The Fourth Wall - Chapter 23 preview

Time passed and moved on and the trio traversed nations, both large and small. The environment changed, forests turned to scrublands to sandy cliffs and deserts. The seasons turned, as the world burst to life as though in a rush to make up for years of insufficient water. Mounts were changed out, from boats to horses and then carriages back to horses again. Finally, they reached their destination. 

The city of Yang Wen Dun sprawled out before them in the far distance as they came across the top of the cliff face. They had taken a minor detour, heading upwards for a moment, knowing they would have to turn around to rejoin the route. Still, the sight was worth it. They were not in a rush, and this allowed them to view the city in its entirety.

“They’re not straight lines,” Tou He said, surprised. “That city…” He shook his head, eyes alighting on multiple wells and the sprawling and radiating roads that originated from each water source. A central fountain where the original oasis had been dominated the settlement and then, from there, multiple wells to support the city itself.

Mud and clay domed buildings with windows high above, to allow the extrusion of air. Pale orange and brown and grey colouring for the entire town, the occasional rich man’s mansion painted white to help further with the heat. 

“It’s built around the wells,” Wu Ying said. “Some cities are like this. Organic, growing up around areas. Sort of like the places near rivers or docks.”

“That the library? In the north west?” Tou He asked. 

Fa Yuan tilted her head to the side, smiled a bit. “I believe that’s the southwest.” 

“The big building, that’s the library,” Wu Ying answered. “Multiple roofs, partitioned from the rest of the city via the wall and open space. That one, yes.”

Tou He smiled. “Then, what are we waiting for?”

Yang Mu chuckled, guiding her horse around carefully. Wu Ying waited, head raised a little, listening to the winds. He smelled dust and old paper, dried ink and the quiet whisper of feet across stone. A pulse of power, dry desert wind and pulsing heat from an opening further out, an opening that was familiar. A part of him ached to see it, explore this opening.

“Ah Ying?” A voice, soft, calling him back.

He turned, smiled at Yang Mu, discarding his desires. Not the time, not now to walking where he wanted to. He had research to do, and it was time for him to finally get on it after months of travel.

***

“Welcome, Honored Visitors to the Library of Yang Wen Dun. I am Overseer Norbu” The man who greeted them was in long robes, much like the majority of the population. Not like the ones they wore, but a single piece kind of thing that helped to keep the individual cool during the hot days and warm at night. His gaze flicked over all three, bowing al ittle before he continued. “What may we help you with?”

“We?” Tou He asked.

From the shadows where the pillars were, another trio of attendees appeared. They bowed to them all, pale robes, polite and waiting for them to speak.

“I am looking for cultivation resources, specifically at the Nascent Soul level.” Wu Ying hesitated, then added. “In particular for those who might have tried and failed the ascension.”

“Ah.” A single word, and the man’s gaze sharpened. Wu Ying felt the overseer pour energy into a gaze, piercing his defences and studying him. He allowed it to happen, though a part of him wondered if it mattered. There was something about him, something about the visual technique that made the wind cultivator wonder if he could block it. “You are not the first, of course.”

“So we’ve heard,” Wu Ying said.

“But these resources. We have many, but the price...” Norbu trailed off, looked at Tou He and Yang Mu. “And you, Honored Cultivators? Are you here to support him or do you have questions of your own?”

“I have some matters to research,” Yang Mu said, softly. “But my needs are secondary to Cultivator Long’s. Whatever I can do to support him, I wil.”

“The same for me,” Tou He said. “I am happy to avail myself of your resources, but Wu Ying’s needs are more necessary.”

“Good.” Silence again, as he stared at the trio. Then, he gestured within. At the same time, he dismissed the trio of attendants. “Come with me. There is much we must discuss.”

***

“Your arrival is both fortunate and a problem,” Overseer Norbu said as they arrived in a small stone room off the main entrance. He had waited until the trio had seated themselves and drunk a cup of extremely bitter, strong tea. “It is an opportunity that you may grasp, but while we used to have many ways of allowing others to acquire access, I must insist that you help us in the way we require.”

“Overseer, your words are concerning,” Wu Ying said, softly. “Can you explain?”

“Did you sense the opening, in the distance?”

“The mystic realm?” Tou He asked.

“Yes.” Overseer Norbu relaxed a little as they acknowledged they could sense the realm. “The realm is our concern. It is rated – normally – for those in the peak Core Formation realm. However, it has been many years since it has been cleared.”

“How long?” Yang Mu asked, cutting to the chase.

“A decade and a bit,” the Overseer said. “A long time, as the time differential is significant.”

“Time differential?” Wu Ying asked.

“ It moves about four times ours. Give or take, depending on the shifting timelines.” The Overseer’s lips tightened and he continued. “We normally have sufficient numbers of petitioners who will help us clear this area. Even those damaged like Cultivator Long are able to do enough to clear it out. And, of course, after they heal, they return to do more if they have not done enough.”

“But it’s been a decade.” Tou He frowned. “What is the concern with leaving it longer?”

“The mystic realm portal is a two-way portal. One that allows those with sufficient strength and knowledge to pass between each realm. However, knowledge may be substituted with sufficient strength.” Overseer Norbu gestured out the door, towards where the town existed. “Can you imagine our concerns then?”

“Imagine, forsee and emphatise.” Yang Mu lips compressed, looked at Wu Ying. “We will, of course, help. It would be good if Cultivator Long could gain access to the archives before we enter and while we are within. After all, we two should be sufficient.”

“And if you are not?” Norbu said, coldly.

“Then all you will lose is time. After all, Cultivator Long needs time to review what documents you have, to look at the summaries, review the basics and perhaps even test a few,” Yang Mu said. “You lose nothing by giving him access to your library. And at the least, you know that if we fall, he will enter to avenge us.”

The Overseer hesitated, casting a long look over the trio. He caught the steely determination in Yang Mu’s gaze, the quiet resolution and fiery passion in Tou He and the trepidation in Wu Ying’s. In the end, he nodded. “So, the Silver Merchant tongue truly is golden. You shall have your way, but I require you and your companion to enter within the next three days. During that time, Cultivator Long may review the summary of what documents the library contains.” 

“We are grateful for your understanding.” Yang Mu stood up, bowed to the Overseer. “We shall take our leave then, for we have accommodations and road dust to wash off.” 

“Of course, of course.”

Wu Ying knew better than to contradict her, though Tou He looked a little surprised, a physical reaction that he shut down quickly even as his aura fluctuated a little. Still, he kept his mouth shut and the trio exited the large building. 

It was a while before, as they checked into the largest and most prestigious of traveller’s inns near the library. The trio took the entire top floor, the expansive suites with their private bathing areas, its tea rooms and dining centers and lounging areas and separate bedrooms. Most of all, the integrated privacy enchantments that were activated when the trio entered and the bountiful spiritual lamps all around. Unlike the clean glow of normal lamps, these were green and yellow, casting the world in strange colors.

“There’s something they’re not telling us,” Yang Mu said, firmly when they were finally alone.

Tou He nodded a little, letting his own aura expand outwards to block the surroundings and reinforce Yang Mu’s. Rather than facing them all, she was walking around the rooms, eyeing the formation flags with a critical eye.

“You think they lie to us?” Tou He asked.

“I think there is more to this story than what they have said. Why is the mystic realm not shut down, or blocked off? Why is it that only peak Core Formation cultivators the only ones able to manage it? Why is it that it cannot be cleared out properly?” she spoke swiftly. “How did a mystic realm of such strength not be a topic in sects and kingdoms far away.”

“Why is there no other organization farming such a location?” Wu Ying added. “We tried to learn about the city before we arrived, and there are no major sects or clans. The library itself is all that dominates this region.”

“And who are the trio of Nascent Soul cultivators lurking at the bottom of the library?” Tou He added.

His words startled the pair, both of them spinning to stare at the only Nascent Soul Cultivator in the room. Three Nascent Soul cultivators was unusual, especially for what was an establishment rather than a sect or clan. Even for the largest, such numbers were not to be sneezed at. After all, even the Verdant Green Waters had only dared deploy two against a known existential threat.

“How did we not notice them?” The winds had not spoken to him. Though his relationship with them had grown more tenuous, he still should have had sufficient control to have picked up on those three. Yet, inside the library, he realized, his senses had been stunted and only now, when his friend had brought it up did he realise it.

“Power. They are powerful,” Tou He said, concerned. “Though one feels like a flame at the end of its wick, guttering and dying. Another like a banked fireplace, ready to roar back to life but constrained.” Walking over to the sideboard, he began prepping the water, pausing as he noticed the numerous tins by the side offering a variety of teas. He bent low, a smile crossing his lips, distracted as he opened tin after tin.

“Tou He!” Wu Ying barked, when he realized the man had forgotten to finish his point.

“Ah… sorry. I… this one, it smells of a different plant. I cannot place it. It’s sweet.” 

“Ah He!” 

“Sorry. Sorry. The third one, they’re the one with a dao of the mind. Of privacy and secrets. An insidious dao, really.”

“Dao of the mind.” Yang Mu hissed. “That is insidious.” She reached sideways, touching a bracelet. She fiddled with it for a moment, a pulse of energy emerging from it and mingling with her aura. After a moment, it blended right in, such that it was nearly impossible to sense it any further.

Wu Ying on the other hand searched within himself, trying to work out what had happened. Attempting to locate where the other aura had infiltrated his, where it had made him forget. He felt portions of that dao, the twisted energy but trying to push it aside caused a deepfound ache that made him cough again.

By the time he recovered, Tou He had the tea steeping and Yang Mu was by his side, his arm gripped in hers as she studied his pulse.

“Ying?”

“I’m good. Just… I think I’m a little vulnerable.” He grimaced. “I can’t…”

“It’s fine.” Yang Mu eyes glittered with ill-concealed anger, as she continued. “I shall set-up a cleansing formation later, tune it appropriately and then locate what is necessary to provide you a charm to keep you safe.”

“Thank you,” Wu Ying murmured.

Tou He kept his head down, focused on the brewing of the tea. Even so, he continued to engage in the conversation as his dao blended in the air, the tea and water. “I believe these teas should help too. I can sense a degree of firmness in them.”

“In the tea?”

“The local teas,” Tou He clarified.

“How... strange.” Yang Mu lips pursed. “I wonder what the ores are like...”

“I think it might be worthwhile for us to explore that, no?” Tou He said.

“And what am I supposed to do?” Wu Ying said.

“What you need to.” Yang Mu released his arm when he tugged on it gently, freeing himself up. A flicker of hurt, that he caught but he just didn’t have the energy to deal with crossed her face. He didn’t have the energy to comfort her and sit down, to deal with the pain. “See if they have what you need. And heal.”

“I do not like the chances that you are taking, the risks you are putting yourself in,” Wu Ying stated firmly. “I need you all to promise, that if something feels wrong, you will leave. If, in the next few days, what we learn is sufficiently concerning, you will not go through with this. No matter what the agreement might have been.”

“Their feelings on this matter are significantly less important than your lives. We will weather their displeasure together.” 

“We will ascertain what we can, before we enter.” A slight hesitation, then Yang Mu continued. “But unless we feel the risk is entirely unacceptable, we will not break our word.” She chuckled a little, looking at Tou He. “I doubt we could look away, from the enroaching danger of such a mystic realm to a populace like this anyway.”

“What danger?” Wu Ying muttered. “They have three Nascent Soul cultivators. Anything that emerges that can’t be handled by three of them certainly can’t be dealt with by the two of you.”

“Unless those three are truly at the ends of their existences, and thus they would prefer not to hasten their deaths,” Yang Mu pointed out. That was an all too common occurence, and why the hidden strength of sects were, well, so well hidden. You never knew how many such ancestors might exist, hiding away from the world as they attempted to stretch out their existence in a state of suspended aging. Eking out existence in the hope of enlightenment to further their cultivation, to last just a little longer.

“Two perhaps, but the third?” Wu Ying said, recalling Tou He’s words.

“He might not be appropriate for handling a physical or demonic threat,” Tou He said. “Do remember Wu Ying, not everyone wields a weapon as comptently as we do.”

To that, Wu Ying grunted. It was true enough, that he had drawn and interacted with the martially gifted for the most part. It had not been a conscious choice, but such individuals were just simpler for him to interact with. He had, after all, more to speak with them than your average blacksmith or painter.

Tou He came over, teacups held in hand. He handed one after the other to his friends and then gestured, floating over the third cup over before he raised it in a toast. “We have a plan. Now, it’s just a matter of putting it to work and seeing what it is that we might learn.”

Wu Ying could only reluctantly nod, following the toast.

And still, he could not shake that niggle of concern, deep in his guts.

It was a hard thing, being the one left behind, to worry about those who placed themselves at the tip of the blade. A hard thing, that he might never have known, if not for his injuries. 

Somehow, he could not find the appropriate level of gratitude for that lesson.