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

The obscenity echoed in the tiny office room.

Meng Dan's face had gone white with alarm.

"You recognize the name then. You understand the gravity," Cao Chun said clinically.

"...I do, they were names I expected to hear only at final funerary ceremonies," Meng Diu said. Her voice was unruffled again, no sign of alarm or outburst. "You are correct, the name is known to me. Its owner should be preparing themselves for the end of this cycle. There is no reason such a name should be known by one like the Baroness."

Cao Chun snorted irritably, but didn't comment on his exclusion. Ling Qi did suppose that the Ministry of Integrity might have other methods of acquiring a Meng Elders name.

…She was fortunate that meng Diu knew her and could read the truth in her voice, even from so far away.

"I see," Cao Chun said. "It is always a misfortune when an honored elder slips upon the threshold of life and death from a rotting soul."

"It is indeed," Meng Diu replied warily. "Indeed, Meng Delun's preparations should have been too far along for such distant operations already."

"Is it possible that his stores of talismans have simply been put to use by some lesser saboteur?" Meng Dan said, frowning. "If I recall, Elder Delun's domain is the restricted archives and storehouses. Could some number of his liutenants and apprentices be making a play?"

"It is possible," Meng Diu said shortly. "Although…"

"At the very least it is someone who can credibly mimic his power," Ling Qi said frowning. She had felt that presence, and Shu Yue had nearly caught them. At the very least a cultivator who could spin off a fourth realm simulcrum was not weak. It would certainly be better certainly, but she didn't know that she could really hope for it.

There was a long beat of silence after she spoke, and Meng Dan looked pained. But it was meng Diu who finally spoke up. "...The Meng have long practiced certain cultivation methods which allow the borrowing and linking of powers… just as the Hui did. We do not discuss this."

"As the foreigners claim to do as well. Perhaps there is more than historical curiosity to this connection that was unearthed," Cao Chun grumbled. "This method, it is orthodox?"

"The Second Dynasty, nor the founders of the current one barred the methods," Meng Diu replied tightly.

"And it has not been reviewed since, I would assume," Cao Chun said tiredly. For a moment, he looked far more old and lined himself as if shrinking into his own body. "Well, clan business. It is possible then for it to be lesser collaborators but they will wield a sovereign's power regardless."

Ling Qi could not help but uncomfortably recall her own sojourn in the Nightmare, where she had briefly worn the mantle of the man whom Huisheng was an echo and shadow of… An old and forgotten sovereign cultivator. With her it had been an ad hoc and desperate gamble that had lasted but bare moments, and even then could have only existed in the deep liminal.

Even then it had damaged her cultivation and could have done much worse.

But… she had proved it was possible, hadn't she?

"There are methods of disruption, and it must be anchored in a place of power," Meng Diu said. "Inspector, that is your knowledge. Meng Delun's charge as an elder is the guarding and preservation of forbidden secrets and the development of defenses against them. In old days he was among those who guarded the clans minds from the Hui and the perilous foreign influences that they loved. His concealment arts are without compare in his realm, his understanding of the twisting mental arts deep and steeped with personal experience. He is not a warrior, in the truest sense, but he is at his core a defender, even if his vision on what requires defense has become twisted and broken. This talisman will run its course shortly. I will have matters arranged here, to investigate the truth of things and ensure no support from an apprentice, site or formation comes here… and to prepare for a cleaning. Good fortune to you."

"Good fortune to you," Cao Chun replied tersely. "Knowing his mortal name is enough boon. From there compiling information is easier."

"You will see that my grandson is not caught up in this," Meng Diu said.

"Grandmother, I am already caught. I will assist the Ministry and Miss Ling as I can," Meng Dan said.

"...Very well."

And with that, the connection cut.

"We have much work to do," Cao Chun said. "Jin Tae, arrange the message to the White Sky. Baroness, do you believe you con convince them to at least speak of delays and deflect over the reasons rather than cutting things off entirely?"

"I do not see why they could not be so reasonable," Ling Qi said.

"Then we will have a little more time," Cao Chun grunted. "Jin Tae, go to the formation room. The Baroness will be along to dictate in a moment."
Jin Tae frowned slightly, but bowed. "Understood Inspector. Baroness, I assume you will be able to detect my qi?"

"Assuming the wards allow it," Ling Qi replied.

"I shall leave the door open," Jin Tae said, straightening up. He took his leave.

Ling Qi glanced to Meng Dan, who was frowning at his hands and then back to Cao Chun as the door clicked shut behind his apprentice. "Inspector, what do you want to bring up that you do not wish Jin Tae to hear?"

"I would like to know the disposition of the the Duchess' pet demon," Cao Chun said bluntly. "I know it was assigned to the heiress protection… and yours."

Ling Qi kept her expression neutral, for all that she wanted to scowl at the man for those words.

"Do not deny. I am not stupid. While I am certain your own arts were pivotal. You would not have accomplished what you did without some backing to prevent reprisals through the parasites," Cao Chun said. "I do not approve of such a being, but it is under control for now. That is more than can be said of this rogue."

"Is that the opinion of the Ministry?" Ling Qi asked warily.

"It is my opinion, and if my superiors did not wish for it they should have left me my retirement," Cao Chun replied. "I cannot plan properly without knowing the disposition of the pieces on the board."

"Shu Yue nearly caught them the first time, when they thought to strike at me. Instead they caught and destroyed a fourth realm simulacrum," Ling Qi said. She paused, considering. "Or what they believed to be one. I am only in occasional contact, to preserve their own anonymity and freedom of action."

Meng Dan glanced to her with raised eyebrows. "Then there is another peer already on the hunt?"

"There is," Ling Qi said. "Though they have mostly been waiting for the target to overextend themselves."

"Not a bad plan, and it confirms my own thoughts, the target has been growing more careful and cagey… but they are not withdrawing. Either their Way will not allow it… or they feel they are already caught."

"Do you think they intend to go unto death?" Ling Qi asked.

"I do not think they intended so at the beginning," Cao Chun replied curtly. "Which is why I lend some credence to this mantling notion. A sovereign on the edge of death already… possibly this explains some discrepancies."

"I hope it is so," Ling Qi said. "Will you be willing to communicate with Shu Yue?"

Cao Chun's cheek twitched. "I will. I assume it is not here?"

"If they were, I'm sure they would have spoken," Ling Qi said.

"Then the security formations are in good order at least," Cao Chun grumbled. "Very well. I will be taking a walk outside in thirty minutes time."

"Understood," Ling Qi said. "I do not wish to delay the message… and the General needs to be informed."

"If I may Miss Ling, I would go with you, I wish to be of what aid I can," Meng Dan said.

"Of course," she replied lowering her head. "Goodbye for now, Inspector."

The direct messaging formation was a useful thing. It projected her words directly to the target along with the signature of her qi. She knew at least that Jaromila had gotten her message, and the womans response had been swift. They would delay all and put off all meetings for the day ending them entirely if need be… and set their own security even higher.

So there was that.

Outside the Ministries offices, Ling Qi walked with Meng Dan now, he looked very unwell, and she could not blame him.

"We will resolve this," Ling Qi said, she couldn;t speak of details out here but… she wanted to say something.

"I certainly hope so," he said, brushing a hand nervously through his hair. "Do you know when…"

They passed under the shadow of a pair of leaning trees, framing the road, and a tall shadow fell over them, the colors and sounds of the world muting out. Meng Dan stiffened…. And Ling Qi bowed.

The tall white faced shadow of Shu Yue stood there, bent half over, looking more inhuman than usual with their pale face out on the end of a too long neck, poking out from their hunch backed robes. "Ling Qi."
"Shu Yue, The Ministry… Cao Chun at least has agreed to coordinate with you," Ling Qi said.

"Is that so," they said, head twisting to a ninety degree angle, a wide crescent black smile blooming. "Fortuitous. I will have to better arrange myself. As you can see I have been too busy to keep up my appearance well."

Meng Dan let out a brief, strangled sound before his expression smoothed over. "You're entrance could have been less alarming."

"No. It could not," Shu Yue replied. "Child of the Labyrinth. You were aware then."

"I became aware," he said shortly. "I assume this space is safe to speak in?"

"If it is not, we are already undone."

"Then let me explain the situation," Ling Qi said, stepping forward.

It did not take long to fill Shu Yue in on the situation.

Their fingers tapped together slowly, a dry clacking rhythm that sounded like the tips were nothing but bone. "I see. I have been hunting, harrying. It seems my efforts may be best combined with the honorable inspectors," Shu Yue mused.

"What have you seen of the forces being gathered. I assume signs are focused around my family," Meng Dan said.

"They are infested, yes, though there was an explosion of activity earlier this morn. Where before it was the slow spread of a disease, it has become a spider casting its webs in fury. I expect this is why you detected the attempt," Shu Yue whispered raspily. "There are others too, where power gathers, locations. I will give them to the inspector."

"Are there any acting of their own will?" Meng Dan asked.

"I do not know. How would I tell, not knowing this clan technique of yours? It would need close… inspection," Shu Yue said. "Although hm… Perhaps I may have further leads. But, I think you should get on to the General now, you want them informed clearly and readily. A uninformed reaction to chaos from her could bring ruin."

"I did not wish to ask Cao Chun this, but do you think her action will truly be necessary?"

"...It is possible. The hunt is disrupted, the prey has its back up. I may not be able to take their throat and drag them into the deep dream, where the harm would be minimized, though I am certain he is hiding there in the shallows," Shu Yue said carefully. "This was my intent. If it comes to open blows, the sword which rends history will be much better suited to end things decisively."

Meng Dan's pallor didn't improve.

Ling Qi hesitated looking at him. So much was at stake for him here. Could she...

"I will ask that you be the General's guide onto the battlefield, if things begin," Shu Yue said, interrupting her thoughts. "It is... dangerous, but there are no others aside from myself, which can do this here. She will require assistance to keep the battle there, her nature is inimical to the Dream."

Shu Yue wanted her to dreamwalk the General if a fight broke out. She felt a little light headed. Could she do that? She could, she understood, her Mastery was that much. She wondered if she should ask Shu Yue to do this. Could she really even set a toe on that battlefield and survive?

At the same time, distracting her mentor when they were already enmeshed in the hunt, when they were already going to be at least working in tandem with the Ministry. What if something was missed from the split attention.

[ ] She did, Shu Yue had said it, the best battlefield they could ask for was the liminal. She could not fight on this level… but perhaps she only needed to facilitate.

[ ] She did not, this was much too far above her to step into even at the edges, surely Shu Yue could handle coordination with one such as Xia Ren better than she.