Torsten Hewson
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SHI AU Chapter 20: Grand Plans
🕑 Added 2025-01-19 08:21:04 +0000 UTCAs always, unedited.
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“We’re approaching the wards now, Senchou, continue upon this course.” Seiyu’s calm, quiet voice seared us in the right direction, and into a patch of unassuming-looking sky. Or rather, unassuming looking for me. Ningjing overlaid what she saw over my eyes, and I could see the distortions in the air, characters in a circle that formed an access point, as well as a faint, almost invisible bubble that covered the entire city.
A ward over the City, like Crimson Crucible City had. I still remembered the thing flaring, when the attack came from Demon’s Grave Ravine, burning with all the colours of the rainbow.
“What happens if we don’t use this access point?” I asked, curious.
“We get boarded.” Bailu stated matter of factly. “And then yelled at by the guards, and have to do paperwork. It's why when we fly solo we normally just come through the main gate!” I nodded at her explanation, and then she suddenly seemed to remember something. “Oh! And keep your speed below four knots! Otherwise we go splat! Its not fun!”
She clapped her hands together to indicate the abrupt stop.
It reacted to velocity too? That was interesting.
“Learn that the hard way did you? I asked, intending for it to just be a joke, but both of my Storm Wings flushed.
“...we were really eager to patrol. It was our first guard flight.” Bailu mumbled.
“Elder Minyan got the entirety of the midships up on deck to laugh at us.” Seiyu complained.
I carefully turned away so they wouldn’t see my lips twitching at the mental image of them sliding down the barrier like a pane of glass, squeaking all the way.
We entered into the passageway through the wards, and I paused at the tingly feeling. Ningjing whistled curiously.
“That feels really weird.” I muttered.
“Yeah, the wards always do feel a bit tingly!” Bailu replied, clearly unbothered.
We were now officially in the city—and the temperature changed again. It went from warm, nearing hot, to the perfect temperature—some kind of city wide climate control as well. Big D clucked with wonder, his eyes fixed on the air currents in front of us, stunned by just how… well, nuts this place was. Seriously!
I had a smile on my face as we headed in the direction Seiyu had indicated went to the airship docks. Bailu started humming again, a pleasant song that only buoyed my mood, and Seiyu had a smile as well. Both of them had been a big help today already, and it had been really, really fun exploring with them.
I was really glad they had decided to come along. I stared absently out over the city’s teeming streets as we went.
“Man, this place is huge.” I said, before shaking my head. It was so big we had to plan! “This the right course still, Seiyu?”
“Aye, Senchou.” She replied.
“Then let's gather around! Crew meeting!” I called.
“Yes!” my Storm Wings cheered. Ningjing locked her rudder and kept her leisurely pace as we all gathered around a barrel. Part of Ningjing’s deck rose for us to use as a bench, and I brought out a scroll.
I cleared my throat pompously. “The captain calls this meeting to order! Bailu, Seiyu, you’ve been here before! Where shall we go first to have some fun?”
I grinned at their bright faces, and both of them immediately shot their hands up—Bailu slightly faster than Seiyu.
“Bosun Bailu!” I called her name, and Seiyu wilted slightly.
“Yes! Our first stop should be Chao Baozi! The all you can drink and all you can eat special!” Bailu declared, and Seiyu instantly went from sulking to pleased. Bailu held out her fist and Seiyu bumped it, both women nodding at each other.
I paused. “Chao Baozi?” I asked. The name was… kind of familiar?
“Captain, you've never had Chao Baozi?” Seiyu asked, sounding horrified.
“Uhhh I may have seen some advertisements?” I hedged. I did kind of remember seeing an advertisement in Crimson Crucible City for it—but that was super far away. “Maybe Gramps may have gotten it for me one time? I was… kinda too poor to afford it. But those were in Crimson Crucible City. Do they have one here as well?”
Man, Xianxia places had a long reach.
My Storm Wings looked at each other.
“Senchou! Chao Baozi is an institution! It's in every central Plaza in the Empire! Look!” Seiyu said, puling out a scroll—one that was filled with locations and… ratings?
….there was a gods damned continent-wide franchise in this world. What the hells? It was just so absurd, even with the flying swords and cultivation that it struck me dumb for a moment.
“Seiyu and I normally stop off every time we enter a new province and rate their location! And the one in the Capital is the best! Miss Chao Ling, descendant of Lady Chao herself heads this branch! Its served the Emperor!” Bailu continued, nodding her head.
“We can even add your rating!” Seiyu said enthusiastically.
I was… honestly touched by the simple gesture. It was something so small… and yet, it hit me all the same.
“I would be honoured to add to this legendary manual.” I declared. “And look, we can even go back and give these a second rating. See if it's up to snuff, eh?” I asked.
I got beaming smiles in return.
“Now, what else? We have Chao Baozi. Seiyu, your turn!”
“The spice market! I know you like to cook yourself, Senchou, so we can get everything from all over the world!” Seiyu said.
“Great idea!”
“New clothes! These are good Captain, but you need your own style!” Bailu nodded, one finger in the air.
“The Grand Gardens!”
“The Great Forge!”
“We’ll have to check which puppet shows are on!”
“Wine! We need lots of it!”
They went back and forth, shooting out more and more ideas that swiftly filed the page. From restaurants, to the biggest buildings—one of which was the Grand Archive. I remembered the Archives, which was another neat thing. The Archives were basically a prototype public library, and I kind of wanted to poke around.
Everything they suggested was something I would enjoy—they had really been paying attention to the things I liked—but then, out came the more fantastical things.
“We need to decide what auctions to go to.” Seiyu mused. “The Resplendent Stallion always has the good stuff—it's the only location suitable for our Young Master!”
I raised an eyebrow as Seiyu slipped back to referring to me like that.
“Eh? The Lucky Gold ones are so much more fun though.” Bailu whined.
“Lucky Gold is completely random! A good auction displays skill and domineering presence to force your bid through!”
I added both to the list.
“Oh! And you should join a tournament, Young—Captain!” Bailu exclaimed, and I froze.
A tournament?
“Indeed! Debuting in the capital—it would be a wonderful place to begin your legend!” Seiyu agreed.
Some part of me… some part of me felt fear. Some part of me wanted to politely decline that one.
And yet…. I was in a Xianxia world. I was on a wonderful ship, taking me to the furthest horizons, determined to experience new things.
The arts of the Wandering Deer danced through my head. The rush of combat, and the blood pumping in my veins.
I was a cultivator. I was trained by Tianzhe Minyan herself. Maybe… maybe this was the way.
“...I’ll think about it.” I said, yet even to me, my tone of voice… well. I had as good as accepted that already.
. I would have to still be careful, but… Honestly? I was actually kind of looking forwards to it. The tournament in Soaring Heaven’s Isle had been remarkably restrained, and far less bloody than I imagined. There had been no blood fueds, and the defeated were often seen drinking with the ones who had broken bones not hours earlier.
“Our Captain is going to kick everybody’s asses!” Bailu exclaimed, her eyes burning.
“Their natural place is beneath our Lord’s feet.” Seiyu intoned, a smirk on her face.
…Okay this amount of glazing would definitely give me a big head
I let out a breath. And Glanced at our full itinerary.
My girls had been really helpful, and really on the ball today—it had been wonderfully peaceful, and I could definitely get used to this.
I turned back to the bow of the ship, and to the tower we were approaching.
“So how does this dock work, anyway?” I asked after a moment. “How much money does it take to berth a skyship, and how good are the guards?”
“Pay?” Seiyu asked, confused.
Bailu laughed. “It's the sect, we don’t have to pay! The girls will take good care of our Ningjing!”
“...Its the Sect’s?” I asked, feeling a headache coming on.
“...yes?” Seiyu asked.
I paused. I opened my mouth, and closed it again. I grabbed the bridge of my nose.
“…the sect we were exiled from?” I asked, glancing back up at them.
Bailu’s smile froze on her face, and her eyes bugged out comically. Seiyu’s own little grin similarly became strained, her eyes wide as they processed in her head.
“Ah…ahha…” Seiyu said, starting to look panicked.
“...do either of you two know any other skyship docks…?” I ventured.
“Um! They probably haven't been told yet…?” Bailu asked, her eyes shifting around, and looking anywhere but at me. “Worst we can do is ask?”
We were nearly at the tower. I swallowed.
“Worst we can do is ask… and get ready to bail?” I returned.
Welp. In for a penny, in for a pound. We did need somewhere safe for our ship. My fingers crossed. Maybe Minyan hadn’t sent out a general notification…?”
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To our great luck, Elder Minyan hadn’t sent out a message.
We docked with ease, Ningjing sliding into an unused berth. I was a little sad to have to leave her behind, but I got a feeling of.. Well, joy and mischievousness, like a toddler that had a surprise for me.
Ningjing’s mast shifted and groaned… and then out from it popped a little wooden doll that looked remarkably like a little leaf-shaped man from a legend about a princess.
It was small, not even coming up to my knee, and it had a leaf-shaped mask on its face.
Or rather her face. Bailu and Seiyu were instantly smitten. Picking up and cuddling the little thing, much to Ningjing’s amusement.
I grinned at my second shoulder companion as she settled in on the other side of Big D.
“Remember, if anybody sees you, you have to say “nyahaha! You found me!”” I whispered to Ningjing.
A cheerful whistle met my instructions, and a tiny limb with no fingers thrust forwards.
We set off into the City—first stop, Chao Baozi!
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“Reporting to the Elders. The Wings and Antlers have arrived.” The Captain of the Skytower, Soaring Heaven’s Isle’s dock in the capital intoned.
“The boy. His cultivation?” Elder Minyan was first, her tone calm and cold.
“Fourth Stage of the Profound.”
There was a pause on the other end of the transmission stone, before there was a pleased sound.
“The ship?” Elder Lili asked next, her tone full of curiosity.
“Slightly bigger than the original drawing sent, Elder Lili. Very healthy looking..And She radiates… something. It's hard to describe, but the girls all report feeling at peace, like they found something that was lost.” The captain trailed off, questions on her tongue, and the Elders caught on to her hesitation. “Do the previous orders still stand?”
“Yes. No overt help. They are invisible to you, and are average members of our sect. The ship? it is merely a small skyskiff in our fleet, and on the last day, make a scene of chasing them out, like you’ve finally found out about their “exile,” Elder Song’s voice was blunt and direct. Not a rebuke, but an order. “However… if they do require assistance, then I expect every daughter of Soaring Heaven to do their duty.”
“Yes, Elder Song.” The Captain did not need to know more. Her duty had been given to her. “We shall carry out your orders without fail.”
“Good.” Elder Song said. “Return to your duties.”
“And do tell us what they end up doing. It's sure to be amusing.” Elder Lili said.
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Comments
Burkholt
I think there are a few reasons. First, he doesn't want to abuse Minyan's goodwill by sleeping around. Second, he's representing her as her son, what he does reflects on her. And anyone getting close to him might have ulterior motives to get close to her. In addition, he is rarely around other women on his island, where he isolates himself most of the time. It makes sense to me that he might not want to sleep with anyone that he doesn't have an emotional connection. Most of the girls hitting on him are fan girls and he probably doesn't have a thing for that.
Burkholt
I really hope you continue this spinoff. I've enjoyed it immensely. And hopefully, we won't have to wait an entire year to get more content.
Bert Babb
Well, I finally got around to reading AU/SHI. Its quite refreshing. Although Im not sure why Jin is so resistant to cuddling with any of the many ladies in the sect who were willing to do the horizontal mambo. Aside from Bailu and Seiyu who started off as his servants and became his older sisters, there was Lin, Flasher and Xiaobao. Yet he gave em all the brush off. We know he's not gay so thats some abberant behavior for a young man. Maybe something will happen with Shouxian? There should also be some conflict cycle upcoming.
Mitch McNair
Just a heads up, this chapter and 19 aren’t in the SHI collection
KnightRider007
Side note: also remember that the Chao Baozi is *probably* a direct shoutout to the magical, movable restaurant of the same name in Negima. Which should give you an idea of where it stands in the hierarchy of food chains. I say probably, because the name is kind hopelessly generic, translating to “Chao’s steamed buns”, and it’s not like “Chao” is a super-rare unique name… https://negima.fandom.com/wiki/Chao_Bao_Zi
Bable Zmith
Considering that we've never seen one of these RC steak houses in Seattle, I'm voting McDonald's.
Just A Dude
Well, the main cast have already interacted with the knuckleheads, so that's already happening.
John D Jones
America's new (would-be) Emperor eats a lot of McDonalds.
KnightRider007
McDonald’s? I dunno, the one in this city literally served food to the emperor…
KnightRider007
Hm. It was terrible specifically because of his link with the damaged Tianlan (that’s explicitly stated, her sensors were overloading him with junk data). So, absent that link… we have no indication whether he’s any better or worse than average
KnightRider007
Yup, standard “bending the rules” for the favoured child of the Sect Elders. It was pretty much bluntly stated “come back whenever you like!”, as Ninjing herself amply fulfills the condition of “discover knowledge and treasure for the Sect”
Tijay Arnie
Cameos into the main story
Alex Ingraham
By more real, do you main cameo's from the main story's cast?
Jeff
How good is Rou/Jin chi sensing ability is now? It was always terrible before.
Justin
Awesome! Nice touch at the end. Chase em out on the last day. Like a parent with a young kid. 'don't touch that' fake leave room as they giggle and do it immediately.
Simi-chan
I so love this AU; and now we have a Serenity Korok
Andrew Carter
Do you plan to do this one more regularly when you return next month?
Angela Roberts
Yes! Love this version.
John D Jones
@ BlueMage_VT The three might File the page (Bwa-Ha-ha--not a chance in all the not-Chinese Hell are they close to being that organized) but first they need to finish Filling it out.
RBAWintrow
A balm for the soul in these turbulent times.
Old Dog
Thanks much for this. Aren't you supposed to be on sabbatical?
BlueMage_VT
Borrowing your comment for edit suggestions: "They went back and forth, shooting out more and more ideas that swiftly FILED the page." Filled with two Ls? Or am I taking that second L? Lol
V01D
Don’t forget your first priority: getting a recording crystal!
Angel
Aww I love this so much, all the happy feels!!! Thank you for continuing this fun story! 💗🙏🏻
Len
I'm thinking McDonalds- its cheap good/decent food...RC is expensive decent food( a lot of steak houses in my area are significantly better at about the same price)
Jim Moak
I love this AU. Are there any plans to work on it as more than a side story after the main story is complete?
Tijay Arnie
See, I'm reading TWI, where some hijinks are causing some AU's to become more real, and all I'm hoping for is something similar to happen here
Rune Shadow
As much as I enjoy the main story, this is always a nice change of pace as well.
Tetsu-nii
While I miss Mei-Mei, Tigu, and Tianlan, I was excited to see the notification of this chapter hit my Inbox this morning! Thanks so much! ^_^
stargibilet Scott
So glad to be getting more of AU. Looks great!
Randall Norman Pick
This is going to be fun. The Sect's gentle Exile to watch how this develops. I like how reasonable they're being, given some of Jin's worries on cultivators.
John D Jones
Edit suggestion, first sentence "...quiet voice STEERED us..." Also, I'm wondering if Chao Baozi is xianxia McDonald's or Ruth's Chris Steak House as far as chain's go.
Drendude
CasualFarmer just somehow does not miss. I'm basically always moved by a chapter.
BlueMage_VT
Great start to my morning! Thank you for the AU Chapter!
PickledTink
It is both this, and also ensuring that Rou doesn't feel trapped and suffocated. He's extremely valuable and most sects would therefore put him under lock and key. Instead they have let him fly free knowing that he'll return one day, grown and more mature, and restore the part of the sect that was lost in the age of heroes while ensuring that, if he needs help, it will be available.
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
GreenB
How fun!
Anzer'ke
I adore that moment of proud mum Minyan. The Elders all plotting to give them a pleasant time in the Capitol but also have them chased off is just a perfect wholesome plot. Makes me wonder if Rou is going to get a cool legend begins moment to go with it.
Just A Dude
All the benefits of being exiled, but none of the drawbacks. Just a good old-fashioned walkabout, really.
CringeWorthyStudios
Bah, that was only one chapter. We need more of the Baka twins!
KnightRider007
We have seen them in Canon, and Jin has already tamed Seiyu with food :P (Not that it was hard)
Kiwi Satan
I really appreciate the rest of the sect getting behind the idea that this ship needs freedom to grow. Always nice to see the Xianxia tropes mixed with people of that age having actual wisdom for once.
leopard eye
Be honest casual farmer di you get inspired by tsuu's latest art piece of the dumdum's stunned o crap faces when you wrote this?
CringeWorthyStudios
Bailu laughed. “It's the sect, we don’t have to pay! The girls will take good care of our Ningjing!” “...Its the Sect’s?” I asked, feeling a headache coming on. “...yes?” Seiyu asked. I paused. I opened my mouth, and closed it again. I grabbed the bridge of my nose. “…the sect we were exiled from?” I asked, glancing back up at them. Bailu’s smile froze on her face, and her eyes bugged out comically. Seiyu’s own little grin similarly became strained, her eyes wide as they processed in her head. > The disaster twins strike again. Gods, I can’t wait to see these two in canon. “Good.” Elder Song said. “Return to your duties.” “And do tell us what they end up doing. It's sure to be amusing.” Elder Lili said. > Seems about right. Nice to see that their ‘exile’ isn’t actually as solid as they thought. Thanks for the chapter!
RJKY
"Bailu’s smile froze on her face, and her eyes bugged out comically. Seiyu’s own little grin similarly became strained, her eyes wide as they processed in her head." They did the faces on the bottom right! Their best faces!
frankie doerr
I forgot how much I enjoyed the au
Aki_Iokua18
Okay, my first thought was the Kodamas from Princess Mononoke, so I got a bit of whiplash when the Korock reference popped up. Glad to see more of this, and I hope your break has been good and restful. While the spoiled child in me is howling for the next part of the main story, please take however long you need before you pop back in with new chapters.
Calamity
Korock Ninjing?! That is…beautiful. And full of possibilities…
