187 Unravelling

Lin Dong had been an impoverished farmer before the war. He'd heard the army was a great opportunity to enrich himself and save his family from the drought that plagued them. Therefore, he'd signed up without any hesitation. It was only after the death of his many countrymen that he'd realized his folly. The money wasn't worth it, and neither was the war; there would be no benefit for anyone from all this fighting, not even for the victors.

Cha Ming regained a modicum of lucidity as he traveled to the next memory. In this moment, he realized a funny fact: that Lin was the most common surname in the Song Dynasty, or at least it had been in recent history.

Memory after memory, his spirit dulled. Memory after memory, he lost his sense of self. There came a time where the moments between karmic threads were nothing more than a boring interlude between the many exciting lives that came to visit him.

As he thought this, a soft green glow enveloped his tired soul. He became increasingly aware of his own self as a tiny seed entered his spiritual sea and melted within it. The short burst of life force was enough to make him realize his predicament and the near-corrupted state of his soul.

The gears in his mind turned slowly but surely as he discovered the crux of the problem—that compared to these many intense memories, his life was rather dull in comparison. He felt unpracticed and unrehearsed. If he were to fight someone at this moment, he wouldn't even have the chance to react before losing in a single exchange. If he were to try painting a talisman, he wouldn't even know where to begin.

Yet his soul reached out instinctively and summoned a white brush. The slow and steady shielding energy from the brush intensified as it contacted his clumsy fingers.

How can I paint a talisman if I've forgotten everything? he thought as he caressed the familiar object. He felt that his skill had diminished to a nonexistent level. But can I use this? I faintly remember the characters, and I faintly remember a feeling. I can paint talismans with emotions. What better emotion to paint with than this dullness of life?

The sharp sword that used to be his talisman artistry had grown rusty with time. Yet didn't this apply to all skills and all metals? Metals could either be sharp or dull. When they were dull, you could sharpen them, and when they were sharp, you would use them and cause them to dull once more. Sharpness and dullness were intertwined, and they came together in metal through something called shape.

Cha Ming held out his trembling fingers and began painting out these ethereal emotions. His clumsy brushstrokes created what could barely be called characters, but despite his sloppy brushwork, they held profound meaning and power.

Countless swords leave not a mark;

Man's edge is dulled by the passing of ages.

What he called the Dull Talisman poured into the imaginary ink within his soul, and inside it he poured the fatigue and corruption he had accumulated during the intense session. Little by little, the sharpness within his eyes returned. He regained the sense of self he had lost within the endless memories and karmic attachments. With this sharpness came the awareness of how to fuse the concepts of sharp and dull into shape. He painted out the remaining passages with sharp and incisive brushstrokes.

Honing his worth through endless practice;

Never questioning his skill.

The four lines fused into one, creating the outline of the Shape Talisman within his mind. He felt fully confident in being able to reproduce it in the outside world, even without the gray candle.

After finishing the talisman, he turned his attention to the last remaining traces of corruption. He snorted and swept them away with a spiritual palm, and in the process of purifying this karma, a great amount of merit imbued itself into his resplendent garment. Meanwhile, the merit halo on his body congealed and liquified, attaining a qualitative transformation. It was a protective layer of good fortune that would aid him in his most troubled times.

Slowly but surely, he cast his awareness into the outside world, where his friends were impatiently waiting.

***

The meaning of being unfettered became increasingly clear to Gong Lan as each chain of karmic corruption on her soul was resolved. She breathed a sigh of relief as the eightieth chain dissipated, leaving only the last and most difficult chain to take care of. This was the chain that would make it or break it for her, the one that would determine whether she would live out the rest of her life as an evil spirit or as a buddha. She slowly imbued her mind into the chain, but to her surprise, she returned to her current state.

Confused, she pondered the problem. This last attachment is that of my desire for victory, Gong Lan thought as she inspected her innermost feelings. This feeling is most active in the present. I've sworn to resolve this issue for the Song Kingdom, and ironically it has shackled me with massive resentment.

This philosophical issue was not a new one to Gong Lan, but it was one that she'd never resolved within the depths of her heart. How could one truly be unfettered? Without attachment, wouldn't a person simply waste away and die? Likewise, how would one ever achieve anything or save anyone without some level of attachment to the result?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt the chains bite into her soul. The more she struggled against the thought, the deeper it hooked onto her spirit. The pain grew increasingly intense; the contradiction kept echoing through her mind as she struggled to break free.

Suddenly it struck her. I'm attached to consistency. This shackle isn't about my desire for victory but rather my struggle with the concept of non-attachment.

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. This was only a contradiction if she attached herself too strongly to the concept of non-attachment. It was a concept that should be lightly grasped at best, or it would forever evade her.

A relaxed feeling ran through her body as she realized that being an unattached monk yet serving the people was a logical contradiction. In the same sense, becoming a buddha or a bodhisattva was also a contradiction. But by following the path of non-attachment, this was a reasonable result if one learned to let go. In this way, people who followed the path of non-violence could continue to live, despite their existence being a detriment to others. It was why tolerance and righteous indignation could coexist, and why her existence was not an inconsistency like she once thought.

The last chain unraveled, and she opened her eyes. What used to be the emperor's pure jade seal was now a lifeless green color without a trace of corruption. It shattered into countless grains of dust upon her awakening and released Sibi's pale figure.

"How is this possible?" Sibi said hoarsely as his figure distorted and weakened. "How could you have succeeded where I failed?"

Gong Lan shook her head. "You just cared too much about success, and that was your downfall. Now behave while I send you off."

Sibi's ghost was silent as she released the 10,080 prayer beads. They glowed with unfettered gold light as one pearl after another shattered the remnants of corruption surrounding his soul. The remaining phantom smiled and bowed deeply to Gong Lan before being whisked away by the Yellow River.

"Thank you, my friends," Gong Lan said to her companions before collapsing in exhaustion.

***

A red-robed man walked out of the king's chamber with a mournful expression. His two brothers hadn't made it.

"Let's go teach those bastards a lesson," he said to Feng Ming, who nodded and hefted his Magma God's Spear.

A crowd of troops funneled out and followed Feng Ming as he walked through Central Square toward the Alchemists Association. General Tang led thousands of troops to join them as they walked. Likewise, Chaplain Chen also joined them. His inquisitors all held luminous pearls that banished away the nearby corruption.

Enemy troops filled with madness launched themselves at them desperately as they approached. They tried their best to incapacitate them, but many good men died as they advanced and entered the Alchemists Association.

The Magma God's Spear glowed with a searing light that blinded his enemies and guided his allies forward. Every step he took caused enemy forces to tumble and techniques to fail. Equipment shattered on impact while his own force's swords and sabers struck non-vital points. Still, it was an imperfect process.

If only we didn't have to kill each other like this, Feng Ming thought. If only everyone could come to their senses and end this needless bloodshed. As he thought this, a gentle wind blew across the kingdom. It started from Southhaven Wall, where vicious fighting had broken out. Men who had gone crazy somehow regained their lucidity and surrendered their arms. General Qin clubbed them just to be sure.

As Feng Ming's forces breached the Alchemists Association's walls, the wind swept over Green Leaf City. The fighting amongst teachers and students was rapidly quelled, as was the fighting between the city's mortal residents.

As the butt of Feng Ming's spear struck a general's head and knocked him unconscious, the wind spread throughout the outskirts of Songjing. People who had been fighting in the streets suddenly realized their mistakes. They knelt on the ground and cried to their ancestors, begging for forgiveness.

***

As Feng Ming's troops arrived outside the crown prince's final holdout, the three generals regained their mental clarity.

"What have we done?" General Zhang whispered. The many details that had eluded them finally snapped into place. They suddenly realized the crown prince's atrocities and their fervent support.

"This is the final moment," Prince Tian said with a crazed expression. "If we kill this Marshal Feng, we will win!"

The three generals looked at the demented crown prince with pity. It was clear to them that they had lost, and that there was no longer a benefit to fighting.

"My prince, we should surrender," one of the generals suggested.

"We can never surrender," Prince Tian said. "I've seen the future, a future where our people are enslaved and raised like cattle. We must fight for our survival by uniting with the south. It's the only way for our people to survive!"

Sighing, the three generals drew their weapons and approached the mad prince. "Then as citizens of the kingdom, we must perform our duty and defend it to the last." They nodded to each other and simultaneously ignited their potential. The energy from their cores suddenly poured into their bodies all at once.

"It'll all be over soon, my prince," one of the generals said.

These three generals, in their delusion, had done unthinkable things. For them, there was no forgiveness.

"What are you doing?" Prince Tian exclaimed as he noticed their sudden increase in power. He drew his sword and lashed out against them like a cornered badger. They ignored their wounds and joined in a three-man formation to trap and suppress him.

"There is no future for us, but that doesn't mean there isn't one for the kingdom," General Zhang said. "We will atone for our crimes in the next life."

A massive boom filled the air, destroying the three generals along with Prince Tian. The doors to their room burst outward and allowed the invading troops inside. All that remained of the four were a few high-grade treasures and what remained of Prince Tian—a black-and-gold cloak and a marshal's medallion.

***

An eerie quiet pervaded the Jade Bamboo Auction House. The fighting had died down within the hour, with Prince Lei's forces claiming victory. Everyone, including Wang Jun's own staff, were busy tallying losses and damages while evaluating their path forward. Only the sickly looking Wang Jun, Protector Ren, Elder Bai, and Li Ming were otherwise preoccupied. They waited for a special guest in a building not far from the auction house, where they had agreed to meet.

As per their contract, Wang Jun had brought only three people, to which he could only disclose minimal information.

"Do you think he'll come?" Li Ming asked. He had removed his disguise and revealed his full cultivation base. After all, the Black King already knew who he was.

"He will," Wang Jun said confidently. "This is a rather large exchange, even for him."

A half hour trickled by. During this time, Wang Jun performed some routine inspections over their ample preparations. At midnight exactly, a black mist congregated into a lone figure, and the man confidently waltzed into the warehouse with not a care in the world.

"I see that Li Ming broke his contract," the Black King said nonchalantly. "Did you enjoy his story?"

"It was an interesting story," Wang Jun said. "Though I was more interested in securing his services for protection. I'm wounded, after all."

The Black King seemed to smirk from within his cloak. "Of course, of course," he said. "Have you brought the immortal-jade core? I've brought the payment." He removed a simple-looking ring from his finger. Wang Jun could tell it was a spatial artifact with a simple glance.

"I did," Wang Jun said, pulling out a bag of holding. "Pardon my frugality on the bag of holding. Money has been rather tight of late. Let's get this exchange over with." He began walking forward.

"You know, it's too bad you don't trust me more," the Black King said. "Even Daoist Obscurus places a certain amount of trust in my abilities."

Wang Jun's heart skipped a beat when he heard this name. What was his relationship with Daoist Obscurus? How could he possibly know him? His palms began to sweat as he readied himself to activate the formations as per their plan. Both he and the Black King simultaneously flicked their spatial artifacts toward each other. They caught them simultaneously, bringing their contract to an end.

As soon as their karmic ties dissipated, the Black King released a vast amount of killing intent. Behind Wang Jun, his three protectors unleashed their cultivation bases and killing intent and prepared to act. Wang Jun's mind was in turmoil, but he activated the many formations Cha Ming had prepared beforehand under his direction. While he might not be able to harm someone like the Black King, he could at least restrain him.

But what to do? Wang Jun thought. Since he knows that man, it can't be a coincidence.

After firming up his resolve, Wang Jun burst out with chains of shadow and fate. They surrounded him, but instead of binding the Black King, they bound Protector Ren, Elder Bai, and Li Ming. Fortunately, this prompting was all his two staunchest allies needed to stand down. Most of the restraining power was directed toward Li Ming, whose cultivation base had increased from what he'd originally revealed. Wang Jun also directed five layers of formations to further hinder Li Ming.

The Black King, seeing this development, continued rushing toward Wang Jun with his black dagger in hand. The air distorted, and he passed straight through the second young master of the Wang family and directly stabbed at the surprised Li Ming. The black dagger pierced his heart, but to Wang Jun's surprise, the man was still alive.

"How did you know?" Li Ming said hoarsely as he tumbled to the ground, mortally wounded. "My planning was flawless, my cover and my ruse without blemishes. You should have believed me and not him!"

Wang Jun sighed. "I almost didn't realize it. Not until he mentioned Daoist Obscurus."

"Who?" Li Ming asked. Black blood was trickling out of his mouth, his eyes begging for one final answer before he stepped into the grave.

Wang Jun shook his head. "Only those my master trusts can remember his name. It's wreathed in shadows, unspeakable by those who aren't his followers. If the Black King knows his name, that meant he was surely a junior brother of mine. Isn't that right?" He glanced at the cloaked figure.

The Black King chuckled and pulled down his hood. His hair was black, and his skin was pale. The man looked to be in his fifties. "This lowly one is lucky to be one of your master's inner disciples. Unfortunately, I am only skilled in shadows. One can only become a core disciple with diligence and luck."

"I see," Li Ming said, sighing in relief. "So my plan was flawless after all. Now tell me, were you the girl I caught in the teahouse?"

"The matron, actually," Wang Jun said. "The girl was an excellent smokescreen."

Li Ming nodded.

"Black Death has his own quirks, and I have mine," Li Ming said. "Since you've defeated me, you deserve a reward."

"Oh?" Wang Jun said.

"In my ring, you'll find some damning evidence," Li Ming said. "It might be useful if you return to the capital."

"But why would you give it to me?" Wang Jun said.

"Black Death has his life-bound oaths, and I have my reward," Li Ming said with a light smile on his face. "You don't reach the top without being a little odd." Then he slumped down as his last breath left him.

"I take it Master sent you to help me?" Wang Jun said, turning to Hei Ling.

Hei Ling nodded. "As discreetly as possible. He knew that the first young master had sent Li Ming to kill you, and he didn't want you to be at a disadvantage. However, he left strict instructions that I couldn't give you anything for free—only services."

Wang Jun looked at the man on the floor. "Do you mind if I confiscate your spoils of war? As a top-ranking assassin, his net worth is nothing to sneeze at."

"Sure," Hei Ling said. He tossed a silver bracelet onto Li Ming's corpse. "Who would have thought that his net worth would be so high, though?"

Wang Jun inspected the silver bracelet and frowned.

"You don't need to be worried," Hei Ling said, laughing. "These are the deeds I acquired and the commission I charged for selling your goods on the black market. I was planning on giving them to you later, but this provides me with a convenient excuse. You can use this as an opportunity to launder any money you've acquired illegally through me, including that from selling the immortal jade. After all, the family can't fault you for confiscating the wealth of a high-tier assassin who happened to be dabbling in the black market."

Wang Jun smiled. "Thank you for everything, Junior Brother Ling. I likely would have died without you."

"As Master's only core disciple, we can't have you losing face." Hei Ling shrugged. "If there isn't anything else, I'll be off." Then he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Later, Wang Jun discovered that any traces of Hei Ling in the city had disappeared as though he had never existed. Even the records in the Jade Bamboo Auction House had been altered. No one would ever suspect a thing.