The Sandwood Tribe

When Hao Nhien and Tieu Nhan returned to the central square, a long convoy had appeared in front of the Sand Thunder Tribe’s main hall. Each wagon was covered with dark-green cloth, while the large wooden chests stacked on top were bound with red cords and engraved with faint Wood-affinity patterns. Although none of the lids had been opened, the scent of spiritual herbs and precious timber had already spread through the square, enough for anyone with experience to understand that the gifts were anything but ordinary.

Two rows of Sandwood cultivators stood beside the wagons. Their robes were green-brown, with silver root patterns embroidered along the hems. Most were at late Qi Condensation, while the two men stationed closest to the hall had already reached early Foundation Establishment.

The group was not excessively large, yet it was more than enough to display the status of the person leading them.

Tieu Nhan glanced at the chests only once before continuing forward. After the conversation beneath the ancient Thunderwood Tree, her eyes were still slightly red, but her steps had become steadier. She did not turn to look at Hao Nhien, nor did she show any intention of avoiding the Sandwood cultivators gathered around the square.

The two of them had barely reached the stone steps when a young man’s voice came from inside the hall.

“Uncle Cat Thanh, the Sandwood Tribe has come today with the sincerity we promised from the beginning. The marriage between our two tribes has not been discussed for only a day or two. If everything that was agreed before can simply be treated as though it never existed because Miss Tieu Nhan is unhappy for the moment, I fear even my father would have difficulty understanding such a decision.”

Tieu Nhan stopped at the doorway.

Her hand tightened slightly at her side, but after only a brief pause, she stepped directly into the hall.

“This is not a moment of unhappiness.”

Her voice rang clearly through the room.

“I do not agree to the marriage.”

The hall immediately fell silent.

Hao Nhien entered behind her, and his gaze quickly settled on the young man standing beside the guest table.

He was taller than most men Hao Nhien had encountered in the Western Wastes. His green-brown robe was neatly tailored, with the image of an ancient tree embroidered across one shoulder, its roots sinking deep into the sand. His long hair was tied behind his back with a pale-green jade ring, and the aura of late Foundation Establishment surrounding him was steady and controlled. The Wood spiritual power around his body was dense without being disorderly, carrying a distinct vitality that made his cultivation path easy to recognize.

At first glance, Sa Binh did not resemble the kind of arrogant young master accustomed to being indulged. His features were composed, his expression calm, and his manner carried the proper restraint of someone raised within a well-established tribe. Only when Tieu Nhan appeared did his gaze linger slightly longer than before, though it quickly returned to normal.

Cat Thanh sat in the main seat. When he saw his daughter enter, he slowly set down his teacup.

“Tieu Nhan, since you are back, explain your decision yourself.”

Tieu Nhan walked to the center of the hall. She did not stand behind her father, nor did she move toward Hao Nhien. Instead, she faced Sa Binh directly.

“Sa Binh, I will not accept the betrothal gifts, and I do not agree to this marriage.”

Sa Binh looked at her for a moment. The polite smile on his face had not yet disappeared.

“Tieu Nhan, we have met several times. I do not believe I have ever treated you disrespectfully, nor has the Sandwood Tribe ever looked down on Sand Thunder. If you refuse, then at the very least I would like to know why.”

Tieu Nhan did not look away.

“Because I do not like you, and I do not want to marry you.”

Several Sandwood cultivators behind Sa Binh showed faint changes in expression, but none spoke. Cat Thanh remained seated, while Hao Nhien simply stood to one side and watched.

Sa Binh was silent for several breaths before asking,

“Only because of that?”

“For something that means spending the rest of my life with someone, is that not enough?”

Tieu Nhan met his gaze directly.

“I do not deny that the Sandwood Tribe is strong, nor do I deny your talent or cultivation. But none of those things can decide for me whom I want to spend my life with. I would be the one entering that marriage, and I do not want it.”

Sa Binh’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of his cup before relaxing again. Rather than continue arguing with her, he turned toward Cat Thanh.

“Uncle Cat Thanh, is this also your decision?”

“Yes.”

Cat Thanh nodded.

“She has made herself clear, and I have decided to respect her choice.”

Sa Binh watched him for a while.

“But before this, you said that if the two sides got along well, the marriage could still be discussed.”

“I remember.”

Cat Thanh did not avoid the question.

“But I was wrong at the time.”

Sa Binh paused slightly.

Cat Thanh rested both hands on his knees. His voice was not loud, yet every word carried clearly through the hall.

“I once believed that as long as the Sandwood Tribe was strong enough, the marriage benefited both sides, and the man chosen for her was not someone unworthy, then asking Tieu Nhan to yield a little was acceptable. Recently, however, I realized that I would not be the one living with that choice for the rest of my life. If Sand Thunder needs another ally, then I should find a way to keep the tribe standing through my own efforts. I cannot make my daughter carry that burden for everyone else.”

He looked directly at Sa Binh.

“So the marriage ends here.”

A trace of coldness passed through Sa Binh’s eyes, but his tone remained controlled.

“I have never viewed this matter as a transaction. The Sandwood Tribe brought these gifts according to proper custom, and I sincerely intended to marry Tieu Nhan. If the two tribes became connected through marriage, Sand Thunder would gain more stable access to medicinal materials, water, and trade routes, while Sandwood would gain a strong ally in this region. From my perspective, it was meant to benefit both sides.”

Tieu Nhan replied,

“Something that benefits two tribes does not automatically benefit the person who must live inside that marriage.”

Sa Binh turned toward her.

“Tieu Nhan, someone born into a major tribe can rarely live only for themselves. I think you understand that better than most.”

Tieu Nhan remained silent for a moment before answering.

“I understand. Since childhood, I have been told to think of the tribe, to know when sacrifice is necessary, and to place the greater situation first. I have never denied my responsibilities toward Sand Thunder, but if that so-called greater situation always requires one person to live against their own will, then that person should at least have the right to ask whether the sacrifice is truly necessary.”

She paused briefly.

“If Sand Thunder needs me to fight, I can fight. If the tribe needs me to cross a sandstorm to search for someone, I can do that too. But using my entire life to obtain an alliance I do not want is something I cannot accept.”

Cat Thanh looked at his daughter without speaking, though his gaze softened slightly.

Sa Binh did not answer immediately either. He studied Tieu Nhan for a long moment before letting out a quiet breath.

“It seems I truly have nothing more to say about the marriage.”

Tieu Nhan replied,

“I never asked you to bring these gifts. Everything you brought still belongs to Sandwood, and Sand Thunder has no need to accept it.”

Sa Binh turned toward Cat Thanh.

Cat Thanh nodded.

“I will have everything checked. Whatever Sandwood brought will be returned in full. Not a single item will be missing.”

Sa Binh did not object. His gaze swept across the hall before finally settling on Hao Nhien.

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Since entering, Hao Nhien had barely spoken. He had simply stood to one side, calmly observing the discussion between the two tribes.

Sa Binh spoke.

“You must be Hao Nhien, Clan Head of the Fire Qilin Tribe. I have heard your name quite often recently.”

Hao Nhien looked at him.

“I am.”

“Do you have nothing to say?”

“This is Tieu Nhan’s matter. She has already spoken clearly for herself. There is no need for me to speak in her place.”

Sa Binh raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Fire Qilin only recently formed an alliance with Sand Thunder, and you happen to be here at the very moment this marriage arrangement changes. If outsiders hear of this, it would be difficult to prevent some of them from believing that the two matters are connected.”

Tieu Nhan was about to speak, but Hao Nhien answered calmly before she could.

“You want to know whether this has anything to do with me?”

“I simply want to understand how I should interpret the current situation.”

There was little jealousy in Sa Binh’s question. It sounded more like an attempt to test the relationship before him.

Hao Nhien met his gaze.

“Even if I were not here today, Tieu Nhan’s answer would be the same. She has refused in front of everyone. I do not see what else needs to be guessed.”

Sa Binh watched him for several breaths.

“You seem very certain.”

“Because I trust the words of the person standing in front of me.”

The hall fell quiet for a moment.

Sa Binh slowly sat down again, lifting his teacup without drinking from it.

“Very well. I have heard the answer regarding the marriage. Then we can discuss something else.”

Cat Thanh narrowed his eyes slightly.

Sa Binh looked toward him.

“The Sandwood Tribe has recently been expanding its trade routes toward the east. If Sand Thunder still wishes to cooperate, we can continue exchanging medicinal materials, water, and spiritwood as before, and even increase the scale. In return, Sandwood wants a share of the mining rights along the Lightning-aspected ore route north of Sand Thunder territory.”

Cat Thanh did not answer immediately.

“Is that all?”

“That is the trade condition.”

Sa Binh set down his cup.

“But Sandwood has another proposal. We believe Sand Thunder should remain neutral in the conflict between Fire Qilin and Heavenly Eye.”

The atmosphere in the hall changed immediately.

Cat Thanh looked at him.

“Is that the Sandwood Tribe’s position?”

“It is advice based on the current situation.”

Sa Binh answered calmly.

“Heavenly Eye has existed in the Western Wastes for a very long time. Its strength and network reach much deeper than what the tribes outside it can see. The Fire Qilin Tribe has only recently gathered again, while Sand Thunder has not returned to the height of its former strength. If you become directly involved in this conflict, the price may far exceed anything you gain.”

Cat Thanh did not look away.

“Has Sandwood already sided with Heavenly Eye?”

Sa Binh remained silent for a moment before replying,

“Sandwood is simply choosing the path we believe offers the greatest benefit to our tribe.”

The answer neither confirmed nor denied anything.

Hao Nhien saw Tieu Nhan’s gaze turn cold.

Sa Binh looked toward him again.

“Clan Head Hao Nhien, I have heard a great deal about what happened in Heavenly Eye Forward City. You stood before a great crowd and spoke about the right to choose, then led them out of the city. I do not deny that doing so required courage.”

He paused slightly.

“But the people of the Western Wastes still need water, food, medicine, and shelter if they want to live. If a tribe cannot preserve those basic things, then no matter how often it speaks of freedom, death will still be waiting at the end. Heavenly Eye has been preparing in this land for far too long. Courage and a few stirring words will not be enough to oppose them.”

Hao Nhien did not become angry.

“You are right about part of it.”

Sa Binh paused.

Hao Nhien continued.

“The people of the Western Wastes need water, food, medicine, and the strength to protect themselves. If they do not even possess those things, then freedom becomes nothing more than a word that can easily be carried away by the desert wind.”

He looked directly at Sa Binh.

“But the problem is that Heavenly Eye is turning those very necessities into chains. When water, food, roads, and even the right to survive depend on submitting to a single power, what remains is a life lived under conditions set by someone else.”

Sa Binh asked,

“At least they are still alive. If a free choice leads an entire tribe to destruction, would you still call that choice correct?”

Hao Nhien did not answer at once.

“I cannot decide for another tribe what it should choose, nor do I intend to drag others to their deaths simply to prove myself right. The people who left Forward City that day walked out on their own after understanding what they might face.”

He glanced toward Tieu Nhan before looking back at Sa Binh.

“It is the same today. Tieu Nhan has made her own choice. You may disagree, but if someone understands the price and still wishes to decide for themselves, I do not believe anyone else has the right to live that life in their place.”

Sa Binh fell silent.

This time, he did not answer immediately. He only turned the teacup slowly in his hand.

After a while, he looked toward Cat Thanh.

“Then Sand Thunder has decided to stand with Fire Qilin?”

Cat Thanh replied,

“Sand Thunder has already formed an alliance with Fire Qilin. We will watch Heavenly Eye’s movements together. We have no intention of provoking a war, but neither will we stand aside while our ally is pressured step by step.”

Sa Binh gave a small nod.

“I understand.”

Cat Thanh looked at him.

“If Sandwood wishes to continue fair trade, Sand Thunder’s gates remain open. But if cooperation requires us to abandon an alliance we have already sworn, then there is nothing more to discuss.”

Sa Binh remained quiet for a moment before standing.

“Understood.”

He cupped his fists toward Cat Thanh.

“Clan Head Cat Thanh, Sa Binh has received your answer today. I will report the matter of the marriage fully to my father, and Sandwood will reconsider future cooperation between our tribes based on this new situation.”

His farewell remained proper, but the distance in his tone was clearer than before.

Then he turned toward Tieu Nhan.

“I respect the answer you gave today.”

Tieu Nhan looked at him.

“Thank you.”

Sa Binh continued.

“But relations between two tribes are not decided by us alone. I cannot promise what choice Sandwood will make after I return.”

Cat Thanh answered,

“I understand.”

Finally, Sa Binh looked at Hao Nhien.

“Your courage is considerable. I only hope your strength is great enough to carry the road you have chosen.”

Hao Nhien cupped his fists.

“And I hope the Sandwood Tribe considers carefully before choosing its own road.”

Sa Binh did not become angry. He only smiled faintly.

“Right and wrong are sometimes things one only learns after walking all the way to the end.”

With that, he turned and left the hall.

The Sandwood guards immediately followed. Outside in the square, their people quickly checked all the gifts and loaded every chest back onto the wagons. There was no shouting, no argument, and no attempt to leave anything behind. The entire convoy prepared to depart in perfect order, and that calmness made the atmosphere in front of the hall feel heavier than an open quarrel would have.

Cat Thanh stood on the stone steps, watching the wagons gradually leave the square.

After a while, he said,

“Sa Binh controls himself better than I expected. A man who can swallow his anger is often harder to read than one who immediately draws a blade.”

Hao Nhien stood beside him.

“At least he maintained proper conduct and did not sever relations outright. But after today, Sandwood will certainly view Sand Thunder differently.”

Cat Thanh nodded.

“I know.”

Tieu Nhan came out last. She watched the wagons pass through the main gate, and there was neither lingering tearfulness nor regret on her face.

Cat Thanh turned toward his daughter.

“Are you still angry with me?”

Tieu Nhan remained quiet for a moment before answering.

“Yes. What happened before cannot disappear simply because you changed your mind today.”

Cat Thanh gave a helpless smile.

“I know.”

Tieu Nhan looked at him.

“But I also know that you have changed. I cannot stop being angry immediately, but I will not keep avoiding you either.”

Cat Thanh did not step forward to embrace her. He only remained beside her and nodded.

“That is enough.”

The wind of the Western Wastes swept across the stone steps, carrying with it the lingering scent of spiritual herbs from the departing Sandwood convoy.

After a while, Tieu Nhan turned toward Hao Nhien.

“You are leaving soon?”

“Yes. I need to continue toward the forward camp.”

Cat Thanh spoke.

“Stay one more night and leave tomorrow morning. You only just arrived and have already had to deal with all of this. Resting one night will not delay you by much.”

Hao Nhien shook his head.

“The Fire Qilin Tribe has already begun leaving the ancestral homeland, while Luu Thanh and the people ahead are still farther east. I need to meet Lieu Thien Van and arrange support before the main group reaches the region around Tam Thành. Delaying even one more day could force many plans afterward to change.”

Cat Thanh did not try to keep him after hearing that.

He took three dark-purple talismans from his storage ring. Fine lightning patterns intertwined across their surfaces, occasionally releasing a weak spark.

“These are Sand Thunder’s Lightning Message Talismans. As long as you are within sufficient range of one of our contact points, each can transmit a short message. I will give you three. If you encounter trouble on the road or discover major movements from Heavenly Eye, use them.”

Hao Nhien accepted the talismans, examined them briefly, and stored them away.

“Thank you.”

Cat Thanh looked at him more seriously.

“Be careful on the road east. Heavenly Eye already knows your name, and after today, Sandwood will also be paying much closer attention to Fire Qilin. The Western Wastes are changing faster than before.”

“I understand.”

Hao Nhien turned toward Tieu Nhan.

Their gazes met for a brief moment. After the conversation beneath the ancient Thunderwood Tree, there was nothing more that needed to be explained between them.

Tieu Nhan gave a small nod.

“Take care.”

“You too.”

Hao Nhien stepped down from the stone stairs.

The Tieu Dao Sword flew out from his storage ring and hovered before him with a soft hum. Hao Nhien stepped onto the blade, while the Spirit Wings behind him opened slightly to stabilize the currents around his body.

Before leaving, he turned back once toward Cat Thanh and Tieu Nhan.

“We will meet again.”

Cat Thanh laughed.

“Without a doubt.”

Tieu Nhan said nothing more. She only nodded, her gaze far calmer than it had been when she ran from the hall earlier.

The Tieu Dao Sword trembled once before shooting out across the square. A streak of silver sword light crossed the sky, quickly passing the stone pillars engraved with lightning patterns and heading east.

Within only a few breaths, the white-robed figure had shrunk into a small point of light in the distance.

Tieu Nhan remained on the stone steps for a while longer before finally drawing her gaze back. Her hands rested naturally at her sides now, no longer clenched as they had been before.

Cat Thanh did not tease her.

He only looked at his daughter for a moment before turning back inside with her.

Outside Sand Thunder territory, the Sandwood convoy had already crossed two lines of dunes.

Sa Binh rode atop a tall desert spirit beast whose gray-brown hide was covered in markings resembling tree roots. The wind stirred the hem of his robe, but his posture remained steady from beginning to end.

A Foundation Establishment guard urged his mount forward beside him.

“Young Clan Head, are we returning directly to the Sandwood Tribe?”

Sa Binh did not answer immediately.

He turned to look back. On the distant horizon, a faint streak of sword light was leaving Sand Thunder territory and heading east.

“Send word to my father first.”

The guard immediately became serious.

“Report clearly that Sand Thunder has confirmed its alliance with Fire Qilin, the marriage has been rejected, and our proposal that they remain neutral was also refused. There is no need to continue discussing today’s trade terms for now.”

“Understood.”

The guard hesitated before asking,

“And Hao Nhien?”

Sa Binh kept his gaze on the distant light.

“Include the fact that he is traveling east alone and is likely heading toward Tam Thành's forward camp. My father needs the full situation before deciding what Sandwood should do next.”

The guard lowered his head slightly.

“Only report it?”

Sa Binh turned toward him.

“Did I say anything else?”

The guard immediately bowed more deeply.

“No.”

“Then do your job.”

“Understood.”

The guard fell back.

Sa Binh continued looking east for another moment. The irritation from the rejected marriage was no longer visible on his face, leaving only an unreadable expression of thought.

He did not fully agree with what Hao Nhien had said in the hall, but neither could he dismiss it as meaningless.

In the Western Wastes, the right to choose always came with a price.

Sa Binh simply did not yet believe that price was necessarily worth an entire tribe paying.

He tugged lightly on the reins, and the spirit beast beneath him changed direction before continuing south. Behind the convoy, windblown sand quickly erased the tracks left in their wake.

Far away in the eastern sky, Hao Nhien's sword light had already vanished completely from sight.