Chapter 3- war between families
Early morning the next day, the family officials went out in a fearsome formation. This could be the start of a provoked war not many would survive leaving the family branches weak and defenceless, I couldn't lead the family do this, in my previous life I read through most of the reports each major family held from this incident that I couldn't be involved in; however, this time is completely different. This time I'm here and I'm ready for the upcoming events and will change everyone's fate.
The next morning, I headed to the courtyard. My family already waiting for me, although the cultivators from my family are few counting myself there are three. This made our family seem weak however, it was a matter of time before our small common branch family would be snuffed out and not heard of again. Every morning the family would have basic trainings such as Tai chi or Qi gong this was due to its life expectancy extension and efficient uses. While my family know I stepped onto the cultivator's path they don't know I know martial principles, of course this wouldn't be natural as I barely left the confines of the family grounds. I've only been out for small amount of time. What I decided to do was to practice a spear art that will solidify my foundations and make them sturdy. The spear art I am going to master is the basic military standard spear thrusts. Although this art was basic that was 100 years in the future, if it was issued in today's time, it would be akin to a revelation of human advancement.
The art is disciplined on being still, focused and as strong as a mountain, this was key for the military as facing other militia would take a great deal of will power and bravery. The family training for the day was over after a measly 6 hours. However, I decided to stay for a prolonged time despite my mother's adamant preaching for me to turn in and join them for dinner. The spear arts Alaec practiced, after staying in a firm position for multiple hours to near exhaustion had a minor achievement this being the small success circle of the art.
The spear art has a total of 8 sets of movements along with a basic step technique, he was only able to achieve the lower mastery due to knowing the art through and through. The only problem Alaec faced was the fact that he didn't have the muscle memory as he would have before regressing, his power had taken a small leap. The strength Alaec had now was enough for him to take on same realm experts in normal circumstances however, due to his root already being a strange void along with the turtle art, fighting those of a minor realm higher easily and those two levels above would be on even playing fields.
After I had confirmed my progress, I went to my chambers and bathed washing the sweat off due to my training. By this time, it was late evening, and the family was setting up for our tea, these are the time I missed and want to preserve these moments for now and onwards. The tension between the families had gotten worse as of late and everyone seemed to be on edge in the family. I could tell that my father didn't have it easy since he was the branch leader and had the lives of the family in his palms, this was a serious matter and he had to decide a plan with the least number of casualties involved in this war. Since this was a time that I couldn't show my future knowledge, I had suggested where the other families would set their men to ambush us in the upcoming skirmish, simply saying I had an intent of foreboding had led my father to be inclined to hear me out. I was able to do this due to my achievements in the martial Dao in tactics among countless Dao paths.
Of course, my father had listened to my advice, honestly sometimes I feel like my he could see into the depths of my words and understand the inner linings of my words and advises.
Later that day
My father was planning to make the first move against his assailants, as they say "those who act faster win" of course this was a known saying as I read it in a strategy book. That's now the past and isn't here in my time now, after reminiscing about the past I decided to move on and call my father. When entering his office, I greeted him "greetings father, have you been well?" he simple looked at me and nodded before adding "indeed son, come, sit!".
I did as instruct and sat down before him, he looked at the report and hummed in satisfaction. It seemed as if the plans we had set out had borne fruit, "so…. you know what I'm going to say?"
I looked at him in false confusion, "explain to me. How my son, a mortal stepped onto the paths of an immortal!". I expected as much, it's a lot to hold back given the current family circumstances, my father was the head of this branch family, so his stress is already so death defyingly heavy that my change has almost made him crumble under all the pressure.
"I apologise father. however, it's hard to explain and whether you believe me after my story is hardly possible." He looked at me long and hard, at some point it went from the stubborn willed patriarch of the family to the warm look of a father cooing over his child. "I'm proud of you Alaec, you've done the unimaginable and made it the truth it is today…Now it comes to the real purpose of my calling you here." As he said this, the air in the room felt as if a fume of icy lustre stagnated among us.
"I'm sending you to the front lines to fight for the family! The elder hall has discussed and wanted you to gain merits for our branch, of course you have the right to refuse because we won't force you son."
I could feel the sincerity behind my father's words; however, I could see the excitement hidden behind my father's withered eyes. This was a long time coming after being shunned by the many other families and main families, the heartache he must have felt all this time but kept a strong front to hide the sorrows that plagued him day and night.
"this humble son of yours accepts the families mission and will faithfully complete this task" me saying this has set me on a path of no return. After all, a man without his word is hardly a man at all much less a warrior.
The next morning, I finished basic training, utilising the horse stance while holding onto the spear, this was to both train the legs and forearms. After basic training Alaec went to the front lines main camp, upon entering the main gates of the campgrounds I was stopped by two unceasingly idotic soldiers. "what's the trash of the family doing at a camp for the warriors, right brother?" this was spoken by the shorter fatter of the two soldiers, "that's right brother, no one like this trash should be here!" this being said by the second of the two a young man both tall and thin enough to pick a dragon's teeth so to say.
Alaec simply looked at the two in an aloof expression, "and what gives you couple of married cowards to be here and tarnish the family's name, you don't get to decide who comes and goes since you could be removed like waste at the bottom of a barrel". This struck the two dumbly, despite being bigger and stronger why were they afraid of the family trash, the reason was the look in Alaec's eyes, he had used a traceless killer's intent to shake their martial root. The technique used by Alaec was something that most cultivators who have slain a living being could acquire and use efficiency given enough time to train it.
While the two were shaken and didn't dare to move Alaec unhurriedly walked to the main tent, upon entering the tent Alaec had been evaluated by the undeniable aura that had presided in this tent, the force of aura had engulfed Alaec and had rendered his qi useless.
The silhouetted shadow facing away from Alaec leant over the war table, the back of the man felt big, bigger than any wall this young self had ever seen, however, the fact that the soul of Alaec has seen numerous amount of battles and has seen countless deaths both by his own hands or watching from not so much as a distance than a few feet. Alaec had walked up behind the man and made his presence known "Ahem! Are you the commander of encampment?" the tone Alaec used wasn't one of complete arrogance but a tone and attitude of confidence and reliability.
"I am indeed the commander In charge of this site, you must be the young soldier of the family!" through this Alaec could infer that some rumours had spread or at least his father had already sent a messenger pigeon a head of himself. "now that you're here why don't we make a small-scale skirmish strategy." Alaec was already quite pleased with this soldier's attitude and aura around him, "yes, I believe we should, commander" Alaec showed a respectful tone and shown an etiquette befitting of a noble commander.