Family threads and the royal shadow

The sun peeked over the mountain peaks as Ash walked through the sect's front gate. His mission was complete. Rin trailed behind him, steps light but persistent. She had been walking a few paces behind for hours now, still trying to convince him.

> "You're strong," Rin said, her tone soft, almost calculated. "You can help me. In return, I'll make sure the royal family backs your cultivation. You'll never need to worry about resources again."

Ash didn't even turn to respond.

> "I'm not interested in your internal throne succession."

> "Ash—"

> "I'm not your pawn," he cut in coldly.

That ended the conversation. Rin's lips tightened, but she didn't push further. Not now.

But what Ash didn't expect… was what came next.

---

A New Sect Sister

The next morning, murmurs swirled through the sect like storm winds.

> "Princess Rin has joined the sect?"

> "She's not even been tested—how did she get accepted?"

> "She's the king's daughter. Who would dare refuse?"

Ash stood at the training grounds, staring blankly at the notice board where Rin's name now appeared among the new outer disciples. He could already feel it—trouble had moved in.

Before he could decide what to do with this information, another trouble arrived—loud and fast.

> "Ash!"

Yan Qing stood before him, flushed and determined. Her usual composure was gone, replaced by anxiety. She wasn't alone—two attendants stood behind her with grave expressions.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

She stepped closer, voice dropping low.

> "My cousin. The one who always mocks me. She's coming back to the family manor... with a powerful cultivator from another sect. She claims she's finally found someone worthy of marriage."

Ash frowned. "And you want me to…?"

> "I need you to come with me."

Her voice trembled at the edges, though she masked it well.

> "You're strong. The strongest person I know right now. Just being there might be enough. My cousin's always been arrogant. But if I walk in with you… she won't dare humiliate me again. Please."

Ash tilted his head, thinking. "You don't want me to fight?"

> "No. Just stand beside me."

Ash sighed. "You know this is going to attract attention?"

> "I don't care. I need this, Ash."

---

Crossroads

He looked at her for a long moment. This wasn't about power—it was about pride, identity, and dignity.

> "Fine," he said finally. "But I'm not fighting in your family drama."

> "You won't have to."

But Ash had a gut feeling that this was only the beginning. Especially when he noticed a pair of eyes watching them from afar—Rin standing by the sect's entry gate, arms crossed, silent and unreadable.

And then it hit him.

He was now in three worlds at once:

A sect disciple struggling to stay unnoticed.

A necromancer secretly growing stronger in shadows.

And a sought-after warrior slowly being pulled into the politics of nobles and royalty.

---

Ash's involvement in noble affairs has begun.

Rin joins the sect, bringing more royal eyes to his world.

Yan Qing seeks help to defend her status and pride.

Trouble is brewing—not just in the cultivation world, but in society's web of power.

And Ash?

He just wants peace.

But fate doesn't care.

---