Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!

The boy slid the jade box across the counter with both hands.

Inside, resting on a bed of pale silk, was a single slim jade slip, faint lines of silver script glimmering on its surface.

Xiao Pei picked it up, brushing his thumb over the cool stone.

A faint hum stirred within, like the echo of a distant bell.

"Alright, let's see if this works…" he muttered, closing his eyes as he sent a thread of spiritual sense into the slip.

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? This is Xiao Pei. Do you read? Hello? Hmm, maybe I need to wait for them to pick up first."

Du Juan pinched her brow, her expression caught between amusement and disbelief at his tone.

The boy behind the counter cleared his throat awkwardly, raising a hand.

"Um… Benefactor… sir… that jade slip is, uh… a one-way transmission."

He offered a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You can't exactly… hold a conversation with it. Also it's a one time use and will disintegrate in time."

Xiao Pei froze mid-"hello," lowering the slip slowly.

"…You could have mentioned that earlier."

Xiao Pei took a breath, pressed his will into the jade slip, and spoke steadily.

"This is Xiao Pei. I've picked up some troubling news—the Azure Phoenix Kingdom has begun moving in the shadows. The peace talks between the two kingdoms have collapsed, and war is already looming on the horizon.

The Eastern Region lies closest to their borders, which means it will be the first to feel the brunt of their armies. Consider this message a reminder to be on guard. If conflict breaks out, your Fang Clan could easily be caught in between, sandwiched by both kingdoms. Prepare yourselves in advance. As for me and Du Juan, we decided to get married so you can tell Lin Zhaoyue to worry no more."

The jade slip crumbled into ash, its glow fading into nothingness.

The boy behind the counter swallowed hard, eyes wide.

Xiao Pei dusted his hands and turned, his voice calm but firm.

"Pack up. Head home."

The youth stiffened. "I—I can't. If I leave without orders, it would be defying the Patriarch's command—"

Xiao Pei cut him off with a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I've known the Patriarch as long as I've known how to breathe. You think he cares about a run-of-the-mill stall you're keeping here? He won't spare it a thought. But your parents—" his gaze sharpened, "—your parents will weep if word reaches them of your corpse on the roadside."

"I…" The boy's mouth opened, but no words came. His fists clenched, and for a long moment he looked torn between loyalty and fear.

Du Juan stepped closer, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.

"What he means is simple. The Patriarch would rather see a living clan member return home than count another stack of coins. Don't make your parents grieve for nothing."

The boy lowered his head, lips trembling, unable to answer.

Xiao Pei sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Sorry. I worded that poorly."

His smile softened into something almost brotherly.

"But listen—if the Patriarch punishes you for coming home instead of sitting here, waiting for war to decide your life and death… then I'll run a lap around the entire kingdom stark naked. Plus... would you not listen to your clan's benefactor?"

The boy's head snapped up, utterly flabbergasted.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Behind them, Du Juan finally lost her composure. She covered her mouth, but the laughter spilled through anyway, bright and clear.

"Husband… you… running naked through the kingdom? That would truly be a sight."

"Oi!" Xiao Pei huffed, though the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement.

"Don't sound so eager."

The tension in the air eased instantly, the boy staring between the two of them.

The boy lowered his gaze, fingers curling against his robe.

"I… I started working here to earn some merit points. I want to be a strong cultivator like the Patriarch one day."

"Oh?" Xiao Pei arched a brow, smirking.

"So he's your role model, eh? That's good. Just—" he leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret, "—don't learn his speaking manner. Trust me, you'll scare off more friends than enemies."

The youth blinked, then a reluctant smile broke through his composure.

He bowed lightly. "I'll… remember that."

After a pause, he squared his shoulders, voice steadier.

"I'll do as you said. I'll pack up and return home."

Xiao Pei nodded in approval. "Good lad. Anyone else from the Fang stationed nearby?"

The boy shook his head. "No. I'm the only one here."

He hesitated, then lifted his gaze again, nervous but earnest.

"Would… would the two of you accompany me? If war truly breaks out, it would be safer to travel with others, would it not?"

Xiao Pei chuckled, shaking his head.

"We've our own plans. But—" his tone softened, "—don't worry too much. The war won't be here anytime soon, so you should be fine. Just pack up and go home. Your parents will rest easier seeing you safe."

He paused, then added with a faint smile, "And when you do, send word to the clan head for me. Tell him his sworn brother is hale and healthy."

The boy's eyes widened slightly at that, but he only nodded firmly.

"I will."

With one last bow, he turned and went back inside, already moving to pack.

"Oh, and what's your name?" Du Juan asked gently.

"It's Fang Yi, Family Guardian," the youth replied respectfully, giving her a bow before disappearing into the shop.

Du Juan inclined her head in acknowledgment, her gaze lingering on the boy's back as he vanished.

Xiao Pei's lips curved into a small smile. He turned to her and said softly, "Alright. We should also go and do what we need to do."