Chapter 112 - Black Clouds from the South (Part I) (Patreon)

Grandmaster Miao served two teacups and nodded toward Lucian to sit down. After both were sitting cross-legged, he gestured to the tea gently placed on the small table and said, “Please, I brewed it myself.”

Shaking his head, Lucian replied, “No.”

After a slow blink of his eyes, Grandmaster Miao said in an incredulous tone, “The more we talk, the more I think you have been living under a rock. Tell me, why don’t you eat or drink anything?”

Arching an eyebrow, Lucian failed to see the deeper meaning behind the question. He had no problem talking about this aspect of his life, as it was no secret. Many people knew about his condition, from the Archmages to novice students, so he never gave it any importance.

“I’m not interested,” he said. “Everything is, in a way, tasteless to me.”

“Why?” Grandmaster Miao asked, raising his brows slightly. “Some side effect of a demonic technique?”

“Hmm.” Lucian nodded as he thought about the Seven Curses. “You could say so.”

“Is it worth it?” Grandmaster Miao’s eyes clouded slightly as he asked. “Drinking good tea and fine wine are two blessings in life. A life without taste sounds unbearably dull.”

Briefly remembering his children’s expressions when they lost the ability to taste food and drink after the Curse of Greed first manifested, Lucian clicked his tongue.

“It’s distressing,” Lucian said. “However, one can learn new ways to enjoy living.”

“Such as?” Grandmaster Miao scoffed lightly. “I’m sorry to say this, Fellow Daoist Lu, but I don’t see you enjoying life very much. And I have been observing.”

Hearing such a question, Lucian was reminded of a blonde woman and a skeleton with green flames for eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his face. They used to say the same to him, over and over again.

“I have my preferences when it comes to enjoying life,” Lucian said, nodding. “But now, I’m not focused on that. There are times when one must chase a greater goal and abandon the momentary pleasure.”

“Momentary pleasure always matters.” Grandmaster Miao’s tone became more serious. “One must have hobbies, or the path to immortality will make a person lose who they truly are.”

“Nonsense.” Lucian waved his hand dismissively. “Failing to remember who you truly are is what brings change, not the opposite. Stay true to yourself, and you will always find your path back.”

Shaking his head, Grandmaster Miao said, “Chasing the Dao changes who we are, and that’s beyond our control. Sometimes one can forget oneself without wanting to.”

Lucian gave him a strange look, unable to grasp the meaning.

Laughing softly, Grandmaster Miao misunderstood the expression.

“My eyes are closed, but I’m not blind. I know I chose this path, and that choice, like all other choices I made, is part of who I am. You must have chosen such a bloodthirsty path because it reflects part of who you are. But the farther I walk along this road… The less I remember who I once was.”

Lucian shook his head and said, “If you don’t want to forget yourself, stop. It’s your choice to pursue more.”

Their smiles faded as they turned their heads down, each reflecting upon the other’s words.

“I concede that you are half right.” Grandmaster Miao sipped his tea. “But when you reach the Core Formation realm, you will see that I am right as well. Grasping an Authority of the Heavenly Dao will change you.”

Half alarmed by the statement, Lucian said, “You speak as though you were already a Core Formation being.”

He didn't know what Heavenly Dao was, but he was more concerned about his opponent's strength!

Giving Lucian a knowing look, Grandmaster Miao shook his head.

“Neither of us is. Not yet, at least.”

Silence settled between them, the grinding of herbs echoing through the enclosed chamber.

A moment later, Lucian said, “You should have more on your mind.”

Grandmaster Miao opened his eyes slightly and stared directly at him.

“We can continue plotting against one another,” he sighed, “but it will no longer benefit either of us.”

Lucian nodded.

“I know you are causing people to shift the blame toward the West Bo Merchant Chamber,” Grandmaster Miao said. “This ability of yours, to create such commotion without leaving behind even a trace of Qi, is far too troublesome.”

“Tell me what you are offering,” Lucian said.

“An alliance,” Grandmaster Miao replied, pulling a scroll from his sleeve and handing it to Lucian. “We have greater problems to deal with than each other.”

Taking the scroll, Lucian opened it and read through the contents.

“This contains information about the Council Members involved in city construction,” Grandmaster Miao explained. “If you can gather their support, your sewage plan can become more than a drawing on paper.”

Nodding slightly, Lucian stored the scroll away and stared at Grandmaster Miao.

“Bo Xian will represent Bo Qing and take charge of the Bo Merchant Chamber publicly, while I control the resources from behind the scenes,” Grandmaster Miao continued. “That will give you enough political backing to move.”

“Such generosity,” Lucian said, his eyes glinting faintly.

“I won’t deceive you.” Grandmaster Miao shook his head. “Bo Qing will not appear near you anytime soon. Naturally, I don’t trust you completely, but there are also deeper matters at hand that require his absence. Troubles are coming.”

Lucian arched an eyebrow and said, “Prince Xuan, I presume. He lost a great deal and could cause some problems.”

“You are mistaken,” Grandmaster Miao said with a bitter grin. “Prince Xuan is profiting greatly. He’s transporting the remnants of the Tidal Church and East Bo Merchant Chamber into the Great Sea, acquiring artifacts, capable personnel, and valuable information for very little cost.”

“Tell me what troubles are coming, then,” Lucian said flatly.

With a dry chuckle, Grandmaster Miao replied, “After two hundred years, one of the City Lord’s untalented concubines finally achieved a breakthrough—”

He was interrupted by the sound of metal being struck.

“Hell no,” Old Fang cursed, spitting onto the ground and slapping the side of the cauldron. “Which one of those halflings managed that?!”

Seeing no reaction from Lucian, Grandmaster Miao glanced at Old Fang and continued.

“First Concubine Obsidian Sea reached the early stage of the Core Formation realm.”

While Old Fang cursed, Lucian shrugged.

“Another Core Formation expert is troublesome,” Lucian admitted, analyzing the implications carefully, “but she remains beneath the City Lord. That alone should not drastically alter the balance.”

“That old geezer made a promise,” Old Fang groaned, slapping the cauldron again. “He’s going to marry that halfling. We’re screwed.”

“As Old Fang said,” Grandmaster Miao chuckled, “the City Lord will probably marry First Concubine Obsidian Sea officially. He is proud enough to honor his promise. The problem is that he was never permitted to do so.”

Lucian felt a headache coming on, giving a look as if he wanted to hear everything at once.

“The City Lord’s full name is Kun Fei Xing, and he belongs to the Imperial Family,” Grandmaster Miao explained. “The moment he publicly announces the marriage with a halfling born from a human and a demonic beast, the Ancient Golden Clan will intervene.”

Remembering Magistrate Yue, who had only been in the Qi Refining realm yet had a formation that gave her Qi Condensation strength, Lucian frowned inwardly.

I should investigate that Sword Qi and depart Three Feathers City afterward, he thought, feeling no attachment to the city whatsoever. This place will be raised to the ground.

“But what Old Fang does not know, and perhaps what you do not fully understand either, is that the Ancient Golden Clan cannot interfere directly within Three Feathers City,” Grandmaster Miao said.

“What?” Old Fang frowned deeply. “What in the Nine Hells are you talking about, Miao Long?”

“There is a Sword Vein beneath this city,” Grandmaster Miao answered. “Core Formation experts cannot fight here freely, no matter who they are.”

Lucian’s eyes gleamed faintly. “You are referring to the Sailor School.”

Grandmaster Miao nodded. “Indeed. Beneath the school, they nurture the Sword Vein while searching for talented children born with innate Sword Qi.”

Lucian wanted to ask countless questions, but seeing Old Fang nodding slightly in understanding, he remained silent.

“What are they going to do then?” Old Fang asked while pacing restlessly. “Surely they won’t sit around smelling their farts while the City Lord marries a halfling.”

Glancing at Lucian’s expressionless face, Grandmaster Miao said slowly, “Bo Qing gathered information regarding similar incidents in the past. There are records describing what happens in cases like this.”

After pausing to look at both men, he concluded.

“A Sect Tournament.”