25 – Consequences of Unremembered Actions

I am surrounded with hate and anger. I note as I look around as we pass the inner gate. All of the soldiers have dark red to dark halo as soon as they see me. Of course none of them do anything. Can’t do anything. The other three lead me to the western wing of the palace with an inner courtyard. Immediately Qingling uses her brush to draw a formation in the air and then it encompasses the entire place.

“Alright, let me be quite honest, we should consider leaving.” She then said as soon as the formation was in place. Which I assume is to make sure to make sure no one is listening in to the conversation

“What!?” I asked in disbelief. Then I looked at Fumo and Gujian, who seriously thought about the idea. “Ok, why should we consider leaving exactly?”

“Previously, when they sent their divine senses, I could only sense two. But then you can sense four. What do you think of it?” Qingling then pose the question

I fold my arms and hum. Thinking for a moment, but the answer is clear enough. “There might be more of them.”

“That is correct. First they attempt to deceive us from my capabilities to only sense two of them. But this does not necessitate sending two more divine senses.” Qingling admits her shortcomings

“I see. First they attempt to deceive us that we have greater numbers. But if we can sense the two others, then we know that this is not true and they have someone adept enough to hide their divine senses from a Daoist from a Major Sect. Which also means that there might be even more of them.” Fumo concludes with a frown. Clearly not exactly thrilled on leaving the city in need.

“But this is still a trick. There might be really only four of them but they are trying to make us think there’s more of them.” Gujian came to the other conclusion. Still confident the four of us can take the fight against all of them

“Or an offer to just leave and let there be no conflict and grudge between us and them.” Qingling then adds. Which is clearly an option

“So if we just leave, what would happen here?” I ask. But the connection with the Noosphere immediately shows me a glimpse of what will happen. The streets of the lower city were covered in blood. So many bodies were hanging on tree branches that they snapped. The wells filled with bodies. Suicides. Fathers killing their children. Mothers drowned their newborns. It's like the end of days all over again.

“Oh, I ain’t leaving. Not when I can do something here.” I immediately said as soon as the vision ended.

“I’m with him.” Gujian immediately said. Pointing at me with his thumb. “If I keep running and keep not completing my sect mission, my sword will get dull and I will be a mockery in my sect.”

“I will stay too. The mortals of this city deserve that chance.” Monk Fumo presses his palm together then prayed

“All of you—. Very well. If the three of you will risk your own lives then so be it. I will take no part in this.” Qingling then said, surprised by our choices.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Gujian was also surprised with her decision. But Qingling already turned to one of the rooms. Moving to collect her belongings before leaving

“You sure this will make whoever is waiting for you proud?” My words halt Qingling in her steps. Anger flaring on her halo as she looks back

“What do you even know?” She mutters icily

“Nothing!” I spread my arm wide. Then rubs my hands together. “It’s just… I’m sure they will be glad that you returned safely. Not even a disappointment. Maybe. But I’m sure it won’t be exactly a thrilling welcome.” 

With every word, her red flares brighter. Almost fully encompassing her halo before my last sentence introduces some pensive blue. I am sorry for hitting the sore spot Qingling. But eh, I think we need all the help we can get. She closes her eyes. Her expression quivered for a second before she finally made her decision.

“I will stay. But I won’t be risking my life for these mortals.” She then finally said

“AYYY!” I cheer along with Gujian. “Better than nothing.”

Qingling already turned her back on us and returned to her room. Leaving the three of us.

“I will make preparations and pray to Buddha for the battle to come.” Fumo then also leaves

Leaving me with Gujian

“So, was there anything to do here?”

“Besides preparing? No. I also promised my master to not visit any brothels when I am on mission so that’s not an option too. Do you need to prepare anything?”

“Not exactly.”

“Well, we can visit the royal pantry.”

“Lead the way then.”

So the two of us went into the palace. Fortunately, the corridor is tall enough so I don’t need to hunch all the way. The servants bowed hastily before running away at the sight of me.

“I’m not exactly popular huh?” I comment of the side

“For the mortals maybe. But you will be surprised if we count the cultivators.” He chuckles and rubs his stubbles

“It concerns me greatly that you are the second person to say that to me.”

“HAHA! Well, if you are shy like this, better not visit any all female sects. Certainly not sword sects too.” Gujian advices with amusement

“Why the latter exactly?” For him to mention sword sect specifically means they are either worse or could be worse

“Well, I don’t know if I want to believe it when you said that you are just a mortal a month ago but you are clueless enough. I will tell you this once.” He then scrunched his mouth, not exactly willing to admit it. “You see, sword cultivators are…”

“Perverts?” I finished his sentence

“Well ah… I mean. Technically. My master thought it was because of the overwhelming Yang Qi from our cultivation..” Then he stops me,

“Look at me. Look at me. You don’t hear this from me and certainly don’t want to say it in front of female sword cultivators if you want to keep your head. You understand?” He warns me very seriously and I nod. “But this also extends to female cultivators. No one knows why and so there’s plenty of methods to address this issue. Most are discreet so if you see something… eclectic. Better turn around and walk away. Those are my master’s words and most sword cultivators have thought this as normal.”

“People have hobbies. I won’t judge.” I take his words to account. He nods. I nodded. Then we continue our way. Still, the way he said it could mean this perversion is some form of compulsion instead of hobbies. Which is concerning in its own way.

“You know, I kind of forgot. So I say this now. Thank you for defending me back then. Don’t know how exactly I can convince Fumo and Qingling anymore.” 

“Well, no need to thank me. If the sect token also shows that it is held by a thief, I would have cut your heads there too. Also in the courtyard, if Qingling is not staying then for sure I won’t be staying too. You don’t exactly have a reliable image.” Gujian state plainly

“So, what sort of enlightenment can propel a mortal to Foundation Establishment in one go?” He then switched the topic

Enlightenment this, Enlightenment that. You know, based on Elder Yinyue’s lesson on enlightenment being an almost subjective experience. I think this enlightenment is just these cultivators eating these pills so much until they are high and call it enlightenment.

“I’m not sure this can be called enlightenment. Besides, I’m quite sure this enlightenment doesn’t involve not remembering any of it or how it came to be, right?”

“No, it certainly doesn’t.” He then agrees. “But this means you get the other end of the stick. Either you are some cultivator’s experiment or cursed.”

“Well, I did try some pills a random old man offered while thinking everything is a dream, so maybe that's it.” Which is technically true. God, now I realize that it was weird as hell back then when I first arrived here. He give me a side eye but doesn’t comment

Then we finally reached the pantry. Moving to raid the pantry for food. The chefs and the servants all run away as I duck to pass the door. 

“Since you don’t need preparation, what can you do?” Gujian asks as he inspect whatever food is available

“I can shoot the thief like before.”

“Ah, the thunder lance. I didn’t get to see it before. How powerful is it?”

“It’s more like a first strike weapon. If I caught someone unprepared then I can immediately kill them in one shot. If not, it might get troublesome.” I note the railguns disadvantage. Then especially in a populated area like this where the bullet can kill plenty of civilians.

“How about movement technique? You have it right? Heard you fall after taking the shot.”

“Of course I have. It’s just that I am too focused on trying to take another shot.” This is a lie. I only just started to use the AT field for movement after I fell like a brick. Maybe I should give this Thunder God Steps a proper reading tonight.

I looked at the food and decided to take nothing. There’s plenty of fancy foods but not any of those I have eaten before. So I just take plenty of eggs and rice and put them into my storage ring. One Xiaochuan arrives with the cookware I can cook on my own.

“So what do you call it?” Gujian then asks

“Call what?”

“Collection of fine arts. In your world?”

“Oh. Private Gallery.”

“You have an entire gallery!?” He asks in surprise

“Yes. I have like twelve thousand pages curated into categories.” I did not lie on this one and twelve thousand pictures is the last I remember. Could be more but I haven't checked again.

“Alright.” Gujian wanted to comment but found no words. Then he swipes the entire prepared food. “They can cook again.” He then adds as I give him the stare

Leaving the pantry with food, I am greeted by a terrified scream. A woman, in what may look like an expensive dress, fell on her back. Looking at me with an utterly terrified expression. Then she faints. I went to help her but Gujian’s hands stopped me.

“She’s Princess Qiūhuá (秋華|Autumn Brilliance). The only princess of Jin. it is better if you don’t touch her. Mortals will try all sorts of things to tie us down and if you do, they can claim you have taken her purity. Or something along the line.” Gujian explains

“Where are her servants?” There’s no one around. Why do they leave a princess unattended?

“Right, you just arrived. After you killed her soon to be husband, she is betrothed to a scholar in some noble family. This noble family then disappears along with their entire province. After that, there’s gossip that she is cursed or something.”

“So in a way, this is my fault?” Gujian just shrugged

“She’s just a mortal.”

What the fuck? Gujian then steps from the side and continues his own way. I looked at him and went back to this princess. Then I see that her clothes are not properly straightened, a little gauntness in her cheeks, it is clear she is not properly taken care of. Then where’s the king?

“You know where her quarter is?” I ask

“Didn’t I warn you already? Besides, that section of the palace can only be entered with women.” Gujian stops and look back

“Well, that will be easy then. Besides, someone needs to be responsible.” I made my decision and changed to my human form again. Claws, scales, and fur recede from my hand. Revealing slender human hands. The skull deer of a head receding into a beautiful face though three sets of eyes and the antler remains. Tail fully recedes and the other transformation under the robe continues. Now back in the Golden Serpent’s female human form, I lift this Qiuhua.

“Gujian, would you kindly lead me to where her quarters are?” I ask with a clear female voice. Gujian meanwhile are now staring at me wide eyed. Staring at a certain location. So I project a mage’s hand in front of him and snap loudly.

“Oh yes. Right away. This way.” He turned back and started to walk rigidly. Oh goddammit, this form is his type isn’t it? Bet he will like it if I kabedon him. Which I will never do.

—

Gujian leads me deeper into the palace. These parts are built into the mountain. But the walls are better engraved and well lit from gentle yellow light from… cases filled with glowing rocks, as I check with my divine sense. Then we enter a section of the inner yard. I looked up and there’s a clear rectangular gap made on the ceiling to let sunlight enter. Plenty of golden pillars stood surrounding the inner yard.

“Straight is the King and Queen’s wing. Left is the prince’s wing but as there’s no prince, the place remains empty. Right is the princess wing where she lives.” Gujian explains while trying not to look at me

I saw that there’s plenty of guards on the princess wing’s entrance. Much more than the supposed royal guards keeping the king and queen.

“They are soldiers of the West General. Apparently they insist on guarding the princess following their general’s last command.” Gujian explains again as we walk there

“Where’s the king and queen?”

“The king has not remarried and has refused concubines after his first queen died. As for the king is busy writing letters asking for help. He doesn’t know yet, but all his ministers and officials have all run away.”

“And you haven’t told him yet?”

“What good would that be? The general of the east and his entire army vanishes along with the border province. There’s no more ministers and officials. We can’t have him break right now. Then our effort will be for nothing. Maybe if a certain deer has not killed the widely beloved West General, we will have more on our side.”

Goddamn! This kingdom is fucked! Now I see why Qingling proposes to just leave. This is just a kingdom waiting to collapse. I’m more impressed now that Fumo and Gujian are willing to stay. Finally, we reached the entrance, the soldiers halting us.

“It’s… It’s you! You are the demon that killed our general! How dare you show yourself to us!?” Shouted one of the old soldiers. He’s at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage also in better armor than the rest. So he might be the captain or something.

“Well, someone leaves a princess unattended. Besides, I am from the Tianhe sect to help this kingdom.” I shut him off. “Now then, will you let me pass or what?

He looked at Gujian first. Trying to determine if this is some sort of sick joke or something. Gujian meanwhile just shrugged. The old soldier grits his teeth as he comes to his own conclusion.

“Only women can pass this line.” He said after a while

“I know.” He looked at one of the soldiers who then came forward to me

“Follow me. I will guide you inside.” The soldier is apparently a female. Third level of Qi Refining

“Thank you for the guide Gujian. I will leave the preparation against the Yougu (Nether Bone) sect to you and the others.”

“Wait, we are fighting the remnants of the Yougu sect!? Why didn't you tell us?” He exclaim in surprise

“I thought you knew.” 

“No we don't!" Immediately he turned and ran with his movement technique to warn the rest. Surely things will be fine.

“Lead the way.” I turned to the soldier who promptly guided me inside. Now then, where the fuck are the maids?

As I followed the soldier inside, I sent my divine sense to scan the area. Only to find a dozen of them lounging lazily in one of the rooms. On the other side of where I am going. Feasting on food while their princess leaves on their own. One of the maids, a younger one, runs and barges in.

“The princess is not in her chamber!” She shouted with concern. But the other maids only spare her a glance and not bothering to act. Some of which are discussing jewelries in their hands. Other on what else to take before leaving. The sight angers me to no end.

“You there.” I address the soldier in front of me in a barely concealed rage. “Are there any more female soldiers?”

“There.. There’s few others.” She trembled

“Get them all here! The maids are looting your princess’s belongings! Where’s the princess’ chamber?”

“It’s that one on the right.” She answered hastily

“Go! Now! Then round up those maids and search their rooms!” I declared and she immediately went running

—

“What’s the punishment for theft?” I ask as the dozen maids are bound in front of me

“We cut off the hands of the thief. But since they stole from a princess, they will be put to death.” The soldier that once guide me then said

The maids then started begging and I didn’t bother to listen. I read the list of what was found. Most if not all the princess’ jewelries are moved. There’s a written plan on where these maids will go to wait until the disaster ends. But most importantly, it is the corpse of the princess’ old and personal maid. Stuffed in one of the utility closet. Already rotting for days. I never expected things to have deteriorated this far.

“That one, get her here.” I point at the young maid that bothers to find the missing princess. The soldiers moved and dragged her to my feet. “Drag the rest out and carry the sentence.” 

“Congratulations, you are now the princess’ new personal maid.” I declare to the young maid. Then I turn toward the soldier. “And you are now the princess' personal bodyguard.”

“I-I don’t think you are allowed to—”

“Now both of you follow me.” I ignored the soldier’s words and just went to the princess chamber again. Which is in the state of an absolute mess.

“Now get to work.” I push them both in. Then I project a chair for me to sit so I can oversee their work

The maid went to work immediately while the soldier seemed at loss on what to do. Then she turned towards me.

“Why are you doing this?” She wondered

“Which ‘this’ specifically?” I tell her to clarify

“Everything. First you killed her soon to be husband and now you play as her caretaker. Is this some sort of joke to you?” She mumbled with impotent anger and grief

“There’s no playing here. I just abhor when people are not doing the only reason they are hired. The maids. Then perhaps you, but you might not know any better the situation inside. I’m sure those maids keep saying that everything is covered or fine.” I answered her plainly. Though I’m not sure why she calls this playing. Do cultivators often do this then? Killing and then acting or pretending to be a good person? My experience is still lacking. But if Qingling, Fumo, and Gujian presents the best of cultivator behavior, then their apathy to people in general doesn’t portray a good image in my mind of other cultivators.

“This… general of yours. What was he like?” I try to ask

“The best of us. An orphan, rising through the ranks. Not forgetting his roots and caring for normal people even as he cultivates. He should be the kingdom’s new Foundation Establishment cultivator after two hundred years. Then our kingdom will have its new protector.” She then continues to recount his other feats. Which is enough to place him as a decent protagonist in an RPG game. But then he died. Trampled by a demonic deer until his body doesn’t resemble a human anymore

“I see. I won’t bother defending myself. I don’t remember anything when I was this demonic deer. But I will find out everything once I finish helping this kingdom.”

—

“So in addition to rogue cultivators, we are dealing with the remnants of the Yougu sect. This is getting better and better.” Qingling complains as she needs to scrap the current array plan she has drafted. The other two gathered on the same table beside her.

“This can also be an unexpected boon. With my Radiant Qi powering the array, we should be able to suppress all their bone puppets. Every destroyed puppet will be purified as I chant funerary rites and I gain good Karma. This is good.” Fumo adds to the side

“But doing so will take both of us out of actual combat to power the array. The array too will be focused in dealing with the bone puppets and not the rogue cultivators. Ideally, what they will likely do is that the remnant of the sect will send the rogue cultivators first to weaken us and try to take out me and Monk Fumo first. This could make them predictable. Somewhat.” Qingling admits that this new information could be the key to turning this situation out

“So we just need to deal with the rogue cultivators quickly. Leave them to me.” Gujian declares. More confident than before

“There’s still a chance that we are outnumbered. But very well, I will send them your way.”

“Well, not all of them mind you. But I can deal with two. Or maybe three.” Gujian then try to make it more reasonable

“Where’s fellow daoist Danxing?” Qingling then asks

“Well, she.. Ehem, I mean he is staying with the princess for now.”

“Wasn’t only women allowed into the princess wing? Or did he force himself in?” Monk Fumo puzzled in disapproval

“Oh well, he has a… transformation spell. Turned him into a woman. So technically he doesn’t break any law or courtesy.” Fumo gives a side eye to the inner palace but doesn’t comment anymore

“Great, so he’s now getting busy with mortals when there are more important things to do.” Qingling mocks

“It is still part of his karma. If resolving this will allow him to perform better in the upcoming battle, I won’t make any more unnecessary remarks.” Fumo put an end to the discussion

—

Evening comes. The maid sat beside me to wait for the still unconscious princess. The soldiers have left the room to guard just outside. Now then, perhaps this is a good time to start reading this technique.

I pulled out The Great Thundergod Step manual and began reading.