Cultivating Chaos 4 -Ch14-

Standing there, Ash waited. Staring at those people coming forward for him.

False smiles, nervous glances, held breaths.

Along with a backpack full of entitlement that their precious little monsters in his prison shouldn’t be there, he imagined. Right now he really was contemplating simply cutting them down to the last and throwing their corpses into a ditch.

“You’re trespassing,” Ash declared wanting to get this out on the right foot immediately. They were unwelcome and he wanted them to know that. “Why shouldn’t I kill you all for that crime? You’re here uninvited.”

The facades they wore tightened and it was obvious they were reconsidering what they were doing, but they didn’t stop. So long as everyone kept moving forward, it seemed like this pack of rats would feel brave enough to continue.

“Ah, you’ve imprisoned my son,” said a man in his later years at the front of the group.

“Oh, he’s a rapist and a mugger then? Yes. I’m punishing him for his crimes. Is that all?” Ash asked. “Or did you not know he was? I find that hard to believe given everyone seems to know it. Everyone in the city.

“Unless… you were in on it? Should you be joining him in my prison? I’m sure I can find room for you and—”

A loud and high pitched scream tore through the air. It was only partly muffled by the walls, but even then it was unmistakable.

“Find room for you and let you be punished, too,” Ash finished as the scream died away.

The man had blanched as soon as Ash began talking, then began to shake his head.

“You have no proof. Nothing! It’s just rumors and heresay,” stated an overly large woman who’s looks had waned.

Ash looked to the woman, his mind flicking through the available options quickly.

Then he realized that she wasn’t wrong. He didn’t actually have any evidence as to the crimes that these men were being accused of. It was Song’s word against theirs.

Regardless of the fact that he was positive that Song was telling the truth, it didn’t change the fact that there was no evidence. It didn’t shake the fact that he was behaving as a fascist despot, rather than someone who was willing to abide by laws.

Hm.

This kinda sucks.

“I mean… to be fair… it comes down to what kind of society do you want? Taking it in the opposite direction, if you don’t uphold the law as it is, why should anyone be held to it?” Locke advised. “It’s unfortunate since I myself am a woman but… well… I can’t guarantee you that Song isn’t lying.

“I don’t think she is. I think she was assaulted. I think those men are villains. But I don’t have proof of it.”

Then what do I do? I want to support Song. I believe her. I don’t doubt her word at all.

But… I… I can’t just be a dictator, can I?

“You could. If you wished. But confidence and belief comes from transparency and predictability. If everyone is equal under the law, then people will believe in their government. If it’s one set of rules for one group of people, but different for another, than you’re going to have problems in your society.

“Last I remember, you wanted to elevate the bottom and bring up the rear. To push everyone up together. Does that mean that the law is more equal to those you’re friendly with? A form of nepotism? Or is it that everyone is equal.”

Ash clicked his tongue. These were heavy thoughts and something he didn’t quite feel qualified to weigh in on.

I’m behaving like the previous Hand.

“I… somewhat? You’re not going after people to please yourself. But… you’re… definitely relying on the fact that no one can nay-say you,” Locke offered. “It’s a really ugly situation. There’s no easy answer here. Imagine for a moment if it were in the opposite direction.

“Someone accused you of the same crime, with no proof, and a person like the Emperor did what you did just based on someone’s word. I’d love to believe that no one ever willfully falsely accuses someone but… they do.

“On top of that, that kind of thing would often come out in a court of law in your own world. Where inconsistencies could show up and have evidence to support it. There’s nothing of that here.”

Letting out a slow breath, Ash realized that he had his answer. One he didn’t like.

Except he wasn’t going to be as benevolent as many people would wish him to be.

He couldn’t walk the line of justice for the realm he lived in, which often involved death for nearly everything when a cultivator was involved.

Nor could he let it be complete anarchy, where law was whatever you could get away with. Where might makes right and nothing else mattered, not even law.

“You’re right. I have no proof. I’ll let the accuser deal with your children for a period of four days. After that, they’ll be released. Bodies intact and no lingering physical discomfort,” Ash murmured. “That’ll be the penalty for resisting my wish to arrest them and the general belief that they’ve done wrong in this city.

“After they’re returned to you… I’ll just tell you now. If any crime comes to surface and I suspect anything at all… I’ll just come find you all. Then I’ll take it out of your hide and your child’s. Evidence or not. Consider this your only warning.”

“But… what if someone falsely accuses us!” called a man.

“Then I’ll take it out of both your hides, you and your child’s,” Ash stated flatly. “You should take this warning seriously and consider moving. Or suddenly making nice with everyone you’ve wronged previously.

“That’s as far as I’m willing to go because I believe your kids are guilty. I think you’re all guilty. I want to punish you all and be done with it. Be grateful. Remember this moment. You won’t get a second chance. Most don’t.”

“But what—”

“Four days. In four days I’ll release them. Whole. Then you’ll be on your own. I suggest you immigrate. Now leave. Get off my sect lands or I’ll kill you for trespassing,” Ash hissed.

Everyone fled.

“For what it’s worth… I think you did the right thing. It isn’t an easy thing to do, considering we believe Song, but… it’s what’s best for a world that you want to create,” Locke murmured. “I fear this is just the first time you’ll have to sacrifice your personal wishes for the sake of the society you want.”

Whatever. Song has four days to torture the shit out of those men.

I should go get her more tools to have fun with. Along with some elixirs, potions, and medicine. So she doesn’t get tired.

Same for Rou. Can’t have them pass out or die.

“I think Song won’t fault you for doing what you’re doing. If anything, you’re still acting like a dictator, you’re just limiting the lasting impact,” advised Locke.

Turning around, Ash went back into the building. He had to get Song moving to make sure she got everything she wanted out of this.

***

Sitting down on his bed Ash felt rather nervous. Nervous and anxious.

He’d been looking forward to talking to everyone, but was also was afraid he’d get bad news. That they’d relay something he didn’t want to hear.

He hadn’t missed the fact that Yue hadn’t been there or said anything. That she’d been absolutely silent.

Knowing her, she’d gone off the deep end after he was sentenced. Either she was going after the Emperor, or hiding in a hole. There was no middle ground when it came to her.

Before he could completely settle in, the door to his room swung open. He hadn’t been paying attention to his surroundings and hadn’t noticed Hui was heading his way.

She stepped in quickly, closed the door, and came over to him.

Watching him for several seconds Hui looked like she wanted to ask a question. In fact, he was fairly sure he knew what the question was.

“If you can keep from interrupting me, you can cultivate through me, Hui,” Ash offered before she could ask. He needed to get moving.

“Hui thanks you, Ashley!” Hui said then clambered up into the bed. She snuggled up behind him, put her legs on either side of him, then grabbed his hands with her own. Her chest was pushed up to his back.

Even before she was completely settled in place, she was pushing life Qi into one of his hands and pulling the Qi back out through the other. Once more completing a circuit through him.

A second after she was in position, she dropped her head down and put it between his shoulder blades.

“Thank you, Ashley. I wish I could explain how comfortable it feels to cultivate through you. I feel like… like it takes a lot of the weight of my thoughts off me,” whispered Hui. “The hate that… that drives me, dries up more each time. That I’m more who I once was, and less just an … an angry, evil, woman, who wants to eat Shens’ heart.

“I still want to eat it, but it isn’t all consuming. It doesn’t drive every thought I have. You’re a cleansing… filter… for me. A cooling breath of air on a hot day. A breeze to provide me with relief.

“Thank you. Hui thanks Ashley for everything so far. Hui is very-I’m very… thank you.”

“Yeah, no worries,” Ash said, then spread his fingers out, moved his hands backward, and pushed Hui’s fingers through his own. It’d be easier like this since he tended to lose his awareness once he dipped into Liu’s Dao. “I get it. I’d probably do the same. Let’s not make you an addict though, alright? We need to figure out other ways for you to be able to find solace. It can’t just be me.”

“Hui is working on it,” whispered Hui, her head tilting to the side. He felt her cheek against his back and her whole body practically curling around him.

It was far too intimate and he was already well aware of what this was doing to him.

Locke… wife… I’ll need to divert some attention to you after this.

“Oh? Oh! Yes! Yes, please. Your wife would be eager to help drain you of your stress. Yes, please,”Locke stated energetically. “I’m happy and please to be an outlet for you. Or I suppose an inlet? Either way! No need to bother Rou or even think about Hui, I’m your girl.”

You’re my wife, Locke. Not my girl.

“I… yes. I’m your-your wife. I love you,” Locke whispered.

Love you, too. See you later. Going to drop in, now.

Ash turned his thoughts inward as well as his attention and dove into his Dao. In seconds he found Liu’s Dao linked to his own. Following the connection he came out inside of Liu in a flash.

It was much easier this time.

“Ah, he’s here. Please inform everyone. I welcome you, Master Sheng,” Liu said aloud. “I’m glad you’ve returned. It’s a pleasure to host you.”

Ash could tell that Liu was perched on a bed just as he was. Cultivating and exploring her Dao while waiting for him.

“Uh huh, do you really mean that, Liu?” Ash asked, suddenly nervous. He’d irrevocably damaged Liu when he rebuilt her Dao. “You don’t regret what happened to you?”

“I don’t regret anything that’s happened to me. I’m fairly certain that I would have met a bad end in the sect if I hadn’t joined you,” Liu stated with confidence. “I joined willingly. I bartered all of myself away, only for you to give it all back to me. Without asking for anything other than my support in combat.

“I know you’re an outlander, but this was my choice. It’s the same choice every Bride made. No one forced us to join. We all joined by choice. We were paid for our choices, but nothing was withheld from us to force us to join. No one did anything to try and make us join.

“We were all given a choice and an offer. We all took it willingly. I just made my own choice before the Brides existed. Siu, Biyu, Shu, and Lifen, would all tell you the same.

“Do not belittle us for thinking we were somehow scammed or forced to join. It was all by choice. I don’t like that term limits were put on our time in the Brides, by the way. I wished to live and die in the Brides. I planned to adopt a child if you never gave me one and remain in the Brides.”

“I… sorry. I need term limits. So that you live your own life at some point,” Ash said. He felt like he’d just stepped on a bear trap and couldn’t get away.

“My life is for the Brides,” Liu said simply. “But that’s fine. I can make this work. You’ll give in and let me rejoin after my term limit is reached.

“Also, everyone is about to arrive. Please don’t doubt the brides in the future. It’s all by choice.”

“I understand. My apologies, Wife Liu. I just… I guess I didn’t understand. As much as I’ve acclimated to this veil, I still forget sometimes how different it is,” Ash apologized.

“All is forgiven, Husband. Just be sure to reward me later. I know you asked out of concern for me. I can feel it. I know you as Locke Sheng does, I believe. You are my Dao, after all,” Liu said. He could literally hear the smile she had on her face by tone alone.

There was a clatter followed by a door opening. Ash heard the clap and pop of boots and shoes coming into the room.

“He’s here,” Liu announced.

“Ah, good,” Mei said. “Ash, first off, before you start… I love you. I miss you. This is even worse than when we were separated. I can’t even come see you if I wanted to.”

“I… love and miss you, too, Mei,” Ash said, which was relayed by Liu. “I love and miss you all, in fact.

“As to me and what’s going on here though, not much. I’ve become the cultivator in charge of the city for the Qi-Lord’s interests. I’m going to start a sect while we’re here so I can begin gathering the resource I need.

“The city-lord seems very differential to me and my position so I don’t think I’ll get any pushback from them.

“As to the formations I put down, they’re growing on their own. It’ll take some time for them to cover the entirety of the prison, but it’ll occur.

“Even before it happens though, I’ll be gathering all the Qi in the prison for myself. If there’s ever a chance to break free, that’ll be then. Otherwise I’ll be here for a while and the sect will be even more useful.”

“I agree,” Jia stated with complete certainty in her voice. “This is the right course of action in every way. This solves long term possibilities while also builds out the short term ones.

“I only wish that I was there to participate and help. I think if we can travel back and forth as we postulated previously, a sect in the prison realm will be ideal for our Sheng Alliance.”

“Agreed,” Mei concurred. “That’s a perfect direction. I would say next you should establish a mercantile or a business to begin bringing in coinage but… is there even currency being exchanged? Is it a barter system?”

“Bartering,” Ash explained. “It’s all barter down here. There is no currency. No set values. Even market stalls barter for their goods. The only thing that has a set value is food tokens from the city-lord’s storehouses. Those are the only marginally currency like object.”

“No spirit stones?” Na asked. “Nothing that would hold Qi?”

“Those all get sold to the upper areas as far as I’ve heard. That and storage doesn’t work here so unless they had it on them as they came in, it didn’t come in. I doubt people are using what Qi they can get to charge stones, either,” Ash answered.

“That makes sense. Backpacks or nothing,” Jia murmured. “That certainly limits everything that would have made it inside. Everything else would be created or found inside.”

“Exactly. Hence, all bartering,” confirmed Ash.

“Significant amounts of prostitution?” Chunhua inquired.

“Err… yes. Hui has told me that it’s on every corner. Whole businesses around it,” Ash returned. “Normal and very everyday. Given women are in the minority here it isn’t a surprise.”

“Hm, yes. That’s a concern,” Mei mused with a click of her tongue.

“My elegant self would say that this is a good example of why the Bride uniform is required,” announced Tala. “I know we’ve had some complaints about the uniform, but if we’re viewed as non-people, it’s less likely to be an issue. Originally we donned the veil because Yue is… well… Yue. Now it serves a good purpose.”

“Concurred,” Chunhua exclaimed with a loud sigh. “We’ll negate the vote to remove the veil at the next meeting.

“We’re off track though.”

“Yes, we are off track,” Jia agreed. “Ash, we are going to petition the Emperor. Gen Sheng and the Langye king are going to ask for your sentence to be commuted to time served, and pay a fine.

“We will be going from there but we are hopeful. As… as Ju is pregnant, she can petition to have her husband returned to her. Doubly so as she is the crowned princess. Hu has been unable to impregnate any of his wives.

“Rou stated that there was nothing wrong with Hu when she was here and that he was perfectly healthy, but it seems while healthy, he is not successful as of yet.”

“Right, got it. I’ll just… hope for that to be the case then,” Ash said. “Now, I don’t have anything else to discuss really. So I have a question. Where’s Yue? I’ve heard everyone else, but Yue.”

There was an instant silence as Liu relayed Ash’s words. Even Liu sounded concerned as she stated his question to everyone.

“Yue left,” Jia said after a brief pause. No one else seemed eager to step up and speak. “She turned everything over to Mei, then left. We do not know where she went, or what she is doing. We have heard nothing from her or about her.”

“Great. That’s… yeah. I suppose I’m not surprised. Try to run her down if you can. Let her know that I’m alive and safe and I’d really like her to come back and talk to me,” Ash requested.

“My elegant self promises to do so for you, Ash,” Tala got in before anyone else could respond. “Just do remember to reward me. I… ah… I miss you deeply, Ashley. I wish we’d spent more time together before this.”

“Likewise,” Ash said with a chuckle. “Now… how about we talk about simpler things before I head back. I’d like to talk to each of you one by one. Just a little bit of time with each of you. I miss you all.

“And if there’s time left over, I’d love it if you could send in Siu, Biyu, Shu, and Lifen, as well. Liu reminded me that I should speak to the Brides commanders.”

“Of course, Master. That’s not a problem,” Na confirmed. “Ah… your Handmaiden misses, you.”

“I miss you, too,” Chunhua and Jia added at the same time.

This sucks. I hate being away from them all.