-"Stand up, Jingliu. I'm looking for you and the crew of the Express. Luckily for me, you were near one another."-I looked to the group on the side.
Jingliu stood up after hearing my words while the rest also recovered from their stupor.
-"While on route here, some Antimater Legion thugs decided to get killed, and during the fight, I picked up Tingyun."-I decided to explain as gazes from people of Loufu ware drilled into the back of my head.
-"Yes, benefactor saved me from certain death and brought me here."-Tingyun confirmed my words.-"Sir general! Lord Ravager had stolen my appearance. She still might lurk on the Loufu."
-"Too late for that. Phantylia made her move a few days before. The important thing is that you are safe and sound."-Jing Yuan waved his hand, signaling that all was already resolved.
-"Yes, general."
-"Go to them, Tingyun. They won't approach me as they are wary of me."
-"Thank you, benefactor."
-"Master, you have spoken about my situation. Can you help me with Mara?"-Jingliu asked me seriously, her red eyes staring at me.
-"It's possible, but methods I know of aren't perfect. One is to seal Mara, and the other is to defeat it."
-"Who are you to speak of methods to solve the Mara?!"-Screamed a short pink girl.
-"Jing Yuan, keep your people in check!"-Jingliu raised her voice for the first time.-"Watch your words, child."
-"I'm Yue, and when it comes to long-lived species, I can be considered an authority."-I gave the short girl side-eye.
-"You are always like that Master. Allow me to introduce you properly. You stand in the presence of the Emanator of Finality, as well as the last of Long's creations, The Nine-Tailed Fox, Yue."
-"I haven't heard that title in a long time, huh..."-To confirm her words, I let my tails appear behind me.
-"Then you indeed can speak about immortality."-Jing Yuan nodded, knowing me from the history of the Xianzhou Alliance.-"As the general of Hunt, I ask you to tell us about how to deal with Mara."
-"There are two ways I researched. Putting Mara in a seal. It can solve the issue in the short term but won't stop its growth, so whenever the seal is destroyed, it will erupt with much greater power, creating stronger Mara-Struck."-I explained to those interested.-"Trying to defeat it requires having access to one inner realm. This alone makes it hard to achieve, and when you think that fighting inside a place that requires total concentration just to manifest, you can understand its difficulty."
-"Master, do you have a way to help me enter my inner realm?"-Jingliu instantly decided which option to choose.
-"You don't even consider sealing as an option, as expected of you. I have a way to help you. When you are ready to fight Mara, I'll do the rest."
-"Lord Yue, can this method be shared?"
-"You can call me directly, general. This technique requires the power of Remembrance, meaning that, other than me, only those who belong to the Garden of Recollection can perform it. I can pass it on to you, but the requirement of strength and precision are quite high."
-"Even so, for now, it is only a ray of hope in solving Mara. If this technique can truly help, the whole Alliance will be in your debt."
I nodded, agreeing to the general's request, but before I could give him the details, another person interrupted me.
-"Lord Yue."-A sensual voice sounded from my side.
-"You..?"
-"I'm Kafka a Stellaron Hunter."
-"Ah yes, how many was it ten billion?"-I remembered her from wanted posters.
-"10.899 billion."
-"So what does IPC most wanted need from me?"
-"I'm here just to pass a message that Destiny Slave told me to. 'I want to trade. Your pouch for THEIR location.' That is what I'm to tell you."
-"I accept."-I threw a poach containing stellarons I sealed on the frontier.
-"Pleasure doing business with you."- Kafka caught what I threw and took out a small chip to throw it in my direction.
-"If you see Elio, tell him to reach out to me when he has some time."
-"I will."
-"Your companion, can you call him over?"
-"No problem. Blade, can you come here?"
-"What do you need from me?"
-"Let me end that thing you become."
-"..."
-"What, as an abomination like that, your future not only will be tragic, you will become an immortal monster."
-"I know, but I still have revenge to achieve."
-"Good, I'll wait for when you are ready or when there is no longer any 'you' in that body."
Only when Stellaron hunters bid farewell did the rest finally awaken. They went to Tingyun and celebrated her return. When one fully understands the pain of losing, he will cherish those around him.
However, the situation was still somewhat tense, so after their quick reunion was complete, everyone's focus returned to me.
-"Do you have any questions? Even I will get shy if you continue looking at me like that in silence."
-"Right, thank you for bringing her back. We already mourned her loss, and yet I couldn't come to terms with yet another person close to me disappearing."-Jing Yuan spoke to relieve the award atmosphere.
-"You don't have to thank me. It was a simple twist of fate that crossed our paths."
-"For you, that may be. In my eyes, it is a blessing, and I can't be thankful enough for it."
-"Let us stop going in circles. I have some things to talk about with you later. For now, I suggest we go somewhere nice and talk over a meal."
-"Yes, it's time to change the atmosphere. I invite you to the Swallowsong Pavilion. Yukong, can you get some chefs?"
-"Don't worry, general. Everything will be ready as fast as possible."
-"Then allow me to lead the way."
-"Please"
We followed Jing Yuan and soon entered a stunning garden. Everyone sat down in the pavilion. A short while later, an array of dishes arrived, each and every one appetizing, making it hard to decide which one to choose.
After everyone started to eat, I got to know everyone's names, and as the situation relaxed, the talks slowly started around the table.
-"You were lucky that Yue boarded the ship, not simply destroyed it."-March 7th commented after hearing Tingyun recount what had happened to her.
-"Yes. Without the benefactor, my death was all but certain."
-"You are so powerful! Enough to be able to kill the whole fleet by yourself!"-Yanqing was especially interested in my power.
-"Young man, emanators are not beings that can be compared to the average Pathstrider. While most are not much stronger, some are mistaken for Aeons when they unleash their power."
-"Even in the Alliance, while us generals carry the power of Hunt as Emanators, Marshal Hua can deal with us all as one who personally received Reignbow Arbiter's gaze. The disparity between Emanators can vary even more than between them and Pathstriders."
-"I can't believe it. The general is already so strong, and yet."-Yanqing seemed unconvinced.
-"You still underestimate Master Yue."
-"Jingliu, don't advertise me like that. While I'm happy that you think highly of me. I do not wish to be challenged by some battle junkies everywhere I go."
-"I understand that sentiment. Many who dream of glory, rather than earn it with merit, would challenge someone known for strength."-Jing Yan shared my opinion.
-"The glory seems grand for those looking up, but when you own it, you see how empty it is."-I raised my cup to toast with Jing Yuan.
-"Yes, fame is like the clouds. Fleeting and elusive."-He responded in kind.
We continued talking until late evening. Jingliu decided to fight her Mara the next day, so she went to meditate to be in the perfect state for her battle. One by one, people excused themself until only Jing Yuan, Welt from Astral Express, and I stayed, discussing many subjects with a wine in hand.
-"There were not many nights like that after I ascended to the position of general."
-"You are right. For me, the responsibilities of a high position are not that bad. It's the height other people put you on and the distance they keep that weighted highly on me."-Welt agreed with this sentiment.
-"When more people call you by title rather than name, you understand the loneliness of leadership."-I smiled while looking at the starry sky.
We grunk for some more until the sun was starting to appear over the horizon.
-"As pleasant as it is, I must return to my responsibilities."-The general was first to stand.
-"The sun is already in view. It's time to end."-Welt followed quickly after.
-"Good, I have a business to discuss with both of you. After the end of Jingliu's matter, I'll go to Express and Seat of Divine Foresight to find you."-I was last to finish.
-"Then I'll be waiting."
We moved toward the arena where Jingliu was getting ready for her challenge. Most people I met before were already waiting there for us. I started laying down runes to create formation while explaining the process to both Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan of the Divination Commission.
-"You can create a permanent formation, but even then, only exceptional warriors can use it. Normal people lack the willpower to contend with Mara on their field."
-"I see. Those runes are somewhat similar to what we use in Jade Abacus."-Jing Yan commented off-handly.
-"No general. While appearance is somewhat comparable, I can see that they use different principles."-Fu Xuan, whose understanding of Jade Abacus was much more refined, denied his words.
-"Astute observation. I took some inspiration from those Jades, but this art is a fusion of many magical techniques. In essence, it's closer to a spell than technology."-My opinion of the previously loud and sill short girls was changing slowly.
-"Divination Commission would like to learn this art if it is possible."-She also acted gracefully, as if her behavior yesterday hadn't happened.
-"I'll talk about it later with your General."-I agreed, as I wanted to rope in the Loufu, if not the whole Xianzhou Alliance, into the Hold.
-"Allow me to join you then."
-"No problem. Your knowledge will be helpful in that meeting."
After half an hour of work, I was done, so I moved back to Jingliu, who was meditating on the side.
-"Are you ready?"
-"Yes."
-"Then come and stand in the middle."-I waited for Jingliu to follow my instructions.-"Inside your mentalscape, you must be wary of 2 things. First, your form there represents true 'Yourself'. If you die inside, the only thing left from you would be a husk."
Jingliu noded.
-"The next thing to remember is that you must try your best not to destroy much of your surroundings. That place itself is the manifestation of yourself. Its stability is directly linked to your willpower. Too much destruction will weaken you."
-"I'll be careful"
-"Good, then let us start."
Moving back a little, I waited for Jingliu, and after she nodded, I started activating the formation beneath her. My nine tails unfolded as the aura of Remembrance was felt around me. The world itself changed, moving according to my orders. Darkness engulfed all surroundings, only to be changed by a surreal scene. A placid lake spans as far as one can see, and a giant moon looms over it.
Jingliu stood alone. Everybody else had disappeared. Soon, shadows started gathering all around, forming countless hands that were reaching from below. More and more figures emerged, and yet the mirror of water was still unstirred.
⌊ Good, all those years have not blunted her edge.⌉
Suddenly, a ripple appeared. With a quick slash, the first shadow dissipated. In a moment, the next ten have been slew. Each time, a small ripple spreads throughout.
A beautiful figure started her dance under the moonlight. Each movement is graceful yet deadly. Every step taken is without an unneeded flare. A performance with simplicity as its essence. The moon is its only accompaniment.
Second by second, more shadows were dispatched by the icy edge. Red eyes shine with no emotion, only unwavering belief in the sword held by her.
The whole fight lasted only a few minutes, and now only one shadow is left standing. Rather than a vague figure, its appearance was the same as Jingliu. Same eyes looking deep into her.
The clash between the two women reverberated as if an explosion. Rising waves disrupted the calm, and yet it was of no concern to those fighting. The clinging of blades echoed, every attack parried, followed by counter only to be repelled. The tempo was climbing up and up, and tension became palpable.
Then it all stopped. The silence lasted until a sound drop of red blood hit the surface. Jingliu stood motionless, breathing steadily, while blood dripped from her left arm.
Tracing the wound with her finger, she stopped bleeding by freezing it. She then jumped into the air and leaped onto her opponent. The moon behind her, darkness in front.
The sound of slicing the air becomes a prelude to the next act in that fight. If before we could see the beauty of performance, now only the cruel art of killing is left. No concern for oneself, attacks with no room to defend, crazed, unyielding, primal.
No longer were any techniques used. No matter how many new wounds appeared on Jingliu's body, she did not stop. Even when the sword turned red from her frozen blood, she didn't relent. The flame burning in her eyes only grew.
Two figures, red and black, mortal enemies, Human and Mara. I could feel the end was near. The finale was in its zenith, one moment to decide the outcome. Then, in one silent swing, a conclusion was reached. A red figure, swaying lightly, stood with back to her opponent, looking up into the bright moon.
-"Master, I have not shamed you."
-"Not now, nor will you ever."- I responded while appearing before her.
-"I'm glad..."-She said softly and fell in my arms unconscious.
I caught her and started checked her wounds. As we were in mentalscape, they were not true physical wounds but rather ones inflicted on the spirit. The danger these pose is even greater while healing them can take years.
Before I could start helping Jingliu, sounds of clapping could be heard. Soon, grand applause was all around, and laughter and wishes followed.
~"Splendid! Marvelous! This is true art! Flame burning the brightest at the end of a wick!"
-"Aha! Why does an Elated One appear here?"
~"How could I not? Missing this story would be such a waste. Show of mortal will over Aeon's curse, belief in own power, love between the Master and a student."
-"Don't spew your lies, Aha. Speak, why did you appear here?"
~"Hahaha... I just decided to congratulate my favorite actor, nothing more. You never fail to amuse me, little Aeon."
-"I don't dare to claim that title. If you're done, then leave. I won't entertain you anymore."
~"Oh no, no, no. You will entertain me for many, many more years. And I believe in you, champ. You will be the next Aeon. I bet on that, so don't make me lose, K?"
-"..."
~"C'mon, don't be so gloomy. I'll even give you a little tip for today."~Light fell onto Jingliu, closing her wounds.~"We don't want the beauty of the first heroine to be marred by scars, do we?"
-"I thank you for that Aha"
~"Mouu, so serious, like that Old Snake. Smile! And remember to show even better play next time! It's time for me to disappear, so adios mis amigos!!!"
Now that Aeon's power no longer stopped us from leaving, the surroundings returned to what it has before. Everybody saw a fight inside, but they left before Aha appeared, so they did not hear THEIR words.
-"Is she all right?"-Jing Yuan asked as, despite all that happened, she was his master.
-"Yes, Jingliu is just mentally exhausted."
-"It worked..."-Fu Xuan focused on what was objectively more important for them
-"Yes, for the first time in history, the curse of Mara was defeated."-Jing Yuan also remembered the main point.
-"I'll take her to a room first. For rest, wait until our discussion later."-I spoke to the two of them.
-"Tingyun, please lead Yue to the prepared room."
-"Yes, general."
I went holding Jingliu in my arms. Tingyun led me to a big room near the arena. Inside, I lay Jingliu on the bed and sat on a nearby chair. I also had to rest a little, as using the power of Remembrance is taxing on me, who does not have Fuli's blessing.
I meditated until Jingliu awoke. When her eyes opened, they were much clearer than before. The burden that weighed on her has finally disappeared. She turned her gaze onto me. In those cold red eyes, one can see traces of tenderness.
-"Jingliu, what are your plans from now on."-I asked after noticing she had woken up.
-"I plan to redeem my sin to Alliance."- Jingliu sat and closed her eyes.
-"By showing them how to beat Mara, you redeemed your past mistakes."
-"It was not I who did that, but you, Master."
-"Is something wrong with that? You call me Master even though I never accepted that title, but when I at last did something deserving of the said title, you dismissed it."
-"..."-She looked at me silently.
-"I will not have convicted criminal as a student. You admitted your mistake, then now correct it. Don't seek absolution in the eyes of the world. Move forward, carrying your guilt. Only at the end of your path will you see if you are a sinner or not."
-"Yes, my Master."- Jingliu bowed her head deeply, a rare smile blooming on her face.