Less than an hour later, Yu found herself without Bai and exposed to the capital of her empire for the first time. She was looking at everything through the window of their exceptionally luxurious flying carriage.
“Stop gaping like a naïve little girl!” her master ordered. “It is just another city.”
Yu couldn’t though. Everything was just so… much. She was in her first carriage, which was flying, over the biggest thing she had ever seen.
“Master, I’ve never even heard of anything like this, never mind seen with my own eyes.”
Having never been in another city besides her own, Yu had had no idea how small it really was. The moment she had stepped out of the Long estate, she was exposed to the “noble quarter” which was filled with what were in essence palaces, each bigger than her father’s.
As the city lord, he lived in the largest and most elaborate palace in her home city, but here in the capital, it was only the size of a moderate noble estate.
“As you have no doubt surmised by our carriage, transport methods throughout the city are regulated. As travel through a city this size could take days on foot, certain enhanced forms of transit are utilized by most cultivators. However, individual flight methods, such as the sword you were transported to the sect on, are strictly limited to certain individuals and circumstances. The guard, military personnel, and the imperial family for example.”
Yu was only half listening, distracted as she was by the sight of a place so big she couldn’t see the end of it, even though she was flying well above most of the buildings.
“How many people live here?”
“I believe the last census taken two hundred and seventy or so years ago stated the population was around one hundred twenty-five million.”
Yu couldn’t even process such a number.
“All those people in a single city,” she whispered. Then she added, “We only have three million at home.”
“Well, what did you expect? You home is a dry tub to this city’s pool.” Yu subconsciously nodded at that, realizing just how small her life had been. “Of course, as we previously discussed, this pool is itself only a drop in the ocean of larger empires and the like out in the wider world.”
“I can’t even imagine what that would look like.”
“You will be exposed one day,” he answered with confidence. “But we have more immediate concerns to discuss. You can tour the capital another time.”
They were passing over what Yu felt was some sort of market area with stalls, stores, and the like bustling with people walking, running, and bargaining with each other. With her enhanced vision, Yu watched as a large woman stomped her feet and gesticulated wildly to a short bald man across a cart of cabbages.
Everything went darker briefly as they crossed a shadow and she looked up to see a pagoda that must have been fifty floors in height. It towered over everything around it, showing off its splendor with detailed carvings of various plants and animals. Most telling, however, was the familiar eight-sided emblem, the tower behind a leaf of the Alchemists’ Association, that glowed brightly at the very top.
It was three times taller and at least twice as far around as the one in her home, which was just a normal boring pagoda. Yu didn’t know if she had ever seen a building that tall or eye-catching before. That was until they swept past it and exposed a building only a bit off in the distance. It was equally as large, but rather than the tower and leaf emblem, it had the familiar wrapped runes of the Enchanters’ Hall. Large weapons, armor, talismans and the like were the decorations chosen to show off its owners’ capabilities.
“Looks like they’re competing for ostentatiousness,” Yu muttered to herself.
“Because that is exactly what they are doing!” her master said shortly. “Everything in the central empire is a battle of status, power, and politics. Every family, clan, organization, group, and business are in a competition for prestige, money, and connections.” Then her master sighed. “It’s all such a bothersome waste of effort. Like ants fighting over a dropped grain of rice. Most of those blind buffoons are not even aware that there is a full bowl just above their heads. Nor of the boot of its eater capable of squashing their entire colony.”
Yu could detect real irritation in his voice, something rather rare. He nagged, insulted, aggravated, and belittled, well, everyone regularly. But it seldom was true aggravation. At the tone of his voice, she turned away from the window for the first time since getting in the carriage and looked to her master.
“Does it really bother you that much?” Yu asked with honest curiosity. “You never seem to care about that type of thing beyond how it gets in the way of your plans.”
He raised a finger. “Ah. And you have hit upon the point, disciple. All of this incessant infighting does indeed interfere. At best it causes me to modify my plans, adding extra steps to work around other people’s ambitions. At worst, I have to take major action, which draws attention to me and my plans – such as when I am forced to eliminate a clan for infiltrating my sect in an attempt to murder my pathetically weak disciple who is incapable of defending herself.”
Yu rolled her eyes.
Have to get an insult in there, don’t you? Just can’t stop yourself.
“Can I go into the spirit realm now?” Yu grumped to herself.
“What was that, disciple?”
“Nothing!” Yu said quickly.
“Yes, well, as I said, we have things to discuss that actually matter. Such as our next steps. I have certain goals I wish to accomplish prior to the tournament itself and unfortunately some of them involve you. First, we will present ourselves to the leaders of other major sects in this empire. It is a courtesy we tend to show each other on the extremely rare occasion we are all in the same place.”
“They aren’t busy, I don’t know, taking care of their sects? Or at least those here for the tournament?”
I know you’re utterly apathetic about your job, but they have to care, right?
“Of course not. They are present, as I am, representing themselves as a power and to present their disciples or apprentices or whatever. Their sects, like mine, are being represented by the leader of their outer sect level. Believe me, none of us would be here if we did not have to meet with the Imperial Family and the heads of the other great clans. Well, maybe one would. He seems to be less disinclined towards politics than the rest of us. But he’s also a weak loser, so that may explain it.
“Either way, you will likely be meeting with your peers, as will I. Try not to embarrass me. If I have to spend yet more time cleaning up your messes, it will derail even more of my plans. Rather than making fools of us, perhaps you could simply quietly stand there and speak as little as possible?”
Yu could swear he sounded hopeful with that last question.
Yu glared at him. “Or perhaps, you can tell me about these peers I’ll be meeting for the first time? You know, so I can have a clue!”
“No.” He waved idea away like it the most absurd thing he’d ever heard. “Anyway, after this meeting, which will likely take most of what remains of the day, you and I will return to the estate and conclude the evening. Tomorrow, we must present ourselves to the empire’s leaders. That will likely take the day as well. The following, however, you are welcome to spend time with your fellows in the sect doing whatever wasteful things you do. An escort of sufficient strength will be provided so I do not have to wallow in the presence of children.
“Thankfully, the tournament finally begins the day after, however the actual matches do not begin until after lunch. That morning is spent on various preparations. I am not entertaining questions, so sit quietly and mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming events.”
Yu glared even harder, but stayed silent and did what he said, especially considering she had absolutely no idea what to do.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
***
The meeting took place in an opulent restaurant, her master and his contemporaries apparently having reserved an entire floor. The first thing she saw when they stepped through the doorway, which had been manned and opened by a pair of bowing mortal servants, was that she was the only girl. All the sect masters and their disciples were men.
That fact was not so much of a surprise as it was a disappointment. She had hoped that perhaps there was a sect leader like Lady Song, the female elder of the Snow Mountaintop Sect she’d met years ago at her city tournament. Unfortunately, Yu had not gotten that lucky. It was just one of the truths of the Empire that women rarely ruled.
As someone who had absolutely no interest in ruling anything outside of herself, Yu didn’t actually care. In this case however, she just hoped none of the young men she was being forced to socialize with would feel negatively toward her because of because of her gender. Not that she couldn’t figure it out. She hadn’t spent a year with Grandma Huan and then another three leading a faction and fighting political powerful youths for nothing after all.
It was quickly obvious that each of the men present were wearing their sect robes. The variety had… not much variety. Honestly, upon initial inspection, it was almost as if they all wore the same robes, just different colors. One did have no sleeves, showing off massive tattooed muscular arms, but otherwise, they were dramatically uninteresting.
Is this a Gui Empire thing? All the big sects have to be boringly alike?
“Bingwen, you madman. You brough your famous little girl!” the gigantic sleeveless man nearly bellowed from the middle of the room.
Everyone present that hadn’t noticed they’d entered, turned to her and her master simultaneously. Inside, Yu cringed at the attention. Despite having stood in front of thousands at the sect and millions at home, having the focus of what were likely five of the top hundred strongest people in the entire empire along with their disciples – each likely a prodigy in their own right – staring at her, made her distinctly uncomfortable.
“Of course, of course!” her master declared happily, his unhinged mask back on. “No reason to yell, you know!” Then he looked curiously at the yeller, then at everyone else. “Do I know you?”
“Dear gods, Ching Ba, why did you engage him?” said an old man on the left. He had an obvious bald pate surrounded by short white hair and a neatly trimmed white beard without a mustache. His blue and gold robes had some sort of stylized fish emblem on the shoulder.
“Wait, are you getting engaged?” her master asked cheerily. “Congratulations! We should celebrate. Is that why we’re all here?”
“Ha ha ha! Wonderful! I do love a party. Let’s order some wine!” the earlier yeller called out.
“You are quite possibly the loudest person I know,” a fourth sect elder said snidely. He appeared middle-aged were he mortal with bright orange hair in a topknot. His robes were a nearly matching orange with silver accents and embossed with metallic-looking weapons. His face showed disdain when looking at everyone and everything, Yu included.
“Oh, don’t be a such an underripe mango, Ding Mo! You’re so stiff. Have some wine, it might loosen you up a bit,” yelled the yeller, sect master Ching Ba, Yu supposed.
“I’ll stick something—”
“Now now,” a new voice interrupted. This one seemed the youngest of the group, or at least the youngest-looking. He was also quite handsome, Yu thought. “Let’s try to stay civil, at least. What sort of example are we setting for our young charges?”
“Who are you?” her master turned around and asked the yeller again. “When did you get here? I know we haven’t met before, I definitely would remember someone so loud.”
“Damnit, Bingwen!” sect master Ching Ba yelled even louder despite being so close he rattled Yu’s eardrums.
The young-looking one sighed loudly and walked closer to Yu. “It always turns out this way when us old codgers get together. Some are boisterous, some quiet, and some suck in their ways, while others push for change. And then there’s…” he looked at her master who was waving his arms wildly at the hollering Ching Ba.
Yu nodded silently, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
“Alright everyone,” said the quiet one, turning to each of the disciples. “Why don’t you children go off and play on your own. We have the whole floor reserved, so go explore. Enjoy the amenities.”
Then he turned around and walked to her master and Ching Ba who looked like he was about to throttle him.
I can’t be that lucky…
Then Yu turned towards all the young men and stood there awkwardly. They seemed somewhat of an eclectic mix in looks and stance. And all were looking at her. Two seemed curious, one apathetic like this whole experience was beneath him, one sneered, and the last leered. In short, nothing out of the ordinary for Yu. That said, all of them appeared like any disciple might at her sect.
“Well, I am going to go explore, like we were told,” said the apathetic one.
“Yes. Fenghuang Yu, right?” asked one of the curious ones. It was obvious he was the disciple of with his large arms and torn sleeves.
Yu nodded. “Yes, I’m Fenghuang Yu. What are your names?” It was her not-so-subtle attempt at asking them to introduce themselves.
Politeness dictated that the people speaking first should introduce themselves before asking for her name. Unless, of course, they viewed themselves as far above her. Which they may. She had no idea how strong any of them were, so they could be in the third or even fourth stage as far as she knew. As for age, she definitely looked the youngest. They ranged from late twenties to thirties in mortal appearance, which at their ages was probably close to the truth.
“Of course. How rude of us,” said the sneering guy in a nasally voice in a tone that said he did not think she was worth his admission of fault. “I’m Chenbo Ming, second heir of the Chenbo clan, and first disciple of Sect Master Woo Bing Se Ma of the Soaring Lionfin Sect.”
Then he turned and left, catching up with the apathetic guy.
“Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone as we walk. Or at least tell you who everyone is,” said the second curious young man in red and yellow robes. The leerer followed along, just being quietly creepy as Yu learned everyone’s names.
“I’m Fung Jingdo, Shining Sun and Stars Sect,” his guide said as an introduction. “Let me give you names and sects, then we can explore what our masters have gifted us with.”
***
“Are you seriously telling me that you broke his jaw so he couldn’t surrender?” Jingdo asked Ming then took a delicate sip of fragrant wine in a jade cup covered in gold filigree.
“Indeed I did,” Ming confirmed as he chugged his eighth.
Yu nodded along, barely drinking at all. “It’s a great tactic. I use it all the time.”
Five heads turned toward her, most wearing faces of surprise.
“Well, in fairness, it’s not as much anymore,” Yu tried to clarify. “I don’t get nearly as many challenges as I used to. Which is the point of the whole jaw-breaking thing.”
“Exactly!” Ming added with emphasis. “Do you have any idea how many pissants tried to challenge me after I was chosen by my master?”
“Same here,” added the nasal guy, Ding Ru. He was the great great something something grandson of the Sect Master of the Blood and Steel Sect, Ding Mo. “All those unworthies attempted to claim my place and had to be reminded of the difference in our positions and birthright.”
Yu had been having a surprisingly pleasant, time with her contemporaries. Sure, they were arrogant and overbearing, but they had the right to be. Their strength and position for their ages and, yes, their families offered them an opportunity for hubris that could be backed up.
In a lot of ways, their shared experiences had made her feel substantially better about herself. Not all, but some of these direct disciples had had to defend their positions regularly until they proved their strength. Yu had to do similar, if for different reasons, and that they had taken similar actions as she, reduced what guilt shone through her attempts to muffle it. Which was probably why her master had recommended those actions in the first place, and later this event to help her understand and accept.
On very, very rare occasions, he really did impress her with his insights and experience.
Even with that, though, Yu also felt inferior in front of these young masters for the simple reason that all of them were in various levels of the third stage. They were all working to learn their pseudo-domains and completely compress their Qi, with the oldest being at the peak and just waiting for the right opportunity to breakthrough. Logically, Yu knew it wasn’t her fault as she was ten or more years their junior, but it still rankled.
Beyond discussions of battle, sects, and the like, there were also inquiries about her relationship status, which was a bit complicated with the whole Zihao thing. Worse, they weren’t exactly easily shifted off topic, given their habit of getting whatever they wanted. It was a bit uncomfortable for her, but they did eventually move on and she learned that four of the five were betrothed or married at least once already.
Overall, though, Yu believed they had all enjoyed themselves, at least for the most part. Even the aloof one. Really, the worst part of the whole thing was the annoying itching on her right forearm that just wouldn’t stop, but she ignored it and focused on the various conversations.
Surprisingly, Yu had privately received invitations to stay in touch with all of them, and she had agreed to most.
The most popular topic among everyone present, however, was complaining about their collective masters.
“You wouldn’t believe what he had me doing with those damnable boulders!”
“Stop complaining, Ming. At least your master isn’t a madman.” They all looked to Yu at Jingdo’s comment.
She smiled and shrugged. “What can I say? Most days I feel lucky he hasn’t accidentally squashed me into a pancake. Others I’ve barely survived being vaporized because he forgot who I was and though I was an intruder.” They all broke out in laughter at that. “No seriously, it’s happened.” Ming was roaring in hysterics.
“And don’t get me wrong. I can’t wait to get away from him and enter the spirit realm.” Then she held up a finger. “But! Every now and then, like maybe once a moon, he realizes I’m struggling with something and says or does something that makes all the challenges I was having feel ridiculously simple. Like nothing in the entire world is harder than him just waving his hand and wishing it to be so.”
Silence followed that statement until one said, “The man a rabid dragon. Everyone knows this. But can you imagine what it would be like if he wasn’t mad?”
“Yeah,” Yu said softly. “No offense to anyone’s master here, but he might be the strongest man in the Empire. I think his madness is something of a relief for most people.”
“Really? I’d think they’d be terrified of him. How is it a relief?” another one of them asked.
“Ambition,” Yu answered. “He doesn’t have any desire at all the rule anything. I don’t think he even really likes his job as a sect leader. Too much work. He just does it for something to do. Or maybe for his own reasons nobody not utterly… unbalanced can understand.”
More quiet reflection followed until the door to their small tearoom burst open and the madman being discussed storms in, followed by his fellow sect leaders, all looking they were trying not to have some sort of episode.
“Did you know that these fine gentlemen behind me are getting married to each other! Isn’t it wonderful. We just finished celebrating!”
Yu sighed, rubbing her eyes. “Here we go.”