30 – Aftermath

A deafening crack of thunder shattered the silence of the night, jolting Princess Qiuhua awake. Her heart pounded as she sat up in her silk-draped bed. Her wing of the palace feels eerily empty. Rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor. The doors to her chambers burst open with a bang. King of Jin strode in, his imperial robes disheveled and his usually kind face etched with heavy frown and lips pressed thin. She knows her father is holding back from crying. She saw this face when she asked him about her mother. But his eyes are terrifyingly wide, eyes bloodshot. A single eunuch followed close behind, his face ghostly pale, lips trembling but uttering no sound. Qiuhua’s eyes widened.

“Father? What is happening? Father!” she cried, scrambling to her feet. But the King said nothing. His creaseless hand clamped around her wrist like hard like never before, and he dragged her toward the door without a word. The eunuch trailed silently, eyes darting in terror. He drags her outside through the servant’s passage. From slightly open doors he saw servants and even some guards lie unmoving.

The palace door already opens. Glimpse of the sky churned with an unnatural, sickly green glow, as if the heavens themselves were poisoned. And her father dragged her outside. What she saw made her wish she was never awake. From every branch of every tree on the servant’s quarter’s courtyard, more than one person hangs on the noose. Various stools and chairs below them. So many that she didn’t expect the branches to hold them at all. Their faces twisted purple in suffering and agony of suffocation. A young maid ran past. Sobbing. The well in front of the maid is so full of dead bodies that the hole is completely covered. A soldier kneeling on the bodies pulls out his dagger and frantically stabs his own neck. The maid screams and runs somewhere. A few servants are fighting over the last noose on one of the trees. One of the branches on one tree, having so many dead bodies hanging that the branch fell off. One of the servants hasn't died from hanging.

Then her father let go of her hands. She thought he was going to help her. But the King of Jin, picks a woodcutting axe near the tree. Then awkwardly swing the axe towards the servant’s head. He never held a weapon. The King of Jin pulls the axe and swings it multiple times before he kills the servant. Princess Qiuhua looked at the eunuch. He is always the most loyal to his father and always advises him. But he said nothing, eyes continue darting around in fear. Then she can see everything, all around her, servants, soldiers, everyone is desperately trying to kill themselves. Then the king grabs his daughter's hand and drags her again. The axe is still in his hands.

He drags her towards an unfinished extension. Where the servant’s quarter expansion is canceled. One sickly tree with only one branch is present. From this extension, she saw a massive black green banner, marching towards the capital. Like a funeral procession for the entire populace. The king throws her down.

“Father, where’s Huaiyuan?” Her thoughts darted towards her husband. The West General and Protector of Jin. But her father swings the axe towards her head. Very awkwardly that she can dodge. The King of Jin tries again while the princess frantically dodge and asks about her husband.

“Huaiyuan is dead!” The king of Jin shrieked. Stopping Qiuhua long enough that the axe landed squarely on her head. Part of her already knows this is the case but she still asks. 

The King saw that her daughter is not yet dead. He tries to pull the axe so he can grant her mercy. Cursing and apologizing for his useless self. That maybe if he ever trained he can grant her a swift painless death. But the axe stuck and the king fell to the side as he failed to pull out the axe. He saw his daughter’s lifeless eyes looking straight at him and finally broke down crying. The eunuch then stands beside him. Barely holding on too, teeth biting his lips so hard he has chewed his lips off already so he can fulfill his last duty. Noose already in his hands.

The king wipes his tears. Writing the final letter as the last king of Jin. Where he cursed the officials that have abandoned him and his kingdom. But did not absolve himself of guilt and consider himself also guilty for the fate of his kingdom. Then a plea towards the immortal that brought death to his kingdom, to at least spare the tomb of his ancestors or at least just her daughter from the fate that will befall them. Then the King of Jin takes the offered noose from the eunuch and wears it around his neck. Immediately he is pulled. There is only one branch on the sickly tree and no stool nearby. The noose has to be pulled personally by the eunuch. Who uses all his strength to give his king a death preferable to the one the immortal promises to his kingdom. The eunuch struggled for a long time. Then when the eunuch was finally done, he jumped from the unfinished wall to the dead city below. Qiuhua witnesses all of this as the axe lodged into her head. 

Then she screams awake. Her heart was pounding so hard within her that it deafened everything else. She immediately ran outside. Passing by a young maid and a soldier that she barely notices. Running. And running. And running. She doesn’t even register the sunlight until she is at the palace gate. The city is gone. But there’s undoubtedly people moving around. Shifting where they are supposed to live to see if there’s anything left. The city walls still stand and its golden gate remains closed. Only then she finally took a breath. The dream felt so real that she wondered if this was also a dream conjured by her dying mind. But the sun is already near its zenith and there's the sound of birds chirping as they fly by. Then she saw her father, still alive and kicking small rocks. Finally her maid catches up to her as she falls. Feeling exhausted and relieved, as this is undoubtedly real and she has woken up.

—

“MY mind is fuzzily warm. But why is everything spinning and upside down?” I hiccuped.

“You are upside down and spinning.” Came Fumo’s calm voice

“HMMmmm!?” I looked up, my antler horns planted on the ground as I spun. Making a smooth digging sound. Then I looked down and sure enough the sun was there. I immediately fell on my back as the magic wore off. Sitting up, I looked around. Things are still spinning. Somewhat. Then a hand was offered to me.

“Come, we are not exactly done yet.” I raised my finger to shush him up. My right hand moved slowly so I didn’t hold the wrong hand as I started seeing triples. My index finger touched something real enough then took the hand to help me up.

“Did we win? Where’s Gujian?”

“We did. And he’s…”

“HUEEEEGH!” Gujian is puking down to his clothes. His posture is stiff and rigid but refuses to bend down to puke properly.

“Ew.” But I also felt bile rising and I spent all effort to not let it out.

“Alright, so what do we do?”

“Me and Qingling have secured their hidden base. But I will need some help to move to Gujian. He’s… not cooperating. I am unable to move him.” Fumo said with exasperation

“I am a SWORD! UNLEASH me from my scabbard!” Gujian shouted in a funny voice.

So I grab his head. Then,

“Shiing!” I make sword drawing noise

“SHIIINGG!” Gujian make sword drawing noise more loudly

Gujian larping as a sword, allows me to lift him like a real sword. Somehow quite light too. But then there’s the wetness on my hand from his puke. So I conjure spinning water and dips him in. Pulling out after the visible traces of his puke somewhat gone.

“Alright, so where do we go?” I looked back at Fumo, who is somehow glowing

“Follow me.” 

I follow him outside the city. The road, everything beyond the walls really, is now ruined. Various small craters everywhere. Surprisingly there’s no bones from last night’s battle. Did they all crumble to dust? Certainly better than having to deal with the aftermath of thousands of bones. Come to think of it,

“Fumo, why are you glowing?” I decided to ask

“Oh, Haha! We glow when we accumulate Merit. I am more surprised you follow this path of cultivation too, brother Danxing.” Fumo admits and points out in wonder. And its brother now. Ayy.

“We, as in, I am glowing too right now?” Fumo then nod in confirmation

“Oh wow. So that’s the warm feeling in my head. I thought my head was still burning.”

“What made you decide to follow this path of cultivation brother?” Fumo then asks

“Hmm? Apparently this Arhat path is the one best suited for me because of my current circumstance. I don’t even know if I even started cultivating this path already.” I certainly did not make any oaths or promises. Not that I remember. Just that I said I will try to the old man and nothing more.

“It can be like that. Once someone has decided to follow this path, be it with word or with their heart, they will only accumulate Merit if they are firm in their belief and effort.” Fumo answers beside me

“Oh? So it doesn’t need some kind of Oaths or something along the line? Does that mean that practically everyone can use this path for cultivation? Also, if all it needs are just firm belief and effort, what differentiate us and other cultivators? Like Gujian for example?” I point at the mansword in my hand

“It does not need oaths. Though it can help you be firmer to follow the path. Or, sworn away other paths of cultivation entirely. And yes, everyone can use this path for cultivation. Although it has been dubbed as the poor cultivator’s path for various reasons.” He hums as he thinks about my last question.

“As for the last question, it is more complex. There are various interpretations on it too. That the path is aligned with Heavenly Dao so Merit is rewarded. Another is that other paths of cultivation simply go against the Heavenly Dao, or that their path doesn't exactly need to accumulate Merit in their own advancement. But my master said that the Heavenly Dao records all actions differently, according to one’s chosen path.”

“Hmmm. I don’t understand half of what you said. But I will try to remember this. All of this is practically new to me.” But I get the gist of it, I guess

“Haha, I don’t exactly understand everything in its entirety too. I apologize for my lack of wisdom.” I wave him off.

“Come to think of it, you said you are from another world, yes? What sect of Buddhism do you follow?” He then asks in genuine curiosity

“Oh, I am not buddhist actually. In fact, I think you are the first buddhist I ever met.” I answer truthfully. Then I look towards Fumo properly. He wears simple clothes inside, then there is this outer cloak that is worn like Roman Chlamys, draped over the left shoulder and letting the right shoulder uncovered. Then there’s the familiar prayer beads, though no distinct symbols, a sign of Aniconism perhaps. Then finally to his head. Which is shaven clean, eyebrows raised in surprise. Honestly he doesn’t exactly dress much differently than a Christian monk. Maybe just the cloak and the shaved head.

“I am the first buddhist you ever met?” He puzzled

“Well yea. Buddhism is like a very fringe religion. I think there’s only one or few regions where the majority follows them. But eh, I think there are less than a tenth, maybe less than a twentieth, of my world’s population that follow Buddhism. I don’t even think they even exist on the entire West side of my world, which I am from.” Fumo’s eyes balked on the first sentence and he grew increasingly worried with every sentence I utter.

“But… so… then, you don’t exactly follow the Buddhist Arhat path?” He stammers after hearing my words.

“Don’t worry about it. I think it looks like my religion and Buddhism have similar virtues. I don’t think there will be any problem between my Christianity and your Buddhism.” He listens but nod politely. Seemingly unable to see how a world with little to no buddhist influence. Which is a given, I don’t think I will see a world with no Christian influence too but here I am.

Then finally we reached the massive crater that breaches the mountain. Does Thermobaric missile have this kind of destructive power? Or is it because of me? Well, projecting the thing took more than half of all the Qi gained from snorting the spirit stones. So the spirit stones contribute to the explosion yield too? If so, can I just use spirit stones for explosives? That would mean burning money though.

“There you are.” Qingling greets cordially. But then she looked at Gujian who was held in my hand by the head. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Oh he just experienced his first high. This happens.” I brush it off. Then I put him down standing

Then I saw two people beside her. The woman in excessively gaudy robe that attracts my attention so I can shoot at the banner bearer. Then, the plain man beside her is looking away from us. Fumo notices the man too.

‘The man is a loose cultivator that ran away yesterday. No need to make a move. We have come to a… settlement.’ Qingling send telepathy to me, Gujian, and Fumo

“Ehem.” The woman interrupted our telepathic session. “Servant! Introduce me!”

“Announcing! Her Imperial Highness, the Eight Princess of the Eternal Xian Dynasty, Xiān Mènglí (仙夢璃|Dreaming Crystal Immortal), has graced you with her presence!” The servant introduces his new master

“Greetings Her Highness.” Fumo bowed and greet politely

While me and Gujian stand still. I miss the timing while Gujian still wasn’t exactly present yet.

“Xian? Like Wuchen’s sister?” I ask as I noticed the surname

“Oh? You know my younger brother? What is he to you?” Mengli then asks

“Oh, well, as he volunteered to be my servant back at Tianhe sect.” There won’t be a problem on this right?

“I see. So he really insists on starting as an outer disciple. My brother will be in your care then. Now then, speak! I will allow you to introduce yourself.”

“My name is Danxing.” I introduced myself. Omitting my surname again.

“No surname?”

“Well, I have. Just that I’d rather not speak of it.”

“Hiding your name from a royal, preposterous. I demand you to give me your full name.”

“Well, only if all present here will keep the surname to themselves until I get back to my sect.” Qingling and Fumo nodded. Gujian too based on his emotional halo though not show it. Now curiosity overtakes them. Then I looked at the princess and her servant, whose emotional halo is already coated in fear. Looks like he already knows. The one Yunyi spoke with before he died perhaps?

“Of course I can keep a secret! Now tell us your name.” The princess insists, now more excited to be let into a secret.

“My surname is Xuan. My full name is Xuan Danxing. I was adopted by some old man named Luochen back in the Tianhe sect.” Immediately the place went silent. Not even a bird chirps or a wind blows. A bit of fear spiking on everyone’s emotional halo. The princess’ smile froze on her lips.

“AHAHAHAHA!” Gujian laughs first. The other awkwardly follows. Him, Fumo and Qingling looked at each other. Thinking how narrowly they had evaded death by the Xuan’s hand if they decided to ambush him first when he first arrived at the capital. Fortunately, the Xuan in question is still oblivious of the weight of his name or even the thoughts of these three.

“Ehem, very well. I will keep your name in mind.” Princess Mengli finally gathered her calm

“Alright, now that is out of the way, what are we doing next?” I put the topic behind

“Now we divide the gains.” Qingling said as she put down a storage ring

Gujian and Fumo put down two

Finally, I put down one too