On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Fifty

“So, you’ve finally decided to show up then?” Detective Kato said, frowning. Beside him, Officer Usui let out a biting laugh, amused. “You stood us up three times in the same day, that must be a new record.”

“Sorry about that.” I apologised, genuinely sorry. “It couldn’t be helped though, things kept happening one after the other. On the bright side, we’re taking steps so that a Kyoto incident will be much less likely to happen again.” Behind me, Daiyu nodded, having been there as Haru-san’s Territory reached Rank 3.

“Well, that’s good.” The Detective sighed, pulling out some chewing gum and popping it in his mouth with a sigh. “Damn, I miss smoking, especially at times like these.”

“Well, your wife and kids probably appreciate you quitting.” Officer Usui snorted. “So, no Suzuki-san today?”

I shook my head. “No, she’s overseeing matters in Kyoto. Instead, Karen-chan will be taking notes for us.” I gestured to my secretary, who was carrying a laptop computer.

“I’m nervous.” She admitted. “These people will be murderers, right? So many people died…”

“Well, that remains to be determined. Not… exactly, I’d say.” The Detective was troubled. “Though hang on, they don’t speak Japanese, so how are you going to take notes?”

“I’ll translate for them if necessary.” I said. “I think that the Government has sent trustworthy translators as well, right? I’ll handle the more… esoteric… matters.” Well, with Daiyu’s help. I’m not great with Cultivation terminology.

“Esoteric. Right.” With that we were escorted by a number of Special Forces soldiers who were doubling as guards at this military detention facility, passing through bare, whitewashed corridors lined with bleak metal doors, until we reached one at the far end, guarded by one of the military Chosen who I wasn’t particularly acquainted with. After he saluted us, the door was opened, and we filed inside.

The room was similarly bare, a plain metal table set up with a number of chairs arranged around it. Seated across from us was a young Chinese woman, who I recognised as Nie Ling, the one who had given up herself and the location of the other Chinese invaders, buried deep under the ground. She was looking pale and haggard, her black hair loose around her, the pins that were holding her hair-bun in place removed from her, as was anything else she could use as a weapon or to harm herself, her nails cut brutally short, her clothes now a featureless grey prison smock without buttons, toggles, belt or ties. On seeing us her brown eyes held a flicker of interest, before despair took over her again and she bowed her head.

There was another occupant in the room, a female interpreter. On seeing us she stood politely. We took our places in the room, and soon I felt a little bad, as it seemed that the six of us were ganging up on a young woman, before I hardened my heart. The civilians were innocent. I know she was under duress, but… nearly a thousand dead.

“Well, shall we get this started?” Detective Kato said, his face set professionally. “If you would translate for us.” he gestured to the interpreter, who agreed. “I am…” he introduced us all, before getting to the point. “You are Nie Ling, age twenty-two, from Shaoshan in Hunan Province. Is this correct?”

After hearing the translation she agreed. “Yes, I am Nie Ling.”

“Good. Now… you stand accused of illegal entry to the country of Japan, as well as… aiding and facilitating nearly one thousand counts of premeditated murder.”

Yes, it’s hard to accept, but Nie Ling hasn’t actually murdered anyone. None of the captured Chinese citizens have directly killed anyone. That doesn’t lessen their crimes though. It was still like bussing out a thousand people to a death camp where the executioners awaited. That’s not innocence…

“I can confirm that.” She said slowly, eyes damp. “I called upon the Duke of Dreams, Zhōu Gōng…” the translator looked surprised at that. “… and pulled the innocent citizens of your Kyoto into the sleep where we waited.” Her face was so pale as to be bone white. “Then Luo Jiahao did give the order and…” she covered her face. “… there was killing, so much killing.”

“That’s a clear confession.” Officer Usui noted. “A life sentence, for sure. You’ll likely never be released.”

“What my Officer says here is right.” The Detective agreed. “But… cooperation would go a long way to securing some leniency. Prison is still inevitable, of course, but if you ever hope to be released, or still be young enough to get married, start a family when you finally are… I suggest you answer honestly all our questions.”

Yeah, since she’s not actually committed multiple murders herself she’s not subject to the death penalty by Japanese law, but life imprisonment is a given for crimes of this magnitude. “I would second that.” I said in Mandarin Chinese. “We talked briefly in Kyoto, but… we would know more of your circumstances.”

“I see. So… you survived. And… managed to defeat it? I am impressed. Luo Jiahao, he said even the piece of it torn from itself was a frightening monster that would have troubled even those of Kunlun, whoever they might be.”

Daiyu reacted at that, eyes narrowing. Before she could speak, I pressed on. “Well, we talked briefly before, and you’ve honoured your end of our bargain by allowing yourself to be taken. Now… we need information. Just how did you all end up in this state? I get that you are rebels in China, but…”

“I do not know how the Government found out about me.” she sighed. “I was very careful, I did not talk to anyone about the visit from the Duke of Dreams. Nor did I use my phone or the internet.” She sniffed. “The Party is always watching, so they say. I did not believe it, being a woman of science, of reason, but… it turns out it was true. I received a summons, with failure to attend being seen as a political transgression against the People. I considered running then, but… I am a woman with few funds, and little influence.”

As the translator spoke, Karen-chan was typing away, her expression sympathetic. She too had suffered at the hands of authority, even if the scale was hugely different. Though considering the end results, any sympathy for Nie Ling is hard to find…

“… were thousands of us gathered.” Nie Ling continued. “The leader of the new Department for Managing Divine Mysteries, as they called it, Qin Wang lei, was a General under the Communist Party. At that point going against it was futile.”

That tallied with what Daiyu had told us, but confirmation was always nice, and it boded well for Nie Ling to be telling us the truth. Daiyu was unable to keep her silence at this. “Those snakes, betrayers… Chong Gui, Xiao Xia… how could they abandon truths we have guarded since Kunlun departed, toss away their pride to the dogs?”

Talk turned to the way that the Chinese were managing their Chosen, and while it was pretty much what Zhao Daiyu had already told us, that Chosen were forced to effectively relocate to where the Party advised them to go, so that they could donate to adjacent larger Territories, fuelling them, which had led to a number of Rank 3 already, she had some additional insights. Though neither Daiyu nor Nie Ling had been involved, rumour amongst the Chosen was that further development towards Rank 4 was taking place in Shanghai, Beijing and other major population centres, and I held in a sigh of relief in that it didn’t seem they were using any sort of vassal system, merely moving resources in a similar manner to Ixitt, by having connecting Territories so ether could flow between. That is hardly all, though… with the Chinese having to register their abilities, as much as they understood it, the Chinese were a step ahead of our Ministry, and were able to come up with teams that could benefit each other and synergise well.

“Those who did not consent were… dealt with.” Nie Ling said flatly, and we needed no further elaboration. “Examples were made, and we were all cowed. But my abilities were to be used for… well, assassination.” She swallowed, clearly upset, her throat hoarse. I signalled to the camera, and a guard brought her some water, which she took gratefully.

“My thanks. Well, most dissent was crushed, but there were a few of us who wished to flee but were too afraid. Then, rumour was spreading through those that called themselves Cultivators, like Luo Jiahao, that the one who could find us for the Party was dead. The purges were stepping up, and even some of the innocent were dragged away…” She put down her plastic bottle, hands trembling. “… I didn’t want to kill, or to die. Sooner or later, I’d be forced to use my abilities for the Department, the Party, so… it seemed time to flee, despite the risks. But it was all useless.” Her words were bitter.

“Useless? How?” the Detective pressed, getting to the heart of her story.

“I abandoned my post, the area of the land of dreams that I had forged, destroying it behind me, for I felt whispers within me that leaving it behind would prove gravely dangerous.”

Daiyu nodded at that. “Leave nothing for enemies and traitors. Best to destroy it with one’s own hands. Let the monkeys feast on scraps, it is all they deserve.”

“Well, I was going to take a boat to the Republic of China, the Party has no influence there yet. I gathered all the money I could to pay smugglers, and… then I was caught.”

“Caught?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Yes, I was captured by several others like me, as well as Luo Jiahao and his group. He… he was kind, yet even he would not allow my escape. I was… needed. That was what he said. And that I would have a chance to strike back at the country that had betrayed me, tried to use me, killed so many who wouldn’t slave away for them.” Her hands crushed the bottle, a little water spilling onto the bare metal table. “I don’t care about revenge, I never did. I just wanted to live my life. But it was clear they would kill me if I didn’t comply. I had no choice.” She repeated. “They took me to a location further up the coast, and when I entered the realm of dreams… I met it.” She shuddered, remembering.

“The golden-eyed devourer?” I asked, and she agreed.

“Yes, an apt name. It was massive, corpulent, and the world around it screamed in pain, slowly starting to break down. The power of dreams around us was so oppressive I could hardly breathe… it was a huge toad-like creature, all clear jelly, slime and yellowing bones. On seeing me, it laughed, tongue protruding, saliva falling like rain. One nearby Cultivator was touched by it and started screaming, only to have the tongue scoop him up and ferry him into that awful mouth. Death… death was one thing, but such an end… I am not a religious woman, no, I believe in science, but these events… I wanted my soul to go on, even if the me right now perished. So I submitted.”

I leaned forwards, eager for more information on an opponent we must surely face sooner rather than later. “Can you describe it for me? Any weaknesses, anything at all?”

She scrunched up her face, thinking. “It was wounded, surely. Many deep fissures were torn into the body and a number of bones within were broken. One eye was gone too, though the remaining one was… ugh, it stared deep into my soul. Before it I was a helpless quivering ant. It then tore a small amount of flesh off with one finger and …” she suddenly vomited, only a little, the water she had drank coming back up. Officer Usui, the translator and Karen-chan backed off, but the rest of us were too focused on her words.

“It was inside your Astral body, right?” I said, remembering. “That was why you couldn’t go against it.”

“Yes. Every piece is part of that beast. Lou Jiahao said something, but at the time I was too distraught to remember. Something about Laws…”

Daiyu stood, peering at her intensely. “Remember. I need to know this!” she said coldly. Taken aback, Nie Ling thought deeply, wiping at her pale, vomit-flecked lips until she suddenly spoke.

“I remember, he said that the creature was a being of Laws, that opposing it was useless, unless like whatever had injured it, we had equal comprehension, but that his Dao was far inferior. Though he believed that when the creature removes part of itself, while it is still the same Laws that govern it, the lesser parts are far less potent than the whole, the Laws diluted, so that we should bide our time, seize our chance for prolonging our lives, and search for a chance to free ourselves. And if our causes coincided, that what the creature wanted would allow him his revenge, then… all the better.”

“What an old fool.” Daiyu said solemnly. “Revenge… it is indeed the Cultivator way, for waiting on the Heavens to hand down punishment is folly. But… that is past now. In time, I will restore the glory of the Incorruptible Jade, and bring him his justice, his vengeance.”

I see. Well, Foehn is merely a Rule, far from a Law, but… if the clone was merely a part of the greater whole, weakened… I had a lot to think about, as well as many unanswered questions.

“I would like to know why Japan? That doesn’t make sense.” Detective Kato had homed in on the true heart of the matter, his instincts keen as ever. “The revenge… well, even now, the protests are continuing, but it won’t force our Government into a war. Perhaps it might have, but we know too much and prevented worse.” He looked at me gratefully. “But this creature, whatever it is, how does it benefit?”

“Lou Jiahao and a few others knew more than me.” she said in response, taking a fresh bottle of water I handed her, washing off the vomit and taking a sip, grimacing. “There is a lot of hatred for Japan historically in China, so many of the others had no issue in trying to drag you into a war to satisfy their revenge. It should have worked. We would have killed not just those that died, but would have continued… until it became impossible for Japan to remain silent. I never wanted to though… never.”

“And the golden-eyed devourer… it had some way of knowing what abilities the Chosen had and where they were, right? Sounds very similar to who Daiyu’er tried to assassinate.” I pointed out.

“Yes, it… was responsible for devouring the Vice-Minister, which triggered the purges, I was told. It was behind everything!” she cried. “It wanted us to find it prey to eat. It was looking for certain kinds of prey, and it happened there was a number all in Kyoto.” At her words, I saw Daiyu stiffen.

“So, why not eat its fill in China?” I mused. “It seems easier than sending you out, even if it expected to still eat you all in the end via the pieces of itself that went with you.”

“I don’t know. I really don’t. Maybe… it has others serving it, or it doesn’t want to for some reason?”

“Well, we can speculate, but we are just interested in facts.” The Detective continued, and from then, she narrated how it separated out a clone of itself and that produced the horrible bone blades, also a part of it. Then we got a detailed list of her participation, interspersed with guilty apologies.

“I appreciate your cooperation.” Detective Kato said in the end, after Karen-chan had taken notes. It was being recorded as well of course, but organising data for the Ministry was still an important job. “As for a trial… you understand right now that’s not appropriate, so you will have to remain here.”

She nodded, and it was time for my final request. “Nie Ling, your ability is too precious to be wasted as you languish in prison. You need to answer for what you’ve done. I agree it was under great duress, and you have good cause to ask for mercy, but even so, so many dead… but I think if you are prepared to give up your gift, the good that could be done with it can be weighed against your sins.”

“I know. You told me you could take this burden from me when we met. I am prepared. It has brought me naught but grief. I was an ordinary woman, living my life. I… well, I will never have that back again, will I? Even were I released, I still have to live with the guilt that my actions killed so many. But… I’ll make what amends I can.”

“It will be painful and dangerous. You could die or be crippled.” I warned.

“At least I know there is more to life than this.” She sighed. “Now I believe, even if I don’t know in what. Not Zhōu Gōng, though. Such a God has done little for me.”

“Good. Well, the time isn’t right now, so… I’ll be back.” At her nod, the Detective asked her a few more questions on the more mundane, criminal side of things, before we ended the interview. As the door closed behind us, I heard several of us letting out sighs, tension released.

“So, that left a lot of unanswered questions.” I mused, and Officer Usui spoke up, annoyed.

“It doesn’t sit right with me that so many people died, yet all she’ll get is life in prison. Maybe even less.”

“The law is the law. It serves the people and what they wish for.” Detective Kato lectured her, causing her to scowl in displeasure. “And we… we are at the forefront of a new paradigm, where new laws will be needed. How would we explain this to the Saiban-in, citizen judges, and make them understand? It’s not impossible she could be found innocent in that case.”

“Even though she confessed?” she countered.

“Well, she was clearly distressed and under duress. Obviously, crimes under duress are still crimes, but … well, it seems to me the duress here is more than a threat of physical harm or even death. I’m not a religious man, Officer Usui…”

“Nor am I. I mean, I attend all the normal ceremonies, but it seems so old-fashioned…” she agreed.

“But it seems to me, that if we do go to an afterlife after death, even that was threatened for her. I don’t know about you, but that thought chills me. Who among us would risk that?”

I had to agree. “There’s certainly a life after death in some sense, as Haru-san proves. Kin Restoration as well. I don’t excuse her actions at all, and I’ll risk her life to take her Favour, but… there was definitely more to this.” I turned to Daiyu. “Daiyu’er, your thoughts on what she said about our enemy?”

She frowned. “My father, the Patriarch… he might have known more. I may be a prodigy, a Heaven-sent genius…” she said, self-deprecatingly, a slight, almost unnoticeable bitter smile on her face. “… but I am still young. Father had many more years of experience and learning, and while my Cultivation exceeded his, my knowledge of history, politics, other Sects, Kunlun… it is rudimentary, only what I read in our archives.”

“But…?” I pressed. “I’d love to hear your opinion.”

“Laws. The Heavens and The Earth are ruled by Laws. Laws are not Dao, but Dao are also Laws. I find it hard to understand, but I am merely Foundation realm. That creature, it surely does not follow a Dao, but it does command Laws. To defeat Law… it is far from simple.”

“When we talk about the Law, we mean human constructs, such as it’s wrong to murder.” The Detective mused.

“There are scientific Laws too.” Karen-chan spoke up. “Like Thermodynamics. But I’m guessing that isn’t what you mean, is it?”

“No. A Dao of the Sword… well, it contains all the Laws that make up a sword and the will to use it as a sword. Physical force, cutting, sword intent, metals… a simpler example might be the Dao of Lightning.”

“I see. So it would be Laws governing Electromagnetism.” I mused. “And also whatever spiritual aspect there is. Shaeula would know better than us. A Dao isn’t a Law, it’s a concept that collects Laws, thus is itself also a Law. It’s complicated as you said. But that was helpful, Daiyu’er.”

She nodded, face slightly tinted pink.

“So, what Law would this creature be? I don’t envy you having to fight such, Akio-kun.” The Detective smiled. “Much simpler to fight thugs and even US agents, right?”

“Some sort of Spatial Law, and perhaps… hunger?” As I said that, everyone shivered, thinking of a greed that had driven it to send an army of slaves to our shores, to prey on us as if we were cattle fattened for slaughter….

********

“Patriarch Lin, we have come.” Daiyu said, as we entered the interrogation room he had been moved to. The old man looked up at us, his expression rather pleased.

“Ah, Daiyu’er, you have come at last.” He leaned back in his chair, pointing to the stack of papers on the desk. “All our Sect Secrets we could remember, as promised. Diamond Mountain now lies in your hands. I hope you remember us.”

“I shall remember all the Sects that fell foolishly. Though fools will be remembered, while traitors… when those Sects are destroyed, they shall be expunged even from history!” Her dark eyes were fierce.

“Excellent.” Lin Ming said, despite his obvious despair, his eyes were clear, and he managed a smile. “Seeing that bastard Chong Gui and the bitch Xiao Xia pay would be all this old man needs to soothe his path towards reincarnation.”

Daiyu picked up the papers, scanning through them. “I thank you. Should any of you remember anything more, we shall take it.”

“So, have you become Companions yet?” the old man asked slyly, and Daiyu dropped the papers. As she reddened, bending down to gather them up, she shook her head.

“In due course. There… there is much yet to do.” She said, and exchanged a look with me.

“Yes.” I came to her aid. “It’s a big step, no need to rush.”

“The young often think that. But disaster comes unbidden. Look at us now.” he gestured to himself. “Do not make the mistake this old fool did, and assume that there is always more time. Live with no regrets.”

Wise words. Well, I know we are on a tight timescale. Less than five years before one of the major disasters that Tsukiko-san prophesised hits. I want Rank 4 before then… “Well, if you don’t mind, the Detective here has some questions for you, about your crimes, and… other matters.”

“Of course. I have nothing to hide about my guilt. I have handed over my treasures and my knowledge. All that waits for this old man now is the end.”

As Detective Kato and Officer Usui began their questions, the translator narrating to Karen-chan, I looked at the papers with Daiyu.

“Calmed down?” I asked, and she nodded.

“I am resolved. I grow more so every day. A Dao Companion, an anchor to this empty world for me, someone I can rely on with my life… it appeals, no, it is a necessity for me now. And before you say something foolish like… it does not have to be me…” I swallowed my words, surprised. “… I know it does not have to be. I may be young, but I am not a child. I am a Cultivator, one of the greatest prodigies in generations, Peak Foundation Realm. It does not have to be, but I am convinced it should be. I have been observing your interactions with those around you, and I am satisfied. I wish a Dao Companion who can compete with me, who wishes to understand their Dao, the Laws that govern the Heavens and the Earth, and will… never leave me.” She shuddered, so I put an arm around her.

“You’re still hurt by the loss of your family. I get it. But… you’re our friend now, Daiyu’er. You’ve fought with us, shared knowledge with us. And none if us will abandon our friends. And as for us dying… well, that’s why I’m here to prevent that.”

“I know. But there are no guarantees. The full might of the golden-eyed devourer, or a Saint from old Kunlun… could you face them and live? I worry…”

“Well, isn’t that why we are growing stronger? I have plans, and so do you.” There’s still a number of skills to test with Shiro’s buffs, such as my Eye. Well, next week, I have too much on right now…

“I do. Though I would greatly appreciate more spirit water. And the ability to use the Spiritually Pure Physique. My Invincible Jade Yang Technique, or even these…” She pointed to the papers, where several other techniques were listed, “… or the lesser Foundation Techniques I am aware of, should not be able to compare. And if I am to Cultivate together with you…” she paused, squirming in my arms. “… I wish my Foundation to be as solid as it can be, for if I am to reach Accumulation, Perfection and even beyond, my Foundation must be firm.”

Cultivation is complicated. We’ve talked about it a bit, but it might be a good time to clarify some points. “So Qi Refining is turning ether into aether and then that to Qi, right? There doesn’t seem much difference to me, though I can tell there is some.”

“All beings possess Qi. Though it is in small amounts and hard to use.” Daiyu agreed. “The very fundamentals is taking the internal energy of Earth and growing it. But no human can ever contain enough to reach the level of a Saint. Therefore we must take the energy of Heaven and Earth and refine it. Qi is the form most suited for the Techniques honed over the years, and the Six Noble Pursuits.”

“I get Earth energy, but Heavenly Qi… it isn’t simply Astral ether, is it? After all, the density may be lower on the Material and according to my Eye, it’s… lower quality, for want of a better term, but… it’s the same thing, right?”

“Heavenly Qi… is powerful, but I cannot claim to understand it or have seen any. Well, I am merely at Foundation Realm.”

“Foundation is forging your Astral body and honing your Material body, right?”

“Yes. The meridians, chakras, acupoints and Dantians must all be prepared, forged and strengthened, and Techniques to do this are a kind of blueprint, that will also allow the body to acclimatise and wield Yin, Yang or elemental energies. My Invincible Jade Yang Foundation requires earth and Yang energies, and strengthens those within me. Spiritually Pure Physique is water, and I believe likely both Yin and Yang.”

“I see. So it’s not too much different to what we do, via learning new elements or strengthening our Chakra Networks. I’d be curious to see how it all compares, since your Chakra Network looks nothing like mine.”

“After that, is Accumulation. Qi must be gathered in the Dantians. Well, actually, most Techniques only require a single Dantian. Using two or all three is lost knowledge. The Lower Dantian must be flooded with Qi and the relevant energies. The greater the Accumulation, the greater the potential.”

That’s around the root and sacral chakras, so should take earth and water element. Is that why most Foundation Techniques use earth and water? Or is it coincidence? But how would you gather Yin and Yang energy, which seems to be darkness and light element, there?

“Then, when one has Accumulated, the Perfection of Self begins, both the Physical and Spiritual body being improved, impurities and imperfections purged, meridians, acupoints and chakras opened to their fullest, Dantians prepared for the mysteries ahead. It is there our knowledge grows foggy, for this Realm has not been reached for many centuries, as the Qi around and within us has diminished. Perhaps only departed Kunlun holds the true secrets of realms such as Golden Core and Saint. Although, it is not impossible for one of the new Five Great Sects…” her voice trembled faintly, remembering her own Sect’s fall. “… holds some ancient knowledge. We have crumbs, certainly, which states turning the Accumulated Dantian into a mythical Golden Core is next, but as to how…” she shrugged.

As we continued to talk on the subject, keeping an eye on Lin Ming as we did so, the Detective still asking more questions, I considered my next move. I need to create more High Moonlight Spirit Water, and not just for Daiyu. The amount my body produces has certainly increased, especially under buffs, but compared to what we’ll need…