Fates Parallel Chapter 311 - Purewater (Patreon)

Yan Yue looked almost exactly the same as Jia remembered her. Black hair done up in a pair of loose buns and decorated with golden ornamentations, narrow green eyes with makeup to accentuate her already considerable natural beauty, and impractically flowing dress robes that managed to flaunt her figure while still adhering to Qin’s conservative style.

Jia wasn’t sure whether to throw herself at Yue to hug her or slap her, but since Yue was incorporeal she settled for demanding answers.

“Yue, what’s going on? Why are you here? How are you here? I didn’t even sense you until you released Meng Ying!”

Yue covered her mouth with a fan and giggled.

“I see you still haven’t learned not to pry about cultivation secrets—some things never change, do they? Meng Ying and his accomplices were sloppy—they assumed that they had privileged information, but we knew you were coming long before they did. It was simpler to let them go through with their plan and stop it here than to play our hand too early.”

Jia grimaced.

“I knew there was some kind of trap! What would have happened if we’d gone with them?”

Yue shrugged.

“Not much, to be honest. I’ll explain later, but I’m afraid that there is a trap, and you’re already quite thoroughly caught in it. For now, we should get moving.”

She turned and led them away from the abandoned checkpoint, but Eui stopped before she got too far.

“Uh, hold on—what are we supposed to do with this guy?”

Eui gestured at Meng Ying’s prone form and Yue sneered down at him.

“Whatever you like. Bring him along, leave him there, or kill him for all I care. He’s a traitor, and he deserves whatever happens to him. Frankly, I’m quite glad to be rid of him—controlling male bodies is horribly tiresome.”

Master Ienaga picked the man up and threw him over her shoulder.

“We’ll detain him for questioning, then—if that’s alright with you.”

Yue nodded.

“As you like. It’s good to see you again, Master.”

Ienaga’s eyebrows rose fractionally.

“I didn’t think you’d still consider yourself my disciple after all this time.”

“I’ve diligently practiced the Starlight Dance every day and fully incorporated it into my personal style. I’ve even made a few advancements beyond what’s described in the manual, and I’d be honored if you could give me your critiques once we’ve returned to the sect.”

Master Ienaga smiled softly and nodded.

“Of course, Yan. I’d be happy to.”

As they moved, Jia tried to make sense of what she sensed in her domain. As soon as Yue had released her victim, her domain had become obvious. She’d somehow hidden it within the suppressed aura of Meng Ying, and even now Jia couldn’t sense where it connected to her body.

“You’ve really improved that astral projection technique. It completely fooled my senses before.”

Jia avoided giving away too much detail, hoping that Yue would understand what she was getting at. Yue glanced at Jia and smirked.

“Well, that’s quite gratifying, but I see that the years haven’t cured you of your obsession with cultivation. We’ve hardly been reunited for five minutes—at least butter me up with some small talk first!”

Seong Misun crossed her arms and glared at Yue’s ghostly form.

“Actually, how are you doing that? Even I can’t sense your point of origin.”

Jia winced—so much for discretion. Yue bowed respectfully to Misun.

“Princess Seong, it’s good to meet you again. I’ve always wanted to thank you for rescuing my friends during the demonic attack. What you describe is a weakness to astral projection which I have spent years trying to account for after a certain someone rather viciously exploited it. For obvious reasons, it’s not a secret I can share candidly.”

Misun narrowed her eyes.

“Fine. Carry on.”

A few moments later, Jia sensed three more domains at the edge of her range. One was—paradoxically—Yue again, though much more subdued than the one emanating from her projection. The other two Jia didn’t immediately recognize, though she was pretty sure she could guess.

Yue’s domain was hopeful dreams floating pleasantly within the dark of night. The second was like forged steel—steadfast and strong, yet flexible and sharp. The final domain was a gentle stream meandering along the path before it—capable of flowing effortlessly and inexorably past any obstacle.

None of them were xiantian, which narrowed things down considerably. Jia smiled brightly.

“Xin Wei and Guan Yi are with you too? I think I can sense them now.”

Yue’s eyes widened in surprise for just a moment before she shook her head ruefully.

“As always the range of your senses is quite incredible. Indeed, my fiance accompanied me on my little outing—and of course, Guan Yi accompanied him as always.”

Eui frowned.

“Uh, yeah—what’s that about exactly? You’re getting married to Xin Wei?”

“It’s a long story—made even more complicated by recent events. I’ll tell you all about it later—it’s important you get the whole story, and for that we’ll need to talk in private. Pardon me a moment, I’ll be right back.”

Yue’s projection flew off in the direction of her body and after a moment, the three moved together to meet Jia’s group. As they approached, Jia got a proper look at Xin Wei and Guan Yi—her first friends from Qin, and the first cultivator peers she’d ever met.

Xin Wei hadn’t changed much. Still as tall and lanky as ever, though he looked small next to his hulking partner. His robes were the same light blue and white pattern as Meng Ying’s, though a bit more ornate.

Jia had nearly forgotten how much of a mountain of a man Guan Yi was. Only two years her senior, he looked more like a man in his thirties—a nearly seven-foot tall wall of muscle wielding an impressive-looking polearm. He’d also grown an impressive beard since she last saw him.

The three of them bowed together, with Yue at the front.

“Now that we’re all here, allow me to formally welcome you to Qingchuan as my personal guests!”

Xin Wei opened his arms and smiled.

“As guests of my fiancee, you are naturally guests of mine as well. I formally extend to you the protection of the Great Spiritual Flowing Purewater Sect.”

Guan Yi gave a strict, ninety degree bow.

“I shall honor that protection with my very life. Welcome, honored guests.”

Jia knew that there was etiquette to follow and formalities that needed to be addressed, but she didn’t care. Now that she saw her in person, she marched right up to Yue—protocols be damned—and threw her arms around the surprised woman in a tight hug.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I missed you, Yue.”

Yue returned the hug awkwardly, speaking very softly.

“I’ve missed you too, Jia. And you, Eui. I know it must have been an arduous journey, but I’m truly overjoyed that you came.”

They stayed like that for a moment before Xin Wei cleared his throat.

“Ahem! While this is a very touching reunion, I think we should move on. We can catch up as much as we like once we’re back home.”

Jia stepped back and stuck her tongue out at Xin Wei.

“Your tact hasn’t improved, has it?”

He shrugged.

“Better tactless than witless, I say.”

“A shame you were born without either, then.”

Jia gave Xin Wei a challenging glare, holding eye contact until he chuckled and shook his head.

“How nostalgic. You really haven’t changed, eh?”

Jia giggled.

“I missed you too, Xin—in a weird sort of way. And you, Guan Yi—more sincerely.”

Guan Yi bowed stoically.

“Likewise, Miss Lee. I fear Xin’s self-esteem has soared out of control without you to cut him down to size.”

Yue put a hand on her hip and cocked her head.

“And what am I, chopped liver?”

“I assure you, Xin’s taste for verbal abuse is unquenchable.”

Xin Wei sighed.

“Yes, yes. Very funny. I swear, Stoneface, you were never this sarcastic before meeting Lee Jia—these women have been a bad influence on you.”

Jia couldn’t help but smile at the exchange of friendly banter. More than anything else since she’d left, it made her feel like she was back at the academy again. Yue met her gaze with a smile of her own.

“Let’s get moving. You can tell me all about your journey while we travel—starting with how you vanished in thin air right before my eyes! That was Steps of the Stalker right? To think I advised you against ever learning it...”

As her old friend swept her into conversation, it finally began to sink in. After a long and stressful journey through hostile territory, uneasy alliances, and hidden enemies, she was safe among friends at last.

—-

It didn’t take long to reach Purewater Peak, but Jia and Eui spent the entire time catching Yue up on the last four years of their adventures. They left out the parts that would need to be discussed in private—such as Jianmo and his master’s tomb, or their tenuous alliance with the divine elementals—but covered everything from their trip through the wilderness, to their journey through Yamato and Goryeo, upending a criminal organization, stopping a coup, and finally their travels through Qin.

“My, you’ve certainly been busy. You’ll have to introduce me properly to your sisters and all these new friends later. For now—I do believe we’ve arrived.”

Yue gestured towards the mountain and Jia followed her gaze only to be stunned at the sight.

The sect towns she’d seen were impressive, but the Purewater Peak blew them away entirely. At the foot of the mountain was an entire city like nothing she’d ever seen. As wide and spacious as Yamato’s provincial capitals, with buildings taller than anything other than the towering spires of Songdo’s mage colleges.

The city was decorated with expansive parks and gardens like the palaces of Goryeo, the crown jewel of which was an enormous park right at the very base of the mountain, where a glittering waterfall fell from the peak of the high mountain all the way to the bottom. From a distance, it was like a cascade of diamonds surrounded by beautiful autumn colors as if brought forth from the mind of a great artist.

“Ancestors...”

Xin Wei preened happily.

“Indeed! Welcome to my home! A place of beauty unmatched among the great sects. Come, I’ll show you into the sect proper and arrange your rooms.”

Jia couldn’t help herself as Xin led them through the city, looking up and gawking at every interesting sight. Purewater Peak was unmistakably the most beautiful city she’d ever been in—for once, Xin Wei’s boasts were well-founded.

“The main city hosts our mortal population as well as most of the outer disciples and main branches, such as Guan Yi’s Earth Rending Sword Sect. Our ancestors believed that keeping the mortal and immortal populations together would help keep us grounded as we grew in power—never forgetting our roots.”

That seemed like a good idea to Jia, and she could see cultivators mingling with mortals everywhere she looked. Nowhere other than Yamato had she seen that happen so commonly, and in Yamato, martial artists were half the population—here, even in the seat of power for a sect as powerful as the Spiritual Flowing Purewater, they were less than a tenth.

Xin Wei guided them towards an enormous gate leading into the huge park she’d seen from a distance.

“This is our inner gate. Even inner disciples are encouraged to spend time in the city, and many of them own houses there, but the base of the mountain has a barracks for those who are focused on their training.”

The park was as beautiful from within as it had been from a distance. Much like the Labyrinthine Forest, the ground was kept free of fallen leaves and debris, and even the winding paths themselves were laid out in a way that was both pleasing to look at and relaxing to traverse.

Beyond the barracks Xin Wei mentioned was a great staircase leading up towards the mountain’s peak.

“Purewater Peak is a rather steep mountain, with relatively few plateaus. The main temple rests at the top, but the clan’s ancestral home is built into the side of the mountain and is laid out somewhat vertically. As honored guests, I will of course be welcoming you into my home.”

Xin Wei glanced back at the litter currently being carried by Eui and Li Meili and frowned for a moment before turning to a random passerby.

“You there! Help Sir Guan Yi carry that litter up the steps for our guests.”

The man held his hands out before him and bowed deeply.

“Yes, Young Master!”

Before Jia could even protest, Guan Yi and the random cultivator were carrying the bamboo litter smoothly up the stairs. Xin Wei bowed to Lee Jia.

“I’ll have the sect procure a proper palanquin for Miss Lee Jung as soon as possible. I apologize on behalf of my countrymen for their failure to provide adequate accommodation.”

“Uh, sure—thanks.”

Thankfully, they didn’t have far to go before reaching the plateau with their rooms. Xin Wei hadn’t exaggerated when he claimed that the estate had been built into the mountain. The plateau was little more than a narrow path that led to the entrance of an expansive complex that had been carved into the side of the mountain.

“This mansion will serve for Ambassadors Lee Jia and An Eui, as well as their family and guests. Princesses Seong Eunae and Seong Misun, as well as their entourage, will be given another further up, while Master Ienaga and Miss Takeda will be given their own rooms elsewhere.”

Rika was the first to respond.

“Actually, I’ll be staying with Eun-Eun’s group.”

Misun grimaced.

“And I’d rather have my own accommodations, thank you.”

Xin Wei smiled stiffly as Ienaga stepped forward to add her own voice to the crowd.

“Princess Seong Misun can have my quarters—I can stay here with Lee and An.”

Xin bowed.

“Very well—consider it done. You may all take today and tomorrow to rest—tomorrow evening, there will be a banquet to welcome you, and a chance to meet the grandmaster—my father. Allow me to welcome you all once more to the Spiritual Flowing Purewater Sect. My home is yours for as long as you choose to stay.”

As Xin and the others left Jia and her family to get settled in, Yan Yue lingered behind for just a moment.

“Tonight, once you have time, come visit me in the main temple. We need to talk—before the banquet.”