Cerdic followed Regulus into his study. The room was filled with wooden shelves full of old tomes. It had a sturdy wooden table with two chairs on either side. An oil lamp was placed on the table. Regulus sat down and then gestured for Cerdic to sit.
"So, Cerdic," Regulus pointed towards a portrait on the wall. "Do you know who that is?"
Cerdic looked at the portrait. Regulus was pointing. It was of an old man with a white beard and eyes that seemed to pierce through time.
"Of course," Cerdic said. "It's our ancestor, Lord Elric Brightmoon. The only cultivator the Brightmoon family ever had."
"Exactly," Regulus said, smiling. "He lived a century. The time he was alive, that was the golden age of the Brightmoon family. Do you know why?"
"Because our word was law," Cerdic said without any difficulty. "Even though the royal family ruled in name, it was us who controlled everything."
"Correct. And do you know why that was the case?"
"Because we had a cultivator?" Cerdic asked.
"Naturally," Regulus nodded. "The royal family didn't have one at the time. If Ancestor Elric wanted, he could have replaced the Royal Family with the Brightmoon Family."
"But he wasn't interested in that," Cerdic added.
"Yes, he wasn't interested in titles. He believed all titles are meaningless before absolute strength." Regulus leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "It was after Ancestor Elric died and the Royal family's current patriarch was born that the Brightmoon family declined."
"Their current patriarch is a cultivator, right?" Cerdic asked.
"Yes, he was found to possess a spirit root and was taken in by a cultivation sect," Regulus said. "During that time, the royal family had absolute power. No one could question their authority."
Regulus exhaled deeply.
"But we haven't heard of that man for decades," Regulus said. "So, many people assume he died, and the royal family is keeping it secret in order to avoid losing their edge."
"I am aware of it all, Father," Cerdic said, feeling confused. "But why bring it up now?"
"Patience, Cerdic. There's a reason for that," Regulus said calmly. "Are you aware of our feud with the Evernight family?"
"Of course, I am aware," Cerdic remembered what he learnt from family records. "It's a feud that started right after Ancestor Elric died. The Evernight family thought, without Elric, we were easy to bully. So they tried to take over some of our businesses."
"Yes, it was a petty dispute," Regulus said. "But it escalated into a blood feud. From bribing officials and false charges to assassinations and direct confrontations."
Regulus sighed and continued.
"That dispute continues even now. If it wasn't for the royal family keeping us at bay, we would have been at each other's throats ages ago."
"And what changed now?" Cerdic asked curiously. "Did the Royal Family decide to take a side?"
"No," Regulus shook his head. "But if the news we have received is true, they may be forced to take a side."
Regulus stopped for a moment, assessing Cerdic's reaction. Seeing his confused expression, Regulus continued.
"According to what we have learnt, the youngest daughter of the current Evernight family head is confirmed to possess a spirit root."
Cerdic froze; his eyes widened.
"A spirit root?" He gasped. "Father... That means,"
"That means..." Regulus took a deep breath. "The Evernight family no longer needs to fear us. Not just us, they don't need to fear the royal family either."
Cerdic was shocked. He knew what this information implied. Every time a cultivator was born in a family, that family rose straight to the top of the hierarchy. The Brightmoon family and the Royal family were examples. Now the Evernight family had a potential cultivator. Considering the enmity between their two families, this new development would be disastrous for the Brightmoon family.
"Father, are you certain this news is true?" Cerdic asked anxiously. "Maybe it's..."
"It's possible that it's a false alarm," Regulus said. "From what we know, it was an ordinary disciple of a cultivation sect that discovered this girl's spirit root. There are many incidents where they mistook people with a higher affinity towards spirit qi for spirit root holders. This girl is likely such a case."
"Then we don't have to worry?" Cerdic felt a flicker of hope.
"Of course, we do," Regulus chuckled. "The chance of a spirit root appearing is one in a million. But we shouldn't leave even one in a million chance for our family's destruction."
Cerdic nodded in Understanding, take no chances. That was what he believed too.
"We have a spy planted in the Evernight family," Regulus said. "I have already given the order to assassinate that girl."
Cerdic felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at his father for a long moment.
"What? You think I am being cruel?" Regulus asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"No," Cerdic shook his head. His expression turning calm again. "No, Father. You are being cautious. Not cruel."
Regulus leaned back on his chair, observing Cerdic carefully. His eyes had no conflict. Only resolve.
"Good," Regulus said, pleased. "You truly are my son."
Cerdic bowed. "Thank you for telling me everything, Father. If there's nothing else, I may take my leave."
"Go," Regulus said. "There's much to prepare for. We will speak again soon."
Cerdic stepped out of the study, closing the door behind him. His mind was already racing with thoughts.