Arc 11: Chapter 9
“Well, that was quite lucky. Still, while they will make up for our lack of a labour force, and help us with farming and what not, we do still need proper land to farm on, and things to grow. I would guess that most people out here wouldn’t want to be eating leaves and grass,” Bianca sighed as she sat down in her throne, “Are there any factions around us that we could cooperate with?”
“As a new start-up, with only a single sixth realm expert on our side – and not even as our leader, which I’m sure will throw some people off – and after we’ve pissed off one of the regional powers, I think our chances are slim,” Xue Yaling shrugged, “I mean, I can go over the surrounding powers if you want.”
“Sure, why not.”
“So, to our north is Heart’s Core Town, which you will be well acquainted with,” the kitsune began, “I have a feeling that we won’t be welcome back until we’re powerful enough to shut down any desire at retaliation, so that’s a no go.”
“Yeah, I got that already.”
“North-east is the Solitary Peak Sect. Considering what we can share with them, they are likely to become allies in the future, but for that, we need to set up communications first, and more importantly, we shouldn’t expect them to be suppliers of food or wealth of any sort. The people of the Solitary Peaks are… how do I put this…”
“They are solemn and solitary, preferring to subsist entirely on planar energy and their perception of a greater Dao than to consume typical food,” Huang Su offered.
“Yes, that’s a good way of putting it. If we want to have resources for our disciples, they’re not the ones to look for.”
“Then, to the east, the Exarch’s Domain, which… probably best not to expect anything from there either, right?”
“Absolutely… Now, south is not really an option. We’d be leaving the Heartlands, and we’d need to be going through the Exarch’s Domain, so fuck that,” Xue Yaling put her fingers together to form an X, “South-west, Lotus Grave Temple. They’re all monks and lunatics, not an option.”
“And then…”
“Then you’ve got the Fang Village and Rising Carp Sect. We’ve no connections with the Rising Carp Sect, and I believe they’ve got a seventh realm expert, so we’d just be showcasing our weakness even if Huang Su went over. Meanwhile, if I recall correctly, the guy you killed was from Fang Village, so…”
“… Shit.”
“Mhm.”
“The asshole deserved it, though. Nobody can touch Song Ming but me.”
“Sure, I won’t be arguing with that,” the kitsune looked around for a second, then just sat down on the floor, “We need to get some chairs in here, or at least some pillows. This floor is hard.”
“It is, but that’s what befits the peasants that will visit us.”
“Heh, you didn’t take long to assume the position of a domineering overlord, Sect Mistress,” Xue Yaling teased, quickly switching topic when she earned a glare from Bianca, “Anyway, when it comes to resources or money, I believe that we ought to-”
“Mistress, there is someone approaching from the north. They seem to be alone, in… the second realm.”
“… Two visits in one day? The fuck?”
“Can you determine their identity? Are they someone we know?” Bianca ignored the kitsune’s mutters and stood up.
“… No, but I believe they originate from Heart’s Core Town.”
“Wait, what? Is it a declaration of war?”
“This message is for the new master of the Reaper’s Grave… okaybye!” the messenger didn’t even look up before dropping a scroll to the ground and running back, climbing atop something vaguely resembling an Orbis horse and galloping away at incredible speeds, leaving Bianca and the others to stand there, astounded.
After a moment, Bianca decided to check the scroll, and after confirming with Huang Su that it didn’t seem to be dangerous in any way, she opened it up and took a look inside.
“… come quietly and without incident… the princess… discussion of alliance?”
“Are you fucking with me?” the kitsune blinked, before pinching her cheek, “Ah, no, that hurt… what the fuck is happening today?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, we first get the procession of the Dancers suddenly arriving just as we’re worrying about manpower, then, as we discuss how the people at Heart’s Core Town couldn’t possibly want to welcome us, we get an invitation from them? This is absurd!”
“It… kinda is, yeah, now that you mention it. Is one of us secretly extremely lucky?”
“Luck isn’t… hm,” Xue Yaling frowned, looking around, “It would make some sense if a powerful being wished to see us succeed, and engineered such events either through manipulating the world or using connections to ensure that Heart’s Core Town would reach out to us, but… anyway, what the fuck do they want from us?”
“… doesn’t decidedly say. Can either of you think of something?”
“I do not believe we did anything to showcase our… good qualities while at Heart’s Core Town. Furthermore, it appeared that we had gotten into conflict with the princess due to the death of the man from Fang Village, so this is odd. It could be some kind of trap, an attempt to get you out of the protective array of the Reaper’s Grave, although, with me there… no, I do not believe that would be wise,” Huang Su shook her head, “Forgive me, Mistress.”
“You’re forgiven, same for Xue Yaling.”
“Huh, what did I do?”
“You can’t figure it out either, can you?”
“No, how would I… ah, regardless, thank you for your forgiveness, Mistress,” the kitsune offered a deep bow, although the sarcasm in her voice was rather blatant.
“Yeah, you’re welcome, you can show it by sucking my dick later today… ah, nonetheless, we need to figure out what to do with Heart’s Core Town. You two should be more familiar with how things work, so tell me, should I trust this kind of invitation?”
“Well… Huang Su, mind if I go first?”
“By all means, go ahead,” the leader of the Phoenix Sect took a step back.
“My thoughts are simple – the scroll was delivered by a lone messenger, whose scroll was sealed, and who didn’t even look at us. Chances are that the message wasn’t known about by the people of Heart’s Core Town, so it might be something private. If it is… perhaps there’s something that the princess of that place thinks we’re able to do for her, and is willing to forgive our transgression from earlier.”
“To add to that, it can be presumed that Fang Village and Heart’s Core Town’s alliance is not taken seriously by the current leader, but is maintained for the sake of their prosperity. If working with us – with you, Mistress – is deemed to be more beneficial to the princess, then… why would she not?”
“Hm… Ah, fuck it, we’ll check it out. Before that, though, we probably should ensure that everything is well back here, just in case we end up stuck in Heart’s Core Town for a while and run into other trouble… and before that, Xue Yaling, remind me if we’ve run into anyone else that would chase us down.”
“Not as far as I recall. There’s that lumberjack you’d crippled with your energy one time, but I don’t see him chasing you down just for revenge, not when at least one of his arms should be gone.”
“… It’s going to happen if you speak like that, you know.”
“That’s silly superstition, Sect Mistress. I thought you were better than that.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“… No comment.”
Song Ming and Yu Juan sat opposite one another, and despite Jia Bo Xun practising on the side with plenty of energy running amok, they were focused strictly on one another.
“You mean to say… there’s no semblance of a child growing in my womb?”
“None at all. I’ve been around many of our Dancers that, for one reason or another, ended up getting knocked up in their work – or even free time, honestly,” the Dancer explained, “At this stage, there should be signs, things I would be able to perceive. However, outside of your exterior features changing, there seems to be nothing happening on the inside.”
“… H-how can that be?”
“I… couldn’t say. Mistress’ technique is very unusual, so it could be the way in which it works causes her seed to be infertile, or to function in some other manner.”
“I… I’ve got plenty of it here, would you be able to-”
“We would need a true expert in the field, someone that can analyse such things beyond merely peering at them with spiritual perception, as I do,” Yu Juan bowed her head, apologetically, “But, it definitely seems like Mistress’ seed didn’t set this time around.”
“… Heavens, and I had gotten so excited, too… to finally bear her child, but…”
“I don’t believe Mistress will be too upset at you, and… well, I’m confident that she wouldn’t mind giving it another go. Or a dozen, or a hundred…”
“Heh, I wouldn’t mind it at all,” Song Ming blushed adorably, making it awfully obvious why Bianca enjoyed her so much.
Even Yu Juan, who could only really grasp her appearance through spiritual perception – not to mention lacking a dick that could affect her desires – had a desire to fuck her and will her with babies… it was awfully tempting to go up to Xue Yaling and learn that new Yin Soul Yang Root technique, but more importantly, it would mean taking something that belonged to Bianca. She had no desire to go against her Mistress like that, and besides, if she was good, perhaps Bianca would use her and Song Ming together at some point…
“Hey, you two… and my disciple. Did you… figure something out?”
“We… Mistress, I believe that your pet isn’t actually pregnant. I-”
“It’s as I feared, then… hah, fuck, while it’s good that we’re not having to deal with the complexities of raising a kid, but on the other hand… tch.”
Bianca looked extremely disappointed, and so Song Ming soon looked down as well, feeling ashamed, perhaps. Yu Juan was about to call out to Bianca to bring it to her attention, but her Mistress caught on even before that, and pulled her pet into an embrace.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. It’s nothing to do with you, it’s probably just my dick summoning ability that’s doing something bizarre,” she said, patting her pet on the head, “Xue Yaling must’ve figured out some stuff about it with all of her studying, so perhaps she’ll figure out a way for me to impregnate you properly some time. If not, I’ll just keep trying until we succeed, okay?”
“Mhm… thank you, Mistress!” Song Ming nuzzled up into her tits, lifting her head to reveal tears building in the corners of her eyes, “I can’t wait for the day I can be a mother… just for you.”
“Aw, you’re a sweet, adorable little thing,” Bianca muttered, and seeing her pet’s desire for more, playfully added, “And a sexy, depraved slut, aren’t you? My slut.”
“Yes, Mistress!”
“Master! Sorry, I hadn’t even noticed you approaching… how were my moves?”
“Jia Bo Xun… well, honestly, I was slightly distracted. If you want, you can-”
“No, no, I overheard a little… I understand that it would be difficult to spare attention for me. Don’t worry, Master, I’ll pray to the heavens for this injustice to be amended, so that you may be free to have children with your wife!”
“W-wife? I… ah, well, um… M-Mistress?” Song Ming’s eyes glittered, sparkled, even.
And yet, Bianca shook her head, “What are you on about? She’s not my wife, but my charming, adorable, and slutty pet. Once we get this place up and running properly, I’ll be sure to have her by the side of my throne, nothing but a collar and leash on, eating out from a little bowl on the ground.”
Her first words made Song Ming look dejected, but every single word afterwards made her glow more and more until her eyes shone more than before.
“Mistress! Yes, I’m your little, horny kitten! Meow meow!”
She nearly dropped to her hands and knees, but Bianca grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace, forcing her face back into her tits.
“There, there, my pretty kitten. Well, we’ll need to discuss what animal suits you best, but nonetheless, we need a… wait, didn’t we get one from that weirdo woman from the Dawntreader? What did you do with that?”
“I… I had to remove it at one point to wash up, and hadn’t put it back on with all of the chaos happening lately. Um, I’m sorry I forgot about it, Mistress…”
“No, don’t worry about it, we both did… frankly, I’m not surprised. Knowing that stranger, she probably still has some lingering power. Perhaps she outright desired us to forget, and then to put the collar on again in some dramatic fashion.”
“Um, Mistress… aren’t you being a little overly creative here?” her pet frowned, “Even assuming she was able to do such a thing, wouldn’t such a desire from her would be rather… specific?”
“… Now that you mention it, yeah, I’m not sure where that idea came from. Fuck, that woman was weird, and now I’m doubting everything. Just… we’ll be going outside soon enough, so get your collar by then and be sure to wear it proudly, okay?”
“Yes, Mistress! Meow meow!”
Yu Juan, who’d been standing at the side all this time, finally spoke up again.
“Um… Mistress, any chance that you could give me a collar as well?”
“The one for my pet was from the strange merchant at the Dawntreader, and unless she happens to show up like so many other people have done lately, then… shit, hold on, let me reach out to Huang Su and tell her to check.”
She turned away for a moment and let the Demonic Tyrant do the work for her, returning her attention to the room as soon as she was done.
“Okay, we’ll hear something back if that woman shows up. She shouldn’t, but… who the fuck knows,” Bianca shrugged, rubbing at the spot between her brows as she felt a headache coming on, “This reminds me of when I first ran into cultivation as a concept. I’d get a headache every time…”
Given her experience with such a thing, it wasn’t hard to guess exactly what it meant. When her mind rejected something, refused to recognise and go along with a concept, it would then act up in this manner. Before, it was due to a side of her denying the possibility of being in this other world, of being stuck and forced to come to terms with it… Now, it seemed that both sides of her were against whatever kind of entity the woman from the ship was.
Still, it had been a moment, and there was nothing from Huang Su. It seemed that the woman wasn’t approaching in plain sight, so perhaps she wasn’t going to be showing up at all, and the paranoia that she had experienced earlier would prove completely unreasonable.
That would be for the best. Having someone or something that seemed to know things Bianca had never said out loud would be terrifying…
In the void beyond, two of the distant glimmering sparks met. A woman with hair covering one eye, and another that sat cross-legged, floating, hair that was black at the tips, and white for the rest of the length.
“So, you’re completely sure now?”
The white and black-haired being nodded, her voice cold and flat, lacking any hint of emotion, “It would appear that while she’s connected to the so-called anomaly, she isn’t the anomaly itself. Furthermore, it seems like that connection is yet to exist.”
“Huh. Well, fair enough. Besides, this helps us blend in with the rest of that scum, so might as well let her have a little fun.”
“I shall return to assessing the fundamental Dao of the world, then. It’s proving more complex than usual – likely implying deliberate creation, the presence of a god.”
“And yet, there’s only the will and the puppeteering skeletons behind it. Interesting, isn’t it?”
“More so than the usual activities you invent, yes.”