Map Obtained

"Captain Zou? Was he not one of those transferred from the Li Branch Family? Elder Ling once praised his great potential and unfaltering loyalty," Elder Jun mused, his scattered topknot rustling in the gentle whisper of the wind. The ambiance was mellow, early sunlight weaving through the foliage and casting an ethereal haze.

Yi Chang, unruffled as ever, nodded in assent. "It appears the Li Branch is at the root of the issue. Do you suggest we purge all within our palace bearing ties to them?"

After a moment's consideration, Elder Jun slowly shook his head, advising, "That would serve only to raise their suspicions, making it harder for us to unearth the true conspirators."

A silence then fell between them, the only sounds punctuating the stillness were the distant murmurs of garden fauna and the gentle babbling of streams. A thought struck Elder Jun, casting a shadow of concern upon his countenance. "Could this possibly be linked to the Shadow Lotus Assassins?" he queried.

Upon hearing Elder Jun's conjecture, Yi Chang's gaze subtly sharpened, his stern demeanor slightly unmasked. "Indeed, the connection is plausible, given Yi Tian's past encounters with them. However, while we know their discontentment lies with the Imperial Rule, infiltrating to such an extent seems unlikely."

Elder Jun, seemingly unfazed, countered, "Actually, it could be plausible."

Yi Chang furrowed his brows in puzzlement, asking, "How so?"

Sitting upright, Elder Jun closed his eyes, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. After a significant pause, he began, "We are aware that the Shadow Lotus Assassins have their sights set on Ming, thanks to Yi Tian's inadvertent disclosure. Their opposition to the Imperial Rule is evident, albeit their motivations remain unclear."

Yi Chang slowly nodded, conceding to Elder Jun's deductions.

"However," Elder Jun said, his tone somber, "What if it wasn't Yi Tian who initiated contact with them?"

Yi Chang's gaze dropped to his lap as he pondered over the possibilities, eventually voicing his thoughts. "This would redefine our understanding of the situation entirely. It is not Yi Tian manipulating the circumstances, but rather, he is the one being manipulated."

"Hmm," Elder Jun ruminated, acknowledging the shift in dynamics such a truth would bring about. He could not help but connect this potential revelation with the stark transformation in Yi Tian's demeanor years prior. However, the question remained—what caused this dramatic change in his character?

The outside world seemed to blur and dissolve as Elder Jun once again closed his eyes, settling back against the comfortable cushion, seemingly at peace. He reached into the furthest corners of his memory, seeking to dredge up past incidents that transpired around the time of Yi Tian's transformation.

Noticing Elder Jun's deep state of contemplation, Yi Chang respected the silence and held his peace, patiently awaiting his companion's insight. In Elder Jun, he placed unwavering trust, believing him capable of unearthing a piece of the puzzle that might illuminate their path forward.

...

"Old Man, may I retain this map?" requested Yi Tian, his gaze following Elder Feng as he began rolling up the scroll.

Securing the metal ends of the scroll with corresponding caps, Elder Feng raised his gaze to meet Yi Tian's, a smile of approval playing on his lips. "Indeed, Tian'er," he responded, handing the map over. His heart was warmed by Yi Tian's eagerness to familiarize himself with the territories of the impending war, understanding how beneficial this knowledge could be on the battlefield.

Elder Feng pushed himself up from the floor cushion, his gaze shifting to the attentive servant girl, Luli. "Kindly see to these, young lady," he requested, gesturing towards the parchment manuscripts and scrolls strewn across the table.

Luli bowed respectfully in acknowledgement. "As you wish, Master."

As Yi Tian too rose from his seated position, Elder Feng turned to him, a playful smile dancing in his eyes. "Although I may not be equipped to assist you in deepening your understanding of martial techniques, I can certainly impart some valuable experience," he offered.

Yi Tian mulled over Elder Feng's words for a moment before a question formulated on his tongue. "A bout of sparring, you suggest, Old Man?" he questioned, certain that the Elder intended to enhance his combat skills through direct experience.

Elder Feng let out a hearty chuckle, absentmindedly stroking his pointed beard. "Indeed. It would provide an invaluable opportunity for you to comprehend the marked difference between high-level martial artists and those without any blood qi."

Yi Tian's mind returned to a prior point of their discussion, sparking a new question. As he followed Elder Feng, he inquired, "Does a disparity exist between those with meridians and dantians, and those without, assuming neither possess any blood qi?"

Elder Feng adjusted his pace, allowing Yi Tian to align with him. He glanced at the young man beside him, nodding in affirmation. "Indeed, there is. A person endowed with meridians and dantians inherently possesses greater strength than one devoid of them."