Chương 62: Chapter 11

Wu Zetian kept her features schooled as the messengers left. There it goes. No way back now. It was ironic, really. When she allowed Nenqin to leave for his little quest, the idea was that the counties of Qinghai were a good place for him to work out his pride without too much danger. Maybe razing a few bandit camps to the ground or defending a city from spirit-beasts would have been enough to soothe his ego and he would return so that she could give him some proper responsibilities.

Instead, here she was, sending him into a province that may or may not have a Treasure able to go toe to toe with her. That it worried her was an understatement. But once all the emotions were pushed aside, what else could she do? Keep him out of the loop? Haoran couldn't be, and the servant wouldn't keep the matter from his young master, even with her explicit order. Once he knew, that funk of his for being discarded would only get worse.

And then, better than she could channel him into something she had some control over. Why? Because after some consideration, she found that he reminded her far too much of him. And she knew how stubborn he could be.

"I can do it."

"Again with this. This stubborn streak of yours doesn't please me, boy. How long will you keep on annoying me like this? You could have finished this little problem ten times over by now if you only allowed me, or anyone else, to help you. Really, what kind of heir do you think you'll become if you keep this attitude? Stubbornness in the face of easier paths is no virtue. You'll have problems if you continue acting like this, and you know how much that would make me upset."

"I can do it." She sighed. Stubborn. Stubborn like her. And Nenqin, no matter how much she told herself that they weren't the same person, was the same. A stubborn, proud, reckless Wu. A few bandit camps? A city defended? Going over the Province's map for the umpteenth time, she realized that the rush of emotions made her optimistic. His grandson felt the weight of his father's failures. Qinghai had Forbidden Zones. Leave him to his devices and there was no telling how far he would go.

The last thing she wanted was to see him charge into a dragon cave because he felt he had to redeem the family name. No, it's better like this. I'll know what he's doing at least. She was being nepotistic; she knew. Also, she didn't care. Sect or not, Immortal or not, this was her family. She wouldn't throttle the Night for them, but she wouldn't leave them alone either. Why, part of her still mulled over sending a few Owls to tail Nenqin. But no, he had to grow into his own. She…

she couldn't hover over him, couldn't smother him. … not unofficially at least. Xing Xing would have to be accompanied by a few of the elite assassins after all. Only to help with the mission and make sure it succeeded, nothing else. Promise. With that, there were reasons not to worry too much. The young master wouldn't be the first in line. If the Revenge truly had an Immortal-rank Treasure, it would fall to the scouts and the Owls to discover it.

Only once and if the situation was clear would the Nascent Soul and her grandson step in. Until then, they would keep their distance. It will do. It must. Xing Xing and Haoran will keep him in line. If they can't, nobody does. It wasn't like her to worry so much. Qon was a distant echo in her mind, but the demon was keeping his distance for the time being. No, this was all her. He was her weak spot, he just was. It's necessary, she told herself, again.

It'll establish his name a mong the Sect and make him known in Qinghai. After that fiasco with Zhan and the Siege, gods know he needs it. That Nenqin's reputation wasn't good would have been an understatement. He was genial and courteous, and that endeared him to many, especially among the Disciples, but most nobles looked down on him and were glad to see him sidelined. During Zhan's reign, the Young Master was seen as little more than a powerless puppet, a spineless boy rushing to please his corrupt parent.

When Zhan passed, he took command, even acted well, but in their eyes, he was a little boy who tried to wear shoes too big for him and almost brought down the Sect in the process. It was an unjust judgement, fed by hindsight: he had fought bravely during the Siege, but Zhan's actions weighed heavily on his reputation. Even her sponsorship of the Main Branch couldn't erase it. Which made his desire to clear it on his own only the more understandable, even if it didn't erase the frustration she felt for it.

She huffed, smothering it with the ease of long use. It wasn't right, but that was how the world worked. People liked to find a scapegoat for their troubles. Powerful people doubly so. Bemoaning it brought no resolution; it only wasted time. She could only give him the chance to try and make it right. She wanted him to excel after all, but handing him over authority freely just wouldn't sit right with her. Nor, she suspected, would it sit well with him, or anybody else. No, he needed the trial.

She could only try to exercise some control over the shape that would take. This was the best it could be, and so it would have to suffice. She wasn't that nepotistic. Enough of this. She smoothed her robes, pushing the matter aside. Gears were in motion now. She could only wait for the results. Concern yourself with what you can influence: the motto was as good for an Immortal as it was for a babe. Speaking of… With a gesture, she summoned her Mirror.

The obsidian surface turned liquid, wobbling for a moment before snapping into focus. The Wu Mansion's grounds appeared crisp enough to touch, that annoying sunlight still in place. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Children played among the grass, Wu Lin among them. The Young Miss was glowing, looking overwhelmed and ecstatic for being surrounded by so many people her same age. Zhao, poor, little critter, hid behind a thicket, trying his best to be invisible.

He was in luck: the children were so focused on trying to tag Wu Lin that nobody as much as glanced his way. The word was trying: the dark sphere was more slippery than an eel. Smiling fondly, Wu Zetian moved the vision. More children sat on blankets spread over the grass, eating cakes and chatting. They were quite adorable, with their noble mannerisms and still awkward attempts at being subtle. But they would grow.

The parents, those select few she invited to the picnic, stood, doing the same with considerably more skill while being served by the palace staff. They were trying very hard not to scowl at the sun above, but discomfort and annoyance were written all over them. Well, let's take mercy on them. In a moment. Wu Zetian's attention was attracted by a couple on the side. Chen Liwei loomed over a burly kid, looking like a sergeant instructor giving lessons to an unruly recruit.

"This is a great honor, my son," she was saying, somehow managing to sound martial even while murmuring.

"Only the scions of the most prestigious families have received an invitation. All the Clans are present, and that means our family cannot lag behind. We must act honorably and in a way that will curry favor from the Founder, understand?" Chen Wei, vaguely looking like someone had unrooted a stump from the ground, actually snapped a salute.

"Yes, Lady Mother!" He barked. Chen Liwei nodded, grim.

"The Ancestor has shown preference toward children. Your task today is simple: you will play with the other guests' sons and daughters. Not only will that bring serenity and pleasure to the honored Founder, it shall allow our family to position ourselves closer to her grace. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lady Mother!"

"Any questions?"

"Only one, Lady Mother."

"What is it? Speak."

"How do I play with other families' children? Is that how the relaxation exercises go, or does it follow a different protocol?" Chen Liwei watched him.

"That… you…" She paused. Wu Zetian sighed, closing the image. Dorks. But at least she's not dismissing him out of hand. Even if maybe that's sad more than anything. Now, where that "the Founder likes children" came from, she wondered? Or at least, she would have, if she didn't know how voices and people worked. Important people, the kind upon whom depended your salary and continued survival, were always scrutinized. And that was fine, as long as her people took the right lessons from it.

Otherwise, there were going to be problems. Dismissing the Mirror, Wu Zetian stepped outside. … and promptly frowned in distaste as she got a blast of sun to the face. Alright. That's enough. Letting out some of her Qi shouldn't have felt so viciously vindictive. Except that Night falling and replacing that stupid sunny sky justified everything. She wasn't the only one: a collective sigh of relief went up from the guests. Somebody even clapped. Wu Zetian replied with a tilt of her head.

In the distance, Lin stopped, cheeks flushed and a question in her eyes. She gestured, and the little girl got her meaning: grinning wildly, she jumped to the side, deftly turning a tackle attempt into a miss.

"Carry on, please. Today, we stand in leisure." Appreciations went around the little crowd. To her satisfaction, they did what they were told, returning to their conversations. Ancestor or not, they had gotten used to her presence, something she couldn't help but be happy about. Wu Zetian took the seat that Shanti offered her.

"Do you like children, Shanti?" She asked, accepting the cup the secretary offered her. As always, the woman was the picture of efficiency. Secretary, maid or whatever else, she approached every task with the same polite expressionless and perfect poise. And perfect results. Wu Zetian could have learned to be envious.

"I absolutely hate them, Founder," she replied, as serious as anything. …or not.

"Well, that's just not good. How will you find yourself a good husband with that attitude?"

"Please, honored Founder, refrain from joking."

"Oh? Touchy, are we? Well then, I will have to remember." She looked over the cup's rim.

"Shouldn't I, Elder?" Xing Xing stepped on the grass with a grace that his big frame shouldn't have accounted for.

"Obviously, Founder," he commented, as though the alternative was unthinkable.

"Just the idea of leaving such a lovely woman without a companion. The Sect would be remiss." Shanti sighed while the two old monsters shared a shameless grin, not dignifying either with an answer. Wu Zetian glanced at the person trailing the Sect Elder. Young, beautiful, wearing form-fitting robes, she was the picture of the jade beauty, with a dark, threatening spin. Oh, this one… Xing Yue. Of course, she was here so that his powerful father could introduce her.

The Old Wolf never lost a chance to increase his family's clout.

"Go on, my dear," he rumbled once that was out of the way and it was clear that Wu Zetian preferred to keep this between them.

"The refreshment looks delicious." The girl didn't need to be told twice. She curtsied with grace and strode away, radiating dignity. Wu Zetian didn't watch her. With her eyes. Xing Yue, her information said, was the closest to a girlfriend her grandson had. But that was thoughts for another time. Xing Xing proffered a small bundle.

"I took the liberty of bringing a small offering to the host of the house." A fancy way to say that it was cookies. The millenary-old Elder brought cookies. Another fancy way, this one to say that she was delighted.

"My, a man for my own heart. How did you know I adore this kind of treat? Have you been keeping tabs on me, Elder?"

"Just a little. Not nearly enough."

"Oh, dangerous." Beside her, Shanti didn't roll her eyes. But Wu Zetian could still feel the emotion roiling off her in waves. Cheeky. She chuckled, gesturing. Twin small tendrils materialized, opening the bag and laying cookies that may as well have been works of heart on the little tea table.

"I appreciate this," she commented while Shanti served the Elder his own cup. In the gardens, the kids had managed to get a hold of Lin. The girl was struggling to get out from the cultivation equivalent of a pile-up. It was so bad that Zhao had gotten over his shyness and was busy smacking around anyone keeping him from her boss. If Lin was distraught, she didn't show: her laughter was loud and clear and delighted.

"It's these kinds of moments that make eternity worth chasing, don't you agree, Elder Xing?"

"Please, Founder. Just Xing is enough."

"Mh, Lady Wu is enough just as well, then."

"I cannot be thankful enough. And, yes, I agree. Partly."

"Oh?"

"These kinds of moments and others. Knowledge and power, Founder. Those peaks when we grab hold of them." As always, Xing Xing didn't do anything by half-measures. While he spoke, his eyes burned. Humming, Wu Zetian covered the curve of her lips with the cup's rim. She could agree, but the Elder didn't need to know that. Being known was the basis of a good working relationship, but being unpredictable remained a factor too good to pass on. If he was disappointed, Xing Xing didn't show it.

He drank with perfect poise.

"I hope you had any luck with my request?"

"In a way." The hulking Elder shrugged, a delicate gesture that sat strangely with his frame.

"Master Dianwu was uncooperative. Thankfully, the records were easy enough to find." A flash of emotion crossed his features.

"They were comprehensive. Master Xin was always thorough." Wu Zetian lowered her chin, not commenting.

"The results?"

"Vague, fragmentary." Stowing his emotions, Xing Xing made a dismissive gesture.

"Yet again, it always is with this kind of… requests." Wu Zetian hummed. In a way, she had expected this. When she ordered Xing Xing to prepare an expedition to the Dragon Empire, he also told him to look for any information about Nascent Soul who may have been amenable to being recruited into the Sect. The Dragon Empire was renowned for the numbers and quality of the cultivators who sheltered in its lands. If there was one place to begin searching for good prospects, it was there.

But too much time had passed since any reliable information. Xing Xing knew a few names, but that too was passable of having turned obsolete. Wu Zetian would lie if she said part of her wasn't happy. The idea of calling strangers in and giving them important posts out of the blue didn't sit well with her. But her Night Council was barebones at the moment, and she needed power to refill it. Of course, it would go like she intended, not the way around, but still. It was a hard limit.

She couldn't elevate a Core Formation to permanent membership: it would bring down the good name of the Sect. But she couldn't wait for one of her Elders to make a breakthrough. It may take centuries. No, what she needed was outsiders. Preferably backed by recommendations from her Elders. It remained to find them, though, and that wasn't easy. Nascent Soul didn't grow on trees.