The courtyard of Tiaozheng's Matriarch trembled, the tiles and stone pillars whining and clanking violently as if a storm passed briefly under the noses of all but more sensitive cultivators. The wine upon his table quivered, his ears and fingers trembling the briefest of moments. Of the ten individuals present, only four pause for a millisecond during Feng Mei Xing's presentation before playing a deaf ear. A woman wearing plum blossom clothing with her long brown hair pinned and decorated with silver spoke up first after Feng Mei Xing finishes. Her large, amiable eyes and youthful face made her look younger than her true age as she sweetly questions the twins. "Madam Feng, if what you say is true then it's far too dangerous to send our people to delivery messages from now on. How do you expect us to have the resources and manpower to delegate a strong enough force to both protect and keep in contact with the one another? Tiaozheng being infiltrated is one thing, but my sect cannot tolerate even the slightest mix up."
Though her voice was honey like, her words were threatening and showed her true nature beneath such harmless features. Matriarch Shen Lirong of Taigong sect brushes her hairpin as if out of habit as she side eyes them all innocently, "As a sect which borders closest to the Golden City, I naturally refuse to continue letting my children come into constant danger if their safety is not taken into consideration. Not all of us have the strength to push back when cornered." Feng Shuchang lifts his wine wearing the same serene smile as his sister who also sat back peacefully after saying her piece. Both seemed to have no intentions of contradicting her. Matriarch Wu seated beside them chuckles wearing a genial grin "Matriarch Shen don't speak in tongues, you think that my Tiaozheng is inadequate and lacks the skills to differentiate between friend and foe?"
As she spoke, her tone was just as tender as the other, prompting the younger sect leaders in training to subtly bury their heads like tortoises in the face of danger. Feng Shuchang shook his head at their meek behavior faintly under Feng Mei Xing's glance of disapproval. Shen Lirong touches her pink cheek lightly, sending a similar look back to Matriarch Wu. "I'm just stating the facts. Matriarch Wu's sect is known for their first class knowledge on spiritual beasts and the detection on the fluctuation of the land, and yet can't even catch a single flea in their midst's before it nearly laid eggs in their base of operations. If even a mighty sect such as yours cannot guarantee our secrecy, how can my meager one hope to hold a candle to the wind in our decrepit temple?" Before their vicious mouths could throw more insults, a man in indigo raps the table firmly.
"Enough. You are frightening the children." His gaze reproachful as he sent the two bickering women harsh looks. Sharp features matching his striking clothing and tone, Patriarch Qiao Rui Zhe of Zheng Chong sect frowned unhappily when the two refused to back down and instead opted to turn their heads from each other in silence. Before he could scold them Feng Shuchang cut in at this time as if to ease the tension. "Senior if they hope to take over the mantel of their masters one day it's only natural they should experience things as they are instead of fake courtesy. Today we gathered to talk about the advancement of the bleeding spirit veins and increase in demonic beasts. Lets not lose track of our purpose, infighting has never solved the problem. Isn't that right? Matriarch Wu, Shen?"
Sending the lowered heads of the only three juniors present brief glances, Patriarch Qiao could only hold in his lecture on account of saving the faces of the two arguing Matriarchs. Stiffly stroking his sleeves Qiao Rui Zhe swallows his next words and spit out coldly. "King Feng is right." With him taking the lead in acknowledging Feng Shuchang's appeasement, Wu Meng yáo and Shen Lirong could only follow along begrudgingly. Feng Mei Xing peers at the the two sect leaders of Soaring Raven and the Heilei sects who smartly kept their mouths shut and were leisurely sipping their wine as if it were a simple get together. Pulling them into the conversation soothingly and amiably. "Does Sect Leader Zhou or Sect leader Wei have anything to report?" Sending her a cordial smile leader Zhou of Heilei was the first to speak.
"Although our disciples have yet to encounter anything out of the ordinary nor life threatening, there has been rather concerning fluctuations within our spirit vein mines. Though no tampering nor obvious intruders have been detected at the moment and it does occasionally happen once every few years. Patriarch Gong sends his apologies for being unable to attend this meeting and is personally investigating in person just in case." Hearing this, all leaders present nod in understanding. Gong Zhi Yu was merely doing what all of them would have done, even the smallest disturbances can't be overlooked. Sect leader Wei adds appearing as calm as water, despite clutching her cup uneasily in the midst of her own report.
"Patriarch Duan...Has entered seclusion." In sync, the three Masters land their attentive gazes unto the woman who didn't hide her unease well. Matriarch Shen in particular sent her a rise of her brows, critically calling her out. "That stingy man can actually step away from his abacus and enter seclusion during these trying times?" Though Qiao Rui Zhe shot her a fleeting look, he didn't say anything about her cutting words. As he too was both displeased and worried on why Duan JiaJian would willingly step back at this period. Sect leader Wei bit her lip, but under their pressuring aura she folds faintly. "Near a full ten days ago, our scouts reported the sightings of a demonic beast rampaging near Shoaling village, just south of the sect in the bamboo forest. Though we were unsure at first, the tracks appeared to be those of a simple demonic tigress."
Feng Shuchang and the rest furrowed their brows, sitting up straighter in their seats. From the way Sect leader Wei spoke, filled with both self resentment and bitterness. Most likely, it wasn't as simple as it sounded. Sect leader Wei gritted her teeth as she recounts the event suppressing her anguish as best as she could "Because we feared its strength, we called for the retreat of both the mortals nearby and our people, and sent in three elders to dispatch of it. Who knew-" She shivers, whispering hauntingly as if recalling the fearsome encounter "-Who knew that not only was it as fierce as we feared, but a demonic white tiger. Near the strength of a royal spiritual beast." Matriarch Wu was the first to stand and object near hysterical and full of denial, "A Demonic Royal?! Impossible! How could a demonic royal have survived this long without our knowledge?!"
Her face as pale as a sheet. Matriarch Shen who would have usually quipped back at Wu Meng yáo also turned white as a ghost, looking as taken aback as the rest. "Why didn't your sect tell us of such daunting events?" Qiao Rui Zhe rigidly questioned the sect leader, not hiding his discontent with their lack of tact for hiding such a major thing. The Feng siblings shared his sentiment, eyeing the sect leader Wei dauntingly. The two juniors also appeared frightened and unsure, questioning her no longer capable of holding in their true feelings. "If Patriarch Duan got injured doesn't that mean that it's not just a maybe but most likely a true demonic royal? Such a thing should have been reported to our sects as soon as possible. Why didn't Patriarch Duan do so? Does he take our sects lightly?"
Under their pressure sect leader Wei grimaces before admitting bitterly. "Patriarch Duan was the first to arrive and rescue our elders. He was....heavily, injured in the process...-Although Patriarch Duan insisted for our silence as the meeting date was due soon as to lessen suspicion of his absence from spreading too far." She spoke carefully exposing a inner struggle within of defying her superior's orders and the best interest of all involved. "I have taken it upon myself as acting leader to report his condition, as now with the timing of Tiaozheng sect's poisoning incident, it seems our sect has also suffered retaliation of some sort." It was a coordinated attack... The first to understand was Qiao Rui Zhe who wordlessly cracked a communication jade in his palm commanding with a lowered murmur of trembling fury and forced calm. "Liu Wei, call for all outer and inner diciples to return to the sect at once. Not a single one is to leave the sect till further notice."
With him taking the lead, the others quickly call upon their disciples or seniors to warn those back home immediately of the situation. Only the Feng siblings stayed seated, appearing undeterred and unhurried. Noticing their lack of action, Qiao Rui Zhe rose his brow in question. Feng Shuchang rose to refill his sister's cup as he explains calmly. "Our sect has long taken the most suitable precautions, in fact we had come here today to also encourage seniors to take equal effort in caution." Seemingly to understand his meaning, Qiao Rui Zhe deliberately avoided the questioning glances of the rest of the people present. Not knowing what he was thinking after hearing Feng Shuchang say so, they could only focus on the matter at hand. "If they have the strength and connections to smuggle a demonic royal under our noses how will we stand a chance?"
Raising even more unease among them, hearing this question spoken out loud which had been circulating in many of their own hearts privately. Seeing the visible fear and hesitation on their faces Patriarch Qiao knocks the table again sternly to silence them. Appearing much more calm and collected than a few moments ago. "Enough. Whether we raise our swords to defend our people or not this outcome would have occurred either way. Those with vicious hearts and minds care not for submission or innocence. Merely having selfish gain, and unprincipled thoughts on their consciousness. Breaking the balance of heaven with such despicable means, they are bound to experience only the most cruel of ruination. Those who do not pick up their sword and fight, will have even less of a chance of survival." The faces of those who had wavered and doubted just now quickly became red.
His words reminded them of the reality of their situation, the gloom intensifying in the air along with silent aknowledgement. Qiao Rui Zhe was a man of principle. Being one of the first to join the Feng siblings seeing thorugh the truth of the matter all those years ago he couldnt stand by and do nothing. Thinking of the companions and juniors he had lost behind those pearly gates as well, it made people wonder and fear how deep those murkey waters flowed. It was enough to make even him, an nasecent soul cultivator tremble with rage and unease. The darkness of mankind amplified the abilities of people just as much as the light. With this era of peace, it was only a matter of time before something of this calliber would happen again.
Seat Leader Wei who had quieted down like a quail after facing their questioning condemnation rose her head and spoke under her breath. Making them strain their ears to hear her speak properly, "Although we had plans to destroy the corpse at first, our patriarch deemed it necessary to have the Tiazheng sect examine it instead. Saying that we may be able to find a clue to it's origin, he said to give it to Matriarch Wu in secret. But with the situation as it is, it is best if all of you knew about it beforehand to help provide insight on the capabilities of our enemies." Being mentioned Matriarch Wu showed a tough outer shell while the hands hiding in her sleeves shook once. Her lips pursed tightly, face pale in color as she nods soberly under all of their expectant gazes.
"Mmn." Was all she could muster, thinking of the poor fate of that noble royal to have succummed to demonic influence. It took all the years of experience and restraint she had accumulated as both a leader and mother to keep calm. Those people are worst than demons. They're harbringers of disaster. Touching my son and daring to cultivate a royal demonic beast...How did it come to this? "The heavens will not stand for this." Feng Shuchang was the first to speak, offering comfort for the spiritual beast cultivator whose connection to the victim in question was much deeper than any of them could comprehend. She breathes deeply to recover her senses, only to feel a wave of exhaustion of sorrow embrace her whole body when she did. As a mother, seeing your child come back to you battered and barely clinging to life after only a couple of days out of sight. It was a miracle she didn't lose her mind and go into a blind rage on spot.
Matriarch Wu is a woman who is said to be a model cultivator and the inspiration of many other child cultivating in the ways of beast taming. She was not only amiable and tolerant, but a impeccable leader who cared for all members of her sect equally without a care for background or talent. But that day....She wanted to break all of her oaths and drive her blade through the hearts of those devil cultivators who shamelessly attempted to kill her child who had only just taken flight out of the nest without caring for heavenly retribution. Now, with this added weight and responsibility even she, a strong individual who had barely bypassed the hurdle of her son's misfortune felt on the verge of a mental break down. Perhaps, knowing how she felt, it was Qiao Rui Zhe who put an end to the meeting for today in her place.
Even Matriarch Shen who usually had sharp words for Wu Meng yáo bit her tongue and didn't step on her as she was feeling down. Qiao Rui Zhe sent her a lingering look before signalling for Feng Shuchang to stay behind with him and Matriarch Wu. After sending his sister to see Chao Bai and Ehuang without him first. Feng Shuchang sat down and got straight to the crux of the matter. "Though the Golden Cloud Sect has plenty of land and man power in their hands. It shouldn't be possible for them to hide the traces of demonic beasts much less a royal demonic beast without the help of someone knowledgeable in these things." Wu Meng yáo physically trembled this time, nearly croaking as she shut her eyes to hide her crumbling composure. Qiao Rui Zhe was in agreement, letting Feng Shuchang do the speaking as he peered out silently in the direction of Wu Meng yáo's courtyard where the noise had died down at some point.
The man appeared composed as he observed Wu Meng yáo without wavering despite their difference in status. "-Matriarch Wu, as the companion of a royal spiritual beast, you of all people should know the conditions of the corruption process better than anyone else. Is it truly possible to lure a sane royal into turning into a mindless monster?" One could hear a pin drop in the tense silence which took place after asking this dubius double bladed question to the matriarch of a beast taming sect. The woman felt as if the acid in her stomach was churning up into her throat as she answered his dangerous query. "...Royals are not like normal beasts we contract with, they have the pride and temperment of a rightful favoured child of heaven. Born with not only double the amount of spiritual energy a normal beast does, their adaptability, strength, and durability put them on the scale of demigods. Our sect only contracts with lesser beasts so people forget that there are higher beings who cannot be trifled with."
Qiao Rui Zhe cut in sharply "And yet, a demonic royal appeared out of thin air for the first time in centuries since the great war. If not for Duan JiaJian how much destruction would have taken place if not for his sacrifice? Wu Meng yáo, out of my respect for you I will not push you for answers in regards to the matter of your own contract with Sir Hulian. But you must answer at least this," The man stared her down coldly "-with the amount of spiritual beast clans you have come into contact with in all your years. Which clan is capable enough and would dare turn against their own kind to shake hands with those of the Golden Cloud?" The Matriarch with the burden of an official facing a general chokes briefly. Her lashes fluttering due to unease before her mouth opens hesitantly under the severe expressions of the men before her.