Chương 17: Chapter 16

The role of imperious Ancestor suited her far more. So was considering the young man in front of her as only another subordinate to assess and make use of. Wu Zetian smothered the flicker of regret with the ease of long experience and changed her position accordingly. Back in her previous life, it would have been a subtle change of posture, a small expression shift, all little cues from which her interlocutor would realize that what followed was to be heard and understood. Now, there was Qi for her to manipulate.

It was the difference between a lazy, evening sea and the gathering charge of hidden currents. One would feel it in the air, as a taste of things to come, and it was as easy as breathing for her to reproduce in the ambient Qi that saturated the room. She fell in love with it instantly. Wu Nenqin and Haoran caught it at once, the young man straightening up while the old one tensed subtly. Very good. They know how to listen.

"The Sect numbers shall be replenished," she said calmly, as if the result was obvious and already done.

"Send proclamations: the Ancestor has awoken and the Twelve Demons are no more. The Godless Night's will breathe across the land once more. All of Qinghai must hear of it. I want the Rogue Cultivators that squat on my lands to scatter and disappear in fear. With a caveat. Those who walked the demonic path are forsaken: they shall be hunted down and exterminated like the vermin that they are.

The others, those who stained themselves only with minor offenses like theft, property damage and violence, will be offered a pardon, on the grounds that they enrol in the Sect's ranks." She paused.

"You have a question." Wu Nenqin hesitated. Distaste radiated off him like a bad smell. Wu Zetian watched him with a steady look. Are you a sycophant, grandson?

"Speak." He did speak.

"They are savages, Ancestor," he said, trembling with restrained fury.

"Thugs and pillagers and thieves. Offering them the honor of the black would be… unjust." Wu Zetian held her smile carefully hidden. Not a sycophant, very good.

"The world shapes us, grandson, and we must make do with what we have at hand." She enjoyed the focused frown as he tried to puzzle out her meaning.

"I reckon that many offenders will throw down their accoutrements and hide their guilt, only to comply and hope to retain some of what they conquered. It'll give us time to listen to witnesses and investigate."

"Oh," said Wu Nenqin, realization dawning.

"They'll trap themselves. They'll… keep themselves in holding cells until accusations can be brought to bear." His fingers fluttered nervously over his lap.

"But… Ancestor, it's not a failproof method. Many will cover their tracks and escape justice." Wu Zetian tilted her head, arching an eyebrow.

"We make do with what we have?" Wu Nenqin said after a moment of hesitation. Wu Zetian nodded, chuckling. He was a smart boy. Wu Nenqin had Haoran scoot closer, the old man bringing a few scrolls already prepared. Ancestor and grandson worked out a first draft of the proclamation, Wu Nenqin's brush moving smoothly over white rice paper.

"Make contact with the Revenge," Wu Zetian said. Watching a nation-shaking declaration being penned was a familiar sight, and it sent a familiar quiet thrill through her. Wicked, old woman that she was, power suited her so damn nicely.

"Everything they changed to the Sect's techniques and rolls is to be approved, minus aberrations toward the demonic and the inefficient. Every appointment to Inner, Core Disciples and Elder rank made without upper management's permission is to be ratified. They will renew their oaths of loyalty and provide a complete account of their ventures, stores and properties, liquid, mobile, immobile and manpower. No need for them to open any of their stores to the main Sect, nor to offer manpower.

Their Elder will also receive a direct line of communication so they can express their thoughts and questions. They are to consider themselves integrated in full back into the main Sect, with all the protections and duties that entail." Wu Nenqin's brush hesitated atop the paper.

"There's a chance they may object to some of these terms, Founder." Wu Zetian gestured, ample sleeve fluttering.

"Then they're forsaken. I am lenient and reward good service and loyalty. Anything less shall not be tolerated." Her eyes narrowed into fissures. Wu Nenqin shivered, and wrote.

"About the dwarves…" Wu Zetian passed a finger over the snake coiling around her wrist. The little thing closed his eyes in pleasure.

"Contact will be made with their… high chieftain, was it? I expect they will be wary. We must avoid increasing their suspicions. Offer friendship and alliance, and a complete ratification of their settlements." She caught Wu Nenqin's small grimace.

"My intention is to start talks and avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It's a sod of land we lack the manpower to exploit, grandson." That did it. He dutifully jotted down. Wu Zetian watched him from beneath long lashes. Not a sycophant, but neither unduly talking back. Very good. She didn't say that, in her previous incarnation's knowledge, dwarves wielded strange powers that made caution a must when dealing with them.

Even Immortals could fall to the snares of their best, and she had no information on the level of enemy she was dealing with. That thought never made it past her lips: the Ancestor had to show herself always in confident control. They worked on the declarations for some time, before eking out a draft that hit that tone of benevolent ruler returned to guide his subjects and punish the wicked Wu Zetian was looking for. She was satisfied. With a few words, all of Qinghai would bend.

She had power enough to make sure it happened. The squatters would be flushed out or integrated, and the demonic cultivators sent running for the hills, to be managed or wiped out at leisure. In one move, she would turn a foreign land into her own and replenish her numbers at the same time. It wouldn't solve the manpower shortage, of course, Qinghai remained devastated, but it was a good start. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Recruitment will restart as soon as possible," Wu Zetian said, gathering her hands on her lap.

"But for now, we'll focus on rebuilding the Province. Speaking of, the two Sects are still waiting, aren't they?" Wu Nenqin, who had given the finishing touches with a satisfied smile, turned tense. Whatever boyish enthusiasm that crept up disappeared, replaced by a stony-faced Young Master.

"Yes, Founder," he said. Wu Zetian hummed, passing two fingers on the chair's delicate inscriptions.

"Have them transferred to two of the outer peaks. They are to take over two outer sects and rebuild them for me. They'll receive supplies and materials and will provide the manpower and resources." Her gaze swept the many physics-defying peaks that surrounded the Plateau.

"Horseshoe Peak will do for the Devouring Horde. I sense numerous powerful beast Qi signatures have taken shelter in the ruins. Stonehorn and his kin will clear them out and feed well on them." She paused, noticing that Wu Nenqin had stopped taking notes. The Young Master stood still like a statue.

"Founder, I must object to this decision," he said, cold and expressionless. His fists were clenched so hard the knuckles had gone white. Wu Zetian dipped her head in an encouraging gesture.

"They participated in the siege," Wu Nenqin said, with coldly repressed fury.

"The Horde killed Elders and Disciples. The Retreat healed our enemies. They don't deserve a place among us. They don't deserve forgiveness." His voice fell to a whisper.

"I cannot approve of this." The words sank into the still air, cold and final.

"Oh, dear." Wu Zetian sighed. It seemed she had been a bit too lenient in acknowledging this proud Young Master. The light dimmed. Dark fog took shape, as though the building was breathing darkness. It covered the floor, engulfing the paper, engulfing Wu Nenqin and Haoran's limbs, thickening until they were standing atop a cloudy dark. It was the smallest thing, a release of Qi that could barely be called that.

It had Haoran tense like a cornered beast, and Wu Nenqin went pale as a sheet, as he realized that he had gone too far. Part of Wu Zetian mourned the choice. But discipline couldn't be compromised for familiarity. On these matters, she was willing to play the old monster if it meant her plans would go on unhindered.

"My deepest apologies, Founder," the Young Master said, words all but tumbling out of his mouth. He kowtowed, doing an impressive job of not trembling. Wu Zetian let the pressure build for a few moments, until Haoran's growled breathing echoed in the deepening silence and Wu Nenqin's forehead was beaded in sweat. Then she let it go. It was like a taut cord was finally allowed to go slack again. The Qi retreated, the gloom returned to being just gloom and the silence to be simple silence.

A tense moment passed as Wu Zetian hummed. Drawn by her Qi, the serpent had emerged from his hiding spot in her sleeve, and she entertained herself by petting him. Her power was… impressive. It was as easy to control as breathing, but most of her true limits lay tangled with the memories of her previous incarnation. She would need a chance to experiment. Speaking of chances…

"I shall not take leadership public positions," she said lightly.

"You will fill the position for me, grandson. Be the face of the Sect." Wu Nenqin had the sense of looking stunned and just bowed. She could almost see the gears endearingly turning inside his head, trying and failing to make sense of the situation. Dear, it really seemed that grandchildren were her weak spot. But he was a smart boy. Give him some time to calm down and he would realize that one of the greatest powers one may have is freedom of movement.

As the hidden Ancestor, she intended to retain it to its fullest. And enjoy the feeling of having no schedule hanging over her neck, for once.

"Go ahead now." Darkness wafted over the parchment, pushing it slightly toward him. At the same time, she washed him in some healing Night Qi. It did the trick. Wu Nenqin nodded a little less shakily and started writing. Wu Zetian let the moment stretch, giving him the time to compose himself while petting the serpent. She felt a bit guilty for that throat-wrangling, but decided not to let it mar her good humor. They were making progress toward a working relationship after all.

"It's… it's done, Founder." Wu Nenqin tried his best to look at ease as he respectfully pushed the completed document toward her. She gave it a once over, before judging it was good enough. In addition to the proclamations concerning Qinghai, two smaller ones entrusted Horseshoe Peak and Left-Spear Peak to the Devouring Horde and the Delightful Retreat, respectively. They were to occupy the ruins, clear them of any spirit beast and rebuild the production facilities.

The Devouring Horde would focus on hunting and gathering, sending Beast Cores and materials toward the main Sect. The Retreat would do the same with the spirit herb plantations. And just like that, I have a basic production. The two Sects will stay away, so we'll avoid any pesky incidents. It will require far more than this. Blackflame Forge and the forging and stonemancer industry must restart, but that will come in its own time.

"Excellent. The Godless Night's name will soon echo across the land once more." That was enough to wipe any fear from Wu Nenqin. In his own, composed way, the young man brimmed with sheer, honest joy. Wu Zetian had to restrain the very traitorous instinct to pinch his cheek.

"Founder, it's…" Emotion overcame him. He wiped his eyes.

"It's everything I hoped and more. Your return marks the start of a new era!" Wu Zetian smiled. His grandson's honest enthusiasm was contagious.

"Rein your horses, grandson," she chuckled.

"This is but the beginning." He grinned, courtesy and composure giving way fully before something that he had been dreaming of since he was a little kid. His hands gripped the floor beside the proclamations, eyes drinking the words and never tiring. Then he remembered his station and cleared his throat, blushing a bit. Wu Zetian hid her hands in the folds of her sleeves not to surrender to pinching temptations.

"Yes, ehm," he said, sobering.

"Like I said, it's all as I hoped and more, but, Founder…" He hesitated, then, at her encouragement, "Is it wise to announce your return so boldly? The two Immortal Fiends…" Wu Zetian rested her cheek on one hand.

"Make no mistake, grandson. There's little noisier than an Immortal who doesn't care where he steps. My breakthrough has likely been felt across the world. Those two," her eyes glimmered, "they know."

"Oh!" was Wu Nenqin's reply. Not very intelligent, but Wu Zetian could emphasize.

"This is no matter to fret over," she said, fluttering her sleeve.

"If noise is always a concern, the same is for commitment. An Immortal has not reached its venerable age by being anything less than extremely specific about where and when they commit. If the two Fiends are fighting, it means that they have made extensive preparations. Preparations they will be loath to give up.

They likely will, as my return mixes the cards on the table, but it also means that they will have to enter a new period of assessment, as the preparations they made to fight against each other will have to be rerouted toward me. They won't commit, grandson. Not without knowing what the limits of my power are now. Honestly, I expect we'll see spies from them for a long time from now. Likely, emissaries from the Empire will make themselves known earlier than anything concrete coming from those two fools."

"I bow to the Founder's wisdom," intoned Wu Nenqin, honest awe in his voice as he bowed, clutching his fist before his chest. Wu Zetian allowed herself a fond smile.

"You have your tasks, grandson," she said, fluttering her sleeve.

"I'll monitor things from my nest and find you if you need it. Ah, one recommendation…" She leaned forward, chin on a hand. Wu Nenqin looked alarmed.

"Next time, you'll come alone." The young master opened his mouth, closed it, then nodded stiffly. Behind him, Haoran offered no comment.

"Ah, but I am forgetting. We'll have a celebration, grandson."

"A… celebration, Founder?"

"Of course, the siege and my return deserve just as much. Don't worry about empty stores. I shall take care of it." Wu Nenqin looked like he wanted to say something about property and whatnot, but he wisely thought otherwise. Smart boy.