Chương 75: Chapter 23

The atmosphere in the throne room was subdued, as only the aftermath of a battle between Immortals could produce. Even Shanti's perfect politeness had a rigidity to it. Wu Zetian enjoyed it. It sure helped settle the mild headache that Chi You's ruckus left her. For a couple of minutes, that is.

"Oh, stop that," she scoffed lightly, laying her teacup down with a click. A flash of genuine fear crossed the woman's expression. Wu Zetian put an end to it by having a tendril hand her a cookie.

"Here, have one. You look pale." Shanti watched it. She looked at her, then at the cookie again. Then, and Zetian thought must have done something right to get that result, tension and fear drained from her, and the closest to a wide, open smile made her beam. Primal fear for the Immortal who could level the city and wipe away their existence with an angry thought disappeared.

Only teary-eyed relief for being saved and honest, heart-breaking gratitude toward the one who made it possible remained, and Shanti bowed deeply. Wu Zetian tilted her head in acknowledgement. Trust. What a wonderful thing. Xing Xing, head bowed and a wide grin of vindication on his face. Chen Liwei, bowing in the military style, one closed fist over her heart, aura radiating with reverential awe and hero worship. He Yuan, stroking his mustache with amusement. Tenzin, one knee on the ground, still in its abeisance.

And would have been the only ones. Outside the throne room, all the nobles of the Palace were arrayed in rows of kowtowing figures. They didn't even mind that guards, servants and maids mingled with them, doing the same. And the city… well, a field of fireworks was an apt description. People hugged, cried, cheered, bowed. Bottles were broken open and mugs clanked while her name was called again and again. How nice. Was it bad that she found herself blushing a little? She really, really!

, wasn't used to this kind of attention. Fear? Intimidation? That she was used to. This… awkward was the word. Still… She watched them. Her city, her possessions, the things she had declared to be hers, to jealously hoard and defend. Her people. Her home. It hadn't registered what that meant, not until now that she saw them in true danger. Now that it did… it was quite breathtaking. It lit a warmth inside of her that wasn't quite the fire of possessiveness. Something different, steadier.

A mix of affection, relief and pride. And, since she was terrible at this, embarrassment. Because of course. As though she needed more reasons to be grateful to her poker face skills.

"Oh, don't sweat it," she said, masking what she felt with the casual matron routine.

"Me and these barbarians fought plenty. If each time warranted this kind of thanks, the Sect would become a teahouse." Even as she said it, she feared her smile wasn't the nonchalant coolness she hoped for. It was all a bit too much, really. Of course, they all took that in their own way. Shanti sighed, a smile playing on her lips nonetheless, and refilled her cup. Xing Xing chuckled, and Chen's hero worship got reinforced by humility.

And as for Tenzin, the infinitesimal curve of his lip was the equivalent of all the Palace's reactions combined.

"We thank you, Founder," he said.

"From the depths of our hearts, with all our souls, we thank you for saving us." Xing, traitor that he was, with a smile that was too wide for him not to at least suspect what was happening to her, joined in.

"My family owes you a debt of gratitude," he rumbled.

"As all the Sect. That shall never be forgotten." Chen opened her mouth to say something, closed it, swallowed, turned determined, then fell on one knee, shouting something about oaths and loyalties and saved lives. Oh, you cheeky little… And he truly meant it, didn't he? He and all these idiots who smiled and chuckled and bowed and didn't know that she was a bad old woman who didn't deserve this. It was good that she was good at keeping a poker face. Scratch that.

It was good that poker faces strong enough to withstand this existed, and that she knew how to hide emotion behind amused huffs when everything else failed.

"Shanti? Be a dear and bring tea for everyone. I suppose that my loyal subjects may require some fortification to overcome their emotion." That gave her the chance to hide in her cup at least. And, while these people, hell-bent on pushing her to make a fool of herself when she was supposed to be this untouchable goddess, shared cups and laughter and cheers (damn you, Xing!), it gave her the chance to bask in the moment. This warmth. Is this what having a home means? Instinctively, she reached for Lin.

One of her clones was taking care of her, listening patiently while she, cheeks red and eyes wide with excitement, raved about cool Grandmother was, while Zhao looked to be lost in recalling what exactly happened. The warmth hit her again. This time, it took some helping of Qi to keep the blush away. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Home. Family? Friends? Maybe. Whatever it is, it's precious. Precious, yes.

Maybe enough to make even immortality worth it. Watching this room filled with people who laughed and looked at her with gratitude and still lived despite a great power wishing them dead and because of her wishing them alive… it made her think that she may be on something there. But what did she know? All she managed was to stand there, overwhelmed and pleased and flattered, using everything she had not to break her poor, poor mask.

It took some time for the discussion to return to more familiar topics, just enough for Zetian to thoroughly feel both embarrassment and a strange elation. When it did, she squashed the regret, embraced the relief and focused, back in control once more.

"War has come to us, disciples," she began, and her calm, almost intrigued smile belied the cold seriousness in her eyes.

"I'd have liked for this to come later, and for this skirmish to be nothing but. That the two Barbarian Immortals, having tasted of my power, would keep to their lands." Her gaze gleamed.

"But it'd be a lie, wouldn't it?" Chen Liwei nodded.

"I agree," she commented.

"The Barbarians have always opposed the Night. Now that the Founder returned and the Sect threatens to rise again, they shall move against us in full. What's more, the Ancestor has shown herself as a threat, more than able to contest them." She inclined her head.

"This was likely a jab to test you, Ancestor. Now that they've taken your measure, they'll throw themselves at us. The Sect must prepare for total war." Xing brushed his beard.

"They like to fixate, don't they? For the sake of that little rivalry of theirs. I suppose we shall have to deal with them from now on."

"For a while," Wu Zetian corrected him, but without heat.

"But a while for an Immortal can stretch into centuries. So, yes, you are correct, General. Total war is what awaits us." A wave of determination swept across her little audience. Shanti gripped her tray hard enough her already pale fingers whitened even further. Wu Zetian studied their expressions, finding the same conviction in each. There was no need for words or oaths: their will to fight for their home and for her, even at the cost of their life, was enough to taste. Oh, you cheeky children.

She covered her smile with a hand.

"The war shall test us," Chen began, smoothly slipping into her general persona.

"The Sect has just begun reforming and while this means that the Hand is composed almost exclusively of veterans, it also means we will have to face numerically superior foes."

"Numerous weaklings." Xing sniffed.

"But let's not forget that the two Barbarians have been at each other's throats until shortly ago. Beastkin multiply like cockroaches, but they too cannot be at their highest. That gives us room."

"Some," Chen conceded.

"But nothing is certain. The Beast Lands have lain beyond the reach of our spies for too long. Still, one thing is certain." She turned to her.

"Founder, this will be a war between nations. You alone can contest the two Immortals, but that won't keep them from unleashing their forces." Wu Zetian hummed.

"Even flies can sting a lion if there are ten thousand of them… while I fight them, their forces will move to support them. They'll attack me to distract me, or they'll sacrifice their lives to empower them." A way to reintroduce the masses in the battles among Immortals. She could have been touched.

"Founder…"

"Don't you worry about me now, General. This cultivator shall not step back, nor relinquish her perch. They may force me to remain, but I shall force them to entertain me. We shall become reacquainted very quickly, I think." Her expression softened.

"Yet again, it's lucky of me that I shall have my own army supporting me." One sharp nod from Chen was all that needed to be said.

"The Sect shall do its duty unto death."

"Hopefully, it won't get to that," Wu Zetian chuckled. She watched them.

"This doesn't mean our operations shall stop. Elder Xing, your journey to the Empire shall proceed as planned." That took them aback.

"But Founder…!" Chen stopped; Xing had raised a hand.

"I am sure you have your reasons for that decision, Founder." The Elder caressed his beard, an intrigued smile on his face.

"I would be extremely grateful to hear them." That they didn't get along with the decision to send away one of her best pieces at a battle's vigil pleased her.

"In the simplest terms, I'd prefer to take a risk now and receive reinforcements from the Dragon rather than be cautious and limit our options in the long run. Once we're committed, there shall be little chance to attempt the same. On a wider perspective…" She gestured. Lines of purple Qi materialized from nothing. They weaved and knotted until a great map of the world stood before the throne.

"Twenty-five millennia ago, Gonggong, the Flood God, attempted to bring down the Heavens and destroy the world. Only the Great Lord's intervention arrested him, and now he dwells in the Soaring Sea, sealed and asleep. Yet, since his arrival, the Beast Waves have been sieging our world, slavering for the blood of humanity. Ancient nations fell under their onslaught. The whole world was changed forever as man fought for survival." She waved lightly. A section of the map, west of the Umbral Basin, lit up.

"The Dragon Empire was born from that despair. The Dragon Emperor gathered what dregs he could reach and forged a bastion from them. I stood beside him once, before I left to forge my own place." She paused, waiting for questions. None arrived. The Sect Elders were focused on whatever point she intended to make.

"The Night and the dragon walked different paths. More often than not, they were at odds, but they never called themselves enemies. Because we were all humans, and while we may quarrel and fail, we still remembered who the real enemy was." She gestured again, and the map faded away.

"I'd see that bond reclaimed. Yellow-Brow and Chi You are the progeny of the Flood God, like we are the progeny of Lord Di, the Great One. There cannot be peace between us, but that also means we ought to keep our allies and friends close and stand together against the enemy." She watched them.

"The Sect is supposed to be more than its insular nation. We are to be another bastion, and the Shield of the East. On this bond, I'd build our life anew." She leaned back, smiling teasingly.

"Which is a very picturesque way to say that I'd very much like that old lizard to be my ally." Chen, who had been listening raptly, flinched. Xing laughed.

"I see, I see," he waved his head.

"As always, your reasoning trumps mine, Founder, both in scope and forbearance. I shall not object anymore." He bowed.

"I shall hurry my preparations and travel to Danghan. As per your orders, I shall settle the Sect's business there and then travel to the Empire, as soon as the Basin's conditions are right." Wu Zetian nodded, pleased. As they took their leave, rushing to each other's preparations, that new warmth nestled in her chest, and she basked in it. Then Shanti helpfully pointed out that she ought to hear the nobles' thanks. They had been waiting for long enough, after all. Oh, bother. This may take a while.