The Third Cut - Chapter 19 preview (Patreon)

One dinner, a couple of frank conversations and numerous visits to the various schools around the city and the arrival of the special unit later, and Wu Ying and his friends found themselves summoned to a meeting with the city lord, army command and the head of the special unit itself.

The meeting was held in the central residence of the city lord, a building that stood multiple story’s above the surroundings, multiple layers of buildings, garden and walls setting it apart from the rest of the city itself. Each of those buildings housed members of the municipal government, everything from the bureau of records and grainaries to the bureau of education and enlightenment.

Dark robed figures scurried between paved walkways, arms clutching stacks of paper as they traversed the ground even as buzzing insects flew around, sucking upon blood or feasting upon processed paper. Wu Ying had learnt that there was an entire department whose purpose was nothing more than the reproduction of older works as the on-going heat and humidity saw to their eventual destruction.

Together, Yang Mu leading the trio down familiar routes, the trio crossed the grounds on foot. No wheeled conveyances were allowed within the bounds of the municipal grounds and the trio had declined the use of the palanquin that had been offered. Even though the grounds within were paved along the major walkways, the deluge that had occurred the night before had washed mud all over the surroundings, with additional muddy tracks added to by the various government workers.

Yang Mu was perhaps regretting the choice to walk now as she strode ahead, her lips curled up slightly in disgust. Only the exertion and flexing of her aura kept the mud from touching her as she marched onward, mud flung from the soles of her feet to be caught on the winds that Wu Ying kept between them.

Behind her, Wu Ying, floated above the entire issue. Not pressing down upon the ground meant that he threw up little mud, and the little that was caught by the gusting wind was sent away to splatter behind him or to the side.

Tou He, ignored the entire issue, happily tromping through the paved, if muddy, streets. Each splatter of mud showed on the green-trimmed, black spirit robes in stark relief, before the man’s fiery aura dried it off and the earth flaked away eventually.

“I’m certain they’re going to try to bully us out of the expedition,” Yang Mu was saying – again – so you both need to be careful not to let them anger you. In addition, if we give them any excuse, they’ll try to place us under their command. And that, we cannot accept.”

“Why?” Tou He said, innocently. “Surely it is their expedition.”

“Their third expedition, after two failures,” Yang Mu said. “I do not trust them to succeeed this time.”

“Then why join them and not go alone?” Wu Ying said, curiously.

“Because there is safety in numbers,” Yang Mu said. “And I have picked up hints from my contacts that the previous expeditions were not entirely complete failures. Whatever information they have – and they have refused to divulge it to me – might be the difference between success and failure.”

“So we need them,” Wu Ying said.

“And they us,” Yang Mu tilted her chin upwards. “Even if they do not know that.”

They crossed another dozen steps before Tou He leaned in to his friend and muttered. “She’s got quite the sense of self-confidence, doesn’t she?”

Wu Ying could only smile at the comment, though he chose not to answer his friend. In truth, he dreaded the idea of working for the army. The few times he had been involved with them, he had been gravely injured. And while he understood that the circumstances were different, old scars rarely healed cleanly.

“Shall we let you lead the conversation then, Cultivator Yang?” Tou He said.

Yang Mu turned to stare at Tou He, searching the ex-monk’s face for any signs of disdain. She found naught but the man’s innocently beaming face. Turning to Wu Ying, she raised a single, enquiring eyebrow.

“He’s just like that.” Wu Ying replied to her unasked question.

A slight moment of hesitation, then she nodded once firmly. “Yes. Let’s do it that way.” She smiled a little then. “After all, they’re more used to women leading the way here.”

Wu Ying had to agree. The city lord was female, their current queen was the same. In fact, the entirety f their inheritance laws were matrilineal – though it had some complexities to them that Wu Ying was still attempting to understand. Belatedly and laxadisically, admittedly, as he had more than a few subjects to study. Ranging from expanding his language, translating the documents offered to him by the School of Gathering and, amusingly, exploring a new avenue of research.

Spirit beast and spiritual herb coexistence and mixture. Of course, he knew and applied aquaculture to his own rice fields. But the Nanyue had taken the mixing of spirit beasts and spiritual herbs to a whole new level. They raised spirit beasts just for their manure, had them consume certain herbs to enhance the byproducts, allowed them to dig and otherwise till soil to enhance the side effects and even improved the distribution and growth of certain previously thought entirely wild cultivated plants by adding digestion and dispersal by spirit beasts to the equation.

The trio were shown into the meeting room, cups of tea and small snacks set out for the waiting indiivduals within. Captain Ky was a familiar face, and by clothing and personality was Lord Xam. Which meant that Colonel of the special unit, Huynh Bich Trang was the last member.

She was, surprisingly, short. If she was even five feet tall, it was because of the hair that had been piled upon her hair and tied off into a tight bun. Yet, for all her lack of stature, there was an intensity to the woman that drew the eye to her, a quiescent tiger rather than a slumbering ox.

She was also impatient to get started, for once introduction had been made, she leaned forward and thumped a hand on the table. “Why exactly are you three forcing your way onto my expedition?”

As agreed, the pair glanced over to Yang Mu who sat forward, her hands turning over to show her palms. “The concerns of Nanyue are the concerns of the world, for yours is the beating heart of cultivation. Without the spirit stones that flow upwards, progression becomes significantly more difficult for cultivators in the Middle Kingdom.”

“And why should we care if you progress?” Bich Trang sneered. “The entire act of immortal cultivation as practiced by the Middle Kingdom is an affront to the heavens itself.”

“Yet, the trade between the two kingdoms is a guarantee of peace.” Yang Mu leaned forwards. “Constant and consistent trade is a boon to Nanyue. From the north, you receive supplementary rice and meat shipments, from the south fruits and vegetables. The Middle Kingdom provides Nanyue the majority of the iron it needs for the creation of its famed weapons along with the various storage vessels and formations that allow you to exploit the land around your city to its fullest.

“Mercenaries from the north arrive regularly, seeking fame and fortune in your cities, helping do battle against the demonic beasts that assail your cities. And yet…”

“Yet?” Captain Ky asked.

“I noted there were few coming south during our travels. Few in the city itself,” Yang Mu said. “The tainted cores are not in demand, not by the mercenaries.”

“We do not need mercenaries to protect our cities,” Captain Ky snapped.

Wu Ying raised a single, elegant eyebrow. He recalled their first meeting, the demand of a Core Formation stone to allow them in. The captain growled, and ducked his head, choosing not to answer Wu Ying’s pointed look.

“In the short-term, certainly. But the beast grow stronger, and Nanyue lacks the numbers of Core Formation cultivators to fight them all off,” Yang Mu stated, plainly.

The city lord shifted in her seat, looking unhappily at the bluntly put situation. Yet, she chosen not to contradict Yang Mu or even speak at all, waiting to see what the commander had to say before she intervened.

“You speak endlessly about why dealing with the taint is important, but nothing about why you three are pushing to be on my expedition,” Bich Trang said.

“Is it not clear? We are a significant increase in strength to your expedition,” Yang Mu said. “I have skill with formations that can be useful depending on the source. Containing it, closing it, filtering it further… all of it might be necessary.” A gesture at Tou He. “The Verdant Green Waters Elder is a strong fighter whose cleansing flames of his fire element can directly do what formations might fail at. And I’m certain his Sect did not send him down without additional external aid.”

Finally, she gestured at Wu Ying. “And the Verdant Gatherer has more experience with wild gathering than most, his knowledge of plants and changing environments a boon to all. His skill with the sword is not to be underestimated.”

Bich Trang shook her head. “I have members in my unit who can do all that you have spoken of and more. I have trackers and formation masters, a physician and pill apothecarist who can aid with dispelling the taint, multiple individuals with skills in weapon arts. You people bring nothing to the table.”

Yang Mu nodded congenially at his words, before raising a finger. “Perhaps. But we also are not members of your unit. Nanyue has always lacked high-level cultivators. Losing more on an expedition would be a greater loss to you than us.”

Tou He and Wu Ying shared a startled glance, neither one having been expected to be offered as warm bodies. Yet, for once, Bich Trang looked pleased by what Yang Mu had said.

“Then you are offering to face the dangers ahead of my people?”

“We are offering to face them with you.” Yang Mu then leaned back. “Or you can go ahead, without us. And we’ll follow after.”

Bich Trang snorted. “Lord Xam could have you kept back. Thrown into jail even. Endangering a military exercise is a serious offense.”

“She could.” Yang Mu inclined her head. “But I believe she sees the wisdom of including us in your expedition. Already, the schools have seen significant losses from the taint as have the farmland. It can only grow worse. If you fail-”

“We will not fail,” Bich Trang said.

“-the next unit to arrive might takes months. Already, the city’s resources are strained.” She gestured to the north then, as she continued. “Nevermind the fact that a weakened Liang Soong is a tempting target. Once Nanyue loses the gateway to the north…”

“Are you threatening us?” Now Lord Xam spoke up, her voice cool.

“Not at all,” Yang Mu replied instantly. “Just detailing the dangers that Colonel Huynh might not understand. The military are not always cognizant of such greater concerns.”

“The military is what holds the fortress of Liang Soong,” Colonel Huynh snapped. “We are well aware of any designs on Nanyue.” Changing tact, he smiled grimly at the trio. “Which is why your addition is concerning. After all, what is to say you three are not looking to sabotage our successful completion of the mission. As you said, a weakened Liang Soong is a tempting target.”

Tou He cut in this time, leaning forwards. “The Abbess will speak of my motives and character. And I, in turn, can vouch for Cultivator Long. He has risked much for the greater good of cultivators, whether in the State of Shen or otherwise.”

“And my parents are well known to Lord Xam,” Yang Mu said. “They have no interest in such greater politics.”

“And yet, you are here.”

“I am not my parents,” Yang Mu said. “Curiosity drives my own journey now. Though aiding them in understanding the damage done to their spirit core supply is something I, a filial daughter, can do.”

Still Bich Trang looked unconvinced. Seeing him frown, recalling what Yang Mu had hinted at earlier, he interjected. “Your danger is not from any of us. The taint is not something a member of the orthodox – or even a heretical sect member – would indulge in. What I have sensed, it is demonic in nature. Left too long, this tear or rupture will eventually draw powerful demonic creatures, twist them all and empower them. Perhaps even allow the invasion of demons to this plane.”

And a demon, without the strict controls of the immortals of hell, would wreak havoc upon all that it encountered. Hungry, angry, vengeful or vicious, it mattered not. They would lash out, and in so doing, cause untold destruction.

“So, you know something of our problems,” Bich Trang said.

“Only in small degrees. Let us help,” Wu Ying answered. “Or see your land corrupted, see the heavens take action. And watch as such action causes untold damage to your charges.”

The room waited with bated breath for Bich Trang after that pronouncement. Her face was unmoving, a carved rock of sullen regard but one hand clenched tight beneath the table, unseen to mortal eye but all too clear to the Core Formation cultivators in the room.

Slowly, she nodded in acquiescence. Their addition was agreed upon.

And the real negotiations began.