Chương 55: Chapter 4

But enough of that.

"Elder Xing?" In the Sect, every Sect Elder was given authority over one branch of the government. The Night General commanded the Hand, while the Night Sorcerer was charged with overseeing the Sages and using its preternatural skills for spell research and divinations. In theory. You could ask five bureaucrats about the Sorcerer's effective duties, and you'd be likely to receive five different answers.

As the Stonemancers were arguably under the jurisdiction of the Blackflame Foundry, and another Sect Elder lorded over that, the Sorcerer's authority remained a loose one, its limits never quite clear and so allowing quite the reach. In its case, it reflected less the Deputy Master, or even her previous self's, interest in keeping the Sect Elders at each other's throats and more Xing Xing's incredibly long tenure, dating as far as before Xin's rule.

The Old Wolf, as he was called, had labored long and hard to mould his title to his whims instead of the other way around. It said volumes about his success that he could, in theory, infringe on Blackflame's manpower and schedules, requisition Hand's forces, force generals to accept Xing advisors, redirect materiel, order Owls around and even go as far as influence the Sect Masters with his divinations. The list went on, passing through the judgement over certain crimes, development of certain techniques and so on.

Back in the day, he could even requisition the whole Diviners' Island for his rites if necessary. A series of privileges, written or not, to be pulled upon with skill, like the strings of a puppet. The small Xing family didn't figure among the Great Clans. Yet, it wielded the influence and power of one handily. The Qin, main contractor of the Hefei Mines and now a major player regarding the Foundry, was a client of theirs in all but name, and their web of intrigue permeated the whole Sect as a silent shadow.

Things being like that, it was lucky that their patriarch and they considered themselves Godless Night first and foremost. Why, Wu Zetian suspected they considered themself more Nightborn than the Main Branch themselves. With their shadowy ways, secret rites, refined culture and condescending noblesse oblige, they were aristocrats of the night through and through. A Xing didn't sully himself with money or spirit stones. He dealt in secrets, favors, knowledge and, more than anything, power.

Because for all their refined cunning, that was what truly made them what they were. The Xing were strong, a family where the cold of night ran as blood and the most esoteric techniques were handed out.

"Oh, I am sorry." Wu Zetian rested a cheek on her knuckles, smiling mildly.

"Maybe you prefer Duke of the Veil instead?" A flash of feral pleasure passed over Xing's features, only to be quickly reined in.

"Sect Elder will do if you please you so, my Ancestor," he said with a bow. Wu Zetian smiled, making a point of ignoring Chen Liwei's sneer. For all her power as the Ancestor, she knew that realpolitik was a reality she could only ignore at her peril, or that of the Sect. It was the reason why the Sect Elder Council, to belong to which Cultivation Realm was a prerequisite, was still in place.

It would have been easy to discard the Xing as a dangerous pollutant of her control, bring them down to size to make sure they couldn't play opponents to her government. But she decided otherwise. The Xing were powerful and influential. In a way, they reminded her of those operators in her old world, the ones with the contacts, knowledge and expertise that made them too useful to ignore and yet could escape from any rigid role thanks to it. Push them aside, and they could become a core of aristocratic opposition.

Slaughter them, and you'd lose a priceless asset. … if that could be done just like that at all." You've started pushing into the Divide, aren't you, Elder Xing?"" Founder! I…!"" Mh-mh. No need to be coy. It's quite admirable. You've gone past your first millennium, haven't you?"

"… Yes, Founder."" And your Nascent Soul has been feeding well over the Shadow Dragon Vein, and the resources your family has gathered across the centuries."" Indeed. I dare not hide my secrets from the Ancestor. My worthless self has broken through the Second Link."" Is that so? Well, my congratulations. Oh? Why the surprised face? You thought I'd feel threatened? Oh, don't frown. It's understandable. There are the stories, yes? But, you see, my time in secluded cultivation did much to change my perspective.

Now, I welcome new blossoms in my garden, new stars in the Night. Shall we continue our work to see the Sect thrive, Elder?"" I… Your generosity makes words fail. Yes, Founder. Yes. My loyalty and that of my kin to the Night and to you!"" And I accept both graciously. Serve well, Elder."" Of course."" Oh, and Elder? Will you solve this question of mine if you don't mind?"" You only need to ask, my Founder."" Flatterer. You're clearly more powerful than either Haoran or Chen Liwei.

Yet, you never claimed the title those two fight each other for."" Oh, Founder, you ask what you already know. I don't need any fancy title to exert my family's influence. Let the young ones fight over such childish things. Me and mine own will wrap ourselves in mystery and doubt, and through both, we shall thrive. A far more effective way to power than using one's fists and shout, don't you agree?"" Absolutely. I am quite glad of this little talk, Elder. You must join me for tea next time."" But of course.

It would be an honor." The Ten Links. That quasi-Realm that formed the Great Divide that separated the Nascent Soul, the long-lived, from true immortality. Only a chosen few could dream of seeing that barrier, even fewer had the power, knowledge, resources and bravery to push into its murky depths. Her previous self had made a point of slaughtering any Sect Elder who dared to try. Something about feeling threatened or whatever. She was above that nonsense.

She was a full Realm above any who started, for goodness' sake. If by the time they were at the Fifth, she hadn't raised again, she didn't deserve her role. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. And there was a thing called cultivating good relationships anyway. Of course, that Xing looked at her like an idol to be worshipped and an incarnation of the Night helped.

Yet again, it spoke volumes about Xing's talent that he managed to break to the Third, and it only made her more determined to make an ally out of him. By gifting him with the title of Duke of the Veil, she had done more than give him a fancy title: she had solidified the foundations upon which his family thrived. The Duke of the Veil conserved all the loose, expanding reach of earlier, codified in interpretable wording that made pinpointing it an effort.

More, he earned in authority and prestige, which was the money the Xing used to maintain their influence. It didn't give any real additional jurisdiction. What it offered was social weight, which was the equal of gold to the Xing. Nobles would cultivate their friendship because of that. Ministers would seek their counsel because of their social network. Dignitaries would seek them out because of their ability to solve problems without confrontations.

In a world of politics, they would be the mediators, the operators, whose patronage could open doors and soft power relied on informality and knowledge. The oil that made all the gears run smoother. The only difference was that all of that wouldn't run concurrent to her government anymore, but would be sanctioned and so made part of it. The Xing owed her their increased influence, and so they did the same for all their influence. Xing knew it, and he was endlessly grateful for it.

In a fell swoop, Wu Zetian had turned him from the last bastion of Nightborn high culture and power, in his mind, into an essential part of the reborn Sect. In a way, it was his reward for holding out against the growing corruption that devoured the Godless Night. Xing had fought tooth and nail against Zhan and his cronies, even going as far as killing one of the traitor Sect Elders when the civil war broke out. He deserved it.

That he was unflinchingly loyal to everything that the Godless Night was, and to her personally, only made the measure of trust extended to him a better investment. Wu Zetian would lie if she said she didn't like him. For all his grandstanding, he was competent, steadfast and charming. Now, if he only looked at her less like an idol to worship and more as a person, maybe… Idle thoughts. Professional and sentimental life didn't mingle.

"As you prefer," she conceded with a polite nod.

"What news from the Samadhi?"

"Master Dianwu is awake and at work," Xing Xing rumbled, and a hint of irony crept over him.

"His long sleep has done nothing to dull his faculties. If anything, he was quite spirited about needing, as he put it, to catch up. He's currently busy resettling and reopening the Library, and he clamors for students." Wu Zetian huffed softly. Dianwu's Shadow was the result of an ascension ritual gone wrong. But he was useful, if anything, and that excused his eccentric demeanor.

"As soon as the new curriculum is set. Leave him to his work for now. I shall speak with him myself." Xing Xing bowed.

"News from Qinghai?"

"Yes, Founder. The basic administration has been set, and the first wave of scouts is currently making its way back to the Plateau. As per orders, a limited number of Disciples have been left to oversee the changes, mediators and guards for their safety."

"Mh, the moment of greater vulnerability." Chen Liwei swept in.

"The Hand assessed the danger levels of the counties the Sect has taken over and I can assure you, Founder, that the forces left are more than enough to contain any danger that may come, be it resurging demonic cultivators or spirit beasts."

"It will have to be. How long until the next wave?"

"Two months, Founder. The time to rest and refit. And it'll be far larger now that the expedition has made its return."

"Acceptable. Any interesting items the first wave is bringing back?"

"Nothing, Founder. The Province has been stripped clean. The artifacts created by the demonic ones are too primitive to be of use for anything but burning, and the mining output has fallen too low for any worthwhile amount in spirit stones to be had." Wu Zetian sighed.

"Everything to be built back from zero then. So be it. Show me the map." At a gesture of Xing's ringed fingers, a great map of the Province appeared before the throne. On it, the Wu Plateau stood roughly at the center of the crescent that was Qinghai Province. Four counties, Feixi, Deng, Nanhai and Yang, had been colored in the colors of the Sect. They were the closest to the Plateau, divided from it by hills and swamps and forming a loose cordon around it.

They were also low-danger zones that could absorb the loss of manpower until the Sect reinforced its presence over the territory. Back in the old Sect, Qinghai was divided into twenty-five counties, each grouping villages and provincial towns and held by a county capital ranging in the hundreds of thousands. Four wasn't nothing to throw your hat in the air for, but it was always a start. As always, Wu Zetian gnawed over her lack of bodies.

The expedition's end may have given her some reprieve, but between having to hold the line against the eastern hordes and, soon, the Wasteland to the south-east, the reclamation of Qinghai could proceed only slowly and carefully. She looked forward to the next Shriek. Or when she would be free to move.

"What about Danghai?" She asked, pointing to the west. There, in the farthest place from the beastkin lands, a territory roughly the size of three counties squatted like a stubborn turtle.

"Have we received a response yet?" Xing Xing and Chen Liwei exchanged a look.

"The Sub-Sect has still to reply to our overtures, Founder," The Sorcerer said.

"Our messengers may have been slowed down by unexpected problems." Even as he said it, his frown told how much he believed it. Wu Zetian rubbed her sleeve between her fingers. No replies… it was starting to sound ominous. And yet, reports were clear: the Danghan Sect was alive and well.

"Fine. We'll wait. For a little longer." The two Elders nodded tensely. Professional openness aside, when the Founder let her annoyance slip, it was difficult to remain calm.

"Have Haoran remain in Feixi. He is to take surveillance duties and not to strike out on his own." Chen Liwei's eyebrows knitted, her equivalent to a scowl. Haoran had acquitted himself well during the first Shriek, enough to make his departure worthwhile. With him present, it was unlikely that the new operations' safety was anything but bulletproof. But neither the General nor the Sorcerer said that. Haoran wasn't exactly a darling of theirs.

"And, Founder? About that other thing…" Xing Xing's aplomb was unflappable. It took her scowl to have it do as little as flinch.

"What other thing?" Chen Liwei prudently stepped back, leaving the Sorcerer alone on the line of fire. To his credit, he stood tall.

"The young master…" Wu Zetian shut him off with a sharp gesture, her sleeve fluttering.

"He asked for a period of leave, hasn't he?" She snapped, cold.

"And he has received it. Since he desires to be in Qinghai, he can make himself useful in Qinghai until the end of it. There is nothing to say about it, is there?" She fixed her gaze on the Elder, who cleared his throat.

"Mh, yes, of course, my apologies." Wu Zetian kept her scowl long enough to drive the point home. In reality, she wasn't angry at her grandson, even if she couldn't fully understand his motives. It was clear he was wounded by the loss of the title. He likely thought it was from some failure on his part, no matter her assurances. But then, why ask leave to join Haoran in Qinghai? If he wanted to prove himself, he could remain in the Plateau and serve there. There was plenty of work for him.

But no, Nenqin had insisted, and the only reason she could fathom was that he wanted to prove himself on the battlefield, not in an archive. The fires and foolishness of youth, but how do you stop them? There were methods for sure, but Wu Zetian couldn't find them. For once, words availed her nothing, and his grandson had been suffering in the city. She couldn't chain him, and he kept refusing tasks that would keep him there. And... the idea of him hating her terrified her.

And so, she had let him go, but not before making sure that everybody thought she was displeased with his stubbornness. Like that, no power greater than what Haoran or himself could deal with, thinking to use him as a bargaining chip against her, should turn its attention to him. Paradoxical as it may sound, pushing him away in a way that all could see was the best way for her to protect him. Those counties are low in danger. Nothing among the hostiles that remain should be able to hold a candle to him, or Haoran.

The more she repeated it, the less she believed it. But it was true. Everything said it was. Not a shred of those thoughts reached her face. For all the world, she was an Ancestor thoroughly displeased by a stubborn descendant, the least hearing about him the better.

"And those dwarves?" She asked, putting enough bite in the question as to make it into an order to change topic. Chen Liwei took over. The Sorcerer stepped back, a shadow of pain on his features.

"Yes." Steely discipline aside, the General looked relieved to change topic.

"Their High Lord seems to have welcomed the Sect's messengers. The latter are currently on their way back to the Plateau, bringing dignitaries. We should see them arrive soon."

"Good." Wu Zetian allowed her expression to soften into a mild smile.

"Make sure nothing happens to them." The two Elders bowed.

"Of course, Founder."

"By your will!" Wu Zetian gestured.

"You have your orders. Leave me now." They bowed again, and, in a twin whirls of darkness, they were gone, leaving her alone. Wu Zetian ruminated. Things were going well, all considered. Everything except that bit about Nenqin. But it would be for the best. He was young. A jaunt on the frontline would do him good, especially since it would allow him to start knowing Qinghai and make himself better known to the rank-and-file. And with Haoran by his side, no danger would come to him. Yes, she was sure of it.

It had to be so. Feeling restless, she summoned her Qi, and, taking Shanti with her, disappeared.