Immortal Connections - Chapter 27 preview

Author Note: Preview chapters are rough/first drafts. These chapters have not been edited, expect that there may be errors - however, feel free to point out consistency issues!

Chapter 27 - Yang Mu

Travel through the Middle Kingdom, from the northwest to the southern and central lands was a process of weeks, if not months. The distance involved was great, the number of cities and conveyances one had t utilize was great. In the process, Yang Mu made sure to build upon her connections, but along the way, she began to adjust her thinking further. Not just because of her recent loss, but because of the storm she expected to descend into.

It was not sufficient to be a Core Formation cultivator with some contacts if she were to join the battle. It was not enough to come there, with gold and spirit stones, with formations and talismans, not if she was not to be a burden to her parents. More was required. More than her own skills in the martial, and since she no longer had the aid of her lover nor his own martial contacts and friends,  she needed help. 

Martial help.

In that sense, being so distant from the conflict was an advantage. Certainly, the number of individuals willing to travel the distance were fewer, the number of personnel who might be willing to involve themselves in the conflict and had the strength to be counted minimal; but at the same time, knowledge of the scope of conflict was limited.

That, as a merchant, gave her an advantage. Not too much of one, for it would be a fool who lied too blatantly to ones guards. But it did allow her to shade the truth a little.

“My mother knows of what I do,” Yang Mu said to her latest visitor. Hands splayed before her, she kept her face serene even as the subtle pressure of a heavy handed aura probe from her guest landed upon her. Subtle or not, the Nascent Soul cultivator before her was strong and his probing, while fumble handed would have been enough against most Core Formation cultivators. 

Luckily, she was not most. Growing up with parents in the Nascent Soul stage had left her with uncommon control of her aura, of her ability o hide information and wield her emotions and physicality. After all, if you did not learn to lie well, you could never sneak out an extra cookie or more tong hui.

“That is good. The Platinum Sages are known, even here, so many li away. In particular, there is a rumor…” And which one, she wondered, interested him? Was it a weapon or pill or some other cultivation accessory? “that your father has a cup of immortal peach wine.”

That rumor. She let her disappointment register, the frown that crossed her face. She bowed her head a little, even as she told the truth. Some lies were too dangerous to allow to populate. “Sadly, an exaggeration. My father once hosted a pair of immortals in the inn. Before myself or my sister were born. However, though they drank heavily and copiously, they never left behind any of the wines or foods from the heavens.” A slight pause, then she added, reluctantly. “Their presence did stain the bowls and cutlery they used, but over the years, most traces of their presence have faded.”

“Most, you say?” Naked hunger the voice, as the old man leaned forward. The spear he wielded was propped next to them, the weapon blade hidden by a simple, if enchanted, leather cover. 

“Two cups remain, both of them have lingering traces of their presence and impressions of their dao,” Yang Mu admitted.

"Your mother did not sell them?"

"He wouldn't let her," Yang Mu replied. "It's one of his prized possessions and one of the reasons he's progressed in his own dao, or so he boasts to us."

She could see the naked greed in the other man's eyes now, the desire for what was not his. He hid it by lowering his gaze, but she could tell it was there. Immortal touched and impressed upon items were of great interest to the general cultivator populace, though it was only those within the Nascent Soul realm who might benefit from them. And even so...

"Your dao, it revolves around food and comfort and hearth then?" she asked.

"In a way." The old man evaded her question with ease, then coughed. It started as a pair of quick coughs, but began to repeat, until he was hacking. His attendant, a young woman hurried over, patting his back, rubbing at it and pouring a dash of chi within to help comfort the other. Eventually, the coughing eased, the old man breathing easier. Catching Yang Mu's doubtful gaze, he muttered. "A poison. It catches me at times, but it will not affect my overall skill."

"Then may I count on the Midnight Spear?" she said.

"If you can promise access to those cups." At the look she gave him, he smirked. "Do you think I know not that you have no ability to negotiate their release? If he would not part with them for your esteemed mother, he surely would not allow his wayward daughter to sell them. Access though, that I'm sure you can convince him."

"Grandfather..." his attendant, his granddaughter muttered, looking anxiously between Yang Mu and her relative. The cultivator with the healing dao - most likely a physician of some sort - was rather plain, lacking both grace, clothing and physicality to set her apart. In fact, a rather prominent jaw and a elongated face veered her towards worse than plain, if not for the ameliorating effects of moving up in cultivation. 

"Hush. This is my only chance. No matter what you do, you know I have only a few years left." Seeing the doubt on Yang Mu's face, he smirked. "What? You think you can do better than this old man?"

"Not at all," Yang Mu murmured. "I just am concerned about creating additional enemies, should you fall or expire before our battle ends."

The old man turned and looked at his granddaughter who sighed. "Yeye Tang is greatly loved and his presence would be missed, but most of my familly have already come to terms with his end."

"She means that I angered and hurt them all," Yeye Tang said. "She's only here because I saved her useless husband and promised her my spear when I'm gone."

"All your goods," she said, serenely. He snorted but nodded, though Yang Mu noted the flicker of hurt in the granddaughter's eyes. Whatever he believed, it seemed that the old man had not driven his family away entirely. 

What a strange family, to hide love behind business transactions, caring behind brusque attention, words of praise in sarcasm. 

"Very well then. I welcome you to this minor endeavor of ours." Yang Mu produced and poured three cups of wine, offering the pair the cups one after the other before raising hers. "To a fruitful partnership."

The pair echoed her words and motions as they drank, the old man placing his down after a sip. His granddaughter tossed her down, pausing only in admiration before taking his barely touched glass and draining it more carefully. Neither remarked upon the actions, their motions so rehearsed it must have been routine by now.

"So, am I the only one that has joined your cause? Or have you found others?" he asked.

"One other of note, like yourself, Honored Tang." 

"And others of little concern?" Yeye Tang said. "Dragging along the weak will just slow us down and endanger them. What you and your parents face, they are not to be trifled with."

"They understand. Nor would you want to deal with the riffraff that hang around them all. After all, word has reached me that a new dark sect has emerged, one that desires to harass my parents."

"Which one?"

"The Grey Leaping Toad."

The old man shook his head, not recognizing the name. Not that she expected him to. After all, dark sects were like mosquitos - too numerous to name in all, and always hiding in the shadows. Kill one and you just brought more out, till you were slapping away till you were exhausted.

Not that any sensible cultivator did not try.