching two Martial Masters and a Martial Ancestor. What do you have to say for yourself now?" the red-faced elder asked, his tone brimming with vigor.

"He has already stated he would accept punishment if there was concrete evidence. Fellow Law Enforcers, without a penalty, we cannot satisfy the public," declared the black flood dragon, his eyes once filled with rage now alight with determination. From this day forward, the Hei family would be without a direct heir from the younger generation. But what standing would a family at its zenith have without a direct heir to carry on its legacy?

The elder at the center of the room subtly twitched his right ear, a flicker of respect crossing his weathered face, yet it went unnoticed by all.

Only Nangong Fan, kneeling below, caught a glimpse of the gesture. But the intricacies of the Hei family were beyond his clear understanding, so he remained oblivious to the underlying developments.

Without a word from the elder, a hush descended upon the Law Enforcement Hall.

It wasn't long before the elder lifted a wooden plank and struck the table forcefully. "The evidence is irrefutable. Effective immediately, Hei Ze is stripped of his direct lineage status. One month from now, when the secret realm of Dragonstone opens, Hei Ze must leave upon his return and journey to Shushan, adjacent to Forestvale, to train in swordsmanship. He may not return to Dragonstone unless he achieves the rank of Martial Saint.

Hei Yushang is forbidden from returning to the barracks until the secret realm's opening. She may only rejoin the military once Hei Ze has departed.

In ten days, the contest for the direct succession will commence. All men and women under the age of twenty, Hei Ze excluded, are eligible to compete. Prizes await the top ten, and the top three will earn the status of direct descendants. The Internal Affairs Pavilion will provide full support.

The enforcer will post this decree in the front hall and ensure that order is maintained, especially with the guards. Until the secret realm opens, none but those on official duty may stir up trouble, as Dragonstone will soon see an influx of formidable outsiders. Any violators will be expelled from the Hei residence."

"As you command," came the unified response as those gathered knelt on one knee.