Gu Yue Mo Chen was once again practicing one of his paintings. While his paintings tended to be of scenic, sunny landscapes (he might even add in a rainbow from time to time depending on his mood), lately, the sky above whatever landscapes he etched out onto his easel tended to be cloudy, either a thunderstorm or a heavy burst of rain upon the grassland below.
His back was towards the door, and someone knocked, but then he immediately heard footsteps coming in. The fact that they had knocked first meant that this was not Mo Yan. The fact that they had stepped in after knocking, as if it was just a courtesy, meant that it was not one of the servants either.
"Mo Bei, how are things?" he asked without even turning his head.
"Things are well enough, my grandfather," Mo Bei said. "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"Well, I'm fine, as always," he answered. "What could possibly go wrong with me? But I take it that's not the only reason that you came here."
"Yes, Grandfather, actually, I..." Mo Bei began. "I was wondering if I could accompany you on the mission tomorrow?"
"Denied," Mo Chen said without any hesitation. "You are the future of this family," he continued. "If I die tomorrow, so be it. But if we lose you, the hope for continuing our clan will be extinguished. And as it is, you are not yet ready. You've just broken through to Rank 2 Initial Stage, haven't you?"
"No, that's not true," Mo Bei retorted. "I just managed to get to Rank 2 Middle Stage."
Mo Chen nodded satisfactorily. While the looming wolf tide was a cause of huge concern to the village, it also meant that people were spurred on to work harder.
People oftentimes only show their true natures when put under duress, and while some people would break under pressure, others would begin to shine and show their true talents. He was happy to know that Mo Bei used this opportunity not to lock himself in his room and become depressed, but rather to better himself.
That was good- that was exactly what was expected of the heir to the Mo family name.
'Perhaps if I die tomorrow,' Mo Chen thought, 'I can very easily leave things to him.'
Mo Bei did not fully understand what the mission was, but there was no way that the village could hide the fact that several elders were heading out tomorrow from everyone. The fact that Fang Yuan himself was also leaving leaked through the grapevine to Mo Bei. In truth, it was Mo Yan who had told him this. She had also stipulated that he not tell anyone that she had told him that.
Still, he understood the kind of firepower such a force would be packing. He could only assume that they were out to hunt a Thunder Crown Wolf or another beast on its scale. Given the inherent danger involved, he also realized this was one of the last times he might even be able to see his grandfather.
And naturally, he did not want to lose out to Fang Yuan. Nor did he want to just stay on the sidelines. He wanted to contribute to the battle, no matter how little it was. Of course, thinking it through with a cool head, the fact remained that he could do very little to change the outcome of such a fight, and they did need to be someone to inherit the family name.
"Sister is also there to inherit the family name."
" a woman?" Mo Chen asked. "She would essentially have to sell herself to a suitable fiancé. She does not have your aptitude. She would not be able to reach Rank 3. No, you are far too precious for us to risk in the upcoming fight."
"Grandfather, I've been meaning to ask," Mo Bei said. "How did Fang Yuan manage to rise to Rank 4 so quickly? Even if he had A-grade aptitude, he wouldn't have been able to do so."
Mo Chen scratched his chin. 'Should he tell him the truth? Or should I deflect the question entirely?'
"The fact is that even I am not sure,' he answered his grandson. "However, the clan head has taken it in stride as if nothing, or rather, as if he was expecting such. Right now, at the height of the wolf tide, we cannot inquire into this too further, especially with the clan head already backing him. It's only when the wolf tide ceases that we'll be able to get some proper answers from Fang Yuan."
"So you don't know either?" Mo Bei asked, shocked.
"What, do you think I'm lying to you?" Mo Chen asked.
"No, no, I would never insinuate that," Mo Bei answered. "I just thought that there was a chance that, you know, you weren't telling anyone."
"The most obvious cause," Gu Yue Mo Chen said, "would be that he had somehow found some kind of inheritance or some other kind of fortuitous encounter, which allowed him to reach Rank 4 so quickly. However, were that the case, the clan head would have immediately demanded answers from him, instead of protecting him like he is now. There's something else going on, even if I cannot fully fathom what it is."
He stopped painting, turning towards his grandson. The painting depicted a typhoon over a stormy sea, with a ship upon the rocky waves that looked like it was in danger of capsizing.
"Regardless, once all of this is over, we will be able to inquire into this matter further. If it is indeed something, such as an inheritance, without a doubt, the Mo family will be able to ask for a stake in the same. When that happens, I will hand it over to you. However, even if I'm not still alive," he continued, "you must find your way to get your hands on it. It would have been better if you had been able to reach Rank 3 by now, but fate limits us."
"And don't worry, Grandfather," Mo Bei said. "I'll definitely work as hard as I can. If anything, I'll reach Fang Yuan's level, or even surpass him once we figure out what his secret is."
"Good, good," Mo Chen said. "On that note, although I've already told your sister of this, I think it is prudent that I tell you as well. In case something happens to me, I have reached an agreement with Gu Yue Yao Ji, the medicine hall elder. You should be able to rely upon her in the meanwhile while you get to Rank 3."
In times like this, it was important to know who they could trust once the chips fell.
Of course, the Mo faction had its own group of elders. But it spoke volumes to the fact that Mo Chen had decided to trust an outsider rather than them. The reason was simple: Mo Bei was still young and could easily be led astray by one of the others in his faction. They would have been happy to have a puppet that they could control easily heading their faction, even if it would sacrifice the Mo family's interests.
"I understand," Mo Bei said. Inwardly, he thought, 'Fang Yuan. I don't know what your secret is, but you better not mess up tomorrow. If I find out that my grandfather died because of your carelessness...' He clenched his fist. 'I'll make sure that you regret it!'