An extensive mountain range exists to the southwest of Final Solace City. The inhabitants of Final Solace City refer to it as the Deathless Mountains. Advancers from the Deathless Mountains have, after all, kept the Zoh Empire at bay over centuries.
Whether the distance between the two locations are considered close or far depended on the individual. A mortal would take weeks of travel between the foot of these mountains and the city. Yet a telekinetic advancer could travel this distance in the space of half a day. Well-- realistically, most use a well-maintained portal to travel. Mortals, however, do not have durable enough flesh to use these.
The four sects reside in the Deathless Mountain region. They often cooperate with the Dingien Clan to keep the Zoh Empire at bay-- a necessity in their eyes. However, they have also had disagreements, not only between the sects and clans, but also internally. Presently, trouble was certainly brewing in the Thousand Facet Sect.
A pretty girl with a dark brown ponytail, in her mid-teens, was on her knees before a man in a luxurious maloewood chair. The man's black hair was brushed back, and had an angular face with a stubble. He appeared deep in thought while fiddling with a vision egg in his right hand.
"Winfr," the man sighed. "You were too rash. Those who temper their bodies are strongest in close quarters and one-on-one combat. You know this. Yet…"
"I…" Winfr was fully aware of her mistake. Rein's form certainly suggested that he practiced body tempering arts. Yet once he had shown the token of a white swan, she had lost her mind and sprung into action. "Master Xik. I had to-"
"I know your older brother lost his life because of her. Your talents, however, lay in fighting while maintaining your range. Do not give yourself excuses for your foolishness," Master Xik growled.
Winfr bowed her head and sealed her lips. Luckily for her, Rein's desire was for Meynan to gain influence in the main house of the Jeihr. That meant Rein needed to be diplomatic. Else he might have taken her life with a follow-up attack as many in the advancer world, under normal circumstances, would.
"His name's Rein?"
Winfr nodded.
"It's a pity that your eyes could not properly follow his form. I am unable to discern much from your memory within the vision egg," Xik muttered.
The echo of a church bell resounded in Winfr's ears. She looked up, and her eyes ran across the inside of an exquisite cave. The inside of the cave was carved into a rectangular box layered with motifs of man conquering nature and beast. Inscriptions combined with glowing power gems ensured the safety of its inhabitants.
"Speak of the devil," Xik held a flat disc in his hands, and adjusted a few of its circular rings. Behind Winfr, a magical door opened and a young man walked in. "Miksen. Tell me the results of your investigation."
"Master. The man known as Rein was indeed struck by one of junior sister's wind-fire arrows, and a spot on his flesh was blackened. However, he did not seem particularly bothered by the injury," Miksen reported. "As for his origins, it is rather… hazy. As you already know, the northwest is Elder Baejenh's stronghold. We only know that he survived the destruction of Golden Desert Town."
"As expected. The grandmaster must be notified," Master Xik nodded to himself.
"Should we take action?" Miksen asked.
"Yes!" Winfr blurted out. "We should-"
"Be patient, girl," Xik glared at the young girl. "We will have ample opportunity once he steps foot into the Deathless Mountains. Remember my words. If we are too explicit, Elder Baejenh, along with that grandmaster, may directly intervene."
"So…we must first determine how valuable this man known as Rein is to Elder Baejenh," Miksen concluded.
Xik smiled and gestured for Miksen to begin his new task.
Winfr bowed her head, somewhat dissatisfied that it was her senior brother who was given the responsibility of this task.
Xik sighed. He had precisely sent Winfr to House Jeihr, such that she would develop some scheming capability. Many believe that women are the experts at scheming after all. However, the girl had so far demonstrated little in this aspect. On the other hand, Miksen seemed to be a natural.
"Do you really think your older brother's death was a simple blade through his heart?" he asked the young girl kneeling before him. "He was 'played' to death."
"Master. What do you mean, 'played' to death?" Winfr asked, her attention becoming focused at the mention of her older brother.
"Let me give you an example," Xik answered. "Imagine… you detest a monk. Now, most monks are vegetarian by nature. So perhaps… you could invite this monk to a feast consisting of only meat dishes. Do this repeatedly to a man or woman… heh…" Xik smiled as he observed Winfr, hoping that she might finally 'awaken'.
Winfr widened her eyes. Could you really 'play' someone to death in such a manner?
"Advancers, including you and I, have sharper minds. Yet, once that emotional response is triggered, an advancer may make an unnecessary, irrational choice that leads to their death. Either you understand, or you don't, child. It's best you do," Master Xik said as he internally sighed.
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"...trying to initiate a conflict against Lahker early? Twelve hells! Have you gone mad? Lahker was most displeased, to put it lightly, and he has expressed his discontent with the Sect Master."
Baejenh stood in front of a mirror that displayed an image of another woman. This woman carried a similar austere air to that of Baejenh, and wore the same white robes. Unlike Baejenh's silky black hair, hers was platinum blonde.
"And without consulting me, you accepted a tainted woman as a disciple," the woman in the mirror was exasperated.
The discussion initially confused Baejenh, but she soon realized that somehow, Rein was now in Final Solace City, and had used the token she provided him with. Though Lyne did not express it, Baejenh could sense the woman's downcast mood upon Rein's disappearance from Green Trout City. She had a feeling that Lyne would be internally relieved when informed that the man was alive.
As for the how and why Rein had reappeared in Final Solace City? Though curious, Baejenh decided that it was best to simply use his presence appropriately, regardless of the reasons.
"Grandmaster Eihr," Baejenh bowed her head. "Forgive me, but I had to. The situation in the northwest and the capital is accelerating. The Allfather has dealt a heavy blow to the Evergreen Mountains' sects, and has long infiltrated the Dingien Clan's princes."
"Minhr Nation, and other existences in the Fusion Realm are willing to cooperate with us for centuries upon centuries precisely because we have promised to minimize interference in their internal strife," Eihr glared at Baejenh.
"And I wholly agree with that belief," Baejenh replied. "On the condition that the princes of the Dingien Clan do not seek the assistance of other major influential forces in the greater realms."
"So for this reason, you intentionally took in the Xuere Clan girl, now betrothed to Seventh Prince Sikdron, with little chance of victory against his siblings?" Eihr glared.
Baejenh's hesitation when questioned confirmed Eihr's suspicion that the provided explanation was definitely not the whole truth. Eihr recalled finding Baejenh at a remote village when the woman was just a ten year old girl, and memories of raising this disciple over the years flowed through her mind.
"Silly child," Eihr sighed, accepting that it was time to let go. "My ascension is near. I sense that it is likely within twenty years. For you to start a conflict and accept a risky disciple… Though I do not agree with your choices, it is no longer in my hands. You have yet to even enter the mid-telekinetic realm…"
"I stand by my choices, grandmaster," Baejenh replied with a sparkle in her eyes.
"The other elders and grand elders have also expressed their disappointment. That will be your responsibility."
"Grandmaster," Baejenh hesitated for a moment then continued. "Tell the sect master that this is for the Fusion Sect. We cannot sit by and allow the Minhr Nation to become increasingly influenced by other forces. I simply sent a… weak and inconsequential young man to have an extra pair of eyes over the eastern border."
"I doubt Lahker or the others will believe these words. So be it." Grandmaster Eihr curtly ceased communications, and the large standing mirror faded back to normal.
Baejenh rested silently within a room constructed from luxurious white marble and creamy-colored wooden furniture. A room provided by the Xuere Clan due to her acceptance of Lyne as a disciple.
She suddenly smiled, and a silvery spiritual body glided into the air above her head. The size of this spiritual form was around half her height. This signaled that she was, in fact, mid-telekinetic realm. Once this spiritual form grows to the same size as her normal body, and fully combined with her physical form in sync, that would signal ascension.
Baejenh had only recently risen to this stage. It was really quite strange. In accepting Lyne as a disciple, Baejenh had to delve into various troublesome and undesirable alternative methods for Lyne to make future progress. In doing so, she was suddenly enlightened and discovered that her mind was expanding. Her spiritual form began to grow at an accelerated rate.
"Rein," she muttered to herself. "You had best buy me more time. I can only give you minor assistance." She needed more strength in order to stand against Grandmaster Lahker, who had spent many years as a late telekinetic advancer. Once Eihr leaves the Fusion Realm, Lahker was certain to take the opportunity to become an absolute nuisance, especially to her.
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"Have you lost your mind?" Rein was exasperated. Meynan was attempting to drag him into bed!
"We need to consummate our marriage!" Meynan declared as she pressed herself into Rein flirtatiously. Indeed, it is quite impossible for her to truly contend against Rein's physical resistance.
To say Rein wasn't interested would be a lie. In fact, Rein felt an overwhelming desire to ravish Meynan. However, he was held back by certain considerations.
"Would pregnancy not impact your ability to build influence within the main house?" Rein asked. "I also have identified that I am not quite capable of fully controlling deft uses of my strength. I may horribly injure you until I do so."
"Hmmm… I wouldn't mind dying upon your spear~" Meynan joked with a teasing smile. However, she did stop pressing her body against Rein, and sat on another wooden bulging cylindrical stool surrounding the round table.
"Your other concern is absolutely invalid though," Meynan harrumphed.
"Why's that?" Rein asked.
Meynan complained in her heart. She knew Rein well. Rein might be usually observant, and was of a relatively sharp mind. However, there are moments when, for some inexplicable reason, Rein would miss certain critical details. Meynan was of the opinion that this usually happens when Rein gets pelted with an overwhelming amount of surprising and unexpected information combined with a series of events.
Indeed, Rein had initially only visited the House Jeihr to check in on Meynan and ensure that she was doing alright. He never expected to suddenly be dragged into a variety of conflicts due to the use of Baejenh's token.
What a shitty token. In his mind, Rein was still complaining about the troublesome results of his use of the white swan token.
"There's no need for me to answer or explain. You should know once you pause and consider the many possibilities once I give birth to a child with a future in the advancer world," Meynan answered. Although not guaranteed, a talented child between the two would most certainly have wide-ranging effects.
"Not the best reason to have a child," Rein muttered.
"As I recall… you weren't so hesitant in creating a child with two other women," Meynan pouted.
Rein inwardly groaned. Indeed, it would be unfair to Meynan if she truly desired a child.
"I also hope you are aware that my four uncles are of a previous generation," Meynan added. She did not blame Rein for failing to assess this. After all, she herself had ample time to consider many factors over many months. Rein had just arrived today.
Once given a direction, Rein's mind gradually calmed from the continuous flow of unexpected incidents today, and he began to analyze the situation.
Meynan's competition within House Jeihr wasn't truly against the other four uncles, but rather, their sons and daughters. However, the four uncles naturally wish to ensure that their children have less competition in the future. Pushing out the weakly-positioned Meynan early must have been their goal.
Now, his presence beside Meynan has made it impossible for the four uncles to force Meynan out, and as such, the situation has changed.
Rein quickly realized that Meynan's fate had become inexplicably tied to his own. As long as he remains alive and grows in strength, Meynan will get a fair shot within House Jeihr. Of course, in the end, she will still need to demonstrate her merchant capabilities. Even if he was some undying god, it would be pointless for Meynan to lead House Jeihr if she fails to maintain profit and growth for the merchant house.
As for Meynan's mother-- Cehnan-- Rein wasn't sure if she would receive the necessary healing medicine. Based on his current understanding, the supposed faction dominant here was some force that did not get along with Baejenh's.
His thoughts turned to the significance of a child with Meynan. There was the risk that the child might be targeted, but Steward Xeer's current presence here should ensure Meynan's and the child's safety. It might even be better to have a child early-- Rein wasn't sure how long Steward Xeer would stick around to protect Meynan. All current clues indicate that he would be around for at least the next few years.
If that child turns out to have a talent for advancer arts, there is the possibility that the many branches of House Jeihr would be more than happy to support Meynan, to develop favorable impressions and acquire protection from said child for House Jeihr's future. After all, Steward Xeer and he himself do not carry any Jeihr blood. Rein certainly felt no loyalty to the other House Jeihr members.
Additionally, House Jeihr, a mortal merchant house, must be led by a mortal. Thus, the next leader of House Jeihr will most certainly be a descendent of those four other uncles, assuming he and Meynan's child or even children, become advancers.
Assuming those four uncles behave rationally, they may even celebrate Meynan in the future. The issue, however, rests with the sons and daughters of these four uncles. They would essentially have zero opportunities within their lifetime-- they exist in the same generation as Meynan. These sons and daughters are the likely sources of conflict.
"I see," Rein nodded. He berated himself for temporarily forgetting his half-senior's reminder to be patient and to analyze every situation calmly.
Indeed, the most intelligent individuals in the world, if they do not bother to pause and think, can still easily miss obvious answers and realizations. Yes, Rein gave a shake of his head. One of the tools for merchants, as his father had taught him, was to limit the time for customers to arrive at a decision for their purchases. More often than not, harried customers would spend their coin unwisely-- even the most educated scholars.
"So you understand. Worry not. I truly desire a child. After all… you advancers always seclude yourselves for extended periods of time-- not that I will ever complain since I have made my choice. Still, I wish to have… some companionship…" Meynan looked down uneasily as she expressed this.
It is said that advancers experience time differently to mortals due to their increased lifespan. Rein wanted to assure Meynan that he would visit, but even he wasn't certain how often he might be able to visit once he became a member of a sect.
Perhaps he should bring Meynan to the outskirts of the Deathless Mountains… yet he also understood that Meynan desired to gain control of House Jeihr in an attempt to rebuild the Golden Desert Town.
"I… will do my best to visit often," Rein sighed. He could not use his origin ability to teleport around recklessly. It was too risky, and could lead to trouble for all those involved with him.
Rein's attention turned to Meynan's loss of her father. With all the shocking flow of events, only now did he have a chance to comfort her.
"Your father… I'm-"
"I'm fine," Meynan cut off Rein's words. "I dealt with it by myself many months ago. So you best visit me-- often."
Rein could only nod his head.
"I will find a way to help mother," he informed Meynan.
"Thank you," Meynan's shoulders seemed to relax and she softly smiled.
Rein stood, and Meynan did as well. Noticing her expression, Rein pulled Meynan into a tight embrace and they shared a long wet kiss.
"You had best learn to control your strength deftly soon," Meynan huskily whispered into his ear. "Or monstrous little Rein will suffer on every one of your visits~"
They parted, and Rein strode outside, finding Xeer to be awaiting him, cross-legged and levitating two feet off the ground.
"I will bring you to a proper place-- my personal retreat-- where you may train for some time prior to the quarterly entry period hosted by the sects," Xeer informed Rein. "Worry not for Meynan. There are many defenses I can trigger from afar."
Rein nodded. Xeer flicked his sleeves, and Rein felt an invisible power wrapped around his body. The next moment, Rein's body flew through the sky behind Xeer. Meynan watched the two figures vanish westward in the starry night sky.