Mana 4 Chapter 16 (Patreon)

“Done?” I asked, watching the girls dispatch another group of beasts.

We’d spent the day and a half wandering the foothills and hunting mana beasts. We even had two 4th rank beasts to our name now. But I had told Kat to take both of them for when the girls came to the immortal world.

Mei stood up straight, her ears pivoting as she listened for more. “If there’s more, they are being very quiet.”

I was on light duty, which meant I was pulling cores from the bodies of these strange bat-like mana beasts we’d stumbled upon. There were hundreds, maybe even a thousand, of them in a large cave that Aurora had found.

Each and every one of them was a rank two mana beast. A group like this in our the previous world would have swept a region and required a sect to come intervene before entire towns were swallowed. It would have been akin to a natural disaster or vast resource for a sect.

But here, it seemed like they were sustenance for several bigger beasts who used this cave as a frequent hunting ground. The food chain progressed much higher here.

“Kat, I think this is about the end of the line for us. We need to start heading back.” I reminded her of our timeline for the second time. She had been putting it off, dragging her feet for when we’d have to depart.

“Fine. I’ll wake up stinky. This cave will at least give her a solid reason to be so stinky.”

“Does that mean we have to go too?” Aurora asked, giving me puppy dog eyes. It had been nice having the girls out here, a breath of fresh air.

I kissed the top of her head. “Yes, for now. We need to keep you three a secret.”

“Four.” Mei corrected me. Even though Lumi had yet to show herself to me again, apparently she’d allowed my other beasts into her soul palace and they’d been chatting a bit.

“Yes, you four are my secret weapon. Kat, you’ll scrub that from Tracey and plant the memories we talk about?”

She nodded, going over to where I’d dumped Tracey. “Yeah, yeah. She’ll forget everything after that morning she led you to the ambush. Instead, she’ll remember getting attacked by mana beasts and losing the other two. You’ve been taking care of her since. And here, she fell over after being startled by the bats, and you can get her cleaned up and back to the sect.”

That seemed almost too easy. “No funny games?” I asked.

“Well… she might be a little more easily suggestible. Oh, and she’s going to be utterly disgusted at the thought of sex with a man.”

I raised my eyebrows in question, waiting for her to explain herself.

“What? You’re hot. And I am not going to let some traitor ogle you.” Kat huffed. “Bitch doesn’t get to lear at my man.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Don’t destroy her, but I like the suggestible part. Should make it easier to get her back to the Pavilion without any more issues. Can you have it fade?” I didn’t particularly like altering someone’s ability to consent.

Kat nodded, her red hair bouncing as she focused back on Tracey. “One submissive bitch for the next few days coming right up.” She opened one of Tracey’s eyes, and her own eyes glowed as she delved into Tracey’s soul and made the changes.

It was hard to do memory changes perfectly, but if anybody could come close, it would be Kat. And if Tracey was a bit messed up, it didn’t matter to me too much. She deserved far worse after she caused the death of her two sect mates.

Ambushing me was one thing, a servant to her, but the callous disregard for her two sect mates’ lives. How she involved them and caused their death? My mouth curled at the edges in disgust.

While Kat finished up, I made sure everything else was ready. Tracey had her spatial ring, though she was now lighter on supplies. But that could fit the story too.

I was still wearing Guo Ying’s spatial ring. It was a little gaudy, so I looped a cord of leather around it and turned it into a necklace, tucking it under my shirt.

My mana beasts came up, and each gave me a kiss before disappearing into their own rings.

“Okay. She’ll wake up in an hour or so. Last chance.” Kat’s eyes sparkled with hope; she really wanted me to change my mind.

“Sorry, Kat. This is the best move. We split up here. I’ll get her to a pool to bathe, and we’ll push for Murdock by tomorrow night.”

Kat moved to me, rising up onto her tiptoes to give me one last kiss before she backed away and patted my cheek. “Love you. I’ll see you in Murdock.”

With that, she was off.

After I couldn’t see her anymore, I turned back and walked over to Tracey, repeating in my mind what Kat had said she’d implanted in her memories. I needed to sell the story to Tracey. If they were close enough, she’d feel more comfortable with her new memories.

Hauling Tracey over my shoulder, I set off back towards Murdock. Part of me hoped I’d run into Kat along the way, but carrying Tracey slowed me down. I knew realistically she was far ahead of me.

The sun began to set on the horizon; we’d been travelling for quite a while. Kat had said Tracey would wake after an hour, but so far, that hadn’t happened. I was getting worried that she might have broken Tracey.

As the light continued to dim, I considered stopping and trying to see if I could help her, but then a groan sounded over my shoulder and she groggily asked, “Where am I?”

“Good, glad you’re awake. I was worried it was worse than I thought. When you slipped and hit your head, I had to carry you out.”

“Uh?” She gave a confused moan. “My head is killing me. Where are…” Her voice trailed off.

I wondered if she just remembered Claire and Beth. Sadly, because of Kat’s mental alterations, she wouldn’t feel the guilt of causing her two friends’ deaths, which felt wrong to me. But it would have to do for now.

Clenching my jaw, I held my tongue.

“Can you run?” Swinging her off my shoulder, I planted her feet on the ground and held her steady for a moment before letting go.

She wobbled in place for a moment before righting herself and looking a little more stable. “Yeah, I think I can. Eww. What is all over me?”

“Bat poop.” I answered simply. It was the honest truth. She had enough of it on her when I laid her down in the cave.

Tracey made a sound of revulsion. “Where are we?”

“Heading back. You said the crystal only had a week's timer on it, so we need to be back tomorrow.” If I sounded a little disgruntled, it’s because I was.

“Fine. The sun is going down, though. We should stop for the night. Preferably somewhere with some water.”

Nodding, I kept moving through the trees, knowing she’d tag along. Even without Kat’s suggestiveness, she wasn’t about to leave me and her best chance of survival.

“You know, I feel like I’m forgetting something.” Tracey’s brow pinched, like thinking had become a physical effort. “It’s like it’s on the tip of my tongue but not coming to me.”

I shrugged. “Not much I can help you with. But you need to focus on your surroundings right now, can’t have you getting careless again.”

She let out a small growl of frustration but left it at that, keeping up with me until we found a stream to wash up in.

When we’d finished, we found a cave to sleep in. Tracey had agreed to let me keep watch, and I made sure to reinforce that she should stick close to me for her safety. Kat’s manipulation of her mind seemed to work, and I wasn’t too worried she’d venture off without me. I’d been happy to get a chunk of uninterrupted sleep.

We headed out in the morning, moving straight for Murdock without any detours. I was not about to have my brain go fuzzy from the stupid crystal again. I was thankful when we didn’t have any complications during the rest of the trip to Murdock.

It wasn’t until we got within sight of the city that things became more lively. People were coming and going from the city gates as usual, but a small army was planted at the gate, asking questions of everyone who was coming and going.

I leaned over to a man that was walking next to his horse and wagon. “What’s happening?”

“They were here yesterday, too. The Ying family’s young master has gone missing.”

Gasping, in what I thought was a pretty good act, I turned to Tracey. “Do you think it has something to do with the big fight on the mountain?”

Tracey grumbled. “We lost two because of it. Wouldn’t be surprised.” Her teeth clenched as she winced in pain.

Unsure if that was a remnant of Kat’s work or loss of Beth and Claire, I didn’t push.

“Excuse me.” A soldier spoke who must have overheard us, stepping up in my face. “Were you in the mountains?”

I let my sleeve fall and showed my bracelet. “I’m serving this young lady as a guard for the Orchid Pavilion.” Tracey was already proving useful as a buffer between me and the guard.

His focus shifted to Tracey. “You were in the mountains?”

“Foothills really.” She clarified. “We were hunting mana beasts. Unfortunately, it was like my guard suggested. There was a big commotion out there on one of the peaks. Some sort of grand battle between something and a fifth rank mana beast.”

The man drew his sword, and we were quickly surrounded by guards. “You will come to the Ying estate and answer questions.”

I cleared my throat. “Unfortunately, we have to get back to the pavilion. And I’m afraid that if you attempt to harm her or myself, I am duty bound to defend us. Not much of an option as her guard.”

The men tensed. I knew they were third rank cultivators, but I didn’t think they could sense Tracey or my cultivation level. They probably weren’t sure how effectively I could stop them. And I’d at least given us some credentials by tying us to the Orchid Pavilion. I hoped it would be enough.

After letting them considering us for a moment, I reached over, pushing down the sword at my throat.

Tracey nodded, and for a second, I thought she might offer to go with them. “Yes, we will report to the Ying mansion, but I’m afraid my guard is correct. His time is almost up before he must be returned to the pavilion.”

“You four.” A guard barked. “Escort these two to the pavilion, and then the Ying mansion after. Now.” They jumped into action and circled around us, pushing others away. It at least helped us move through the gates and masses quickly.

As we walked, I considered the force at the gate. I found it interesting that the Ying family had taken over the gate entrance with what appeared to be no opposition. It showed their status and control of the city.

Something to take note of before I kill them all.

Being rushed to the pavilion by four guards didn’t leave much time to look around, but I could have sworn I saw Kat’s bright hair out of the corner of my eye. Hopefully, she didn’t cause too much trouble in the city.

But then I laughed to myself. No doubt somebody was going to set her off and end up dead, but at least they’d deserve it.

“And what is this about?” Madam Orchid was at the entrance to the Pavilion, glaring at the guards as they approached with us.

“These two are being summoned for questioning in the Ying estate. We understand one is a servant that will need the ability to be absent from your premises for a while longer.” A guard said, his voice quaking slightly.

The madam, while a slight woman, had an imposing presence. “I see. This has to do with your missing young master?” Her eyes slid over me, and her recognition of my prior struggles with the subject flashed in her eyes. “Do you need both of them?”

“They were hunting mana beasts in the area where the young master went missing.” The guard stood up straight and clarified.

Madam Orchid made a hum of understanding. “Sure. Let’s see that crystal; I can have it recharged quickly.”

I froze. I’d spent so much time thinking through details, but I’d missed that one. The crystal was still sitting in the stolen spatial ring, which I definitely couldn’t let anybody see given the concern over the young master.

Trying to act casual, I reached into my robe, pulling it from the spatial ring but trying to make it look like it was being pulled from an inner pocket. “Here.”

Her eyebrow went up in question as she took the crystal. “You carried it yourself?”

“I won the lady’s trust, and there was a period where we needed to split up.”

Tracey bobbed her head along with what I was saying. “He saved my life Madam, after the beast wave that occurred…” Tears formed in her eyes, and she turned and wiped them away with a sniffle. “After the beast wave that killed Beth and Claire.”

“It would seem you two had an eventful trip. I think I might need a moment with them before you take them to the Ying estate.” Madam Orchid spoke to the guards.

“No, we have orders.” The front one barked. The second guard immediately jabbed him in the side with an elbow and stepped in front of the other, tipping his head towards the Madam.

“Sorry, he’s new and still understanding the way of things. We’ll happily accept your hospitality while you question these two.” The older guard said.

Madam Orchid gave the man a sly smile and tipped his head back up. “No need for that. We’ll be quick.” She snapped her fingers. “Ladies, why don’t you take care of these fine gentlemen?”

Four dancers that had been clearly waiting in the wings strolled out like fluttering silk and wrapped themselves around a man each before leading them into the establishment.

“Now, you two follow me.” The madam drifted off into the establishment. Her dress hiding her feet made it look like she glided across the floor. She went to a back room on the second floor.

I stepped up to the door and took a step back as soon as I saw what was inside.

Rows of cuffs and collars like my own filled the space, along with several enchanted tools and stations. I had a very good feeling that what I needed to remove my cuff was in that room.

“Yes, this is the room I use to control the servant’s devices. There is even what you need in here to remove your own. But I wouldn’t advise you to try it.” She said it with a sly smirk, like she read my mind.

“I’d never think of such a thing.” I lied through my teeth. What servant wouldn’t think of removing his shackles if he walked into a room full of the tools to do it?

She placed the crystal on a small metal hoop that hung over a bowl, but I couldn’t see what was inside of it from where I was standing.

After placing it, she turned to me. “So, you killed the young master Ying?”

“No.” I said simply.

It was Tracey that was far more passionate about the denial. “We’d never. Not to mention, we couldn’t! His bloodline would have killed us all. Madam, you must listen. There was an enormous battle on one of the peaks. Thunder and lighting like I’d never seen before shook the mountain as it fought something. As a result, there was a mass movement of mana beasts.”

The Madam nodded. “The Ying family patriarch left the city that night. No doubt he fought the battle you experienced. But you said it caused a wave of mana beasts?”

I explained. “Yes. That battle caused them to flee that mountain and crowd over on surrounding mountains, a ripple effect that caused a mass migration. It forced us to fight hundreds of mana beasts to escape.” I bowed my head. “I’m sorry I was unable to protect all three of them.”

“To save one in such a situation is commendable. Though, I am also disappointed with the loss of two of my girls. You two truly had nothing to do with the death of the Ying family’s son?” Her eyes searched mine, but I was as calm as an untouched lake in the morning.

Tracey dipped low. “We did not. There was too much else going on. But I must admit, if Guo Ying’s father was out there, he shouldn’t have had any trouble.”

“Yes.” Madam Orchid tapped her lips. “I believe you, which is why I must advise that you both remain here in the Pavilion. That man won’t be rational about this, nor is he above killing you and then blaming your corpses to solve this and save face.”

The hairs along the back of my neck prickled. I was glad we’d managed to come to her before being dragged to the Ying family’s home. At the same time, I was surprised I had fooled Madam Orchid, or maybe she just didn’t care if she had a plausible reason not to. After all, might was right, and she was among the mighty of the town.

The Madam continued. “You are both, therefore, under house arrest for the next few weeks. I’ll have his guards go back with your story, but you two shall not leave with them under any circumstance. Am I understood?”

“Of course.” Tracey bowed.

“I’d rather not be used as a scapegoat, so that works for me.” I cupped my hands. “You have my thanks for shielding us.”

Her red lips curled up in a smile. “Oh, is that a little gratitude?” She let her head fall back as she gave a full bellied laugh. “That’s the last thing I expected to hear from you. Both of you, back to your tasks.”

I didn’t bother with any more words. Dipping my head once more, I headed out. The Madam came out after us, locking the door and sweeping herself down stairs.

Lingering for just a moment by the stairs, I listened to her demanding voice set the guards straight and kick them out of the pavilion.

“Guess that’s settled for now. But I don’t think it’s over yet.” I grumbled and found my way to the showers to clean up. It was already well past noon, and there would be a show tonight for me to work.

“Isaac, is that you?” Charles spotted me as I stepped into the shower.

The showers were small stalls with half doors, exposing me from the chest up and allowing me to see Charles come into the bathroom.

“Yes, did you think you saw a ghost?” I joked as I scrubbed my scalp, trying to wet and loosen the clods of dirt that had decided to cling to my hair. “Just got back from a trip as a guard.”

He looked worried. “Everything went okay?”

I almost shrugged and said it was fine. But I realized I shouldn’t be quite so callous if I was going to sell our story. “No Charles, it did not. We lost two girls from the sect. There was a disturbance on one of the mountains, causing a wave of mana beasts. We ended up having no choice but to fight.”

The way his face paled made me sick. This was not the way an elder of the Ferrymen should act.

“You survived though? And I heard you brought back one of the girls?”

“If you already know, then why are you asking?”

Charles swallowed and nodded. “Because I saw the Ying family young master speak with the girl before you left.”

My eyes flashed dangerously, and I burst out of the stall, grabbing Charles by his lapel and slamming him against the wall. “Careful what you say.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” He held up his hands.

Leaning over him, I glared into his eyes, making sure he understood. “On our way back, I found there was an effort to find Guo Ying. He’s missing. I don’t know what you thought you saw, but saying things like that out loud is going to cause the Ying family to think I was involved. Get it?”

He nodded. “Yes. Yes, of course. That would be terrible for you.”

“I wasn’t involved.” Letting go of his collar, I walked back into the shower stall. “But that doesn’t mean I want some stupid rumor to have the Ying family breathing down my neck. Charles, we dealt with a beast wave out there. If the young master was out there unprepared, he could have very well died like the two disciples of the pavilion.”

Charles nodded along with me. “I see. You don’t want to get caught up and blamed.”

“Exactly. So please be careful with what you say. The madam warned us that the father would kill first and blame the corpses after. I’d rather that not be my fate.”

The once tiger clan elder nodded and scurried out.

A heavy sigh came out as I watched. He’d been broken down and was only a piece of the man I’d once known. It was pathetic, but my focus was on my own cultivation. I wouldn’t become the weakened servant he had fallen to be; I refused.

Here in the immortal world, I’d build something better for my family. Maybe even create a better place for those of our sect to enter the immortal world.