Chapter 31: “See? You’re overthinking it again, aren’t you?”
????“Clan Head.”
??The elders exchanged uneasy glances until the Grand Elder finally spoke up. “To my knowledge, Jiangbei Chen Clan’s Waystation No. 37 was nothing more than an abandoned outpost. After it was reactivated a few days ago, there was only a single Ghostfire and a rundown wooden hut left standing.”
??“There isn’t a single defensive structure beyond that.”
??“By any logic, that camp shouldn’t have survived even three days into the Rainy Season—especially with the rains arriving early this year.”
??“My guess…”
??“Perhaps Young Master Chen Fan was just lucky. Even the Qiuhe Wang Clan’s Waystation No. 16 is still holding out.”
??“That’s right, that’s right—we all agree.”
??“Most likely, that’s all there is to it.”
??The elders quickly reached a consensus—not that they had much choice. What other explanation could there be, except blind luck?
??Seated in his chair, the Chen Clan Head said nothing. He simply lifted his gaze to Chen Quan, signaling for him to speak his mind.
??“I…”
??Chen Quan couldn’t begin to guess what his father was thinking. He shifted uncomfortably, uneasy despite knowing his father had never cared much for Chen Fan. But still—he was his son.
??Scheming to kill your own half-brother.
??If you didn’t think about it, it seed trivial. But once placed on the scales, the weight was crushing—a thousand pounds of guilt pressing on his heart.
??Now, with everything exposed, Chen Quan could feel his heart pounding, as if a fire raged inside his chest. He forced himself to swallow his fear, and even so, his voice quivered. “In my opinion, it’s just that big brother’s luck hasn’t run out yet.”
??“Maybe… maybe we should try a rescue? Bring big brother ho?”
??Silence.
??The elders exchanged another round of glances, each finding the sa helplessness mirrored in the others’ eyes. Young Master Chen Quan seed half-mad with fear. The Chen Clan wasn’t nearly powerful enough to attempt a rescue in the Wasteland during the Rainy Season. Had he lost his senses?
??“…”
??The Chen Clan Head lowered his gaze, silent for a long ti, his fingers tapping absently on the table.
??The Council Hall was utterly still.
??Only the steady, rhythmic tapping echoed through the chamber, tightening around everyone’s nerves. Each person unconsciously slowed their breathing, not daring to make a sound or the slightest movent.
??After a long while—
??A faint sigh finally broke the silence.
??The Clan Head opened his eyes. Weariness flickered in his muddied gaze as he swept his eyes over those present. His voice was hoarse.
??“When my late wife was still alive, there was a ti we quarreled. She stord out of the city and hid. The clan searched for days, and finally found her at Waystation No. 37. Do any of you rember that?”
??The Grand Elder, who had been avoiding his gaze, suddenly straightened, a flash of shock in his eyes as he t the Clan Head’s look.
??“Clan Head… Are you suggesting there might be a Builder’s Legacy left behind by Madam at Waystation No. 37?”
??“No, no.”
??The Second Elder shook his head quickly. “Everyone knows that becoming a Builder is a matter of fate. Even if a Builder’s Legacy was left behind, it would only be so construction blueprints, energy techniques, or perhaps a rare skill. It can’t turn an ordinary Practitioner into a Builder.”
??“Young Master Chen Fan already underwent awakening in the clan. He didn’t beco any kind of Special Practitioner.”
??“Normally, there’s no such thing as a second awakening.”
??“Quan’er.”
??The Chen Clan Head turned to Chen Quan, enunciating each word. “Did you assign Chen Fan to Waystation No. 37, or did he volunteer?”
??“I assigned him.” By now, Chen Quan understood the gravity of the situation and dared not hide anything. “It was a long-abandoned outpost. I even sent people to search the hut from top to bottom. There was nothing inside—completely empty.”
??“Big brother… Big brother couldn’t possibly beco a Builder!”
??“Heh.”
??The Clan Head suddenly chuckled, slumping back in his chair, looking years older in that instant.
??Fate, was it?
??He had no idea what kind of Builder’s Legacy his late wife might have left behind. The elders’ certainty was not without reason; that was simply how the world worked. But the world was vast—how could anyone claim to know everything?
??Perhaps, sowhere out there, a Unique Treasure existed that could turn an ordinary Practitioner into a Builder.
??But then…
??Why keep it from him?
??Did his late wife truly believe that, if there was a way for Chen Fan to beco a Builder, he wouldn’t devote every resource the clan possessed to support him?
??That was his son!
??His own flesh and blood! If Chen Fan beca a Builder, he would be the greatest asset the Jiangbei Chen Clan could ever hope for. The clan would ascend to new heights. He would no longer have to serve under that retainer, Elder Liu, day in and day out. No outsider Builder could compare to his own son.
??All this, over a single argunt?
??And Chen Fan—if he truly had beco a Builder, why hadn’t he returned to the clan straight away? Did he really think the clan wouldn’t do everything in its power to protect and nurture a Builder of their own blood?
??Was the Jiangbei Chen Clan so kind of tiger’s den, a nest of vipers?
??But there was no point in dwelling on this now.
??A newly awakened Builder, with no resources or backing, stood no chance of surviving this Rainy Season. Not just Chen Fan—even their Level 5 Builder would perish if cast out into the Wasteland.
??Just then—
??The doors to the Council Hall burst open.
??“Clan Head!”
??Elder Liu strode in, his displeasure plain as day. He dropped into his seat, leaning forward, eyes fixed on the Clan Head. “Is there so urgent matter you all had to discuss behind my back?”
??“I’ve given this clan years of my life, and now I’m not even allowed to sit in on council etings?”
??“…”
??The Clan Head paused, then managed a thin smile. He walked over to Elder Liu and placed both hands on the retainer’s shoulders with a helpless sigh. “Aren’t you always complaining about being dragged into every little council eting?”
??“I was going to call you, but with all this rain today, I thought I’d let you rest.”
??“It’s nothing important.”
??“Just that the Rainy Season has arrived—we were discussing the clan’s next steps.”
??“See? You’re overthinking it again, aren’t you?”
??As he spoke, he swept his calm gaze across the elders. They imdiately understood, their faces turning blank and serene as if nothing had happened. The Grand Elder smoothly slipped the Ghostskin Map off the table and tucked it away in his robes.
??“Really?”
??Elder Liu shot the Clan Head a suspicious look, but when he noticed Chen Quan’s presence, he relaxed and grinned. “Quan’er is here too, I see. Clan Head, this is how it should be. You should involve Quan’er more in council matters.”
??“I’ve watched this boy grow up. He’ll amount to sothing.”
??“You’re getting on in years—how much longer can you keep carrying everything yourself? You have to let the young ones take on more.”
??“As if I need you to remind .” The Clan Head feigned irritation. “Quan’er’s my son—I know better than anyone what he’s capable of.”
??“All right, that’s enough. Ti to disperse.”
??“Morning drills are waiting. Please, Elder Liu.”
??“Clan Head, after you.”
??The Clan Head and the elders filed out of the Council Hall, leaving only Chen Quan behind. His face was pale as death, legs drawn up on his chair, trembling, his eyes full of resentnt and unwillingness.
??But soon, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
??Fortunately…
??Fortunately, the Rainy Season ca early.
??Heaven’s favor is with !
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