Chapter Thirty Six
A hand white as snow reaches out from a distant treetop, in her palm a hint of ashes the color of gold lingers before being rubbed into grey dust. The face behind the veil lightly furrows and turns in the direction where she can hear the beating hearts of the most living creatures. Ashes? Lifting the smear of grey to her nose she caught a faint scent of agarwood baffling her further. Her Highness Xie Xue had told her to prevent fatal accidents from happening to this group of humans so this was her current mission. Her second Father had always said to them that humans were despicable and lower-realm beings. But as she admired her highness she was a bit more biased and learned to listen to the wise older woman for advice instead.
And her Highness always told her differently. She said humans were strange, fun, amusing, and always surprised her and that Her Highness loved watching them live their lives which ended much faster than their own. Fascinating and innovative creatures. Her Highness also loved collecting human things so Caihong had seen much more human stuff than the other nestlings and was more experienced. Agarwood in particular she was familiar with, since her Highness commented how humans loved expensive incense made of such wood. What were these humans burning agarwood for?
Caihong didn't know if she should report this matter or not. Her red headdress sways as she ponders to herself quietly, trying to recall exactly what her Highness had said. Agarwood is mostly used to make incense to burn for the spirits as an offering. But who would have the luxury and time to think about those who have passed when stuck in a dangerous realm? "Humans really are odd, just as Her Highness said they were." Since they want to burn incense who was she to stop them? Caihong couldn't help but wonder who this particular human was mourning though. As along with regret she caught a whiff of fury and frustration.
There were even times she would stay farther away from a murderous particular aura that would repeatedly be released in the darkest of nights. Blending in with the dense spiritual energy pulsing throughout the veins of these human ruins she had only barely managed to cover her scent each time. Her Highness had warned her never to underestimate a human who was angry or mourning a loved one. So as a precaution, she always gave that person a wide berth. Her teachings were different from her father's, as her father said a human on the verge of despair was the weakest. But she never believed it even when he said so, because her first mother was never weak even after losing something she cared about.
Remembering the figure of red who stood above her and the other nestlings' heads like a bride who was bound never to marry her most beloved and cursed to spend eternity wearing bloody robes. A lovely and charismatic single bloody star with her back to the howling wind. Even if it was long ago, she could still recall the cold yet gentle hands of her first mother. Recall her stern yet young voice. When their first mother disappeared and was claimed to be a traitor Caihong never believed the clan's claim she attacked an innocent member of the family. Because she could only remember the gentle way her first mother guided her hand when she taught them how to write and fight.
Her Highness was the first to notice her oddity when Caihong's first mother had escaped An Xing and took her under her wing occasionally. Saying that Caihong reminded her of a close friend and she didn't want to see another nestling destroyed by the clan's hands essentially confirming the suspicions Caihong already had. In a way, she could somewhat understand the humans for mourning the loss of another. She would never make fun of them. What would the future have been like if her first mother wasn't forced into a corner by the Lord? Who was it that her first mother lost because of the Lord and the family?
Caihong was born cold-blooded like the rest. The only difference between her and the other nestlings who moved on quickly was that her memory was a bit better and she lingered in her thoughts a bit more. Considerate for a snake, but also not empathetic to the point of irrationality. Caihong was an observer, not a killer. An independent mind who held neither greed nor compassion. An empty chalice. The single drop of liquid sitting at the bottom was merely that brief memory of her first mother and her Highness's teachings.
Recently with how mysterious and happy her Highness has been these past few days Caihong naturally knew something big was happening. And she was just a cog put into the mix of said finality. The humans she was watching over were surely part of the plan, so she just needed to do her part and make sure they did not have major accidents. There were a few times she was almost caught by the strongest human in the group but each time she would flee as fast as she could as her Highness taught her to and just barely managed to get away. It wasn't that she was better than him, she was taking advantage of the lands that favored her more over a human. If he managed to touch even a single scale on her person she would most probably die on the spot so Caihong was always careful. Outside of An Xing, she would have died a hundred times over already.
Yet Caihong didn't understand as after a few times of escaping, the strong human seemed to leave her be. Did he see her as a nonthreat? Or he couldn't be bothered to chase a shadow anymore? The strong human's people even had the pleasure of burning incense with her stalking them. Others would feel insulted, but Caihong was even more wary. Feeling a scaly beast climb her arm Caihong glances down to spot a messenger snake.
Listening to its whispers, Caihong frowns and expresses mild doubt. The scales of one of her seniors were found with traces of death? Impossible. Even if the Lord is away for a small time the nest doesn't become incompetent in his absence. But why would father lie about something like this? Just as she was preparing to receive the message and head back to the nest another messenger came, this time, from her highness. She didn't hesitate to prioritize her Highness's message and leaned over to listen to the command. "...." The red veil sways as the woman sighs softly to herself, settling back into her previous place.
If Her Highness tells her that she does not need to move then she won't. A royal's orders will always trump others. Caihong did ponder the possibility of Her Highness having a hand in the commotion happening back in the clan. It wasn't like a royal losing their temper at a clan member was uncommon. But for a senior to offend a royal? Now that was a bit more strange unless they desired a swift death. However, as long as Her Highness doesn't plan to kill me then I don't really have to care.
The messenger snake lingered for a bit so Caihong slipped from her sleeve a tiny vial of blood and fed the greedy thing patiently. After the little thing had its fill Caihong patted its head before shooing it away softly. "Go now, it's not safe here. These humans are strong and hate snakes." As if sharing a secret Caihong lowers her voice and whispers to the clueless snake with big black eyes "If you see humans with a blue sash slither away as fast as you can from now on." Watching the snake take off towards the forest floor she looks back towards the human camp.
"...Her Highness's orders are really strange this time though." Rubbing her sleeve Caihong tilted her head as the familiar roaring aura began exploding over the treeline surface again sending chills down her spine. "Urg." Beads of sweat drip down her temples as the woman leans back from the spiritual energy further even if it was by a few inches. Even if she has seen it plenty of times already by now. That human is the real monster here.
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Steel the color of a washed-out blue crashed into a mossy boulder earning the click of disapproval from Minglan who was watching his disciple train. "Messy." He criticizes ruthlessly, Da Chuanli nods in agreement and without needing his guidance already fixing his movements the next time he swings his blade into the correct posture. Instead of an unrecognizable bout of wind, the roar of thunder crashes into the earth like heaven's strike took on solid form spitting the boulder into two. Water spilled from its core and dust sprayed into the remaining traces of spiritual energy left behind floating to the ground. A frightening disciple.
Feng Shuchang was slow in lifting his cup of wine to his mouth in a natural manner after witnessing the inner disciple's training session of the nascent soul cultivator sitting beside him. Wearing completely white clothes the handsome Minglan had mellowed into a royal scholar fit of being called a flower of the court. His fan he so loved was nowhere to be seen and Feng Shuchang only wondered for a second before Minglan seemingly read his thoughts and spoke. "I burned it." Feng Shuchang's hand holding the wine shook once.
Minglan appeared nonchalant, however sipping wine as if it were tea the noble scholar who was rearing a noble monster quietly peers at his student at complete ease. Feng Shuchang knew that the man wasn't as tranquil as he appeared to be on the surface. Devoid of red the flamboyant man seemed lifeless. As if he had lost his passion. The elephant in the room seemed to grow larger and larger before Feng Shuchang thoughtfully broke it. Asking the grieving man softly "Sir Wang, my condolences."
"Ha." Minglan felt the turmoil in his heart was more bitter than the alcohol, even after so many days. Scrutinizing Da Chuanli who was focused on his sword strikes Minglan felt even more sour inside. "Though not long, she was still my daughter for several years. I knew it was dangerous for her, yet I still held confidence that as my daughter she would prevail over it all." Whenever Minglan closed his eyes all he could see was her hand dangling lifelessly from her sword over and over again like a painting shoved into his face each waking hour. "I failed to take into consideration her kindness."
Feng Shuchang stiffens, setting down his cup of wine and peering at Minglan with a bit of wariness. "Sir Wang there is no need to explain anything to me, as an outsider how could I-" Sensing danger from his right Feng Shuchang didn't move an inch as the sharp edge of a blade was held to his throat. Following it to the hilt Feng Shuchang wasn't surprised to see the the disciple who had been so diligently practicing moments ago holding the handle. Don't interrupt master.
"She was very compassionate and competitive. She cared for her brothers and sisters as if they were her responsibility despite being the youngest. But that also ended up being her fatal flaw. Da Chuanli." The teen removed the blade and walked back peacefully to practice his swings under Feng Shuchang's grim stare. "What's the meaning of this Sir Wang? Surely you didn't call me here to just threaten me randomly like a bandit." Minglan shook his head glancing at the other man briefly to refill his cup which Feng Shuchang gritted his teeth but did anyway. As this wasn't someone he wanted to or could afford to offend.
"Despite our disciples becoming friendly recently, I see no benefits in trusting you." Not expecting the man to be so blunt for a moment Feng Shuchang didn't know how to react to this comment as true as it was. Yet, this also was a way to lay it all out on the table. Feng Shuchang fell silent for a very long while seeming conflicted with his thoughts and the benefits of being upfront. Sir Wang was saying that he, Feng Shuchang, knew too much about them already but they knew nothing about his sect and his purpose. "If two ends of a bridge aren't held together with the same knot, how do the creators intend to convince people to use it at all?"
"Sir Wang can rest assured that this humble one has no intentions of harming the Azure sect." Wang Minglan didn't appear to believe him nor was he moved by the promise, casually casting a lingering look towards the fake sky and his meticulous yet messy-footed disciple. "The world is changing, now, immortals fall faster than mortals. One immortal's demise is the birth of a new one to take his place. Yet, tainted by the greed of mortality sects are integrating with mortals more and more. Descending from their seclusion and taking part in unsophisticated leisure activities once culled and looked down upon by all."
Setting his cup aside Wang Minglan turns to Feng Shuchang to face him properly for once. "In the war, many of our elders died bringing in a wave of young and inexperienced cultivators to take their place without the guidance of the wise. As one of those inexperienced and young cultivators, I admit to my weakness and lack of insight which led me to the loss of my daughter." The sharp screech of steel striking stone cuts into the conversation leading the two grim-faced adults to look toward the boy. "Da Chuanli if you cannot temper your anger do not draw your blade in the first place." This sharp reprimand was more intimidating than a shout despite being said in a mediocre volume.
Feng Shuchang internally felt a bit of pity for the teen whose expression grew stiffer because of his master's disdain. Da Chuanli lowered his head in Minglan's direction acknowledging his mistake thus ending the scolding as it wasn't the time and place with a stranger in their midst to continue critiquing his disciple. "Go for a walk to clear your mind before we continue." Da Chuanli didn't seem to disagree with Minglan's suggestion and turned to leave rather quickly also knowing he wasn't in a stable state. Minglan sighed softly as they watched the teen walk away so only Feng Shuchang could pick it up beside him seemingly more emotionally in tune with his diciple's disruptive emotions than he let on. Even if Feng Shuchang felt bad for the boy, it wasn't his place to critique how people in mourning dealt with said loss.
Especially given how sudden and recent it was. However, he couldn't help asking the man who seemed to age a few more years due to his hot-blooded disciple "Were he and your daughter close?" Close? Minglan also pondered this question for awhile seemingly a bit stumped by this simple question much to Feng Shuchang's surprise. It wasn't that hard to answer, since one was his daughter and the other his most treasured disciple. At least, it shouldn't have been a hard question. Minglan hums half-heartedly, even if he forces the two to interact. It was always the one-sided pestering of Da Chuanli with his daughter expressing discontent and disgust on the other.
"Close or not, losing someone he had grown used to practicing beside and seeing is sure to mess with one's mental." Feng Shuchang's lips fell slightly as this kind of answer was akin to admitting even Minglan himself was unsure of why his disciple was acting out. So it was either one of the two scenarios. Wang Minglan's disciple was merely frustrated at being unable to protect a member of their sect. Or, the relationship between the two disciples was a bit more convoluted than one would think, even fooling their master's eyes. "I know you think I am an unreliable master for not knowing such things about my disciple. And in a way, that is true. However-"
Minglan's lashes quiver "-what person can read another mind accurately down to the very last layer of their heart? If she were still with me today I could ask, alas, the question becomes irrelevant if she still breathed the same air as me. Now, she is gone and so is all she knows and all she should have known in her jaggedly cut-off future. A child like her, one could not and would not understand even if given hundreds of years to study. Given a few meager years together and now having her ripped away due to my complacency." The white-robed master pours his last cup of wine, offering it to the fake sky with bleary eyes.
The man was said to be a rare young genius of the previous generation, yet now, he could only sip his cold wine in a robe of mourning all alone celebrating his self-glory and arrogance with a bitter smile. "I cannot blame others, I will blame my disciples even less. But I am petty, and will still force them to wear the same white as I. To mourn like I do, to feel sorry and guilty for themselves like I do. For it is my right as a father to mourn my daughter the way I see fit. The more who mourn her, the more to remember her together with in the future which she cannot take part in."
Feng Shuchang absorbs all this information, feeling a hint of understanding and similarity towards Wang Minglan. He knew Wang Minglan's wounds were still fresh, and though it had been years no doubt his sister's wounds were just as painful as before. She would have resonated rather well with what Wang Minglan was saying, as it had been her lover who fell to the plot of the Golden Cloud sect. Subconsciously he couldn't help but think to himself it was a good thing he had insisted to meet Wang Minglan by himself today. "...Does Sir Wang still remember the last time An Xing opened its gates? A mere few years ago?"
Wang Minglan gestures he knew, how could he not? That was the day he received the greatest gift the world could have given him that had been taken away in a similar abrupt fashion. Feng Shuchang not noticing the man's inner thoughts went on with a harsh short laugh and bitter grin. "The sect leader wasn't initially supposed to be my sister, but instead my brother-in-law. Yang Muyang." Wang Minglan had a faint memory of a straightforward youth with a strict appearance wherever he went. He was one of the few his senior brother had complimented back then was he not?
Seeing the vague expression of familiarity Feng Shuchang went on bitterly "When the An Xing realm opened, my brother-in-law had led my elder sister and a few others into the portal with full confidence....But who knew-" He gritted his teeth recalling those days he naively waited in anticipation for his sister and her lover's return to the sect with glory. Those days and nights of pride and unwavering belief that they would return all in one piece with tales aplenty to tell him all about the An Xing realm. "-the day they came back. Only a single carriage was seen where there were supposed to be three." Feng Shuchang told his side of this ruthless city and sect to the patiently listening Minglan. He could still vividly recall his wane and ghostly shade of a sister who stepped out of that carriage alone. Her swaying, pale, and skinny continuance.
Her flush cheeks of joy and happiness sunken in and her eyes devoid of life as she spent the last of her strength to walk up to their gates out of obligation. Out of duty. How her ghastly and lonesome figure leaned and swayed yet she still insistedly knelt in front of all the dumbfounded, and clueless elders on their sect stairs. How she wailed and recounted the days they spent in the deadly realm. How her brothers and sisters who smiled and gave them all candy and endless guidance had fallen one by one. How their foundation, their future, their most beloved disciple or senior brothers and sisters who spoiled and doted on them were ruthlessly cut down.
How she chilled them all to their very bones with her tale of cultivators killing cultivators, how red sashes, white sashes, green, purple, all of them were slaughtered without warning or discrimination by the golden sashes. Her sobbing and cries of sorrow are forever carved in blood within their hearts and bones. Feng Shuchang took a deep breath as his heart throbs painfully recalling those memories that burned and infuriated him throughout all these years. Out of sheer luck, his older sister only escaped to tell the tale because of his brother-in-law's quick thinking and reaction time.
Yang Muyang was worthy of being called a talented person on the rise to the top. Taking out many with him protecting his frightened older sister who had yet to come out of her shock. "-My brother-in-law told her to run ahead as he bought her and the others time to escape." The man who was no longer a naive boy grinded his teeth "But they already planted men on the outskirts to get rid of the runaways driving them into a practiced and coordinated trap. By the time my elder sister traveled only a few meters away the rest of our people were cut down around her with ruthless arrows to the chests only able to deflect a few before round after round were sent to replace the ones that failed to strike true."
Minglan despite his quiet outer appearance was beyond astonished and enraged by the audacity of the Golden Cloud sect's actions. His eyes grow several shades darker as the emotional Feng Shuchang's hands curl into fists to try and relieve the heavy sinister feeling weighing in his heart. His voice shook only once "My brother-in-law, he-" The grown man choked but corrected his weakness seeming determined to never let it consume him again by straightening up further. "-he took my elder sister away with him escaping with our sect secret arts which only the patriarch and future patriarch were privy to."
"From that day forward they were hunted night after night by creatures wearing human skin who should have been hunting demonic beasts, not their own kind. Chased and worn down till a monster wearing a man's skin blade cleanly severed my brother-in-law's head from his shoulders as my sister who was bound and hidden by him by force nearby cried his name and watched on in horror. Unable to break his life-giving spell screaming as her lover's headless body fell to the ground to protect her even beyond his death. Can sir Wang understand my sect and sister's anger now?" He ruefully smiled at the grim-faced Minglan "-just a few small sects with hardly any power behind them. Can we few sects righteously stand up to such a dangerous and powerful foe spreading our grievances without fear of annihilation from the same people who fearlessly slaughtered their own kind without remorse?"
"-If the Golden Cloud sect covers the sky and their allies cover the stars outside, how can we air our grievance? You say that there is no reason to trust us, but by telling you our side of this silent war on the mortal planes you so despise and are above. Can you really say you will continue to remain on the sidelines when that war is silently crawling up your immobile sect's front entrance?"