Torsten Hewson
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v5c70: The Torch Bearers
🕑 Added 2024-11-18 03:24:58 +0000 UTCZang Shenhe sat atop the fortress of Fa Ram in the early morning sun, deep in meditation. Her foundation was slowly stabilizing, as she internalized the revelations she had received about the past of her sect and set upon a new path. It would be a slow process to rebuild herself and her cultivation… but rebuild it she would.
It was fortunate that Master Rou had given them a week—for his hospitality was unparalleled. Everyone was recovering at a swift rate, thanks to the gifts he had lavished upon them. Gold Grade Rice and some unknown type of pickle saturated with Qi made the task much easier than it should have been.
Today she spent her time contemplating the knowledge she had gained during the meeting between Shen Yu, the Cloudy Sword Sect, the Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect, and the Imperial Herald.
The meeting had been trying. It had taken all her power to appear unmoved by the weight of the Elder cultivators’ gazes… yet all her might was equal to a mortal and a man barely into his twenties. It had been quite a shock to learn just how old “Master Rou” was. Some part of her wanted to be angry that one so young had had the gall to command them.
Yet in the end, did it really change anything? His cultivation was superior to hers, and he was only mildly injured from a battle that would have killed her. He had earned the right to command them. He was no old monster. He was a young man on a meteoric rise—so meteoric he had left the Cloudy Sword Sect yet they maintained good relations with him. It was obvious why, and it was not because Elder Shou, a master of Spiritual Herbs, wished to trade notes and pointers with him.
With such a monster as his grandfather, was there any question?
He still had the might to enforce his commandments if they had decided to test him. He was affiliated with the Cloudy Sword Sect… and everything they had done because of that misunderstanding had been their best course of action.
Zang Shenhe opened her eyes and glanced down at the item she held within her hand. The boon she had gotten for being a part of that meeting and for her actions against their enemies. She had not been found wanting.
“Zang Shenhe. By your actions you have done a service to our Empire,” the Imperial Herald had declared before he left upon Lady Minyan’s ship. “This humble servant of His Imperial Majesty also knows that your sect has fallen upon hard times—so We shall grant unto you this.”
“This pendant signifies His Majesty's favour. Time is the most valuable thing We can grant you—time where those that are your foes will hesitate from striking you. The provincials know that their antics are tolerated because our eyes are elsewhere. With this, all shall know our eyes are upon you. The Shrouded Mountain Sect, for its faults, has in the past discharged its duties without fail. Our subjects were safe. Our armies unmolested. Our trade, prosperous. And so We were content with your Sect’s stewardship. Now, We give you an opportunity to continue this stewardship. But Zang Shenhe, know this well. Should your righteousness waver, should we find you wanting…. our gaze will turn elsewhere.”
The implied threat made her swallow.
“I shall not fail His Imperial Majesty,” Shenhe had replied, her bow near to kowtowing.
“Another servant of the Empire shall arrive at your sect once Our business is done, bearing rewards for meritorious deeds. See that you are ready to receive them.”
With that, the masked man had gone, leaving only the pendant as the trace of his passing.
Shenhe stared at it.
“Quite a heavy burden that is,” a voice said from her shoulder. Nezan was sitting there, the fox casually licking his paw. He was doing that more and more lately, perching upon her shoulder. Shenhe didn’t entirely mind it. His fur was soft against her cheek, and his presence was oddly comforting.
“From the precipice of the abyss, salvation,” Shenhe replied, before sighing. “If there's still any sect to save.”
Nezan raised an eyebrow at her words, before he licked the side of her face. “Resolve, young one. Resolve.”
Shenhe grimaced at the words. The weight upon her shoulders was great. Nearly crushing. But it was something she had to endure. For herself. For her family.
And for her disciples.
Those that had chosen to follow her.
Shenhe rose to her feet, and looked out over the courtyard, where the disciples were beginning to train and meditate again.
There, her eyes locked on two disciples in particular. Yesterday, Yingwen and Fenxian had stayed in Master Rou’s home. She had approached them to see where their hearts lay.
“What do you need of us, Elder Shenhe?” Yingwen had replied, sinking down to one knee.
Fenxian had just looked confused. “When did we ever leave?” the other man had asked.
Shenhe was ever grateful for their loyalty.
Shenhe took a breath and straightened her back, casting aside the doubts. “Yes. You are right. Acting like that is unbecoming. When still there live disciples who count on me.”
“Indeed,” Nezan said. “Not a bad bunch. But Shenhe, I do not come for just a social call—Cai Xiulan, Grand Marshal of the Azure Hills, has invited you to tea.”
Shenhe nodded. She had asked the other woman for a meeting, when she had found out about the other woman’s position—the leader of an alliance of sects that spanned the entire Azure Hills.
Many would have laughed at the thought. A nobody, from the Azure Hills no less, giving her advice?
Yet Master Rou had recommended her, so only a fool would dismiss the woman.
“Thank you, Nezan,” Shenhe replied. She girded herself for the coming battle the best she could. This was the realm of politics, and their war would be with words. Such a powerful woman would surely exact a toll for her advice.
Shenhe set out to Master Rou’s house, where she was greeted by Pi Pa, the woman bowed politely and directed Shenhe to a well-lit sitting room.
“Zang Shenhe greets the Grand Marshal,” Shenhe intoned when she entered, clasping her hands and bowing politely. The other woman returned the formal greeting, clasping her hands in the gesture of respect.
Cai Xiulan was one of, if not the most beautiful women Shenhe had ever met in her life. Both of them had blue eyes but Cai Xiulan’s seemed brighter, more captivating, her features refined and delicate. Her bearing was immaculate. Elegant. Graceful yet beneath the porcelain beauty Shenhe could feel the other woman’s force of will and intent. The woman had punched up from the Spiritual Realm into the Earth Realm with her techniques, defeating a cultivator that should have crushed her. Any who could do that could never be underestimated.
“Good morning, Zang Shenhe. Please, sit and make yourself comfortable. And… there is no need for the formalities. Just Xiulan is acceptable.”
Shenhe nodded, walking to the other side of the table to sit across from the other woman. “Then you may address me as Shenhe,”
When both of them were seated, and Cai Xiulan had poured the tea, Shenhe opened her mouth to ask for her assistance, but Cai Xiulan beat her to it.
“I know why you wished to speak to me, Shenhe. While I do have the honour of being called ‘Grand Marshal’, I am no expert at unifying disparate people. All I have are my own experiences leading an alliance still new. If my insight into this matter can help you, then please, ask any question you wish, and I will do my best to answer.”
Shenhe paused at the frankness in Xiulan’s tone and the utter lack of conditions. She looked into the Grand Marshal’s eyes… and immediately had to reassess her initial plan.
Cai Xiulan was utterly and genuinely trying to help her. There was nothing hidden there. There was no agenda.
Shenhe had to clear her throat before asking the main question on her mind.
“How did you unite them, in the end?”
“Well, having the ancient past of the sects certainly does help,” Xiulan said, with a slightly whimsical smile. “Following in the footsteps of your righteous ancestor, and being able to truly walk in their path helps… but the biggest thing is they have to want it.”
“That simple? I wish for unification, and that is the biggest thing?” Shenhe asked, her eyebrow raised.
Xiulan shook her head. “No. Not you. Not the Elders. Not the leaders. The next generation. You have to give them a vision. A vision of the future. A future that they themselves can help you build, a future where they have a stake. Where they can see themselves rise, where they see themselves succeed. The fires of youth are passion and enthusiasm—an indomitable will and drive to succeed, yet untainted by the experiences of age.” Xiulan paused, before she took a breath, her eyes growing distant. “We shall honour the past, and nurture and protect the future—not merely of our own kin, but all who live in these Hills. We seek not glory, or to advance our station above all others—only to put into practise those ideals that we know to be true.”
Shenhe’s eyes widened at the oath she spoke, and of the surety in her voice.
“Tell me, Zang Shenhe. What is your vision of the future?” Cai Xiulan asked, her intent and Qi around her like the panoply of an empress.
Shenhe considered her words. A good sect. A righteous sect.
“Strength above all. To protect that which we love,” Zang Shenhe stated firmly.
The Lightning Brigade reborn.
Cai Xiulan smiled, and took a sip of her tea.
“Now. How do you plan on achieving your goals and how might I aid you?” the Grand Marshal inquired.
They ended up conversing for several hours. hey spoke of Shenhe’s tentative plans, they spoke of Cai Xiulan’s own challenges—the constant butting heads, the old grievances, and how she worked to solve them—if she could solve them at all. Oftentimes, it was a compromise.
Xiulan’s was not the iron fist. It was deceptively soft and gentle. Some things Shenhe thought would work—others would not work within the Howling Fang Mountains. What began as asking questions turned into a spirited debate—and then into commiserating about paperwork.
There was always so much paperwork.
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It was mid-day when Shenhe left, feeling much better than when she had entered. Their talk had… it had helped. Cai Xiulan had given Shenhe much to think upon… and if Shenhe dared to think it… something of a friend.
Light a fire in their hearts.
Her eyes turned to the window, where beyond, she watched three figures. Her eyes often found them, these uncut diamonds, as they trained and played Ha Qi.
Che Han was busy, crafting a formation to empower needles for Lady Meiling. His skills were undeniable. He was currently grinning enthusiastically about something and waving his hands around. Her heart ached at what his loyal clan had gone through.
Once-Outrider Shao Heng was nearby, doing some kind of exercises with a smile on his face. He would occasionally answer a question, or let out a small chuckle as Han gesticulated. An old soldier, who had served loyally for decades.
And the last, the one who had the least reason to return to the sect, Liao Yushang. She was practising again with her blade. Her movements were beautiful. She had so much raw talent. But more than that… Shenhe saw her smile. It was bright and wide, a thing of unbound joy.
It was the exact same smile Zang Yong had once borne onto the worst of battlefields.
The sect had used and abused them—but…. who better than to help guide the sect on the correct path?
Who better than to ask for help in crafting the future? If she could reach them, if she could give them something to believe in… maybe she could give it to the most jaded and broken of their sect?
Who better to be the spark?
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Xiulan, from lost and confused, to the Grand Marshal, dispensing profound wisdom.
Shes come a long way, eh?
Yushang next chapter.
Also, the store has opened up for the Magnificent Rooster tier!
Edited by: Oshi, BargleNawdleZouss, Plasma Regulators
Comments
Patrick Hoke
@the first commenter: Someone hasn't been reading the story and actually understanding its themes, I see.
Angela Roberts
I can't emphasize how much I disagree with you enough. But am confident that BOC has much enjoyment for all.
Angela Roberts
Truedragon5374, absolutely! But don't forget that pragmatic elder who seems to have a level head. Apart from the blood guilt, there's also the insane amount of wealth they have which hopefully will go towards the foxes and injured clans within. I'm hoping the Imperial Boon will help her get the support she needs from the older guard, at least those that can recognize the boon's worth and responsibility vs their own wealth, power, and greed.
Angela Roberts
Nezan appearing on her shoulder says to me he's willing to work with her. That Imperial boon! Gift and burden, truly the gov at work. But, it also means the Empire endorses her, Shenshe specifically. Don't forget what's his name, the guy Bi De fought last in the tournament, he's still there, right? And powerful. Hoping he and Shenshe along with the pragmatic elder, if he survived, can form the new head and council of the sect. Loving how their talk went from supplicant-advisor to powerful women talking and debating. Hopefully that means the Verdant Hills no longer need fear the Howling Mountain? And, much as I want Yushang to stay, Shenshe has a good idea. Use those three and others like them, thinking of the Medical Pavilion, to create the new core and ideals/ethics of the sect.
NameGame
Light a fire in their hearts? Reminds me of a quote from Samual Adams: "It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.". Thanks for the chapter.
WonderBread459
It’s a tumultuous situation no matter how you slice it. Han needs to check and see how much of his family made it through the schism and that requires him to go back to the mountain. After that, depending on how many survived, his clan may choose to stay, or choose to move on to greener pastures. I think it’s rather unlikely Han will get the opportunity to meet with Elder Yukong, the shrouded mountain disciples will be gone in a week, and the wrath of god squad will not need to resupply before they leave. The only person I could see giving a letter of recommendation would be Shen Yu, like he did for the mountain’s medical pavilion. Though I’m not sure how rare a skill Han’s spirit blade formation is in the grand scheme of things. No matter which way this plays out, I’m looking forward to it.
Mark Greenberg
With Tianlan's help Xiulan beat an Earth Realm cultivator, similar to how she (and The General) helped Jin defeat something in the Sky Realm.
Mark Greenberg
Han has already said he's eager to go back and see how his family is doing & Yushang said she'd accompany him.
BNR
Unfortunately after this last book she’s my least favorite. I’d much rather have more development of the farm animals. Wish she would have stayed away from the farm.
BNR
Ya I get all that but I’d like to see her have less of a role. Her helping yin finish her battle takes away from yin and adds nothing to xiulan. The more I reread this last book the less I like her involvement. Can anyone finish a battle without her help even Jin.
Harish
Probably. Remember, that all of Fa Ram is fertilzed by Wa Shi's Draconic Qi through the water sprinkling
Ender419
Very true! Also I can see the SMS making recompense by trying to rescue & nurture any remaining family of the foxes throughout the empire side by side with the remaining vestiges of Nezan’s clan.
Alex
If you want a cycle of hatred to end you need to be willing to let things go without taking your pound of flesh. If the foxes insist on kicking the shrouded mountain sect when they’re already down it just makes reconciliation impossible. This is what Nezan understood when he pushed Shenhe out of the way of Yulong’s attack: all of this has to STOP. No more grudges. No more vengeance. No more punishments. The foxes and the shrouded mountain need to wipe the slate clean and start anew, for both of their sakes.
Just A Dude
There's also the fact that, for a large chunk of the Shrouded Mountain, they only acted as they did because they honestly believed they were acting righteously after being lied to. For them, the guilt of simply knowing what they were tricked into being part of is punishment enough.
Alex
Millenia*. The Che clan were targeted by the kinslayer for seeing through his lies back in the age heroes. The age of heroes was thousands of years ago.
Peter Gerganov
Or he impresses the CSS formations master and gets recruited. At this point I can't say the Che clan does not deserve a break through. They've been neglected and suppressed for centuries.
Peter Gerganov
I think it is implied she's been talking with Nezan, though most seems to have been off-screen. It is a conversation I'd like to see tackled, though.
MatrixM
Yeah she's probably my third favourite character. LM->Xianghua->Tigu/Xiulan. So I like to see it.
Rynn Kanra
Somehow, nobody seem to care about the persecution received by the fox. No talk about the punishment at all
Duke of Coffee
(There was always so much paperwork) Yep to maintain is good governance.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for my morning pick me up reading your excellent words whilst sipping the elixir of life, AKA coffee.
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you!!
zdm
Iirc, the ritual gave Xiulan the power of an Earth Realm cultivator, while ascending her personal cultivation into the Spiritual realm.
Luke H
TFTC!
matthew gilley
That's because jin just wants to be left alone. He WANT Be Di and Cali to do all the stupid cultivator stuff so he can do what really matters; farming and raising his family.
Laura Hemly
Apparently I got the wrong impression of the meaning of "punched up," then. I was in agreement with you, @Truedragon, until I misunderstood that sentence. Thanks for clearing that up for me!
matthew gilley
I'm such a bitter bastard, part of my hopes che han says no and stays on the farm becoming our personal formations master. They don't deserve our boy back.
Alibhai
While i don't disagree. I don't mind it. Our girl has earned the spotlight.
Just A Dude
But don't mistake standing for nothing with not standing for anything. I regularly have that line used on me by theistic busybodies who seem to think atheism is just another word for agnosticism.
John D Jones
@ Truedraon5374 She's in a little better position than that because figure most of the elders and cronies are dead at this point - especially the Inquisition and the Patriarch. Probably the strongest remnant of "the old guard" is Zang Zeng. While he was complicit through silence, that's the extent of it from what I can tell. Even Shenhe has killed Foxes before.
Mitchell Calhoun
Feels like I’ve been waiting weeks for this
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter 🙂
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Harish
Shenhe is an Earth Realm cultivator. Granted, she has taken a lot of damage and her cultivation needs to be repaired but even if that's the case, she should be no lower than the Third State of the Spiritual Realm at best. Atleast that's my best guess, based on Shen Yu's cultivation cracks
Truedragon5374
Behold the Thunder Gherkin!
Truedragon5374
It was a temporary thing. I think that's what "Punching Up" means. She got a short term power boost by tapping into the fire ritual. I'm not sure she is even into the Spiritual realm yet. The truly genius part of it is that she managed to channel that much power without killing herself. The fact that she won her fight is almost a bonus.
Laura Hemly
Thanks for a good chapter, CF. I didn't realize that when Xiulan "punched up" into the Earth realm, it wasn't just a temporary thing! So she's gone from 3rd tier Initiate, through Profound AND Spiritual, into Earth -- in barely a year? And do we know what Shenhe's level is? I'm finding myself wishing her well in creating a new and more righteous SMS, since they've dealt with the biggest problems and have always protected the people of the Howling Fangs. And with the Emperor behind her, she has a good chance. Any idea on when the next support level will be able to buy a stuffed Bi De?
Truedragon5374
I always like it when side characters give their perspective on the MC.
Nick
Tftc
Truedragon5374
There is another very good reason to appeal to the next generation rather than the old guard. Blood guilt. Now i don't believe in a son suffering for the sins of his father. But cultivators can live for centuries, and the SMS has done a lot of wrong. When was the last successful fox hunt? How long ago were doors kicked in and fox-kin children killed? When was the last time a member of the Han clan was "disappeared"? What about that outrider who retrieved Lu Ban from jail and casually killed his two companions? I'm sure that most of the Sects support staff, doctors smiths herb grower, are mostly innocent. But i would bet real money that a lot of the elders and their cronies have a lot of innocent blood on their hands. But the young? For all the bad influences, many have not committed crimes and then justified or hidden them later. So yeah, Shen He has the right idea. But it also means that she is going to have a lot of greenhorns and support staff on her side, and a lot of the Old Monsters of the SMS against her. It's going to be up to her to sway those Inner and Core disciples that don't have skeletons in their closets to join her to balance things out.
Patanahi
Tftc CF!
BelligerentGnu
I would really enjoy a chapter of just Jin and Shou nerding out about plants together.
Z H
True, but he might be infected with Jin's humor and try to make up increasingly ridiculous names for the same techniques every time someone asks him.
Eli Pomerantz
Wait, do the pickles have lightning ki?
BNR
I feel xiulan is kinda taking over the vibe of the books a bit. Love the books tho!! Can’t wait for the next audio to drop in Dec.
Corwin Amber
Also, will Yushang leave Risso and Big D?
Geoffrey Sullivan
Yeah, that definitely sounds like him.
zdm
Looking forward to hearing from the SMS disciples about their Fa Ram time. I'm also looking forward to spending some time with our core fam on the farm again.
Gear-2557
Huh, looks like those three are going to be going back to the SMS. Kind wanted more "outsider looking in" perspectives of Fa Ram.
Aki_Iokua18
Virtue attracts virtue. Here’s to a hopefully long and prosperous relationship on both sides.
T-Squared
(T)hey spoke of Shenhe’s tentative plans, they spoke of Cai Xiulan’s own challenges—the constant butting heads, the old grievances, and how she worked to solve them—if she could solve them at all.
Daniel Mountain
Never quick, never easy. But I think this group has a chance to bring about real change.
Zeromaru2
Everyone's showing so much growth lately. I love it. And I'm tentatively hopeful that Shenhe might succeed.
Joseph Guillory
I don't think he would name them unless someone asked him and even then he might just shrug. It's like asking wwhat a mountain calls itself, it just is.
Baqc∞ART
The blade of grass is a weed that wants to spread to the howling fangs
Sean Ulrich
Except in Ha Qi. There is no mercy on the ice
WarStrider72
We, as youth, must be the change that we seek. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.
WarStrider72
My cultivation is the Dao of speed.... and exp
Sean Ulrich
Kinda want to know how Chunky would name his techniques. I’m thinking small to big nature scale. Dust and mountain. Seed and forest. Drop and ocean. Breeze and storm. Any other ideas?
Redloopers
Thanks for the chapter
mhaj58
Cool chapter, I wonder if this is the last we’ve seen of the shrouded mountain. Shenhe has a long way to go
WarStrider72
Xiulan's way is the gentle fist
NightmareChild92
Thanks
Katharine Gould
How did you get here so fast?
Katharine Gould
Tanks for the chapter boss
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
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