The days grew longer, the sun setting later in the evening as the town of Green River held its breath. It was the calm before the storm, but no one could say how long that calm would last. The sense of unease that had permeated the town's air only grew heavier with each passing day. People whispered more openly now, even in the streets, their voices low but sharp with fear and suspicion.
Xi Chen kept to his routine. The rhythmic clang of his hammer continued to fill the forge, a steady beat that grounded him amidst the chaos that threatened to engulf Green River Town. The forging of iron had always been more than just his trade—it was his anchor. But even the steady work could not silence the wariness in his chest.
His brothers, Xi Bing and Xi Xuan, had grown more attentive in the past few days. They asked more questions now, their innocent curiosity laced with a growing sense of unease. Xi Xuan had even started to follow him around when he went to collect supplies, the younger boy's eyes constantly scanning the streets as if expecting something to happen at any moment.
Xi Bing, ever the more serious of the two, had stopped his usual playful antics. There was an air of tension even in his smile now, as though he was trying to hold onto the last fragments of his childhood innocence before the world forced him to grow up.
One evening, as the last rays of the sun slipped behind the trees, Xi Chen returned to his forge after a long day's work. He was covered in soot, his muscles aching from hours of constant hammering. But the moment he stepped through the door of his workshop, he knew something was off.
The forge's glow was dimmer than usual. The sound of metal clashing on metal was absent. He stepped further into the room, his senses on high alert.
"Big Brother," came a voice from the shadows, a soft, hesitant tone.
Xi Chen's gaze swept the room until he spotted Xi Bing standing near the rear of the forge, his expression tense. The boy's eyes were dark with concern, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by something far more mature. Something heavy.
"What's wrong?" Xi Chen asked, his voice a low rumble as he stepped closer to his younger brother.
"There's something... happening," Xi Bing said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Meng clan... They've been acting strange. They're more secretive than ever. I overheard some men talking in the market today. They said something about the Lin and Li clans coming to an agreement."
Xi Chen's heart sank at the mention of the three major clans. He had feared this day would come—the day when the forces in Green River Town would finally collide.
"Did they say anything else?" Xi Chen asked, trying to remain calm despite the sudden rush of adrenaline in his veins.
Xi Bing shook his head. "No, but it didn't sound good. They were speaking in code, and I don't think it was meant for me to hear. But the way they were acting... It's not normal. I think they're preparing for something."
Xi Chen felt the weight of his brother's words settle heavily on his shoulders. It seemed the town's fragile peace was finally breaking apart. If the Meng, Lin, and Li clans had indeed made some kind of agreement, it could only mean one thing: war was inevitable.
He placed a hand on Xi Bing's shoulder, trying to calm him. "Stay here, with Xi Xuan. Don't go out in the streets tonight, no matter what you hear. It's not safe."
"But Big Brother—"
"No arguments," Xi Chen said, his voice firm. "Promise me."
Xi Bing hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "I promise."
Xi Chen didn't wait for another word. He turned and left the forge without another glance, stepping out into the cooling evening air. The streets, once filled with the sounds of daily life, were now eerily quiet. The market stalls were mostly closed, the streets darkened as if even the lamps were afraid to shine.
The familiar path to the town's outskirts felt different tonight. Every sound seemed louder, every movement more deliberate. As he neared the town square, Xi Chen saw the first sign of trouble. A figure stood in the shadows, watching him from a distance. It was one of the town's regulars, but there was something unsettling about the way the man moved, as if he was waiting for something.
Xi Chen's instincts flared, and he moved into the alley beside the square, silently drawing closer. He crouched low, keeping his presence concealed as he approached the corner.
As he peered around the edge, he saw a group of figures cloaked in dark robes, standing in a circle around a large table. There was no mistaking it—this was a clandestine meeting. The people gathered here were from different clans, their faces hidden in the shadows, but their air of authority was unmistakable.
Xi Chen's blood ran cold. The Meng clan, the Lin clan, and the Li clan—they were all represented here. It seemed the rumors were true. They were conspiring, forming an alliance. But for what purpose?
Suddenly, one of the figures spoke, his voice low but clear in the night air. "The town has reached a breaking point. If we don't act now, we risk losing control. We need to strike before the other factions realize what we're doing."
Another voice, rough and harsh, replied, "And what of the blacksmith? He's been too quiet. We can't afford another wildcard in the mix."
The mention of Xi Chen made his heart skip a beat. They knew about him. He had always suspected that someone might eventually notice his growing strength, but this—this was too soon. He hadn't even reached the Acquired Qi Realm yet.
"We deal with him when the time comes," a third voice interjected, more composed than the others. "We've made our preparations. The town will be ours before the end of the month."
Xi Chen's mind raced. They had already made their move. The factions had been maneuvering for power, and now they were ready to strike. He had to act quickly, before it was too late.
With a quiet curse, Xi Chen pulled back, retreating into the shadows. He needed to warn his family, but he also knew he couldn't wait too long. He had to make sure his brothers were safe, and that meant preparing them for the chaos that was about to unfold.
As he made his way back to the forge, his thoughts swirled with the gravity of what he had learned. There was no escaping the storm now. Green River Town was about to be torn apart. And Xi Chen would need more than his hammer to survive the coming battle.
That night, he didn't sleep. Instead, he gathered his supplies, quietly and efficiently. Food, medicine, weapons, and tools—he made sure everything was ready. He knew that when the time came, his family would need to move quickly, and they couldn't afford to waste any time.
When dawn broke, Xi Chen stood at the edge of the forest, looking back at the town that had been his home. The weight of what was to come pressed down on him, but there was no turning back now. He had to protect his family, no matter the cost.
And as the first rays of sunlight bathed the town in gold, Xi Chen made a silent vow to himself: he would be ready for whatever came next.