The Beginning of the Turmoil

From the very instant Feng Xiti stepped into the Difei Clan, he enshrined the aspiration of becoming the leader as the lodestar of his existence. For over four decades, he toiled ceaselessly, rising with the dawn and retiring long after dusk. Each decision he made, every action he undertook, was a deliberate stride towards that coveted position. Whenever projects encountered formidable obstacles, he invariably emerged as the vanguard, embodying the essence of responsibility through his unwavering actions, thereby setting an indelible example for the clansmen. Nevertheless, an insidious sense of unease perpetually shadowed him. As an adopted son, his status was inherently tenuous. In the Difei Clan, where bloodline inheritance was venerated above all else, he perpetually felt like an outsider, a stranger in a land he yearned to call his own.

The birth of Feng Daokun catapulted Feng Xiti into an abyss of despair. It seemed as though all his arduous efforts over the years had been in vain, merely paving the way for this infant swathed in innocence. On the occasion of Feng Daokun's full - moon celebration, Feng Xiti, with great effort, suppressed the tempest of emotions roiling within him and presented a letter to Feng Buyu, earnestly requesting an overseas assignment. In this missive, he eloquently articulated his desire to establish his own fiefdom and military presence, a plea born of both ambition and necessity. After a moment of profound reflection, Feng Buyu acceded to his request and bestowed upon him the noble title of "King of Leisure", a name that belied the storm of events to come.

The name Feng Daokun was imbued with Feng Buyu's profound hopes and aspirations, drawn from the profound wisdom of "The Kun is supremely gentle, yet when it stirs, it manifests great firmness. It is supremely still, yet its virtue is as square as the earth. It follows its lord with unwavering constancy, embracing all things and radiating with transformative light." Feng Buyu, having been blessed with a son in his twilight years, lavished upon him all the love and affection he could muster, as if attempting to compensate for a lifetime of longing. However, years of delegating power had left him ill - equipped to handle the resurgence of administrative burdens. As Feng Xiti departed, leaving behind a void that could not be easily filled, Feng Buyu found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clan affairs. The once - resolute leader, now weathered by the passage of time, was forced to rely heavily on the Inner Court, a group of elites meticulously selected and groomed by Feng Xiti himself.

The Inner Court, under Feng Xiti's astute leadership, had evolved into a well - oiled machine, a bastion of efficiency and loyalty. But upon his departure, these trusted aides remained behind, gradually assuming a position of prominence within the clan. In his later years, Feng Buyu's dependence on the Inner Court reached a fever pitch. Virtually all matters of governance were entrusted to their capable hands, while he indulged in the simple pleasures of family life, finding solace in the laughter of his grandson. This shift in power dynamics did not go unnoticed, and a growing sense of discontent began to fester within the clan, like a hidden malignancy waiting to erupt.

Since the advent of Feng Daokun, a singular thought had taken root in Feng Buyu's mind: to anoint his biological son as the heir apparent. This idea, initially a mere seed of possibility, gradually blossomed into an all - consuming obsession. Yet, he remained acutely aware of the formidable challenge posed by Feng Xiti's towering presence. On one hand, he admired Feng Xiti's remarkable abilities, recognizing in him the potential to lead the clan to new heights. On the other hand, he harbored a deep - seated fear that his own son's prospects might be overshadowed by the adopted son's brilliance. Caught in this agonizing dilemma, Feng Buyu found himself in a state of perpetual torment. The very thought of making a decision on this matter was enough to induce a splitting headache, and the ensuing inner turmoil left him restless, unable to find peace in either sleep or waking hours. He yearned to find a solution, yet was paralyzed by the fear of rejection and the specter of a potential power struggle that could tear the clan asunder.

Then, in the 12th year of Tianyu, an unexpected event shattered the fragile equilibrium that had thus far prevailed. The Viper Clan, once reviled as a pariah among the hundreds of ethnic groups, suddenly dispatched a letter, its words carefully crafted to convey a sense of humility and respect. In this correspondence, they expressed an earnest desire to establish diplomatic relations with the Difei Clan, a request that caught Feng Buyu off - guard. Over the years, the Viper Clan had undergone a remarkable transformation, gradually shedding their notorious reputation through the concerted efforts of three generations of Supreme leaders. The current Supreme, Liu Xuanting, had emerged as a charismatic figure, renowned for his strategic acumen and his ability to attract and retain talent. Intrigued by the prospect of forging a new alliance, Feng Buyu deliberated long and hard before finally deciding to extend an olive branch, thus opening the door to a new era of cooperation between the two clans.

The envoy of the Viper Clan returned to his homeland, bearing with him the favorable reply from Feng Buyu. Upon receiving this news, Liu Xuanting was elated, his eyes glinting with anticipation. The very next day, he wasted no time in dispatching another envoy, this time bearing a letter that was nothing short of a paean of praise for Feng Buyu. In this missive, Liu Xuanting lauded Feng Buyu as a paragon of leadership, expressing his profound admiration and a sincere desire to visit the Difei Clan in person, with the avowed intention of learning from their secrets of prosperity. Overwhelmed by this unexpected display of deference, Feng Buyu was quick to circulate the letter throughout the royal court. Without hesitation, he approved the Viper Clan's request and extended a warm welcome to the envoy, setting the stage for a series of events that would have far - reaching consequences for both clans.

Liu Xuanting, the wily architect of this diplomatic overture, had his own hidden agenda. The Viper Clan had long been coveting Fenglingdu, and this newfound alliance presented an opportunity too tantalizing to resist. Through a network of spies and informants, he had painstakingly gathered intelligence about the internal affairs of the Difei Clan. In particular, he was keenly aware of the power struggle brewing within the clan, centered around the conflict between the adopted son, Feng Xiti, and the newly - born heir, Feng Daokun. Sensing a weakness, he saw an opportunity to exploit this division for his own gain.

To lay the groundwork for his grand plan, the envoys of the Viper Clan took swift action. They dispatched a large contingent of their people to the ancestral land of the Difei Clan, ostensibly to foster cultural exchange and strengthen the bonds of friendship. In reality, these individuals were engaged in a clandestine mission, covertly gathering information and sowing the seeds of discord. As diplomatic relations blossomed, a veritable flood of Viper Clan merchants descended upon the Difei Clan's territory. In a matter of weeks, three sumptuous reception houses were erected, serving as centers for trade and cultural exchange. The interactions between the two clans escalated rapidly, transcending the realm of commerce and permeating into the military and political spheres. The Viper Clan, renowned for their martial prowess, offered their services as mercenaries, providing much - needed military support to the Difei Clan in their ongoing struggles against external threats.

Meanwhile, Feng Xiti, who was stationed far away from the clan's ancestral seat, was not oblivious to the growing threat posed by the Viper Clan. His keen instincts, honed through years of experience, told him that there was more to this alliance than met the eye. He observed with mounting concern as the Viper Clan's merchants and military - political operatives went to extraordinary lengths to ingratiate themselves with the Difei Clan. Many of their business dealings seemed to defy economic logic, with transactions that were clearly unprofitable yet continued unabated. These actions not only disrupted the local market but also threw a wrench in the works of his carefully laid plans for cooperation with the hundreds of ethnic groups. As a result, these partnerships were forced to be put on hold, much to the consternation of the other ethnic groups. Although they were reluctant to voice their displeasure directly, given the close ties between the Viper Clan and Feng Buyu, they found ways to communicate their concerns to Feng Xiti, who was now their only hope for redress.

Alarmed by these developments, Feng Xiti immediately penned a letter to Feng Buyu, urgently warning him of the potential dangers posed by the Viper Clan. In this missive, he meticulously laid out his concerns, pointing out the suspicious nature of the Viper Clan's actions and the likelihood of a hidden agenda. Feng Buyu, in his reply, offered words of agreement, but his actions betrayed a lack of urgency. Months passed, and as the situation deteriorated, with the two clans' interactions becoming increasingly intertwined, Feng Xiti decided to take more drastic action. He rallied several high - ranking members of the clan and jointly submitted a second letter, this time with a more forceful tone. This collective appeal, signed by some of the clan's most respected elders and leaders, was a clear indication of the depth of concern within the clan.

Upon receiving this second letter, Feng Buyu was faced with a difficult decision. On one hand, he could not ignore the growing chorus of voices calling for caution. On the other hand, he was loath to sever ties with the Viper Clan, given the potential benefits that this alliance might bring. Caught between a rock and a hard place, he opted for a middle - ground approach, issuing a series of mild - mannered policies that were more symbolic than substantive. These measures, while intended to appease the critics, did little to stem the tide of the Viper Clan's influence.

Undeterred by the mounting opposition, the Viper Clan, under the shrewd leadership of Liu Xuanting, pressed forward with their plans. The relationship between the two clans continued to deepen, reaching a new level with the advent of intermarriage. This development, while ostensibly a sign of harmony, was seen by many within the Difei Clan as a further encroachment on their sovereignty. Feng Xiti, in a last - ditch effort to halt the erosion of the clan's autonomy, found himself reluctantly drawn into a series of negotiations with the Viper Clan, a move that only served to further entangle the two clans in a web of complex relationships.

As the years rolled by, the situation in Fenglingdu became increasingly precarious. In the 17th year of Tianyu, Liu Xuanting once again made a bold move, submitting a formal request to lead a delegation of his direct - line clansmen on a pilgrimage to the ancestral land of the Difei Clan. This visit, he claimed, was intended as a gesture of respect and a desire to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two clans. Without a moment's hesitation, Feng Buyu, perhaps blinded by the promise of continued cooperation, readily agreed to this request.

At this juncture, Fenglingdu, on the surface, presented an idyllic picture of peace and prosperity. But beneath the veneer of normalcy, an undercurrent of tension and suspicion was steadily building. Feng Xiti, far from home, was consumed by a sense of foreboding. He could feel the gathering storm clouds on the horizon, a storm that he feared would engulf the entire clan. Meanwhile, the young Feng Daokun, still blissfully unaware of the political machinations unfolding around him, continued to grow up in a world of innocence and simplicity. And Liu Xuanting, lurking in the shadows, was busy orchestrating the final act of his elaborate plan. The stage was set for a showdown that would determine the fate of the Difei Clan, and the future of Fenglingdu hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of a precipice.