Main Chapter: Compared to over 1,000 years, 10 will go by in a flash.

The funeral came fast, though Xuan Yu thought it should be called the celebration. However, even he knew that there were many of those in attendance were truly sad.

The two bodies were buried with the highest honor in the Clans Ancestral Hall. And as Xuan Shen and Xuan Shi's sacrifice had saved the Qing mountains many deaths.

There were members of both Ai and the Qiu Clans who attended the burial. Though as relations were bad between the three Clans. The other two did not stay for the "after party".

This, "after party," was held in the Ancestral Hall. And all those in attendance were dressed in the Clan's ceremonial outer robes. Ornate purple robes that held the amethyst moon on it's back that rippled as the Autumn winds blew. The robe made one think of the moon reflected on a pond.

Xuan Yi and Xuan Yu stood together, a picture of their mother and father before them. The former had his head down as he sobbed quietly. The latter stroked the former's head as he stared at the photos.

It seemed like an older brother being strong and caring for the younger. But Xuan Yu was just enjoying the time that he was the "bigger" brother.

Xuan Yu's actual focus was elsewhere.

"… I deeply mourn my sister's death. And pray that you will not let the loss of her husband overshadow her. She was a 'blessed' (special) person who was so beautiful that she was beyond any of her family. So much so that it was said she was the child of fairies, not mortals…"

'I never noticed but right over there our uncle, the current Lord Ruo, was disowning us. Our mother's background was suspicious (special) and so her children will not be considered to be of the Deng Family. Though we were once his beloved nephews when father was around. Now, he announces we are not kin on the day of the burial. And then there is that joke.'

"… Taking in two children. Is a difficult task. To the one who takes up the task. This old lady is willing to offer. The set of swords she gained from the Lightning Willow."

"Senior sister is truly kind. And as always is right. Taking in two children is a difficult task. One that should be left to the young with no children. And since my fellow Sect members are offering treasures for the one who takes up this burden. Allow me to offer the manual for the Ten Thousand Gate Formation."

"Little Junior, your words are many, but your offering is lacking. I offer the Obsidian Sunstones that summons the Unbending Shield."

'Over there, the responsibility of looking after our inheritance is being auctioned off. We may have even been denounced so the Deng Family cannot be accused of hoarding all the good things. And over there;'

"How could the Assignment Hall make such a mistake!?"

"I'm deeply sorry!"

"Sorry? If it was not for the Fourth Elder. We all may be dead."

"If my Seniors wish it I will take my life."

"What good is that? Because of the Assignment hall mistake, he went unprepared. Unprepared to a battle that would require the Crimson Banquet formation to be used. Yet thanks to you lot he ended up going without even his sanctioned treasures."

'And there a scapegoat is loudly being beaten. Probably set up to appease the people who are truly sad.'

Xuan Yu wanted to yawn. He was still a common mortal in most regards. But he knew yawning would be much too inappropriate. So instead he laid his cheek on the sobbing Xuan Yi's head.

"Look, Xuan Yi, look closely at the Clan you used to hold in such high regard. Look at how they really treated us, my foolish little brother."

Xuan Yi, of course, did not hear Xuan Yu's whispered words. Nor did anyone at this after party.

***

Xuan Yu and Xuan Yi stood at the top of the Common Room's stairs. Below them, the servants of the Xuan family bustled back and forth. They were cleaning up and preparing for the Xuan Estate's new master.

Or invaders as Xuan Yu would prefer they be called. Invaders who were so skilled that before they arrived the Xuan Estate was already looking bare.

'I believe they said, 'now that your parents are gone we should make sure the little decorations they loved are kept well stored.''

Xuan Yu reminisced as he watched the Xuan Estate servants. More specifically the invaders' people who had replaced the loyal Xuan servants. And how they occasionally ferreted away items.

As Xuan Yu watched the "show" with disinterest. Xuan Yi was holding onto his brother's sleeve. Hiding in Xuan Yu shadow, his face downcast and his gaze unclear.

A loud bang rang out and Xuan Yi jumped but settled down seeing his brother unmoved. Xuan Yu scanned the room looking to see if a servant dropped anything. Seeing nothing broken he realized it was time.

Two pair of shoes echoed out. Growing louder as they approached and soon. A well-toned man with broad shoulders and a broad grin stepped into the room. He was dressed in yellow robes and his grey stone-like eyes were evaluating.

Behind him, a sober lady in dull yellow followed. Her face was caked with makeup that made her seem tired, ugly and weak.

'My greedy and ambitious "Uncle" and my seemingly weak "Aunt" who loves to be spoiled. Was the price you bought us for the same. I guess its no surprise that an ambitious man who could rise no further. Was willing to bet everything they had on two orphan's inheritance.'

Xuan Yu watched Ong Zhou flatter and thank the Xuan servants. Before walking towards him with the same broad smile.

As he approached Ong Zhou felt something was off. He knew that Xuan Yu had the same ice-like expression as his mother. But he thought he could smooth that over by being warm.

Yet though he could not read Xuan Yu's expression. The intuition he trusted told him. If he did not approach carefully. The situation would be unsalvageable.

In truth, Xuan Yu wasn't intentionally expressing his annoyance. It was just that once upon a time. Ong Zhou had swaggered in just like this. And hugged Xuan Yu tightly. Back then he could not control himself and the warmth brought memories that brought tears. Remembering how he sobbed like a child in Ong Zhou's arms. Made his irritation more than palpable. So much so that Xuan Yi tightened his grip on his brother. And Ong Zhou remembered who his father was.

As he reached up to Xuan Yu. His bright smile turned sad. And he intentionally placed Xuan Yu in his shadow. Then sent a signal to his wife. And she hid from view.

A small gesture that would slip by others. But might as well have been audible before Xuan Yu.

"Xuan Yu, Xuan Yi, you can call me Senior Ong. I swore to see you two grow up safe, but that is just

my hope. I intend to truly care for you both as if you were my own. And I will do all I can to see you both grow up into heroes' worthy of your mother and your father's legacy. And though it may be hard for you to do so now. It is my personal hope that one day you would call me your Uncle."

Xuan Yu knew clearly what Ong Zhou was doing. Ong Zhou was trying to fill his view, impress upon him that Ong Zhou was all there was. That he was the only one there for him. That he, Ong Zhou, was the sole rock for Xuan Yu and Xuan Yi and that this sole rock will be their salvation. Their way to be worthy before their mother and father.

And Xuan Yu could feel the Qi infused into Ong Zhou's word. The way his words seemed to vibrate in his mind and settle within his heart. A trick for common mortals. And one that had strict regulations on it, officially, it was never to be uses on children.

Xuan Yu who was completely aware of it, could, of course, resist it. However, after hearing those words Xuan Yi started peeking from behind Xuan Yu.

Xuan Yu, on the other hand, did not care. And Ong Zhou seeing that Xuan Yu was giving him less attention than a buzzing fly. Felt unwell, the fake reassuring smile he wore cramping and his technique going awry. Releasing Xuan Yi who turned his gaze downward again.

Annoyed Ong Zhou clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and went down the stairs.

Xuan Yu, of course, was indeed thinking of other things. And had no time to play with the man he considered his, "want to be uncle." Instead, he was thinking of how his actions were already changing events.

***

'Some people no matter how you act toward them. They will treat you the same. Ong Zhou, Ong Jun when I was warm and receptive and sought to replace my parents with you. You still plotted against us. Now you've come once more, and I chose to be cold and indifferent. Staying out of your way. You still plot against us. Was the inheritance you found so good you could not let two orphans live.'

Xuan Yu sat in a shed thinking to himself. The amethyst light of the moon was the only illumination. And it was not enough to reveal the two youths who lay huddled within. Xuan Yu who was petting a sleeping Xuan Yi. Or the lone plate of food that Xuan Yu had tricked Xuan Yi into eating.

Xuan Yu didn't consider it kindness on his part, it was him reciting what occurred before. Even repeating word for word what he said in the past. "One of our old servants snuck me some food. So, Yi, don't worry about me and eat up."

Once upon a time, there was no such helpful servant. During the three days, there were locked in this shed. His hunger-driven madness made him try and eat dirt.

Suddenly, Xuan Yu began to frown due to his reminiscing. He remembered how they had to relieve themselves in the shed. Because they wouldn't be let out.

Since they were being punished they had to stay inside. Getting one meal per day.

Once upon a time, it was because Xuan Yi had complained as they were getting fed less and less.

This time there was no fault with Xuan Yu or Xuan Yi's actions, so they were being punished arbitrarily. And when they could not understand why they were being punished. They were punished for not understanding.

Slowly Xuan Yu closed his eyes and breathed out softly. It was only the first day, but things would get harder and harder. His body was just 6 and Xuan Yi was still 3.

"Look, Xuan Yi, look closely at the man and woman you put above our parents. Look at how the ones you will one day call Father and Mother, so sweetly, really treats you. Look, my foolish little brother."

Xuan Yi, of course, was still asleep and merely shifted a little. Looking at the moonlight Xuan Yu chuckled a little.

'How many youths are forced to become geniuses? Ong Zhou, Ong Jun my self-proclaimed uncle and aunt. What should be your ends?'

***

"Look it's Xuan Yu and his little brother."

The Xuan siblings were outside the Xuan Estate, with Xuan Yu now ten and an acclaimed genius. He would occasionally be sent on errands throughout the Ruo Mountain.

Officially they were made to familiarize himself with the holdings of the Xuan Family. Others simply were Ong Zhou passing tasks to Ong Jun that fell towards the "capable genius."

"If the father is a tiger, the son certainly can't be a dog."

"It makes more sense to say he is of his mother instead. He is certainly worthy of being called a "descendant of fairies."

"Hah? do you see that posture, that bearing. All he needs is the coat and people will call him the Flickering Moon."

"What bearing, what posture? You've never even seen the 4th Elder."

"If I had to say between the two though isn't he more like the Fairy of Ruo."

"Hey old man, I didn't know you would consider a young boy fairy-like."

"Who doesn't appreciate beauty?"

"Oi, old bastard."

"Well though I would rather not say so. I must confess that Xuan Yu does seem more like the Fairy of Ruo. Though the Flickering Moon is a beloved hero and guardian of Qing Ruo. And many of us would love to feel as safe and secure as we did when he was around.

It is said Xuan Yu has a Sage's mouth. His words are filled with wisdom despite his age. This intelligence is more in line with the Fairy of Ruo. Afterall, it was said she could stay in the Deng Estate and plan a victory without even seeing the troops."

"Shut up, you drunk, you're no scholar and we didn't ask for your analysis."

"It's not my fault the Ning Empire's exams are so hard!"

The two brothers sat outside a tea shop in the Upper Mortal Ring. Xuan Yu had overheard it was his mother's favorite. So, he took to stopping here from time to time.

Relaxing under the warm summer sun. Dressed in finely tailored black robes. Sipping a cooling tea under a parasol-like object.

A bit of delight filled Xuan Yu. As he wondered how the rest of the last six would react to his current nonchalance.

'I wonder what time they would have gone to. Ning Yao would definitely go to before the Sage Emperor abandoned the Ning Empire. Liu Wenji would probably go to a time when her father was the Wayfaring Saint. Feng Yue would go to a time when his title mattered. Duo Wen would go to before he was suppressed and Wu Chen…'

"Big brother, it's noisy can we go somewhere else?"

Xuan Yu, of course, was ignoring all the gossip around him. Xuan Yi however, could not help but hear it. He was… oversensitive.

"Qing Ruo is full of life. Where can we go that won't be noisy?"

Xuan Yu could easily tell what Xuan Yi wanted and what was currently bothering him. And as he watched his little seven-year-old brother. Dressed up in jade robes. He could tell he was choking. And an unnoticed teasing smile briefly flashed on Xuan Yu's face.

"Can't stand to be talked about?"

"You're the one they're talking about, Big Brother."

'And by extension, they're talking about you.

I was forced to act like a genius since I was a little over 6. And since then I've been living up to our parent's legacy. Our mother's legacy and with the intelligence, I'm showing. Those around us see me as a genius and believe I will only grow more intelligent. This intelligence gives them the hope that my comprehension skill will make me a powerful and competent cultivator.

You, on the other hand, are nothing more than a normal eight-year-old. You leave no impression and it seems no one but our "Aunt" and "Uncle" remembers your name. Never realizing the servants are only bold enough to forget your name, at their word.

Foolish little brother no need to worry. My shadow won't choke you all your life.'

Xuan Yi was silent as he watched Xuan Yu. As his big brother let the conversation dropped he was too timid to bring it back up. So, he merely watched the other finish his tea.

"Yi, it is better when they talk loudly like this. Rather than when they congregate and whisper in places you can't see."

"Big brother truly has the mouth of a Sage."

"Then is my every word wisdom? If so, finish your tea, don't be wasteful."

Xuan Yi smiled at that his heart a bit clearer. And the brothers went home with the younger clutching the elder's sleeve.

"Greetings Young Master Yu."

And with those words upon returning to the Xuan Estate. Xuan Yi's heart began to cloud up once more. And he let go of Xuan Yu's sleeve.

***

Xuan Yu's room was an odd mixture of colors. A deep black background, blood red furniture, and ice-like fixtures. The bedroom that was larger than some houses. Was occupied by two people. Xuan Yu and his personal servant.

A young girl named, Li Zi, though the sun had yet to rise. As his personal servant assigned to Xuan Yu by Ong Zhou. She had come to wake him with the utmost care. Handling him as if he was a treasure. Showing patience and wit comparable to an aged servant. Though she was only two years older then Xuan Yu.

Xuan Yu like his mother was bad with mornings and so Li Zi had a rough time caring for him. And Xuan Yu did not try to make it easy on her. He was in the Xuan Estate. There was no need to be anything but natural here.

Li Zi fought him fiercely and finally, Xuan Yu was prepared and properly clothed. The Ceremonial Purple going well with his black hair. Though now that hair was a tangled mess.

Li Zi pumped herself up and prepared to comb it out. The girls her age would often praise Xuan Yu's long, straight, black, velvet-like hair. And Li Zi did not want to be the one to have to deal with a mob of angry fans.

She had already heard how lucky she was to be near a fairy. More times then her ears could tolerate.

Picking up a black comb she gently took Xuan Yu's hair in her hands. And the thought crossed her that maybe she was a little lucky.

"Li Zi."

Hearing Xuan Yu's voice Li Zi dropped the comb. Xuan Yu was generally too tired to talk at this time. There were even a few times he fell asleep as she was combing his hair. So, the call surprised her.

After apologizing, she picked up the drop comb. Put it aside and picked up an ornate red one. Readying herself again she began combing Xuan Yu's hair. Giving a soft noise of assent saying he had her attention.

"In a book, there was this girl. Her father poisoned his wife's womb when he found out his mistress was with child. And then years later pushed his wife to adopt this daughter. Not because he wanted anything to do with his daughter, but because he wanted to be connected to a certain family. However, he could not propose marriage from the beginning. Instead, he had his daughter pose as a servant to get close to the young master of this family. Intending for the two to grow intimate.

Yet before the young master and the daughter grew intimate. The father wanted to wed his daughter to another. However, his daughter was loyal to the young master. So, he had the girl beaten and starved. But once he saw she rather face death then be obedient, he gave up and changed his plans.

The young master, however, fell on hard times and lost all his wealth. Eventually, he was forced to wander destitute. The daughter quickly found him and stayed by his side loyally. And on the day the young master chose to kill and steal for riches and power. She stood behind him. Killing when he killed and stealing when he stole. In time, she would sacrifice herself to stop those who wanted revenge on the young master.

Li Zi, what do you think she would want in her second life?"

Li Zi didn't stop her hands as she listened or as she thought about the question. In the end, she gave a little shrug.

"How would I know what some girl would want?"

Realizing that Xuan Yu wasn't happy with the response she thought about it some more and then complained.

"If all she ever did was follow what others wanted. How am I supposed to figure out anything she wants? No matter how much I think about it I really don't know. You're not upset, are you?"

Li Zi asked peaking at Xuan Yu, having finished.

"No."

Li Zi let out a sigh of relief. She managed to upset Xuan Yu a few times. And every time he would make her job more difficult. Even if she upset him a little he could be uncooperative for a week. And then his punishments were all strange. Rather than painful they were embarrassing enough to make one cry.

To Li Zi, Xuan Yu was petty and though he was nice to look at. He was way too much work for her.

Li Zi put away the red comb carefully and only then realized Xuan Yu was looking at her.

He was awaiting her final inspection.

Li Zi gave him another look over and saw nothing out of place. However, she hesitated then after psyching herself up she reached out and messed with Xuan Yu's hair. She attempted to make his hair like the 4th Elder but it didn't work.

So, she took a bit of his hair and made a tail. Next, she took the pin that held back her bangs. Her slightly curly black hair falling over her forehead. And placed her pin in Xuan Yu's hair. Then stepped back to look at him.

"I heard that the Fairy of Ruo had her hair like this when she was tested. I don't know what kind of pin she wore though, sorry."

After apologizing Li Zi reached forward. Trying to undo her mistake. But Xuan Yu caught her hands.

For Xuan Yu, this was a familiar scene one that he remembered well. So, he intended to play it out.

Letting her hand slip from his he gently touched Li Zi's pin. It was of a simple make and a plain design.

"Thank you."

Xuan Yu smiled softly as he said so. And he watched Li Zi go from a dumbfounded expression to a flustered one and then turn away from him.

Timing it right he gave a soft chuckle.