"Planning lies with people, and success does too."
Zong Shen patted his younger brother on the shoulder, neither too hard nor too lightly.
"Remember, every plan has variables, especially those powder kegs with hidden complications."
"Stay flexible in your strategy and adjust at any time."
"If you need support, come find your big brother."
"Don't worry, bro." Zong Ze grinned.
There was once again a bit of his old liveliness in that smile, but the steadiness deep in his eyes had become entirely different.
"I'm a professional when it comes to clinging to powerful thighs. If I really can't hold on, you'll definitely be the first person I call for support, bro."
Zong Shen smiled. With his current strength, even a little help from him would be enough to handle ninety-nine percent of all trouble.
Besides, between real brothers, many things needed no further words.
He raised his head to look at the sky. At the edge of the ink-black night, the faintest trace of gray-white had begun to show. It was a sign that the deepest darkness before dawn was about to pass.
They had already spent quite some time here with Aze. His parents should have settled in by now as well.
"Mom and Dad should be about done resting."
Zong Shen spoke, his tone turning gentle.
"Come on, let's go to your Lord's Small Building."
"It's time to take care of some serious business."
Zong Ze did not understand what serious business his brother meant.
But he could roughly guess that it had something to do with their parents.
The two left the pavilion and made their way down the winding stone steps carved into the mountainside.
The night wind swept through the valley, carrying the damp scent of grass and trees, along with the distant sound