Cultivation Nerd: Chapter 225 (Patreon)

Chapter 225 - A Leader’s Rest

Liu Nu had led the Liu Clan for decades—almost half a century. Yet, unlike he’d once expected, the role had never grown dull. Perhaps it was the constant threat of danger, how every decision held the power to either sustain or shatter the clan.

His latest choice was yet another one he had second-guessed. Sending out the youngest generation of the clan had seemed strategic, though perhaps it had been reckless.

He’d done it to season the new generation, letting them be bloodied and sharpened against the mediocre Qi Gathering Cultivators other clans had sent, like honing blades on whetstones.

It was clear another war among the clans would soon erupt. Better for the younger ones to cut their teeth in a “friendly” skirmish than in the chaos of full-scale battle.

He leaned back in his throne-like chair, gazing up at the blue roof of the Clan Leader’s hall… his hall.

Liu Nu’s mind wandered to his younger days. Back then, things had been chaotic; the Clan Leader had died, and no one else had been prepared to step up. Simpler times, perhaps.

His uncle had groomed him for the position, sharing all the wisdom he possessed. Yet, even with years of guidance, Liu Nu often felt uncertain, questioning every decision. Still, he had to maintain a façade of unwavering confidence, showing strength even when he harbored doubts.

Was this how other leaders managed, or was he alone in this struggle?

The thought of his daughter cast a shadow over him, filling him with despair. Nearly a week had passed since the younger generation’s expedition began, with no word from them.

If tragedy struck, they might never even recover her body to lay to rest—a hollow grave for a lost child.

His heart clenched. He imagined her—his baby girl—ripped apart by Thunder Wolves. Such thoughts brought an agony he couldn’t name.

Liu Nu had never known the comfort of a good father. His uncle had been the closest figure to one, as he barely remembered his own father’s face. He often wondered if he’d been any better as a father or a clan leader.

Had his duty put his daughter in harm’s way?

Though proud of Liu Qian’s talents, he sometimes wished she weren’t so gifted. Perhaps then, he wouldn’t have sent her away to a distant Sect or placed her in such perilous situations.

If fate took him, Liu Nu knew his daughter would succeed him. Despite any staged drama within the clan, his uncle would support her; no one dared to defy the oldest elder when he set his mind to something. Stubborn and steadfast, the old man was a force in the clan.

Knowing he could trust his uncle with his daughter’s well-being offered Liu Nu a measure of peace. Yet, he still wished she might escape the burdens of leadership altogether.

Being a Clan Leader was challenging enough; imagine bearing that title with subordinates constantly doubting him merely because of his gender.

Of course, his suggestion to Liu Feng had only been a ruse—a bit of drama to stir up a smokescreen. Yet, a part of Liu Nu had secretly wished the young man would accept the offer.

Liu Feng was a capable young man, one who might have handled the responsibilities of a Clan Leader better than most. He even had that enigmatic ally his daughter mentioned, the young woman from the Song Clan. With her support, no one would have dared question his right to rule.

Lost in thought—something he often found himself doing in this lonely hall—a sudden knock echoed against the front doors, and moments later, they creaked open.

He immediately extended his senses, feeling the familiar Qi signatures of the guards, along with a few new presences. His heart leapt as he recognized these fresh signatures.

The gates swung open fully, and there she was—his daughter, her shoulder-length hair framing her face and a willful glint in her eyes. Relief swept through him in warm waves.

Despite his joy, Liu Nu’s trained gaze assessed their condition. They looked slightly disheveled, weary, and low on Qi, but thankfully, they were uninjured.

Liu Qian led the group with Liu Heng a step behind, while Liu Feng lingered near the back.

If Liu Nu hadn’t known better, he might have mistaken Liu Feng for any other young man. At his age, pride often tempted young men into rashness, but Liu Feng seemed to know how to keep himself safe. Thankfully, his daughter wouldn’t have to compete with someone like him for the Clan Leader’s role. Though young, he had a dangerous edge.

“Father, we’ve come to report,” Liu Qian said, and the young cultivators all bowed their heads respectfully.

Now that they were safe, Liu Nu’s focus shifted to Liu Feng. He knew everyone else in the group well, understanding how each had developed into who they were. He could say the same for Liu Feng—up to a point. The young man had seemed destined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, except with a stronger preference for training.

But now, something in him had shifted, and he seemed more like a scholar than a warrior. Perhaps exposure to the many techniques of the Blazing Sun Sect had transformed him.

After so many years as Clan Leader, Liu Nu was accustomed to people looking at him with reverence. Yet, Liu Feng’s gaze was different; the boy's dark eyes analyzed him as though trying to read beneath the surface.

“What happened out there that kept you so long?” he asked.

His daughter detailed their journey, and as she spoke, it became clear that Liu Feng’s influence had guided the group. Far from angered, Liu Nu felt relief; his decisions had brought them all home, safe and unscathed.

Though that last decision to use flying swords was risky, it was also strategic. With Thunder Wolves ruling this territory, the likelihood of running into flying beasts had been slim. Flying monstrous beasts were known for ruling the sky, but even they would have to come to the ground to eat or sleep.

After his daughter finished her report, Liu Nu remained silent, lost in thought. He considered his next move and wondered whether the representatives from the other clans had survived. It seemed the Thunder Wolves had suffered heavy losses; without their previous numbers, they could no longer launch a monster wave. They wouldn't need to prey on humans either—there were plenty of wild animals to hunt, or at worst, they could feed on the corpses of their fallen kind.

With the Thunder Wolf King and his pack weakened, this was an opportune moment to eradicate those pests from their territory.

It was also the perfect time to thin out the rival clans under the guise of a joint offensive against the beasts. If things played out well, the Liu Clan could seize the entire region in one decisive move. Of course, the opposite outcome was just as possible.

Now that his daughter was safe, Liu Nu regained his usual calm, calculated composure. It was time to take a risk and eliminate these rival clans rather than leave such leeches for the next generation to deal with.

The next generation had a destiny beyond mere extermination—they were meant to elevate the Liu Clan to unprecedented heights.

"You may go and get some rest," Liu Nu said.

The young cultivators nodded and left quietly. Once outside the doors, they began whispering amongst themselves.

As the guards prepared to close the doors and leave Liu Nu to his solitude, he called out, "Summon all the elders in the city for an urgent meeting."

"Yes, Clan Head!" The two guards bowed their heads, shut the doors, and set off to gather the necessary personnel.

It wasn't long before the elders assembled, filling the hall. Most were in the higher stages of Qi Gathering. At the same time, five of them in black robes stood at the front—these were the core elders, the pillars of the Liu Clan, and the only other cultivators besides the Clan Head who had reached Foundation Establishment.

"As many of you know, I sent the younger generation on an expedition, and they have returned with excellent results," Liu Nu announced, adding a flourish to his language to lift their spirits.

In truth, the report detailed a lot of running with little actual fighting. Still, Liu Nu spun it into a tale of strategic brilliance, bravery, and comradeship—how they had acted to protect their teammates and family.

After the honeyed words, he shifted to the matter at hand. "With these positive results, I've gathered you here to discuss our next steps. There is a strong chance that the Qi Gathering Cultivators from the other clans have perished, giving us a slight advantage."

“I doubt the other clans have received any reports from their teams yet. If they have, those cowards in the Jie and Fu Clans will likely band together just to survive,” a core elder remarked.

“Exactly,” Liu Nu agreed. “That’s why I suggest we strike while the iron’s hot. We’ll keep the news of our team’s return quiet and stage a ‘rescue’ operation, claiming it’s a mission to avenge them against the Thunder Wolf King.”

He hoped this would sow confusion among the other clans and catch them off guard. Still, Liu Nu knew that those leaders likely had similar plans, each looking for a chance to eliminate the others.

For now, though, the Liu Clan held the advantage of information. The quicker they acted, the better, as there was no telling when a survivor or injured team member from another clan might return with news.

“Let’s not forget,” Liu Nu continued, “that the other clans may also attempt to turn this on us, knowing their younger generation can’t match ours.”

At this, a few of the elders smiled, pride shining in their expressions at the thought of their clan’s superiority. The more experienced elders, however, exchanged cunning glances, their eyes alight with schemes.

In the end, the elders agreed unanimously. With all assembled, Liu Nu personally drafted a letter, incorporating the elders’ suggestions on its contents.

Though they had little real influence here, the Qi Gathering elders were given the illusion of a say in the matter, as Liu Nu involved them in the discussions.

Once they finalized the “letter of friendship” for the other clans, a Qi Gathering elder was chosen to deliver the message.

As the messenger departed, the other elders soon followed, leaving Liu Nu alone with his thoughts. He wondered whether the other clan leaders would play along—or whether this maneuver would provoke them to strike.

This was it… would the Liu Clan deliver the final blow, or would it be delivered to them?

Liu Nu took a steadying breath, ensuring no trace of doubt showed on his face.