Shin Akagawa
The Ancient Orchid Ruin City was situated in the north of Glory City, because of that as they returned to Glory City they inevitably passed through the northern wall which was also where the Akagawa main territory was situated.
"Nie Li, I'm going to stop by my main territory so we won't see each other at least until the Yearly Exam. If you need pills you can go to the alchemy association, if you give them my name they will give you some enough for the rest of the month."
The yearly examination was due in one month and some days, it took at most a few days to go from the main territory to the institute so instead of wasting time by going back and forth he planned to simply deal with various matters here and then be done with it.
Seeing Nie Li nod seriously he knew that he didn't have to worry about him, he showed his own ability and worth in this expedition along with him becoming a first star already, neither of the two even cared about the bet made with Shen Xiu.
Turning around he let Nie Li walk ahead, he already informed Linjian of his decision so he didn't have anyone else to inform other than his beautiful companion.
"Ning'er, will it be a problem if you come with me?"
This time he wanted to share the treasure the two found to his clan because of that he also needed her there so that they could divide the treasures between them, while the girl already made her position clear as she told him to take everything he still was reluctant to simply take everything without giving her anything, so he preferred if he was there at his side while he sorted everything.
'I also have to worry about the matter of the Dark Guild, while she already told me their name it will be helpful if she does remember something else.'
The girl thought for a moment before shaking her head left and right.
"It's ok, they won't say anything."
Thinking back to her family she frowned a little as she looked down, during this time she spent with Shin, she almost forgot about her own problems with her family but even.
'They never cared about me as long as I was still there to be sold to the Sacred family.. But will their opinion change after I show them my cultivation?'
With her current cultivation she could be considered a top genius in glory city only and as far as she knew she was only behind Shin in term of talent so she was sure that as long as she showed her cultivation even the elders, who normally wouldn't stop at nothing to try to appease the Sacred family, would start to work against the powerful noble family just to have her lead the Dragon Wing family.
'Except that I'm not going to lead them anywhere.'
Even if she were to not follow Shin she already long lost any type of feeling for her family, so there was no chance for her to become the patriarch of the declining noble family.
After Ning'er agreed, Shin went to inform Linjian of his decision.
"... So that's it for this time."
After hearing his decision Linjian had a little disappointed expression but still didn't voice any sort of complaint, after all while the two grew closer during this expedition and Shin gave face to him treating him as the lead of the expedition, once in Glory City he remembered that there was a big difference in their positions.
"It was a pleasure to have you on this expedition, but are you sure you don't want any of the treasure? Making all this trip only to leave empty handed is…"
After Shin reunited with the group the two had a discussion about the treasures found under the training grounds, Normally Shin would have gotten quite the big piece since he not only was of higher rank than others but his contributions alone would have let him take a big percentage but after thinking a little Shin only took a Black Gold armor for him while Ning'er took a Black Gold sword for herself.
With the transition made in secret the people of the group could only be puzzled as the couple didn't ask anything from them.
"Don't worry, the experience already made it worth it, besides it was thanks to your invitation that we went anyway so it's only fair that you get most of them."
As the people around that heard him they couldn't help but whisper, him not making any request to Linjian was the same as acknowledging him as a close friend and establishing the future connection between the Akagawa Clan and the Divine family, giving a better reason to have people join his group or have the other families look up even better the already imposing Divine family.
'Moreover if we can get the Divine family to make a deal with us then we will practically have a monopoly in the Alchemy of Glory City, whenever that is from pill making to herb cultivation.'
Obviously Linjian knew what Shin objective where but he didn't have any complain and could not voice them if he had them, while he was the sole descendant of the Divine family the future patriarch wasn't set in stone as the other elders have been gathering their strength and to find any reason to lower his own reputation to steal his qualification.
'My talent in cultivation may not be the best but with my connection with Shin and the success of this expedition then even those old geezer won't have much to say to me.'
After talking for a little more Shin left along with Ning'er as the two didn't take much time to reach the main territory. Stopping in front of the main doors the guards immediately recognized Shin as they let him pass while they sent one to lead the couple toward the main hall.
Ning'er looked around in curiosity as she observed the place. While the Akagawa weren't as large in numbers as some other top families, the cultivation of every single guard could already be considered almost at the top as each one was at least at the Third Star of the Gold rank.
'Even my father is just at the Second Star…'
The Winged Dragon clan was already a declining clan even before they fell for the trap of the Sacred family but they were still lucky that the patriarch and some elders were at the Gold rank making them a upper-middle powerhouse, even if they lacked any sort of wealth.
The people of the clan curiously glanced at her, while they were happy their young patriarch returned from the institute they were far more curious about him bringing a girl with him, especially the old aunt as they looked at Ning'er with a glint in their eyes.
"We'll stay here for a week at least, will that be ok?"
Hearing his question Ning'er ignored the gaze of the people around as she shifted her attention toward Shin.
"It's no problem I'll just send a letter to my family so that they won't send someone here."
While her family didn't care much about her as a person, they still considered her as the bartering object that would give them a connection to the Sacred family and save them from their crisis, so they will inevitably send someone to fetch her if she were to stay for too much time without giving a reason.
'Maybe the fact that I'm staying in the Akagawa clan will deter them from coming too hastily.'
It was common knowledge that the Akagawa was one of the safest places in Glory City as any attempt to send someone to spy on them always ended up poorly as it was protected by several Black Gold ranks and a literally army of Gold ranks.
"If you want I can send some of my people?"
Ning'er liked that offer very much, if the one to send the message was someone from the Akagawa clan itself then they won't even dare to make a move. Nodding her head she smiled sweetly at Shin while moving a little closer to him.
Reaching the main hall they were met with a group of five maids and a butler as they have been already informed about Shin's arrival and have been dutifully waiting for him.
"Can you prepare a guest room in the main building, we will stay for a week at least."
Ning'er inspected the group as Shin, after giving a small greeting, started to ask them to prepare a room which she guessed was for her, the butler gave a small surprised face as he glanced at Ning'er, but didn't say anything as he simply nodded turning around to speak with the maids.
She was unaware of the butler surprised especially since she didn't know that in the Akagawa clan there were three two type of guest rooms, one was made in a separated building guarded heavily and used for any normal or important guest, while the guest rooms in the main building were only used to accommodate people close to the Patriarch or the clan as they were far closer to the room of the patriarch and were less guarded as there were only the guards of the patriarch around.
"I know you already said you are fine with just the bow but are you sure you don't want anything else?"
Having concluded that matter Shin turned once again to Ning'er as he asked her while he started to take out several spatial rings, she understood he was talking about the Vermilion Sect treasures but just like she said in the underground tunnel she didn't care much about the treasures, her family would surely prosper form them but so what? They never helped her more than necessarily so she preferred having all of these end up in Shin and his people's hands.
"I'm fine with the bow, Although I'll gladly take some of the demon spirit hidden inside the spatial box."
She smiled as Shin nodded his head, taking out a golden box. This mysterious spatial box was the main treasure left behind by the Vermilion Bird Sect, only she knew how to fully open it as she was the only one left with the memories on how to do so, Because of that Shin wouldn't argue even if she were to take everything inside, he always preferred to divide things equally as he hated to own things to people.
"Well, it's all yours."
Before Ning'er could take the box in her hands, the door opened as Naoki and Yoru entered the place.
"Young Master, you could've told me you were coming back, I would've escorted you back from the Institute!"
Naoki quickly walked to Shin as he voiced his complaint as Shin wryly smiled at the scene, even after all these years he still wasn't accustomed to his antics.
"We didn't come from the Institute, that's why I didn't warn you…"
Yoru took the opportunity to step forward as she opened her folding fan hiding the lower part of her face, she looked at the various spatial rings placed on top of a table near the two, her eyes stopping on the golden box.
"I guess that has to do with the various treasures around you…"
Because of some lack of man-power she had to call back the guards that were stationed near the institute for a day so when she sent them back and received information about Shin joining an expedition and leaving with a big group she couldn't help but feel regretful and frustrated that she couldn't send some Black Gold guards to protect him from the shadow.
"That's right, we joined an expedition and found some good treasures, I want them to be sorted, the weapons and armors can go to Kuro as he will divide them for the army, the gold stuff and other pieces of art will be sold at the next audition before the pills. Can you call Eiko here, I also have some rare alchemy materials that can be used. Also I want a full report on every single piece whenever that will be sold or not."
Nodding her head she just had to give a look at the butler who was already ready to move, turning back to the golden box she asked what had been on her mind since before.
"What about that box?"
Even using her Divine sense she couldn't see the contents of the box as it seemed like an endless hole.
"This is a special treasure, it works like a spatial ring as it has a larger space inside."
Ning'er nodded as she took the box before feeding it her soul force as she moved it around the inscription pattern in a familiar manner even if she never did.
"It actually has several spaces inside, they are all separated from different inscription patterns and have all different abilities. The first one is similar to a spatial ring as it would store things, the second is able to store any type of liquid or in this case Blood Essence and store it's effects and freshness, the third is used to store any type of materials that has Soul energy be it an herb or a weapon and prevent them from losing their soul energy and lastly the fourth is used to store demon spirit."
Moving her hand the box opened as four small orbs floated up, each orb was completely black, light warped around it as the space shattered. Sending his Divine Sense Shin was able to feel the content inside each orb.
The first orb was filled with most of the most important treasures that Shin found in the temple, the second was filled with dozens of different jade like marble, on a closer look he could see that the marble were actually blood essence compacted into a small round shape as none of it spilled.
The third orb had only two things inside, one was a set of sixteen Vermilion Feathers that Shin could immediately tell where they come from, the other was actually an Alchemist Cauldron, the Cauldron was more like a small black pot with crimson inscription lines all around, the inside of the pots were completely azure reminding him of the depth of a lake.
And finally the fourth orb had four demon spirits inside, two were at the gold rank while the other two were at the Silver rank.
"From the memories left behind I have a way to use these Blood essence but unless one has a compatible body then the assimilation would actually cause severe injuries to the person's body…"
Saying so she closed the box as the orb returned inside the box, the only difference was that this time Shin could easily access the three other compartments unlike before.
"Can I ask what these memories you guys are talking about?"
Hearing Yoru question Shin proceeds to explain what actually happened during the expedition including the attack form the Dark Guild, after hearing what happened several different expressions cursed through her face before she snorted coldly.
"Those guys from the Dark Guild are really tired of living! Young Master, you said that Ning'er recognized some of them right? Am I allowed to deal with them?"
Much to her disappointment Shin shook his head as he continued "Let's talk about them later, for now let's finish the sorting of the treasures."
As they were speaking the doors opened once again as a familiar old man entered the hall, Eiko walked slowly as he merely glanced at the various weapons and treasures around before his eyes stopped onto the cauldron before they returned to Shin.
"Young Master, it's good to see you… So healthy." As he said the last part he glanced at Ning'er at his side as he sent a knowing smile toward Shin.
"It's good to see you too, Eiko. I've called you here because, as you can see, we came across an Inheritance from an ancient sect and I may need your knowledge for a couple of things."
Picking up the box Shin opened, following the instruction of Ning'er, as he showed the orb containing the Demon Blood Essence. Eiko's eyes shone as he looked at them with his Divine Sense.
"These are…"
"These are Demon Blood Essence, a form of which we unfortunately don't know, but Ning'er here has a way to implement these bloodlines, I want you two to work together to implement them along with the Prime Titan Body Technique."
The body technique's main goal was to create a perfect body able to host several different Bloodlines no matter the attribute and make use of them, but even then as these Blood Essence were unknown to them they had to study them before carelessly using them.
"Oh? Is this the only reason why she is here?"
Coughing into his hand he averted his eyes as he denied his question.
"No, but we can talk about it later."
Eiko looked at Shin before he gave him a warm smile, bringing up his hand to his mouth. He laughed like a normal old man as he waved at Ning'er to come closer.
"I see, I see, the young master is finally growing! Then since you asked how can I refuse, Come child I have been following the young master since he was born I can tell you any type of story you may hear."
'That's not why I asked you two to work together…'
Sighing he decided to ignore them as he simply let them go as they took the box and went away followed by some maids.
Yoru Gestumei
As Eiko and Ning'er went out of the room while Shin and the other two moved toward another room as people soon entered to sort out the various treasures.
She has never felt so conflicted since years, even when Shin decided to leave the city she still agreed with him as much as that sounded crazy.
'The rewards were surely worth the risk but there was no reason for him to go without guards like this.'
She knew that they wouldn't be able to hold on to Shin for long, especially after his cultivation rose, but until then she planned to keep him safe and have him grow unbothered.
"Now that's done, we can talk about how we will deal with the Dark Guild."
Saying so she shrugged off her previous thought as her mind concentrated fully onto the new matter.
"We know the identity of at least one of them but we can't carelessly attack them or sell them to the city lord like this. Yoru I want you to send some people good at stealth and spy on his every movement, I want to know his every move."
She nodded as she agreed, that guy will surely hold off any interaction with the Dark Guild for some time, at least if they had some brains, so if they wanted to make the best out of this they had to take things slow. Obviously kidnap him and torture out any information was also a plan but she doubted they would even get much information from a low level grunt like him.
"It will be done, but what if he tries to leave the city?"
Shin thought for a moment, if the guy left the city then their best course of action would be to send someone to follow him and hope to find the main base of the Dark Guild but that was a dangerous move as that person would be left alone.
'It would be the same as a suicide mission and they would have to be at least a Black Gold rank.'
The difference between Gold rank and Black Gold rank was a simple word but for her it was better to lose ten Gold rank than a single Black Gold rank, especially after she lost so many of them during the last defense of Fire Lotus City.
"I heard from Ye Mo that the leader of the Dark Guild is also a Legend rank so we can't risk too much, if he tries to leave then capture him and do as you please with him, I'm sure it won't be too difficult to extract some information from him."
She could feel the little resentment he had toward this guy but thankfully it wasn't enough to blind him to move without thinking of the greater picture.
"We will also hold off much of the information of the aggressors, I will write a letter to the Snow Wind family but I'll only tell them about the attacks not that we know about the identity of one of the assailants."
If the Snow Wind were to know the identity of a member of the Dark Guild was the same as an execution on the spot, they would kill him immediately without further question and since the person involved was of the Sacred family then a small fight was inevitable.
'We are not ready for another all out fight, especially between two Legend ranks…'
At this moment the strongest fighter was Daisuke who was currently in closed door cultivation trying to break through the Legend rank.
'It's only a matter of time before he breaks through, we only have to hold on until then.'
Fortunately she could see that an all out fight between the Dark Guild would not happen in at least a couple of years unless something tragic happened.
"After the Yearly Exam I will also return from the Institute, while it was good to make some connections I have nothing left to gain from staying there, I want Kuro to concentrate on recuperating the full force of the Army and prepare for a retake of Fire Lotus City."
This surprised Yoru as she furrowed her brows, while she expected him to go towards this path, it was way too soon for that.
"Young Master, can I ask why the urgency?"
Shin sighed as he shifted in his seat bringing his hand together.
"Right now the normal citizen found a place to prosper without having to worry much about the attacks of Demon Beast while also being under the protection of the force of Glory City, that mean we have the perfect opportunity to move only Demon Spiritualist toward the city and strengthen its defense while not having to worry about protecting other people. Before that I still want to reach at least the Gold rank so there is still time but I want him to prepare like we are about to leave in a couple of days."
If it was until he reached the Gold rank she could guess that they had at most a couple of months, this plan wasn't that bad especially with the various conflicts slowly rising in Glory City as the Sacred family seemed to want to overthrow this city.
"Then, when we leave, how many people will remain here in Glory City?"
The main problem was that they also couldn't leave all citizens here without even a single Cultivator to care for them as they would be eaten by the other forces in a second.
"Don't we have the Heavenly Marks family and the Alchemy Association for this? I also planned to use my connection with Chen Linjian to make friend with the Divine family, as long as we promised a place in the city then they would not hesitate to give some of their force to protect ours, hell they may even send some of their men to help take back our city."
His reasoning wasn't wrong, especially with the Support of the Snow Wind family, then the plan to retake the city would actually go smoother than previously expected.
"As long as we promise a place in the Fire Lotus City the noble family won't shy away from supporting us in some way and with this we will also create a connection between the two cities so that Glory City will be able to trade food in exchange with the various Demon Beast materials we can hunt there."
Demon Beast was probably the best way for someone to make some money, even in a city as big as Glory City there were countless adventurers who hunted Demon Beast for a living and even then the request was at an all time high.
"I didn't expect you to have already thought so far ahead. Then we should firstly concentrate on increasing our bond with the various noble families?"
Standing up, Shin gave her a smile as he prepared to leave.
"Yes, but that will come on its own as we make more deals with them. For now please go tell Kuro about my plans and start making plans to increase our influence in the various commoners families in the northern section. I also plan to soon accept commoners and smaller families as vassal clans, so start to make a list of cultivation and special techniques to give them."
He didn't even have to specify that the techniques given to the lower families would be obviously worse or incomplete as they wouldn't share the full technique unless that family showed their worth and loyalty.
"This should be all for now, I'll leave it to you."
Leaving he was followed by Naoki as he took the task to guard Shin as his personal guard a long time ago. Looking at the back of Shin she lamented the fact that his parent weren't there to see his own growth, he will surely fail in some of these plan and will fall down a couple of times but that's to be expected, the most important part was that she will be there to help just like he helped his father and grandfather.
"Things are going to be so fun~"
Thinking that she was glad she made the decision to join this family those years back.
Another small chapter to show that I'm not dead yet, the next chapter will come out in a week and a half or two weeks so don't expect anything more from me.
Only after finishing this chapter was that I realized that I went at a painfully slow pace for this one but nothing much can be done as I really wanted to give more screen time to some characters.
Thanks for reading as always and hope you liked~ If you have any feedback please leave a review and I'll answer it as soon as I can.