Fates Parallel (A Xianxia/Wuxia Inspired Cultivation Story)

Jia had a pretty rocky history with Zheng Long. They had met as enemies, and he was directly responsible for the first time she experienced the pain of bodily death. For cultivators, death of the body was still a mortal wound, but if the soul could be saved, there was always hope. Yoshika had experienced more such ‘deaths’ than she cared to recall, but the sharp sting of a burning lance through her heart was not a memory she would ever forget.

Even after that, he’d been unrepentant in his opposition of her, holding onto a petty grudge and getting in her way for no reason other than to soothe his wounded pride. Yoshika had been willing to set aside their differences in the name of cooperation during the expedition to the Bloody Sovereign’s Tomb, but she still didn’t like him.

As far as Eui and Kaede were concerned, he was reaping what he sowed, and even Meili thought that getting involved with him was more trouble than it was worth. Jia was outnumbered, but Yoshika had never done things by committee—even if it was a useful way to consider her options.

Jia didn’t like Zheng Long either. He’d killed her, after all, and that wasn’t easy to forgive. But he’d repented, and was earnestly trying to make up for his past misdeeds. There was also the matter of his family—they had done nothing to deserve the fate Yan De threatened them with.

Most importantly, however, Yan Yue had asked it of her.

Like Zheng Long, Yan Yue had not made a good first impression. She’d presented herself as an enemy willing to work together for a common goal, only to betray Jia and Eui in an act of impulsive cowardice after jumping to the wrong conclusions about their relationship with Seong Eunae.

Since then, Yue had spent the better part of a decade bending over backwards to make amends. Even long after Yoshika had forgiven her, Yue rarely asked for anything and would sacrifice her own well-being in an instant if it meant she could aid Yoshika in some way.

That was why Jia and Eui had insisted on helping her recover after her ascension—she’d never ask for it on her own. For Yan Yue to say, so clearly and concisely, that she needed help was a sign that Yoshika could never ignore.

Jia would move heaven and earth for Yue, and if that meant doing everything in her power to save the man who’d once murdered her, then she wouldn’t hesitate.

“Tell me about your village. Where is it? If it’s possible, we’ll happily take them under our protection.”

Zheng Long blinked, then rallied quickly.

“Er, yes, right. It’s more of a hamlet, really—not even a hundred people live there. I’m not sure how it was founded, but it’s a remote little settlement far to the north in a small valley. The qi—er, mana density is low so they don’t have to worry about monsters, but the climate is truly awful. Even with my help, it barely sustains itself. We lose a few to starvation and sickness every year.”

Yue chewed on her thumbnail and frowned.

“That sounds like Misty Peaks territory—close to the frontier, am I right?”

“Yes. I originally went there because I thought it would be uninhabited and useless to cultivators.”

Jia glanced between them, confused.

“Isn’t it good if they’re close to the frontier? We should be able to resettle them easily.”

Yue shook her head.

“It’s not so simple. Yan De will be watching for anything so obvious. He’s only willing to leave Zheng Long unattended because he has that leverage, but he won’t be so careless with the vehicle of his control. Besides that, the northern frontier is not the same as the southern one you’re familiar with.”

“You mean Yamato and Goryeo?”

“Exactly—the so-called ‘southern frontier’ is just a cheeky way of referring to the territories south of the heavenly empire that they don’t directly control. By contrast, the northern frontier is controlled by Qin—it’s just not desirable to anybody.”

Zheng Long nodded.

“If I might elaborate—the continent’s eastern coasts are mired by treacherous cliffs, and the further north you go the worse the water gets. The Misty Peaks are about as far north as you can go before reaching a completely worthless tundra.”

Jia grimaced—the geography lesson wasn’t really sinking in, but Eui and Kaede helped fill in the gaps.

“In other words, they’re at the edge of Qin, but it’s the wrong edge. We’d have to move them across the entire continent through hostile territory, with Yan De trying to stop us the whole way.”

“That’s correct. And going by water isn’t an option either, because of how treacherous the eastern seas are.”

Yue clicked her tongue in irritation.

“So then what would you have us do, Zheng Long?”

He scratched his head awkwardly.

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I would get this far. Asking for your help was already an act of desperation.”

“Well, I’m certainly not going to marry you.”

“Of course not. I—I would never ask that of you, nor could I bear to do that to Fang Xiu.”

Jia leaned forward, scratching her chin while her tail swayed slowly back and forth.

“You said Yan De wanted to keep Yue from marrying anyone else, so wouldn’t it be fine if she just didn’t get married?”

“I suspect that would only delay things. Yan De expects his daughter to marry eventually, and he won’t be satisfied until he can ensure that her husband is someone under his control. My family remains under his sword until then.”

Yue shook her head and sighed.

“We’re thinking about this the wrong way. There’s no appeasing my father—he’ll just continue using you forever. If we cannot free your village from his threats, then we must break the yoke another way.”

Jia gave her a sidelong glance. She recognized that feeling of resolve.

“What did you have in mind?”

“We need to defeat him—once and for all, and in person. For too long Yan De has been casting his shadow on all our lives from afar. I’m tired of playing his game. We beat him once, and we can do it again.”

Zheng Long swallowed nervously.

“That was...uh, just a small piece of his power that we fought, and in the center of Miss Yoshika’s power at that. He’ll be ready for us this time, with his disciples Yan Ren and Yan Hao at his side. Even if we could face all of that and win, how do we even challenge him in the first place? It’s not like we can just walk into Qin and attack him.”

Yue waved him off.

“Those are details that we can work out later. For the time being, I’ll delay my decision as long as possible. Jia, how are things going with the princesses? Their aid could be invaluable, even if just to get the right pieces in place.”

Jia pursed her lips and curled her tail.

“Uh...I’ll get back to you on that one. I’m still having a hard time getting a read on them. I don’t know what they really want, or what they think of us. Lin Xiulan doesn’t think that they’d come all the way here in person just to invite you to become the God-Emperor’s concubine, but she doesn’t know what they really want either.”

“Then we bide our time until we can create the right opportunity to strike. We’ll need to be careful—war with the Awakening Dragon sect is one thing, but we cannot afford all-out conflict with Qin.”

Zheng Long shook his head in disbelief.

“You’re actually considering it, aren’t you? Yan De is one of the most powerful cultivators in the world, and you’re just casually talking about going to war with him. Why would you do that for me?”

Yue scoffed and looked down her nose at him.

“Is your big head returning already? I’m not doing it for you, Zheng Long. I’m doing this for me. I was supposed to be free of my father after ascending, but he insists on making my life miserable. I’m not letting him get away with it any longer. Jia, do I have your support?”

Jia grinned. It was a big request—by far the biggest favor Yue had ever asked of her.

“Of course! Do you even have to ask? You’re right, though—slow and steady is the way to go with this. We can’t let Yan De know what’s coming until the trap is closed completely. Ancestors, we’ve got so much work to do...”

Yue placed her hand over Jia’s and shook her head.

“Let me handle the heavy lifting on this. You’ve got enough on your plate as it is, and I don’t need to be coddled. It’s enough to know that you’ll be there when I need you.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you to handle things, but don’t hesitate to ask if you need me for anything.”

“Just try to make a good impression on those princesses, dear. One way or another, taking on the Awakening Dragon is going to mean burning a lot of political capital in Qin, and we’ll need as much as we can get.”

Jia nodded solemnly.

“I’ll do my best. Zheng Long, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. As of now, you and your family are under my protection. I won’t let any harm come to them.”

Tears welled up in his eyes as Zheng Long struggled to keep his composure.

“I cannot thank you enough. I already owe you a debt that can never be repaid, but if there is ever something I can do in return, anything at all, you need only name it.”

“I’ll bear that in mind, but as Yue said, we aren’t doing this for your sake. I only hope that you can be reunited with your family one day soon.”

“Me too, Your Majesty. Me too...”

 

---

 

Hyeong Aecha felt a bitter sense of melancholy as she packed up her young mistress' belongings for the last time. Now that Seong Haeun was returning to Goryeo, it was time for Aecha to find a new life for herself in Jiaguo. Despite her complaints, she’d miss the girls. Haeun could be a little spoiled, and Narae was immature for her age, but it had been her honor to watch the girls develop into young women.

What she would not miss was the bickering.

“What do you mean you’re leaving?!”

Haeun huffed and crossed her arms under her chest.

“Stop whining, Narae. You’re an adult already, please act like it for once.”

“Don’t talk down to me, Haeun! We’re supposed to be friends! Equals!”

“While I attended the academy, yes. But the clan mother has recalled me to finish my education back home at the palace. From now on, I must conduct myself as a princess of Goryeo.”

Aecha furrowed her brows. Haeun wasn’t necessarily wrong, but that was an immature way to view things. Perhaps the young princess was trying to make a clean break, but the clumsy way she went about it was likely to do more harm in the long run.

Lee Narae clenched her fists angrily.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?! We’re both princesses, Haeun!”

“It’s not the same, and you know it. Master fought tooth and nail for her status, while you have simply fallen into the position by chance. I was born with this responsibility, while you...”

“While I what, Haeun? Go ahead and finish that sentence. Grew up on the streets? Was born the daughter of a courtesan?”

Haeun averted her eyes.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“It doesn’t matter, does it? Because you’ve always looked down on me. I just wanted to believe you were better than that.”

Aecha sighed. It wasn’t her place to intervene, but the argument had gone on long enough, and they were just going to end up hurting each other. One last act of service for the little miss. She snapped the suitcase closed and turned sharply on her heel, maintaining perfect posture and a placid expression.

“My task is finished, Young Mistress. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Princess Haeun was taken aback by the interruption.

“What? Oh, um, no thank you, Aecha.”

“In that case, please accept this.”

She stepped forward and handed her now-former mistress a slip of paper, sealed in an envelope. Haeun stared at it blankly.

“What is this?”

“My resignation. I will be staying here in Jiaguo, Your Highness.”

“What do you mean you’re staying?!”

It struck Aecha just how similar Haeun’s tone was to Narae’s earlier protest. She bowed politely.

“Just that. I’ve enjoyed our time together, but you are an adult now, and it is time for you to act like it.”

Haeun stepped back as though she’d been struck, but Aecha didn’t leave an opening for her to retort.

“Both of you are still acting like the same children you were when I first met you. Lee Narae, Princess Haeun is not leaving of her own volition—she has no choice but to comply with the summons. Your Highness, hiding behind a veil of duty will do little to spare either her feelings or yours. You are both hurt by this separation, but that’s no excuse to hurt each other.”

With that, she bowed once more, and turned to leave. Behind her, the two princesses burst into tears and hugged each other. Not the mature conversation Aecha had been hoping for, but it was a step in the right direction.

They’d be alright without her, she was sure. She just hoped she could say the same for herself.