Bound by Duty

Lu Chen sat in his assigned courtyard, staring at the thick jade tome resting on the wooden table before him. The intricate carvings on its cover gleamed under the lantern light, but he felt no reverence for the text within.

The Bai Clan's expectations pressed down on his shoulders, heavy as a mountain.

The moment he had accepted their terms, his fate had been sealed.

His future was no longer his own — it was dictated by a schedule of births and cultivation quotas, a rigid system that cared little for personal ambition.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

Nine years.

Nine years to advance a single stage in Qi Refining. For someone with innate talent, it was an absurd restriction, a deliberate shackle placed upon him. The Bai Clan's method didn't seek to create powerful individuals — it sought to prioritize lineage, to refine bloodlines rather than personal strength.

If he ever wanted true freedom, he needed a plan.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

'Come in,' he called, pushing the jade tome aside.

The door slid open with practiced ease, revealing Bai Xue.

She entered with her usual poise, her every movement precise, her expression unreadable. Even now, Lu Chen found it difficult to decipher her thoughts.

'I trust you have had time to process your responsibilities,' she said.

'I have,' Lu Chen replied, straightening. 'It's straightforward enough.'

Bai Xue studied him for a moment before nodding. 'Good. Because today, you meet Bai Ling again.'

Lu Chen's jaw tensed slightly.

'She will be your first partner in fulfilling your duty.'

For a brief moment, he hesitated. Not because he rejected the arrangement — he had agreed to it — but because of the sheer clinical nature of it all. There was no romance, no choice, no hesitation from the Bai Clan's perspective.

Just duty.

Bai Xue's gaze sharpened. 'Do you have objections?'

'No objections,' Lu Chen said, shaking his head. 'Just… adjusting to how this works.'

Bai Xue's lips curved slightly, though there was no warmth in the gesture. 'You will find that everything in the Bai Clan operates with purpose. This is no different. Follow the plan, and you will find yourself in a comfortable position. Fail, and your time here will be brief.'

She turned toward the door. 'Bai Ling is waiting in the garden. Do not keep her waiting.'

Lu Chen exhaled through his nose and stood. The moment had come sooner than expected.

The Bai Clan's inner gardens were quiet at night, the faint rustling of leaves carried by a gentle breeze. Lanterns flickered softly along the stone paths, casting a warm glow over the tranquil pond at the garden's center. The air smelled of damp earth and blooming orchids, adding to the stillness of the moment.

Beneath a towering willow tree, Bai Ling sat alone, gazing at the water's surface. Her white robes shimmered under the moonlight, her delicate frame appearing even more fragile against the vast emptiness of the garden.

Lu Chen approached, his steps measured. He wasn't nervous, but he was aware of how strange this entire situation was.

He took a seat beside her, allowing the silence to stretch before speaking.

'Do you accept this?'

Bai Ling turned toward him, her brown eyes calm — not resentful, not eager, just resigned.

'My role in the Bai Clan has always been clear,' she said, her voice soft but steady. 'I will do what is required of me.'

Lu Chen studied her carefully.

She wasn't afraid. She wasn't angry.

She was simply… resigned.

'I see,' he said finally.

A breeze passed through the garden, causing ripples in the pond. The willow's long branches swayed, their shadows dancing against the lantern-lit path.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then, Bai Ling finally broke the silence.

'You are not like the others.'

Lu Chen glanced at her. 'The others?'

'The other in-laws,' she clarified. 'They never ask. They simply… follow orders. You hesitate.'

Lu Chen let out a quiet breath. 'I suppose I do.'

Bai Ling's gaze dropped slightly. 'It doesn't matter. We are here to serve the Bai Clan. That is the only certainty.'

Her words held a quiet finality, the weight of someone who had long since accepted their place in the world.

Lu Chen wasn't sure if he admired her resolve or pitied it.

She was bound by duty, just as he was.

Yet, the difference between them was clear — she had accepted her fate.

He hadn't.

For now, he played his role.

The next morning, Lu Chen was summoned back to the elders.

Bai Ren sat in his usual place at the head of the chamber, his expression unreadable as he regarded Lu Chen. The other elders observed in silence, their collective presence imposing.

The room felt colder than before.

Bai Ren's sharp gaze swept over him before he finally nodded.

'Welcome in the family.' he declared.

The weight of those words settled over Lu Chen like a heavy chain.