Heavenly Shae

Chapter 25: "Not The Help You Asked For."

She had missed the regular serving window for guests to take supper. A late offering was available if she paid ahead, so she added herself to the list. She also paid for another night, to cover up to the morning the caravan would leave. Then she asked about food for the trip: as expected they could provide that, but freely admitted they would overcharge by a good margin. She agreed that going to the local market would be worth the trip, and headed outside for fresh air while she waited for the meal to be prepared.

She found Wise Kwan outside admiring the gathering of people around where the enlightenments occurred.

"Wise Shae, nice to see you again. It looks as though you are the talk of the town." He nodded towards the crowd.

"Wise Kwan, thank you for the warning. I'll be sure to create a disguise so I can operate unbothered. Maybe some glasses and a bushy mustache."

"Heh. Some would embrace the attention?"

"Some, who are not me." She smirked. "I'll never turn away a thank you, but they were just words, they didn't feel that special at the time."

"Well, sometimes words can do more than deeds. Heroism is in the trying, not just what was done."

"Sure I can get behind that. What are they doing, though? Seems a bit excessive."

"Yes, I can't say I've ever seen recreationists pop up so soon."

"So soon? And I thought they were just posing for the painting."

"That they are, but they are also treating it like a play, with acting and costumes and all."

"Ugh. Well as long as they don't try to close down the square and charge for entry."

"Heh."

"Or if they do, they'd better give us a cut "

"Ha!" He chuckled heartily. "That's quite the extrapolation."

"Is it?" She shrugged. "Say, how long are you all in town for?"

"Considering joining us? You would be more than welcome, but I understand if it is a difficult decision. We will remain for another week, perhaps two. I suspect at least two more of the soldier recruits will break by then. They are likely to join us after, if we are still here."

"Really? I'd think they would just go home, maybe try again next year."

"Heh, now that they have had a taste of cultivating, they won't turn back. None give up so soon. And with your display? I imagine we will snag a few more hopefuls, as well."

"My display? The others did the actual work, don't take that from them."

The monk nodded, "My apologies."

"The funny thing about my difficult decision: I hadn't even realized there was a decision to be made until yesterday." She sighed. "Going to a sect seemed like the path to follow. Now I'm not sure. You lot are much easier to get along with."

"Most people are, when you are not being intentionally antagonistic."

She frowned. "Fair point."

"The members you have met might not readily accept you now. They might desire your potential for throwing out wisdom, as you have displayed. But they are a much more conflict oriented bunch. All of them, not just these."

"Not sure I can climb out of the crater I've dug anymore. Expecting revelations from me doesn't have a good track record."

"They would still be expected at the Monkery. Maybe more so, word gets around. Though, you'd hear fewer direct comments about it than the sect."

"Ugh, so people being too nice to make me feel guilty, or entitled morons demanding the world. Not sure which I'd hate more."

"Heh. What a horribly succinct way of putting it. I suppose the upside is that one of those groups would gladly embarrass themselves in a duel."

"Hah. And I can guess that there will be very few clear routes to resolution at the Monkery?"

"Just talking things out usually works for me, but I have a distinct advantage there."

"Why does it sound like you are encouraging me to go to the sect?"

"The sect? Well, any sect really. I don't play favorites. Our doors will always be open, Shae. The sects do not work like that. Rarely do they recruit struggling cultivators." He let his words hang in the air for a breath. "Do you need more?"

"Another push couldn't hurt."

"Heh. Then let's talk information access. The sects hold their secrets tight. We do not. You will still be able to visit us and pilfer our monastery of what secrets you need."

"Hmm.. that is a very good point. Ah! And I bet the sect will pay you, where I could not."

"Sometimes all parties come through a deal satisfied."

Shae took a few heavy breaths, her thoughts churning. "There's another reason that you aren't telling me."

"Heh. If I said it was because you are too sharp, would you accept just that?"

"Not after that question. Compliments never hurt, though."

"Heh. Heh. Have you heard of karma and fate? Or the threads of fate?"

"Just once or twice."

"Some people are pulled through life by them, others do the pulling. Once in a while, someone cuts their way through them, changing everything. Guess which I think you are?"

"Ha." She inhaled deeply, then sighed heavily.

"Not the response I was expecting. Is something else bothering you?"

"Yea. The painting. It's reminding me that there's an opportunity here that I will miss."

"Oh? If you see it clearly, speak and we shall aid you."

"Hmm. Not sure if you can, it was something I did after the last enlightenment I saw, and only during my own enlightenment."

"Ahhh, so you have had that experience already?"

"Didn't realize it when it happened, but yes. And I did something that sounds a little like nonsense."

"More nonsense than surviving a tribulation as a mortal?"

"Hah, maybe. Not really sure how to judge it. Anyone in your group have a space or reality focus?"

"That is a very odd question. Are we still on the same topic?"

"Yes, same topic. I know it's private, don't expect you to tell me all about your friends. Just need something to weaken reality enough. An actual space Dao seems like it would be easiest."

He paused and looked at the girl. "You're serious."

She nodded.

"So, if that is one part, how can you match the enlightenment? Surely that bridged a large gap in your ability."

"Definitely." She nodded and looked at the ground. "That would be tricky, but I might be able to cheat it." She said and flowed her divine qi through her body enough that the monk took notice.

"That seems different than yesterday."

"Yea, just a bit. I finally took a step in my cultivation that I should have done a long time ago. Having all that super dense qi helped make up my mind, too. I felt like I drank a hive's worth of caffeinated honey when I woke up this morning."

"You sound confident this will work."

"Eh, I'm actually pretty terrified I'll waste a bunch of heavenly qi. It was a pretty unique situation last time. What I got out of it, though. Feels like I should risk it."

"This location will always be here, and you will have your memories. Can't you try again another time? When you are stronger?"

Shae put on half a frown. "Maybe? I also grabbed some other bits, like peeling the- ugh, that's a horrible metaphor, sorry." She shuddered.

"These things you got? Where are they? And can you show them to me?"

"Hah, show me yours first? But seriously, they are in my Dantian, and you would have to flex your Dao at me for me to do anything with them safely. Best I can do is just a flicker, it kinda hurts to move them out."

"Hurts? Like makes you bleed or cough up blood?"

"More like a migraine, but on a deeper level. And that's just the smaller ones."

"Hmmm." The old monk hummed in thought. "I have a hard time believing you did what it sounds like you did."

"What do you think I did?"

"I cannot say."

"Uhhmm, what?"

He remained silent.

"Err, with all respect, Wise Kwan. What?"

He glanced at her and smirked. "You have spoken with someone about Dao before."

"Yes."

"Then they told you that those conversations are not normally held, yes?"

Shae nodded.

"That is not the only restricted topic. In the Monkery we get around some of these restrictions with heavy use of metaphor and lots of winks and nudges." The girl smirked up at the monk. "Not like that." He scoffed. "So, that is what I mean when I say: I cannot say."

"Huh." She thought. "So, for the sake of discussion. Let's say you're correct, as absurd as you think that would be. What would you recommend?"

"Nothing. I would urge you to not attempt this. You said yourself you cannot use it properly, that it is a risk. The qi you would use to even attempt it would be much better spent on progress through your current stage." He sighed. "If I can bring myself to believe you can do what you imply. I would actively try to stop you. Possibly even taking away what you made before, it would be for your own safety. I won't, and I think I'd rather not see what you have, just so I don't have to make that decision."

Shae stared at the old man with frustration and a touch of anger. "I'm going inside to eat. See you around, Wise Kwan."

Aside 3: "Complaints Department."

(Chapter 25.1)

After the girl went inside, Elder Bai approached the old monk. "Wise Elder Kwan."

"Cultivator Bai." He nodded.

"I'd like to discuss your abuse of privacy formations in a public space."

"That was quick. Are you really that concerned about what I was talking to a teenager about?"

"I'm concerned you are dragging her away from her true fate."

"Aaah, and you are an expert, now? I didn't know you were a Diviner."

"It was clear she was interested in joining our Honorable Dragon's Entreaty Sect."

"Was it? My understanding was that she was quite disappointed by your Elders."

"She has an introduction letter from one of those Elders."

"And you think she will jump at it? Just because it is a golden ticket for any peasant? Some people prefer to execute a small amount of free will, Cultivator Bai."

"She'll be wasted in your Monkery."

"That I agree with." He paused to let the man look dumbfounded. "I gave her a solid push towards the sects, not just yours. But be careful, young Elder Bai, and warn your betters. That girl could be a boon that casually bestows comprehension and enlightenment. Or she could gut the rot from your sect, tearing it down from the inside and then casually bestow enlightenment to those that remain."

Bai held a firm frown. "And are you the Diviner now?"

"I do not need such profound wisdom. Look to yesterday, and your own Elder Ghon."

"Do not presume to know of our sect's Elders." He turned towards the inn. "Good eve, Wise Kwan."

"Let her finish her meal first, Cultivator Bai." The monk remarked, without stopping the man.

Aside 4: "Hidden Messages."

(Chapter 25.2)

A few minutes later a third person contacted the old monk.

'Any news?' Yungfan sent via a silent qi message. It was a significantly more discreet means of private conversation than a privacy formation in a public square.

'That girl is absurd.'

'Should I ask?'

'I couldn't answer.'

'That bad?'

'Yes.'

'New leads?'

He paused for a bit. 'No time to think.'

'Time? From you?' Her tone was sarcastic.

'I know.' He paused again. 'No sure bets.' Then, 'She can't be normal.'

'Right? Big scary?'

'No clear signs.' He paused half a breath between sentences; each getting its own message. 'No tricks, lies, tails. No greed or lust.'

'Flirts a bit.'

'Not with everyone. No riddles. No unique hunger.' He thought over more lists in his own mind. 'Too open.'

'Too nice.' Yungfan returned.

'Time will grind it off.'

'What a shame.' Then her again after a breath. 'Her direction?'

'Sects, better there,'

'-than here.' She finished, and their conversation ended.