52. An Alliance of Desperation

(That same day, in the Jing Family Estate in Ironwood City)

The grand hall of the Jing Family's main estate was silent except for the flickering of lanterns and the occasional rustle of silk as an elder shifted in his seat. The carved pillars, adorned with golden dragons, loomed over the gathered figures like silent watchers. At the head of the chamber, seated upon an elevated dais, was Jing Wen, the patriarch of the Jing Family.

His sharp, calculating gaze swept across the assembled elders, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. Before him lay a series of reports, detailed accounts of the Bai Family's recent maneuvers, the increasing chaos in Golden Prosperity City, and the political undercurrents shaping the region. He had been silent for a long time, listening to the heated discussions of his advisors.

"We cannot continue to sit back and watch," one elder finally declared, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "The Bai Family is securing their foothold in Golden Prosperity City, and once they are done there, they will turn their eyes toward us. If we wait until that moment, we will be forced to fight a war on their terms, not ours."

Jing Wen gave a slow nod but did not yet speak.

Another elder, a wiry man with graying temples, leaned forward. "The Bai Family has already started their war preparations. Their next move is clear. Once Golden Prosperity City is secured, they will consolidate their power in the region. The only force left standing in their way is us."

"And if we let them finish their conquest of Golden Prosperity City uncontested, we will be next," a younger advisor added grimly. "The Bai Family already views us as their greatest rival in this region. Even if we bow our heads, they will not leave us be. If we do nothing, we will be picked apart piece by piece."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the hall.

Jing Wen finally raised a hand, and the room fell into silence. His voice was calm, but there was an underlying steel to it. "We will not sit by idly. Golden Prosperity City is a vital stronghold, and if we allow the Bai Family to take it fully, our position in the region will be weakened beyond repair."

One of the elders, an old man who had seen more battles than most in the room, furrowed his brows. "We have the strength to contest the Bai Family, but what of the forces within the city? Lui Zhan is a rogue cultivator. While he is no true ruler, he has managed to keep the Bai Family from fully annexing the city."

A sneer appeared on the face of another elder. "Lui Zhan is nothing more than a temporary nuisance. A man with no foundation, no noble backing. He is strong, yes, but he has no clan, no loyal retainers. He is trying to hold power with nothing but borrowed influence. If we move in force, his control over the city will collapse."

Jing Wen nodded. "Which is why we must act now. We will begin by reaching out to our allies within the Zheng and Jian Families. There are still elders among them who would rather see the Bai Family crushed than submit to their rule. If we can rally them under our banner, we will not only strengthen our forces but also shift the balance of power against the Bai."

The room buzzed with renewed energy. Several elders exchanged knowing glances.

"We still have loyal contacts within both families," one of them said. "There are Jian Family elders who resent how the Bai Family meddled in their affairs. The same can be said for certain Zheng Family figures. If we give them the right incentives, such as promises of status, territory, or vengeance. Then, they will move to our side."

Jing Wen's lips curled into a thin smile. "Send out envoys. Ensure that our allies among the Jian and Zheng Families understand the stakes. If the Bai Family completes their takeover of Golden Prosperity City, there will be no place left for them. This is their last opportunity to strike back before it is too late."

Another elder let out a dark chuckle. "It won't be difficult to convince them. The Bai Family has already made them enemies. The only thing we are offering them is the means to fight back."

Jing Wen's gaze darkened. "Good. We must act swiftly. If the Bai Family believes they are the only power in this region, we will remind them otherwise."

The elders nodded, and the meeting continued long into the night. Messengers were dispatched, letters written in veiled language were sealed and sent. The Jing Family was preparing for war.

Yet outside, beneath the glow of lantern light, a lone figure moved through the shadows. Unnoticed, unseen, a silent observer who vanished into the darkness, carrying word of the Jing Family's schemes to an unknown master.

…

(A week later, Somewhere in the wilderness between The Jing, Zheng and Jian Family's Cities)

The meeting was set in a secluded valley deep within the wilderness, where jagged cliffs loomed over a quiet clearing. The thick canopy of trees above made it nearly impossible for prying eyes to spy on them, and the only sounds were the distant calls of nocturnal beasts and the rustling of leaves in the cold night wind. A stone platform, worn smooth by time, served as their table, and around it stood the three patriarchs, young leaders who had inherited their positions not through natural succession, but through war and bloodshed.

The Jing Family Patriarch arrived first, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as he dismounted from his horse. His dark crimson robes were embroidered with the image of a soaring hawk, and his long hair was bound in a silver clasp. He was still new to his position, but he carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had already survived one war. His fingers rested lightly on the hilt of his sword as he stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

The Zheng Family Patriarch arrived next, flanked by a handful of guards. His armor was lighter than what one would expect for a meeting of diplomacy, but his presence made it clear he had no intention of being caught off guard. His expression was tense, his brow slightly furrowed as he greeted the Jing Patriarch with a nod. His family had suffered greatly in the last war, and he knew that if the Bai Family truly intended to conquer the region, they would not be spared a second time.

The last to arrive was the Jian Family Patriarch, though unlike the others, he was not a young man. The old Elder of the Jian Family had been forced to step into the role after the rest of the ruling family had been wiped out. His face was lined with age, his once-black hair now completely white, but his presence was no less imposing. He moved with the weight of experience, his long gray robe flowing behind him as he approached.

No one spoke at first. The air was thick with unspoken tension, not only from the situation at hand but from the history between them. Their families had fought on opposing sides before, and now they were expected to stand together. The elder of the Jian Family was the first to break the silence.

"We have all seen the signs," the Jian Patriarch said, his voice gravelly and calm. "The Bai Family's sudden war preparations. The unrest in Golden Prosperity City. The way they maneuver their forces as if expecting resistance. If we wait any longer, we will be divided and slaughtered one by one."

The Jing Patriarch exhaled slowly. "Their goal is clear. First, they will secure Golden Prosperity City, and from there, they will expand. If we let them claim it without resistance, we will be next. It's only a matter of time."

The Zheng Patriarch crossed his arms. "The Bai Family may be preparing for war, but they are not untouchable. We still hold power, enough to resist. If we combine our forces, we can meet them on equal footing."

The Jian Patriarch narrowed his eyes. "You say that as if it will be easy. Our forces are still recovering, our resources are stretched thin, and our people are wary of another war. If we do this, we must do it decisively. We must strike first, not wait for them to come to us."

The Jing Patriarch turned his gaze toward the night sky, where the moon hung low on the horizon. "The Bai Family may seem strong now, but they are stretched thin as well. They are dealing with unrest in Golden Prosperity City, trying to consolidate their hold. If we strike while they are distracted, we can turn their own aggression against them."

The Zheng Patriarch tapped his fingers against his arm in thought. "And what of the spoils? If we succeed, who controls Golden Prosperity City?"

Silence.

This was the question that none of them wanted to answer. If they won, they would have to divide the rewards, and none of them wanted to walk away with less than what they believed they deserved. The Jian Patriarch narrowed his eyes. "The city belongs to my family by right."

The Jing Patriarch scoffed. "By right? Your family lost it. By that logic, the Bai Family has more claim to it than you do."

The Zheng Patriarch sighed. "We are in no position to argue over things that have yet to be won. For now, we need to focus on strategy. The Bai Family is moving quickly, we must be quicker."

The Jian Patriarch let out a slow breath. "We still have allies among the elders in the Jian and Zheng Families. They will help us weaken the Bai Family from within. We will send word to them immediately."

The Jing Patriarch nodded. "Then it is decided. We will begin mobilizing our forces. Within the next few weeks, the Bai Family will find themselves at war with more than just their own ambitions."

The three leaders exchanged glances. They did not trust each other, not fully. But they trusted one thing above all else, survival. And right now, survival meant war.

With that, they turned and left, each retreating into the darkness of the wilderness, already planning their next move.