Chapter 58: You Need to Change

“Do you have any ideas?” asked Leinor while they were lying on the couch in their own room at the General’s mansion.

 

It was already night time the next day, as the room was colored by the orange flame dancing in the fireplace, while Leinor gently caressed Ren’s stomach as she was almost purring in his lap.

 

“A few. But I don’t want to really flash them out.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I don’t want to be called an Elder. It sounds creepy.”

 

“Ahaha, that's your reasoning? Really?” laughed happily but it was something he expected already 

 

“Not every reason. But most of it comes down to that, yes. Do you think if the Sect is going to accept disciples they would listen to someone who looks this young? Not everyone is like Poli or Zern.”

 

“That’s just a nuisance for you anyway. Is it because of the others? Namely my family?”

 

“A little. Let them take up those Elder positions, I don’t care about it. Look, your family has been in the power business for long, I never was someone who aspired to be a leader. I like cultivation, that's all. Also I like teaching it to someone who has a personality I can work with. My dream is to walk as far as I can on the road of cultivation.”

 

“It is a long road.”

 

“It is. That’s why you need companions along the road to stay sane.” smiled, looking into his eyes “If you go alone it will lead you to a dark place.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you all the way.”

 

“Better be~ Or I’ll drag you back from the underworld and beat you up myself!”

 

“Ahaha~ I even believe it if it is you who says that!” 

 

“And… you have any ideas?”

 

“Nope.”

 

“What… that was quick!”

 

“I thought you would come up with something, I would just support that.”

 

“Tsk, you lazy badboy!” 

 

“Busted~” 

 

“My guess is, it will be a battle anyway if we go with their ideas. Let the soldiers work it out.”

 

“I read up about the countries there, peaceful option is out of the question. The Forefather also knows that I assume.”

 

“I think he wants to see our way of thinking and not what kind of plan we come up with. If we go with probably one of the upcoming suggestions, knowing my Father or your Grandfather’s style, we will be sent out to conquer the place which has two difficult parts.”

 

“Two?”

 

“First, Rorik, they are our allies. We go and build on their territory a Sect? That they have no control over? We need to appease them somehow so they don’t see it as a forceful occupation. But honestly… who cares about it? We won’t interfere with anything they do. Second is Qun. Do we kill every one of them? Isn’t that a massacre? Then relocating them? Forcefully? Anything we are going to do will result in more problems later on. So we should just leave them be too. Beat them up if they come but other than that, do nothing. Oh, and I bet you anything, the Kingdom of Ten will show up and this could even result in war. Not that I am against THAT motion, I want to punch that King of theirs in the throat.”

 

“Because of… the thing with… you know…” murmured as this morning Xendar broke the news to them and Anya about the execution of Anya’s family line. She was shocked, heartbroken but she collected herself quickly, especially because of the still growing baby in her.

 

“Yeah. Making my mother cry. He won’t get away with it.”

 

“Yeah… I agree… about the kingdoms… honestly, I never thought it about this hard…” murmured Leinor

 

“That is why I said, you are a lazy badboy. Huh, your brain is occupied by perverted things instead of our task!”

 

“Not really… okay… a little. It’s your fault.”

 

“Ahaha, that I won’t deny!” grinned playfully “Who knows, how much you think about it, you may break through soon, they say it’s the source of lifeforce, no wonder your family is such a womanizer!”

 

“I still won’t.” shook his head

 

“What keeps you back? I’m surprised, I feel you when you are inside me, you seem ready.”

 

“It’s about the absorption technique. I have a vague idea, I want to balance out the energy giving and taking. The latter is just not ready. I can’t control it the way I do the former. Either I drain everything at its fullest strength or it just trickles slowly like nothing. No inbetween. I try to figure it out but without proper experience I just can’t get the hang of it.”

 

“Hmmm… yeah, that's hard.” thought silently for a few seconds “Maybe the upcoming battles will help you. I’ll accompany you closely while you drain the enemies. I’ll stop you if you go out of control.”

 

“It’s just…” 

 

“Don’t worry.” held his head, pressing her forehead to his, rubbing his nose with hers “I’ll be with you, you are afraid you will turn to the same as your ancestor. I get it, we all heard the tales of how his powers distorted his mind, leaving a sea of mummies behind his wake, but don’t worry. I won’t let you go down the wrong path.”

 

“Thank you…”

 

“Never say that again.” whispered, kissing his lips “Between us there is no place for those words.”

 

…

….

…..

 

“Come, you need some sleep.” whispered Xendar, going up to Anya, hugging her from the back as she was standing before the painting of her daughter's wedding 

 

“Mmm, I know. Watching this painting calms me down. Saynur did an amazing job.”

 

“Yes, he did. He has a talent for it, his skills may be lackluster but not in painting. It is imbued with a strange energy and relaxes the mind. If he would be more talented in cultivation he may catch the eyes of the others. Maybe his little brother will show some talent.”

 

“Heh, if he does one of us should be his teacher.”

 

“Ahaha, maybe. We will see. What do you think about this sect thing?”

 

“It would be a good idea. I had enough with this stress of bloodlines this and that, nobles and titles and all this nonsense. I just want to leave behind all of it and live like a normal family. Focusing on cultivation doesn’t sound so bad, it has no attached bagge to it.”

 

“I understand. And you are right. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on going for any high position, being an Elder is fine for me. Teaching young, talented boys and girls sounds fun. I had enough adventures on the battlefield, this is going to be my last.”

 

“Don’t say it that way. Youcould jinx it!” turned around, hugging him 

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“You are still such a superstitious girl~” chuckled “Anya, you should stay home.”

 

“Huh?” blinked surprised then bit onto her lips, clearly struggling 

 

“We can’t risk it.” placed his hand on her stomach 

 

“I… understand why you say it. But I won’t. I’ll follow you, I will stay out if there is a fight and leave it to you, but only until you take care of yourself! But you won’t leave me home now.”

 

“What about Ren?”

 

“I have no worries for her. Especially because Leinor is with her all the time.” giggled happily “Plus, she is stronger than us.”

 

“That’s why I’m worried. She may get used to it and rush into a big mistake.”

 

“Then we will protect her. As parents should. But first, to be able to do that, we need to take care of ourselves.”

 

“Roger~ Come, it’s late… you need to rest.” picked her up like a princess carrying to the bed, hugging her until morning to make her dreams pleasant. 

 

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….

 

When the next meeting came up Aerthus curiously listened to what they came up with. The first plan came from Carthus who promoted the choice of annexing the Rorik Kingdom, then continued on doing the same with the Qun Kingdom, unifying the two and establishing a new puppet state, the capital being the sect headquarters and making them the outer territory of the sect. 

 

“They are either way, still nothing more now then proxies. Under the rule of the Sect they could double their territory.”

 

“We would get a big pushback from the royal family, their authority being taken from them, it could even lead to civil unrest. Not to mention the Qun side.” argued Dermitos 

 

“Then execute the royal family on both sides.”

 

“That’s going too far.” cut in Xendar

 

“We could also replace them with our people.” thought a little Carthus before continuing “Or execute the current line and replace it with another that is willing to work under us.”

 

“You sound like your father.” cut in Boursat with a calm voice which made Carthus close his eyes before leaning back 

 

“I see.” opened his eyes slowly “What else do we have?” looked at Boursat 

 

“I have nothing. I’m used to commanding soldiers, thieves and prostitutes.” smiled, making Carthus shake his head with an almost unnoticeable smile “My methods would only lead to riots. I could spread the idea of a revolution with the masses but it would take time and destroy our relationship with the ruling family, that is for sure.”

 

“Or we could use diplomacy first.” cut in Dermitos “Contact the Rorik family, tell them our plans on establishing the sect on the island and that we wouldn’t take part in any of their decisions or wars. They can operate the same way they always did, it’s not like they have anything on the island, it’s completely void of structures, they only use it as an excuse to fight their wars. This would even take down the pressure from them in a way, as if the Qun empire wants to go at it, we would be the target, not them.”

 

As the discussion went on there were different ideas thrown out or mixing of different approaches. It was then when Aerthus spoke up, addressing Ren who looked completely bored and was playing with her hair, not paying attention at all.

 

“What do you think?” asked with a smile 

 

“Mmm? Me?” pointed at herself 

 

“No, your future self from a 1000 years from now on.”

 

“She wouldn’t even think about it.” giggled “A Sect is free from mortal structures, nobles or commoners, ruling family or not, doesn’t matter. We are not there to command the masses or direct the course of hundreds of thousands of people who just want to live their lives.”

 

“Your meaning?” smiled Aerthus with a satisfied expression

 

“I would just go there, build the Sect and that's it.”

 

“Ahahaha!” laughed up Feynor who was silent until now while the others looked at eachother 

 

“What?” looked around Ren with a raised eyebrow “What will they do? Go against us? With Sect Head at the helm? You are joking with me! We go, build up the sect and start operating. Either way, we won’t interfere with any of their things, we are there to accept disciples and cultivate. We also want to accept disciples, no? We are not there to expand the borders of the empire!  I guess Sect Head doesn’t want to limit the searching for talents to only the Empire. Our territory is not the only place where we can draw in young prospects. Will any from the Kingdom of Ten come if we stomp down anyone who is in alliance with them? What about our other allies? What would they think?”

 

“Even if they come, most of the people from the Kingdom of Ten will be spies.”

 

“Maybe.” nodded Ren “But we don’t need to worry about that. You older people still see things from the perspective of an ex-emperor.”

 

“Hah!” chuckled Aerhus but let her continue with an encouraging expression 

 

“Your mentality needs to change. When you are talented or want to learn cultivation and improve yourself, what are your options in the end? Join the Empire or the Kingdom. Even then to have a chance reaching the Harmony Realm you will need to sell yourself to one side, fully. Look at my father. He was a General for decades, loyal to the Empire. In return he was ordered around by the royal family.” Her words made both Dermitos and Xendar twitch their mouths while Carthus started to furrow his brows. Only Anya nodded agreeingly, giving a stare to Dermitos who just mouthed Hey, why are you angry with me now?

 

“You try to say…?” asked Boursat, lost in thoughts 

 

“Even if you are as talented as my father, if he ever showed disloyalty to the Empire he would be marked as an unstable force or even an enemy. Even if you wouldn’t do it…” said looking at Dermitos then directing her gaze to Carthus “Someone else would.”

 

“True.” acknowledged Carthus

 

“Father!” stood up Dermitos 

 

“Relax.” spoke up Xendar “It’s fine, that is how Empires work.”

 

“That’s true.” continued Ren “And as I heard the Kingdom is even worse in this aspect. No one is left alive long if they threaten the ruling power of Naulins. But if you want resources, techniques you need to join one side and rise through the ranks but never can go to the top.” looked in the eyes of the others, revealing a small smile “This is why you need to change your mindsets. This is no longer the Empire of yours.”

 

At her words the room fell silent while Aerthus was looking intently at Ren, patiently waiting for her to continue.

 

“Just think about it. You are a young cultivator who is talented. Let’s say, you are 16, had your coming of age a little earlier than others. By the time you are 18 you are already at the 2nd or 3rd level. You have talent to reach this but then what? Most people could only go to the third or fourth level throughout their lives. Let’s face it, both the Kingdom and Us focuses only on a small number of people to raise talents and those are usually tied to the ruling party in some way or another. The rest have the chance to join the army and rise through there. This is the truth. For cultivators there are not many other venues and they are limited to a certain level. To rise above that needs help, education. Guidance.”

 

“The people under me are a good example.” cut in Boursat “When Ren needed data we trained normal people under me. Yes, they are not outstanding talents, but most of them, even those who did not amount to much, at least reached the fourth level by now and I found some who soared to the sixth. Previously they were happy with raising only to the second. They are in no way comparable to the kind of people we want to recruit to the sect, but it proves the concept… collect people from everywhere and you are going to find talents among them and have a force that no empire can go against. If you send a level five against someone at the ninth level he will be pulverized by a few moves.”

 

“This is why a sect is different.” smiled Ren “We will accept anyone. If they pass the tests and join, they can rise to the top. If they are so talented they can be elders, core elders, grand elders, who knows, maybe even become the sect leader!”

 

Her words made Carthus look at Aerthus but he only saw a smiling ancestor, looking satisfied with what he was hearing that made him think once again.

 

“Now think. They may send a spy, but so what? The Sect will be their family from then on. They will work for it and we will work for them. It is a symbiotic relationship. They bring talent, we bring the resources. When they grow up and realize they can go way farther than anywhere else, would they give this up? No. They will fight for it… even die for it.” said with a confident voice “We just need to show them, this is the place where they belong to. Even if the person who they send is a spy, we will only receive a free talent, gifted to us.” smiled happily, leaning back, not saying anymore.

 

Aerthus suddenly, happily clapped and looked around with a wide grin.

 

“She understands! You need to work more.” looked at the others “But I’m not disappointed, I am happy you are open enough for discussion. I know it will be hard to adapt your mindset but you will realize, this is the correct path.” said slowly “We will do as she explained. We will go there and start building. We will act accordingly to their reactions, we won’t waste words, we will show it with our actions. If they come as friends we will welcome them as such. If they come with swords, we will send their heads back home.” stood up “Get ready. We will go by daybreak and I’ll show you some tricks I picked up from the other side of the world.”

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