...Makes A Plan...

In the world of cultivation where the law of the jungle prevailed, the only road to sovereignty was through strength. In such a world the weak had no choice but to submit before the strong, in hopes of one day having pleased their master enough that they would be rewarded and bestowed a path forward.

It was no different for Su Yan, who had struggled in the Yang clan under the authority of Young Master. When he had been young, to escape bullying and also to become a cultivator, he had submitted to the young master. Over the years he had received some benefits, but compared to what he was put through, it was insignificant. A decade of hard work, and all he had to show for it was a middling cultivation base.

Su Yan stared at the jade slip in thought. He might not have received anything valuable till now, but this could be his opportunity. A fortuitous encounter like the tale of legends.

He then recalled young master and his cronies—which he was technically part of—and all his excitement was washed away. He sighed and eyed the jade slip with wistful longing. "It's not meant to be..."

Su Yan recalled his life till now and how it would continue going forward. It was likely that he would never progress further in his cultivation and would eventually settle down in some remote town or die while fighting for the sake of the young master.

"Is this my destiny?" He closed his eyes ruefully. A wry laugh bubbled up from his chest, and he shook his head. "I cannot believe my martial will had grown so weak over the years..."

Truly, even spending days alongside the young master had adverse effects on him. When he was still a young boy, his will had been firm, and cultivation was all he desired with all his heart. But now he couldn't muster a single wisp of resistance.

"No." He shook his head. "I will not be reduced to a blood smear or a faceless background character. My fate is only mine to command!"

With his will reaffirmed, he glanced down at the jade slip, and a plan formulated in his head.

...

Young Master Yang was calm. As poised as a noble cultivator like him should be. Just like his brothers and sisters. No! He shook his head; better than them.

He had a reputation in the Yang clan, but unlike his brother, who was known as the Roaring Lion, his was practically a joke. So he had instead indulged in pointless, and some might say wasteful, endeavors. Not that he derived any pleasure from that despite how it may look to others.

After all, what pleasure was there to be gleaned from alcohol and flesh? No, what the young master did was to spite those more fortunate than him. Just because the fate had been kind to them didn't mean he was any less talented. After today he would get to show them his real genius. Though he shouldn't stop his spitefulness. Definitely. That would be waste; he thoughtfully licked his lips.

Just as they were reaching the end of their pathway, the sound of an explosion stopped them dead in their tracks. He shared a look with his two henchmen and looked up. The ceiling was rattling; no, the entire cave was rattling!

"Run!" He yelled and rushed forth with all his might. His two flunkies were right behind him, and he chanced a look behind to watch as the cracks spread along the walls and ceiling. "Use your Qi to push me forward, you imbeciles."

Dread flashed across their face, but they ultimately gave in. Molding Qi into small discs, they launched them forward, and the young master alongside those. The move killed their own momentum, though, and they were soon engulfed under the storm of falling debris.

Young master felt a grim look flash through his eyes. Thankfully, his followers were loyal, if not to him, then to their families. He would have to make sure to look after their mothers and sisters.

As the entrance grew closer, he drew his sword and readied his Qi. His late Qi Gathering strength was enough to split open boulders, much less to say about a six-inch-thick wall. A swing produced a breach, and with the already unsteady foundation of the cavern, he dived right inside. Thankfully, the falling apart meant he didn't have to climb through the tunnel.

As light graced his features, he breathed in the fresh air of the valley. "Finally."

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he glanced back to see the entrance clogged with stone rubble and felt his brows twitch. It had been entirely on a whim that he had decided to check this place out. Surprisingly it had turned out to be some sort of mystical ground, at least he thought so. But now, it lay enclosed, and he, alone in these woods.

"What the fuck happened?" He couldn't understand what had caused the cavern to give in. After all, what were the chances of it collapsing right after they ventured inside? "Did one of those idiots do something?" It was unlikely but not impossible.

Young Master didn't care about their lives. Their death was due to their lack of ability, but the way things unfolded meant a loss of face for him. He gritted his teeth as impotent rage burned in his chest.

"I would have to have it cleared." He muttered thoughtfully. Clearing the debris would require precious time, not to mention if the fallout had resulted in damage to the precious relics. "Still, though, why did it collapse?"

As the thought rang in his mind once more, a seed of suspicion took place. Judging by the layout of the cave, it wasn't that difficult to make it collapse. The question was: why even bother?

"Someone found something..." It was logical and also rage-inducing. If that was the case, the young master swore he would find them and make them beg for death. Only he would never give it to them.