v7c37: Spirits of Earth and Water

Shenguashi, the spirit created by Master Xiaoshi was, for the first time, utterly content. He had done it! He had found the Emperor! One to carry on Master Xiaoshi’s will, and defend Lady Tianlan!

 

He had all the necessary traits. His intelligence, his conviction, his temperance—he was also mighty! Nearly as mighty as the one called Shen Yu, who had refused Shenguashi! A fine man to become Emperor!

 

…of course he was already also Emperor of the rest of this massive continent. The one Bi De had shown him, the mighty Phoenix. But that did not matter!

 

This was perhaps even better! Now Shenguashi could potentially convince the Emperor to use the rest of his Empire to protect the Azure Hills! How joyous! How amazing!

 

“Hmmm. These memories are interesting. I can see why they were important, but not urgent,” the Emperor said, rubbing his chin. “It appears the scholars were wrong; the Qi Wastes are not naturally occurring parts of our planet, especially if that is what the Azure Mountains used to be like.”

 

Both of the strongest cultivators who had entered Shenguashi’s crystal had been concerned with the same thing; both had expressed shock that the damage the Demons had done to Lady Tianlan had not been something natural—apparently, there were other parts of the world wherein the Earth Spirits had been consumed entirely.

 

His directives urged him to advise the Emperor—just as they suddenly ran into conflict with another directive.

 

Obey Lady Tianlan.

 

Lady Tianlan, who did not wish to be known by the wider world, worried that she and the other Earth Spirits might come under threat by the very people who lived on this world. With the horrors Lord Xiaoshi had witnessed, where humans had ripped open Lady Tianlan’s bones to drink her marrow… it was a pertinent worry.

 

Support the new Emperor. Protect Tianlan.

 

“Hypothesis is that the Demons find some manner of important node within the Dragon Veins, and then use that node to drain the entire province,” Shenguashi reported. An excellent answer! Both directives fulfilled! “Both the one known as Shen Yu and the one known as Xiao Ge further hypothesized that these holes in the world are responsible for slowly draining the Qi from it.”

 

The Emperor rubbed his chin in consideration. “That does make sense.” The man ruminated on it for a moment, before turning back to Shenguashi. “Your maker was an interesting man; Xiaoshi of the Azure Mountains. It seems that there is more to that province than I thought. This Shen Yu, Rou Jin… I’ll have to keep a closer eye on it.” Shenguashi brightened at the statement. “I suppose that is one of your directives? The protection of the Azure Hills?”

 

“Yes, Emperor—but between the ones who found me, and your attention, I think it is well protected indeed!” Shenguashi answered.

 

The man chuckled. “I suppose Shen Yu is indeed a deterrent to anything harming those Hills. Very well. Your other directive was to assist me, was it? Let me see what your maker considered to be assisting.”

 

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened. Shenguashi nearly preened under the attention. He would not fail his maker! He would be a great advisor!

 

“Firstly, a matter of law; one man has accused another of exploiting his lands…”

 

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The Emperor of the Crimson Phoenix Empire exited the crystal some time later, a small smile on his face.

 

The crystal spirit was an amusing thing; very eager to please, and its advice wasn’t bad. It leaned towards virtue, but above all, the Spirit desired effectiveness.

 

Not too idealistic, and understanding of difficult issues; it had provided counterpoints, but more than that, how a man called “Kongming” had ruled on previous cases—the leader of the judiciary under Ancestor Xiaoshi.

 

The man’s quotes had been eloquent, yet direct and to the point. A great piece to have as a servant.

 

Fengyan considered the crystal for a few more moments. He’d keep this one close by. He might have more use for it later.

 

He walked back to one of his couches and sat down, pulled out a piece of paper, and began drafting some ideas. He needed to send some scholars to the Wastes; he needed Dragon Vein specialists, Spiritual Doctors… just scholars in general. They would need to be guarded—many bandits called the Wastes home, and the landscapes were always perilous. The Cloudy Sword Sect had said it wanted to be involved more, so perhaps them?

 

He spent a few more moments drafting his plan, and then his mind began to wander. If the Qi Wastes were unnatural, then perhaps they could be repaired. If he accomplished that… if it was possible…

 

The Emperor let out a breath.

 

It was best to not hope too much.

 

His allotted time off was done for the day, and Fengyan rose once more. He sent his orders to gather scholars to investigate the Wastes to his aide, and then checked to see if there were any alerts. Most were low priority, thankfully, but one was in the “persons of interest” category.

 

He picked up the report. Speak of Cao Cao and He shall appear; it was from the Azure Hills.

 

“‘While cataloging Pale Moon Lake City Archive as commanded, received new additions; names on the pieces matched the names of the persons of interest, as did the description of the one who added it to the Archives. Have copied the texts. Awaiting orders if they shall be sent, or remain here.’”

 

Fengyan glanced at the list of three titles.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

 

“On Beekeeping by Rou Jin, Hong Meiling, and Hong Xian. On the Distillation of Alcohol, Rou Jin, Hong Meiling, Yao Che, and Liu Bowu. On the Sterilization of Medical Equipment, Rou Jin, Hong Meiling, and Hong Xian.”

 

Fengyan raised an eyebrow. Shen Yu’s grandson had written these and added them to the Archives? They did find the basis for their Anti-Demonic formation within his creation’s halls, but… they were actually giving back to it?

 

Fengyan suddenly desired to read whatever had been written. It didn’t sound impressive, especially to most cultivators, but beeswax was a very important product—and sterilization of medical tools? Interesting.

 

He called one of his messengers. The man, as always, popped up from his shadow.

 

“Your Majesty,” he intoned, kowtowing before his master.

 

“I have a priority job for you. Retrieval and delivery. This location,” Fengyan commanded. Orders received, the messenger sped away, his body blurring into motion.

 

He had at least a full day before his messenger returned; the art they cultivated allowed them great speed.

 

And then, hopefully, he would have something interesting to peruse.

 

Fengyan looked up at the map of his Empire, specifically at the little corner in the northwest.

 

The Azure Hills. Who would have thought it would eventually be important?

 

Would it keep surprising him?

 

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Her eyes slowly fluttered open.

 

The weight of whispered eons and the call of the void tried to keep them closed; but she would not be denied.

 

She had been asleep for too long already.

 

Her eyes slowly opened, and what she saw… was gloom. It was barely lighter here than when they were closed. But there was light; enough light to see a bare patch of lakebed that extended forwards, and then dropped off into the void.

 

It was a bottomless pit. Yawning. Gaping. Waiting for her. Calling to her, to move forwards and just… fall.

 

Fall back asleep. Fall back into eternity.