Xiaolin kept her calm as Grandma Wang discussed various topics with Sun Ziang. Honestly, she didn't know what she was doing there. Grandma asked for her presence and she could only oblige.

Other than being a proud member of the great Sun Family, Sun Ziang was a young enforcer. Well, she wasn't aware of how great the Sun Clan was, but Grandma Wang said so, so it should be. One thing she learned during her stay at Wang's Inn was not to question Wang Yushen.

Perhaps the Sun Clan was only below the royal family.

But if so, it was too weird for someone like Sun Ziang to be deployed to Wayshire. It was only after listening to them silently, Xiaolin found out, Sun Ziang's stationing in this town wasn't in fact coincidence, but part of a punishment.

It didn't seem like that big of a punishment from her perspective. Then again, she was aware practitioners had pride as high as heaven to take anything lightly. So far, the noble son had only been polite, but the indication of deep-rooted pride wasn't hidden from her eyes.

Unlike the other foreigner, who recommended to never take himself seriously, Sun Ziang's behaviour and manners all were of a higher standpoint. Well, at least he wasn't an arrogant prick like Han Xiao.

Sun Ziang was calm and more graceful than any princess. Yet instead of adoration, all Xiaolin felt was envy. Envy of that beautiful silver hair, and bright milky skin. She wondered if she was in her right mind.

Another thing she was jealous of was his standing of silver rank. Xiaolin only knew one person who was silver beside him, and she was sitting together with her right now. But Grandma Wang was super old, probably ten times her age, while Sun Ziang was four or five years older at the best.

"So you won't tell me why you're being punished?" Grandma said in her elderly tone.

"I have done nothing wrong," Sun Ziang said as a matter of fact. His voice seemed cool, yet it came as hard and stern.

Unlike the other foreigner that found his way into the town, Sun Ziang wasn't very communicative, whereas Gale seemed to hit it off with anyone he desired. Both of their personalities were quite opposite of how they were viewed from the outside.

Sun Ziang had the exterior of a peerless practitioner, proud, polite and seemed easy to talk to, but he wasn't. On the other hand, Gale seemed stern and contemplative most of the time, totally unapproachable as he grew his beard. Well, it's not that Gale wasn't good-looking, practitioners seldom weren't. Anyone who could advance to iron had their bone structure redefined in the realms of perfection.

Gale was sharp-featured, like a cranky old man with a weird sense of humour. But he was an utterly affable fellow, even though he looked like he would murder anybody for the smallest offence sometimes.

"I hope this little adversity presents an opportunity to learn something new." Grandma shook her head and changed the topic. "Anyway, the reason I called you."

Grandma gestured towards her, making Xiaolin sit straighter even though she was at a right angle on the floor.

"Xiaolin has a particular deficiency in her physique. She can absorb energy at a far superior pace than anyone in her station should, however, any Qi she cultivates leaks out of her body over time."

Sun Ziang frowned. "I don't know if I was the right person for you to ask for advice in this, Grandma Wang. However, if you want, I can ask Aunt Min. She's one of the best we have who studies healing arts."

"I'll be grateful if you do so," Grandma said, and bowed. Xiaolin followed as well, bowing. "The world will miss out on her talent if we leave her like this. At the age of thirteen, she tapped into a deep meditative state. I can proudly and vainly say Xiaolin is my most ingenious student."

Sun Ziang gave Xiaolin a long look, a bit surprised. "Touching deep meditation at thirteen, that's even rare in our clan."

Xiaolin only managed a rueful smile. Her talents, which others were so envious of, meant ultimately nothing to her after so many years of being useless.

"To another topic," Grandma continued, sipping in hot tea, "what can you tell me about those fake fate-locks."

"Ahh, you know about those shady organisations selling fake fate-locks as artificial fate-locks?" Sun Ziang raised an eyebrow. "I know little about those fakers, only that they profited off of the demand of the market. Their business is still going on as far as I know. If you want to buy artificial ones, then I'll advise you to go through the artisan guild's channel."

Wang Yushen frowned. All she heard was news to her. She literally called the artificial fate-locks as fake as they weren't the genuine product, but it seemed there was another fiasco about the product.

Counterfeit of counterfeit products. Can you believe it?historical

"And the artificial ones?" Grandma asked, acting cool. "What are your views on those?"

"Honestly, I think they will change and redefine how we practise spirit arts in the coming centuries," Sun Ziang said, gaining a surprised look from the old woman. "True, higher level artificial fate-locks aren't possible yet, but Mother seemed to see great value in it. Many of my brothers, sisters, and cousins were sent outside to learn to script and widen their view of the artificial fate-locks."

"Outside?" Grandma Wang intoned. "Outside of Tianhui?"

"Obviously," Sun Ziang chimed, his voice calming yet a flicker of pride leaking out in his tone. "Tianhui is still bent on the old ways, and honestly, our clan, too. Thankfully, our clan isn't dependent on Tianhui. We have a solid standing in the Central region and the South to be aware of how the world is changing behind the curtains."

"Isn't south a wasteland?" Xiaolin couldn't help but ask.

"Most of it, yeah," Sun Ziang agreed, "but the South is also the biggest source of spirit marks."

"So, according to what you know," Grandma asked, confirming, "artificial fate-locks are a viable option?"

"Certainly," Sun Ziang said, waiting no longer. "It is only the inner contempt and inaccessibility that's stopping us. Just think about it. How hard is it to train spirit artists? There's no shortage of talented and hard-working individuals, only the resources to train them. You cannot provide everyone with valuable fate-locks or the opportunity to understand universal laws. Even as I'm now waiting to get my third fate-lock. Even though some people will disagree, practising spirit arts is a race to climb the peak. If an artificial fate-locks gives me the means to climb the peak, I'll rightfully take them."

Grandma nodded. She hasn't expected such an exaggerated reply. "What is your mother's view on this?"

"Mother thinks the new technology will take the world by storm when it hits the market in mass."

Grandma Wang grew contemplative hearing him out. Her gaze drew towards Xiaolin who was lost in thoughts. "Your mother is hardly ever wrong, so I guess I can take her word for it."

"Yes," Sun Ziang affirmed as something sharp grew in his eyes. "Mother is never wrong."

___________

This chapter sequence is to establish everyone's inner conflict and makes them a bit more dynamic. Well, I'm trying and will try more to make it more complicated.

Thank you for the power stones.