Clan Head

The moment Hao Nhien stepped through the courtyard gate, he saw Quan Nha. He paused briefly before walking toward her.

She stood beneath a low tree near the edge of the courtyard, dressed in a pale blue robe, her hair loosely tied with part of it falling behind her shoulders. Moonlight softened the coldness that usually lingered on her face.

Quan Nha turned her head.

“Finished everything?”

“Not yet.” Hao Nhien smiled. “The more I read, the more I realize how much I still don’t know.”

She noticed the faint fatigue on his face but did not ask further. For the past three days, Hao Nhien had practically lived inside Lieu Thien Van’s study. If what lay ahead were not truly important, someone with his temperament would never have sat reading for so long.

Hao Nhien took out a map jade slip, checked the direction, then pointed toward a small location not far from the camp.

“Come with me for a while?”

Quan Nha studied him for a few breaths, then nodded.

“Mm.”

The two left the courtyard and passed through the southern gate of the camp. After showing their tokens, they followed a route marked on the military map.

The oasis was not far. With movement techniques, they could reach it in less than the time it took an incense stick to burn.

Hao Nhien did not move quickly, and Quan Nha did not urge him on.

At first, several steps separated them, but once the light of the camp formations gradually disappeared behind the dunes, that distance somehow vanished. They walked side by side, letting the night wind of the Western Wastes brush across their robes.

During the day, the heat here was enough to make the sand seem ready to burn, yet once night fell, the temperature dropped quickly. Beneath the moonlight, the dunes stretched into the distance like layers of silver waves.

After a while, a rare patch of green appeared in the desert.

The oasis was not large. A small lake rested between stretches of sand, surrounded by a few clusters of low vegetation and hardy palms accustomed to the dry climate. Under the moonlight, the water was clear and still, almost completely detached from the battlefield that lay not far away.

Hao Nhien stopped beside the water and laughed.

“Water again.”

Quan Nha looked at him.

“What do you mean?”

“The first time I met you at Tieu Dao Mountain, there was a lake nearby. Then in the Outer Sect Secret Realm, there was a stream.” Hao Nhien looked over the water. “And now, even in the Western Wastes, we end up at an oasis.”

Quan Nha narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Are you saying something always happens whenever you meet me near water?”

Hao Nhien immediately corrected himself.

“Only good things.”

Quan Nha stared at him for a moment, then finally failed to suppress a smile.

It appeared only briefly, but beneath the moonlight it nearly erased the coldness from her face.

The two chose a low rock beside the lake and sat down. Their shoulders nearly touched. A cool breeze passed over the water, making the silence between them feel peaceful rather than heavy.

Quan Nha watched the moon reflected across the lake for a long while before speaking.

“Sometimes I still think about those days.”

Hao Nhien turned toward her.

“When we first met, I truly thought you were unbearable.” The corner of her lips curved slightly. “Then I started noticing that every time I found myself in trouble, somehow you would appear somewhere nearby.”

“The way you say that makes it sound like I specialize in bringing trouble to you.”

“That would not be entirely wrong.”

Hao Nhien fell silent for a breath before laughing.

Quan Nha laughed as well, but her gaze soon returned to the lake.

“And then, without knowing when it started, I began thinking about you even when I was alone.”

Her voice remained calm. She made no attempt to give the words greater weight, yet that very naturalness left Hao Nhien unsure how to respond at once.

After a moment, Quan Nha continued.

“You are clearly not the kind of person who makes others feel at ease. Trouble follows you everywhere, and when trouble comes, you always like rushing to the front yourself. But after being around you for so long, I realized I no longer feel as lonely as I once did.”

Hao Nhien studied her profile.

He remembered the Quan Nha he had first met, the cold distance that had almost formed a wall between her and everyone around her. Then he remembered the battles they had fought together, the wounds they had suffered, and the moments when either of them might easily have died.

He reached out and took her hand.

Quan Nha did not pull away.

Only after a long while did Hao Nhien speak.

“Quan Nha, before I leave, there are some things I want to make clear.”

“Mm.”

“In my memories, there has always been someone named Anh Nhien.”

Quan Nha remained silent and waited.

“She was once the most important person to me. During a certain incident, a very powerful existence took her away. I do not know where she is now, or even how far away she might be. But as long as there is even a chance of finding her, I will go.”

Hao Nhien looked across the lake, his voice quiet.

“That is something I cannot let go.”

Quan Nha did not look surprised. Hao Nhien had mentioned the name Anh Nhien before, but this was the first time he had spoken about her so directly.

He continued.

“As for Tieu Lan, she has been with me since my earliest days in this world. She took care of me, trusted me, waited for me, and many times placed me before herself. I did not fully understand her feelings before, but now I can no longer pretend I do not know.”

His hand tightened slightly around Quan Nha’s.

“I cherish her.”

Quan Nha remained silent.

Hao Nhien turned toward her.

“And now, there is you.”

This time, their eyes met.

“I do not know what the right name for all these feelings is. Sometimes I think I may be too greedy. I keep receiving everyone’s feelings, while the road ahead of me is so dangerous. I do not know whether one day I will be able to give enough in return.”

Quan Nha looked at him for a long time before turning back toward the lake.

“I do not think that far.”

Hao Nhien was slightly taken aback.

Quan Nha spoke slowly.

“I grew up being used to many things I could not choose for myself. Here in the Western Wastes, no one can even be certain they will still be alive tomorrow. So I do not want to turn feelings into a problem where every outcome has to be calculated in advance.”

She tilted her head toward him.

“I am happy when I am with you. For now, that is enough.”

Hao Nhien said nothing.

“I have seen how Tieu Lan feels about you. As for Anh Nhien, even though I do not understand everything, I know you will not give up on her.” Quan Nha paused before continuing. “I do not need you to deny the people who were already in your heart before me.”

Taken from NovelPhoenix, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

She tightened her fingers around his hand.

“But Hao Nhien, if you accept someone’s feelings, then you need to understand what you are doing. I do not want a day to come when everyone ends up hurt simply because you were unwilling to speak clearly.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“I understand.”

“I do not need you to make promises about some distant future,” Quan Nha said. “Just do not use uncertainty as a way to avoid facing things.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I won’t.”

Quan Nha said no more. She simply rested her head lightly against his shoulder.

The two remained beside the lake for a long time.

After a stretch of silence, Hao Nhien finally spoke again.

“I will have to leave very soon this time. The City Lord will arrange for you to return to Third City.”

Quan Nha gave a quiet acknowledgment.

“There is something I want to ask of you.”

“Tieu Lan?”

Hao Nhien looked at her, slightly surprised.

Quan Nha replied calmly,

“Who else would you ask me about?”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“It is Tieu Lan. The City Lord has already agreed not to let her follow the squad deep into the frontline anymore, but I still cannot completely stop worrying. She can be stubborn, especially when something involves me.”

“I’ll watch over her.”

“Do not let her think she has been left behind.”

This time, Quan Nha did not answer immediately. Her gaze remained on the lake for a little longer before she said softly,

“I know what to say to her.”

Hao Nhien nodded and took a small letter from his storage bag.

“I wrote this for her.”

Quan Nha accepted it, glanced at the envelope, then carefully slipped it into her sleeve.

“I’ll give it to her personally.”

Hao Nhien let out a quiet breath.

Only then did Quan Nha ask,

“The City Lord only told me that you are about to take on a secret mission. I assume it is even more important than the courier mission.”

Hao Nhien did not deny it.

“I cannot tell you the objective yet.”

“I know.”

Quan Nha did not ask further.

That only made Hao Nhien feel more guilty.

But if even she did not know where he was truly heading, the chance of someone tracing his objective through her would be much lower. He trusted Quan Nha, but he could not guarantee that no one was watching her.

Quan Nha looked at him.

“I only have one request.”

“Tell me.”

“Come back.”

Hao Nhien smiled.

“I’ll try.”

“Not try.”

Quan Nha looked directly into his eyes.

“Come back.”

Hao Nhien fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

“All right. I’ll come back.”

Only then did her expression soften.

“I will cultivate while you are gone as well.”

“Not just to wait for you. If you have to travel somewhere even farther next time, I want to be strong enough to choose whether I go with you or not, rather than simply being left behind because I am too weak.”

Hao Nhien looked at her, and something in his chest loosened.

This was the Quan Nha he knew. Not someone who would simply stand behind and wait, but someone who wanted to become strong enough to choose her own path.

“I’ll wait for that day.”

Quan Nha smiled.

“Then do not go too far ahead.”

Hao Nhien reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Quan Nha did not resist.

The distance between them slowly disappeared. Hao Nhien lowered his head and kissed her. At first it was gentle, but when Quan Nha wrapped her arms around his neck, the kiss naturally deepened.

Neither of them rushed.

In a land where someone might die tomorrow, there was no need to explain such closeness with too many words. They had already passed through danger together, watched each other bleed, and stood through moments when they had not known whether they would ever meet again.

A quiet night beside the lake was precious enough.

They remained at the oasis for a long time. Sometimes they spoke about small things from the Tieu Dao Sect. Sometimes Quan Nha mentioned things Tieu Lan had done that had surprised her. At other times, they simply sat in silence and watched the moonlight fracture across the water beneath the wind.

By the time the moon had risen high, Hao Nhien gently brushed a hand through her hair.

“We should head back.”

Quan Nha nodded.

They stood, adjusted their robes, and followed the same route back toward the camp. This time they moved more slowly than before. Neither spoke much, but their hands remained joined through most of the journey.

No farewell was spoken.

Both understood that this was not yet a true parting. It was simply an unspoken promise that they would survive, continue growing stronger, and meet again somewhere farther along the road ahead.

The next morning, just as the sun rose above the distant dunes, a knock sounded outside Hao Nhien’s room.

He opened his eyes.

They had returned late the night before, but he had not slept deeply. The things he had read over the past three days still mingled in his mind with the Fire Qilin Jade, the Firmament, Tieu Lan, and his conversation with Quan Nha.

He sat up, adjusted his robe, and spoke.

“Come in.”

A black-armored guard opened the door and bowed.

“Young Master Hao, the City Lord requests your presence in the council hall.”

“I understand.”

Hao Nhien washed quickly, checked his storage bag and Tieu Dao Sword, then followed the guard out of the courtyard.

The frontline camp was already fully awake.

A patrol that had just changed shifts crossed the square. Formation cultivators were checking the formation pillars, while battle flags atop the watchtowers snapped in the first winds of the morning beneath the rising sun.

Hao Nhien headed directly toward the command building.

The council hall was quieter than usual.

Lieu Thien Van sat in the main seat. Before him were only three cups of steaming tea and an open map of the Western Wastes. Beside him stood two men Hao Nhien had never seen before.

The moment he entered, his attention went first to the man on the left.

He was a middle-aged man of around forty, his skin darkened by years of sun and wind. His hair was tied neatly behind him, with several strands of gray already visible at the temples. Small scars around the corners of his eyes and along his cheekbones made his already stern face look even more weathered.

He wore an old desert battle outfit that had been patched in several places but remained clean. A short curved saber rested across his back, its sheath marked by years of wear.

His aura was deep and steady.

Hao Nhien could not determine his exact level, but from the faint pressure of his spiritual power, he could tell the man had entered mid Foundation Establishment and possessed a remarkably solid foundation.

The second man was much younger, around twenty-five. He had a sturdy build, broad shoulders, and brighter, more agile eyes than the man beside him. A longbow made from dark spirit wood rested across his back, with faint red flame-like patterns near both ends. The quiver at his side was not large, but the exposed shafts of several arrows bore tiny Fire-element talismans.

The young man’s aura had also moved beyond early Foundation Establishment.

Mid Foundation Establishment.

But compared with the older man, his spiritual power had not yet settled as deeply.

What caught Hao Nhien’s attention more was the air around them.

The Western Wastes had left a very clear mark on both men.

Not like people who had simply spent a few years in the military camp and been weathered by wind and sand, but as if the desert had been part of them since long before that.

Hao Nhien entered the hall and cupped his fists.

“Greetings, City Lord.”

Lieu Thien Van nodded.

“Sit.”

The moment Hao Nhien sat down, the two unfamiliar men turned their attention toward him.

Lieu Thien Van did not waste time.

“I told you yesterday that I would find trustworthy people with ties to the Fire Qilin Tribe. These two are the best choices available.”

He gestured toward the middle-aged man.

“Lanh Hoa.”

“He has served along the Western Wastes defensive line for many years and has spent the last three frequently operating from this camp.”

Lanh Hoa cupped his fists toward Hao Nhien with precise form, but said nothing.

Lieu Thien Van then looked toward the younger man.

“Luu Thanh. He is also from the Fire Qilin Tribe and joined the military after Lanh Hoa. He specializes in archery, knows desert terrain well, and has traveled through several routes that are not fully recorded on current military maps.”

Luu Thanh also cupped his fists.

Hao Nhien returned the greeting with a nod.

Lieu Thien Van looked at both men.

“What follows is strictly confidential. Once you leave this room, you are not to mention any of it to anyone without either my permission or Hao Nhien’s.”

Both Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh immediately became serious.

“Understood.”

Lieu Thien Van did not continue at once.

He glanced at Hao Nhien, then turned back to the two men and spoke slowly.

“I have already told you about the current condition of the Fire Qilin Tribe. The tribe is divided, many of the old people have scattered, and outside forces have already interfered from within. If this continues, sooner or later the Fire Qilin Tribe will completely lose the ability to decide its own future.”

Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh remained silent.

Lieu Thien Van continued,

“The Fire Qilin Jade has acknowledged Hao Nhien.”

Their expressions changed immediately.

“More importantly, Hao Nhien has accepted the responsibility of returning, gathering those who still want the Fire Qilin Tribe to remain in the hands of its own people, and finding a way to restore the tribe. That path is extremely dangerous. If his identity is exposed, he may have to pay with his life.”

Silence filled the hall for several breaths.

Lanh Hoa stared at Hao Nhien for a long moment. Then he stepped forward and dropped directly to one knee.

“Clan Head.”

Hao Nhien froze.

Luu Thanh immediately knelt beside him.

“Clan Head.”

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

“Stand up first. Being acknowledged by the Fire Qilin Jade is only the first step. If I truly want to become Clan Head, I still need to reach the Fire Qilin Tribe and be acknowledged by the Fire Qilin Altar.”

Lanh Hoa raised his head. His face remained cold, almost expressionless.

“I know.”

Then he added only one sentence.

“But in my heart, you are already worthy of that position.”

Luu Thanh immediately nodded.

“I feel the same.”

Hao Nhien looked at the two of them for a moment before deciding not to argue further.

“Fine. Stand up.”

Only then did Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh rise.

Hao Nhien said nothing more, but the words Clan Head suddenly carried far more weight than when Lieu Thien Van had first spoken of him as a nominal successor.

This time, the title did not come from ancient custom.

It came from two members of the Fire Qilin Tribe who were truly placing their hopes on him.

Hao Nhien looked toward Lieu Thien Van.

The old man simply lifted his teacup, clearly having no intention of interfering.

Hao Nhien withdrew his gaze. When he looked at Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh again, the title Clan Head no longer felt merely unfamiliar.

There was still doubt in their eyes, along with excitement, but beneath both lay a deeper fear that this newly appeared hope might vanish again. It reminded Hao Nhien of someone who had crossed the desert for far too long, finally seeing the shimmer of water on the horizon but still unable to believe it was not a mirage.

To Hao Nhien, the Fire Qilin Jade was an opportunity, a clue, and a path that could lead deeper into the Western Wastes, perhaps even toward secrets connected to the Firmament.

To Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh, however, it meant something entirely different.

Perhaps they had been waiting for a hope like this for a very long time.

Only then did Lieu Thien Van place his cup back on the table.

“Good. Now that the matter of how you address him is settled, let us discuss the real issue.”

He pulled the map of the Western Wastes toward the center of the table. Lanh Hoa and Luu Thanh stepped closer at once.

Hao Nhien leaned forward as well.

Lieu Thien Van pointed toward a region deep in the west, where the military map contained only a few scattered lines.

“From here onward, Third City’s maps begin to lose accuracy.”

Lanh Hoa nodded.

“Not only because the area has not been fully explored.”

He pointed toward a narrow passage between two stretches of red rock.

“The terrain of the Western Wastes changes. Some places remain the same for years. Others can become completely different after a single season of heavy winds. Certain old routes have also been deliberately erased by the tribes.”

Hao Nhien asked,

“Do we need to pass through here to reach the Fire Qilin Tribe?”

“Not necessarily.”

Lanh Hoa studied the map.

“The main route is faster, but it is also the easiest place to be recognized.”

Hao Nhien narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Then which route do we take?”

Lanh Hoa did not answer immediately.

His finger slowly moved south, circling around a vast blank region before stopping over an area marked by almost nothing.

“The Fire Qilin route.”

Hao Nhien looked at the location.

Lieu Thien Van’s map contained almost no information there.

Lanh Hoa raised his head.

“If Clan Head truly intends to return to the Fire Qilin Tribe, this is where we begin.”

Hao Nhien stared at the faint line on the map and understood clearly.

From this moment onward, the journey had truly begun.