Chương 46: 28.1. Rewards and Teaching

Faust entered the duke of Han, Patriarch of the Han clan's office. The first step inside carried a weight. Faust braced himself to bear an unimaginable pressure. Then, the weight vanished. Humble wood and rough tapestries adorned the room. A large table was placed in the center. And behind it, the duke of Han. Compared to Han Ci's frail and scholarly appearance, the patriarch was an ogre compacted into human form. Muscles practically burst from the yellow robe's seams.

The clothes struggled to fit his massive frame. His shoulder length, dark, muted brown hair messily spilled down his face, swept into rough bangs while stray strands stuck to his forehead. He was hunched over the heavy table. Maps and drawings littered its surface. On the largest map, figures were placed at different points, each carrying its own flag. Faust had expected the pressure of an Essence Unity monster to press him into the ground. But nothing of the sort appeared.

As if the patriarch was an ordinary mortal. He bowed and cupped his fist in front of the table, across from the patriarch.

"Faust from Clear Mirror Sect." He introduced himself. The duke looked up, then took a deep breath before standing up. Faust braced for the worst. The duke suddenly bowed. Faust felt his eyes try to leap out of their sockets and he made to say, "What are you doing!" But caught himself before saying something disrespectful, biting his tongue. This wasn't in the script you old bastard!

"Thank you, for saving my son." His old voice reverberated before he rose from his bow. Faust forced his twitching face to the default, neutral expression, facing the man calmly. He thought over his next words carefully.

"He calls me brother. It's only natural." He managed to come up with. The duke looked at him, scanning him up and down before meeting his eyes. Then nodded. Slowly.

"I'm occupied, so I won't take up much of your time. Just tell me. Is there a reward you would like?" Faust's expression sharpened for a moment. What do I need right now and how much can I get? He pondered. At the same time, he didn't want to take too long to answer. Something that would let the patriarch decide exact quantities would be good.

"I lost all my Innate Qi in the process. So I'm looking for items of that nature. Otherwise, there's no need for a reward. I was just doing what's right." Faust requested, choosing to keep his request humble and leaving it mostly in the patriarch's hands. The duke continued staring for a few moments, before nodding, stroking his beard, "Very well." He acknowledged the request.

"My son speaks highly of you." He glazed at Yunxi, "and her highness seems intent on recruiting you…I will look forward to your future. I also give you the permission to enter the estate whenever you wish. My son lacks friends his age." Faust cupped his fist again.

"Thank you, Duke Han. It's an honour." With a final nod, the duke dismissed them, "You may leave." Faust bowed once more before turning to exit the room with Yunxi. They didn't notice that behind them, several more figures appeared around the table, regarding it intently with hardened expressions.

"Nearly every province has seen a rise in demonic cultivators. The barbarians have expanded their invasion beyond Green Terrace province. The Clear Mirror and Earth Water sects have both sent messages about leading their elders to suppress revived demonic factions."

"It appears the age of chaos has truly begun."

"My son is secretly planning to have an operation with the princess's faction." The duke said.

"Once I see the results. I will lead the Yellow Army to repel the Barbarian invasion."

"And if you don't return patriarch?"

"The first branch family will become the head of the clan." …

"Phew…" Faust exhaled a breath. The normalcy and lack of pressure was even more oppressive since he couldn't tell what the duke was really thinking.

"The Han Duke is known for having led armies into battle before he became patriarch. He is also known for his righteousness and straightforwardness. You chose your words well." Yunxi encouraged in a deadpan voice.

"..." Faust glared at her. She was still following him.

"Have you thought about the offer?"

"I'll need time to think about it later." Yunxi nodded. Their steps sounded against the wood as a maid led them to a room to rest. Faust was the only one to sit down though, Yunxi kept behind him— as if she really were his servant. Faust felt his eye twitch. A yellow robed guard, this one at the Golden Core realm appeared not long after.

"I have been ordered to hand over these items." He said, holding out a yellow and gold spatial pouch. Faust took it and checked the contents. There were some pills he was unfamiliar with along with a technique scroll and some artifacts and array flags. There was also a large pile of gold and ominous red crystal. On top, there was also a silver capsule. The same as what Faram had given him to enter and exit central Zentrum. The guard cupped a fist before turning away and leaving. Oh. I get to keep the bag?

Faust happily stowed the spatial pouch beneath his robes on his belt. The doors of the room were opened again, Han Ci walked in.

"Your bodyguard isn't with you?" Faust asked, not seeing the old woman around. Han Ci's face turned sour.

"Don't ask. The clan elders think she failed her duty and needs to be punished." He practically spat as he fell into the couch across from him.

"As if any of those old bastards could fight two against one while still injured. They can't do it when they're in full health." He paused, looking at Yunxi.

"This is?" Faust flicked his eyes over her.

"She can introduce herself." He answered. At that, Yunxi bowed slightly.

"Liora Yunxi. From the Forbidden City's Rising Phoenix Courtyard." See, you're not curtsying or lifting your skirt up. I knew it wasn't normal! After considering her for a moment, Han Ci turned back to Faust, reclining into the seat.

"Because of the attack, my father found out I was planning to have surgery behind his back. I don't suppose you're faring better." Faust thought for a moment, stroking his chin, but shook his head.

"All my Innate Qi is gone and I have three months to make a minor breakthrough lest my foundation take serious damage."

"Ah. I apologise. My issue isn't so serious in comparison." Faust shrugged.

"It's not a problem. Your father has already given me some items to help."

"I thought Innate Qi didn't have any cures?"

"It doesn't. But there are things that speed it up. The best way is spirit stones, they contain pure, neutral Spirit Qi that can easily be refined into Innate Qi. There's also formations that can further speed it up by transforming Spirit Qi into some common forms that are closer to most people's Innate Qi."

"There is also dual cultivation—" Yunxi abruptly added.

"Stay quiet." Faust cut her off. For a moment, she appeared to obey, before continuing anyways.

"Since I'm not technically your servant— yet— I will not obey that order."

"No… No…" Faust pinched his nose. This maid was going to give him migraines. Han Ci regarded the two.

"How so?" He asked. Faust stood up.

"Goodbye. You two can chat about dual cultivation now."

"Ah." Han Ci reached out with a hand, then hesitated.

"Since you're on a time limit. I won't stop you. Come by sometime though." Faust nodded. Bowing and cupping a fist towards him, "I'll return once I make my minor breakthrough." He shared, then he recalled what he had discovered at the restaurant.

"Also, when is your surgery?" If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"It's not scheduled yet. Perhaps in a few months." Han Ci answered, shaking as he pushed himself up, swaying slightly on his feet and coughing lightly a few times. Faust committed it to memory. If he had time, he would try to research his condition and the Devouring Heaven Technique more.

"Could I have one more sample before I go? I found a questionable lead related to your condition." Han Ci nodded, showing his wrist without protest. Faust tapped two fingers against it, quickly guiding some Qi in to take a sample and guiding it back out.

"Then, I'll see you next… At the princess's social event." Oh. That. Right. Faust remembered the letter suddenly. He regarded Yunxi again. Not that she would let me forget I imagine. The two left the Han Estate. The carriage that had brought them had already returned to the palace. Faust looked either way down the road. Should I return to the courtyard? He deliberated. Then shook his head. He didn't want to find out if this maid was going to follow him back there. Not that knowing made much of a difference.

Also, he needed to develop the rest of his Inner Palace blueprint if he wanted to use it to form his Inner Palace. But, time was short and he wouldn't have the time to refine sufficient Innate Qi and develop the technique. He hummed in thought. There was only one way he could think of and that was to get help from an expert. Faust let out a sigh.

"Let's check if Faram is busy." He thought aloud, beginning to walk towards the Faram estate. If he's not. My only options are to have Yunxi or Rozaline introduce me to someone. He shivered. Both options were a last resort.

"Her highness is returning to her tutor's estate for study." Jing's voice abruptly sounded behind Miu.

"Haahh…" Miu sighed, slowly slumping against the desk, surrounded by paper and ink filled with messy imperial script. She wasn't startled by the maids' sudden appearances anymore. I've made my piece. She had decided. I can't sense these people. All her experience in her village where she would track wild animals using her Qi sense was useless. Cultivators were on another level.

".. Where's the other one?" Miu asked, she hadn't seen the other made, Ning, ever since the restaurant— She shuddered violently. She never wanted to experience that again. One moment she was eating food and the next she was falling through the sky being scratched by splinters. She didn't even react in time before she was suddenly grabbed and was suddenly outside.

Then she remembered being smashed through a wall before being pulled behind a pillar and having needles stabbed into her with a piece of gold paper stuck on her forehead. But even more scary was the aura. While she was trying to figure out what happened and Faust was covering her mouth, she suddenly felt like she was plunged into glacial waters. Except instead of shivering violently from the cold she froze up completely. She didn't know what happened after that.

The aura had passed by and Faust suddenly grabbed her and Han Ci before shooting back out into the skies, flying so fast she couldn't even make out how far they had gone.

"Fear not, miss Miu. We will not be leaving Central Zentrum and unlike the restaurant, even an Essence unity cultivator would find it difficult to break into Tutor Faram's estate." Jing's voice cut through her voice, much closer. Miu looked up at her. She was even less expressive than the other maid, Ning, having a completely blank expression.

"What about last time?" Miu held herself back from spitting.

"... Unlike the restaurant which was a spontaneous and swiftly executed attack. The attack on Tutor Faram's estate was premeditated. We suspect it was planned for nearly a decade. Ever since her highness became a student under the Tutor."

"What if something else happens?" Miu asked. Jing didn't immediately respond.

"I understand your concerns. However, the two incidents so close together are a coincidence. There hasn't been an incident in the Faram estate except for that one. As for the attack outside of Central Zentrum. They are unfortunately quite common. Hence why we don't leave often."

"Why did we go out then?"

"Why should her highness be confined to a tiny pocket of the empire? If they wish to attack, they can. They won't leave alive." Miu flinched back at the words, turning away from Jing. She picked up the goldfish in its new bowl. Her snake, Jung, quickly slithered towards her and wrapped around her, looking for the folds in her robe only to find the dress she was currently wearing was too tight and didn't have anywhere for it to hide.

Jung hissed in discontent before wrapping his small body around her like an arm ring. Miu followed Jing through the palace. A carriage surrounded by guards was already waiting. She stepped up and found princess Shuyue was already inside, her hands filled with documents while more were piled on the seat beside her or floating in the air around her. Quietly sitting down, Miu looked up at the Shuyue briefly, before looking away. Jing entered a moment later, closing the door before sitting beside Miu.

Outside, the scenery began to blur as the carriage began moving. Soldiers on armoured horses keeping pace as they surrounded them.

"Jing, report on Ren Ashcroft." Shuyue suddenly ordered.

"The second prince suggested the previous vice-head of the Scribe pavilion be allowed to fight to prove their innocence. Ren Ashcroft was the chosen combatant." Jing began reporting. Even Miu had overheard some of the maids and guards talk about it. An Open Palace cultivator killing someone at the Golden Core level. I wonder how it would feel. She looked up at the roof of the carriage imagining being so powerful she could kill across realms.

With how the Open Palace guards and maids were talking, it seemed basically impossible. She put her attention back on Jing's report.

"... Upon further investigation. The vice-head of the Scribe pavilion was a scholar without much if any combat experience. He had only reached proficiency in two combat techniques and had never used a weapon seriously before. He was also heavily affected by being imprisoned and interrogated for the past few months." Shuyue nodded along.

"So it wasn't a true cross-realm kill?"

"The Golden Core spectators all seem to agree it wasn't. At most, it was half way there. Still, it was a hard thought victory." Jing finished"... That makes what sir Faust did even more impressive." Shuyue mumbled.

"A palm expert, Iridescent Golden core mercenary. Yet the attack was blocked. Even if only for a second." She looked at Jing.

"Tell Liora Yunxi to use her own discretion and bring him firmly onto our side. The budget is… A million gold worth of resources. If she needs more she can submit a memorial for me to review." A million gold… Miu let the thought run around in her head. She didn't know how much that was really worth in cultivation resources. She only knew that the basic Qi Sensing pill was worth 50 bronze coins. Enough for ten days of meals. Well. Two meals a day. The maids had all insisted on three meals a day.

Jing bowed her head in acknowledgment. Miu made sure not to disturb the two. Keeping quiet.

"... Your highness. May I ask a question." Jing asked. Shuyue was still absorbed in the documents she was reading, humming a response.

"Mhm."

"Why are we giving this task to Yunxi? She's in the middle of the Golden Core realm with an Earth Golden Core. If raised right, she will be her clan's first Essence Unity cultivator with potential to reach the Deity Transformation realm if she's lucky."

"Control." Shuyue answered simply.

"I have no confidence for anyone at the Open Palace realm to reliably track him if he chooses to evade them."

"But why track him?"

"Even if he doesn't work for me, he must not join any of my cousins or siblings. Until he leaves the capital and returns to his sect. I need to keep watch on him." Jing didn't ask any further, but perhaps sensing her confusion Jing and Miu's curiosity, Shuyue sighed, putting down the documents in her hand.

"The age of chaos has just begun." She explained.

"Most S grade talents are still too young. Ren and Faust, who were born early, will have a major realm over their peers for the foreseeable future. Until progression slows down in the Nascent Soul realm." Miu tilted her head. She didn't really get it, so she turned to Jing. She had a thoughtful look on her face, eyes drifting around as she focused.

"I don't get it." She whispered to Jing quietly so as to not disturb Shuyue.

"Have you still not grasped the whisper technique you were given?" Jing's voice suddenly echoed around her as if spoken right into her ear. Miu was caught off guard and looked around frantically for a moment. Then, she closed her eyes and focused. Shuyue had also given her a whisper technique, but between it and the one given to her by Faust, Faust's one was simpler. Both needed her to record the person's aura.

But Shuyue's technique needed her to refine a special strand of qi based on that aura, which she would use whenever she wanted to talk to them. It was a long and complicated process. Faust's technique just needed her to record her target's aura, her own aura, then mix the two and split it into two. It was split into three parts. Aura Recording technique, Aura combining technique. Aura communication technique. With her eyes focused. Miu focused on the first part of the technique. She controlled her Qi carefully.

It wobbled a bunch at first but she managed to keep it relatively contained. Then she began moving it according to the technique, before it left her body and drew a pattern towards Jing. Once it was close enough, she formed the pattern to record the aura. A piece of her Qi became weird. But that meant it worked. The initial Qi pattern dispersed, leaving Miu just holding onto the awkward strand of Qi created by the technique, which she drew back into her body.

Then, she repeated the same, but without extending the pattern towards Jing, just using it on her own aura. Another strange bit of Qi was created. Miu held both Qi's then drew her own Qi into another pattern, the second part of the technique. Both bits of weird Qi started mixing together between the patterns, before forming into a circle thing. Miu let the Qi disperse again, only holding onto the circle of Qi. She started the 3rd part of the technique, drawing more patterns. Then. Slowly.

She extended part of the pattern up towards her mind Qi. Once it was close enough, she finished it up.

"Hello?" Miu thought really hard, trying to aim the thought at the probe beside her Mind Qi.

"You're not using the Imperial method?" Jing's voice responded. Miu almost let the pattern disperse. She didn't expect to get it right this time.

"Uhm. The one Shuyue gave me is hard."

"... It can also communicate over distances. Unlike the one you're using, which needs the auras to be touching. It's very simplistic outside of its cipher method."

"Cipher method?" Miu responded slowly, careful the patterns didn't fall apart.

"You mean Faust can't communicate over distances?"

"He doesn't use any specific technique from what I observed. Such is his understanding of the underlying principles." Jing scoffed.

"Without a cipher, if someone grabbed your aura and mine, they would easily be able to eavesdrop on our conversation." She continued explaining.

"Then, to answer your earlier question. Heaven discourages killing those too much weaker than yourself. So having someone in a similar realm who's also significantly stronger than others in that realm has a lot of benefits." Miu looked at her, then thought about it. How did heaven discourage it? Was it a Punishment Tribulation? She asked Jing, who had never refused a question unlike Shuyue's other maid.

"Punishment tribulations are one way. But those are only for certain crimes such as reversing life and death. Or for attacking the heavens themselves. Rather, killing those below your level causes you to accumulate negative karma." Miu thought it over and over in her mind, her body tensing in thought. She tried to ask another question, but the pattern of Qi she had formed suddenly broke, rapidly dissipating. Miu tried to catch the weird Qi, but that also dissipated rapidly.

"The imperial method of refining a specific bit of Qi doesn't have that problem." Jing noted from the side.

"Practice that technique more or learn the Imperial one." With that, Jing stopped responding to Miu. She tried to use the technique again, but it kept falling apart. Soon, the carriage slowed down. The Faram estate plaque hung high on the walls outside the carriage window.