The Laws of Cultivation: Qi = MC^2

Chapter [B4] 5 — Return

I felt Xuanwu’s presence stir me awake as I opened my eyes. It took me a few minutes to truly wake up, my mind having sunk deep within my spirit in a place beyond even sleep or dream. It was hard to describe, but it felt the most natural way to be, like that was what my true self and existence really was like. A deeper layer of my own spirit that I had not been aware was even there until now.

When I opened my eyes, it took me a little bit to return to reality. I glanced around, feeling the stir of the carriage and blinked at the familiar scenery outside.

“It seems like your meditation went well,” the Lord said, smiling at me. “We’ve arrived at the Seventh Peak city.”

“It’s been three days?” I asked, feeling a little dumb founded. It felt like it’d only been a few hours at best. That dream… no, it could not even be called a dream. Those visions as I sank into deeper parts of my spirit, that memory… and the discovery I’d made at the end.

I put a hand at my abdomen, feeling the changed core inside of me. My inner world had manifested, though it remained unformed, ‘til I’d give it true shape. But I’d found it, found my own self to be infinite and an alternate reality in itself, and I was free to carve it as I saw fit.

“It is a strange feeling,” the lord told me. “But the more you forge it, the more accustomed you’ll grow to it, ‘til one day it’ll be just another part of you. At that moment, you’ll know how to bring it out into the world itself, manifesting it as your domain.”

I looked at the Lord, and then gave him a nod. It was only now that I noticed Liuxiang and Yan Yun. Both of whom were also meditating. Liuxiang opened her eyes first, a little after me. For a moment, I saw tears reflected in them, but in an instant they were gone. I did not pry.

Yan Yun woke up last, she stirred awake, opening her eyes as if confused to see us and not sure where she was. It took a moment of settling before she regained touch with this reality, settling into place.

“We’ll arrive soon,” I told them, and they both were surprised for but a moment, before giving me an acknowledging nod.

“Me too,” Yan Yun added. “That… was enlightening.”

“Guess all three of us had an enlightening experience,” I said. I did not know what the two of them had gone through, but from the looks of their faces, it had been important and significant just like mine.

I thought back on the moment. In the waking world, it was hard to truly remember all the details, as they quickly faded like the wisps from a dream, but I kept the key moments with me.

I did not have my answer just yet, but at the very least I could tell that I was on the right path. Whether this would bear fruit or not… only time would tell.

As they reached the entrance of the city, I noticed the gathering of people at the entrance. Cheers rose from the crowd of people as we entered, the carriage slowing down as people stood on the streets, watching us pass by. It was a completely different atmosphere than what I’d anticipated would be here and it took me by surprise as I looked on at the cheering crowds of people.

There were joyous faces all around me, excited faces, faces filled with… hope. It wasn’t just the city people here, I could see all sorts of refugees, villagers, mortals from all around, people who’d had to escape their homes and flee to survive the onslaught of demons. But this place had protected them.

We had protected them.

I couldn’t describe how I felt as we passed through the crowds, eventually arriving at the entrance to the lord’s manor. I sat there for a moment, just taking the feeling in as the crowds slowly but surely began to quiet down. But the screaming never truly died.

The lord looked at me, a stern and resolute expression on his face. “We fight to protect that faith they place in us,” he said.

I nodded. All of us did.

We fought to keep that hope alive.

I stepped outside as the gates opened to the carriage, and saw Qiao Ying, Granny Lang and Zhang standing outside.

“Took you long enough boy,” the old granny said with a smile as she saw me. But I could see the exhaustion in the wrinkles that creased her eyes, and the way her back was ever so slightly more hunched than normal. All of this was taking its toll.

I stepped outside of the carriage, greeting her.

“Good to see you in good spirits, granny. A few things happened, I’m afraid I won’t get to stay here for long,” I said. I glanced sideways at Qiao Ying who gave me a light bow and a deeper one to the Lord, as was appropriate.

Zhang stood straight, not bowing and with his stern expression maintained as always, clutching his spear and standing at attention, ever the image of discipline. But even I could tell that he felt a little relieved to see me here from the way his shoulders dropped ever so slightly. I could also tell how much stronger he’d grown. He was at the edge of the seventh realm already.

I was reminded yet again that if all of this was not happening right now, all of our growth and progress would be deemed insane and prodigious, but in these times, it was perhaps not even enough to survive. We were all giving more than our all and there was no way in hell that I could ever let myself fall behind.

“Zhang told me about the details, don’t worry, the city is safe. The boy has done a wonderful job of protecting and guiding everybody, and those weapons you’ve made and given to the villagers have proven effective in taking down and repelling all the weaker demonic beasts,” Granny Lang said, and I nodded in acknowledgment. I was glad to hear that. I’d had to leave a lot of the implementations to Zhang and Qiao Ying regarding the fortifications and just have vague general plans left behind, but it was good to see things were bearing fruit.

I put my hand on Zhang’s shoulder, smiling at him. “Good job protecting everybody while I was not here.”

Zhang gave me a nod. “Of course, Brother. I was merely performing my duty.”

“My liege, elder Jie, there are things I must discuss with you,” Qiao Ying said, tactfully stepping in at an opportune moment. I gave a nod, glancing towards the lord.

“Granny, could you take Liuxiang and Yan Yun with you?” I asked.

The old granny huffed. “Of course, my old bones were creaking with all the work you’re making me do. And you took dear precious Yin from me too, that child was far too good. I’ve been looking for assistants ever since! These two will make fine replacements,” Granny said.

I smiled apologetically. “Yin is the only one who can help me work through her grandfather’s notes and do what I need her to.”

“Bah, you don’t need to explain everything, let an old woman complain,” Granny Lang said, turning around. “Let us go, you two, or these men will turn us stiff and stale like them.”

I smiled watching Granny Lang take Yan Yun and Liuxiang with her, before I turned towards Qiao Ying and the others, and we headed to the Lord’s manor.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

I could still hear the faint chants of the gathered crowd in the distance.

***

“This is the current state of the war front,” Qiao Ying said, unfurling a map onto the table in front of us. The seven celestial peaks were highlighted alongside the border to their north.

“Currently there are incursions going on across every part of the empire from demonic beasts to minor demons, but that is nothing new, we’ve been fighting such incursions for centuries and have beaten back bigger and stronger ones. The problems are these areas,” Qiao Ying said, highlighting one section circled in red on the map. The demons are acting in an organized manner, something that has never happened before. This is true war and they’re using everything in their ability to try and break the barrier of the seven celestial peaks through this one section where there is a viable path for an army to march on and with their deathless being, well, deathless, they’re able to head up front and carve a way out for the lesser demons behind them, leading to a rapid march inwards right up to our border,” Qiao Ying said, explaining the situation.

“The area is under the fourth peak, commanded by Lord Baihu. How has he fared?” Lord Zhou asked.

“Poorly, my sire. As you already know, Lord Baihu is the oldest of all seven Lords and his sons are too young was the only reason he had still held onto power. The demons clearly know this and are aiming for this place. But there are bigger problems than even that,” Qiao Ying said, circling the entire northern area of the empire. “While the demon army can be kept at bay and held back by our soldiers and cultivators, including the powerful ward being maintained by one of the Divinities on the empire itself, lesser demons and demonic beasts end up slipping through no matter what and those creatures, instead of mindlessly charging into the fray and dying to the hands of a cultivator are avoiding the battlefield all-together, instead targeting civilian settlements. This has caused chaos and mayhem across all the seven peaks as mortals have rushed towards safety and the seven peaks are nearly threatening to collapse within just a few weeks if nothing is done,” Qiao Ying said.

A grim expression rose to my face. War was terrible on its own… but going after helpless mortals? I clenched my fist in anger.

“How is our city doing? The people were cheering,” Lord Zhou asked.

“Good. Better than all the others, which the other Lords have been quick to notice. We’ve been sending aid to the other Lords, including mortals who’re trained with firearms to help lessen their burden. It is better than nothing but not enough still. Elder Jie’s inventions and scholars have all been working day and night to fortify the city and the surrounding villages, the militia is taking care of demonic beasts and protecting mortals who quickly join the training regimen to be able to safely use firearms and protect the helpless. Both men and women have taken arms and roles of healers and in support. Having a steady supply of alchemical pills means we’re able to quickly heal with any injuries and the protection from the divine tree means the injuries from Gu are not nearly as lethal as they otherwise would be as the miasma is sucked into the earth here. Frankly… it’s a miracle,” Qiao Ying said looking towards me, as everybody in the room followed.

I wanted to hide under their gaze, but I managed to hold myself firm. I could not keep being a coward forever.

“I didn’t do this alone,” I said, glancing at the others present in the room. “And we cannot celebrate just yet. If any one of the seven peaks collapse, then the empire itself falls, we will not be able to hold back the march of the demons and it’d be the end,” I said, receiving serious nods from the room.

“Zhang, how have the attacks from the demons and demonic beasts been?”

“Manageable. Most of it have been demonic beasts which the militia have been able to take care of. The stronger ones are taken out by the sect cultivators and Lord Zhou’s soldiers, those that have not gone to provide aid against the army. But there have still been a few lesser demons, especially flying ones who manage to sneak past and try to wreck havoc but I’ve managed to keep them in check,” Zhang said, and then paused.

“I did encounter a deathless. A lesser demon that was one… it was tricky and strange and something was not quite right with it,” he added, capturing our attention.

“What did you do with it?” I asked.

“We’ve detained it, and it’s currently under Yin’s care in an area cut off from everyone else and within a specialized prison cell that consistently drains the creature. Just for safety we also routinely kill it so that it cannot fully regenerate,” Qiao Ying replied instead of Zhang.

I nodded at that. If it was with Yin… I had a feeling I knew what she was doing with it. I did not pity the soulless creature, but I did feel bad for whatever or whoever it had once been.

“Aside from that one incident, Zhang has been flying in the sky above the city, sometimes for days on end, keeping a watch and then crashing down like a shooting star on any demon or demonic beast that dared venture too close. They’ve started calling him General Zhang, both the soldiers and the militia, but even some of the mortals and civilians,” Qiao Ying added, and Zhang gave the man a glare as if he wasn’t supposed to speak that much.

“We should look into making that official,” Lord Zhou said. “You’d make a fine general.”

“You honor me, my lord,” Zhang quickly replied, bowing. “But my one and only loyalty lies to Brother Jie. I am his blade, his spear, and that is my purpose.”

Lord Zhou shook his head. “You have a precious one with you.”

I nodded with a smile. “Zhang, I appreciate your thoughts, but the people need you. If you become a general, you’ll get an official rank and more ability to command people and control them, and… it’d inspire others who already clearly look up to you. I had not missed the way the soldiers were looking at you when we walked in, they paid more attention to you than Lord Zhou!” I said, glancing at the Lord to see if he took offense to that, but the man kept an amused smile on his face.

“I… shall consider it,” Zhang said and we left it at that.

“How many men have we sent to aid against the demon army?” Lord Zhou asked, returning us back to topic.

“Almost three fourths of all our men. We have sent more than any other, owing to the militia being able to protect and secure the mortals on the seventh peak and around it,” Qiao Ying said.

“We will head there in person,” Lord Zhou said.

All of us looked at Lord Zhou in surprise, but the Lord raised his hand before any of us could protest. “We are not going to put ourselves in harm’s way, but clearly they need us. The city is safe, we can see as much and instead of spending our time managing things from afar our efforts will be best spent on the battlefield,” Lord Zhou said. He paused for a moment and then continued. “And if something does happen to us, then Zhou Fang will be capable enough to step in. He’s not ready yet, but these are dire times and we have faith in him.”

“It’s not going to come to that,” I said, glancing at the map before looking towards Qiao Ying. “How many guns can we make? Pills? How many people do we have who know how to run the equipment, mortal or otherwise?”

Qiao Ying frowned for a moment, checking the notebook he always carried in his hand. Normally it’d be the kind of information you’d have to gather and specifically ask for in advance… but this was Qiao Ying, and so I had no doubt that he was already keeping track.

“We’re keeping a surplus of both alchemy pills and guns. There’s a new warehouse that will quickly start producing pills. Guns… it is a bit slower as sourcing the ores has been difficult, especially now, and teaching the smiths takes a bit more time, especially with the volatility of the explosives. Fire arrows though, can be produced within the factory, alongside other offensive type pills. As per your suggestion we dedicated one section entirely to making more of those and Granny Lang has helped improve the ones we experimented on, providing us with three new types of explosive pills and offensive pills, and two new types of poisonous pills on top of the ones we already had and the ones we could have gotten from the alchemy halls as per your agreement with them.”

I smiled, pleased to hear it. “Start sending these resources to the lords. Send not just soldiers and healers, but also scholars and craftsmen and blacksmiths who will be capable of creating new supply chains quickly. Prepare carriages, fill them with weapons, send soldiers who could teach mortals how to use them properly, begin training their men and send bricklayers who can use the cement we’ve made to quickly build walls. Send earth cultivators who can help create trenches and defensive structures, send water cultivators who can divert rivers and use them to power mills and other machinery,” I said to Qiao Ying.

“But sir… you would just give them these things for nothing?” Qiao Ying asked, hesitant.

I frowned. “This is not the time for us to be worrying about benefiting ourselves. We’re fighting for the survival of the empire. Humanity is our only ally in this time, and we need to stand by them. The empire is at the brink of such collapse because all the lords and sects and cultivators prioritized their own greed, hoarded information and refused to share. I do not intend to follow in their path that has brought us here.”

Qiao Ying nodded at my words.

“Send our men alongside Lu Jie’s. We will bring them with us on our journey there, ensuring their safety. Send news to the other lords as well, to send their men to the fourth peak, so that they too may be able to obtain these weapons and pills to protect their weakest and most vulnerable,” Lord Zhou said.

Qiao Ying bowed.

“Actually, alongside all this, there’s one more thing I’d like to send,” I said, looking at Qiao Ying. “Is that ready?”

The man looked at me, then glanced hesitantly at the lord, before giving me a nod. “Yin has said it is as ready as it can be, but they’ve had some… difficulties with fueling the device. It costs a lot of spirit stones and ideally spirit jade which we do not have a large supply of.”

I smiled, rubbing the ringer on my hand. “Well, isn’t it fortunate that I just so happen to have gained some recently.”