Forge of Destiny Threads Chapter 5140 Homecoming 2

It resembled a torrent of metal and stone, glinting and snaking along the grand north-south thoroughfare, the province's main artery. This road connected the mountainous regions at either end—the Celestial Peaks and the Wall—and was currently filled with an endless procession of soldiers and horses, marching in dazzling formations. This was the mobilization of the Bao clan, their summoned forces preparing to march into the depths below. Their banners, adorned with gemstones, fluttered like silken banners, interwoven with threads of silver, platinum, and gold.

The combined Qi of the numerous cultivators could be sensed even before they reached the base of Xiangmen. Alongside them, great vehicles rumbled. Supply wagons, colossal enough to resemble hilltop fortresses and mounted on steel wheels, bristled with siege weaponry and were pulled by dozens of horses. Even larger, mobile fortresses, resembling great towers and stone walls, advanced along the roadside. Trees and earth were displaced before them and then seemingly restored in their wake, as if these structures were ships navigating tumultuous waters.

Their pace was slow, a necessity Ling Qi surmised, to avoid disturbing the spirits of the earth and soil, not to mention the agitated trees. This caution, however, did not extend to the Bao's own summoned spirits.

Even a clan as imperial as the Bao paraded their spirits. In the center of their formations, she observed spirits that appeared human-like, their forms crafted from gemstone and granite, draped in brilliant golden cloaks. These figures stood twice the height and thrice the width of the surrounding soldiers. Flocks of birds, intricately cut from jewels, flew overhead, their songs melodious and vibrant, resonating with lively energy. More common beasts also accompanied many of the officers at their sides.

Their carriage opted for a slightly more circuitous route, deliberately avoiding any potential conflict with the Bao army's march. Their intended rendezvous was with the Diao's contingent soon.

"A sobering sight, wouldn't you agree?" Gan Guangli remarked, gazing out the carriage window as they exited the eastern rootway entrance. Even from such a distance, the light reflecting off the jewels cast rays of colored light skyward.

Inside the spacious carriage, the five of them were together. Gan Guangli rested his arm on the windowsill, positioned just inside the wind-deflecting formations that began to hum as the carriage accelerated. Ling Qi and Xia Lin sat opposite each other, close by. Meng Dan reclined against a panelled wall on their side, idly jotting down notes on an open page in his lap. Cai Renxiang occupied the center of the same side as Gan Guangli, sitting rigidly upright with her eyes closed in light meditation.

"A comforting one, actually. The lords of the Emerald Seas are not cowering behind their walls while their kin are under assault," Xia Lin responded.

"There is that, I suppose," Gan Guangli conceded. "Still, it is a weighty matter to witness such a concentration of power and know it represents only a fraction of the total."

Xia Lin contemplated his words. "Agreed. I have not witnessed a deployment of this magnitude before. Our White Plumes consist of one thousand individuals led by a single sovereign. I observed three such leaders among the Bao."

"Four," Ling Qi interjected. "There was a more subtle power detected within the supply train."

"I doubt any ducal clan would dispatch fewer, lest they be perceived as weak. Perhaps the Wang and Jia clans are excused, as they have been specifically tasked with the defense of the Emerald Seas. However, the Argent Peak Sect's established strength on the border grants them more latitude to be generous," Meng Dan analyzed. "Our clan will have no alternative but to match or surpass the other clans, even if it places a significant strain on our resources."

If the Meng clan were to halt the erosion of their standing in the imperial court, the actions of their traitors would necessitate nothing less than being seen as the most ardent supporters of the Emerald Seas' retribution.

"The mobilization for war will impose a considerable cost upon the province. In terms of manpower and materials diverted from other uses, in the disruption caused by troop movements, and in the inevitable casualties and subsequent counterattacks and reprisals that cannot be entirely prevented," Cai Renxiang stated, opening her eyes. "Yet, failing to bear that cost would incur other, more severe consequences. The unity my mother has painstakingly forged within the Emerald Seas would not survive an act of perceived weakness, akin to what the Hui clan did."

"Or even just the perception of it," Ling Qi mused aloud. "I've overheard some hushed murmurs of discontent, stemming merely from the prolonged duration of the mobilization efforts."

These criticisms were never voiced loudly, mostly circulating among the younger and lower-ranking cultivators, for whom a year or two still represented a significant span of time.

She belonged to that group, so she certainly understood the sentiment. Simultaneously, she also grasped that a mere two years was a fleeting moment for individuals who had experienced hundreds of years of life.

"Utilizing the main road for this march, despite all the disruption it entails, must also be a measure to address that very concern."

"No one along this path can dispute that their leaders are making a move when tens of thousands of boots trample the road and a celestial body heads south," Xia Lin concurred.

Ling Qi mused that Shenhua's carriage had been proceeding at a rather leisurely pace. She had felt the disturbance ripple through them, the world, the atmosphere, the flora, and the very earth beneath. There was a profound reason why Ling Qi could summon the Throne of Seasons before spirits of a realm superior to her own, and why those spirits hesitated to act against her divine backing.

"In many respects, this entire endeavor is the meticulous backstitch to the grand tapestry she has been weaving since assuming the throne," Cai Renxiang remarked. "It elevates my minor command of the comital retinues at the summit to a level far beyond my current capabilities. Even now, my Mother's influence looms large."

Sixiang's consciousness drifted, giving the impression of lounging within Ling Qi's mind, though her physical form was secured within a trunk atop the carriage's roof.

Ling Qi now understood more clearly why Sixiang had been so apprehensive of Renxiang in their initial encounters. Sixiang's perceptive abilities were far more finely tuned to detecting surface emotions than visual cues or the flow of Qi. Even to Sixiang's sensitive perception, Cai Renxiang generally presented as a polished, unreadable facade, much like a mannequin crafted from silvered glass. Ling Qi could only discern her friend's true feelings through sheer familiarity and sense faint echoes of Liming's turbulent emotions, but to Sixiang's advanced level of sensing, Renxiang remained remarkably opaque.

"That is an unhealthy perspective. Your own achievements do not require comparison to hers," Ling Qi stated with unvarnished directness. "If my understanding serves me correctly, then the magnitude of your accomplishments is secondary to the strength of your convictions and the clarity of your vision, is that not so?"

"I may not yet possess the capacity to command armies as a general, but the very foundations I lay now will stand as the enduring monuments supporting the great man I am destined to become!" Gan Guangli declared with booming resonance.

Cai Renxiang contemplated their shared insights. "That mindset. Evaluating myself primarily through the lens of how I align with or deviate from Mother's intricate plans. I confess I am not entirely free from its influence yet."

Ling Qi suddenly detected the faint, coppery scent of blood from stitches biting into flesh. Liming let out a guttural snarl.

Xia Lin subtly shifted her position, her foot tapping a restless rhythm against the carriage floor. Though she remained silent, Ling Qi could sense an underlying disquiet within her regarding the conversation's subject matter, a discomfort that went beyond the usual low-level unease she exhibited when outside her armor.

"Establishing benchmarks is indeed crucial," Meng Dan interjected, his voice measured. "However, gazing too far into the future can lead to a state of paralysis. We refer to this phenomenon as the Diviner's Dilemma."

"Precisely," Cai Renxiang acknowledged with a nod. "Our immediate focus must be the war. I would greatly value your thoughts on the strategic objectives of the offensive in which we are to participate."

"If the approximate locations of two city centers have been ascertained through divination, then the clear and logical objective becomes laying siege to one, or, in the face of unwavering resistance, razing it or establishing occupation," Xia Lin responded without hesitation. "Assuming a formidable force composition and the personal deployment of the Duchess herself, this endeavor should prove achievable."

Ling Qi's expression tightened into a grimace. "Forcing the Ya's hand is the absolute minimum requirement. The Emerald Seas will not entertain any agreement that does not position them as the clear victor, especially after their brazen provocations. However, the enemy will not respond favorably to the specter of annihilation. Should they truly perceive such an outcome as inevitable, it will only embolden them."

"You have previously spoken of their peculiar methods, have you not? Disrupting their leadership's capacity to shape their internal narrative would represent a potent strategic maneuver. Yet, Patriarch Jia is to remain behind, while General Xia Ren will accompany the offensive," Meng Dan observed. "The enemy, as is always the case, retains a voice in the unfolding events."

"Should the Emerald Seas, hypothetically, suffer a devastating defeat," Cai Renxiang mused, her words delivered slowly, "it would undoubtedly necessitate an imperial intervention."

And such an intervention would, in all probability, be a far graver predicament in every conceivable aspect.

"Our adversaries will possess their own defensive lines, precisely as Miss Ling has outlined. I do not believe that razing their cities would yield favorable results. The most advantageous outcome would be for them to yield under siege and accept negotiated terms, such as reparations for their transgressions, the dissolution of their alliances with the tribes, and perhaps the acceptance of observers," Gan Guangli vocalized his thoughts.

"Their surrender, coupled with the confiscation of any material that could be repurposed for warfare, would represent the bare minimum, in my estimation," Xia Lin stated firmly. "Who among us could place trust in the word of such deceitful beings? I freely admit, based on my current understanding, that occupation and the imposition of vassalage are likely beyond our logistical capabilities, given the sheer scale of their territories."

"That, precisely, is the crux of the matter. I do not foresee the possibility of a lasting peace if complete annihilation is not an option, for reasons that are both strategic and deeply spiritual," Meng Dan opined. "In all likelihood, we will compel some form of surrender from them, only for them to seize the opportune moment to strike at our vulnerable flanks when the Twelve Stars Confederation chooses to make its own move. Consequently, any agreement forged should be made with that potential betrayal firmly in mind."

"Assuming the Twelve Stars do not intervene during the offensive themselves," Xia Lin remarked.

"Ah, yes. If that were to happen, engaging in all-out war would become unavoidable. There would be no more time left for playing games with surrenders or managing conquered territories," Meng Dan stated. Though his expression remained unchanged, a hint of melancholy tinged his words. "The escalation of conflict into an existential struggle applies to both sides. When faced with a war on two fronts, the most effective strategy is to concentrate all available might on crushing one front, if such a feat is possible."

"That possibility lies beyond our influence. In all honesty, the ultimate outcome is also beyond our grasp. Regardless of my personal standing, I will be but one more spear tip amidst a dense thicket of combatants," Cai Renxiang commented. "You've been rather silent, Ling Qi. Your understanding of the 'ith' is more profound than most. What, in your opinion, would constitute the ideal resolution?"

Ling Qi possessed such knowledge, yet her recent excursion to the 'ith' city situated beneath Xianmen, coupled with the rudimentary explanations she was compelled to offer the ministers regarding her impromptu interpretation of Tcho-Ri, had starkly illuminated the superficiality of her actual grasp on 'ith' affairs.

"I believe the ideal outcome should leave avenues open for reconciliation. Even if they are defeated, their hatred for us must not become so profound that dialogue becomes utterly impossible," Ling Qi responded.

"That is an exceedingly difficult objective. Hatred tends to flourish readily on the battlefield," Meng Dan observed.

"You showed wisdom in refraining from voicing such sentiments within Xiangmen itself," Xia Lin commented dryly. "Among the soldiers of the central valley, in particular, their anger has already ignited into a ferocious inferno."

"So, that's where you chose to spend your respite. The recruitment grounds for the new Horned Legion?" Ling Qi shook her head slightly. "I would have phrased my thoughts differently in their presence. I would have employed words that would resonate with those who are grieving and enraged. However, Lady Cai specifically inquired about my ideal vision."

She cast her gaze out the carriage window, observing the majestic banners fluttering high above, which gradually disappeared amongst the trees as their vehicle navigated a bend in the road.

"That is precisely why I express myself as I do. A soldier's grandson perishes miserably from a virulent plague, leaving the man consumed by feelings of helplessness and incandescent rage. His comrades, with whom he has trained and fought for half a century, respond with shared empathy, and their own fury is stoked, even though they themselves have suffered no personal loss. Their commander, acting as the leader of his men, vows that the enemy will face retribution for this transgression; such anger must be performed authentically, or the unit's cohesion risks being compromised, irrespective of whether the emotion is truly felt. For most individuals, distinguishing between a mask and their true face proves challenging, regardless of their self-perception."

Ling Qi settled back into her seat as she elaborated.

"The anger then propagates outwards, intensifies, and finally solidifies, becoming the accepted norm. This is how the adversarial relationship with the cloud tribes originated. This is the mechanism by which animosity is passed down through generations. I refuse to accept that this trajectory is predetermined. If such an end comes to pass, it will be attributable to my own failures, not because I resigned myself to its inevitability."

"A noble sentiment. How do you propose to achieve such a difficult outcome? Based on all available intelligence, the Ya-lith-Kai are an ambitious, expansionist faction. They likely harbor genuine sympathy for the cloud tribes with whom they have forged alliances. I would surmise that some measure of this must exist within their broader populace for this 'consensus' to be effective, if their rationale for engaging in war is widely accepted. There is no singular, great king to depose, no distinct sovereign who could be replaced by another with a more benevolent disposition," Meng Dan stated. "This, quite frankly, is my greatest apprehension: an unending conflict, punctuated only by brief intervals for rearmament."

Ling Qi responded, "I concur, but I must emphasize that my insights on this matter are only marginally superior. Much of what I articulate remains speculative. Achieving a perfect consensus is unlikely for them, from my understanding. The current state of widespread public anger and the collective will for war is likely closer to the initial situation. Our sovereigns do not derive their power from this..."

Sixiang murmured.

Within the Shadow of Xiangmen. Ling Qi could not ascertain the extent to which the depicted events were embellished dramatizations of the final battle, yet she vividly recalled the scene where Diao Linqin ascended to assist the Duchess in the critical final moments, and the subsequent incandescent surge of light emanating from the remaining rebel armies, all converge through her. At this rate, Ling Qi suspected she might secure a seat for the subsequent acts.

"We can still observe and influence its aftermath. I do not believe complete annihilation is necessary to dismantle their consensus. In fact, it might inadvertently strengthen it," Ling Qi proposed.

"Ogodei was the genesis from which my mother's rebellion and the current unification of the Emerald Seas were cultivated," Cai Renxiang stated. "I grasp the essence of your argument. Regrettably, the ultimate control appears to rest predominantly with the Ya, does it not? We are powerless to command them, except in their subjugation."

"Until the cessation of hostilities, that remains the case," Gan Guangli interjected. "Miss Ling is contemplating the interlude that follows the conflict, is she not?"

"Our strength isn't sufficient to truly alter the course of the war, but we have demonstrated our capabilities in other significant ways," Cai Renxiang mused.

"I've been diligently studying how to make a narrative tangible and real," Ling Qi concurred.

"You tend to keep your head too far in the heavens," Xia Lin sighed. "However, perhaps such unwavering determination is also essential."

"I hope that Lady Ling will graciously accept my editorial assistance. I possess some background in narrative construction," Meng Dan proposed.

"Please do," Ling Qi responded with a gentle smile. "That being said, I can scarcely be considered the sole author."

Cai Renxiang met Ling Qi's gaze and offered a slight inclination of her head. The narrative they were destined to craft, their own unique chapter within the vast, sprawling chronicle of the Emerald Seas, was still very much in its nascent stages.