Fatherly Asura

…then one must look to the bark and sap.

Often the other materials of Heaven are overlooked in this regard, and while this daoist holds warmth in his heart for his calling, separate vocations cannot be neglected.

A layman might consider a chalice when filled - how when the brim is reached no more might enter.

Yet this is only true of water and wine.

Mortal materials.

It is here one might apply their understanding of all the processes found within this tome, and begin their path to true insight.

Thus this daoist poses a question.

The layman’s chalice - what might occur when the very liquid that fills it has the brim heighten and the vessel saturate?

“Observation of Heavenward Properties,” by Daoist [Ponderous Carpenter]

Little over a week had passed, and Fu had navigated much of Jade Songbird Province, fostering tales of a wandering, righteous cultivator.

“The timing between visits may cast unwanted light on our actions,” he mused. “Going forward we should travel as mortals do.”

That a lost child had been saved, a troublesome [Spirit Panther] had been felled, rain had fallen on unnourished lands, local bandits had been scared off and a minor fire within a village’s rice storage had been quashed all in the space of three hours, and across a distance of several hundred li…

Even a fool knew water was wet.

Shuidi was oddly at peace with this notion. “The wind does not always blow in tempest.”

“As you say, sister. This is an exercise in longevity. How different from the sudden strikes we are used to,” Fu continued. “A part of me is thrilled to face it.”

Personas were no new tool to be employed, but a staple he could now refine. If he established himself as an eminent cultivator long before the arriving factions caught wind of these emerging [Paifang], myriad benefits could be fostered.

Thus he crossed the unguarded threshold of Jade Songbird City.

A mild wooden arch detailed in swooping housebirds welcomed him there, and naught else. At least here, in comparison to the scattered hamlets of the region, there existed some semblance of a skyline.

Seven hundred thousand souls. No more, surely. That it is named a city is telling indeed of these backwater’s values, no?

Beneath the douli, Hushi jiggled his agreement.

With roots in mind the three arrived at the foot of the City Lord’s abode, stating his business to the ten armoured guards there. All [Spirit Horse] cultivators at the middle stage of [Foundation Realm], or as the Pinnacle Sword Sect had revealed - middle layer of Qi refining.

That the [Boundless Dao] did not recognise these words was indeed telling.

“You approach the City Lord’s estate, stranger. State your business,” declared the man, stepping forth regimentally.

Fu clasped his hands. “This wandering cultivator is named Gao Fu. Words exchanged with your good citizens have told me that this is where I am to purchase land.”

“Hmm,” the man considered. “A bold claim when you have neither [Ink] on show nor a trace of Heaven’s energy about you. Have you proof of your station? The ministries of Jade Songbird City will not entertain those that waste their time.”

Teal arms lifted the douli, which Hushi spun comedically before returning the midden once more.

“What manner of beast is that?” exclaimed another.

“Officer, you do the City Lord disservice with your tongue” scolded the first. “Very well, master cultivator. I will inform the ministry of your arrival.”

The estate doors opened by a force of arms, and four guards lead Fu on a spectacularly mundane walk amongst topiaries and shallow lotus pools before ordering a halt. Small clumps of scholarly men were at attendance in the gardens ahead, fastidiously orbiting a seated figure.

The City Lord’s cultivation is highest among all we have seen here, excluding the oddities presented by this ‘House of Ma’.

An early [Core Formation] realm cultivator stood erect at the edge of her garden, twin, green-breasted songbirds upon her shoulder. Though far, her words were nothing Fu could not [Sense].

“...and what of the damage?” she asked.

“Nothing as of yet, City Lord,” swept the bow of a scholar. “This [Paifang] has not reacted as you have stated… ah- but, that is not to say the City Lord’s words are untrue, only…”

She cut these words with a slash of the hand. “Do not stammer, the situation calls for clarity. Have our officers been dispatched? I still sense them within the grounds.”

These scholars shuffled. “Well, City Lord. So rash a decision was surely a product of the news… we, the ministers, could surely not spare any officers lest Jade Songbird City come under threat!”

“Honorless curs! To question my mandate is treason,” she iced. “I will not lose Jade Songbird City’s ministers at this crucial time, but this disobedience has been noted.”

A lenient one. The incoming factions will consume her with such an attitude.

“Cultivator Gao Fu, the City Lord and her ministers are in session. We would ask you wait,” spoke one of his escorts.

“Amidst such a well-tended garden, this is not a trouble,” Fu smiled. No semblance of hospitality was offered, and so he merely stood in outwardly-pleasant observation.

“Patriarch Pinnacle Sword has recently reached the peak of the Qi-refining layer, City Lord, we would not wish to anger-”

Again the City Lord silenced her ministers. “Silence. I care not for the expectations of withered fools. Send a chest of tael and no more. My concern is the beggars. Jade Songbird City had an abundant harvest this [Autumn] past, from whence do these hungering, rag-clad travellers come? If they are of the Sect, grave times await us.”

Shuidi had not detected any disciples of their rival Sect, but bristled at their mention.

Fu was curious how a backwater City Lord knew of them when brief conversations with the citizens had shown they were not aware of the Clear Sky Empire, Cloudy Serpent Sect or any of the Five Pillars.

“...my decree is final. Preserving the integrity of these borders is paramount. Send envoys to the two Sects, reminding them of their obligations to the surrounding lands. I wish for a detail to be sent to Wisteria Peaks, Defiant Teng owes a tithe to this house and it shall be called in now. See it done.”

“Jade Songbird City would lower itself with such association!”

“Wisteria Peaks?”

“The savages?”

“Why, City Lord, this lowly minister must protest!”

It was then that the City Lord snapped. A percussive force reverberated from her struck fingertips, wracking the unfilial minister’s body as if a thousand blows had landed. This [Sound Qi] had him convulse, coughing blood.

He yet lives. This is still too kind.

The ministers cleared.

The City Lord met Fu’s eye. “By the ancestors, why my officers had not the foresight to welcome you at a later time is beyond me. Now you are privy to the City Lord’s affairs. Cultivator Gao Fu, I hear, and you wish to buy land in my domain?”

“I do, venerable City Lord,” he said, clasping his hands.

A fist clattered through Fu’s spectral physique. “You will bow before…” The officer that had so rudely struck him, paused. “Before the City Lord?”

“No talent like this exists within my Province. Tell me, wanderer, do you seek employment or merely a stretch of land?”

Fu smiled. “Apologies, City Lord, the land alone. But this trouble is surely far beneath one of your station. Respectfully, I seek only the minister in charge of such affairs.”

“That disloyal minister is suitably indisposed. Purchase your land, Gao Fu, and begone. If you have no further business here then I have no desire to add your presence to my list of woes.”

🀦

A [Paifang] appeared on the eleventh day, sprouting in Zhu’s jurisdiction. The second on the periphery of the Golden Bodhi Sanctuary. Then arrived the third, fourth and fifth but days later.

Fu sat in meditation, resting within pre-[Summer] clouds. Those bloated with fresh rainwater, mundane and lifeless, save for a single spark.

The [Heartplume of Clouded Schisms] had left an impression within.

Deep in meditation it was a trivial task to touch the resonance stored there, retrieving the memories Fu Gao had implanted in cloud. Done this way, however, it took several minutes to consolidate the experiences of both selves.

Our Clouded Courts begin to move, establishing roots of their own. Their interference is limited however, for Bingbai holds the greatest jurisdiction. As the City Lord deduced, so too have the minor factions begun to move. Records of the Beggar Sect, Warriors Association and the Eighty Ninth Vajra clan.

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“The rats seek their food while true dragons slumber. With the appearance of these base cultivators our own presence grows suspect. Bah. This Gao Shuidi cares not for those who lust after scraps.”

The [Spirit Crab’s] assessment mirrored his own thoughts.

“We should demonstrate our value further. Shuidi, do any commotions occur nearby that might benefit from a chance encounter?”

Her impression came clear.

[Dao of Four Horizons].

Subtlety required a lengthy walk from beyond the citizenry’s visual range, settling Fu into a carefree gait as he came within the village’s boundaries. The disparity between his last visit was imminently noted, not least for the glowing [Paifang] that overlooked it.

Nor the imperious [Intent] he felt scry his approach.

A talent watches us.

Tan robes were the Warrior Association’s recognized uniform, though the undisciplined collective oft neglected it in favour of headbands, sashes or scarves. Half of Shuidi’s gleaned commotion came from these layabouts, who prowled the central crossroads harassing the women, drinking and shouting belligerent comments at one another.

Only two among them addressed the villagers, and their realm reflected what supposed status this represented.

“Fu! Did you come for Aunty Quan’s food? She didn’t let me have your portion,” called a dirt-coated youth.

“Hah, no young mistress,” he chuckled, allowing Hushi to descend in greeting. “In truth I am searching for a good place to build. But what is this? More of your local Sects?”

With the vulgarity only children and beggars might employ, she wiped a trail of moist flem on her sleeve. “Oh, those ones? I don’t know. Aunty Quan told me to keep away. Have you got any food?”

Any of the Qi-rich foods in his storage would liquify this child’s insides after a bite, but he had plucked several mortal fruits since this journey began. “Would a peach sate you, young mistress?”

Her eyes widened as she took a bite. “Tasty! Hmm, I like you better than these new ones. They just shout things. Aunty Quan is over there if you want supper.”

“A better time, perth-”

“Aunty Quan! Fu is back for his food!” thundered the call of this youth.

Laughter spilled from Fu as he left her behind, spreading his most amicable grin to the waiting Warriors Association. He forsook their face in lieu of the mortal woman at protest among them, having her blush.

“Young lady,” he smiled. “Please do not mistake the spirited words of youth, my wandering merely sent me this way by happenstance.”

Many in the Jianghu held linear thoughts of authority, and the surrounding warriors toned down their rowdiness at Fu’s deference.

“Another serpent to add to this growing bag of troubles,” sighed a rather world-weary man, running a hand across every worried indent in his face. “Wanderer Fu, is it?”

Fu spared the man a smile, but acknowledged the mortal first. “That [Paifang] did not stand some few days ago. Has it brought you trouble?”

Aunty Quan brandished a bronze pan to great effect, levelling it at each warrior with formidable threat. “These brigands have shown up claiming to be something- as if it’s a name a simple living woman should know. Master Fu, have you come across these thugs before?”

“The Warriors Association,” he paused, stroking his moustache to heighten the suspense. Patience was ever the measure of a righteous soul. “My place is not to speak on their behalf, young lady, but they are just despite all appearances. A shield to many in the Jianghu. Righteous, if unpolished. That said, there are more to books than their covers.”

The worry-lined man firmed his jaw. “Kind words, wanderer,” he acknowledged. “If you hold such an outlook, the Warriors Association would not rebuke your aid. To do nothing leaves a blade dangling above these citizens’ necks.”

“You would enter the [Paifang], warrior?” asked Fu.

As if in response to this query, a vast quantity of Qi from its direction. Malice and outrage flew across the breeze, though strangely Fu only knew this from Shuidi’s impression. Alone, he could feel but a taste.

A tome slammed shut aside the speaking warrior, and this disciple made herself known. “Sikou, I’d warned what might happen was my reading interrupted. The minister had just revealed he was no eunuch, and my, how the young mistress’ bosom heaved to learn it.”

Fu saw where much of Sikou’s worry lines had come from as this woman dismounted from a nearby sill, sighing sourly. By all accounts, a flawless cultivator of youthful appearance - replete with striking vermillion hair, [Ink] and an immodest hanfu.

However, her eyes burned with the experience of age.

Again Sikou rubbed his face. “Gao Fu, mistress Quan, my martial partner here lacks a delicate touch. Tu Yuanji, on her behalf I offer apologies.”

“Listen boy, we’re not standing before [Plum Axe Zhu] himself. More’s the pity. Mistress Quan cares only for the safety of her little hovel,” she said, crudely craning her neck towards the [Paifang’s] general vicinity. “Listener, best make like the great turtle Sects of old. The Warriors Association is coming.”

Moments passed.

The signature of distant Qi vanished.

“Tu. Immortality is not enough for how you age me,” muttered Sikou.

To Aunty Quan’s shock, Tu withdrew a brutal, oversized hammer from her storage. A chui of bloated, spherical head that grew beyond her by several paces. “Troublemakers.”

Sikou unfurled a hide-wrapped qiang from his back. “Gao Fu, my partner does not act without cause. It takes much for moss to shed from this stone. Will you join us? The [Paifang] seems our only course.”

Reckless. The public indeed speaks true of their Association. To blindly step…

Hushi tapped his temple.

Hmm. Yes. One of the sun-facing Sect would act no different. If we are to foster relations with the incoming factions, then we must suffer their methods.

Fu made a show of consideration, setting his gaze on the village’s scattered children. “To ensure the prosperity of these innocents, no less than this is required.”

🀦