687: The Sibling's Conundrum

The Sibling's Conundrum

When Ming Yue reappeared, blood spurted out of all four of the bear's legs. The beast cried out, taking a step forward only to fall to the ground. With its muscles and tendons cut, it could no longer move. Despite that, it roared out weakly, defiant to the end.  1

And on its dying breath, she stood on top of the beast, beheading it with Blood Moon. 

Releasing her technique, she took a deep breath before looking over to Xing Juren and Xing Hou. Both of them were frozen in place, awestruck by her display of power. 

But she shrugged it off.

"We should bring the corpse away to somewhere further."

Jumping down, the cultivator put her hand towards the dead bear, allowing the spatial ring to swallow it whole. 

Turning to leave, she glanced back at the siblings, motioning them to come.

A short moment passed before they broke out of their shocked trance, following after her. It was only when they reached the gate of Snow Field that they felt some relief. Xing Juren carefully set his sister down. 

"Are you fine?"

He looked at her with concern, still seeing traces of shock on her face. Xing Hou looked up before nodding. 

"I... I think I'll be alright", she answered. 

Suddenly, Xiao Yin and Hei Yue came up to them, curling around her as a form of comfort. Seeing them like this, the brother turned towards Ming Yue. 

The cultivator took out the Frostflame Bear's corpse, she brandished her swords and went to work butchering the beast, skinning it and everything. 

Xing Juren approached her, calmly walking up. 

"Your cultivation, you're at the Sky Realm I take it?" he asked. 

Ming Yue nodded, making quick work of the fur pelt. 

"Please put this to the side."

She handed it to him and he placed it down beside them, neatly folded too. The young woman looked at him from the corner of her eye while she worked. 

"Was it obvious?"

Xing Juren took a moment to answer, looking at her handiwork. 

"That was a Frostflame Bear. I too am at the Sky Realm but I'm not confident that I could've dealt with it in the same manner as you", he said. 

"I see. About this bear, why do you think it was there? You said that this was the initiation ground for royals and we are nowhere near their territory. It's strange, isn't it?" Ming Yue asked.

"This... hm... I'm not so sure myself."

He rubbed his chin, thinking while looking at the partially butchered bear. 

"They usually move in groups but this one was by itself. With their sense of smell, it isn't possible for them to get lost. More than likely, this one had been driven out of the pack", he answered. 

"I see."

Ming Yue looked at the corpse in silence. With Blood Moon, she cut deeper into the flesh until she reached the core, digging it out. Holding it in her hand, it was an ice-like gem that was smaller than the Glacial Doll but the power emanating from it was much more powerful. 

She turned it around, admiring the color before putting it away. 

Hopping off, she turned to look at Xing Juren. 

"You can have the rest, I just wanted the core." 

He looked surprised. 

"So quick but are you sure? Although we helped, it was you that ended the fight. The fur, the bones, the flesh, all of it are precious materials!" 

Ming Yue nodded. 

"All I wanted was the core and this fight let me confirm something", she replied. 

"That's... I understand but I will not forget about this favor. If you need anything, please let me know."

Knowing that he could not persuade her otherwise, Xing Juren accepted this offer. Ming Yue looked at Xing Hou, who seemed to have calmed down with the help of the fox and owl. Seeing them, made her remember something. 

"Earlier, when we were traveling to the Snow Field, you and your sister were talking about me. Something about inviting me to meet these elders of yours. Could you tell me more?" 

She faced with when asking this, looking at his face. There was an awkward look before he released a defeated sigh. 

"It is complicated. Truthfully, something I'd rather not involve you in."

"Still, I'm curious. Although I've been traveling through the Xue Mountains, I don't know much about the Endless Peak Kingdom much less the royal family. I was under the impression that it was made of tribes, no? Besides, I feel as though I'm already involved now that I've done this", she said to him. 

Ming Yue wasn't lying. Apart from Heaven's Gate and the Darkwater Kingdom, she hadn't explored much else. And even though she was here, she didn't spend her time leisurely. Instead, she had been in the wild, searching for Abyssal Ice. 

If she was going to satiate her curiosity, what better than to learn more from a prince of the kingdom?

And this prince saw the look in her eyes, uncompromising but also filled with some anticipation.

Thus, he began to talk. 

"You're right. The Endless Peak Kingdom is made up of a hundred clans, each one with its own unique aspects. At its core, this kingdom is the same as most others, strength is what determines the strongest and the weakest. And the strongest clan is set to rule above all others. Xing Hou and I are part of that clan, the Xing Clan. We have been the strongest for over a hundred years so there are many who now consider us to be royalty. Hence my being a prince and her a princess", he explained. 

"So then, about inviting me, what exactly was going to happen?"

"Ah well, as you might be able to tell, a kingdom made of a hundred clans is not very cohesive. Even if the Xing Clan is the strongest, it's not as if it could rule over the others with ease. Thus, while we are considered the royal clan, we have four noble clans. Aside from my clan, they are the four strongest clans. Which leads to my sister's situation."

He hesitated to speak, glancing over to Xing Hou.

"Aside from those clans are the Elders, leaders of the hundred clans. They act as a group of advisors to my father. And well, recently, the topic of marriage has come to mind, my sister's in fact."

There was a look of shame but also helplessness. 

"I love my sister dearly and I know her better than anyone else. She is a spirited person who wishes nothing more than to go out and explore. However, ever since she had become old enough for the trial, plenty of suitors have lined up for her hand. Rather than, go through with the trial, they'd rather marry her off if it meant strengthening their bond with the clan. I know this as do our parents but with such support from the Elders, none of us could do anything."

Ming Yue looked down to see his fists clenched tightly. 

"My sister was defiant and she told them off. She'd rather do the trial than get married to someone for political gain. And while I am supportive of this, she won't be able to avoid this fate unless she is strong enough to defy them. Even with my strength, I can't do it. But that is why she wanted to invite you back."

He looked at her. 

"Even if Xing Hou doesn't have the power to go against the clan elders, if she has the backing of someone who does then she could do it. And who would be better than someone like you, a war hero with enough power to defeat a Frostflame Bear", he said. 

Xing Juren watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. 

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