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111 - The Eve of a Festival
🕑 Added 2024-11-06 22:59:38 +0000 UTCZou Lan remained silent, observing the intricate token in her hand. Despite her aloof outward appearance, her thoughts seemed lost in a maelstrom, swirling without resolution. No matter the angle she approached this problem, no path seemed to lead to the resolution she hoped for. She was caught in an impasse with no way out. Still, she knew passivity wasn't an answer.
"Does the Alliance's interest lie only in the Forgotten One's survival?" she asked.
Her gaze rested on the young man seated near the end of the hall. If only unconsciously, her pressure spilled into the room, yet the man showed no reaction, meeting her gaze head-on. She even felt slightly taken aback by how dismissive the man seemed, almost as if he didn't put her or her sect in his eyes.
“Think what you will,” the man replied emotionlessly. “The Alliance has more pressing concerns than this backwater place.”
Zou Lan frowned, searching her memories for where their concerns might lie, only to sigh soon after. It was only to be expected. Her pressure receded as she tilted her head backwards, closing her eyes as she felt the burden of her position weigh on her.
Was this what Master felt while he was alive? she thought. Everybody seeks power, yet they never think of the responsibilities that come with it...
A storm seemed to brew within the hall, and the three sect elders were caught in the middle. From the atmosphere alone, Zou Lan could feel their impatience and resentment toward both her and the young man. It was clear they once expected something from him, yet the Alliance wasn't concerned with the Frontier. Indeed, there seemed to be only one thing on their minds.
“The conference should be happening soon,” Zou Lan stated after finally opening her eyes.
They were now much calmer, having lost most of her passion. This was now bigger than her, bigger than her sect, even bigger than the Frontier. The man only nodded, yet Zou Lan didn’t need any confirmation as it was now much too obvious. The Alliance had set their sights much higher, and it wouldn’t be long until they acted on it.
“Has a date been announced?” she asked.
“No,” the man replied. “However, the Alliance’s elders predict it should happen in less than two decades.”
The atmosphere shifted almost instantly. While the three elders were merely outer sect elders and were oblivious to most of the happenings within their own sect, they weren’t dumb. They knew the repercussions of such a statement. They would need to change their plans.
“So soon?” Zou Lan asked. “What’s the hurry?”
“There’s been some changes. That’s all I’m allowed to tell you. I’m sure you understand.”
Of course, she did. She couldn't help but let a slight hint of anger flash on her face, yet it soon disappeared without leaving a trace. Still, all those within the hall were fully aware of her thoughts.
“That would explain your request," she said, her small hands firmly holding her throne's armrest. "It seems the Alliance believes that the Frontier will not fall as long as the Forgotten one remains."
Her words seemed laced with a sneer, yet the man paid it no mind. Instead, he looked at her like a child throwing a tantrum.
“Is that wrong?” he replied. “For who knows how long, he has presided over the formation, breaking invasion after invasion. There’s no reason to think it will not remain so as long as he lives. Now. How long do you plan to waste my time? Open the path, and I will be on my way, or will you deny the Alliance’s order?”
Zou Lan fought to refrain from sneering. She couldn't help but wish to tell him the truth: that the Forgotten One had already perished of his own arrogance and that the city had been saved by a man half the Alliance's envoy's age.
She couldn't help but wonder how shocked they would be to learn this truth, as even she had a difficult time believing it despite being witness to most of it. Even the shimmering blue barrier that still formed a dome over this city remained all thanks to him but also to another man who sought to give his life for what he believed was right.
Yet, here she was, playing diplomacy with traitors and opportunists. Sometimes, she wished she could throw it all away and resort to her base instincts. Flattening the insects that dared to cross her path. Alas, her sect was weak, and she lacked the strength to change anything. She could only sail these stormy seas as best as possible, hoping not to capsize or shipwreck on the shores.
Just as she was about to respond to his inquiry, a knock was heard on the massive stone doors of the hall. Zou Lan turned her head to the side only to see her disciples look taken aback. It seemed even they had no idea who it might be. She had given strict instructions not to be disturbed unless it concerned the city's safety.
With a way of her sleeve, her domain permeated the hall, clinging to the massive doors, only to have them cave inward, revealing a man she hadn't expected to see. The elders frowned as their gazes landed on him, a mix of interest but also aversion at this interruption.
“Didn’t I tell you to remain where you were?”
Zou Lan broke the silence. Despite her cold tone, it betrayed her nervousness, as she couldn't predict this man's actions. She only hoped his intervention wouldn't make the situation even worse.
Beyond the threshold was a man dressed in black robes, uncommon in the harsh desert lands. Despite the pressure weighing on him from the elders' gazes, he showed none of it on his face, almost as if they were merely a soft breeze caressing his skin.
“Qi Refining realm... at his age?” the Raging Fire Sect elder scoffed. “I hope you have a good reason to interrupt this meeting!”
His words were laced with power, and they crashed onto the young man, yet he didn't even take a step back. In fact, he stepped forward against the current as if crossing but a small stream. He casually entered the hall, showing no respect to the elders present. His gaze rested only on Zou Lan.
“Qin Yun, what do you wish to say?” Zou Lan sighed, knowing things couldn’t get much worse. She could only humour him, hoping he had a good reason for his actions.
“He's awakened," Qin Yun said, ignoring all eyes on him. "I thought you'd wish to know."
A spark flashed into her eyes, and she couldn't help but rise from her seat. Her breathing accelerated slightly, and a radiant smile slowly crept on her face to the puzzlement of the three elders. So rarely had they seen that woman smile. Every time they met, she only sported the most sour expression.
“How is he?” she said, taking a single step, disappearing from her throne, only to reappear in front of Qin Yun.
“He’ll live, just as I told you,” he shrugged. “Have I earned your trust, now?"
Zou Lan scoffed as she looked at Qin Yun’s smug expression, yet her expression couldn’t help but betray her joy. Ever since Xu Weizhe had integrated with the formation, he remained asleep. His vital signs had become barely recognizable, almost like a corpse. Still, Qin Yun had assured her of his well-being.
For days since the battle, she had spent every moment she could by his side, even shirking some of her responsibility. Yet, now she didn't have to wait anymore.
She wished to let her feet guide her to his side, yet they were bound by reason. She turned around, only for her joy to suddenly deflate as she looked at the four individuals seated in the hall, once again feeling the weight of her position.
"Are you worried about your guests?" Qin Yun asked as if he didn't know the reason for her turmoil. As she turned back again, showing a deep frown, he couldn't help but chuckle and add, "Their request is simple enough. Why not humour them?"
From the start of Qin Yun's arrival, Zou Lan's expression fluctuated violently, yet it couldn't be darker now. Still, if only through sheer force of will, she cut herself from her own emotions, if only to not show weakness to the other three sects.
“What are you planning?” she asked, using her domain to isolate her words, ensuring none could hear them.
"Politics really isn't your strong suit," Qin Yun chuckled, feeling slightly amused by the woman before him. Despite her high cultivation base and several years spent on this plane, she acted much too youthful for a woman of such status. Still, he couldn't help but appreciate it.
"Do you have something to say, or will you keep wasting my time?" she rebuked, slightly aggrieved. She wished nothing more than to teach him a lesson, yet she owed him too much to do so. This duality made her conflicted, heightening her emotions even more—so much so that she almost shouted, yet her words were blocked by her domain.
"If you have something they want, why not give it to them, if only for them to go away. It's not like it's going to cost you anything. Just have them peek inside the barrier. It's not so hard, is it?"
“They came for the Forgotten One, but he’s dead, or did you forget?”
"We know that, but they don't," Qin Yun replied, unconcerned. "The Frontier's formation is still active, isn't it?"
It was then that realization bloomed in her mind. She couldn't help but look at Qin Yun differently. Still, she pondered for a while, wondering whether such a basic scheme would even work. She couldn't help but doubt, yet had no other alternative. She knew that young man wouldn't leave unless granted what he wanted.
After a long sigh, she finally turned again, facing the four individuals. She could clearly see the three elders conversing with their divine sense, yet she paid them no mind. They were utterly inconsequential. Only the Core Disciple of the Alliance mattered. With but a thought, her domain receded back to her body, allowing her words to be heard once again.
"You wished to see the Forgotten one?" she asked, yet sought no answer. "In that case, follow me. However, know that whether or not he chooses to meet with you is out of my control."
Unlike the three elders' gazes, which couldn't help but be attracted to Qin Yun, wondering how he had convinced that stubborn woman to give in, the young man barely even registered his existence. He nodded slightly as he rose, ignoring everything around him. He exited the hall and made his way to the nearest entrance to the maze of corridors buried beneath the city.
The three elders followed soon after, glancing toward Qin Yun, yet he only offered a slight smile back before following after them.
“Where do you think you’re going? Don’t you have anything better to do?” Zou Lan asked, frustrated with herself that she had to receive Qin Yun’s help in this matter.
"You can't expect me not to watch the show? Why not summon your disciples too—make it a festival of sorts. We can also invite the other sects and the remaining rogue cultivators. The more the merrier," he replied, showing a devious smile.
"I'm glad we aren't enemies," she sighed again, feeling slightly lost. This wasn't how she liked to do things, yet they forced her hand. She deserved a small payback, right?
Comments
Adiposear
Thanks for the chapter! Looking forward to the next ones too!
