The Legend of Min Hong

But these sects were built on a democratic system, meaning that they were held responsible for the wellbeing of their entire region, and also spreading the responsibility of generating and allocating wealth on the entire Empire rather than on the Chu Clan alone."

"This also saves the Chu Clan from the extensive and stressful responsibility of taking care of the entire Empire, which was the flaw of their previous systems…"

"But to also that their system of rulership is not too lax and thereby encourage rebellions, they established a military base and also assigned a high-ranked and very loyal member to each of these four regions."

"This military base would serve as a strong deterrence to those who are having any type of untoward intentions about their rulership."

"Then the emissary sent by the Imperial Clan would be able to keep the rulers of these sects on their toes."

"So, the emissary enforces the Emperor's dictatorship on the heads of these sects with the aid of the military base assigned to their region."

"But even without the dictatorship of the emperor, the people of the Dogon Empire would follow whatever he decides upon and even support his cause to the bitter end."

"This is because he is a very charismatic and capable ruler who could easily engender loyalty from his people."

"Moreover, the current prosperity of the Empire was owed to his intelligent and astute judgements and decisions."

"But no matter how friendly one is, when it comes to the fate of an Empire as a whole, one must don the cloak of dictatorship, just to remind everyone of what is at stake should they use their actions to jeopardize the structure of the Empire."

"Furthermore, the heads of these sects do not come from the Imperial Clan, but rather from the Heads of each Super Clans, Families and other organizations who have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the Dogon Empire."

"The access of the people to the system of rulership gives them this sort of belief that, they are needed and valued."

"Thus, they put in their best performances when it comes to anything that promotes the Empire's prosperity."

"But the Empire still continues the search for more land and resources, since the Emperor of the Empire is one which believes that only absolute power can ensure that he protects this Empire that he is in the process of building."

"Thus, the conquering of other Families, Clans and Kingdoms are left to the many Super Clans within the Empire." 

"These are where the Super Clans are born from the ordinary Clans, because the more feat and regions you conquer as a Clan, the more land and resources you get and as a result the larger and more influential you become within the Empire."

When he spoke to this point Min Hong chipped in;

"Then that means the Top 10 Super Clans of the Dogon Empire are the ones who have contributed the most to the feats of the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire."

"Correct. Furthermore, of these ten Super Clans, seven of them came here with the Imperial Clan about ten thousand years ago and though they are the ones in the upper part of the list, it is an open secret that the three at the bottom are actually the best amongst them since they were the ones who have contributed the most to the benefit of the Dogon Empire since they moved to this region."

"But the only reason why these clans are in the upper part of the list is because, if the Emperor puts the other three over them, these clans might claim that the Emperor favours the new Super Clans more than them who had suffered with the Imperial Clan for a very long time."

"Thus, the Emperor had to rank them in such a way that, thought it might not make everyone to happy, but at least no one would be dissatisfied with the results."

"Normally, these three Super Clans were the; Ken Clan, Jin Clan and lastly our Long Clan."

"But because we, the Long Clan, as a clan of warriors do not wish to involve ourselves with politics, and wanted to retain our free-reign and nomadic nature, we were tasked with the conquering and spreading of the Dogon Empire's borders."

"Then, so as not to leave our spot empty, the Emperor had to replace us with the 'Desert Treasure Pavilion' a merchant association."

"But even though our clan are not directly a clan of the Dogon Empire, we still have the strongest influence in the entire list of the Top Ten Super Clan list, because none of these Super Clans had contributed up to half of what we have contributed to the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire since they moved here ten thousand years ago."

"This is the reason why despite the fact that we are only have a Guest Clan status within the Dogon Empire, we are still given more privileges and freedom than the rest of the Top Ten Super Clans."

"But my clan had never for once used these privileges because we prefer to be left unbothered and also never interfere in other's matters."

"But this only serve to increase the respect and fame which we never wanted in the first place."

"Though we could have left if we wanted. After all, no Empire wouldn't want to ally with our Long Super Clan, but our leaders have been intoxicated and influenced by the brilliant system of rulership which Emperor Chu Yang had incorporated into his Empire."

"Thus, we plan on supporting him to the ends." 

"But if this continues this way, and we only keep expanding the Dogon Empire's borders, we will never leave the status of a Super Clan which is against the intentions of the ancestors of our Long Clan, who wanted us to conquer till we build an Empire like this and if lucky move on to become a Dynasty."

"Thus, we are losing our warrior spirit and as a result our members are getting weaker by the year."

"There was a time where only my presence would have caused the entire crowd outside the Sunfire City to cower and created a space for me to pass."

"A time where all I need to do is look at someone and that person would be favoured by everyone around them, just so that they could gain connections with our Long Super Clan."

"But now, even vermin clans like the Chi Clan and the Mo Clan now have guts big enough to protest about something we the Long Clan has set our intentions upon."

"Even dragging the matter to the extent that I and teacher could barely take you guys away from there."

"Some people amongst our Long Clan have noticed this and want our Clan to return to its former glory."

"But some of the Elders in our clan have been so influenced by the attention they are getting from here that they don't want to leave anymore."

"My father and mother are also in support of this independence but the influence of the Imperial Clan has taken its roots within our Long Clan."

"The Jin Super Clan were only on the list because they married into our Long Clan a long time ago and they are very much subservient to the Imperial Clan."

"Thus, the Imperial Clan is using their connections to us as a way of anchoring us to the Dogon Empire."

"It is not like we are trying to rebel, but no Clan can ever be bigger than the Imperial Clan of its Empire. After all, when we got here, we were almost just as strong as the Imperial Family."

"The only difference that we had then was that, their strongest expert was a 9-Star Saint stage expert while ours was in the 6-Star Saint stage then."

"Moreover, they had advantages in their battle size and power."

"But now, despite all these, we are gradually losing our dominance and respect. About 80 percent of the Elders within the Clan want us to remain and serve the Imperial Clan."

"It has even gotten to the extent that there have been rumours of rebellion growing within the Clan."

"Therefore, my father, mother and all of us are potential targets to these people who plan to overthrow my father's reign."

"This was what drove my father into forcing his children into competition amongst themselves to see the one who is most suitable to carrying out the wishes of our Long Clan."

"Then my father sent out my sister and brother to other Sects in hopes to learn through experience and adventures."

"But the Elders suspected that, so they suggested that I be kept within the clan."

"That way they can easily have someone to hold hostage or in ransom should the need arise."

"Furthermore, they disguised their intentions by saying; how can our clan be left without any potential heir to the Clan Head position."

"That it might reflect badly on the clan and what if we were all to be killed outside the Clan borders."

"It was then my father suspected their intentions, but there is no concrete proof strong enough for him to do anything to them."

"Though, our clan values hierarchy very much, we obviously can't kill over 70 percent of our elders, which are one of the strongest experts of our clan."

"Apart from the fact that it would greatly diminish our battle power, it might also reflect badly to the members of our clan."

"After all, if even elders could be killed, then what are ordinary members."

"Teacher is one of the Elders of our Clan who supports our motives, and though he is the weakest amongst them, everyone knows he is the shrewdest in the entire clan."

"He was also the one who convinced my mother, to send me out to train and gain experience and even gave up his position just to follow me on this journey."

"Thus, my mother took a very great risk to send me here, one that if used well, could be the ruse reason why the Elders rebelled."

"After all, the Long Clan values hierarchy and doing otherwise is an offence punishable by death."

"So, should they claim that my mother had gone against the order of the Clan Head to keep me within the clan, they might suggest that my father kill her."

"Then, if he decides not to, which is the only outcome, they can use that as a reason to rebel and overthrow my father."

"This is how the Imperial Family of the Dogon Empire and their system of governance is silently and gradually crippling and killing our Long Super Clan, even though it is a very perfect system of governance."

"If this little relationship between the two of us could reduce us to such state, what do you think would happen if we had actually come under their reign… we might as well become a democratic or a merchant Super Clan by now." 

"This is our current crisis. We have a huge problem which affects the prosperity of the entire clan altogether on the outside, but we have an even bigger one which could ruin the entire clan within."

This is the current situation of our Long Clan, and the sheer lack of originality our clan elders are currently showing is one of the reasons I feel detached from everything and everyone around me. 

When Long Sha spoke to this stage, he then looked up to Min Hong and asked; "Fei Hong, now that you have understood the situation I am in, do you still think you could help me achieve my aims?"

Then after about five minutes and seeing that Min Hong was still in deep thoughts, Long Sha smiled helplessly as he added;

"It is alright, if you want to back out now… I should have at least let you know what you were getting into before you pledged your allegiance to my cause."

When Min Hong heard this, he looked up into Long Sha's eyes and frowned as he yelled;

"What nonsense are you spouting Long Sha. Is this the extent to which you trust me as a brother?"

"If your faith in me is that shallow, we might as well split up here and go our separate ways." Min Hong raged taking Long Sha by surprise before he added;

"Do you think my words are that fickle? "

"Moreover, what drew me to your cause is not the Dogon Empire, or your Clan or the current condition of my group, the Empire can go and burn for all I care."

"What made me pledge to your cause is your ultimate goal and vision for achieving it."

"Who cares if you are unable to achieve it with the Long Clan? Are you saying you don't think you have what it takes to create your own Super Clan?"

"One that could one day assimilate your Long Clan and even trample upon the Dogon Empire's Imperial Clan?"

"And here I was thinking you have really got what it takes… it is not a question of my loyalty to your cause but that of yours to your own cause…" 

Min Hong was so furious that his soul, mental and bloodline aura was starting to leak out, suffocating and supressing everything within the entire carriage in the process and it wasn't until he felt Min Qing tug him, that he realised he had begun to lose his cool.

So, he simply snorted in disgust as he sat back and relax to calm himself.

Long Sha who was stunned speechless by Min Hong's outbursts, as he smiled self-depreciatingly before commenting;

"Now I know why teacher likes you so much. Not only do you possess monstrous talent, but you also possess the qualities of a leader."

"No wonder your companions are fully devoted to you and your judgements, despite the fact that you are the weakest amongst them."

"For anyone who has a very grand vision and goal such as ours, must surely possess close relations with people of immense power, but more importantly, they must possess closer relationship with loyal people."

"Those who will help stoke the conviction behind their goals. Those who will remind them of where they started, where they are, where they should be and where they are going." 

"You, brother is one of them, and I am truly happy to have met you. it is true that I doubted myself for a moment there, but if I let something this miniscule to affect me, can I even have the guts to say I want to grow an Empire? … Thanks a lot for the reminder, brother Hong."

Long Sha was truly touched by Min Hong's words.

Furthermore, though it could not be truly called loyalty for now, but Min Hong's reaffirmation of his support filled his stuck-up heart with a bit of warmth.

So, Long Sha's aura changed swiftly as he sat straight and extended his hands to Min Hong who shook it and added;

"I am here to make sure we achieve you goals, and since our goals align with each other, I will never give you the chance to doubt yourself again."

"Even if I have to beat you half to death and drag you across a thousand miles just to make sure of it." Min Hong smiled as he spoke. 

"Haha ha! That will never happen. I am very we have got each other's backs, till the end?" He asked Min Hong who smilingly added;

"I would take nothing lesser than the end…"

Min Hong replied as they both laughed and continued their chat while Min Qing just sat there smiling sweetly at the duo.

They continued to chat whilst Min Qing chimed in once in a while as they travelled on towards the Desert Sun Sect which was in the southern region of the Dogon Empire.

Then after about another three days journey, they finally arrived at the Desert Sun City; the city within which the Desert Sun Sect was established.

Thus, Long Sha commanded the beast as the carriage came to a stop, then he looked towards the Min Hong duo as he explained;

"Within the vicinity of the Desert Sun Sect everyone must move on foot. Only the Core Disciples of the Sect are allowed to have grounded mounts, whilst only Elders within the Sect are allowed to have flying mounts."

"A disciple can only do otherwise if he or she was sent on an errand by either a Core Disciple or an Elder, and even at that, the disciple must go with the badge of that Elder or Core Disciple, so as to present it when stopped by the Enforcement Hall of the Desert Sun Sect." 

"But if it is as you have said, then how do they differentiate between an Elder or Core Disciple or Inner and Outer Disciple?"

Min Hong asked seemingly confused, afterall this is the first time he was going to see a sect, not to talk of joining one or even knowing how they operate.

He had only read and heard about them, nothing more.

"Oh, that was sorted out by simply designing different coloured cloaks for them."

"The Head of the Sect wears a Diamond embroidered cloak, while the Vice Heads who are the Dean of each halls wear a Gold embroidered cloak, then Silver for Elders and teachers."

"Bronze for Core Disciples, Black for Inner Disciples and the Outer Disciples would just wear the White Coloured Cloak without any embroidery…"

"That would look very glaring and so unconfusing." Min Hong laughed lightly at the difference.

"Yeah, it is. After all, it is a very large establishment and they have a very massive reputation to look up to."

"Moreover, they have the backing of the Imperial Clan of the Dogon Empire, so that alone should speak volumes towards outsiders." Long Sha gave a deeper survey.

"Lol… it is just normal. After all, we would be creating an Empire which is larger and stronger than the one which backs them. So, we should really act it and behave it."

"That way, it would be easier for us to gain a foothold and rally the talented but unseen members of the Sect and then the Empire, to follow and devote themselves to our cause."

Min Hong revealed his inner intentions towards entering the Desert Sun Sect.