CC2 -CH1-

Ashley Sheng let out a slow breath through his nose. Lifting his face to the ceiling he closed his eyes and wondered, not for the first time, why he was still here.

He could always just go home.

Home to his parents and become a rogue cultivator and live his own life for himself.

Just him, his parents, his sister.

“Don’t forget Moira and Tala,” Lock said, the ever present reminder and annoyance. “Chosen One.”

He couldn’t deny he’d have to take Moira, his Owl slave and lover with him. Along with Tala-Tala the Kin swordswoman who was also his slave.

“And really, Yue will follow you. Chances are Mei would as well,” Locke offered. “You’d really only be trading one set of problems for another.”

Closing his eyes tightly Ash wasn’t going to respond to that. There was no reason to, and no point in doing so. He’d found that often responding to Locke only encouraged the sarcastic bastard to continue.

Instead, Ash focused himself inward. Toward his Dantian and the Qi-sea it held.

A massive and deep ocean made out of liquid concrete greeted him. It was more a solid than a liquid, but it did flow which was impressive in it’s own right.

One large vortex that spun in one direction. The whole thing a giant roiling wave that was just waiting to crash.

Momentum at its finest.

Standing at the very center of that vortex though was a massive and glowing golden pillar. Reaching from the bottom of the sea and straight to the ceiling of it.

Didn’t… didn’t something break… earlier?

It’d been less than a week since releasing his adoptive brother, a dark morass of evil and corruption, onto the world.

In that time so much had changed that he wondered how anything could ever go back to how it used to be.

Most of it spent under guard, not seeing much of anyone, and mostly training by himself. The Deng family still had a few hold outs here and there so the regular sect schedule hadn’t started again yet.

Looking to the area above his dantian he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. The qi-sea was contained and the whole of it all was intact. Everything appeared to be functioning as it should.

“It’s the middle dantian,” Locke reported helpfully. “You unlocked it. Though I don’t recommend doing anything with it at this time. We’re not ready. I wouldn’t even look at it if I were you or you’d be tempted to do something.

“Honestly, it shouldn’t have opened until much later. When you were a middle grade Mortal Refiner.”

Taking Locke at his word, Ash had halted his inspection of his middle dantian. He was right after all. If Ash did look at it, he’d likely be unable to resist looking into it and figuring it out.

Then he’d probably start messing with it.

“We’re a peak level level eight. Two levels from being able to start our mastery of Body Refiner,” Locke offered. “Admittedly we’re only slightly stronger than Tala-Tala and Moira anymore. Even Yue is stronger than we are a low nine. Mei is a peak nine, and Jia a peak ten. Likely whatever treasure she picked up in the vault helped increase her power level.

“I wouldn’t worry about it though. I’m sure any of them, except Jia maybe, would happily let you be a house-husband, Chosen One.”

“Only a level eight? I thought we were higher,” Ash complained.

“We lost some when you popped open the middle dantian,” Lock explained. “It was a sustainable loss and we won’t even notice it.”

“Ashley Sheng,” said a cool voice.

Opening his eyes, Ash found a middle-aged master standing in front of him.

“Come with me, the sect leader will see you now to interview you about what you claim,” said the older man. “Best you don’t lie to him you little monster.”

Little Monster? Hm.

I get the impression that even without the Deng being around, it won’t be any easier here.

Walking him through two rooms and another hallway Ash wondered just where the sect leader’s quarters were. Was he being taken to his study? His practice hall? His bedroom?

He had no idea about what went on here at the Jade Fist, outside of what he knew from the outer sect.

And lately, all he’d had to do was think.

Think, and think, and over think. To the point that over-thinking was his only thinking available to him.

Really don’t know much of anything, actually. Other than it’s probably the third or fourth best sect in the area.

I mean… our original goal is long gone. Help out Jing and Yan. And they’re both… gone, I guess.

Gen asked us what we wanted to do.

We were really just here because… because… because the Deng family started a fight and I ended it. And now they’re gone, or at least, not really a direct problem anymore.

They can’t go bother mother Far or father Duyi.

We told Gen we wanted to get into the inner sect to become stronger.

That still fits but… does it? Does it really?

“Enter and proceed into the next room. Knock gently on the door and wait. Do not speak unless spoken to, be respectful, and kowtow three times to him,” instructed the elder who’d brought him here.

“Ah… yes,” Ash said. He’d been somewhat lost in his own thoughts. To the point that he hadn’t even noticed where they’d gone or where they were.

Growling the older man shook his head and shoved the door open and then unceremoniously pushed Ash through it.

Stumbling forward several steps Ash grumbled and glared back the way he’d come from. The sheer lack of face Ash was being shown wasn’t just the casual arrogance he found everywhere, this was directed specifically for him.

Deng ally, I’ll see you burn one way or another. Just you wait.

Adjusting his clothes, Ash looked around in the room he now found himself in.

Sitting on the ground not far away was a man in his later middle age. His eyebrows were raised up, his dark eyes curious, and his hair a black that was fading away to gray.

“To be honest,” said the man in a soft murmur. “I didn’t expect him to treat you kindly, but I didn’t think he’d go that far. It would seem the Dengs got closer to me than I ever imagined.”

Ash froze, staring at the man.

He hadn’t expected the sect leader to be in the entry room.

Now that he thought about it, the man who’d brought him here clearly hadn’t either.

Shrugging his shoulders at that, Ash wasn’t sure what to say.

This was the sect leader of the entirety of the Jade Fist. It was a man who likely had enough power to snuff out Gen Sheng as if he were little more than a bug.

To this man, Ash was likely less than an ant.

“I’m sure you would have done fine,” Ash muttered. “Not so sure about the outer disciples though. Probably would have all become Deng puppets or dead.”

Blinking slowly the older man was staring at Ash.

Not sure if he’d overstepped himself, Ash just stood there. Staring back at the sect leader.

“Yes, well, it would seem I’ve become rather lax in my elder years. You may call me Bao Jade. I understand I owe you for keeping a number of my students, masters, and former students and masters, alive,” said the sect leader. Holding one hand out he indicated the spot in front of himself.

Getting the gist of the invitation, Ash came over and sat down in the indicated spot.

“Gen is much as I remember him,” Bao murmured, his eyes boring into Ash now. “Older, and more wrinkly, but the same fiery man whom I knew. The same that would happily crush someone who disrespected him and think nothing of it.

“Along with a large number of people I didn’t expect to ever see again. All quite healthy, all quite whole, and all quite in the service of one Gen Sheng. Thankfully Gen is one man I’ve never had to worry about, nor do I think I ever will have to.”

Nodding his head at that, Ash was actually glad to hear that. It meant that if he really did have a problem, Gen would be able to help him far more greatly than he thought.

“Surprising to me considering Gen was made a cripple. His genius and fate stolen from him in the blink of an eye without anyone the wiser,” Bao explained. “You’re unsurprised by this. Any of it. You’ve heard it all before and do not even bat an eye.”

Shit.

Uh.

“It’s quite alright. To be fair, Gen has told me more than enough,” Bao said with a wolf-like smile. It made the hairs on the back of Ash’s neck stand on end. “I didn’t have to work too hard to figure out the rest. It isn’t as if I’ve been blind to all that was going on around me. I simply didn’t expect their time-line.

“Though I do think that has more to do with you than they would have liked to admit. You were single handedly breaking apart their entire plan.”

“I… was only-”

“Helping family, yes,” Bao finished for Ash, cutting him off. “Which is actually true, much to my surprise. You joined the Jade Fist only to assist your brother and sister. You being an Outsider and adopted into the Sheng family I can definitely see how you would value what family you had.”

Nodding his head, Ash didn’t bother to say anything. It was now quite apparent that Bao had dug into him.

“From there you simply… broke… the Deng family. Tore apart their plans, stole one of their leading daughters for your own harem, maimed and destroyed those who stood against you, and healed Gen. Even going so far as to somehow wind up him up to the point that it’s as if he never stepped off the cultivation path. He likely could have done far more with the time and gotten further with it, but he isn’t that far off either,” Bao finished, holding his hands up at his sides. “All because the Deng family robbed your sister, and converted your brother to their schemes. You brought down a leading sect family, for that.”

There was a spark of anger in Ash’s heart at those words. He did do all of those things, because of what’d been done to his family.

And he’d do it again.

“Now, now, there’s no need to get angry. I’m not scolding you,” said Bao with a small smile. “If anything I agree with your actions. I think I would have taken them myself.

“I certainly know Gen would have. More so now than previously. I imagine he’s quite glad to have distant family showing up and crushing his enemies with him. It’s always good to do such a thing with family.”

Not knowing how to react anymore, or what was even expect of him, Ash just shook his head and held up his hands in defeat.

“I’m not sure what you want from me,” Ash said.

Bao stared hard at him for several seconds. He just watched him, staring practically through him.

“You really-no. You don’t. Not even a single scrap in you,” Bao murmured then laughed softly. “Well. You’ll be happy to know the sect has already recovered. I’ve gone ahead and opened up recruitment to all the lower schools beneath us with students who were marginally edged out by others.

“We’ll likely have a very large number of new students from all levels and ages joining next week. We’ll proceed as if nothing had happened or changed at all.”

“Okay,” Ash said, feeling rather confused now. He got the feeling Bao had been expecting something of him but hadn’t found it.

“Good. I understand someone in your alliance is an expert alchemist?” asked the sect leader.

Dangerous territory there… dangerous.

“Yes, she’s inherited and purchased quite the legacy that I hadn’t even realized was available,” Ash said. He’d hopped that’d cover most of the questions but he wasn’t sure.

Bao’s response to that was to tilt his head to one side and watch Ash.

Saying nothing, Ash did his best to return the stare.

“Yes… well… I look forward to seeing what she can do. Gen seems to think he’ll be gaining another honor from it,” said Bao. “He’s become practically insufferable about it. Beyond that even, he seems to think the Jade Fist is going to have a significant increase to it’s economy.”

“Yes, well, Ying-Yue, she’s our alchemist, is a grand master of the free-merchants guild. I think anywhere she sets up shop would likely see a boost to the economy,” Ash offered in way of explanation.

“I’ve seen your weapons by the way,” countered Bao. “You have two slaves that have power equal to that of… well… I think they could do quite the number on a number of our lesser students. They’re apparently gaining in power on top of that. Using their own abilities from their home veils and some they’ve picked up from our own veil. Do you know what a Fated One is?”

“They’re very special,” said Ash feeling like an absolute idiot. But there really wasn’t a going back from this point. “And no, I’ve never heard the term before.”

“Fine,” Bao said with a shake of his head. “I’ll leave it be. Though I’ll not be able to assist you if this is the way you want it. When you’re ready to shake off your peasants garb and admit to your abilities, I’ll be more than willing to elevate you.”

Unable to respond to that, Ash once more, sat there like a log. There wasn’t anything he could say.

“You may head back now. I imagine your harem is waiting for your return,” Bao said. “The curfew will end tonight as well and everyone will be going about their normal business. This war with the Deng is over.

“Mostly because there are no Deng left. I decided this was a bit more than a good ol’fashioned sect war and intervened. No one can prove that of course but… let’s keep that a secret.”

There was a cold threat behind those words. A promise that Ash wouldn’t like what would happen if he decided to test out Bao’s request that his statement was to be kept private.

“Of course,” Ash murmured, getting quickly to his feet.

And just like that, his meeting with Bao Jade, the sect leader of the Jade Fist, was over.

***

By the time he got back to his home, house number one, the lowest possible rank, it was dark out. Gen had somehow caught him on his way back and then pumped him for information and answers.

Only when he was satisfied with the information he got from Ash did he let him leave.

Closing the door behind himself, Ash stood there in the dark quiet of his home.

He was glad to be here. The space inside of his ring, the Hall, was actually quite comfortable.

But it wasn’t home.

This was as close to home as he got right now.

“Welcome home,” came a soft growl from the interior of his living room.

I think it’s Tala.

“It is,” Lock confirmed.

Walking into the room Ash found Tala sitting in a couch. She had her long legs crossed, her large two-handed sword resting against one knee. Her tall rabbit-like ears were both swiveled toward him, her bright-green eyes clear and curious.

Her delicate features and pretty visage belied the fact that she was quite a fierce warrior and a prideful one at that.

“You’re late,” Tala said, her arms folded under her breasts.

Opening his mouth Ash considered how to reply. Then he started to laugh.

“I am,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. He didn’t have any other answer. He was also doing his best not to comment on the fact that Tala was acting more like an annoyed wife than soul-bound slave.

“In the future you will notify my elegant self if you’ll be late. I do not like sitting up fretting over what’ll become of me if you should happen to get yourself killed,” Tala grumbled.

Oh. Huh.

That makes more sense than her worrying about me, doesn’t it.

“Do you understand me?” Tala asked.

“I do. I’m sorry, Tala. You and your elegant self definitely deserve better attention,” Ash said.

“Hmph, better. You may come over and massage me now,” Tala said, giving her hair dark black hair a flick. “My neck, shoulders, and the base of my skull. You will use your fingertips, except for my shoulders, where you’ll use your palms.”

Rolling his eyes, Ash didn’t bother to argue.

This was Tala’s way. Her prideful, lying, self-absorbed way.

It wasn’t just her personality either, it was the culture she’d grown up in that made her this way.

“Of course, dear, yes, dear, may I kiss your cheek dear?” said in a flat meek voice.

“I… well of course you may,” Tala said then tilted her head to one side toward him. “Thank you for asking formally than forcing it on my elegant and lovely self.”

Not bothering to correct the Kin Ash simply started to rub her neck and shoulders instead. He was willing to subvert himself a bit to keep Tala in his good-graces. She’d been rather friendly and cooperative to him as of late and it’d been extremely helpful.

“I’m waiting,” Tala said, her cheek still tilted toward him. “Or would you prefer my other cheek. I do find my right side to be better. At least, to me in my own opinion. Though both sides are clearly splendid.”

Turning her head in the opposite direction, she presented the other cheek to him.

I swear to god that I’m-

Growling, at the end of his patience, and deciding he didn’t care, he leaned over Tala’s shoulder.

And kissed her on the lips instead, holding her chin with one hand as he did so.

Holding the kiss for several seconds he broke it off and then patted her on the back of the shoulder.

“Goodnight,” Ash muttered and then left the Kin there. He just wanted to go to bed. Nothing else mattered right now.

Sleep would help wash the day away.

If he was really lucky, Moira would be awake, waiting for him.

Opening the door to the bedroom he got his answer.

Moira was sitting in the middle of their bed.

Her white and black hair hung loosely around her face, framing her giant yellow eyes and making them almost brighter. Her large wings were pressed up to her back in their natural place. She was naked, her lovely and muscled body on full display.

Waiting for him just as he’d hoped she’d be.