Nothing minor about what Zhengui is developing into. He's meant to be a regional powerhouse around which an entire ecosystem revolves around. Hanyi is weirder; her mother is a mountain storm spirit but Hanyi herself has a very unusual degree of flexibility for a spirit. Her own growth is likely up to what she ultimately decides on.
Nothing minor about what Zhengui is developing into. He's meant to be a regional powerhouse around which an entire ecosystem revolves around. Hanyi is weirder; her mother is a mountain storm spirit but Hanyi herself has a very unusual degree of flexibility for a spirit. Her own growth is likely up to what she ultimately decides on.
ZhenGui is still young. I doubt he can maintain a giant area at this stage. A Barony might be small enough for him to maintain but Little Brother needs to grow before he can bless wide areas.
The environment ZhenGui and Ling Qi want to make is very cool (hot) but will most people be satisfied to live in it? People normally want stability and quiet in their homes and fields. ZhenGui's garden will cycle between explosive growth periods and wild fires and magma. Ling Qi adds blinding mists and big bad glaciers. Maybe her Family domain will make that environment welcoming to those she chooses.
Hanyi makes her musical aspects central. Her message is how good Winter is for humanity. It's an unusual perspective, usually humans fear winter and try to hide from it. May make sense if we remember she's the product of a union between a Winter Muse and a human leader. Her listeners think they're just there for a good time but apparently there's a subliminal message hidden in her song: "Winter is good. Winter is your friend. You love Winter. You will help Winter. You will give an offering of Green Stones to Mr. Bao to get the Winter Songs!"
As we find during the journey south with the sect army the sect know how to wrangle unique personalities and powers into a cohesive whole. They could give ZhenGui a plot on one of their mountains or maybe a regular tour of their villages on the front. They don't have a lot of land to give though. Their territory cannot be expanded and they filled it with a lot of various spirits and spirit beasts for their disciples. So ZhenGui might feel hemmed in even if he could live with it.
The environment ZhenGui and Ling Qi want to make is very cool (hot) but will most people be satisfied to live in it? People normally want stability and quiet in their homes and fields. ZhenGui's garden will cycle between explosive growth periods and wild fires and magma.
It may not be different than regular flooding that many older cultures dealt with. Stability and quiet are nice, but history shows those are often secondary concerns to pulling as much food as possible from the ground.
Cultivation consumed Ling Qi's days in the wake of her work with Zhengui. After the expedition, and the flurry of activity that followed, it felt good to take some time to herself and simply grow stronger. Physical cultivation was her focus here, and Ling Qi found herself reflecting on how much her routines had changed.
The exercises the late Elder Zhou had taught her were a thing of the past now. They had been invaluable in training her mortal body to the limit of what mere flesh could do, but now, only a few meditative exercises remained. In the third realm, her body was no longer bound to mortal rules. Her muscles would never deteriorate, and no matter what she ate or drank, not a single ounce of fat would ever appear on her body.
It made her wonder a bit at the looks of those like Elder Ying, or the Senior Bao she had met at last year's tournament. She supposed appearing to hold some extra weight was simply a choice, unconscious or otherwise.
Regardless, this meant that physical cultivation was not so different from spiritual cultivation now. It was different for those who focused more on their bodies and physical arts she knew, but for Ling Qi her regimen consisted simply of meditative movements and carefully weaving new strands of qi into flesh, muscle and bone, steadily increasing the density of qi in her body.
It was a little more difficult, since her desperate jump into the Dream underground though. She always felt lighter, almost as if she would drift away in a moment of inattentiveness since that day, and it made her have to focus more to keep her qi from simply dispersing rather than setting into her flesh.
She didn't let it slow her though, and as the days passed, she found her accumulating qi settling the unstable cultivation solidifying as she pushed herself into the Threshold stage of the Bronze physique. It was the fourth of eight steps, matching her spiritual cultivation. Although it could be said that she was halfway there, she knew that each step would be harder than the last.
However, the next day, she received a message which brought her out from seclusion.
***
The mountaintop was empty and bleak, a field of featureless white that extended to the sharp cliff drops which descended to the rest of the Outer Sect mountain. The fruit tree which had once grown out of the rocky soil was gone, perhaps transplanted to another part of the Sect. Ling Qi could understand why, she hunched her shoulders as the icy wind shrieked across the landscape, whipping up a wall of stinging white.
The peak had grown volatile in Zeqing's absence.
She found Hanyi kneeling beside a pile snow covered stones that were all the remained of her childhood home. Hanyi didn't look up as Ling Qi sat down beside her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. She sat in silence for a time, not looking at Hanyi, but at the fallen stones.
"I'm sorry you didn't find what you were looking for," Ling Qi said quietly.
"Nah, it was kinda dumb to think that they'd be like Momma just because they were born from winter too," Hanyi replied, resting her chin in her hands. She'd undone the ties in her hair at some point, and so her silvery hair hung down to her shoulders fluttering lightly despite the violent wind.
"Well, you have us, for what it's worth," Ling Qi said, squeezing her shoulder. "Come up with anything good while you were up here?"
"Hehe, I'm gonna knock 'em out at my next performance," Hanyi said proudly, although her smile was still a little wan. "What are you doing up here though Sis? I said I was fine."
"I think she really has worked it out mostly on her own," Sixiang murmured, keeping otherwise quiet out of respect for the moment
"I know that," Ling Qi said. "You can be mature, when you feel like it."
Hanyi squinted up at her. "Hey, why do I feel like I'm not being complimented at all?"
"It's just your imagination little sister," Ling Qi said, keeping a straight face. "Anyway, I came up here because Bao Qian sent me a message, he'd like to speak with us."
"Ohhhh, I bet I have to prepare and stuff," Hanyi grimaced. "Hmph, I just want to sing, other people should do the rest of the work."
"Being a performer is definitely hard," Ling Qi chuckled. "Besides, Bao Qian does take care of most of the side stuff though."
"I guess so," Hanyi huffed. "He's a pretty responsible guy."
Ling Qi ignored the conniving look in Hanyi's eye as she glanced at Ling Qi. Like she wasn't unaware of her junior sister's desire to set her up. Thankfully she didn't have to worry. Hanyi didn't understand enough about humans to do anything dangerous.
"I'm… not even sure what to say about that," Sixiang sighed.
Patting her on the shoulder one more time, Ling Qi stood up. "C'mon, lets head down, your hair's a mess."
Hanyi stood as well, and Ling Qi realized something. She didn't know if it had happened all at once, or if it had been ongoing, but… Hanyi had grown. She was taller than Suyin now, only a bit shorter than Meizhen. Her face still had some childish roundness too it, but she could also see more of Zeqing in her features.
"Hm, you know, I think I want to try something different than braids," Hanyi said absently.
"I guess we'll figure out something together," Ling Qi said. "Why don't we visit my mother, she's better at that sort of thing."
"Kay," Hanyi agreed cheerfully.
In the end, they decided on a single plait rather than pigtails, something simple but elegant. Of course Hanyi got excited about the idea of ornaments and wires, but that would be something for later. By the time they were done with her, the time had come to go and meet Bao Quan.
Ling Qi and Hanyi soon arrived at the clearing north of the town where he had permit to set up. The first thing Ling Qi noticed upon her arrival was that Bao Qian's carriage had changed. Thin plates painted steel had been affixed over its top, and new formation arrays marked its shutters and wheels, heavy with the qi of metal and mountains.
"Hm, no fair, I can't look inside anymore," Sixiang grumbled.
"Greetings Miss Ling!" Bao Qian called out to her as she descended from the sky, dusting off his trousers as he stepped down from the rear of the wagon where he had been seated on the steps.
"Sir Bao," she acknowledged with a nod, releasing Hanyi's hand as the spirits bare feet touched the grass. "I see you have been investing in security?"
"Mm, well the border has been a touch more dangerous of late," Bao Qian replied. "Worry not, I've not encountered anything worse than unsettled beasts or spirits. I'm not a warrior, but I certainly know how to craft a surprise or two."
"It looks kinda ugly though," Hanyi commented idly, squinting up at the plates bolted onto the vehicles roof.
"I have to agree, but it is hopefully a temporary measure," Bao Qian said, stroking his chin. "Regardless, thank you for coming ladies."
"It's no trouble, I won't find myself too busy until after the Year's End Tournament," Ling Qi replied, settling down on the grass as well. "What is this about though. You were a little vague in your message."
"Well, it's a matter of opportunity. The performance I arranged for early in the next month, along with my efforts to spread the word and your own exploits have resulted in some smaller holdings in the same viscounty making requests, I wanted to talk the matter over with you."
"Oh really, more people want me to sing?" Hanyi asked, excited.
"Indeed, we are a little helped by the year's divinations… It is likely to be a bad winter," Bao Qian replied. Threading his hands together he stretched them over his head, causing an audible pop from his back. Ling Qi glanced away.
"Mm, you did say you wanted to market her performances for more practical effects too," Ling Qi said, recalling an earlier note. "It was that effective?"
"Well, as I said, some part of the effect is external to our efforts," Bao Qian replied. "The Duchess' approval has benefits."
Hanyi pouted. "Well, whatever, I guess that's fine. They'll want me back next year anyway after I perform."
Ling Qi nodded, patting her junior sister on the shoulder. "So what will we need to work out? Travel times and scheduling?"
"Mostly that yes," Bao Qian agreed. "But before we get into the details there is another matter I'd like to ask you about."
"What's that?" Ling Qi asked, curious.
"Well honestly, We're both busy people and so we haven't gotten as much opportunity to get to know each other as I'd like," Bao Qian said. "Since I know you have some free time, I wanted to invite you out."
"Out where," Ling Qi said warily.
"Well, I'd hoped to give you a choice on the matter. You know I perform some odd services for local nobility, and being the active sort of woman that you are, I thought you'd enjoy a little light adventuring to something more idle like a dinner or theater performance."
Ling Qi frowned, glancing to Hanyi, who had adopted a perfectly innocent expression.
"Not dangerous at all huh," Sixiang drawled, sounding a little smug.
I suppose I don't see the trouble with that," Ling Qi said. It wasn't like she distrusted Bao Qian, and… getting away from the Sect for a few days didn't sound bad. The expedition could hardly be counted as that sort of vacation, given the stakes. She doubted they would run into anything actually dangerous given the way Bao Qian spoke of the matter. "What did you have in mind?"
"Of my current contracts, there are two that I think might appeal, the owners are rather busy with mustering at the moment you see, and are looking for help with certain matters…"
[] There is an abandoned manor on a southern baron's lands left behind during a post Ogodei invasion which he would like exorcised and demolished.
[] There is an old mine in the east which needs both checking for renewed deposits and cleared of spirits and wildlife.
The Baron's manor. It connects us with another Emerald Sea noble, and we could use a break from wilderness adventures. Far more upsides to helping the Baron.
The Baron's manor. It connects us with another Emerald Sea noble, and we could use a break from wilderness adventures. Far more upsides to helping the Baron.
[] There is an abandoned manor on a southern baron's lands left behind during a post Ogodei invasion which he would like exorcised and demolished.
[] There is an old mine in the east which needs both checking for renewed deposits and cleared of spirits and wildlife.
"Renewed" deposits, hmm? The Bao do have those methods to make mining mineral resources sustainable, and given that we're about to be running diplomacy with a state that has massive wealth in metals, knowing a bit more about Imperial mining practice sounds useful.
"Well, it's a matter of opportunity. The performance I arranged for early in the next month, along with my efforts to spread the word and your own exploits have resulted in some smaller holdings in the same viscounty making requests, I wanted to talk the matter over with you."
"Oh really, more people want me to sing?" Hanyi asked, excited.
"Indeed, we are a little helped by the year's divinations… It is likely to be a bad winter," Bao Qian replied. Threading his hands together he stretched them over his head, causing an audible pop from his back. Ling Qi glanced away.
"Mm, you did say you wanted to market her performances for more practical effects too," Ling Qi said, recalling an earlier note. "It was that effective?"
"Well, as I said, some part of the effect is external to our efforts," Bao Qian replied. "The Duchess' approval has benefits."
Hanyi pouted. "Well, whatever, I guess that's fine. They'll want me back next year anyway after I perform."
Hanyi is going on tour! Her idol career begins now! Soon she'll be traveling across the emerald seas to bless the lands to the screams of her adoring fans!
[] There is an abandoned manor on a southern baron's lands left behind during a post Ogodei invasion which he would like exorcised and demolished.
History on Ogodei's people, some nice catharic smashing if the date is...Less then successful and perhaps Hanyi can...Try to set the mood with some of those spirits that might need exorcising. (i'm not entirely sure if that would be helping or halping. I THINK halping but who knows...)
[] There is an abandoned manor on a southern baron's lands left behind during a post Ogodei invasion which he would like exorcised and demolished.
[] There is an old mine in the east which needs both checking for renewed deposits and cleared of spirits and wildlife.
