"Explore the world, travel to the distant, exotic places, meet new and interesting people from vibrant cultures, then kill them and take their stuff!". I guess that can count as exploration still.
Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Historically speaking a lot of exploration took that form, yes.
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- Location
- somewhere over there.
- Pronouns
- They/It
True, I'd enjoy a quest centered on the murderous invaders these assholes send out looting getting destroyed by the many different and interesting cultures the setting has to offer. Why, they might even foster the creation of broad alliances between distant peoples on the common ground of "fuck those guys in particular".
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Insert Tally
Victory of the White Serpent
AN: So this commission has been fused with the Meizhen chapter at the end of Forge and since it is now available on RR, here it is for you guys too.
"I am sorry for sullying the clan's victory with vulgarity and brawling," Bai Meizhen apologized. Her voice sounded small in her own ears. She lay beneath a thin sheet in a private recovery room for tournament participants. Her skin prickled with the numerous salves under her bandages, meant to ease the aggravated damage inflicted by the Sun's tainted blood. She could still taste it on her tongue.
Beside her sat Aunt Suzhen, the picture of Bai poise and pride. Her expression was properly impassive, her hands folded in her lap. In this plain, tiny room, she looked as out of place as an Immortal in a peasant's hut. She watched Bai Meizhen as she finished her apology, her first words after waking up.
Bai Meizhen closed her eyes, preparing herself to be scolded. Although she had won, it had been a messy, bloody thing, unbefitting of her station.
She didn't regret it. The memory of Sun Liling's outraged face as Bai Meizhen brought her fangs down would warm her heart for many a night.
Yet it had been a vulgar display all the same, and so she was prepared for her scolding.
She felt a cool touch on her forehead.
"I am proud of you, Bai Meizhen," her aunt said. Her expression had not changed, but there was a faint warmth in her stern voice. Meticulously, she brushed the mussed strands of Bai Meizhen's hair from her fevered brow.
Bai Meizhen felt her cheeks pink. She was too old for such displays of affection, and she had no claim to her Aunt beside. She kept silent, but warmth bloomed in her chest.
"Pride is important. Poise is important. Presentation is important." Her aunt's voice was stern, and Bai Meizhen shrunk into the bedding, casting her eyes down. "But my niece, victory is the most important of all."
Bai Suzhen cupped her cheek affectionately as she leaned in to whisper soft words. "Protect your flanks from hidden fangs, and be aware of your foes and their whispers, but know that I, Bai Suzhen, recognize that you have crushed the scion of our great foe. Bai Meilin would be proud of her daughter."
Poise was important, this she knew. However, Bai Meizhen believed that for a brief moment, the prickling in the corners of her eyes was acceptable. "You honor me, Lady Suzhen."
Bai Suzhen withdrew her hand, and Bai Meizhen wished that the moment could have lasted just a little longer. The older woman tutted. "Aunt."
"Yes, Aunt Suzhen," said Bai Meizhen. For just a moment, she imagined that she saw her aunt's steely expression crack into a tiny smile.
"Do you wish for me to send for your Father?" Bai Suzhen asked. "I had given him a task, but if you are awake-"
"There is no need to bother," Bai Meizhen interrupted, only to wince a moment later. Her good mood plummeted. "My apologies, but there would be no purpose for it."
She had no intention of bothering with that man now, after all these years. The bare minimum of filial piety was enough.
The air hissed, and for an instant, Bai Meizhen felt the kiss of a hundred cold blades on her skin. Her interruption had been tremendously rude, especially after her aunt's kindness.
"Very well," Bai Suzhen said. Bai Meizhen peeked up at her. She did not make any mention of the interruption. Bai Meizhen was thankful that her aunt was being so forgiving this day. She would compose herself much better after this meeting.
"In that case, we should discuss matters of your future," her aunt continued, as if the previous few seconds had never occurred. "Naturally, your stipend will increase. I will see the matter through myself, should obstructions arrive. I believe I may be able to negotiate your return if you tire of the outside."
"I would like to stay," Bai Meizhen replied tentatively. "To assist with Aunt Suzhen's plans. I believe I have made significant connections to the Cai." And others, she thought, hoping that her aunt would not see fit to peer beyond her face.
There was a spark of warmth in the older Bai's eyes. "Very good. You have earned a return, but it is good that you have made this choice. Things will not be as they were, Bai Meizhen. Do you understand this?"
"I do," Bai Meizhen replied. She knew that her aunt and the duchess had put something very significant into motion at this tournament. She had to wonder how it was that her aunt had managed to convince Grandfather and the other elders to go along with such a thing.
"And niece?" Bai Suzhen continued. "It is not wrong to form lasting connections to outsiders. That you have been able to do so on your own is a credit to your adaptability."
It looked like her thoughts had not been well hidden enough. "As you say, Aunt Suzhen," she acknowledged demurely.
"Lastly, we will need to discuss the matter of your handmaiden and their enrollment here. You are a lady grown, and so it is unacceptable for you to remain unattended," her aunt said crisply. A sheaf of documents appeared in her hand. "I have selected a number of promising candidates from the current generation, all of the purest bloodline. Peruse them, and I will arrange for the interviews to take place when you have made your selections."
Bai Meizhen eyed the stack of neatly written papers with trepidation. Was she really ready for such responsibility?
"I am aware that it is unusual for this choice to be made at such a young age," Bai Suzhen said gently, setting the stack of papers on the table at her bedside. "However, if you are to stay beyond the borders of Thousand Lakes, the usual acclimation period will not be possible, and you will require support."
Bai Meizhen nodded and took a deep breath before reaching out to grasp the documents and bring them closer. She had made her choice. She would not shirk her responsibilities.
"I am sorry for sullying the clan's victory with vulgarity and brawling," Bai Meizhen apologized. Her voice sounded small in her own ears. She lay beneath a thin sheet in a private recovery room for tournament participants. Her skin prickled with the numerous salves under her bandages, meant to ease the aggravated damage inflicted by the Sun's tainted blood. She could still taste it on her tongue.
Beside her sat Aunt Suzhen, the picture of Bai poise and pride. Her expression was properly impassive, her hands folded in her lap. In this plain, tiny room, she looked as out of place as an Immortal in a peasant's hut. She watched Bai Meizhen as she finished her apology, her first words after waking up.
Bai Meizhen closed her eyes, preparing herself to be scolded. Although she had won, it had been a messy, bloody thing, unbefitting of her station.
She didn't regret it. The memory of Sun Liling's outraged face as Bai Meizhen brought her fangs down would warm her heart for many a night.
Yet it had been a vulgar display all the same, and so she was prepared for her scolding.
She felt a cool touch on her forehead.
"I am proud of you, Bai Meizhen," her aunt said. Her expression had not changed, but there was a faint warmth in her stern voice. Meticulously, she brushed the mussed strands of Bai Meizhen's hair from her fevered brow.
Bai Meizhen felt her cheeks pink. She was too old for such displays of affection, and she had no claim to her Aunt beside. She kept silent, but warmth bloomed in her chest.
"Pride is important. Poise is important. Presentation is important." Her aunt's voice was stern, and Bai Meizhen shrunk into the bedding, casting her eyes down. "But my niece, victory is the most important of all."
Bai Suzhen cupped her cheek affectionately as she leaned in to whisper soft words. "Protect your flanks from hidden fangs, and be aware of your foes and their whispers, but know that I, Bai Suzhen, recognize that you have crushed the scion of our great foe. Bai Meilin would be proud of her daughter."
Poise was important, this she knew. However, Bai Meizhen believed that for a brief moment, the prickling in the corners of her eyes was acceptable. "You honor me, Lady Suzhen."
Bai Suzhen withdrew her hand, and Bai Meizhen wished that the moment could have lasted just a little longer. The older woman tutted. "Aunt."
"Yes, Aunt Suzhen," said Bai Meizhen. For just a moment, she imagined that she saw her aunt's steely expression crack into a tiny smile.
"Do you wish for me to send for your Father?" Bai Suzhen asked. "I had given him a task, but if you are awake-"
"There is no need to bother," Bai Meizhen interrupted, only to wince a moment later. Her good mood plummeted. "My apologies, but there would be no purpose for it."
She had no intention of bothering with that man now, after all these years. The bare minimum of filial piety was enough.
The air hissed, and for an instant, Bai Meizhen felt the kiss of a hundred cold blades on her skin. Her interruption had been tremendously rude, especially after her aunt's kindness.
"Very well," Bai Suzhen said. Bai Meizhen peeked up at her. She did not make any mention of the interruption. Bai Meizhen was thankful that her aunt was being so forgiving this day. She would compose herself much better after this meeting.
"In that case, we should discuss matters of your future," her aunt continued, as if the previous few seconds had never occurred. "Naturally, your stipend will increase. I will see the matter through myself, should obstructions arrive. I believe I may be able to negotiate your return if you tire of the outside."
"I would like to stay," Bai Meizhen replied tentatively. "To assist with Aunt Suzhen's plans. I believe I have made significant connections to the Cai." And others, she thought, hoping that her aunt would not see fit to peer beyond her face.
There was a spark of warmth in the older Bai's eyes. "Very good. You have earned a return, but it is good that you have made this choice. Things will not be as they were, Bai Meizhen. Do you understand this?"
"I do," Bai Meizhen replied. She knew that her aunt and the duchess had put something very significant into motion at this tournament. She had to wonder how it was that her aunt had managed to convince Grandfather and the other elders to go along with such a thing.
"And niece?" Bai Suzhen continued. "It is not wrong to form lasting connections to outsiders. That you have been able to do so on your own is a credit to your adaptability."
It looked like her thoughts had not been well hidden enough. "As you say, Aunt Suzhen," she acknowledged demurely.
"Lastly, we will need to discuss the matter of your handmaiden and their enrollment here. You are a lady grown, and so it is unacceptable for you to remain unattended," her aunt said crisply. A sheaf of documents appeared in her hand. "I have selected a number of promising candidates from the current generation, all of the purest bloodline. Peruse them, and I will arrange for the interviews to take place when you have made your selections."
Bai Meizhen eyed the stack of neatly written papers with trepidation. Was she really ready for such responsibility?
"I am aware that it is unusual for this choice to be made at such a young age," Bai Suzhen said gently, setting the stack of papers on the table at her bedside. "However, if you are to stay beyond the borders of Thousand Lakes, the usual acclimation period will not be possible, and you will require support."
Bai Meizhen nodded and took a deep breath before reaching out to grasp the documents and bring them closer. She had made her choice. She would not shirk her responsibilities.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
I don't think this is Bai Suzhen being mad at Bai Meizhen for interrupting. But rather, BSZ being mad at BMZ's dad for being a horrible parent.
I'd agree that it's not the interruption, specifically, that's irking Suzhen, but I'm less sure it's specifically and exclusively aimed at Meizhen's dad. I don't think the toxicity in that relationship is purely his fault.
... That said, he's still the adult of the pair; it might not be his fault, but a great deal of it is still his responsibility.
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
Wasn't there something in an interlude about him being a super-spy for the Bai after Meilin was executed? I think she's mad at the Sun, the Empress and at the situation that forces Suzhen to take away Meizhen's only parent.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
Finding the link is too much work, but there was an interlude featuring the two of them that I remember. Where BSZ made her disdain for BMZ's dad very clear.
i am thinking the aunt is also more forgiving because well, Meizhen was learning at the (famous/infamous) Argent Sect after all....
- Location
- Brazil
Didn't Dad Bai develop a way that is based around deception and hiding in plain sight?
He looks like a cowering fool because he is literally warping reality to make people perceive him as such, and IIRC he was a fifth realm?
It's not unsurprising that people don't like him. He actively weaponizes said dislike.
He looks like a cowering fool because he is literally warping reality to make people perceive him as such, and IIRC he was a fifth realm?
It's not unsurprising that people don't like him. He actively weaponizes said dislike.
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It's a bit more than that, honestly.
He is actually literally incapable of being more than a tool for someone else or standing up for himself because of the kind of Way his family forced him into and when he broke through (after the death of Meizhen's mom) he apparently messed himself up even more.
Right now he's basically preserving the spy network his wife left behind for Meizhen and doing whatever he can to help Suzhen and basically is just going to stop entirely and die when Meizhen is old enough to be handed the spy network and Suzhen adopts Meizhen.
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- Location
- The Temple of the Winds
Have you read the chapter? She already is in the midst of a joy meltdown!
She even thinks she might have seen a shadow of a smile in there!
Heck, direct physical contact! With affection!!
(well, direct contact on her acid-burned skin... but still!)
I'm not sure his Way allows it to be otherwise
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Does anyone have a link? I have 0 recollection of that exchange.
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
It's one of several sidestories. You wouldn't have come across it just reading through the threadmarks.
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EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Insert Tally
- Location
- Ukraine
- Pronouns
- She/They
Ling Qi needs a dog.
We're getting one for Biyu. Considering it's for a Ling it'll probably be Wind aligned as well so we'll have the adventurousness going on to boot.
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