"The Warrior Path has three main disciplines. Once one chooses the Warrior Path, one must decide which discipline to specialize in."
Lily nodded.
Today's instructor was Elder Xu. He had been frowning all morning while explaining the Warrior Path and was now elaborating on its disciplines.
As a way of making the old man feel better, Lily kindly put on her obedient act.
However...
The more Elder Xu watched her sitting there with that vacant expression, the more she became an eyesore. Adding the lizard perched on her shoulder...
In his eyes, she was mocking him.
Elder Xu let out a slow sigh. He needed to keep his temper in check.
Although this girl carried nothing but bad energy, she was still the Young Heir who required his guidance.
"Weapon Mastery, Body Refinement, and Archery are the three main disciplines of the Warrior Path," Elder Xu continued. "Typically, a person chooses only one. However, there are those who cultivate all three."
"Why doesn't everyone choose everything?" Lily asked.
"You only have one Soul Core. Attempting to cultivate every discipline divides your focus. It is possible, but progressing in all of them is extremely difficult." He paused before continuing—- "Your Weapon Mastery may reach its pinnacle, while your Body Refinement remains average."
"Father cultivated all three disciplines to a high level," Lily pointed out.
"That is why he is the Clan Head," Elder Xu replied with a glare. His expression softened slightly before he continued, "It is good to look up to your father as your goal. But for now, you should focus on a single discipline. You awakened your Soul Core earlier than most people, and many have already placed their expectations upon you—-
He paused for a brief moment.
"—- But do not let that burden you. You may become like your father... or you may not. If it is the latter, there is no reason to be discouraged."
Lily nodded.
She wouldn't.
After the first lesson, she visited the other two elders to learn more about the Warrior Path.
Elder Yanshu specialized in the Body Refinement Discipline, so he was the one who taught her about it.
Then came Elder Jingyi—a dignified and elegant woman whose expertise lay in the Archery Discipline.
"As a young lady, you should choose Archery," Elder Jingyi said. "It is elegant and dignified."
"I prefer solving things with my fists," Lily replied.
Elder Jingyi's expression immediately turned frosty.
The entire two-hour lesson quickly transformed into a lecture on how a woman should conduct herself with elegance, dignity, and pride.
When the lesson finally ended, Lily hurried off to find her father and report what she had learned.
"How were your lessons?" Lord Pei asked.
Lily recounted everything she had learned since morning before saying, "Father, you look pale. What kind of shenanigans have you been doing every night?"
"Language!"
"Have you been visiting all the concubines in the household?"
"Lily!"
A loud thud echoed through the room.
Lily's eyes widened as her father suddenly collapsed.
She hurried over, crouched beside him, and poked his cheek.
His breathing was ragged.
She shivered.
He fainted from spending too much time with the concubines?
Anyway...
"Butler Chen!" Lily called out. "Inform someone at once and bring a priest from the temple! Then help Father back to his room! He has fainted!"
"Has the Lord woken up?"
Lily heard Concubine Qin's voice from outside, followed by Butler Chen answering her. Moments later, Concubine Qin entered the room. A worried frown marred her face as she hurried to Lord Pei's bedside.
"Have you stressed your father to the point of fainting?" she asked. She couldn't think of any other explanation for why Lord Pei, who was healthy and strong, would suddenly collapse.
Standing beside the bed, Lily looked at her innocently.
"He spent too much time with the concubines every night and exhausted himself."
"..." Concubine Qin looked at Lily, unsure of what to say. "He didn't spend time with me."
"Oh." Lily nodded in understanding. "Then he must have spent too much time with one concubine every night until he became exhausted."
"..."
Enough with that already.
Outside the room, the concubines who overheard Lily's words couldn't help but bite their handkerchiefs.
None of them had spent time with Lord Pei over the past few nights!
Then who was it?
Who had monopolized his affection?
"The High Priest has arrived!"
Lily turned toward the entrance just as the High Priest entered with his usual gentle smile.
"High Priest, I don't think your presence is necessary. A normal priest would be fine," Lily said.
Concubine Qin frowned at Lily's remark, but her concern for Lord Pei outweighed everything else.
"High Priest," she said, "please examine our Lord. He has always been healthy and strong. Nothing should have caused him to collapse like this and remain unconscious."
Not to mention the pained frown etched across Lord Pei's sleeping face.
"I heard the Clan Head had collapsed," the High Priest said, his gaze briefly falling on Lily before shifting to the man lying on the bed. "I couldn't entrust such an important matter to just anyone, so I came personally."
"Thank you, High Priest."
Concubine Qin stepped aside, allowing the High Priest to approach the bed.
The High Priest sat beside Lord Pei. Before examining him, he turned to Lily and said, "Young Heir, would you like to pray with me? Your prayers have always brought about miraculous results. With your help, we may be able to heal your father more quickly."
"..."
Lily quietly took a step back.
Then another.
Finally, she turned her head toward the window as though she hadn't heard a single word.
The High Priest let out a regretful sigh.
Without insisting further, High Priest Agennon raised his hands an inch above Lord Pei's body and began his prayer.
Several minutes later, he slowly lifted both hands.
A dark mass emerged from Lord Pei's body, carried away by the High Priest's divine power.
"What is that?" Concubine Qin gasped.
High Priest Agennon's expression turned grave.
"I suggest the Pei Clan examine everyone," he said. "This is a malicious spell cast by a dark mage. The fact that Lord Pei was afflicted with it means the culprit was someone he trusted."
Concubine Qin's face darkened.
"Butler Chen, seal the estate. No one is allowed to leave! Also, prepare a list of everyone who has left the estate within the past month!"
"Understood!"
Lily watched the scene with a blank expression.
Then, as if sensing something, she turned toward the window.
A woman dressed in white stood outside.
"There is no need to waste your time," the woman said. Her expression was cold, and a gloomy aura surrounded her. "I poisoned the Lord." She looked at everyone the slightest trace of fear—-
"—- Do whatever you want with me."