Walking through the halls, seeing their desolation — it upsets you. You remember, when you were a child, how lively these corridors were. Full of busying servants, running about on their tasks. Now, it's just… empty. An occasional maid, here and there, but nowhere as bustling and animated as before. Most of those who made these halls a hubris of activity have been already fired, your clan cutting down on unnecessary expenses. Well, not [i]all[/i] of them. You knock on your father's bedroom door. He doesn't answer, so you reach to knock again — but the door flies open by itself. Two women, wrapped in sheets, run out of the room. Their gazes down, too ashamed to face you, they race past and disappear in the weavings of the passageway. You roll your eyes. Your father, despite pushing deep beyond his first century, remains the same. A man whose love for whoring around and other pleasures of the flesh far exceeds the adoration for his children. "Are you decent, Father?" — you ask, not wishing to stumble upon your father's naked visage. Again. "Yes-yes, come in quickly." An intense contrast immediately greets you as you enter. On the one side, your father's quarters are lavish. Murals, hand-painted by your clan's greatest artists decorate stone walls. Eternal Candles — items so rare, most nobles couldn't purchase them even if they had the money — burn and restore themselves in multiple candlesticks. The color of gold embellishes the lush furniture, embroidered in every chair, every desk, and, of course, in the giant-sized canopy bed. On the other side, however, dirty clothes scattered all across the room ruin the sense of its majesty. The spread-out empty bottles of alcohol achieve the same effect. Not to mention, the persistent, aggressive smell of sweat and sex that has been attacking your nostrils ever since the door was opened. How do you feel about the lifestyle your father leads? About his depravity and debauchery, for which he pays from the clan's treasury? *choice #Envious. This is the kind of life — the life of bliss and satisfaction — that I want to have. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "indulgent" "+" #Angry. If he had spent half the gold he wasted on booze for my training resources instead, I'd be much stronger now. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "egoistical" "+" #Disgusted. Father drinks with commoners, laughs with them and fucks them — where's his dignity?! *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "elitist" "+" #Sad. I would like for him to stop wasting his life away on insignificant vices. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "indulgent" "-" #Disappointed. This money could've been spent on the betterment of the clan. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "+" *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "ruthless" "-" [[b]Wu Chao[/b] added to [b]Character Glossary[/b]] *set characters_1_opinion 50 You glance at the man himself. At the man who sired you, but calling him the one to have raised you would be a gross exaggeration. He stands before a window, staring into the world beyond the confines of the room. His straight as a ruler, wide back left bare, he wears only a pair of white pants. The man is well beyond a hundred, but two Rebirths have made him age as a fine wine. No one would peg him either as an elderly, or as a drunk. He has a head full of thick black hair, without a strand of gray or thinning. His muscles are solid and clear-cut, his posture is full of vigor and his skin is firm, only marred with a couple of wrinkles. He still appears almost as handsomely heroic as he was in his youth, when other Young Masters of his generation had to hide away their fiancés from his presence. From his sharp jaw, defined cheekbones and eyes as black as the void. You father turns around, lockings his gaze with yours. *temp sexname "Son" *if mc_sex = 1 *set sexname "Daughter" "${sexname}." — he ponders — "Have I been a good father?" *page_break ... You remember how you spent your whole childhood being tended to by maids. By servants who were paid to do so, while your own father was always absent. Too busy engaging in his wicked pleasures. You remember how you craved his attention. Waking up before dawn to catch him during his meditation sessions, back when he still gave a damn about practice. Begging him for a simple chat. Savoring his appreciation like the finest gift — his off-handed compliment during your 11-th birthday still remains the greatest gift you have received. You remember how you began to act out, turning from obedience to defiance instead. And how he still ignored you — only scolding you from time to time, whenever your behavior got so out of hand, it threatened the clan's whole reputation. But you also have good memories of him. His fury towards your guards whenever you got seriously hurt. Or when he almost started a suicidal war against He Clan after you wound up in their captivity, prevented solely by your release. Was he a good father? Is it really a question that you can answer? *if mc_sex = 1 *set sexname "girl" *else *set sexname "boy" *temp fallout false *choice #Yes, he was, despite all his faults. You see his eyebrows curve upwards. This is not the answer he expected — nor the one he thinks he deserved. Your father searches your expression for signs of a lie but doesn't find them. You told the truth, after all. "You truly believe that, don't you? Despite the horrible decision I made when you were born, you still believe me to be a good father?" — he exclaims — "You silly ${sexname}…" He brings his hand towards his face and rubs his eyes. You're not sure whether he's hiding his tears or just tired. "Well, at least I'll be content knowing that, while you are away." — he says. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 5 "+" #No, he was not. You see him smile sadly and you swallow all the harsh words you have prepared. There's just something heartbreaking in his expression, expression of a father who has disappointed his little ${sexname}. "An answer well-deserved." — he nods, rubbing his eyes with his hand. You not sure whether he's hiding his tears or just tired. "Well, at least you won't have to suffer with me anymore." — he says —"Not while you are away." *set fallout true *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 3 "-" #Avoid the question. "What brought this on, Father?" — you ask — "You finally had too much to drink?" Your father stares, studying every inch of your nervous expression. In the end, he sighs and gives you a small, sad smile. "Do not mind it, Xiao ${mc_name}. I already know the answer." — he says — "Well, at least you won't have to suffer with me anymore. Not while you are away." *if interscene_temp > 0 *if sexname = "boy" *set sexname "son" *else *set sexname "daughter" "Away?" - you say, tilting your head — "What do you mean?" *if interscene_temp = 1 Your father notices your blood-shot eyes that avoid the light as if it was plague and your uneven complexion. He chuckles self-depreciatingly. "Even though I did my best to distance myself, you still ended up just like me." — he sneered — "Don't fall into debauchery, Wu ${mc_name}. This is not a path that has a happy end." You feel anger boiling in your chest. [i]He[/i], of all people, scolds you for drinking?! *choice *selectable_if (fallout) #"Fuck you." *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "impulsive" "+" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 3 "-" "Go and clean up your own shit," — you yell and wave at the dozens of bottles on the floor — "Before lecturing me." *label repeated_text1 "It was not my intention to reprimand you, ${sexname}. I just don't wish to see you commit the same mistakes I did." — he replies. "Sure." He shakes his head. "You forgot what day it is, haven't you?" — your father continues — "It's 27th of Di-Liu." "So what? Should that date tell me something - " — you stop, with your mouth agape and gasp. It's 27th of Di-Liu. The day you were supposed to travel to the Heavenly Ascension Sect! *selectable_if (fallout) #"Don't worry, I will never become as pathetic as you." *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "arrogant" "+" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 5 "-" Your words hurt him — more than you thought they would — as you notice him covering up the pain. *goto repeated_text1 #You nod your head. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "impulsive" "-" You reign in your temper — your father's right, despite his hypocrisy. You've been noticing both your mind and body deteriorating under the influence of liquor. You are neither as sharp nor as fit as you were before, so perhaps it's better to lay off the alcohol? Why won't your father heed his own advice, however? It seems like with the tolerance for intoxication increasing due to his Rebirths, his stubbornness has grown too. " It was not my intention to reprimand you, ${sexname}. I just don't wish to see you commit the same mistakes I did." — he replies. "Sure." He shakes his head. "You forgot what day it is, haven't you?" — your father continues — "It's 27th of Di-Liu." 27th of Di-Liu? Should the date tell you something? And then it hits you. It's the day you've been waiting for so long, the day you were supposed to travel to the Heavenly Ascension Sect! *set fallout false *else Your father notices the dark circles under your eyes. He sees your periodical yawns and chuckles, amused. "You always had a tendency to getting lost in your own little world, haven't you?" - he says - "Did you again decide that a few more pages of a book would be more important than a few more hours of sleep?" You are surprised he even knows about infatuation with knowledge - he never asked you about it, anyhow. "Yes. Read about Tang Wei again." - you nod. "Then you must be glad - the Heavenly Ascension Sect has quite a few texts about him in their library." "Heavenly Ascension Sect? What do you mean?" And then it hits you. Your mouth agape, you gasp. "Is it 27th of Di-Liu?!" - you shout. "Yes, it is. The day my ${sexname} finally leaves to the sect he dreamed about for so long." *else "Heavenly Ascension Sect. I can't wait." — you reply, unable to contain your excitement. There are two worlds: one is secular, with kingdoms and long-lasting dynasties ruling over the land by the right of birth. The other one is Jianghu — the world of Martial Arts. Every noble scion with enough Divine Blood flowing in their veins has to at least try to enter Jianghu, for, alongside great danger, it offers benefits that transcend mortality. Status. Longevity. Power. While in the Jianghu, titles cease to exist. There are no Great Clans, there are no family names: only personal power and the backing of a sect. Sects are organizations that train and employ martial artists in the infinite fight for limited resources. Their disciples are of different clans, often hostile to each other, leading to fierce competition not only outside the sect but inside of it too. There are three Heavenly sects, with all others being inconsequential: Heavenly Law Sect, Heavenly Ascension Sect, and Heavenly Havoc Sect. Only they hold the best martial manuals, the sacred teachings of Tang Wei the Invincible, and therefore enjoy their unshakable positions at the top. However, not to mention Heavenly Sects, ordinary ones don't just accept people from the street. Even an heir to a Great Noble Clan like yourself has to pass through two arduous tests — one of affinity and the other of ability — in order to be admitted. And today is the day you have to travel for their yearly enrollment. *page_break Next "You leave in an hour. I've already prepared a [i]fenghuang[/i] for you and Uncle Tao." — he continues — *if interscene_temp = 0 "I would advice you to gather your things for the journey, but I'm sure you've already done that." *else "You should gather the things you need for the journey, while there is still time." You nod and get ready to leave, but your father halts you. "There are also some words I need to say. My farewell guidance, if you will." — he sighs as he explains — "You are much more talented than I ever was, ${sexname}. Although the potency of your blood has not been tested yet, I can sense it. This primal, unadulterated aura you emit — I feel it. And so will the others. Many will try to befriend you, others - to eliminate, before you grow too large to be contained. Be careful and, above everything else, protect yourself." "Don't fall to temptations. You have no idea hard they would be to resist. Drinks and drugs available at the snap of your fingers, men and women throwing themselves at your feet. You will have to avoid them if you do not wish to end up nameless and forgotten at best or lifeless and dead at worst." "You already have your spatial ring." — he points at your finger, where a pristine black ring resides — "And Heavenly Sects do not allow supplements not produced by their own alchemists. I do have a gift for you, however." His spatial ring flickers and a long robe, with golden insignia of your clan seamed in, materializes in his arms. He hands it over to you. *temp got_robe true *choice #Thank him. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 2 "+" A Martial Robe! Not only does it look superb — tight-fitting, with the finest silk reaching your ankles — it's also considered a real Artifact. Just wearing it will make you stronger, and some of them even possess special abilities… "Thank you!" — you exult, eagerly reaching for the robe and storing it in your ring — "I appreciate it." "Then it was worth all the gold I spent. Why do you think I only had two girls today?" He cackles at his own joke and you can't help but join in the laughter. After a minute, your father gives you one long look. He raises his arms, as if wanting to embrace you, but hesitates and puts them down in the end. "You should go. Make your final preparations, we'll be waiting in the courtyard for you." Nodding, you leave. *selectable_if (not (fallout)) #Hug him. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "impulsive" "+" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 5 "+" A Martial Robe! Not only does it look superb — tight-fitting, with the finest silk reaching your ankles — it's also considered a real Artifact. Just wearing it will make you stronger, and some of them even possess special abilities… Unable to contain your emotions, you rush forward and embrace your father. His surprise is evident, his hands purposely hanging in the air. He hesitates, but in the end, hugs you back. After a moment, you lift your head and see your father with a broad grin. "The robe was certainly worth all the gold I spent. Why do you think I only had two girls today?" He cackles at his own joke and you can't help but join in the laughter. "You should go now." — your father says, reluctantly releasing you from his hold — "Make your final preparations, we"ll be waiting in the courtyard for you." Nodding, you leave. #Silently accept his gift. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "impulsive" "+" A Martial Robe! Not only does it look superb — tight-fitting, with the finest silk reaching your ankles — it's also considered a real Artifact. Just wearing it will make you stronger, and some of them even possess special abilities… You welcome the gift, but cannot put your appreciation into words: either because your relationship with your father is too tense or due to your own unemotional nature. Nodding, you reach for the robe and store it in your ring. The corners of your father's lips pull down at your lackluster response, but he keeps quiet. "You should go now." — he mutters after a while — "Make your final preparations, we"ll be waiting in the courtyard for you." You say goodbye and leave. *selectable_if (fallout) #"Keep your gifts. I don't need anything from you." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 2 "-" *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 3 "arrogant" "+" He freezes and stares at you with wide eyes. Hesitating, he opens and closes his mouth, unable to find the right words to persuade you. In the end, he swallows and puts on a smile. "You sure? I spent good coin for it, you know. That's why there were only two girls today." - he cackles, nervously, at his own joke but you don't join in the laughter. *choice #I'm sure. I don't need it. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 1 3 "-" *set characters_1_status "Tense" *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "impulsive" "+" *set got_robe false *if (eligible_achievements) *achieve no_robe His hands trembling, he stores the robe back into his ring. He gives you one long look filled with bitterness and bleakness. "You hate me that much, huh?" — your father mutters. You do not respond. "Can I go now?" — you ask after a moment. "Ah? Of course, you should go." — he replies, breaking out of his stupor - "Make your final preparations, we'll be waiting in the courtyard for you." #Fine. Give it to me. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "impulsive" "-" "Great! Wonderful!" - he beams - "Means I haven't spent all that coin for naught! Hah, why do you think there were only two girls today?" He cackles at his own joke, but you don't join in the laughter. Instead, you reach for the robe and store it in your ring. "Thank you. Can I go now?" "Ah? Of course, you should go." — he replies, his excitement dying down a bit - "Make your final preparations, we'll be waiting in the courtyard for you." Nodding, you leave. *if (got_robe) *set equipment_1 1 [i][Gained:[/i] [b]Wu Clan's Martial Robe[/b]] *choice #Continue. *goto_scene prologue_3 #Check your spatial ring. *set inventory_page 1 *gosub_scene inv_scene *comment if drunk -> clearing the interscene variable; not clearing if library since its used later *if interscene_temp = 1 *set interscene_temp 0 *page_break Forty Minutes Later *goto_scene prologue_3