Heaven's Laws - Lifestone - Chapter 20

They arrived high in the air near the wooded peak of one of the largest mountains in the region. The sun was casting its morning light across the highest growth while the cozy valleys still slumbered. Instead of snow capping the peaks, dense fog covered them at dawn and dusk, shadowing the valleys even further. It was enough condensation that it supplied the waterfall halfway down its face with a river’s worth of water daily. It was in the valley at the base of the mountain where Sage Ping’s sect stood. A mid-tier sect maybe, but this entire mountain range was both their home and defense. Given enough time, there were few cultivations that could compete with nature when it came to fortifying an area. Such places felt too wild for Zan, but he could appreciate their beauty and utility.

“Sage Ping,” he called before letting the couple descend.

The young sage was still curled up in her husband’s arms. She’d shut down since Chao had announced her free of her crimes. She shivered at his voice but was making an attempt so he waited as she brought herself under control.

It wasn’t long before Fang released her, and she was hovering at his side. Her head was bowed low, still insistent on not looking anyone in the eye.

“Master Zan,” she said weakly.

“You certainly seem contrite, but how do I know this isn’t all just an act?”

She didn’t answer, shriveling to look even smaller than before.

Fang stepped between them as if to defend her, when Zan appeared before him, clasping the man’s shoulder. He gave him a reassuring shake of the head. “She will hear this.”

The man stepped back and there was nothing between Zan and the woman who poisoned his son. “If a mother were to catch an assassin in the act of trying to murder her children and was able to save them, would she stop at taking the assassin’s life? Would she not take every party close to the assassin as her mortal enemy?”

Her eyes flickered to her husband then below to her sect. The implications weren’t lost on her.

“What if the assassin had a family? One that may or may not have been involved in the attempted murder. This mother happened to have enough martial means to track down this possible threat. What should she do? Because there’s chance that they might be innocent, should she put her own children at risk by restraining her wrath?”

He began to circle around the woman slowly. She’d certainly been pushed to her limits, or at least it might seem, but Zan was far more familiar with what people were truly capable of. She had no idea of the countless mercies being granted her today.

“The only way for the woman to possibly pardon the assassin’s family is if she knew beyond all doubt that they were innocent. But would that be enough? Even if the family was faultless, what if after the assassin’s spouse learned of their death, they became enraged and sought revenge? What of the assassin’s parents, siblings, friends, clan, all who might care enough and have the means to do something about it?”

He stopped before her. “Look at me, Sage.”

It was a struggle, but eventually her gaze rested on him.

“If I wanted to ensure what happened tonight would never happen again, what should I do? If I wanted to alleviate my every worry as a parent, the answer is plain. The only reason I wouldn’t kill you, your husband, his family, your family, and remove the sect below us from this world, is trust. If I trust you never to do it again. So I must ask myself, is the story we heard from you tonight true? You hid your intentions and means from all of us. Even your own husband. Is it right for me to trust what you’ve said?”

She squeaked in reply, “No, Master Zan.”

“And that’s the problem.”

He flew around her one more time. It had the desired effect. She was trembling and her tears again fell.

Fang moved, but Zan was already holding out his hand for the man to stay put. “Since I don’t trust you, killing you would be right. But then, I’d have to consider if I trusted Fang not to retaliate. Not today, but bitterness is a slow acting poison. And let me ask you, Sage Ping, what is your father like? What of your mother? Do have brothers, sisters? According to your story, you hold honor dear, so that must mean your sect does as well. In killing you, would it make them honor bound to seek justice? We already know how twisted your sense of honor is. Theirs must be the same, no?”

“Please,” she cried, falling at his feet. She grabbed a hold of his feet and latched on. “Let them go. I’ll do anything.”

She went on for many minutes. When it seemed she was losing strength, she renewed her efforts and continued to beg him.

He didn’t need to see her sincerity. He’d known simply from the elements of the crime. It was for the girl’s own sake that he let fear linger. As cruel as it was in the moment, the more it hurt, the better it would be for her in the long run. He knew his Quinyuan would later set her on the right path. As much as his An and the Sect Master had once argued, he knew how right his late wife had been about his now dear ice fairy.

“Get up, Sage Ping.”

She did so, slowly.

“The only thing keeping you and all you hold dear amongst the living is that today I’ll choose to trust you. Mercy is a very particular thing. It usually has one of two outcomes. It can be a balm to the soul and one of the surest builders of character, or it will harden you. In my experience, the later is almost always the case. Do you know why I’ve chosen such folly??

The young woman was still too distraught to answer, but she managed to shake her head.

“Because my son has stepped on to the stage of this world. He has made a decision that I will honor, even if I disagree with it. But mercy is only the beginning…” He then did something that just decades before would’ve been completely out of character for him. Something contrary to how he’d lived his life for thousands of years. He didn’t kill her but offered her hope. “The two of you have only known Chao for a short time and neither of you knew his mother. He hasn’t just let you go so that he could spare his friend from losing a wife, or his own wife from seeing a friend die. As much as it might seem that you’ve been banished from going anywhere near him and Huifen, Ping, he has every intention of seeing you again. Not because you will be made loyal in your remorse, but he seeks to restore your friendship entirely.

“In his mind, nothing would be sweater than having the two of you as neighbors in the divine realm a century from now with Little Pings and Little Fangs running around. You could pull them aside, place them on your knee, then tell them about the time you poisoned Uncle Chao and the many lessons you learned from having such steadfast friends. By then, you will have come to terms with what you have done, but when overhearing you, Chao will become embarrassed by your praise. You will delight in his discomfort because of the fondness you feel for him. This couple you’ve befriended are destined to ascend to realms you and your husband can never reach. Not without help. I suggest you meditate on what it would mean for your future to have such friends. The opportunity you have and have almost lost for yourself and husband is worth more than you can imagine. Now go.”

Both Fang and Ping were slow to get moving. When they’d finally did, Zan stopped them one last time and said, “For what it’s worth, I think Chao has made the right choice. Trust is much easier to lose than grow. I suggest you do everything in your power to prove me right.”

Once they were gone, Zan eyes shone once again. What he’d said, he’d believed whole heartedly, but that wasn’t why he felt so triumphant. When his son had risen up against Emperor Sun and smited half the overlords on the continent, he’d been proud. But tonight, it was as if his late wife An had returned from the dead with the same spirit and conviction she’d wielded in every argument they had. As chafing as she could be, it was her conviction that had worn him down and ultimately save him from himself. But there was a difference between her and her son.

His An had been quick to debate but pursued peace with the same tenacity. Chao shared his mother’s conviction. But as much as he sought peace, tonight he did so with power.

How had Chao put it? “You should die at my hand, but today I have saved you from my own blade.”

Laughter poured out of him. Facing an enemy when you have time to prepare was one thing, but Chao had proven he’d taken this lesson to heart. He’d placed his own authority above all others when declaring her free simply because he had the strength to do so. It was one of the first major principals of the martial path. Strength is authority.

Zan had seen Huifen’s reaction to Chao pushing her away after Ping’s identity had been revealed. He didn’t fear the boy’s actions would injure his relationship with Little Lotus. It was just opposite, despite how angry she’d be with him for a time.

Chao had even challenged Zan in saying that no one could stop him from taking the girl’s life if he so desired. It wasn’t true. Not yet anyway. His son didn’t yet understand the speed that the highest realm cultivators possessed. He didn’t fault him.

How could he? It was finally happening. He’d dreamed this day would come since he’d first found out how incredible his An was. The fact it was his own son made Zan feel a peculiar sense of accomplishment.

Balling his hands into fist, he threw his arms back and out to the sides. Arching his chest, he stretched himself. It took an exerted effort to contain his excitement. One punch or swing of his sword could leave this local mountain range a hellish land of melted destruction. He kept his core unmoving and aura in check.

He took in a deep breath and could almost taste it on the air. His son had just been poisoned and the culprit was free. He should be livid, but he was half tempted to visit the sect below and shower it with gifts unattainable in this world. Ping’s betrayal had surprised him. She’d also given him a blessing in disguise. Now his son and daughter would take their journey seriously. He’d have to leave them to their own devices soon, so the timing was perfect. After seeing how competent Huifen was in deciphering and correcting the poison, he was less worried than he’d been before they left on their trip.

There were things he needed to teach Quinyuan before the sure confrontation that would happen at the Flying Tiger Clan’s Trials. He wasn’t sure what realm they believed him to be, but there was no doubt they’d request help from their divine realm sects. That would require them to go on a little trip of their own out of this world.

He turned his thoughts back to Chao and Huifen. There were a few last pieces of advice he’d give them before he set them loose. Whether the world would laugh or cry their wake, he couldn’t wait to find out.

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You guys thought I'd forgotten about you? Nah. Multiple chapters coming today. :D