Immortal Connections - Chapter 47 preview

Chapter 47 - Yang Mu

"Dangerous enemies," the general muttered as he swirled his cup of wine around and around as he stared at Yang Mu. 

It was late into the night, and it would have been scandalous for a woman to be alone with a man at such time, but they were not alone. Not just the attendants and the Patriarch Pu Rou was there, but also the pair of clan cultivators as well who Yang Mu had been introduced early on.

Not that surprising, after all, the negotiations and discussion had involved them all. Only the Midnight Spear, playing on his old age and Master Kim - already gone, dealing with the graveyard - were not present of the powers that were in attendance. It was not even as though she did not have a list of requests for the Daoist master, to be given to him for his review. At some point, she knew, he would either contact others in his order or journey back to deal with the problems if he thought it sufficiently grave.

She had to admit, she had taken a look at the list herself and was relieved to note nothing of impending tragedy highlighted. There was something about a white snake demon taking human form that seemed to be of some distant concern, but they traveled between the cities too often that locating them would take too long. Nor was said snake actively doing harm to her husband, so she assumed it would be dealt with by another Daoist master.

There were other assorted problems, many of them dealing with mysteries or glamours cast by fox demons. None of which reached, in her view, the level of needing intervention of a Nascent Soul master.

Most of that negotiation had occurred about an hour in to their talks, when the pleasantries had been finished and digestion was over, when trading stories to build rapport and discussions about the world and neighboring countries had been completed. 

Information trading might as well be gossiping at the highest levels, with the targets more countries and royal princes and princesses, but just as slanderous and prone to exaggeration as the kind of conversations traded over a mahjong table.

“Very much so. Numerous too, though some are more personal than others. Many just desire what my parents hold.”

“Why not destroy the cultivation technique if it is so dangerous?” General Wu asked. “Surely it can not be worth the ire of so many powers.”

Yang Mu raised an elegant eyebrow. “A dual cultivation technique that can lift two cultivators upwards with such a high degree of certainty? Would you destroy it?” 

“I would donate it to the royal family,” the general’s answer was prompt and rapid. He glanced sideways at the two clan members, chose not to ask them directly. Sometimes, some questions were best not asked – after all, no one liked listening to lies. Or truth, shaded such that it might as well be a lie.

“They have considered it before,” Yang Mu murmured. “Even copying the work and offering it widely, much like the Yellow Emperor once did his. However, the potential for abuse in the cultivation method itself is too high.”

The general nodded a little, having already had the details of the dual cultivation exercise explained in broad strokes. The idea behind it was not new – passing cultivation energy between pairs or groups was something that was practiced by certain sects and clans. The difference was, of course, in the numbers and effectiveness.  

“Instead, they keep it for themselves, offering access to no one.” Clan head Qiu picked up a small cookie, biting into it delicately before wiping at his face with a cloth. “Not even their children.”

“The limitations of the method are significant,” Yang Mu said. “And we did not meet the standards of use.”

“Well, not as though your lover needed it.” Protector Lau drawled, the jug of wine he held in hand swinging idly. He’d traded the jug for a cup a while ago, when the group had finished their earlier topic. “Still, they are not wrong. To not allow anyone else to use it? They might as well burn the cultivation method.”

“My parents have always intended to pass on the technique to an appropriate couple.” She shrugged. “It is not their fault that none have risen to the standards necessary.”

“So you say.” Protector Lau challenged.

“So I do.” She met his gaze without fear. Neither party chose to look away and tension so thick that it could almost be seen began to collect in the tent.

General Wu raised a hand languidly and then cut downwards, shearing apart the clashing pair of wills made manifest in their aura. As neither party was actively trying to wield their auras, it was only a light rebound that rocked them back gently.

“Please don’t destroy my liege’s tent.” He waved a hand languidly. “Still, I begin to understand your hurry. Your parents do require your aid – and those you bring with you. Nor would we want you to draw your own conflict to our kingdom.”

"No, we wouldn't want that at all, would we?" Yang Mu opened her hands. "It was why we are trying to avoid local entanglements."

“And here we are, complicating it for you.” General Wu said, sardonically. “Well, we do what we are ordered, all of us.” A glance to the pair of clan members including the clan head who was deep in thought. “And try to find some advantage when otherwise ordered.”

“You said they are searching for someone suitable, yes?” Clan head Qiu said, ignoring the look sent his way.

“Yes.”

“There are a pair of young cultivators that I know of. My niece in fact and her beloved. They have quite the ability, but more so, they are very much in love.” A flicker of something, resentment perhaps or jealousy before it faded. “Perhaps if we sent them along…?”

“You think your family is the only one with a pair of young starlings in love?” Protector Qiu rolled his eyes. “Please. I could name at least three in my family, all wandering around, bumping into pillars and making bad poetry.”

The clan head grimaced in pain. “The bad poetry…” 

“Not that many of those in the royal family. None that would be acceptable, anyway.” The General rumbled. “Though I’m sure the army has enough of those young fools, if it’s something your parents would be open to seeing.”

“An intriguing proposition. A trial, perhaps. It would help resolve some of the issues. If they had time, we might be able to do so, but we’re busy doing battle at this time. Setting up proper trials, a tournament, gathering all those…” she let out a long sigh. “I fear it’s impossible.”

“So, have one of them do it.” Patriarch Pu said. “Why organise it yourself when so many desire it.”

That made Yang Mu pause. She frowned in consideration, trying to think of how she could do this, where. They’d need some form of guarantee, of course, a kingdom or two and a powerful sect or clan, preferably more than one, to help keep things in line.

However, the idea had some merit.

"I'll certainly think of the matter," Yang Mu said. "It is, in the end, up to my parents if they agree..."

"But perhaps it is something you can do, Cultivator Yang, while the rest of us are..." Now Guardian Mai of the Red Spider Cult was the one to trail off, realisation about exactly how rude he was coming in belatedly. No cultivator, especially at their level, liked to be reminded that they might not necessarily be useful in the martial arena.

Even if it was true.

"Dealing with the dark and demonic cultivators drawn to this battle?" Yang Mu said, sweetly. "Oh, yes. I'll definitely add it to the list of things I might find myself contributing to." She ran a hand down her dress, continuing. "Though, I do have some small gift with formations."

"Of course, I didn't mean..."

"The young lady is teasing you, Ah Ling." Patriarch Pu said, a little smile at how flustered the Guardian looked. "Please don't, Cultivator Yang. Even after all these years, Ah Ling struggles with the teasing of women. 

“A fatal flaw, I fear."

Guardian Mai just glared, though he didn't contradict either of them. Taking pity on him, Yang Mu switched the topic to that of the dark and demonic sects, the cultivators that were - supposedly - the enemy of all. If she could draw either attention or help from this kingdom to deal with them, she would take it.

And all the while, the thought of the contest percolated.