Within the grand hall of the Lu Clan's ancestral estate,
A gathering of elders sat in solemn silence.
Among them was a young man, sipping tea with practiced grace.
Before him, several elder men regarded him intently, teacups in hand, their gazes steady and unreadable.
At length, one of the middle-aged men broke the silence, his voice calm yet weighty.
"Lu Qingxian... are you certain you wish to leave the sanctified grounds of the Lu Clan to temper yourself in the outside world?"
"You know well that, aside from our clan, only four others possess spiritual lands as rich as ours."
"I am certain, honoured Elder. I humbly ask that you grant me leave. I have no desire to remain a flower nurtured behind glass. I wish to venture beyond and hone my sword to a sharper edge."
Lu Qingxian spoke with steady voice, his eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
The elders exchanged glances. They could not deny the truth in his words.
Since the five ancient clans had joined forces to seal the battlefield of chaos, the younger generation had lived in peace—too much peace, with no true trials of strength.
"Very well. You may go—but you will be accompanied by a guardian appointed by the clan. They will watch from the shadows. Unless your life is truly in danger, they will not intervene."
"I understand. I shall heed your guidance without fail."
Lu Qingxian replied eagerly. It was all but impossible for one to leave the domain of the Lu Clan, for the elders were ever wary of the dangers that lay beyond. But now—he had been granted a chance. How could he not feel elated?
"In that case... I shall take my leave."
He stood, offered a cupped-fist salute, bowed deeply, then turned and strode out from the hall with firm steps.
Not long after his departure, murmurs rippled among the remaining elders.
"Clan Head... why have you agreed to let him go?"
"Indeed. If he meets with danger on the road, who will answer for it?"
Several elders spoke up in concern, urging restraint.
But the Clan Head turned his gaze to one elder in particular.
"Elder Tianling, what say you on this matter?"
His tone was steady and measured.
"I am in favour. He is my grandson—I know his heart. He wishes for strength... so that he may never again lose something precious, as he once did."
Elder Tianling's voice carried a quiet sorrow, tinged with memory.
"Sigh... what you say is true. If he is to grow stronger, he must taste real battle."
Reluctantly, the elders conceded. There was no denying it.
"But who will serve as his guardian?"
One elder asked, curiosity piqued.
"Let it be Elder Guo Qing. Among us, he is the swiftest... and the most adept at concealment."
Elder Tianling spoke, his gaze drifting toward a stooped figure seated quietly nearby.
"You old goat, Tianling! Of all people, why me? Look at me—I'm half-bent already! How am I fit to serve as a bodyguard?"
Elder Guo Qing grumbled in mild outrage, his eyes narrowing at Tianling.
But the others quickly spoke up, almost in unison.
"We all agree! Elder Guo Qing is the most suitable. His stealth and agility are unmatched. There's no one better for this task!"
Of course, they were all advanced in years—none were keen to leave their beds for such dangerous errands.
"Very well, then. Elder Guo Qing, we entrust this task to you."
With the matter settled and the guardian appointed, the elders rose one by one and left the hall, the echoes of their footsteps fading into silence.
---