46 - Interlude 4

The Patriarch of the Green Mountain sect sat in his office thinking over the multiple reports he had just received. He knew that the founder would also have received the same reports. He wondered how long it would be until the Founder just dropped by to catch up, or worse sent for him. It would depend on how he reacted to the details.

His musings were disturbed as the door to his office was opened and the Founder entered. The Patriarch let out an internal sigh. At least he was not in trouble for the direction things were moving.

“Greetings Founder,” he said politely. “What brings you to my office?”

“Oh no need to be so formal, boy,” said the Founder dismissively. “You are not in any trouble. If anything, the situation has amused me.”

“Oh, and which one was that?” asked the Patriarch, adopting a much more casual tone now that he knew he was not in trouble.

“You really think they are separate?” asked the Founder with a smirk.

“You aren’t telling me that they are all the same situation,” asked a now very surprised Patriarch.

“That slip of a girl sure is causing chaos,” replied the Founder. “And much faster than even I had anticipated.”

“So you're telling me,” said the Patriarch. “That in such a short period of time, she has managed to set up her own kingdom, get the cooperation of multiple ministries, set up her own guild, annoy the nobles, start school, make friends, purchase businesses and start work on her own plans? Just how is that even possible?”

“You forgot to add, started cultivating,” chortled the Founder. “At this rate I expect her to ignite her dantian soon. At that point who and what she is will be apparent to all and sundry.”

“So your assumption was right?” asked the Patriarch. “She really has divine roots?”

“I will let you into one of the biggest secrets there is,” said the Founder, now very serious. “Revealing this would be considered treason of the highest order. Ensure you never repeat it. If it was not for this situation, I would not have told you until you were much stronger.”

“I vow to the heavens not to reveal what you tell me,” intoned the Patriarch.

The founder nodded his approval and continued. “What we call spirit roots is not actually accurate,” he said. “In reality, our compatibility to qi stems from how well our souls are aligned with our bodies. Most people don’t have the required alignment to be able to absorb qi at all. Even as the compatibility increases, the qi that is absorbed is turbid. It brings with it the impurities that exist in the spiritual realm. The better the alignment, the purer qi is absorbed, and the less impurities that come along for the ride. This is why those with purer spirit roots can absorb qi faster and advance quicker. It’s also why they need less alchemical help to purify their bodies.”

“But why is there a disconnect at all?” asked the Patriarch.

“We think it is because of the wheel of reincarnation.” said the Founder. “As a soul goes through the cycle, it is cleansed of memories and karmic ties, then sent to the next available baby being conceived. Of course, as there is no connection between the body, dependent on the parents, and the soul, sent out from the wheel of samsara, the connection is forced rather than natural.”

“So to get higher compatibility is a matter of luck?” asked the Patriarch. This whole idea was turning his understanding on its head. “Then why do we choose nobility based on the quality of spirit roots?”

“Well mostly,” said the Founder. “There are ways, very expensive ways that take lifetimes to plan and implement, to increase the compatibility between the body and soul. This cannot be done after conception, so there is no way to fix the issue if the procedure fails. The techniques must be implemented again and again, some of it still based on timing and luck, as all things are. As to why we choose nobles based on this, that is simple. Those with better spirit roots will be stronger. The strong don’t like to listen to the weak. We are at a state of constant war, we can ill afford to have civil strife on top. It was just easier to allow those with the ability to become strong fastest to rule, and then restrict them by duty and societal convention.”

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“So it was not always like this?” asked the Patriarch. “So why do we allow noble families?”

“No, we have always had nepotism,” said the Founder. “It would lead to the weak ruling families being overthrown and replaced. Now, we still have nepotism, but strength alone rules. So a family’s status changes based on the power of its members. If a low noble family can produce a scion with strong spirit roots, then their standing will rise. Still, just the roots are not enough. They will also need to show the ability to play politics and accrue wealth in addition to personal strength. Potential is not enough. That strength must be brought to bear, and against those of equal standing. Crushing the weak will only showcase the lack of character.”

“And who enforces these standards?” asked the Patriarch. He was left dumbfounded by how little he understood about the very society he protected.

“That used to be done by a council of elders,” said the Founder. “It is more tradition than anything else now, but due to constant war, we are limited in what can be done. Still the heads of the old houses all know that if they do not follow the precepts, someone like me will come along and deal with their line.”

“So that is why you find the situation amusing,” said the Patriarch. “Our little foundling is following the precepts without even realising it.”

“No, there is no way to get perfect synergy between the body and soul,” said the Founder. “Not a process that is within the grasp of us mortals at least.”

“So how do you reach perfection?” asked the Patriarch. “Surely it has happened before.”

“Well one is pure luck,” said the Founder. “By simple chance a soul that absolutely fits the body finds each other. The other is direct interference by one of the elder gods.”

“Elder gods?” asked the Patriarch. “I have read books that mention them, but never in any detail.”

“That is because our gods do not like them being mentioned,” said the Founder. “The gods are the ones that manage the local worlds. The elder gods are the very rules themselves. They need no worship or veneration. Creation exists because they do.”

“So either little Sa Bina is the luckiest person in the world,” said the Patriarch. “Or she has been directly blessed by one of the most powerful beings to exist?”

“In either case, she would be the luckiest person in the world,” said the Founder. “Getting the blessing is harder than getting lucky. It also means we are going to face the winds of destiny. In everything, there has to be balance. Even the actions of the elder gods are not without consequence.”

“How do you even know all of this?” asked the Patriarch.

“There are secret histories,” replied the Founder. “Preserved by those of us who reach the highest levels of mortal power. It is also why those of us who reach such heights travel across the world.”

“That is indeed a lot,” said the Patriarch. “Though that does not answer why you find the situation amusing.”

“She is an agent of chaos, of change,” said the Founder. “The last time this happened, it changed the way the whole world worked. It is rumoured that the last person with divine roots did not like the infighting amongst the sentient races. So they found a way to change the very cycle of qi itself to give us an enemy to unite against. Unfortunately, good intentions do not always lead to good results. I am sure you have heard the curse, may you live in interesting times. Well these are sure to be the most interesting of times.”

“And so all the things she had accidentally set into motion,” said the Patriarch. “They are just a precursor to the chaos she will usher in?”

“That remains to be seen,” said the Founder. “That is why we wait and watch. We will only step in if her very life is in danger. Otherwise, we will see what happens. It is best not to meddle with fate.”

“But she will know none of this,” said the Patriarch. “If even I had no inkling, then how will she? Also will the older noble house not recognise what she is too?”

“Some will,” replied the Founder. “It will remain to be seen who still follow the old precepts, and who want to set them aside. As for our Sa Bina, she must make her own way. Any who choose to interfere will also suffer the whims of chaos. She still has some time. Until her dantian ignites, she will not be recognised by anyone not paying close attention.”

“What do you want me to tell our agents,” asked the Patriarch. “And what do I tell little Yin Ling. She has not been happy with the actions of the group calling themselves the cabal. She had been itching to be allowed to act.”

“Yes she always was impatient,” said the Founder. “Let her make those decisions, just warn her not to get too deeply involved. As for the agents, they are only there to keep Sa Bina alive. We have already given her sufficient help and support. If she can’t gain enough power by herself, then she is not worthy of holding the title. If threads of fate are changing, then she will have to bear that weight.”

“As for the cabal,” continued the Founder. “They have not yet broken the precepts, so we are not able to act. It will remain to be seen if they manage to tread that fine line, or if they will bring destruction down on themselves.”

So, thought the Patriarch, Sa Bina will have to navigate these treacherous waters by herself. He hoped she would not create any more waves, the ones she had already set in motion would be hard enough to deal with.