>>5861905After careful consideration, you deem the improved purification masks more important. Arquebuses or no, cultivators need masks.
“Once we solve this resource issue, have the institute focus on these new purification masks.” Your gaze shifts to the azure sky outside the window, eyes a little wistful. “Make sure they’re sturdier as well.”
Lady Song casts you a look of understanding. “Yes, stronghold master.”
That concludes your session with Lady Song. Before you head off, you finish the tea you hadn’t touched since it was served. It does well to soothe the deep anger that’s been welling up within you recently. A bit of small talk later, she offers to see you off but you decline, stating that you wish not to disrupt her important work more than is needed.
* * *
Noontime. The Stronghold Master’s Quarters.
You stand by your back courtyard overlooking the entire stronghold. Your quarters are situated near the peak of the mountain, just below the Ancestral Temple.
To your left, a mountain stream flows southward, slowly expanding until it merges with the Southern River (南江) that passes through most of the farmland in the stronghold; around it is a humble village mainly inhabited by mortals—or non-cultivators, if you will; it is by no means run-down or backward, and maintains much of that rustic beauty poets of antiquity loved to sing about:
Willow trees and fertile soil
Crown the earth and river shore.
Children play while farmers toil
On ancient lands, rich with lore.
To your right is Bifeng City (碧風城), frequented by soldiers, disciples of the Dengtian Martial Arts School, students of the Wenping Institute, and the like; as usual, it’s bustling with activity at this time of day. From where you stand, the people scurrying about appear as grains of sand swept along by foamy waves. Further down, you see the Jade Forest (玉林); it blankets the north-eastern side of the mountain and stretches till it meets the desolate Ashen Forest beyond the border. Before the world became as it is now (through what your people know as the Calamity), these two forests were part of the same whole. Ancient records say that it was also called the Jade Forest, but now, that name is reserved for the portion that still remains within reach of the holy aura of the mountain.
As you take in the view of your homeland with hands clasped behind your back, a guard makes his way to you.
“Stronghold master.” He greets, kneeling with his fists cupped. “Principal Lan is here to see you.”
“Let him in.”
