Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 56 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 56 – Fa Yuan

It took only a moment for Fa Yuan to understand what they had been intending all along. The allowance of spies to pass on information to other countries, the process of guiding this conversation. Even her seclusion had been intended to limit her options from the start, to ensure that she would come to the same conclusion.

A dangerous game, for manipulating others was always fraught with risk. Individuals were both entirely predictable and also, surprisingly chaotic. Some more so than others. In this sense, her own desire to work for the greater good of the realms was being leveraged.

“Where and when is the meeting between kingdoms to be held?” A head tilted to the side, as she considered the matter, tugging on her dao as she sensed the shifting balance of forces between kingdoms. Unfortunate, that her own dao was still so limited, that she had not sensed this change earlier; or that she could only sense minor shifts in the balance of power. All happening at a level that her conscious mind was unable to pick apart.

Then again, all too often, ones thoughts were more a hindrance to the greater good than instinctive choices drawn from the Dao.

“Three days ride east. You might note that the border between our kingdom and the state of Cui is reforming. The state of Yan is also interested in the matter, and we will be able to speak with Gui and Wei together.”

The Gui state, much further south and west from here, was now reformed after the fall of the Cai and a vassal state bordered the Wei. They were much smaller now, half the size with much of the land that they had formerly claimed as victor’s spoils by the Wei. It had placed the Wei on the border with the Gui against the remaining Cai kingdom, however, and thus a decent alternative to being taken over immediately.

Though, how the next generation of Gui monarch’s felt about the loss of land would have to be seen.

As for the Cui, they were like the Liu. Newly formed states, though at least the Liu had claims to a previous royal bloodline. Supposedly the Cui king was a peasant who had risen in the ranks of the ancillary Cai army before leading the rebellion. From what rumors she had overheard while fleeing, the battlefront at the Cui were still warm.

“The Yan are looking to stretch their lands?” Fa Yuan said, surprised. “That is unusual, is it not?”

“Vassal states. They seek more of those. They’ll send a small army and aid, I believe, if we can convince them that whatever state forms afterwards will happily pay for protection.” The prince picked up a small walnut cake with one hand, savoring the snack as he let Fa Yuan think matters over.

“So, you have always wanted to range south.”

“No.” Seeing the surprise on Fa Yuan’s face, the general added. “It was not until you made it viable that it became a distinct possibility. Your murder of Wan Qi leaves the southern border unguarded by any cultivator of note. At least one who is not already committed.”

“There’s another Nascent Soul cultivator?” Fa Yuan said, surprised. The Cai had a lot of them, for sure, especially because of the demonic cultivation method they had utilized. An unstable foundation, but to have committed so many to the northern border and to have so many survive and still remain after both battle and retreat was surprising.

“Only one other, at the Cui border. The Fourth Guardian achieved his status using a heretical path. It was only his early betrayal of his own kingdom that allowed the Cai to expand to where the Cui are now, and he fights to restore the Cai sovereignty there.”

“Why?” Fa Yuan said. “Surely he could take advantage of the chaos himself.”

“Do you think the Cai king to be that foolish? Teng Ze Xian’s army and his loyalists were dispersed long ago, sent to other borders. His might alone is not sufficient to rule a kingdom, and those he fights with are the most ardent loyalists to the Cai Meng Dai could find, beyond his own guard, of course,” Prince Liu said.

“Rumors have it that he also wears an enchanted necklace, that compels him to obedience,” Ke Yin added as an aside.

She considered, thinking over the numbers she had seen whilst escaping. She was no general, though she had taken part in a war, but it seemed to her that an extended campaign would be difficult. “I see the shape of your desires now. But how likely are these kingdoms to commit?”

“Uncertain. That is why we wish your aid. The Wei will listen to you, the Gui go where the Wei go. Another Nascent Soul combatant on the field will alter the shape of the upcoming war greatly as well.” A single Nascent Soul cultivator was often said to be worth a whole army. Though Fa Yuan knew that to be a lie in her case. After all, she had not the stomach for such mass killing. “Mostly, we require the Yan to commit. Even a small but elite force could do much.”

“What is it that you truly desire? If all were to play out as you wished.”

“We cannot take the entire kingdom. Not in a year. Not even in three,” the prince said, glancing at the general who nodded in confirmation. “However, we can take much land, reduce their presence. Allow more rebellions to spring up, weaken their borders. Our best outcome is that the Yan send their forces deep within, raze the capital and allow the current government to be overthrown. With the remnant of the demon king’s government dispersed, a new – smaller – kingdom might be established.”

Fa Yuan smirked. “One that is friendly with the Liu’s and other kingdoms.”

“Or at least too busy for further adventures on their borders.”

“And is that all? New land, safer borders, the overthrow of the enemy kingdom?”

“That should be sufficient for this year,” Prince Liu said. “The new land will be mine to rule, establishing a new base of power.”

One that she understood was necessary, since kingdom politics was always tricky. If he was the overlord of new lands though, it would make displacing him from his spot as heir apparent more difficult for his brothers.

On the other hand, it might also make the king envious and concerned for his own potential safety. It was but a short step from safety to danger in the court.

“If that is it, then you will have my support.” She shook her head after a moment. “At least, politically. Militarily…”

“It will be necessary,” Ke Yin said, firmly.

“We shall see,” Fa Yuan murmured, demurely.

Let them ask. As for what she would do, even Fa Yuan was uncertain. After all, her presence in this kingdom, her actions so far were quite outside the realm of her responsibilities as Right Guardian of the Verdant Green Waters.