Heaven's Laws - Lifestone - Chapter 54

Mother Sya chose to limit the joint sect’s activity to the first floor until Quinyuan’s return. After Elder Harnish’s explanation, they were put in a difficult position. If they decided to push back too hard without Pangfua present, they’d have to reveal themselves.

Chao was regretting keeping their identities hidden. He was sure if their presence was known that this sage wouldn’t have attempted whatever he was up to. It was clear even to him that the man was saying just the right thing to manipulate the situation. There were two facts that were all he needed to be known as far as he was concerned. The vault was involved and the elder had gotten one of his own disciples killed.

Instead of returning to the Ice Phoenix Palaces mobile cultivation chamber with Mother Sya, he and his Huifen decided to mingle with the crowd. What remained of it was mostly made up of rogue cultivators. The sects retreated and gathered in force. Only a few groups dared to ascend now that the spire was considered safe when even the joint sect remained where they were.

It was a mostly fruitless endeavor. They did hear a few firsthand accounts of how the Morning Midst Village had approached groups and asked them to descend. They didn’t even have to ask directly for the most important info. No one had been attacked by the defensive pylon before they’d left the room. Since Elder Harnish was relying on excuses anyway, Chao was sure he had another lined up explaining it away.

“This is annoying,” he said to Huifen from the safety of his sound barrier. They’d stopped on a lightly traveled path amongst the sect tents. It was easy enough just stay put and bring the whispered conversations to them through his sound laws.

“It’s the price for seeking friendly relations with every party present,” Huifen replied with far more patience.

“Even those with bad intentions?”

“Yes. Elder Harnish maybe a sage hiding his cultivation, but he is not the Morning Midst Village. Their Sect Master is also an Overlord, and nearing large success—if he hasn’t already reached it. They likely have as many Sky Realm cultivators as we do.”

“So only our number of Overlords makes us more powerful?”

She shook her head. “No. Our cultivation techniques can’t be compared to sects without Divine Realm backing. That doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. There’s also the question as to whether this Harnish is acting with the Morning Midst Village’s best interest in mind. Imagine what would happen if we took offense and a battle breaks out. Harnish flees and we follow. Then, when his senior sees him return, he beats the man to a pulp and apologizes. If we weren’t holding back, how many of there disciples would we kill before finding out this elder was acting on his own?

“There is a clear distinction between us and the Asura cults. Tao, I’m concerned I’m having to say this. The Ice and Fire Phoenix Sect are concerned with justice, not revenge. After what has happened, are you sure you’re up for this?”

A glimpse of Wancheng Jolon battered and smoldering in the smoke of his torture flashed through Chao’s mind. He shook off the memory. “I still believe in mercy,” he said, looking up at the ceiling.

“But?”

“I… Sometimes mercy is wrong.” He gave her a troubled look. “I don’t want to be wrong.” When no other explanation came, he shrugged.

“So what do we do if we don’t know what is right or wrong? Or what if we know what is right, but we want to do just the opposite?” There was an edge to her tone, but also uncertainty.

He realized then that his struggles were affecting her deeply. There was no enlightenment or great realization that struck him with eternal wisdom. All he knew was that his wife needed him to be strong, so he would be. Sliding over to her, he nudged her with his shoulder. “Then we make the best decision we can with the information we have deal with the consequences afterward. And if you don’t want dire beast meat, then we hunt dire birds.”

She looked like she was about to scold him. “What does that even mean?”

“It means that dire beast meat is the best for our cultivation. If we don’t like it, then we find a way we can stomach it anyway.”

He thought she was going to object to his silly example, but instead she latched onto it. After a moment, she grabbed his arm and hugged it tight.

Sage Pangfua arrived not long after. Even without her aura blasting the area with her presence, the crowd grew still as she entered the Divine Spire. There was a chill fury that followed in her wake. She didn’t stop or slow. After entering, she headed right for the Ice Phoenix Palaces mobile cultivation chamber. Just behind her, Elder Harnish followed. He kept his head high and had the same affable demeanor, but it couldn’t disguise the reality of the situation. He was following behind her like a puppy with his tail between his legs.

He looked to Huifen who was already shaking her head.

“There’s no way to follow them in without peaking Harnish’s interest,” she confirmed. “Can you listen to their conversation from the outside?”

“I can try.” He reached out with his perceptions and tried to penetrate the domed cultivation chamber. As he suspected, it was as impossible as trying to penetrate the walls of the Divine Spire. That didn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t hear what was going on inside. Different pitches of sound traveled through various materials at different rates. Knowing this, he was looking for even the slightest change.

He frowned. He didn’t give up right away. After a minute or more, he had his answer. “I can’t hear a thing.”

***

Elder Harnish started to weave his tale. He’d barely got started when Pangfua held up her hand and address him. “I don’t trust you which makes your words meaningless. I’m of the mind to banish the Morning Midst Village from the spire indefinitely. What concessions will you make to guarantee your sect continues receiving benefits.”

The elder gave a rare scowl. “You’d dare—”

“Yes,” she said, filling the room with her aura. The elder’s cultivation was her equal if not higher, but within the Ice Phoenix Palace’s mobile chamber there was ice qi surrounding them both. To attack her here was suicide. “A string of murders, and now this happens in my short absence, breaking your word. I will only ask you one more time, what concession will you make.”

Seeing the elder smirk, she knew immediately his outrage had been a feint. The man was never short for words, but after his blustering was over, she forced him to concede.

“We will give up half our seats to other sects.”

“And?”

“I won’t enter the spire again—unless you request my help studying the defensive pylon or my sect is in danger, of course.”

His scheming never stops. Pangfua inclined her head and glared at him. She held him like that until he moved uncomfortably. “Thank you, for the offer,” she replied without the same frigidity of her gaze. “I spent nearly a decade here in my youth, and I have the centuries of experience of my Ice and Fire Phoenix Sect to fall back on. I reassure you that I’ll personally check the vault’s defensive formation every few days for any strange activity.”

“That’s for the best,” Elder Harnish acquiesced.

When he was finally gone, Pangfua breathed out a sight of relief. She would’ve preferred a direct confrontation too Harnish’s scheming. She wasn’t sure she’d ever had an honest conversation with the man, or if anyone had for that matter.

Elder Sya entered a few minutes later. It would be a while before Sister Huifen and her husband would join them so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. For now, they’d compare notes.

***

As he promised, Sage Harnish left the Divine Spire, but he didn’t go far. He rarely actually entered it since the Ice and Fire Phoenix Sects had returned. Within his own lodging built of the surrounding stone mixed with brick from just across the border, he relaxed near the back of the room drinking spirit wine from a jug.

After swallowing a mouthful, he tapped his tongue to the top of his mouth, enjoying its taste. He turned his attention back to the Sky Realm elder that remained on his knees. “She responded as I assumed she would. Everything is settling nicely into place.”

“Should we be ready to move immediately, Master?”

“The sea’s calm surface conceals the dangers of the deep. Always remain dangerous, but on the surface appear as lucid as the morning dew. For now we will wait patiently as our prey comes to the water’s edge day after day. We will observe for now until the right time reveals itself.”

“Understood.”

“Now go. Take a grew to the third floor to cultivate and keep your eyes open.”