"I’m honored that you would even consider serving as Seneschal for House Myche,” I said, stuttering to get the words out before he could change his mind. “And I won’t insult you by asking if you are certain. But I wonder if you won’t be stunting your growth as a Cultivator if you forgo the advanced cultivation chambers the Sect offers when attempting a breakthrough?”

“I have collected enough treasures and artifacts over the years, many as forms of payment for my services, that you needn’t worry. I have the resources to shape a cultivation chamber that will more than serve my purposes,” Clement assured me. “You would be more than welcome to use the chamber I will have built when attempting any breakthrough I may make. I believe you will find it the equal of anything the Sect might offer.”

“But why me? Why now?” I said, unable to contain my curiosity. I knew I should probably accept his largesse without question, but if I didn’t even ask, I’d regret it. There had to be more to this than a conversation where people had been interested in trying to claim the Mystic Realm.

Those questions were loaded with nuance. I could understand that Clement might think of me as a niece. Still, to give up the advantages he gained from serving as a mediator for a High-Ranking Sect member went against everything I had come to believe Cultivators thought necessary to succeed.

The ‘young master’ trope existed for a reason. Cultivators were selfish creatures, for the most part, people who believed that might makes right and that the way to progress came from fighting for and grasping every Heavenly opportunity.

That isn’t to say there weren’t cultivators that acted within the bounds of decency. But when you isolated yourself for weeks, months, and years to advance your cultivation, your world became laser-focused on advancement.

Granted, Clement was not like most Cultivators, and he was intelligent enough and savvy enough to understand the benefits Four Element Sect provided. So, there had to be something that had triggered his decision.

“One of the professions you gained from the Mystic Realm allows you to create a summoning circle. My only consideration is that you use your new skill and knowledge to help me contract a spirit.”

The request seemed innocent enough. Still, when you framed that request against my experience with the selfishness of Cultivators, it didn’t seem like a fair exchange. Or maybe it was. There was a way I could bind Clement to his word, and that was to require a Cultivator’s Oath. Something I was wary of suggesting, afraid he would take my request as an insult.

I didn’t think he would risk a Qi deviation by breaking his word, but stranger things had happened. He had been fair and effusive with both his service and advice. But there was more to him than I thought. How, for example, did he know about Spirits and Spirit Summoning?

I hadn’t informed the Sect. I wasn’t planning on reporting my discovery to the Sect or the Empire. I would use the benefits from Spirit contracts to enrich the people of my territory. It was a Heavenly opportunity to bring some parity.

“I am willing to create the summoning array regardless of your joining my House and becoming Seneschal. It is the least I owe you for your defense of my claim and continued authority over the Mystic Realm,” I replied.

It was best to know if he was only making his offer for this opportunity. If so, I could help him contract a spirit and allow him to return to the Sect without leaving an imprint on the people and Cultivators of my House and Dojo. I did not want my people to believe they could trust in him or rely on him if he was not genuinely interested in joining my House.

“Thank you,” Clement replied with a slight nod, “that graciousness is why you remind me of my niece. She often ignored the value of what she gave those she had befriended. It has led to some painful betrayals.

“I will accept, it would be spurious of me not to, but I would still like to serve as Seneschal. As I explained, my [Dao] deals with balance and equity. Helping someone I have some form of emotional connection with enhances the efficiency and benefits of that [Dao]. If I help you to build your territory, it will increase my chances for enlightenment.”

“Then House Myche accepts your offer,” I replied formally, “you will stand as Seneschal for House, Dojo, and Fief. You will have our support in locating and our help building a place suitable for you to claim as a home. Any assistance you require when you create a cultivation chamber will also be provided.

“I will have a signet ring created emblazoned with the Myche seal so you can act as a steward for my people and properties.

“The House welcomes you,” I said, standing and bowing deeply.

“The Dojo welcomes you.

“The Fief welcomes you.

“And I welcome you,” I finished with a final bow, the ritual response to accepting a new House member; as I completed that final bow, a thread of my Qi connected with the territory stone beneath the Keep. That thread of energy splintered into another, one that originated from the stone and was reaching out and appraising Clement. It took only seconds for the stone to get a feel for his Qi and add him as a House member.

“I have faith that your advice and experience will help to create a foundation for growth that will see our people and territory grow strong. I believe we will forge a partnership of trust and benevolence that will unite and strengthen our people from this moment forward.”

“Thank you, House Head,” Clement replied, bowing formally for the first time since we’d met. “Like the Triad of Spirits that protect this city, I hope to be a pillar you and yours can rely on.

“I will offer my best. My best advice, counsel, and efforts are to protect and nourish you and yours. I give my [Cultivator’s Oath] that I will serve honestly and faithfully until my cultivation level ascends to the point that I need to prepare for the next dimension.”

I felt the Oath he gave settle between us. It was comforting, filled with warmth. It reminded me of my mother’s hug, my father’s kiss, and my brother and sister's joy at seeing my return. It was evocative of all that I found refreshing when I returned to the safety of my family.

That feeling was reassuring. It was proof that the Oath had been given without reservation, wholeheartedly, and that Clement had given assurance that he would be the calm in the sea of change and discord that I would undoubtedly face. And it surprised me that he was willing to go that far to ensure I felt comfortable with his choice.

I would respect his Oath and trust his words, but I would still always feel he had sacrificed so much for so little. He must have family, a House, a Clan that he was forsaking to join me. I wouldn’t ask for any further reasons. I would trust his choice was altruistic.

“Now that that is done,” Clement said, waking me from the peace and serenity his Oath had engendered, “I mentioned there were two reasons for this meeting.”

“The other deals with a friend of yours. Disciple Yvonne has asked that I mediate an agreement between your two territories. She would like to pledge vassalage and leave the running of her Fief to you.

“She asks for a fifty-fifty split of any profits you might gain from the resources in her territory and will give you full permissions to treat her Fief as an extension of your own.”

“Why would she want to do something like that?” I asked with confusion. “And what happens if she transfers to another Sect and decides to sell her Fief as part of her departure?

Yvonne and I had had only a few interactions. She was helpful and talented. Her armor creations had not only impressed me, but they had also saved my life. Additionally, she exceeded an acquaintance's bounds when she helped me defend Xiwang. She was a large part of why I hadn’t died when the town had been attacked by a cultivator involved in smuggling.

We have had little interaction since then, so to find she wanted me to administer her Fief was a complete shock.

I knew she selected an area adjacent to mine as her Barony because it contained an environment that might lead to her gaining a Kirin for a bonded. Did that mean the place she claimed was suitable and she’d found her companion bond? Or she’d found it unsuitable and wanted to wash her hands from any responsibility of the entire territory?

“It seems like a generous offer, on the surface at least, but would even the tightest of contracts protect me if she decides to reclaim her authority? Or sell her Fief after I have invested decades or centuries of time and effort building unsettled land into prosperous towns and cities?” I asked.

“That is something you will have to discuss with Sect, Sister Yvonne. I am sure we can negotiate a binding agreement that will satisfy both parties if she is interested in divesting herself of her property.”

“All right, the next time I travel to the Sect, I’ll speak with her. If you would contact her and let her know, I will administer her Fief, provided we can agree.”