Shuren put the matter aside. First, he had to initiate the debriefing of the mission.
"My name is Liu Shuren, and I'll be the team leader of this expedition. The prospects are a three day trip, but the better we perform, the faster we return home to the comforts of Cloud City." He held his hands behind his back out of habit, raising his chin just a touch.
"The Dezuan Forest that leads deeper into the Granxian Continent will be our point of interest. Our intel says it's been used recently for smugglers to cut across Cloud City towards the central continent. We don't know what exactly they're smuggling. It can be beasts, weapons, or even people. But the main issue is that they're linked to a surrounding demonic sect." Shuren thought back to the incident with the Nekron Path cultivator. He had to keep his guard up during this expedition.
Shuren waved his hand to Junyu, giving him the moment to introduce himself. "I am Huang Shi Junyu. I'll be working with the leader to deal with the situation. You five can stay behind me if there's any danger, so don't be worried."
Shuren watched the light of the sky rise high, and his demeanour shifted. It was best to feed his team first. Then coordination would only get stronger from then. "First, why don't we all have lunch? Of course, I'll pick up the tab."
The mood was lightened, with even Junyu nudging Shuren, giving the team a time to meet up. But, when they all began to leave, Shuren singled out one man to stay.
"Isn't it about time we settled some things?" Shuren said, waiting for Tez's back to turn.
Tez forced his troubled expression to disappear the moment he turned to face Shuren.
"Settle… things?"
***
Shuren stood in the restaurant, the Skyfoan Pagoda. One of the greatest restaurants found near Cloud City, it was a popular location for the residents of the district Shuren lived in; composed of the high and elite.
Naturally, he was a known VIP. The moment he stepped in, he was immediately given access and permission to bring in a group of people.
After giving everyone a time to meet for lunch, he sent an order alone to one of the members of his team. Tez, the vagrant from afar. Better known as the ignorant imbecile.
An hour before the rest of the team would arrive, Shuren waited for the appearance of the Stage 3, or rather, now a Stage 4 newcomer he had faced off.
"It's just us two, huh," Tez said, walking into the restaurant. "I have a bad feeling about this. You're not going to destroy the restaurant if I don't offer you a seat, yeah?"
Shuren gave a deadpan expression. "Is this some sort of strange joke from the place you come from?" He didn't even bother waiting for Tez's reply, leading the way inside. "Come have a seat with me."
Tez was slightly stunned, observing the grandeur of the restaurant. Multiple floors with windows as wide as the rooms themselves, with all sorts of levitating and vibrant sculptures. Some were even eating off a plate of cloud, as strange as it was, yet they looked as sophisticated as monarchs themselves.
Shuren was led into a closed room by a servant waiting inside, with two cushion chairs and a table in the middle. He sat, followed by Tez.
Tez sunk in the chair, his body slouching with expressions of utter bliss.
Shuren raised his hand. "A cup of Stormstone tea."
"And you, sire?" Another servant asked Tez, bowing down.
"Uhhh, you guys have orange juice? I'll have that."
The servant smiled. "Yes, we do. Just a moment, please."
Tez sunk into the chair some more, keeping a hand on the table. "So, what exactly did you bring me here for? You want me to leave the team or somethin?"
Shuren ignored the question, starting off with his own. "Don't you think it's about time we end this silly situation between the two of us?"
"Come again?" Tez's eyes widened, to the point it almost bulged out of his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Now this, he did not expect.
Two glasses were placed on the table, and Shuren took the initiative by having a slow and gradual sip of his tea. "How are the kids from that orphanage you hang around?"
Tez halted for a moment, reconsidering whether those words were of genuine concern or a hidden threat. "So and so. Good thing we have a sponsor. Old Zelfin's little school's been getting some help."
"Then you're indebted to me." Shuren put down his cup, staring down at Tez. His chain raised up, he looked with the expression of a master, rather than an equal.
Tez spit out the orange juice in his mouth. "Y-you're the one funding the school?! Then why the hell did you do that on that day?! Aren't you just-"
"Clean your mouth. Your spit is getting everywhere." Shuren threw a handkerchief towards Tez.
With reluctance of being ordered, Tez cleaned up the drivel of juice that spilled from his mouth.
"You should know the full story now. I can only be so patient, dealing with your slander every time we meet. Not only am I your benefactor, I was merciful enough to let those kids off with a basic warning." Shuren once more continued to drink his cup of Stormstone Tea, steam drifting in the air from its heat. "I don't hit kids, but most would think otherwise for the offence they committed, and they're in the right to do so. You know what I'm talking about, Tez."
Tez lowered his head, frustration squirming in his eyes. His fists clenched as they rested on his knees. "Yeah… I know. They got an earful for bullying someone, especially from a higher lineage. But!"
He lifted his head to stare at Shuren in the eye. "You still went too far! Did you have to break their brother's bones as well?! They still can't go back to work to make a living for their family!"
Shuren took another sip, paying no need to the fury of Tez. He stared at the ceiling, cycling and bringing out his Qi.
A silent pressure loomed in the room. A force intangible, yet it gave Tez a clear message.
"They were the ones who struck first. Not I. Those people, and you, should count your blessings you were allowed to live after that. These are the rules of the world." Shuren finally looked at Tez. "It is our duty as cultivators to lead and tend to the mortals. When the city is in danger, we are the ones to fight and defend. When demonic sects dare to spread blasphemy, we are the ones to protect the innocent. In the face of natural disasters, or beast tides, we ensure as many mortals as possible are transported alive. For they are the foundation of the lower world."
The buzz of chatter from across the pagoda would only continue until the restaurant closed. But even with all that noise, the room felt deathly silent.
"Understand that the roles of a mortal and cultivator are different. The moment mortals try to toe that line to go against them, even with all the protection and safety they get, is the moment balance between us and them will shift. Then we'd end up like those cursed Demonic Sects, who use mortals as mere livestock." The memories of petrichor resurfaced in Shuren's mind. The crystal coffin cradling the corpse of the righteous, forever embedded. And one day, when I take back the Throne of Blades, I will rid the world of those demons.
"Do well to understand that. Or you won't live a long life."
Shuren continued to drink his cup once more, even with the dreaded atmosphere in the room. He anticipated Tez's absurd rebuttal, but there was only the solace of silence.
Tez took a large swig of his orange juice. Perhaps in an attempt to regain composure.
Don't let this kid think too much. Best to strike when the iron is hot. Shuren put his hand inside his robes. "The reason I called you here was to ensure we have no malice between each other. I am the leader of the expedition, and your life is my responsibility. Likewise, even our grievances should be quelled before battle." A chunk of spirit jades held in a bag was thrown on the table. "Go buy some new weapons and gear. I want everyone in my team to be prepared for anything. Keep the spare change."
Tez opened the bag, counting the amount of wealth inside. His eyes trembled, unsure of how to express his emotions.
At the same time, Shuren stood and walked towards Tez, putting out a hand. "We have talked as men. With this, our grievances are gone." He stood over Tez, waiting for his answer.
Shuren waited for a moment with patience, his hand out in a welcoming and friendly gesture.
Tez acquiesced, returning the handshake. "Ok. I understand. It was… My misunderstanding."
Shuren patted his shoulder. "Good. As fellow striders of the path, disciples of the Seven Clouds Sect, we are akin to brothers. Camaraderie and unity are the core tenets of us righteous cultivators."
"It would be good if everyone thought the same. I agree as well, Liu Shuren." With a sincere and serious gaze, Tez acknowledged. "I'm going to wait for my friends outside. Thanks."
The room once more filled with the ambience of chatter as the door opened wide open. With their backs against each other, Shuren's soft expression shifted to a neutral and stoic gaze.
"Tez, become my subordinate," Shuren asked right before Tez left, expecting a good answer. "If you do, you will have the backing of the Liu Clan. If anyone dares to mess with you, they'll be messing with me."
Tez didn't look back. "I'll think on it. We'll talk about this after this quest."
The door was closed shut.
***
Tez stood outside the Skyfoan Pagoda, planning to check the nearby stalls opened to sell trinkets.
He's a lot more reasonable than I thought. Here I was, expecting him to make me kowtow or chase me out like I'm some human trash. Have I…
He looked at the sky. The sun that they called the Heavenly Eye, though mostly orange, radiated with all sorts of colours. It had a strange belt of crystals around it, almost like an asteroid belt of a planet. "Can't ever get used to that. And don't even get me started on the night sky."
He hung his head low. In the end, he was a vagrant. From another world. Not even the skies were the same, let alone the cultures and beliefs of the people.
Mortals and cultivators, we are all humans that bleed blood at the end of the day. Yet, the hierarchy between cultivators and mortals is clear. And what that guy said. It was reasonable. But… Not everyone thinks as clear as he does. The gap between those like SIlvents and Vulfoans, and the normal humans is worsening by the day.
The bag of spirit jades was in his palm, jingling and shining with the scent of wealth and the reflections of the skies.
I was too rash. This is a real world, not some absurd caricature. If I treat these people as idiots, I'll be the one becoming the greatest idiot of them all instead.
***
"You…. You're trying to form a faction already?" Junyu asked, having entered the room where Shuren was.
Shuren glared at Junyu. "I'll let it go once as we are friends, but don't eavesdrop on me again."
Junyu held up his hands in surrender, beckoning for peace. "I understand. I was just curious. That guy had an interesting performance in the sect finale, after all."
"We've had a few encounters before. Best to quell idiotic misunderstandings at the first opportunity. End of the day, that guy came top ten in the sect finale." Shuren sat down once more to finish his drink. In peace.
"Fools will look down on him for having a lower Stage level, but he's clearly someone with a backing. Why should I be enemies with him? Would it not be better to keep him by my side, as an ally in support of me?"
Junyu opened up a fan, a signature expression of his. It would be more surprising to see him without one. "You sure work fast. You want to climb up in the hierarchy and have your own supporters. Not only it'll make it easier for the Elders to consider you, but becoming an External Elder with your background would be easier. You sure are meticulous."
"I consider it the bare minimum. If I'm incapable of this, then my goal won't be within reach." The goal being the Throne of Blades, the one only wielded by the Patriarch.
It's obvious Tez has some sort of legacy. From Stage 2 to Stage 4 within a few weeks, it's an absurd speed. With a bit of wealth and soft words, he should be easy to win over. Besides, my father is the one supporting his little group on the outskirts of Cloud City.
Shuren held the cup of tea, seeing his own reflection in the murky dark liquid.
I'm expecting a lot from you, Tez.