The Third Kingdom - Chapter 31 & Bonus Epilogue preview (Patreon)

The wind whistled through empty streets, picking up dirt and discarded debris, dancing along forgotten talismans and formation flags. Not so far away, stubborn mortals still worked the fields, a few lonesome servants trudged through the abandoned mansion, carrying out thankless tasks.

Wu Ying listened to the whispers the winds brought, of snatches of conversations and faraway scents. The tinkle of horse gear and the howl of a demonic beast deep in the depths of the forest. Many li away, it even brought traces of those who had left, hints of their scents and their passage.

Three days had passed and the greater portion of the cultivators, merchants and mortals had abandoned the location, leaving only a small number too proud or stubborn behind.

A movement nearby had Wu Ying turn his attention to where Liu Ping lay, finally waking. She let out an indelicate groan, and only after she had drunk of the cup of tepid tea she was offered did she come fully conscious.

“Wu Ying?” A pause, then she blushed. “My apologies. Expert Long.”

“No need,” Wu Ying said, waving away the discourtesy of a slip of tongue. “You saved my life with that last attack. For a battle sister, my personal name is more than sufficient.”

“I did, didn’t I?” Liu Ping murmured, a little shock and a little awe in her voice as she recalled her own actions. The woman flexed her fingers, her chi stirring and dark, insubstantial claws flickering into existence across her fingers. “I took vengeance for my brother’s murderer.”

Then, as though the words had broken a dam within her, she began sobbing. Huge, heaving sobs that wracked her body and twisted her form. She huddled in her knees, grieving for the loss of family and her past. Wu Ying watched for a brief moment before choosing to sit by her side on the bed, putting an arm around her.

The hourly incense marker had nearly burnt away in its entirety, requiring a change of the incense stick within before Liu Ping calmed, pulling away from Wu Ying. He was dismissed moments later, as she sought to clean and prepare herself, leaving him to exit to the bottom floor foyer.

There, the trio of sisters sat, watching Wu Ying as he descended with raised brows. He related Liu Ping’s wakefulness, choosing not to comment on her grief, though the watchful and knowing gaze of Pan Yin rested upon his face. Thankfully, she did not speak of it, instead sending her sisters – over the loud objections of Pan Shui – up to aid the still weak Liu Ping.

“Now that she has woken, what is your plan, Expert Long?” Pan Yin asked, putting her head on her fist consideringly.

“I am not certain,” Wu Ying said, sighing a little. “I had invitations to visit the sects and trade with them, but after this…” He did not need to detail his thoughts. As dangerous as it might be for the locals, he as a foreigner was even more vulnerable to being disappeared. “It might be best for me to leave the kingdom entirely.”

“Certainly a thought…” Pan Yin’s lips pulled into a slight smile. “And if you intend to do so, then journeying with us further west to our clan holdings might be best. A single traveler is more conspicuous than a group, especially one with us.”

Wu Ying raised an eyebrow, choosing not to gainsay her. On the other hand, he had plans of traversing the deep wilds, places where none but other Wild Gatherers like him dared step. He would be safe enough there, for the wilds were wide and great and civilization’s hold still tenuous.

“Why?”

“Well, there are many reasons…” Pan Yin smiled a little. “But in the end, it comes down to this. A good deed should be rewarded. And what you did, with Elder Cao – exposing her and the government’s plans – those were good deeds.”

Wu Ying shook his head. “I cannot ask of you to endanger your clan…”

“Hah!” Pan Yin laughed then. “There is no danger. They would not dare attack us, for they could not face our ire. The kingdom knows not to start wars they cannot win – and they cannot win against us for we have a mystic kingdom to retreat to if they press us too hard. The Eternal Army cannot afford to watch over our lands for too long.”

“And your trade and partners?” Wu Ying said.

“They will return. After all, what we have to offer, they cannot get anywhere else,” Pan Yin said. When Wu Ying raised an eyebrow, she smirked. “You’ll just have to see. But you will be interested in it… Verdant Gatherer.”

Wu Ying leaned back, staring at the woman, consideringly. Only for him to be interrupted by the descent of Liu Ping and the others. The wandering cultivator had cleaned herself up, looking more put together via the heavy application of cosmetics. Even so, she looked thinner than ever and her eyes – even with the bags under them hidden – still contained a haunted look. No cosmetics would hide the change in outlook or the deep well of grief that had been dug in her. Only time would shore up those walls, offer some level of false succor.

After greetings had been exchanged and seats taken, Pan Yin jumped straight into matters. “And what plans do you have, Cultivator Liu?”

“Gao Qiu left, did he not?” Liu Ping said, looking around the empty interior. Even the sect elders had abandoned the place a day ago, Teng Fei having taken their statements. It was time for them to discuss the changes with their sect and potentially, be dismissed for their part in this fiasco.

“He did. I’m sorry. I spoke to him but he said he needed to get the new recruits to safety. That it was more important to the cause,” Wu Ying said, not bothering to hide his distaste or the excuses made by the other man.

“It’s okay,” Liu Ping said, offering Wu Ying a half-smile. “We – I –” her voice hitched a little as she changed identifiers, remembering her brother was dead, “always knew the cause was more important than any one of us. It’s what makes him so effective.”

“Revolutionaries,” Pan Shui’s distaste was clear in her voice too. “Though if there’s a kingdom that needs changing….”

“This is one,” Liu Ping muttered.

“Then you’re going to join him?” Pan Yin said, curiously, the older sister leaning on her upraised palm as it rested on the table.

“I…” Liu Ping hesitated now, doubt flashing through her eyes. It was one thing to know you were disposable, another to be discarded and expected to accept that.

“Then, come with us,” Pan Yin offered. “Expert Long is going to do so.”

Wu Ying looked at Pan Yin, about to object to using him as bait, when Liu Ping murmured, “Is he?” He clamped his mouth shut, the other woman still somewhat distracted with exhaustion. “I do owe the Expert…”

“There are no debts. If anything, the debt is mine,” Wu Ying said.

“Is that so?” Liu Ping said, a flicker of something rolling off her aura. He found himself shivering a little, a feeling of being targeted suddenly sweeping through him as her bloodline came to the fore. She even went so far as to lick her lips! “Well, I might just have to see about receiving payment.”

Wu Ying stared for a long second, then shook his head a little. With her bloodline receding in prominence, Liu Ping blinked and blushed, though she did not retract her words or apologize. Something else to be worried about in his own bloodline if it grew in prominence.

“Then that’s settled.” Pan Yin clapped her hands together, rising. “Since we are all awake, we should leave today. There’s an extra carriage, so you can rest in there. We should be packed in the hour. Cultivator Liu – I understand most of your items were destroyed in the fire-”

“What fire?” Liu Ping said, surprised.

Pan Yin ignored Liu Ping as she continued. “-but that is no matter. We have enough clothing to cover for you. And Cultivator Gao did leave what survive behind. It’s still packed, so you should be ready. I recommend you stay down here and eat.”

As though it only needed reminding, Liu Ping’s stomach rumbled, making her blush. “Is there even a cook left?”

“No.” Wu Ying smiled as he stood up and walked towards the kitchen. “But there is congee and some other foodstuff.” Moments later, he came back with a bowl and a number of other plates of light refreshment, placing them before Liu Ping. “It’s a little cold, but eat up. If we’re leaving, I should pack.”

Leaving her startled by the speed of decisions made, Wu Ying wandered up the stairs. He was not at all surprised to see Pan Yin standing there, smiling a little secretive smile.

“You planned all that,” he accused immediately.

“I did. And it worked, did it not? You cannot say that it is not better for her too, though.” She shook her head. “Many – if not all – of Gao Qiu’s revolutionaries will be killed, even if they succeed. Revolutions are a bloody business.”

“They are.” Wu Ying sighed. Then curiosity poked at him and he could not help but ask. “Those formations, the ones that cover the kingdom. I know some of it is part of a signal formation, meant to warn of approaching armies or powerful cultivators. But much of it is unknown to me.”

Pan Yin frowned, looking around herself automatically. When she realized that there were no one around, she relaxed a little, a sardonic smile pulling at her lips. “Well, if we are to associate with rebels, what’s one more rule broken? But sadly, I cannot tell you. I have but rumors and conjecture, from ambient chi being focused on the royal palace to create a fabled land for chi cultivation to a deadly, war formation.”

Wu Ying nodded, dismissing the thought. It might be more interesting and pressing if he was a formation master, but even if he knew the basis of it, studying a formation that encompassed an entire kingdom was outside of his own purview.

“Thank you, anyway. For supporting us.” Pan Yin nodded to the woman below. “It will be good for her to see a different life.”

“And if she chooses to stay and join the Pan Clan, that wouldn’t hurt either, would it?” Wu Ying said, cynically.

Pan Yin nodded unashamedly. Waving goodbye to him, she headed for her own rooms where she chivvied her sisters into picking up speed at packing. Wu Ying chuckled but followed her example moments later.

***

Watching the group ride off, Liu Ping inside the carriage along with Pan Shui; Wu Ying turned to the man watching them all. He could not help but note the grey that had appeared, almost overnight, in the man’s hair, the deep lines and shadows under his eyes. The Guard Captain was a man under siege by worries and concerns, by his impending and approaching doom. Yet, he stood steadfast, and Wu Ying chose to give him the honor of not attempting to sway his mind. Too many had tried and failed.

“I’m glad you are leaving. In a few days, the messenger I sent will arrive. And then, they will come,” Teng Fei said, looking silently into the distance and not at Wu Ying. “It will be best to be far away then.”

“I wanted to thank you, again.” Wu Ying paused, considering what else to say. He found that he had little to add. Mostly platitudes that the man had heard before, in the days between. Eventually, he had to ask. “What do you think will happen?”

Teng Fei shrugged. “It is hard to say. I think… I hope… that most are over cautious. That the government will not kill loyal subjects to cover up a mistake. That they will choose to lay the blame on Elder Cao herself and let matters rest.

“But I do not know. No one does.”

Wu Ying nodded. He understood that sentiment. People could sometimes be predictable, but governments, staffed by those desperate to keep their position and their dignity could react badly. Depending on how high the conspiracy went, the amount of damage this event could create was staggering. Even now, he was certain, the truth of the deaths and disasters across all the auctions and tournaments was spreading.

“The Heavens bear you fair wind, Expert Long,” Teng Fei said, turning to Wu Ying. He bowed low, holding the position for a long moment before coming up and putting his clasped fists by his side. “You honored Guardsman Chu by finding her killer. Her ghost will rest easy now.”

Grief, deeper grief than Wu Ying would have expected showed in Teng Fei’s eyes as he spoke. For a moment, he wondered if there was more to the story there – a lover? Unrequited romance? Or just long companionship? He did not know and felt he could not ask. Not now.

So many stories, unspoken. So many truths, hidden. Wu Ying drifted through cities and villages, sects and kingdoms, between mortals and cultivators; and each had their own tales. Like the ruins of ancient villages and bygone kingdoms, they had stories to tell if only one could learn to speak the truth.

“Take care of yourself, Captain Teng,” Wu Ying said, finally into the silence as the sound of the horses and the women drifted away.

“And yourself, Expert Long.”

Wu Ying walked off, leaving the man to his fate. He could not help but feel a little unsettled, a little adrift. There was a war brewing, retribution to be meted out, moments of glory and cowardice to be enacted. And he was leaving, moving on before matters were settled.

Like the wind, bringing much needed rain to parched fields, he had wrought change in the land. Yet, like the wind itself, he moved on before the changes he had fashioned would bear fruit. Maybe in years or decades, he would return. But it was for others, the farmers and the noblemen, the cultivators who were linked to this land who would have to care for the seeds he planted.

Or not.

But for now, the wind blew and Wu Ying had another land to see.

###
THE END

Bonus Epilogue of The Third Kingdom

“Do you think they believed you?” gravelly and tired, the voice that spoke up from Gao Qiu’s elbow was low and wary, the speaker hunched up and in beggar’s robes. He had a hand out for coins and Gao Qiu took his time, reaching into his purse to find something for the man. Because he really was a beggar, but more importantly, also a member of the White Flowers.

Like so many others, the government cared not for the beggars which made them a great tool for his own purposes.

“Not now. But, they’ll think about it and eventually, some of them will believe,” Gao Qiu replied, just as softly. He pushed the coins into the beggar’s hands, taking the scroll of rolled up paper that was in it into his too. Then he waved the other off, watching as the beggar made the rest of his rounds.

In the meantime, his gaze moved back to the group that had just left him to take back their seats in the tea house. He could hear snatches of the conversation, the pair that had come over to speak with him from that group already relaying the conversation to their friends. Others had left the tea house already, continuing to spread the word.

The moment they had heard he was part of the ill-fated tournament held a mere fifty li from this tavern, they had arrived. Rumors had already begun spreading even before they had been released, and now a week after they had left; everyone was talking about it.

The best part? Some of the rumors out there painted the government in even worse light than the truth. He, of course, had done nothing to tamp those rumors down beyond the most modest of attempts, but neither did he lie when asked.

Why lie when the truth was just as damaging and less likely to tar you with the paintbrush of deceit? Not that the truth always won out…

The crack of his teacup shattering, sloshing lukewarm tea over his hands startled Gao Qiu. He opened his hands, staring at the shards and the blood that suddenly welled up. It took little effort to to wave off the attendant and clean his wounds, his cultivator’s body healing the damage.

It helped, to have other things to do, while he pushed away old memories and grievances. Those thoughts were always a small step away, recollections of his sister and mother, their enslavement after his father had died serving the Everlasting Army and their lack of funds… the injustice of it all, and…

No. He exhaled hard.

No, he would not let this kingdom stand. Not if he had any say in it. And he knew, his brothers and sisters in the White Flower Rebellion believed the same.

The kingdom of Zhao and the petty tyrants who ruled it will all fall. He would see them burn.

***

Kong Lai turned as he heard Elder Tsui stir, cushioned and propped up in the carriage as he was. They had no choice but to take the main roads because Elder Tsui was still recovering from the battle. Even now, he slept most of the day and when he was not sleeping, he cultivated to make full use of the healing pills he consumed.

Every bump, every raised voice or approaching group made the inner sect cultivator tense, till they moved on. It was too soon, too soon for the pursuit to have begun – if there was pursuit to be had. Even so, logic did nothing to calm his nerves.

He stared at Elder Tsui as the man went back to sleep and he could not help but curse the fool and the Shen-originating cultivator Long Wu Ying. He would remember that name and curse it in the hundred hells if he was sent there because the man could not stop meddling.

What kind of fool did not realize there was more to the deaths than the work of a demonic cultivator or artful revenge? He had! But he had chosen not to get involved, chosen to turn a blind eye. That was the way one survived, under the watchful gaze of heaven and kingdom alike.

But no, that buffoon had chosen to get involved and now, everyone – including him! – was incriminated. Perhaps they might avoid the coming storm, if the sect chose to keep its head down and pay whatever compensation the kingdom demanded. That would be the logical thing to do.

Fuming, Kong Lai tried to return to his study of the formation manual before him, one of the few advantages of traveling with a Formation Master like Elder Tsui.

Mostly though, he failed as his gaze returned to the outside, searching for trouble.

Even for all his watchfulness, he never noticed as the men arrived. Individuals in the vermillion and crimson of his sect robes appeared out of the air, startling him. The doors were thrown open as the Sect Head took her seat across from him, leaning forwards as she dismissed the unconscious Elder and fixed him with a stern gaze.

“Tell me what happened.” Her command was cold, but with the hints of fire that was all too common.

Liu Tsong gulped, then began to relate the tale. Seeing the anger in her eyes, his stomach dropped as he spoke, intuition telling him that their sect was not about to be logical. Forget sense, follow their passions. Burnt bright!

Damn that wandering cultivator.

***

The moon had risen, high overhead. It was larger than before, growing brighter though it had waxed just over a quarter moon. Starlight illuminated the field, the occasional moving cloud high above doing little to hide the starry expanse watching his actions. Not much light from the compound, since most had left.

Teng Fei stood over the grave, the grave where had buried Guardsman Chu. The smell of newly turned earth rose up, as the coarse grains of soil rubbed against his dirty fingers. He had buried her, here. He could do that at least.

He had debated sending the body to be buried in her hometown – their hometown – but he had chosen against it eventually. She had been army like him. She had always known that she might never be buried next to her family and had accepted that. He dared not risk her body being confiscated by the authorities on the way home even if he did hire and pay for the corpse bearers himself.

No. Better for her to be buried now.

Even the most depraved or bureaucratic of individuals would hesitate to dig up a grave. Smiling a little, he stared at the incense stuck at the head of her grave and the smoldering ashes of the paper money he had burnt for her. Surprisingly, there had been quite the store in the Seven Pavilion’s compound, stored away for future use. He had taken armfuls of it, in lieu of the pay he expected he would not be receiving.

“I hope this is enough to pay your way through the hells. I hope they don’t punish you too badly, and when you have drunk the wine of forgetfulness and return, you find a better place,” Teng Fei murmured to the grave, to the Investigator. “Oh, and a drink…”

Upturning the wine gourd he carried, he watched it splash onto the ground. He smiled a little, watching it soak into the earth before he continued. “If you have some extra money, make sure to save it for me. I don’t think I’ll have much when I join you.”

He could not help but wonder if he would receive a proper burial too. Probably not. If he was truly unlucky, he would be left to wander, headless and hungry as a ghost till a Daoist master sent him to the hells. Hopefully he did not hurt anyone if he did so.

“Am I fool for staying?” he asked the grave.

Silence, of course, answered him.

Still, he nodded as though he heard an answer. “I am, aren’t I? But it has to be done. If everyone leaves because of fear, if all good men abandon their posts, then we get… well, Elder Cao. I have to believe the kingdom we served is more than fear and uncaring duty, more than a disdain for its people and greed. I have to believe there’s a future.

“And if there is, I need to be there to help guide it.”

The wind blew, taking his words into the night. The smell of the fresh turned grave rose, along with the lingering sense of the ashes from the burnt fields. So much had been destroyed, so much revealed. And yet…

“I have to believe.”

So saying, Teng Fei turned from the grave back to his duty. The inspectors would likely start arriving in a day or two. He wanted to make sure all the paperwork was clear and concise. If nothing else, the records might show the truth of what happened here, centuries later.