“You mentioned that you had the territory mapped. I know that was just a cursory pass to map land features, but did they find anything significant?” I asked.

I was going to agree to her request.

With her leaving the island and the chances of her returning slim, there was no downside in accepting. The fact that Clan Meiyo would be paying for and building a city, a city that they would find the population to live in, was the only disadvantage I could think of, and that was as much a boon as it was a disadvantage.

Sure, I would have to govern people that might be the least valuable available, but that wasn’t any different than what the Emperor had done with his forced migration of hundreds of thousands.

I didn’t think Clan Meiyo’s honor would allow them to build a sub-standard city, as well as to populate it with the dredges of society, but I would need to guard against it. I would have my people inspect the city as it was built and interview each Elf as they arrived.

Gwen handled most of that for me in Xiwang while I’d been busy in the Mystic Realm. I would put her and her people in charge of figuring out the skills and talents of this new set of immigrants when the time came.

I might even make Gwen the city leader. I would have to discuss that with Gwen and see if it was something she wanted.

I doubted that Clan Meiyo would offer prime real estate and business opportunities to entice some of the more talented people to immigrate. I would make sure that the more unsavory, a Lord Chon type of person, wasn’t hidden in the mix.

“The map mostly shows rivers, lakes, valleys, and some obvious ore deposits that can be found in the mountains. It also contains an architectural rendering of the city and where it will be constructed,” Yvonne explained.

“The biggest advantage of where the city will be built is that there will be a road constructed linking it to the Sect so that trade is easy.”

“The city will be located near the base of the mountain the Sect is located at?”

“Yes.

“The territory I selected abutted directly next to Mount Seia, the Sect’s home base. That hadn’t been intentional. It was simply the parcel of land available that included the area I felt most likely to house Kirin.”

“Strategically, It makes sense to establish a city in that location,” I agreed, “it will give the people and city some protection, and the Sect should prove to be steady trade partners. If we can find something the Sect needs and is willing to trade for it.”

“Food is always welcome,” Yvonne pointed out. “Fish the waters, grow spirit rice. The waters and land should be fertile enough and dense enough in Qi that any crop you grow will be high in quality. Especially if a few talented farmers and gardeners settle the town and can manage the Qi’s density.”

“And if the ore that your scout has discovered is worth mining, that could be another trade good,” I said in agreement. Although, if I were honest, any ore that might be mined would be offered for first purchase to my own territory’s professions.

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I wouldn’t do anything illegal or anything that might alienate the Sect, but since this territory would be controlled by me as a vassal state, there was no reason not to give my people preferred trade status.

As long as the price of goods sold or traded was reasonable, there was no reason not to take advantage of my connection and territory needs.

“I’d like you to reinvest my share of any profits for the first hundred years into the territory,” Yvonne added. “After that, you can deposit half of my share with the Sect and keep reinvesting the other half as long as the territory remains a vassal state.

“This agreement to tie us together and allow you to rule as Baron of my territory comes with one caveat. It only lasts as long as you maintain ownership of your own territory. If you decide to sell or trade your territory in the future, the vassalage will end, and I will find someone else to serve as custodian.”

“You don’t have any House or Clan members that might want the opportunity to build a virgin territory?” I asked.

“Not one I would trust to rule in the best interests of my territory or myself. I may never return to Delph Island, but I will gain some comfort from knowing that if I decide I need to, there will be a place for me.

“A safe harbor where I can spend my time studying the Kirin sanctuary.”

“Do you have issues with people attempting to bond with the Kirin?” I asked. I had no idea how fast a healthy colony would need to be protected when it was established. But I did know that all animals had a limit that could be sustained before they needed to expand and claim new territory- or fight to cull their own members.

“I would only ask that you wait until a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator examined the flock and gave their opinion on the health of the beasts. If they say it is safe to begin offering Beast Tamers the chance to bond, follow that Beast Tamer’s guidance as to how many can be selected and removed for the colony to remain healthy,” Yvonne replied.

We spent the hour drinking tea and chatting about Yvonne’s change in fate. It was hard not to sympathize with her, even though she never expressed by word or action that she was unsatisfied with how events unfolded.

I was willing to admit that I might be projecting- that I was interpreting emotions and regrets that might be nothing more than my own feelings. I retained too many of the democratic ideals I’d been raised with on Earth to see an arranged marriage, especially with the bride price that was being paid, as outdated.

I had always thought I’d been given this life at a disadvantage, with none of the connections or background the truly powerful enjoyed. But situations like this reminded me that there was much to be said for not having any ties that bound me to outdated ideals. And the responsibilities and duties of Clan, House, and Royalty could be onerous.

I was head of my own House.

I ruled my own Barony.

And soon, I would head my own Clan.

I had been given the title of Clan Head in the Mystic Realm. That title came with the documents, regalia, and heraldry that would allow me to re-establish that clan on this side of the Mystic Realm. And when I finished speaking with Yvonne, I would meet with the Hindel.

I had decided to appeal to the Hindel for the authority to restore the Clan I had looted. It wasn’t that I thought the Empire would deny my request, simply that they were already involved enough in my affairs.

There was no one to create alliances and form partnerships without my knowledge and consent, and I wanted to keep it that way. Not owing the Empire any favors would help.

The Empire had allowed me to claim Fief Myche. They had given me the title of Baron to rule my Fief. What they had given, they could take away, and I believed my territory would be safer if my Clan was approved and part of the Hindel Empire.

I would strive for balance, allowing each Empire some authority, but by dividing my allegiance, at least until I had a better understanding of which Empire I should devote myself and my people too, I would walk that fine line, straddling both.