Torsten Hewson
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v5c64: Course Plotted
🕑 Added 2024-11-03 03:50:12 +0000 UTCHey everybody! after reading the feedback, I noticed that I could improve the chapter. I added some more of the LORD MAGISTRATE into this chapter, because he needed to be there. Most of the chapter remains the Same.
ctrl+f the following to get the new parts:
"I assumed he was an imposter"
"Something warm pooled in his pants, his entire body shaking with terror."
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“I first met Zang Li in this town. He tried to force himself on a woman, and, well, I objected to that…”
Xiao Ge sat back and listened as Jin told his side of the story. The rest of them did as well whilst eating a very fine meal. Ge would rate this relatively simple fare quite highly in the meals he had eaten in his long life—it was flavorful and packed with Qi, but could not match the quality of some of the meals he had had at the Imperial Palace, or during his own adventures where Ge had befriended a Spiritual Chef.
Still, it was of far, far better quality than he ever could have imagined possible in this province—especially the drink to go with it. With the immediate tension drained, Ge could sit back a bit and enjoy the tale being told, at least a little, a sentiment obviously matched by the others. It was not the most absurd tale Ge had ever heard—no, Ge himself had at least ten stories where the coincidences lined up like they had for the young man.
It gave him a chance to take the young man’s measure. Shen Yu was obviously proud of him… but Ge himself needed to see exactly what the rot in their beloved Cloudy Sword Sect had cost them.
“I assumed he was an imposter, because the Shrouded Mountain Sect couldn’t have had a disciple so weak, much less a Young Master, so I threw him in jail.”
Everybody paused at that. At the abject humiliation, to be given to mortal guards? Minyan barked out a laugh along with Shen Yu, both looking amused.
“You were the one to contain him?” Ge asked the mortal Magistrate. The man paused at being asked a question, and he took a moment, but when he spoke, there was no wavering to his voice.
“Yes, Master Xiao Ge. My student gifted me a rather nasty surprise—we ended up having to use all of our suppression seals, and it was a close thing. The Shrouded Mountain Sect outrider arrived just in time.”
Ge nodded. Suppression seals were only good against initiates. But another word caught his ears. A word he knew Yukong and Shou had noticed as well.
“Young Jin is your student?” Ge asked. The Magistrate froze again.
Young Jin spoke up. “Yes. I noticed my education in the realm of politics was… lacking. I’m honoured that the Lord Magistrate accepted me as his student—he was top of his class in Pale Moon Lake City.”
The Lord Magistrate cleared his throat, a slight blush on his cheeks. “Indeed, Young Jin is a fine student, and I am honoured to have him.”
Ge leaned back. Kowtow to the mortal who enlightens you. Those words resonated with him. With all of them. Shou was looking at the Magistrate with new eyes, while Yukong had a small smile on her face. Even Shen Yu looked satisfied.
Once more Ge found himself mourning what could have been. It was painful to hear and to see the character of this man. Bright, upstanding, possessed of a sense of duty and honour, and willing to take responsibility. Before Xiao Ge was one who had been a disciple that the Honoured Founders of their sect would have held as a model to emulate.
He had been in their sect—and their negligence had driven him away. Ge would have to kowtow before his Master’s funerary tablet a thousand times for this travesty.
“Please, continue,” Ge whispered, his soul aching.
“So I was very unhappy when I saw him again, attempting to kidnap a member of my family and attacking a good friend…”
Young Jin had stumbled into fighting a user of demonic arts, defeated him, and sent him back to his sect while claiming he was an imposter, only to meet the same man again when he was attempting to kidnap a member of his family… and again defeat him, this time sending the obviously demonic corpse back to the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
Ge could find no fault in the young man’s actions; they were well thought out, and he expressed the noble desire to solve things with his words and reason rather than simply taking the world in his hand. He respected the institutions of the Empire and he safeguarded the mortals.
True, he had used their name to quell the budding conflict when he was no longer one of their disciples… but Ge had commanded Lu Ri to give him that symbol so that he could use it to protect himself.
Young Jin used it to stop a war… and then had ceased using it, displaying temperance when given such a powerful symbol.
Xiao Ge glanced at Shou and Yukong, both of them offering minute nods. Minyan simply watched, studying this young man, her expression neutral.
“Next, I believe it would be you, Zang Shenhe,” Brother Shen Yu mused. The woman had remained stoic throughout the retelling, but now looked slightly nervous.
“Yes, Lord Shen Yu. We received Master Rou’s message, as well as the body of Zang Li, and we deduced that the only cultivator who would disregard our resources…was an Elder of the Cloudy Sword Sect,” Shenhe reported.
There was silence for a moment. Jin looked shocked and slightly panicked, the young man clearly not expecting that, before he schooled his expression.
Shen Yu started to laugh. Ge could not help but chuckle along with Yukong, while Shou raised an eyebrow. Even Minyan let out a little snort of amusement.
“Did he claim to be an Elder?” Shou asked.
“… no, he just said he would rather not involve his Senior Brother. After our disciples reported his strength was equal or greater than my own…” Shenhe trailed off, looking embarrassed.
Ge shook his head. “And what did you do with this information?” he inquired.
“We reasoned that we were being given a mission to redeem ourselves after we had missed the demonic corruption within Zang Li. I immediately assembled a strike force and we set about scouring the Fangs for hidden bases—which we found.”
That stopped some of the amusement. Ge considered the situation.
“That is indeed serendipitous,” Ge said. “Your actions on finding them?”
“There were twenty-three of varying sizes and complexity, and we destroyed them all.”
“She did good work,” Shen Yu interjected. “I was impressed with her efficiency and thoroughness.”
That was no small praise.
“Then I would say that you were indeed following the directives of a specialist attached to the Cloudy Sword Sect,” Ge stated, extending an offer to the Shrouded Mountain to save face —and deepen young Jin’s connection as affiliated with their Sect.
“That is indeed a fine proposal, Ge,” Yukong said, while Shou just nodded. Jin looked relieved that their reaction to his “impersonation” of them was so mild, but indeed it was beneficial…and even the Honoured Founders sometimes made exceptions for victory, especially against the Great Enemy.
Shenhe bowed, taking the offer immediately. It was nearly the truth anyway. As she rose, she grimaced. “However, at the last base we were ambushed by a prepared Earth Realm cultivator, many Demonic Cultivators, and an entire army of Artificial Demons. All but two of our number either fell in battle or were captured. After that…”
She turned to look at Shen Yu.
“My tale begins after I was reunited with my grandson. I was quite upset with the insult the Shrouded Mountain Sect had offered him and intrigued regarding the demon he had found…”
Shen Yu’s own tale started slowly. Though it was rather a shock that he had accepted another disciple—one that he told them they would meet with later.
Ge didn’t like how Shen Yu looked. Impossibly, he was even smugger than he had once been—but it had been a long while since Ge had seen Shen Yu so animated and amused by something as he recounted his disciple’s infiltration of the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
It was like one of his old stories. The stories he had told before… his son. His grin was wild and his hands made exaggerated gestures, his Qi sparking and leaping as he really got into it. His joy and amusement was infectious as it always was.
“And then I pulled out one of those old ration scrolls, you know the ones that the Emperor handed out during the Gate Breach? The ones with His seal on them?”
“You didn’t,” Minyan sighed, but everyone could tell the woman was smiling. Shou rested his face in his palm, while Ge and Yukong chuckled.
“Of course I did! Nobody ever stops to check, they just see the seal and assume!” Shen Yu declared, right in front of the Imperial Herald.
“Lord Shen Yu, please refrain from admitting to impersonating the Emperor’s will,” the Herald said, his voice filled with emotion for the first time… though this was exasperation. “And…this one is rather certain that you have an actual writ from His Imperial Majesty.”
“Yes, I do have one, but I didn’t want to use that there. It's too important for something like that,” the man stated shamelessly, before sighing. “But, well, there was no corruption of the demonic kind. Just… well, that is a story for another time. The Patriarch proved unworthy, and several developments exposed less than savoury practices used by the sect. My disciple and his allies caused a schism.”
Zang Shenhe grimaced at his words. Young Jin frowned. Shen Yu sighed.
“But that is the end of the merriment. After that we went after Shenhe and found the place of her defeat—and it was there we were alerted to the greater threat. A threat I gravely underestimated. I thought the Earth Realm cultivator would be the strongest of them. I intended to use the expedition to the Sea of Snow as a teaching opportunity.”
Ge straightened at the change in tone.
“The expedition went as reasonably well as it could—and we were aided by an Imperial Realm Spirit Beast after my disciple earned his favour.”
“Imperial Realm?” the Imperial Herald asked. Such beings of immense strength were always of concern to the Emperor. Those that the Empire knew of were tracked as best as they were able, and if they proved hostile, entire sects would be called against them.
“Yes. I name Master Forest Sweeper and his predecessors Martyrs, in the vein of the Honoured Founders—and I shall not reveal his location without his consent,” Shen Yu spoke, his tone firm and final. “You remember the confusion about the lack of northern demons? The line of Forest Sweeper is the reason, for they held and still hold the line in the cold and far North. They have been suppressing and destroying the demonic taint since the Age of Heroes, and providing succor to lost mortals who stumble into their domain.”
Silence met his words. A friendly Spirit Beast was a rarity already. A friendly Spirit Beast of such power dedicated to fighting the Great Enemy? From the histories, nearly all had died in the Age of Heroes.
“Then I shall pay my respects and raise a toast to Master Forest Sweeper,” Ge said. “If he is agreeable, the Cloudy Sword Sect shall pay their respects in person.”
“I will convey your words to his Imperial Majesty,” the Herald stated. “He would be interested in opening a dialogue with such a being, if it is indeed benevolent.”
“An interesting bit of trivia,” Minyan said with a shrug.
Shen Yu nodded.
“After instructing my disciples, we set off once more, and we found the Enemy’s base—where we were immediately greeted by a Demonic Cultivator in the Imperial Realm.”
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The room was silent as Shen Yu finished the report of his battle. A victory… thanks to this mysterious new disciple of his. Ge was a bit suspicious that Shen Yu was being so cagey about a boy he was clearly proud of. However, though it was a victory… it was clearly a costly one. The damage to Shen Yu’s cultivation was severe.
From there, once more Young Jin took over the tale.
“A friend had a bad dream about demons from the north, one that seemed too real. Prophetic. She was very distraught, and the entire situation felt strange to me. I asked Brother Lu Ri to head north to check on some family I had up there, and scout for any hint of this threat…”
Again, Young Jin’s instincts were correct. Diviners were unreliable at best but his saying, “Trust, but verify,” was indeed profound wisdom.
From there, they counter-ambushed an ambush, revealed demonic mind control, and the man fought off three Earth realms and one Sky Realm. With assistance, according to him, but the fact that he had been able to accomplish the feat at all was the mark of a legend on the same vein as his grandfather.
It would have been almost unbelievable—but the young man embellished nothing, noting his own near defeat. Shen Yu’s boy cared little for glory, that much was clear to Ge—he clearly preferred his solitude and peace. He was a quiet scholar called to war. Truly, truly he was a Disciple of the Cloudy Sword’s path.
Finally, Shen Yu spoke again, and the depths of the Demonic Cultivator’s insidious plan was revealed.
“A puppet worm this size—and the host is still alive?” Shou demanded, as he stared angrily at the glass vial.
“Their disciple said their plan was to invade the Demon Realm?” Minyan asked, her eyes wide and furious.
“Your foe implied that he was well-entrenched,” Yukong stated, her eyes narrow as she too inspected the vile creature.
“Yes. Their disciples were… worryingly sane, and it is clear that this is a plan perhaps a thousand years in the making. They are clearly spread throughout the Empire, and if they can open permanent Hell Gates already… it would be disastrous,” Shen Yu said, before he bowed. “My friends, this is why I called for your aid. The resources of our foe are great, as you can see by the power of their disposable weapons. This cannot be allowed to fester. The enemy organization is vast and diffuse, and I cannot destroy them alone, especially in my current state. First, we need an analysis of their transport formation so that we may root them out wherever they may hide. Then, a decapitation strike against ‘Yulong’ and the destruction of the rest of their bases in the Sea of Snow. Finally, we mop up anything that is left, using their own formations to pinpoint them.”
The plan was only considered for a moment as the light of the dawn began to filter in through the windows. They had arrived quite late and had been talking for hours.
“You have called. The Cloudy Sword Sect will answer. In the name of the Founders, every Demonic Cultivator shall be put to the sword,” Ge intoned.
“They will not see the blade before it descends from the clouds,” Shou agreed.
“Hmph, I suppose you have some sense in your head,” Minyan said, her voice a jab. “Very well, but I will expect compensation for this, Shen Yu.”
She demanded payment—even though everybody knew she was going to be participating even without it. Ge rolled his eyes.
“Of course, Minyan. I have just the thing—or rather, I believe Ge has just the thing?” Shen Yu asked with a smile. “My granddaughter’s formation would certainly prove useful, no? Especially with stronger reagents.”
Ge sighed. “Using me to pay off your debts… some things never change,” he said with good humor—because Shen Yu always did pay him back in the end.
Minyan looked intrigued.
“His Imperial Majesty’s experts seem to have the problem well in hand,” the Herald intoned. “A course is set… and This One shall remain to see the aftermath and report back to the Son of Heaven. If that is all, this meeting is adjourned.”
Both Young Jin and the Magistrate seemed surprised by the swift and decisive action.
“We shall head out immediately. Shen Yu, you said Lu Ri is currently defending the captured base?” Ge asked as he rose to his feet.
“Yes. I have no doubt Yukong will expose the secrets of the enemy’s formation swiftly,” Shen Yu stated.
Yukong rolled her eyes. “Empty flattery.”
“If you need a place to rest and recover…my home is probably better for it than Verdant Hill. Keep people from getting worried, you know?” Young Jin offered.
“I would very much like to see your gardens, after we complete our duty.” Shou said, his voice brooking no argument.
“And you can meet my disciple. He's such a proud, erect fellow,” Shen Yu japed.
Ge raised an eyebrow as they opened the door to leave… only to hear a commotion in the hall.
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“Are you obstructing my path?!” Sheng Yanjing, the Auditor-General demanded, glaring at Bao and his guards through bloodshot eyes. This was the third attempt to slow roll him. The guard outside had stalled, pretending to be looking for the keys and claiming the door was locked despite the fact that all the lights were on. The second hemmed and hawed, and only a threat got him in line.
And now, Bao himself was trying to stop the Auditor’s advance.
Yanjing still felt a bit like shit. The bastard Magistrate had plied him with so much drink on the night of the solstice the Auditor had been sick the entirety of yesterday. But after a good night’s sleep, and a bit of rice, he was feeling much better… and he wanted answers, damn it! The Lord Magistrate had been utterly tight-lipped about the explosions and commotion, and Yanjing would have answers.
Bao smiled disarmingly.
“Lord Auditor, please. The Lord Magistrate has specifically asked not to be disturbed. This is an extremely important meeting—”
“Oh, a meeting? How am I sure he's not cooking his books, hmm?” Yanjing responded. Bao frowned.
“This early in the morning? Please, have patience—”
“Patience does not factor into this! You’ve all been attempting to bar my path!”
The rotund man frowned heavily and leaned in. “Listen, I’m trying to save your life—”
“Save my life? I’m sure you’re just giving him time to do what he needs to do to finish some nefarious scheme, or to destroy evidence. By law I am to have access to him at all times—and if he will not see me, this is something I must report.”
Bao glared and opened his mouth… but he was interrupted by another voice, smooth and nondescript.
“You are largely correct. As signed into Imperial Decree in the one hundred and twelfth year of the Empire, the Lord-Auditor of a province shall be privileged, in the carrying out of his duties, to have the obedience of all other members of His Imperial Majesty’s Bureaucracy—except when they are carrying out the will of a superior assigned agent.”
“Who dare—” he glared around Bao’s fat ass… and then the words died in his throat. His entire body seized when he saw the blank white mask etched with the seal of the Imperial Family upon it. For a brief, very brief moment, he wanted to accuse the Lord Magistrate of pulling some kind of prank, of trying to deceive him. Then he felt the sudden weight upon his shoulders as four men and three women stared at him, most with only barely concealed contempt.
What he had felt at the Dueling Peaks was nothing compared to this. His heart shuddered in his chest. The room started going dark.
“Ah- ah, um, wh—” he sputtered, and all of a sudden the pressure faded slightly. He stopped stammering to gasp for breath.
The blank mask cocked to the side. Out of the corner of his eye, Yanjing saw Bao kowtow, and, to his great luck, his own legs gave out so he could collapse forward onto his face.
“It would be remiss for this one to let a loyal servant suffer for this servant’s largesse… however, this meeting must be kept quiet, you understand?”
“Yes!” he squeaked out.
“You may continue with your audit, then,” the Imperial Herald declared. The Auditor only saw feet walking past him.
Something warm pooled in his pants, his entire body shaking with terror.
The world narrowed to a pinpoint. In a daze, he barely noticed the Lord Magistrate and Bao gently picking him up, nor the servants helping him bathe, and getting him into clean clothes.
The world finally came back into focus when he noticed he was sitting in front of the Lord Magistrate’s desk, the man pouring him a cup of wine.
The Lord Magistrate looked stressed, with deep lines on his face.
“Here. A bit of a drink does wonders,” the man said.
“Is… this a bad dream?” the Auditor-General asked.
“No,” the Lord Magistrate replied. He sat down heavily, and loosened his robe. “The cultivators have been here for three years.”
The Auditor stared at the man. “You’ve been dealing with this for three years?”
“The first year and a half I spent every moment wondering if I was going to get deposed, or worse” the man said with a chuckle. “But luckily… things turned out. They’re quite easy to get along with when you understand them.”
Yanjing took a swig of the wine, fire running down his throat. He had been nothing but antagonistic the entire time he had been here.
“Are you going to…?” Yanjing asked.
The Lord Magistrate shook his head.
“I asked them not to interfere. You’re the symptom. Not the cause. My dear wife’s family, on the other hand…” At that, the Lord Magistrate’s expression became stony. All of a sudden, he looked like a general marching to war. Yanjing swallowed thickly. Then, his visage softened again. “Well. That is no concern of yours. Please complete your audit to the best of your ability. I must confess I found a great deal of fun in our little duel—looking at all I’ve accomplished is no bother.”
Yanjing stared at the mad bastard. He had been having fun?! He had enjoyed getting the books out?!
Yanjing took another swig of his wine, emptying his glass.
And, at that moment, he made a decision.
Fuck the Wu clan! There was not enough money in the world for him to put up with this shit.
Besides, he knew when to get off a sinking ship. A fucking Imperial Herald. Yanjing thought he would never see one in his life. Here, at the far end of the Empire! He glanced at the Lord Magistrate. The man was obviously a rising power.
He idly wondered if the man would like a loyal Auditor General.
Failing that, he would be leaving the damn province.
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In a secret bunker within the Gold Grass Steppes, deep below the earth, a figure shifted fitfully. The new day dawned before them
Huian looked close to death… and they had been for a while. They had nearly died when the teleportation sigil had deposited them into this base, thousands of Li away from the battle.
Disaster. The entire thing had been a disaster. Huian tried not to dwell on it, but getting a report immediately upon waking up that Master’s failsafes had tripped and they had a destruction ping from the northern hub base had been… trying.
It was almost unbelievable. No, it was unbelievable. How had things gone so wrong? The only spot that wasn’t a complete failure was that Yulong had managed to signal his survival while Huian was unconscious—a contact they were trying to reestablish so they could understand what exactly had happened.
Huian had been in and out of consciousness for most of the day, tended to by the disciples of their Master. They had barely clung to life—and it was only the skilled ministrations of the men in the base that had saved them.
But nothing they had done so far had managed to get rid of the burning agony in their leg. The cut was gone, but it still felt like it was there, burning, throbbing, judging—
Huian grimaced. “Do we have a connection to Yulong yet?” they croaked to the other man in the room—Zhou Tai, the head of this base. Once more, Huian was thankful that their Master was their Master. Most demonic cults would have probably killed Huian if they had arrived in this state. Instead, Tai, who could have killed them easily at the moment, was still acting with polite deference and care.
“No, Heavenly Demon. We are trying, but the aftershocks have made the system delicate. If we push too much we risk burning it out.” Huian’s grimace grew at the calm report. Tai had a sympathetic look in his good eye, the other covered by a patch. “We do, however, have the most recent reports. A new batch just arrived. May I assist the Heavenly Demon in reviewing them?”
“Thank you, Tai,” Huian sighed.
The man bowed, collected the reports, and returned swiftly. They started going through the reports. Most were mundane. However, one of the ones higher on the priority list caught their eye.
“The Army Forged in the Crucible has been placed on standby. Quartermasters distributing cold-weather gear—greatcoats, hats, gloves, boots, and fire crystals. The order came from the Cloudy Sword Sect itself. Several members of the sect departed on flying swords…?” Huian said out loud.
Their eyes met Tai’s. Dread started to pool in Huian’s guts. That… could not be a coincidence.
“Get Yulong. Get Yulong now. Burn out the formation if you have to!” Huian commanded—but Tai was already sprinting off, bellowing orders to the transmission stone teams.
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No break this month. going until the book is finished! im a little bit in limbo about how many chapters are left, but it should be done this month.
Edited by: Brandon “Philosophysics” Zhang-Leong, Massgamer, BargleNawdleZouss, Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer
Comments
Insertnamehereokokipressedokok
Good edits both times. At this point in the book everyone should get their time in the sun, or their just dues.
Baqc∞ART
True, but something like how he acted in front of the elders of the sects, perhaps in a meeting to explain why the stones were damaged at the solstice and why they broke afterwards.
Stuffed Duck
It wouldn't be Jin's style, but TLM and his wife being dropped of by a flying ship to visit her family should calm the ambitions of her sister/family.
Bridd
Really liked the edits. Awesome!
Baqc∞ART
ohh i wanted to see how the lord magistrate defeats him and the result of the bet between lady wu and bao. Now let's wait to see how they deal with the Wu clan, it would be fun if Jin flew in on a Washi to the merchants' headquarters, making a show ordering them to stop trading with the Wu, and maybe Washi taking human form and marrying Chyo and joining that expedition, arcs that I've been waiting for for quite some time.
Scott Lawlor
Yeah, loved the changes to this chapter. Just brings it more to life and adds some levity
Truedragon5374
Agreed. Not saying it needs alot, but at least a sentence mentioning that they talked about it wouldn't go amiss. And even if Jin and co curb stomped them, the warrior Scholars might be able to glean something from the techniques the evil lieutenants used. Like the choice of poison or the type of spirit necromancy used.
Mark Greenberg
Good call. They got distracted by the appearance of an Imperial Realm demonic cultivator and the escape of one in the Earth Realm. That said, there isn't much to learn from the fight at Fa Ram since Jin had a nearly flawless victory, only Huian managed to escape. Also, neither Shen Yu nor Lu Ri were all that impressed by the artificial demons since they've been seen before. Shou might be interested in studying the demon bodies and Zang Zeng's survival but those things aren't time-critical, they can wait until the demonic cultivators have been defeated and he can delve into research at his leisure.
Arnon Parenti
Wu expected you to already arrest the silly little Lord Magistrate so we could send a proper son to take over the new outpost of the Azure Trading Company, and you come empty handed? Well fuck Wu and whatever Wu thought is going to happen, Wu have bitten a tiger's tail and now Wu will get the tiger's teeth. Paper Tigers do not scare us. By the time my Audit of all Wu assets is done you will have Paper for your worst nightmares.
Arnon Parenti
General Auditor can cuss like a sailor when wind blows in his sails. Wouldn't want to be the first Wu he meets after this. Some messengers are just that unlucky.
Truedragon5374
One more thing you might want to expand on a bit CS. Shouldn't the demon story begin and end with Jin? They end with Shen Yu fighting the Imperial Demonic Cultivator, but there is no mention of the attack on Fa Ram other than that outburst about the Puppet Worm. Might want to at least mention the attack, and that they have a few hundred Artificial Demons to study.
Cranky Otter
I was thinking the Imperial Herald was planning to stick around but still think it can be interpreted to mean he wants to see the damage already done from the concluded fights. As far as strategy, It does seem thin here at the end of the volume so I’m choosing to read it as “with the elders getting the sect back in shape, everyone is on the same page with training & prep so they just have to tell the subordinates ‘flaming stick technique’ or ‘cloudy encirclement’ and they’ll hop to.” &/Or, we might see more detailed plans in the next volume’s plot arc. I originally thought the CSS over-mobilized & overreacted, then remembered this is the sect whose Senior Disciple overtook and reorganized a whole province’s worth of underworld information brokers for a year to deliver one piece of mail.
Cranky Otter
The extended bits with TLM are exquisite. I can hear TLM’s perfect diction on “they’ve been here for three years” dropping like precision hammer blows. The extension gives us readers time to marinate, not quite like the auditor, in the just barely avoided disaster. And flat telling the auditor he’s having fun?! Love it. Thanks for giving more heft to TLM’s role. It was just what this chapter needed to balance the weight and impact of each of the scenes and justified his meeting attendance beyond “this is happening to his province”. I respect an author who can deftly slide in a few new lines and take it from good enough to something that sings.
D J Meigs
They’re talking about friendly imperial realm spirit beasts not human cultivators. Very few spirit beasts are supposed to be friendly now, and hardly any would make it to imperial realm. And I believe the age of heroes covers the period of time when there were several hidden human kingdoms so even people who remember that period would need to rely on records for anything they weren’t a part of.
Emily Gurnavage
The changes are quite good.
mly85lc
So since first part of story is told by Ge perceptive who is same generation than Shen Yu, is not histories wrong word in "From the histories, nearly all had died in the Age of Heroes." Since he him self was living at that time too?
D J Meigs
They talk about growing the herbs in ch 63. They have a meal and a drink before Jin tells his story and that’s when it comes up. So he knows about all.
Sam a Goat
In this edit does Shou actually know about how well Jin has done growing all the seeds given to him? Or does he still only know about his skill with 7 fragrance
zdm
Looking forward to the next chapter. Could really use some of magic tonight.
Randall Brynsvold
They're going in with overpowering force to chase down the ones they know about, and follow the evidence where it leads, from base to base, with a highly mobile team of top elders and their core disciples. The Imperial Herald isn't leaving until they see how it goes, and they aren't delegating the work to a lesser force. They are taking it seriously and don't yet know what they will find, so plans will develop as the evidence accumulates.
Mark Greenberg
@Angela Roberts: No, that wouldn't be the case. The battle Shen Yu and company fought before he met back up with Jin was against actual demons in the demon realm. THIS battle is against demonic cultivators whose goal is to invade and conquer the demon realm and to use the demons themselves as cultivation resources. While both groups violate the core beliefs of all right-minded people, they're also antithetical to each other.
Laura Hemly
The surgery that we so often seem to forget these days! We're used to miracle surgeries today, but what Meiling did with Bowu's knee would not only be a miracle in xianxia times but still would today, with the instant healing!
Laura Hemly
The additions really take an excellent chapter from terrific to superlative! You really grasped the intent of the feedback readers gave you and found the perfect spots to improve the chapter with TLM, first showing the cultivators what an outstanding mortal he is, and then showing kindness to the auditor -- even if he did horrifying the auditor by telling him how much he was enjoying the audit! Thanks for the great work!
Hound
Love it and the edits
Antony Claughton
Great additions. One thing on reflection, I would expect that there might have been more talk about the original infiltration of the Shrouded Mountain Sect. By memory, this was a technique that the elders were familiar with but they thought eradicated centuries ago. There surely must be concern that there are more infiltrators throughout other sects and the government bureaucracy throughout the empire. This would surely need a response beyond just the cultivators in the room, since sects would need to check themselves and be warned, which presumably needs the Emperor to insist on. As I assume they’d take it badly if the Cloudy Mountain Sect issued such a decree. I would have thought this should get some time. Then again, I thought their strategy was pretty simplistic. I’ve never seen the strategy session to be so much shorter than the information session. Even if Jin and TLM were surprised. I mean, they assume that they can ‘mop up’ the rest, and that there was only a single Imperial realm cultivator. What if this wasn’t even the main forces? It just seems simplistic. Not saying we need to see the strategy on-screen, probably skipping to the end when they’re summarising makes sense, but I think it should have been a much longer session and more detailed plans. Even the cloudy mountain sect can’t be everywhere, and this could be empire spanning. Oh: voice.” ==> voice.
Steven Ramey
This was totally worth the update. Great work!!
D J Meigs
I think CF read all these comments and incorporated all of them into the new scene with his own spin! TLM makes the auditor give up because TLM is so badass that he can compassionate to his adversary. Auditor goes catatonic in the presence of powerful cultivators so we really get a feel for the kind of pressure mortals feel. The end no longer comes so abruptly. Power dynamics are maintained and auditor is still to do his job, but TLM still gets the final word. Wu family is addressed. Auditor unlocks path to redemption by giving up corruption and potentially joining hands with TLM. It’s everything we talked about made better, and I don’t know about you guys but I am now fully satisfied with the scene 😄
D375
The new scenes are great and worth the revision! Will the next chapter be delayed because of that though?
D J Meigs
So true can never go wrong with more TLM 😆 at this point I would read a spin-off about the mortal side of a world of cultivators with TLM as the focus.
D J Meigs
Yeeeees! That scene with the auditor and TLM was perfection! TLM showing some compassion for someone going through a similar shock to his own, but also using his commiseration as a power play is just peak TLM. The visible hero hiding the keen minded politician. The auditor getting a possible redemption is also very in line with what I expect of this story. This is the satisfaction I was slightly missing when the auditor ended up beaten by a third party unrelated to the conflict. I’m also glad for the scene establishing TLM amongst the new cultivators. Once again I realise I’m as invested in The Lord Magistrate’s journey as I am in the adventures of Jin and his disciples. I love the main story, but everything to do with The Lord Magistrate always delights me to a ridiculous degree. Awesome job CF! Thank you for reading the feedback and considering it so seriously, even though the chapter was already a good one, I really think it just got that much better 😊
M e
Fantastic additions. I love the Lord Magistrate, and this was such a perfect showcase for his character.
Katharine Gould
I thought this chapter couldn't get better but low and behold you have surpassed my highest expectations. Thanks for the chapter and blessing upon you CF
BigBro Bluesman
Lmao now that's what I was talking about he could handle it but damn it's stressful as fuck
Old Dog
Outstanding additions, they dovetail in seamlessly .
Patanahi
“ Hanging took a swig of the wine, fire running down his throat. Yanjing had been nothing but antagonistic the entire time he had been here. ” first word is a typo I think. Tyftc CF
Rakkis157
CF did some edits. TLM has more lines now.
Rake1810
It’s even better but boo still no Fa Ram
Chris Warner
Good changes! TfTC
Kat
I like the changes made 😊😊
Seaspike
Very nice adds. Now I really need the next chapter or three...
Trevor Mergen
I really think the new additions were a good improvement to an already good chapter.
Simon Andriessen
As expected of the Great Lord Magistrate!
ItWasIDIO!!
Even better cause ya this makes more sense to have LM there(especially him sitting with the auditor) surprised you didn't have Jin have a moment of realizing he almost killed LM
Caleb Reusser
I enjoyed the additions.
D J Meigs
This is technically a Xianxia world, fate is at always at play 😆
Lanter
Reupload! Yay! And more Lord Magistrate! 😆
KnightRider007
A vast improvement. More Lord Magistrate always makes things better 😁
WarStrider72
Woot reupload!
Vanessa Coe
Bowu is a walking talking testament to Meiling's genius! (And to the medicine produced by Fa Ram)
Jesper
Hell yeah.
Jesper
I'd say Yukong, as formation elder, would love Bowu more.
Caoimhín
Winter Solstice is December 21st, so the current chapter is December 23rd going into 24th. I think it's a couple of weeks to about a month before they go get more maple syrup, since the chapters between Vol 1 Chapter 40 (first solstice celebration Jin attends) and chapter 48 (first time they make maple syrup) don't seem to be too far apart. The info that we have shows us that the moment they went to make the syrup was after the new year and before spring (February) because it was still winter and before the wedding (stated to be when the snow melted). What's more, we have confirmation that there's about a month between when they went to harvest maple sap and the wedding, since in chapter 49 Meiling says it's been 15 days since her dad and Yao Che came back from Fa Ram (and they had stayed about 3 days) and in chapter 50 we have Yun Ren mentioning that Jin was upset that he couldn't see Meiling during the week before the wedding. So yeah, it shouldn't be long before they go get maple sap and make more syrup again.
Idan tal
The Herald is in the high sky realm, probably serving the emperor for hundreds of years through thick and thin, and his most trusted person. He knows Shen Yu personally for sure, knows about his trolling with and at the emperor for the last several hundred years, and know how will the emperor reacts to them.. the Herald is closer to the emperor then probably his wife, and Shen Yu is one if not the best friend of him.
Nolan Bowling
The Cloudy Sword Sect is fond of the phrase, "Kowtow to the mortal who enlightens you."
Mark Greenberg
I actually think the name was a typo. I just looked at v5c10, when he's interacting with TLM & Bao, and there he's named Sheng Yanjing, the Auditor General of the Azure Hills.
Mark Greenberg
@Ormus Von Orbulon: Your description of Shou is backwards. When he was introduced in v4c11 it was as "Elder Shou of the Medicine Pavilion". He's a Spiritual Doctor (like Lishu) who knows herbs, not an herbalist who may know some medicine.
Ormus Von Orbulon
Yes there are other formations. New ones. Yukong wouldn't be intrigued by anything Jin or Lu Ri had done, obviously ...but rather the unusually effective (for a Chi-less backwater) formations of strengthening worked into the stone of Jin's little keep by Handsome Man and Gou Ren That would lead to a series of conversations, and perhaps culminate in her seeing the main crystal, and everything Xiaoshi pulled off. THEN she would be invested.
Mark Greenberg
No, Elder Chen isn't being manipulated by demons, why would you think that? The spies easily found out what's happening because the huge mortal army in Crucible City is being outfitted with special gear. That's not something that could be kept secret, and I don't even think anyone is TRYING to keep it secret. They don't know WHY they're getting cold weather gear, just that it's happening.
Mark Greenberg
The only formations around Jin's home are those Lu Ri showed him in preparation for the demon attack. Xiaoshi's province-wide formation is only visible during the solstice dancing and the local focus is centered on Hong Yaowu, not Fa Ram.
Mark Greenberg
Unlikely. I don't think Shen is an uncommon last name, and even if they WERE related they'd be separated by 40+ generations. He certainly wouldn't be a direct descendant since Shen Yu only had one child who in turn had no surviving children or I'm sure Shen Yu would have known about them and not been so interested in Rou (Jin).
Mark Greenberg
Why would Shou be particularly impressed by Bowu? Jin and his ability to grow anything, sure. But Bowu?
Insertnamehereokokipressedokok
Hehe they're going to Fa Ram. Yeah the gardens are great, Shou... But wait until you meet Bowu. Better have your kowtow on standby.
N U
Deal with an issue TLM doesn't even have the slightest bit of experience with while the cultivators have a plan laid out well. This scale is way beyond him.
RJKY
They lost because one of them tried to rape Meihua.
Andrew Denton
Huh. I've been picturing them as aloe vera.
Caoimhín
Imagine if because they can't reach Yulong, they pass the message to another base to relay, and it turns out that base is the one where Lu Ri is, and he's like "Sure, I will inform him right away" LMAO
Seaspike
The word shoot has been used a lot for the 7. My mental image is something like asparagus or young bamboo.
Len
i picture them sort of like Cilantro/Coriander (Coriander is the dried ground seeds of the Cilantro Plant)
Len
Maple Syrup Harvest is not for another ~2 Months in the story. this Scene is ~3 days or so after the Winter Solstice which is about 2 months prior to tapping Season *in real life late Feb thru Early April Depending on the Weather/where you are
SuperiorFreak
Personally I an hoping for another heavenly isle chapter. Flasher chan may be somewhat new, but damn is she my favorite character of all his stories.
Catherine
I hope we get to see Shen yu show the images he took with his recording crystal of Bi di, yun and Ri zu’s training to everyone. I want to see their reactions :)
Cineos
All this talk about high altitude plants and the existence of flight rocks - are we seeing the ingredients to a sanctaphrax greenhouse?
Ender419
The spy network of this particular demonic cult is legendary!! It would be awesome if Senior Brother Lu Ri and his Plum Blossoms are able to infiltrate it and add their concepts to their organization and make it better.
James
Such a great chapter, so much fun and so much going on. It's also at this moment that we realize that Yulong is STILL unaware of what's happen to the invasion force. I'm waiting for that scene when Huian finally reaches his master and finds out their great master is dead, most of their forces destroyed, and the main base just gone...then having to telling Yulong that he is the sole survivor of the entire invasion force.
ENK
A previous chapter had the emperor telling his herald to go and investigate, clearly written in a way that doesn't make sense unless they were different people. Emperor has some weird home based cultivation that only lets him be at full power in the capital. He can't leave probably.
ENK
CF was 3 days delayed with a friday chapter, so the one that came out monday last week was actually the friday chapter. This chapter is also a friday chapter, but it released on a saturday (US time), i.e. 1 day delayed. Thus, it's likely that the schedule gets back on track soon. Then again, better delayed than incomplete.
Alex Ingraham
A lot of people, myself included, asked this. Another person pointed out that it makes no sense to risk sending the emperor himself there for any reason. Which makes sense, but I can't get past the herald's seeming familiarity with Shen Yu and... leniency with SH's obvious trolling. And yes, SH is hero's hero who get's all the deference from everyone, but (and perhaps I'm projecting) CF has written the Herald in such a way that an old friend would react who's still trying to remain professional. So, I've come up with a pet theory: if the emperor can't really be there in person, then the Herald could be some type of clone of the emperor or a puppet the emperor can project his consciousness into. Both of options are quite possible in Xianxia stories. And both seem more likely to me than the emperor sending a subordinate who could have this sort of rapport/familiarity with SH that SH would play along with in this way... Of course the latter option is always possible. One has to assume anyone that would become the Voice of the Son of Heaven (or whatever the Herald's full title is) would need legendary people skills. They could have met SH before in an official capacity, the emperor could have prepped them for dealing with SH, etc.. Or you could also argue that SH wouldn't care who the Herald is and that he's he's a cunning old monster who knows what he can get away with, blah blah blah. However, I find these possibilities less satisfying...
Catherine
When they first collected the maple syrup the general who commands the winter was still there so I assumed it happened in winter. Late winter perhaps
Gray Code
@Lonnie Sizemore. next year, maybe. Syrup Season is in late winter, about a month or more before she wakes up normally. The trees that are left will probably put out their standard amounts, but it will be spring before Tianlan will consciously be able to do something about the supply.
vincent20402
not yet, this chapter is set around mid-january, in canada we collect maple sap usually in march and april. Even if im not sure verdant hill climate, Tianlan should wake up when sap is ready to be collected. Maple syrup is spring first sign for canadian.
Modesty Goose
No. It's the middle of winter and part of the maple grove damaged by demons.
Mohamed Heikal
This chapter is out of sync a bit (earlier than expected but there was that missed chapter so not sure). When are we expecting the next chapter?
Gray Code
@Arnon Parenti Lu RI wouldn't have gone with Shen Yu; Shen Yu and the Bi De team have been away for most of a year and Lu RI has to guard Hong Yaowu. @OP If they hadn't decided to smack back on Master Jin, Chixia might have still been in the Howling Fang Mountains when the Civil War popped off, to either realize the opportunity presented, or get caught. That said, you're right about the splitting,Huoha, Anjing, and the Blood Blades would probably still have been at the main base, a long with the hundreds of Artificial Demons that were slain at Fa Ram and the First Den. Huian probably would still have been at Demon Weasel Base.
JohnJohn2195
Anyone else think the Herald is the emperor in disguise? That why he gets the truth instead of waiting for a guy to report back. I think it is cause his exasperation and him comment of im pretty sure you do have a scroll from him for this kind of thing.
Cranky Otter
I picture them as purslane, for what that’s worth. Slightly succulent and tangy.
Catherine
Have they harvested the maple syrup this year yet?
Savannah Black
A lingering question... What do the lowly spiritual herbs look like? A grass variant? Or more like a small bush, like roses? Or just a straight flower, like a daisy. The name seven fragrance jewel herb made me think of a cluster of 7 leaves. Just curious. And now that Shou is here, are we finally figuring out the root!?
Arnon Parenti
Is Shen Yanjin somehow related to Shen Yu?
Arnon Parenti
Maybe, but then Lu RI would have been available to aid Shen Yu, and he more than balances all the other demonic cultivators.
Often Irrelephant
What about a rip roaring auditor rampage of revenge? In conjunction with TLM and Lady Wu, of course. I mean, one assumes in addition to auditing the Wu clan enemies, he's also been giving a pass to their allies - who will 100% be on the take and not bothering to hide it. He can send amazing progress reports to Imperial HQ while further damaging the Wu clan and increasing TLM's influence?
Antony Claughton
They were developing a strategy to attack and deal with the issue. He could have contributed to the strategy.
Often Irrelephant
My impression is that exactly *no one* but Shen Yu would even consider just waving around a random Imperial writ.
ItWasIDIO!!
Ty might just have to clean out my list discord channels to add BoC if it's got these goodies also this is alot & kinda makes me feel like the end is nowhere in sight
Randall Brynsvold
This is the work-in-progress (original version with change notes) the author posted at the-world-of-BOC Discord channel in September: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/818247535189295114/1281377474168487960/SPOILER_Crimson_Phoenix_Empire_changes.jpg?ex=672947c4&is=6727f644&hm=f111dd3f6e4e784be9665a4c229a0b89ce1f9bad41bd576d1ea9170051a83504&
Often Irrelephant
Actually it's not bad if he's staying in VH - on the off, off chance anyone (esp demon affiliated) tries to hit a softer target than Fa Ram.
Randall Brynsvold
Perhaps the Herald, like Bi De, is a creature that also likes smoked worms?
Дмитрий Ермола
It just struck me - demonic cultivators lost this fight because of one mistimed decision. Decision to attack Fa Ram. They split their forces, and as such - they didn't have enough to defend the base. Shen Yu was THIS close to being defeated, and it was Bi De who tipped the balance. Which could have been the other way around, it they didn't send out an army.
Modesty Goose
What did he have to offer? He danced through the night.
Ormus Von Orbulon
Of course they won't believe him. The pitiful nobility of the backwater of the Azure Hills can only convince themselves they hold any real power through sheer delusion. They are so practiced in this self-delusion that it's inconvevable that someone else in the province might have outside support where THEY, the Wu's might not. After all, the Lord Auditor is supposed to be, on paper, the perfect tool. An overlord of a province's bureaucracy; capable of targeting and destroying any (mortal) target, no matter how powerful with full legality. If they admit, even to themselves that their perfect tool is failing due to powerlessness rather than ineptitude, then everything comes crashing down.
Randall Brynsvold
He wasn't in the meeting to contribute content, he was in the meeting as a courtesy because of the respect Shen Yu (Jin, Lu Ri) had for him.
Alex Ingraham
Wait, what!? I did not catch that the first time! 😂 Thank you for your service to culture!
Alex Ingraham
If it makes you all feel better, you can think of it as the auditor's own base of power and authority being turned on him. From his perspective, the voice of god came down to personally tell him to get back to work. He's got no recourse and none of the protection his position would normally afford him lol.
Alex Ingraham
Super looking forward to Lady Wu dealing with her clan 😈
Lanter
🤣
Randall Brynsvold
He's got the Qi equivalent of a beeping radio tag in his leg, courtesy of Tigu.
Randall Brynsvold
I've had this conversation, where an authority figure says "Please don't TELL me about it and make me responsible for doing something about it!"
Randall Brynsvold
As I said under another comment, this may be the beginning of the Auditor's redemption arc. The Herald didn't tell him to fuck off, he said "do your job" (literally "you may continue with your audit", with implied "I'm now aware of you and will be following up").
Randall Brynsvold
If the Herald was a major earth spirit, it would have to be severely limiting its apparent power to appear to be in the Sky Realm. I think it's something that at least started as a mortal.
Randall Brynsvold
It's possible that this is the start of the Auditor's redemption arc, where his eyes are opened, and he gets the corruption frightened out of him AND the encouragement to take his real job seriously (from the Herald). If he got smooshed flat, he wouldn't be around play a future role in the story.
Randall Brynsvold
Shen Yu knows, and the Emperor will know after he sees the full crystal history. I expect that Ge, Shou, and Yukong (and later Ran) will get the full story, too.
Randall Brynsvold
Well, they can create and repair formations that help Tianlan function across the province and help the circulation in her Dragon Veins. Xiulan and Tianlan can show Yukong the raggedy remains of the old formation that was used to wake up and empower Tianlan by collecting, circulating, and transforming the Qi from the solstice dances. This assumes, of course, that Tianlan is ready to reveal herself to high-level outsiders.
Randall Brynsvold
I expect that the Auditor will try to explain to the Wu family that TLM has unexpected Imperial and Sect support (even if he can't be specific) -- and they won't believe him.
Randall Brynsvold
An old technique has been revived, like the blood arts. It actually boosts their power level. Apparently the new feature is that some re-develop a will and personality, like East Wind did. From "v4c74: To the North", January 15 2024: "“Hmmm. Artificial demons,” Shen Yu said after a moment. He stroked his beard. “It has been a long time since those have been encountered.” “Artificial demons?” Bi De asked. “Indeed, they are as they are named. Wretches created by suffering and foul alchemy to ape a fraction of an actual demon’s power. They’re mindless things, without skill—but their physical abilities tend to wind up several stages higher than the person that was used to make them—and the best ones can be up to a full realm superior.”"
John D Jones
@ Phillip and Antony Claughton Aside from Shen Yu's introductions and smugness, I think the large majority of the meeting was taken up by Jin telling about his meetings and battle with "Zang Li." Then Shenhe telling about her own experiences and then Shen Yu telling about his own experiences. TLM wasn't there for any of that, so he kept his mouth shut and listened. Figure TLM will likely add something later, probably having to do with using the Plum Blossum's Shadow and the Azure Jade Trading Company's contacts to locate possible spies for the Demonic Sect.
Antony Claughton
Agreed. I expected him to add some valuable common sense insight to help with the plans.
Antony Claughton
I’m surprised that the meeting didn’t discuss how the demonic cultivators have figured out how to subvert cultivators and keep their power level. That is a terrifying ability as it removes one of your troops while increasing theirs.
Antony Claughton
Not just one demon group. These ones plan to invade the hells. Those ones wanted to invade from the hells.
Philip
Hmm. Shouldn't the magistrate get a line? Seems odd after the scene of shen yu insisting he be there that he end up not adding anything?
Gwyn
So excited for the upcoming chapters. Everyone meeting Big D and Rizu is going to be awesome. Can't wait for Minyans and the twins interactions with Meiling, Tigu, and Xiulan. Minyans reaction to Zhuye should be great. I'm curious how the regular CSS members view Big D, Shen Yus new Acolyte
Pat Sprehe
I really want to hear about how all of this appears through the eyes of the CSS disciples and Soaring Island midshipmen. Also Lu Ri’s fiance (Su Ge?) the Storm Wings, Xiulan’s mom…
Aune
would be great if the Elder's test' Big D's might, as he fights a gauntlet against them, balancing on the precipice of defeat each passing exchange he perfects his chosen fighting style outside mortal combat, all the while making it seem effortless. (remember his fighting montages? where he kicks the winds, and refines his mastery? the technique used to rebuke others, but he would make it graceful,, full of Big D'ness)
Michael Beard
Washy, for sure... He'd have his priorities straight from the start... cocoa beans, coffee beans, and vanilla beans... Bi De will be distracted with fighting in tournaments, destroying demonic cultivators, and demoralizing every sect Gramps introduces him to... Way too busy to be looking for ingredients ( unless he gets lucky like he did with the blueberries)
Laura Hemly
I wouldn't say he "made" Jin work on the roads since Jin volunteered, after all.
Laura Hemly
I just found a map on the BoC wiki that I located by googling. It's originally posted on Imgur.
Laura Hemly
That's true, @CringeWorthy. Just seeing the manor house at Fa Ram will freak out the Baka twin from xianxia Japan, aka Wa!
Laura Hemly
They're old friends going back to their early days as fellow disciples of CSS. I wouldn't expect Shen Yu to drop the nonsense just because his junior is the emperor now!
Duke of Coffee
Awwww the Auditor is going to run away to furtherest hills, manage to survive the Herald. A Chicken a chicken a chicken a chicken is a disciple!? 😜
Laura Hemly
That's true. TLM's guards have already been praised multiple times by a whole variety characters, but in this case they and Bao were not just doing their job but really endangering themselves. If the Herald hadn't been there, there was truly nobody in the meeting with the authority to keep the Auditor out. Granted, they could have made his life miserable, but even so, he actually was in the right. Until he met the Herald. I didn't expect that.
Laura Hemly
And Bi De receives his most highly ranked, "A chicken!?!"
Laura Hemly
Shou may spit blood, but he's also going to be commissioning his own greenhouse ASAP from Jin and Miantiao!
Samantha Kuhn
Shen YU CANNOT himself when it comes to making comments about his erect, upstanding, proud cock of an apprentice! He's going to be making those cock comments for centuries! I wonder if the CSS will be encountering Bi De in his "disguise" first, as the handsome, collected cultivator. Then *pop* there's his original form! "Your apprentice, after spending years saying there was NO ONE good enough--is a chicken?!!" exclaimed Ge. "Well, he was raised by my grandson, he's technically my great-grandson and disciple, and he kicks EVERYONE's ass while being righteous and looking good doing it! It's amazing what my proud, strong cock can accomplish!" chortled Shen Yun.
Chasesp
The deer itself and their children are all confirmed to have sacrificed through WOG atleast, so that wouldn't be the case. It's just as imilar great power that managed to live through the Demon Invasions.
israel valdez
Maybe its the spirit of the empire? Kind of how it was said that there were spirits tied to the mountain of the CSS?
Angela Roberts
Alex, exactly!!
Angela Roberts
I'm really convinced that Elder Chen has a puppet worm, for starters. And yeah, that Imperial Demon has been plotting and planning for a thousand years! That battle they all had before Shen Yu went off to see Jin? That was just the warm up. And I'm thinking the demons thought of it as a way to throw the Empire off track and let them think they'd met their thousand year challenge.
Ormus Von Orbulon
To see how, in part, Minyan will react to Jin, Meimei and FaRam, we can look to the Soaring Heavens Isle AU. She's very reserved, and it's only 18 chapters -- but she and her two foolish padawans get enough screentime to judge how they think. And yeah -- S'gonna be good! And no, the lazy, arrogant Wu in the capital has critically little information on the new reality of her (elder?) sister, whom she expected to be emaciated and near death by now. I wouldn't put it past the hag to be behind the random cultivator hurting our Lady Wu in the first place -- so that in conjunction with their son being harassed and set up, and then being harassed in their retirement, a reckoning is due, and it's gonna be 1000% the "Torture Empress" making a comeback... If only to see that bitch destroyed.
Angela Roberts
Seth4bucks, yes, the auditor's character is not even close to the same as TLM. But, I'm betting you're right and TLM turns him into a useful tool. I wonder if the auditor knows about the f*ckery the Wus are pulling with his son? That'd make for an excellent revenge arc!
Angela Roberts
Seaspike, yep, caught that! I'm starting to wonder if the battle Shen Yu was in prior to catching up with Jin was a con job by the demons to throw the Empire off the scent? In which case, the demons know that getting CSS's true attention means they're f*cked. But only once CSS and co. realize the magnitude of the problem.
Angela Roberts
Old Dog, that's an excellent thought! It fits with the Earth Spirits role in protecting the land and the ruminations of Shen Yu.
Often Irrelephant
From their perspective they're not bad guys, but historically much evil has been done for the "greater good". And kidnapping, torturing, and demonically corrupting anyone they deem disposable is a whole bunch of evil. That said, yeah - disturbingly competent. They underestimated Jin, thought he was the only real threat at Fa Ram, and STILL rolled in with a middling size army, absolutely loaded for bear.
Melanie Me
I think it was brought up that the Herald might be a Temple dog in human form and dogs do cock their heads also. My dogs do it all the time when hearing puppies whine on YouTube.
Angela Roberts
Old Dog, yep!! Plus, Xuilan fits the Soaring Skies mold. Bet she tries hard to recruit her.
Angela Roberts
John D, kind of? Puppet worm man! That's evil!
Angela Roberts
I like that!
Angela Roberts
Yeah, I was dissatisfied too. I agree, it was too abrupt, there needs to be more of a moment of the Elders looking at Yinyang with much suspicious inquisition, and the Herald could at least throw some acid into his words. And yes, the Wu clan still doesn't get burned.
Often Irrelephant
I seem to remember he was more than willing to make stuff up if it came to it - and he was sure he could get away with it.
Angela Roberts
Right, I agree John D. It's absolutely the most effective and practical solution.
Often Irrelephant
He's SO setting up that bomb - troll powers activate!
Alex Ingraham
Good point!
Angela Roberts
Oh right! Forgot about the greenhouse. Yep, Shou will definitely be spitting blood once he sees that!
Angela Roberts
Yeah, and how do they know what CSS is up to? Their network is vast! I still think Elder Chen is being manipulated by them. I'm hoping Yukong can get more out of the formations than they, the demons, want them to get. And, something has to happen to wake up CSS, the Emperor, etc that this is a much, much greater campaign than they can envision.
Angela Roberts
Ooo, I like that idea, of them healing Tianlan! Wonder how possible that is?
Angela Roberts
So much to digest! First, love the banter between Shen Yu, Ge, Shou, Yukong, and Minyan! Ge's observation that Shen is bright and alive, like before his son, is so touching. Jin's alarm that the SMS thought he was an elder and Shenshe's embarrassment was too funny. That all the CSS elders regret the loss of Jin and want to maintain a strong connection is good! I'm thinking that meeting the Spirit Beasts of Fa Ram and meeting Zhuge may shift Minyan from "meh" to "WTF", yeah? Oh, and special bonus, the Auditor gets checked and finally decides to bail. Whoever called it for after the meeting was prescient. (We shoulda had bets going!) But, not quite the smackdown I was hoping he'd get. So I think that the Wu clan will get up to more stupidity before *they* get checked. (Probably by Lu Ri.)
Evander
Love to see them assist in stabilizing and healing Shen Yu. I suspect the other person is correct in that Go Ren will need to throw up another dwelling for the CSS and Minyan's people. Separately, I'm really hoping such a useful big bad isn't wiped out by the current team. Legit hoping he has powerful allies.
Melanie Me
Ok I understand that they are all going to lose their shit with all the animals and Bi De the chicken being Shen Yu's disciple. But I can't wait for them to see The General that commands the winter.
Ormus Von Orbulon
All of the Cloudy Sword folks are going to go haring off to investigate and/or purge scum... Except Shou. He's the herbalist -- and thus probably also head medic on this expedition. He's probably going to set up camp and/or inspect Jin's Facilities (and garden). He's also going to exchange healing lore with Meimei. Yukong is going to return to "camp" once her analysis of the tram line is complete -- her job done, for the moment -- only to find the formations worked into Jin's little keep. From there, she'll track down Xiaoshi's great works... Chances are high Shou and Yukong are going to stay in the guest house for a while, helping out, and detangling things. They're probably going to help Jin heal Tianlan in the next book.
Kasinki
Thank you for the chapter
Ormus Von Orbulon
Personally, I would say the four men and three women staring at the auditor wear expressions of "barely restrained contempt" rather than "barely concealed contempt". I mean, we know it's there. He knows it's there. All of them know it's there. So, it's not really concealed at all, is it...? Anyway. All of the Cloudy Sword folks are going to go haring off to investigate and/or purge scum... Except Shou. He's the herbalist -- and thus probably also head medic on this expedition. He's probably going to set up camp and/or inspect Jin's Facilities (and garden). He's also going to exchange healing lore with Meimei. Yukong is going to return to "camp" once her analysis of the tram line is complete -- her job done, for the moment -- only to find the formations worked into Jin's little keep. From there, she'll track down Xiaoshi's great works... Chances are high Shou and Yukong are going to stay in the guest house for a while, helping out, and detangling things. They're probably going to help Jin heal Tianlan in the next book. 🥳🎉🐔🫶😜
Rake1810
Please don’t get me wrong. It was a fantastic chapter. But the wait for all the Experts to see Fa Ram and meet Bi De is killing me
John D Jones
@ Alex Ingraham The most interesting thing about this "Demonic Sect" is that from a certain perspective, they AREN'T the "bad guys." Their goal is to eventually invade and enslave/destroy the Demonic realms that are attacking the people of the Empire. They're very much an "ends justify the means" group. Which doesn't mean that they aren't still kind of awful people.
John D Jones
Happy/proud grandpa/great-grandpa Shen Yu is the best Shen Yu. I wouldn't be surprised if Elder Ge tries to poach Bi De for the Cloudy Sword Sect. That said, I doubt that Bi De will accept since he probably still holds a bit of a grudge against the CSS over how they treated his Great Master. While Shou will be all but drooling over Jin success at growing rare Cultivation herbs, I think Yukong will be fascinated by Fa Ram's systematic scientific approach in attacking the Demonic Qi in the corpses. I hope there's a brief stop-over in Hong Yaowu, so that Shou can see that even the mortals there are growing Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs. Meanwhile, and I know this is greedy, I kind of want to see a conversation between Bi De and Lu Ri, the human version of Bi De. I know they briefly met when Lu Ri gave Jin his mail, but they've never interacted "onscreen" to my knowledge.
ItWasIDIO!!
Also I think an understated thing here is besides "Zang Li" the demons have been competent & it's been both the one with better info & luck that decides these fights lately
John D Jones
I preordered the paperback of Book 3 but since the Kindle will likely be on Kindle Unlimited, I'm not going to preorder the Kindle. Probably later next year, I'll preorder the book 4 paperback because there have been more than a couple of time that I've preordered something, forgotten I'd done that, and then preordered it again. I will say that the wait for Book 4 is a little bit agony since it's no longer available on Royal Road. I'm pretty sure Book 4 is still here on Patreon but trying to find something that was posted over two years ago on here is a huge pain in the buttocks.
John D Jones
@ Kreylix The history on it is already staying in the Azure Hills since the information has been copied into other crystals. I think the main crystal (and the spirit within it) will go to the Emperor because that's the most effective way to "disarm" it. The spirit will aid the person who is already the Emperor to "become" the Azure Hills Emperor. Meanwhile, Bi De will get accolades upon accolades. The Crimson Phoenix Empire might become the Crimson Rooster Empire.
Len
Herald is a Phoenix possibly?
Len
Actually I think it will go to the emperor. He is..weak.(power wise) with the potential boost the spirit of the gem could give as it transfers its authority/knowledge maybe he beaks to imperial
Andrew Denton
"This early in the morning? At this latitude? Confined entirely to his dining room?"
Dwayne Parker
You know, it’s nice to see competent villains who also have to struggle within the confines of the story’s world. I think I’m a little too use to villain fiat.
Marian Ch
The guest house was rebuilt much larger, and the ladies have their own boat they can just moor at the farm when not in use.
Jessica Emerson
I mean his symbol is a phoenix so, same-same really
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. Like so many others, looking forward to the trip to Fa Ram, it will be a hoot.
Old Dog
Think I saved a copy. Don't think I can post it so I hope CF re-posts the latest one.
Old Dog
Yes, Happy Birthday. CF does give great presents.
litalmexy
Question is who won the bet between lady wu and boa?
Old Dog
From December 20th to the New Year. (Just reread that post.)
Old Dog
She did briefly wake up and didn't take stock of the damage done. I'm sure she is going to ask for all the details and pass some of what Jin learned in the meeting on to the earth spirit of the Howling Fangs. I then wonder what both of them might do.
Old Dog
Do forget Xiulan. I'm sure Minyan will ask her some pointed questions about her parentage.
Kreylix
I think this crystal stays in the Azure Hills; it’s their history, not the empire’s.
Peter Jørgensen
And you can meet my disciple. He's such a proud, erect fellow, Beware Of Chicken😂🤣😭🤣😂
John D Jones
Ultimately the Lord-Auditor is just a tool of the Wu family. He's an asshole who's mildly corrupt, but he also was looking for real crime/fraud in TLM's books and wasn't just going to make stuff up. The real battle/war is going to come between TLM and Lady Wu with the rest of the Wu family.
Idan tal
The question is how many are going to stay? It seems like they are going to the secured base right away, maybe after a good breakfast, to start the hunt. And Jin’s house will be the resting/resupply spot that they frankly doesn’t really need.
matthew gilley
And the Wus don't get what's coming to them. No line about the lady "checking in on her sister after her guest leave" or anything insinuating greater karmic pushback. But yeah I would have loved to see the TLM or his lady looking down their noise and the sniveling auditor.
matthew gilley
It will kate gen like 2 days tops to up a luxury hotel.
Old Dog
And the viewing of the garden/green house will leave the elder slack jawed.
Old Dog
Most excellent indeed.
Evander
Can Fa Ram comfortably host this many people? Food wise, yes. But space wise.
T. Lewison
The worst part, for the Auditor, is that he ~cannot~ tell the Wus about the Imperial Herald being in Azure Hills, by his direct command. Strike one: no juicy gossip from Dueling Peaks; Strike two: nothing to hang on TLM. I'm getting the feeling Auditor is about to nope out from the Wu's employ lol
Kali Smith
Thank you!!! This was a very good chapter! I’m also excited to see reactions to Fa Ram! This is going to be excellent!
Shawn Banks
🎶NO! SLEEP! TIL BOOK END!!!🎶 😆👍👍
Some guy
I just want a brief moment when even their composure cracks a little during Shen Yu's disciple's "reveal"
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Great Chapter. I was expecting this to happen to Yanjing, but seeing it was wonderful.
Marcin
Its not really the place for Lord Magistrate or his Wife to interfere...power level is too high. Auditor technically was correct, which was the only reason hes still around (also his weak knee joints :P) Its just another reminder how insignificant mortals are in the eyes of the mighty.
Marcin
Tbh i cant wait for the inevitable "A chicken... ?????!!!!" Also Minyan gushing over all the Ladies of the house :P
Cinnamon Toast
Yep it’s just an instilled mental addiction for us at this point
Cinnamon Toast
Add in the fact our hero’s side will be trying to preserve and protect the current systems in place while the newly discovered demonic sect will be highly motivated to destroy them with any informants in said system
Hound
Cue anime flailing of baddies
WannaBeATree
They seem to be competent, so maybe just a lot more win-win situations? Like lots of new seeds or cultural exchanges? The Magistrat will get a lot of heat/attention as well. Like the fact he made Jin work on roads to pay his taxes. :) That discovery would be funny to read.
WannaBeATree
Agreed with the commenters, I got the impression it happened fairly often. Uncommon but not rare.
Kris Piskorski
This might be my favorite couple of chapters in the whole story! And I cannot wait for the outsiders to see fa ram
Cranky Otter
“Ge had commanded Lu Ri to give him that symbol so that he could use it to protect himself. Young Jin used it to stop a war… and then had ceased using it, displaying temperance when given such a powerful symbol.” And this is why we like Jin & Meimei. Nice that Elder Ge appreciates his temperance.
WannaBeATree
The Emperor getting a second hand taste of the boozmasters creation and asking to be brought some ...
WannaBeATree
Or keep a guard squad around. Maybe use the farm as a base of operation? This could be constructed as the start of a war and i bet peasants/farmers are supposed to contribute with shelter/provisions. Their reaction to Jin handing them a barn full of gold-grade rice with an explanation like:"what use is wealth, if it can't keep my home safe" or something would be funny to read.
WannaBeATree
I think the Magistrate will handle the auditors "little accident" with dignity and make an ally. Finding out about the Wu's connection might even lead to him striking back.
WannaBeATree
Well, it also is interesting that Shen Yu uncovered a possible way for people to misuse the Emperor's seal and shared it with him. One could construct it as uncovering vulnerabilities if he didn't go and made them "public".
Patanahi
Thank you for the chapter CF !!!
WannaBeATree
Yep, absolutely great guards and attendants. They've earned a raise or a good meal. Keeping your boss's boss busy for hours at the risk of pissing them off, everyone pulling on the same rope. The unity and cooperation did not get enough credit.
WannaBeATree
Getting her approval will also be easy after seeing her heal her crush... I am more interested in Jin's reaction to her "flying ship".
WannaBeATree
I am calling it, the demon sects will be defeated by Lu Ri's power of mail. Somehow.
WannaBeATree
Maybe it is even "the" deer, or its line, somehow?
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
WannaBeATree
I wonder if there will be developments touching on BOC alternate universe.
WannaBeATree
Maybe Bi De will give the Herald the Crystal of the history of the Azure Hills/Mountains to bring to the Emperor? Then we might get the situation of the Emperor giving honors/rewards to a chicken that Shen Yu was hoping for. It could even be constructed as him doing it as a response to saving his father from some legal problems.
Cranky Otter
Ohhh and we have since learned that Tigu’s qi is demon slaying qi.
Aki_Iokua18
From what I remember, preorder audio, day one kindle.
Cranky Otter
I enjoyed it though I agree the last couple of lines were kind of abrupt. The imperial head honcho wouldn’t want to set a precedent of undermining auditors, and he’s in his line of supervisor, unlike the sect/local cultivators, so he was the correct person to address this. Maybe a little more “life flashing before his eyes” would make it less abrupt, but for me, it mostly worked. The hallway was a better location than barging in. Barging in would have meant incompent guards. Hallway encounter lets him save face enough to survive.
Kat
The Imperial Herald is sticking around for a while… that’ll be interesting
Kat
I think maybe it’s because they met him outside the door… so because he hadn’t barged in YET, he got off quite lightly… And theoretically, even though he was being a dick about it, seems he does have the authority to be let in whenever he wants…
James C
I quite like the idea that "preparing the Imperial Herald" is a guidance/semi-puppet technique: the Emperor can see/hear through their eyes/ears, and 'whisper' to them. The Herald is politely conveying that the Emperor is currently yelling "dammit Shen Yu, I gave you an actual official writ so you would STOP pulling that shit!"
Zygardegodslayer
The main question is if the 'oh shit' quotient is higher with the demonic cultivators or the auditor.
Angua de Blubb
Did they already catch on that Jin is a Shennong cultivator? I so much hope we'll get to see them realizing that he's contracted to the spirit of the entire frigging province, and the implications of that XD Also completely separate, but with the official release of Volume 4 approaching, regarding Kindle and Audible, does anyone know: For sales numbers, I've heard that it is best to pre-order one and buy the other on release day, but I can never remember which IS which ... does anyone know?
Angua de Blubb
Nice setup for Bi De's empire-wide roadtrip. How many of Tianlan's siblings will he wow? Will it be him or Washy who gets to the Cocoa fastest? XD
D J Meigs
I was trying to figure out what dissatisfied me with the auditor scene. Technically it checks all the boxes I wanted. Part of it is that I was maybe too hyped for it. But I think I wanted his ultimate defeat to come more directly from TLM or one of his people. The Herald establishing the law is fine, but I would have liked TLM or old Bao or lady Wu to get the final word, the part that made the auditor give it all up. Maybe I even in a future chapter if they hinted that such interest from powerful cultivators has become common place to them, and that made him want to give up on his mission from the sheer badassness of TLM.
John Berry
Ty for chapter
SuperiorFreak
Jin truly has the greatest most magnificent Cock in the land. Meimei and Xiulan would undoubtedly agree. Its no wonder Shen Yu is eager to show it off.
seth4bucks
Yes, but the auditor isn't of the same character as TLM. He's willing to be the Wu's attack dog. Maybe he started off reluctantly or under duress, but he now seems to be on board for the benefits. Although TLM could indeed easily turn a former foe into an ally. It would be fitting if he joined forces with TLM and the Azure Jade Trading Co against the Wus. Although personally, I'm hoping Shen Yu drops in on them and scares them straight for making trouble for his grandson & granddaughters' teachers.
Gafgarion
$10 says the Emperor is a chicken. The heralds have subconsciously adopted the Emperor chickens mannerisms.
leopard eye
It's a good thing. If the Auditor had just barged in then that would have reflected badly on the Lord Magistrate as a host for allowing the meeting to be interrupted.
Cyrus McEnnis
Thank you so much for not taking a break - I wasn't looking forward to the break this time around, so much payoff going on ; )
leopard eye
Aye. Nothing scarier than a truly compitent and practical enemy. These guys think they are the heroic rebels against the evil Empire. Or give that impression to newcomers at least. The old demon took in the outcast and drew them in with the dream of a better world and kind support provided the recruits do the same. The leaders are both feared and loved. And thus inspire a loyalty to the group greater than personal ambition's. Oh boy.
Jojiro
Somehow, the auditor's panic didn't feel as delicious as it could have been. The reveal is a tad too abrupt, and the cultivator pressure barely commented upon. I feel like the youth who handled the crystal formations at the Dueling Peaks had more lines of culture shock than this auditor did.
Lonnie
I would be ok with two whole chapters of them checking out fa ram, meeting the disciples, seeing noodles's green house, baby's cut marks. Everyone shimmying in joy over the food
Cuticle
Lol “Oh, a meeting? How am I sure he's not cooking his books, hmm?” Yanjing responded. Bao frowned. “This early in the morning? Please, have patience—” Bao not affronted that the auditor is accusing the Magistrate, but that he thinks the Magistrate would cook the books so early in the morning hahaha
Alex Ingraham
@WarStrider72 THISSS!! I need to see the conversation where Fa Ram realizes they need to make this possible. The conversation I'm imagining is already hilarious. I'm sure CF would knock it out of the park 🤣
Lonnie
I think Tianlan is going to flip her shit when she wakes up. So maple is going to flow like water this year
Lonnie
Fantastic! Thanks for the chapter
Alex Ingraham
@Trish Brown I saw your name, but my dumb brain (and wishful thinking) only registered the "Tr" and "B" and instantly thought, "Travis Baldree!?!?* I love your work! When are you working on the next BOC audiobook? 😍" and then I registered your actual name 😅... I'm sure you're a fine person and this disappointment is 100% self-inflicted, but I love BOC's audiobooks!! 😭 *For those who don't know, Travis Baldree is the voice actor for the BOC audiobooks. He is amazing. And, if you haven't already, fix yourselves, go support Travis and the equally amazing CF by buying those audiobooks!!!!!
Anzer'ke
Minyan thinking how badly Song would like to steal...almost all of the Fa Ram disciples really
Oni
I wonder if it'll let Tigu track them to the hidden lair?
Tony
You know, that actually makes a lot of sense, they might want to do some disciple exchange with the FaRam, whatever it takes to get some people to try and learn some of Jin's secrets and methods.
Anzer'ke
The gender neutral one who got away. They have Tigu's qi in their leg and a promise that she will hunt them down.
Anzer'ke
I'm just waiting for them to meet Xiulan and point at her chest like everyone else is supposed to understand what the fuck they mean by that.
Anzer'ke
I love how you can feel Shenhe cringing at the admittance that they couldn't imagine how strong a CSS Elder really was.
Anzer'ke
I'm wondering if Jin is going to make a gift of a few sugar maples to Master Forest Sweeper along with the sapping technique. As thanks for hosting Bi De and friends.
Anzer'ke
Among the many other tales of Spirit Beasts that will have Song delighted when Minyan recounts all this to her, I suspect she will be eager to go see Master Forest Sweeper and meet one so similar to the Deer.
Oni
It is fine in Shen Yu's case... he also has an actual writ, so it's okay!
Alex Ingraham
Not a cliffhanger?? FINE... I guess jonesing for another chapter doesn't REALLY count as a cliff hanger *grumble grumble*
Cam
Fantastic chapter!!! Thanks CF!!
Alex Ingraham
@CrazyExplorer “My friends, this is why I called for your aid. The resources of our foe are great, as you can see by the power of their disposable weapons. This cannot be allowed to fester. The enemy organization is vast and diffuse, and I cannot destroy them alone, especially in my current state." You have trouble understanding that they'll be a problem? A demon organization that has had a thousand years to infiltrate; has competent leaders; displayed clear competence at operating in independent cells that still; and a frightening suppression of the normal in-fighting that normally destroys demonic sects, is not a problem?? And those are just major issues my dumbass self can extrapolate from this chapter lol.
israel valdez
Are we not going to talk about how the imperial herald "cocked" his head to the side...like a chicken!?!?!?!? Is this a profound secret message from the heavens?!
Benjamin Lawton
I know, man. I'm scared too!
MatrixM
Damn, this book has been so suspenseful and fast paced I was thinking 'Oh, he's finishing this book early?' But it's been over 60 chapters!
Alex Ingraham
"Once more, Huian was thankful that their Master was their Master. Most demonic cults would have probably killed Huian if they had arrived in this state. Instead, Tai, who could have killed them easily at the moment, was still acting with polite deference and care." Awwww, shit! It's never a good sign for our heroes when the evil guys can effectively suppress the natural in-fighting they normally have. On top of their obvious organizational skills, being "worryingly sane", etc., this is shaping up to be a major problem for the empire as a whole...
WolfKnight22
I have a feeling minyan and mei mei are gonna get along splendidly
Alex Ingraham
The worst part of this chapter is the moment I realized I was out of popcorn for the auditor scene... I LITERALLY stopped reading; got a nice drink, went to go make popcorn and found nothing... 😂🤬🤣😭😭 But, I made do and loved the scene!! Honestly, when you consider the auditor got (GENTLY) slapped down by the IMPERIAL HERALD, it couldn't have been much more devastating for his worldview as a Imperial Auditor. For him, that was THE VOICE OF GOD personally telling him to fuck off and forget anything happened... Shen Yu and co. would have easily ripped his world a-fucking-sunder, but the Herald represented the Auditor's world turning on him and threatening to crush him. I'd tell the Wu's to fuck off too lol
Ch W
Thanks for the chapter. I don't think Master Forest Sweeper wants to drink the same thing the cultivators do if CSS comes to pay respect. Will sapping season occur with all the visitors underfoot at Fa Ram or will Jin take a break this year because the maple tree grove need recovery from demon taint? I have more questions but they'll only be answered by more chapters and I will wait.
Bunny Waffles
The tiger's hunt never truly ends until the tiger has its prey.
Lanter
Shen Yu's bragging session, part 2 😆 I love how despite this being a pretty bigshot meeting, it really felt like Shen Yu grabbing a bunch of friends for a small catch up. The hilarious misunderstanding is finally brought to light! Jin is NOT a CSS Elder! "...please refrain from admitting to impersonating the Emperor’s will” the implication that impersonating is fine and normal but admitting to it is not lmaoooo 🤣🤣🤣🤣 And now, to Fa Ram to make Shou cough blood in envy 😅😂 Congrats to the Auditor on surviving with only a very light reprimand!✨️ And to the Lord Magistrate for making it through this with his dignity intact 🤣 Thanks for the chapter!
D375
Taking down the broader sect of demons spread throughout the empire would make a lot of sense for book six.
Calicofer
Yay no break this month, though I guess you'll probably have a long break for the holidays next month to start prepping for the next volume by New Year's. Anyways is this considered Monday's chapter or is it still part of last week's 3-chapter quota? Edit: Okay this seems to be the 1st chapter of the week~
Zachary Bender
I believe Shen Yu had an inkling this was the case. That’s why he brought multiple powers from across the Empire into this. Much intrigue is ahead of us
Connor Moreland
They seem to work in distributed cells. The Imperial Realm Master is probably smart and resourceful enough to have more than one type of transmission array. The Imperial Realm Master also might set up the cells we've seen so far as an expendable distraction and go hide out and attempt to recover his cultivation and network.
Zeromaru2
They did just talk about them having 1000 years to entrench themselves, and that they had access to worms. We just got confirmation as to just how bad it might be
Alex
Spirit puppeteer, he’s the one that tried to kill Wa Shi and unleashed the Sky Realm spirit that Jin destroyed.
Seaspike
Did anyone catch the words "northern hub base"? Wouldn't this imply they have more bases of that size, complexity and manning?
ItWasIDIO!!
Old but yes think you can Google it might have been taken down with chapters
Kreylix
There’s a map? 👀👀👀👀
Kreylix
This. 😎😍😎
CringeWorthyStudios
Also one guy who met Tigu when they were taking out the slavers way back.
CringeWorthyStudios
Not necessarily important ones… it’s kinda hard to miss a massive fuck-off anti-demon army mobilising…
CringeWorthyStudios
Not just the CSS, SHI too. After all, when the Baka twins find out that Jin makes amazing alcohol, knowing Japanese culture and meet Wa Shi they aren’t ever going to want to leave… (if anyone hasn’t read the SHI AU they’ll completely miss this.)
Brian P.
Man, the cast is big enough as is. We don't need more people.
Arnon Parenti
I can already see how The Lord Magistrate shows compassion to a man sharing his plight and letting him clean up and sit to eat breakfast from the table of The Imperial Herald. Simple men like them serving Powers of Immortals have to stick together, or everything crumbles. Fuck the Wus for trying to cause trouble to such an upstanding member of the Imperial court.
Raraki Kraken
There was the noble that pissed himself when Tigu and Delun barged into his mansion to rescue the slaves
Raraki Kraken
The one that used puppets
Trish Brown
Loved this chapter. I too can't wait for the cultivators to visit fa ram. X
Jon Dough
Thank you for the chapter! Really looking forward to all the elders reactions to Fa Ram and all the spirit beasts!!!
ENK
Lucky auditor that the guards held him at bay long enough. I was halfway expecting him to get himself reassigned to the equivalent of overseeing a lone outpost in deep siberia, but he fortunately had working eyes not clouded enough by ego to avoid that fate. I do suspect he might just figure out that retirement sounds like a wonderful idea. CF was really kind to him. I was certain he'd be digging his own grave this chapter. Also, the amount of nonsense Shen Yu does with the emperor is wonderful.
CrazyExplorer
Yeah demonic panic is cool. Though I wonder how the hell are they going to be a threat in future volumes. Since it seems they are very outnumbered and outgunned by the good guys. Maybe they have many more Earth Realm demonic cultivators we haven't seen across the empire? And maybe Jingsheng has a backup plan prepared exactly for this situation that will allow him to bounce back?
Katharine Gould
Happy birthday cultivator
Denielle Restauro
Shen Yu is flexing so hard.
NightmareChild92
Happy birthday to me thanks for the great gift CF =)
Adam
Really loving Shen Yu's constant trolling
THEMIGHTYBOXHEAD
can't wait for them all to see Jin's Cock. he is a very erect fellow and stands tall to great the sun every day! you tell them bid de!
Yeno Memevig
There was that blaze bear in vol. 1 who shat themselves
NightmareChild92
I get the feeling that instead of CS taking any of Fa Rams people several of CS people will find an excuse to stay at Fa Ram
Michael Beard
The one Tigu got in the leg, but escaped by teleporting away
Rayyyn
NOOO!! They have spies!
Sean Ulrich
They shall behold the might of the General that Commands the Winter!
Geese
Which one was Huian?
Emily Gurnavage
Ooh nice to see some panic in the demonic cultivators. Once he is revealed as Shen Yu's disciple, I hope Ge spars with Bi De. Could be in both forms or just chicken form but it feels like them sparring would fit. If Jin wasn't so obviously injured id be convinced Ge would politely ask him for a spar later on.
Auralia
YES! MOOOOORE CHAPTERS!!!
sophie zimmerman
Thanks for the chapter!!
Aki_Iokua18
Welp, I guess the Lord-Auditor used up at least several dozen lifetimes of luck there. Looking forward to the reactions to Fa Ram.
ItWasIDIO!!
Also could we get an update for the map please 🙏 love to look & see whenever we switch around places Gold Grass Steppes ain't there probably others
Krabby23
Thanks for the chapter! I can't wait for them to meet Bi De. Their reactions to Shen Yu's disciple being a chicken are going to be priceless.
Bluebag
This chapter somehow felt very self contained and complete. The scene with the cultivators is done. The weird auditor guy embarrassed himself, and the Imperial Auditor (whatever his title is) was neutral but somehow very funny about it. And an update from the demonic cultivator side of things... Very satisfying to see them scramble. :). I guess it didn't feel like a cliffhanger this time
Efram Manechiwz
I know it's literally the name of the series and it still makes me laugh until I have tears in my eyes
WarStrider72
Bi De: I should probably have a recording crystal ready to capture everyone's shock!
Sean Ulrich
I think this is the first instance of someone emptying their bladder in fear. It’s used fairly often in other cultivation novels
WarStrider72
I guess the poaching of Fa Ram's disciples are about to begin! And then everyone realizes that they can't be poached! The Imperial Realm cultivators will spit blood once they see Fa Ram!
ItWasIDIO!!
Ya fuck Wus they ain't nothing but wusses
Praveen Alluri
Thanks
WarStrider72
Hehehe Tigu does good work with her ghostly fire! She will have her prey! I can't wait for all the cultivators to see Bi De and go: A CHICKEN! Shen Yu was dropping hints and no one got it. Glad to see that the Imperial Herald told the Auditor to essentially gtfo!
frankie doerr
I’m so glad you’re not going on break and leaving us hanging I pay my respects to the great farmer
Nick
Tftc
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Andrew Denton
"He's a chicken, I tell you! A giant chicken!"
Randall Norman Pick
“And you can meet my disciple. He's such a proud, erect fellow,” Shen Yu japed. This never gets old.
Ethan Prince
Thanks for the chapter can’t wait for the introduction to fa ram!
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you!!
WarStrider72
thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
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