PtM Book 17 - Chapter 27: Terms

1/3 this week! 

Also, Heartforge is now out on Audible, for those who listen there ^^.

https://geni.us/heartforge 

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The intermission lasted three days, and in those three days, the sects and clans of the three regions discussed, argued, and drew blood. Most of the attendees were not friends, and the line between cutting banter and insult was both blurry and ever-changing.

“It will take time for people to come around,” Abbot True Blood said to Cha Ming when he expressed his worries. “They are fighting, but progress has been made. You’ve already achieved far more than any of your predecessors.”

I’m afraid small progress won’t be enough, Abbot,” Cha Ming said.

“It takes much accumulation for a people to become harmonious,” Abbot True Blood said. “But for a temporary peace, I think this much is enough. Wouldn’t you say?”

A total of thirty-one cultivators had died during the intermission. Cha Ming was horrified, but the three regional leaders loaded it as a great success at the start of their next session. “Never let it be said that we can’t control our tempers when our interests are compromised,” said a nervous spokesperson. The three regional leaders nodded, and the speaker quietly exited the amphitheater and was never seen again.

It was then the turn of each regional leader to express their stances. “I for one show my full support for whatever Clear Sky is proposing,” said Abbot True Blood. “He paid me, after all, so I have no choice.” There were many chuckles at that. All three regions were familiar with the thrifty abbot and his shady business practice. ““Of course, he could always pay me more. If he did, I might even exert myself to my fullest.”

“Let’s talk after the day is over,” Cha Ming said. “I’m not against bribery, but I need to see concrete progress first.” Abbot True Blood’s eyes brightened at the mention of additional funds.

“It’s not that we’re against cooperating,” Grand Artificer Fei said to Cha Ming. “We’ve tried. Many times. It’s just that we’ve been fighting over these three darned regions for tens of thousands of years, even before we started calling it the Bloodstorm Conflict.”

“You call it fighting, but I believe that it has mostly been your two regions plundering mine the majority of the time,” Abbot True Blood said.

“Your memory fails you, Abbot True Blood,” Grand Artificer Fei said. “The blood sects often collaborate to pillage our lightning crystals. I remember many instances this past century.”

“Funny that you mention pillaging,” Azure Tempest said. “Everyone knows that your region’s storm pirates are basically an extension of the sects and clans.”

“If I remember correctly, your region isn’t exactly lacking in pirates, Sect Master,” Grand Artificer Fei spat.

“You’re behind the times, Grand Artificer,” Azure Tempest said. “We don’t have pirates anymore. Clear Sky and his friends killed them all.”

“So that’s where all those stray pirates came from,” Grand Artificer Fei said. “Oh my, I had assumed Oster Fireblight chased had them out of his territory.”

“I didn’t chase anyone anywhere,” Cha Ming said. “I killed as many as I could, and the others ran away. But if you like, I could purge your region as well. I won’t charge a single crystal.”

Grand Artificer Fei cleared her throat. “I think we can take care of these small problems ourselves. There’s no need to worry yourself over something like pirates.” From her comments, Cha Ming guessed there was as grain of truth to Azure Tempest’s accusations.

“I believe we might be getting a little off topic,” Abbot True Blood said.

“Are we?” Sect Master Azure Tempest said. “Because it’s only fair that we cover all sides. I recall many massacres occurring in the Azure Tempest Region during my tenure. At one point, both the True Blood Region and the Puppet Lightning Region banded together and destroyed a total of three Tier 2 sects and two Tier 2 clans.”

“Only because you started gouging us on ships and skimmers,” Abbot True Blood muttered.

“Since you’ve admitted it, I haver nothing else to say,” said Sect Master Azure Tempest.

“And there you have it,” Cha Ming said, interrupting their argument. “War, war, war. And in the end, it’s all about resources. Resources that could be developed and traded if ever there was peace.”

“A long-ranged teleportation network would probably go a long way,” Huxian added. “Then the pirates would be less of an issue.”

“Are you saying we should just forget these years of bitter grudge?” Grand Artificer Fei asked. “Entire sects and clans have been built on the premise of revenge.”

“I’m not saying you should forget anything,” Cha Ming said. “But consider the situation. Look at where the benefits and the pitfalls are, and you’ll see that unity is worth considering. The situation is dire, sect masters, and any kind of alliance would be a net benefit. Or does anyone disagree?”

“And what sort of ‘alliance’ is it that you propose?” Azure Tempest asked. “I notice you’re still sitting on that platform, by the way. As is your fox. Is your intention for us to start listening to your commands, as others listen to their wardens?”

“It is not my intent to lead anyone, but I am quite ambitious,” Cha Ming said. “I propose nothing short of full unification of all three regions.” His words prompted gasps from the many sects. Outraged cultivators hurled insults, though most just gave him a cold look. The amphitheater seemed to drop several degrees in just a few seconds. “I’d also like to clarify that I’m not speaking of an alliance, but a full unification. In rules. In borders. In government.”

“I knew you were bold, but this is just ridiculous,” Grand Artificer Fei said. “Why would we even consider such a thing? A military alliance fits the situation much better.”

Cha Ming inwardly rejoiced at the progress. Any amount of unification was better than none. Still, he wouldn’t give up so easily. “It is true that a military alliance would be easier, Grand Artificer,” he admitted. “And if that’s the way everyone wants to go, I can procure karmically binding agreements from the Heartforge Realm, free of charge.”

Abbot True Blood was the shrewdest of the bunch when it came to money. Cha Ming’s words implied that there were options and variable benefits. “Clear Sky, you appear to be a man of vision. Tell me how you see things playing out. What would be the difference between say, a military alliance, and a larger non-aggression treaty. And why don’t you compare that to a full unification?”

“I think that’s self explanatory, Abbot True Blood,” Cha Ming said. “An alliance would involve joint patrols and a joint military under the control of an agreed-upon leader. The three regions would remain more or less independent. Such an agreement could possibly even include provisions for limited trade.”

“I mean materially,” Abbot True Blood said.

“I’ll get to that,” Cha Ming said. “To me, regional consolidation is your best option. You would all get together and decide on a governing body. I imagine that a council plus leader structure would work best. This government would exist at a higher level than the current tiered structure. If you want to use the existing governing structure as a reference, this governing body would be a Tier 0 organization that could create and enforce rules and regulations for all three regions. It would also control a joint army and would have the authority to declare war for all three regions.”

Azure Tempest bristled at the suggestion. “You want us to give up our independence? Impossible.”

“Indeed, that is quite a heavy ask,” Abbot True Blood said. “You paid me for my support, Clear Sky, but you should know that your payment can only sway me so far.”

“I or one would like to hear the rest of Clear Sky’s thoughts on this idea,” said Grand Artificer Fei. “There’s nothing wrong with talking about ideas. We often have such discussions about research projects in our workshops. Pie-in-the-sky ideas are great - if only to pick them apart and see what works.”

“There is merit to your words, Grand Artificer,” Abbot True Blood said. “By all means, Clear Sky, elaborate.”

To answer, Cha Ming summoned three streams of energy - one of wind, one of blood, and one of lightning. He painted a likeness of the amphitheater, complete with platforms and spectator seats. There were cultivators in the seats, arguing and hashing things out.

The painting wasn’t a small one. It was large enough that even those in the back stands could see it in clear detail. “This is my vision of what a proper government should look like,” Cha Ming said. “Every month, or quarterly, or whatever you agree upon, the council would convene to discuss ideas and cast votes to enact laws.”

“So each sect would have a vote?” Azure Tempest said, crossing her arms. “Impossible.”

“Such a system would make fringe sects in each region too influential,” Grand Artificer Fei agreed.

“I’ve already thought of this problem, and I believe there’s an easy solution,” Cha Ming said. “Three votes. Every region would have a single vote. In this way, the regions would be able to preserve their region’s stability, and prevent political plays against lower seats in their own council chamber.”

“I will not put myself in a position where two regions can overpower a third,” Azure Tempest cut in.

“Which is why this council should require the agreement of all three regions to pass anything,” Cha Ming said.

Abbot True Blood was skeptical. “All three? We’d never get anything done.”

“I think that might be Clear Sky’s point,” Grand Artificer Fei muttered.

“It is,” Cha Ming said. “Your concern is loss of autonomy. Requiring full agreement to pass any laws would ensure that each region maintains some clout. Let’s use trade as an example. Not everyone has the same demands for trade. If there is a trade imbalance, the other regions could ask for other concessions to pass any trade agreement.

“Such an arrangement would be extremely impractical in times of war,” Azure Tempest said.

“It would be,” Cha Ming agreed. “That is why there would be an allowance to allow for a two-thirds majority to decide certain issues requiring swift actions. The leader of the alliance would also be able to approve certain matters independently, pending periodical review by the council.”

“Which brings me back to my original question,” Azure Tempest said. “Leadership. You’ve already taken the middle seat, Clear Sky, so I can only assume you’re interested.”

Cha Ming laughed. “That isn’t the case at all, Sect Master. I have no interest in such a position.” The three regional leaders looked at him strangely. “What? Should I want to be the leader? That sounds extremely boring and a complete waste of my time.”

Abbot True Blood cleared his throat. “It is customary for the person proposing a unification alliance to want to take command, Clear Sky.”

“Oh,” Cha Ming said. “Well I don’t want to. Do you want to, Huxian?”

“Naw,” Huxian said. “Too troublesome.”

“So let me get this straight,” Azure Tempest said. “You’ve called us all the way over here to get us to form a coalition, and you want nothing to do with its government.”

“That is correct,” Cha Ming said. “Us wardens of the Heartforge Realm have been sent to strengthen each region and defend them from the fiends. Nothing else. Some might believe the best way to do this is to take control. I do not.

“I have many talents, but leadership is not one of them. I believe that it would be best if you all decided on leaders and rules and whatnot. I will assist you where I can, but most of my attention would shift southward once an agreement is reached, where the largest fiendish forces have gathered.

“There are many ways to tackle the problems plaguing the three regions. I believe unification is the best way to go about it, but if you feel strongly about limiting things to a military alliance, so be it. Regardless, I will continue to do four things.

“Firstly, I will continue fighting the fiends with everything I have. I will do this without asking for any rewards.

“Secondly, I will continue expanding the Clear Sky Conglomerate and produce as many painted Daoists, demigods, and demons as I can in the three regions. I will do the same in the Hallowed Turtle Ox Region at Lord Eight Directions’ request.

“Thirdly, I will continue trading with each region. The Chasewind Plane is sorely lacking in early and mid tier law-stitching goods but is abundant in raw materials for these same grades. There are many valuable goods that the Chasewind Plane can’t utilize, and many things it requires, like top-grade transcendent crystals and high-grade and top-grade medicinal pills.

“Fourthly, I will happily act as a go-between and convince my brother, Lord Eight Directions, to set up a rudimentary teleportation network spanning the three regions. It won’t be fancy, but it will save a lot of transportation expenses.”

“I smell a hook,” Abbot True Blood said. “What’s the hook, Clear Sky? What are you still holding back?”

“If you all decide on a military alliance, this will be the extent of my contributions,” Cha Ming said, raising his hands. “I will of course continue to provide resources as negotiated for fiend kills, regardless of whether it is inside your regions or within the blighted lands.

“But, if you all decide to consolidate and form a unified Bloodstorm Region… For starters, I would give the regional council a large gift – the Bloodstorm Mountains, Bloodstorm Gorge, and the Bloodstorm Amphitheater, for one.”

“That’s… a very large gift, Clear Sky,” Grand Artificer Fei said. “Suspiciously large.”

“Be quiet, Grand Artificer,” Abbot True Blood said. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“I agree with the Grand Artificer,” Azure Tempest said. “What’s your angle, Clear Sky?”

“The angle is extremely self-interested, I assure you,” Cha Ming said. “Remember what I said about fiend kills benefiting my evaluation? That continues to be the case. I get very real material benefits from your continued success. Moreover, please consider that I was not originally warden of two of these three regions.”

“That makes sense,” Abbot True Blood said. “If we can’t defend ourselves from the other regions and regional alliances, you stand to lose much.”

“The way I see it, these Bloodstorm Mountains would be very beneficial for their corresponding regions,” Cha Ming said. “Each of the regions would occupy a single mountain, where up to ten thousand cultivators would be able to draw upon the ambient elements to both fuse their energies and cultivate secret arts.”

Grand Artificer Fei immediately caught on to what he was saying. “If we had excess quotas, nothing would prevent us from trading cultivation quotas, correct?”

“By all means, do so,” Cha Ming said. “I don’t know how else you’ll be able to take advantage of Bloodstorm Gorge.”

“Bloodstorm Gorge is an excellent cultivation environment, but it’s difficult to take advantage of without first experiencing individual elements,” Azure Tempest muttered. “We would therefore be forced to cooperate and negotiate from the outset. What a nice ‘gift’ you’re giving us.”

“The Bloodstorm Formation will automatically activate once a month,” Cha Ming continued. “Each region would be able to send whomever they wish into Bloodstorm Gorge and the Bloodstorm Amphitheater, though only one thousand cultivators will be able to enjoy the benefits of the amphitheater.

“At other times, the amphitheater’s energies will not be as powerful. But there are still benefits to be had. I suggest that the councillors chosen from each region occupy these seats in between sessions to benefit their cultivation. As for this seat…” He gestured the Bloodstorm Platform. “You may do with it as you see fit. Negotiate. Use it as a part of your deal-making process.”

He turned to Huxian. “Do you have anything to add?”

Huxian had exchanged his chef’s uniform for a stylish suit fitting the upper circles of the Chasewind Plane. “My Hallowed Turtle Ox Region is willing to pitch in cross-planetary transportation. And a big trade deal with the Hallow Turtle Ox Region.”

His words had much greater effect than Cha Ming’s. The Bloodstorm Mountains were good and all, but they paled in comparison with a deal with demons. Especially if they were located across the planet.

“There is also a third benefit,” Cha Ming said. “I am in possession of a portable pocket realm that provides ten-fold time acceleration and an energy-dense environment for cultivators. I am willing to take in a thousand rune gathering cultivators from the Bloodstorm Region, assuming it proceeds with the unification, from now until I leave the Chasewind Plane.”

“For free?” Abbot True Blood asked.

“Over my dead body,” Cha Ming said. “You can’t imagine how many resources I spent raising the War Blood Alliance and the Puppet Lightning Sect while fighting the Blood God Sect.” The cost in top-grade spirit stones had been astronomical. But he’d had little choice in the matter. Dao God Blood Seal and Dao God Thunderclash had pushed him into a corner.

“I cannot raise law-stitching cultivators,” Cha Ming continued. “The energies of my pocket realm are incomplete and require top-grade spirit stones to support their advancement. But can easily accommodate a thousand rune gathering cultivators and allow them to break through to the law stitching realm.”

“A thousand is too little,” Azure Tempest said. “Make it a thousand from each of the sub-regions.”

“Fine,” said Cha Ming. “A thousand from each subregion. But in exchange, I’ll be taking them south and using them to do battle against the fiends.” This was a win for all sides. Not only would they get a proper cultivation environment, but they would also get combat experience and adequate recovery time. Cha Ming would make up any losses incurred with extra points.

For a time, no one spoke. Each of the three regional leaders studied him, as though wondering what other benefits he would obtain from such a one-side proposal. But the truth was extremely simple: Cha Ming would not be losing out, because an alliance would allow the regions to muster more forces to fight the fiends and would suffer less from each outbreak.

It was Azure Tempest who spoke first. “This is indeed an impressive offer, Clear Sky. One that is difficult to refuse. But tell me - if we refuse to merge as a region, will you simply waste these things you’ve offered? I don’t believe that it is in your character to abandon people in need.”

“You are correct, Sect Master,” Cha Ming said. “I am loathe to waste my advantages. Should you all refuse my kind intentions, I will take these things I have offered you and use them to strengthen the Clear Sky Conglomerate. At this point, it will no longer be fitting to call it a company. The Clear Sky Conglomerate would become the Clear Sky Sect.”

Recruiting normal Daoists from each region might be difficult, but there was now a surplus of Painted Daoists. Too many for the sects and clans to take in. They simply could not stop him from forming an independent power if he chose to do so.

Such a force would also grow very quickly, as it would have not only Cha Ming’s backing, but connections to the Hallowed Turtle Ox Region. As for using force to uproot them? What a joke! They’d all seen Cha Ming’s abilities. He could evacuate entire sects and cross the three regions in half a day. This wasn’t even counting Cha Ming’s other sources of leverage, namely the Puppet Lightning Sect’s lightning soul, withholding supplies, and closing down the Clear Sky Conglomerates.

The regional leaders called another recess. This one lasted a full week, and many fights and arguments broke out. There were no deaths, however, and when they reconvened, it was in an orderly fashion. Azure Tempest assumed a dominant roll in the meeting.

“We have discussed many possibilities during this past week and have decided that the benefits you are offering the three regions meet our minimum requirements,” Azure Tempest said. “Only one major obstacle remains.”

“And what is that?” Cha Ming asked.

“Your qualifications,” Azure Tempest said. “Can you even withstand a single palm of mine? We cannot do business unless we are confident that you can preserve your life in an emergency.”

“Is this your only objection, Sect master?” Cha Ming asked.

“It is not an objection, but a concern,” Abbot True Blood said to Cha Ming. “And this concern is one shared by all. Think about it - if you can’t even withstand a single exchange with a Tier 1 sect master, wouldn’t that mean that at any moment, the entire alliance might dissolve because a simple ambush?”

“Our Puppet Lighting Sect does not have the means to fight you, Clear Sky, but we must be assured of your qualifications,” Grand Artificer Fei said. “You may be our benefactor, but this concerns the fate of our entire region.”

Cha Ming could see where they were coming from. “You are concerned about my cultivation realm. Let me tell you now that even with all my tools, I cannot defeat a Tier 1 sect master.”

“That is only natural,” Azure Tempest said. “But at least prove that you can defend yourself. Otherwise, there’s no point to any of this.”

Cha Ming nodded. “If that’s the case, I can only accept your challenge.”

“We’ll accept it together,” Huxian said, appearing beside him. “Challenging him is the same as challenging me.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do, Lord Eight Directions,” Azure Tempest said. “If you were a normal demon companion, I would agree, but you are far too independent for us to treat you as a single entity.”

“Don’t worry, Huxian,” Cha Ming said, flying up into the airspace above the amphitheater. “It’s obvious that words won’t resolve this. Let’s fight!”

“Our Puppet Lighting Sect will test him first,” said Grand Artificer Fei. “Patriarch Blighted Heaven, you are not a Tier 1 sect master, but you are the most powerful Tier 2 sect master in our region. Please show him the gap between him and a true powerhouse.”