The Yi Clan

As Butler Feng moved briskly through the corridors of the Enlightened Tome Pavilion, he couldn't help but ponder. "Has the Second Young Master always been so calm? And when did he become interested in reading? Normally, when the Young Master entered the Hall, he wouldn't stay long, quickly heading to the training areas. Moreover, he always seemed angry and serious, responding with 'Go away' or 'Stop bothering me.'"

"Whatever the reason, I shouldn't question him, lest I face severe punishment," Butler Feng muttered to himself, picking up his pace.

Soon, Feng came upon a spacious hallway that branched off the main corridor. At the end of this hallway, a set of sliding doors adorned with delicate agricultural-themed paintings hinted at the room's purpose.

Sliding open the doors, Butler Feng stepped past a semi-transparent screen that helped muffle the sounds and smells emanating from the kitchen. The kitchen's design prioritized functionality, featuring a large central island for various culinary tasks, along with nearby stoves, ovens, and wok burners fueled by wood. A spacious sink occupied one corner, while wooden cabinets, open shelves, and pottery jars provided storage for utensils, cookware, and ingredients in another. Various tools hung from the walls.

In a bare corner of the kitchen, a simple wooden door stood devoid of intricate designs or fancy details. Butler Feng crossed the stone-tiled floor and knocked loudly.

"Xuefeng! Come out! The Second Young Master needs breakfast. Please hurry!" he called out, raising his voice not out of rudeness, but because Chef Xuefeng was hard of hearing and a late sleeper.

As he waited, Butler Feng soon heard footsteps approaching, and the door slowly opened. A short, portly old man with muscular forearms appeared, his tanned face framed by a drooping mustache. Wearing a plain white shirt and pants, he held a blue toque in one hand, donning it with a chuckle. "Hehehe, the Young Master is really requesting a meal? It has been a while!"

Butler Feng nodded, urging him to hurry and reminding him not to forget the tea. Laughing as he selected some dry wooden logs for fuel, Xuefeng replied, "No problem, no problem! I'll get started right away." Satisfied, Butler Feng took his leave to return to the Young Master's side.

...

"The Rise of the Yi Clan: A Martial Legacy Spanning Generations" chronicled the history of a once-humble family that originated in a rural village. The family's firstborn son, Yi Fengxing, took on greater responsibilities as the main heir. But before long, the Imperial army conscripted him to serve in a war that had persisted for years. Emperor Xianlong Wu, ruler of the Flowing Dragon Empire, ordered the governors of the empire's various provinces to draft able-bodied men to join the war effort.

Tragically, the war began due to a simple misunderstanding between the Flowing Dragon Empire and the neighboring Nine Mountain Dynasty, led by Empress Hua Yan. A caravan transporting Princess Lianhua of the Flowing Dragon Empire was ambushed in a disputed mountain pass. The attackers killed the entire guard detail and gruesomely mutilated the princess's body beyond recognition.

Infuriated, Emperor Xianlong Wu blamed Empress Hua Yan and her dynasty for the horrifying event, declaring war and mobilizing his forces to exact vengeance for the brutal death of Princess Lianhua.

Yi Fengxing, the first son of the now-renowned Yi Clan, left his family and peaceful village to serve in the Imperial army during this turbulent period. Determined to serve his empire loyally and make his family proud, he exhibited exceptional martial prowess and tactical intelligence under General Jian Feng's command. With each battle, Yi Fengxing rose through the ranks, earning the admiration and respect of both his fellow soldiers and superiors. Word of his battlefield heroics reached his family and village, filling them with immense pride.

Years went by, with the war between the Flowing Dragon Empire and the Nine Mountain Dynasty causing widespread devastation. Numerous lives were lost on both sides, but neither the Emperor nor the Empress were willing to admit defeat.

Yi Fengxing, who started as a common soldier, rapidly advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming a commander. While leading a platoon to capture Jiuyue City, a key stronghold in the Nine Mountain Dynasty, he discovered a strange document in the city's archives. This vital piece of information, a letter sealed with the emblem of the nefarious Scarlet Shadow Sect, detailed their plan to provoke a war between the two empires by ambushing Princess Lianhua's caravan.

Stunned by the revelation, Yi Fengxing recognized that their true enemy was the not the Nine Mountain Dynasty, but in fact the Scarlet Shadow Sect. Determined to share his findings, he requested a meeting with one of Emperor Xianlong Wu's trusted advisors and presented the letter. Equally shocked, the advisor relayed the information to the Emperor. Once the letter's authenticity was verified, Emperor Xianlong Wu agreed to a temporary ceasefire to confront the mutual foe.

In recognition of Yi Fengxing's contribution, the Emperor granted him control over a large city to the north of the capital and commissioned the construction of a grand palace at its center.

...

As I slowly looked up from the book, hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, I saw Butler Feng arrive before me.

"Ahem, Young Master, your food is on its way. Shall I stay here to await further orders?" Butler Feng inquired respectfully.

Pondering briefly, I decided it would be wise to have him nearby in case I needed additional assistance. "Yes, stand by for now," I replied.

Butler Feng nodded and then positioned himself near the table, ensuring my view of the room remained unobstructed. I turned my focus back to the book.

The tome recounted how the Yi Clan rose to prominence as a martial family in the Nine Dragon Dynasty. The war in which Yi Fengxing fought reached an abrupt end, but the devastation was extensive. With the Nine Mountain Dynasty in ruins, and a considerable expenditure of manpower, Emperor Wu could not return empty-handed. He proposed that the Nine Mountain Dynasty merge with their Empire; though they would no longer have autonomy, they could still govern their territory. Empress Hua Yan acquiesced, becoming a concubine of the Emperor but never bearing any children with him. The current emperor, Qianlong Zhen, presides over the Nine Dragon Dynasty, having ruled for 127 years and still going strong.

As generations passed, the Yi Clan transformed into the Yi Martial Family. The city gifted to them was renamed Yifeng City in honor of Yi Fengxing. The Yi Martial Family continued governing the city up to the present day. Under their guidance, the city flourished, becoming one of the eight major cities aside from the capital. The noble heritage of the Yi Martial Family spans almost two thousand years, from Yi Fengxing until now, solidifying the family's esteemed position within the city. The commoners regard the family with the same reverence as the royal family.

Closing the book, I gained a deeper understanding of my family's status and the world I found myself in. Although this world seemed to embrace an ancient Chinese theme, there was something more to it. Extraordinary strength could be attained, further contributing to the high esteem for the Yi family. This power was derived from the technique developed by Yi Fengxing. Over his years in the army, he had undergone tremendous trials and tribulations, refining his martial path. Before his death at the age of 246, he created the legacy technique of the Yi Family: "The Cloud Serpent Sword Art." Although the book did not delve into the technique's details, it was said to elevate martial artists from mere mortals to gods in the eyes of commoners.