Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 55 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 55 – Fa Yuan

At his command, she spoke of what she had seen in the Cai capital. The suffusion of demonic chi, the soldiers who were suffering the withdrawal effect of having a pillar of their cultivation taken away. The way many of the most powerful cultivators had withdrawn into the borders, the building and the open demonic portal. And finally, their actions in closing the portal itself and shutting down the inflow of demonic chi into the Middle Kingdom.

“A quite virtuous action, one that will garner much applause and merit with the populace and neighboring kingdoms If they do not see the danger in your actions.”

“Her actions?” General Fu said, curiously. He had been particularly interested in her description of the army and the state of the individual soldiers, but had managed to hold back himself to only a dozen questions while she related the matter.

Fa Yuan picked up the new pot of wine, poured more for herself and the prince while she listened to the Prince explain politics to the general, even as she took in the building further. She ignored the trio of lurking assassins in the walls, the loaded crossbows pointed at her or the patrol of guards right around the corner, instead watching the workings of the servants and attendants. The clerk behind the screen whose brush had never stopped moving as she spoke, the enchanted scrolls that had duplicated her words for the spies in the room above. The way they summarized her words into smaller missives, even now being loaded onto pigeons and given to spirit messengers.

Word would expand outwards from here, and she wondered, why no action was taken to stop it. What levers were being pulled, what political balances adjusted as information flowed.

“A foreign cultivator enters a city, destroys an important cultivation resource and escapes into a new kingdom, bringing with them significant diplomatic concerns and questions.”

“A demonic cultivation resource.”

“True, but when has truth mattered when political advantage is available?” Prince Liu said, wryly.

“This is why I hate politics. At least on the battlefield, ones allies and enemies do not change like the wind.”

There were so many threads to pull upon, in this short conversation. Fa Yuan considered what she should say, made a choice and spoke. “What does the Prince intend to do this with this information? Not contain it, certainly.” Not with the doves and spirit messengers already flying.

“What would Elder Yang desire of the kingdom of Liu?”

“Can the prince offer the support of the kingdom?”

“Not wholeheartedly. As you know, we are newly established.” A full year since their announcement, the red firecrackers and the golden ribbons only just now beginning to rot after the celebrations. “Expanding in the short-term is both a necessity and politically difficult.”

“Necessary?” Fa Yuan said, curiously.

“Food.” General Fu said, bluntly. “We need more grazing lands, access to the lower river more consistently. Expansion to the south is necessary, but the magistrates and nobles are leery of war.”

“As all good governors should be,” Prince Liu cautioned the general with the statement, shooting his subordinate a look. “Waging wars can never be taken lightly.”

“Yet, what better cause could there be than the eradication of a demonic plague?”

“Are the demons that bad?” Prince Liu shot back. “Surely they are not all wrong, in itself.”

“Perhaps not all, but the demonic infestation of this particular cultivation realm is anathema to the Middle Kingdom.”

“A fact that is only supported by your word.”

That rejoinder brought silence until Fa Yuan asked, again. “What will the kingdom of Liu do now that you have learnt of the corruption below?”

“What will the kingdom of Shen? Or perhaps, should I ask, what will the Verdant Green Waters sect do? It could be argued that this is a matter for cultivators, not kingdoms.”

Annoyed now, Fa Yuan’s voice turned cold. “That old stance? It held for many years, did it not, while the Cai expanded? Over and over again, one party or the other in the adjoining counties and kingdoms argued who was truly responsible. And Meng Dai expanded, over and over till it mattered not what the truth was.

“We can cut and color the world as much as we wish, but the reality is that the earth turns and seasons pass, no matter how much we argue what day and month it might be.”

“Elder Yang is quite quick to allocate the resources of others,” Prince Liu replied. “Perhaps the Sages can be so free with coin and men and rice, for their ownership is the world entirely. However, we are but mere princes and kings, constrained with the concerns of a newly formed kingdom that has bled far and wide.”

“If I was a true sage, I would leave the matter aside entirely. Find a pond somewhere to fish for my dinner or a mountain abode to cultivate the world. But like the Prince, I am but a meddling mortal, caught in the webs of family and cultivation, bound by love and duty alike.” She inclined her head. “I do not ask the kingdom of Liu to strike out by themselves. The Wei will need to act, other neighboring kingdoms can push forward as well.” A cutting glance to Ke Yi. “Take the lands that you need.”

“We cannot overstretch our boundaries. Another thirty, fifty li perhaps. Down to the southern fort, ending at the branch of the Kwan river that bisects us,” Ke Yi said. “Much more and while we coud instil fear, we cannot control.”

“Do you require control? Surely if the Cai crumble, you could take more.”

“And be unable to collect taxes. Our infrastructure is barely sufficient as it stands,” Prince Liu said. “Administrators – good, uncorruptible ones – are hard to come by.”

“Then take the lands, enforce your ownership in paper. Allow ambitious nobles to set-up further south and make it their problem to collect the taxes, with oversight with magistrates. Or leave the lands and people to grow themselves, without further oversight till later.”

“Offer security without taxation? A terrible deal,” Ke Yi said.

“The security of a Nascent Soul overseer only. Push your troublemakers south, let them take lands and establish outposts in the wilds, in the places where families have fallen from the fights. Declare amnesty such that bandits are no longer bandits, but soldiers and farmers who are working to establish themselves,” Fa Yuan said, promptly.

“Make fewer lawbreakers by removing the rule of law.” Prince Liu hummed. “A bold suggestion.”

“A practical one. When you are ready, you may expand, take taxes and offer roads, security, trade and training.” She picked up one of the honey cakes, bit into it and chewed. Dabbed at her lips when she was done, before finally adding. “Request aid from cultivation sects, noting the stores of weapons, manuals and herbs that are available. If you offer it, they will accept – and allow them to establish new branches in your new land.”

Prince Liu nodded. “Adding to the security of the region.”

“Ensuring that they hunt down traces of demonic infestation further.” Fa Yuan shrugged. “Let those who wish to risk it, receive the benefits of cleansing the land and expanding your borders.”

“Elder Yang has thought much of the matter.” Prince Liu sat back, let out a long sigh. “An admirable vision, but not one that we alone can establish. We are a small kingdom. If we act alone, we would be pushed back quickly.”

“Then, we should have a meeting with others of the same mindset. Establish an alliance and push forward.” A heartbeat’s pause before she added. “Quickly.”

A glance to the side and the prince smiled, self-satisfied. “Exactly what we were thinking.”