Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

Seongryeongjeon South Training Center, Martial Arts Grounds.

The obsidian floor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and in the center of the main training platform, two figures stood facing each other.

It was Gen Shihōin and Shōin Yūzaburō, and this was the third time the two had met in the finals.

On the viewing platform, two intricately carved wooden chairs were placed side by side. One of the chairs was occupied by Shihōin Hyakusho, the current head of the Shihōin family; the other chair was carved with the crest of the Kuchiki family.

"The Shihōin family truly produces a wealth of talented individuals."

The speaker wore a white haori, had a thin face, strong features, and an inherent air of authority. He was none other than Kuchiki Shisada, the current head of the Kuchiki family.

With the head of the Kuchiki family, one of the five great noble families, personally arriving, Shihouin Hyakusho naturally wouldn't let Shihouin Senhi preside over the competition in his place again.

"Lord Kuchiki, you flatter me." Shihouin Hyakki put down his teacup and smiled slightly. "He's just a child from the branch family with some talent."

"Separate the family?"

Kuchiki Shisada's gaze lingered on Gen for a moment. The current battle was a complete suppression of Shihouin Hiruzaburo by Gen, not in terms of spiritual pressure, but in terms of combat skills and timing.

This wasn't what Kuchiki Shisada valued. What mattered more was—

At this moment, Xuan stood in the center of the martial arts arena, the sunlight shining obliquely, outlining his still-growing features.

His eyebrows and eyes were delicate and refined, and his nose was straight. Although he still looked somewhat young, his sharp eyes and bright eyebrows already revealed his handsome features.

Of course, Kuchiki Murasaki wasn't some pervert who liked handsome young boys. It was just that her youngest daughter was too wild, causing chaos in the Kuchiki family, and she couldn't bear to discipline her.

Rather than tormenting herself, she'd rather find a capable and presentable son-in-law to cause trouble. With that in mind, the seemingly aloof and dignified but actually cunning and repressed Kuchiki Shisada decided to check if there were any talented young men from the Shihōin family at the competition.

The five noble families have always had a delicate relationship due to their shared power. Marriage alliances are common, but if the direct descendants of two families were to unite, it would inevitably arouse suspicion and vigilance from other families—not specifically referring to the Tsunayo family here.

However, there would be no problem if the person was a member of a branch family. This demonstrates a friendly relationship between the two clans without being overly close. Moreover, Xuan has outstanding potential, a cool temperament, and did not inherit the dark skin of the head of the Shifeng Academy. Kuchiki Yukari would definitely be more and more satisfied with him.

"Your Highness, Shihōin, is a gentle and kind woman with a talent for swordsmanship. She is currently looking for a suitable match."

A look of understanding flashed across Shihouin Hyakkasa's eyes, and he smiled, "It's fortunate for this young man to have gained the favor of the Kuchiki family. However—"

He changed the subject slightly: "Xuan has already applied to go to Yuanzi Academy and will be enrolling next month. If this marriage is to be finalized, it will need to go through procedures such as approval by the Golden Seal Noble Council, which may not be enough time."

"It's alright." Kuchiki Shizuka's expression remained unchanged. "The engagement can be made. As for the marriage itself, it's not too late after he graduates from the Yuanzi Academy."

"Only six years."

-----------------

Gen and Shihouin Hiruzaburo's battle is over, and they undoubtedly win the championship.

Zongyan, the head instructor of the Fourth Maple Academy, stepped down from the viewing platform and came to Xuan. The other students who had gathered around Xuan immediately dispersed.

"Chief Instructor." Xuan bowed.

Shihōin Muneyoshi said, "Just now, after watching the competition, the head of the Kuchiki family and the head of the Kuchiki family, Kuchiki Shisada, praised you highly."

Xuan lowered his eyelids slightly. The chief instructor had suddenly approached him; it couldn't just be a simple compliment: "I was lucky, student."

Shihōin Sōgen paused for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"The second daughter of Lord Kuchiki is about your age. Just now, the two family heads agreed that you would be engaged to Miss Kuchiki Sojun, and after completing your six years of study at the Yuanzi Academy, you would marry into the Kuchiki family."

Xuan remained expressionless and said calmly, "Thank you for the family's cultivation. I will obey the family head's orders."

After Shihouin Muneyoshi left, Ōmaeda Yusuke came over, his face filled with undisguised envy: "Gen, congratulations, you've hooked up with a rich woman."

"Hmm," Xuan responded and continued on his way.

"Hey, don't be so cold!" The student caught up, winking and making faces. "If I could really marry into the Kuchiki family, that would be an incredible stroke of luck! Should we start calling you 'Kuchiki Gen' from now on?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several students around him laughed. The laughter contained envy, but also a hint of bitterness.

The Kuchiki family is one of the five most prestigious noble families in Soul Society, and they are in charge of the Seireitei's etiquette and laws.

Marrying into such a family is like a meteoric rise, even for a branch family member of the Shihouin clan. From then on, their status and future will be completely different from their previous lives.

To them, Xuan's seemingly indifferent calm was merely a facade of youthful composure. Deep down, he was probably overjoyed.

-----------------

Dusk was falling in the courtyard.

Xuan sat quietly in front of the stone table, letting the night gradually spread across the courtyard, over the half-withered cherry tree, and over the light blanket resting on his lap.

The courtyard gate was pushed open.

Shihōin Sennichi stepped into the courtyard, carrying an oil paper package—clearly containing pastries from the Imperial Kitchen.

"You won the championship again?" Although it was a question, Qianri's tone was like a statement.

"Yes." Xuan's tone was calm, not at all like he was delivering good news: "The two family heads have agreed that after I complete my studies at the Yuanzi Academy, I will marry into the Xiumu family."

Seeing no joy on Xuan's face, Qianri withdrew his congratulations.

A moment of silence.

After a long while, Qianri stood up.

"I can't change the decisions made by the two family heads," Senchi said. "On the bright side, everyone in the Kuchiki family is handsome, and they have enough wealth to squander for the rest of their lives. Maybe you'll see the light in six years?"

Even after saying those words, Qianri himself wanted to laugh. He had known Xuan for four years and knew that Xuan yearned for power and freedom. To utter such words that eroded another's ideals was entirely out of helplessness.

He wanted to say something more, his lips moved, but in the end he only let out a very soft sigh.

"...I'm leaving now."

After a thousand days, he turned around, took two steps, and then stopped.

"mysterious."

"Um."

"If," Qianri said in a low voice, her back to him, "if you graduated from Yuanzi Academy..."

He couldn't say what followed, as it clearly went against the family's interests.

"Anyway, let me know if anything happens."

The courtyard gate was opened and then closed again.

The footsteps faded into the distance, eventually swallowed by the evening breeze.

Xuan sat alone at the stone table and began to think.

It's pointless to think about why things are this way.

An ordinary clansman with little power has no choice but to accept the arrangements made by the most powerful patriarch in the family.

The way to cultivate oneself is to follow one's heart. It is not about suppressing emotions, but about observing the rise and fall of emotions without being swayed by them.

Being inexplicably thrust into the life of a complete stranger is bound to evoke strong emotions in Xuan.

But what's the point of venting your emotions?

Getting angry won't change the already arranged marriage;

Protests cannot change the decisions that have been made.

Asking Qianri for help would only make things more difficult for both sides, and besides, Qianri is powerless to help because he is bound by the rules of the nobility.

This approach is sufficient for now; present the facts to the people of Chihri, rather than complain or whine.

The question that Xuan needs to consider is what to do in the future.

It's impossible for me to marry into another family; it's absolutely impossible for me to do so in this lifetime.

They will inevitably have to leave the Shihōin family in the future.

How can I still leverage Qianri's connections to my advantage after leaving?

Xuan lowered his eyes.

There is no contradiction between Xuan's friendship with Qianri and Xuan's exploitation of this relationship.

The friendly bond that he and Qianri built over those four years was genuine, but Qianri, bound by the rules of the nobility, was unable to lend a helping hand and could only watch as Xuan hid his resentment and then calmly accepted it.

Using this, one can make Qianri feel a little guilty or apologetic.

Guilt and remorse can both be guided.

Six years later, after leaving Genji Academy and the Shihōin family, Gen will reappear in Soul Society under an alias. At that time, he will no longer be "Shihōin Gen".

The Way of the Demons—this is a system distinct from the past Shinigami system, and one that will surely flourish in the future. Diligent study of it during one's time at the Genji Academy can serve as the foundation for one's future.

By then, Gen will have established himself through the Demonic Path, and Senji and Sosuke will naturally know it's them, while the other members of the Shihouin family will not associate Gen with the Demonic Path.

Based on my understanding of Qianri, I suspect she'll try to alleviate her guilt by covering for him. Even if she doesn't offer Xuan any help, she wouldn't go so far as to report the family.

There are still six years to go. Let's take it one step at a time and see how things go. Perhaps all the problems will be solved without us even needing these plans.

With this thought in mind, Xuan stopped thinking and began his daily cultivation.