The Magistrate: Chapter 69 (Patreon)

Chapter 69

A Lesson in Warfare

Tobias’s entertainment and shopping district had faced financial difficulties during his absence. The lack of cultivators had turned what had once been an outstanding investment into a money pit. This didn’t stop Tobias from visiting regularly once he’d return. The dao infused into the building by long-dead artists had a way of inspiring him now that he was in the core realm. The dao whispers were so clear that he could almost gather insights. Even though he couldn’t, the buildings gave him a sense of peace and made him feel at home. It was also the only way to see his sister.

Lingling had wandered into the district upon their return and found a large restaurant operated by Majordomo Wo’s family and claimed it from them. Her cooking could please even the pickiest foundation realm cultivator, and they quickly discovered that the way to gain her attention was to arrive with exotic ingredients.

However, it wasn’t just her food they were after.

Other than Xu Ling, Lingling had received the most private tutelage from Tobias, and she could answer questions about cultivation with the best of them. For the price of a few interesting ingredients, cultivators could receive excellent advice.

In the early winter, Tobias watched hundreds of his disciples make fools of themselves as they laughed and joked in the largest restaurant in his district. They filled every floor of the building, moving between tables to toast each other’s success. Their months of study and training finally ended.

Tomorrow, they would be leaving to join the war camps, instructing the Great Clans and sects on how to perform his offensive and defensive techniques and spells. They would carry letters for the camp leaders, instructing them to order their people not to use the techniques and spells they had been taught until all their people were ready. The elemental of surprise was crucial to ending the war.

Xu Ling poured Tobias another cup of wine before filling her own. “I have something for you, Master.”

Tobias turned to her. She still only called him Master when she was annoyed, or her duties as his first disciple specifically required her to.

Xu Ling waved her hand, and six manuals and manuscripts appeared between them. “These are my findings and insights into gathering. They extend to the peak of the foundation realm.”

Tobias did not toast her.

He did not know if her work was worthy of being toasted.

Tobias picked up the first manual and began reading. He flipped the page every few seconds, reading and processing the information at superhuman speeds, using a technique he’d developed to accelerate his thinking while waiting for Peace Master So to return.

Fifteen minutes later, he put down the last one and sighed. “I can’t accept these.”

Xu Ling’s face fell. “May I know why?”

“Your words lack clarity. You have written this with a core realm cultivator’s insight when it is supposed to be written for children.” Tobias smiled. “Other than that, I believe you’ve confirmed that gathering is no different than cultivating in regard to practicing specific exercises, vastly improving a gatherer's ability to perform their duties. This is a significant contribution to the cultivation world.”

Tobias raised his cup.

Xu Ling’s face lit up as she picked up her own.

“First Disciple Xu, you have proven to me that my insights can be applied by others to further the cultivation world's understanding of cultivation. You have further proven that you are an asset to this academy. I commend you on your diligence and wisdom. There is nothing more that I can teach you which you cannot learn yourself.”

The two drank.

Tobias flexed his aura and turned to the disciples below. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up.

Tobias held up the manuals. “My first disciple has made a significant contribution to the cultivation world and its understanding of cultivation. From this moment forth, she is officially recognised as our academy's first scholar. She is one who now walks beside me on the path to understanding. Show her your respect.”

The disciples all rose as one, cupped their hands, and bowed. “We recognise Scholar Xu and her contribution to our understanding.”

Xu Ling cupped her hands and inclined her head back.

Tobias flicked his fan, and the disciples went back to the festivities, discussing Xu Ling’s promotion.”

Xu Ling frowned.

Tobias raised an eyebrow. “Is there a problem?”

Xu Ling attempted to use her aura to make their conversation private, but Tobias used his aura to prevent her. Had she pushed harder, she would have succeeded, but she immediately understood the message. Tobias wanted this conversation to be public.

“I’m essentially the equivalent of the elder for a clan or sect.”

“I run an academy, not a clan or sect.”

“You teach cultivation.”

“I teach knowledge, and how to apply that knowledge. Cultivation is simply a part of that process.”

“Shouldn’t there have been a ceremony? Shouldn’t there be grand gestures?”

Tobias nodded to those below them. “How many elders of Cloud Sect can a mortal disciple walk up to and expect a clear answer to their question?”

“None. Many of them would strike them down with their aura for trying.”

“How much does that prevent the spread of knowledge or their ability to discuss new ideas? Seasons. Years. Decades. It depends on the cultivator. Ideas grow through open and honest discussion. If the other professors were to look at you with the same reverence as a sect elder, they would not be able to come to you with thoughts and questions. They would not be able to grow their understanding. They would not be able to share their insights.”

“You believe they might have knowledge I don’t possess?”

“I know they have knowledge you don’t possess. You have studied gathering, but have you studied the mountain cloud lily? One of my professors is fascinated by them. She loves them more than any other spirit herb. She has collected more data and run more experiments on them than potentially any other cultivator in history. If you took your manuals to her, she could likely tell you exactly how they apply to a mountain cloud lily and how they could be used to enhance its growth. She would then go on to give you insights into your understanding, showing you ways it could be applied that you yourself could not have fathomed. But that can only happen if she can have an open and honest discussion with you.”

Xu Ling smirked. “I bow before your wisdom, Master.”

Tobias rolled his eyes. “Understanding starts with broad subjects. These can be thought of as the large connections. The obvious links between all things. Once you have a broad understanding, you must go deeper.” Tobias motioned to her manuals and manuscripts. “These will lay the foundation for any gatherer to practice their profession, which is a broad understanding, but it will not tell them how to raise and nurture the perfect mountain cloud lily, which is deep information. However, there will be obvious connections and rules which link the two.”

Xu Ling frowned. “You keep bringing up this professor.”

Tobias chuckled. “She recently attended my residence on a day when I did not need to focus. She spoke of nothing else from sunrise to sunset. I feel a strong urge to use this information, so my time discussing this with her was not wasted.”

“You are far too indulgent of your professors.”

“Her passion for them will one day make them the most well-understood spirit herb in the world. Why would I do anything other than encourage that?”

Xu Ling’s mouth dropped open. “It’s not just about the exchange of knowledge, but seniors encouraging their juniors.”

Tobias nodded. “The reward of immortality is how sects motivate their disciples. We are not a sect, and apart from you, none of us reach immortality, so we must find another way to immortality. For us, that is our contribution to the cultivation world. Your manuals will still be here long after you have left this world behind, nurturing those who come after. For many of us, the work we lay down now may be what makes us reach immortality in our next life.”

The entire building had gone silent at Tobias's statement.

Tobias glanced down to see his professors cup their hands and bow, comprehending the significance of their duties and the legacy Tobias wanted them to build.

***

The following evening, after seeing his professor off, Tobias wandered through his clan’s spirit gardens with Majordomo Wo. The majority of the gardens were devoted to general body meridian opening and cleansing pills. Field Marshal Kang had been stationing a small barracks of his more promising soldiers in Tobias’s family compound ever since he’d visited him. These soldiers were responsible for maintaining the purity of chi in the gardens.

The effects of so many spirit herbs used in a specific pill caused the chi in the area to have a similar impact to the pills, making it the perfect place to open and cleanse the body's energy meridians. The soldiers were rotated out each season, returning to the border fortress stronger than when they had arrived.

“Field Marshal Kang has informed me that he’s run out of promising mortal soldiers to send us,” Tobias said to his Majordomo. “The pills we sent him during winter were all that he needed. Those still in the mortal realm lack the divinity and talent to progress further, even with my exercises. We will need to find replacements to manage the chi purity in the mortal realm gardens.”

Majordomo Wo made a note. “Do you have anywhere you would like me to look?”

“Magistrate Chi’s family would be appropriate.”

“Magistrate Chi’s family have already received as much benefit from your gardens as they will see. The rest cannot return from their duties at the border fortress at this time.”

Tobias nodded to the disciples tending the spirit garden. “Do we have any allies who would appreciate our assistance?”

“They face the same issue.”

“How about your extended family?”

“I have convinced all who can be convinced to join my household to already join. They used your gardens before Magistrate Chi’s family.”

Tobias scratched the back of his neck. “Contact Lord Bi. He has done my clan many small kindnesses in the past. I will return that favour.”

“He’s sworn to the Shen family.”

“That does not change his actions, and my clan has no use for the stomach meridian pills we have produced. We could sell them, but maintaining the gardens is more important.”

“Many of his grandsons will be fighting in the war.”

“We will extend them the same invitation when they return.”

“Lord Bi’s family is only a temporary solution.”

“Do you have any suggestions?”

“Send your disciples to the mortal towns and cities to find promising apprentices of skilled masters. They can offer to help them open and cleanse their body meridians in return for a tenth of what they earn in the future. It would provide your school with a source of income.”

Tobias liked the idea. “See that it is done.” Tobias stopped and examined a spirit herb near his feet before waving over a disciple who was following them. “Mark this one. It’s destined for greater things.”

Since entering the core realm, Tobias had been able to hear from dao whispers wherever he looked. Spending so much time in Peace Master So hidden realm had given him a sense for which spirit herbs could ascend realms, and which could not, because every spirit herb in his realm was one that could ascend.

The disciple marked the spirit herb with a gold ribbon, which meant it had the potential to raise at least two realms. That would take decades, possibly even centuries, but cultivators lived exceptionally long lives, and potential had to be nurtured. The elders of Cloud Sect had breeding programs for these herbs, and they had established lines which would consistently produce more promising herbs.

Tobias needed to do the same.

Tobias continued wandering. “Has Elder Xi agreed to produce our general energy meridians and opening pills for us this year?”

“He still insists that the most promising of your disciples be allowed to do so.”

“Have you reminded him that there is a war going on?”

“The Great Clans and other sects have been redirecting their spirit herbs to him since he returned, because of his success rate. Cloud Sect supports their actions, so he has less and less time to assist us.”

Tobias paused and pointed down. “Mark this one.”

It received a silver ribbon, meaning it would only ascend a single realm.

Tobias continued his stroll. “Inform him that my disciples can produce the pills, but only if their efficiency rate remains above 50%. Should it fall, he must agree to take over. Field Marshal Kang needs all the support I can give him.”

The initiate officer cultivating in the centre of the garden’s cultivation array stopped his cycling to cup his hands and bow. Tobias didn’t acknowledge the man’s actions because it would force him to recognise that he was listening to their conversation. It would require him to have the man punished. The soldier had known this when he bowed, but his personal honour had made him do so anyway.

Tobias motioned to another spirit herb. “Mark this one.”

***

The spirit herbs Tobias had negotiated for by selling his work were all intended for his family to establish a proper foundation and body cultivation method. Peace Master So had designed several layouts for these gardens that depended on the individual’s divinity, talent, and general ability. Tobias’s family had taken these instructions following them to the letter, tearing up their ornamental gardens around their homes and replacing them with spirit gardens.

Chi gathering arrays were used to hold the chi, creating a place where they could cultivate wood chi in preparation for the pills they would consume. It was an expensive undertaking, even for those still in the initiate realm, but the expense was covered by the Great Clans and sects.

Tobias had been lenient, not requesting brand-new arrays or equipment, allowing the Great Clans and sects to hand over older equipment they had on hand. They would need to be replaced when his family began ascending to the foundation realm, but they were more than enough for now.

At the centre of each garden sat a small spirit willow, overseeing the balance of everything around it. It had little control of the spirit herbs in Peace Master So’s hidden realm, but here it reigned supreme. Every so often, Tobias got the impression the spirit willows were pleased with themselves. Pleased to be surrounded by others of their kind.

In these moments, Tobias did not get the impression that these feelings were related to the other spirit willows, but his family. And the impression only lasted while they were cultivating in their gardens.

Tobias opened his eyes in his cultivation chamber, sensing the unfiltered toxic chi that now surrounded him. The chi that would have taken him a week to cultivate while in the foundation realm had only taken him an evening.

Tobias rose to his feet and headed for the doors, opening them with his aura. Outside the doors sat the spirit willow he’d been gifted. It had grown several inches since he’d received it because of their mutually beneficial relationship. Unlike the others, it did not have a wood chi alignment but a neutral one.

Tobias picked it up and carried it into the centre of the cultivation chamber. It immediately began consuming the chi that had now become toxic to humans, nourishing its growth. This little trick was the only reason Tobias had made any progress since leaving the hidden realm.

The spiritual energy he’d refined had gone to strengthening his core. Peace Master So had made him leave once it was stable, but it had not been at full strength.

Tobias checked the filter arrays, making sure they would remove the small amounts of wood chi the spirit willow produced, and then exited the chamber, closing the doors behind him. In the morning, he would remove the spirit willow, let the chamber filter the remaining wood chi, and then cultivate again that evening.

Tobias made his way to his primary residence while spreading his aura through his compound to check everything was in its place. Becoming a core realm cultivator was the difference between night and day and something that could not be fully comprehended until one entered it. His connection to the world around him was astonishing.

It was like when he had stood in the desert, but it was a constant state of existence instead of a momentary one. It made him truly understand why cultivators felt the need to refer to those who didn’t cultivate as mortals. Their existence was so different that they were not the same species.

It was a harsh, but honest truth.

Within his aura, Tobias could tell how many blades of spirit grass there were in his palace, along with how many insects. He could tell you where anything was at a given time. His physical form no longer dictated his existence. His aura made him almost all-knowing in a limited capacity.

Tobias walked into his study to see Xu Ling being barraged with facts by Professor Chunhua, the one who adored mountain cloud lilies. Xu Ling nodded absently as she revised her manuals and manuscripts, so they were simpler to follow.

Tobias took a seat beside her, flicking his fan to indicate that the time for conversation was over. Professor Chunhua closed her mouth and silently sat in attendance.

Tobias placed his fan on the table. “Have Professor Chunhua’s insights been enlightening?”

Xu Ling nodded without looking up. “Her diligence and enthusiasm have taught me the difference between a broad understanding and a deep one. Both have their place, building upon each other. It has also shown me that the clearer one's understanding of the broader rules of cultivation does not necessarily prevent one from developing a deeper understanding, only slows their comprehension.”

“Which would suggest what?”

“The easier my understanding of gathering is to comprehend, the quicker others can use that knowledge to make additional discoveries.”

“If you do not know it is the wood that is making the flames, you will try to start a fire with stone.” 

Tobias and Xu Ling suddenly turned towards Cloud Sect, sensing the rage of the nascent soul realm leader of the sect. They were far enough away that only those in the core realm would have been able to sense his outburst. The reason for his outburst was obvious. Today was the day that Tobias’s disciples had begun teaching his combat techniques and spells.

Xu Ling shuddered. “If that is the common response to your new techniques and spells, you may be in trouble.”