Amdirlain’s PoV - Wudang Mountain - Eight months later
The dawn’s rays were touching the mountain’s eastern face as a cascade of sparrow-sized phoenixes burst from Amdirlain. The months of training let them dart along twisting paths between the stone obstacles to ravage the various constructs about the slope. As they darted from cover to cover, Amdirlain blazed between the rocks and took out mobs of silvery figures, leaving the original stone targets untouched.
At Amdirlain’s playful grin, Sarah released another three hundred constructs across the mountainside as the last fell.
An outthrust palm crushed the chest of a Golem that appeared before her and hurled it through a boulder.
“That’s a point off,” yelled Sarah.
“She takes them apart so easily, yet a boulder doesn’t scratch them,” murmured Sadka.
Sarah released another round from her Inventory. “They’re mithril.”
“I thought them polished steel. That’s enough magical material to equip thousands of troops, and you throw it away during a training exercise?” questioned Sadka. “Like many immortals, material things hold little meaning for me, but I still find that excessive.”
The assorted metal fragments rushed to form tonnes of ingots sitting beside Sarah. “We made the golems for practice, but these rejects are unsuitable for combat. If you want, you can have these ingots since you were so helpful to Am.”
‘Yeah, their decision matrix is flawed,’ Amdirlain projected to Sarah. ‘But at least I got my psionic powers to merge imprinting them.’
Sarah returned. ‘I’m not telling him you’re a kid breaking your toys.’
He folded his arms and frowned slightly. “It was an observation borne of curiosity, not me asking for payment.”
“I figured that much out since you’ve refused all her offers and gifts,” noted Sarah. “I know it’s customary to refuse the first offered gift, but you’re into the double digits.”
‘That’s okay. I’ve fixed something for him with the Duty Pavilion,’ Amdirlain projected to Sarah.
“Yet you both continue trying to get me to accept something,” Sadka noted drily.
Sarah shrugged. “Am enjoys giving things to people she likes, and I’ll help her out there.”
“Lord Xuan Wu ensured everyone understood we were to render her aid. If anything, we should compensate her for helping with the undead, but she hasn’t accepted her share of contribution points for the tasks.”
A screech echoed across the heights as a searing white Phoenix with metre-wide wings raced along the slope. It melted through two golems before exploding and knocking dozens from their feet. Others stumbled as more of the small phoenixes drilled into each prone golem.
Sadka nodded in satisfaction and started to call out when Amdirlain threw her arms wide. A group of charging golems only a few paces away were ploughed down by a fighter jet-sized Phoenix that immediately exploded, flinging them backwards. With Amdirlain wreathed in the flames of the explosion, a flurry of phoenixes ripped across the slope, turning all the remaining golems into slag. His mouth snapped shut.
“Now she’s just showing off her fire resistance,” huffed Sarah.
[Excising Concerto [G] (245->246)
Note: It will take a while to relieve all your stored pain, but your new version of Ki Blast is coming along.]
True. Just as well it’s only music now.
“You’re meant to control the amount of pain you feed into the technique,” Sadka chided.
Amdirlain appeared near them with a grin. “I controlled it, and I only put a tiny fraction of pain into those.”
“A fraction relative to what you hold.” He turned to Sarah. “It’s just as well that Am knows she isn’t subtle.”
“She’s a flashy performer at heart.”
Soft notes spilled from Amdirlain, cooling the ground and restoring the stones to the state before the training session began. The remains of the newest golems joined the ingots that Sarah had already created.
“Are you returning to the palace or training longer?” asked Sadka.
“I believe I’ll leave it there. While I’ve incorporated the technique into Ki Blast properly, I still can’t find the insight to get it to evolve again.”
He gave her an amused smile. “At least your variation of it.”
“Isn’t that the same with all technique manuals? It provides the core, and then you must fine-tune it to suit yourself.”
“You’re the first person I’ve seen tailor it in months rather than decades, and most modified versions are much closer to the original.”
How do I explain I can hear the energy flows and where they grated on me?
She smiled reassuringly. “My perception of the world is different and runs faster. I could hear the smooth flow of energy within you and where it had rough patches for me. I’m thankful for your help as you saved me a lot of effort in learning it.”
“Practise regularly, and be careful of how much life you put into the projections.”
“No giving birth to a swarm of living phoenixes amid battle,” teased Sarah.
Amdirlain groaned. “Don’t jinx me.”
“If you want more practice now, I could toss more constructs out,” Sarah offered.
“It’s alright,” replied Amdirlain, trying to restrain a laugh. “I need to meditate on what, if any, adjustments I need.”
“How many of these constructs do you have?” asked Sadka.
Sarah casually waved a hand. “A few thousand on hand and more in storage.”
Ham it up, Sarah.
“We’ll use some later.” Amdirlain waved towards the palace. “It’s about time to return to the suite. There are a few more things to do before we head off.”
“You’ll head off today?”
“Yes, Master Sadka. I was honoured by your instruction on this Power and the other insights you offer.”
“It was an honour to guide you for a time, Lady Am,” Sakda exchanged bows with her.
Bidding farewell to Sadka, they flew back to the palace and landed on the porch of their guest suite. A white-haired old man was gently raking the pebbles that covered the courtyard into a fresh pattern that made the prominent rock features seem like islands in a storm-tossed sea. The others were within the suite; Kadaklan and Jinfeng were checking cupboards and behind chairs to ensure they’d leave nothing behind. Cyrus sat at the table, reading and ignoring Klipyl peeking over his shoulder. Her figure-hugging dress was the same sheer silk as the jade maidens’ lounging robes, leaving little to the imagination.
‘Did either of them ask if you’d checked for stray items?’ Sarah questioned mentally.
‘Nope, and I’ve already put everything out in the open. I think that’s made them paranoid.’
Cyrus set his book aside as they entered the suite. “Are we still departing this morning?”
“That is the plan.”
“Xuan Wu asked if you’d drop by the training courtyard before you leave,” chirped Klipyl, leaning closer to Cyrus.
‘Are you trying to get a reaction from him?’
‘Who me?’ Peals of mental laughter rolled through the mental link. ‘Do you think he can guide me to a few orgasms?’
Klipyl winked. “So Am, has anything slipped into a hiding spot, or have these two been checking through the suite’s original objects in vain?”
“Who am I to tell them how to spend their time?” Amdirlain sat down across from Cyrus. “Have you decided if you’ll come with us?”
Kadaklan casually moved away from the chairs he’d been looking behind and settled on the steps along the courtyard’s edge, his gaze fixed on the freshly raked zen garden. Jinfeng shook her head, closed a side table drawer, and settled on a chair near Amdirlain.
“I discussed the matter with Kadaklan. I’ll accompany you to the East Wind’s Court, and he’ll rejoin you at the South Wind’s,” replied Cyrus.
“I’m glad you could talk some sense into him,” Amdirlain glanced at Kadaklan.
He shrugged casually, his eyes on the raked pattern in the stones. “Going into the East Wind’s palace was unappealing, but I would have travelled with you.”
“Fears don’t have to be rational, and immortals have places that don’t mesh well with their Dao. What fiery being wouldn’t be concerned by that much water around them?” asked Sarah.
“I do find being under the ocean disconcerting.” Kadaklan shifted slightly on the step.
“Aren’t the views of the coral supposed to be breathtaking?” asked Jinfeng.
“Ha ha,” retorted Kadaklan. “It seems Klipyl is rubbing off on you.”
“That was a deep play on words,” quipped Amdirlain.
Klipyl planted her hands on her hips, the translucent fabric becoming nearly transparent as it stretched tighter.
“I don’t think the enchantments on your dress are intended for travel,” Cyrus said drily. “You might want to select something decorous to wear. The East Wind’s Court is more-”
“Uptight,” interjected Kadaklan.
“-restrained in their public apparel,” finished Cyrus.
“You’ve got experience with their private apparel?” quipped Klipyl.
“My advice is more clothing would get you more respect, as they hold guests to higher standards.”
Klipyl sighed and started to unbutton her dress. “Maybe I should travel with Kadaklan, and he can show me the southern sights.”
Jinfeng suppressed a giggle, but her eyes brightened with amusement, ruining her serene composure.
“I’ll let you three figure out who travels where.” Amdirlain motioned between Klipyl, Kadaklan, and Jinfeng as she stood. “Since Xuan Wu wants to chat before we leave, I’ll tend to that now. See you all in the entry courtyard afterwards.“
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Amdirlain teleported to the corridor outside their usual training courtyard. A trio of panels ran down the dark wood door; a serpent arranged snout to tail forming a frame around each panel, the decoration within a simple embossed pattern of tortoise scales.
When Amdirlain entered the courtyard, Xuan Wu stood at the centre of the flat paving stones with his hands clasped behind his back.
“I had hoped for more time to improve your martial arts before you left.”
Amdirlain inclined her head politely. “You’ve taught me a lot. I’ve progressed on my offer to align a planet, but I’ll need to meet each wind and the Jade Emperor to compose it properly.”
“Your offer was more generous than required. If aligning a planet with our courts proves impossible, we won’t hold you to it.”
“I’ve become more certain I can undertake it, but I’ll know for certain after I meet the rest.”
Xuan Wu nodded. “So you can hear their songs first hand?”
“Think of it as checking the frequency.”
“I understand what you mean, even if a sound analogy isn’t one I’d use.” Xuan Wu moved to the seating along the courtyard’s outer walkway. “Immortals and Shen alike, we can sometimes cling to what we once were, even in areas we should have set aside. One must consider whether it’s following one’s path or what holds one from moving onwards.”
“It might also make you more relatable to those you guide to where you now stand.” Amdirlain sat further along the same bench and patted it. “Why do either of us need seats? We can stand motionless just as easily. Why did you even sit down just then? Was it because you wanted to or to draw my attention to your meaning through a simple action?”
“Meaning and understanding can be found in many places when one is open. Or perhaps sitting down is merely a polite habit.”
“Perhaps Jiutian Xuannü simply wanted to check if she and Sarah had a common understanding of arcane subjects.”
He smiled mysteriously. “That would be for her to say. Feel free to return when you have time to dedicate a few centuries to your martial art.”
“Time will tell,” hedged Amdirlain. “I’ve no idea where my path will lead yet.”
“Sadka advised me that your variation of his technique has become particularly interesting. You said your Ki Strike technique would prove difficult for others to learn. Is your variation of the Ki Blast technique the same?”
“I think I should be able to write a manual for it once I’ve enough insights.”
He gave her an understanding smile. “One’s mindset affects many things, and recording it in a way that allows others to follow can aid you.”
“Of course, I’ll have to figure out all the references to convey the understanding instead of the logic.”
“May you find understanding through all your challenges.”
Amdirlain almost left it at that, but caution prickled at her. “You said I’d have to find my way to the Jade Emperor without suggestions, but would you offer any advice about the East Wind?”
“The East Wind and the vast majority of his court prefer formality.”
Amdirlain sat perfectly straight and adopted a serene expression.
Xuan Wu slumped against the wall and pretended to yawn. “Just so.”
“Perhaps I’ll get Master Cyrus or Master Lu Jinfeng to handle introductions.”
Klipyl joked about accompanying Kadaklan to the South Wind’s Court, but I’d prefer to have her with us, even given this news.
He straightened up and a large tied bundle of wax-sealed scrolls appeared in his hand. “This is a tiny part of my ‘complaints’ collection from officials in his court. They are all extremely polite, advising me of deficiencies in one regard or another, especially paperwork around the heavenly armies. Some of them can be especially particular about titles and behaviour. Though they won’t scold you for it once they learn about you, expect bureaucratic pain because of their disapproval.”
The scrolls vanished again.
“I’ll simply find any requests taking far longer to resolve?”
“Of course, any delays would be caused by ensuring you have the quality outcome you deserve,” drawled Xuan Wu.
“Do they risk doing that with you?”
“Some of his generals even give me headaches over the distribution of forces against the Di Yu, and I’m the Jade Emperor’s overall military commander for our armies. The perfect paperwork matters, not the grudges related to invasions by the Mongolian armies centuries ago.”
“That must be the case, Lord Xuan Wu. Such Mortal concerns would be beneath a court official,” snickered Amdirlain.
His lips twitched, but he kept his smile contained. “I’m a barbarian, not a cultured individual like the Azure Dragon. What do I know?”
“If you’re a barbarian, I’m a cave dweller wearing half-rotten skins and fleas.”
“I would never describe you that way, Lady Am.”
Amdirlain rose and offered him a deep bow. “Until we meet again.”
Xuan Wu stood and returned her bow.
She returned through the corridors to give the others time to finish their preparations. Along the way, she passed several Mortal servants busy with morning routines and kept out of their way, giving a quick nod and a smile to each, leaving one young man open-mouthed behind her.
And I have my Charisma under control. I’m not sure I want to know, but even acknowledging them is probably considered weird.
As the others gathered in the courtyard, Klipyl was now dressed in a light blue cotton shirt and pants that matched the swirls underlying her pale skin.
Jiutian Xuannü appeared with her hands concealed by the voluminous sleeves of her robes and exchanged bows with Amdirlain. “Good luck with the East Wind’s Court.”
“Hopefully, I don’t need it, but we’ll see what reception I get when we turn up,” Amdirlain smiled warily.
“Are you flying there or teleporting?”
Amdirlain smiled sheepishly. “If I go flying over populated areas, I’m sure the temptation to meddle would delay us.”
“I’d recommend teleporting a few hours away and flying the remainder. The custodians of the path into the East Wind’s Court are meticulous about their rituals, so letting them sense your approach might avoid misunderstanding.”
“I appreciate the advice.”
Jiutian Xuannü smiled slightly. “Given your nature, the guardian might ask for combat to judge your worthiness.”
“What do you mean by worthiness?”
“The decision about what it means is entirely in your hands.”
Cyrus frowned slightly. “I’ve been there a few times, and the priests didn’t call on the guardian. I thought he interfered only if someone tried to open the path forcefully.”
“They wouldn’t for you, Cyrus. However, Sarah would be enough to cause them to take notice and wake a guardian,” noted Jiutian Xuannü. “We sent word ahead that Am would visit to smooth the way, but they make their policy decisions without our advice.”
“I appreciate the aid, Jiutian Xuannü, in this matter and others,” said Amdirlain.
“Your hearing lets you quantify so much, Am. Take advantage of that, for studying the limited helps one understand the limitless.”
After everyone finished exchanging farewells, Amdirlain teleported them to a remote spot she had sensed during a trip with Sadka.
“Let’s figure out who’s going where.”
“What’s changed?”
“Nothing really, but I wanted to share that Xuan Wu cautioned me that members of the East Wind’s Court can be very officious if they find an issue with someone’s behaviour.”
“Do you want me to go south with Kadaklan?” asked Klipyl.
Amdirlain shook her head. “I want you to go where you want to be. If an official gives me problems, I’ll poach the entire library and leave. Though I want to hear the East Wind’s theme as long as he’s about, I don’t need to meet with him. The thought of dealing with overly officious individuals makes me want to go elsewhere, but I’ll try and behave decorously.”
“If you can do it, I’ll try as well,” declared Klipyl.
Kadaklan frowned. “I said I wanted to stay above water, but the option to see you two being all prim is truly enticing.”
“Are you mocking me?” asked Klipyl.
“No, you are usually bright and unrestrained, so it should be interesting.”
Klipyl provocatively cocked a hip and smiled saucily. “Want to bet whether I last for the duration of the stay without slipping up?”
“Is there a need for a bet?” Kadaklan regarded her curiously.
“It’ll give me something to focus on, which is the same reason that Ammie said the aspects bet: if it’s good for them, I can offer a bet. If you’re looking out for me slipping up, it might take your mind off your fear.”
Kadaklan opened his mouth to protest further. “So, you’re trying to distract me?”
“Not just to distract you,” grinned Klipyl. “I want a reward if I manage it.”
“What reward?” Kadaklan asked, his eyes narrowing.
“You owe me a favour if I hold out longest and vice versa if I slip up first. If the favour is too big, the winner has to come up with something else, and it can’t take longer than a day to complete.”
The tightness eased from his expression. “A mutually agreeable favour?”
“Yep.”
“Alright,” Kadaklan responded, his tone still wary. “I’m sure the other shoe will drop eventually.”
Klipyl leant forward to tap his chin. “Don’t be such a cynic, mister healer.”
“How about we move things along?” asked Cyrus.
Oi, spoilsport, I wanted to see how Klipyl’s move plays out.
His interjection caused Klipyl to straighten, and she smiled apologetically. “Sorry for the diversion. Your choice, Kadaklan. Are you coming along or heading south?”
“I’ll come along.”
“Okay, we’re not splitting the party. Since we know where the palace gate is located, how do we approach it?” asked Amdirlain.
“We could arrive inland from the bridges to Enoshima shrine,” proposed Jinfeng. “If we appeared along the river, the local spirits should quickly take word.”
Amdirlain regarded Cyrus. “What are your thoughts?”
“It might be best to approach from the west and travel along the coast. While the river spirits could carry word along if we appear on the coast, we’re immediately adjacent to the guardian’s domain. That allows them to observe us without relying on a subordinate’s perspective.”
“Fishing towns and farming villages,” reported Sarah. She brought up an image of a small island and panned along the coastline to the west along a decent-sized bay on the coast of Nippon.
I don’t remember learning the names of either of those bays. I had planned a European trip for years and didn’t get time to take it, but I don’t have the same knowledge of Asian locations.
“Fly over the water, just veil us from the mortals, and land at the start of the bridges to the island. High enough that we’re not an immediate threat to their territory, but they have a clear line of sight. That way, we’re not disrupting anyone, and the guardian gets a warning that they need to decide how to greet us,” suggested Kadaklan.
“Unless they have someone else greet us, the guardians are ocean spirits,” offered Cyrus. “Much like their Commander's original nature.”
Klipyl’s brows lifted. “Original?”
“I don’t know how strong he is now, but he came to this realm with Lord Qīnglóng.”
The group teleported again, this time appearing a few kilometres inland on the south-west edge of the bay, putting them over thirty kilometres from the bridge to Enoshima island.
If we fly to the coast from here and then along the curve of the bay, we’ll pass a castle and a few villages and increase the flight time to the shrine’s bridge.
Amdirlain focused on the island and its inhabitants, a few hundred villagers, mostly out fishing in the bay. The island’s north side was connected to Nippon by a two-hundred-metre floating bridge secured to posts on either side. To the east of the bridge were a series of quays, empty except for one fishing boat under repair. The island's south side was a sheer cliff face that dropped to a series of rocky outcroppings that stabbed out into the ocean. Atop the steepest hill on the west side was an arrangement similar to a Shinto shrine with accommodations that hosted ten men and two maidens. The only energy she detected was the wards around the shrine and a singular, powerful beacon within them.
Two figures in green and white flanked the bridge on the mainland side, each with their backs against one of the anchoring posts.
Amdirlain considered the priests more closely, taking in the sea green over-robes embossed with the Azure Dragon; underneath were plain cotton white robes and pants.
“I’ll just make us invisible to anyone without Mana Sense.”
“That wouldn’t help with the priests on the island,” advised Amdirlain. “All of them have it.”
“Let’s find out if they keep it active then,” replied Sarah.
Lifting, they followed the curve of the coastline from half a kilometre up, watching the regular patterns of the waves. They passed many villagers combing the shoreline and casting nets into the bay. As they travelled, Cyrus went over the traditional ceremonies for a first-time visitor to the East Wind’s Court.
As the group landed, the priests at the end of the bridge regarded them directly despite the veil still in place.
Jinfeng stepped forward and introduced them—the priests remained stoically composed throughout.
“Welcome. We had word to expect you, Lady Am, though the news didn’t indicate how many would accompany you. You can let your mirage go as the villagers close to the shrine are used to strangers, some far more dramatic than yourself.”
The younger two rang a simple brass bell at the end of the bridge, and four additional priests came across from the island. They went through another set of shorter introductions after an exchange of bows between the parties. The first priest led the way across the floating expanse while two of the summoned priests followed at the party’s rear. Their course took them along the edge of the village at the base of the hill, but only a few villagers stopped what they were doing to watch them pass.
A long flight of steep steps took them through a trio of prayer gates. The regular steps were set inwards, with an even stone lip on either side that ran the whole length. Atop that lip was a procession of serpentine dragons that ran up to the simple shrine at the peak. Across the paved surface were a few buildings; the usual wooden Shinto shrine and housing stood off to the left-hand side next to a covered area where some decorated wooden plaques hung from hooks. At the far end of the shrine was a covered walkway that ran onwards to the cliff face at the far side. Suspended from the crossbeam of the walkway was another brass bell, but this one was the size of a man’s torso and covered in empowered runes. Beyond the drop, Amdirlain could sense spurs of rocky outcropping jutting southwards into the ocean.
After both priests bowed to it, the elder seized the red ribbons that hung from its clapper and struck the side nine times at a steady rhythm. After the third chime, a tiny whirlpool formed in the deep water of a small cove to the southeast. On the next beat it expanded out to three metres wide, and continued on the following strikes until the funnel filled the cove and sent water rushing across the nearby spurs. When the last beat sounded, the Priest slapped his hand against the gong, stilling it instantly. The vortex flipped as the last echo died out, and a watery spike retched impossibly towards the clouds. A deluge of salt water sprayed nearby rocks.
An elongated form cast a shadow within the inverted funnel, and the water spiral tightened to match it, bringing the shadow within it to life. Excess water burst outwards, saturating the cliff face as the cove returned to stillness. The Dragon’s dark green scales reflected sunlight and sent shimmering light patterns about the shrine. Its mass loomed overhead as it contoured to consider them. The white pearl in the middle of its forehead gleamed in the midday sun, and its silvery whiskers twitched inquisitively as its gaze locked on Amdirlain. A bass thrum of heavenly energies ran through it, announcing that the Dragon was a powerful Shen.
