The moon shone with a pale white glimmer set against the starry tapestry of the clear night sky. As the tribulation clouds had cleared and the storms had passed, the world had opened further, distant stars bathing the world in a gentle, soothing light.
As the day had passed, the chaos had settled down a hint. The Old Man had healed Zhang’s external wounds, bringing the boy back to a healthy condition physically.
I had remained in the chamber with Labby, Yin and Yan Yun by my side as we all waited for Zhang to wake up. Zhou Fang had gone to tend to his father, before returning to his duties. The Old Man, too, had decided to help out and return to his tasks.
There was nothing to be done but to wait.
I glanced towards Zhang, sensing the stirring energies within him. The boy’s face was calm, his hair gently flowing down his back as he lay upon the bed, the very picture of calm and peace.
The stillness concerned me, dredging up a fear in my chest that perhaps I’d gone too far. That I’d tried to rush things too quickly, and poked at forces beyond my means, and now the people I cared for would have to pay the price in my stead.
A hand grasped mine, and I nearly flinched. Turning sideways, I noticed Yan Yun looking at me, before she glanced back at Zhang.
“He’ll be fine. Zhang has fought long and hard to be able to stand back on his feet, and regain his cultivation. A mere tribulation will not be the end of his Path,” Yan Yun said, her grip on my hand tightening.
I nodded, glancing back at Zhang. “I just wonder sometimes. If I’m dragging all of you with me for my own ambitions. I desire change, and to follow the dream of a new world. But it’s so easy to forget that I’m not the only one who bears the weight of that ambition. Those around me do as well.”
“Labby will follow Master anywhere,” Labby said, walking up to me. The rat on her shoulder let out a squeak as well, though I doubted the little creature understood what she’d said.
I smiled, patting Labby’s head. “I know you will.”
Labby smiled, leaning into the headpat with pleased crackles of purple lightning as I gently caressed her hair.
“I… I think all of us know that Zhang wanted to do this. He has sworn to follow you on your path. That is a choice he has made for himself, and… I… I think it’s disrespectful to him if you think you can take away that choice from him,” Yin said, and I looked at her in surprise.
“You’re right. He chose me, and he believes in the vision I see. To doubt that vision is to disrespect Zhang. What I need to do is to accept the responsibility, and the burden of those around me instead,” I said, glancing at Yin. “It’s a bit funny, that the only mortal among us has the wisdom I lack about my own Path.”
“N-no, I wouldn’t dare be so presumptuous-“ Yin stammered and I held my hand to stop her.
“It’s not presumptuous. Only fools will let the difference between mortals and cultivators come in their Paths. Wisdom, whether it be from an ancient saint, or a mortal farmer, is still wisdom. Each with its own value and worth. To discriminate and disregard one only highlights my own folly.”
Yin looked at me in surprise, before accepting my words.
Time passed slowly, each hour crawling more than the one before. I tried to meditate, to put my mind on anything else, but found my focus wavering and changing every moment.
Yet the world continued to move, uncaring of the long arduous night in front of me, as the moon moved across the night sky, and the stars started to dim against the light peeking over the horizon.
The rays of the sun splashed across the dark blue colors of the night, basking them in colors of red and orange. As birdsong filled the sky, the stir of people waking up and rising along with the sun, I sensed a change near me.
Where before, there had been three cores present within my chamber, now there was a fourth.
My head snapped towards Zhang as I stood from my seat, walking closer. Chi stirred in the boy’s core, a familiar yet unfamiliar energy arranged in a dispersed cloud spread around the dantian.
With a flutter of his eyelids, Zhang slowly opened his eyes, and I noticed the dark purple color they’d taken on, with sprinkles of stars and golden light scattered across them.
“Yin, quickly get the Old Man,” I said, pressing my palm on Zhang’s abdomen as I felt the burning light flowing outwards from within.
Slowly, the boy rose, picking himself up. “How long was I asleep?” Zhang asked.
“About a day,” I replied, my voice breaking momentarily with a chuckle.
Zhang nodded, pulling himself to his feet, before he pressed his fist into his palm, bowing his head deeply.
“Brother Jie. I thank you for your guidance. I am once again in your debt, for all that you’ve done for me.”
I looked at the boy, before patting his shoulder once. “Raise your head, Zhang,” I said, and Zhang looked up.
“Is that how you greet a brother?” I asked, before wrapping the boy up in a hug.
“You did it, my friend. You did it!” I exclaimed, laughter breaking out from my voice.
“I’d never doubted you brother. If you thought I could do it, then I knew I could,” Zhang replied, as he slowly put his arms around my back.
The Old Man walked into the chamber with a concerned expression, as I separated from Zhang. He paused upon seeing Zhang standing, noticing the changed aura around him, and the shifted color in his eyes.
“You children gave this old man a heart attack,” the old man said. “Come here boy, let me take a look at you, just to make sure everything is okay.”
I watched the old man check Zhang’s pulse, before taking a look at this core, and frowning.
“What have you done to your dantian?” The old man asked in surprise. “It’s… layered. A dense burning core that flashes brightly with layers of rings set around it. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s a result of my new Path. Gravity,” Zhang replied.
“Well, everything else looks normal. You should be as healthy as they come. This Old Man congratulates you upon your breakthrough, child. You walk a new path not tread before, and there will be many hurdles in your way, but this old man is glad to see you break through them.”
“This one thanks the elder for his blessings,” Zhang said with a bow.
“Elder Tian Feng has also informed me that you have permission from the lord to return. A carriage has been prepared for your departure. A familiar has been prepared to take any letters you may have, and send them to the lord as well. You’ll be expected to send reports of your work every fourteen days,” the Old Man said.
I bowed in reply. “Please tell the Lord, I am eternally grateful for all the kindness he has shown me, and that I will not disappoint him.”
The Old Man nodded, turning away. “I wish you the very best, my disciple.”
I glanced at Zhang, before meeting my eyes with everyone else present in the chamber. “This… has been quite the revealing trip hasn’t it?” I said, and a few chuckles came. “Things have changed, new responsibilities have arisen. But we’ve taken the first step in preparing Taizhou to survive through the upcoming winter. And in establishing a new foundation for a different era. I’ll be counting on your help in this task,” I said with a bow.
Raising my head, I glanced at Zhang. “And I’ll be most interested in finding out just what your new path and abilities entail as well.”
Zhang nodded, “Me too brother,” he said with a smile.
“I bet Su Lin and Cao Chen will regret not coming along,” Yan Yun said, and I laughed.
“I can almost picture their faces now,” I said, smiling, as we made our way through the manor.
A guard escorted us out, the people on the way bowing as we passed. It was another reminder of my new status as Lord, and the changes that the role may bring for me.
Nearing the gate, I waited for everyone to step into the carriage, before walking in myself.
Taking one last look at the manor, I heard the crackle of reins, as we began our departure.
It was time to return back home.