Conversation on a Hilltop

Chún deliberately continued to look out over the camp, ignoring the older man's expression and calmly let the World Tree Staff - disguised as an ordinary wooden staff - materialise in his hands, grounding its butt end firmly against the ground.

The other man shifted beside him, but remained silent, so Chún nodded his head in a profound manner and slowly spoke, "Your, daughter… is very wise."

There was a quiet grunt from beside him, whether of agreement or surprise, Chún did not care to check, "She warned me this would happen."

Another rustle of clothing indicated more shifting but Chún continued speaking, "Oh, not directly. She just told me that my offer would be difficult for you and the others to accept."

Chún shook his head slowly from side to side, "I was never a noble," he tasted the words slowly as he repeated them under his locus' guidance, "just a simple hunter, now a Cultivator."

"So it seems strange to me," he turned slowly to face the other man whose expression was now showing a measure of confusion, "why a ragtag band of refugees would deny kindness when it was offered to them; even if they must balance the scales of heaven later in recompense."

Dàilán's father's face tightened and he turned back to gaze across the camp. After a breath he answered softly, "she is all I have left. After what the rest of my family did..."

"That is precisely why she chose to accept an Oath of Fealty yesterday," pointed out the young True Cultivator, "She - requested it - not me! The whole negotiation was on her terms - and despite the fact that these are my lands and she had little to no power to do so - she convinced me to agree to an equitable agreement. In exchange for the future strength of your group to help me protect and nurture this place." Chún waved his free arm out over the wilderness beyond the camp, "You do her a great disservice by questioning her integrity."

"I never…" the other man started indignantly, but Chún spoke over him, "you assume that the only reason I agreed to to offer this arrangement is in exchange for your daughter. Even after I have already sworn an oath in public that that is not the case for anyone in your group," Chún snorted, "your daughter is wise indeed. After the way my honour has been questioned this morning, I feel less than pleased with the idea of any of you staying in my demesne - but the Oath I made with her prevents me from summarily kicking you all out - simply because I am starting to feel you are all more trouble than you are worth."

"Is it so hard to accept a helping hand?" Chún exclaimed, throwing up his arms in exasperation and letting his own exasperation show, "I do not understand nobles! Do not get started with that - she is my daughter, I have a responsibility to protect her - show. Who was willing to let her be traded off to some influential clan heir for whatever advantage she could bring your family?"

"I never wanted that," the other man refuted strongly, "If I had a choice…"

Chún shrugged, "Again, she wants it to be her choice. Again, she made the decision without consulting anyone else, precisely to avoid all of this."

There was a moment of silence as the older man digested this, then he sighed and turned back to face the camp, "She is young - how can she make a wise choice?"

"So - she was right, all of you are more worried about losing a potential bargaining piece to someone you are concerned may not be powerful or important enough, than anything else." Chún shook his head, "I am glad I am not a noble."

"Wait until you have daughters," remarked the older man, a humorous note in his voice, "I guarantee you will ask the same question to any man that catches her eye." He turned and looked at Chún, "I do trust my daughter and I think she chose wisely - else I would not be here alone with you - but a Father has the prerogative to test his prospective son-in-law."

Chún felt his face blanch, "Eh?! Old man - it is not like that…"

Dàilán's father turned his head back to look at Chún and raised an eyebrow, then shook his head on seeing Chún's expression, "I suppose that can be left for another time." He turned back to face the camp, "My daughter told us you offered us a place on a mountain, but she was scant on the details…"

Chún blinked at the change in subject, but responded carefully, gesturing around them generally, "This area is at the outer limits of my influence. I cannot protect you well here." He sighed and leaned on his staff, "now that all of you are functional again I have had to release our forces from patrolling this area - it stretches the defenses too thin to maintain patrols so far out for long."

"You would have us move deeper in, then?" the older man questioned.

"Yes, preferably close to my own center, where your presence can eventually act as a deterrent to people seeking to cause me harm," agreed Chún.

"At the moment, we need to hide more than we are able to act as a useful force," sighed Dàilán's father, "would you be able to provide a way for us to disappear?"

"In the short term, yes. My home has... you would consider them Formations - for defense and concealment. The strongest area of those formations are directly in the center of my lands. No one would find you there, unless you choose to reveal yourselves."

"Like the changes you made to the landscape around the camp?" asked the older Consumer carefully and Chún snorted, "those are only minor misdirection and alerting… formations - those around the mountain are a great deal more powerful."

The other man blinked, "I would be fascinated to see what you consider powerful Formations if reshaping the landscape to create natural Formations is considered minor."

Chún turned and looked at the other man, "Of course, if your clan is to settle right at the heart of my lands, you would be responsible for the defense of your own lands if attacked. There would be limitations on how much protection I can provide against a determined assault - which is why I am precisely offering this opportunity."

"You are asking us to be the first line of defense for your mountain," the other man responded slowly, something ugly flashing in his eyes.

"Only incidentally," pointed out Chún mildly, "you did ask if I could hide your group in my stronger defenses. That will give you space to recover and grow strong again. Eventually - though I hope not for many years, other people will discover this wilderness is not as barren as once thought. But my hope is - by that time, your Sect or Clan will be able to maintain a claim of owning the land as part of your Ancestral grounds or whatever and defend against those who would seek to plunder them. Hopefully, well enough to never give anyone cause to pay closer attention to anything - unusual - within the lands you claim."

Dàilán's father opened his mouth, then shut it and began rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "You would cede the land to us? Lan'er mentioned that it is very rich in Cultivation Resources - both Essence Herbs and Beasts - they would be ours to use as we wish?"

"So long as you do not overharvest or deliberately destroy those resources - yes," the young True Cultivator agreed, "that does seem to be an issue with a lot of Cultivators… they consume resources like locusts."

"I can see how that might be of concern to a Spirit of the Wilderness," agreed the other man, still rubbing his chin absently, "although if it truly is our land we would be fools not to ensure it can sustain us for generations by fostering continued growth."

Chún nodded enthusiastically, "at the moment an overabundance is more of a problem - although that can tip easily into barren lands if everything in sight is devoured. If you can find or purchase rare items or Essence herbs that are not growing locally to plant them, that would be even better."

"I do not suppose my daughter ever mentioned, that besides Formations, my Clan has a reputation for cultivating Essence Resources - both plant and animal," remarked the older Consumer, "so we are no strangers to that line of thought - although, generally speaking cultivated resources are never as good as wild found or hunted beasts."

"In this case it is less cultivating and more managed gathering," explained Chún, picking his word carefully, "the environment is ideal for wild herbs and animals to grow, but it needs - judicious culling."

"I begin to understand," answered Dàilán's father and Chún found himself instinctively feeling wary at the look of contemplation that fell across the other man's face as he held up a hand to ask for silence.

After almost a kè, the other man nodded, "I will tell you about something I discovered in my travels when I was closer to your - my daughter's age. Just an old man reminiscing, you understand - there is no need for you to confirm or deny if any of my memories might match our situation."

Chún blinked in confusion and the other man smiled, "My Clan, the Guan - we have never been a particularly powerful clan," he began to explain, slowly, "old certainly and we have occasionally had genius members who allowed us, over many generations to establish ourselves as a respected group - but never top level. Mostly we had a reputation for being steady, methodical and trustworthy."

He sighed and looked back over his shoulder in the direction Chún knew Hujian sat, "it is why we were out here on the empire's borders in a small city and still only a Noble Clan of the Second Rank. There were signs that my daughter's generation - Lan'er and her Cousins, all beauties and geniuses in their own ways - might have had a chance to change that."

He rubbed his forehead, "at least that is what I saw. My brothers…" he sighed then shook his head, "beside the point. Merely to give some context and to help you understand that when I was young, like yourself," he raised an eyebrow in a mildly challenging manner and Chún forced himself to stand still, "well… I was astonished and amazed at those Sects and Clans I encountered in my travels - those that had thousands of generations of history and were considered Sky or World Rank existences - what most people meant when they talked about a Cultivation Sect or a Clan."

He chuckled deprecatingly, "No one out there would ever consider Guan a true Clan. Even the Gi, who are considered a First Rank Clan in Hujian, would be regarded as nothing more than an average Cultivator family. And there are thousands upon thousands of Families like that throughout the Lotus Empire - to say nothing of the rest of Golden Crow."

"You see," Dàilán's father explained, after a moment seemingly lost in memory, "those major Clans or Sects all have one thing in common - at some point in their history, their founders had laid claim to immense areas of Essence Resources and lands that functioned as their roots. The more powerful a Sect was, the more likely it had either conquered or found something to act as a source of power, resources or even an inheritance that could be passed along the bloodline - techniques, weapons, abilities, ancestral treasures - the sort of thing that those trashy books the mortals love and my daughters giggle over - love to write about."

Chún scratched his head, "I am not sure I understand why you are mentioning this now, exactly," he said in a deliberately confused tone - despite Tai's commentary in the link that was basically complaining that Chún was too easy for others to work out - and hid his wince at the older man's grin, although evidently not well enough, because the grin got a little wider. But the Consumer did not say anything about what he found amusing, just continued speaking.

"Well, once I discovered that, I was sure I was going to be the one to push the Guan into the ranks of a true Clan - Sky Rank at least," he chuckled, shaking his head at his own naivety, if Chún had to make a guess, "but what I found after many years of searching, was that inheritances like that do not exist anymore - at least not one that did not already have a major existence sitting on top of them already."

"Oh," Chún said, understanding exactly what he was getting at, "so you…"

"I gave up eventually," agreed the older man, "it was not all bad - after all, it was because of my constant searching that I met my Ài'Xi… and eventually that led to my daughter, of course. Ài'Xi was actually from one of those major Sects - they had an entire Secret Land they controlled access to - and a lot more according to my beloved wife… although she was never too specific as to what it was."

"That would be the plane that was destroyed yesterday?" asked Chún delicately and the other man winced, "unfortunately." He turned sharp eyes on Chún, "But from what I know of Land Spirits - they are only formed when an Essence rich location Advances beyond a simple treasure land. So…. there is something out there that could allow the creation of a Major Sect or Clan, unoccupied - something that has not existed on Golden Crow for millennia. Something like that - the Lotus Empire would fall in the wake of the forces that would fight to seize such a prize."

Chún stiffened, his mind flashing through his options even as he was kicking himself for thinking a Sky Level Consumer would be simple, but the older man shook his head and held up a placating hand, "Peace, boy. That was not a threat - merely an observation - as I said earlier. Something like that - could truly allow my family... My daughter, to rise in power and security - given time and space enough."

"I will not allow your group to live on the Mountain," Chún replied quietly after a few breaths of time, "if too many people know a secret, it stops being one."

There was silence for a moment, "fair enough. Will you permit any exploration?"

"Of the Treasure Mountain?" Chún grinned, letting his teeth show, "It would depend on their capability. Same rules as the rest of the land though - no wanton killing or overharvesting. Anyone who attempts it will be destroyed. And anyone who explores deeper will take their chances with the Essence Beasts and other creatures. The beasts will be allowed to act as they wish - the same as any other area of the wilderness."

"Hmm, perhaps for particularly skilled members of the younger generations then," responded Dàilán's father, "perhaps once every decade or so…"

"That sounds familiar," laughed Chún, thinking of the stories of Sect or Inheritance Trials that always seemed to feature as part of the StoryTeller's tales, "but that is truly in the hands of the Heavens - I have discovered that the best of intentions may never permit someone to find my Mountain and yet others find their way there through no fault of their own. Still," he frowned in thought, "I would suggest that such trials be a close held secret."

"Naturally," agreed the other man, "No Clan or Sect ever discusses their inner secrets with outsiders - generally punishments for doing so start from execution and grow steadily more horrible from there."

"Then I think we can agree. All of this fits quite neatly within the agreement I have already reached with your daughter."

"It will take time," opined the older man, "there are only around fifty of us at the moment. It will take time for us to have enough people to cause issues with resources. If you prefer, I can decree that the only person permitted to explore your mountain is the Heiress. The Guan will obey and the Knives listen to her so…"

"That might cause more trouble than it is worth. Humans… people always seem more curious when they are told not to do something," answered Chún, carefully relaying his locus' thoughts.

"True enough. Well, everyone will be quite busy with setting up new homes for the immediate future, so it should be manageable." agreed the older Consumer, thoughtfully, "perhaps let it form into a tradition or unwritten custom - those always seem to last longer anyway..."

There was another period of silence.

"I do not mean to give offence," Dàilán's father spoke up abruptly, "but it is obvious to me that while you are powerful, you are also young and as you said earlier - not from noble descent. Although your appearance would seem to indicate otherwise," he ended his statement with an enquiring note in his voice.

"My appearance?" asked Chún carefully, surreptitiously checking his 'Lin' disguise to make sure his natural form had not become visible.

"You have a clear complexion, smooth, healthy hair and a strong, tall body. That indicates that you were raised in a wealthy family with regular nutrition and Essence food," the other man gestured in his general direction, "you have a strong level of Cultivation at a young age - I would say from your manner you are actually as old as you look - which is around my daughter's age. All that would usually require noble blood."

Chún raised an eyebrow, biting back a sarcastic reply, "so you think I am from a noble background?"

"No," replied the other man bluntly, "your mannerisms,speech and body language all indicate you grew up with a poor background. But…"

Chún looked at him and raised his eyebrows questioningly, "...but?"

"If you continue on the Cultivator's path - and your master continues to send you out as an emissary - you will need to become comfortable with the way nobles think and behave, to say nothing of merchants," warned the Consumer, "a more powerful group would have fleeced you and your mountain dry."

"They would have tried," Chún replied simply.

"No doubt you can defeat the first group. Perhaps even the second," agreed the older man, nodding, "but once you have attracted the notice of the rich and powerful?. After all, is that not why you have asked us to settle on your lands - to block access to your master's true secrets?"

"My Master?" asked Chún carefully keeping his expression blank as Tai started laughing in the link - interspersed with repeated admonitions not to react or confirm anything the older man said.

"Boy, it is simple enough to guess. You are - or were - a peasant boy who stumbled on someone or something powerful who saw something in you and chose to grant you Cultivation resources and techniques. An Inheritance of an ancient sect or an old Immortal - or something of the like." Dàilán's father, waved his hands in reassurance, "I will not ask for specifics - we all have our secrets when it comes to Cultivation. It is considered impolite to ask - some believe it angers the heavens if one inquires too deeply into the details of fortunate encounters - not that it stops some people."

He sighed and snorted as if in some unpleasant remembrance, then continued smoothly, "regardless, your Master has a good eye if you have progressed this far so quickly. You will need the manners and speech of Noble Cultivator sooner rather than later - unless you plan to remain in the wilderness all your life - and in my experience, the heavens plot out the paths of our lives - so you may find yourself in civilisation even if you never intend it. Better to be able to act the role you have chosen to play than be exposed as a fraud."

"Your point?" asked the young True Cultivator stiffly, not particularly enjoying being reminded that he had grown up poor by some wealthy nobleman.

"I will teach you," answered the older man matter-of-factly, "The art of speech, The Three Treasures of the Study, history, philosophy, tactics, The Virtues, eating in a formal banquet, poetry, music, dueling, trading and the basics of leading or acting as the heir of a clan…"

"I already have combat masters to train with," interrupted Chún, feeling his temper starting to get the better of him.

"It is impolite to interrupt when someone is doing you a service," answered the other man evenly, "and I do not doubt that you are blooded, or that your master is teaching you how to fight in a battle. I was referring to sparring for face or more ritualised combat that nobles use to prevent disagreements coming to bloodshed - especially among the younger generations."

"Such a practice was set down as law and custom a hundred generations ago - so depending on how old your master is they may not be aware of it," Chún blinked as Tai's commentary suddenly agreed with what the other man was saying, "in all the known Empires it is accepted practice to prevent the younger generations destroying themselves in foolish squabbles. True fighting to the death is left for more serious issues - war, battle over territory or resources for Cultivation or blood feud. If you wound up killing some useless third son in a formal duel after they took offence over something you said or did, you would be arrested and your Cultivation shattered, enslaved to the family of the person you killed to make up the loss - no matter how many more Cultivators died to make it happen."

"Okay…" Chún was taken aback, "I thank Senior for the knowledge. I am indeed lacking in the areas you speak of. My Master has directed me to accept your offer."

Dàilán's father paused and a crease formed between his brows, "I thank Senior for his approval," he answered in length and bowed in the general direction of the wilderness, much to Tai's amusement.

"My… master is pleased," Chún replied eventually at his locus' direction, "He hopes I will develop similar manners myself soon."

"Forgive me Dàifu Lin," the other man responded apologetically, "I was not aware your master had us under observation."

"My... master is aware of everything that I am," Chún explained carefully, "I am more interested in why you would offer to do this."

"I owe you a great debt," responded Dàilán's father gravely, "You have assisted what remains of my family, saved my daughter's life and my own - to say nothing of the treasures you have already given to my daughter. To not attempt to redress the imbalance between us would between us would be the gravest impropriety. A simple acknowledgment that I owe my daughter's life to you is not nearly sufficient."

Dàilán's father held up a hand as Chún blinked, "It would be most improper to refuse such a formal declaration of debt after it was made unless you have an equal reason that you should not do so."

"You are indeed a man of principle," Chún responded ruefully after a moment, "I see where your daughter gets her bargaining skill from."

"Excellent!" replied the other man, smiling warmly and giving him a polite Cultivator's bow which Chún hastened to return, "we should really get back down to the camp before Lan'er decides to come and find out if I have tried to harm you."

Chún laughed and they started walking slowly back down the hill towards the camp together as the other man asked with a mock irritated tone, "Speaking of my daughter, was it really necessary to gift her such treasures? It will be impossible to find anything to top them at her coming of age ceremony celebrations next spring."

Chún blushed, "to me they were barely anything. She made the flute herself - I just polished it a little…"

"Scary…"

"I am the scary one? After you divined all my secrets in a single conversation, Senior?"

"Youngsters these days - no respect…"