TheLazyDreamer
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74. The Council's Dilemma-1
🕑 Added 2025-05-31 15:29:58 +0000 UTCSu Kang had let them go. His primary interest in Meng Li had always been her talent in alchemy, which he had hoped would one day benefit his clan. Even Elder Lu Yin had later apologized to him personally. He vividly recalled the scene: a woman of graceful beauty with long dark hair, an elegant green robe, and striking large green earrings that framed a face with a small, charming mole under her left eye, bowing before him.
"Su Kang, I am truly sorry about Meng Li," she had said, her voice filled with genuine regret. "It was I who suggested this engagement, and now all this… it is my failing."
"Elder, please do not say such things," he had replied, hastily gesturing for her to rise. "It is not your fault. Perhaps it was simply fate. I am genuinely happy for Junior Sister Meng Li if she has found happiness. I hold no ill will towards anyone, nor do I blame you in the slightest."
"Oh, Su Kang, you are as thoughtful and considerate as ever," she had sighed, a measure of relief easing her expression. "I wish Meng Li had seen these qualities in you… but ah, let us leave it at that. Thank you for your understanding. I feel somewhat better now.”
"It's quite alright, Elder. I will take my leave now," he had said at the time, the recent turn of events leaving a somewhat bitter taste. He had been eager to return to his family then, to share the joyous news of his promotion to an inner disciple of the prestigious Heavenly Sword Sect. The prospect of a fiancée from a noble and influential background, he knew, would have greatly pleased his mother. But it had all unraveled.
"Wait," Elder Lu Yin had stopped him just as he was about to depart. "You will be visiting your clan in the southern Borderlands soon, right? Please, take this as a small token from me. Consider it my apology for this unfortunate incident, and also a congratulatory gift for your promotion to an inner disciple." She had presented him with a storage ring.
He had hesitated for a moment, but eventually accepted. It wasn't, after all, the first time he had received a gift from her. Upon scanning the ring's contents with his spiritual sense, he had been momentarily stunned to find a beautiful, exquisitely crafted spiritual boat. It was intricately carved and seemed to vibrate with potent, contained energy – a treasure remarkably close to a fourth-grade spiritual artifact.
"Elder Lu, this is far too generous. I cannot possibly accept such a valuable gift," he had protested, attempting to return the ring.
She had smiled gently, refusing to take it back. "Su Kang, please do not forget my standing within the sect. I do not lack for treasures or material gifts. A peak exquisite-grade spiritual boat, while undeniably valuable, is not irreplaceable to me. Moreover, it is offered as a sincere token of my apology. If you are to return to your family in Jiang State, the journey would ordinarily take you years on your own. With this boat, however, you will be able to travel much faster. Please, keep it."
Staring at her earnest, kind face, he had bowed deeply, his gratitude profound. "Thank you, Elder Lu. I will always remember your kindness."
"It's fine," she had chuckled warmly. "And please, do not worry about your practice. I will ask Elder Mu Yun to personally assist you with any cultivation queries when you return. Now, you can visit your family without any lingering concerns about falling behind." Elder Mu Yun was another elder within the sect, and also her Taoist partner.
Su Kang had left then, the storage ring a heavy warmth in his hand, his thoughts already turning towards his family in Jiang State, eager to share news of his promotion and.
His thoughts snapped sharply back to the present meeting hall in the Su Manor, the voices of the elders continuing their strategic discussions around him.
"Perhaps we should simply wait for the realm's broader discovery?" Su Jinhai proposed after a long, contemplative silence, his gaze sweeping over the assembled council.
"In a few years, knowledge of this new realm will inevitably spread. Many factions will dispatch their own exploration teams, and it's likely the Pill Tower will assign more elders to the Jiang State branch to oversee matters related to it. At that time, we can approach them, telling them we acquired our herbs from the realm itself. We would just need to be cautious about the true quantity we reveal to them."
A thoughtful silence settled over the hall as everyone considered his words. It presented an ideal, solution to their immediate predicament. The consensus was clear: they would agree. While they wouldn't benefit from the herbs immediately, a few years of cautious waiting was a small price to pay for a greater number of Core Formation Pills and reduced risk.
"Very well," Su Jinhai said, acknowledging their silent agreement. "Now, let us move to the next matter: the exploration of this newly discovered realm. We have already made overtures to some of our allied clans in the Cangwu region. They are not yet aware of the realm's specifics, but they have sensed unusual activity, and a few have agreed to align with us. Our main dilemma is this: do we commit to a genuine exploration, or do we merely feign participation?" He looked at them expectantly.
This was a newly discovered secret realm, a place brimming with both untold opportunities and unknown, potential dangers.
When Su Chen had first entered the realm based on Su Kang’s intelligence, it had been under strict conditions: that he would withdraw immediately if he encountered discrepancies or sensed anything amiss. To ensure Su Chen's utmost caution, Dong Yue had accompanied him; with his wife by his side, Su Chen would undoubtedly think twice before taking any reckless action, knowing that not only his life but hers too would be lost.
The hall became silent. The question hung in the air: were they willing to risk a Core Formation cultivator, a pillar of their family? If misfortune struck during the exploration, the loss would be devastating. Yet, if they didn't participate seriously, they would forfeit the chance to secure further rare resources that could significantly bolster the clan.
Su Kang listened, his own thoughts turning. His parents had been fine two years into the future of his vision, but he had already made small changes to the timeline. He couldn't afford to be complacent. Better safe than sorry had always been his guiding principle. However, he knew that if the clan council decided to proceed with exploration, his words alone would not be enough to stop them. Therefore, he resolved internally: if someone really had to go there, then it's better for me to do it.
After a prolonged silence, the elderly woman who had entered with the First and Second Elders finally spoke, her voice steady. "We should explore it. If other prominent sects from other regions and families like the Mu, Qi, or Leng clans are participating, the overall danger to any single group will be somewhat mitigated. This could also present us with further opportunities."
A weighty silence followed the elder woman's suggestion. Eyes flickered around the long table, each member seemingly waiting for another to break the impasse, to offer further arguments for or against a full-scale exploration. Yet, no one spoke. The fear of advocating for a decision that could lead to catastrophic loss hung heavy in the air, a palpable deterrent to further comment.
Su Kang glanced around the table, observing the hesitant expressions. His gaze then fell upon his mother, seated beside him. Dong Yue's hands were clenched tightly in her lap, her knuckles white—a clear sign of her internal turmoil, her feeling of helplessness in the face of such a decision. In contrast, his father, Su Chen, maintained a calm, stoic expression, seemingly unperturbed by the direction the discussion was taking.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Su Kang made his decision. He had to speak.
"I wish to lead any future exploration into the realm," he stated, his voice firm and clear. Though not raised, his words resonated through the silent hall, drawing every gaze sharply towards him.
Dong Yue's face visibly paled at his declaration, a flicker of alarm in her eyes.
Su Kang continued, his tone unwavering. "I believe I can guide our clan’s exploration and secure more treasures from within.”
Before anyone else could react, Dong Yue spoke, her voice sharp with a mother's immediate, protective instinct, cutting through the stillness. "Su Kang, you do not understand the gravity of this discussion! I instructed you to just observe, not to interject without my permission!"
Her reprimand was swift, aimed at shutting down any further deliberation on his audacious proposal. In her eyes, her son, despite his strength, was still young and inexperienced. Moreover, the appearance of a new, uncharted realm was an event unprecedented in the known history of Jiang State. The unknown dangers it held were terrifying to contemplate. She couldn't send her child into such a place merely to protect her husband.
