War God's Rebirth: A Thousand Blades of Destiny

A Clan in Turmoil

The Bai Clan was always a hierarchy of power—where the strong ruled, and the weak were doomed to die. Bai Tian understood this better than anyone.

And tonight, he had destroyed that order.

Word of his defeat of Bai Long spread like fire, setting the halls of the clan ablaze with disbelief, terror, and hushed rumors.

"A cripple defeated Bai Long?"

"Impossible! He must have employed some sneaky trick!"

"Even if he did… does it matter? Bai Long lost."

In the grand hall, the elders remained seated in strained silence. Bai Wu's knuckles clenched the wooden armrest of his chair, his old face black with anger. "This… this is unacceptable."

Another old man, Bai Han, rubbed his beard contemplatively. "Unacceptable? Or inevitable?" His tone was even, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity. "The boy survived in the external world, returned, and beat one of our most powerful disciples without a trace of Qi. That is not the sign of a weakling."

Bai Wu snorted. "He's still useless! No cultivation, no dantian, nothing! What's he good for to the Bai Clan?"

The room erupted into whispers until a deep voice stilled them all.

"We must be cautious."

Bai Yue, the Clan Leader, sat at the head of the room, his face impassive. Unlike the others, he had not uttered a word since the duel. But now, his eyes were piercing, calculating.

"Bai Tian was supposed to die. And yet, not only is he alive, but he has come back more powerful than before. This is not a coincidence," Bai Yue said slowly, his fingers drumming against the armrest. "Something altered him out there. We must discover what it is."

Bai Wu sneered. "And if he doesn't want to talk?"

Bai Yue's eyes turned dark. "Then we remind him of where he belongs."

---

A Familiar Place, A Different Man

Bai Tian sat cross-legged within his old courtyard, looking up at the night sky. The moon was full and heavy above him, casting cold silver light over the world.

This place… He recalled it well. The walls were unchanged, the garden still unmarred. Even the old stone bench where he sat was just as he had left it.

But the person sitting here now… was no longer the same.

Xiao Yue approached quietly, a tray of tea in her hands. She hesitated before setting it down beside him. “You should rest, Young Master,” she murmured. “You’ve done enough for tonight.”

Bai Tian smirked. “Have I?”

Xiao Yue bit her lip. “You humiliated Bai Long in front of everyone. The elders won’t let this go.”

I know," Bai Tian replied bluntly. "They'll come for me soon."

Xiao Yue's hand shook. She'd witnessed the things that the Bai Clan was capable of. The torture they had done to Bai Tian before… If they were to attack once more—

"You need to go away," she stammered out. "Before it's too late."

Bai Tian regarded her. "And run away once more?"

Xiao Yue's neck constricted. "I don't want you to die.

Something eased in Bai Tian's eyes. He leaned forward, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I won't," he whispered.

Xiao Yue's breathing caught. She resented the way he spoke—so certain, as if death itself would not be able to reach him.

As if he were above it.

---

A Warning from the Past

Bai Tian's serene moment was disrupted by the thudding of heavy footsteps.

A figure stepped forward from the shadows, into the light of the moon. Bai Tian's eyes narrowed.

"Uncle."

Bai Zhen, a former warrior of the Bai Clan, stood before him, his face grim. His once-muscular physique had thinned with age, but his presence was still as formidable as ever.

"You've made a big mess," Bai Zhen said, folding his arms.

Bai Tian leaned back against the stone bench. "Good to see you too."

Bai Zhen blew out sharply. "Do you realize what you've done?" Bai Long wasn't just some snotty little brat—he's the son of the Clan Leader."

"I do," Bai Tian said.

"And so you must know what will follow."

Bai Tian's smile didn't waver. "They will attempt to crack me.

Bai Zhen's jaw clenched. "They won't attempt it. They will." He took a step closer, speaking softly. "Listen to me, boy. You might have lived out there, but the Bai Clan isn't the forest. This is teeming with vipers, and they'll suffocate you the first chance they get."

Bai Tian's eyes never wavered. "Let them attempt it."

Bai Zhen rubbed his temples. "You were always obstinate. Just like your father."

At the mention of his father, Bai Tian's face grew dark.

"I don't have a father," he replied icily.

Bai Zhen scowled. "Don't be a fool. Do you think he left you willingly?"

Bai Tian's fists tightened. Memories of his childhood—of a father who had once been strong, proud, and unshakeable—collided with the bitter reality of his exile.

"He left me to die," Bai Tian said. "That's all that matters.

Bai Zhen shook his head. "Believe what you will. But if you think this battle is only about you and Bai Long, you're blind."

Bai Tian's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Bai Zhen hesitated. Then, speaking in a voice little more than a whisper, he said, "There's more going on here than you know. The Bai Clan has enemies. And someone wants you back for a reason.

Bai Tian felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Enemies?

And someone… wanted him back?

Before he could press for answers, Bai Zhen straightened. “I’ve said too much already. Be careful, Bai Tian.” His eyes darkened. “You may have returned stronger, but strength alone won’t be enough to survive what’s coming.”

Then, without another word, Bai Zhen disappeared into the night.

Bai Tian sat there, staring at the moon, his thoughts swirling.

He had returned to take back his dignity. To validate himself.

But now, apparently. something so much greater was at stake.

And for the first time since coming back, Bai Tian became aware—

This was not a matter of vengeance.

It was about survival.