A majority of the attending guests listened with half hearted attention as Jacob Wolfe used practiced platitudes and elegant words to convey how thankful he was for thier attendance, how the Wolfe Family had been an anchor for Stone Claw for generations, the usual "blah blah blah" that came with power and privilege. That being said, the only ones showing disdain, at least as politely as possible, were the Zhen Clan members and the Digger Union members.
Patriarch Zhen Shi and Grand Digger Orgo shared a look that suggested they shared the same sentiment. This mangy mutt had something planned and it wasn’t gonna be anything good for either of them.
"Now, as some of you may know, my father had been a journey across the continent to-"
"Oh enough with all of the niceties and build-up, son. I can handle it from here," a wizened voice empowered by aether stated, echoing throughout the ballroom that the party was being held in.
"Where’d the voice come from? It sounds like it’s coming from everywhere."
"Forget the voice, you feeling that power? It’s absurd!"
"Over there! He’s floating down."
The attendees looked up as the Grand Elder of the Wolfe Family, Harold Wolfe, descended from above like some kind of divine messenger.
While flight was a method of movement available to Grand Masters, it wasn’t until the Lord level was that it was a viable travel method.
"Damn! He’s not even circulating any aether and I can still feel it coming off of him. Is this the power of an Aether Lord?"
"Huh...you guys said he was Jacob’s father, right? He looks more like an older brother."
"He was either born lucky or...you know I have heard that when one breaks through to the Aether Lord level, their body’s appearance reverts back to their prime..."
"That’s a rumor, he probably found some elixir or something."
’So I’m literally the only one here who thinks he looks like a fucking supervillain?,’ Zhen Liu thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.
Harold Wolfe looked, objectively, like a handsome forty year old man with a well maintained imperial mustache and goatee, and slick backed hair. However, in Zhen Liu’s and possibly his relatives eyes, the man gave off this feeling of arrogance and superiority. It was as if as far as he was concerned, he had no equal and all others were destined to bow before him.
"My esteemed colleagues, I thank you for welcoming me back to Stone Claw with such warmth and fanfare. I had initially planned for return to be a quiet affair, but you know how kids get. Always looking for an excuse to throw a party," Harold joked.
Scattered polite laughter could be heard from the crowd.
’Kids? The man’s like...thirty years old,’ Zhen Liu mentally commented. He honestly didn’t know how old the man actually was, he just did his best guess because cultivation magic was bullshit.
"I’ve been gone for over decade, but it feels like it was only yesterday that I was home...please, my friends, enjoy the party and help yourself to the wine. What’s the point of luxuries if you can’t use them, right? Cheers!"
The party goers proceeded to do just as the Grand Elder suggested, partaking in the festivities and drinking his wine. Once this has occured, Harold used this opportunity to walk up to Zhen Shi and Orgo, with a smile on his face that Zhen Liu couldn’t help but think looked a little...fake.
"Zhen Shi! Orgo! It has been awhile old friends. You two looked like you’ve aged like shit!," Harold said with a laugh.
"Well, we can’t all get lucky you you old dog! Tell me, how’d you get your youth back? Got you hands on a high class elixir, or bathe in the blood of virgins?"
This "friendly" conversation went on for several minutes, the air around the three growing (un)surprisingly more and more tense to the point one could stab the air with a sword and it would just stick. Eventually, the conversation took a strange, unexpected turn.
"Oh it is so wonderful catching up with old acquaintances...speaking of, I have a proposition for the two of you that concerns the future of Stone Claw. Won’t you join me in my office for a more...private discussion?"
Orgo and Zhen Shi were both very aware that they were essentially walking into a trap, but they didn’t have the luxury to refuse such an invitation from the Grande Elder of the Wolfe Family, not with so many people in attendance as it were. Despite this world being on where the laws are determined by those with the biggest fist, some rules of etiquette still apply moreso the higher one goes up the societal food chain.
The Zhen Clan and the Diggers could only watch as their respective leaders followed Harold Wolfe into his office, unaware of the events that would transpire in there...well, most of them would be unaware.
’Hurricroak, Frosttusk, it looks like my grandfather is about to get roped into a meeting with the Wolfe’s Grand Elder. I need one of you to keep an eye on it to see if shit goes sideways in there and another out here to see if shit goes sideways.’
[Frosttusk is currently warming himself inside of a lamp, I’ll be your guardian angel maestro,] Hurricroak responded.
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"Ahhh, it has been awhile since I sat in this chair of mine. Good job on making sure it didn’t rot away, son."
"Of course father, I make sure it gets inspected at least once a month to keep it in prime condition," Jacob said in a slightly sycophantic tone.
The leaders of the four biggest powers in all of Stone Claw were seated around a long, rectangular table, arranged by the Grand Elder of the Wolfe Family.
Harold was seated at the head of the table in a large velvet chair, directly opposite to him was Zhen Shi while Orgo and Telana Corrada were to his left and right in chairs that were still quite fine, but were significantly less...ostentatious. Whether deliberate or not, the message was rather clear.
"Now then, lady and gentlemen. I have not gathered you all here for the sake of remembering old times, rather I’m here to discuss the future."
"The future?," Orgo asked with a skeptical tone, "which future?"
"The future of Stone Claw of course," Harold answered in a condescending tone, "now, it’s no secret that our fair city is essentially divided by the four of us and by the several dozens or so smaller factions that call this city home. I wish to change that. I have traveled across the land and saw cities that were more developed than our humble home, led by powers that dwarf out own like mountains against ants. I propose that we establish a unified sect that can help turn this lawless frontier into a paradise that can rival the capital and beyond."
"Well that sounds fine and dandy, but who’s gonna lead this proposed sect of yours?," Orgo asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"Why, me of course," Harold answered with a smile, "who else is more qualified?"