The Zhang family ancestral land was hidden deep within Changbai, in a place where peaks mirrored each other.
Zhang Qiling surveyed the area using his knowledge of feng shui and geomancy. The mountain ranges here subtly formed a natural Bagua formation, perfectly concealing the Zhang family's ancestral land.
"There's a signal jamming device buried here, so all modern equipment will be unusable once we enter. This is also to protect the safety of the ancestral land," Zhang Haike explained, walking beside Zhang Qiling. It was an immense honor, as it was not at all his turn, being a clansman from the overseas Zhang family.
The clansmen behind them were almost grinding their teeth, but their newly appointed clan leader clearly showed his displeasure towards them, so they could only endure it.
Zhang Qiling paid no mind to their thoughts. For him, whether or not the Zhang family ancestral land had a signal jamming device made no difference. He was already clean, with nothing but a knife and a erhu, utterly impoverished. The knife was on his back, and the erhu was in Zhang Haike's hands. That worn-out, cheap wooden erhu suddenly saw its value skyrocket, held by Zhang Haike with a cautious and aesthetic posture, appearing at first glance like a museum's most prized exhibit.
Zhang Haike, under the intense gaze of countless eyes burning with anger: ...I'm done for. What kind of lunatics are these inner clansmen?
—
The Zhang family ancestral land was densely packed with classical architecture, exuding an extreme elegance and grandeur. Every brick and tile revealed the profound and ancient vicissitudes of time. In an era of highly developed technology, the Zhang family's inner clan, as a vast force, still maintained feudal family rules that had long been obsolete. There was no trace of technology in the ancestral land, and the clansmen even wore elaborate robes.
Zhang Qiling looked blankly at groups of old men taking turns introducing themselves to him, followed by dense rows of young faces. Zhang family members lived for a long time; these young faces might not be truly young, but these old men were undeniably ancient relics. Zhang Qiling could smell the strong scent of decay on these old men, a pungent odor mixed with layers of pine fragrance. It was like the entire ancestral land, beneath its prosperity, harbored an irrepressible, musty rot.
Zhang Qiling patiently listened to their lengthy speeches, waiting for them to state their terms of trade. But after listening for a long time, he gleaned nothing but praise for himself. So, he pursed his lips and decided to space out. Though he called it spacing out, he disguised it exceptionally well, appearing no different from someone in deep thought. At least those old men didn't notice; they thought the clan leader was seriously contemplating their speeches, which were as long and offensive as an old woman's bound feet. Instantly, they became flushed with excitement.
So, as Little Zhang spaced out, he found himself inexplicably housed in an extremely luxurious room.
Zhang Qiling: ...? He didn't want to stay here. The urgency in his heart made him unwilling to linger. So, he called out to the young man who escorted him in (at least, he looked young). But he never expected that this young man, who seemed upright and expressionless, would change his demeanor the moment he heard his voice, as if he were ready to shed blood and sacrifice himself on the spot.
Zhang Qiling was startled by the person who suddenly knelt down. He instinctively reached for his Black Gold Ancient Knife, but quickly realized these were his trading partners, so he restrained the urge to grip his knife.
"Clan Leader, whatever you command, I will fulfill!!" The kneeling person looked up, and his extreme fervor made Zhang Qiling frown slightly. He remained silent for a moment, then turned his face towards a corner of the room, where he saw the erhu placed quietly on a table. He suddenly remembered someone and turned his gaze back.
"...The person with a circle of Sanskrit script around his neck, where is he."
"..."
And so, Zhang Haike was brought back.
Zhang Haike: ...
Zhang Qiling: ...
The two looked at each other, neither speaking. After a long while, Zhang Haike wiped his face and asked with a smile, "Clan Leader, what do you need me for?"
"...The transaction." Zhang Qiling asked directly, then stared intently at Zhang Haike, his implicitly accusing gaze making Zhang Haike feel guilty for a moment. He turned to avoid Zhang Qiling's gaze but suddenly pulled at a wound on his back, letting out a hiss.
Zhang Qiling looked puzzled. He remembered only hitting the man's head, not his back. He suspected the man was faking it, but the smell of blood reaching his nostrils proved Zhang Haike's innocence. So, Little Zhang thought for a moment and decided to ask politely.
"You're injured, why."
Zhang Haike:? Why can you say a question like a statement? He was surprised but still dutifully answered the clan leader's question: "It's the clan whip. I just went to receive my punishment."
"Because I didn't kneel when I saw the great moment of the Clan Leader."
Zhang Qiling:??? It's a bit absurd, but it seems to be related to him.
So, as Zhang Haike was inwardly cursing the inner clan's inexplicability, he saw Zhang Qiling pause and shift his gaze away from him, which had been fixed on him, somewhat distantly. After a while, Zhang Qiling looked back again: "The transaction?"
"...It might be a while," Zhang Haike said vaguely, "but it won't be too long." After all, those old men were probably so anxious they couldn't sleep. Even if they had to go through the clan leader succession process, they would try to shorten the procedures.
Zhang Qiling was clearly not satisfied with this explanation. He pursed his lips, remembering that this person had already been beaten twice, and nodded slightly as if accepting. Zhang Haike breathed a sigh of relief and was about to push the door open to leave, but his steps paused, and he hesitated before speaking quickly: "...They might ask you to bleed, but you'd better not."
"I know," Zhang Qiling replied quickly. This made Zhang Haike somewhat disbelieving. In his opinion, this clan leader had always seemed a step behind.
"You know? Know what?" He even forgot to use a respectful term for a moment.
"I know I can't bleed." A pain shot through Zhang Qiling's head, as if fragments flashed by, but then quickly disappeared without a trace, leaving only a voice.
(Little Brother, why are you bleeding again!) This voice was clear and anxious.
(That's right, Little Brother. Sigh, let's eat more liver to replenish when we get back!) This voice was rougher, filled with concern.
"...Is my name 'Little Brother'?" Zhang Haike waited for a long time, but suddenly heard Zhang Qiling say this, almost bursting into laughter, but soon, a wave of sadness surged in his heart. He maintained a serious expression: "No, your name is 'Zhang Qiling'." At this moment, he remembered to use the respectful term again.
After a long silence, Zhang Qiling didn't respond. Zhang Haike bowed and prepared to leave, but at that moment, a voice came from behind him.
"Then what is your name?"
His heart stirred, and Zhang Haike replied solemnly: "Zhang Haike, my name is Zhang Haike."