Forge of Destiny Bonus 1: Commencement Day

Minister Xiao surveyed the town below from his balcony, the streets appearing like fog-laden rivers. The pervasive damp mist, a characteristic of this remote province during this season, possessed a certain stark beauty. It lent a rustic charm, he mused, making such an isolated place feel somewhat worthwhile.

That is, if one could swiftly return to the dry warmth and comforts of home afterwards. He doubted those unfortunate enough to be out and about today could truly appreciate its aesthetic. The weather certainly wouldn't help the current slump in trade either. The Argent Peak Sect was scheduled to hold its induction ceremony for new disciples today, alongside advancement tests for senior members. Consequently, shops and stalls operated by the more commercially inclined disciples would remain closed. On a brighter note, this meant the local ruffians would likely have cleared out of town. A significant portion of the populace would probably be out, captivated by the spectacle of new arrivals and esteemed guests. He'd heard whispers of several candidates from noble families this year, and his people certainly consumed the propaganda lauding the heroism and virtue of the nobility. It was as it should be, he supposed, but from his perspective, interacting with them directly...

Minister Xiao harbored a fervent hope that these young aspirants would remain within the Sect's confines, leaving the treacherous machinations of the Imperial court far behind. He was genuinely content to have escaped that viper's nest, even with the heightened physical perils present on the frontier. He would readily choose the more straightforward, easily discernible threats of the frontier over the deceptively polite schemes back home, thank you very much.

Shedding himself of unpleasant recollections, the Minister sighed, his thoughts returning to the anticipated meager revenues for the day. Stroking his luxurious, albeit greying, beard in contemplation, he turned from the city vista to re-enter his residence. He couldn't fault the Sect for its ostentatious displays, he conceded. After all, their endeavors were the very reason his town could exist so close to the border. Still, the younger disciples possessed a rather troublesome tendency to cause damage on occasion. At least the Sect Elders were reliably prompt in providing restitution... though their condescension during such transactions was often quite irritating.

He had more pressing concerns, however. His gaze shifted as he stepped back into his manor. An attendant stood a few paces from the balcony door, a stack of ledgers clutched in his arms. Minister Xiao silently motioned for the young man to follow him. No, the true source of his unease was the imminent arrival of an inspector from the Ministry of Integrity. Their agents were, to put it mildly, unsettling, and offending them under any circumstances was unthinkable. The preceding week had been dedicated to meticulously reviewing his records, scrutinizing his accounts with extreme diligence. He had maintained a strict adherence to propriety for the decade since his appointment to this post, experiencing no significant improprieties, and he was determined to uphold that record this year.

Nevertheless, there was always the possibility of some impudent young clerk believing they could pilfer from the coffers designated for the Imperial Court. Minister Xiao currently held such an unfortunate young man in the town's cells, prepared for handover to the Agent upon their arrival. It was a lamentable fate for such a promising youth to meet over a minor transgression, but the current Imperial Court exhibited zero tolerance for corruption. This was a far cry from the leniency disciples typically received for all but the most grievous offenses. He had received assurances from the Elders that such matters were treated with utmost seriousness, yet he sometimes harbored doubts, observing certain repeat offenders over the years. Of course, even a Great Sect could not shield a disciple from the consequences of certain actions, such as the assault or murder of an official like himself, or other grave crimes.

He could only hope that nothing had escaped his meticulous oversight, allowing the Agent to depart swiftly without necessitating the 'disappearance' of any further members of his administration.

Zhu Qing moved with purpose down the mist-shrouded street, her hands clasped behind her back. She navigated the sparse early morning foot traffic with effortless grace, her steps never faltering. The sight of her simple black and silver robes, her white-streaked hair dancing in a nonexistent breeze, and the unadorned white jade mask was sufficient to compel all in her path to yield with a hurried bow and a mumbled apology. All proceeded as it ought.

She found herself rather pleased with this particular town. Since her assignment as its inspector by the Ministry, she had not once been compelled to resort to drastic measures. The mortal administrators were diligent, upright, and scrupulously obedient to the edicts of the Imperial Court, and their minister was a man of unimpeachable virtue.

In the meantime, nobles and officials from the inner provinces far too frequently presumed that their affluence and status entitled them to disregard Imperial decrees. It might have been that the harsh realities of border life left no room for such transgressions, or perhaps the new ruling clan's directives were the reason.

The Agent's lips curved into a smile behind her mask. Not that the Cai clan was without imperfection; no one was, whether mortal or otherwise.

She was aware, through informants within his estate, that the minister had already apprehended a thief, and it pleased her to see Minister Xiao acting with his usual swiftness. Nevertheless, a personal inspection was still necessary. He was only a mortal, after all, and prone to oversight. She felt assured, however, that he would never incur the wrath of her Reaper; the man was far too prudent for such a thing.

This thought caused the spirit bound within her to stir, its frigid Qi pulsing momentarily through her spinal meridians, amplifying the spectral breeze that swirled around her. A man who happened to be passing nearby at that precise instant shivered, his face draining of color. A single glance at the frost tracing her steps was enough to send him scurrying away from the Agent. She, in turn, did not spare the mortal laborer a second look, easily subduing her spirit with practiced ease. Spirits of the Death aspect were almost invariably the most challenging to control, and binding the Reaper had been one of the most arduous trials for entry into the Ministry.

Zhu Qing's gaze shifted towards the colossal mountains overlooking the town as she reminisced about her own days as a disciple of the Argent Peak Sect. Those were enjoyable times, filled with the reckless abandon of youth, and she still cherished those memories. It was partly why she appreciated the local minister's level-headedness. She would find it most regrettable if her annual visit were marred by anything genuinely... unpleasant. The meticulous record-keeping required for substantial purges was, after all, exceedingly tedious and time-consuming.

As things stood, she eagerly anticipated concluding her inspection to share a cup of tea with her junior sister. It had been an extended period since she last saw the other woman, who was frequently stationed at remote border forts, engaged in combat with barbarians. Their most recent correspondence, however, had assured her that her friend would return this year.

Following that, the meeting with the Sect Head awaited, an event she anticipated with considerably less enthusiasm. He would likely be quite displeased with the outcome of his funding request, but alas, as much as Zhu Qing desired to see her former home flourish, she understood the Empress held a different perspective on the matter.

While Argent Peak was a significant sect within its region, at the imperial court, it was regarded as one of the empire's less critical defensive strongholds. With the growing unrest among the northern and western barbarians, and the ongoing struggle to subdue the recalcitrant western lords, it simply wasn't a top priority. Perhaps if the Sect had managed to cultivate a notable contingent of candidates for the Ministry or the Imperial Guard, she might have been able to advocate more effectively with her superiors.

For the present, however, there was little to be done. Zhu Qing knew her duty must, as always, supersede personal sentiments.