Plans in the Shadows

Just as Qiu Heng's aura thickened, and he readied himself to strike Lin Tian, a sudden, powerful voice echoed across the training ground, halting him in his tracks.

"Qiu Heng!"

An outer sect elder stepped into view, his eyes cold and sharp as they fell on Qiu Heng. "Have you forgotten the sect rules? As a Qi Refining cultivator, you know better than to abuse your strength against those in the Body Refining stage."

Qiu Heng gritted his teeth, his fury evident in the tension of his clenched fists. Lin Tian watched him carefully, feeling the seething rage radiating off his would-be attacker. After a few moments, Qiu Heng gave a stiff bow to the elder, swallowing his frustration. "Understood, Elder."

The elder's gaze lingered on Qiu Heng for a moment longer, then turned to Lin Tian. "You should tread carefully in your actions and words, young disciple. Such conflicts are best avoided within the sect."

Lin Tian nodded respectfully, "Thank you, Elder."

With that, the elder turned and left, fading back into the shadows of the training ground. Qiu Heng, however, threw one final venomous glare at Lin Tian before storming off in the opposite direction, his steps heavy with pent-up aggression.

As soon as Qiu Heng returned to his quarters, he summoned his younger brother, Qiu Ming, who approached hesitantly, sensing the storm waiting for him.

The torches flickered, casting eerie shadows along the stone corridors of the outer sect residences. Inside his room, Qiu Heng sat cross-legged, his expression cold and unreadable as he awaited his brother. His gaze, sharp and unrelenting, stayed fixed on the door, and an air of impatience hung heavily around him.

Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. Qiu Wei, pale and visibly shaken, entered, bowing immediately, his head lowered to avoid his brother's penetrating gaze. He dared not look up, knowing the disappointment and simmering anger that awaited him.

"Brother," Qiu Wei stammered, his voice barely a whisper, "I didn't mean to—"

"Didn't mean to what?" Qiu Heng's voice was calm, cold, and edged with scorn. He didn't need to raise his voice; the ice in his tone was enough to make Qiu Wei flinch. "Didn't mean to get humiliated? To make our name a joke? Or to come crawling back here, seeking pity?"

Qiu Wei's hands shook as he clenched them tightly, struggling to maintain some semblance of composure. His brother's disappointment weighed on him, crushing what little confidence he had left. "It… it wasn't my fault," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "Lin Tian… he's stronger than he looks."

Qiu Heng leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously. "Stronger than he looks?" he repeated, his tone dripping with disdain. "And what does that say about you, Qiu Wei? Are you so weak that a mere level-six Body Refining brat could best you?"

"No, Brother, I—" Qiu Wei tried to explain, but his words faltered, his voice breaking under the weight of his brother's withering glare. The cowardice he tried to hide seeped out, and he was all too aware of how pathetic he must have looked.

"Stop your sniveling," Qiu Heng sneered, disgust evident on his face. "You're a disgrace to our name. I thought you had at least some semblance of pride, but it seems I was mistaken."

A tense silence filled the room. Qiu Wei dared not speak, not until Qiu Heng, with a slow, measured movement, reached into his robes and retrieved a small porcelain bottle. He placed it on the table, his gaze never leaving Qiu Wei's face. "Take it," he commanded, his voice low but chilling. "Inside are body refining pills. Use them and reach the ninth level—if you even have that much backbone."

Qiu Wei's eyes widened as he looked at the bottle, but he made no move to take it. Despite his desire for power, he feared what was expected of him. He knew his brother wasn't doing this out of kindness. Nothing Qiu Heng did came without a price.

Seeing Qiu Wei hesitate, Qiu Heng's gaze grew even darker. "Do you fear strength so much that you would turn away from it?" he sneered. "Take those pills and break through, or you might as well never come back here."

Qiu Wei's hands shook as he finally reached out, clutching the bottle as if it might shatter in his grip. "I understand, Brother," he whispered, though fear was clear in his voice.

"Good," Qiu Heng replied, though his expression didn't soften. "When you've gained the power you so desperately need, I want you to take your pathetic cowardice and channel it into something useful." He leaned closer, his gaze penetrating, his voice barely above a whisper yet filled with venom. "Select some of my men. Find Lin Tian in the wilderness, where the sect's prying eyes won't interfere. Make sure that this time, you don't fail. And ensure that no one can protect him."

Qiu Wei swallowed, his throat dry. He wanted to protest, to say that it wasn't fair or that he needed more time. But he knew better than to argue with Qiu Heng. His brother's temper was not one to test, and the chill in his tone promised consequences if he disobeyed.

"Brother, the rules—" he began, his voice wavering.

"Rules?" Qiu Heng interrupted, his lips twisting into a cruel smile. "Do you think the strong are bound by rules?" He leaned back, letting his gaze bore into Qiu Wei. "The sect's laws protect power. They do not care for weaklings. You want to avoid punishment? Then prove you have the strength to ignore such rules." He paused, the twisted smile never leaving his face. "Or would you prefer I find someone else more capable to do the job?"

Qiu Wei's heart sank, his pulse racing with a mix of fear and resentment. He dared not respond, though his mind churned with frustration. But he knew he had no choice.

"Do you understand me, Qiu Wei?" Qiu Heng asked, his voice as sharp as a blade. 

"Yes, Brother," Qiu Wei replied, his voice barely a whisper. He clutched the bottle of pills tightly, the weight of his brother's expectations pressing down on him like a heavy stone.

Qiu Heng watched him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Take a few men loyal to our family. This time, when you confront Lin Tian, it will be swift, decisive, and final. There will be no excuses, Qiu Wei."

Qiu Wei nodded, his head bowed, the resentment burning within him barely concealed. He didn't look up as he left the room, his brother's cold gaze lingering in his mind. He hated this feeling, the fear, the shame, the constant reminder that he was nothing in his brother's eyes but a failure waiting to happen.

As he returned to his quarters, Qiu Wei's grip tightened around the bottle. His fear of Qiu Heng warred with his hatred of Lin Tian. But as much as he despised his brother's harshness, he knew he had no choice but to obey. His cowardice was a bitter pill, but he would take it if it meant he could avoid his brother's wrath.

Back in his room, Qiu Heng sat in silence, the shadows deepening around him. 

A dark smile played on his lips as he leaned back, his mind already working on the next steps.