Writing Blog: The Value of an Emperor (Patreon)

Two weeks ago or maybe more (it’s hard to keep track of time nowadays), someone in the comments asked why was the Xiao Sect having an Emperor-realm cultivator so important. After all, it doesn’t stop the Yun Sect from trying to do stuff every now and then. I answered the question, but it occurred to me that this could also be a good topic for a post, so here it goes!

First, let me explain a little about how Sects work. Cultivators, as a general rule, are all about trying to get stronger so they can reach immortality and whatnot. In order to do that, they usually need to get their hands on all sorts of super rare cultivation techniques, thousand-year-old pills, the stuff required to make those pills, and so on. You might as well throw in the kitchen sink for good measure.

Basically, it’s hard. There’s usually a limit to how much a person can accomplish on their own.

Sects are a collective approach to the above. 

A collective, heavily stratified approach.

Sects go around trying to get their hands on as many resources as possible. They do this through exploration, diplomacy, commerce, and, in some cases, lots of violence.

In Eastern Port City, the Xiao and Yun Sects have, over a long period of time, emerged as the two dominant powers. Each Sect controls a large number of businesses all over the city and beyond. The money made from these businesses is used to help fund the Sects’ many activities. These businesses also help boost a Sect’s reputation.

Now, here’s where the whole Emperor thing comes in.

Having an Emperor means that, should the two Sects engage in an all-out war, the Xiao Sect would win. Not without costs, but they would. 

The Xiao Sect and the Yun Sect both know this, and this plays a big part in their negotiations. 

In plain terms, it means the Yun Sect will always be the one to blink first.

The Xiao Sect has used this to their advantage quite a few times in the past. However, if they push too far, the Yun Sect might just risk all-out war. This is not something the Xiao Sect wants due to the losses that would result from the conflict. A war with the Yun Sect could set them back decades, if not centuries. There is a very careful balancing act going on in the relationship between the two sects.

Liu Jin isn’t privy to this, both because he’s still young and because he doesn’t care much about stuff like this. 

Should the Yun Sect gain an Emperor or should the Xiao Sect lose its Emperor, the difference between the two sects would disappear in the negotiation table. The repercussions wouldn’t become apparent right away, but the city would see the shifting balance over the years that follow.