Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

"Well, while I can't share the specifics, I was attempting to assist Su Ling through a cultivation snarl," said Ling Qi diplomatically, looking up at the pale pink leaves of the old cherry tree they had stopped under.

"Most kind of you. It seems you are very good friends, indeed." acknowledged Diao Hualing. She had folded her hands behind her back, and her expression was neutral.

Ling Qi inclined her head. "Well, I have access to some methods of liminal divination which allowed us to explore her past and heritage somewhat, and during these meditations we discovered something unfortunate."

"I see. Something of the present and material, I assume, if you bring this to the Ministry of Law," deduced Diao Hualing. "I hope you are aware that such divinations require more concrete proof to produce a suit."

"I don't believe this needs to rise to that level if you do not wish it to, Lady Diao," Ling Qi said evenly. "The issue we found is that Su Ling is not unique. It seems that Madam Grey leaves a great many 'gifts' in her range."

The older woman turned to frown at her, and made a 'go on' gesture.

"It is my belief that this creature uses the abandonment and death of these children as a method of sacrificial cultivation," said Ling Qi. It was her strongest card, really. The use of humans as reagents for cultivation had been utterly proscribed in the Empire since the days of the Twilight King and the Cataclysm, and Emperor An's reforms had seen it cracked down on even more heavily. "I believe, from my divination, that it is some twisted and broken form of the region's pre-imperial worship."

"That is a very serious accusation, Lady Ling," whispered Diao Hualing. "That something of that sort would be occurring in the lands of the Diao unnoticed."

"It is certainly a subtle thing, and public accusations would not solve the problem," Ling Qi said blandly. "It is my hope that by bringing this to you, the problem may be solved without any trouble or censure."

Here she did not bow her head, but instead looked the older cultivator straight in the eye.

Diao Hualing looked back for several long seconds, stone-faced, and a soft breeze scattered petals around them.


Then, very slowly, the woman cracked a smile. "I see. That is generous."

"It is my hope that our relations can be good in the future, and if I may do an ally a favor while forestalling further tragedy, that can only be good," Ling Qi replied. It was easier than ever to allow her own thoughts and Sixiang to operate in parallel, shaping her words for maximum effect. Diao Hualing was, in her estimation, a mostly mercenary figure who couched things in terms of favors given and owed was best.

"It is reaching a little to ask another party to do your work and call it a favor," said Diao Hualing lightly.

"Lady Diao, my friends are candid with me. I know what you offered to Su Ling. If you have an interest in that bloodline, I have very much given you an excuse to get it - and one your opponents might be hard pressed to fight. As long as the children are well cared for, and not dying in the cold, I am pleased enough," Ling Qi said, holding her gaze. "Though, I will admit ignorance to what your goals are."

It was a bit of a risk, that little probe, but she felt that Diao Hualing's mood was good enough to try it.

"Spirit blood is valuable, and though the methods of astrological divination are in vogue, the old methods are not worthless." explained Diao Hualing. "I will commend you on your words - your eyes are sharp for one so young. I believe we may have an accord here."

"Thank you, though you did not answer me," Ling Qi said.

"I did not," said Diao Hualing thoughtfully, turning back to the old and sturdy tree they stood under. "The Diao are strong, our foundations solid, beholden only by duty and law. Are we not the ones others should emulate?"

"Perhaps, though I imagine the other counts would put forth an equal claim," said Ling Qi cautiously.

"They would. An equal claim." said Diao Hualing, with some satisfaction. "It will take some weeks to assemble trustworthy agents and diviners for this."

"I only ask that you be thorough and as quick as you are able," Ling Qi said. "And… if possible, could it be left open for Su Ling to have access?"

"To an extent," said Diao Hualing, shrugging. "If families are found for these children, then those households would be responsible."

Ling Qi furrowed her brow. That was a fair point, but…

"But some surveillance can be arranged, as the spirit may escalate if its' cultivation is disrupted," Diao Hualing continued blithely.

"That would be well," said Ling Qi, understanding the implication clearly enough. "Do we have an accord, then?"

"We do. Allow the Diao to handle this matter." Diao Hualing said. "You are a wise young woman and I believe our partnership will be fruitful."

"You are very reasonable," Ling Qi agreed. "To future successm then."

"To future success," echoed Diao Hualing.

They chatted a few moments longer. Diao Hualing would supply her with an introduction and credentials to the district ministry when it was time for her involvement, and remain on correspondence for the other matter. Ling Qi also agreed to speak with Hualing first if her 'divination' turned up anything else on the matter of Madam Grey.

She had avoided making the extent of her knowledge obvious, but she was sure Diao Hualing was thinking of what else she might be aware of.

By every measure, she had succeeded at all of her goals coming here, so why did it feel so relieving to leave the Ministry grounds? Ling Qi wondered about it, allowing herself a moment to slump against the side of the carriage. She had thought so many times of what she would say if she had to push, of oblique threats and standing her ground and... Diao Hualing had simply been very reasonable about the whole thing.

"Hey, hey, you had some pretty good one liners lined up - we'll save them for another time, yeah?" Sixiang said, giving her the feeling of being patted on the shoulder.

"You'll have to remember them all," she said, squeezing her eyes shut. After a moment, she straightened. "Okay. Okay. Everything went well, we have until sundown now. So let's find Shu Yue, and..."

Ling Qi felt the hairs on her neck rise and a crawling sensation skittering up her spine.

She kept her gaze straight ahead for a few long seconds, then turned and bowed to the looming figure standing behind her. Shu Yue looked much as they had last time, their androgynous face gazing impassively down from the shadows that gathered about them like a cloak. They were deeply unsettling still, limbs too long, fingers too long, posture subtly wrong, like the bones were not all in the right places.

But by now, she had dealt with many inhuman figures. Ling Qi bowed her head. "Master Shu is prompt."

How long had Shu Yue been with her? She couldn't know.

"Whence this title?" they asked curiously.

"You have said you would teach me. I only wished to be polite," Ling Qi said carefully.

Tap-tap-tap, went too-long fingers, nails a polished black and glinting despite the lack of light.

"No."

"No?" Ling Qi echoed.

"To be a Master - this is an intimate thing. Neither I nor you have arrived at this," said Shu Yue.

"...As you like." Ling Qi couldn't disagree. Zeqing was still her Master, in her mind. "Just Shu Yue, then?"

"Yes," they agreed. "You wished to speak with me."

"I did, though I'm not so sure of that anymore," admitted Ling Qi. She knew they would have heard the conversation between Cai Renxiang and the two of them.

"I am here to assist you," they said with a shrug. "My Master knows everything you spoke of, does it matter that I do?"

"It's hard for me to wrap my head around," Ling Qi said.

"Change is violence. That the young Miss wishes to be a kinder cut is pleasing," Shu Yue explained, high and narrow shoulders rising and falling in a shrug. "The swords that split the throat of the old dead world would always need to be buried, one way or the other. Any other resolution is failure."

"So you expect me to kill you in the end?" Ling Qi blurted out, grimacing as the words spilled forth.

Shu Yue's fingers stopped tapping, and their thin lips curved into a smile. "I am not one of those swords, but perhaps - if you come to the conclusion that I am unjust, that your world cannot tolerate my existence."

Ling Qi closed her eyes for a moment. "...Who would I be to judge that?"

"Who are any of us?" said Shu Yue blandly. "Justice lives in the mind alone. It has no existence but what we give it. But I do not think you came to me for early lessons."

"...No. I recently encountered some dangerous spirits, and I just wanted to ask you to check my cultivation for signs of deviation or possession," explained Ling Qi, not quite able to hold Shu Yue's dark gaze.

"Understandable," said Shu Yue. "That would explain what I see."

"There is something, then?" Ling Qi asked.

"Not... possession, but there is a touch of something beyond the ice you welcomed in," Shu Yue said simply. "It does not command, but it may change you. Is what you look to gain worth the risk?"

Ling Qi didn't reply right away. She didn't want to give herself away too much. The old thief wasn't making any direct moves yet, but she did know that sometimes you had to spend more time putting a mark at ease. "Did you listen to what I spoke with Diao Hualing about?"

"That would be rude. It is not my business to monitor such things." said Shu Yue. "But, if I may, do you intend to walk among dreams when we reach the capital?"

"I had planned on it," Ling Qi admitted.

"Then I would ask that you remain among the eaves. You are not ready for what sleeps in the roots of Xiangmen. I would ask your promise on this, though I have no authority to force you."

"You could easily stop me, if you wished," Ling Qi pointed out.

A pale face tilted to the side. "That is not my role."

[ ] Give the promise, there is surely enough to explore among the eaves (Removes certain decisions from consideration in the upcoming arc, pleases Shu Yue)
[ ] Refuse, you can't give a promise without seeing things yourself (All options remain open)