Strongest Family System

The buzz of the city pressed against Robert the moment he crossed the gates. It was not simply noise—it was alive, a breathing tide of sound and sensation. The overlapping clatter of wheels, merchants shouting prices, the rhythmic chanting of cultivators promoting their sect's minor techniques, and the laughter of children skipping barefoot through alleys.

Each note blended into a song that was equal parts chaos and order, the heartbeat of Celestial Brook City.

Robert maintained the slightly worn-out appearance of a traveling tradesman. But inside, his heartbeat accelerated. All around him, he sensed qi currents flowing through the streets like invisible rivers.

Each formation embedded in the city's stone tugged at his senses. Every glance, every whisper in the crowd could conceal danger. He reminded himself: I am no longer Robert Osborn, heir of the Osborn clan. I am Roderick, a traveling merchant from the eastern provinces.

The first task was simple—secure a place to stay. Yet, in a city like this, even simple things demanded careful calculation. The wrong hotel could mean exposure.

He guided his horse through the outer districts, where the crowd grew thicker and less polished than the noble quarter glimpsed from afar. Here, vendors operated from makeshift stalls, their goods spilling over rough tables: spirit herbs of dubious quality, minor talismans that sparked faintly with trapped qi, and steaming bowls of street food that made Robert's stomach grumble despite himself. The stronger smell of alchemical brews simmering in open cauldrons blended with the aroma of spiced grilled meat.

"Traveler! You look hungry! Best skewers in all of Celestial Brook!" A vendor called, waving a dripping piece of meat.

Robert smiled faintly but shook his head. Eating in the open soon felt unwise. His eyes scanned the rooftops—archers positioned along defensive lines, qi sensors pulsing faintly from tower tops, and symbols painted on walls where different factions gambled their claims.

Even here, beyond the noble quarter, clan influence was obvious. A mural of a silver hawk denoted a guard patrol zone; a crimson lotus painted near a tavern suggested protection under one of the mid-tier sects.

He pressed on until the bustle thinned, and he spotted what he was looking for. A three-story building with weathered wood and a faded sign swinging overhead: The Gilded Carp Inn. Its paint had long peeled, but the structure stood firm, and the faint glow of protective wards traced along its foundation stones. Modest but secure, the kind of place where a merchant could vanish into anonymity.

Robert dismounted, slipping a coin to a stable boy who scurried forward. The boy's eyes widened at the horse's fine breeding, but Robert pressed a finger to his lips, passing another coin as a warning. The boy nodded vigorously and led the animal away.

Inside, the inn smelled of wood smoke, spilled ale, and old incense. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting warm light over rough tables and the half-dozen travelers scattered about. Some wore merchant cloaks like his own; others, the lighter garb of traveling cultivators. A trio of armored men huddled in a corner, their weapons stacked within reach as they whispered about some bounty in the hills.

Behind the counter, the innkeeper glanced up. She was a stout woman with shrewd eyes, the kind who had seen too many faces to be easily fooled. "Room or meal?" She asked without a preamble.

"Room. A quiet one," Robert replied, pitching his voice with the faint accent of the eastern provinces. He slid ten silver coins across the counter. "And discretion."

The woman's eyebrows rose at the generous payment, but she pocketed the coins without a word. "Second floor, end of the hall. Supper's served until moonrise if you want it."

Robert inclined his head, collected the key, and climbed the stairs. Each step creaked under his boots, but the words whispered faintly in his ears—a good sign. Whoever built this inn had invested in modest but functional protections against eavesdropping and minor intrusions.

His room was simple: a bed, a washbasin, and a shuttered window overlooking the alley. Perfect. He closed the door, traced a small concealment seal with his qi, and exhaled. Only now, in solitude, did he allow the weight of the journey to settle.

The disguise had worked at the gate. The city had accepted him. But that was only the first step.

He moved to the window, pushing the shutters open a sliver. From here, he could see deeper into the district: flickering lanterns, shadowy alleys, and the constant stream of figures passing in both directions. A courier sprinted past, carrying a scroll wrapped in crimson cord. A group of cultivators in matching dark-blue robes marched together, their insignia glowing faintly. Everywhere he looked, symbols of power overlapped, invisible lines dividing the city into territories.

Robert knew what he needed: information. The rules of the Four-Clan Competition, the current strength of Walker disciples and other clan disciples, and rumors of their allies. Information would not be found in the noble halls where elders whispered strategy. It lived here, in taverns, inns, and market stalls, carried in the mouths of ordinary people and loose-tongued cultivators.

He splashed water on his face, adjusted his cloak, and descended once more to the common room.

By now, the fire had burned lower, casting shadows that danced along the walls. More travelers had arrived: a young swordsman nursing a drink, his blade at his side; two women dressed as wandering healers; and a merchant caravan master with rings glittering on every finger. Robert took a seat at an empty table, ordered a simple bowl of stew, and listened.

At first, the room was filled with idle chatter—road conditions, bandit sightings, the rising cost of spirits. But as the ale flowed, tongues loosened.

"—heard the Walkers will unveil a new prodigy this year. Not just any disciple—one trained personally by Zalker Walker himself!"

"Ha! Empty boasts. Every year, they say the same. Still, the Osborns are finished if they even show up. Barely enough disciples to fill a team, let alone compete with the big names."

Robert stirred his stew slowly, keeping his face impassive. The words hurt, but they were valuable. The city already expected his clan to fail. That could work to their advantage if used carefully.

The caravan master laughed loudly, slamming his cup on the table. "Mark my words—the Grey Shadow Hall holds the real power. Whoever they back will have the edge. The competition is not just about skill. It is about alliances."

Grey Shadow Hall again. Robert had heard the name whispered before leaving home, but hearing it here confirmed their influence.

The swordsman, half-drunk, leaned forward conspiratorially. "Heard something else. A sect from the southern marshes is sending observers this year. Rare, that. Means they expect blood."

The room quieted briefly at his words. Even in casual gossip, there was a current of unease. Everyone understood what the Four-Clan Competition truly was: not just a contest of skill but a stage for power, humiliation, and opportunity.

Robert filed every word away. He did not need to ask questions directly—better to let others speak freely.

When he finally pushed his bowl aside, the innkeeper passed by and murmured quietly, "Walls here listen less than most, but not all. Careful what you take in, merchant."

Her eyes lingered on him, sharp and knowing. For a moment, Robert wondered if she saw through the disguise. But then she moved on, leaving him with the faint chill of uncertainty.

Back in his room, he locked the door and sat cross-legged on the bed. His mind replayed every scrap of gossip, weaving threads of truth from rumor. Prodigies in the Walker clan. Grey Shadow Hall's influence. The Osborn name has already been dismissed as irrelevant.

He clenched his hands. Let them underestimate us. Let them believe we are weak. That belief will be their undoing.

But beneath the ferocious resolve, loneliness surfaced as another emotion. Robert was the only one bearing the burden of his clan's future here in hostile territory, surrounded by strangers and derisive rumors.

There would be no allies to lean on, no father's steady voice to guide him. Only his wit, his strength, and the fragile mask of a merchant.

His chamber was a quiet little place in a city that roared with life outside. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing and the silent power of his qi throbbing inside him. There would be new opportunities at dawn: markets to visit, taverns to check out, and rumors to gather. But for the moment, he allowed himself to be held in silence.

One thought blazed bright and unwavering as sleep finally pulled at his body: I will not allow the Osborn name to be buried. I will reveal all the secrets this city has to offer.

Yet even as he drifted toward rest, Robert kept one hand near the plain silver band on his finger, the storage ring that held his true arsenal. In this city of masks and daggers, trust was a luxury, and vigilance a necessity. He would sleep, yes—but lightly, ready to wake at the faintest shift of qi.

And Robert's adventure in Celestial Brook City had really started in the silence of the Gilded Carp Inn.