Chapter 7: Qianggong Zhufu Feng

The path to the head family's residence was fairly straightforward. The roads in the village where all laid with stone and were neatly spaced with the buildings laid out in a grid-like pattern.

Ying Yue's humble home near the southern woods was actually the one that broke the format. Detached and with a single, simple yet winding path that was made of plain stones. The message couldn't be more clear, "she is not one of us".

It was brighter outside now, surprisingly so. The sun seeming to be larger in comparison to Earth's. Its light reflected off of the smooth black surface of the Qixuan mountain, the majesty of which was made more apparent in the resplendent illumination.

'This place is making my thoughts seem poetic...'

It was then that Eric noticed the giant waterfall that split the mountain in two.

It touched land at some point beyond the upper layers and was the source of the river that cascaded straight down the middle of the village, as well as the one in the forest behind Ying Yue's home.

Observing the water mills and rice patties, it was obvious that the waterfall was the life blood of these people.

'People that are scared of this little thing.'

He looked back down to his right at Ying Yue, taking note of her aloof, almost cold demeanor.

The people within the village had long since spotted the duo and had commenced to share the information. A path to the chiefs dwelling seemed to appear out of nowhere due to the once busy streets suddenly becoming vacant.

'This woman is strong. Almost impossibly strong.'

He looked beyond her, to the distance, in an attempt to see the invisible cyclone that surrounded the eighty kilometer high mountain. It was, as she had said, impossible for him to see.

Eric could, however, see the endless wildlands that bordered the base of the mountain. There was a space of about ten kilometers between the base of the mountain and the endless forest.

A dense number of residences filled the space between. He got the impression that the entire mountain was surrounded with the same.

Noticing his gaze and slowed paced, Ying Yue quietly explained as they approached the first buildings, "That is where the true mortals reside. The ones without talent that can not survive when exposed to Mount Qixuans' intense primordial energy."

"... I see."

Eric resumed his previous speed. It was actually quite impressive to him that Ying Yue could evenly keep pace with his long gait. While looking as if she was taking a stroll, nonetheless.

'There's so much I still don't understand.'

...

They arrived, after a time, and Eric was treated to the sight of an impressive structure. The chief's residence actually spanned accross the giant river that split the village in two. Its bridge like design caused it to loom over the two story buildings around it.

They faced no resistance while approaching, the guards having given the the two more than enough space to proceed. The only sounds leading to the grand entrance were of the rushing river and the gentle winds ringing the occasional wind chime suspended in the rafters. The smell of the giant incense burners, placed at seemingly every available corner, mixed with the river's scent in a surprisingly harmonic way.

They ascended the steps and approached the large doors of the main hall. They were, of course, left wide open, with guards keeping a steady distance and an even steadier vigilance. To that effect, every relevant door was left open throughout the building.

It was clearly designed to prevent easy access to the chief and his family. With detours seemingly everywhere and constant turns and misleading rooms. Even with the lack of foot traffic or guards needing to open the doors, the trip was still quite arduous.

Having reached the final stretch, the sound of a familiar (if not heavily subdued) voice, softly echoed down the hall.

"... -respectful little woman is defying you my lord. I do not see why she is given such special treatment when it comes to your will!"

A deep, yet kind, voice strongly resounded from further away, "Nor do you need to, Ah Yushui. She will come soon, I'm sure seeing your indignation was her true objective anyway."

"B-but my lor-"

"It is as you say, my lord." Ying Yue's voice easily cut off Pen Yusui, causing him to jump from his previous kneeling position.

Ying Yue bowed deeply at the waist towards the seemingly middle-aged man lounging atop a raised dias. The action was imitated by Eric.

Ying Yue raised herself and continued, "This nephew of yours is always quite a handful to deal with, I hope you felt no disrespect due to my interpretation of your decree."

The man chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "This dimwit simply does not understand nuance, no harm done. Ah Yushui, I wish to speak with these two in private. You are dismissed."

Pen Yushui slammed his fist to his chest in salute, turned on his heel and walked out of the door, a look of resentment and humiliation clearly written on his face.

"Ah Yushui!"

The muscular Pen Yushui stopped in his tracks and turned around immediately, a bright and obviously forced smile on his face. "Yes, my lord?"

"Close the doors on your way out." The leisurely smile on this chief's face was one of such good nature, that is it was hard to tell if he was being a bully or not.

"... Yes, my lord." A vein popped up on his forehead, as if showing the herculean effort it took to maintain that forced smile.

After the doors had been gently closed the atmosphere seemed to relax slightly.

"Yue'er, I wish you wouldn't be so hard on him."

Ying Yue looked up at the chief and smiled in a warm way that showed respect and familiarity. "That oaf would walk all over me if I conceded to that wish.

"Yes.. I suppose you're right... Moving on, do you wish to introduce me to this young man or will you force him to stand there awkwardly until the moon rises?"

Ying Yue seemed to jump at the reminder. "Y-yes, my lord. Eric, this is our chief, lord Qianggong Zhufu Feng. Family head of the Qianggong family and protector of the Thunder clan." She spoke while gesturing towards the man before them. She then pivoted and gestured towards Eric, "Chief Feng, this is Eric Zakhele Xolani-Xing, a foreigner and man from beyond the cyclone."

Eric cupped his hands and bowed slightly before speaking.

"It is an honor to meet someone as respected as yourself. I must offer my thanks for allowing miss Ying Yue'er to watch over me in my time of need."

Chief Feng had long since sat up when Eric had began talking. Curiousity showing in his eyes. "So you can speak our language, but you are obviously not from our land." The large man stroked his long, salt and pepper beard in thought. "From where do you herald...?"

"Eric will do, Chief Feng"

"Eric, it is then. Yes, now where are you from lad?" The man leaned forward, fully showing his attention was focused on him.