NOVEL NEXT 77: A Terse Reunion
"This town used to be something great, I am sure," Duan Dai said as they walked along the brick main street. Mortals bowed out of their way, those who had not already disappeared into their homes. Fushuai kept pace with him while the others followed a few steps behind. He had established himself as the senior in their group, so the Steel Ribbon member had been addressing him alone. "It's amazing what can be found in Tarnish, if you dig deep enough. Did you all come seeking Emerald City?"
"We did," he answered. It was a plausible enough justification for their travels, as well as allowing for the assumption that they would soon be gone, presenting no threat to the dominion of the larger sect.
"My Brothers and Sisters used to test themselves in that place, but it has fallen out of fashion. There's hardly anything left there, except for the trap at the bottom. But you've already seen that, haven't you?"
"We have."
"Is that what happened to the thief?"
"Pardon?"
"The fish who tried to swim among dragons." The man's teeth were snow white and nearly too wide for his mouth. "There is no reason for us not to be friends, Cultivator Shu. Do you truly not know who I mean?"
Fushuai ducked his head. "A thousand apologies, but I do not."
"I'm sure you don't."
They arrived at the pagoda. The village boy had called it a temple, and the first level was indeed given over to several statues and plentiful housings for incense. The previous visit had only been to the fourth floor, so he hadn't even known what the lower levels contained.
They stopped at the central statue. The emperor was cracked straight through, just as its counterpart had been in the village with a frog poisoning its well. Other, smaller figures ringed the wall, each sitting beneath a window. Various unrecognizable ancients.
"Imagine how long it will take to replace these across the continent," Duan Dai said, bowing to pay his respects. "The commoners here may never know the face of the new emperor, but those like you and I will learn it soon enough."
"Do you know anything about what happened?" Fushuai followed his example in paying obeisance. "We heard the words of the heavens, of course, but our little sect exists at the fringe of the continent. There hasn't been much news."
A casual wave of the hand. "Not much. An old monster went mad and achieved the impossible. I heard he was accompanied by a horde of demons led by Asura generals, and every one of them was slain in the doing. But the rogue escaped, and now the whole empire is looking for him and his disciple."
"Disciple?" He dared not look back at the others, who were thankfully silent.
"Yes." Duan Dai's gaze gave nothing away. "A hundred Gilded Spears were sent out to investigate, and they've since spread word to every sect worth mentioning. Apparently, he who shall not be named found a student shortly before choosing death. A boy from some place no one had ever heard of before, near the Spine of the World. Gao Fushuai."
Fushuai stilled the tremor in his heart. "With Gilded Spears flying, I'm sure he will be found." That was a famous name. A sect based in the Immortal City, feared and admired across the empire.
A nod. "Surely. Fortune seems to favor him so far, though. From what we were told, the boy's clan was chased out or killed shortly after the Sorrow of the World, and then the mountain the local sect was camped on erupted for the first time in a thousand years, so not much could be learned from the ashes."
A slight intake of breath from their backs. The man glanced toward Lin. "No need to worry yourself, little swan. The survivors will have all been found by now. I'm sure we'll learn more with the next round of imperial proclamations. Every stone that monster touched is going to be scoured from this earth."
Could they have been so blessed? A last reprieve, a warning that now was their last opportunity to scatter and be lost among the winds.
With a quiet rasp along the stone of the floor, Zhang Sha moved to block his view of Lin. "We look forward to the news that heaven's justice has been served." His hands hid behind his back. "Is our Sect Sister in the upper levels?"
Duan Dai considered him for a moment before answering. The corner of his mouth twitched down. "Of course, I'm sure you are anxious to see her."
As they ascended, Fushuai let the exchange play back through his mind, analyzing every syllable. Each intonation and accompanying expression, searching for the lie. If this man knew who they were, he had given no sign. A blessing of three lifetimes, almost too much to be believed.
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They found Mei Li in a tearoom, sitting on her heels in front of a low table. An urn was set before her, stone carved with square patterns, brimming with qi. Her focus was so severe that she did not look up from it until they had all assembled at the entrance. Only Bai Tu refrained from joining them, remaining on the stairs. There would have hardly been space to share with him.
"Oh!" She jumped to her feet. Alarm, chased by a note of fear, crossed her face before being replaced by a bright greeting. "Dear friends! You've returned."
"It's good to see you well," Fushuai said. His sister was unharmed, at least visibly. And aside from the flash of anxiety, did not appear to be one suffering under captivity. Zhang Sha moved around the table, examining the urn with eye and spirit alike, while Lin stepped forward with a bow.
"Many blessings, Senior Sister. May I ask what you have there?"
"Oh." Mei Li tugged at her hair, still seeming to be catching up to the situation. Her gaze shifted to Duan Dai.
"I can answer that," he said. "But why are we all standing like strangers? We should sit as friends." His actions followed his words, and he waited for them to join him. Though he had claimed not to be the master here, he was leading them as if they were all his juniors. And in advancement, perhaps they were. A densely woven veil meant they could not be sure without forcing a confrontation.
"It's a Virtue Urn," Zhang Sha said, the only one still standing. Even Bai Tu had come to lie behind them, his long body blocking the door. "Sister Mei is using it to collect our tribute to the Steel Ribbon Sect. Pure dream aura is highly valued. How gracious of you to accept it."
"Yes." A slight flare of the nostrils. "She informed me of her intention to take the place of the cultivator who previously resided here. My sect is amenable to this. But that begs further questions. If all of you intend to stay, that is a very different matter. Distant sects are not welcome to settle in our domain, however minor, you understand. If that is not your intention, I need confirmation from you that she is being released of any duty to remain a disciple."
"We did discuss this," Fushuai said. "Our Sister took an interest in the welfare of these people and elected to remain." Mei Li would have had no reason to tell this man about Devouring Death, so he had to have questioned the villagers regarding what occurred here. Then he knew who had killed the previous cultivator, and what had been done about it. This guessing game of who knew what made Fushuai feel like he was running blindfolded. "There was a young man causing trouble here when we arrived."
"That is the thief I mentioned." Blue robes rustled as he leaned forward. "Ao Lao. Where is he now?"
"We hoped to show him a better path, but fate did not agree. Do you call him a thief for taking Sand Orchard from the man who was here before?"
"No. He stole from my sect and compounded his idiocy by coming here. We would have found him ourselves before long, had you not. You're saying he is dead?"
Fushuai nodded. Perhaps Ao Lao had planned to leave before tribute was demanded, or else expected not to be recognized. Headstrong, rash, and young, a short life had almost been assured. That knowledge did not ease the weight settled in his heart. The fact that the boy would have likely died anyway did not lessen his responsibility. He had taken Ao Lao into his care, then into danger, and that was the end.
"Good," Duan Dai said. "Do you have any proof of this? What about his belongings?"
"Fate and Spoils," Zhang Sha said quickly, and the other man's eyes narrowed.
"Origin and Ownership."
Both referred to often contested principles of the Jianghu. If all parties had been on equal footing, the first would have prevailed. What heaven delivered unto one's path, through battle and bloodshed, is a rightful belonging. Given the influence of the Steel Ribbon Sect in this region, however, Fushuai had no interest in antagonizing them. He was surprised that Zhang Sha would even attempt to make the case. What they needed was to leave this place as soon as possible, not more treasure.
"He carried a sword." With a thought, he summoned the flying dao from his storage ring, bidding it to appear flat on the table. "Devouring Death is pleased to have been of service."
Duan Dai eyed the weapon. "This was among the treasures taken. I recognize it, though our seal has been scoured. Is that all?"
"All he carried." Zhang Sha had the answer ready, crossing his arms over his chest. "If he took more from you, he must have hidden it."
A lengthy pause followed, then the same smile they had seen on the hill returned. "My seniors will be pleased to hear the issue is settled. Trinkets are trinkets, but crimes against our order must be repaid."
He gestured curtly with two fingers of his hand, and the blade slid across the table. Then he produced a yellow silk bag from within his robes, and the weapon disappeared inside its waiting mouth. A bag of holding, rather than a storage ring. "Only a few more formalities remain. Will you stay or go? And is your Sister free to remain behind?"
Fushuai looked at her, hoping to guess the answer she wanted. If he said she had to return with them, they could separate again after they were clear of this place. Leaving either of his sisters in Sand Orchard would be unwise when there were so many complications and lies that could catch up to them. Better for them to start fresh somewhere where no one had ever seen his face.
"Let us go home together," he said. "I cannot release you from your ties; that decision must be brought before our sect leader."
Mei Li nodded sharply, her shoulders dropping with relief.
"A great disappointment." Duan Dai moved his hand over his heart. "We got along so well, I hoped I could one day convince you to seek an appointment among the Steel Ribbons."
His display caused her to shift uncomfortably. "My loyalty is to my seniors."
"As it should be. And your tribute is more than acceptable, considering you were all only passing through." He tapped the urn. "Your friend is wise to point out how valuable pure qi of a rare aura is. It would be a failure of my own loyalty not to at least attempt to recruit someone so blessed. What if I showed you some of what you are missing?"
Fushuai felt his hand grasping for a staff that was not there. "She has already given her answer."
"I have never heard of your sect before." Duan Dai continued as if her were speaking to himself. His palm fell to the hilt of his sword. Light as a feather, sure as steel. "Would you be willing to show me what it has to offer? If one of you can best me in a bladeless challenge, hand against hand, I would be satisfied that you are worthy of such a jewel among your ranks."
Fushuai hesitated. Zhang Sha didn't.
"Challenge accepted. Should we have tea first, or after?"