Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Cultivator

Palka stared in stunned silence. "This is?"

"Qi essence—entry-level Qi essence. I’m not showing you this to boast, but to tell you that with the Jinyiwei present, you shouldn't harbor any crooked thoughts. Even among the Jinyiwei, I’ve only just crossed the threshold; I’m hardly a powerhouse. Though I am alone, I don't believe that you, or perhaps all of you, can stop me."

"I... I understand. Thank you for the warning."

"No need to thank me. I’m just like a red mushroom displaying its warning colors, so that neither of us makes a misjudgment."

"Yes! Yes! I understand."

"Oh, right," he said, looking Palka in the eye. "Two things. First, pass a message to him: one must be cautious when using power that is not one's own. Second, this cocoa is excellent. Bring me another cup, and have it sent to my room."

...

"Good grief." Shang Luo was taken aback after hearing Palka’s account. "Why isn't he working as a bartender with skills like that? Spinning a cup of cocoa through the air without spilling a single drop?"

"Indeed, the State Preceptor and I share the same sentiment."

"By the way, he also asked me to pass on a message to you: 'One must be cautious when using power that is not one's own.'" Palka repeated it word for word.

Shang Luo sat on the daybed, while Palka sat upright and formal opposite him, much like a subordinate.

"So he really did catch up..."

He had guessed early on that the Jinyiwei would pursue him, but he hadn't expected them to arrive so soon.

"State Preceptor, may I ask, what kind of grievance exists between you and the Jinyiwei downstairs?" Palka seemed to have held that question in for a long time.

Although he was now clearly more inclined to trust Shang Luo, both men were Jinyiwei, and it was difficult for him to get involved. He had learned back when he was studying in Nanjing that the Jinyiwei were not to be trifled with.

[Hey, the guy in front of you is starting to hesitate.] Apollonia reminded him. [Actually, you could go back. At worst, you’d just get captured by the Jinyiwei.]

"The divination has already been cast; I have to bite the bullet and push forward. It’s too late to turn back now; if I were going to turn back, I shouldn't have come in the first place."

Besides, there was the issue of money. Other than the Jinyiwei pursuit, everything else was going smoothly. He should take this opportunity to settle the case and refine the elixir—better to end it all at once. A long night leads to many dreams, and complications would only arise.

"In any case... not just for my sake, but for Old Shang’s as well, I have to commit to this. The results of the divination seem credible; I, for one, choose to believe them."

[Why does it sound like you aren't very close to him? Never mind, I respect your decision. Since you don't want to cause trouble for others, let's solve this together. After all, at least half the responsibility lies with me. What do you plan to do now?]

"Investigate, help them fight the legal battle, and then collect a fee. That’s the quickest way to make money. For a nation as large as Maya, 2.7 million, while expensive, isn't impossible to accept. As for what ability is best suited for investigating cases, nothing beats divination. Isn't it easy to clear up the truth behind this matter by relying on divination?"

[Hmm... that makes sense. However, that Jinyiwei is staying downstairs. From your earlier description, you can see he possesses nearly supernatural physical strength. If he comes up here to grab you, you likely won't be able to run—so your plan might fall through.]

"True. But I am curious, where does the Jinyiwei's ability come from?"

[I don't know...] Apollonia’s voice sank. [Perhaps they are cultivators? Or the power of some other divine mechanism. Don't forget, we sensed a certain dangerous aura from that Thousand-House Lu Huaiyang earlier.]

"So you mean..."

[It’s possible that the entire Jinyiwei consists of cultivators, at least at the Qi Refining stage. For some reason, they have chosen to serve the Imperial Court. Or, the Great Ming Court has bestowed these otherworldly abilities upon them. If that’s the case, I have reason to believe there is even more inscrutable power hidden within the court.]

"Actually, I can feel something similar within myself. But what I excel at seems a bit different from theirs."

Shang Luo looked at his hands. For a long time, he had felt that the "energy" he controlled could not possibly be a mere "talent." His life hadn't changed only when Apollonia arrived; the shift had occurred at some point in the distant past.

"When exactly did it start..."

[When did your 'sense of Qi' emerge?]

"It started when others began to think I possessed a 'heart with seven apertures.' Before that, when I was abducted to fix you, it was because I displayed a talent for solving complex mechanical problems. But regardless, I must consume the Foundation Establishment Elixir first."

He looked at Palka before him. "Your Majesty, I have something I must tell you truthfully."

"Please, speak freely."

"You know that the Jinyiwei is divided into the Southern and Northern Bureaus? The infighting between them has reached a fever pitch. For both him and me, the suspect is vital; whoever catches them first gains a great merit. He will likely do everything in his power to stop me, including 'framing' me. Do not offend him, and protect yourself. But do not tell him everything—if he doesn't ask, don't say a word."

"Understood." Palka nodded. "I would have done so even if you hadn't told me. After all, you are our Great State Preceptor—I thought he might have abilities similar to yours, so I had considered hiring him as a Second State Preceptor. Now it seems, I shall abandon that idea. Compared to you, he is not easy to get along with."

"Then, have you completed the tasks I requested?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Palka nodded repeatedly. "The medicinal ingredients you requested were common, and I have had them all purchased for you. The pharmacy also provided the clay pots for brewing medicine; I have brought them all to you. And a gas canister, to assist with your alchemy."

"A gas canister won't do; it lacks spiritual energy. I need cinnamon wood. And the clay pots won't work—I need bronze vessels."

"Bronze? Bronze?" Palka thought for a long time. "Would a bronze tripod suffice? The Imperial Court bestowed a ritual tripod upon us when we were appointed to guard this region; I have it with me."

"That is perfect! Lend it to me. And go find cinnamon wood; the fire under this tripod must be fueled by cinnamon wood."

"Do you need a young alchemist's apprentice to fan the flames?"

"I can do it myself... in any case, the secrets of heaven must not be leaked. Let me retreat for one day, and once my divine skill is perfected, I shall naturally be able to see through the mysteries of heaven and help you resolve your doubts."