The New Order
Xiulan was still getting used to Lijuan being a Queen instead of a princess. The pair were holding hands and waiting to be announced. They had waited until all of the invited Sect heads had arrived.
Lijuan sighed and started an old conversation up again to pass the time, “There is no guarantee that this move will protect the people from invading Sects.”
Xiulan rolled her eyes and gave her now familiar response, “You worry too much. Our spies on the mainland have confirmed that this is exactly how they govern things over there. The mainland cultivators will not all be a group of marauding lunatics.”
Xiulan kept her other thoughts to herself although she knew Lijuan most likely knew her ulterior motive. A Merchant was best placed as an intermediary. That was the place to make money.
The system chimed into her inner thoughts, “The host is learning! The perfect Merchant is not concerned with the politics of petty power. Currency is the only true power!”
The system had been bugging Xiulan more and more. It clearly thought she was taking too long to feed its new hunger for spirit stones. The sale of living-stone to the mainland had given Xiulan a steady trickle of spirit stone income. The vast majority of her interests, however, were still trading in gold and silver. The Golden Fist Bank and the Collaborative Combine were incredibly profitable, but they only traded in mundane currencies.
Xiulan had not bought anything from the system since before the final battle with Ye. There had been no pressing need and she wanted to build up some capital for emergencies.
Xiulan’s musings were interrupted by the announcer crying, “Queen Lijuan and her Consort Long Xiulan.”
The double doors in front of them swung open and a wave of thunderous applause greeted them. Xiulan heard more than a few gasps of surprise as well. She had to admit that they were a striking couple.
Lijuan had an unparalleled air of royalty around her. She wore a golden crown and a long purple dress. Xiulan on the other hand came across as her breath-taking but frivolous partner. Her dress was gaudy to the point of ridiculousness, gold with threading of pure platinum.
Xiulan hoped that adopting the part of arm candy would slowly let her central role in Lijuan’s rise to the throne. She was far too known powerbroker in the Kingdom. She preferred to fade into the background and allow her businesses to accumulate fame as opposed to gathering it herself.
Xiulan and Lijuan strode forward into the new palace’s grand hall. When they reached a raised platform designed to give speeches, Xiulan kissed Lijuan on the cheek and allowed her to ascend alone.
All eyes tracked her as the new Queen of the Blue Crane Kingdom reached the top of the stage. Infusing her voice with qi Lijuan began, “Honoured Sect Heads thank you for coming. I am sure that you are all busy trying to lead your sects to best utilise the rise in qi the Kingdom is experiencing.”
There were many murmurs of agreement in the hall. Once there had only been one Golden Core cultivator in the entire Kingdom but now many Sect leaders were breaking the barrier due to the change in the ambient Qi.
Lijuan continued, “This change is a blessing to our Kingdom but also means that we must change the nature of our Kingdom. I am sure many of you have heard about the differences between our Kingdom and the mainland. In the mainland, sects are self-determining and independent. Here the sects have always been bound in loyalty to the throne. Today I announce that all oaths of fealty to the crown are dissolved.”
There was a crackle of Qi in the air as those who had sworn Dao oaths were released from their bonds.
Xiulan had expected adulation but instead, there was only shocked silence. Lijuan powered through with the rest of her declaration, “The times are changing, and it is my wish that the mortal world and the world of cultivators separate as they do on the mainland. Anybody over the foundation establishment stage is no longer under the jurisdiction of the crown save to the extent that they chose to enter royal service. All land in the vast mountainous northern region is declared free picking for any who can claim it by right of conquest. The crown will govern the mortal realm but set itself apart from the world of cultivators except to protect those areas already under its domain. Namely the cities. With this change, the Sects gain power, but we ask that you respect the mortal world and leave it apart from the world of cultivation. After all, recruits can be drawn from their ranks down the ages.”
The announcement was shocking, and Xiulan saw several Sect heads beelining for the exits no doubt to reorganise their sects and claim a portion of the mountains for themselves.
Lijuan finished her speech by saying, “The banquet will now be served. Feel free to stay and discuss the new order amongst yourselves.”
Lijuan swept down the platform stairs and Xiulan gave her hand a squeeze of encouragement when she offered her outstretched palm.
“I think that went well,” commented Xiulan.
“Well none of them immediately declared war on any of the others. That is something,” joked Lijuan and she snagged a small pastry from a passing server.
Yanlin sidled up to the pair and said we a bow, “I have returned with Fu Liwei. Fu Jinjing is already on her way.”
Xiulan kissed the back of Lijuan’s hand and said, “I will leave you to deal with the Sect heads. I am sure they will have many questions.”
Lijuan hissed at Xiulan’s back as she left, “Hey don’t you dare leave me here with these old men. I just know you are going off to have fun with Jinjing without me.”
Xiulan turned her head to stick her tongue out at Lijuan as a horde of elderly sect heads began to swarm around her.
The New Order
Xiulan was still getting used to Lijuan being a Queen instead of a princess. The pair were holding hands and waiting to be announced. They had waited until all of the invited Sect heads had arrived.
Lijuan sighed and started an old conversation up again to pass the time, “There is no guarantee that this move will protect the people from invading Sects.”
Xiulan rolled her eyes and gave her now familiar response, “You worry too much. Our spies on the mainland have confirmed that this is exactly how they govern things over there. The mainland cultivators will not all be a group of marauding lunatics.”
Xiulan kept her other thoughts to herself although she knew Lijuan most likely knew her ulterior motive. A Merchant was best placed as an intermediary. That was the place to make money.
The system chimed into her inner thoughts, “The host is learning! The perfect Merchant is not concerned with the politics of petty power. Currency is the only true power!”
The system had been bugging Xiulan more and more. It clearly thought she was taking too long to feed its new hunger for spirit stones. The sale of living-stone to the mainland had given Xiulan a steady trickle of spirit stone income. The vast majority of her interests, however, were still trading in gold and silver. The Golden Fist Bank and the Collaborative Combine were incredibly profitable, but they only traded in mundane currencies.
Xiulan had not bought anything from the system since before the final battle with Ye. There had been no pressing need and she wanted to build up some capital for emergencies.
Xiulan’s musings were interrupted by the announcer crying, “Queen Lijuan and her Consort Long Xiulan.”
The double doors in front of them swung open and a wave of thunderous applause greeted them. Xiulan heard more than a few gasps of surprise as well. She had to admit that they were a striking couple.
Lijuan had an unparalleled air of royalty around her. She wore a golden crown and a long purple dress. Xiulan on the other hand came across as her breath-taking but frivolous partner. Her dress was gaudy to the point of ridiculousness, gold with threading of pure platinum.
Xiulan hoped that adopting the part of arm candy would slowly let her central role in Lijuan’s rise to the throne. She was far too known powerbroker in the Kingdom. She preferred to fade into the background and allow her businesses to accumulate fame as opposed to gathering it herself.
Xiulan and Lijuan strode forward into the new palace’s grand hall. When they reached a raised platform designed to give speeches, Xiulan kissed Lijuan on the cheek and allowed her to ascend alone.
All eyes tracked her as the new Queen of the Blue Crane Kingdom reached the top of the stage. Infusing her voice with qi Lijuan began, “Honoured Sect Heads thank you for coming. I am sure that you are all busy trying to lead your sects to best utilise the rise in qi the Kingdom is experiencing.”
There were many murmurs of agreement in the hall. Once there had only been one Golden Core cultivator in the entire Kingdom but now many Sect leaders were breaking the barrier due to the change in the ambient Qi.
Lijuan continued, “This change is a blessing to our Kingdom but also means that we must change the nature of our Kingdom. I am sure many of you have heard about the differences between our Kingdom and the mainland. In the mainland, sects are self-determining and independent. Here the sects have always been bound in loyalty to the throne. Today I announce that all oaths of fealty to the crown are dissolved.”
There was a crackle of Qi in the air as those who had sworn Dao oaths were released from their bonds.
Xiulan had expected adulation but instead, there was only shocked silence. Lijuan powered through with the rest of her declaration, “The times are changing, and it is my wish that the mortal world and the world of cultivators separate as they do on the mainland. Anybody over the foundation establishment stage is no longer under the jurisdiction of the crown save to the extent that they chose to enter royal service. All land in the vast mountainous northern region is declared free picking for any who can claim it by right of conquest. The crown will govern the mortal realm but set itself apart from the world of cultivators except to protect those areas already under its domain. Namely the cities. With this change, the Sects gain power, but we ask that you respect the mortal world and leave it apart from the world of cultivation. After all, recruits can be drawn from their ranks down the ages.”
The announcement was shocking, and Xiulan saw several Sect heads beelining for the exits no doubt to reorganise their sects and claim a portion of the mountains for themselves.
Lijuan finished her speech by saying, “The banquet will now be served. Feel free to stay and discuss the new order amongst yourselves.”
Lijuan swept down the platform stairs and Xiulan gave her hand a squeeze of encouragement when she offered her outstretched palm.
“I think that went well,” commented Xiulan.
“Well none of them immediately declared war on any of the others. That is something,” joked Lijuan and she snagged a small pastry from a passing server.
Yanlin sidled up to the pair and said we a bow, “I have returned with Fu Liwei. Fu Jinjing is already on her way.”
Xiulan kissed the back of Lijuan’s hand and said, “I will leave you to deal with the Sect heads. I am sure they will have many questions.”
Lijuan hissed at Xiulan’s back as she left, “Hey don’t you dare leave me here with these old men. I just know you are going off to have fun with Jinjing without me.”
Xiulan turned her head to stick her tongue out at Lijuan as a horde of elderly sect heads began to swarm around her.
