Li Jin, now Jin Li made it to the gates of the Sect. A structure made of black iron and gold accents, marked by the insignia of the Jin family – Mountains etched in vivid red. The gates stood open for visitors and returning disciples, flanked by two stone guardians who seemed to watch every move of those who passed beneath their shadows. On the walls stood guards calmly watching the third young master enter.
Jin Li stepped past the threshold, his red-and-white robes fluttering lightly in the summer breeze. The bustling activity within the sect grounds caught his attention. Outer disciples moved in grouped across the stone-paved courtyard, their voices blending with the rhythmic clang of weapons and the occasional bark of an inner disciple instructing them. Their robes of red-and-white flutter like the dance of phoenixes amongst clouds.
To the left, a large open arena stretched out, bordered by racks of training weapons and practice dummies lined with scars from countless bouts. A group of disciples sparred under the watchful eyes of their seniors.
Straight ahead, a series of ascending stone steps led to the Jin family's residence. White banners of the Jin family emblem hung proudly on either side of the heavy double doors. Behind it, the jagged peaks of TinTai Mountain rose into the sky, a natural fortress that shielded the sect from prying eyes.
To the right lay the simpler buildings – quarters for inner and outer disciples. On the left, much farther away were the servant quarters. Small, wooden huts of no significance. They were still within reach for the Jin family's convenience, as seen by the lavish buildings that completely covered them.
As he passed by, the faint scent of incense wafted through the air from the ancestral shrine at the centre. Next to the large pavilions of the main family was a quiet pond, its still water reflecting the clear blue sky.
Jin Li's sharp gaze swept over the scene with practised ease, taking in the outer grandeur and hidden cracks. The paint on the dormitories had begun to peel, the banner no longer a pristine white, and fading emblems. The guards too, seemed far too casual.
As Jin Li carried himself with the confidence of someone who owned the place, small whispers and curious gazes followed him, though losing interest quickly.
Jin Li's home was humble, perhaps too humble for a young master of a prominent sect. The outside still showed a look of grandeur, however, the inside was an empty shell. Except for the necessities at the lowest level, there was nothing else of significance.
Jin Li examined his surroundings with a faint smirk, noting the neglect and disrespect. He would have hoped that Jin Li received at least the bare minimum for his status, but the memories he had seen prevented him from doing so. However, the house was still littered with a few belongings of the original owner, a few well-worn cultivation manuals on the desk, broken, useless artefacts, and a few childish scribbles on the walls from long ago. In the small backyard were brooms and dustpans – usually carried by the servants and kept away, yet staying close by for quick access. The young man even had to clean this large, empty shell of a house himself.
For now, he settled down, letting Liao explore the house. It was already late. A servant served simple dishes and left. As they ate, they discussed their next plans.
"Xiao Li, now that you've started your play, what will you do?"
Elegantly serving the fox some food on a plate, Jin Li answered, "There will be quite a few agents from those bastards in each sect. I'll weave out each one at least from the Jin. Along the way, we will collect the Ancient Runes."
The Ancient Runes were spiritual spells carved into special stones, created by the Laws of the World. Each one represented different Laws and in total, there were thirteen. They would be vital in their fights, however, Liao did not understand why they needed to search for them.
"The Ancient Runes? What about the Laws?" Liao stopped eating.
"The Laws are too weak now. The outer gods have managed to do a lot of damage while we were away. They might even have an Ancient Rune or two. For now, let's focus on the cultivators. I will quickly solve Jin Li's problems, and we will move on to the search for the Runes."
"Is Mo Yan also helping us?"
"I'm not sure, but we can be assured that he will bring us one when we meet." Li Jin's face softened further in the warm light of the candle as he spoke.
Ending their conversation about the Ancient Runes, they moved on to topics of what they had been up to for the past several years. Soon, it was time to sleep, and though Jin Li didn't need sleep, he cuddled up with Liao under the blankets.
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Early the next morning, the grounds rang with the sounds of chatter. The servants moved busily preparing food for the hundreds of people. The birds chirped a wake-up call to each other. A pleasant atmosphere covered the sect.
A few disciples passing by saw Jin Li step out of his house in new and elegant clothing. From what they knew, the young man rarely received new clothing, yet he wore clean and flowing robes that even the Patriarch himself wouldn't be able to acquire.
Jin Li's robes were a striking combination of crimson and pristine white. The pure white fabric cascaded over his broad shoulders, a rich shade that seemed to catch the light of the sun, while the red trim framed the edges, accentuating the sharpness of his silhouette. Embroidered onto the sleeves and the hem of the robes were delicate yet intricate depictions of mountains, rendered in silver thread that gleamed faintly with each of his movements.
The cut of the robes was tailored to perfection, drawing attention to his powerful build. The broad span of his shoulders created a commanding presence, while the fabric cinched neatly at his waist, emphasising its narrowness before flowing downward into a graceful fluid drape.
In the soft light of early morning, Jin Li's features were nothing short of striking, unlike his usual self. His skin, pale and smooth, seemed to glow faintly under the gentle rays of the rising sun. The light played across the sharp lines of his jaw and the high arch of his cheekbones, giving him an otherworldly air. His dark eyes, deep and unreadable, carried a quiet intensity as if he could see through the very fabric of the world.
His long black hair, loose and unbound, cascaded down his back like a silken waterfall, its strands catching the occasional golden glint from the sunlight. A few strands fell over his brow, softening his otherwise sharp and chiseler expression. Though his demeanour was calm and composed, there was an unmistakable edge to his presence, a quiet power that demanded attention without a single word.
Standing there amidst the morning light, Jin Li looked like a figure from a painting —dignified, untouchable and unshakeably serene, yet carrying an unmistakable aura of danger beneath the surface.
As the disciples looked at him pass by, they only had one thought in their head — Who the hell is this!?!
This was certainly not the Jin Li they knew of. This young man was nothing like the timid and useless third young master of the Jin Lei-branch family. He was too confident, too strong and too good-looking! He made even the men blush, never mind the female disciples who fainted.
Jin Li ignored the disrespectful gazes and walked over to the training grounds. No disciples started training yet, waiting to have breakfast. Walking by, he noticed a familiar face.
It was a young girl, twelve years old wearing blue clothing. Her eyes looked at him with indifference and interest but looked away once he caught her.
She must be Jīn Xiǎoyún (金小云/little cloud), Jin Li's sister.
Jin Li had no feelings towards his sister, except jealousy. Despite being sick when she was younger, she was better at cultivation than him. Often pampered by the whole family, they did not spend much time with each other to develop any familial love between them. The young girl now regarded him as a distant relative rather than her brother. There was a certain justified arrogance in her. At least she was raised well by the elders.
A few disciples flocked together near the training grounds. Seeing Jin Li, a few curious ones followed him to see. There were also two of Jin Li's cousins. The second cousin Jīn Míngzhào (金明照/bright illumination) and third cousin Jīn Zhàokāi (金兆开/prosperous omen).
The third cousin, known as the fourth young master, was the son of Jin Li's second uncle. Jin Zhaokai was also the one who pushed Jin Li down the mountain.
Alongside him was Jin Mingzhao, the second young master, who was Jin Li's first uncle's second son. These two often bullied Jin Li, using their superior cultivation to overpower him. Both Jin Zhaokai and Jin Minghao had reached the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, while Jin Li was only at the Mid-Qi Refinement Stage, making it impossible for him to stand up against them.
As soon as they spotted Jin Li, Jin Mingzhao and Jin Zhaokai walked over to him. A smug smile hung on their faces.
Jin Mingzhao's voice rang out as they approached, sharp and mocking. "Well, well, if it isn't our precious third young master. Did the elders finally decide to give you some decent robes, or did you beg for them?"
Jin Zhaokai snickered beside him, crossing his arms as he added, "I was wondering who caused all this commotion this morning. Turns out it's just you, Jin Li. What's with the new look? Trying to impress someone?"
Jin Li's steps didn't falter, his calm gaze sweeping over the two as if they were insignificant obstacles. He stopped a few paces away, his expression serene yet carrying a quiet intensity that unsettled the disciples gathering to watch.
-[These kids have no manners at all!]
It was Liao giving his commentary from his spiritual space.
Jin Li tilted his head slightly, his voice soft but sharp enough to cut through their laughter. "Mingzhao, Zhaokai. You both seem… free this morning. Shouldn't you be preparing for the sect's annual sparring matches? Or are you planning to embarrass yourselves in front of the elders again?"
The smirk on Jin Mingzhao's face faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his tone biting. "Bold words coming from someone who's barely stepped into the Qi Refinement Stage. Don't tell me you've finally learned how to swing a sword."
Jin Zhaokai chimed in with a sneer, "Careful, Mingzhao. If you push him too hard, he might cry and run back to his little shack. Speaking of which, How did you manage to get back up the mountain? I thought you'd be as good as dead by now."
Jin Li narrowed his eyes, a mocking upward tilt of his head sending Jin Zhaokai reeling. "Unlike you, it isn't difficult for me to get back up a mountain."
Jin Zhaokai grit his teeth, "Ha! As if! You probably hung on to a tree and crawled back here! With your cultivation, you can't survive that fall."
-[These kids are bold enough to talk about murdering someone in broad daylight! How vicious! Who raised them!?]
Liao fumed in anger.
Their parents, of course.
Jin Li replied.
Laughter rippled through the onlookers, but Jin Li remained composed, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Why don't we test that?" he said, his tone light yet laced with an undeniable challenge. "The two of you against me. Right here, right now."
The courtyard fell silent. The boldness of Jin Li's challenge left everyone stunned, including Jin Mingzhao and Jin Zhaokai. They exchanged a glance, surprise flickering in their eyes before being replaced by amusement.
"Don't blame us if you get hurt," Jin Mingzhao said, his smirk returning as he cracked his knuckles. "You asked for this."
The crowd formed a loose circle around them as the two cousins stepped forward, their confidence palpable. Jin Mingzhao drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the morning light, while Jin Zhaokai summoned his qi, faint golden energy swirling around his fists.
Jin Li, however, didn't draw a weapon. He stood still, hands clasped behind his back, as if completely unbothered. The faint smile on his lips only served to irritate his cousins further.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Jin Zhaokai growled before charging forward, his fists glowing with qi. He aimed a powerful punch at Jin Li's chest, confident it would send him flying.
But Jin Li moved like water. With a single, fluid step, he sidestepped the attack, his robe fluttering in the wind. Before Zhaokai could recover, Jin Li's hand shot out, two fingers tapping the back of Zhaokai's wrist with pinpoint accuracy. A sharp crack of energy followed, and Zhaokai stumbled back, his qi scattering uncontrollably.
"Too slow," Jin Li said softly, his voice devoid of mockery but cutting all the same.
Jin Mingzhao didn't wait for an invitation. With a yell, he swung his sword in a downward arc, aiming to force Jin Li into a corner. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, Jin Li didn't retreat. Instead, he raised his hand, two fingers catching the blade mid-swing. Sparks flew as the sword trembled in Mingzhao's grip, held in place by Jin Li's sheer force.
"What—" Mingzhao stammered, his eyes wide.
Before he could finish, Jin Li twisted his fingers, disarming him with a flick of his wrist. The sword spun through the air before embedding itself into the ground several feet away. Jin Li stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and placed a hand on Mingzhao's shoulder. With a light push, Mingzhao stumbled back, his balance shattered.
"You rely too much on your weapon," Jin Li said, his tone calm but firm. "Without it, you're defenceless."
The crowd erupted into whispers, astonishment etched on every face. No one could believe what they had just witnessed. The once timid and powerless third young master had effortlessly defeated two disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage without even breaking a sweat.
Jin Zhaokai struggled to his feet, his face pale with both pain and humiliation. "W-what did you do?" he demanded, his voice shaking.
Jin Li turned to him, his expression unreadable. "You're reckless and impatient. Both of you are. If you want to truly improve, start by fixing your flaws instead of bullying those weaker than you."
Jin Li didn't stop there. Jin Zhaokai had killed someone and Jin Mingzhao supported it. A few broken bones were nothing in comparison to a dead person.
With that, Jin Li turned and walked away, the crowd parting before him like the sea. His back was straight, his robes flowing elegantly behind him, and his presence commanded respect in a way it never had before.
For the first time, Jin Mingzhao and Jin Zhaokai were left speechless, their arrogance shattered. They could only watch as Jin Li disappeared into the distance, his figure bathed in the golden light of the morning sun.
—————————
The news of Jin Li defeating his cousins quickly spread through the sect and by evening reached the Patriarch himself.
A servant knocked on the chipped wooden doors. A soft voice flowed out, "Come in."
He entered and bowed in a manner that was not suitable for someone of the young master's stature. "Third Young master, the patriarch is calling you to have tea."
Jin Li nodded, got up and fixed his robes at an almost excruciatingly slow pace. With leisurely steps, he followed the servant to his grandfather's residence. It seemed Jīn Zhāngyǔ (金章玉/esteemed jade) wanted to have a private conversation.
When he entered, the old man — Jin Zhangyu gestured for him to sit opposite him. A servant poured hot tea, and excused himself, leaving them in the privacy of the room. Though, of course, they knew there were some eavesdroppers outside.
"So, I've heard you defeated Jin Mingzhao and Jin Zhaokai."
"Indeed, Patriarch Jin." Jin Li referred to him in a distant manner. Playing as Jin Li did not mean Li Jin would refer to anyone as his family.
"What cultivation stage are you at?" Undeterred, Jin Zhangyu continued his questioning.
"At Peak Qi-Refinement Stage."
"Yet you managed to defeat two cultivators at Mid and Late Foundation Establishment Stage?"
Jin Li sighed in disappointment, making Jin Zhangyu flinch.
Young people these days…. He was pretty sure he heard such words as well. But before he could question Jin Li, the young man continued,
"When the difference between cultivation stages are small, taking my own and my cousin's as example, it is not impossible to defeat them with simple techniques. The family has been focussing on only drilling in this techniques but not how and when to use them. Of course I would be able to defeat them."
In reality, Jin Li was much stronger than the two young masters, but no one other than himself and Liao know of this.
Jin Zhangyu sipped his tea while contemplating Jin Li's words. The branch had been more neglectful in their training in the last few years. They had more casualties when disciples were sent on missions as well. Listening to Jin Li only brought up the importance of their teaching methods, though Jin Zhangyu put it aside to focus on Jin Li.
"You have done well. You will surely make A-Xuan proud."
A-Xuan, Jīn Xuán (金玄/mysterious or profound) was Jin Li's father. Defeated in a sect battle years ago, the man went into seclusion and rarely came out. According to Jin Li's memories, Jin Xuan had come out seclusion for a day around two weeks ago, meaning Jin Li would not see him for a few more months.
A silence settled around the room on the mention of Jin Xuan. Jin Zhangyu had immense hopes for his first son, but they had been shattered. Now his grandson had suddenly showed such talent, whether it was a fluke or not left up to debate. He did not want to put too many hopes on the young man, nor make him remember the bygone years when he had his strong father by his side.
"Well, continue working hard. You can leave now." Jin Zhangyu ended the meeting, and with that Li Jin had taken care of a part of Jin Li's revenge against the family.