That endeavour took a long time to finish. I travelled far and wide over the desert in the past two decades and I, Zeno Angelus, am sick of it. The familiar dunes leading to my home estate may lead my steps a new spring of energy, knowing I reach ever close to home, but I can´t feel only exhaustion at seeing various desert locales every day and night. My new companions nonstop swooning over everything devil related at least allows me to relieve my boredom with some nice conversation.
For the first five of those years, I mostly travelled the Jingshen lands as a merchant, making connections with many different factions of the Jingshen, getting a close view of their various feuds and disputes. Caravan master Woo Ning (of the external trade faction) doesn´t like the dunists because they want more than just money, some higher purpose, which we Golden Devils already strive for daily and many of the Jingshen look to us in envy for it. Getting the caravan master as my patron was easier than I thought, since the Jingshen, turtle blooded as they are at heart, value their face even among their family and I quickly found employment as the token merchant hailing from the Golden Devil lands. Oh, they didn´t suspect I was a part of the clan, but my mannerisms made it obvious. Though, changing body paint and applying the illusion every single day may have been exhausting, but it was so worth it! The caravan master practically handed me the reigns on my own caravan in a few short years, just to annoy the dunists and show them how easy it was to `integrate the barbarians`, heh yeah.
As it turned out the dunists didn´t care for the pomp of the caravan master, but had to play with it, since not giving this caravan master face would lead to trouble. Getting those dunists to talk about their brethren was surprisingly easy and I didn´t even have to lie most of time. They wanted information on how the Golden Devils traditions started and I got first-rate information about juicy trade lanes. Win-win for both sides, since my information were mostly old children's tales the Jingshen didn´t know about due the hostile trade relations, coupled with the many border states in-between.
The next ten of those years I travelled all over the desert and eventually made my way to the Shen kingdom, where I had an interesting meeting arranged for me by those same dunists and an aspiring King, who alleged to want only the best for his people. Sometimes I wonder what he really thought about my sudden ascension in-between the days we met.
That first meeting with the King of the Shen kingdom was interesting, for lack of a better term. I, as an independent merchant under the aegis of the Jingshen clan, was asked to present myself in front of the king to talk about incense of all things, though not before telling me at length the history of this kingdom before it even became this kingdom and how they are the rightful heirs of this peculiar palace full of wonderous arrays carved in the Jade.
As we dined on finest spirit boar meat, grown in the pens of the western district, he painted me picture how the same-named palace Shen came to be.
The Shen lands were terraformed long ago by a great cultivator called Shen, who used this palace as a haven for his family, while the patriarch himself fought in distant wars. He never came back, so his far weaker descendants settled around the sprawling Jade palace. The kingdom is divided in the four heavenly directions, with the palace being the middle place where power gathers, politically and spiritually.
According to the king of Shen the rightful descendants, himself included of course, have ruled these small lands since long before the turtle died and only sought peace, allying themselves with whomever provided them the most protection of outsiders. All of this is known to be possible thanks to the palace and it´s immaculate arrays, every new leader, be it a captain of the army, or king, carefully maintain every inch of their wonderful splendour. The arrays practically move in the inner palace, showing the might of Shen to all who enter and allegedly hiding the kingdom from prying eyes no matter their power.
He then goes on about the many peoples that have laid claim to own the Shen kingdom as their vassal, but people in their hundred-thousand-year long history have every truly owned the Shen kingdom and it has almost nothing do with military matters and everything to do with the splendour of the turtle. He then points out that not even the greedy Shanqu before us had not truly conquered the descendants of Shen and we Golden Devils are no different. This is his, to be honest, not very convincing argument why the people of Shen have not been eradicated yet. Though, his next grand statement raises my interest.
"After all, who would wish to ruin the only tissue of turtle-heart freely given as a boon to the original King of Shen before it has truly grown?"
"The answer is simple. No one dares, for the remnant of the turtles will loves the people of Shen and the people of Shen wait with all the same love, hoping one day the turtle may reincarnate using this growing heart to power it´s revenge against the children of the terrible Soup Chef!"
I can´t help but clap at such a fantastic speech given freely and without cracking up once. "Your grace truly knows well to sway the hearts of men." My voice carrying a slight echo in the tall middle dome, decorated luxuriously for our midday lunch.
This was more of a banquet for two hundred legionnaires, but who am I to judge the word choice of his grace, doubly so if good food is served. The noodles aren´t quite as well done as I hoped, but the mystery where I tasted better noodles must be shelved. Now it´s worktime.
"Ah, thank you Honourable Merchant Ren and might we add how great it is to see you again? You have done well, we hope?" The bearded and burly man trying his best to sound as if we were long lost friends meeting again after decades of separation.
"I have been well your grace. How may this humble merchant serve you if I may?" If the King is put off by my approach to this conversation, I don´t notice it.
"Well, for starters, you don´t need to give me a gift for we are all friends here!"
"I must insist your grace. How could this junior leave without giving you something appropriate for this occasion?"
"Ah, if you insist, I suppose I can take it." Huh, that was quick. Normally this waffling happens for at least an entire incense stick long. He must be in a real pinch then, if he wants me all buttered up for his deal. Maybe he will even give the brochure to one of his daughters. The previous owner certainly no longer needs help with child birthing.
He looks at the brochure for a few more moments before handing it to one of his own servants in the lower Qi stage and his gaze returning firmly back to me, with a genial smile on his lips. Practiced for hours without end, I am sure. No one is that happy all the time.
Seating comfortably once more, he addresses me with all the nobility-in-action the station of his grace demands. "Merchant Ren, the incense trade between our factions is certainly valuable, but sadly not the only reason we have called for your attendance this fine evening."
An understanding nod and a small bite of my chocolate pudding is all the action I am allowed before his grace starts talking once more. Chewing while his grace talks is rude after all.
"We need you to distract the terrible drill seeking to disturb the peace of our Lord Mountain Stinging Diamond Maw."
Well, there go my plans to sell some incense. Not taking this naked opportunity to annoy the Jingshen would be stupid. Maybe I can even get some competent cultivators to properly plan out an ambush?
"May this humble merchant ask, how his grace seeks to take this matter up with the vile enemy?"
The King, flicking his gold covered fork to point skywards, "After great contemplation we have decided we will see you off with an army of holy scorpions to punish the forces the vile heathens use to desecrate the holy mountains!"
Before I can begin to clap for such an amazing speech, the huge rainbow-jade carved stone door close mightily and let in the old presence.
"Well said oh wise king of Shen. The piercing qi of the holy scorpions will surely devour the enemy's dastardly ritual!"
The King, happy with that announcement, allows the priest to attend to him at this small gathering for lunch.
"Ah, Court priest Hamun, good to see you! How were your morning ablutions in quicksand? Satisfactory, I hope?"
Though this statement of the king was quite forward, the priest seems to take it with good humour and shows a small smirk for all to see.
"Ha, Wise one is quite forward. Don´t be fooled we are not brothers in arms, yet." Interesting, the king seems to be trying to hire this priest.
"Greetings holy one, may this humble merchant Ren of the Jingshen Trade Association learn to whom he is talking to?"
After an approving nod by the king, he begins. "This priest of the Grand Scorpion Maw is called Hamun of the glorious sting and I hail from the Malachite Scorpion Sect from the prestigious Divided Mortal kingdoms."
"Travel far from the scorpion road has not been strenuous I hope?"
"It has not, young merchant. It only took me two weeks on foot as the vulture flies."
"I see, but would you share how you braved the Cactus wastes? Few manage to brave it without being poked into submission." This talk seems to have sparked a curiosity in his grace, because he ordered for more information without protocol demanding it.
"True young merchant, we rarely hear of travellers braving that region
this fast. Would you share the story of your blessed journey?" Maybe this old monster will even join me!
"I certainly would, your grace. Not telling all acolytes what blessing I received on my journey would be quite unbecoming."
The thrum of qi I sense shortly thereafter clears my suspicions right up. An army of scorpions can certainly be gathered with so much Scorpion qi focused in one staff. A chitinous-looking staff is revealed from beneath the folds of his large earthen robes.
"And what a blessing it is! The ritual will be all the greater for it!" Despite the king's excitement, seeing a few servants off to the realms of the liminal by a wave of spiritual force, most of the servants hold on to their minds.
"Yes, truly your grace. By the power of this staff, gifted to me by our Lord, an army of holy scorpions is gathering as we speak! All we need is someone worthy to handle them."
With the statement ringing in these cavernous halls, the onus is on me to take initiative, as both look to me expectantly. A good merchant does trade with everyone, after all. The terrible omen to the hoard of this rivalrous faction in 'my clan' is an obvious opportunity for wealth young Ren can´t afford to miss and they know it. Ugh, not taking such an obvious opportunity could be seen as not being ambitions enough, even though they quite certainly are talking down the magnitude of this endeavour. Cursing my lack of foresight in choosing a young merchant's persona, who gained his place solely by opportunistic use of heavenly favour, I walk into the obvious trap.
"This merchant is happy to provide his services for one as mighty as you, King of the Shen Kingdom, Lord of the Turtle-Jade-Palace. The reward will surely be worthy of our trade deal negotiated fairly above the turtles shell and under the eye of the Scorpion!"
The Jingshen are known for their greed and they know us Golden Devil for our lack of offensive intrigue, Old Gold being the exception, who can´t afford to move or be suffer for it in turn. For all my reservations I can´t deny my excitement for this naked opportunity to blow their money-making scheme wide open.
"Well said young Ren. I am sure our lord will bless your battles to come!" A goblet is raised in approval.
"Indeed, young merchant. We have decided to accept your offer and reward you with materials worthy of your cultivation once you have punished the heathens!"
"Hear, Hear!" The smile of the old priest growing ever wider, seemingly rowing with the rumbling murmurs in the background.
With that said, we eat and enjoy the lunch before parting our ways, the chitinous piercer left in my care as their chosen one.
I use my week wisely. The past few years have given me experiences I never would have thought possible half a century ago. I have battled Cannibals from the Pits to Three Frog City, helped a Devil bee live again amongst her loved ones. I have also witnessed Mount Tai in all its glory and live to tell the tale. No matter who scoffs at the tall tale that my life has become, I know that I live my dream with every moment, awake or not.
It´s my time to take the next step and ascend.
There are many unused cellars in the middle palace and after some divination I stumble upon a ventilation shaft flowing with a great source of dream qi, near a cellar full of thousand-year spirit wine.
On my way the eighth princess accompanies me, speaking quite fondly in the deserted halls, of the single time she truly let loose and partied with an outpost of legionnaires. The talk, of course, quickly flows towards my reason for being down here.
"Is quite simple, I seek a place to ascend. As I am now, I can´t utilize the full of the spear-staff."
"How noble of you! You truly intend to destroy these Jingshen for their folly, huh."
"Yes, my Lady. It´s my reputation as a merchant on the line. I can´t afford to lose!" Princess Xia Shen simply smirks and inclines her head to the left, while we walk in the tall ventilation shaft.
She stops before me. "Let´s stop the pleasantries, shall we?"
I raise the shaft of chitinous piercer slightly to ready myself.
"Truly? Would you wish to discuss something else then?"
"Yes, I wish to become an auxiliary to your legion!"
She bows deeply and my lower jaw follows her bow all the way. Is this some kind o-?
"I know only of this secret because my personal art allows me smell bloodlines. Your secr-"
Before she can utter one more syllable I strike and chitinous piercer lashes out at her, finding purchase on a loose shawl. A true strike is beyond me, as the resulting early Foundation Establishment spiritual wave from her quickly erects mirror barriers in front of me and surely to my back. No escape then.
"If this junior wishes a spar as a test, then this we shall endeavour to prove the merit of our teachings!" A thin sword made of howling sand and a handle, woven with turtle shells, appears from the long sleeves of her robes, the wielder already in motion to cut.
A quick
jump backwards allows me enough space to correct my footing at the cost of giving her time to attack. The first parry almost knocks my spear out of my hands. In the same breath I use a curved lunar kick to her left heel to quickly reset the momentum.
With the first clash done, we circle one another for a few breaths and plan. I don´t allow her to regain her lost momentum and strike first, chitinous piercer striking true with the arc of a small mountain. Her parry coming only moments before it pierces her flesh, carving a small slice out of her robes, exposing pure flesh.
She simply nods, acknowledging the damage to her apparel with cold fury. Vengeance comes swiftly shortly thereafter. With every small strike and stab of hers, she remains in my guard, slicing bits and pieces of my own tunic in the melee. After a long series of parries, I even manage to jump over her first low strike of this bout and pierce a small flesh wound in her pretty face, but that´s all for naught in the end, because my agility simply can´t be compared to the regal one before me. I stand outmatched and we both know it.
"Peace, friend." I slowly lay down my weapon before me. A nod follows from my martial superior.
"Know that I intend no harm towards you, but I really wish to join your legion as an auxiliary."
"Why?" Really, why would a princess want to join the most cursed clan in the whole third sea?
"I walk the Dao of Nobility, which would mean my demise, if my father ever found out about it, so I seek sanctuary while I gather strength to face my siblings."
"Fair enough, but why should we risk a diplomatic incident with you?" Qi, incandescent in its glory glows with authority to care for all under its aegis.
"Because I vow upon my
Dao heart that I shall assist my allies of the Golden Devil Clan in all endeavours until the coming hundred years trial has purged my Dao of Nobility of its impurities." The qi swirls slowly around her and heavens distant rumbling on the liminal plane seals the pact.
"Welcome to the 302
nd Legion then, auxiliary Xia." This is going to be an interesting report with Legate Callista, isn´t it?
Shortly thereafter she hands me the spear-staff chitinous piercer back and prepares herself to guard my back while I ascend towards my own pillar. The smoke of thousand-year wine qi in my surroundings filling pathway through my nostrils now that combat no longer sets my meridians ablaze in dream qi.
Before long I meditate, not in lotus position, like so many, but with my father's sword in hand, going through the techniques I was taught by Jin Muyi's side decades ago. What is my dao? Dao is the path a person walks, and my path crossed so many different dreams, yes. Dream. I have seen so many dreams bloom to fruition in these decades. The mourning vine man Jin Muyi, besting all the clans' armies in single combat; Lin'er, who traded her whole life long as a traveling merchant and brought prosperity to Three Frog City and Lady Callista unleashing the sum of her dreams on her enemies to protect the buds of other dreams; and how could I ever forget my own father, Georgy Angelus, who now serves Mount Tai after protecting our family from the depredations of the Blood hordes. All of them stood their own test to the end, unbowed and steadfast as a mountain. Hm,
mountain. My first pillar has something to with a mountain, but doesn´t simply stand. It´s something more, spiritually speaking. Lord Tai would brook no simple mountain in the Dao of his mantle after all.
Mount Tai floats in the liminal plane, a floating Mountain… Yes, The Mountain floats!
There once was a [Floating Mountain] …
In my mind's eye the story weaves the dream qi in my sea of qi to form my Dao. The qi swirls slow, but steady, to reveal [Floating Mountain]. With the first pillar revealed to me, I knew that all walking beside me can count on me to support them on their path. It does not matter that the unorthodox path is immediately more effective. My steady actions will realize their own merit in time and someday my dream shall become part of reality!
With that statement of intent cut into the world with my dance, I awake to the regal site of Lady Shen guarding me with her back to me, as she promised. Without a word spoken between us, I sheath my sword, hide it under the folds of my robes and accept the spear-staff back. Lady Shen, no, Xia congratulates me for my accomplishment and accompanies me back to my quarters in the outskirts. She may not accompany me to the palace proper later in the week, but her help will be even more potent in the coming mission, of that, I am sure.
________________________
words: 3524
@TehChron ,
@Alectai
(It's at this point I start to wonder if the Overturtle is even meaningful to speak of as a coherent entity.) These foreigners have multiple Spirit-Severing cultivators in their sect, despite such a thing being a rarity across our entire turtle.
