Chapter Nine: The Martial Gathering of All Clans

“Patriarch, in two months, the various families of Jinhuan City will gather for the ‘Clan Martial Gathering.’ Our Zhang family is still short one candidate!”

In the council hall of the Zhang residence, a tall, thin elder rose and clasped his hands in respect, addressing Zhang Tai, who sat at the head of the table.

The hall was filled to capacity, occupied by the Zhang family’s senior members who held influence, yet the atmosphere was heavy, with faces drawn in worry and silence reigning.

“If it truly cannot be helped, we may have to forfeit a spot in this year’s Clan Martial Gathering,” Zhang Tai said after a long, troubled pause, offering a bitter smile, his tone tinged with helplessness.

“Forfeit? But... the Clan Martial Gathering determines the rights to operate the city’s markets next year, and that’s the most prosperous area in Jinhuan City!”

“Yes, if we let another family seize that opportunity, what will we do for sustenance next year?”

“The Xu family in the south and the Sun family in the west have their eyes on that district like wolves. If they win the rights, our Zhang family may soon be driven from the ranks of Jinhuan City’s three great families...”

No sooner had Zhang Tai’s words faded than the hall erupted into murmurs; everyone spoke at once, but their opinions were unified—the patriarch’s decision was far too hasty.

“Ah, two years ago, the eldest and second young masters claimed first and second place for our family. If only the third young master...”

Someone muttered softly amidst the crowd. Though barely audible, the words rang clearly throughout the hall, and silence fell instantly, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Within the Zhang family, Yang Yan’s cultivation and Zi Ling’s status were almost taboo, especially before Zhang Tai.

The speaker seemed to sense his misstep; catching Zhang Tai’s stern gaze, he swallowed the rest of his words.

“Enough. These days, devote yourselves to finding a suitable candidate. If none can be found, we will simply forfeit a spot. Even without the rights to operate those city markets, none of you will starve. That is settled—do not bring it up again. Dismissed!”

Zhang Tai waved his hand impatiently, sending everyone away.

The elders shook their heads in dismay and filed out, but none noticed the gaunt youth standing by the great tree near the hall’s entrance.

Early that morning, Yang Yan had not even bothered to wash, eager to rush to Zhang Tai’s residence to share the joyous news that he could now absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

On his way, he happened to pass the council hall, overhearing his father in discussion with the family elders. Not wishing to interrupt, he lingered outside, hidden, listening in.

When he heard his own name mentioned, Yang Yan could not resist peeking into the hall. Though his father’s face was stern with anger, Yang Yan sensed something more in his eyes—a hint of self-blame and helplessness mixed with the fury.

Indeed, in fourteen years, what had he ever done for his father or the Zhang family? The answer was nothing.

Over the years, he had nursed grievances: why, as the head of the family, did his father let him endure scorn? Why didn’t his father intervene when he was mocked, ridiculed, or provoked? Why, when he was lost and despondent, did his father not come to comfort him, to talk with him?

He had always taken from his father, never given in return.

As the clan leader, caught between his son and the rest of the family, hearing others sneer at his own child, how could Zhang Tai’s heart not ache? Even so, he still had countless clan affairs to manage each day; who could he confide his pain to?

Now, before everyone, the issue of his son’s stagnant cultivation had been raised again, and his father showed not the anger of disappointment, but deep self-reproach. He blamed himself for failing to purge the cold poison from his son’s body, for being unable to silence the family’s whispers.

“Father, this time, for the Clan Martial Gathering, I will win back the Zhang family’s honor for you!”

Yang Yan’s eyes were already red, hot tears brimming as he clenched his fists, veins bulging, making a silent vow in his heart.

The “Clan Martial Gathering” was Jinhuan City’s grand event, held for decades. Its origins lay in the city’s major families—Zhang, Sun, and Xu, the three great clans of Jinhuan, who held sway over its affairs.

The city’s central district was the most bustling, rich in commerce, where every inch of land was precious. Such a lucrative prize drew fierce competition, resulting in endless fighting and chaos, primarily among the three families.

As conflict worsened, the Qingxuan Sect eventually dispatched powerful mediators.

As one of Jinzhou’s foremost sects, it was their duty to maintain order in the cities under their domain.

At last, the families agreed to hold the Clan Martial Gathering annually, each selecting three members under fifteen to compete in a tournament, distributing city resources based on the results.

A family’s potential was not measured by the strength of its elders, but by the talent and ability of its youth. Years of conflict had weakened all the clans, so few opposed this new solution.

The top three in the Clan Martial Gathering would share the rights to operate in the city’s central district, while the champion’s family would receive magical artifacts and elixirs from the Qingxuan Sect.

With the Qingxuan Sect’s guidance, the city’s clans found peace, and the Clan Martial Gathering became a new battleground, silent but fierce. This year marked the thirteenth such event.

Last year, Xu and Sun families claimed first and second place, leaving the Zhang family last among the three.

This year looked worse—Zhang Quan and Zhang Sheng had aged out, and among the Zhang youth near Yang Yan’s age, only two had reached the second stage of Spirit Sensing. The rest were at the first stage, which, judging by past competitions, stood no chance of placing in the top three. Rather than risk embarrassment, it was better to forfeit a spot.

News of the situation spread through the clan, causing a stir. His father hurried to consult with Zhang Ao and the elders, leading to the scene Yang Yan had witnessed.

In contrast to the clan’s despondency, Yang Yan was full of confidence.

This year, I will claim the first place in the Clan Martial Gathering!