Gathering Forces
Gathering Forces
"Hmph, that was unfair, I doubt it was going to be the usual spar! Were you just using me to show off?!"
The young girl pouted angrily at her, feeling slighted by her even. Pulling the branch away, Ming Yue smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Rou'er, my teachers are watching."
Even then, she looked away, frowning like a child. But Elder Xiang just stood up while laughing.
"Ahahaha, don't worry about losing to her! That was a splendid fight! I can give you a few pointers so that you can take her on", he said while looking at her.
Rou'er's face suddenly changed, showing a rather excited look.
"Really?" she asked.
He nodded gleefully.
"Of course, it would definitely make the next spars funner."
Elder Xiang then turned to face Ming Yue, revealing a rare grin of excitement.
"To think that you'd reach such a high level within the Sword Sage Path, the Realm of a Hundred Swords, eh? Once you reach the Sage's Sword, things will truly begin."
After saying this, he chuckled before going. Ming Yue didn't ask, knowing him, she wouldn't find out until much later when he considered it the right time.
"He'll probably tell me once I reach it", she thought.
"Alright, alright, that was a nice sight to see but let's move on to the main topic. You called us here about a few things, I take it?"
As Elder Xiang asked this, the other two stood up and joined him, looking at her with interest and concern.
"Right, you send us a letter out of nowhere, asking us to come here. All you had written was that Redmist Sanctuary is on the move! Now, we weren't sure what exactly was going on until we heard the news on our way here", said Elder Shen.
Elder Hua raised a brow at Ming Yue, putting on a serious face.
"They say that a thunder strike from the Heaven's got rid of it, leaving not even a trace, two of the Fourteen Evils were killed in the attack. But I wager that someone was behind it... What were you planning?"
It was obvious to them. Considering the events and the timing, they knew that it was Ming Yue who did it.
And she had something to say about it.
"This is something that I'll have to speak in private with you all."
The three elders showed some surprise, looking at each other before turning back to Ming Yue.
"Is this... about where you've been when you were gone?" Elder Xiang asked.
She nodded before walking in, leading the three elders back into the tea shop. Walking up the stairs near the side of the back door, they all entered one of the private rooms, sitting around a small table.
It certainly wasn't as grand as other places but there was a nice home;y feel to it. The wooden furnishings were well made and had some simple carvings as decor.
Sitting there together, Ming Yue began to talk about her time at the Beast Continent. This time, however, she told them everything, how she had been living there, what had happened all that time, and about Hongyu.
When speaking about the child she found, the three elders were shocked for sure.
"To think you'd find her in a place like that, how old do you think she could be? What sort of origin could she have?" Elder Shen asked.
The other two nodded.
"Something like this, you may have to ask the elders from the Archive of Six Gates. This matter might even come before the Grand Elder!" said Elder Hua.
And the Sword Elder had a bewildered look on his face as he looked at her.
"Just what have you been doing?"
He couldn't help but ask this.
"Just a twenty-something year old and you're already at the Sky Realm. At this point, you're going to overtake all of us in a few years."
Ming Yue lowered her head.
"I wouldn't dare to", she responded but they all just chuckled.
"Ahaha, that's a good thing! The new generation is much stronger than the past ones."
"Right, we've certainly seen an uptick in Earth Realm cultivators among the disciples."
"In any case, what would you like for us to do?"
Hearing this, the young woman was silent for a moment before answering.
"I think that It would be best to send Hongyu over to Heaven's Gate. While I would like to care for her, I believe that she will do better there."
"Right, and we can dig up what we can about her but don't worry, we'll take care of her", said Elder Hua.
Elder Shen looked at Ming Yue with some concern.
"What about you? What do you plan to do?" he asked.
"I plan on finishing what I've started. The rest of the Fourteen Evils will no doubt send people here or even come themselves. I did this to keep my home safe and I plan on having it stay that way. But I was hoping to find some help, perhaps aid from the other kingdoms and sovereigns." she answered.
All three elders were quiet and Elder Xiang broke the silence, looking at Ming Yue directly.
"They might send some but I doubt it would be anything substantial. To be frank, we're stretched thin. Not only are we putting much of our resources into the Demon Continent but now that the Beast Continent has opened up as well, that has brought on much more work", he explained.
"Then, what does this mean? Are they just going to ignore this? Everyone lived in fear and misery before Redmist Sanctuary was dealt with. They can't just do nothing."
Ming Yue felt that this was unfair. It was one thing to grasp at an opportunity but to not care for the wellbeing of their own kind, this just didn't seem right.
Even then, Elder Shen sighed, taking over the conversation.
"I know how you feel but much has changed. While the cities have become rather dismal, it's not just because of Redmist Sanctuary. It's not just the merchants, the soldiers, and the nobles that are eyeing the other continents but the people as well. Small towns and villages have already been set up in the Demon Continent as many chose to start a new life. The same applies to Heaven's Gate, we've taken on a number of demons as disciples and even have a few become elders. At a time like this, things are chaotic, for better or for worse", the Spirit Elder told her.
"This... I suppose so."
"Yes, and it's not as if Redmist Sanctuary is going to be ignored but they could only spare so much manpower. At this point, it's only enough to contain their influence and keep them in check. Part of that manpower is from the many sects scattered across the continent. After all, one of the ways to make a name for oneself is to hunt down criminals so there is that."
"I see."
The young cultivator was deep in thought, reconsidering her options now. But even then. staying back seemed like the best method.
"Even then, I brought a lot of danger to my home, I can't just leave like this. I have to deal with the repercussions."
Seeing the resolute look on her face, Elder Shen nodded.
"Do what you must but be careful", he told her.
"Thank you for agreeing with my requests."
She gave them all a grateful look before Elder Xiang took another swig of his wine.
"In that case, why don't I stay with you?" he said, "I did say that I was going to teach that sparring partner of yours a few tricks."