Chapter [B3] 40 — An Old Friend

Chapter [B3] 40 — An Old Friend

I sat in my chamber, at my desk, drawing out plans for the future. The hours in the day were no longer enough, and each passing moment I grew more tempted to learn how to split myself up into multiple fragments again just to be able to keep up with work.

That was likely a worthwhile technique to learn, but unfortunately, the time that would take was something I simply didnt have at the moment. There was infrastructure to set up for all the plans Id made, logistics to be handled, people to be trained. The demand for craftsmen was going to rapidly rise, and their prices would rise accordingly. I needed to work to make sure I didnt inadvertently collapse the economy by trying to do too many things at once.

Somehow, having money resulted in more money being spent. I was spending thousands of gold pieces every day, and the amount sometimes horrified me to look at. But I knew all of it was necessary, and I didnt hold any actual ties to the money itself. Money was merely untapped potential, it had no use if it couldnt be put to use. The only thing I feared was that I wasnt being swept up in the flow of things and forgetting to take a step back and look at things logically.

Nothing had been moving in a linear progression. From a lone alchemist to a group of spirits and mortals to the elder of a sect to now a sage leading a combined coalition of the five great families, the changes had happened within months, leaving me running around desperately to catch up.

As I sat there, trying to think over how I would handle utilizing the alchemy halls, and put their resources to use, I felt a presence faintly arrive at the door. After the assassination attempt, my awareness had shot up through the roof, and I immediately stopped doing what I was to focus on the figure. I tried to sense the Qi, trying to recognize who it was. My alarm raised immediately when I failed to identify the person, their presence was subdued, not enough to be invisible, but enough to miss your senses if you werent paying attention. If I wasnt focusing, I wouldve assumed it was one of the servants, as the presence I felt denoted someone in the third realm or so. But this was someone stronger, at the peak of the sixth realm.

Had the Alchemy halls not given up? No, that made no sense. Then who? The five families? No, that made no sense either. They only served to lose by trying to kill me.

And yet, the unfamiliar presence moved closer to the door after a few moments and the time to think ran out. I could sense their aura, it was deep and murky, like a poisonous swamp that would swallow you in and choke you out. The control was impeccable and even now I found myself second guessing, but I wasnt planning to take any risks.

Just for a potential situation like this, Id asked about any and all secret entrances in the chamber. Pushing the bookshelf ahead, I quickly opened the entrance as I slipped out. The way led out into a tunnel system built under the manor to escape, but that wasnt my plan. I touched one of the places on the wall, walking out into the next room over. Stepping out from the entrance I moved out into the corridor.

I looked beside as I saw the door to my chamber open, whoever it was, they were inside. So this would be my chance.

I rushed ahead, Stepping as the world blurred, moving me rapidly. The person inside sensed my Chi swiftly turning around, but I was ready. Chi swirled around my fists as I moved in ready to strike. The figure rotated with extreme speed to face me, the figures hands swiftly moved up to their hair, grabbing a hairpin, pointed at my throat.

I froze, as I finally saw the figure in front of me. My eyes widened in surprise.

Familiar white hair fell down the womans shoulders, sharp red eyes looking at me as they flowed behind her back, her silver pin poised an inch away from my throat while my fist hovered in the air, similarly close to her face.

We both stood frozen for a moment of silence, before I broke away from my stance, exclaiming in joy. Liuxiang!

I almost hugged her, and I wouldve, but the part of me that had lived twenty years in this world cringed at even just the thought of doing that and so I simply gave her a smile.

You scared us, Liuxiang said, letting out a sigh as she touched her chest, pulling back her hairpin.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

And ruined her hair. Do you know how long that will take to fix? Another familiar voice spoke, this time directly in my ears.

Nice to see you as well, Zhi Zhu, I said, smiling.

Whatre you doing here? I took you for an assassin with how you were hiding your aura, I said, as Liuxiang looked away, clearly embarrassed.

Thought wed give you a surprise, Liuxiang replied, looking away.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

I smiled. Well, you certainly did! That was quite the shock, I said, chuckling to myself.

I looked at the invite, written by a Divinity herself. I suppose it made sense that Id caught the attention of one given everything Id been pulling.

Well be expecting you soon. We should have more time to talk when you visit as well. Hopefully, Liuxiang said.

I nodded, holding the invitation carefully. Ill need to ask the Lord what the proper etiquette and stuff was when visiting a Divinity. Wouldnt want to offend one and get wiped out with the snap of a finger.

Ill be there, I replied.

I looked at Liuxiang for a moment longer, feeling both happy to have seen her again and completely unsatisfied and unhappy by how much time I got to talk and catch up over things.

Its likely that you dont know, so Zhi Zhu wants to make sure you understand. But this is a grand honor few ever get. Most cultivators cant even bear being in grandmothers presence too long.

I understand, I replied.

Zhi Zhu is really not sure you do

Lu Jie should be fine, Liuxiang said.

Well, the rate he has grown at is highly abnormal so perhaps he will not embarrass himself.

Actually, on the topic of cultivation youve grown quite rapidly, Liuxiang. Im surprised, I said, noting the girls cultivation at the very peak of the sixth realm.

Nonsense. We cant even compare ourselves to you. Youre we cant even properly tell how much ahead of us, Liuxiang said.

I smiled wryly. Well, I cheat.

Hope the little rat has kept up and is not causing too much trouble either, Zhi Zhu added.

Labby is good. Shes grown as well, I replied.

That is good.

Silence returned for a moment once again as we simply stood. I could tell neither of us really wanted to leave, but responsibilities called. At least Id have a chance to catch up a little later.

Well be heading out now, Lu Jie, Liuxiang said.

I gave a nod. Walking to the door, I escorted Liuxiang out, before watching her step into her carriage as she left the manors grounds.

Feeling a strange mix of emotions, I let out a sigh, mostly feeling refreshed at having met an old friend.

As I turned back to return to my tasks, I looked down at the invitation in my hand.

The Shie Matriarch, huh?