In a villa balcony overlooking a bustling town.
"Sister Renren, it's been a while how have you been?" A woman said not hiding her smile, her voice as lively as ever.
"Don't jest with me Sister Wu, its only been a few days, I'm fine." Aeon Soren said.
They meet frequently as they handled trades of their respective clans, though they usually met in the market and not in the clan territories.
"Alright alright I'll stop. Anyway, what happened? After all you wouldn't come here without telling me beforehand, I'm guessing its urgent." Bai Wuzen chuckled.
"A beast killed quite a few of our clansmen, I'm here to ask if you felt some unrest in the mountains the past month." Soren said as she furrowed her brows.
"My condolences ...what do you think? Aside from the number of Beasts increasing a little bit more than usual in the last few months, nothing has really changed. Why, do you think is someone is pulling some strings?" Bai Wuzen asked, slightly tilting her head.
If Aeon Soren approached anyone who not close to her in the Bai Clan, it might come off as Aeon clan subtly accusing the Bai Clan of orchestrating the disaster.
Bai Wuzen, however, can be considered close to Aeon Soren and asking directly about it can be considered half inquiring and half rejecting the idea that they knew anything about it.
"That's what were at right now. The only this would have happened is if someone is pulling it or we're just extremely unlucky this time around. Anyway, I'll be on my way, I still have to go to the Mui clan to see if they know something about it." Aeon Soren said, a little bit relieved of the idea that Bai clan has nothing to do with it.
"Great chance to see what they're doing over there, I haven't seen their people in the market in a while. Anyway, safe travels. Let's talk about new products that has been popping up recently in the market next time. I heard there might be some major changes in the market soon." Bai Wuzen said, noticing that Aeon Soren is in a hurry.
...
"What a great day! Consolidated my realm, that's one. Got out of my cave and the sun is breathing life into the world and the clouds are hiding, making some unlucky guy's day bad. That can be considered four at least, five if its that Sun clan rat. All in all, a six point day, not bad a-" A young man said, adding in a few tunes as he stumbled out of his cultivation cave.
The rays of sunlight welcomed him, the wind played with the leaves and grass letting him refresh his mind from staying in a cave without sunlight.
"Eh-erhm, sorry to interrupt Young Nephew Leo but you have to go see Ancestor." A middle-aged man said.
"Really? From Ancestor? I'll be on my way, thank you for informing me Uncle. Even though you interrupted me." Aeon Leo said, a little bit surprised. Usually whoever is guarding his Cave lets him go on and continue before telling him whatever he needs to pay attention to after coming out of seclusion.
"Sigh, just go Young Nephew. Stop messing around, something serious happened this time around." The middle-aged man said, everything that needs to be said has been said.
"Oh its serious, see you later Uncle." Aeon Leo said nervously, there's no time to play around when they're taking it that seriously.
Of course Aeon Leo ran straight to the main peak where the Clan Head, currently being held by the Ancestor.
"You're here." The old man said, putting down some papers as he heard the footsteps.
"How have you been, Great Grandfather?" Aeon Leo said, smiling brightly as his nose picked up the familiar fragrant tea.
"I'll meet the old fogeys soon so you better stop playing around. Go ask you mother about everything you missed while in seclusion, first thing in the morning tomorrow you will take over the West Border." The old man sighed, he wanted to talk more however he still had things to do. Unfortunately duty does impede time with the family when making decisions that impact the direction of a clan, especially when he know he doesn't much left, preparation is paramount.
"I'll be off then, Great Grandfather. Don't accidentally slip into something, otherwise I'll tilt your monument a little bit when its done." Aeon Leo laughed as he exited the room.
"Ahh brat. Go before I discipline you like I did a decade ago." The old man said feigning anger, his mind taking him back a few years to the past.
'This brat... if he dares do that, I'll curse that Sun family lass to reject him. Does he really think I don't know what's going on? I've been alive for almost a century, I have seen lots of relationships develop over the years. Sigh, I guess I should set aside some dowry for Miran and Isla. I wonder if I'll be alive to see any them get married.'
...
A few days later...
A few men gathered around a campfire, lighting up a small part of the forest. This place is their temporary camp for tonight.
"Don't be discouraged, kid. Sure you might not feel that its fair but this way you can actually do something about it." Aeon Yong's rugged voice could be heard as he noticed Aeon Ion staring at the campfire absent minded.
"Don't worry Uncle, I know." Aeon responded, reassuring his Uncle. Unfortunately his thoughts betrayed his mouth as his mind still bounced around.
"Good, I thought you would be whiny about it but I guessed wrong. You have better mental fortitude than I thought. Here-" Awon Yong laughed as he handed a small bag to him.
"What's this?" Aeon Ion asked as his hands felt a soft blocky texture through the bag.
"Those, my dear Nephew, are the culmination of my experiences as a hunter including my notes and corrections about our predecessors' experiences and assumptions. Study it well, let me know if you're done." Aeon Yomg said with pride.
Most of the people wrote down their experiences for the next generation to learn from and hopefully improve, just because he was a hunter didn't mean he and his predecessors didn't write their own findings.
This is also another way to let the generations next to them know that they existed, basically a part of their legacy.
"Thank you, Uncle." Aeon Ion said before taking out the content and flipping through the pages, shifting his focus into something else.
"Heh, don't worry about it. I also want to retire in a few years, I'm passing all these down so that I can do so with peace of mind." Aeon Yong laughed before joining the others in singing while roasting some meat. They left Aeon Ion with his own space and thoughs as he familiarized himself with notes.
...
"Greetings Mui Family Head." Aeon Soren said cupping her fist.
In front of her was an elderly man dressed in clothes of great material.
"Greetings, what brings the Aeon Family to our humble abode?" Said the old man with a smile, unfortunately his tone could not hide the weariness in his eyes.
"Forgive me for being blunt, I am here to ask if your clan has observed irregularities in the mountains recently?" Aeon Soren said, wiping sweat from her palms.
She was tired from the trip however all the exhaustion she felt from trip evaporated while passing by the town on the way to the Mui Family main house to meet the leader. People still went about their business but nowhere the amount of movement in the the market from the mourning Aeon clan and lively Bai clan. Hidden behind the smiles of the people are eyes that lost its spark, it didn't seem like the leader is any better.
"I see, but no we have not. Our people has not been going for the past few months. Unfortunately, we don't have any news of whatever is going on outside. I do hope you find out what you're trying to find. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm still busy and can't keep you company much longer." The old man said firmly, still keeping his smile.
"I accomplished my purpose here today, thank for cooperating. I'll be on my way then." Aeon Soren cupped her fist.
The old man did the same.
Upon seeing that, Soren's steps were a bit faster than before she arrived.