NOVPUBA rather interesting thing to witness in real time, is seeing the light of hope in someone’s eyes go out like a candle in the wind, when they’re informed of something dire.
Not in the manner of someone’s hopes being dashed in a sadistic manner like being told they were going to die anyways despite being given freedom, rather, the sight of seeing someone’s greedy expectations going away due to the realization that the thing they want is behind a massive wall.
In this particular instance, the Zhen Clan scions had gone from nervous wrecks to giddy with greed to spirit crushing realization in a matter of minutes.
That’s because, as much as they hated to admit it, they were way in over their heads.
Thanks in part of their strong of good luck these past few months, ranging from taking down a dragon-blooded otter beast, winning their main Branch’s tournament and then earning the the respect of the Zhen Clan’s matarich, the scions of the Zhen Clan couldn’t help but get a little cocky.
It also probably didn’t help that the aether treasures they received from the main clan’s vault, gave the young scions the feeling that they were invincible.
However, now that they were presented evidence that there were still significantly bigger fishes out in the ocean called life, the Zhen Clan scions immediately began to question the decision that led to this moment.
Hermit Zhong Wei allowed the children to marinate in their situation a little longer, before explaining how the Zhen Clan was going to secure any of the listed four treasures, and possibly the fifth if all things go well.
<<Alright, if I had to hazard a guess, you guys are understandably freaking out that these treasures are being guarded by monsters that can more or less turn you into paste with one swipe of their paws and are worried about ending up as such if you make a wrong move, yes?,>> Zhong Wei asked in an incredibly blunt manner.
The resounding silence that filled the room as soon as Hermit Zhong Wei asked this question was all the response he needed to hear to confirm this chain of thought.
<<Well, don’t worry. Because, after going through all your records and cultivation progress, I have figured out how to divide you guys into five teams that will lead to the highest possible success rate of us securing these treasures. Once you have acquired your treasure, reconvene at this spot before the Tempering Spirit Pool. If things prove too hard for you to handle, just retreat there anyways, and pray that one of the other teams managed to secure their treasure anyways.>>
<<And that rate is...,>> Zhen Hai decided to ask.
<<Fifty percent.>>
"Oh. Okay."
<<Well, fifty percent based on this division of forces.>>
Pessimistic optimism aside, the Zhen Clan elders and scions could more or less get behind this plan. They all knew what each other were capable of, so depending on how the groups were divided, this entire expedition could end in a complete success.
Shortly after answering this question, Hermit Zhong Wei manipulated the illusionary screens to include images of the Zhen Clan scions and elders, divided into mostly teams of four, across the five locations.
Coincidentally, or by design, each of the teams were set up in such a way that each elder was paired up with their respective progeny.
However, there was something...odd about these divisions, and not just because there was a presence of names of people who were not present for this meeting.
...
Treasure#1:Talisman Monument of Curing Rain
Participants: Zhen Long, Zhen Hai, Zhen Guo, Zhen Lao and ???
... 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Treasure #2: Eternal Spring Calabash Trees
Participants:Zhen Hou, Zhen Yue, Zhen Zhen Xi, Zhen Feng and ???
...
Treasure #3: Grand Oasis Teapot
Participants: Zhen Ye, Zhen Tai, Zhen Jin, Zhen Xing and ???
…
Treasure#4: Fountain of Furious White Water
Participants: Zhen Liu, Zhen Yan, ???, Rianna, Jin Fang
…
Treasure#5: Tempering Spirit Pool
Zhen Shi, Zhong Wei, ???, Princess Jinju Ren
...
Evidently, the sight of this unusual division of forces was enough to prompt Zhen Yue to raise her to ask about it. Thankfully, Hermit Zhong Wei was more than happy to oblige.
<<Yes, Miss Zhen Yue?>>
"Not to be rude to Zhen Liu, but why is Rianna and Jin Fang joining us? Princess Jinju Ren makes sense, since you’re her tutor and I’m assuming you’re going to be using this moment to help groom her to be a more powerful warrior, but…"
Zhen Yue wanted to say that neither Rianna nor Jin Fang were inner circle members of the Zhen Clan, despite being Zhen Liu’s lovers, but she had no idea how to say that without possibly offending her cousin.
Luckily for her, Zhen Liu was actually of a similar mindset, but from a different angle. If this place was so dangerous that it warranted the inclusion of his great grandaunt in order to fully exploit, then why the fuck did the women he loved had to get involved.
"None taken, Zhen Yue," Zhen Liu interjected so Zhen Yue wouldn’t get stuck on having to phrase her question a specific way, "I am honestly confused as you are."
"Really? That’s what the both of you are focusing on? Not the fact that there are a bunch of fuzzy outlined people accompanying us?," Zhen Hai pointed out.
A murmur of agreement rippled among the other Zhen Clan scions at Zhen Hai’s observation, including Zhen Yue. The only one who didn’t make any sound was Zhen Liu, but that’s because he knew why those fuzzy outlines were there in the first place.
Hermit Zhong Wei allowed this momentary lapse of attention to occur before finally addressing the questions posed.
<<First, good job noticing the reason why I included the princess. A sharp eye will help you progress far in life. Second, the reason for their inclusion is that Miss Jin Fang and Miss Rianna both happen to be as strong as the rest of you despite not going through the same level of formal training and resources that your stations have allotted you. Then again, I was told that the former is the direct disciple of a Lady Daria and that the latter happens to be a disciple of a sect that you have all recently learned as being called, [The Temple of Nowhere], yes?>>
"Fair enough."
"Objection rescinded."
’I mean fair, but also, come on!’
Evidently, only Zhen Liu had any gripes about their inclusion still, but that’s because he was worried about them getting injured or killed.
’Wait…is this what Jin Fang feels every time I do something stupid? Damn…’
<<As for the aforementioned mysterious blots, Mister future bridegroom Zhen Liu, would you mind coming up here?>>
"Say what now?"
At the mention of Zhen Liu’s name, and the title he was given due to his engagement to Princess Jinju Ren, all eyes in the room turned to focus on him.
They all had a pretty good idea as to why he was being summoned up there, but they weren’t going to say anything because that would be considered rude.
With a reluctant sigh, Zhen Liu got up from his seat and walked over to where Hermit Zhong Wei was standing and leading this meeting. As Zhen Liu made the short walk to where he was being pointed to, Hermit Zhong Wei began to elaborate himself further.
<<From what the Patriarch and Princess has told me, Zhen Liu here is able to summon and control multiple Aether Puppets at once that are a bit more…unusual in comparison to others. These puppets not only enable him to channel his aether arts through them, but share his senses with all of them to the extent that he can see and hear everything they can. Is that correct?>>
Once Zhen Liu got to his indicated point, he nodded in agreement to Zhong Wei’s observation.
<<Yeah,>> Zhen Liu nodded. <<As long as they’re in a certain radius of me, I can do that.>>
<<How big of a radius are we talking here?>>
<<Big enough for me to keep it a secret lest it get exploited, but it should be fine if you’re going to be using it for what I think you’re going to be using it for.>>
<<Excellent,>> Hermit Zhong Wei said with a grin.
The other Zhen Clan scions were a bit lost at the flow of this conversation, but the Zhen Clan elders and patriarch let out a sigh of relief. Apparently their plans hinged on whether or not Zhen Liu was able to control his puppets at long range.
<<Communication in the wandering ruins will be key to our success, so having someone like our puppet master here acting as our main means of communication will help a great deal. It also helps that Zhen Liu’s puppets here are essentially warriors onto themselves.>>
After making that statement, Zhong Wei proceeded to step away from the stage so that Zhen Liu could have more space.
<<Mister Bridegroom, mind showing us what puppets we can use in our upcoming expedition.>>
<<Aye.>>
Once he was given the go-ahead, Zhen Liu began to summon his "puppets".
…
’Alright guys. Show time.’
[As you wish, milord.]
[Yes…minn…jarl…]
[I wouldn’t exactly call this a show, maestro. More like an…opening act.]
[Aren’t those the same thing?]
[I don’t think so.]
[Still find it bullshit that I’m not up there…]
[Develop a core then!]
[I’m working on it.
