Immortal Connections - Chapter 26 Preview

Chapter 26 - Wu Ying

Short, stubby and annoyed, the vice-minister of personnel glowered at the lines all around, glancing impatiently at times as her own recruits were taken by hand to be escorted to their temporary residences before leaving the Palace at last. Within the week at the most, all the ascendants would have left the residence, leaving it empty till the next slew of newly risen cultivators arrived.

Wu Ying slipped through the space, coming to a stop near the woman and waiting to be acknowledged. He had no scroll in hand listing his accomplishments – though he had written and copied a few such as a matter of course – but for the purposes of the conversation now, did not want to delude her.

“Well?” she snapped as Wu Ying continued to hesitate.

“Honored Vice-Minister.” Wu Ying stepped closer and bowed, low. At the impatient noise she made, he continued. “This humble one has a question, one that is somewhat complicated and from the quandary, this one wishes to borrow your wisdom.”

“Vice-Minister Chien!” snapped one of her attendants and Wu Ying quickly corrected himself. He noted the woman waving the other silent, though she did not stop Wu Ying from correcting himself either. 

“It’s probably not that complicated,” Vice Minister Chien said. “You new Ascendants all like to think your special. As though rising through the Middle Kingdom makes you all that great.”

Mentally, he catalogued her as one of the naturals, an immortal born into the immortal realms to immortal parents. They were both luckier – since the number of natural births were extremely low – and also more tragic in his view. After all, the lack of winnowing, the pressure of growth and finding ones dao left many of these immortals with neither a dao of their own or the ability to utilize the strength given to them by birthright. More so, because of their lack of experience, few ever left the heavens, even fewer moving from one heavenly portion to the next as they refined their souls and understanding.

Instead, like the mortals so many despised – a truism easily picked out from the documents and scrolls and yes, attitude of the naturals like Vice Minister Chien before him – the majority were stuck, caught in a quagmire of comfort and indolence. Not that any that managed to climb so high could be considered lazy.

“This one, before he rose to such august heights, had some minor success at his secondary occupation as a wandering gatherer. In the time this one has –”

“Enough!” Vice Minister Chien interrupted Wu Ying, holding a hand up. “Drop the overt formalities. But I can see the shape of it already. You wish to ply your old trade, yes?” Wu Ying nodded. “And you want to join my ministry? I might have-” Wu Ying made a small gesture, an indication that he wanted to speak. Vice Minister Chien slowed, frowned. “Yes?”

“I wished to ask you about whether it was possible to set up a beneficial arrangement with the Ministries and Departments alike? To work independent of the main organization,” Wu Ying said. “As a… well… merchant, if you will.”

The twist of the woman’s face at the mention of a merchant, of the thief of resources almost made him quail. He was not, of course, looking to become one, though some of his work would be like them. However, he could not think of another way to describe what he wished from them. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted that Shou Ren had crossed over to one of the other attendants waiting to be tasked by the vice-minister, speaking softly to him.

"Freelance. Working not directly with us," her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"I, well... I feel that my skills could be used through the entire hierachy, rather than monopolized by one organisation." Wu Ying bowed a little. "In my experience, the strengthening of a kingdom's sects - all of them - was more beneficial than any single organisation, no matter how storied or powerful."

"You speak from experience then?" At Wu Ying's nod, she sneered. "You compare the Middle Kingdom's squabbling organisations against the celestial kingdoms, as though the Jade Empire is some backwater sect and kingdom?"

Realising what he had said, Wu Ying bowed low. "I had not meant insult."

"And still, you gave it."

"This one is-"

"Already, I told you to stop that. You don't listen or understand well, do you?" She snorted. "You bargain like a merchant, think too highly of your skills and ability and act as though we, the Jade Empire, need bend our rules for you?"

"I seek no bending of rules, Honored Vice Minister Chien. I sought your advice, on how to find the appropriate place," Wu Ying said, hurriedly. He knew she had him on the backfoot, that she was pushing him so that she could gain an upperhand; but the truth was, she - the entire palace - had that already, with their guards and their strength. His only defence was custom and etiquette. “Surely I am not the only Ascendant whose skills might benefit from being apart, but still linked, to the Jade Empire?”

“Such things are earned, not given. What you ask for is a privilege.”

“I understand,” Wu Ying inclined his head. “I apologize for my presumption.”

“You best. Now, you say you’re a gatherer, of some skill?” Wu Ying nodded. “Well, I certainly could make use of that. While we manage thee examinations and reviews, we also undertake to aid the personnel within the realms at progressing. Not to mention, of course, the various other fruits and herbs that are necessary for meals, healing poultices and the like.” 

Wu Ying could see how this was going, and desperately searched for an opening. It came in the form of an attendant, the same one that Shou Ren had been speaking to earlier who approached with all deference. At the same time, the meddling scholar had now slipped away, to start a conversation with another attendant, gesturing over to their own group. 

“Vice Minister Chien, I confess, I overheard the conversation and am greatly interested in this Ascendant’s skills too. As you know, the Ministry of War is in desperate need of skilled gatherers and growers.” An eyebrow rose. “You do have skills in farming too, do you not?”

“Some,” Wu Ying admitted. “My specialization was in wild gathering, but one, of course, has to study the other aspects of spiritual herb rearing.”

“Yes, yes. The army understands that, though it is the Minister’s belief that it is the emphasis on farming and harvesting, the development of the army as a whole and support for them that is most important. Rather than the individual pursuit of perfection,” the attendant said.

“Attendant Hua, you were not invited to this conversation,” Vice Minister Chien said, glowering at the other man. “I am speaking with the newly risen Ascendant on his proper placement as is our right.”

“As is the right of all, as per the Jade Emperor himself, the Ascendants may choose which Ministry or Department they desire to join,” Attendant Hua said, bowing again to Vice Minister Chien. “We do not wish Ascendant…”

“Long.”

“Ascendant Long to believe he is restricted to just the Ministry of Personnel.”

“Or War,” now it was the Vice Minister of Justice who had arrived. Trailing behind him was the attendant that Shou Ren had been speaking with. A quick, surreptitious glance around, had the man back with Xin Heng, fanning himself innocently. Of course, when Wu Ying caught his eye, the man winked.

“Vice Minister Wu.” Vice Minister Chien turned, nodded to the other with a degree of cordiality. He returned the nod, turning his gaze to Attendant Hua who dipped low. Wu Ying copied their actions, realizing that Shou Ren’ actions might have given him the escape he needed. “I was just saying that guiding Ascendant Long to the appropriate ministry is our prerogative.”

“Of course. Nor do we want to see his talents turned to work that anyone, with a modicum of training, could do. Cultivating the grain and harvesting the food needed to keep the armies of heaven marching is important, but we have numerous such villages, no?” Vice Minister Wu said. “A wild gatherer, one who has actual skill, is much rarer.”

"We know nothing of his skills as yet," Attendant Hua said. "You know how these Ascendants overstate their importance."

"I do. On the other hand, some have always surprised us," Vice Minister Woo said with a razor-edged smile at the Attendant. "We see that, most, among our recruits."

"And if he lacks, with some training and guidance, I am certain we could bring out his full qualities. We can, of course, do that..." Vice Minister Chien said,, interrupting the burgeoning conversation.

"So long as we ensure that all his pickings are properly accounted for." Another Vice Minister stepped in, dark eyes glittering. Long and thin, like an elongated stork, he peered at the group over a pair of glasses, prayer beads in one hand. "We would not want the Jade Emperor to be missing his due, now would we?"

Wu Ying was beginning to sweat a little now, the sheer number of personages around him causing him concern. The subtle pressure of their contained auras, the butting daos was causing a resonance deep within him, one that forced him to breathe slowly and carefully. The entire group was arguing now, around him, about him ostensibly but mostly about the limits of their power and authority. Flexing their differing degrees of control, unwilling to allow another department a perceived advantage.

In the end, he was but a pawn in their games. An uncomfortable truth, especially after having ascended so far as to be one of the players - or at least, be strong enough that he could ignore the games themselves. To find himself once more in this position was galling and a lesson in humility.`

On the other hand, and he had to admit, it was a good hand. The fact that none of them were willing to let Wu Ying join the other department or ministry directly meant that he might just get what he want. Or, possibly, end up persona non grata entirely.

Now, the question was, if there was anything he could do to tilt the balance.