Threads 268-Perception 5

“By the way, which of my retainers would you prefer to be my liaison at your settlement since I cannot be on site yet?” Meizhen asked.

Ling Qi considered. She was curious about Bai Anxi’s musical style, but it could wait.

“As much as I am sure Xia Anxi would appreciate the opportunity to face the wilderness of the Emerald Seas, I think Lao Keung might be better suited. Isn’t he supposed to be coordinating your guard though? Won’t it interfere with his duties?”

“Those duties are minimal while I remain at the Sect,” Bai Meizhen dismissed. “And is it not within his duties to go ahead and see that our forces are coordinated and that your construction takes our needs into account?”

Ling Qi chuckled. “Ah, yes, he’ll have to ensure the amenities of the houseboat we build for you all on the lake.”

“That would be amusing. Perhaps the Baroness should rein in her ambitions though,” Bai Meizhen said dryly.

“You’re right,” Ling Qi said mournfully. “We lack the experience or material to build a hull that might withstand the pride of the Bai.”

Bai Meizhen covered her mouth with her sleeve, muffling her laughter. “My goodness, Qi. Please never, ever speak with one of my fellow white serpents alone.”

“Not if I can help it,” Ling Qi said sagely.

Her friend nodded, regaining her composure. “You are well though? I know that Renxiang has been troubled of late.”

“It is internal business,” Ling Qi said apologetically. “I know she is thankful for your concern, and so am I.”

Bai Meizhen pursed her lips but nodded. “Understood. Even among friends, there are matters which cannot be shared.”

And the revelation that Cai Shenhua’s intent and desire was to be overthrown was one of them, Ling Qi thought. The idea still felt unreal, an absurdity or a joke. What right did she, a girl who a few years ago had been hiding from street thugs in empty alleys, have to be involved with that?

<The same right as you have for establishing a connection to a foreign nation, or working with the Ministry of Law, or punching star monsters with your voice,> Sixiang thought. <You aren’t the same person.>

She wasn’t, and neither were her friends. Renxiang was not the brittle porcelain girl she had been, Bai Meizhen no longer the untouchable and imperious serpent, Li Suyin not the naive and shy child who lived in books, and Su Ling not the starved and ragged hunter. She was not so arrogant as to claim credit for these changes in full, but she had changed them, and they, her.

And they weren’t the only ones changing. Province, Empire, Tribes, Mountains. All were in motion.

Because motion was change. Wind could wear away even the tallest mountain.

“I suppose you must be fine, if your mood is so good,” Bai Meizhen said.

“I’m feeling more sure of myself.”

Bao Qianhad asked her before why she wanted to reach the peak of cultivation, and she’d not been able to give a satisfying answer. She didn’t have a definitive answer yet, but she was starting to have some ideas of what she thought needed to be done and needed to be changed. One person’s power alone couldn’t be enough for lasting change.

“I’m looking forward to you coming around, Meizhen. I really am.”

“So am I.” Then she smiled, tipping her head toward the center of the field. “Perhaps you should rescue your brother though. You need him for your performance, don’t you?”

Ling Qi turned her eyes back to the gathered beasts where Zhengui seemed to be struggling in a conversation with Cui, who was staring down a little bird that was hopping up and down on Gui’s head. Zhen looked worried.

“It is about time to start setting up the stage. Will you back me up? Cui is still not my biggest fan.”

“Cui has forgiven you in the way of the Bai.”

Ling Qi raised an eyebrow. “And what way is that?”

“Determining of her own volition that the slight was never worth their attention to begin with,” Meizhen said dryly. “But yes, I will remain and ensure she remembers her manners.”

Ling Qi stepped away from the hedge they had been standing by. Her steps parted the small crowd of spirits and disciples, a single glance her way enough to cause them to shuffle aside.

Change, indeed.

Cui’s hissing voice reached her as she came to them. “Too deficient still. Your pride is lacking.”

“I, Zhen, am merely generous to my court.”

“Being mean all the time is boring,” Gui added helpfully.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Foolish Gui,” Zhen hissed. “Acting your station is not mean.”

“Gui thinks Zhen—”

“Little brother,” Ling Qi interrupted. “I see you are having a good time.”

It felt odd, having the attention of the strange menagerie of beasts and disciples.

Zhen’s head swung toward her. “Ah, big sister, I was taking lessons from Lady Cui.”

Cui’s cold golden gaze turned to her, forked tongue flickering out. The jade green serpent turned up her snout.

Ling Qi glanced at Gui, who looked disgruntled. “Is that so?”

“Gui enjoys hearing everyone’s words,” he said stonily.

“Well, I am sorry to interrupt, but it will soon be time for the main event.”

“Main event?” Cui asked, affecting disinterest.

Ling Qi answered, “Our final sect performance. Zhengui is vital of course.”