What difference was there?

  A matter of face.

  Gao Fu had entered into conversation with the Beggar’s now-corpse, dealt with, only to be betrayed. His allegiance was known. Confirmed. His foresight had been challenged, and his limits had been exposed.

  Fu Gao flicked fresh blood from his bde.

  No longer stained.

  “I would have an answer.”

  In Earth Tyrant Hall, anger rose. This Western Bone Cult differed. Zhenbao, a man painted to mirror his [Spirit Bats’] skeletal frames, cooled. “Who would dare?”

  “The Beggar dared,” countered Fu Gao.

  “He did, and justice is met. But is truth sought the same crime as truth sold?”

  The clenching of knuckles was an audible thing. As if rocks met and scraped within the Earth Tyrant cultivator’s palm. “Are we to act as though a body does not stand at our feet?”

  Fu Gao spurned her. “The Cloudy Serpent Sect is distant yet. But what concern is this of those that stand idle?”

  “Idle?” she growled.

  “Imperials remain. [Demons] roam. [Spring] waxes. Have you a destination beyond the base of this tower?”

  [Earth Q was his foil, and it soaked the [Intent] held across this intervening distance. The full brunt met him like a mountain, a force that he could pretend to endure for mere seconds before it would drive him to a knee.

  “Mi Cha,” interrupted Zhenbao. “It is best not to add to misunderstanding.”

  “This shade-dweller insults our honor!”

  With very little interest, Fu Gao stooped to retrieve Bo’s spatial ring. A mundane article of simple wood, but unsubtle in Qi where the Clouded Courts rings were fwless in concealment. “That may be so,” he said. “But the sky is not insulted when it is called blue.”

  Mi Cha’s [Intent] faltered, but across the way her [Spirit Cow] could not be mollified. It thrashed into a nearby pilr, which crumbled to vent its frustration. Heavily, the cultivator csped her hands. “The situation is of our own making.”

  “Hmm,” agreed Fu Gao. “Earth Tyrant Hall is known. The Western Bone Cult is known. I would think this situation simple.”

  Zhenbao’s bats edged closer, prowling on bone cws.

  “Hold now, stranger. These words tread close to misunderstanding once more. You speak as if you know us, but we, little of you,” offered Zhenbao. “Before this grows, we would grant hospitality.”

  Mi Cha met his eye, passing silent words. “If it must be done.”

  ?

  A ghost might be undone by questions, and yet the fools asked none.

  Who? What? Why? Where?

  Any might prove Fu Gao’s bane. But the [Spatial Array] was crossed, and, second to enter, none came. Beyond the vortices of Qi-rich light, Mi Cha led on. She and her [Spirit Cow] passed them into a cultivator thick antechamber, around which a hundred Sect disciples guarded.

  Remnants of the Clear Sky Empire.

  What variety held in their hanfu, [Spirit Beasts] and visible [Heritage] spoke of the chaos their translocation from the Four Corners Prefecture had wrought. While no man beneath Heaven might name all Sects, Halls or Associations across that hegemony, the disorder was clear.

  Zhenbao followed promptly, meeting a disdain of eyes from all that guarded this particur [Array].

  Commonly, [Death Q marked many as pariahs. Though Fu Gao mused their sour gazes might transcend such a foolish reason.

  More eyes fell upon him.

  “The numbers here are vast,” he said.

  Mi Cha grunted. “It was said that things are not so simple, no?”

  They are locked in pce by the [Demons] above and the onsught of Imperials. Many here would be better served by travelling to other [Imperial Realms].

  Fu Gao held such thoughts quiet.

  The antechamber led to further spaces. Vast rooms within the sky-scraping tower’s interior that looked to have been excavated to provide room. He held no sense of their position within the [Mystic Realm], nor how far they walked from the warring factions above.

  But he saw bodies.

  Weakened things. Gaunt things. Massed and huddled, awaiting something.

  Indeed, as Mi Cha led on to destinations unknown, the ocean of refugees turned their weary heads high. Thousands shifted to spy the passing three as they cut through the avenue between them, though if they held any more notice for Fu Gao than the myriad other cultivators this was uncertain.

  Five more of these halls were passed, filled to the brim.

  “It is a saving grace that the Four Corners Prefecture did not host a mortal popution,” shared Zhenbao. “Yet all things have limits.”

  Shuidi shared her silent concern, noting that Zhenbao’s words were incorrect.

  Children were among their number.

  Unbonded.

  “The mothers and fathers. Why do they sit?” he asked.

  Mi Cha slowed her pace, a hand atop her [Spirit Cow’s] hind. “The White Dragon Alliance caters to their needs. We are all within their care.”

  Poison-ced words.

  “Mi Cha,” warned Zhenbao.

  The tan cultivator led on, and no more was said.

  Any queries on this White Dragon Alliance were answered swiftly. Seven refugee halls beyond, the three crossed into a different space entirely.

  Banners draped. Intricate things of skilled needlework, embzoned with the very sigil of the ruler’s name. A vast, ivory dragon was set on blue fabric, and this same scheme decorated nigh every surface around an open expanse.

  Tables, meals, furnishings, attendants.

  Fu Gao had entered no less than a canteen, brimming with cultivators. But they travelled further, passing ughter and excmation to arrive at a darkened corner of this pce. A series of rooms set far in the back where sleeping mats and tables were more commonpce.

  “Senior Mi,” greeted a tan-robed disciple. Another Earth Tyrant whose [Spirit Beast] was an oddity of feathered lizard, sleek and bi-pedal.

  “Brother Zhenbao,” greeted a second, though she was a bone-painted cultivator of the man’s [Death Q styled ilk.

  Between these Sects, seventeen disciples stood. Their bows showed discipline, and no ck of respect, though the two seniors swiftly dismissed them.

  Zhenbao had Fu Gao sit first, affording him a softened mat across which the two others moved to join. “Our misunderstanding.”

  Fu Gao knew the Cloudy Serpent Sect would not leap from behind these bare features. His only reason for entertaining the pair y in intelligence. “The Beggar’s price is paid. And yet, is it not natural to pine for the Cloudy Serpent Sect? This brief walk has shown how easily structure falls when a Pilr is absent.”

  “A truth, this,” nodded Zhenbao.

  “The Beggar did more service than bring whispers, stranger,” chimed Mi Cha. “He brought bodies to enlist, and now we are deprived of even that.”

  Coldly, Fu Gao stood. “You infer that something is owed? Time is not so plentiful that I would spend it with mewling babes.”

  “Mi Cha speaks out of turn,” cut Zhenbao. “Do you not?”

  “I do not,” she returned. “A stranger comes with untested allegiance and wipes free the hope we had of progress. That we should entertain a murderer is shame enough, but one that has acted against the interest of our Sects!”

  Powerful, but slow. If she dares move then it is these subordinates I must watch.

  The mats aside her began to fray as [Intent] leaked out. Her temper seemed volcanic, and prone to such explosions.

  Su Sai could use such rage well.

  Zhenbao sought peace with raised hands. “Stranger-”

  “No. Let the cultivator speak… If she calls herself such. None among the Cloudy Serpent Sect sit. None among them curse the Heavens for misfortune. Tell me, Mi Cha, tell me what is owed.”

  Her fist sundered the floor in a single blow. “Enough of this! We will suffer no more dishonour than is already done.”

  Affecting disappointment, Fu Gao shook his head.

  “The Beggar was to bring us others that our sway might grow,” Zhenbao interjected. “Beneath the White Dragon Alliance, factions rule all. We have lost many of our number due to the [Spring Equinox] incident, and here, our voices are that of mice. Combat is prohibited. Cultivation is prohibited. Finding Bo- we had staked all on a single throw. Our combined wealth and favors. Nothing remains.”

  “The Sects here are unjust. A thing you should know well, cur,” spat Mi Cha.

  Shuidi’s ire was growing at the disrespect. A sign of her youth, perhaps, for Hushi impressed on her to calm before some mistake was made.

  Fu Gao gathered [Profundity] on his lips. “Though ripe, peaches do not fall in one’s mouth.”

  Small motes of gold had the [Spirit Bats] jostle, ccking as they regarded each. It petered out at the nearby disciples, stirring both Earth Tyrants and Western Bone cultists from their quiet bors.

  As if a stunned beast, Mi Cha grunted a breath. “A truth that is simpler to say.”

  “You have feet, no? Fists?” said Fu Gao. “If I had interest in this, I would say that the [True Orchid Path] is myriad. Among these realms you would find a better pce to sit.”

  This insult hung in silence thereafter.

  The seniors sat contemptively then, speaking only after another long meeting of subtle expressions. “The Cloudy Serpent Sect is not close.”

  Opportunity.

  “The Cloudy Serpent Sect is always close,” he said, impressing the Old One for a swift recollection. ‘Pinxui’s Proposal: March of Serpents’. “But I fail to see what consequence this holds for you. You strive for the favor of this White Dragon Alliance, no? Be satisfied with that.”

  He stole ten paces.

  Mi Cha grunted after him. “Stranger. We are dissatisfied.”

  A fragment of the [True Orchid Path] nded at her feet. “[Imperial Realm 10,426]. In half a [Season], this would be a better pce to sit.”

  The profound did not run, and so his quiet step continued. A thing close to stalking, for his feet were ever silent as he delved deeper into the canteen - further from these idle fools. Those without a sail to guide.

  Hushi shared his mental image. That of a sand-thick bed and of minnow swimming above. Eight arms ensnared them, hidden.

  The douli shook as an image returned.

  Spectral fish following the minnow, untouched by these grasping tentacles.

  Matters would require his personal attention soon, and for this he began his walk to the [Spatial Array] once more. It was a certainty that White Dragons would not preside here if Serpents held a presence.

  They would not dare.

  What steps will we take?

  His intelligence was gathered. His threat, eliminated. And…

  That noise.

  A whimper rose, shrill among the orchestral mutterings that he walked through. Some hundred refugee heads across, trouble brewed. Ignored by those on the avenue and doubly by those that curled away from it.

  Fu Gao saw a rain of blows.

  Ruffians’ feet, striking another of their number. Several [Spirit Swine] and vagrant beasts aside.

  The second whimper reached his [Senses].

  [Half Cloud Step].

  Cold, pin rice was spilled about a fallen form. A man, sprawled and bloody upon his back. His [Spirit Oxen] simirly fttened in the space.

  Yet the ruffians continued, these seven offenders. Willfully ignorant of his children’s cries- the two restrained by their mother’s arms, no more than six moons each.

  A blur broke seven pairs of wrists. A second, teal streak crushed seven pairs of legs.

  With venom in his tone, Fu Gao stepped over their bodies. “Do better,” he warned, dropping two transient [Spirit Cores] at the children’s feet. “You would not wish for me to return.”

  ?

  Drawn from his time in [A Strategist’s Folly], experience warned against inaction. Thus the wavering on his course sted mere moments.

  Elsewhere held more immediate benefits.

  At the original [Spatial Array], Udvah was met.

  Fen and Kavya - stolen into darkened crevices. The breath of the former’s [Spirit Hyena] came half-ragged, wearied where Kavya’s [Spirit Centipede] sagged upon her. At a gnce, the effect of [Gu] was clear.

  They were called into viewing distance of the [Paifang] at Udvah’s signal, readied upon a knee despite the injuries presented. [Arrays] y beyond, primed across a bridge that covered the distance to freedom.

  “Fluidity,” addressed Fu Gao. “Learn this well.”

  Grim, the Vajra head employed his staff to rap upon the ground. “Amituofo. Swift strokes, but swifter eyes,” he said. “Act in tone.”

  The two fresh disciples did not linger. Their [Might] was cking, mortally so, Fu Gao mused. He traced their progress through [Senses], hearing the quieting of footsteps fade behind the sky-scraper’s pilrs.

  “Senior wishes to do this here? This cking disciple would ask who, and how many,” Udvah continued.

  Fu Gao stroked his whisker. “What is their total?”

  “Twenty two,” came without hesitation.

  “Then two of each will be sufficient. Release those with the strongest [Realm].”

  Gold spread in a soothing wave, washing equal relief over Mangam’s features. Figures escaped from his yawning mouth, expanding from the opened [Dao of Sanctuary] until they stood as the ghosts did.

  Rain fell.

  The first disciple of the Crimson Shoal Sect produced a trident. “Stranger-” he broke, only to be drawn back by his compatriot.

  “Brother, be wise. It is a fool that casts nets in uncertain depths,” she said. The woman, near crimson robed and of [Spirit Piranha] partnership moved ahead to suppress him with a hand. Her bow folded in Fu Gao’s direction. “Master cultivator.”

  At their side, the two from the True Serendipity Association made no words. Wise, in that they allowed these clearly Martial experts to conduct business.

  Fu Gao stared imperiously beneath the brim of his douli. “Your senior lies as a feast for [Demons].”

  Surprise did not show.

  “Yes, master cultivator. We saw his fall. The respite granted by-” her palms folded towards Udvah, “-this benevolent master allowed for discussion. We of the Crimson Shoal Sect know of this ill fate.”

  “Have you come to terms with it?”

  Again the woman csped her hands. “With this valued respite, yes. Senior Chunhuo was an asset to our Sect, he will be well remembered.”

  Composed. These eyes remain dry and these faces unflinching.

  “As a leader?”

  The male disciple shifted. “If you would treat us kindly, might I ask on the nature of these questions? On our location, your involvement. There is much we do not understand.”

  “Much, yes,” said Fu Gao. “Your reckless senior strove against the [Demons] and fell. The Beggar that guided you fell. Those outwith your rescue, fell. This realm is [True Lord Grade] and does not suffer the unskilled.”

  So harsh a delivery caused the man to flinch. “None remain?”

  “None.”

  “Then we owe you a debt, master cultivator,” said the woman.

  Fu Gao shook. “I do not want it.”

  The disrespect shown roused both, yet those of the True Serendipity Association still made no move. Indeed, they had begun to lower. Slow at first, until several moments passed and the pair were upon a knee before him.

  Shuidi thought this right.

  “Master cultivator, [Karma] surely binds us. It would not be-”

  Udvah rapped his staff. “Were words not spoken?”

  “Make no mistake, Crimson Shoal. Lives were saved. But this is happenstance. Not [Karma]. Our ties are severed. You will retrieve your number and depart this pce. The actions you take endanger those that conduct true work against the Empire of Abundant [Spring].”

  Bemused, none could gather words.

  They allowed silence to fill their minds. Words. Implications. All that was not said. Such was the use of the [Clouded Ghost Arts]. A cultivation masked was a cultivation unguessable.

  “Endanger? Then the debt…”

  Two raps sounded from the staff.

  “The… did we?”

  “Brother,” said the woman. “We are out of our depth. Master cultivator. The Crimson Shoal Sect knows shame for this. Too much. To swim among a sea of bdes blindly does no soul any good, and here we have troubled others.”

  Fu Gao took his first steps from those gathered, spiking the interest of the True Serendipity Association. The [Arrays] hummed as he neared. Violent things intended to stop any progress towards the [Paifang].

  At distance, Udvah and Mangam paused. “Your number. Take them far,” he said. His [Dao of Sanctuary] unfurled, releasing the full sum of collected disciples to fall upon the ground.

  But the first man panicked, slipping into improper speech. “Master cultivator! You’ve stated our unreadiness! How we’ve cked thus far. Please, the Crimson Shoal Sect won’t survive without intervention.”

  “Amituofo. Put in your eyes,” warned Udvah.

  Those arriving darted their confused gazes between the parties. Torn between questioning and observation.

  Murmurs travelled swiftly then, and a single voice broke, thick with [Profundity].

  “On the [Dao], I, Seo-yeon of the True Serendipity Association pledge myself to your service.”

  [Half Cloud Step] was unneeded.

  Fen’s qiang was at this Seo-yeon’s throat. Kyavi brandished a dagger on the opposing side. A [Spirit Hyena] growled, low. A [Spirit Centipede] ccked.

  All within the crowd scattered back.

  “You do not know what you ask,” iced Fu Gao.

  The vocal young woman trembled amidst gasps of ‘assassins’ and ‘ghosts’. Udvah’s staff rapped once more to quiet them.

  “The [Demons] would be kinder,” he continued. “Consider this.” But a look had his disciples’ relent, who followed his next step.

  Heedless of the impression he sent to his [Spirit Crab].

  Mists flew into the [Arrays] set before him, flooding the bridge’s length with each subsequent pace he stole. Shuidi’s prowess unwound the inscriptions there, stalling the power and intricacies so that Qi-rich light crackled about them to allow their progress.

  “Come then, initiate. If you dare to be bound.”

  Udvah moved then, simply. His effect was more subtle, eschewing the drama of a shattered [Array] in favor of a simple touch. In some span of breaths, and distant from the gathered, muttering, shell-shocked disciples, his [Shaving of the First Gate] pulsed.

  The [Paifang] turned violet.

  And yet Fu Gao remained pcid as the [Dao Oaths] began.