The patriarch's presence made the room vibrate. No matter how weak he had become, a leader was still a leader.
Feng Tianlei noticed his grandfather's arrival, took a step forward, knelt on one knee, and bowed.
"Greetings, Grandfather."
The feather lady pressed her head to her chest and bowed in respect.
The patriarch chuckled. He took one step forward and instantly appeared before Tianlei, offering a hand and pulling him up.
"Kid, you've grown tall. Planning to surpass your old man?" Feng Yang said with a light laugh.
"Grandfather is profound. How could I ever surpass you?"
"Aye, what nonsense is that?" Feng Yang waved him off. "I need you to surpass me. That's what makes me happy. And who is she?"
His gaze shifted to the beautiful lady beside Tianlei.
The feather lady stepped forward.
"I am Su Jiaru. Honored to meet the patriarch."
"Grandpa, she's a friend from Golden Earth Academy," Tianlei added.
Feng Yang nodded, then turned his gaze toward Feng San.
"You asshole," he spat. "My grandson will never kiss your fungus feet. Just wait—three years from now, he'll grow strong enough to beat your ass."
Feng San chuckled softly. "Can't wait."
"Now get your ass out of here before I lose it."
Feng San bowed and left.
Feng Yang turned to the elders, his voice hardening.
"Listen well. Tianlei is the next head of the Feng Earth Tower. Anyone who opposes this will face my absolute wrath. I may not be as strong as some of you, but I will fight to the death."
"But Patriarch," the Fifth Elder spoke, "he's barely at the Soldier Class. How can someone like him lead us?"
Feng Yang smiled coldly.
"Fifth Elder, it seems you're the ringleader opposing our hierarchy. I hate pests—so I carry pesticide with me. Want me to make use of it ."
The Fifth Elder clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them. He had no choice but to yield to the patriarch's will .
"As you wish."
"This elder meeting is cancelled," Feng Yang declared. "And anyone cooperating with the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion will be considered a traitor. Understood?"
All the elders bowed and withdrew.
Feng Yang exhaled.
"Kid, forgive your grandpa. Handling these old men and women isn't easy. Thankfully, the First Elder and Elder Yun support me and that's enough to silence arguments."
He turned to Su Jiaru.
"Young girl, my grandson never brings friends home. You must be important."
Heat crept up Tianlei's neck.
"If you haven't eaten, would you join us for dinner later?"
Su Jiaru nodded. "Yes. Brother Tianlei already destroyed our food after he found out about this situation."
Feng Yang chuckled softly. "Classic him."
He placed a hand around Tianlei's shoulder, and the two walked out of the building toward the gardens . He then grabbed his hand and they flew toward a quiet house near the elders' chambers.
Birds cooed softly as they landed.
"Sorry it's messier than usual," Feng Yang said. "I like keeping things the way they were—it helps preserve old memories."
Tianlei looked around the house that once belonged to his mother. It was humble and peaceful like a sanctuary in a place built for power.
"Some things should remain the same," Tianlei said softly.
"Indeed," Feng Yang replied. "But you young people want to change traditions every day. This old man can't keep up with the new era."
"The younger generation adapts," Tianlei said. "Even if we're ungrateful at first."
Feng Yang sat in a creaking chair.
"Times are changing. The Feng Earth Tower grows weaker each day, and others are exploiting that weakness."
Tianlei sat opposite him.
"What's really happening, Grandpa? How did the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion dare propose such a thing?"
Feng Yang sighed, rubbing his temples.
"The Feng Clan is the main clan. To expand its influence, it created four units: Feng Earth Tower, Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion, Feng Trade Country, and Feng Shadow Sect. Their leaders are all core members, but there's no rule preventing one person from controlling multiple units or all of them."
"So anyone can dominate the others."
Feng Yang nodded.
"The Earth Tower kept to itself, even with the Supreme Bloodline. But after your mother died, that bloodline was taken. It will be reassigned during the coming-of-age ceremony, uniting all units under one leadership. That's why they're fighting—reducing competition before the ceremony."
Tianlei's gaze drifted to the small portrait of his mother.
"Then why didn't my mother dominate all units when she had the bloodline?"
"She only wanted to strengthen the Earth Tower," Feng Yang said quietly. "That made her enemies. It led to her death."
Tianlei's expression darkened.
"Her wish is fading. The ceremony has turned ambition into slaughter. Every unit wants dominance."
"Not all," Tianlei said, standing. "The others are weak. Our true enemy is the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion."
Feng Yang looked up sharply.
"If domination is inevitable," Tianlei continued, "then we crush them first."
"But how?" Feng Yang asked. "They're stronger. Geniuses like Feng San are positioned to seize the bloodline."
"We're weak now, and they want to trample us. We need a plan to turn the tables."
Feng Yang rubbed his face.
"I wish I had one. I can barely control the elders."
"They'll learn their place once I rise," Tianlei said calmly. "All I need is time and strategy to grow and be able to take on the position as the patriarch ."
Feng Yang raised a finger.
"I might have a plan."
"What is it?"
"What if we destroy their supply chains and military hardware? Force them to redirect resources for the time being so that they stop bothering us ."
"It's good," Tianlei said, "but temporary. Surely the Feng heavenly sky mansion has backups for such situations."
Feng Yang leaned back.
"This old man is incompetent. That's why I gave the patriarch position to your mother—she always had answers."
"You're wrong," Tianlei said. "Your plan works."
"Wait—what?"
"Instead of targeting them," Tianlei said evenly, "we target ourselves."
Feng Yang nearly choked on his saliva .
"We should what? You've gone mad."
"Not entirely. We stage the attack, blame the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion, and report it to the main clan."
Feng Yang's eyes widened.
"The main clan would monitor them closely… preventing interference."
He laughed softly.
"Brilliant. But it's a sin. To make it real, people must die."
"Yes," Tianlei said. "Some must die."
Feng Yang stood, fury flashing.
"You want me to kill my own people?"
"grandpa ,I am sure you have enemies already imprisoned and those awaiting execution," Tianlei replied. "Plant them. Kill them. Injure our own just enough to make look real , I am sure they won't try to confirm if the bodies belong to the Feng Earth Tower ."
Feng Yang sank back, shaking his head.
"Brilliant… and unforgivable."
Tianlei knelt before him, gripping his hands.
" Grandpa ,when it comes to family ,I will do anything to protect our legacy even going berserk . People like Feng San and the heavenly sky mansion only know how to hatch plans to trample over weak people , inorder to defeat a stronger enemy when you are weak , mischief is the only way . Time to play dirty "
Feng yang stared deep into Tianlei , trying to comprehend who he was.
" Aye . The situation is desperate and desperate situations call for desperate measures . I am sure your mother would be proud of you for trying ."
" it seems I am not trying hard enough ,I have to try harder .I will dominate this wicked system of the Feng clan one day "
Feng yang stood up and placed both his hands on Tianlei's shoulders .
" These desire for power makes humans forget their humanity . I hope you don't . you have a chance to a proper life ,not the life of a cultivator . Do you really wish to continue? "
" Grandpa , I have to make Feng San kiss my feet and fulfill all promises I have made "
Feng yang exhaled sharply .
" In life we have many desires , some are impossible to reach but I wish what my daughter built doesn't crumble to dust "
" I wish I could spent more time with you but this old thing is dying. For someone who has lived for hundreds of years ,it is time to let go of life "
Tianlei bowed deeply .
" Grandpa ,life has a meaning . Everyone has a part to play . If my mother didn't succeed , maybe she was playing her part which ended and now it is time for my part to be played . You have played yours but it isn't over before I take over "
" well in preparation for that part . Allow me to teach you some techniques