I sat in my chamber, at my desk, drawing out plans for the future. The hours in the day were no longer enough, and each passing mont I grew more tempted to learn how to split myself up into multiple fragnts again just to be able to keep up with work.
That was likely a worthwhile technique to learn, but unfortunately, the ti that would take was sothing I simply didnt have at the mont. There was infrastructure to set up for all the plans Id made, logistics to be handled, people to be trained. The demand for craftsn was going to rapidly rise, and their prices would rise accordingly. I needed to work to make sure I didnt inadvertently collapse the economy by trying to do too many things at once.
Sohow, having money resulted in more money being spent. I was spending thousands of gold pieces every day, and the amount sotis horrified to look at. But I knew all of it was necessary, and I didnt hold any actual ties to the money itself. Money was rely untapped potential, it had no use if it couldnt be put to use. The only thing I feared was that I wasnt being swept up in the flow of things and forgetting to take a step back and look at things logically.
Nothing had been moving in a linear progression. From a lone alchemist to a group of spirits and mortals to the elder of a sect to now a sage leading a combined coalition of the five great families, the changes had happened within months, leaving running around desperately to catch up.
As I sat there, trying to think over how I would handle utilizing the alchemy halls, and put their resources to use, I felt a presence faintly arrive at the door. After the assassination attempt, my awareness had shot up through the roof, and I imdiately stopped doing what I was to focus on the figure. I tried to sense the Qi, trying to recognize who it was. My alarm raised imdiately when I failed to identify the person, their presence was subdued, not enough to be invisible, but enough to miss your senses if you werent paying attention. If I wasnt focusing, I wouldve assud it was one of the servants, as the presence I felt denoted soone in the third realm or so. But this was soone stronger, at the peak of the sixth realm.
Had the Alchemy halls not given up? No, that made no sense. Then who? The five families? No, that made no sense either. They only served to lose by trying to kill .
And yet, the unfamiliar presence moved closer to the door after a few monts and the ti to think ran out. I could sense their aura, it was deep and murky, like a poisonous swamp that would swallow you in and choke you out. The control was impeccable and even now I found myself second guessing, but I wasnt planning to take any risks.
Just for a potential situation like this, Id asked about any and all secret entrances in the chamber. Pushing the bookshelf ahead, I quickly opened the entrance as I slipped out. The way led out into a tunnel system built under the manor to escape, but that wasnt my plan. I touched one of the places on the wall, walking out into the next room over. Stepping out from the entrance I moved out into the corridor.
I looked beside as I saw the door to my chamber open, whoever it was, they were inside. So this would be my chance.
I rushed ahead, Stepping as the world blurred, moving rapidly. The person inside sensed my Chi swiftly turning around, but I was ready. Chi swirled around my fists as I moved in ready to strike. The figure rotated with extre speed to face , the figures hands swiftly moved up to their hair, grabbing a hairpin, pointed at my throat.
I froze, as I finally saw the figure in front of . My eyes widened in surprise.
Familiar white hair fell down the womans shoulders, sharp red eyes looking at as they flowed behind her back, her silver pin poised an inch away from my throat while my fist hovered in the air, similarly close to her face.
We both stood frozen for a mont of silence, before I broke away from my stance, exclaiming in joy. Liuxiang!
I almost hugged her, and I wouldve, but the part of that had lived twenty years in this world cringed at even just the thought of doing that and so I simply gave her a smile.
You scared us, Liuxiang said, letting out a sigh as she touched her chest, pulling back her hairpin.
And ruined her hair. Do you know how long that will take to fix? Another familiar voice spoke, this ti directly in my ears.
Nice to see you as well, Zhi Zhu, I said, smiling.
Whatre you doing here? I took you for an assassin with how you were hiding your aura, I said, as Liuxiang looked away, clearly embarrassed.
Thought wed give you a surprise, Liuxiang replied, looking away.
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I smiled. Well, you certainly did! That was quite the shock, I said, chuckling to myself.
Liuxiang shook her head. Taking her pin, she gathered her hair, quickly setting it up in a simple tie as she rearranged it once more. I took the mont to just look at her for a mont. She felt different now, which had already been true in our brief eting back on the seventh peak, but especially so here.
It took a mont to realize why.
She wore distinctly more feminine clothes now. Liuxiang had always been rather androgynous, but now she wore clearly feminine clothes. Red earrings hung from her ears and her hair was tied in a clearly womanly fashion.
Youve changed, I said, watching as Liuxiang completed arranging her hair.
How so? Liuxiang asked.
Well, youre wearing a lot more feminine clothes now for one.
Ah, grandmother insisted that we do. Our clan doesnt particularly care about gender norms as much as the rest of the empire does, but she wants us to wear more appropriate clothing given our current alignnt to appear more pleasing. She said it was a waste to not utilize our charm, Liuxiang said, with a tired sigh. But its not all bad. We decided it wouldnt be too bad to embrace being a woman for so ti either. And its honestly not that bad. It feels right. For now at least, Liuxiang replied.
Mhm, I replied, with a hum. We, huh? I added, raising an eyebrow.
Ah, sorry, I picked that up as a habit, Liuxiang replied.
No no, no worries. Just, interesting, I said, looking at the girl.
I simply looked at her for a mont, and couldnt help but smile. It is good to see you, Liuxiang.
Indeed, it is good to see you too. We I missed you, Liuxiang replied.
Co on in, we havent had the chance to talk in a while, I said, inviting her to the chamber.
Ah, sorry Lu Jie but I cant. I need to return rather quickly, I only ca here taking up so official business as an excuse, Liuxiang said.
Aww, I guess neither of us have a lot of ti anymore. Also, you really dont need to change how you talk, feel free to speak however youre comfortable, I said.
Liuxiang looked hesitant. But its quite pretentious isnt it?
Maybe a little, chuckled. But youre the heir to the Shie, so not really. No need to change yourself, if thats what youre comfortable with now, I replied.
For so reason, I saw the faintest blush on Liuxiangs face. Thanks, she replied.
Liuxiang should not forget why she ca here, Zhi Zhu spoke.
Right, Lu Jie, were here to officially invite you to the Shie clan and et our Matriarch, Liuxiang said, taking out a scroll which she gave .
I felt a powerful aura coming from this. Stronger even than the one that had co from the Jade court.
Grandmother has written this herself. She wants to et you before the banquet in person, Liuxiang said.
I looked at the invite, written by a Divinity herself. I suppose it made sense that Id caught the attention of one given everything Id been pulling.
Well be expecting you soon. We should have more ti to talk when you visit as well. Hopefully, Liuxiang said.
I nodded, holding the invitation carefully. Ill need to ask the Lord what the proper etiquette and stuff was when visiting a Divinity. Wouldnt want to offend one and get wiped out with the snap of a finger.
Ill be there, I replied.
I looked at Liuxiang for a mont longer, feeling both happy to have seen her again and completely unsatisfied and unhappy by how much ti I got to talk and catch up over things.
Its likely that you dont know, so Zhi Zhu wants to make sure you understand. But this is a grand honor few ever get. Most cultivators cant even bear being in grandmothers presence too long.
I understand, I replied.
Zhi Zhu is really not sure you do
Lu Jie should be fine, Liuxiang said.
Well, the rate he has grown at is highly abnormal so perhaps he will not embarrass himself.
Actually, on the topic of cultivation youve grown quite rapidly, Liuxiang. Im surprised, I said, noting the girls cultivation at the very peak of the sixth realm.
Nonsense. We cant even compare ourselves to you. Youre we cant even properly tell how much ahead of us, Liuxiang said.
I smiled wryly. Well, I cheat.
Hope the little rat has kept up and is not causing too much trouble either, Zhi Zhu added.
Labby is good. Shes grown as well, I replied.
That is good.
Silence returned for a mont once again as we simply stood. I could tell neither of us really wanted to leave, but responsibilities called. At least Id have a chance to catch up a little later.
Well be heading out now, Lu Jie, Liuxiang said.
I gave a nod. Walking to the door, I escorted Liuxiang out, before watching her step into her carriage as she left the manors grounds.
Feeling a strange mix of emotions, I let out a sigh, mostly feeling refreshed at having t an old friend.
As I turned back to return to my tasks, I looked down at the invitation in my hand.
The Shie Matriarch, huh?
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