When the Grandmaster finished speaking, silence reigned for a moment. Every disciple returned to the pages on their desks to write down the wisdom received that day. However, one disciple, Wushao, was lost in thought. The other disciples were focused on their work, but when the Grandmaster rose to leave the chamber, Wushao quietly got up and followed him.

  His friend, Xiang, tried to stop him just as Wushao was about to leave. Xiang held him back and whispered:

  "Wu, where are you going? Sit down quietly, or you might be punished."

  But Wushao did not stop. He left, saying:

  "Yang Brother, don't worry, nothing will happen. I am going to ask the Master something. I'll meet you outside."

  Saying this, he left. He went straight behind the Grandmaster and called out to him respectfully:

  "Grandmaster. I have a question to ask you."

  The Grandmaster turned back. He showed no anger that a disciple had left his class. His calm eyes alone granted Wu permission to speak. The Grandmaster started walking, and Wu walked alongside him, speaking:

  "Grandmaster. For the past forty-five years, the Cultivation Path was never initiated. And today, it has suddenly been started. Why? Whenever you sent the proposal to start the Cultivation Path to Clan Head Han Lao Fang, he always rejected it. And today, it has suddenly been initiated by his step-brother, Han Zao Shi. Is this possible? You just explained that only the Zhangwu Pillars could initiate the Cultivation Path. So how can Han Zao Shi start it without them? And knowing this, why did you continue sending the proposal to Clan Head Han Lao Fang? Why, Grandmaster?"

  Hearing this, the Grandmaster stopped. He looked at his disciple, Wushao, with pride. A smile appeared on his face, and he praised him, saying:

  "Very good, Wushao. You have paid attention to a subtle and extremely important point. I thought no one would notice this. Very good, Wushao."

  He took a deep breath and asked him to walk with him. Walking together, the two headed towards a valley. Treading on the rough path, the Grandmaster spoke, but this time his voice was slightly deeper. He said:

  "Wushao. Sometimes everything is right in front of us, yet we cannot see it. Everything is before us, but we simply cannot perceive it. We know very well that Han Lao Fang was not simply refusing to start the Cultivation Path. He knew that without the Zhangwu Pillars, he could not initiate it. That is why he came to us that day, when we first sent him the order to start the Cultivation Path."

  FLASHBACK: Two Years After the Fall of the Lianxiao Clan

  Han Lao Fang, along with some of his followers, arrived at the most sacred, vast, and prosperous Zishi Temple situated on Jangkang Mountain. Everywhere, Zhi Zhu disciples were practicing, wearing red and white robes. Their hair was tied with Chong He Ribbons one white and one red. Han Lao Fang went directly into the Grandmaster's chamber, while his followers waited outside.

  The Grandmaster, who was busy with his daily routine of reading books, looked up. Han Lao Fang entered, bowed before the Grandmaster, and paid his respects.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  After a while, Han Lao Fang spoke with some gravity:

  "Grandmaster. I received your order, but I could not understand it. You know that even though the Cultivation Path is under the Han Clan, we cannot start it without the Zhangwu Pillars. So why did you give us this order?"

  Hearing this, Grandmaster Tao Zhen stood up and spoke with utmost depth and care:

  "Han Lao Fang. If the matter were so simple to explain, what is happening today would never have occurred."

  Han Lao Fang listened to his words attentively. He began to ponder his meaning. Han Lao Fang asked:

  "Grandmaster. Forgive me, but I did not understand you. What matter are you referring to?"

  The Grandmaster replied to Han Lao Fang's question with great solemnity. He said:

  "Lao Fang. This matter is not about starting the Cultivation Path, nor was it ever. This matter is about the past. The Lianxiao Clan was not merely destroyed, but a great power was destroyed. And regarding its initiation, the reason for the Lianxiao Clan's ruin is something grander, something beyond our sight. I simply want to reach the key that locked away the treasure that was the Lianxiao Clan. Lao Fang. I have observed the Lianxiao Clan and the Zhangwu Pillars closely; destroying them so easily is not possible. There must be a conspiracy behind it, one that is linked solely and entirely to this Cultivation Path and the Zhangwu Pillars. I just want to spread the word everywhere that the Cultivation Path can be initiated, that the Zhangwu Pillars can be established, so that the true face can reveal itself. For this reason, I sent the order to the High Assembly, and it will continue to be sent until the right person obtains it."

  Silence fell when the Grandmaster finished speaking. Thousands of thoughts arose in Han Lao Fang's mind at once. The Grandmaster's logic was sound. His reasoning was correct. Han Lao Fang too had been educated at the great academy of the Lianxiao Clan. The idea that their downfall was impossible so easily had always bothered him, and today, Grandmaster Tao Zhen's words forced him to ponder it seriously.

  After deliberation, Han Lao Fang said:

  "Grandmaster. So, can the Zhangwu Pillars truly be established?"

  The Grandmaster then sat down before him and said:

  "No. The Zhangwu Pillars cannot be established until all the pillars are completely annihilated. Even though all the pillars were seemingly destroyed in that terrifying fire, one pillar is still alive. And this is not my word, but the word of the seven pillars in the sacred Zishi Temple. As long as the existence of a pillar remains, its representing pillar in the Zishi Temple also remains alive with it. And for the past two years, the Pillar of Death has still been glowing. This means only one thing: the Pillar of Death is still alive. And as long as it is alive, the establishment of any new pillar is impossible, because there cannot be two Pillars of Death."

  The Grandmaster spoke slightly calmer this time:

  "Han Lao Fang. You have only one task, and that is to reject every order of mine in the High Assembly. Only then can we reach that person. There is no other way."

  When the conversation was over, Han Lao Fang asked one final question:

  "Grandmaster. Do you know who the Pillar of Death was?"

  The Grandmaster said:

  "No. We do not know who is chosen to be a pillar. Their identities remain secret. They always hide among the Zhi Zhu disciples. And not only us, but even the Zhi Zhu disciples who live with them did not know who among them was a member of the Zhangwu Pillars. Only their closest confidantes knew who they were."

  Han Lao Fang felt a certain heaviness inside. He had not imagined that a conspiracy could lead to such a dreadful end, where even great powers were defeated. However, hearing that one pillar was alive gave Han Lao Fang great comfort, knowing that there was at least a glimmer of hope.

  A while later, Han Lao Fang left from there, and did exactly as he was instructed: rejecting the initiation of the Cultivation Path every time in the High Assembly.

  END OF FLASHBACK

  Wushao listened carefully to everything. Eventually, they both arrived at a sharp peak of a mountain, from where the entire Lianxiao Clan was visible burnt, reduced to ruins. All around were mountains and lush green valleys, beautiful sights of captivating nature, except for the scorched Lianxiao Clan.

  Wushao looked at the scene and thought:

  "Perhaps the Zhangwu Pillars stood right here, keeping watch over the Lianxiao Clan. I wish I could have seen the Lianxiao Clan when it was whole."

  Just a few more days passed....

  And finally, Han Wuang Shi reached the main gate of the Han Clan.