Chapter 607
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Chapter 607
Though the rising sun brought with it a steady stream of good tidings, Luo-Luo could not find it in herself to smile and celebrate.
Lord Husband was awake and in good health again, which was encouraging, but Luo-Luo still had plenty of vital work which needed doing. While she toiled away managing Lord Husbands neglected personal business and official duties, he had no doubt put her entirely out of mind to cuddle with his pets, which was an entirely normal state of affairs, and she was happy to see him conscious and recovering from his ordeal.
No, Luo-Luo had other reasons to fret, and it had to do with the other celebratory event of the day, the Imperial Armys successful withdrawal from the front lines. Sorya and Anrhi were in and out of the office bringing her all the latest gossip of heroic victories and military successes, and while she was glad to hear things were going well, she was unable to focus on the good news and could only see the downsides wherever she looked. The withdrawal was a success, but this had not come without cost, and now the Defiled were closer than ever. That was the truth of their situation, despite what many others might choose to believe, but even this wasnt the sole reason for Luo-Luos melancholy. In her youth, she found tales, dramas, and operas of Imperial superiority inspiring and uplifting, but having seen the ugly truth of war firsthand, she now saw those stories for the well-meaning lies they were. There was no glory or grandeur in war, no honour or dignity in death, only frightened soldiers struggling to stay alive in the face of an Enemy determined to see them dead.
The greatest reward for a battle well fought was survival itself, and even this might not seem true for many unfortunate soldiers. At least if they died in the line of duty, their families would receive the colloquially termed blood coin, a substantial one-time payment rendered to fallen soldiers. In contrast, a crippled Martial Warrior became a significant drain on their family finances, and all but impossible to sustain for those of humble origins. While recent trends had seen injured soldiers better cared for by Imperial interests, Lord Husband felt it wasnt enough and had committed to helping as many crippled Warriors as he could, even if it beggared him in the process. He sought to provide their families with food, clothes, and shelter, while offering gainful employment to the injured while they recovered, often paying ridiculous salaries simply because the worker was still a Martial Warrior. He even worked with his Teacher and Healer Taiyi ZhuShen to ensure the worst off received the best medical care available, which was expensive considering any Healer of note had been drafted into the army. After spending upwards of eighteen hours a day keeping soldiers alive and battle-ready, even the most proficient and magnanimous Healers would have little Chi or goodwill to spare, which left few willing to spend the time and effort to help those who had already been deemed unfit for duty.
Regrowing a single limb was more difficult than Healing a hundred gutted, impaled, or otherwise injured soldiers. Granted, this was because the latter only required the bare minimum of treatment from the Healers, since living Martial Warriors would eventually recover from most injuries with time alone. Lost eyes, severed limbs, pulped organ, and shattered bones however, required exponentially more time and effort from even the most experienced Healers, and it all boiled down to simple numbers. The unfortunate truth was that it wasnt worth it to Heal one grievously injured soldier back to full health, when that same amount of time, Chi, and focus could be used to patch up twenty moderate injuries or a hundred mildly ones.
Which was what made Lord Husbands charitable efforts so benevolent and perhaps even necessary, because he was providing hope to the otherwise hopeless. Luo-Luo went to great lengths to ensure every wounded Warrior who needed assistance would receive it, but combined with the ever-increasing exorbitant demands of the Tyrant OuYang Yuhuan, Lord Husbands refusal to profit from supplying food and building materials to new arrivals, and his ill-advised efforts to train and arm every able-bodied civilian living along the border, Lord Husbands personal wealth had been in steady decline for some time now, despite his businesses turning profits hand over fist. Now, with a new influx of injured, discharged soldiers soon to arrive, this might finally be enough to burn through his personal reserves and leave him without a coin to his name.
The Minister of Finance, in danger of becoming destitute. Now that was a joke everyone could laugh at, from the lowliest peasant to even the Emperor Himself. Thankfully, Lord Husband had separated his Official duties from his personal finances, because if word got out about his personal finances, it would most certainly raise questions about the validity of his post and the War Bond funds. Luo-Luo could hear it now, people whispering in the streets about how the Minister of Finance couldnt even manage his own personal affairs, so how could he be trusted to manage Imperial Finances? While most people were still unaware of just how much power and influence Lord Husbands Office wielded, the prominent nobles of the Empire had most certainly taken note. Even now, at the height of Lord Husbands success and popularity, his peers and rivals were all plotting to bring him down and seize his power for their own.
Such was the way of life and politics, which meant Luo-Luo had many long days and sleepless nights ahead.
Things were not so bad that Lord Husband would never recover. Most of his debts could be covered by payments owed, so it was only a matter of balancing the two so that she never had to dip into his dwindling stash of cold, hard coin. If her hand was ever forced, Luo-Luo could always swallow her pride and go to her in-laws for a loan, but even the thought of doing so soured her mood for days, if not weeks. Mother-in-Law Sarnai seemed to think Luo-Luo incompetent and unable to properly manage her darling sons finances, and while she was technically correct, there were few people alive who could do better than Luo-Luo. Unless there was a financial guru somewhere out there who knew how to make coin appear with the snap of his fingers, Lord Husband was fated for financial ruin.
What a frustrating man, one with a remarkable affinity for earning coin, but was seemingly offended by the prospect of keeping it. Coin is meant to be spent, he had quipped, when Luo-Luo brought her concerns to him some weeks ago. What good does it do sitting in a vault somewhere?
What good indeed, but the coin didnt even have time to reach Lord Husbands coffers before being frittered away on some dream or another. He also refused to stop or slow his charitable contributions for even a month, just so Luo-Luo could rebuild his reserves for emergencies, like the one she was experiencing at this very moment. The only readily available currency he had left was his personal supply of War Bonds, which stood to turn a significant profit considering he purchased them in advance at base value, but she was leery of selling them so soon. If the Minister of Finance were to divest himself of the War Bonds he himself introduced, some might see it as his lack of faith in his own endeavours, or an attempt to offload what many still believed were fraudulent goods. Whats more, few individuals cared to sell their War Bonds at this time, because having only ten was the bare minimum for one to publicly, but indirectly, brag about their investment. To date, only a small number of War Bonds had officially traded hands, most of which went from subordinate to superior, and it would not be fitting for Lord Husband to be among the first to actually sell them for a profit.
However, as the day wore on and noon approached, Luo-Luo checked her numbers again and again only to repeatedly arrive at the same conclusion. Lord Husband did not have enough coin on hand to aid this coming influx of crippled soldiers. There would be no hiding it either, because Lord Husbands charitable efforts were known to all, and once the first injured soldier voice complaint about being denied assistance, then Lord Husband would be tried and sentenced in the court of public opinion. It was silly, seeing how hed already done so much at great personal expense, but gratitude was fleeting, especially amongst self-entitled Martial Warriors accustomed to getting their way. As much as she didnt want to burden Lord Husband with financial issues so soon after waking from his coma, Luo-Luo needed a decision on how to proceed. Aside from taking on loans, their only other options were to either sell off a profitable company to raise funds or make plans to reduce the amount of support provided to the imminent wave of discharged cripples.
Luo-Luo already knew what Lord Husband would choose, but she still needed to confirm with him before selling off part of their holdings. With her papers and sceptre in hand, she bade farewell to Jian Xianhe, who was busy poring over papers in the corner while rubbing his bare feet, and left with Gunan and Kuang Biao in tow. Distasteful as the Imperial Scions behaviour might be, he and his companions were vital cogs in the machine that was the Office of Imperial Finance, able clerks and overseers who dealt with the day to day crises which invariably cropped up in such grand undertakings. Though immigration had stopped for the winter, the districts were facing all manner of shortages, whether it be food, materials, or even just plain entertainment to keep bored, stressed commoners from tearing each other apart in anger. Then there was the matter of Lord Husbands grand avenue which would stretch from one end of the Western Wall to the other. With construction set to begin once the spring thaw was finished, that left precious little time to get everything in place, but Jian Xianhe had everything planned down to the last detail, including rotating work groups and material deliveries to ensure not a single day was wasted, leaving Luo-Luo free to simply oversee things from afar.
So she put up with his horrific personal habits and slovenly appearance, because it was a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Outside the office, a veritable army of Death Corps guards stood at attention with weapons at the ready, while still more patrolled the roads and rooftops surrounding Lord Husbands manor. The ever-vigilant guards were even more uptight than usual these days, having been banished from the manor ever since the venerable Guan Suo passed away, and it did not sit well with them leaving their wards protection in the hands of others. This was done on Mother-in-Law Sarnais orders, though Luo-Luo had been the one to deliver it since Lord Husband was unable to, and the Death Corps were growing restless without Lord Husband around to calm them. It couldn't be helped, as Mother-in-Law wanted the Death Corps kept in the dark about everything including Lord Husbands ailment, because there were too many secrets surrounding that fateful night, secrets which could land Lord Husband in grave peril should they ever see the light of day.
The emergence of a true Divine Turtle and the reincarnation of an Ancestral Beast, two miracles which even the Emperor Himself would take note of, and Lord Husband lay at the crux of them both. If word were to spread, he and sweet Ping Ping might be taken away for study, or possibly even killed outright for fear of their strength, and Lord Husbands people would rebel before letting either happen, so it was best for everyones sake to not let matters get out of hand. When she arrived within a hundred paces of the manor, Luo-Luo dismissed Kuang Biao alongside the rest of her Death Corps escorts, and once again, Kuang Biao protested his dismissal. Lady Zheng, he began, always in that same servile, yet almost challenging tone. This one begs permission to speak.
If you mean to repeat the same request as you have these last twenty days, then you do not have it. It was bad form to be snippy with the Death Corps, for they were Warriors deserving of respect, but Luo-Luo had had it with the former Royal Guardians peevish probing. If Lord Husband has orders for you, he will pass them along. Until such a time, you will return to your duties and refrain from troubling him with missives or Sendings unless it is of dire importance.
For long seconds, Luo-Luo struggled to present a coherent argument, but then she stopped to think and realized Lord Husband was right. With the cast iron businesses showing record profits, they would be massively over-valued by prospective buyers, many of whom were Lord Husbands competitors and the reason the price of iron ore was so artificially high. Luo-Luo had even noticed that forged iron was only marginally more expensive than raw ore, as opposed to seven to ten times the price of the raw materials due to extensive labour costs. Knowing this, she re-evaluated her plans and calculated that it would take close to a decade for the various cast iron businesses to match the profits of what they stood to gain from selling them. Now, not only would this take care of all their impending financial woes, it also saved Luo-Luo from having to bend over backwards to ensure the businesses would continue to profit. It seemed so simple once Lord Husband pointed it out, but she never even considered this route in all her time spent agonizing over the issue, and it made her feel... inadequate.
Managing Lord Husbands finances was the only thing she could do, but what use did she have if he was so much better at it?
Dont look so sad, Lord Husband said, reaching over to clasp Luo-Luos hand. I know its hard to sell a business you built from the ground up, but this is the best course of action. Just know that I appreciate all the hard work youve put into this, and I would never have gotten this far without your help. If you have any interest in starting up a personal venture, know you have my full support, financial or otherwise. His concern and generosity brought a smile to her face as she remembered where they last left off, but it seemed Lord Husband was not in an amorous mood as he promptly turned back to stare at his notes. Is there anything else?
No, Lord Husband. Taking a moment to scan his scribbled characters, Luo-Luo could not make hide nor hair of what he was trying to say, for the pages read like the ramblings of a mad man. Big Core, Big Natal Palace?, Chi: How Does it Work? What is Aura and why is it weird?, Link between Aura and Emotion?, Domain???, and more nonsensical questions were jotted across the pages, with his aborted attempts to answer each question all crossed out and unreadable. If I may ask, Lord Husband, what are you trying to accomplish?
Well... Slumping in his seat like a defeated dog, Lord Husband sighed and pushed the papers aside. I had this crazy idea to try and... demystify the Martial Path and maybe make it easier for commoners to maybe Create a Core, but Ive been at this for an hour and I dont know where to start. I dont even have enough to bring to Grandpa Du or Grand Mentor, whenever they get back from celebrating Yan and Milas recent successes. All I have is, The Core is the powerhouse of the Martial Warrior, and the rest is just... questions without answers. Plenty of those going around lately... After falling silent for several seconds, Lord Husband sat back up with a wry smile and asked, If you dont mind me asking, what was Core Creation like for you. Do you remember it? Are you even allowed to speak of it?
Lord Husband was not one to dream small, but even this seemed too far out of his reach. Still, there was no harm in humouring him, especially if it might help with repairing his Core, even if she didnt know how that was possible. It sounds trite when I say it, but like a warm embrace. Basking in the fond memory of her first success, she brought the experience to mind once again. Though I am forbidden from speaking of the specifics, I can say I was seven when it happened. Most of my peers had already Created their Cores and moved on to other lessons, and I remember crying myself to sleep for weeks because I thought myself a failure who would never succeed, and in doing so I would bring shame to my parents whod given me away. Back then, I dreamed of excelling so much, theyd feel compelled to acknowledge me as their daughter again, if only to take pride in my accomplishments. A foolish dream for a foolish girl, but it was not her first, and would most certainly not be her last. The day it happened is still fresh in my memory, and I will hold fast to it until the day I die. Lessons were over, and I was sitting in the grass outside, not purposefully meditating but just... wasting time. Plucking grass and braiding flowers, that sort of thing, and thinking unkind thoughts about my arithmetic teacher. It was a temperate spring day, with not a cloud to be seen, and the air just warm enough to be comfortable without a breeze, but not so cold as to raise a chill when one blew by. There I sat, looking over the verdant green fields basking beneath the warm, soft sun, and I thought, I wish every day were this perfect. Her cheeks aching from the strain of smiling, she shrugged and continued on. And then I found Balance. The Energy of the Heavens surged into my Core and swept me away on a current of love and affection, as if the Mother Herself had come down to take me into her arms and tell me She wished it were so too.
What she didnt share with Lord Husband was the faint tinge of melancholy and regret suffused within that warm embrace. This was one of her fondest memories, something which kept her going through all the trials and tribulations of Luo-Luos life. The Mother also wished every day could be beautiful and perfect, but alas, it could not be so. Crops needed rain and birds needed wind, and the seasons needed change else the world would fall apart. Without the darkness, one could not appreciate the light, just like hardships made an accomplishment that much more meaningful. Luo-Luo could never have composed or completed Rise to Glory if she had not overcome the hurdles within her path, for it was the low, ominous tones which made the joyous, upbeat sections of the song that much more enjoyable.
In a word, it was Balance, and Luo-Luo could think of no better word to describe it.
The warm, fluttering affection of Ping Pings Aura caught Luo-Luo by surprise, but she smiled at the sweet Guardian Turtle. Thank you, she crooned, rubbing the ridges above Ping Pings eyes. I love you too, sweet girl.
She does enjoy throwing her Aura around willy nilly, Lord Husband muttered, jokingly feigning jealousy as he shook his head. Its sweet and all, but Im worried itll get her in trouble if she uses it on the wrong person. Most people dont know about Emotional Aura, and Im not sure how the world at large will react to it. Pong Pong can do the same, but at least he knows enough to keep a low profile. Ping Ping has been in the public eye for so long, shes completely forgotten how dangerous humans can really be.
Nodding in agreement, Luo-Luos words froze in her throat as she was struck by a thought. Lord Husband, she began, quietly appraising his reaction. You felt her Aura?"
Yep. Far as I can tell, she doesnt have much fine control yet and blasts it at everyone in range. Made a couple bunbuns real confused earlier today, and I hear you all had a terrible time trying to explain it to Grandpa Du, but it all worked out. Thankfully, it doesnt seem like her range extends very far, and definitely not past the manor walls, else wed have a lot of confused guards wondering why they feel loved all of a sudden.
Lord Husband. Something in her tone made him look directly at her, and she was unable to contain her excitement. You felt. Her Aura. Can you feel anyone elses?
...Oh shit! Eyes widening in understanding, Lord Husband looked at Luo-Luo, then Ping Ping, then Luo-Luo once more. I forgot I cant feel Aura in the real world. Its hard keeping everything straight when things keep changing. Leaping to his feet, Lord Husband ran to the window, stuck his head out, and shouted, Song! Could you hit me with your Aura please? A pause, followed by a cackle of delight. I felt that! I felt it! I felt your Aura! Turning away from the window, he circled back to it and stuck his head out once more. Try using Aura offensively against me now. Lord Husband paused again, but it was easy to see from his stiff posture that itd worked once again. Also forgot how terrifying Aura is, he mumbled, before shouting, Thanks for the help! Spinning about to face Luo-Luo, Lord Husband grinned and said, I can feel Aura again!
Indeed you can. With a smile which matched his own, Luo-Luos heart soared in joy. Lord Husband could feel Aura again, and while she couldnt say for certain, a return to normalcy seemed like good news rather than bad. No one knew why Aura no longer affected him after he shattered his Core, but then again, no one knew why his skin was less durable than parchment for months without end, or why he was barely able to stand upright and now was easily more fit than most mortals, though still unable to match even the weakest Martial Warrior. Also, what did he mean when he said he couldnt feel Aura in the real world? Like Lord Husband said, there were many unanswered questions about him, but for the first time since Sinuji, his recovery was making obvious headway once more, and while he was still unable to use Chi at will, his return to strength seemed all but inevitable.
And this, was news worthy of celebration.
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Chapter 607
Though the rising sun brought with it a steady stream of good tidings, Luo-Luo could not find it in herself to smile and celebrate.
Lord Husband was awake and in good health again, which was encouraging, but Luo-Luo still had plenty of vital work which needed doing. While she toiled away managing Lord Husbands neglected personal business and official duties, he had no doubt put her entirely out of mind to cuddle with his pets, which was an entirely normal state of affairs, and she was happy to see him conscious and recovering from his ordeal.
No, Luo-Luo had other reasons to fret, and it had to do with the other celebratory event of the day, the Imperial Armys successful withdrawal from the front lines. Sorya and Anrhi were in and out of the office bringing her all the latest gossip of heroic victories and military successes, and while she was glad to hear things were going well, she was unable to focus on the good news and could only see the downsides wherever she looked. The withdrawal was a success, but this had not come without cost, and now the Defiled were closer than ever. That was the truth of their situation, despite what many others might choose to believe, but even this wasnt the sole reason for Luo-Luos melancholy. In her youth, she found tales, dramas, and operas of Imperial superiority inspiring and uplifting, but having seen the ugly truth of war firsthand, she now saw those stories for the well-meaning lies they were. There was no glory or grandeur in war, no honour or dignity in death, only frightened soldiers struggling to stay alive in the face of an Enemy determined to see them dead.
The greatest reward for a battle well fought was survival itself, and even this might not seem true for many unfortunate soldiers. At least if they died in the line of duty, their families would receive the colloquially termed blood coin, a substantial one-time payment rendered to fallen soldiers. In contrast, a crippled Martial Warrior became a significant drain on their family finances, and all but impossible to sustain for those of humble origins. While recent trends had seen injured soldiers better cared for by Imperial interests, Lord Husband felt it wasnt enough and had committed to helping as many crippled Warriors as he could, even if it beggared him in the process. He sought to provide their families with food, clothes, and shelter, while offering gainful employment to the injured while they recovered, often paying ridiculous salaries simply because the worker was still a Martial Warrior. He even worked with his Teacher and Healer Taiyi ZhuShen to ensure the worst off received the best medical care available, which was expensive considering any Healer of note had been drafted into the army. After spending upwards of eighteen hours a day keeping soldiers alive and battle-ready, even the most proficient and magnanimous Healers would have little Chi or goodwill to spare, which left few willing to spend the time and effort to help those who had already been deemed unfit for duty.
Regrowing a single limb was more difficult than Healing a hundred gutted, impaled, or otherwise injured soldiers. Granted, this was because the latter only required the bare minimum of treatment from the Healers, since living Martial Warriors would eventually recover from most injuries with time alone. Lost eyes, severed limbs, pulped organ, and shattered bones however, required exponentially more time and effort from even the most experienced Healers, and it all boiled down to simple numbers. The unfortunate truth was that it wasnt worth it to Heal one grievously injured soldier back to full health, when that same amount of time, Chi, and focus could be used to patch up twenty moderate injuries or a hundred mildly ones.
Which was what made Lord Husbands charitable efforts so benevolent and perhaps even necessary, because he was providing hope to the otherwise hopeless. Luo-Luo went to great lengths to ensure every wounded Warrior who needed assistance would receive it, but combined with the ever-increasing exorbitant demands of the Tyrant OuYang Yuhuan, Lord Husbands refusal to profit from supplying food and building materials to new arrivals, and his ill-advised efforts to train and arm every able-bodied civilian living along the border, Lord Husbands personal wealth had been in steady decline for some time now, despite his businesses turning profits hand over fist. Now, with a new influx of injured, discharged soldiers soon to arrive, this might finally be enough to burn through his personal reserves and leave him without a coin to his name.
The Minister of Finance, in danger of becoming destitute. Now that was a joke everyone could laugh at, from the lowliest peasant to even the Emperor Himself. Thankfully, Lord Husband had separated his Official duties from his personal finances, because if word got out about his personal finances, it would most certainly raise questions about the validity of his post and the War Bond funds. Luo-Luo could hear it now, people whispering in the streets about how the Minister of Finance couldnt even manage his own personal affairs, so how could he be trusted to manage Imperial Finances? While most people were still unaware of just how much power and influence Lord Husbands Office wielded, the prominent nobles of the Empire had most certainly taken note. Even now, at the height of Lord Husbands success and popularity, his peers and rivals were all plotting to bring him down and seize his power for their own.
Such was the way of life and politics, which meant Luo-Luo had many long days and sleepless nights ahead.
Things were not so bad that Lord Husband would never recover. Most of his debts could be covered by payments owed, so it was only a matter of balancing the two so that she never had to dip into his dwindling stash of cold, hard coin. If her hand was ever forced, Luo-Luo could always swallow her pride and go to her in-laws for a loan, but even the thought of doing so soured her mood for days, if not weeks. Mother-in-Law Sarnai seemed to think Luo-Luo incompetent and unable to properly manage her darling sons finances, and while she was technically correct, there were few people alive who could do better than Luo-Luo. Unless there was a financial guru somewhere out there who knew how to make coin appear with the snap of his fingers, Lord Husband was fated for financial ruin.
What a frustrating man, one with a remarkable affinity for earning coin, but was seemingly offended by the prospect of keeping it. Coin is meant to be spent, he had quipped, when Luo-Luo brought her concerns to him some weeks ago. What good does it do sitting in a vault somewhere?
What good indeed, but the coin didnt even have time to reach Lord Husbands coffers before being frittered away on some dream or another. He also refused to stop or slow his charitable contributions for even a month, just so Luo-Luo could rebuild his reserves for emergencies, like the one she was experiencing at this very moment. The only readily available currency he had left was his personal supply of War Bonds, which stood to turn a significant profit considering he purchased them in advance at base value, but she was leery of selling them so soon. If the Minister of Finance were to divest himself of the War Bonds he himself introduced, some might see it as his lack of faith in his own endeavours, or an attempt to offload what many still believed were fraudulent goods. Whats more, few individuals cared to sell their War Bonds at this time, because having only ten was the bare minimum for one to publicly, but indirectly, brag about their investment. To date, only a small number of War Bonds had officially traded hands, most of which went from subordinate to superior, and it would not be fitting for Lord Husband to be among the first to actually sell them for a profit.
However, as the day wore on and noon approached, Luo-Luo checked her numbers again and again only to repeatedly arrive at the same conclusion. Lord Husband did not have enough coin on hand to aid this coming influx of crippled soldiers. There would be no hiding it either, because Lord Husbands charitable efforts were known to all, and once the first injured soldier voice complaint about being denied assistance, then Lord Husband would be tried and sentenced in the court of public opinion. It was silly, seeing how hed already done so much at great personal expense, but gratitude was fleeting, especially amongst self-entitled Martial Warriors accustomed to getting their way. As much as she didnt want to burden Lord Husband with financial issues so soon after waking from his coma, Luo-Luo needed a decision on how to proceed. Aside from taking on loans, their only other options were to either sell off a profitable company to raise funds or make plans to reduce the amount of support provided to the imminent wave of discharged cripples.
Luo-Luo already knew what Lord Husband would choose, but she still needed to confirm with him before selling off part of their holdings. With her papers and sceptre in hand, she bade farewell to Jian Xianhe, who was busy poring over papers in the corner while rubbing his bare feet, and left with Gunan and Kuang Biao in tow. Distasteful as the Imperial Scions behaviour might be, he and his companions were vital cogs in the machine that was the Office of Imperial Finance, able clerks and overseers who dealt with the day to day crises which invariably cropped up in such grand undertakings. Though immigration had stopped for the winter, the districts were facing all manner of shortages, whether it be food, materials, or even just plain entertainment to keep bored, stressed commoners from tearing each other apart in anger. Then there was the matter of Lord Husbands grand avenue which would stretch from one end of the Western Wall to the other. With construction set to begin once the spring thaw was finished, that left precious little time to get everything in place, but Jian Xianhe had everything planned down to the last detail, including rotating work groups and material deliveries to ensure not a single day was wasted, leaving Luo-Luo free to simply oversee things from afar.
So she put up with his horrific personal habits and slovenly appearance, because it was a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Outside the office, a veritable army of Death Corps guards stood at attention with weapons at the ready, while still more patrolled the roads and rooftops surrounding Lord Husbands manor. The ever-vigilant guards were even more uptight than usual these days, having been banished from the manor ever since the venerable Guan Suo passed away, and it did not sit well with them leaving their wards protection in the hands of others. This was done on Mother-in-Law Sarnais orders, though Luo-Luo had been the one to deliver it since Lord Husband was unable to, and the Death Corps were growing restless without Lord Husband around to calm them. It couldn't be helped, as Mother-in-Law wanted the Death Corps kept in the dark about everything including Lord Husbands ailment, because there were too many secrets surrounding that fateful night, secrets which could land Lord Husband in grave peril should they ever see the light of day.
The emergence of a true Divine Turtle and the reincarnation of an Ancestral Beast, two miracles which even the Emperor Himself would take note of, and Lord Husband lay at the crux of them both. If word were to spread, he and sweet Ping Ping might be taken away for study, or possibly even killed outright for fear of their strength, and Lord Husbands people would rebel before letting either happen, so it was best for everyones sake to not let matters get out of hand. When she arrived within a hundred paces of the manor, Luo-Luo dismissed Kuang Biao alongside the rest of her Death Corps escorts, and once again, Kuang Biao protested his dismissal. Lady Zheng, he began, always in that same servile, yet almost challenging tone. This one begs permission to speak.
If you mean to repeat the same request as you have these last twenty days, then you do not have it. It was bad form to be snippy with the Death Corps, for they were Warriors deserving of respect, but Luo-Luo had had it with the former Royal Guardians peevish probing. If Lord Husband has orders for you, he will pass them along. Until such a time, you will return to your duties and refrain from troubling him with missives or Sendings unless it is of dire importance.
For long seconds, Luo-Luo struggled to present a coherent argument, but then she stopped to think and realized Lord Husband was right. With the cast iron businesses showing record profits, they would be massively over-valued by prospective buyers, many of whom were Lord Husbands competitors and the reason the price of iron ore was so artificially high. Luo-Luo had even noticed that forged iron was only marginally more expensive than raw ore, as opposed to seven to ten times the price of the raw materials due to extensive labour costs. Knowing this, she re-evaluated her plans and calculated that it would take close to a decade for the various cast iron businesses to match the profits of what they stood to gain from selling them. Now, not only would this take care of all their impending financial woes, it also saved Luo-Luo from having to bend over backwards to ensure the businesses would continue to profit. It seemed so simple once Lord Husband pointed it out, but she never even considered this route in all her time spent agonizing over the issue, and it made her feel... inadequate.
Managing Lord Husbands finances was the only thing she could do, but what use did she have if he was so much better at it?
Dont look so sad, Lord Husband said, reaching over to clasp Luo-Luos hand. I know its hard to sell a business you built from the ground up, but this is the best course of action. Just know that I appreciate all the hard work youve put into this, and I would never have gotten this far without your help. If you have any interest in starting up a personal venture, know you have my full support, financial or otherwise. His concern and generosity brought a smile to her face as she remembered where they last left off, but it seemed Lord Husband was not in an amorous mood as he promptly turned back to stare at his notes. Is there anything else?
No, Lord Husband. Taking a moment to scan his scribbled characters, Luo-Luo could not make hide nor hair of what he was trying to say, for the pages read like the ramblings of a mad man. Big Core, Big Natal Palace?, Chi: How Does it Work? What is Aura and why is it weird?, Link between Aura and Emotion?, Domain???, and more nonsensical questions were jotted across the pages, with his aborted attempts to answer each question all crossed out and unreadable. If I may ask, Lord Husband, what are you trying to accomplish?
Well... Slumping in his seat like a defeated dog, Lord Husband sighed and pushed the papers aside. I had this crazy idea to try and... demystify the Martial Path and maybe make it easier for commoners to maybe Create a Core, but Ive been at this for an hour and I dont know where to start. I dont even have enough to bring to Grandpa Du or Grand Mentor, whenever they get back from celebrating Yan and Milas recent successes. All I have is, The Core is the powerhouse of the Martial Warrior, and the rest is just... questions without answers. Plenty of those going around lately... After falling silent for several seconds, Lord Husband sat back up with a wry smile and asked, If you dont mind me asking, what was Core Creation like for you. Do you remember it? Are you even allowed to speak of it?
Lord Husband was not one to dream small, but even this seemed too far out of his reach. Still, there was no harm in humouring him, especially if it might help with repairing his Core, even if she didnt know how that was possible. It sounds trite when I say it, but like a warm embrace. Basking in the fond memory of her first success, she brought the experience to mind once again. Though I am forbidden from speaking of the specifics, I can say I was seven when it happened. Most of my peers had already Created their Cores and moved on to other lessons, and I remember crying myself to sleep for weeks because I thought myself a failure who would never succeed, and in doing so I would bring shame to my parents whod given me away. Back then, I dreamed of excelling so much, theyd feel compelled to acknowledge me as their daughter again, if only to take pride in my accomplishments. A foolish dream for a foolish girl, but it was not her first, and would most certainly not be her last. The day it happened is still fresh in my memory, and I will hold fast to it until the day I die. Lessons were over, and I was sitting in the grass outside, not purposefully meditating but just... wasting time. Plucking grass and braiding flowers, that sort of thing, and thinking unkind thoughts about my arithmetic teacher. It was a temperate spring day, with not a cloud to be seen, and the air just warm enough to be comfortable without a breeze, but not so cold as to raise a chill when one blew by. There I sat, looking over the verdant green fields basking beneath the warm, soft sun, and I thought, I wish every day were this perfect. Her cheeks aching from the strain of smiling, she shrugged and continued on. And then I found Balance. The Energy of the Heavens surged into my Core and swept me away on a current of love and affection, as if the Mother Herself had come down to take me into her arms and tell me She wished it were so too.
What she didnt share with Lord Husband was the faint tinge of melancholy and regret suffused within that warm embrace. This was one of her fondest memories, something which kept her going through all the trials and tribulations of Luo-Luos life. The Mother also wished every day could be beautiful and perfect, but alas, it could not be so. Crops needed rain and birds needed wind, and the seasons needed change else the world would fall apart. Without the darkness, one could not appreciate the light, just like hardships made an accomplishment that much more meaningful. Luo-Luo could never have composed or completed Rise to Glory if she had not overcome the hurdles within her path, for it was the low, ominous tones which made the joyous, upbeat sections of the song that much more enjoyable.
In a word, it was Balance, and Luo-Luo could think of no better word to describe it.
The warm, fluttering affection of Ping Pings Aura caught Luo-Luo by surprise, but she smiled at the sweet Guardian Turtle. Thank you, she crooned, rubbing the ridges above Ping Pings eyes. I love you too, sweet girl.
She does enjoy throwing her Aura around willy nilly, Lord Husband muttered, jokingly feigning jealousy as he shook his head. Its sweet and all, but Im worried itll get her in trouble if she uses it on the wrong person. Most people dont know about Emotional Aura, and Im not sure how the world at large will react to it. Pong Pong can do the same, but at least he knows enough to keep a low profile. Ping Ping has been in the public eye for so long, shes completely forgotten how dangerous humans can really be.
Nodding in agreement, Luo-Luos words froze in her throat as she was struck by a thought. Lord Husband, she began, quietly appraising his reaction. You felt her Aura?"
Yep. Far as I can tell, she doesnt have much fine control yet and blasts it at everyone in range. Made a couple bunbuns real confused earlier today, and I hear you all had a terrible time trying to explain it to Grandpa Du, but it all worked out. Thankfully, it doesnt seem like her range extends very far, and definitely not past the manor walls, else wed have a lot of confused guards wondering why they feel loved all of a sudden.
Lord Husband. Something in her tone made him look directly at her, and she was unable to contain her excitement. You felt. Her Aura. Can you feel anyone elses?
...Oh shit! Eyes widening in understanding, Lord Husband looked at Luo-Luo, then Ping Ping, then Luo-Luo once more. I forgot I cant feel Aura in the real world. Its hard keeping everything straight when things keep changing. Leaping to his feet, Lord Husband ran to the window, stuck his head out, and shouted, Song! Could you hit me with your Aura please? A pause, followed by a cackle of delight. I felt that! I felt it! I felt your Aura! Turning away from the window, he circled back to it and stuck his head out once more. Try using Aura offensively against me now. Lord Husband paused again, but it was easy to see from his stiff posture that itd worked once again. Also forgot how terrifying Aura is, he mumbled, before shouting, Thanks for the help! Spinning about to face Luo-Luo, Lord Husband grinned and said, I can feel Aura again!
Indeed you can. With a smile which matched his own, Luo-Luos heart soared in joy. Lord Husband could feel Aura again, and while she couldnt say for certain, a return to normalcy seemed like good news rather than bad. No one knew why Aura no longer affected him after he shattered his Core, but then again, no one knew why his skin was less durable than parchment for months without end, or why he was barely able to stand upright and now was easily more fit than most mortals, though still unable to match even the weakest Martial Warrior. Also, what did he mean when he said he couldnt feel Aura in the real world? Like Lord Husband said, there were many unanswered questions about him, but for the first time since Sinuji, his recovery was making obvious headway once more, and while he was still unable to use Chi at will, his return to strength seemed all but inevitable.
And this, was news worthy of celebration.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 607 Though the rising sun brought with it a steady stream of good tidings, Luo-Luo could not find it in herself to smile and celebrate. Lord Husband was awake and in good health again, which was encouraging, but Luo-Luo still had plenty of vital work which needed doing. While she toiled away managing Lord Husbands neglected personal business and official duties, he had no doubt put her entirely out of mind to cuddle with his pets, which was an entirely normal state of affairs, and she was happy to see him conscious and recovering from his ordeal. No, Luo-Luo had other reasons to fret, and it had to do with the other celebratory event of the day, the Imperial Armys successful withdrawal from the front lines. Sorya and Anrhi were in and out of the office bringing her all the latest gossip of heroic victories and military successes, and while she was glad to hear things were going well, she was unable to focus on the good news and could only see the downsides wherever she looked. The withdrawal was a success, but this had not come without cost, and now the Defiled were closer than ever. That was the truth of their situation, despite what many others might choose to believe, but even this wasnt the sole reason for Luo-Luos melancholy. In her youth, she found tales, dramas, and operas of Imperial superiority inspiring and uplifting, but having seen the ugly truth of war firsthand, she now saw those stories for the well-meaning lies they were. There was no glory or grandeur in war, no honour or dignity in death, only frightened soldiers struggling to stay alive in the face of an Enemy determined to see them dead. The greatest reward for a battle well fought was survival itself, and even this might not seem true for many unfortunate soldiers. At least if they died in the line of duty, their families would receive the colloquially termed blood coin, a substantial one-time payment rendered to fallen soldiers. In contrast, a crippled Martial Warrior became a significant drain on their family finances, and all but impossible to sustain for those of humble origins. While recent trends had seen injured soldiers better cared for by Imperial interests, Lord Husband felt it wasnt enough and had committed to helping as many crippled Warriors as he could, even if it beggared him in the process. He sought to provide their families with food, clothes, and shelter, while offering gainful employment to the injured while they recovered, often paying ridiculous salaries simply because the worker was still a Martial Warrior. He even worked with his Teacher and Healer Taiyi ZhuShen to ensure the worst off received the best medical care available, which was expensive considering any Healer of note had been drafted into the army. After spending upwards of eighteen hours a day keeping soldiers alive and battle-ready, even the most proficient and magnanimous Healers would have little Chi or goodwill to spare, which left few willing to spend the time and effort to help those who had already been deemed unfit for duty. Regrowing a single limb was more difficult than Healing a hundred gutted, impaled, or otherwise injured soldiers. Granted, this was because the latter only required the bare minimum of treatment from the Healers, since living Martial Warriors would eventually recover from most injuries with time alone. Lost eyes, severed limbs, pulped organ, and shattered bones however, required exponentially more time and effort from even the most experienced Healers, and it all boiled down to simple numbers. The unfortunate truth was that it wasnt worth it to Heal one grievously injured soldier back to full health, when that same amount of time, Chi, and focus could be used to patch up twenty moderate injuries or a hundred mildly ones. Which was what made Lord Husbands charitable efforts so benevolent and perhaps even necessary, because he was providing hope to the otherwise hopeless. Luo-Luo went to great lengths to ensure every wounded Warrior who needed assistance would receive it, but combined with the ever-increasing exorbitant demands of the Tyrant OuYang Yuhuan, Lord Husbands refusal to profit from supplying food and building materials to new arrivals, and his ill-advised efforts to train and arm every able-bodied civilian living along the border, Lord Husbands personal wealth had been in steady decline for some time now, despite his businesses turning profits hand over fist. Now, with a new influx of injured, discharged soldiers soon to arrive, this might finally be enough to burn through his personal reserves and leave him without a coin to his name. The Minister of Finance, in danger of becoming destitute. Now that was a joke everyone could laugh at, from the lowliest peasant to even the Emperor Himself. Thankfully, Lord Husband had separated his Official duties from his personal finances, because if word got out about his personal finances, it would most certainly raise questions about the validity of his post and the War Bond funds. Luo-Luo could hear it now, people whispering in the streets about how the Minister of Finance couldnt even manage his own personal affairs, so how could he be trusted to manage Imperial Finances? While most people were still unaware of just how much power and influence Lord Husbands Office wielded, the prominent nobles of the Empire had most certainly taken note. Even now, at the height of Lord Husbands success and popularity, his peers and rivals were all plotting to bring him down and seize his power for their own. Such was the way of life and politics, which meant Luo-Luo had many long days and sleepless nights ahead. Things were not so bad that Lord Husband would never recover. Most of his debts could be covered by payments owed, so it was only a matter of balancing the two so that she never had to dip into his dwindling stash of cold, hard coin. If her hand was ever forced, Luo-Luo could always swallow her pride and go to her in-laws for a loan, but even the thought of doing so soured her mood for days, if not weeks. Mother-in-Law Sarnai seemed to think Luo-Luo incompetent and unable to properly manage her darling sons finances, and while she was technically correct, there were few people alive who could do better than Luo-Luo. Unless there was a financial guru somewhere out there who knew how to make coin appear with the snap of his fingers, Lord Husband was fated for financial ruin. What a frustrating man, one with a remarkable affinity for earning coin, but was seemingly offended by the prospect of keeping it. Coin is meant to be spent, he had quipped, when Luo-Luo brought her concerns to him some weeks ago. What good does it do sitting in a vault somewhere? What good indeed, but the coin didnt even have time to reach Lord Husbands coffers before being frittered away on some dream or another. He also refused to stop or slow his charitable contributions for even a month, just so Luo-Luo could rebuild his reserves for emergencies, like the one she was experiencing at this very moment. The only readily available currency he had left was his personal supply of War Bonds, which stood to turn a significant profit considering he purchased them in advance at base value, but she was leery of selling them so soon. If the Minister of Finance were to divest himself of the War Bonds he himself introduced, some might see it as his lack of faith in his own endeavours, or an attempt to offload what many still believed were fraudulent goods. Whats more, few individuals cared to sell their War Bonds at this time, because having only ten was the bare minimum for one to publicly, but indirectly, brag about their investment. To date, only a small number of War Bonds had officially traded hands, most of which went from subordinate to superior, and it would not be fitting for Lord Husband to be among the first to actually sell them for a profit. However, as the day wore on and noon approached, Luo-Luo checked her numbers again and again only to repeatedly arrive at the same conclusion. Lord Husband did not have enough coin on hand to aid this coming influx of crippled soldiers. There would be no hiding it either, because Lord Husbands charitable efforts were known to all, and once the first injured soldier voice complaint about being denied assistance, then Lord Husband would be tried and sentenced in the court of public opinion. It was silly, seeing how hed already done so much at great personal expense, but gratitude was fleeting, especially amongst self-entitled Martial Warriors accustomed to getting their way. As much as she didnt want to burden Lord Husband with financial issues so soon after waking from his coma, Luo-Luo needed a decision on how to proceed. Aside from taking on loans, their only other options were to either sell off a profitable company to raise funds or make plans to reduce the amount of support provided to the imminent wave of discharged cripples. Luo-Luo already knew what Lord Husband would choose, but she still needed to confirm with him before selling off part of their holdings. With her papers and sceptre in hand, she bade farewell to Jian Xianhe, who was busy poring over papers in the corner while rubbing his bare feet, and left with Gunan and Kuang Biao in tow. Distasteful as the Imperial Scions behaviour might be, he and his companions were vital cogs in the machine that was the Office of Imperial Finance, able clerks and overseers who dealt with the day to day crises which invariably cropped up in such grand undertakings. Though immigration had stopped for the winter, the districts were facing all manner of shortages, whether it be food, materials, or even just plain entertainment to keep bored, stressed commoners from tearing each other apart in anger. Then there was the matter of Lord Husbands grand avenue which would stretch from one end of the Western Wall to the other. With construction set to begin once the spring thaw was finished, that left precious little time to get everything in place, but Jian Xianhe had everything planned down to the last detail, including rotating work groups and material deliveries to ensure not a single day was wasted, leaving Luo-Luo free to simply oversee things from afar. So she put up with his horrific personal habits and slovenly appearance, because it was a small price to pay for peace of mind. Outside the office, a veritable army of Death Corps guards stood at attention with weapons at the ready, while still more patrolled the roads and rooftops surrounding Lord Husbands manor. The ever-vigilant guards were even more uptight than usual these days, having been banished from the manor ever since the venerable Guan Suo passed away, and it did not sit well with them leaving their wards protection in the hands of others. This was done on Mother-in-Law Sarnais orders, though Luo-Luo had been the one to deliver it since Lord Husband was unable to, and the Death Corps were growing restless without Lord Husband around to calm them. It couldn't be helped, as Mother-in-Law wanted the Death Corps kept in the dark about everything including Lord Husbands ailment, because there were too many secrets surrounding that fateful night, secrets which could land Lord Husband in grave peril should they ever see the light of day. The emergence of a true Divine Turtle and the reincarnation of an Ancestral Beast, two miracles which even the Emperor Himself would take note of, and Lord Husband lay at the crux of them both. If word were to spread, he and sweet Ping Ping might be taken away for study, or possibly even killed outright for fear of their strength, and Lord Husbands people would rebel before letting either happen, so it was best for everyones sake to not let matters get out of hand. When she arrived within a hundred paces of the manor, Luo-Luo dismissed Kuang Biao alongside the rest of her Death Corps escorts, and once again, Kuang Biao protested his dismissal. Lady Zheng, he began, always in that same servile, yet almost challenging tone. This one begs permission to speak. If you mean to repeat the same request as you have these last twenty days, then you do not have it. It was bad form to be snippy with the Death Corps, for they were Warriors deserving of respect, but Luo-Luo had had it with the former Royal Guardians peevish probing. If Lord Husband has orders for you, he will pass them along. Until such a time, you will return to your duties and refrain from troubling him with missives or Sendings unless it is of dire importance. For long seconds, Luo-Luo struggled to present a coherent argument, but then she stopped to think and realized Lord Husband was right. With the cast iron businesses showing record profits, they would be massively over-valued by prospective buyers, many of whom were Lord Husbands competitors and the reason the price of iron ore was so artificially high. Luo-Luo had even noticed that forged iron was only marginally more expensive than raw ore, as opposed to seven to ten times the price of the raw materials due to extensive labour costs. Knowing this, she re-evaluated her plans and calculated that it would take close to a decade for the various cast iron businesses to match the profits of what they stood to gain from selling them. Now, not only would this take care of all their impending financial woes, it also saved Luo-Luo from having to bend over backwards to ensure the businesses would continue to profit. It seemed so simple once Lord Husband pointed it out, but she never even considered this route in all her time spent agonizing over the issue, and it made her feel... inadequate. Managing Lord Husbands finances was the only thing she could do, but what use did she have if he was so much better at it? Dont look so sad, Lord Husband said, reaching over to clasp Luo-Luos hand. I know its hard to sell a business you built from the ground up, but this is the best course of action. Just know that I appreciate all the hard work youve put into this, and I would never have gotten this far without your help. If you have any interest in starting up a personal venture, know you have my full support, financial or otherwise. His concern and generosity brought a smile to her face as she remembered where they last left off, but it seemed Lord Husband was not in an amorous mood as he promptly turned back to stare at his notes. Is there anything else? No, Lord Husband. Taking a moment to scan his scribbled characters, Luo-Luo could not make hide nor hair of what he was trying to say, for the pages read like the ramblings of a mad man. Big Core, Big Natal Palace?, Chi: How Does it Work? What is Aura and why is it weird?, Link between Aura and Emotion?, Domain???, and more nonsensical questions were jotted across the pages, with his aborted attempts to answer each question all crossed out and unreadable. If I may ask, Lord Husband, what are you trying to accomplish? Well... Slumping in his seat like a defeated dog, Lord Husband sighed and pushed the papers aside. I had this crazy idea to try and... demystify the Martial Path and maybe make it easier for commoners to maybe Create a Core, but Ive been at this for an hour and I dont know where to start. I dont even have enough to bring to Grandpa Du or Grand Mentor, whenever they get back from celebrating Yan and Milas recent successes. All I have is, The Core is the powerhouse of the Martial Warrior, and the rest is just... questions without answers. Plenty of those going around lately... After falling silent for several seconds, Lord Husband sat back up with a wry smile and asked, If you dont mind me asking, what was Core Creation like for you. Do you remember it? Are you even allowed to speak of it? Lord Husband was not one to dream small, but even this seemed too far out of his reach. Still, there was no harm in humouring him, especially if it might help with repairing his Core, even if she didnt know how that was possible. It sounds trite when I say it, but like a warm embrace. Basking in the fond memory of her first success, she brought the experience to mind once again. Though I am forbidden from speaking of the specifics, I can say I was seven when it happened. Most of my peers had already Created their Cores and moved on to other lessons, and I remember crying myself to sleep for weeks because I thought myself a failure who would never succeed, and in doing so I would bring shame to my parents whod given me away. Back then, I dreamed of excelling so much, theyd feel compelled to acknowledge me as their daughter again, if only to take pride in my accomplishments. A foolish dream for a foolish girl, but it was not her first, and would most certainly not be her last. The day it happened is still fresh in my memory, and I will hold fast to it until the day I die. Lessons were over, and I was sitting in the grass outside, not purposefully meditating but just... wasting time. Plucking grass and braiding flowers, that sort of thing, and thinking unkind thoughts about my arithmetic teacher. It was a temperate spring day, with not a cloud to be seen, and the air just warm enough to be comfortable without a breeze, but not so cold as to raise a chill when one blew by. There I sat, looking over the verdant green fields basking beneath the warm, soft sun, and I thought, I wish every day were this perfect. Her cheeks aching from the strain of smiling, she shrugged and continued on. And then I found Balance. The Energy of the Heavens surged into my Core and swept me away on a current of love and affection, as if the Mother Herself had come down to take me into her arms and tell me She wished it were so too. What she didnt share with Lord Husband was the faint tinge of melancholy and regret suffused within that warm embrace. This was one of her fondest memories, something which kept her going through all the trials and tribulations of Luo-Luos life. The Mother also wished every day could be beautiful and perfect, but alas, it could not be so. Crops needed rain and birds needed wind, and the seasons needed change else the world would fall apart. Without the darkness, one could not appreciate the light, just like hardships made an accomplishment that much more meaningful. Luo-Luo could never have composed or completed Rise to Glory if she had not overcome the hurdles within her path, for it was the low, ominous tones which made the joyous, upbeat sections of the song that much more enjoyable. In a word, it was Balance, and Luo-Luo could think of no better word to describe it. The warm, fluttering affection of Ping Pings Aura caught Luo-Luo by surprise, but she smiled at the sweet Guardian Turtle. Thank you, she crooned, rubbing the ridges above Ping Pings eyes. I love you too, sweet girl. She does enjoy throwing her Aura around willy nilly, Lord Husband muttered, jokingly feigning jealousy as he shook his head. Its sweet and all, but Im worried itll get her in trouble if she uses it on the wrong person. Most people dont know about Emotional Aura, and Im not sure how the world at large will react to it. Pong Pong can do the same, but at least he knows enough to keep a low profile. Ping Ping has been in the public eye for so long, shes completely forgotten how dangerous humans can really be. Nodding in agreement, Luo-Luos words froze in her throat as she was struck by a thought. Lord Husband, she began, quietly appraising his reaction. You felt her Aura?" Yep. Far as I can tell, she doesnt have much fine control yet and blasts it at everyone in range. Made a couple bunbuns real confused earlier today, and I hear you all had a terrible time trying to explain it to Grandpa Du, but it all worked out. Thankfully, it doesnt seem like her range extends very far, and definitely not past the manor walls, else wed have a lot of confused guards wondering why they feel loved all of a sudden. Lord Husband. Something in her tone made him look directly at her, and she was unable to contain her excitement. You felt. Her Aura. Can you feel anyone elses? ...Oh shit! Eyes widening in understanding, Lord Husband looked at Luo-Luo, then Ping Ping, then Luo-Luo once more. I forgot I cant feel Aura in the real world. Its hard keeping everything straight when things keep changing. Leaping to his feet, Lord Husband ran to the window, stuck his head out, and shouted, Song! Could you hit me with your Aura please? A pause, followed by a cackle of delight. I felt that! I felt it! I felt your Aura! Turning away from the window, he circled back to it and stuck his head out once more. Try using Aura offensively against me now. Lord Husband paused again, but it was easy to see from his stiff posture that itd worked once again. Also forgot how terrifying Aura is, he mumbled, before shouting, Thanks for the help! Spinning about to face Luo-Luo, Lord Husband grinned and said, I can feel Aura again! Indeed you can. With a smile which matched his own, Luo-Luos heart soared in joy. Lord Husband could feel Aura again, and while she couldnt say for certain, a return to normalcy seemed like good news rather than bad. No one knew why Aura no longer affected him after he shattered his Core, but then again, no one knew why his skin was less durable than parchment for months without end, or why he was barely able to stand upright and now was easily more fit than most mortals, though still unable to match even the weakest Martial Warrior. Also, what did he mean when he said he couldnt feel Aura in the real world? Like Lord Husband said, there were many unanswered questions about him, but for the first time since Sinuji, his recovery was making obvious headway once more, and while he was still unable to use Chi at will, his return to strength seemed all but inevitable. And this, was news worthy of celebration. Chapter Meme
