Noah Saiom and his companions were returning to the Murim Alliance headquarters in Shaanxi province. He had to go directly to Xi'an to report the outcome of the negotiations with the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Noah knew that when they sent him—a warrior at the initial master stage—for the negotiations, and none of the members of the Five Great Sects or Seven Major Tribes volunteered for the task, it meant everyone was pessimistic about the talks' success.
One of his companions approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Noah, who had been staring at the clouds from the back of the cart, startled slightly.
"Sorry!"
"Were you lost in thought?"
"No, my apologies. I was just gazing at the clouds."
"Xi'an isn't far now."
"I congratulate you on your achievements."
"Securing a guarantee from Kang Long himself in a short meeting..."
"It's truly good that the Taoist worshippers no longer have to camp in the cold and can enter the city."
Noah replied with a faint smile:
"I merely delivered the Alliance's message."
"My real backing was your swords outside the Heavenly Demon's palace gates."
"And anyway, I went with two requests and obtained only one agreement."
"Don't say that."
"None of the masters or disciples of Orthodox Murim had the courage to do what you did."
No, I didn't go voluntarily. And the one who gave the concession was Kang Long; I just confirmed it. This wasn't negotiation or agreement—it was an imposition of power.
After a while, they realized they had reached the heart of the Guanzhong Plains, and from there, the walls of Xi'an were visible. Near the city's entrance gate, a group of Alliance warriors had gathered to welcome them.
The entrance to Xi'an was always bustling. All trade from the Northern Frozen Palace, the vast Mongolian steppes, and the northern and southern Caspian trade routes passed through Xi'an. The main income of the Orthodox Murim Alliance came from this very trade. Large merchant caravans that had to travel thousands of miles required logistics and protective forces, and the ruler of Xi'an—the Orthodox Murim Alliance—fulfilled this need.
In less than two hours, Noah reached the Five-Tower Fortress of the Murim Alliance. For a city of one million people, this was a short time because all the city's roads led to the Alliance fortress.
"You must go to the Divine Library Tower."
"I will guide you."
"To whom should I report?"
"Vice-Leader Yujin Hak."
Noah entered the library tower and on the very first floor, in the circular hall of the library, he saw a man sitting on the floor, surrounded by a wall of books, with scrolls spread around him like a carpet.
The Divine Library, the center of learning for the Murim Alliance, was empty. So there was no doubt who the man was.
Noah bowed standing. "Greetings to Vice-Leader Yujin Hak."
The Vice-Leader looked at him with tired, indifferent eyes:
"Noah Saiom."
"Do you know why I asked to see you?"
"Yes."
"You wish to hear my travel report and the details of the agreement obtained."
"I sent those earlier by messenger."
"Your reports and those of your companions arrived a day early."
"You want more details?"
"Yes."
"For example..."
"How Kang Long imposed his conditions on you."
"Or how the First Steward forced you to leave Tai'an after a single meeting."
"Tell me about the demons ready to tear you and your companions apart."
I didn't write these in the report. But the truth... How does he know things that weren't said?
Noah answered firmly and loudly:
"The entire way back, I kept asking myself:"
"Why me?"
"Why did you choose me?"
"So that if the negotiations failed, the heirs and disciples of the Seven Tribes and Five Sects wouldn't be shamed?"
"Noah Saiom has no affiliations, isn't even a military or academic elite, so his pride and honor are worthless to us?"
"The request to bring caravan guards into Tai'an was to provoke war."
"Is my life so worthless to the Vice-Leader?"
"Hahahaha!"
"You speak like this in front of the Vice-Leader? Hahaha!"
"Who said there were no other volunteers?"
"I chose you."
"What?"
"Why?"
"I chose you because you got here with no affiliations."
"You're not exceptionally smart or strong, but you have both intelligence and power."
"But in the end, I'm just a pawn."
"For now, yes."
"But now you have an achievement."
"An agreement and gaining a concession, even if incomplete, is still an achievement."
"In the future, you will face even harder trials. I, as the one who moves the pieces, guarantee this."
This kid has potential for growth and knows his place. He yelled so loud it startled me awake. I'll make it up to him later.
"Now I want to hear everything from you, in full."
Noah began recounting all the events.
Yujin Hak sank into his thoughts. He knew this display of power wasn't ordinary and could only mean one thing: Kang Long does not want war to happen.
But why?
Kang Long and the very nature of the Heavenly Demon Sect are at odds with giving concessions without benefit! So it means Kang Long wants to protect the peace.
But why?
"Now that I think about it properly..."
"You are very impudent!"
"Huh? Why?"
"'Tell Kang Long to come!'"
"Um...!"
---
Lan and Zhan were now one year old and attempting their first efforts to move. They were not alone; they had cheerleaders.
Their mother, Ling Yue, stood opposite them, and Midwife Choi. Lan and Zhan had a simple mission.
They had to crawl from Midwife Choi across a distance equal to a man's height to reach their mother.
The mother, the midwife, maid Yeon, and even the shift guards at the window ledge were cheering them on.
Both brothers were trying with all their might to crawl toward their mother, but it seemed Zhan was more successful. (Yet his muscles were still straining.)
I'm losing... to this guy.
I won't lose to a baby.
I fought my whole life. (Zhan thought the same.)
Zhan looked back and saw his brother crawling toward him with eyes full of determination and lips pressed tightly together.
The sound of a fart.
Lan's silk garment became moist and soiled.
Victory at any cost might not be worth it.
But why should this guy remain clean?
Zhan sensed his brother's intention.
Don't come over here, you filthy—
Lan made a final effort to reach and grab his brother, but at the last step, Choi intervened and picked Lan up.
"Young master was so eager to reach your mother."
"First, let's get you bathed."
Thank you, Choi. You saved me.
I have to spend the whole night in the same cradle with this lunatic.
Zhan fell asleep in his mother's arms. When an infant uses all its energy, no matter the circumstances or place, it always sleeps.