@yrsillar here's the third omake I've made, part three of the story I'm doing... Part one is
here and part two is
here. Hope everyone enjoys! ~~
Revelation: Zenith
"Baron Heng, I thank you for taking the time to see me." Heng Xun stood before Chao Bo, a tall, well-muscled man in the late green realm. He looked at Chao Bo with obvious impatience, heat radiating from his body. His gaze seemed to contain that same energy. Just the brief second of meeting Heng Xun's eyes was intimidating. His brown irises had rings of yellow that seemed to glow. Those eyes burrowed into Chao Bo like the light of day itself. Chao Bo bowed low, shielding himself from the intensity.
Heng Xun looked down on him with haughty impatience. "I presume that you must have some important information, Chao Bo. You could have simply passed a message to me through one of my subordinates but you requested to see me in person. So, stand and speak your piece," said the retainer of Lady Chen. "I do not have all day."
Chao Bo nodded nervously, standing straight and wiping sweat from his brow. He cleared his throat, feeling incredibly small before the powerful Sun cultivator. "Y-yes, sir. You see, I have found a child who shows great promise as a cultivator. Specifically, I believe she could become a formation specialist like the ones whose works decorate the beautiful halls of this home." He gestured around them, to the foyer in which they stood. The mansion's foyer was lined with decadent gold surfaces, polished enough to show reflections of the two men. The ground was lined with plush, velvet red carpeting and the walls decorated with various tapestries and paintings.
All the artwork showcased scenes with the various aspects of Sun, displaying brilliant hues of golden yellow, vermillion, crimson, ochre, burnt orange and scarlet. The scenes, of blinding dawns, dusky sunsets and everything in between, beckoned at him from the corner of his eye. He carefully did not look at the breathtaking works, lest he become entranced by them. He knew it was easier for him to resist the temptation in his peripheral view than it usually would be, since Heng Xun's aura was commanding his full attention.
"One of the few artists whose works become security formations for the homes of nobility? As good fortune as it is to find such rare talent, that does not seem like such a pressing matter. Is that really all you called me here for?" His yellowish eyes narrowed, causing Chao Bo to break out in a cold sweat.
"No, Baron Heng. You see, it is not only her immense talent that I believe would be of interest to the Chen family."
Hastily, Chao Bo summarized the events that had led the girl to seek forgiveness before the altar of Dawn. As he described the reaction given by the Face of Dawn, Heng Xun's eyebrows rose. "I see. How interesting. The combination of Dawn's attention and this girl's incredible skill hints at great potential as a cultivator...and you requested to see me as a means of ensuring that my liege hears of this talent first. If you had passed the message through House Chen's general staff then another family member may have snapped up this promising young talent."
Chao Bo nodded. He was confident that Chen Mei and her subordinates would be both fair and firm teachers for Lai Meixiu. At Heng Xun's prompting, he provided the information and whereabouts of the Lai family.
"Very well. I will pass this information along to my lady. Wait here and I will return shortly with her response."
Heng Xun left him waiting in the foyer, ascending a grand spiraling staircase at the end of the hall. Chao Bo shifted nervously and looked at the floor. He forced himself not to look at the artwork on the walls. He knew that the formations hidden in each painting was arranged to give a certain effect. The paint itself was saturated with different types of qi, thus providing an alluring quality to each work...and to think, these were only the paintings the Chen family would deign to show lowly Red cultivators like himself. He knew that in the depths of the mansion, there were masterpieces that would put all of these works to shame.
Chao Bo let out a weary sigh. Coming to the Chens' home always made him feel distinctly uncomfortable.
"Meixiu, stop fidgeting and and fix your dress," Lai Shui ordered sternly. He fixed his daughter with an equally stern gaze, until she had straightened out her appearance enough to be acceptable. He ran his hand through his slicked back hair, tugged at the collar of his dress shirt and nervously looked around the apartment. It was as clean as it had ever been but he could not find himself to be satisfied. When Chao Bo had come back the previous day and told him of an impending visit from an immortal, Lai Shui could scarcely believe his ears. Apparently Lai Meixiu's wondrous artistic skill was of some interest to the immortal Chen family.
Immortal nobles. He paced nervously by the front door.
Chao Bo assured him that the individual who would be visiting was only a representative of the Chen family and not an actual noble. This did not do much to ease Lai Shui's nerves. For one thing, Chao Bo still refused to state exactly who he was. Lai Shui knew he had to be someone of import, to communicate with immortal nobility so quickly. However, when he pressed the question, Chao Bo simply became uncomfortable and shifted to a different topic.
Lai Shui looked at his young daughter. Her long black hair was combed, her pale skin scrubbed clean. She frowned at the floor, a confused expression on her thin face. When Meixiu had asked him why an immortal was coming to visit their home, he did not know how to explain the situation. However, he managed to convey the importance of her behaving herself. She stood still, hands clasped behind her back and waited with him for their guests to arrive.
Lai Shui glanced at his wife who, as usual, was still and silent in her rocking chair. Her eyes were blank and hollow, as always. He let out a heavy sigh as he looked at Nuo. What was he to do with her? Leave her here, as a tragic topic waiting to be discussed? Lai Shui could not help but feel that her presence was a clear representation of their misfortune. How could he--
There was a rap on the door. Lai Shui felt himself tense. Well, there was nothing else to be done now. He looked at Meixiu, who had clearly picked up on his apprehension. She looked at him, puzzled and anxious. He took a breath and opened the door. Before him were Chao Bo and a young man dressed in fine clothes. Immediately, his status as an immortal was made apparent to Lai Shui's senses. The air around him seemed to have the slightest dusky hue to it and his outline was a bit blurred. Lai Shui bowed low.
"Welcome to our home, good sir. You honor us with your presence." He stood to the side and held the door open for them. The noble entered first, stepping inside with inherent grace. Chao Bo followed. The young man, no older than a teenager, nodded to Lai Shui. "Yes, hello and well met, Lai Shui and Lai Meixiu." He gave a small smile to Meixiu, who looked at him with awe and bewilderment. "My name is Qiu Min and I am a representative of the Shen clan."
"Why are you…" Lai Meixiu trailed off and then stepped forward, pointing to the slightly blurred edge of his arm. "...Fuzzy?"
Lai Shui felt his cheeks redden. "I beg your pardon, sir--"
"It is no trouble." Qiu Min cut him off, in a firm but polite tone. He smiled, seeming to simply be amused at Lai Meixiu's lack of manners. "If you do not mind, I would like to speak to Lai Meixiu, to explain the situation to her--specifically the opportunities before her."
"W-well, of course," Lai Shui said, taken aback. He had not known what he was expecting but it was not that. He was about to offer the man refreshment or perhaps some food, he had spent money to ensure that the house was well stocked. However, he had been dismissed before he could even offer--it seemed the man had come to speak with his child, not him.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked around at Chao Bo, who looked back at him with a meaningful gaze.
"Let us give them some time to discuss matters," he said quietly. He gestured for Lai Shui to follow him to the other room. Lai Shui obliged, looking over his shoulder at his daughter. Qiu Min had knelt down to be at eye level with Lai Meixiu. He was speaking to her in low tones, while she looked fascinated.
Lai Shui had to admit, this immortal did not act the way he expected. Someone with his status could not be used to seeing slums like this neighborhood or small...
modest homes like this one. He also did not say one word about Nuo...he guessed that Chao Bo had told these nobles about her condition.
Lai Shui looked back at Chao Bo, a man who claimed to be a simple caretaker for the nearby temple--and yet clearly had connections with powerful individuals. He bowed. "Chao Bo, I do not mean to be impertinent but I must ask for a full explanation. Why is an immortal family interested in my daughter? How were you able to contact them so quickly?"
Chao Bo coughed awkwardly. "Please do not bow to me, there is no need...I suppose I owe you an explanation though.
There was an awkward pause. Lai Shui waited.
"Well, though I am not at all powerful, I am technically an immortal as well." Lai Shui startled and began to bow. Chao Bo held up a hand.
"
Please, there is no need for that. I am sure you know that many of the city guard are low level cultivators--I have always disliked the term 'immortals'--and some of them are such low level that a mortal cannot usually tell...well unless those individuals broadcast their status," he said disdainfully. "I have always resented that attitude. In truth, cultivators like me are only guaranteed to have a healthy,
regular lifespan. The term immortals is quite inappropriate for us.
"Among cultivator groups, the term for individuals of such low status and power is Red realm. I was never able to push my body to the limits required for further cultivation--and frankly, I did not care to. When discovering my calling to the Great Sun Spirit, I felt humbled by the magnificence of Sun, of Light spirits and their cousin-spirits of Life. I was more than satisfied to devote my life to their greatness. I never felt a drive to move forward in cultivation. Without that drive, one cannot attain much more power. I have never regretted my choice to leave the Sect. I would like you to treat me as your equal, Lai Shui. While I know that officially, this is not the case, I would be more comfortable that way."
There was a moment of silence as Lai Shui absorbed this information. "Okay," he said slowly. "That does not explain why you seem to work for Lady Chen now."
Chao Bo nodded. "Yes, well...I was sent to the Sect when I was a teenager and crossed paths with Lady Chen Mei. Though I was of little use to her in the Sect, she later learned that I had left to attend a local Sun temple here in the Alabaster Sands region. After her time in the Sect was over, Lady Chen had been assigned by her Viscount family to rule over this area--and she wished to keep an eye on the local populace. She recruited me with this in mind. I regularly send her subordinates reports if there is anything to tell. It also gives me some ability to help the locals and be useful to those in need."
"Huh," Lai Shui looked at him thoughtfully. "So you're like a spy."
Chao Bo cringed. "I am not a
spy. I am simply a humble caretaker for our neighborhood's Sun temple. Really…"
Lai Shui looked at him askance and Chao Bo seemed to shrink from his gaze. "Regardless, you said you were sent to the Sect. That implies that you were from a family of
some prominence, to be sent to the school where immortals are made…"
"Yes well, it doesn't really matter which family I originally came from. You see, prominent families often expect the children they send to the Sect to pursue greatness, on behalf of the family. My lack of personal ambition was, to put it lightly, a great disappointment to them. So they disowned me." Chao Bo shrugged, his lips quirking into a smile. "So much the better for me, having been given the freedom to do as I wished."
"...I see. So now that I finally know who you really are, what about my daughter?"
Chao Bo nodded. "Well you see, recently there has been a demand among the highest ranking clans of cultivators, a demand for a certain commodity. This commodity only became popular a few hundred years ago. The Shen clan is actually one of the originators...It is rather difficult to explain to a mortal," Chao Bo paused.
"I want you to imagine a painting so realistic that it draws you into the scene. You forget where you are or your current circumstances--all you know is the scene before you. Some cultivators, who happen to be talented visual artists, are able to create such masterpieces--ones so powerful that viewers are entranced. These cultivators combine their abilities as 'immortals' with their artistic talent. Some nobles like to use this artwork as security formations for their home--intruders are practically caught inside an illusion that the painting creates. However, cultivators who are both powerful enough and artistic enough to produce such works are rare indeed. Your daughter could become such a rarity."
"But…" Lai Shui looked at him, flummoxed. "I see how my daughter may have the potential to become an accomplished artist. But an
immortal?..."
Chao Bo gave him a small smile. "Look, I won't go into the details as to why some people become cultivators and others do not. However, let me remind you that when your daughter asked Dawn for forgiveness at the Sun temple, the Morning Sun did more than just forgive her...She made her presence explicitly known. Since I was the only one there who could recognize this, I believe the Face of Dawn wished me to notice and take action. She could have forgiven Lai Meixiu in passing but Dawn wished to show me that she was paying close attention to this child. I believe she is interested in the girl's future."
Lai Shui stared at him, dumbfounded. "But...what could an aspect of a Great Spirit want with Lai Meixiu? She's just a mortal child, a commoner."
"Who knows what the Great Spirits wish for, what they plan?" Chao Bo countered. His smile grew wider and he clapped Lai Shui on the shoulder. "Why don't we simply accept our blessings and good fortune, rather than question them?"
"Papa!" Lai Meixiu ran up to her father and away from Qiu Min. "Qiu Min wants to introduce me to the family he works for! Some of them are artists and they wanna teach me stuff! They're also gonna show me some of what they do. Isn't that cool?! I wanna go! I can go, right?"
Meixiu looked up at him, her small face alight with excitement. Her wide, brown eyes shone with eagerness and she bounced on the balls of her feet. Lai Shui sighed. No one had been able to teach her any art since her mother's...condition started. He did not understand how this opportunity involving
immortals came to be but really...how could he say no?
Gonna lock this up in about an hour