As I was surprised by their visit, they were even more surprised to see me. They looked behind them, to confirm a second version of me, then turned back in confusion. Neither of them knew about my variant self killer move—but that was to be expected.
My aunt was a busy person who worked in a caravan, and my father most likely couldn't visit unless he wanted more trouble in his own household. So before we went through another "Who is this?" situation, I decided to clear it up right away.
"I'm the real Shuidi. That other me is the result of a killer move I created—it can make copies of myself."
Aunt walked right up to my clone, grabbed his face, and moved it around, inspecting it. "This is freaky... hmm. This one gives off no heat or cold sensation."
My clone, clearly unhappy, pulled her hands away and spoke. "Stop that, Aunt."
That shocked them both again.
"Where did you get this so-called killer move, Shu?" Father asked, looking between me and my human self.
"I accidentally created it—with some help. Don't ask for it, though. A core part of it requires a Gu I believe is unique to me."
They both stared at me as my clone walked off, and I had them sit with me in the courtyard. Initel's will disappeared, like she always does around people she doesn't want to be seen by.
"Well, Shu," Father said cautiously, watching my reaction, "we're both here because someone important wants to meet you."
"Is it another marriage request? I thought I'd get fewer of those once I left your house," I said to Father.
"We did get fewer," he admitted, "but recently we've received a few more. This time, though, we were asked to arrange a meeting we couldn't politely refuse."
"Shu, if we deny this person, it could make my life very difficult," Aunt said in a serious tone.
If someone could pressure Aunt, it wasn't just anyone. "So who is it, then?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yachi Xuduo Hu. You know her daughter, Yan Xuduo Hu," Aunt said, making me recall a certain dark purple-haired, horned woman from the caravan. Yachi is the leader of the clan's main caravan, and Yan is her daughter.
Yan spent a lot of time with me. I didn't mind back then, since I was just a helpless mortal—but it was obvious she only liked me for my looks. I never personally met Yachi, but I saw her and her beasts. She's a mid-stage Rank 4, but as an Enslavement Path Gu Master, she's far more dangerous than most.
"Is it a marriage proposal from Yan? Couldn't they just come to me? It's not like I'm hiding where I live."
"I don't think it's a marriage proposal," Father said. "She didn't mention that at all. She just said she wants to meet you before she leaves again."
"The worst part is she basically said if I can't bring you to her, I can forget about going this time. Normally that wouldn't matter—but this is the Lianxi Clan meet-up," Aunt added.
The Lianxi Clan? That's the same clan Caiji was from—a large clan made of mostly dragonmen. Those who pursue the Enslavement Path often join or form caravans. Occasionally, they hold clan-wide meet-ups to trade and exchange resources.
That could be a major opportunity for me to feed my soul distillers and collect a lot of soul dew drops. I might even find a beast king I can manage. Even if it's strong, I could get someone to subdue it for me.
"I'd like to go see Lady Yachi, then."
Father looked surprised by how quickly I agreed, and Aunt looked as if a great burden had been lifted.
"Are you sure, Shu?" Father asked. "She's not a simple woman. If she asks something of you, it won't be easy to refuse."
"Don't worry, Father. I have my ways of dealing with people if they get forceful." With Master Initel, most immortal-led branches won't risk provoking me. And for those who don't know better, a stroll through the clan with me telling everyone the truth about how horribly someone's treating me isn't slander—especially with my Truth Shines Gu. My words become almost undeniable truth.
"Aunt, if it's alright, I'd like to go with you to the Lianxi Clan meet-up. There are some beasts I want to look into and other matters I'd like to handle."
Aunt raised her eyebrows in surprise but nodded after a few seconds. "Sure, I don't see why not. But just so you know, Shu, most of the goods there aren't cheap."
"Don't worry about that, Aunt. I just completed a special mission and made plenty of money."
She shrugged and nodded. "Alright, if you say so. I won't complain about another Rank 2 Gu Master helping protect my caravan."
Right—they still didn't know I'd advanced and upgraded my aperture. I released my Rank 3 aura, startling them both.
"Thanks to my efforts, I reached Rank 3. And my master rewarded me with a talent-increasing Gu."
My words stunned them once again. I explained that I had gained a master and had been rewarded, but kept details minimal. They caught on and didn't press for more. When I told them about the Beggar Moth Gu, they were impressed by my planning, luck, and refinement within the clan.
"All this time, you've been trying your hardest. My son, you truly are great," Father said with a light smile.
"Damn, you're catching up fast. If I weren't always in the caravan, I'd be further ahead," Aunt added.
"Let me know when either of you is ready to break through your current rank. I'll lend you the Beggar Moth Gu to help."
When Father reaches Rank 3, he'll have more freedom. If Aunt reaches Rank 4, she'll become a clan elder.
They were both very grateful. Of course, they promised to tell me when the time came.
"So, Shu, when do you want to meet Yachi?" Aunt asked.
"Honestly, I'd like to meet her right now."
Later...
At the remote edge of the clan was a large body of water filled with various beasts, most resembling giant river otters. A few looked different but still had the same build.
These were the beasts Lady Yachi enslaved. Even in my past life, giant river otters were known as fierce, semi-aquatic animals that lived in groups. They were notorious for their ferocity—bullying jaguars and other intruders.
I'd seen them in action. Their presence alone could deter most threats. When they did fight, it was always a bloodbath. Only rarely did they need help from Gu Masters.
As I walked deeper into Lady Yachi's home, all the otters began watching me. Soon, someone familiar came running out.
Long dark purple hair, matching eyes and horns—beautiful like all dragonmen. She was none other than Lady Yachi's daughter, Yan.
"Shuidi! It's been so long! How have you been?" she said with eager excitement, like reuniting with a long-lost friend.
"I guess you could say I've been doing well. I heard your mother asked to see me."
She blinked, surprised. "Mother asked to see you? She never mentioned anything to me."
As she tried to figure out why, a giant river otter scurried over, stood up, and started chittering at us.
"Alright, alright, I get it," she sighed. "I'll bring him over. Come on, Shuidi—looks like Mother doesn't want to wait."
She led me to a giant tent made of high-grade materials. Inside, the temperature was perfect, with just enough light.
There was furniture made of water that held its shape. Walls of water separated the space into rooms. These dark water walls hid more giant river otters, ready to protect at a moment's notice.
Yan led me to a room with two large doors, their handles formed by living river otters.
"Mom, Shuidi's here. He says you wanted to see him—what's that about?"
The otters acting as handles swam into the door, which opened slowly.
The room inside looked like a cozy cabin at first glance, but on closer inspection, the "couch" was a curled-up giant river otter, sleeping. What looked like a fireplace had magma-skinned otters playing in it.
At the back sat a woman at a small desk. She looked almost identical to Yan, except for her long braided hair. They could pass for sisters—but she was Lady Yachi. Around her neck lay a giant river otter made entirely of water, like a liquid scarf.
It was a water giant river otter—her signature beast. In water, these beasts are nearly invisible without Gu to help spot them. But unlike others I'd seen, this one gave off a deeply menacing aura.
It was a true Myriad Beast King—and a powerful one. Physical attacks would do nothing. Only special abilities could harm it. And even then, any attacker would have to face an army of otters and Gu Masters.
"Take a seat, Shuidi. Yan, go back for now," Lady Yachi said firmly.
Though Yan clearly wanted to speak, she bowed slightly and exited. The doors shut behind her.