Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
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Future Days: Shopping with ling Jie
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
Part One
Future Days: Shopping with Ling Jie
14 Years Ago
A mother clutched her crying child to her shoulder, fighting back tears herself. A shudder ran through the house and the mother hugged her child tighter and choked out sweet nothings, desperate to calm both of them. Beasts stalked the roiling mist outside. Taller than the houses, taller than the trees, so tall that most of the beast's bodies disappeared, hidden by the endless mist. Each time they stepped the world shuddered, not just with the force of their steps, but also with hatred they exuded. A hatred that dug into the mind like how cold, frozen southern wind dug into exposed skin.
It took all the mother's strength not to break, to give into the hatred, to join those of the village whose minds had snapped; those who dug with picks, shovels, planks of wood, fingers, driven by a hatred that now consumed them. Another shudder ran through the house, another wind of hatred pressed against her mind and all the mother could do was try and comfort her child while praying that Lady Ling would soon show them mercy.
Present Day
When the letter arrived Yang Xuefeng was surprised. A year ago she never would have expected a paper crane to dive into her face, peck at her nose a few times, and then unfurl into a letter. She had almost cut her own face trying to fend off the letter with her craving knife. After Yang had calmed down and read the letter she was relieved it had only pecked at her and not done something far more spectacular, like explode. Lady Ling was someone that common sense didn't apply too, after all. Truthfully Yang had thought that Lady Ling had forgotten about her, which she would have been happy with. It had been almost a month since that visit had ended in tragedy. Somewhere though, deep in her heart that she tried to ignore, Yang was relieved that the girl was alright. No one, noble or not, deserved to die so far from home.
Still an invitation to the markets was something that Yang would have to accept. Not only had Lady Ling invited her, and Yang was a little scared of what saying no would bring, but also because Tao Ruogang was applying more and more pressure. He clearly thought Yang was his ticket to a friendship with Lady Ling and Lady Cai. Given Lady Ling's required two step process, Yang wished him the best with that. But accepting the invitation would at least get him off her back for a week or so.
Still, meeting with Lady Ling was no doubt going to be an exhausting experience. Thankfully Lady Ling had requested to go shopping in the afternoon. Plenty of time to mentally prepare and finish off her current project, a small wooden rabbit that rested in the palm of her hand. The invitation had even requested that she bring what she was working on. With that thought in mind Yang focused her attention, let her worries drift away, and resumed carving out tiny formation characters.
Hours passed in a blur, but Yang finished early enough to stretch out her muscles and eat a large lunch. She felt like she would need it. Then the time came, she took a deep breath and walked out of her hovel towards the market with a shoulder bag holding a few pieces of her work. Last time she had seen Lady Ling she had learned so much about formations. Maybe this time would be similar. Hopefully. Who knew with the nobles.
Lady Ling had arranged the meeting place to be a small tea shop that Yang knew from her earlier scouting of the sect. Unfortunately, Yang did not meet Lady Ling at the tea shop. Instead she met the noble on the path to the market. Her first warning was the cry of joy that pierced the susurrus of outer sect students milling about the path.
"Yang!"
Turning around Yang saw Lady Ling twirl around some startled students and then resume her walk towards her. A healthy flush graced the noble's face whose smile stretched from ear to ear. If it wasn't for the cane the other girl was using one would think nothing had changed, but there was the cane, and even from this distance Yang could see the weight being placed on it. There was nothing ornamental about that twisting gold and silver cane. Formations glowed to life, an sullen angry orange glow, each time the cane struck the ground. Whispers filled the shocked silence that Lady Ling's outburst had caused and a respectable bubble soon formed around the girl.
"Lady Ling." Yang said, bowing.
"It is so good to see your beautiful self on this beautiful day!" Lady Ling said.
"It is good to see you are well."
Laughing Lady Ling waved her hand in the air, as if to dismiss the idea she was ever ill. "That ugly little situation? Something like that would not keep one as glorious as me down, Hm!"
"Of course," Yang said, biting back her questions about the event. No one wanted ills to be aired. "My apologies for implying otherwise."
Lady Ling peered at her, eyes sharpening and causing Yang to squirm. Then Lady Ling relaxed. "Your progress continues to be beautiful, Hm! I look forward to seeing what you've brought today!"
"Ahh… thank you, but how did you…" Yang paused, it was probably an art. "Never mind. Is there a schedule for today, or…?"
"Indeed there is!" Lady Ling said as she began to walk towards the market, skipping the tea house entirely. "We are going to meet an astute businessman, who can help both of us."
"How so?" Yang said, trying to keep up with Lady Ling. How was she so energetic? Hadn't she been ill for almost a month?
"With his connections." Lady Ling said, pace not slowing one bit. "Formation artists like us are always hungry for materials to use. Someone like BoBo is an excellent friend to have. He can get us materials not able to be found on these mountains."
"I thought communications outside of the mountain are forbidden, at least until the third month." Yang said as they reached a small building with stairs leading to a door set underground.
"For first year students, yes." Lady Ling said. "Which is ridiculous, Hm! I should be able to talk to my family whenever I want. Regardless, BoBo is not a first year student so is not under that restriction."
"And that is alright? For us to use those connections, I mean." Yang said, eyeing the signage.
"Warrior's Choice; Quality weapons, armor, and accessories." It said.
"It's fine." Lady Ling said. "There are separate rules merchants like him follow, so don't worry about it."
"Very well." Yang said, then she followed the other girl into the underground shop.
Lady Ling opened the door with a bang. "BoBo, I'm back, Hm! And I brought my new friend!"
"A new friend you say?" The voice was low and rumbled like rocks sliding down a slope. "Come in then, come in! I am putting the finishing touches on something, so I'll join you in a moment."
"No rush!" Lady Ling said before walking over to a variety of weapons and studying them.
And what a variety of weapons there were: swords that gleamed in the torch light, daggers that seemed to cut Yang's eyes when she looked at them, and bows crafted from clouds that rumbled with restrained thunder just to name some. Everywhere she looked there were weapons and armors crafted from materials that Yang had never dreamed of. As casually as she could Yang peered at the price tag of a set of pink daggers near her. Then, just as casually, she looked away. Fifty red stones. She might go into debt just by breathing wrong in this store!
"Are you interested in archery, Lady Ling?" Yang said, as she walked over to the other girl. Better to talk to Lady Ling than feel her soul rocked each time she noticed a price. Right now Lady Ling was studying a bow crafted from clouds.
"No." Lady Ling said. "Archery is for cowards. Better than thievery or assassiantion, but cowardly all the same. I am just enjoying the styling of these clouds."
Yang blinked. "Oh, I didn't realize that archery was so looked down upon."
"It isn't." The low rumbling voice said. "Lady Ling just has strong opinions on certain matters."
"Everything I have an opinion on, I have a strong opinion on." Lady Ling said as she turned around. "What's the point otherwise, Hm?!
A man had walked into the room while Yang had been distracted. He was large, more boulder than man, with rounded shoulders that his head sunk into. His stride was that of a lord though, easily carrying his weight.
"Greetings ladies." He said, offering a short bow to them. "My name is Bao Bo. Welcome to my humble shop."
"Hi BoBo!" Lady Ling said, stepping forward with a flourish of her hand. "You know me, of course, Hm! But let me introduce you to this beautifully blossoming cultivator, Yang Xuefeng! She is a formation crafter. Do be a good friend and sell her works, would you?"
Yang blinked between the two. She thought they were going to buy material, not sell her work; it wasn't ready for sale! "I thought we were going to buy things from him." Yang said, stepping backward a pace. "My work is nowhere near ready for sale!"
"Of course it is." Lady Ling retorted, not even looking at her. "You're at a level that most of your peers will only reach in several months, Hm! Best to get an early start before the market is flooded with ugly junk."
Before Yang could manage a response Bao Bo raised a placating hand. "I understand Lady Yang." He said. "But perhaps you wouldn't mind a consultation? Free of course. I can look at your work and inform you how much I would pay for them. We can also discuss materials you may wish to buy from me."
Looking at Lady Ling's beaming smile Yang struggled to find a way to decline. "That sounds… reasonable." Yang said, giving in.
"Beautiful!" Lady Ling said. "While you are doing that consultation BoBo, I would like to talk to Hanying."
"I don't mind." Bao Bo said, beady eyes switching to Lady Ling. "May I ask why?"
"I want to use this in a painting!" Lady Ling said, her hands now holding a small glass vial that had popped into existence. An off white liquid glimmered oddly inside the vial. "Zhen gave this as a gift before I came to the sect, so I want to discuss with Hanying what pigments or minerals we can add to make a paint, Hm!"
Yang watched Bao Bo blink once at the vial, then disappear with a wet plop. A mud puddle churned where he had stood.
Lady Ling huffed once and the vial disappeared. Then she slammed her cane against the ground. "It's diluted, you coward. The elders would hardly allow me to carry something of that potency around."
The puddle churned and frothed before hands reached out and hauled Bao Bo back to the surface. "What was I supposed to think?" Bao Bo said, voice sharper than before as he picked crumbling pieces of mud off his robe. "I am shocked that the elders allowed even a diluted amount at the sect. Still, Hanying says that if it's diluted he would be glad to work with you."
"Thanks, BoBo!" Lady Ling said, face instantly brightening. "Have fun you two, Hm!" Then she walked through a door that Yang hadn't noticed before. As Lady Ling stepped through the door it disappeared, stone rippling like water where it once was.
"That woman." Bao Bo said before turning to Yang. "My apologies for my display. Do you have any pieces that you want me to look over?" He gestured and a table with chairs rose from the stone ground. It was clear that Bao Bo wanted to move on.
"Ah, ah, yes." Yang managed out as she fumbled with her bag. "If you are offering, I would be honored to show you these simple pieces." Her work was surely nothing like on display here. They would talk and then Bao Bo would reject her work and that would be that. Everything would go back to normal. She placed several pieces on the table. Then they both sat down.
"Let's start with this piece." Bao Bo said, gesturing to her smallest work. "My guess is that this is a fire starter of some sort."
"Correct." Yang said. "If you take the cap off there will be a small flame that won't go out. Useful for starting a fire with some kindling."
"Practical. And the next?"
"This is a necklace. It keeps sleep at bay, allowing for a watchman to stay awake through the night." Yang said, fingers dancing over the carved beads of wood.
"Have you tested it?" Bao Bo said, his fingers tapping on the table.
"On myself." Yang replied.
Bao Bo hummed. "The final piece then." He tapped the largest piece, a wooden rabbit carved to appear sleeping.
"This piece is a ward." Yang said. "When placed in the center of a camp it will obscure the camp from senses, hiding it from predators and such."
Picking up the rabbit Bao Bo peered at it. "Excellent work." He said.
"Thank you." Yang said. Compared to the other pieces in the store her work was hardly excellent.
"I am interested in two of your pieces." Bao Bo said, placing the rabbit down. "Fire starters are always in demand. I am willing to purchase three for one red stone. Next is the obfuscation ward. I am willing to purchase those for two red stones a piece. The necklace needs further testing. Unless you get it approved by the medicine hall I will not sell it."
Yang could hardly breathe. One red stone for several fire starters? Two red stones for her rabbit? Despite the news about the necklace this was beyond generous, even if Bao Bo was doing a favor for Lady Ling. Maybe there was some greater scheme in play, but could she afford to refuse? Three red stones for a day's work would catapult her cultivation.
"I would be glad to accept your offer, Bao Bo." Yang said, squeezing the words through her throat. She had her misgivings, but the opportunity was just too great.
"Excellent!" Bao Bo said, then he clapped his hands. "Now onto other business. You expressed interest in purchasing materials?"
Yang started. That's right, with more red stones she could get better material. "Yes." She said, licking her lips. "Most of my work has used scrap wood and what I could collect around the sect. Would it be possible to get quality wood to the sect?"
Bao Bo raised his eyebrow. "Quality wood will be quite expensive, unless you mean quality mortal wood."
"Mortal wood, mortal wood." Yang said. What would immortal wood even look like? What could she do with that? No, she needed to focus.
"That is much more manageable. How much are you looking to spend?" Bao Bo said.
Numbers flashed through Yang's mind. "How much would a single red stone get me?"
"A single red stone?" Bao Bo said. "I could supply you with near unlimited mortal wood from the local region for the rest of the year with a red stone. Any wood beyond this region though will rapidly increase the price."
"Local wood is fine. I doubt I am good enough to experiment with anything exotic."
"Very well. If you want I can begin making arrangements." Bao Bo said.
"Yah." Yang said, her accent slipping in. "I would like that." She leaned back and breathed out. "Quality wood for a whole year, huh?"
"Quality mortal wood." Bao Bo said as he made notes in a small book that had popped into his hands. "100 silver goes a long way for mortal supplies."
"100 silver?" Yang said. "I asked for a single red stone."
"Yes?" Bao Bo said, sounding confused.
"A single red stone is thirty silver, right?"
"Who told you that?" Bao Bo said. "It has been 100 silver for a single red stone since Emperor An, at least."
"That can't be right." Yang said, frowning. "Why would…" Her teeth snapped closed. The pain was secondary to the anger roaring with each beat of her heart. Tao Ruogang. That utter bastard.
Bao Bo looked at her for a moment before sighing. "It looks like you have some trouble." He said. "I would offer help if I could, but rules are rules. Still if your work is an indication you will outstrip those troubles soon enough."
Yang could only nod.
"Well," Bao Bo said as the notebook popped away, "that concludes our meeting." Then he clapped which sounded like a crumbling stone and a door opened. Lady Ling strutted out of the new door.
"Finished?" Lady Ling said. "Beautiful! I just had a…"
"My apologies, Lady Ling." Bao Bo said. "But if I could have a moment of your time."
The sound of crumbling stone again filled the shop, drowning out the sounds of whatever Bao Bo was saying to Lady Ling. Her reaction was clear though. She froze, mid strut, before her face darkened, purpling like she was choking. Veins, twitching and spasming, visibly stood out on her neck. The sound of crumbling stone faded and Lady Ling walked up the stairs leading from the shop, her cane thundering against the ground.
"Lady Ling," Yang said as she raced after the other girl, "I don't know what Bao Bo told you, but please, let me deal with my own problems."
"Of course, Hm!" Lady Ling said, spinning around her cane to face Yang. "But you won't mind if I extend a helping hand, will you?"
As Yang stared into Lady Ling's eyes, eyes that swirled with the colors of madness and wroth unchained, eyes that would watch a city burn and smile, she found that she minded very much, but could not voice any objection.
Alright! Here is part two of Ling Jie! Omake for the omake throne @yrsillar
I had a lot of fun writing this piece. I am planning to do one more omake with Yang and Ling Jie, soon tm.
Anyway, thank you for reading. I hoped you enjoyed. If you have any critiques please share them as they make me a better writer. Thanks!
Future Days: Shopping with Ling Jie
14 Years Ago
A mother clutched her crying child to her shoulder, fighting back tears herself. A shudder ran through the house and the mother hugged her child tighter and choked out sweet nothings, desperate to calm both of them. Beasts stalked the roiling mist outside. Taller than the houses, taller than the trees, so tall that most of the beast's bodies disappeared, hidden by the endless mist. Each time they stepped the world shuddered, not just with the force of their steps, but also with hatred they exuded. A hatred that dug into the mind like how cold, frozen southern wind dug into exposed skin.
It took all the mother's strength not to break, to give into the hatred, to join those of the village whose minds had snapped; those who dug with picks, shovels, planks of wood, fingers, driven by a hatred that now consumed them. Another shudder ran through the house, another wind of hatred pressed against her mind and all the mother could do was try and comfort her child while praying that Lady Ling would soon show them mercy.
***
Present Day
When the letter arrived Yang Xuefeng was surprised. A year ago she never would have expected a paper crane to dive into her face, peck at her nose a few times, and then unfurl into a letter. She had almost cut her own face trying to fend off the letter with her craving knife. After Yang had calmed down and read the letter she was relieved it had only pecked at her and not done something far more spectacular, like explode. Lady Ling was someone that common sense didn't apply too, after all. Truthfully Yang had thought that Lady Ling had forgotten about her, which she would have been happy with. It had been almost a month since that visit had ended in tragedy. Somewhere though, deep in her heart that she tried to ignore, Yang was relieved that the girl was alright. No one, noble or not, deserved to die so far from home.
Still an invitation to the markets was something that Yang would have to accept. Not only had Lady Ling invited her, and Yang was a little scared of what saying no would bring, but also because Tao Ruogang was applying more and more pressure. He clearly thought Yang was his ticket to a friendship with Lady Ling and Lady Cai. Given Lady Ling's required two step process, Yang wished him the best with that. But accepting the invitation would at least get him off her back for a week or so.
Still, meeting with Lady Ling was no doubt going to be an exhausting experience. Thankfully Lady Ling had requested to go shopping in the afternoon. Plenty of time to mentally prepare and finish off her current project, a small wooden rabbit that rested in the palm of her hand. The invitation had even requested that she bring what she was working on. With that thought in mind Yang focused her attention, let her worries drift away, and resumed carving out tiny formation characters.
Hours passed in a blur, but Yang finished early enough to stretch out her muscles and eat a large lunch. She felt like she would need it. Then the time came, she took a deep breath and walked out of her hovel towards the market with a shoulder bag holding a few pieces of her work. Last time she had seen Lady Ling she had learned so much about formations. Maybe this time would be similar. Hopefully. Who knew with the nobles.
Lady Ling had arranged the meeting place to be a small tea shop that Yang knew from her earlier scouting of the sect. Unfortunately, Yang did not meet Lady Ling at the tea shop. Instead she met the noble on the path to the market. Her first warning was the cry of joy that pierced the susurrus of outer sect students milling about the path.
"Yang!"
Turning around Yang saw Lady Ling twirl around some startled students and then resume her walk towards her. A healthy flush graced the noble's face whose smile stretched from ear to ear. If it wasn't for the cane the other girl was using one would think nothing had changed, but there was the cane, and even from this distance Yang could see the weight being placed on it. There was nothing ornamental about that twisting gold and silver cane. Formations glowed to life, an sullen angry orange glow, each time the cane struck the ground. Whispers filled the shocked silence that Lady Ling's outburst had caused and a respectable bubble soon formed around the girl.
"Lady Ling." Yang said, bowing.
"It is so good to see your beautiful self on this beautiful day!" Lady Ling said.
"It is good to see you are well."
Laughing Lady Ling waved her hand in the air, as if to dismiss the idea she was ever ill. "That ugly little situation? Something like that would not keep one as glorious as me down, Hm!"
"Of course," Yang said, biting back her questions about the event. No one wanted ills to be aired. "My apologies for implying otherwise."
Lady Ling peered at her, eyes sharpening and causing Yang to squirm. Then Lady Ling relaxed. "Your progress continues to be beautiful, Hm! I look forward to seeing what you've brought today!"
"Ahh… thank you, but how did you…" Yang paused, it was probably an art. "Never mind. Is there a schedule for today, or…?"
"Indeed there is!" Lady Ling said as she began to walk towards the market, skipping the tea house entirely. "We are going to meet an astute businessman, who can help both of us."
"How so?" Yang said, trying to keep up with Lady Ling. How was she so energetic? Hadn't she been ill for almost a month?
"With his connections." Lady Ling said, pace not slowing one bit. "Formation artists like us are always hungry for materials to use. Someone like BoBo is an excellent friend to have. He can get us materials not able to be found on these mountains."
"I thought communications outside of the mountain are forbidden, at least until the third month." Yang said as they reached a small building with stairs leading to a door set underground.
"For first year students, yes." Lady Ling said. "Which is ridiculous, Hm! I should be able to talk to my family whenever I want. Regardless, BoBo is not a first year student so is not under that restriction."
"And that is alright? For us to use those connections, I mean." Yang said, eyeing the signage.
"Warrior's Choice; Quality weapons, armor, and accessories." It said.
"It's fine." Lady Ling said. "There are separate rules merchants like him follow, so don't worry about it."
"Very well." Yang said, then she followed the other girl into the underground shop.
Lady Ling opened the door with a bang. "BoBo, I'm back, Hm! And I brought my new friend!"
"A new friend you say?" The voice was low and rumbled like rocks sliding down a slope. "Come in then, come in! I am putting the finishing touches on something, so I'll join you in a moment."
"No rush!" Lady Ling said before walking over to a variety of weapons and studying them.
And what a variety of weapons there were: swords that gleamed in the torch light, daggers that seemed to cut Yang's eyes when she looked at them, and bows crafted from clouds that rumbled with restrained thunder just to name some. Everywhere she looked there were weapons and armors crafted from materials that Yang had never dreamed of. As casually as she could Yang peered at the price tag of a set of pink daggers near her. Then, just as casually, she looked away. Fifty red stones. She might go into debt just by breathing wrong in this store!
"Are you interested in archery, Lady Ling?" Yang said, as she walked over to the other girl. Better to talk to Lady Ling than feel her soul rocked each time she noticed a price. Right now Lady Ling was studying a bow crafted from clouds.
"No." Lady Ling said. "Archery is for cowards. Better than thievery or assassiantion, but cowardly all the same. I am just enjoying the styling of these clouds."
Yang blinked. "Oh, I didn't realize that archery was so looked down upon."
"It isn't." The low rumbling voice said. "Lady Ling just has strong opinions on certain matters."
"Everything I have an opinion on, I have a strong opinion on." Lady Ling said as she turned around. "What's the point otherwise, Hm?!
A man had walked into the room while Yang had been distracted. He was large, more boulder than man, with rounded shoulders that his head sunk into. His stride was that of a lord though, easily carrying his weight.
"Greetings ladies." He said, offering a short bow to them. "My name is Bao Bo. Welcome to my humble shop."
"Hi BoBo!" Lady Ling said, stepping forward with a flourish of her hand. "You know me, of course, Hm! But let me introduce you to this beautifully blossoming cultivator, Yang Xuefeng! She is a formation crafter. Do be a good friend and sell her works, would you?"
Yang blinked between the two. She thought they were going to buy material, not sell her work; it wasn't ready for sale! "I thought we were going to buy things from him." Yang said, stepping backward a pace. "My work is nowhere near ready for sale!"
"Of course it is." Lady Ling retorted, not even looking at her. "You're at a level that most of your peers will only reach in several months, Hm! Best to get an early start before the market is flooded with ugly junk."
Before Yang could manage a response Bao Bo raised a placating hand. "I understand Lady Yang." He said. "But perhaps you wouldn't mind a consultation? Free of course. I can look at your work and inform you how much I would pay for them. We can also discuss materials you may wish to buy from me."
Looking at Lady Ling's beaming smile Yang struggled to find a way to decline. "That sounds… reasonable." Yang said, giving in.
"Beautiful!" Lady Ling said. "While you are doing that consultation BoBo, I would like to talk to Hanying."
"I don't mind." Bao Bo said, beady eyes switching to Lady Ling. "May I ask why?"
"I want to use this in a painting!" Lady Ling said, her hands now holding a small glass vial that had popped into existence. An off white liquid glimmered oddly inside the vial. "Zhen gave this as a gift before I came to the sect, so I want to discuss with Hanying what pigments or minerals we can add to make a paint, Hm!"
Yang watched Bao Bo blink once at the vial, then disappear with a wet plop. A mud puddle churned where he had stood.
Lady Ling huffed once and the vial disappeared. Then she slammed her cane against the ground. "It's diluted, you coward. The elders would hardly allow me to carry something of that potency around."
The puddle churned and frothed before hands reached out and hauled Bao Bo back to the surface. "What was I supposed to think?" Bao Bo said, voice sharper than before as he picked crumbling pieces of mud off his robe. "I am shocked that the elders allowed even a diluted amount at the sect. Still, Hanying says that if it's diluted he would be glad to work with you."
"Thanks, BoBo!" Lady Ling said, face instantly brightening. "Have fun you two, Hm!" Then she walked through a door that Yang hadn't noticed before. As Lady Ling stepped through the door it disappeared, stone rippling like water where it once was.
"That woman." Bao Bo said before turning to Yang. "My apologies for my display. Do you have any pieces that you want me to look over?" He gestured and a table with chairs rose from the stone ground. It was clear that Bao Bo wanted to move on.
"Ah, ah, yes." Yang managed out as she fumbled with her bag. "If you are offering, I would be honored to show you these simple pieces." Her work was surely nothing like on display here. They would talk and then Bao Bo would reject her work and that would be that. Everything would go back to normal. She placed several pieces on the table. Then they both sat down.
"Let's start with this piece." Bao Bo said, gesturing to her smallest work. "My guess is that this is a fire starter of some sort."
"Correct." Yang said. "If you take the cap off there will be a small flame that won't go out. Useful for starting a fire with some kindling."
"Practical. And the next?"
"This is a necklace. It keeps sleep at bay, allowing for a watchman to stay awake through the night." Yang said, fingers dancing over the carved beads of wood.
"Have you tested it?" Bao Bo said, his fingers tapping on the table.
"On myself." Yang replied.
Bao Bo hummed. "The final piece then." He tapped the largest piece, a wooden rabbit carved to appear sleeping.
"This piece is a ward." Yang said. "When placed in the center of a camp it will obscure the camp from senses, hiding it from predators and such."
Picking up the rabbit Bao Bo peered at it. "Excellent work." He said.
"Thank you." Yang said. Compared to the other pieces in the store her work was hardly excellent.
"I am interested in two of your pieces." Bao Bo said, placing the rabbit down. "Fire starters are always in demand. I am willing to purchase three for one red stone. Next is the obfuscation ward. I am willing to purchase those for two red stones a piece. The necklace needs further testing. Unless you get it approved by the medicine hall I will not sell it."
Yang could hardly breathe. One red stone for several fire starters? Two red stones for her rabbit? Despite the news about the necklace this was beyond generous, even if Bao Bo was doing a favor for Lady Ling. Maybe there was some greater scheme in play, but could she afford to refuse? Three red stones for a day's work would catapult her cultivation.
"I would be glad to accept your offer, Bao Bo." Yang said, squeezing the words through her throat. She had her misgivings, but the opportunity was just too great.
"Excellent!" Bao Bo said, then he clapped his hands. "Now onto other business. You expressed interest in purchasing materials?"
Yang started. That's right, with more red stones she could get better material. "Yes." She said, licking her lips. "Most of my work has used scrap wood and what I could collect around the sect. Would it be possible to get quality wood to the sect?"
Bao Bo raised his eyebrow. "Quality wood will be quite expensive, unless you mean quality mortal wood."
"Mortal wood, mortal wood." Yang said. What would immortal wood even look like? What could she do with that? No, she needed to focus.
"That is much more manageable. How much are you looking to spend?" Bao Bo said.
Numbers flashed through Yang's mind. "How much would a single red stone get me?"
"A single red stone?" Bao Bo said. "I could supply you with near unlimited mortal wood from the local region for the rest of the year with a red stone. Any wood beyond this region though will rapidly increase the price."
"Local wood is fine. I doubt I am good enough to experiment with anything exotic."
"Very well. If you want I can begin making arrangements." Bao Bo said.
"Yah." Yang said, her accent slipping in. "I would like that." She leaned back and breathed out. "Quality wood for a whole year, huh?"
"Quality mortal wood." Bao Bo said as he made notes in a small book that had popped into his hands. "100 silver goes a long way for mortal supplies."
"100 silver?" Yang said. "I asked for a single red stone."
"Yes?" Bao Bo said, sounding confused.
"A single red stone is thirty silver, right?"
"Who told you that?" Bao Bo said. "It has been 100 silver for a single red stone since Emperor An, at least."
"That can't be right." Yang said, frowning. "Why would…" Her teeth snapped closed. The pain was secondary to the anger roaring with each beat of her heart. Tao Ruogang. That utter bastard.
Bao Bo looked at her for a moment before sighing. "It looks like you have some trouble." He said. "I would offer help if I could, but rules are rules. Still if your work is an indication you will outstrip those troubles soon enough."
Yang could only nod.
"Well," Bao Bo said as the notebook popped away, "that concludes our meeting." Then he clapped which sounded like a crumbling stone and a door opened. Lady Ling strutted out of the new door.
"Finished?" Lady Ling said. "Beautiful! I just had a…"
"My apologies, Lady Ling." Bao Bo said. "But if I could have a moment of your time."
The sound of crumbling stone again filled the shop, drowning out the sounds of whatever Bao Bo was saying to Lady Ling. Her reaction was clear though. She froze, mid strut, before her face darkened, purpling like she was choking. Veins, twitching and spasming, visibly stood out on her neck. The sound of crumbling stone faded and Lady Ling walked up the stairs leading from the shop, her cane thundering against the ground.
"Lady Ling," Yang said as she raced after the other girl, "I don't know what Bao Bo told you, but please, let me deal with my own problems."
"Of course, Hm!" Lady Ling said, spinning around her cane to face Yang. "But you won't mind if I extend a helping hand, will you?"
As Yang stared into Lady Ling's eyes, eyes that swirled with the colors of madness and wroth unchained, eyes that would watch a city burn and smile, she found that she minded very much, but could not voice any objection.
***
To be continued
A.NTo be continued
Alright! Here is part two of Ling Jie! Omake for the omake throne @yrsillar
I had a lot of fun writing this piece. I am planning to do one more omake with Yang and Ling Jie, soon tm.
Anyway, thank you for reading. I hoped you enjoyed. If you have any critiques please share them as they make me a better writer. Thanks!
- Location
- United States of America
Seems to me that Ling Jie survived an assassination attempt! Well, I hope it was an assassination attempt because that's the only thing I can think of that would spurn this type of anger out of Ling Qi.
Poor Ling Qi, having her early attempts at archery and acceptable skill at thievery so degraded by her child. Teenage rebellion against aspects that their mother enjoyed, or maybe it was simply never told to her Ling Qi's efforts at archery.
Possibly a reaction to the assassination attempt hinted at in the beginning though? That would certainly make a person dislike certain types of work.
Come now Bobo! Certainly Zhen's poisons aren't that bad. Maybe. I mean, already at early green they can boil blood and melt stone, so it can't be too bad at the stage Zhen is at now! Maybe. Ok, it's probably even worse than I can imagine.
Awesome omake @Neshuakadal ! Wow Ling Qi is a scary one.
I am very interested in why a daughter of a major adherent of the grinning moon would disdain thievery. Heck her mom is a self proclaimed apprentice of the Wind Thief! I'm looking forward to seeing more of this girls backstory!
I am very interested in why a daughter of a major adherent of the grinning moon would disdain thievery. Heck her mom is a self proclaimed apprentice of the Wind Thief! I'm looking forward to seeing more of this girls backstory!
Friends, we found it. The Worst Ling.
NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Gotta love our not!Nero AU daughter. She's growing on me, even if she does not see the glory of the moon yet.
Turn 13: Arc 1-4
...leapt down. Wind, dust and whispers rushed past her ears as she twisted midair, angling her body for landing atop the rushing scales of the behemoth below. Wind bent and hardened, and this time she jumped again off planes of hardened air.
Her feet struck the moving scales with a hard crack, and for the first time in awhile, Ling Qi felt the vibration of impact shooting up her legs, forcing her to bend her knees to absorb the force. She skidded backward, the soft soles of her shoes sliding along the scales as if they were polished marble.The wind from the creatures movement shoved her backward as well, resisting any attempt to control it. It was only as she neared the downward curve of the creatures back that she managed to hook her fingers into the seam between two scales.
There teetering on the edge of a fall into the chaotic ruins below, she finally stopped, wind whipping at her hair and clothes, and laughed.
"Well, your definitely getting in the spirit of things!" Sixiang laughed, and only then did Ling Qi realize the muse had a grip on one of her sleeves. Sixiang was weightless, and flapped freely behind her like a wind sock on a festival day. As she glanced back, the muse shimmered and shrunk, scrambling up onto her shoulder, no bigger than any of the infant faeries she had seen.
"Going to make me walk for you?" Ling Qi asked archly, squinting ahead.
"Why not, I'm here for you, and I've been told walking is overrated," Sixiang shot back.
Ling Qi grumbled a bit and straightened up. With the initial impact, the tugging wind could no longer push her as long as she was careful of her steps and mindful of the smoothness of the scales under her feet. Moss and dirt clustered between the scales, providing just a bit of grip. She peered at her surroundings, the near modern construction whizzing past in her periphery and the beast under her feet. It wasn't a snake she realized. The back was too flat and wide, and deep in the detritus, she caught the churning of a stubby limb off to her right.
Ling Qi squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, and after a few seconds of careful consideration opened her mind to the dreams in the screaming wind.
My lord duke, the Li family will serve you faithfully always.The honor of being granted the three central passesis more honor than this humble one could possibly deserve.
Miserable bloated parasites crouching in their web. It is we who should rule the Emerald Seas. If only the other clans could see past their own miserable selfishness, we would be free of their yoke.
Ling QI shuddered, feeling resentment and murderous intent slither across her mind like dripping tar.
Not only have the barbarians been driven off with few casualties my lords, but the Li clan's physicians have further refined our arts, and we freely tribute our newest methods. Even flesh and bone may be a canvas for the incomparable artisans of Hui now. Together our glory will be everlasting.
Miserable jackals, growing fat off the labors of our hands and our minds. When was it last that any Hui had walked the battlefield? Faced the barbarian? No, if they had ever deserved it, they are unworthy of Xiangmen's throne my bretheren. Contact with the Patriarch Wu has been established, and we are certain that we have evaded the webs. Of the southern lords, only the Chu's disposition is unknown. I am wary to contact a man who so clearly dotes upon his Hui spouse.
Her eyes opened a crack, and she saw out of the corner of her eye, the black silhouette of a mountain lay in the distance, rising from a sea of yellow white debris. A great tunnel yawned through it's center, and for all that it was only stone, she felt like she stared into an open bleeding wound.
She let out a breath, contemplating those surface whispers and their implications. While it didn't much improve her opinions, it shifted the pieces in her head a little. The Hui's intransigence gained a patina of sensibility, from the coldest and most mechanical viewpoint.
Well assuming it was more than the whispers of madmen and radicals, imprinted long after their deaths.
"You know, it's always been weird to me," Sixiang commented, jarring her from her thoughts with their sudden words. "Why did you go chase after the Hidden Moon before coming to Grandmother. "Was it just because of Auntie?"
Ling Qi pursed her lips as she continued to walk the path of the great behemoth's back. They had passed the churning leg's and reached the widest part of the scaly spine and ridges as tall as she rose , making her weave through the angular forest of scales. "I think it was at first," Ling Qi said quietly. "It just seemed… ungrateful, not to give her some due. Even now I still just like her you know?"
"I get it, but you have to admit its kinda flimsy to hang a third of your cultivation on," Sixiang said, pinching her ear with tiny fingers. Ling Qi grimaced and swatted at them, causing the muse to cry out and tumble from her shoulder, only to appear on the other.
"You're not wrong," Ling Qi admitted grudgingly. "But, I think I'm starting to get it now, and I understand why I didn't before. The Hidden Moon is the second born of the eight, isn't she?"
"That depends on who you ask," Sixiang said curiously, cocking their head to the side. "What's it matter?"
Ling Qi hummed to herself, listening to the whistling whispers that rushed by. "I never really left Tonghou, you know? Not for the longest time."
Sixiang remained silent, letting her talk.
"Even as I got stronger, as I made friends with meizhen, fought nobles, learned from spirits, even when I swore myself to the Cai, I hadn't left yet. My mind was still back there, spending every moment panicking about how I'd survive the next day," Ling Qi mused. "I'm not quite sure when that changed, but once it did there was room for other things. I think that's why the Hidden Moon was second. Once you know you can survive, the first question you start to ask is 'why'. That's important to humans I think, asking 'why'."
She stopped in her tracks, closing her eyes. "I started asking that question more, and now, I don't think I want to stop."
"Heh, look at you getting all philosophical," Sixiang whispered. "You know, I'm not supposed to do that, ask 'why'. I've already existed way longer than most muses spend in one identity. It's weird to have a past and a future, you know? It hurts."
Ling Qi grimaced. "Sorry-"
"Nah, none of that. I'm the one who decided they'd stick with you," Sixiang dismissed airily. "You're my artist now. No take backsies. Even if you do turn into a nerd like auntie."
Ling Qi rolled her eyes and smiled. "I think I'd be doing pretty well to end up like Xin?"
"You wanna marry a crotchety fashion disaster?" Sixiang asked, screwing up their face in mock confusion.
"Not like that," Ling Qi replied, grimacing "But I mean, she's powerful, beautiful and smart and she isn't…"
Ling Qi thought of the burning radiance barely hidden by a mask of human flesh, and Renxiang screaming.
"...Yeah, Aunt Xin's not a bad goal to shoot for," Sixiang said quietly. They brightened up then. "Heh, still, maybe I should start going for a brighter wardrobe?"
"Please don't," Ling Qi said, making a face. Under their feet there was a tremendous rumble and everything shook. Parts of the maze city shook, and untold tonnes of debris and ruins spilled from the branch, raining down into the impenetrable mist below. Meanwhile the direction of the burrowing beast changed, its path curving away from the dark tangle of manors and buildings where her compass still pointed.
"Seems like this is our stop," Ling Qi said. But in the distance she saw a rising shadow, for the first time, she got a glimpse of the silhouette of the behemoth's head. It was wide, with a blunt snout and a thick neck. For a moment, she remembered the sound of insects crawling over each other, and the sight of regenerating flesh stirring with verminous life in a cave deep under the earth. She saw a flash of bright jade green, the opening of one of the creatures tremendous eyes as it fell upon them for only a moment.
It made her think of her little brother.
She shook her head as she leapt off drifting like a leaf on the rising wind as she floated toward the mountainous pile of twisted construction. Whatever it was, it was a reflection, and... Not what she was here for, right now.
In her hands, the compass was aglow, casting light on her face, but Ling Qi didn't notice at first, because there at the end of an long open hall that descended into the face of the debris mountain she saw something floating in the air, casting a faint golden glow in the darkness. It was the dream idol, and light now glowed in slim crescents from beneath still closed eyelids. For a moment Ling Qi felt the urge to begin walking down the hallway.
On her shoulder, Sixiang sucked in a breath. "Oi, get outta here!"
At the muse's shout the idol winked out, and Ling Qi felt more than heard the distorted laughter echoing up from the tunnel as if from a thousand thousand voices.
"What was that," Ling Qi hissed.
"...That's nightmare territory down there, where the dreams have… curdled," Sixiang seemed a little unsure of her terminology. "I don't think you want to contend with a whole swarm of those things in their home territory yet."
Ling Qi pursed her lips and glanced down, the compass was pointing to the right, down a vine lined path made of decaying roofs and awnings
She took the path downwards instead. It wound down the piled structures, which were here intermixed with earth and trees and more natural objects, but still predominantly human structures. Soon it turned inward, under an archway of mixed greenery and masonry. It looked terribly unstable, but Ling Qi felt no fear for its collapse. She found more hesitation in the pits that marked the floor, filled with a darkness her eyes could not see through and whispers of cruel laughter that put her hair on end.
She stepped carefully around those, and Sixiang's glare dispersed the things that tried to crawl into her shadow. It was hard to track how long she spent walking down the corridor as it bent and twisted inside. There were splits in the path but at each one, she followed the compass.
Finally, it opened out into a wide hall. Unlike the rest of the dingy, detritus ridden labyrinth it was brightly lit with a roof composed of living branches. Here there were three wide tables laden with food and drink. The tables thronged with activities, dozens upon dozens of men and women filled their benches and spilled across the floor, laughing and dancing. Their skin was ruddy, and their hair black or brown, and from each of their temples rose swept back horns.
The sound of the place struck her like a physical force as she crossed some unseen threshold. Music, laughter and merriment. In the center of the floor a pair of athletic men, stripped to the waist wrestled and laughed cheered on by those around. On the right a pair of women alternated in belting out lines of lyrical poetry, in clear competition.
The head of the table bore an empty throne of vines and wicker.
No one looked up as she entered, the music wasn't interrupted and no guardians stepped forth. As Ling Qi passed by a small knot of revelers on the periphery they nodded to her as if she belonged.
And for a moment, she felt like she did. After all, this was the grand harvest celebration and the great lord had invited all of the blood to celebrate in his halls a successful year in both campaign and harvest. Where else would she belong? Now was the time to make merry and cast away fear till the morrow!
Ling Qi shuddered and shook herself casting off the layer of 'other' which had almost consumed her thoughts. She became aware of Sixiang shouting in her ear then, and realized that she had already taken a seat at the nearest table, a half filled cup of some kind of grain alcohol was grasped in her hand.
"Sorry, that hit me quicker than I expected," Ling Qi said warily. She cast a look at her neighbors but none seemed to have been alerted by her breaking the spell.
"Don't worry me like that, you'd already started to grow horns for goodness sake," Sixiang huffed.
Ling Qi's hand rose to her temple, but she felt nothing. Still she doubted Sixiang was lying. "I'll be more careful," she murmured.
She scanned the room, considering her next action. The compass was no further help. It had returned to spinning lazily. She could simply participate in the revel, she was on her guard now. Who knew what she might be able to learn here… on the other hand. It did worry her how easily she had fallen under the spell. And the more she looked the more she was certain that these were not merely echoes,but spirits wearing them like scarves.
The problem was the entrance she had come in by was now gone. The only door remaining stood half open behind the empty throne. it felt familiar though, causing her to recall lapping black waters a skull and black flowers.
[] Enjoy the revel, and mingle with the echoes of the long dead and the dream spirits which might wear their faces. (Gain location access, The Fantasian Revel)
[] Make for the door, and find what lies behind the throne. (Gain location access, The Shattered Gaol.)
Minimum Number 40.
Rolled 50
+50 Grinning XP
Rolled 50
+50 Grinning XP
Her feet struck the moving scales with a hard crack, and for the first time in awhile, Ling Qi felt the vibration of impact shooting up her legs, forcing her to bend her knees to absorb the force. She skidded backward, the soft soles of her shoes sliding along the scales as if they were polished marble.The wind from the creatures movement shoved her backward as well, resisting any attempt to control it. It was only as she neared the downward curve of the creatures back that she managed to hook her fingers into the seam between two scales.
There teetering on the edge of a fall into the chaotic ruins below, she finally stopped, wind whipping at her hair and clothes, and laughed.
"Well, your definitely getting in the spirit of things!" Sixiang laughed, and only then did Ling Qi realize the muse had a grip on one of her sleeves. Sixiang was weightless, and flapped freely behind her like a wind sock on a festival day. As she glanced back, the muse shimmered and shrunk, scrambling up onto her shoulder, no bigger than any of the infant faeries she had seen.
"Going to make me walk for you?" Ling Qi asked archly, squinting ahead.
"Why not, I'm here for you, and I've been told walking is overrated," Sixiang shot back.
Ling Qi grumbled a bit and straightened up. With the initial impact, the tugging wind could no longer push her as long as she was careful of her steps and mindful of the smoothness of the scales under her feet. Moss and dirt clustered between the scales, providing just a bit of grip. She peered at her surroundings, the near modern construction whizzing past in her periphery and the beast under her feet. It wasn't a snake she realized. The back was too flat and wide, and deep in the detritus, she caught the churning of a stubby limb off to her right.
Ling Qi squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, and after a few seconds of careful consideration opened her mind to the dreams in the screaming wind.
My lord duke, the Li family will serve you faithfully always.The honor of being granted the three central passesis more honor than this humble one could possibly deserve.
Miserable bloated parasites crouching in their web. It is we who should rule the Emerald Seas. If only the other clans could see past their own miserable selfishness, we would be free of their yoke.
Ling QI shuddered, feeling resentment and murderous intent slither across her mind like dripping tar.
Not only have the barbarians been driven off with few casualties my lords, but the Li clan's physicians have further refined our arts, and we freely tribute our newest methods. Even flesh and bone may be a canvas for the incomparable artisans of Hui now. Together our glory will be everlasting.
Miserable jackals, growing fat off the labors of our hands and our minds. When was it last that any Hui had walked the battlefield? Faced the barbarian? No, if they had ever deserved it, they are unworthy of Xiangmen's throne my bretheren. Contact with the Patriarch Wu has been established, and we are certain that we have evaded the webs. Of the southern lords, only the Chu's disposition is unknown. I am wary to contact a man who so clearly dotes upon his Hui spouse.
Her eyes opened a crack, and she saw out of the corner of her eye, the black silhouette of a mountain lay in the distance, rising from a sea of yellow white debris. A great tunnel yawned through it's center, and for all that it was only stone, she felt like she stared into an open bleeding wound.
She let out a breath, contemplating those surface whispers and their implications. While it didn't much improve her opinions, it shifted the pieces in her head a little. The Hui's intransigence gained a patina of sensibility, from the coldest and most mechanical viewpoint.
Well assuming it was more than the whispers of madmen and radicals, imprinted long after their deaths.
Liminal Exploration Target Gained:
Bleeding Mountain.
Bleeding Mountain.
"You know, it's always been weird to me," Sixiang commented, jarring her from her thoughts with their sudden words. "Why did you go chase after the Hidden Moon before coming to Grandmother. "Was it just because of Auntie?"
Ling Qi pursed her lips as she continued to walk the path of the great behemoth's back. They had passed the churning leg's and reached the widest part of the scaly spine and ridges as tall as she rose , making her weave through the angular forest of scales. "I think it was at first," Ling Qi said quietly. "It just seemed… ungrateful, not to give her some due. Even now I still just like her you know?"
"I get it, but you have to admit its kinda flimsy to hang a third of your cultivation on," Sixiang said, pinching her ear with tiny fingers. Ling Qi grimaced and swatted at them, causing the muse to cry out and tumble from her shoulder, only to appear on the other.
"You're not wrong," Ling Qi admitted grudgingly. "But, I think I'm starting to get it now, and I understand why I didn't before. The Hidden Moon is the second born of the eight, isn't she?"
"That depends on who you ask," Sixiang said curiously, cocking their head to the side. "What's it matter?"
Ling Qi hummed to herself, listening to the whistling whispers that rushed by. "I never really left Tonghou, you know? Not for the longest time."
Sixiang remained silent, letting her talk.
"Even as I got stronger, as I made friends with meizhen, fought nobles, learned from spirits, even when I swore myself to the Cai, I hadn't left yet. My mind was still back there, spending every moment panicking about how I'd survive the next day," Ling Qi mused. "I'm not quite sure when that changed, but once it did there was room for other things. I think that's why the Hidden Moon was second. Once you know you can survive, the first question you start to ask is 'why'. That's important to humans I think, asking 'why'."
She stopped in her tracks, closing her eyes. "I started asking that question more, and now, I don't think I want to stop."
"Heh, look at you getting all philosophical," Sixiang whispered. "You know, I'm not supposed to do that, ask 'why'. I've already existed way longer than most muses spend in one identity. It's weird to have a past and a future, you know? It hurts."
Ling Qi grimaced. "Sorry-"
"Nah, none of that. I'm the one who decided they'd stick with you," Sixiang dismissed airily. "You're my artist now. No take backsies. Even if you do turn into a nerd like auntie."
Ling Qi rolled her eyes and smiled. "I think I'd be doing pretty well to end up like Xin?"
"You wanna marry a crotchety fashion disaster?" Sixiang asked, screwing up their face in mock confusion.
"Not like that," Ling Qi replied, grimacing "But I mean, she's powerful, beautiful and smart and she isn't…"
Ling Qi thought of the burning radiance barely hidden by a mask of human flesh, and Renxiang screaming.
"...Yeah, Aunt Xin's not a bad goal to shoot for," Sixiang said quietly. They brightened up then. "Heh, still, maybe I should start going for a brighter wardrobe?"
"Please don't," Ling Qi said, making a face. Under their feet there was a tremendous rumble and everything shook. Parts of the maze city shook, and untold tonnes of debris and ruins spilled from the branch, raining down into the impenetrable mist below. Meanwhile the direction of the burrowing beast changed, its path curving away from the dark tangle of manors and buildings where her compass still pointed.
"Seems like this is our stop," Ling Qi said. But in the distance she saw a rising shadow, for the first time, she got a glimpse of the silhouette of the behemoth's head. It was wide, with a blunt snout and a thick neck. For a moment, she remembered the sound of insects crawling over each other, and the sight of regenerating flesh stirring with verminous life in a cave deep under the earth. She saw a flash of bright jade green, the opening of one of the creatures tremendous eyes as it fell upon them for only a moment.
It made her think of her little brother.
She shook her head as she leapt off drifting like a leaf on the rising wind as she floated toward the mountainous pile of twisted construction. Whatever it was, it was a reflection, and... Not what she was here for, right now.
Liminal Exploration Target gained:
Burrowing Behemoth
Burrowing Behemoth
In her hands, the compass was aglow, casting light on her face, but Ling Qi didn't notice at first, because there at the end of an long open hall that descended into the face of the debris mountain she saw something floating in the air, casting a faint golden glow in the darkness. It was the dream idol, and light now glowed in slim crescents from beneath still closed eyelids. For a moment Ling Qi felt the urge to begin walking down the hallway.
On her shoulder, Sixiang sucked in a breath. "Oi, get outta here!"
At the muse's shout the idol winked out, and Ling Qi felt more than heard the distorted laughter echoing up from the tunnel as if from a thousand thousand voices.
"What was that," Ling Qi hissed.
"...That's nightmare territory down there, where the dreams have… curdled," Sixiang seemed a little unsure of her terminology. "I don't think you want to contend with a whole swarm of those things in their home territory yet."
Ling Qi pursed her lips and glanced down, the compass was pointing to the right, down a vine lined path made of decaying roofs and awnings
Liminal Exploration target gained
Nightmare of the Long Knives:
Extreme Danger. Recommended Dreamwalker Skill of 10
Nightmare of the Long Knives:
Extreme Danger. Recommended Dreamwalker Skill of 10
She took the path downwards instead. It wound down the piled structures, which were here intermixed with earth and trees and more natural objects, but still predominantly human structures. Soon it turned inward, under an archway of mixed greenery and masonry. It looked terribly unstable, but Ling Qi felt no fear for its collapse. She found more hesitation in the pits that marked the floor, filled with a darkness her eyes could not see through and whispers of cruel laughter that put her hair on end.
She stepped carefully around those, and Sixiang's glare dispersed the things that tried to crawl into her shadow. It was hard to track how long she spent walking down the corridor as it bent and twisted inside. There were splits in the path but at each one, she followed the compass.
Finally, it opened out into a wide hall. Unlike the rest of the dingy, detritus ridden labyrinth it was brightly lit with a roof composed of living branches. Here there were three wide tables laden with food and drink. The tables thronged with activities, dozens upon dozens of men and women filled their benches and spilled across the floor, laughing and dancing. Their skin was ruddy, and their hair black or brown, and from each of their temples rose swept back horns.
The sound of the place struck her like a physical force as she crossed some unseen threshold. Music, laughter and merriment. In the center of the floor a pair of athletic men, stripped to the waist wrestled and laughed cheered on by those around. On the right a pair of women alternated in belting out lines of lyrical poetry, in clear competition.
The head of the table bore an empty throne of vines and wicker.
No one looked up as she entered, the music wasn't interrupted and no guardians stepped forth. As Ling Qi passed by a small knot of revelers on the periphery they nodded to her as if she belonged.
And for a moment, she felt like she did. After all, this was the grand harvest celebration and the great lord had invited all of the blood to celebrate in his halls a successful year in both campaign and harvest. Where else would she belong? Now was the time to make merry and cast away fear till the morrow!
Ling Qi shuddered and shook herself casting off the layer of 'other' which had almost consumed her thoughts. She became aware of Sixiang shouting in her ear then, and realized that she had already taken a seat at the nearest table, a half filled cup of some kind of grain alcohol was grasped in her hand.
"Sorry, that hit me quicker than I expected," Ling Qi said warily. She cast a look at her neighbors but none seemed to have been alerted by her breaking the spell.
"Don't worry me like that, you'd already started to grow horns for goodness sake," Sixiang huffed.
Ling Qi's hand rose to her temple, but she felt nothing. Still she doubted Sixiang was lying. "I'll be more careful," she murmured.
She scanned the room, considering her next action. The compass was no further help. It had returned to spinning lazily. She could simply participate in the revel, she was on her guard now. Who knew what she might be able to learn here… on the other hand. It did worry her how easily she had fallen under the spell. And the more she looked the more she was certain that these were not merely echoes,but spirits wearing them like scarves.
The problem was the entrance she had come in by was now gone. The only door remaining stood half open behind the empty throne. it felt familiar though, causing her to recall lapping black waters a skull and black flowers.
[] Enjoy the revel, and mingle with the echoes of the long dead and the dream spirits which might wear their faces. (Gain location access, The Fantasian Revel)
[] Make for the door, and find what lies behind the throne. (Gain location access, The Shattered Gaol.)
I'm torn on this choice but leaning towards gaol.
was the Li clan that was mentioned Li Suyin's clan? they used to be a cultivator clan, right?
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] Enjoy the revel, and mingle with the echoes of the long dead and the dream spirits which might wear their faces. (Gain location access, The Fantasian Revel)
My initial feeling is to deepen our understanding of the revel, but I'm prepared to be persuaded to visit the spooky pond.
Danger? Gimme! It feels like it's been forever since LQ was actually in danger.
My initial feeling is to deepen our understanding of the revel, but I'm prepared to be persuaded to visit the spooky pond.
Danger? Gimme! It feels like it's been forever since LQ was actually in danger.
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NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[] Enjoy the revel, and mingle with the echoes of the long dead and the dream spirits which might wear their faces. (Gain location access, The Fantasian Revel)
[X] Make for the door, and find what lies behind the throne. (Gain location access, The Shattered Gaol.)
Mmm, I really want to go for the Revel so LQ ups her social game, but is true that the weilu skeleton has a very old build-up.
[X] Make for the door, and find what lies behind the throne. (Gain location access, The Shattered Gaol.)
Mmm, I really want to go for the Revel so LQ ups her social game, but is true that the weilu skeleton has a very old build-up.
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
A cultivator clan of doctors, no less... until her grandfathers' cultivation was shattered in punishment for some betrayal... which would likely have occurred during the reign of the Hui, yes.
[] Enjoy the revel, and mingle with the echoes of the long dead and the dream spirits which might wear their faces. (Gain location access, The Fantasian Revel)
Yeah, we even saw her using the art mentioned
Ugh, I really do not like this vote. We got two interesting options but: One of them have had clear narrative presence before with some build up. And that makes me worried.
Because in the case where we dont pick that option there is a high chance that that plotline will just die out as soon many others and just get edited out of later versions of the story. Yrs got a habit of doing that a lot.
- Location
- the internet
He's gotten better about it. I think Ling Qi will be putting herself less directly in harms way. Perhaps she would be walking directly into the dream location of his prison. "Shattered Gaol" sounds like his prison has been damage. Worrisome.
Point is, either way I think we'll encounter him on some level. One might just be less so.
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Diomedea
A piece of the continent
- Location
- The interblag
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Li Suyin's art and grandfather is from the maternal line, and her name is from her father (who is from a mortal clan)
Her name is not from the former counts. Now, if a former count Li clan married into a mortal Li clan for some reason, that's a separate matter.
that is true. It still feel like too much of a coincidence to not have some connection
No the mountain is associated with the Li clan according to Yrs on Discord, the behemoth seems to be somehow related to Zhengui's mom.
Quote from Yrs on Discord:
Anyways, lovely update and I really wanna see how this skeleton plotline goes so:
[X] Make for the door, and find what lies behind the throne. (Gain location access, The Shattered Gaol.)
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