Feng Kun froze when he spotted the dark ghost. He and Xiong Cui were supervising the freshly promoted Heroes, getting more familiar with their first Heroic skills and nearly at their first Milestone. His party had been focused on the wandering elite. Such elites might not have a treasure chest strapped on them, but they sometimes left precious treasure anyway. Xiong Cui had insisted they’d make sure, as it would be good training for the fumbling Heroes.

Apparently, the dark ghost had been watching them deal with the rampaging boar. At least, Feng admitted, he did not seem to be about to attack them. If he had wanted, he’d have pounced while they were still distracted. But the appearance of a foreigner in the middle of Nokoware, the Celestial Empire’s Inner Plane was not a good omen. That he’d slipped through the whole of the Celestial Planes surrounding the bastion of the Empire was… preoccupying.

He was even more surprised when the black-skinned barbarian approached and stretched his wrist, inviting a descriptor exchange. Feng Kun stepped forward and placed his hand on the wrist in a proper polite position.

A tier six… with two more Heroic Paths already raised quite a lot. A Greater Hero of the highest rank, nearly the equal to the Greatest. Of course, he was lower, but still, that was a formidable Perseverant General that his party was facing. With his meagre tier four, neither Feng nor Xiong would be much a challenge, let alone the curious new Heroes.

More surprise came when the man spoke in fluent, if slightly accented Pǔtōnghuà.

“I come in peace, to bring the words of the Lord of the World and Beyond, the god-king Malibongwe Meshindi. The words I bear are intended for the highest of the high among the people of the Great Qing.”

“The Greatest is not here, though,” Feng replied.

“She can come or I can come. It does not matter to me; my god has simply ordered the meeting, but its manner is not,” the barbarian replied with equanimity, indicating incidentally that he was well aware of the Imperial Princess’ status.

End of the training session. The challenges of the Three Steps Gorge of Nokoware that was the newbie’s next lair would have to wait.

“Cui, Recall to the Inner Palace. We will go to Nokoware Plaza to await the pleasure of the Greatest.”

The dark ghost was an irritating man. He seemed unmoved by the fact he was in the inner sanctum of the Empire, uninvited. Even if Kun could not deal with him, the Greater Heroes of the Celestial Empire were but a stone throw away and could fall upon the intruder.

Feng Kun was unsurprised when they reached the central Plaza to see the Greater Heroes waiting for them. Foremost among them was the Greatest herself, Teaching Spellbender Zhuangjing. Surrounding her were the famous members of her retinue, Cautious Wall Zhan Bao, Abiding Mentor Chang Ru, and Purposeful Practitioner Deng Feng. Not all of the members of the Court team were around, but that level of power was enough to deal with whatever treachery the dark ghost might harbour.

The Princess of the Second Rank was in full combat regalia, with the legendary Floating Staff of the Banskari Skylord out and ready.

“This humble one greets the highest of the Qing Empire. I am Sthembiso Azisa, and I bear the words of Malibongwe Meshindi, the god who rules above all.”

“You are a rude man, Sthembiso Azisa, to come into our domains unannounced and uninvited,” the Princess said.

“The Chosen of the god go where the god sends them and listen to no other authority. The Labyrinth is his domain and his orders are absolute.”

Feng Kun slowly inched away. If the Greatest Hero decided to smite the dark ghost here and there for his impudence, such things could get very, very dangerous very quickly. For one to dismiss the authority of the Empire like that…

The Princess stayed silent, inviting the emissary to keep talking. Seeing his opening, the man pursued his speech.

“Malibongwe Meshindi has noticed your meddling. You stole secrets from the Chosen and made them yours. Beware that you do not repeat this offence, or the god might be displeased. If his ire is raised, he will bring ruin to your empire, and wither your rule. Even one such as yourself cannot stand against the forces he might unleash.”

Zhuangjing snorted in mirth.

“The Empire arrays legions of Heroes. His might is not to be taken lightly. Tell your god-king that the Empire holds the Mandate of Heaven and thus takes only his rightful tribute, and cannot steal what does belong to the Emperor.”

“I do not see your Heroes making such clever devices on their own. It is only by the grace of the god that we do so. So take heed of my warning, and consider that such as I can easily come into your lands.”

“You would threaten us?” she started, raising her staff.

“I do not. I merely state truths, that we can come easily, not that we will. Stop, stop trying to pilfer secrets of the Chosen that were not bestowed to you, and I will not visit again.”

“I assume you delivered the same warning to the English?”

“Ah, but the English did not steal from my god, they stole from the French. And the French were warned long ago.”

The Princess made a large smile but did not elaborate further.

“Go back to your god then, and say to him that you discharged yourself of your mission. And do not come again, even under your god’s orders. If you do, we will strike you down, and none will raise you again, no matter what your mission is.”

The man bowed briefly.

“I have delivered my god’s words. That is all.”

Light swirled around the dark ghost, and Recall brought him away, to wherever in the Labyrinth his abode might be.

Feng Kun breathed again.

“You did not tell him that the French stole… more than what we did?” Zhang Bao said.

“Why? The French have done nothing to us, and are useful in taking away the British’s attention. But I noticed that stealing from them is considered fine by those barbarians.”

“You are suggesting that…”

“That we might ask them if they want to share more. After all, if they are not afraid of the displeasure of the… god of the Zulus, why not.”

Floating Staff of the Banskari Skylord

Two-Handed

Artefact

Requires: Level 718

Provides: 822 defence rating, +5 Firefall ranks, +3 Aether Lock skill ranks, +4751 health, +4109 aether, PRE+390, INT+380, RES+367, FOC+343, +9% elemental damage, +7% fire damage