New Year's Eve

The eve of the Lunar New Year...

Three carriages passed through the streets.

The streets were bustling. Farmers crowded in front of temples, eagerly buying "Portraits of the Eastern God" to pray for auspiciousness in the new year. Merchants set up temporary awnings, hawking their wares. Stalls were laden with candies, snacks, and various sundries. Street performers from all over showcased their talents, entertaining the crowds. Patrol guards moved vigilantly through the streets and alleys.

Qi Yu watched through the carriage curtain, then moved his finger, lowering it.

The noise and the city were shut out.

He sat alone in the third carriage, his parents' vehicles in front.

Yesterday, after a small gathering with Yuanzi and others, he had... his father had sought him out that night.

His father's arm was swollen, hanging uselessly and unable to move easily. The father and son finally had a frank and open discussion.

At that moment, his father's words still echoed in his ears.

"The Third Branch is weak. If we don't struggle and rise up, I fear we'll be swallowed by the Second Branch until not even the bones are left.

Yu'er, I didn't put pressure on you before because you lacked potential.

Now that you've shown potential, I won't hide these matters from you anymore."

His voice, intermittent, surfaced in the young man's mind...

Qi Yu gazed out the window with a wistful sigh.

The cold wind whipped loose snow, lashing against the carriage curtain.

Yuanzi was right. Some storms, you don't need to seek them out; they will... rush towards you.

The carriage rumbled over the accumulated snow and stopped at the Qi family's main mansion.

The main mansion was imposing.

Crimson lacquered gates, bronze beast rings, stone lions on either side, lightly covered in white snow.

Before the gate...

The wind and snow did not cease, but rather grew fiercer, battering the lanterns under the eaves like scattered jade, casting the heavens and earth into a vast expanse of whiteness.

Inside the mansion gates, however, was another world entirely.

In the dim twilight, glazed palace lanterns shone as bright as day. The beast-shaped brazier burned fiercely, the aroma of wine and food mingling with the sweet scent of perfume...

Qi Yu entered the main hall with his father, passing behind a massive gold-lacquered "Fortune" character screen.

Everything in the hall was revealed before him.

Old Master Qi, Qi Zhendong, sat in the main seat, his white beard quivering, his face ruddy with health.

The prosperity of the Qi family before him was the perfect embodiment of his life's achievements.

These were all his accomplishments.

Beside the Old Master sat the Second Branch's Qi Changji, close by.

Though this Poison Water Army captain wore casual clothes, his back was still straight, exuding the authority of a superior and the ruthlessness of a soldier, commanding respect without anger.

On the other side was the First Branch's Qi Changfu. Although Qi Changfu was an Eighth Rank official, he focused on health and physical cultivation. His face was plump and ruddy. Seeing his third brother enter, he smiled and waved, calling out, "Third Brother, over here!"

Qi Changshun stepped forward in response and was pulled by his elder brother to sit beside him.

Old Master Qi let out a cold snort.

Qi Changshun hastily took out a brocade box and respectfully presented it. "Your son has obtained an extremely rare Longevity Flower and specially offers it to Father."

The Old Master's gaze lingered on the brocade box for a moment, then he nodded slightly. A steward stepped forward to accept it and put it away.

While the elders were exchanging pleasantries, Qi Yu bowed to the Old Master, offered his blessings, and then retreated to the area where the younger generation gathered.

In the side wing of the hall, the younger generation had already formed groups.

The First Branch's legitimate daughter, Qi Zhao, holding a warm pot, dressed in fine silk, was whispering and laughing with several exquisitely made-up sisters. When she saw Qi Yu, a hint of veiled observation flashed in her eyes, but she did not greet him.

Several clan elders from the collateral branches sat nearby around a small rosewood table, sipping fragrant tea and quietly discussing old matters. The Qi family's main business had long been irrelevant to them. Some of their families had fallen into decline, and their presence here today was merely due to past blood ties...

Qi Yu glanced at the young people from the clan elders' lineage.

He didn't know them.

He also didn't have the habit of greeting them, so he sat alone.

Just then, a strong, resonant sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall door.

The rhythm of the footsteps was distinct, overpowering the clamor within the hall.

All eyes turned sharply towards the entrance. They saw a heroic young man in gleaming armor stride in with his head held high.

The armor was polished to a brilliant shine, reflecting the lamplight like a moving sun.

His posture was upright, his eyes sharp, and his demeanor far more composed than his peers.

The hall fell silent for a moment, then a wave of suppressed gasps and whispers erupted. Many eyes, a mixture of envy, awe, and curiosity, fell upon this most dazzling young man of the Qi family.

Qi Feng held his head high, a smile on his face. He nodded to the gazes directed at him one by one, then walked directly to the Old Master's seat, knelt on one knee, and declared loudly, "Your grandson, Qi Feng, wishes Grandfather a healthy body and everlasting fortune!!"

The old man's face was almost overflowing with satisfaction. He looked at his eldest grandson, a true dragon among men, and said dotingly, "Feng'er, why are you dressed like that? It's the New Year."

Qi Feng stood up and cupped his fists. "Replying to Grandfather, your grandson was just promoted to Assistant General of the Poison Water Army yesterday. I'm on duty and dare not be negligent. This is a break during my patrol, so I specifically came to wish Grandfather a Happy New Year. I must continue my military duties later."

Military duties?

The eldest, Qi Changfu, and the third, Qi Changshun, were both stunned. They exchanged a confused glance.

On New Year's Eve, what urgent military duties could there be?

They hadn't heard the slightest whisper beforehand.

Looking again at the old man and the second son, Qi Changji... neither of them seemed surprised.

Their hearts sank, and the last shred of hope was extinguished.

Qi Changfu, however, remained calm. He smiled, and his hand subtly tugged at the third son's trouser leg under the table, signaling him not to speak rashly.

On the other side, the old man's smile grew wider. He gently stroked the young man's gleaming, cold armor, then surveyed the room and declared loudly, "This is the true Qilin of my Qi Family! All you juniors must take Feng'er as your example! The future prosperity of my Qi Family rests entirely on your shoulders!"

Qi Yu glanced at the unfamiliar young men beside him.

Each of them was utterly uninterested in the old man's words.

An example?

Future prosperity?

That would require resources.

How many resources had Qi Feng consumed?

Were they even comparable?

The old man truly spoke without considering the cost.

Qi Feng bowed humbly. "Grandfather, you praise me too highly. Your grandson is ashamed and unworthy."

Then, his gaze suddenly fell on Qi Yu. "Brother Yu! Uncle Three said you broke through to the Eighth Rank the other day? And even defeated Guard Sun? Truly... after three days apart, one should look at him with new eyes!"

This tone of "surprise" was crystal clear in the now silent hall.

As he spoke, Qi Feng slowly walked towards Qi Yu.

Qi Zhao cast an interested glance...

The eldest branch, Qi Changfu, had four descendants, but all were daughters. Qi Zhao was the only unmarried maiden. According to the eldest branch, she would not marry out but would take a son-in-law.

This cousin, now nineteen, was a year younger than Qi Feng but a year older than Qi Yu.

Of course, besides these three, the eldest branch had three married-out daughters. The second branch also had a married-out daughter and a boy who was only eight years old.

Qi Feng approached slowly, his posture relaxed, and said with the tone of an elder brother patiently guiding a junior, "Brother Yu, practicing martial arts... a stable foundation is paramount. If you have any doubts, feel free to share them with your brother.

I often spar and verify with my comrades in the army, and I have gained some insights into honing the foundation, which might help resolve some of your confusion."

The old man not far away stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with increasing approval.

He looked in the direction of Qi Changshun and murmured, "This child has more breadth of mind and bearing than some people."

Qi Changshun lowered his head and remained silent.

Qi Changfu of the eldest branch smiled and said, "Feng'er is truly the pride of the younger generation of our Qi Family. He holds an important position at such a young age, and what's rare is this sincere heart that doesn't forget to support his brothers. He is truly the undisputed role model for the younger generation of our Qi Family!"

These words struck a chord with the old man. He stroked his beard and smiled, becoming even happier.

Not far away...

The center and edge of the light were clearly distinct, blindingly so.

Like light and shadow.

Qi Feng was like the scorching sun, while Qi Yu, opposite him, was like a shadow, quiet, thin, and inconspicuous, as if he would be completely swallowed by the light at any moment.

The next moment, Qi Yu bowed. "Cousin, you flatter me. It's just the Spirit Serpent Skill, I've only just begun to grasp it, and my foundation is shallow."

Qi Feng smiled and flexed his wrists. "Brother Yu, how about I suppress my strength, and we spar a few rounds?"

Qi Yu immediately stood up and lowered his head slightly, his posture extremely humble. "Cousin, you jest. How could my meager cultivation dare to contend with Cousin? Besides... Cousin has military duties today, and I wouldn't dare delay you."

Old Master Qi watched from afar.

Seeing Qi Yu's "low-key" response, he was quite satisfied, thinking the child was ultimately sensible and more understanding than his father.

He called out, "Feng'er, since you have military duties, your intention is enough.

As for guiding Yu'er... there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Seeing that you brothers can be so harmonious and close, my heart is at ease and content."

He paused, his gaze lingering briefly on Qi Yu. "Aren't you going to thank your cousin?"

Qi Yu bowed deeply. "Thank you, Cousin."