Fatherly Asura

Chapter One Hundred and Forty Six - The Edge of Green

[Imperial Realm 4,008] [Core Formation Realm] [Ash Qi Abundance] [Spring] [Celestial Event: Northwind Passing] [Martial Profundity]

Their arrival was followed by more.

[Contribution Points]

[Total]

[0]

[Debt]

[Lifelong]

[30,020]

“Twenty,” he mused.

At their head, a Green-styled Kavya frowned. “Spare your ramblings, fool. The Three Intricacies Clan awaits.”

“Forgiveness,” Fu plead and fell in step with Zhu.

Spice filled the thoroughfare beyond this [Paifang]. Fragrant, warm, and in quantities enough to have Shuidi complain about the distraction to her [Senses].

Hushi let himself indulge.

Traffic was light between realms this day, and that of the previous handful they had traversed since Kavya had undertaken the [Trial] of the [Soul Qi] realm. A matter of fleeting days, of which he was certain she held better count.

was a poor state for ghosts, and the Green of their disciple’s clothes stood ever brighter for it.

Warranting approach.

Daoists chanted among the spices, lending credence to the jovial atmosphere that any might feel when entering this hub. A city of pagodas and towering ribbons- grand, and so unlike the ways of Clear Sky ascetics.

As was the greeting given.

“Amitabha, [Spring’s] bounty upon you, venerable Green. This lowly mud would offer the city’s favor, if it so willed,” stepped one such daoist. Prayer-beaded and robed, yes. But decked in fineries of gold, from inlaid guns and painted symbology.

This one proffered a circlet of flowers.

“Subtle. Intervention is best, young Gao Fu.”

At the Old One’s words, Fu interspersed himself before the daoist. “The mistress would not handle such trinkets, honourable daoist, the gift is unworthy,” he said.

Wrinkles set both the daoist’s brow and that of his [Spirit Cat]. “Oh? The Magistrate takes much pleasure in this dressing. Amitabha, is it suggested that your better thinks herself of higher station than he?”

Where this daoist of finery stood within the Castes was uncertain, for gold was no measure between Yellow and Red.

Kavya barely cast her attention on the daoist. “Yellow fools, why do you stall?”

Menace stole Zhu forwards, and [Sun Qi] cindered the flowers. “That I must suffer for you, [Dao]-blind pauper. Bah. Make clear the path.”

Light.

The altercation stole attention before they moved on, if warded them against further trespass from flower-laden daoists. As it did for a li, down eastern streets and northern turns. Attention carried in ceased conversation and scrying looks.

Fu pulsed his brooches twice, despite proximity.

Within Imperial territory, few citizens could shield them. [Sixth Under Heaven] held power absolute, and no opposing nor stood to ease their passage. So saying, the ghosts continued under their facade.

Further li were crossed without stalling, until at last they swept into the city’s thoroughfare. A thing of impossible width and grandeur, for Fu now saw the ascent to higher districts and the peculiarity of canals that surged down from on high.

No liquid feature, but a continual tide of snow-white ash.

Zhu brushed his shoulder with disdain. “These specks are a trouble to be rid of.”

A telling statement.

Shuidi confirmed the same.

He did not turn.

Whatever the reasoning for it, Fu moved swiftly. A populous city held many screens. Those of mundane lock, and those under the seal of [Arrays].

His [Spirit Crab’s] mists unmade the latter, granting entry to the nearest.

In moments they were within the eaves, surveying a rush of harried Yellows as they prepared food in the space below.

“The followers, will they pose trouble?” he queried once Shuidi’s [Silence Array] had pushed out to clad them.

The plum-eyed cultivator gestured airily. “Their tracking is without dogged interest. The number that trailed from the rooftops is minimal.”

Kavya’s interest shot to the nearest wall.

“This realm holds strong protections. First in the [Array]-thick, offered flowers, and the watchful eyes of these daoists. Those that follow might well be of their ilk, though it matters little when Imperial allegiance includes all.”

Small motions came from Tanshuai, who was perched some few strides beyond the [Array’s] boundary.

“Four heartbeats gather.”

“Seniors, I would admit shame-”

Zhu silenced her. “There’s expectation and there’s reality. In neither would you prevail against a Green as you are.”

The brutality of the statement did not shirk Kavya. “What might be done?”

“The [Arrays] upon those flowers were set to identify locality. A fool guesses, but I would place it as herbs and ingredients- the suppressing poisons of those within the [True Orchid Path’s] territory. If used as a means of identifying allegiance, then it would be at least something that we do not possess.”

“An idiot could think of dressing in their colours. It’s no master stroke that these Imperials think to search their own citizenry for imposters,” said Zhu. His head turned. “Sister Shuidi, reduce this [Silence Array], one outside probes it.”

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The [Spirit Crab] drew back her subtle mists, gradual as not to arouse suspicion. Her cultivator then nodded. “These are the first Imperials of our vocation,” he mused. “Save for those [Constellation Seed] users within the Four Corners Prefecture. We must tread carefully here.”

Zhu whirled.

Fu chased.

A green-robed figure had half-emerged from the wall. Head, torso and arms, phasing through the rooftop with [Spectral Qi].

The Imperial assassin wrenched back, swallowed by the surrounding structure so that he might return to the skyline beyond. Curiously, he palmed a small item by his cowl. An effect of suppressed Qi, no doubt.

Fu did not allow its use.

Just as his pursuer had, [Spectral Qi] allowed him to give chase. Just as it allowed him to plunge his blade through the rear of the unwitting assassin’s skull.

Retracting his blade proved a small effort. The [Resilience] and, unexpectedly, uniform of this cultivator was a well hardened thing. Indeed, Fu gave a visceral tug to loose it before swallowing the corpse within his spatial ring.

“The same trick will not succeed twice,” he said upon return.

????

An hour had not yet passed, for this is all the ghosts could afford.

Kayva had donned a garb of Yellow, though she was a minority among those that browsed the festivities. Green flowed as far as any eye might see, interspersed only by the rising breeze of powdery ash in stark white.

In obscurity to her rear, it blew about the trailing assassins.

To this she was oblivious. As was Fu, save for the words exchanged.

“Tanshuai states that no others have taken the corpse’s place,” said Zhu.

A spectrum of shade blinded much of Fu’s vision. Stray blotches of grey and black, which disappeared as the disciple moved.

Within her [Constellation Seed], this [Shaded Vestiges Knot], the exterior world could not be perceived as it was. It disrupted the sight of those hidden away, permitting only the distorted view of other shadows in proximity.

Else, all was white.

Had Fu time he might have likened such tones to [Of Perennial Shade’s] chambers, yet his mind was tasked on more prevalent matters.

“Bastards!”

Ivory Sea’s complaints were not among them.

“Nine generations are too good for you-” her tirade continued.

On the exterior, Kavya took a crate in her arms before stealing down a quieter alley. Though populous as the city was, she moved far before no Imperials were in sight.

“Eight paces east and three north. Beneath the lip of that slope,” Zhu ordered, and the disciple obeyed.

Here shadows converged, and here, the Green struck.

A second appearance of [Spectral Qi] burst this foe from the wall. Her [Spirit Toad] emerged opposite, flanking Kavya as she set her crate down.

The power that engulfed Fu was of a similar, transitory nature.

Yet emerged from the shadow cast beneath. That of this Green as she leapt for Kavya’s throat.

His blade struck first, having the body limply topple. Blood spilled, as ever. Life ended. But Fu made certain to land both he and this corpse within shadow once more.

Kavya’s [Constellation Seed] made use of this, for her realm accompanied her. It only in shadow, orbiting her without trace, and was unable to be conjured otherwise.

“More corpses to populate my quarterssnapped Ivory Sea, snorting at the materialised Green by her foot. “At least have the talent to dispatch them swifter, fool. You waste moments with these cuts.”

Fu arched a brow, uncertain of her true complaint. “Ivory Sea, the- Forgiveness, I must have misheard. There is something amiss with my technique?”

“Imbalance, oaf. The Clouded Courts fall far. You are, assumedly, swift for a child of your [Realm]. But [Senses] must match [Might]. Else you are an arrow within a blind cripple’s quiver.”

To inspect the Green’s body showed a butchery where his thoughts had shown a clean cut. A stab from jaw, upwards and through. Lacking in precision, for the entry was no straight line or delicate hole, if effective nonetheless.

“Gratitude,” he shared. “An immortal’s guidance is ever valued.”

Ivory Sea repeated her snort. “Wisdom in the blatant is no wisdom at all,”

[Prowess] in the [Clouded Ghost Arts] masked the Green’s disappearance, and that of the three that had proceeded her. Even still, the eyes of this ash-rife city weighed heavy, pursuing Kavya’s every step as she made forth.

“As I’ve said. These tricks won’t endure,” said Zhu. “The Imperials are no fools, absence among their number will be noted.”

“How many yet give chase?”

Impressions from Tanshuai had him fall silent for a time. “Five.”

“Caution would dictate that we leave. Other [Paifang] stand. If we seek a [Karmic Treasure], the Three Intricacies clan will hold other stores. Neither are they the sole faction we might acquire one from.”

The [True Orchid Path] rose in Zhu’s palm. “We’d move back three realms just to progress once more to a March of Green. This course is direct,” he highlighted, showing the fewer it would take to near Blue if they stayed this route.

To near Bingbai. Perhaps.

“Mortals bicker. If you are his senior, then ” scowled Ivory Sea.

Fu weighed all things. “Our deaths will not hasten our Master’s rescue. We return, brother, and find another way through. Disciple Kavya-”

It became a labour of hours. The regular disappearing of Green assassins, and the continual hounding at their rear.

Why none had sounded for a city-wide alarm concerned Fu greatly. Why they more of their number to vanish in pursuit.

But their presence grew blatant.

A corner held one, some cultivator of Green robes whose stare burrowed intently on Kavya in passing.

A stall held two. Backs against the posts, casual as they made no effort to hide.

Some [Three-Pointed] assassin stood with [Spirit Hounds] to match his number of Paths, leering from a pagoda’s second story.

On and on.

The daoists joined, standing at shoulders with them. Only the citizenry did not, oblivious as they met vendors or continued to enjoy the festivities.

“The [Law of Origin] spoke of a [Celestial Event],” said Zhu.

“[Northwind Passing].”

“It is in effect. Disciple, dispel your [Constellation Seed]. It’s fruitless now,” he said.

Fu stepped from shadow and white- into further white where a gale of ten-thousand granules embraced him. Ash sped by, dashing against his skin and robes to have him covered as one might be in a [Winter’s] snow.

For Kavya’s part, she strained. Her face was a paste of falling ash, clotted with sweat. “An advantage, seniors?” she attempted.

While a composite of [Air Qi], the thick [Ash Qi] brought with it an unwelcome heat. A blearing of vision that cut even shorter the range through which Fu might see.

Though he held no doubt the assassins watched.

“A realm of [Ash Qi]. The cultivators here will match it. Their use of [Spectral Qi] may well speak of this [Affinity],” he said. “No. This gale is a certain death.”

The wind’s intensity only grew.

Then came hatches. Shutters and screens drawn in sequence down the avenue. As each structure was secured against the incoming bluster of ash, a keening rose. A howl that grew louder in time with the quickening of Fu’s pulse.

“The [Paifang],” snapped Zhu, and threw Kavya to his shoulder.

“Senior-”

“Death, or so small a dishonour?” he grunted, blurring before any protests might rise to answer his question.

Fu surged through the ashen flurry, finding no citizens upon his path. From rooftop to street, across alley and canal. The festivities had ceased.

“Nine, warned Zhu.

Shuidi impressed a closer danger.

Arms reached through the curtain of ash, scoring against his robes. Less than ten paces brought another pounce, though feline and maliciously clawed. Suffusing himself barely cleared the strikes, and two shallow claws raked along his stomach.

Perhaps a corner was turned. An alley. Within the blindness of rushing ash, Fu could not decipher the incoming shapes. His attention split upon Zhu’s forward lead and that of the emerging cultivators about him.

Further blades and further claws.

An impression rose in warning, prompting a leap from burgeoning flames. A suppressed gout of [Fire Qi] exploded underfoot, if extinguished in moments.

He leapt.

[Spectral Qi] had a qiang phase through his thigh.

The blows arrived faster now. Harrying strikes, and notably, strikes, as though capture was more priority than death. Two dozen cuts bled at his ankles and shins. So too were his legs punctured in four separate wounds.

Fu swallowed a [Winter Rejuvenation Pill], for all it was worth. If these assassins could puncture one that had undergone [Bone Formation] with such ease, then his injuries would not mend swiftly.

A grunt escaped the din.

“Brother?” he called, chasing Zhu’s heels.

“Fruitless,” came the response, and in some show of madness, he stalled. “Make ready.”

Trust pulled Fu to produce his chain, wound with a snap so that each link would coat his arm for protection. He met Zhu’s back as the tong fa emerged. “Remain defensive,” he whispered, addressing his plum-eyed brother after. “Why?”

The tong fa extended. “Put in your eyes.”

Fu’s eyes were erratic. From ashen wall to ashen wall, manic for any trace of their pursuers. Until he saw it between glints of clear air.

A [Paifang], inert.

Cold crept down Fu’s spine. “The [Celestial Event]. These assassins toy with us as we hold no means of escape.”

“No.”

The ash jerked to a stop about them, snapping the ghosts into readiness. It heralded a growing space within, dome-shaped and clear between the continual rush.

Yet from there a figure stepped, unmolested by ash. Green-clad, masked, and beset by two skulking [Spirit Vultures]. Their plumage nigh unseeable against the winds.

[Killing Intent] followed.

A worming pressure that had the Wayward Winds retaliate in kind. Though Kavya was no expert, nor had her battles accumulated enough talent to ward against it.

Between the backs of her seniors, she collapsed, and all that was held within her [Shaded Vestiges Knot] unspooled. Neither senior held the leave to right her, so she remained upon the ash-strewn ground.

Ivory Sea met this same fate.

“The girl,” commanded this Green. “Amitabha. Dispatch all others.”

“Her [Constellation Seed],” said Zhu, stepping to face more freshly arriving figures. Another band of eight, and their varied [Spirit Beasts] that emerged to ring them.

“Indeed, false Imperial. Amitabha, a curiosity. That even unenlightened filth such as you might know of their existence.” His [Killing Intent] exploded by an order of magnitude greater, tainting the air in violent red.

Fu’s [Core]- no, his [Clouded Ghost Arts], shuddered. The weight he could bear, but an unknown sensation had set to work probing him.

A [Divine Sense], relayed through [Intent].

“Twelve of Heaven’s seeds,” noted the Green. “Merely cripple them, yes?”