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Sixteen

Ash had enjoyed his visit with his parents but it’d unfortunately been limited to a single day. A day spent listening to his parents tell him about everything and anything they’d seen.

From how strange everything seemed to them, to how flattered they were that the king himself had come to present their grand-daughter to them along with the royal princess.

While it wasn’t certain yet, it seemed that the first-born of the princess didn’t have a Dantian.

She would become a Sheng princess with the last name of Langye, but a Sheng princess nonetheless. It seemed the Langye family didn’t fear the Sheng, and if anything, wanted to keep them quite close as family.

As family, Ash needed to check in with them and give them a day just as he had his parents.

Especially as he had a daughter out there. A child of his own flesh and blood that he had yet to meet.

It left Ash feeling very strange as he moved along the road.

The contingent of Knights and Brides he had arrived with were now moving with him into the heart of the capital. The very seat of the Langye Kingdom and family.

“It’s rather nice that we were able to make the trips easily as we did,” Xiuying chirped brightly, walking along as Ash’s right. “With how large the kingdom is, imagine if we had been on the outer edges. We’d have been forced to run or fly! Not leisurely walk.”

Errr, the kingdom of Langye is rather large, isn’t it?

“Very large. We’re recruiting into the Sheng Alliance across the whole of it and we don’t have enough recruiters yet. We’ve been recruiting recruiters to go recruit recruiters to recruit people.

“We’re working on it, but it’ll take a significant amount of time for us to truly expand completely to the edges of the kingdom.

“It’s strange that the veils have been silent and the overlaps less frequent. It leaves me feeling somewhat cold inside but… there’s nothing we can do about it.

“I haven’t heard anything from anyone else about it. It’s as if they’ve failed, given up, or just died.”

Sorry.

I know that’s your ultimate goal and what you wanted to achieve.

“I… it was. It was. It doesn’t feel as if it matters as much anymore. There’s so much to do here, so much that we need to accomplish, and so much I wish to achieve.

“I have to admit that realistically I don’t think much about the veils. The wraiths. It’s just… it’s just secondary to me anymore. I exist here for my family and friends.”

Look at you. LBA is well and truly a different memory.

Is this the part where you tell me it’s time to put a baby in you and you’re going to trad-wife it up in the Hall and never come out again?

“Uhm… maybe. Maybe? Maybe. I… maybe. It sounds very tempting and now that the ‘first born’ barrier has been broken by someone not in the Brides or your inner circle, it wouldn’t feel like I’m betraying anyone.”

First born barrier?

“Everyone was a bit nervous to try and conceive first. That it’d somehow create some type of… baby… arms race… or something. Don’t worry about it. We’re all well aware that you’re not ready for kids.

“Ju and… our Sheng princess was an exception.

“You did what you had to, to secure what we needed. Even if it wasn’t something you really wanted to do.”

Ash only nodded his head as he walked along.

Princess Ju Langye was a woman with beauty, position, and a quick mind. There was no doubting that she would leverage her position as the Langye princess married to Ash. Her bearing a princess, now referred to as the Sheng Princess by many people, was more than likely going to become a fulcrum for her.

What does Liu think of all this?

She’s been close to the Langye family. Watched all this happen.

Moving toward the gate of the emperor and the Sheng inner-sect Ash realized belatedly all the guards made way for him. They were well aware of who he was and where he was going.

“She’s actually quite delighted. Princess Ju immediately brought your daughter over to Liu and Gen. Liu is ‘Auntie Liu’ and Gen is ‘Grumpa Gen’.

“Either through her understanding of politics or just being a good person, Ju has quickly brought as many upper Sheng members in as she could.

“Your parents included.

“As far as the Brides are concerned though, we’re not concerned about princess Ju or the Sheng Princess. We’re more than okay with the situation.”

As Ash entered the imperial grounds he found a very large number of Brides all standing there. There was also a large number of male cultivators as well that would be part of the Sheng Alliance.

No sooner than Ash had fully entered the large and open gardens at the perimeter than they all fell into a martial salute.

In response, Ash felt his Dao flare up and begin to throw out heavy booming hammer blows. A steady and demanding cadence that felt a lot like a parade march beat.

Ash’s spine straightened and he found himself looking out to all those who gave him deference.

“Lord Sheng,” they all called out at once, to which his Dao only increased in it’s presence.

He realized that what he could sense in his Dao wasn’t everyone, nor was it a reflection of all those who were part of his movement. There were a great many people who would be part of it, support it, yet not be distinguishable from the whole.

“A far cry from our ten homes on a single street, Lord Sheng,” Na whispered from directly behind him.

“Right?” Ash asked and smiled as he caught sight of Princess Ju, King Hu, Gen Sheng, his sister Yan, and Liu all standing at the point where stairs intersected with the gardens.

Cradled in Princess Ju’s arms was a baby swaddled in cloth and held tight to her chest. Ash could see she had light brown hair even from this distance.

Unable to focus on anyone other than his daughter, Ash walked right up to Princess Ju. The young woman’s dark hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and the rigidness he’d seen in her previously was gone.

Her dark eyes had been fastened on Ash until he stopped in front of her.

“Welcome back, Ashley,” murmured the princess. “Your daughter is here. The Sheng princess, our daughter. We’ve yet to name her but… I feel Far is a very suitable name, if you forgive me my boldness.”

Unable to help himself, Ash grinned at the idea of naming his daughter for Mother Far.

“May I?” he asked quietly, wanting to hold his daughter.

“Of course. She’s our daughter,” Ju said with a low laugh and then gently moved in beside Ash. She carefully transferred their daughter to him.

Staring into the child’s face he found bright brown eyes gazing up at him.

“Goodness. She’s most certainly as pretty as you are, Ju,” Ash whispered, wondering about the future of this child and where she would go.

“Ashley, you flatterer. We both know I’m no equal to the Brides,” Ju said with another chuckle. “Thank you, though. I’m sorry that… she doesn’t have a Dantian that we can tell.”

“Dantian or not matters very little,” Ash countered, using his index finger of his right hand to gently move the shockingly large amount of hair away from Far’s eyes. “The Sheng Princess will be exactly what she is. Our Daughter.”

“Congratulations, brother,” King Hu said with warmth. “I’m pleased to have a niece. She will have cousins in only a few months.

“While she will be somewhat removed from the throne, she truly will be the Sheng Princess. A lady that walks the line between the Sheng and the Langye. A position of power by virtue of her lineage.

“I think… so long as we’re careful and make sure our families remain a family, there could always be a place for a Sheng prince or princess. It’d keep us close.”

Ash wasn’t really sure how that’d work, but it wasn’t his job to do that either.

If King Hu and Princess Ju wanted to do something along those lines, he wasn’t going to interfere.

The fact that Far Sheng had no Dantian put her in the Langye realm of influence and would be part of their world more so than that of the Cultivator’s path.

“I’m sure there will be others among our number that children without a Dantian,” Mei offered with a laugh. “It will be good for the children without Dantian’s to have a world they can work in, while still having deep ties with us when they become adults.”

“Yes, please. Far will need many brothers and sisters after all. Cultivators and Citizens alike,” Ju insisted. “I’ll gladly be Auntie Ju to anyone who wants to prove themselves here. They would have to earn their way of course. Through merit.

“Unless you would have concerns with that, brother?”

“If it was earned through merit, not at all. I think you’ll only have a few who want to join you though, Sister. While I’d love to play Uncle Hu to many Sheng children, I think they’ll all want to work in the Sheng alliance,” Hu explained.

“A valid point,” Gen Sheng whispered from where he stood next to Yan and Liu. “There are far too many open vacancies in the Alliance and we’re always looking for more.”

Ash nodded his head, his eyes still glued to Far Sheng in his arms.

“You’re all silly,” put in Xiuying with a bright laugh. “Things will be as they are. Children will do what they will. Good, bad, or otherwise!

“All we can do is be parents and elders. That’s all.”

Ash felt like Xiuying had more to say and he glanced over at the pretty Fortune’s Chosen.

As their eyes met her face became a bright and sudden red.

Yet she only smiled at him and said nothing.

She’s pregnant.

“She’s pregnant.”

Rou couldn’t stop it?

“Rou did everything to her that she did to everyone else. To the point that it’s a wonder any of us have a working reproductive system anymore. Thankfully she can fix it.

“Xiuying’s body decided it was a good time to be pregnant. So she’s pregnant. She’ll tell you when she’s ready I’m sure. When it fits her luck.”

“How long do I have?” Ash murmured and looked back to his daughter. “I imagine the Emperor will know I’m here.”

“He’s said nothing to me. I have heard nothing from him for a while,” Gen admitted. “For all intents and purposes… the emperor and the upper realms are silent. I need to go to the transfer point to the middle realm today and check in as is my routine as the realm lord.”

“May I go with you?” Ash asked, unable to look away from his daughter. “I’ve felt a great many things shifting in this realm. Things that are running counter to my momentum and that of the Sheng Alliance. Which in this case, would likely be counter to the Langye family, as they’re my family.”

“Of course,” Liu said and he felt the Bridal Realm Lord move away from Gen. “First though, please witness what we’ve prepared.”

Lifting his gaze up from his daughter, Ash looked to the gardens.

While he’d been distracted, the Alliance had been busy.

The portal from the cave was here and it was open.

He had never closed it, after all. It’d remained open

In fact, he hadn’t closed any of them after having gone through them.

There was an odd whining noise followed by a pop as another portal ring came into existence on the other side of the walkway that split the gardens.

“I found it under the palace,” Locke said, appearing in front of him. Her eyes were on Far Sheng. “It goes to the prison. You’ll need to touch it with the ring.

“And… may… may I please hold the Sheng Princess? My niece?”

Rather than hand his daughter off, Ash looked to Ju.

Who blinked and stared at him as if not sure why he was looking at her.

“Sister Ju, may I hold Far?” Locke asked, looking to the Princess.

“Of course, Sister Locke,” Ju said after blinking twice more, a smile turning her lips upward.

Ash gently handed his daughter off, walked over to the portal, and tapped his ring to it.

No sooner than the portal opened than Brides and Knights began marching out of it.

Surprisingly, an equal number of people began moving through the other portal.

“Well,” Ash murmured as he saw more than a few Brides he recognized coming in through Ghast’s realm. “I suppose that’ll solve some manpower issues as well as reduce some of the resource problems.

“You’ve been planning this Locke. Quite secretly, too.”

“Jia, Mei, and Na did most of the paperwork and organizing. I just did heavy lifting. I… need a baby. Soon. I need one.

“Far is far too adorable. She feels like a font of goodness.”

Ash only shook his head with a smile as he watched more and more Brides arrive as others left through the other portal.

Not only the cycle of reincarnation has been stabilized, but the lower realm as a whole. I wonder how recruiting will go in the modern world.

***

Flying under his own power, Ash felt rather strange.

He was a peak Awakened Mortal.

If he gained much more power at all, he wouldn’t even be allowed in the middle realm, let alone the lower realm. To be forced to transfer almost as soon as he arrived.

Those who utilized internal Qi like himself often had to be taken to the transfer point to be sent over, unlike those who worked their Qi externally.

Like Chunhua who was flying quite easily along next to him.

Flying through the air while actually reading a book from the modern realm. As casual as could be and without any issue.

“Chu, I’m going to beat you up, tend to you, and then use you like a flying rug,” Hui threatened, flying along in the group.

“Hmm? Oh. Oh! I’m… I’m so sorry,” Chunhua said and made the book vanish. “I just assumed you’d all want to do it under your own power. I’m more than happy to help you all out. You’re my family, after all.

“Does anyone not want me to take over for you? I wouldn’t be offended at all.”

No one said anything.

Several seconds passed and then Ash felt himself stop flying. That the wind had coalesced around him and he no longer had control over his own body.

“Thank you, Sister Chu. Your kindness is appreciated,” Na said from his side.

“I love you, Chu!” Xiuying squeaked out with a loud laugh. “I could feel you watching over me the whole time! This is much easier though.”

Chunhua only grinned, shook her head, then looked to Ash.

“Being the strongest means I must care for everyone else. Isn’t that right?” she asked, her smile becoming radiant. Her words were exactly what he wanted all of them to think and believe.

Strength was strength.

But it was also a duty.

To protect those who were weak so they could in turn grow strong. That somewhere along the line, those that were once weak might turn around and protect the weak in turn.

“Chu, I’m going to beat you up, care for you, and then insist on Ashley looking you over with Rou in tow,” Mei promised. “I’ve been practicing. It’s almost time for me to retake my place. Thank you for keeping my seat warm for me.”

“Sister Mei, please, take the position from me. Care for me and make me feel secure like you once did  for me when I couldn’t care for myself,” Chunhua teased. If anything, her words only demonstrated what Ash had just been thinking about.

“I will beat you all. I was the first and will become the peak,” Jia said formally. “Along with my Dear Mei, that is.”

“Dear Jia, I’m sorry for not mentioning you previously. That’s my fault. Once I retake my seat at the top, you’ll of course be my partner,” Mei acknowledged. “Forgive me?”

“How could I not?” replied Jia.

They’re not banging, are they?

“No. They would find the very idea repulsive if you suggested it. They’re just… very close. More like sisters born a year apart kind of thing. Very close.

“Also, the portal transfers are going well. I’m sorry I couldn’t come with you but someone has to oversee this. That and… well… I love holding Far Sheng. Ju is being very kind and letting me hold her.

“I think she could use a break as well so I really don’t think she minds.”

How fucked am I?

With Ju giving us Far, the Sheng Princess, and Xiuying about to announce her own pregnancy any day, how many are going to want children immediately?

“Oh. Uhm… me, Rou, Tala, and… Na, probably. So at least four right off the bat. When you’re done up there, you owe Ghast that dinner. She’s eager to spend time here in this realm. You also have a small meeting with Liu as well.”

Great.

No pregnancies there, I hope?

“Not yet. Later though. They’ll both need a child. As will whoever becomes the realm lord for the Modern realm. Cultivator legacies are made through blood and the bed.

“Not with words and actions.

“You knew this though and it’s why the Sheng Princess is now part of the world.”

Yes, yes. I know. I’m aware.

It’s just… still unnerving to a degree.

“There’s the transfer point,” Gen Sheng stated as he flew at the head of their group.

He was the formal realm lord and deserved respect. They would grant him that firstly for being the realm lord, and then secondly as he was one of the few Elders in the Sheng family.

“I don’t see the guards, however,” continued Gen, sounding somewhat concerned. “I admit I haven’t been back here in several months, but my understanding is this transfer point should never be unguarded. It’s to protect the realms and the people in them.”

Floating in the middle of the air, high above the ground beneath them, was a strange stone circle. Floating atop a rainbow hued cloud.

It was deactivated and didn’t seem to be powered.

“It… shouldn’t be unpowered, either,” Gen muttered as they closed in on it.

Chunhua brought everyone right up next to it and halted their movement.

“I wonder if we should leave it unpowered until we’re ready to cross,” Hui mused aloud. “It is unpowered for a reason, after all. If we were to power it… we would be inviting everyone to cross over.

“The fact that the guards are gone, its unpowered, and the Emperor is silent all lends itself to the idea that something has indeed happened. That we’ve been sectioned off to protect us.”

“I would agree,” Gen harrumphed, staring at the portal. “I feel like we cannot leave this here though. We should take it back with us to monitor it. Place it with the other portals now that they’ve been moved into the inner-Sheng sect, beneath the palace.”

“I concur. While it was nice to have the portals out in the open for the initial movements, having them below in the inner-sect is simply more practical.

“Adding the realm-transfer point and keeping it under our control is… honestly in our best interest. Put it in the Hall. It’s a lesser artifact compared to the ring.”

Ash shook his head once, ever surprised and concerned at the power of the One Emperor’s ring and where the man went.

“I’ll put it in the Hall. We can bring it back out where we want it,” he said and stuck it in the Hall. “With that solved for the moment. We should go snuff out the other points of resistance in the realm. There’s some key points that are moving counter to our momentum.”

“Dinner first with Ghast. Meet with Liu. You’re… you’re becoming akin to the Emperor. You must entreat your realm lords and work with them.

“If we’re truly locked away as we are, then we must continue to secure the areas we have control of. We must fortify our three realms.”

“Starting tomorrow,” Ash amended. “I need to settle my Bridal Realm Lords, first. That and I want to look at what the Emperor did to you if I may, Elder Gen. My abilities have increased and I plan on reversing what was done to you and Liu.”

Gen only chuckled at that, looking at Ash with a wolfish smile.

“Who am I to deny my grandson? After all, you’ve given me every wish I could have ever asked for,” he answered. “Though, we should have a quick visit with your aunt, Siu. She still asks about you on occasion. While she may not have been ideal as a family member, she does care for you.”

Bahahaha, he’s still banging master Zha.

That’s great.

I wonder if that means they’re going through with the marraige.

She sure got more than she bargained for.

“Ah, yes… Elder Gen. I wouldn’t mind that,” Siu offered.

“I should probably find my sister,” remarked Chunhua. “Now that we’re back in the realms that is.”