Interlude: Divine Frozen Palace IV

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Bai Lianshi looks at her disciple calmly.

“When I sent you to the Storm Dragon Empire, it was so you could learn about its factions, alliances, and feuds. In other words, I sent you there so that you might learn everything we might need to know to strike swiftly and decisively.”

“You did, master,” Bai Wen says. She is kneeling before Bai Lianshi with her head bowed. “My report contains all that information and more.”

“Oh, I have read your report,” Bai Lianshi says sharply, one hand tapping the written document on her desk. “It also says you turned yourself into a folk hero known as the White Fairy, an indiscretion I could have overlooked if that had been all you did. However, assaulting a city on your own? Revealing yourself to General Nie Dan? Exposing yourself to Murong Bang? Involving yourself–alone–in a civil war where those from the other side of the Dead Plains were involved?! Little Wen, what were you thinking?!”

Bai Wen’s head dips by exactly three millimeters. There is red on her cheeks.

“When I sent you to the Storm Dragon Empire, I did so knowing that your Dao would compel you to act in ways that ran contrary to your mission. I hoped that being forced into such situations would teach you to deal with the burdens our chosen paths impose on us. A cultivator who is fully controlled by her Dao is no good.”

“I surmised that was the case, master,” Bai Wen replies.

“I knew you would.” Bai Lianshi favors her disciple with a proud smile. It only lasts a few seconds. “So why did you do what you did? You exposed yourself to far too much danger! You could have died! Do you realize that? Of course you do! The disciple I raised is not an idiot!”

“Master, this disciple realizes she has disappointed you,” Bai Wen says. “However, this disciple must still disappoint you further. If I were given the opportunity to repeat my actions, I would act in the same manner without hesitation. You did not raise the sort of weak disciple who would try to only do what is convenient to her, master. I will not shame you by pretending otherwise. A convenient Justice that avoids risk at every turn is no Justice at all.”

Bai Lianshi takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

“By all means, shame me a little, you foolish girl,” Bai Lianshi mutters under her breath. “This boy… Xiao Shuang’s husband… Was he worth doing so much?”

“He is a young man of great character and great talent. Lending him my aid was completely necessary,” Bai Wen says. “He has become the emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire, so my actions were undeniably beneficial to the Divine Frozen Palace, master.”

Being in the Emperor Realm means Bai Lianshi can simply will away the headache before it happens.

It does nothing to stop the annoying vexation that causes it.

“He is of royal blood. Are you certain of this?”

Bai Wen nods. “I am. So is General Nie Dan and most of the Storm Dragon Empire. The Shadow of the Storm Dragon responded to him, master. The evidence is irrefutable.”

“That is… troublesome,” Bai Lianshi says. Her disciple frowns and lifts her head.

“Shouldn’t it be a good thing, master? Certainly, it did not happen in the way we wished it to, but Murong Bang is dead. The Divine Frozen Palace now has a link to the Storm Dragon Empire and the blood of one of the 108. Those are all things we wanted.”

“True enough,” Bai Lianshi replies, “however-”

The doors to Bai Lianshi’s office burst open.

“Sister!” Meng Yue shouts as she strides in. Dai Jie, another member of the Five Fairies, rushes in after her with a worried look on her face. “I demand an apology!”

“Elder Sister, I apologize,” Dai Jie says. “I was not able to stop her.”

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“No apologies are needed, sister,” Bai Lianshi says with a patient smile. When she turns to Meng Yue, it is nowhere to be found. “Meng Yue, you inconsiderate oaf of a woman, I am talking to my disciple!”

“Bah! What is there to say? Congratulate her, and be done with it! You know there are more important matters at hand!” Meng Yue says. “Xiao Shuang’s husband has become emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire. This is a boon for us! We need to capitalize.”

“Of course, you’d believe this is a net positive,” Bai Lianshi says, glaring at the far too smug Meng Yue. “Don’t you realize it? Though we were involved in the conquest of the Storm Dragon Empire, our participation is barely nominal. Moreover, the child is a disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan! Who knows how much they have influenced him already!”

For a moment, Bai Lianshi also considers bringing up the Xiao Sect. However, there’d be no point. The current Matriarch of the Xiao Sect usurped power after Xiao Zheng’s death. She has no love for those who support his son. Meanwhile, Xiao Shuang’s brother and those in his faction are already dependent on their help. Being more or less involved with Murong Bang’s death will not change either of those things. The important thing is that they can now say they have helped avenge Eastern Port City.

“That’s all the more reason we need to act, sister!” Meng Yue says. “The time has come for us to show our support for Xiao Shuang’s husband. You denied me the opportunity to involve myself in diplomatic matters in the past, but look at what’s happened! This opportunity has been brought about by my efforts.”