Interlude: Cai Xi Kong (Patreon)

Cai Xi Kong, Sectmaster of the Verdant Blade, had almost completed calming his beating heart. Beside him, his cousin’s breath was heavy. Yi’s stern face was hard as he collected himself, seated to Xi Kong’s right. Lifting the Earthly Arena was always difficult. Managing the enormous chains, locking in the support pillars... In truth, the defeated contestants did little. Lifting hundreds of thousands of tons of stone as well as a hundred thousand people was quite beyond the Younger Generation, especially when after their fights they were normally injured and out of Qi. Instead, it was the Elders who did the majority of the lifting. Elders from every sect, allowing the Younger Generation to stand upon their shoulders, and benefit from their abilities.

Or at least that was how Xi Kong saw it. He glanced around at the closed eyes of his fellows. He tried to project an air of serenity—Every man and woman sitting around this table acted as if they felt nothing from raising the arena.

Though this place always put him a bit on edge. The Dueling Peaks Grand Hall was an ancient place. Its air was still and quiet, oppressive with the weight of eons. Tapestries thousands of years old hung on the walls. Some had long since degraded to the point of illegibility, while others remained as vibrant as if they had been crafted yesterday. The enormous stone table had evidence that it had once been painted, but that had long since disappeared.

One wall was completely made of crystal. A device that recorded every single fight that took place here, a repository of knowledge..or it would be. It only worked some of the time nowadays. The recordings were grainy, and tended to cut out.

Xi Kong much preferred the Azure Summit. The mountain was cold, and the ruins old. But somehow, they felt less unnerving, less dead than this place, deep in the Dueling Peak’s heart.

The majority of his contemporaries were deep in thought. Two left. At the start of the year, Guo Daxian was the clear favourite to win, as the Grand Ravine Sect usually won. It was just a matter of who was there with them. Yet now, every other power had been defeated. Only the Verdant Blade Sect, and a girl who had entered as an independent but obviously had a backer of some sort from the symbol on her shirt, were all that were left.

It had been the topic of much discussion, that much Xi Kong knew. Discussion, and furtive glances, as Rou Tigu was staying at the Verdant Blade Sect’s manor.

While the Younger Generation honed their strength, the Elders meditated, and engaged in politics. Such things were frustrating at the best of times. Long meetings spent drinking tea and talking. And about such mundane things too. The Trade agreements and territory disputes were generally settled at the Azure Sky Summit.

Finally, there was a sigh from the head of the table. The Strongest Sect claimed that right, and Guo Daxian the Sixteenth was one of the strongest. Or at least his father was, the only Elder who was at the cusp of the Spiritual Realm...and had been there for over three hundred years.

It was time for the meeting to truly begin.

“Onto the suggestions put forward by the Tournament Commision, we shall take a tally. His Imperial Majesty’s Director for Spiritual Ascension Affairs has raised concerns  about the presence of a Disciple in the Profound Realm in the tournament. He states that the prize is useless to them, and they have no need to enter, skewing the fights and unfairly suppressing others. He politely suggests that we consider those in the Profound Realm be banned from competing, to preserve the integrity of the tournament.” Guo Daxian stated, with a slight smirk.

There was immediate whispers from all around. It was a good point, Xi Kong mused, from a mortal point of view.

There was a contemptuous snort from the Azure Horizon sect. “How foolish. Who had ever heard of a tournament with a cutoff for one whose strength was too great?” Sheng asked, his eyes narrow.

“None. There is no precedent for such a thing. Tradition is Tradition, as Kongzi the wise holds true. The wisdom of the ancestors should prevail.” Another elder said simply.

“Why would we chastise a promising disciple for growing too strong?”Another, of the Rumbling Earth Sect stroked his beard. “It is true that Cai Xiulan, or any in the Profound Realm would derive little use from the prize… but the prestige of winning the tournament, and ascending so high for this Youth Tournament is great indeed.”

“Most tournaments are self regulating. What man would join a tournament for a prize worthless to him? It is a rare case, when such things happen. And even then, when one uses this opportunity to crush their enemies. But such a thing is foolish, and invites retaliation. Even the courtesy of Elders may be strained by such an event.” Chen Tai of the Framed Sun Sect stated, referencing the generally accepted courtesy that Elders did not involve themselves in the disputes of the Younger Generation.

“He asks for fairness, yet the world is inherently unfair.” Another stated.

Guo Daxian snorted. “All in favour of this measure?”

No hands raised. Why would they, when it could perhaps be their sect’s time in the heavens?

“It is rejected, then. Onto the next matter….” Daxian stated.  He raised a hand, lazing as he did in the stone chair, and an image formed of the rows that their sects would stand in. ”Speak now if any has an objection to the final arrangement for the closing ceremony.”

There was a brief discussion, before the arrangement was accepted.

That was how the hours went. A matter was brought up, a matter was decided upon. The tiny minuta that they had to give to Bai Huizong so that the tournament would run smoothly.

================================

After their discussion ended, they entered a different hall. Adjacent to the main one, it was a bit more relaxed., and they settled into separate tables to mingle, and discuss things. There was a recording playing of Xiulan and Guo Daxian the Junior’s battle. Xiulan’s serene expression warmed Xi Kong’s heart. The narrowed eyes of his contemporaries searched for weakness. And while his daughter did have some parts that were unpolished…. She would be able to spar against Elders who were decades her elder, and not be suppressed immediately.

“The Heavens have truly smiled upon the Verdant Blade Sect.” Elder Bingwen of the Misty Lake intoned, lowering his head in acknowledgement with a soft smile on his face. Xi Kong nodded back at his ally.. There had been a small stir when Bingwen had appeared instead of Liu Xiang. It was not something Xi Kong had expected. Liu Xiang had always been an honourable man, when they worked together.

He wondered occasionally about the relationship between their sects… but Bingwen had been quick to assure him nothing had changed.

The Verdant Blade and the Misty Lake sat with each other. The Grand Ravine and the Hermetic Iron Sect representative sat alone.

There were narrowed eyes in Xi Kong’s direction, from those who were assessing the Verdant Blade Sect’s power. Calculation and envy.

And marriage offers for his daughter. The answer had been the same three times. “She is at a critical stage in her cultivation, and needs no distractions.” had been his polite response, giving face to those who asked.

Yi had complained, but that was one thing Xi Kong would not budge on. Even if the Grand Ravine were to make him an offer.

“Indeed, it would seem they have. We are blessed with a dutiful daughter, and skilled initiates to our sect.”

“Indeed, indeed.” Bingwen mused. “And an ally as well, in Rou Tigu. Do you think she would be amenable to visiting The Misty Lake in the future?” He asked lightly.

Xi Kong held back a  sigh at Bingwen’s question. Though they were allies

There were some nods all around the table.

Which is when there was a small commotion. A disciple of the Grand Ravine, one of the older ones, stepped into the room, and whispered something to his Master.

Guo Daxian’s eyebrow raised.

Another Disciple entered, this time of the Framed Sun Sect, and whispered in his Master’s ear.

Now, Xi Kong Was intrigued.

Which is when a member of his own sect, Bolin, entered. He seemed quite amused.

“In the Central Square, Master. I think it is something you should see.” He whispered in Xi Kong’s ear.

It was evidently nothing urgent, yet as more older disciples entered, some Elders started to rise.

And ventured into the city, following the shouts and the pounding music.

The Elders descended. Onto The rooftops. Standing on lantern poles. They gazed imperiously down at the younger generation.

What he beheld surprised him. And if he was not wrong, surprised the rest of the Elders as well.

Guo Daxian was chatting almost amicably with Rou Tigu, and reached out ruffling her hair, his cheeks flushed red from how deep in his cups he was.

Chen Yang of the Framed Sun Sect was singing, badly, to the Young Mistress of Raging River. Two young cultivators had their arms on a barrel, wrestling for control.

Still others drank, played games, and gambled.

It was…. Well,. It was the passion of youth. The reaction from the other Elders was mixed. Some frowned at how loose their disciples had gotten. But most… most either shook their heads with exasperation, or stared in contemplation at the party below.

But none interrupted.

Something had happened here. The normal groups of alliances had broken down. Enemies sat together, drinking and cheering.

Xi Kong’s eyes were drawn to the center of the crowd. The center of the crowd, where a ring had formed, centered around his daughter.

Xiulan was smiling.

Genuinely smiling, as she danced.

He drank the image in. The look of absolute peace on his daughter’s face.

========================

=======================

I'm very unsure of this one. I might do something else with it, but kind of explaining a bit about what the Sect Elders are generally doing. This takes place during the party.

That said, a bit of a rough time today, with a freezer malfunction that spoiled all the food in it, and my dog getting a hold of something while we were clearing it out.

Finally, Mother of Learning comes out today on Kindle! A classic timeloop story, so if you're into something like that, give it a look!