Chapter 77. Travels IV
"My granduncle likes you, and even gave you the token of the Moonsword Alliance." Duke Hadrian said.
Tundra had never heard of the Moonsword Alliance, and he wondered whether they were destroyed later in the years. If there were so many hidden factions working in the background, no wonder Zuja took forever to make their move. "And what are they?"
"Oh. You've not caught an inkling of their existence?" Duke Hadrian grinned. "They are the royal family's secret guardians. One of many, but one of the strongest."
Tundra was aware of the existence of these secret enforcers, but the differences between them were minute. These enforcers, as far as he knew, didn't participate in the struggle between the princes, since their goal was protection of the royal house. If the royal house slaughtered each other, it didn't quite matter.
At least, not yet.
"Anyway, since my granduncle spoke highly of you, then it is only right that I offer something. My eldest and youngest son are both unmarried. Is there a daughter of-"
Tundra decided to shut it down. Having seen what it's like to be forced into a marriage for both Elly and Marin, it was better for it not to happen. In Elly's case, it turned out generally well, but it's also just as likely to cause resentment, like Marin. "It's not for me to say, Duke Hadrian. If they meet and happen to like each other, then it will happen. I would not impose on them."
"Ah. I see, I see. Now, Prince Gomerl recently invited me to a dinner in Gomerlia, and as one of the distant family members of the royal family, I am allowed to bring guests of my own as part of my entourage. Would you like to join?"
Tundra blinked. "Do you plan to put your backing behind Prince Gomerl?"
"Not at all. I think Prince Gomerl knows that distant members of the family like myself doesn't really care. The royal family wouldn't even bat an eye if I died. Hell, I could imagine Prince Gomerl saying, 'he's too weak. He deserved it.'." Duke Hadrian said with much amusement.
"Oh? Even if the conflict gets heated?"
"First. Answer my question, Lord Fox, will you go with us?"
The regressor thought it was a good opportunity to get to know Prince Gomerl's inner circle, and so he agreed.
"Good. Now, if I'm forced, I will back Gomerl as he is thus far the strongest. But we'd rather not do so. They wouldn't fight outright. The Emperor still has a few hundred years left. Anyway, let me introduce my son, Hadar. Perhaps you can judge whether he is a suitable partner for anyone in your family."
Hadar Thunderstone was a tall, well built and tanned man, with streaks of golden lightning throughout his body. At the peak of the 5th realm, the man would be a fearsome combatant, though in his first life, he died during the attack on the Scarlet Thunder Sect and so Tundra never got to see him in action.
One glance and Tundra could tell Hadar Thunderstone was very talented. He was the same age as Yavin Redaxe and already at the peak of the 5th.
"Greetings, Father, and greetings, Lord Fox. It's a pleasure to meet the rising alchemy master of our region."
The three sat around a circular marble table, and as usual, tea. It was too early to drink rice wine, and there were sect affairs to tend to, especially for their hosts.
They sat and talked about politics, cultivation, and general sect affairs.
Hadar was thoughtful, intelligent. In many ways, a wonderful heir, and clearly someone destined for greater things. Tundra saw the potential for the younger man to surpass his father. No, at the rate he was, he should surpass him.
The hours passed, and soon Hadar had to leave.
Tundra was then alone with Duke Hadrian once more, and once the son left, he gave a word of praise. "You have a wonderful heir, Duke Hadrian. I see great things in him."
"Hah." Duke Hadrian looked proud. "It is the fruit of two centuries of effort. You did not see what went into grooming him into the man he is today."
Now this was something Tundra wanted more. Could he raise someone like that? "Do share. I'd love to know more."
"In honesty, it's luck. The base was good. Hadar as a child was curious, attentive, and listened to us. From that good base, we trained him, gave him opportunities that he could handle, things he would face some struggles and challenges, inculcated his diligence and focus, and hired good trainers through my network of connections. He had a rebellious period, when he thought he wanted something different from what we planned for him."
"Oh. How did you navigate it?"
"We gave him some room to explore himself, I believe every child has a need to assert their own identity. It took a while, and it was a tough few decades for myself and my elders who have to watch over him. We had to step in frequently just to make sure he didn't offend anyone too powerful."
Ah. The young master era. Tundra similarly thought his children also had such phases, but unfortunately for Tundra, most of them never grew out of it. Or even if they did, it was too late.
"But the other elders and sect masters understood that young children often have these phases. Luckily, he grew out of it as he realized where he wanted to be in the world. One important thing I learned, during that moment, is to set the path for him to have a graceful withdrawal. Young masters, like Hadar included, all have a sensitive sense of self. They need to feel that they are respected and treated as people who would share the table with us, so even if they are doing something foolish, we must set the stage so that they can retreat without being an insult to that fragile identity. Let them save face, as us elders often say."
A graceful withdrawal! Tundra blinked as he realized how obvious it was. He needed to allow his own children, no, not allow, he must engineer situations where they can make that face-saving move. They should be allowed to experiment, be reckless, so he cannot coddle them too much. But, he must pave a path for them to step back. A way for them to change their mind without hurting their nascent ego.
Else, they would only double down and their mistakes would compound.
"After a few decades, they eventually got the hang of it. It takes a lot of work." Duke Hadrian said with a long sigh. "I do not miss it any bit."
"I see. I see. Wise words, Duke Hadrian. I shall see how I can make use of these trinkets of wisdom."
"Hah. It is a simple thing to say, but much harder to do. Quite like cultivation, really." Duke Hadrian mused.
***
"How is everything?" Tundra said as he met his elders Severian and Agnia. The two were mainly in charge of the finer details of the trip.
"Smooth. Our hosts have been exceptionally accommodating and willing to overlook some of our disciples' unintentional slights."
"I hope they learnt a lesson, at least." Tundra smiled.
"They have. I believe they will return with many new pointers to ponder." Severian shrugged. "Is everything alright?"
"Fine." Tundra said. "After this, we will return." He would need to plan a trip to visit the Crimson Lotus Spire as well. A letter to both the Branch Leader Wilber and Zuri should help, but that was fairly dangerous territory, since the Crimson Lotus Spire has Zuja infiltrators.
It's likely that Zuja will also now attempt to infiltrate his sect, now that they are rising in power.
He sat, and continued to discuss the progress of his disciples with the two elders. Of his core disciples, right now Sam and Yerra were the strongest of them. The inner disciples were still very much a work in progress, though he did identify a few good ones that held promise. He would need to spare some time to make pills, while juggling his research into the bloodline transfusion techniques.
***
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Back home
Celestia felt like she was almost ready for her fifth realm breakthrough. Almost. She wouldn't be at the same level as Yavin or the others, she was perhaps two steps behind.
She closed her eyes and meditated. She felt the forms within her spiritual realm. It felt solid. It felt real. Maybe in a year she would be able to try it for herself.
Her husband travelled a lot recently. To the Mystical Harbors, then to the Scarlet Thunder. She, on the other hand, suddenly didn't feel like going anywhere. She wanted to get on with it.
"I'll be the first to the Fifth Realm."
Marin's words somehow taunted her. She didn't know why she was even affected by that unpleasant woman. And speaking of that unpleasant woman-
"Celestia. Let's spar." Marin treated her part of the home as if it was hers. It annoyed Celestia to no end.
"Not today." Celestia sighed. "I am busy."
Marin frowned, but ultimately there was no forcing it. So Marin walked away. Celestia sighed. Some days Marin would pester her for a few minutes that often felt much longer.
It also annoyed Celestia that Marin actually made progress. Marin did in fact, gleam some insights from Tundra's insertion of the earth energy's spiritual imprint. Despite her annoying personality, Marin clearly wasn't talentless.
A maid was at the door. She detected the maid's presence before she even knocked on the door. "Yes?"
The maid was somehow still flustered by it. It wasn't the first time Celestia spoke before she did. "Ah- sorry. Elder Jon said that he found some scriptures that may help. If you find him-"
"Tell him I'll be there. Let me get ready."
"Yes."
***
Elder Jon's study was always a place filled with the stench of tea and tea leaves. The man was a connoisseur of teas; he collected dried tea leaves, ground tea powder, and exotic variants of preserved fruit teas. He often claimed they helped him study, and some disciples seem to agree.
Tundra once tried to share these teas with his children, perhaps, hoping that the teas have the same effects as the [Mind Clarity Pills]. They didn't, but it didn't mean they had no effect.
Tea was much more subtle. More discreet in it's effects and harder to distinguish. Jon often said that the tea gods, if there was one, are fond of giving a push only at the exact moment, and nothing else.
A moment of tea fueled epiphany, as Jon said.
"Come in, Lady Gale." Elder Jon once she was close to the steps of the hallway. The hallway led to the study upstairs, but an elder's senses are sharp, and somehow, Celestia felt his senses were sharper than ever before.
A few years ago, when Tundra first emerged from his dream, Jon was in the middle steps of the fifth realm. These days, he's but a step or two away from the peak of the fifth. Jon was a man who took his time with cultivation, and for that reason, Celestia found him to be quite a kindred spirit.
"I found some books that may be of use." Jon handed over some old scriptures. The Verdant Leaf's history wasn't very long, but every sect collected scriptures and writings, and often gave merit to disciples who found them. Trips to treasure realms, trips to secret dungeons and old ruins of the Old ones often yield books, and that is stored in the library.
Celestia glanced at their titles, and nodded. "I see. I'll have a look."
"I hope they are useful. I read them but they only seem tangentially related to the wooden element concepts."
It was hard to distill a feeling into words. Some tried. Many end up unnecessarily verbose. Perhaps the libraries of the larger sects would have more books for that.
"If all else fails, I suggest you wait till the Sect Master returns from his trip. It shouldn't be too long."
"I suppose. I believe I can make some gains without relying on my husband all the time." Celestia said with a sigh.
"I do not see it that way. We all learn from our betters. The pills we made are from someone. The food that we eat is from someone. We all stand upon the shoulders of giants past, and we all benefit from the wisdom of the ancients." Jon said. "If I tried my best and there is nowhere else to go, I should feel thankful that there is someone to lead the way. Remember, the real opponent is time."
"Time." Celestia nodded. "Perhaps, perhaps."
***
"Lady Anna Fox." Hadar Thunderstone and the youngest brother, Hendricks, were walking together. "A pleasure to meet you today. I'm thankful that you've agreed to the spar."
Anna smiled, she wasn't the only one, a few of the other disciples were with her, but in the end, Hadar Thunderstone, the heir apparent of the Scarlet Thunder, agreed to trade pointers, because it was Anna that asked.
"Oh, it is our honor. We are but a small sect and a small family, we are truly honored for this privilege, and so must first thank Lord Thunderstone for the guidance." Anna answered, with practised decorum. She had been guided by Severian and Agnia on the ways of conduct between families.
It was a little unusual, since both Severian and Agnia did not hail from any prominent family, and yet they were well versed with the finer formalities of diplomacy. Anna, even as she absorbed the knowledge, felt something was wrong with how it all happened.
The elite families believed that certain matters should only be engaged between peers. It is not appropriate for someone like the heir apparent to spar with any Core Disciple of another sect, because it is understood that there is a difference between the strength of a heir, and the strength of a core disciple.
In short, for most family-based sects, an heir is of a different rank. Family members of one trade pointers with family members of another.
The spar was one-sided.
Hadar Thunderstone was impressively strong. Even though he only used the strength of the 4th realm, Anna lost within five steps, and Hadar was able to give sharp comments on her weaknesses.
Anna knew that she couldn't be coddled in her home sect.
If she wanted to grow as a cultivator, and build something for herself and her daughter, she had to find that strength elsewhere. She doubted she could grow while fending off the troublesome advances of her stepmother.
"He's strong, don't feel dismayed." Agnia smiled, it was clear that the heir was a step above. "I think only brother Yavin can give him a good fight. I would even say I could only manage a draw if all goes well." Agnia's only in the first steps of the fifth realm, unlike Hadar who's close to the peak.
The words were soothing.
But the pain of losing was a fire that burned in her heart.
Strength. Her father was right that strength is what gives them say. It is strength that lets them take what is theirs.
She must have it. Without strength, what they have is on borrowed time.
***
The month melted away quickly. There were drinking sessions, mingling, and some of the disciples getting to know each other. Perhaps intimately, too.
Tundra, spent the time discussing politics, occasionally giving lectures on alchemy to the Scarlet Thunder's students, and Tundra's own disciples joined the Scarlet Thunder's classes and discussions.
The library was impressive, but for Tundra, he had seen most of it. In fact, Tundra found it most interesting to discuss the specifics of the Scarlet Thunder's methods with Duke Hadrian, since it was a method he studied on his own in his first life.
It never ceased to amuse him how the same text is understood so differently.
Then it was time to return home.
***
Tia Truehaven sat on a chair outside one of the many balconies of the Stellar Observatory. Located on Mount Xinglun, it is a place, an institution commissioned by the Imperial family tens of thousands of years ago, and is home to the Starwatchers.
The Starwatchers are an institution somewhere between a sect, a guild, and an academy, with a focus on reading and predicting the future based on stellar movements. It is, in Nord Truehaven's words, a sibling of the Divination faction of the Ancient Titans. Each institution communes with nature and hopes to glean insights, to prevent calamity.
The paper in her hand made her tremble, so much so that she sat on the chair, a stone, really cold chair for days meditating.
Calamity.
She held it and frowned.
"I was told I would find you here, niece."
The paper flew out of her hand and into his. He glanced at it and sighed. "What have you learned?"
"Is there a war we need to prepare for, Uncle?" Tia said, but she didn't turn. She recognized the voice, and somehow, she didn't want to look at him. Here, on Mount Xinglun, the stars form a curtain. It's immensely beautiful, and so easy to spot the unusual constellations. It's better for her eyes to look at stars than the visage of her irritating uncle.
"We have always been preparing for war of some kind. We just don't know which one we are not prepared for." Nord Truehaven took a few more steps and stopped next to her. "Is the astrologist-?"
"He's in seclusion. The computation required to produce this paper gave him a shock. It will be a few years before we see him again."
"As it should. Not everyone is ready to foresee calamity."
"How does he know?"
Nord clearly knew who she was speaking of. "The threads of fate are unfathomable. His wives are supposed to be ordinary people, and yet here they are, their weight and presence-"
"It is dangerous for me to be near them." Tia said. The paper was somehow back in her hand. "Don't you want to keep it?"
"I have seen something similar. You can burn-" The paper burned.
"Do you believe that the Old Ones have a divination sect?"
"Why not?" Nord Truehaven said. "Our divination methods have ancient origins, why couldn't it be the Old Ones?"
"I feel played, uncle. You set me up." Tia said with a strange reluctance. The winds so high up the mountains are exceptionally strong.
"Really? You sound excited to me." Nord Truehaven smiled, and tapped her shoulder. Tia ignored her uncle's provocation. "Keep an eye on Tundra for me. I believe he is playing at far, far bigger plots."
"Did you know that he knew how to use Skypiercer's lightning and divine spiritual energy compression?"
"Then even more reason for you to stick to him. He may teach you something special after all. In fact, I am keen to see where he takes the Bloodline Transfusion techniques. The way he sought it out is a calculated move, and he must have a plan."
"Did we sell ourselves short?" Tia countered. "The Titan's Council should have demanded more onerous terms."
"The man has options. It's either this deal, or no deal. Better us, than someone else." Nord countered. "If calamity comes, I'd like to be on the right side."
Tia did not respond and continued to admire the stars.