As a Househusband, Awareness Is Required (1.4)

As a Househusband, Awareness Is Required (1.4)

…

Personally, I consider every cultivator a psychopath, but it’s not their fault.

They don’t really have a choice in the matter.

Say you’re born into a sect’s main family. The only choice that you have at inheriting your family’s wealth and power is to throw yourself into training, listen to the words of your elders, and do as you’re told until everyone stronger than you dies. If you’re lacking in any way, you’ll get replaced by someone from a branch family or one of your siblings. Sure, you have the support of servants, never have to worry about money, and learn anything besides what the family decides you should learn, but the moment you’re born… your future is writ in stone.

That’s the very top of cultivator society.

Everyone else below that line has more competition while resources are at a higher premium. Children born second need to choose to fight against their older siblings in smaller houses that can’t afford to have them be lieutenants or get married off. The third and fourth in line are thrown in with the warriors, and they’re expected to find their own way. If the family distributes everything equally to their children, they’ll never grow stronger as an organization and advance further in society.

Advancing further in society requires accolades through combat, marrying up into established families that need your strength or wealth, and using what you get to get more.

Even if you integrate into the ruling, main family of the sect, you’ll find yourself looking at your neighbors.

How can you limit their influence in your lands while keeping your influence high?

Is it possible to grow strong enough to influence them?

The entire world of cultivation operates on this central pillar of constant advancement of the sect… because it’s what’s kept civilization alive and progressing.

What do I mean by that?

Cultivators are necessary in this world. Demonic beasts are common, and they ravage the lands. Cultivators use them for materials and as a source of resources, but without them the Demonic Beasts will ravage the lands and kill regular people in droves. Fireworks exist in this world, along with handheld bombs, but they’re for distractions or entertainment. Using them against Demonic Beasts would just result in the deaths of regular people.

Hell, even without the Demonic Beasts, cultivators are needed to counter other cultivators. This isn’t a world where people can just call a ceasefire and then sue for peace. If you stop training every generation, if you don’t keep progressing your martial arts, you’re going to lose against the sect that does. Each successive generation gets a bit stronger but needs more input gathered by the previous generation to reach their full potential.

If you’re behind in your creation of cultivators, you better get ready to lose ground, then spend the next generation in scarcity to prop up the talents that come through.

Basically, I understood the logic behind why people in this world are the way that they are.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll just forgive my siblings and help them out when they ask.

“No.” The word felt alien to my lips. Twenty-five years—it may be the first time I uttered the word. In fact, the fact that I spoke it towards my fiancé rather than my sister. “Such an action will endanger the Namgoong Clan, Seol. There are few things that she can offer in exchange for such a favor, and those few things will endanger her position in the Demonic Sect.”

Feng’s eyes widened, while Seol’s narrowed.

For a second, I hoped that I didn’t misstep by speaking in such a way to Seol.

Thankfully, my recent efforts to bring in more money to the Namgoong Clan’s coffers seemed to have paid off.

Seol gave me a nod, and she followed my advice.

“My fiancé is correct. He has been diligent and knows of the state of my clan and that of our neighbors. The Namgoong clan is in no place to negotiate for betrothals.” Father had been pleased with Seol. Probably because Seol was a real monster with talent, diligence, and the backing of the whole of the Namgoong clan behind her. While the rest of the clan lived in scarcity, nothing had been spared in her upbringing, and it showed. Only a handful of my siblings could rival her, and they were all in the single digits. “If you desire a husband from an Orthodox Clan, then the esteemed Heavenly Demon is the only one with the strength to find you a favorable match given the… disfavor felt by the Orthodox towards the Demonic Sect.”

In short, Feng can do exactly two things if Seol refuses to help her: jack and shit.

Feng bowed her head at Seol’s statement, but she made a mistake.

She glared at me when I’ve been extremely diligent at being a good fiancé.

The atmosphere in the room increased, and the scent of burnt ozone filled the air.

The Namgoong clan was an extremely traditional clan amongst the Orthodox Sects. They rivaled the Shaolin and Mount Hua in their strictures towards tradition, and those two sects turned martial arts into religious lifestyles.

In other words?

Glaring at the fiancé of the Namgoong clan’s future head was a very big fuck-up on Feng’s part.

“Sister.” The singular word that left Seol’s lips split across the suddenly heated air in the guest room. The mere activation of her Qi made sparks fly. The edges of the table danced with branches of lightning. Her hair rose slightly off her shoulders, while sparks danced around her eyes. The Namgoong clan’s path was that of the Lightning Sword. Their regular warriors were lauded for ripping through hordes of Demonic Beasts in an instant, as well as their ability to coat their swords in lightning. Some were even able to throw lightning around like spears. Their greatest talents were said to be becoming like lightning themselves. “Rui is under my household. You will treat him as my engaged partner, do you understand?”

Even if Seol didn’t like me, the Namgoong clan benefited from my actions.

However, more importantly, even if Seol didn’t like me… she couldn’t stand idly by as any ‘threat’ was leveled at her lawfully engaged fiancé.

That was a threat to the Namgoong clan.

As its heir, she couldn’t let that stand.

I took a sip of tea, untouched by Seol’s efforts, while Feng was quick to bow her head low.

“I offer my apologies. I understand!” Feng was very much the average child of the Heavenly Demon. Very capable and strong whilst in combat, but limited in many other skills. Father had well over a hundred children now, and it was unlikely he was going to stop. Those who had excellent skills were hand-picked, tutored, and assigned to the other Unorthodox Sects to bring them all under the fold. Feng wasn’t engaged and was very much a blunt instrument. “I heed your words, Lady Namgoong!”

I expected that to be the end of it and for the pressure being exerted to end, but when it didn’t, I acted swiftly.

The persistence of Seol’s displayed anger informed me that she was better at hiding her dislike for the Demonic Sect than I thought. But the fact she hadn’t drawn her blade told me that she wasn’t a complete psychopath. She probably just had justifiable grudges towards my family, and having Feng under her thumb was a way to vent.

But venting too much would jeopardize the relations between my family and her own.

The Heavenly Demon, and those he assigned and trusted, were the only ones who could punish his children.

So, I cleared my throat.

“My honored fiancé, I thank you for your courtesy and care.” I laid it on a bit thick, but the message went across without a hitch. The fizzling of atmosphere and the faint sound of buzzing electricity ended. Seol gave a nod and withdrew her power. Feng didn’t raise her head, but she relaxed slightly after realizing that she wasn’t about to lose a limb or her life. Still, given Seol’s aggressive response towards my sibling, it was best we withdraw. “My sister, I bid you to offer your skills as a beast-hunter to the Orthodox sects if Father permits. You may expand your influence, showcase your skills, and perhaps find a capable suitor by hunting powerful beasts in the lands of the Orthodox Sects.”

I offered Feng an out, and since my words were backed by the Namgoong clan’s heiress, she was quick to accept it.

Father’s decision will decide what happens in the future, but if she wanted to impress Father by becoming part of an Orthodox sect, she needed to do it herself.

The Namgoong clan needed to grow strong enough through my actions that if conflict breaks out, they’ll protect me without question.

I just needed to play my cards right and make sure I leveraged tradition to properly get on their good side.

Conflict is inevitable, but I should still work towards delaying it… or be a part of the winning side.

…

Interlude: Feng, the Eighteenth Daughter of the Heavenly Demon, Slayer of Demonic Beasts

…

My muscles spasmed beneath my skin as phantom sensations left behind by thens of the Namgoong Clan’s monster refused to fade.

One errant look and I nearly perished.

It took all that I had to look strong as I walked back to my family’s compound and headed to my room.

I wished to recover my strength unnoticed by my siblings.

But my plans came apart as I turned the corner of the street from the Namgoong clan’s compound and felt a familiar presence.

A presence to which I had only one response.

I took to my knees and bowed deeply.

Then, I greeted my father.

“This one greets the Heavenly Demon!” Though I walked on a dirt path, I did not hesitate to bow my head low and press it against the soil. I emptied my thoughts and resolved myself to speak the truth. “This one is honored to be in the Heavenly Demon’s presence!”

I feared what would come next, but instead my father gave an amused hum.

“Should I not be amused? My daughter has avoided dying a dog’s death, despite baring her fangs. Fortune has favored you, despite all odds.” I said nothing and acknowledged the rightfulness of his words. My actions had been foolish. “It is a fine jest. Many would have perished for what you did. Stronger, more powerful martial artists certainly have perished beneath the weight of the Namgoong’s newest blade.”

Father’s gaze settled on my nape.

Suddenly, I felt a familiar sensation on the back of my neck, and then, for a moment, I realized that I had no control over my body.

Then, control returned to me.

It was only a second, but a second in combat was an eternity.

Sheer terror filled my veins, and Father laughed.

“You placed yourself in the palm of her hand, then dared to fire malice at her fiancé. Had I been in her place, you would have died a thousand deaths before I permitted you peace.” The sensation I felt all over my body hadn’t been mere lightning generated by Qi. There had been innumerable swords all over my body, ready to pierce and stop me while she killed me. No. With the amount of power that she had, I may have been completely destroyed. Father chuckled. “You thought so lowly of the Orthodox sects, yet it is their mercy that has allowed you to live. Foolish child. Stand.”

I got to my feet with my head bowed, then I froze as Father placed a hand on my shoulder before speaking.

“You moved to gain my favor but nearly lost your life… and nearly dishonored me.” I trembled but kept my head bowed. I kept my eyes open and willed myself to not tremble. If this was the end, then I will accept it. “Hmph. You have humility and the will to do better. If I spared my weakest son since he did his utmost, do you believe you will not be afforded the same?”

At those words, the tension left my body almost instantly, and Father turned away from me.

“Rui was correct in his dealings. The Namgoong clan would have risked too much by aiding you. However, he is more correct in his other statement: Working in any manner with the Orthodox Clans is for me to permit.” I offered my apologies again while keeping my head bowed. I listened and heard his words, enacting them to both memory and belief. Then, I cursed myself. Such a thing should’ve been obvious. I should have known better. “You are lacking in your education. You will meet with new tutors when we return to the sect. They will give you scrolls to learn from, and you will take them before you leave for the Shaolin; then, through them, you will meet with and work under Mount Hua.”

I almost raised my head at the mention of Mount Hua.

That… that was where the Plum Blossom Sword was.

Father’s attention gathered upon me again, then he asked another question.

“Indeed. Their sole, singular, and lacking answer to my strength is there. So… where better to begin making amends than by sending you?” Father spoke, and I listened. I nodded at his words and did my best to fight against the rising fear within my chest. I will be alone, surrounded by enemies, and beyond the reach of the Demonic Sect, while completely at the mercy of our house’s most powerful foes. My father clicked his tongue. “Hah, my blood truly is too strong. You and all my children besides Rui never felt fear your entire lives… thus none of you ever learned how to summon courage.”

Father’s words echoed in my mind, and I frowned at my own weakness.

Father was right.

I had been there when Rui accepted his order without a hint of hesitation. The Heavenly Demon bid him to act, and despite the odds and the overwhelming strength of his foes, he accepted without hesitation.

Now, the Namgoong Clan hosted us with the highest honors after mere months of Rui reaching them.

Father’s wish to win the peace came to the forefront of my mind.

There was only one way I could contribute to his wish.

“This one will do as she is bid. Mount Hua will find gratitude towards the Demonic Sect and sheathe their blades through this one’s actions.” I stood to my feet, forcing my trembling legs to stay straight, before clasping a fist in my hand and then bowing from the waist. “This one is thankful for the opportunity!”

Father was silent for a while before nodding and turning away while bidding for me to follow him.

Something strange and light bubbled in my chest while I followed in his footsteps, and he began to speak to me of the Plum Blossom Sword.