Chapter 10: Audience

The night had retreated beyond the horizon, and the sun had risen.

Sunlight graced the towering green mountains of Absolute Aegis Sect. The sect had stairs and large buildings here and there, some looking like Pavillion, some like forts, while some clearly a match for palaces.

Red, blue and golden roofs filled the view, complemented by the white clouds and green trees. Buildings both ancient and new, stood in majesty and mystery behind the morning mists and low clouds. From these buildings, people all over the mountain started to come out, going about their tasks. Within a short moment, the whole mountain became lively, full of energy.

Within the high walls of the Patriarch’s residence, stood pagoda-like buildings.

From the front gate, passing a wide square, stood a grand one right in the middle. Towering above other buildings, it was nine-stories with huge red pillars supporting the golden roof. The hallways were made of pure brown wood, while the whole place had golden and silvery ornaments all over.

This was the Patriarch’s Aegis Palace.

The palace had several halls in the lower floors, where the Patriarch chaired the Grand Elders’ Meetings or hosted great ambassadors. Above them, in the fifth floor, one could see a large open corridor from outside. The corridor led to a very important place in the middle of the floor, the Patriach’s office.

It was modest in size, suitable for private or smaller meetings.

The office was divided into two, the outer office and inner office. The outer office had six secretaries, seated on large tables with documents they were either reading or stamping. These people were the Patriarch’s aides, dealing with paperwork coming from all over the domain.

Beside the door leading to the Patriarch, was another secretary; an elderly lady who remained seated behind a counter. She was the Patriarch’s chief secretary, and doubled as the Patriarch’s doorkeeper.

Outside in the corner of the corridor, a lady stood a distance away from the office.

Dressed in bright green gown, she was sparkling with brilliance. With tender skin and great shape, this beauty was defiant of her age. The lady, as if still in her twenties, was Grand Elder Su Min. Coming here even earlier than instructed, she was fidgeting.

‘I expected to be called, but this is too soon,’

She had her worry. The Patriarch did not state his business for calling her in, making her imagination ran wild. She figured it had something to do with her disciple, Ling Shuren. However, she only had bad premonition. The night before yesterday, she had unwittingly fallen asleep while keeping watch of her sick disciple. It was weird, but she tried to keep mum of it. That in itself was no big deal. However, what baffled her was that when she woke up, Shuren’s condition had stabilized.

It was a miracle, to say the least. At the time, she thought it might have been the Heavens intervening, seeing how pitiful her disciple was. Yet she realized, it was just her wishful thinking. It did not match logic at all, and she had no explanation of it. When the other Grand Elders came to visit, she could not possibly contain such news. It was such a good news that even though they were baffled by it, they congratulated her nonetheless.

However, it did not come without a price. Ling Shuren’s cultivation had been reduced by three large stages. With Purification stage cultivation, her cultivation was reduced to the level of a Trial disciple, the lowest rank disciple in the sect. Of course, considering the other alternative, this result was way better. Shuren could start over, and given her talent, to regain her previous cultivation would take less than ten years. While she was glad, this bit of fact disturbed her nonetheless.

‘Did the Patriarch, called me for this matter?’

She eyed the surroundings, taking into account the silent protectors of the patriarch, lurking behind walls and roofs. She knew of their existence, most in early and middle Heavenly-Stars stage. Almost all the time she met the patriarch, she did not notice them. They always stayed silent and true to their job, simply remained in the shadows. Yet somehow, she sensed some of them today, and a sense of nervousness from these seemingly cold-hearted men.

Excitement, even.

‘They’re a bit unusual today, did something happen?’

For whatever reason, she could only guess. Having no way of knowing, she ignored it. She knocked the outer office’s door, entering.

“Excuse me,”

“Ah, Lady Su! Please come in,”

“Lady Qin,”

When she entered the outer office, the Patriarch’s chief secretary stood up, greeting her warmly and congratulated her disciple’s recovery. She was a senior elder Su Min was familiar with, and her amiable personality often eased her before any meetings.

While the secretary was younger than Su Min, her appearance was as though her senior. Since she had yet to enter Heavenly-Stars stage, at best she could only slow down her aging. The secretary knocked the sliding wooden door, announcing Lady Su Min’s arrival. With the Patriarch’s voice from inside urging her in, Su Min entered.

The layout of the inner office was simple.

Su Min had just entered. To her right side, there were a dozen chairs surrounding a meeting table. Further to the back, was the patriarch’s office desk. Windows filled the room, yet the outside view and light were actually coming from the outer office. To her right was a pool with a dragon sculpture as if coming out, with water flowing out of its mouth, creating a seemingly artificial rain in the room. She looked up to her front. On an elevated floor a foot higher, the Patriarch was sitting in lotus position on a pillow seat. Another pillow seat was in front of him, clearly prepared for her.

When he saw her, he got up on her account, cheerful. Seeing him getting up, Su Min kneeled while cupping her hands.

“Su Min of the Granaries and Herbs, greets Patriarch!”

“Oh, Lady Su! Thank you for coming here so early. Please, don’t be so stiff, please sit.”

“Thank you, Patriarch. Please excuse me,”

As she went for the seat, she noticed a figure standing still behind Patriarch An Hong’s right shoulder. A young man, appearance barely twenty. Out of respect of the Patriarch, she did not peek into his cultivation, but she did notice a round token tied on his waist. A metallic brown token, imbued with the brimming power of a Titan-Star. Even without her using spirit search, this close, she was sensitive enough to feel it.

‘A core disciple…? For him to stand behind Patriarch,’

The token was the core disciple’s token, a similar one given to her own disciple.

It was a special token, forged and consolidated with the power of Absolute Aegis’ Ancestors. The token was not only a proof of identity, it was also a device to inform of one’s whereabouts to their Master, the Patriarch and the Ancestors. And most importantly, it was a precious life-saving treasure!

Using it would equal to having a Titan-Star Ancestor delivering a full-blown attack. It was lethal to a Main-Star elder, and could injure even a Peak Heavenly-Stars like her. This token however, was limited in number. And due to this, it was only distributed to Core disciples, as an added protection for them. They were afterall, the hopeful future leaders of the sects.

‘Is he new? Still, he looks oddly familiar… Where have I,’

She had an inkling that she had seen him before, but could not quite figure out where. Naturally, for he was An Shan, taking on the role of a core disciple.

Su Min finally took her seat, sitting with her two legs to her right side.

It was a rather relaxed sitting posture. With her identity as a Grand Elder, she did not have to be so formal with the Patriarch. However, she always maintained the basic courtesy and being his junior, her attitude to him was better than any other Grand Elders. While she did not really respect him much, she was nowhere as rude as the Senior Grand Elders, who came from one generation before them.

She held her hands together.

“Patriarch, may I ask why you have summoned me?”

This time however, her manner of speaking became rather stiff. For some reason, the Patriarch looked quite confident, more so than she could ever remember. Her heart thumped. She had been avoiding political strife between factions for a decade now, neither supporting the patriarch nor the senior Grand Elders. She knew by doing so, she might incur the displeasure of both sides.

She however, still wanted to maintain cordial relationship with everyone in the sect, for that was what she believed to be the right thing to do. In adversity, true feelings were shown. Right now, she and her disciple had faced disaster, and she knew she was vulnerable. Would the patriarch use this to rope her in?

And her stiff voice did not betray her feelings.

“Haha, Lady Su, be at ease. I must congratulate you first, on Shu-er’s recovery. It was a miraculous recovery, so I’ve heard?”

“Yes, it was,”

“Could I have you relate the event for me, if you will?”

“Of course, Patriarch,”

She related the night, telling him in details what happened.

That night, in order to save Shuren’s life, she was about to take the decision to rip her Heavenly System out from her body. However, all of a sudden, she had fallen unconscious. While it was embarrassing, she had to confess it nonetheless. When she woken up that night, she realized Shuren’s condition had stabilized. Unfortunately, her cultivation had regressed into Purification stage.

“So, aside from this, you really don’t remember what happen that night?”

“…I’ve ridiculed myself, Patriarch. I have no explanation, I’m ashamed,”

“Ah haha, don’t be. It must be Heaven’s Decree, don’t hit yourself for this. What’s good about this was, it meant Shu-er could continue cultivating, yes?”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“Then, I’ve a present for her, and for you too,”

“Presents?”

An Hong gestured. With it, An Shan stepped forward, handing her a letter and two scrolls, blue and green. The scrolls he had given her were the Nineteen-Stars, Three-Layers Heavenly Design Cultivation for Ling Shuren and the Bright Star Divine Cultivation for herself, along with the 70-level Purgatory Purification Manual.

“Patriarch, these?”

“Oh, the blue scroll is for Shu-er. Remember I checked her two days ago? I realized she had the rare affinity for this secret cultivation. It’ll be a bit slow in the beginning, but if you trust me it’ll be worthwhile in the long run. Do read this over and teach her. Do disregard the previous cultivation, as it might be dangerous for her right now. Get her to use only this, since it fits her perfectly,”

“…Su Min understands. Su Min thanked Patriarch!”

“Haha, it’s nothing. As for the green scroll, it’s for you. It’s something very valuable the ancestor left me with. You’ve been in Peak Heavenly-Star for ten years, yes?”

“Y-yes, Patriarch.”

“Then the time is ripe, and with your service so far, I believe you truly deserve it! So please, practice it diligently.”

“Ah,”

Hearing this, she felt elated. Cultivation manuals were valuable, and the higher tiers were considered highly valuable to the sect.

Not even the Grand Elders had access to all of them, and under the sect’s law, could only be given out based on merit. She had been a Grand Elder for merely ten years, occupying a junior position among them. She took care of the capital’s granaries and herbs, and from here, monitored the provisions in provincial area. Due to the stable kind of work she was in, she did not accumulate much merit. In addition, due to her family’s decline, she was a bit lacking in term of cultivation manuals. Many of the manuals her family had were lost during the war fifty years ago, along with their senior members.

A cultivation method left by the ancestors, and very valuable?

Surely it would not be anything inferior than what she was currently cultivating, she thought. Thinking about it, even this goofy no-good Patriarch reached half-step into Titan-Star. With a better cultivation manual on her hands, she ought to achieve breakthrough somehow, yes? Somehow, this not-so-reliable Patriarch now seemed brighter in her eyes.

“Yes, Su Min will be diligent! Su Min thanked Patriarch for your kindness!”

“Haha, think nothing of it! And in the scroll, there’s also a purification manual. Please practice it everyday, as it might help you achieve breakthrough,”

“Purification manual? For me?”

It was something unexpected.

Purification manuals were usually handed out to young trial disciples in Purification Stage. However, she had heard of higher grade ones that were only useful when a cultivator reached Star-Merging Realm. These manuals however, were even rarer than top-tier cultivation manuals! Each of them functioned specifically to cleanse the body and stars from obstructions, making their star’s nuclear fusion process running better, generating more energy. In addition, when the process had been practiced for a long while, it could very well help with their Star-Merging process, enabling one to breakthrough!

Both Heavenly-Stars and Titan-Stars stages were called Stars-Merging Realm. Both stages involved pairing, then merging two stars into bigger and more stable star, thus strengthening their Heavenly System. For Su Min, she already completed merging all twelve of her Main-Stars into six Heavenly-Stars. For her, in order to breakthrough to Titan-Stars stage, she had to first pair two Heavenly-Stars before attempting to merge them. When she managed to pair at least two, like An Hong, she would be Half-Step to Titan-Stars stage.

The next half-step, the complete merging of two Heavenly-Stars, was called a Titan-Star. By that time, one would be recognized as a Titan-Stars Stage cultivator!

Titan-stars, stars dominating the field of energy generation.

Generating energy rivalling even that of Soul-Titan's!

When the Patriarch gestured her to, she opened the green scroll, taking a look. She only managed to read the early procedure, but the method inscribed within was already eye-opening!

She almost choked herself out of nothing!

“This, isn’t this too valuable, Patriarch? Even with all my merit, I fear,”

“Nonsense. You’ve done well training Shu-er, you’ve proven yourself. Now that it’s clear the Heavens favors you, it’s only natural for me to grant you this. If I had to wait for formal merit, wouldn’t that mean wasting precious time? Wouldn’t that mean a waste of talent? Your talent needs grooming,”

“Patriarch, I… The law…”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll bear full responsibility. Open the letter,”

As he directed, she opened the envelope. Having read the letter, it was clear that the Patriarch did not intend for her to shoulder any blame, should this matter leak out.

“This, letter of accountability?”

“Be at ease. Should the time come, I’ll explain to the Ancestors. Just don’t let anyone else see this. It’ll be troublesome if other Grand Elders knew, I won’t hear the end of it,”

“…Yes, Su Min understands, Su Min thanked Patriarch!”

Seeing An Hong’s attitude, she made her mind to accept this. While it was a little risky, she could not help but felt grateful. Now she understood why he did not state his business in calling her in.

She had always thought of him as a kind person and good manager, but as a leader, he was lacking competence and courage. For him to take such a risk? While this kind of dealing could not be called a crime, but if it was out, he would be berated by the senior Grand Elders. And this letter, it was clear it was made not just to ease her feeling, but also served as a proof that she did not obtain this through illegal means.

But really, she could only remember him as weak, being intimidated by the Seniors all the time, especially so during meetings and debates. While she could not like the senior Grand Elders acting so haughty and overbearing, she equally did not like An Hong being so passive and weak. She knew, many of the sect’s foreign policies were influenced by these seniors, but it was the Patriarch who had the last sign. Thus, many elders blamed the Patriarch for all these damaging policies.

But seeing An Hong now, she could not understand. How did the Patriarch change all of a sudden? Being so daring? Was this a mere act in front of her, since she was just a junior, or was it just because she failed to notice his good side all this time…

No, was he just trying to rope her in? To get her involved in high politics, and openly supported him in Grand Elders’ meetings? She was just a junior, what difference would that make…

‘Am I too deep in? Or is it not too late?’

She would rather stayed neutral, but the temptation of these gifts was too much!

She already accepted the gifts. For her to refused them right now would be awkward, even damaging to their relationship. At this moment, the questions he asked her before crossed her mind. Those questions had something else behind them. Thinking about it, she felt as if he knew what happened that night, and was merely testing her. Either testing her memory, or her honesty.

That thought grabbed hold of her for a moment.

‘…Could it be, he knew? How, ah!’

Then a possibility came up, could it be one of the Ancestors?

Was it possible that Patriarch An Hong had woken up an Ancestor, and helped her out discreetly that night? While she still doubted how it was possible to do so without alarming others, that was indeed the most plausible explanation! Unless, it was truly the Heaven’s Decree, and everything had gone like that all of a sudden, as someone in the High Heaven willed it to be.

‘If it’s a command from one of the ancestors, then even if this leaked out… I don’t have to worry,’

An Ancestor’s command overruled any of the Grand Elder’s protest.

While they would not ignore them if it was a serious dealing, handing out a top-tier manual to the sect’s own Grand Elder should not be too much of a trouble. With that in mind, she convinced herself, not daring to pass up this opportunity. Having the two scrolls in her hands, she was rather jumpy at the moment.

If possible, she wanted to run out back home to read and practice it right away!

“Patriarch, if there’s nothing else…”

“Ah, actually there are two. First, about Shu-er’s status as a core disciple…”

“Eh, ah!”

Finally, the matter had been called to attention.

She anticipated this, but this came as too soon for her. Seeing the scrolls again, could this be what they called, giving out honey before cutting the flesh? The Patriarch had just given her such treasures, so she dared not blame him. At the very least, he did his best not to put salt into the wound.

The core disciple status was a special status in the sect. While the sect did not hand out much monthly stipend to core disciples, they enjoyed access to many locations under the sect’s domain. Not only that, they also received monthly Dan pills from the Alchemy Department, and at the very least, the same of what Grand Elders received, upper mid-tier!

There were also many other extra benefits. Since core disciples were seen as the sect’s future, it was only natural to groom them. However, the cost of grooming them was not cheap, and due to their recent decline in power, they had to be strict in giving out the status. A core disciple had to be at least in Sub-Stars stage, with approval of more than five Grand Elders, then directly approved by the Patriarch himself.

Even for a Grand Elder’s direct disciple, they could not bypass this process set by the Ancestors.

Hearing him raising the issue, Su Min was conflicted.

Ling Shuren was no longer in Sub-star stage, it would be unfit for her to remain as a core disciple. In fact, her cultivation was weaker than even outer court disciple. As her Master, she expected this. However, she wanted to at least ask for the matter to wait until the New Year came, in just two months. During that time, each core disciple would receive a generous amount of Dan pills.

But with him being so generous before, she relented without a fight.

She sighed.

“Su Min understands. Su Min will deliver her core disciple’s token tomorrow!”

“…Hm? Actually, Lady Su, you misunderstands. Hear me out first,”

“Eh?”

An Hong explained what he meant from earlier. Hearing what the Patriarch had to say, she was left with her mouth wide open.

…

Chapter 10 ‘Audience’ End