It was only when he opened the expertly cantilevered door, easy enough to move despite weighing nearly a ton, that Alex understood why the Wujen had put such absurd protective measures in place.

Measures that had ultimately killed him.

Alex was sure there was a moral in their somewhere.

Though what it was he neither knew nor cared as he took in the true scope of Jin Jin’s operations.

A absolute fortune in contraband, cultivation supplies, and what looked liked countless priceless artifacts. For long moments, Alex just stared at the suits of armor and weapons, vials full of pills and bundles of herbs, paint brushes of finest hardwood and bundles of perfectly bleached vellum. All of it blazing with the spiritual energy of priceless treasures and perfectly prepared ingredients and supplies to anyone with Artificer skill or even Qi Perception.

His original awe chilled to something darker when he saw multiple suits of dark blue lamellar he sensed wasn’t made of steel so much as the cured hide of an extremely powerful spirit beast. Perhaps a creature native to Lan Tu nation. Armor that, for all Alex knew, had been worn by Chenglei’s sworn guardians or others who belonged to the Blue Prince’s coterie.

Men picked off, one by one, by Dongfang Hong’s ruthless machinations, Alex was almost positive.

Perception check made!

A sudden shiver of insight, and he knew.

Powerful as he was, the Red Prince was hiding his true strength, the nature all the machinations he had in play, for reasons Alex feared would place all of Baidushi in peril. But he certainly couldn’t keep priceless heirlooms and artifacts looted from the corpses of all those enemy pawns he killed in a capital city that no doubt had both Blue and neutral Wujen more than capable of tracing said items, regardless of any storage treasures.

And however great his influence, Alex had no doubt that Dongfang Hong’s pieces would be denied the use of the High Roads, the heart of any nation’s defense. And the alarm bells this would resonate if a foreign nation dared use them without consent would be tantamount to an act of war.

And the risk of agents carrying contraband upon their backs along those roads, especially if they were racing for the Red Prince’s territory, would probably also have extreme repercussions.

Artificer Skillcheck made!

You have deduced the nature of Obfuscation Talismans!

But filling up massive trade carriages with contraband might slip past any number of checkpoints, especially when sigils were carved all over the wagon walls looking much like the inward spirals and slashed eye sigils painted in the rusted brown of what he hoped was ink but was probably dried blood lining the massive stone walls of this treasure vault of a holding facility.

Sigils radiating both Shadow and Spirit Qi.

He could only pray no vulnerable kitsune had paid for the forging of those sigils with her life.

But what truly awed and horrified Alex wasn’t just the display of a few choice artifacts and the armaments stripped from his friend’s fallen allies.

It was the sheer size and scope of the magical treasures being stored here.

Dongfang Hong wasn’t just looting the fallen.

The Red Prince was looting the treasure vaults of any school that fell under his sway as well.

A dark suspicion that turned to cold certainty when a quick perusal of the crates turned up multiple cultivation tomes.

Two of which he had rented from the Risen Phoenix academy library, however many weeks ago it had been.

A horrifying breach of trust, and a blatant theft of knowledge. His only consolation was the library wasn’t being looted wholesale. He doubted even Dongfang Hong would dare that. But tomes devoted to the nature of spiritual energy as a whole, which admittedly he had only browsed for cover’s sake, were included in the crates Alex found himself tearing open with Dark Qi covered hands… but there were no traps. None whatsoever.

Just the inward spiral and blind eye sigils covering the entire holding vault.

Alex whispered a soft curse as he gazed at the massive hoard of priceless artifacts and resources, so many stored in hemp sacks and wooden crates to make sorting easier.

How deep was Dongfang Hong’s operation? Was his plan to infiltrate every cultivation academy of significance, bind his way to influence and prominence before gutting the academies of prodigies and cultivation resources that he would then send back to YanTu nation, forever out of the reach of Baidushi’s citizens or protectors?

But the question burning most brightly in his mind was, out of all the countless trade towns and caravan routes from Baidushi to YanTu Nation, how the hell had he managed to stumble upon this specific stash house at this precise moment in time?

“You’re move, brother,” said a voice delighting in mischief that Alex knew all too well.

“You’re a fool, WiFu. You think Serendipity will do you any good? Shalu cut down half your agents last turn. And by your own admission, your monkey of a disciple fled like the coward he is, after daring to claim my pawn, stealing Sudong’s eternal core! Worse, he dared to broadcast his taunt to us, slipping free of fog only to mock with his damned smile! There will be reckoning for that, WiFu. Mark my words!” roared Lord Zheng Yi, grandfather of the divine clan ruling over this portion of the Golden Realms, and just one of the gods who enjoyed toying with the lives of billions of mortals like it was the grandest of games.

“That bastard stole my hammer!” Long Wang’s fist pounded the divine table with such force that Alex could feel the ground shake, even as he was lost in his vision. “He will pay a price that will transcend mere death when I am through with him.” Cold, hate-filled eyes glared into WiFu’s own. “You’d better see it returned, Fox, or I promise you that his suffering will be nothing compared to your own.”

WiFu’s kin continued to curse and make threats, so much like the rumbles of thunder Alex sensed in the clouds above

Though it was nothing compared to the cold laughter of the Ice Queen herself.

“Your clan is full of fools, WiFu. So filled with spite that they would throw our delightful little game to the wolves, if they thought it would hinder you or your pawns.”

“So it would seem,” said WiFu, his wry chuckle echoing over a stunned Alex, their words seeming so visceral, so real, he could almost see his patron flourishing his tricorn hat in a bow before the smirking Shalu.

“It appears you might have gotten the last laugh over my piece after all, brother, for he did indeed flee Sacred Phoenix Academy, but only after returning all the tomes you hadn’t use your cards to see burned in flame. One as arrogant and self-absorbed as yourself might even think it a gesture of appeasement, as a prelude to begging you all for mercy. In which case, I highly approve of your deductions!”

Shalu’s cold smile was more of a twisted grimace. And how shocking it was to see the still weeping wounds upon the face and neck of a god, even one as hideously bloated as the gluttonous Shalu. “He could beg for a century, and all I would do is make him suffer that much more. For over a thousand years you plagued us with that abomination, WiFu. A threat to us all! Don’t think I will forget the scars I received dealing with your mess, or forgive.”

WiFu’s sudden bark of laughter caught even Alex off guard. “Forgiveness, from you? I lost any hope of that when your only response to my pawn sparing your life was the oath you subsequently swore to destroy us both in hellfire, if you possibly could. As if you fools hadn’t tried that already.”

The atmosphere of the massive heavenly gaming hall froze with those words, Ice cold eyes pinning them all with inconceivable hate, until the shadows shifted and it was just WiFu mocking them all at their expense, as he had a thousand times before. “Ah well, nothing like threats of oblivion to add spice to the game! I do believe it’s your move, brother…”

And with the fresh crash of thunder overhead, Alex snapped free of the chilling vision.

He could feel the sudden shift in air pressure, almost certain it was quite the storm now pounding the ground outside.

Alex shook his head, hoping his friends got everyone back to the gate before a downpour made a muddy mess of everything.

Before he shook away the lingering awe he felt, wondering how the hell he was going to do justice to this incredible windfall of incalculable wealth.

When the sudden ring of bronze upon a gauntleted fist echoed through the chamber, Alex’s eyes darting towards the sound, only then spotting what must have been the far exit, explaining how Jin Jin had brought the pair of Bronze guards to the waiting room, without going through the store proper. No doubt leading to a secure place to dropoff and pickup illicit goods, before attaching said wagons to any number of caravans assembling along both sides of the grand trade road bisecting Erdushi, and from there, Alex assumed smugglers would be making making their way alon a dozen careful routes to their ultimate destination.

The crimson coffers of Dongfang Hong himself.

“Have the men get the crates ready, Zen Zen!” said the owner of an unseen voice. “ A suspicious Ruidian was spotted nearby, and there’s over a dozen cultivators playing at being homesteaders that no one recognizes. We’re securing the cargo with the next wagon train before we intercept and interrogate the strangers. Captain’s orders!”

Alex hissed, hating the thought of an absolute fortune being torn from his hands right when he was on the cusp of seizing it, before chuckling softly, appreciating the tools at his disposal more than ever. Fiercely determined to never let his enemies force him into perpetual lose-lose situations ever again.

All he needed was a handful of seconds.

An eternity on the battlefield.

But no time at all for men waiting impatiently behind a door.

“Zen Zen! I don’t care if you’re selling to the prince of thieves himself, you’d best get rid of him, open this door, and assist with packing!”

World Seed Interface sheet accessed.

You have selected tab – Chamber of doors. 11 Doors in use. 4 Available.

You have placed 2 Golden Gates.

Qi Perception skillcheck successful.

You precisely sense the layout of the room beyond Bronze Barrier.

You have placed a third gate at the end of your range.

All gates are invisible to Red targets. No Red targets may pass through gates.

All pawns of the Red Prince have been designated – Red.

Alex flashed a satisfied smile after a good fifteen seconds of concentration, now happy to ignore increasingly angry pounding that suddenly turned frantic as he peered into his palatial quarters, noted the table covered with the equivalent of his favorite childhood brunch, suppressed the growl in his belly, and began hauling crates through the portal as fast as he could.

___________________________________________________________________

“Alex? How did you even know I was in here?”

Alex flashed the sleepy-eyed kitsune girl a sympathetic smile, not bothering to tell her that of course he could sense every living soul within his realm, no matter how good they were at cloaking in shadow. Instead he said, “Dong Xiao said Chun An and Elder Ru were both indisposed, which he would never do if they weren’t in the middle of something really important, which made me think you probably retreated back to your quarters. Which is sort of a good thing, because I’m really hoping you won’t mind if I use them?”

This earned him a politely raised eyebrow from the kitsune girl. “Use them?”

Alex winced. “My rooms are sort of overflowing with priceless contraband, and since both our suites are effectively out of play for any would-be challengers, at least for the next week, I was sort of hoping that…”

She smirked. “This is your palace, Alex. You can kick anyone out whenever you want.”

“Yes, but that’s not really how I want to do things…”

But the young kitsune’s nose was already twitching. “Did I correctly hear the words contraband, priceless treasures, and your room all in one sentence?”

In an eyeblink, the girl had darted past him as fast as any fox, now gazing in wide-eyed wonder at the spectacular fortune in artifacts, weapons and armor, and spiritual ingredients filling up the majority of Alex’s room.

Before inquisitive ears tuffed a lovely auburn perked up at the sound of men roaring and banging on a distant door. “Of course you left a gate open in the middle of your room. So what's up with all the yelling?”

Alex shrugged. “Experience point blobs I’ll pick up when I’m done here.”

She furrowed her brow. “What the hell is a… never mind. So, you want to move your magical gate and fill my quarters with absolutely priceless treasures and toys?” She flashed a beaming smile. “You have my heartfelt permission. I’ll even help you carry the loot through!”

And within seconds the pair was doing just that, though it was mostly Alex carrying and the young kitsune directing the placement of the massive crates, sometimes perched atop with her tail directing where Alex should go.

“Right there… perfect!” She said with a satisfied smile, wiping her pert little hands when they were done. “Ooh… I absolutely cannot wait to discover all the secrets hidden inside these crates!” Her eyes twinkled with sheer avaricious joy, which made Alex grin. He knew she had endured the most horrific of ordeals, and if living in a dreamlike palace filled with all the food she could eat, books she could read, and plush beds allowing for all the dreamless sleep she could want wasn’t quite enough to wash away the horrors of a family butchered and innocence violated, he could only hope that helping him unveil priceless treasures swindled from right under their enemies’ noses would at least put a smile on her face.

“You enjoy yourself. I didn’t spot anything but obfuscation sigils, so it should all be safe, or as safe as cultivation supplies and artifacts can be, I guess. Just promise to be careful!”

She gave a quick nod and waved him away, inquisitively examining the first box before prying it open with a blade he hadn’t even known she was carrying, frightfully effective at twisting open wood planks, and that was all Alex needed to see before giving a wave and stepping back through the gate.

Into what was now a completely empty storage chamber, gazing at the door vibrating with the now frantic pounding, Qi enhanced strikes doing absolutely nothing to budge the invisible barrier just a fraction of an inch beyond the vibrating door.

With a fierce smile on his face and his fangtian ji in hand, he went over to greet them, hungry for that which his palatial banquets could never assuage.

______________________________________________________________________

“No, please, I yield, I yield!”

This from the frantic soldier slipping in a puddle of his comrade's blood. Crimson pools left from men cleaved by vicious hewing blows painted the screaming soldier a bright red as he struggled to back away before tripping and falling with a wet splat, hampered by the corpses all around him.

Alex tutted and shook his head, leaning casually on his now very bloody fangtian ji.

“You’re the what… the lieutenant, right?” He flashed a reassuring smile. “don’t be alarmed. I heard you yelling for Jin Jin’s benefit about the captain’s orders. I don’t suppose you can fill me in on what exactly the captain’s orders are?”

But the man only trembled, staring at Alex as if he were death incarnate.

“You split Guo’s armor with a single thrust. His Iron Forge cultivation technique meant nothing! You tore open Song’s skull like an egg! How can you do this?” The man’s eyes widened. “You’re the Ruidian who dared to defy the Red Prince! There is no other explanation. None!” He licked anxious lips. “Please, spare me, my lord. Spare me, and I swear to you that I’ll lead the men away from you. I’ll set them on a wild case such that not even the captain will suspect!”

He whimpered when Alex’s expression hardened

"There’s a 500 spirit pearl bounty out on your head. 500! You need me. You need me to lead the company away from this town. You don’t have a hope of surviving if Captain Cheng comes for you. He’s a Silver Wujen who’s mastered Fire’s deadly dance. I’m risking my life even offering this, but maybe if we’re both careful, we both might live.”

His anxious panic grew as Alex just stared at him.

“You need my help as much as I need your mercy. Please!”

Alex locked gazes with the man before him. “Tell me everything you can about this operation, and I’ll give you the greatest gift you can possibly ask of me.”

The fire of hope suddenly lit in the man’s eyes. “What gift would that be?”

“Time.”

The man before him flinched and sobbed.

“But first, let’s talk about Captain Cheng.”

A long tense quarter glass passed, Alex’s increasing ire as he heard the particulars of schemes and machinations in play that every soldier knew were happening, however sequestered each unit was supposed to be. Because quartermasters were the lifeblood of any army, even in a world with as much lush produce as this one, and one universal truth seemed to be that they loved to gossip almost as much as they did selling choice contraband on the side.

Truths that became all too apparent as the minutes wound down, Alex having to do all he could to assuage his mark as his killing aura leaked past his kindest smile.

And how could Alex blame him? The soldier knew he was a dead man walking. But Alex didn’t despise him nearly as much as the monster doing all he could to strip Baidushi’s academies of all their resources and countless isolated farming communities of healthy young women for purposes neither of them felt the need to discuss in detail.

Because neither of them were fools.

“You’re going to kill me,” the man said with a whimper, Alex’s deadly sharp fangtian ji caressing the man’s neck. “Don’t deny it.”

Alex shrugged. “Put yourself in my shoes. What if a hostile state snuck into your lands, plundered your most precious resources, and violated the most sacred and beautiful treasures any man can possess, that you’d give your life to save?”

Hard black eyes gazed into Alex’s own. He gave a shuddering sigh. “I’d kill them in a heartbeat.”

And perhaps it was a comfort, to see the sympathy in Alex’s gaze. “I can tell you regret the path your life has taken already. And somehow, I’m almost certain that when next you open your eyes, you’ll be in the arms of parents who will take great pride in the man, or woman, you will one day become.”

Eyes filled with an odd mixture of relief and wonder gazed into Alex’s own. “Thank yo—”

Adderstrike!

And in the blink of an eye, it was over. Alex choosing mercy over the added experience yet another kill using his unified art would grant him. Quick, instantaneous oblivion. So fast, it was painless.

The only gift he dared give. Over in the blink of an eye.

Alex could almost sense the bereft soul gazing about in only momentary confusion as it settled down to sleep in a protective golden cocoon of past virtues, faded only slightly for a flawed recent life before sinking into the river’s waters, awaiting the hour it would be reborn once more. And Alex purposely looked no closer than that, having no desire to enter the river this day, with so much still to accomplish back home.

He sighed, well awar that he had robbed his opponents of perhaps many centuries of love, joy, and the visceral pleasure of embracing a life filled with countless experiences and wonders.

However one looked at it, however Alex mentally tried to see it as a game, he knew death to be a horrid thing. Centuries lost in a void that could have been experienced joyously living.

But at least in this universe, rebirth was a very real thing. Even if the blackness of temporary death would last for years, centuries, millennium.

At least the fallen soldiers Alex now gazed upon might get a second chance.

One day.

He shook his head, knowing that he had wasted enough time, more than enough, and his only saving grace was that a certain Captain Cheng was under orders to avoid antagonizing or even giving his presence away to Erdushi, beyond what the already corrupted and bought and paid for elements of the population knew.

Which meant that instead of striking Alex’s group directly, nearly a hundred Bronze and at least one Silver Wujen were patrolling the perimeter around Baidushi, and if Alex and his fellows weren’t careful with their exit, their enemy would both catch sight of them and quite possibly their portal back to Alex’s realm.

His mind raced. Feeling the fool for not having taken certain precautions beforehand, but at least now he knew of one thing that would better their odds the next time around.

Alex frowned, having no desire to be seen exiting this building after all the screams he was almost certain had carried, however secure this storage area was. Not if he ever wanted to come this way again.

Far better to set up a single portal a few hundred yards from the gate and quietly step through, Forest Sense, Qi Perception, and Diffuse Movement immediately alerting him to any local predator. But save for several Shadow Pumas that pretended he wasn’t there, he detected no hostiles around for at least half a mile.

Then he froze, Forest sense immediately pinging with his interface map as he spotted a mass of no less than 90 reds the moment he stepped through his gate, moving at a steady pace just a mile away from the portal leading back to his palace.

And not one green did he yet sense approaching through the woods.

He let loose an anxious breath he hadn’t even realized he had been holding.

It was one thing if those reds were scouting Erdushi’s perimeter or hunting for Alex’s group without any clear sense of where they had originated from. But if they had already marked his people and were preparing for an ambush… an icy chill ran down Alex’s spine.

His people were in trouble.

He did his best to swallow his growing anxiety as he formed another localized gate, less than a hundred yards from Erdushi’s southern entrance. If he played his cards right, maybe he still had time to prevent disaster.