Even Further Beyond [Complete]

The Ides of March

"Darling, wake up." Something prodded him softly in the side. Nameless groaned and his eyes flashed open. Just how many substances had he taken, to be forced into a regenerative coma again?

Xiaoling poked him again, her slender foot pressing into his torso. She was bright-eyed and up early. Damned half-elf constitution... "You are alive, aren't you?"

He frowned. "How long have we been partying?"

His companion sighed in affected bitterness. "Six weeks and not a half-day longer. Your unloved nature has finally claimed its due. We've been cut off!"

"What!?" He jerked bolt upright. "The Yong can't cut me off, I made them that money!"

"And my Papa loves me!" Xiaoling half-sobbed. "But Great Ming has pulled my accounts, my lines of credit. It's all gone!"

"We've only spent, what, thirty thousand talents?" He grumbled. "I don't see what they're bothered about."

"More like sixty thousand, dear." Xiaoling patted him consolingly. "It's alright, they're probably just concerned about the burn rate. And the headlines. One could feed a small province with that money..."

A province of the empire was larger than most nations on Earth. Nameless scowled. "Bah. Elvish sentimentality."

Xiaoling stuck her tongue out at him. "It's called public relations, darling."

"No one goes hungry in Yong," he declared grumpily.

Suizhen poked her head in. "Sir-" She eeped as she saw his expression and hurried inside. "What's wrong, Sir? Are you ill? Hurt?"

"Suizhen," He squinted. "Have you been guarding us these entire six weeks?"

She nodded slowly. "A-and training. Would Sir prefer me to have been doing something else? I-I'm sorry, I didn't think to ask-"

"I'm going to make you something nice," He decided. "Now that the Chrono-reactor is done. Think on what you want, and I'll forge it."

"How about a makeover Artifact?" Xiaoling suggested daintily. "Then we wouldn't have to be ashamed to be accompanied by her in public. Why, just the other day someone assumed we were friends!"

Suizhen blushed, looking down. "T-That does sound nice..."

"Don't decide now," Nameless grunted. "Think about it. Xiaoling, figure out some way to get our money back."

"Hmph," She sniffed haughtily, crossing her legs. "It won't be easy if Papa's laid his finger on the scale. We are supposed to be looking for Legacy zones, not partying..."

"Oh yeah," Nameless recalled. Zang Kong. The Fates. It was true that he needed to get back to work. But he couldn't take this lying down. If the Patriarch of Ming wanted a war, Nameless would bring it all the way to his home front. He'd little doubt his own father had had a hand in this as well. More fool they, to awaken a sleeping giant. "Xiaoling, didn't you tell me the other day you had some leads on your mother's location?"

"We're going to see the Elves?" Suizhen perked up giddily. "Sir, that would be wonderful!"

"We're going to do more than see them," Nameless said grimly, biting his thumb. "We've been training for over a year. It's time to put that power to use."

To say their training had gone well would be a radical understatement. Xiaoling had burst through to the Dao Cleaving stage, with her Organ Refining and Soul Chrysalis both augmented by his customized improvements. Suizhen had hit the peak of Reality Forming before donating her eyes, and was moving swiftly back through Dao Cleaving already. And he'd attained the apex of Dao Cleaving multiple times; with his tripartate Perfected Stages and spell of Prodigious Might, his power fluctuated between the apex of Grand Solipsism and that of a weaker Titan.

It was a shocking, stupefying rate of advancement, and his newly-built Chrono-reactor would accelerate his personal growth still further. But he was tired of overwork, and with festivities interrupted Nameless now was charged with upholding his original mandate, the preservation of this world's Empires.

Reports from the Elvish front were written in the tedious financial-reporting style characteristic of Ming official documents, and rarely enlightening for all of their prosaic density. If he was to have a good idea of the Elven empire's current state - how its inhabitants fared, how close it was to collapse - his best chance was direct infiltration. Moreover, he was curious about their capability to pull heroes from other worlds. Was it the product of Artifice, Naturalism, or something else, a relic of a discarded Age? It would be unwise to leave an unknown capability un-investigated when the Heroine could potentially wield magics both ancient and novel.

And so Nameless and his small retinue packed themselves up for a journey to the west. Western Ming was a land reminiscent of the Imperial Center: a vast, mist-shrouded expanse of gorges and rivers, much like Eastern Kong before the Overgrowth had swallowed it. The Labyrinth Empire existed on the aptly-named Central Continent of this world, by far the largest and most hospitable continent for human life. Rumors abounded of past rivals, continents of near-equal vastness, now shattered and sunk beneath the waves, the broken remnants of a forgotten Age. But aside from the Central Continent, all that remained now of this world's landmass were stunted wastelands and barren deserts, overrun with barbarian hordes consumed by infighting. The only exception was the Isle of the Elves in the West, their true and final homeland to which their territories on the Continent were merely a judicious buffer. No one was foolish enough to believe the Empire would stop at its western seaboard when the Elven heartland was a short flight away for any Cultivator above the Dao Cleaving stage.

"This isn't going to be as simple as you think," Xiaoling warned, as they prepared to set out. "The Emperor himself has decreed the Elves' destruction. Of course my family also wants their land and resources, but for the Son of Heaven to rescind a command would be ludicrous. Think of the lost face!"

"The war doesn't need to officially end," Nameless said. "That was never our goal. If we can get the Ming to lay off for just a decade or two, I'll be powerful enough to take the throne myself."

"Goodness. Such vanity, such hubris!" Xiaoling gasped mockingly.

"Hubris is a coward's word," Nameless scoffed.

"I think Sir would be the perfect Emperor!" Suizhen chirped. Nameless glanced at his now distractingly-beautiful bodyguard, the sapphire of her shapeshifting implant glowing softly from her throat.

Her now-classically perfect features and delicate limbs belied the fearsome power within that petite frame. Suizhen had adroitly leveraged her stunning new looks and already-devastating combat skill to win the Court of Vane's annual tournament, securing them a modest supply of funds.

"Yong is far too indolent to be Emperor," Xiaoling rolled her eyes. "Someone so deeply unloved shouldn't be put in a position of authority over others."

"I'll just be a figurehead," Nameless smiled lazily. "You girls can do the actual work."

Xiaoling stroked his arm soothingly. "Darling! You always exactly what to say."

The road was long, but the miles passed swiftly under his newly wakened form. Even at a sedate pace they would reach the Elven territories in a few days. But he did not expect their journey to be cut short by a rampaging Sect.

Suizhen was presently disguised as a blonde-haired Half-Elf (one of the few configurations that explained the color of her Eyes) while Xiaoling amused herself playing the part of Suizhen's gypsy handmaiden. Nameless was ostensibly their bodyguard, but wasn't dressed differently save for a face-concealing hood. The three of them had been accosted by partisans of the Great Cleaving Sect, a sworn vassal to Great Ming.

"Halt!" A lean, lanky-looking man with pale skin, flanked by two towering bodyguards and a beautiful young woman, intercepted them on the ground. He wore a mandarin's cap and a white surcoat emblazoned with the axe-blades of Great Cleaving. His supercilious expression and clear features marked him as some manner of nobility.

Nameless had landed a few minutes before, intent on taking a stroll and admiring the scenery. He raised an eyebrow at this haughty young master's approach. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

"Half-elves are to be taken into custody for internment," the man said sharply. "By order of the Great Ming, all those of elvish taint are to be temporarily incarcerated in preparation for the Third Grand Offensive to be launched in two weeks. Sir," He gave a perfunctorily respectful nod towards Nameless, "I understand this Half-Elf may have paid good money to be escorted by an expert of your calibre. Rest assured that Great Ming will reimburse you generously for this inconvenience."

Nameless frowned. "A Grand Offensive? Ming Jinyue has certainly changed his stance."

The Great Cleaving scion shook his head. "News travels slowly in the vast world... perhaps you haven't heard. Jinyue was expelled by a vote of no-confidence some days ago. He has voluntarily retired to his estates. Taishan of Ming sits the Trade Throne now, long may he govern."

Xiaoling made a muffled choking sound. Suizhen turned concernedly. "Xiaoling! Are you alright?"

"Xiaoling... ?" The man furrowed his brow. His two bodyguards moved forward in uncanny unison.

Nameless placed a palm on his forehead and exhaled resignedly. It was unfortunate that he had no access to memory-manipulating magics. "Suizhen. Kill them."

"Yes, sir!"

"Wh-" Was all their newfound enemies could manage before the wind shadow of Suizhen's Reality Effect bisected them, lines of glaring blue tracing her sword-wake. Slowly the blue sealed closed, reality healing its cuts, but the Cultivators so slain did not get up again. Against Suizhen's blade they were rendered into cubes of steaming meat, the bone yielding no more resistance than skin or sinew.

Dead before the blue of the sky could reach their eyes, as she described it.

This was the Sky-Splitting Blade, a Dao of such murderous ferocity that its wielder could kill as easily with a hairpin as with an Artifact blade. Two passes of Mordant Fire cleaned up the corpses while Nameless deliberated on their next move.

Straight-sword in one hand, Suizhen unsheathed her katana and plunged it tip-first into the earth. It glinted, an uncanny reflection of the sky, as a vortex of light described a circumference around them before closing in on the blade. She briefly closed her eyes, then snapped them open again, back straight and alert.

"All clear, sir. Sincerest apologies for my laxity! I'm u-unforgivable!"

"Nonesense. But, it does look like you're no longer in tournament form," Nameless observed, amused. "They almost managed to speak before you got them."

Suizhen blushed, looking down. "I-It's my c-c-chest, sir. I'm not used to this s-size..."

Xiaoling looked ready to interject archly, but seemed to think better of it. Instead she sighed, taking off her gypsy's cowl. Her fingers worked the fine silk in distress, slowly tearing. "Papa was let go... how could this have happened? And by that oaf Taishan!"

"They didn't liquidate him, so it's not likely to be treason," Nameless said. "Do you want to go see him? It's not a far detour."

Xiaoling shook her head. "No. Words mean nothing to the Board, only results. We'll break this Grand Offensive. Let them go to him on bended knee and beg him to return!"

---

Given their proximity to the Elven nations, the Ming are understandably wary of infiltration by Elven sympathizers. Province-wide purges of the elf-blooded are not unprecedented, though modern Ming under Xiaoling's father has generally taken a more merciful stance. Taishan is a hawk through-and-through, however, a battered old glory-hound who suffered never-healing scars from Elven Artifact weaponry in his impertinent youth. What now will you do?

Last time the winners were [X] Vault of the Ur-Pharoah and [X] Journey to the West. By default, the Vault was created in Proto-Arcology configuration (Hab 5, Access 2, Sign 5, Size 5, Sec 3). You may argue for a different configuration if desired. Remember, this can't be changed once created.

[ ] Orchestrate a Coup - If war escalates between the Empire and the Elvish nations, the latter won't last long. Especially if a Titan can be coaxed into the fray. You must head off this threat at its source. Terminate Ming Taishan and re-install Ming Jinyue as Chief Executive. If these fools have deluded themselves into believing that money is interchangeable with power, you will disabuse them of that notion with the Overlord's full might.

*If successful, reap a bounty of two Mastermind Points.
*You will need to determine a plan of attack: how long should you wait for Chronoreactor to power you up? Open battle or targeted assassination? Slay dissenters for greater reliability, or beat them into submission instead? If word gets out, how will you sell it to avoid intervention from other Imperial elements? Fate bends in your favor, but it would be foolish to expect it to cover every eventuality.
*Reduces stability of the Empire if successful. Degree of reduction can be mitigated with proper tactics.
*If covert assassination is successful, Suizhen can attempt to pose as Ming Taishan to avoid any Stability damage, but you'll need a plausible excuse for the eyes. She's also a terrible actress.
*Decapitation of the aggressive elements of Ming will all but guarantee the Elves' safety from this vector as long as they don't launch any Expeditionary Forces.

[ ] Openly Approach the Elves - It's treason, then. Well, only in the unlikely event that word gets out! The Overlord prefers directness; this is the direct approach. Your interests are potentially aligned. There's no need for this skullduggery when you can directly negotiate with the highest elements of Elvish authority. With Taishan in charge, the Ming are obdurate and will not break except through force of arms. How lucky that you are here to provide.

*+1 Mastermind Point for taking the Overlord's approach.
*Your Lieutenants will be impressed by your manliness in brazenly walking up and offering your services
*Deal with the highest elements of Elvish nobility directly once your power is demonstrated
*You'll still have to figure out how to dissociate the mercenary captain helping the Elves from the Nameless Scion of Yong. That you don't have a name will be helpful...
*If you end up having to directly fight off Imperial assault, inflicting massive casualties may damage the stability of the Labyrinth Empire, and of your party only Xiaoling is somewhat skilled at avoiding collateral damage.
*Nameless' first experience on the open battlefield may shake him, especially fighting against fellow Cultivators.
*I-It's not like you're the Lord of Gifts, s-stupid!

[ ] Infiltration, As Planned - It's not like the Elves are going to topple over this instant. You can afford to take a 'wait and see' approach and infiltrate as originally planned. A circumspect course of action that allows you to await future developments before committing to what is effectively treason. You'll also get to meet Xiaoling's mom!

*Triggers Xiaoling Loyalty event
*If you wait until the Elves are in dire straits before offering help, maybe you can get a better price!
*Leaves angles of scamming and non-combat intervention open
*Suizhen's terrible acting might screw this up. Relevant omakes could help.
*If you do offer help, kind of difficult to explain that you've been hiding in their realm for months doing nothing while their soldiers died

Discussion and fanworks have yielded a bonus:

[ ] +1 Mastermind Point
[ ] Sky-Splitting Blade, True: Retroactively upgrades Suizhen's Dao Cleaving stage to the equivalent of Further Beyond for some offensive purposes. Improves depth and breadth of Reality Effects.
[ ] Heroic Inspiration - Xiaoling: News of her father's dethronement has lead Xiaoling to work harder. Diplomatic and information-gathering effectiveness increased.
[ ] A Heroic Encounter - He who was brought to the Elves in their hour of need