Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Forty: The Elder of the Cursed Clan

The street was still bustling with life, as if yesterday's shadow had never passed over it, remaining deeply buried underground, in no way disturbing the city’s clarity and brightness. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, dazzlingly bright. The ruins from yesterday’s destruction had already been restored to perfection, every delicate detail testifying to the might of technology; it looked flawless and beautiful. Only, the restless spirits flogged to death still marred the scenery.

Lin Changtian’s legs were numb from crouching. He was paying his respects to the girl’s mother, following the customs of the Northern Territory—offering solace to the departed, wishing her soul peace in her homeland. Yet how could a soul wrongfully slain find rest? It was, in the end, just an attempt to soothe his own conscience.

Chen Mo stood silently nearby; the two of them seemed utterly out of place, almost like strangers to the world.

“Little Lin, get up—the ground’s cold,” Chen Mo called. In truth, he didn’t understand why Lin Changtian would go to such lengths for a stranger. But still, he was willing to stand guard at his friend’s side.

Lin Changtian nodded, stood, and was about to speak when suddenly his expression turned playful, as if he had spotted something amusing.

“Brother Chen, looks like that kid hasn’t changed his ways.” Chen Mo followed his gaze—sure enough, the boy who had pretended to be a nobleman and conned people the other day was at it again, back to his old tricks.

“Perfect, I was interrupted that day and let him get away. Today, I’ll finally get to the bottom of things.” Before the words had fully left his lips, Chen Mo had already slipped quietly over, watching the boy’s performance with silent amusement.

“Good sir,” the boy addressed the mark he’d been stalking, his tone grave and sincere, “to tell you the truth, I hail from the eastern lands of Shenzhou, the foremost divine general under the Eastern Emperor himself. Alas, I lost my way in this place, and now, cold and hungry, I see in you the generous spirit of Lord Mengchang of ancient Qi. Lend me two thousand Northern coins for travel; when I return, I shall inform the Eastern Emperor, who will grant you the title of Fifth Grand General. What do you say?”

His mark snorted, the boy’s heart starting to sink as he considered making a run for it. But then the man spoke: “Two thousand Northern coins? I’ll give you a hundred thousand! And make sure the Eastern Emperor names me Supreme Grand General, second only to himself! A blunderer like you, who loses his way and delays the army, shames us all. I wouldn’t dream of serving under you!”

Well, this fellow was really getting into character.

The boy barely kept from laughing, feigning reluctance as he reached for the stack of coins offered. Yet before he could take them, a large hand landed firmly on his shoulder.

Chen Mo was all smiles as he snatched the coins and returned them to the mark. “So, the Eastern Emperor’s divine general, how about coming with me for a bit?” The boy, on the verge of tears, felt the strength in that grip and could only nod in resignation.

As the two were about to leave, the mark grew anxious, hurrying after them and shouting, “Hey! You thief! What are you doing, abducting our general?”

Chen Mo heaved a sigh, putting on a menacing face. “This one’s committed a crime—the Eastern Emperor wants him brought back for execution. Anyone connected to him could be implicated. What, are you close with him?”

The mark quickly turned away. “Not at all, sir! I was just doing a good deed. Carry on, I’ll be on my way.” In a flash, he vanished into the crowd.

Chen Mo tousled the boy’s hair, teasing, “Look at you, swindling kids like that. You really are something.” The boy’s face was full of indignation, his tone resigned: “Just my luck to get caught by you. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Chen Mo nodded and brought the boy before Lin Changtian. Oddly, though the boy had feared Chen Mo, upon seeing Lin Changtian, he perked up, speaking first before Lin could utter a word: “That day, when you stood up to the Ten Elders, you were truly heroic. If I’d known it was you looking for me, I would never have tried to run.”

Lin Changtian looked confused, glancing at Chen Mo, who only spread his hands, indicating he was just as clueless.

Seeing their bemusement, the boy explained, “Word of your standoff with the Ten Elders has spread everywhere—not just in Ruzhou City but even the Northern Emperor has heard of it.”

The two exchanged a long look before Lin Changtian finally spoke. “Do you have any proof?”

The boy scratched his head and hurriedly produced a holographic device. This gadget had emerged in recent years as the age of electronic communication faded with the coming of the cataclysm—now, holography was the tool for connection in the era of awakening. It provided not only communication but, when in its designated area, relayed all local news and linked to major forums. However, due to its high cost and limited range, it had not become widespread.

Lin Changtian took the device and frowned at the bold headline on the news page: “The Glory of Justice Shines Forever! The Ten Elders and the Common People in Equal Dialogue.”

After reading the article, Chen Mo’s face grew grave. He said quietly, “If I’m not mistaken, there’s more filth behind this than we imagined.”

Lin Changtian didn’t respond directly; instead, he asked, “So who do you think is pulling the strings?”

Chen Mo pondered a moment, then replied, “It’s hard to say. It could be some of the other Ten Elders, or maybe the Seven Clans or another faction. But whoever’s stirring up so much trouble at this juncture, it’s definitely not Wei Shaoqing.”

Lin Changtian nodded, letting out a long breath. “We’re thinking along the same lines. But there’s something I don’t get. If someone wanted to bring down Wei Shaoqing, why publish such a positive article? The whole thing is nothing but praise for him—not a word about Yi Xiao’s mother, who died unjustly by the roadside. And if Wei Shaoqing himself did this, he’d be openly offending the other nobles. Oh, so he’s the only ‘good guy’ left, and the rest of us are just Ruzhou’s scum?”

Chen Mo rapped his knuckles against his head, unable to make sense of it either.

Lin Changtian sighed and returned the device to the boy. Suddenly suspicious, he eyed him. “Wait a minute—how does a trickster like you get hold of a holographic device these days? Out with it, where’d you steal it?”

The boy grinned awkwardly. “Couldn’t fool your sharp eyes. It’s been a while since I got it.”

Lin Changtian stroked his chin in thought, nodding at last. “Alright, don’t do this again. It’s not safe lately. Head home early. We have things to attend to.” With that, he left with Chen Mo, leaving the boy standing alone in a daze.

“Little Lin, what’s with you? Weren’t you planning to check out his house? Why the sudden change?”

Lin Changtian flashed a mysterious smile. “Of course we’re going. But we’ll follow him quietly. That fellow’s hiding something. Let’s wait and see what he reveals.”

...

“So, after they saw the holographic device, they lost interest in you?” The old man in the courtyard stroked his beard, his expression grave.

Seated on a chair, the boy nodded, exasperated. “When I first met them, the leader seemed curious about me. But today, though they came looking for me, their attitude was completely different. I don’t get it.”

The old man muttered to himself, pacing back and forth before saying, “Most likely it’s because of Wei Shaoqing’s news. Wait a few days before you approach them again. After that, it’s all up to luck.”

“That’s not playing dumb, it’s pretending to be!” Lin Changtian landed lightly from the rooftop, grinning at the old man.

The old man feigned shock, his voice trembling. “Who are you? How dare you trespass in my home? Grandson, go call the authorities!”

Lin Changtian knocked on his own head, a little exasperated. “You tested me with your inner strength just now; I sensed it, only I chose not to respond. Let’s not beat around the bush.”

The old man smiled benignly, stroking his beard. “Before we do, allow me to solve a puzzle for you.”

Lin Changtian clasped his hands in respect. “I have many questions, and I’m all ears.”

“In truth, the news about Wei Shaoqing has nothing to do with him, nor with the Seven Clans or Ten Elders.”

Lin Changtian frowned—he hadn’t expected this unremarkable old man to grasp the core of his dilemma so quickly, holding him in rapt attention.

The old man, pleased by Lin Changtian’s reaction, continued, “Outsiders can’t see the truth, but even those in the game are trapped and voiceless.”

Lin Changtian’s brows knitted tighter, still unable to grasp the old man’s meaning. “I’m slow to understand—please enlighten me.” He didn’t notice he’d slipped entirely into the old man’s rhythm.

The old man took the teacup the boy handed him and sipped before continuing. “The Seven Clans and Ten Elders of Ruzhou City might look illustrious, but they’re nothing more than the Northern Emperor’s hounds. Their deference to him is scarcely different from the common people’s. On one hand, he rules by division; on the other, he preaches equality. He keeps the Ten Elders as his dogs, yet fears raising wolves, so he lets them play ‘nobility’—tsk, tsk, the Northern Emperor, what a masterful hand.”

Lin Changtian swallowed hard—not out of fear of the Northern Emperor, but because the old man’s calm, detached manner, no matter the subject, was truly unsettling.

Chen Mo couldn’t sit still either. He dropped down from the roof, gripping his gun’s handle, wary to the extreme. “May I be so bold as to ask the elder’s name, just so we know where we stand?”

The old man’s tone was casual, light as a breeze, and yet it seemed the very heavens, faced with him, were the ones lacking in respect. For a moment, it was hard to tell who was host and who was guest.

Let the clouds drift beyond the sky—what could rival the flowers before my home?

But the old man soon broke the silence of the courtyard himself.

“I am Liu Qingshan, of the Northern Domain’s clan of the condemned.”

At these words, Lin Changtian’s eyes filled with disbelief, and Chen Mo stroked his chin as if searching his memory.