Actually being on the tournament field at ground level was a little nostalgic, Ling Qi thought. It was here, just last year that she had taken her first real step in establishing herself before the eyes of the Empire. It was here, for the first time that she showed her strength without holding back. It was here, she supposed that the little seed of arrogance which had brought her near ruin in the dream of the Forest King, had been born. Yes, in many ways it was an important place.
She supposed it was the same for Gan Guangli.
"My apologies for not congratulating you earlier, Sir Gan," Ling Qi said cheerfully.
"My performance thus far has only been the minimum required to not besmirch our ladies name," Gan Guangli replied. "Nor that of our esteemed guests!"
"You have performed to my expectations," Cai Renxiang said evenly, stepping forward.
They stood beside one of the four arenas on the grassy field that filled the space between the platforms and the stands. Stands that were swiftly emptying as the audience went forth to partake in the other attractions of the Sect's tournament. With Gan Guangli stood that Gun Jun fellow and ma Jun, who looked as she were torn between bouncing on her heels in joy at her success, and frightened glances at their Bai guests.
"I am pleased to see my allies subordinates succeeding as well," Bai Meizhen said primly, looking up from Xiao Fen, who stood stiffly under Bai Meizhen's examination. She had received a few scratches in her fight, nothing worth the medicine hall, but Meizhen seemed inclined to fuss a little anyway. "I am certain you know Xiao Fen already, but with us today are Bai Xia Anxi, and Bai Lao Keung, my new subordinates."
Ling Qi caught a brief expression of thoughtfulness on Lao Keung's face as she introduced them. It was something she had noticed, first with Xiao Fen and now with these. When introducing her kin, Meizhen went out of the way to refer to them fully; Bai Xia, Bai Lao. Other white serpent Bai didn't do this.
Lao Keung spoke first, clapping his fists together and offered a formal military bow. "I am Lao Keung. As I will be heading MIss Bai's personal security, I expect we will be working together."
Xia Anxi offered a slightly condescending smile. "And I am Xia Anxi, part of the diplomatic attachment. I hope you will keep anything from troubling us while we work."
"Naturally!" Gan Guangli said, reaching out to clasp wrists with a slightly bemused looking Anxi. He either missed, or more likely ignored the tone Xia Anxi used. "I will look forward to working with you both in the name of advancing both of our Ladies interests."
"I am certain you will not disappoint me," Cai Renxiang said formally. "You have done good work, both in maintaining my project and raising your followers as well."
The other two with him bowed low in response to her words.
"Lady Cai is too kind," they said, almost in unison.
"A commander may only hope for talented officers," Gan Guangli said cheerfully. "If-"
It was a flash of red in the corner of her vision. No, rather it was a crimson that filled her spiritual senses. The coppery scent of blood mingling with freshly turned soil. Ling Qi turned her head toward the source of the sensation. There at the edge of another arena, with the victorious Lu Feng, stood Sun Liling. Had she been so tall when last they met?
Sun Liling glanced away from Lu Feng, briefly meeting her gaze before her eyes swept away to the rest of Ling Qi's party, who had noticed her as well. The princess of the west had changed since Ling Qi had last seen her. Her crimson hair held a streak of vibrant green, and the sharp edged smirk she wore seemed more literal than before. The biggest change was to her spirit though. She was a sink of power. Her skin drank in the qi of sun and water in the air, the power of the earth and soil flowed into her feet, visibly so, to Ling Qi's spiritual senses. Her dantian burned in Ling Qi's spiritual sight like a miniature sun, environmental qi churning, digesting into hungry crimson.
She was formation stage, the sixth step of the third realm, a full two stages above where she had been just a couple months ago.
"Yo! Looks like we're all here again huh?" Sun Liling called out cheerily, waving. She seemed totally oblivious to the stony silence of the Bai around them as she strolled over to them. Sun Liling wore the same loose black silk pants she always had, but her shirt was a pale cream color, embroidered with sunflowers, and over it she wore a loose and unsecured vest of crimson. It wasn't silk, but some plant fiber that seemed still alive. "This sure is nostalgic."
There was a beat of heavy silence, and in it, Ling Qi finally noticed Ji Rong, standing in her shadow. He hadn't grown explosively at least, stronger of course but not unreasonably so. His expression was stony, and she couldn't read him at all.
"Princess Sun," Cai Renxiang greeted politely. "I am glad your return was untroubled."
"Yes, it seems that the west has at least managed its transport infrastructure," Bai meizhen said in a voice as cold as Ling Qi's Hoatfrost Caress technique.
"Right?" Sun Liling laughed. "Roads right, how do those work? How're a buncha meatheads supposed to know?"
Bai Meizhen blinked, momentarily nonplussed.
"Well, I guess we managed on our own, just like always," the princess continued cheerfully. "Honestly things are goin pretty great back home! Gramps had some tips for me, and I got to see my people again."
"...I am pleased for you," Cai Renxiang said slowly.
"You sure are," Sun Liling said. "Anyway gota couple things to say! Mind if I have your ear for a second?"
Ling Qi was starting to feel unnerved looking at Sun Liling's half lidded eyes and wide smile. It felt unnatural, like the bright lure or sweet scent meant to lure prey.
"I do not see why not," her liege said. There wasn't really a reason to refuse.
"Right, so first, no hard feelings either way, regardless of which of our boys wins yeah?" Sun Liling said, slipping her hands into her pockets. "Just a fun lil challenge, right?"
"Of course," Cai Renxiang said slowly.
Sun Liling nodded cheerfully. "Other thing's a bit bigger. I need you to pass a message to your Mother. Gramps has decided, since we're all doing this imperial unity thing, he's gonna head south too, clear out our bits of the mountains! So, he's gonna be coming to meet the Duchess so they can talk coordination, yeah? Don't want to step on each other's toes!"
Silence hung in the air at her declaration, and Ling Qi glanced at Gan Guangli, who seemed bewildered too. The less said for Bai Meizhen and the other Bai the better.
"If that is King Sun's wish, I am certain mother will prepare to receive his simulacrum," Cai Renxiang replied, barely missing a beat. It is good to see such cooperation."
"Nah, he's gonna have his alternates overseeing the muster. General Lu's got that mostly in hand. He'll be coming in person. Ask your mother to open a line so we can figure out the date, yeah?" Sun Liling said.
Silence again, and this time, Sun Liling didn't give them time to reply, turning to saunter away. "C'mon boys, we got other people to see.
Ling Qi blinked, mortified as Sun Liling pulled her hands from her pockets to swat both Luf Feng and Ji Rong on the bottoms as she passed them by. She glanced to Ji Rong, who briefly met her eyes, looking conflicted before he hurried to follow.
"What." Lao Keung said.
"What." Bai Meizhen agreed, glaring at Liling's back.
Xiao Fen made a sound not unlike a furiously burning fuse.
"I do not even know where to begin," Xia Anxi muttered.
"And I do believe it would be best if you did not," another voice startled Ling Qi, and she glanced back to see Xia Lushen standing behind them, one hand on Bai Meizhen's shoulder. "This is not business for you."
"Lord Xia," they all swiftly greeted.
"Lady Cai, I hope you will deliver this message to your mother swiftly," Xia Lushen said pleasantly. "It does seem of great import."
"Naturally," Cai Renxiang said. "I must apologize to you my guests, this is most urgent-"
"It is nothing, we will meet again this evening," Bai Meizhen said, recovering
"Although, may I ask to borrow your retainer, Lady Cai?" Xia Lushen asked. "It was her note which originally brought me here."
Ling Qi blinked remembering that she had sent a missive indicating that she had made her decision on the sale. She hadn't expected such a prompt response.
"Of course, Lord Xia. Ling Qi you are free until we meet back with our guests this evening," Cai Renxiang said distractedly.
She nodded to her liege as the group broke up with a few more pleasantries, following after Meizhen's uncle as he walked toward one of the exits. She turned her attention inward toward Sixiang, the muse hadn't said a word in some time.
"...Yeah sorry, trying to figure out what I was looking at, got blocked by the princess' spirit. Who… I'm not sure if they were flirting or threatening, it was kinda both. That was a weird conversation," Sixiang muttered. "Please don't fight her again anytime soon. I don't wanna get involved with that."
Not planning on it, Ling Qi thought. "You honor me with your swift reply, Lord Xia," She said aloud.
"It is nothing," he said. "Merely a small favor. I suppose you would like to know what I have to offer."
"If you would please," Ling Qi said
"Most simply, I can offer stones. Two hundred green stones will go far for a young lady your age," He said pleasantly. "However, if mere stones will not interest I may offer some small studies I and my apprentices have done on soil and fertilization. Your spirit undoubtedly does good work, but given the constraints of your environment, it may be best to stack advantages."
Ling Qi nodded, either of those would be a boon.
"On the other hand," he mused. "Medicines. I am not an unskilled alchemist…"
Ling Qi perked up. "I did acquire the recipe for a cyan breakthrough drug recently, perhaps you could help me acquire some of its reagents?"
"Have you now? So resourceful," Xia Lushen chuckled. "Yes, that would be within my power. I take it you already have a maker in mind?"
"I mean no insult," Ling Qi said humbly.
"No, it is good to develop your own networks," he dismissed. "Aside from that I could offer some insightful conversation. Our ways are not particularly close, but some of my meditations may aid you."
[] 200 Green Stones
[] Soil Studies (+10 bonus development rolls in fief)
[] Rare reagents (Begin Forgotten Elixir Quest, complete Part 1 of 4 immediately)
[] Insight Sharing (+1 Isolation and Ending XP)
