Path of the Berserker

The skiff ride from the Omni Gate to the Elixir Factory was a quiet one.

Governor Zheng tried to keep pleasantries going, but the tension we sparked earlier only deepened as Blue Rose kept her distance from her estranged, extended family. I couldn’t tell what was going through her mind but from the anger spewing from her soul I could guess.

She could probably kill the both of them before they could even move.

But that wasn’t something she could get away with.

Not unless she wanted to be a fugitive for the rest of her life.

It was good to know she was still thinking rationally at least.

Her revenge would have to take a different form than usual and by the casual way her uncle ignored her as a threat, it was clear he knew it as well. They were protected from violence here, secure in their positions and wealth. It made me all the more hungry to stick it to them at their own game—the cocky bastards.

I gazed out the side of the skiff as we made our way towards some larger buildings in the distance. As the landscape of Genisha rolled by, it continued to remind me of Ri Ben, or Chief Muraboshi’s version of it anyway, wrapped within his Inner World. Lush forests of bamboo and pine played host to tucked away villages and settlements. Large orchards were spaced between them, and Blue Rose’s uncle, was quick to point them out.

“These provide the local stock of base materials we need for most elixirs,” Chin Yi Fae said. “Far more economical than purchasing from off world, plus the quality is guaranteed.”

“The harvesters are from off world though,” Chet Yi Fae said with a laugh. “Migrants keep our costs down. Work harder too.”

“Ever the enterprising lot, the Yi Fae family is,” Governor Zheng said. “Of course the same gives me many headaches when it comes to the immigration permissions.”

They all laughed and I managed a polite smile.

Bastards indeed, I thought. They acted pleasant enough, but they were murders who had half their family killed off for profit. Just the thought made my Flame stir, but this mission wasn’t only about revenge. I had to pay attention to how this whole process worked. If Blue Rose was successful in luring the artisans away from Genisha, then I had to ensure they had everything they needed to execute their craft on Earth.

Including orchards apparently.

“What kinds of trees are those?” I asked.

“All kinds,” Chet Yi Fae said. “But mostly nut trees. They provide the essential oils that make up the elixir base.”

“What kinds of nuts?”

Chet opened his mouth to answer but then his father laughed and stopped him by slapping him on the shoulder. “Too many details. You’ll give away our secrets, son.”

I smiled, joining in the joke, but he was spot on.

Too blunt, I thought. But prying keen insights like this would be important.

We finally arrived at what at first looked like a small city, but Chin Yi Fae was quick to explain that the entirety of it was the factory itself, where most of the elixir brewing took place. I could sense Blue Rose becoming more and more uncomfortable as we toured what was perhaps her childhood stomping grounds. The streets were filled with all manner of artisan crafters, not just brewers and alchemists. There were gem cutters and smiths who worked to make the various tools and equipment the brewers used to deliver their craft.

We stopped at one facility where they were extracting the essence of a giant Spirit Beast core the size of a basketball, melting it in a massive kiln. I had to admit, despite the two assholes running the place, the work itself was intriguing. I had more than a few flashbacks to my time in Misato Village, especially by the way the artisans busied themselves with complete focus, oblivious to nearly everything else.

The only time they looked up from their work was to greet the president and his son with quick bows. They didn’t even seem to know who the hell I was, from their lack of obsequious groveling, which was actually a bit refreshing. I supposed my dressing down helped with that as well.

Their reactions to Blue Rose, however, were anything but indifferent. More than a few did double takes and then whispered to one another afterwards once we had passed by. I didn’t know if that was a good sign or not, but whatever element of secrecy we had come in with was long blown by now.

We spent another half hour wandering through a labyrinth of small workshops and storage areas. Some even housed live animals and spirit beasts which produced some special additives or reagents that needed to be extremely fresh to be useful, according to Chet. I didn’t even need to fake my interest by that point, but I kept a straight face of [Indifference] the play the opposite role—a bored client, only interested in product, not process.

Governor Zheng then went into a spiel about how important the industry was to Genisha.

“It supports our entire economy,” he said. “But if you truly think about it, this industry is the cornerstone of the entire empire itself.”

I raised a brow at him. “Is that so?”

“Think about it. Emperor Yin Yee created the dynasty with a modern concept for universal cultivation. He changed the world with that one edict. He made immortality available to all, not just to those within the martial sects as it had been for millennia in the past.” Governor Zheng then gestured to our surroundings. “And this is a large part of that vision.” He then chuckled. “I know for you, a true warrior such things may seem trivial, but the ability for a merchant or an artisan to purchase a pill or elixir to achieve immortality was never heard of before this dynasty.”

I thought about that for a moment.

In one sense it couldn’t be denied that it was probably a better system than having all the power limited to freaks like the Fire Bird Clan, but was the ruling class any better? If anything, access to elixirs and pills had made them lazy and weak—granted power only through Qi.

On the other hand, I could appreciate exactly what he was saying. This world was probably more similar to old Earth than I gave it credit for. The Empire kept things in line through the control of power and the promise of prosperity. Not unlike everything this factory stood for. Hell, even Terra’s economy was built on the yearn of cultivators to grow stronger through shortcuts and pills.

And now I was vying for not just being a part of that system.

But owning it.

It raised the stakes for what I was trying to achieve now.

And the [Odds were Against Me] for sure.

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“I think you’re absolutely right, governor,” I said with a smile. “Power to the people right?”

It was a phrase Susan had taught me and not surprisingly Governor Zheng squinted at me oddly when I’d said it.

“Nevermind,” I said. “Let’s continue the tour.”

* * *

We left the production areas and entered something that resembled a school with a huge courtyard that reminded me of those back at Du Gok Bhong

“This is what I like to call the key to our future success,” Chin Yi Fae said. “The true heart of the Yi Fae clan.”

I sensed Blue Rose tense a bit as we stepped onto a well-manicured lawn that led to a building that resembled a temple. Young artisans that ranged from under the age of ten to teens were assembled and they all bowed as I approached.

“Greetings Duke Iron Bull!” they all chimed in practiced unison. “Welcome to the Yi Fae School of Excellence!”

I was taken aback by the display and nearly forgot to bow in return.

“Thank you, students,” Chet Yi Fae said. “You may resume your studies.”

As the young alchemists departed, two people approached, a tall woman with tightly pinned black hair and of sagely looking man that was stooped and gray.

“Ah! I’d like to introduce you to some very special people, Duke Iron Bull,” Chin Yi Fae said as he gestured to the two. “This is the principal, Headmistress Yuna Yi Fae, my daughter in law. And of course, our venerable clan elder, Master Jun Ho.”

Yuna Yi Fae’s eyes immediately shot to Blue Rose and her mouth fell open. “What are you doing here?”

I sensed Blue’s anger spike and quickly rushed to speak ahead of her. “She’s with me. Blue Rose served with me on the Hell Worlds. When she told me she was from Genisha, I asked her to bring me here.”

That was my cover story anyway, but the woman seemed less concerned about that and looked to her husband and father-in-law in shock. The older man with her looked at Blue Rose and gave a harrumph.

“That what you calling yourself now?” he said. “‘Blue Rose’?”

“I thought it was a jest,” Chet said. “Was it not, Lin? Didn’t they tease you with that name?”

Tense seconds passed as they all looked at Blue Rose with a mixture of confusion and amusement. Knowing what she had told me about that name, I felt bad for even uttering it now, but Blue Rose was quick to defend herself.

“It’s what I choose to call myself now,” she said, pure acid in her tone. “A reminder of the place I held in this family.”

As she paused to let it sink in, Chet glanced away from her with what looked like shame.

“Let us not dwell on it,” Chin Yi Fae said. “Lin, or Blue Rose, as she prefers, has survived much. She has paid her debt to society for the sins of her father, rest his soul.” He then turned to her and smiled. “I am happy to see that you have proven your allegiance to the Empire, beyond a shadow of a doubt, through your service as a Legionnaire now, Lin. You do your family proud.”

The bastard bowed to her, and I could tell Blue was ready to tear his head off.

“Your words are too kind uncle,” she said. “Far kinder than those you used to paint my father a traitor.”

The air chilled and I could have sensed the killing intent even without my keen senses.

Chet scowled and his wife Yuna did the same, but Chin Yi Fae frowned with what could pass for sympathy. “I know it was hard to endure, Lin, but what happened was for the best. My brother was driving this family towards ruin, but we’ve managed to prevent that now. If it’s any solace, I’m sure he would be happy to know you have survived to carry on his line.”

“And I intend to do just that,” Blue Rose said with a narrowing of her eyes. “To carry on both his line…and his legacy.”

For the first time, Chin Yi Fae’s mask slipped and I sensed both fear and anger from him as he grimaced. “Is that so?”

“Not as a damn Blue Rose, you won’t,” the man Jun Ho muttered with what sounded like disgust. “Ridiculous.”

Hein stepped forward. “President Yi Fae, I don’t mean to be rude, but the Duke is a busy man. As I stated already, we’re not here for a family reunion.”

“Yes, of course,” Chin said who then whispered something to his son, Chet.

The younger Yi Fae nodded.

“You may take your leave now, Master Jun Ho,” Chet Yi Fae said sharply. “I’ve delivered the new orders to the workshops. Ensure they stick to the schedules and the prescribed quantities.”

“Aye, sir. The product wont brew itself now, will it?”

Jun Ho barely looked at anyone as he left, muttering to himself.

Chin Yi Fae smiled at me. “A thousand pardons, Duke Iron Bull, for the behavior of our elder. He is…from a different era. Master Jun Ho believes in perfection more than production.”

“Yes, but that won’t serve an entire empire starving for elixirs,” Governor Zheng added. “Under Master Chin’s leadership, Genisha has more than tripled its export capacity.”

“Tripled?” I said.

“It was as I was explaining earlier to you, Duke Iron Bull. Genesha is the world that keeps the empire running. To limit production would be simply…un-imperial.”

I was starting to understand this family more and why it split apart. If Blue Rose’s dad was anything like Master Jun Ho, there would have been plenty of motive to paint him as an ‘un-imperial’ traitor and then have him removed from the picture.

“What about the quality?” I asked.

“Still top notch,” Chet said, almost too quickly. “Better raw materials means less purification is required. It’s a concept Master Jun Ho continues to struggle with, but he’s adapting.”

“The new generation will not have such struggles,” Yuna Yi Fae added as she stepped next to her husband. “We teach these new principles from young. By the time my students reach mastery, we will be seeking to produce over ten times what we are now.”

“Holy shit,” I said. “Sounds like McDonalds.”

Everyone looked at me confused as hell and I laughed. “Sorry. A Terran joke.”

“Well then,” Governor Zheng said. “I shall be taking my leave now, Duke Iron Bull. It was a pleasure meeting you. I shall entrust you to the capable hands of the Yi Fae Family.”

He bowed to me and after he departed, Chin Yi Fae turned to me again. “Shall we take you to the galleries to find what you are looking for specifically, Duke Iron Bull?”

Shit…I hadn’t thought up that part of my cover story as yet.

I had no idea what to even bluff with.

“I believe we can have a self-guided perusal of your wares from here,” Hein said. “It is why the Duke brought Miss Yi Fae along. He’s looking for something very…discreet.”

“That’s right,” I said, going along with it. “Something personal. My wife’s trying to have four more kids, if you know what I mean.”

Chin Yi Fae’s eyes widened. “Oh! Absolutely then. Lin, you know where the galleries are, don’t you?”

She cut her eyes at him. “So long as they haven’t been removed and replaced with something else.”

The duplicity of her words didn’t go unnoticed and Chin Yi Fae scoffed. “We’ll be waiting to tally whatever you select, Duke Iron Bull. Enjoy your shopping.”

* * *

“Damn it, Blue. Did you have to be so abrasive?” Hein whined as we made our way through shelves of elixirs that were at lease two stories tall. “We’re trying to be inconspicuous here.”

“Why? They already know I’m here. So who the hell cares?”

She did have a point, I thought.

She then glowered. “They’re lucky I didn’t send them all straight to hell when I had the chance.”

“Yes, let’s not go that route just yet,” Hein said.

I mulled over the situation while I pretended to examine a bottle of ‘Sea Serpent Fang extract’ according to the label. “I think she’s right though. The scenario is playing out okay thus far. They don’t respect her.”

“Wow, thanks, Max,” Blue Rose said with chagrin.

“That works in our favor,” I explained. “They don’t think you’re capable of a power play on their level. Which still gives us the element of surprise.”

“I suppose,” she said. “I’m sure they’re watching us now. What do we do from here?”

“Keeping your voices down would be a good first move.”

We all turned about at the voice behind us, and I came face to face with a tall, lanky Dharmian man, wearing a head scarf and a trimmed red goatee instead of the normal full Dharmian beard I was accustomed to seeing. He smiled at Blue Rose and she immediately ran to him.

“Master Hao!” she said, giving him an embrace.

“Shhh!” He put a finger to his lips. “Quiet girl.”

“How did you find us?” she asked. “We didn’t see you at the gate.”

He straightened a little from stooping to hug her. He looked barely older than Blue Rose herself, but I figured he had to be much older to have taught her father—probably closer to Master Jun Ho in true years.

“When I saw who came to greet you, I decided to back off,” he said. “But I figured you’d end up in the gallery at some point.” Master Hao then focused on me. “And you must be the infamous Bloody Duke.”

He bowed to me and I smirked. “Nice to meet you.”

“He doesn’t like being called that,” Hein said before bowing to him. “I’m Master Hein Dong. Thank you for answering my letters.”

“Well after the tenth one I figured I had no choice.” He broke into a laugh and then gave Blue Rose a wink. “But anything for ‘ole Wen’s daughter here.”

She smiled back at him. “So what’s the plan?”

“We need to move quickly,” Hao said. “I have a meeting set up, but our window of opportunity is very short now. Too many people in high places will be watching you.”

“Who are we meeting with?” I asked.

“Master Jun Ho of course, but I saw you met him already.”

Blue Rose looked down at the ground. “He didn’t seem very happy to see me.”

“He may not be,” Hao said. “But I’ll at least get him to hear you out.”

“Thank you, Master Hao,” Hein said. “That’s all we can ask. Where do we go?”

“Buy something and then leave,” he said. “Head into the city proper and wait in the markets, next to the fish mongers. I’ll come find you there.” He then looked over his shoulder, before adding. “And make sure you’re not followed.”