The disturbance caused by the Demonic Cult in Gansu had spread its influence as far as neighboring Shaanxi.
Xi’an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi.
At the center of the city, besides the government offices, stood another grand and imposing building: the headquarters of the Xi’an Branch, one of the five branches of the Wulin Alliance.
A high wall stretched along the main avenue like a city rampart, and beyond it could be seen the upper portion of a towering wooden structure.
The building was called Zhuwan Pavilion, and as it was built atop a massive foundation, there was no taller structure in the city.
Its top floor had terraces extending in all four directions beneath an ornate tiled roof, allowing one to look down over the whole of Xi’an at a glance.
Zhuwan Pavilion was even taller than Xi’an’s government office.
Originally, such a thing should never have been permitted, yet the imperial court was deliberately turning a blind eye.
It was, in short, proof of just how powerful the Wulin Alliance’s authority had become in the Central Plains.
The Xi’an Branch was one of the Wulin Alliance’s five branches.
Of the five, the main headquarters at Anqing was governed by the Alliance Leader, while the remaining four branches were each governed by one of the four Vice Alliance Leaders.
The current Vice Alliance Leader in charge of the Xi’an Branch was Yue Wensheng, the Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect.
Most of the major and minor orthodox martial sects throughout Gansu and Shaanxi belonged to this Xi’an Branch.
Among them, the greatest powers were the Zhongnan Sect and the Huashan Sect, so it was only natural that the Sect Leader of Zhongnan would serve as Vice Alliance Leader.
Early that morning, a young man dressed in an official’s robe visited the Xi’an Branch.
Vice Alliance Leader Yue Wensheng received him in a pavilion in the garden.
A simple wine table had been set out, but the guest, an official, did not touch it at all; only Yue Wensheng continued drinking without pause.
“I understand well what the Administrative Commissioner is saying.”
“Is that so? That is truly fortunate.”
The young official smiled brightly.
Seeing that brazen smile, Wensheng clicked his tongue inwardly.
An Administrative Commissioner of the Branch Secretariat was a high-ranking post that assisted the chief minister.
It was not, by rights, an office that such a green young man should hold.
As the Wanli Emperor’s negligence began to paralyze local administration, approvals for matters failed to come down and official appointments were delayed with alarming frequency.
The post of Administrative Commissioner had also remained vacant for a long time before a successor finally arrived, and as one could see, this was the result.
The young official’s name was Cheng Weiping.
He must have possessed outstanding learning and background to have come this far, but in Wensheng’s eyes, he was still nothing more than a child.
The government offices and the Wulin Alliance had maintained a cooperative relationship for a long time.
There had always been collusion between the Vice Alliance Leaders and local officials.
However, it seemed this man who had arrived this time would not be easy to communicate with.
‘It seems it’s about time for me to hand over my position as well.’
Wensheng sighed inwardly and raised his cup again.
Cheng Weiping had come to speak of the Demonic Cult rabble that had recently been stirring up all of Gansu.
He said rumors of Maitreya’s descent into the world were spreading like wildfire among the common people, centered around Lanzhou. In truth, Wensheng had known of this for some time already.
It seemed the rumor had even reached the ears of the emperor in Beijing.
No matter how much the emperor had abandoned state affairs, he would never overlook signs of rebellion.
An imperial edict had been issued to investigate the matter thoroughly, and the local officials had grown busy.
And only now had its influence reached the Xi’an Branch.
“Then does the Vice Alliance Leader intend to dispatch martial artists to Gansu?”
“That seems rather hasty.”
“This is a grave and serious matter. Does the Vice Alliance Leader intend to let the Demonic Cult run rampant?”
Wensheng quietly averted his gaze and sipped his wine.
The government offices were making a great fuss, but in Wensheng’s view, this was no great matter.
The White Lotus Sect, now of all times?
Its remnants had long since vanished without a trace, reduced to ink in the history books.
Starving peasants or soldiers might rise in revolt, perhaps, but it did not seem likely that the forces of the Demonic Cult would reappear.
In fact, after the rumors spread, the authorities had searched the Gansu region and strengthened inspections, resorting to harsh measures, yet had failed to find even the slightest trace of Demonic Cult forces.
Since there was no substance to them, it was only natural that no traces appeared.
There were no White Lotus Sect forces.
This rumor was nothing more than a story invented by someone unable to endure hunger, wishing for a new world to come.
The Gansu region had suffered severe famine after years without rain, and with the government’s tyranny added on top, the lives of the people had been driven to utter ruin.
In truth, Shaanxi was right beside it, so its situation was not much different.
If one went outside the city now, dried-up farmland and abandoned villages lay scattered everywhere.
With the country in such a state, how could the people endure without rising in revolt?
Rather, given the situation, one had to say that the people of Gansu were remarkably patient for not taking up weapons and instead merely chattering about hopeful rumors while enduring their hunger.
What mattered was not the Demonic Cult forces, but the starving people.
Yet neither the local officials nor the emperor seemed to have any interest in that.
“The Administrative Commissioner says the Demonic Cult is running rampant, but have they attacked any city? Or have you discovered their stronghold?”
“That is not the case.”
“Then why do you say martial artists should be dispatched? What use is sending an army when there is no enemy to defeat?”
He had tried to persuade him with the most obvious of arguments, but Cheng Weiping’s expression remained impassive.
After a brief pause, he spoke in a low voice.
“However, His Majesty wishes this matter to be resolved swiftly.”
“This matter has already been resolved. There are no Demonic Cult forces. Report that to His Majesty.”
“Surely the Vice Alliance Leader knows this is not something that can be settled so easily.”
“Then what do you propose? Do you intend to round up innocent people, brand them as Demonic Cult forces, and kill them all?”
Cheng Weiping smiled.
“Of course not. How could you say something so frightening?”
“If you have a wise opinion, let this old man hear it. I, for one, have no idea how to resolve this problem.”
As though he had been waiting for those words, Cheng Weiping straightened his posture where he sat.
He looked at Wensheng with a clear gaze and said,
“According to what the Demonic Cult rabble claim, the Jinyu Youxian of Mount Kongtong is none other than Maitreya Buddha. The Vice Alliance Leader must already have heard the rumor.”
“I have.”
“The authorities will issue a warrant for that Jinyu Youxian. Vice Alliance Leader, please dispatch a capable martial artist, order them to find her, and have her killed.”
“……What did you say?”
Wensheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Cheng Weiping.
The young official was still smiling.
It was impossible to tell whether he was ignorant of the ways of the world or simply bold.
“Are you serious?”
“As the Vice Alliance Leader said, we cannot round up innocent people. But someone must die for this matter to end. The rumor has already spread far too widely.”
There was no room to refute that.
From the moment the rumor reached the emperor’s ears, it had already become something that could not simply be ignored.
That meant someone was needed to take responsibility for it.
So the authorities had chosen Jinyu Youxian.
“Do you know what sort of being Jinyu Youxian is?”
“I have heard she is an immortal of Mount Kongtong.”
“She herself is not an immortal. But her master is undoubtedly one. Cuiping Yuanjun Ziye, the distant ancestor of the Kongtong Sect.”
Killing Jinyu Youxian would be an act of offending a female immortal’s temper.
Moreover, even setting that aside, he did not wish to kill a benevolent spiritual being who brought rain to drought-stricken land.
Cheng Weiping tilted his head leisurely.
“That raises a question. Do immortals truly exist in this world?”
“……That is a rather irreverent question.”
“Has this Cuiping Yuanjun ever once come down into the mundane world?”
“Because she has no reason to.”
Cheng Weiping smiled again.
“Then there should be no problem, should there?”
“If we kill her disciple, the matter may change.”
“But if the Vice Alliance Leader does not act, you will offend His Majesty.”
At Cheng Weiping’s words, Wensheng also smiled.
“This old man finds a lofty female immortal far more frightening than a powerless emperor who shuts himself inside the palace and never emerges.”
Their gazes crossed in a brief silence.
Cheng Weiping’s expression had stiffened while still wearing a smile.
Before long, he spoke in an awkward voice.
“I will pretend I did not hear those words.”
“You may say you heard them.”
Cheng Weiping pretended not to hear Wensheng’s provocative remark.
After a moment, Cheng Weiping asked abruptly,
“What are the movements of the Kongtong Sect?”
“The Kongtong Sect?”
Cheng Weiping nodded.
“As the Vice Alliance Leader said, Cuiping Yuanjun is the ancestor of the Kongtong Sect. Then can Jinyu Youxian, that ancestor’s disciple, truly be said to have no connection to the Kongtong Sect?”
“……That is true.”
The martial artists of the Kongtong Sect revered Cuiping Yuanjun Ziye like the heavens, and they also treated her disciple, Jinyu Youxian, with particular respect.
Because Ziye was such an immeasurably distant existence, it was difficult to calculate seniority, but it seemed that the Sect Leader of Kongtong and his disciples respectfully addressed Jinyu Youxian as Martial Aunt.
Jinyu Youxian had descended the mountain not long ago, but her whereabouts were unknown.
Wensheng himself did not yet know what connection the Kongtong Sect had to this affair.
“If the authorities place Jinyu Youxian on a wanted list, the Kongtong Sect will surely not find it pleasing.”
“Not merely that. They will be greatly enraged.”
“Truly? Then that is good.”
Wensheng’s eyebrow twitched.
“Administrative Commissioner, what do you mean, good?”
“If the Kongtong Sect shelters Jinyu Youxian, can they not be made rebels opposing the imperial court?”
At those shocking words, Wensheng’s eyes widened.
Yet Cheng Weiping himself looked perfectly composed.
His mouth was smiling, but his eyes shone with clarity.
This young man was not merely babbling as he pleased.
“If that happens, the Wulin Alliance can also designate them as public enemies of the martial world and wipe them out in one stroke.”
“What on earth are you saying…… Wipe them out? They too are an orthodox martial sect.”
“But they do not belong to the Wulin Alliance.”
Cheng Weiping pointed this out coldly.
He was right.
The Kongtong Sect had long followed its ancestor, Cuiping Yuanjun, and refused any interference from the outside.
When the Xi’an Branch of the Wulin Alliance was founded, the Kongtong Sect had also been invited to join, but they refused, saying they did not wish to involve themselves in the affairs of the mundane world.
Among sects that called themselves orthodox, there were few that did not belong to the Wulin Alliance.
In truth, it would not be wrong to say there were practically none.
The Wulin Alliance was an organization created to maintain order in the Jianghu.
There were not a few who looked unfavorably upon the Kongtong Sect for refusing to cooperate with the greater cause, and who argued that they should be excluded from the ranks of the orthodox sects.
But that was merely a minor discord. The Kongtong Sect was not an enemy of the Wulin Alliance.
Cheng Weiping continued,
“If the Kongtong Sect is driven from the mountain, would the Wulin Alliance not be able to absorb their power and territory?”
“It seems the Administrative Commissioner is under some misunderstanding. The Wulin Alliance is not an organization that moves for private gain.”
“Then what about the Vice Alliance Leader himself? What about the other sects belonging to the Xi’an Branch?”
Instead of answering, Wensheng silently looked at Cheng Weiping.
Even under the old man’s oppressive gaze, the young official did not appear intimidated in the slightest.
“Vice Alliance Leader, there is no organization in this world that does not pursue self-interest. Orthodox martial sects are not so different. Besides, this is not particularly cowardly, is it? If the Kongtong Sect defies the imperial court’s decision, there will be more than enough justification to purge them.”
“Administrative Commissioner, you are truly bellicose. Is this your thought alone? Or is it His Majesty’s will? For the imperial court to interfere in the affairs of the Jianghu to this extent……”
“This humble official has merely presented an opinion. In any case, the matter concerning the Demonic Cult is a task we must resolve, is it not?”
“Hmph.”
After openly inciting a fight, he had the nerve to say such a thing.
He did not seem like someone who would be cowed by threats, either. Truly, he was difficult to deal with.
Wen Sheng mulled over Cheng Weiping’s words in silence.
In truth, they were not complete nonsense.
As he had said, the matter concerning the Demon Cult needed a solution.
If the authorities truly put the Jinyu Yuxian on the wanted list, the Kongtong Sect would naturally try to protect it.
If they were to confront the authorities head-on, what should the Martial Alliance do?
Should they merely stand by and watch the two clash, even if it meant offending the emperor?
Or should they side with the imperial court and take advantage of a legitimate cause?
It was a question whose answer had been decided from the very beginning.
Wen Sheng smiled bitterly.
“Lord Councilor, despite your young age, your talents are truly remarkable. This old man is gradually being swayed by your persuasion.”
“You flatter me. Then……”
“I shall send men to Gansu and instruct them to search for the Jinyu Yuxian.”
Cheng Weiping lowered his head with a delighted expression.
“Thank you, Deputy Alliance Leader.”
“There is no need for thanks. In the end, it is something that must be done.”
“There is one thing I am curious about.”
Wen Sheng lifted his wine cup and looked at Cheng Weiping.
“If war breaks out with the Kongtong Sect, what are our chances of victory? This official is not all that well-versed in the affairs of the jianghu…… Xi’an Prefecture may be a great force, but is the Kongtong Sect not also a renowned major sect?”
“That was in the past.”
At Wen Sheng’s curt reply, Cheng Weiping tilted his head.
“What do you mean?”
“The Kongtong Sect’s influence has greatly diminished compared to before. If a fight truly breaks out, they will not last even a few days.”
The Kongtong Sect had never been particularly interested in expanding its power to begin with, and while the jianghu was in upheaval, they had merely quietly guarded their own place without making any notable growth.
Then, about thirty years ago, a fairly major incident occurred on Mount Kongtong, and because of it, the Kongtong Sect suffered heavy damage.
Since that damage had persisted to this day, the current Kongtong Sect no longer possessed enough power to be called a great sect.
If there was any problem, it would be Immortal Ziye, but whether she would truly involve herself in worldly affairs remained unknown.
“Then it seems there is nothing for this official to worry about.”
Cheng Weiping slowly rose from his seat.
“I shall take my leave now. Thank you for granting me your time, Deputy Alliance Leader.”
“Return safely.”
Wen Sheng remained seated, watching Cheng Weiping depart.
After he disappeared beyond the main gate, Wen Sheng called over a disciple who had been waiting nearby.
“We must send a dispatch to Mount Hua. Prepare it.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Wen Sheng tossed the remaining wine into his mouth.
He had agreed to this matter, but the bitter feeling still lingered within him.
The Jinyu Yuxian was a noble spirit creature that brought rain to the barren lands of Gansu.
Was it truly all right to harm such a being?
In his heart, he already knew the answer, but the old man forced himself to pretend he did not.
When he suddenly looked up at the sky outside, the day was overcast.
Before long, it seemed a welcome rain would fall here as well.