The Magistrate: Chapter 81 (Patreon)

I'm thinking of making this the start of book 3, so I would like everyone's opinion.

Chapter 81

Crisis

Thirteen years later, in the middle of Winter, Tobias opened his eyes inside the Civil Realm, having formed the second layer of his core. After appointing the new ministers, rebuilding the Civil Sect, assisting the second and third tier noble clans, and drastically expanding his academy, Tobias influence throughout The Three Kingdoms had grown greater than the Divine Council's. The Divine Council had been left with no choice but to reward his ten years of service with ten years of closed-door cultivation at the nation's expense. They hoped his influence would fade with his absence.

The cultivation resources and training for mortals to improve their productive capacity had won him the hearts of the people, and his family's assistance to the fifth imperial army had cemented the army's commitment to maintaining the peace. Generals now took pride in patrolling The Three Kingdoms for mortal bandits, creating safe travel no matter your station. There hadn't been a highway robbery in years.

Without the war to distract Cloud and Mist Sect's retired disciples, his entertainment and shopping district had become a thriving investment again, growing his influence. His family's return to The Three Step Hills and the expansion of their tea plantation left them independently wealthy and a recognised name among anyone of means.

Then there were the spirit gardens and the pills they sold to anyone interested. The Wo Trading Company was becoming an economic powerhouse without any form of political favour, selling everything his family and academy produced across The Three Kingdoms.

There wasn't a 1st Minister in the history of The Three Kingdoms who was considered so favourable or so well respected, and more and more people were taking actions to try to gain Tobias's favour, which was why he'd been forced into closed-door cultivation.

Tobias reached out through his aura and noticed the purity of the chi in the Civil Realm. It had risen dramatically during the three years he'd been cultivating. He widened his aura to investigate the cause. He only found a third of the cultivators he expected to be within the realm. Someone had gone against his instructions and reduced the number of cultivators allowed to enter.

Tobias released a displeased sigh.

This was exactly what he was trying to avoid.

Tobias studied the other cultivators across the Civil Realm. They were all in the foundation realm. None of them were trying to cultivate. Instead, they appeared to be observing him, likely studying his actions as he formed the second layer of his core, hoping to gain insights from his attempt. They came from every clan and sect, showing that no one had been favoured.

Tobias didn't object to them watching him. There were still far too many secrets in the cultivation world.

Tobias checked the chi storage bowl under the focal point. He found that it appeared to contain no more liquid chi than when he'd started, so closed his eyes and returned to cultivating.

With seven years left, he might be able to form a third layer. It was hard to tell, though. Gaining a second layer had more than doubled the sped that he could gather and process chi, but it had also significantly expanded his chi capacity. He wasn't sure how much spiritual energy he would need to cultivate to fill it.

***

Years later, Tobias was floating within his consciousness, existing purely in the moment without a thought of the past or the future, when he sensed a familiar presence brush against his thoughts. It was nothing but a gentle tap, but it was more than enough intrusion for Tobias to finish his cycle and open his eyes.

The moment he came out of his meditative state, Tobias knew that four and a half years had passed.

Tobias expanded his aura. This time, he sensed the Civil Realm was filled with cultivators quietly cultivating.

Tobias turned to Peace Master So and scowled. "You just cost me a year of cultivation progress, so this had better be important."

Interrupting a cultivator in seclusion was one of the greatest taboos in the cultivation world. The cultivation method Tobias had chosen to gather the spiritual energy needed to form the third layer of his core took two additional years of cycling before he was cycling more chi than he had with his previous method. It was only in the last year that it would have put him ahead, and he was over a year away from that, so he'd just lost valuable progress.

His clone was also studying in Peace Master So's realm, so there shouldn't have been any reason for them to need to speak.

Peace Master So flexed his aura, hiding their conversation. "The Great Plague has returned."

Tobias immediately forgave him and leapt to his feet. "Where and how widespread?"

"This morning, I was preventing Batu Khan from invading one of the southern city-states when eighteen of his warriors who were praying at a shrine to their immortal ancestor were suddenly overtaken by the plague. Many of those around them immediately succumbed, despite my dao suppressing their ability to attack and infect others. Batu Khan and I dealt with those who had been struck down and then discussed the matter."

"What was there to discuss?"

Peace Master So leaned closer. "Much of what you know about the Great Plague is a lie. The 2nd Emperor suppressed the truth about the Great Plague across the continent. Only those who lived through it know what it really was."

Tobias frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Before it was known as the Great Plague, it was called the Immortals' Judgement, because those who prayed to the immortal ancestors were consumed by miasma."

Tobias took a moment to process the information. "I was taught the plague transferred through bites."

"It does. However, those who were initially overwhelmed by the sickness are overwhelmed because they prayed to the immortal ancestors. During the Great Plague, this was widely known. Buta Khan's horde needed to be reminded of this fact, which was what we discussed."

Tobias wanted to swear. "Why do we still pray to the immortal ancestors if we know it brings the plague?"

"The 2nd Emperor feared making enemies of the immortals upon his ascension, so outlawed the knowledge being passed along. Mortals live short lives, so the knowledge was lost within a century, and any record of it was removed."

"Have you informed your father?"

"Yes. I visited him before you. He is informing his clan and the Divine Council as we speak."

Tobias didn't understand how praying to an immortal could infect you with a disease, but that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that the Great Plague had returned. "What do you need me to do?"

"My dao protected me from those overcome by the sickness during the Great Plague. The only ones I needed to fear were the sage realm cultivators, and that is no longer necessary. I wish for you to tell me how I can help, Senior."

Tobias nodded, mind racing. "Are there any other known ways to contract the Great Plague?"

"No."

"How quickly are people overwhelmed by it?"

"Initiate realm cultivators and mortals are overwhelmed immediately. Foundation realm cultivators have enough time to say a few words. Core realm cultivators can last up to a day without intervention."

"There are ways to slow down the progression?"

"There is a spring that generates healing chi, which can suppress the sickness. However, this only lasts as long as you are in its presence."

Tobias's mind went to Elder Cloud and Elder Mist, filing the new information away, while he nodded.

"Nascent soul realm cultivators can last a few seasons, and sages can last indefinitely if they use their full cultivation to suppress it. However, they only last a few years if they don't."

"Does this change if someone is bitten rather than contract it by praying to the immortals?"

"Yes. Bitten is much slower. Even mortals have time to say a few parting words."

"Has the Great Plague spread to The Three Kingdoms?"

"I saw a few stricken with the sickness as I travelled here after informing my father."

That wasn't good.

"How do you deal with those infected?"

"Miasma greatly enhances those who have succumbed, strength, endurance, speed, and resilience, but destroys the mind in the process. Overcoming these enhancements requires a cultivator from a higher realm."

"Are you saying that we will require mortal cultivators to fight infected mortals?"

"Yes. You need overwhelming strength to prevent the sickness from spreading. Other than that, they can be killed like any other. However, once they are dead, you must deal with disposing of the bodies."

"How do the bodies spread the disease?"

"If bodies are left, they will quickly decompose, spreading the miasma as a black mist. Within half a day, there will be nothing left of a mortal body, and the area will become uninhabitable. This area can only be made inhabitable again by introducing one that had already succumbed to the sickness. They will absorb the mist, but it will also make them stronger. The most effective measure is to immediately burn the bodies. This forces the miasma to crystallise into black crystals. However, these crystals cannot be physically touched by anything that is living or once lived, or they will shatter into mist. Iron tongs to pick them up and pottery to store them are the safest measures."

"Does this apply to cultivators?"

"Only to cultivators below the core realm. Core realm cultivators' bodies will transform entirely into these miasma crystals upon death. Nascent soul realm cultivators' bodies release a liquid miasma that will make others sick, but do not have the explosive properties of the crystals."

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"Nothing that the Divine Council cannot and nothing you will likely find helpful."

Tobias quickly extracted a blank proclamation paper from his storage ring, along with the necessary inks and brushes, and filled it out with all the relevant information before handing it over. "Take this proclamation to all corned of The Three Kingdoms and announce it to every man, woman and child. Once you have done that, travel across the continent and give the proclamation to everyone you can find, but before starting, inform Field Marshal Kang that I need his army to return from the border to protect The Three Kingdoms." Tobias removed the Three Pigeon treasure from his storage ring and attached it to his belt. "Keep me informed of what you find. Once you have completed that, return for further instructions."

Peace Master So took the proclamation. "I will collect your clone to teach him everything I know about this matter and return your clone when I am finished." Without another word, he vanished.

Tobias spread his aura through the Civil Realm and used it to rouse the cultivator's attention. Once he had it, he informed them of everything he had just learned and told them to leave the realm and prepare to receive further instructions.

Tobias left the realm ahead of them, feeling the new strength rushing through his body. The concentration of his chi was twice what it had previously been, which was enhancing his body beyond its previous limits.

It would take some getting used to.

Tobias cupped his hands behind his back as he deployed a stealth technique that he'd developed to hide himself from core realm cultivators' senses and summoned his sword. He still hadn't bothered learning how to fly, not seeing the need with his movement technique, but he regretted that decision now. Being able to fly across mountains would be extremely useful for tracking the plague.

Tobias stepped onto the sword and propelled himself through the Imperial Palace at high speed, taking note of the tourists through his aura. Making a pilgrimage to see the palace and visit the city of cultivators that surrounded it had become a requirement for anyone of means. Former eunuchs turned tour guides explained the history of The Three Kingdoms as he passed by, making it clear that Peace Master So hadn't announced his proclamation here but had gone to inform Field Marshal Kang, as he'd asked.

Tobias rushed out of the palace gates and through the city, checking that the last few buildings had been completed to the same standards as the others, before going outside to view the Civil Sect.

The Civil Sect was not like other sects. Every cultivator was required to study every profession. Only after they had a thorough understanding were they allowed to specialise and pursue a cultivation method. A third had chosen to return to their old professions, so The Three Kingdoms once again had cultivators who could improve the quality of soil, create beautiful pottery, seek out sources of ore to mine, and practically every other mortal profession you could imagine.

It was having a noticeable effect on productivity.

Another third had chosen to become gatherers, and the city that had once sat outside the Outer Palace was now filled with spirit herb gardens. Inferior spirit herbs were frequently taken from these gardens and planted in natural formations in the countryside to restore The Three Kingdoms chi saturation. They were not as effective as the gardens that were tended by gatherers, but they had their place.

After eighteen years of study, most of the disciples were somewhere in the late foundation realm. Only a handful had reached the core realm, and they were mostly cultivators that practiced methods that required the most common spirit herbs. The long growth time and rarity of higher realm spirit herbs had been seriously affecting their progress when Tobias went into closed-door cultivation.

Tobias could now sense dozens of core realm cultivators in the Civil Sect. Many were growing spirit herbs or helping others study. There had been noticeable progress while he was gone. Tobias was heading to the minister who oversaw the sect's office in the main administrative building when he felt Peace Master So appear in the sky above the city and begin issuing the proclamation. Tobias immediately changed directions and headed for the ministry headquarters in the city.

It was the only building in the outer palace that hadn't been demolished. By the time Tobias arrived, magistrates were standing outside staring at the sky with looks of horror.

Tobias stepped off his sword, stored it in his ring, and then dropped his stealth technique the moment Peace Master So vanished. Tobias flexed his aura to get their attention and inform the ministers in residence that he'd arrived.

The magistrates in front of the building all cupped their hands and bowed. "We greet the 1st Minister."

Tobias didn't have time for this, but there was comfort in tradition, so he allowed them to continue. "Peace Master So is making this proclamation across The Three Kingdoms. As of this moment, the best way you can help your families is by returning to your duties. Be prepare for fast and sweeping changes as we prepare to confront this old threat."

The magistrates stepped aside, and Tobias marched into the building, heading for the hall of ministers. He did not run or rush, but he moved with purpose, giving the impression that everything was under control.

Whispers of conversations followed him as the magistrates rushed back to their duties to prepare for what lay ahead. By the time Tobias arrived in the Hall of Ministers, all the ministers who had been in the building were waiting for him.

They cupped their hands and bowed as he walked past, heading for the front of the hall. "We greet the 1st Minister."

Tobias's position as the 1st Minister had dramatically changed over the years. He was no longer directly in charge of any aspect of The Three Kingdoms, but in charge of directing the ministers that were. The Divine Council had given him all the authority he needed, along with much of the freedom he wanted, which was one of the reasons he had accepted their reward of entering closed-door cultivation.

Tobias stopped at the front of the Hall of Ministers, cupped his hands behind his back, and inclined his head. "I have just come from closed-door cultivating to address this current crisis, so I am not aware of the current situation in The Three Kingdoms. If I say anything that does not apply or cannot be fulfilled, you are ordered to interrupt me and make me aware of the situation."

"We hear and obey," they replied.

"As of this morning, Peace Master So became aware of the Great Plague's return. It first came to his awareness when it appeared among the people of Batu Khan's horde. He has since confirmed its presence in The Three Kingdoms. I have been informed that much of what we know about the Great Plague is a lie. The truth was intentionally suppressed by the 2nd Emperor to appease the immortal ancestors in the heavens above. The proclamation you just heard is nearly everything that I know about how the plague can be contracted, so consider yourselves as well-informed as I am."

Tobias saw looks of concern cross their faces.

"Peace Master So is going to share the proclamation you just heard across The Three Kingdoms. Once he has finished, he will recall the Fifth Imperial Army and leave to spread the message to the other kingdoms."

The Minister of Agriculture dropped to his knees. "1st Minister, I beg you to ask the Exalted One to stay and protect The Three Kingdoms."

Tobias glared at the man. "If you had studied your history, you would know that the Shatter Desert was once two thriving kingdoms that served the 1st Emperor. The 1st Emperor turned it into a wasteland, hoping to create an impassable obstacle for the roaming hordes of mortals that had succumbed to the Great Plague. This did not work. I have sent Peace Master So away to prevent this threat from rising beyond our borders, so this is the last time I wish to hear someone requesting I bring him back."

The minister kowtowed three times quickly.

"Those affected by the Great Plague must be confronted by someone who is at least one realm above, so the Fifth Imperial Army will be spread across The Three Kingdoms to put down any stricken by the disease. Initiate officers will be posted in every town, with four mortal realm soldiers patrolling the countryside. Until they arrive, the Civil Sect will maintain the peace and suppress the plague in cities and towns. They are not warriors, so you will need twice as many of them to perform the same duties. However, there are cultivators in every city and many in towns, so they are not needed everywhere. Our immediate concern is figuring out where we are most vulnerable and where we lack sufficient force to suppress the Great Plague. Those who can find this information are dismissed."

A dozen ministers bowed and hurriedly left the room.

"Minister of Grain Storage, how are our grain reserves?"

The minister cupped his hands. "There have been several trying years during your absence, which required the use of the reserves, but the Civil Sect's disciples have helped to improve crop yields in the more favourable years. I am happy to report that no city or town in The Three Kingdoms has less than two seasons' worth of grain stored to feed its population. Some boast more than a year."

"I want the security on these granaries quadrupled and for initiate realm cultivators to be added. If we cannot maintain security, the fields will soon lie fallow, and our people will starve. See that it is done."

"I hear and obey, 1st Minister."

The man quickly left.

Tobias looked around the room, ready to give additional instructions when he sensed the presence of a nascent soul realm cultivator entering the city. "I must speak with the Divine Council. Until I return, you will speak with your aides and investigate how your departments can assist with confronting this threat. Submit your findings through a report and place requests to see me if you believe that the matter requires further discussion."

"We hear and obey 1st Minister," they replied.