Forge of Destiny Threads 513 -Homecoming 1

A few approving murmurs were allowed to escape, met by a curt nod from the Lin woman posing the questions.

"An optimistic outlook, but not an entirely unreasonable one," she conceded. "A well-defended yet peaceful border is the desire of most, and it would grant the Wang family the necessary time for their own endeavors to flourish."

"Each day that passes without incident allows our cities to grow stronger and more prosperous," the Wang clan's exceptionally thick-browed courtier responded. "And frankly, based on the observations my niece has shared, the construction techniques of these foreigners hold some merit."

"No doubt they require the appropriate appeasement of their deities," another voice interjected, tinged with slight bitterness.

"Perhaps." The Wang courtier shrugged, his broad shoulders moving slightly. "But that essentially forms the crux of this discussion with the priests at the summit, does it not, Baroness?"

"If Sir Wang implies that we intend to discern which lesser spirits and rituals are compatible, then yes, that is correct," Ling Qi replied. "This is invaluable for the joint construction project at the summit, but I won't deny that the astute artisans of the Wang family might glean more general insights as well."

Cai Renxiang then added her input. "The priests I've consulted are of the opinion that spirits cannot truly possess a barbaric nature. The spirits of the land and sky do not recognize human allegiances. Cultural spirits and human ascensions, however, differ in their characteristics. If my understanding is flawed, I would welcome correction from the Honored Minister."

"That aligns with the established doctrine on the subject," Zhu Fan stated from his position beside the throne, alongside the other ministers of Xiangmen. "However, they might require taming and assimilation into the Celestial Court. The matter of non-imperial human ascension has been a subject of prolonged debate, but the stance that completely denies it has always been questionable, considering the historical precedents of the Sage and the Red Garden. I can only offer comprehensive guidance on this matter after the ministers convene in the capital later this year. Rest assured, there are no indications of entities from the proscribed spirits list among those our neighbors have discussed with us."

"The deities of these foreigners, even those born from ascension and irrespective of how divergent their concepts of it may be from our own, must be engaged with by the Celestial Court. To disregard them or to make assumptions about their nature only impedes our ability to comprehend and interact. It is my sincere hope that the priests from both our peoples will gain significant understanding and discover common ground where harmony can be achieved," the minister elaborated.

"Indeed, discord forms a shaky foundation," the Wang courtier concurred, making a dismissive gesture.

With that, the topic shifted, and Ling Qi lowered her head as the discussion turned to military deployments and the precise delineation of the summit treaty's boundaries and scope. These queries were better suited for Cai Renxiang to address.

Eventually, the questioning concluded after traversing every conceivable topic and scrutinizing their agreements for any weaknesses. It proved to be as taxing as a battlefield engagement, and when the final courtier bowed, satisfied with Meng Dan's explanations regarding the historical accuracy of some claims underpinning the entire affair, it was finally brought to a close.

"The Southern Summit has achieved all its initial objectives." Cai Shenhua's voice resonated like an unyielding blade's descent. "What will ultimately blossom from the seeds planted remains less certain. We shall observe. My daughter, having demonstrated her capabilities through discourse, will now prove her mettle with the sword."

The Duchess rose from the throne, her radiance casting elongated shadows as those within the hall knelt. "The time for discourse, so fruitful when engaging the reasoned people of the icy South, has long since passed for the abominations that scuttle beneath our feet, emerging to assault mortals, besiege cities, and aid brigands and barbarians. It has taken considerable time to assemble our forces. It has been a long interval since the soldiers of the Emerald Seas last marched in unison. The era of charlatans who permit half a province to succumb to flames is over. We advance, and where we tread, those who dare oppose us shall face profound regret. Cai Renxiang, Heiress of the Emerald Seas, the moment has arrived for you to display both your commitment and your strength. One destined for the Throne must not allow their understanding of warfare to atrophy. The application of force is fundamental to governance. When I march south, my daughter will accompany me."

"It is my honor, Mother, to stand with you in the punishment of those who would cowardly spill the blood of our people," Cai Renxiang stated, her bow deepening until her head nearly touched the rich carpet. "For the Emerald Seas, my blade will not cease its swing until my grip falters."

"As it should be," Cai Shenhua affirmed. "In three months, the forces of the Emerald Seas will assemble. I will lead them, accompanied by the Heron General and my wife. To safeguard our homeland, command in my absence falls to Patriarch Jia and Matriarch Wang, in conjunction with Her Majesty's Great Sects. Patriarchs Luo, Meng, and Bao will remain on standby. The treacherous beasts of Ya will face a relentless siege, their wicked schemes consumed by the glorious light of our banners."

Ling Qi grasped the magnitude of the Duchess of the Emerald Seas' decree: summoning all clan patriarchs and matriarchs away from their secluded cultivation. This directive, passed down through the counts to their subordinates, signaled the province's transition to a full war footing. As far as Ling Qi knew, such a measure hadn't been enacted since the era of the Xi.

"Our Emerald Seas will not be desecrated. Our Emerald Seas will not tolerate invaders. We shall never again be fragmented isles, overwhelmed by the surging tides. All our adversaries will come to regret their transgressions against the people of Tsu."

These pronouncements, delivered with unshakeable conviction, resonated like a chisel etching their truth into the very fabric of reality. A thunderous rumble of agreement, tinged with righteous fury, arose from the assembled nobility of the Emerald Seas.

Ling Qi exhaled softly. The path was now irrevocably set. All she could do was navigate it with her friends, hoping to see them through its entirety.

***

"Haha! I never imagined you'd cling to cultivation elixirs whose benefits have long since faded, Miss Xia!" Gan Guangli exclaimed with a hearty laugh.

"The Bear Marrow Elixir is a staple in military cultivation programs for a good reason. Even when its primary cultivation effects diminish, it remains a beneficial and invigorating supplement to one's daily intake," Xia Lin defended, clutching the dark liquid bottle a bit protectively.

"Well, I am hardly one to judge." Ling Qi lifted a small tin, shaking it gently, the leaves within rustling. "The tea that Bai Meizhen gifted me on my first day of cultivation possesses a potent effect that even stronger elixirs can't replicate."

Meng Dan, Ling Qi noticed, was visibly trying to suppress a grimace. "Nettlefang Black. You truly favor that, Lady Ling?"

"It has a slightly bitter taste, but it's quite effective," Ling Qi countered.

"Slightly bitter?" Meng Dan mused. "Perhaps my perspective is skewed. I've witnessed the withered remains of beasts unfortunate enough to stumble into patches of it. Even experienced harvesters require full protective gear."

"So, it's not something we could cultivate locally," Ling Qi commented with a sigh.

"Highly unlikely," Cai Renxiang added dryly. "Beyond the stringent safety measures, it thrives only in significantly more humid environments."

They were gathered in the main hall of the Cai family's guesthouse, their temporary residence during their stay in Xiangmen. Though it felt like an age had passed, the time for their return journey to Shenglu had arrived. The formerly austere dining hall table was now laden with the various items they had acquired during their visit. These included essential cultivation reagents, small tokens of remembrance for their families, and, in Cai Renxiang's case, a substantial collection of new books. Ling Qi had watched with a mixture of amusement and trepidation as the 'Sixth Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty-Second Edition of the Complete Imperial Legal Code, and Notation on Interpretation of New Edicts' alone filled an entire packing crate with its numerous volumes.

Outside, carriages were being prepared for departure, ready to transport the young cultivator talents chosen to accompany them back to Shenglu, including those Ling Qi had personally selected. Provisions for Shenglu were also being loaded aboard.

It would be wonderful to be home again, even if only for a brief period.