Collection.
Yen Wen sighed as she watched Xiulan clucking around a servant who was carefully cleaning a red robe while trying to keep her sweat from falling on the garment. Yen Wen truly loved Xiulan but she just could not summon the same enthusiasm for the acquisition of valuable things.
Yen Wen might not care that much for the material, well apart from the bow her lover had given her, but she did care about the things Xiulan cared about.
Yen Wen cleared her throat and announced, “I am going to Silver Bay to collect.”
Xiulan froze and worriedly turned to Yen Wen, “But why? The Golden Hand is in charge of collections.”
Yen Wen smiled at the worry on her lover’s face but stated adamantly, “They collect on debts for the bank. This is a debt owed to you personally.”
Xiulan nodded slowly but still looked worried. It was unlikely that the Silver Waters Sect would be a match for Yen Wen but who knew what they had been doing to strengthen themselves after they had finished with their internal conflict?
Yen Wen caressed Xiulan’s face and said, “I know you want to come but you are going to have to start letting me operate independently. We have done almost everything together since Rockcreek.”
Xiulan sighed but nodded and playfully pushed Yen Wen away, “Fine go and see what is taking so long with the silver waters sect payments.” Xiulan poked her tongue out and went back to drooling over the red robe.
Yen Wen smiled as she turned away and walked outside. The main courtyard was filled with ranks of guards. The size of the Combine’s operations meant that there was a never-ending cycle of recruitment, but Yen Wen had only gathered the elites for this excursion.
She swept onto the Opulence which was waiting for her at the dock. It would not be a long trip to the bay, but Xiulan had made sure that the ship was stocked with all kinds of luxuries.
The rest of the guards shuffled onto other boats and the company pulled away into the canal heading west.
“Wait!” a booming voice shouted and the Thunder Sect elder sped from the dock and with an explosive jump made his way over to the Opulence.
The elder started to fix his robes and chastised, “I cannot believe that you are trying to run away from our sparring young lady. The younger generation truly has no respect.”
Yen Wen rolled her eyes and, “I am already beating you in every single spar old man. I do not know why you keep insisting that we fight.”
The Elder bristled and then deflated before replying, “To be honest I am just bored. The sect is busy securing its place in this new kingdom since the Queen’s announcement. There is nothing for me to do. I might as well keep you company.”
Yen Wen thought that it was more likely that the Elder wanted to keep a close relationship with Xiulan. The Thunder Sect knew more than the rest that Xiulan was the true power and driving force behind all the changes and also her faction was likely the best protection from the mainland.
Yen Wen also noted with some amusement that Xiulan’s pet parrot had followed her onto the boat as well. Clearly, her lover had sent the pet to keep an eye on things.
___
The Silver Waters Sect had an air of Tranquillity around it. The internal turmoil had been a burden but the Sect had emerged stronger from the flames of strife. Not only that but Seaweed farming had been incredibly lucrative and using that wealth the Sect had grown immensely in power.
The new Patriarch had ordered the sect to cease payments to the woman who made a deal to give them the seaweed. What they had paid so far was more than enough compensation and besides the Sect had new friends now.
The Patriarch admired the Black spike his new friends had given him. Soon the merchant would send her forces to collect on the debt and then the Patriarch would have a Golden Core cultivator to use this tool on. Even though the kingdom was changing, and the Qi density had improved there still were not any other convenient cultivators for the Patriarch to use yet.
Besides the Patriarch knew that his new friends would claim this kingdom soon. They had told him that they had already made a deal with the old king, but the man had been a weak fool.
The Patriarch smiled as he hid the black spike underneath his robe. He took out some powdered seaweed and snorted it sighing with relief at the soothing effect of the powdered substance. His mind slipped into a meditative fugue.
Collection.
Yen Wen sighed as she watched Xiulan clucking around a servant who was carefully cleaning a red robe while trying to keep her sweat from falling on the garment. Yen Wen truly loved Xiulan but she just could not summon the same enthusiasm for the acquisition of valuable things.
Yen Wen might not care that much for the material, well apart from the bow her lover had given her, but she did care about the things Xiulan cared about.
Yen Wen cleared her throat and announced, “I am going to Silver Bay to collect.”
Xiulan froze and worriedly turned to Yen Wen, “But why? The Golden Hand is in charge of collections.”
Yen Wen smiled at the worry on her lover’s face but stated adamantly, “They collect on debts for the bank. This is a debt owed to you personally.”
Xiulan nodded slowly but still looked worried. It was unlikely that the Silver Waters Sect would be a match for Yen Wen but who knew what they had been doing to strengthen themselves after they had finished with their internal conflict?
Yen Wen caressed Xiulan’s face and said, “I know you want to come but you are going to have to start letting me operate independently. We have done almost everything together since Rockcreek.”
Xiulan sighed but nodded and playfully pushed Yen Wen away, “Fine go and see what is taking so long with the silver waters sect payments.” Xiulan poked her tongue out and went back to drooling over the red robe.
Yen Wen smiled as she turned away and walked outside. The main courtyard was filled with ranks of guards. The size of the Combine’s operations meant that there was a never-ending cycle of recruitment, but Yen Wen had only gathered the elites for this excursion.
She swept onto the Opulence which was waiting for her at the dock. It would not be a long trip to the bay, but Xiulan had made sure that the ship was stocked with all kinds of luxuries.
The rest of the guards shuffled onto other boats and the company pulled away into the canal heading west.
“Wait!” a booming voice shouted and the Thunder Sect elder sped from the dock and with an explosive jump made his way over to the Opulence.
The elder started to fix his robes and chastised, “I cannot believe that you are trying to run away from our sparring young lady. The younger generation truly has no respect.”
Yen Wen rolled her eyes and, “I am already beating you in every single spar old man. I do not know why you keep insisting that we fight.”
The Elder bristled and then deflated before replying, “To be honest I am just bored. The sect is busy securing its place in this new kingdom since the Queen’s announcement. There is nothing for me to do. I might as well keep you company.”
Yen Wen thought that it was more likely that the Elder wanted to keep a close relationship with Xiulan. The Thunder Sect knew more than the rest that Xiulan was the true power and driving force behind all the changes and also her faction was likely the best protection from the mainland.
Yen Wen also noted with some amusement that Xiulan’s pet parrot had followed her onto the boat as well. Clearly, her lover had sent the pet to keep an eye on things.
___
The Silver Waters Sect had an air of Tranquillity around it. The internal turmoil had been a burden but the Sect had emerged stronger from the flames of strife. Not only that but Seaweed farming had been incredibly lucrative and using that wealth the Sect had grown immensely in power.
The new Patriarch had ordered the sect to cease payments to the woman who made a deal to give them the seaweed. What they had paid so far was more than enough compensation and besides the Sect had new friends now.
The Patriarch admired the Black spike his new friends had given him. Soon the merchant would send her forces to collect on the debt and then the Patriarch would have a Golden Core cultivator to use this tool on. Even though the kingdom was changing, and the Qi density had improved there still were not any other convenient cultivators for the Patriarch to use yet.
Besides the Patriarch knew that his new friends would claim this kingdom soon. They had told him that they had already made a deal with the old king, but the man had been a weak fool.
The Patriarch smiled as he hid the black spike underneath his robe. He took out some powdered seaweed and snorted it sighing with relief at the soothing effect of the powdered substance. His mind slipped into a meditative fugue.
