The Fourth Fall - Chapter 36 preview

**Author Note: Preview chapters are rough/first drafts. These chapters have not been edited, expect that there may be errors - however, feel free to point out consistency issues!*

They had a feast of course, when the hunting party arrived with all the meat. Fresh meat, fresh spirit deer meat after so much preserved food was something to be valued. Even though the fortresses and spirit instruments contained herds and storage spaces to preserve meat that had been butchered before, because of the nature of spirit or demonic beasts, the potency of the meat faded after a time. Unless one had a very high class storage ring, this loss could not be avoided. And even if one did, it could only be slowed. In that sense, the majority of the sustenance the group was faced with were mortal meals. Perfectly fine, in most cases, but unusual for such powerful cultivators to dine upon.

Now, with an influx of so much fresh meat, the chefs and cooks took to the event with gusto. The meal itself would only take place the day after they returned, the long journey back, carrying the goods and herding the rest of the deer had the group only arrive late the next day. Add in preparation time required by the chefs, and it was little wonder that the event was held the day after the hunting party returned.

The dinner itself took over the negotiating venue, the negotiations put on pause. Officially, of course. There were still small parties and groups that met informally to discuss matters, but the majority meeting had been set aside as the massive temporary structure was rebuilt. Inner walls were torn down, formations altered so that it became a single tent in which all members of the three kingdoms could sit and enjoy the meal.

Multiple servants were pressed into service, guards turned into temporary waiters as the sprawling series of tables and the attendees required a greater number than ever. A constant stream of guards and waiters passed back and forth from the busy kitchens bearing plates, all sheltered by simple formations from errant gusts of wind and the occassional clumsy cultivator.

For the attendees themselves, their second best dress had been extracted. As an event, none would dare show less than proper preparation, for this was a chance to dazzle the opposing party not just in elegance but understated wealth. To showcase silks and jewelry, paints and perfumes that might be traded, if matters went well. For the Cai, it was an opportunity to alter the opinion of others, that they were more than slavering warhounds. A chance to court the beautiful cultivators of other states, to pursue a dalliance on a night where the liquor flowed freely.

Wu Ying, standing a short distance behind the Fourth Prince, noticed it all. He was relegated to guard duty once again, for during such massed gatherings was the danger of assassination greatest. All during the day, he had been sat on his balcony, his senses spread across the surroundings, turning his attention to areas of interest and listening as the wind spoke to him. Now, he did the same, though he paid particular attention to the flow of food and the individuals moving across the ground. With such a large amount of movement, it would be easy to be lost within, for food carried back and forth to be poisoned.

“It is a pity, Elder Long, that you are not able to partake,” Shen Ru Yuan the Fourth Prince murmured, sending his words to Wu Ying quietly. “The venison is quite tender and well done. The sauce they have concocted with the berries they have used, exquisite.”

“Do not concern yourself, Prince Shen. I have my meal set aside for me already,” Wu Ying sent back, with quiet intensity. “Instead, perhaps, continue to entertain General Tian.”

“But he’s such a bore of a companion,” Prince Shen said. Without missing a beat, he replied to General Tian. “And you said the Upside-Down Beating Technique of the Tian family in Cai guarantees the production of Saint-level spears? How fascinating. I was always of the understanding that skill was the determinant.”

“Well, of course! But that’s the secret of the Upside-Down Beating Technique. One cannot master it without the requisite skill levels. In fact, the process of mastering the technique teaches the blacksmith the necessary skills. We have developed a whole training regime around it, starting with the rhytmn of the beats.” General Tian, a man whose shoulders and arms spoke of his family’s passion and his own status as the General of Logistics for the Cai, took his chopsticks in one hand and mimed the movement. “You see, you begin with a 2-1 beat...”

“And now, he will continue this topic for the next hour. Simple...” Prince Shen said, drolly. Not a single twitch of his face showed that he was anything but raptly focused on his table companion. A skill that Wu Ying had to admit, was quite admirable. “Tell me, Elder Long, how have things be, running security for these events. You show so little, it is hard to tell.”

“I’m only a secondary component, Prince Shen. There are others - your guards among them - who are dedicated to your and the Shen kingdom’s protection. I am only an auxillary,” Wu Ying said, lightly.

“Of course you are. But you did not answer the question.”

“Quiet. Very quiet. Nothing to report, in fact. The few incidents there have been have been honest mistakes.”

“Then the attack on me?”

“Unknown still. We have not heard from any others about the identity of the killer. At this point, it can be assumed they have escaped.”

“I see.” Prince Shen lips tightened. “I understand we are all limited, but can I express how truly disappointed to receive that news?”

Wu Ying could only shrug. After all, he was not in charge of that matter. Before the man could follow up on that, the King and the First Prince of both kingdoms turned to them. Wu Ying played back the conversation he had most recently heard, though not processed. So that when the servitor came by, he was not surprised by the summons.

Stepping closer to the trio, he made sure to bow low. While there were, of course, arguments about the degree of obesiance he should offer, it was such a contentious, especially when faced with three such personages that he opted for the simplest. As low as tradition and need demanded for the highest ranked individual he owed loyalty to.

After the required greetings, King Cai jumped straight into the matter. “I understand it was you who we must thank for this largesse, Cultivator Long. Is that not so?”

“I was but doing my duty as part of the hunting party, Your Majesty.” Wu Ying replied, serenely. He kept a close hold of his aura, going so far as to withdraw some of his attention from the surroundings to do so. At the same time, he concentrated his own attention on those before him.

All through the night, the three had talked. King Cai and Prince Shen Qi had both gotten along well, whilst Prince Wei had been somewhat more reserved. Of course, one could have numerous suspicions about that, but it had been the wind cultivator’s observance that the First Prince of Shen was both more naturally gregarious than his Wei counterpart but also had, naturally, more to speak of with the King Cai. He, after all, had taken to the martial world much better. Unlike Wei Cao who was, known for his equilibrium and skill at the diplomacy table. Something that King Cai Meng De would relate to less.

Though, the degree of manipulation the Cai’s had shown already was greater than he would have expected. Perhaps underestimating them was foolish.

“Perhaps, but you did it more skilfully than even our own scouts,” Prince Shen Qi said. “You have done the Shen proud. Eating uncultured meat for so long was beginning to affect my cultivation progress.”

Wu Ying stopped from commenting on the wastefulness of entirely relying upon spirit or demonic meat to push one’s progress. It should be a minor aid at best, the same with the alchemical pills that were taken during moments of great distress or calamity. The act of cultivation itself, the meditation and mental exercise, was the way of all true cultivators.

Or so he believed at least. Obviously, the Prince had come this far himself. Nor could he, should he, forget the number of existing immortals who had achieved their status via fortune’s favour. The bestowing of an immortal peach, the quaffing of an immortal potion gifted to another, even the tribulation via a cleansing by demonic fires were recorded instances of ascension.

Even so, Wu Ying was, once again, less than impressed by the royals of the kingdom. As was King Cai, from the minor fluctuation in his aura.

“Agreed. Such service should be rewarded,” the king raised his hand then, a servant coming over smoothly with a pillow and a jade case placed upon it. The case itself was artfully worked with a series of carvings of serene mountains and flying dragons, while radiating a minor dao of containment and capture. “A small boon.”

“King Cai need not.” Wu Ying bowed in thanks. “I was but doing my duty.”

“Need has nothing to do with this. This is a just reward. I reward all those who serve me thusly,” King Cai said, taking the box and pushing it towards Wu Ying.

“Elder Long does not serve you, though.” Prince Shen said, his voice a touch cold now. He shot Wu Ying a look of offence, as though he was now questioning the position the wind cultivator had put him in.

“The First Prince is correct.” Again, Wu Ying bowed, his hands clasped together before him, such that he could not take the box. “I am a loyal servant of Shen.”

“A matter of wording. You found the meat for us all, so you served all our interests. I lay no claim to your loyalty or fealty,” King Cai said. “Come now, will you anger me over such a small gift? Are the Shen so jealous of their privileges, they would deny a minor offering from another for services rendered?”

Prince Shen froze. He looked between the jade box and Wu Ying before he inclined his head to the wind cultivator at last in acquiesence. At the same time, his aura rippled, as he manipulated chi. His lips, though they did not move much, still did as he spoke to the unlucky servant who was sent scurrying away.

Nor was he the only one. Prince Wei had done much the same, though he had acted faster, commanding his servants the moment the jade box had appeared. Surprisingly, the Wei servant was already exiting their building, returning with haste, his long robes kicked before him as he hurried down the slope. Either the Wei had known this was coming or they had a series of gifts already packaged and set aside for easy retrieval.

“Well, Cultivator Long?” Now the king’s voice held a touch of irritation. His dao reacted to the man’s emotions, pushing upon Wu Ying’s aura as it forecefully demanded that the man accept the gift.

“I am honored then, Your Majesty.” Taking the box from the other man, careful not to come into contact with the king, he straightened from his bow and held the gift before him. It would be the height of rudeness to open the gift immediately, though, for one should never emberass the gifter by showing disappointment or unhappiness with the gift.

Smiling a small smile, the King sat back, acting as though he had won something. He probably had, in the arenas of diplomacy. Certainly, the way Prince Shen Qi shot a glare at Wu Ying, the wind cultivator felt the Prince thought so too. When the King turned to Prince Wei to speak next, Wu Ying proceeded to withdraw, not wishing to get caught in the discussion further.

Even so, he could not help but overhear the King murmur. “You see, we can be very generous allies. While we might not have the craftsmen of your kingdom, we have looted many a treasury; including those from the sects that have opposed us.”

Returned to his place behind the Fourth Prince, the wind cultivator was not surprised he was engaged in quiet conversation soon after by his target.

“Dangerous game, you play, Elder Long. My brother, long may he live, is a dangerous enemy to have.”

“I play at nothing,” Wu Ying said, firmly. “The entire matter was ochestrated by the King.”

“Ah, but one with more skill at the courts could have found ways to avoid the trap, or even turn it to his advantage.”

“I’m no courtier.”

“Obviously not.” The Fourth Prince laughed, punctuating the two conversations he was having loudly with the laughter. A little too loud, a little too explosive. But genuine still. When he was done, he added. “A courtier does not strike a Prince, no matter how distant he was from the throne at the time.”

“Your point, Prince Shen?”

“Stick to what you know and the background, Elder Long. Lest you find your head parted from shoulder, by imperial decree.”

Chilling words, even if they were offered with all the good graces in the world.