All The Gods We Can Touch

六 Those Hearts We Did Not Understand

They reached the city just as the sun's golden light crested the horizon, casting a shimmering glow over the sea. Touching down in front of Qiánkūn Shénzhǔ's Temple, the echoes of the last dying howls of the Nether Hounds resonated eerily through the town. The air was thick with the lingering scent of burnt demonic Qi, mingling with the saltiness of the sea breeze.

Black-clad cultivators swiftly assembled, forming disciplined columns and bowing in unison to their Sect Leader. The Head Disciple, still in a slight bow, stepped forward, his voice steady and respectful: "Zongzhǔ, the perimeter has been secured. The demonic Qi flag has been lit, and the weak areas have been cleansed. No common folk ventured outside tonight, and there have been no injuries or deaths reported among them. Our disciples have sustained a few injuries, but they've all been treated and are recovering well."

Upon concluding his report, the disciple seamlessly blended back into the ranks of Qiányè's disciples. Bái Jiānwēi felt a drop of bitterness well up within him. Taking care of the Hounds' invasion was that easy... If the Huái Niàn Sect hadn't been decimated a few nights prior, half the city wouldn't have had to perish.

Xuè Yīnfēng acknowledged the report with a nod before turning her gaze to Bái Jiānwēi and Yún Huìmíng. Noticing the latter drowsy with sleep and leaning heavily against the Huái Niàn cultivator, she hummed thoughtfully. "If that is all, we will retire for the day. Bái-Jūnzi, would you be amenable to a small contingent of Qiányè Sect's disciples being sent after nightfall to patrol the area and ensure nothing was overlooked?"

Bái Jiānwēi nodded, gently pushing Yún Huìmíng away to join his hands and give a proper bow. "This would be most appreciated, Qiányè-zhǒngzhǔ. After everything is settled, the Huái Niàn Sect will ensure to properly express its gratitude."

The Sect Leader waved one hand dismissively. "We will discuss this after the Huái Niàn Sect has been rebuilt."

If it ever was. And if it wasn't, then... Well, the Qiányè Sect was the closest to Huái Niàn's territory, and had much more of a claim to it than the brutes of Zhènhù Sect up north.

At this, Bái Jiānwēi's face twisted into a complicated expression before he decided to speak. "The massacre of the Huái Niàn Sect shows signs of having been orchestrated by conscious individuals, but my Sect's techniques do not allow me to proceed further along the investigation without help from cultivators of different branches. If you were to lend your hand in unravelling this Funerary Sect's assassination, this one would be forever in your debt..."

The cultivator could feel Yún Huìmíng's eyes glaring a hole through his back. If he reached back with his Qi, he probably could hear the other's thoughts. 'Why did you plead this pathetically, and in public? She already lent too much help. Being too dependent on one powerful entity is too dangerous for the power balance between the Qiányè and Huái Niàn Sect. She will accept and lay her conditions, and you will have to agree to them on the spot unless you want to appear stingy with your Sect's prosperity and your territory's safety. This is not ideal at all, not at all...'

As Yún Huìmíng silently fumed in the background, barely restraining from jumping in and trying to salvage whatever honour Bái Jiānwēi had sworn into the wolves, Xuè Yīnfēng came to a decision.

"To decide on my Sect's involvement, I need more information. Shall we meet by dusk at Huái Lóng's gate?"

Bái Jiānwēi could barely contain his relief. "Thank you for this opportunity, Qiányè-zhōngzhǔ."

They made their goodbyes and took to the skies, flying low over the forest. The wind whipped past them, carrying the scent of pine trees and the faintest trace of the sea, as the early morning sun cast long shadows on the ground below.