By The Will of the Gods

Burning Bridges

Bai Zhi sat in his study going over every single one of the meetings he had held in just three days.  He was exhausted and so was his wife who had already retired to their chamber to sleep, and though she had begged him to also sleep, he couldn't.  Not when he had possibly just placed Qing Qiu on the chopping block.

Had Qing Cang not come for Xiao Wu, he would not be struggling with a decision he had to make and make quickly.  Qing Cang had already given him three days to consider his request and the agreement they had both come to.  All it needed was his signiture, but after his meeting with Mo Yuan, he now felt so torn, that he could barely think.

And as his mind went over their meeting, their life long friendship that started when they were mere children also rose as he hung his head over the two scrolls on the table in front of him, one of which would get his signiture while the other would see a potential war in the making.

"Mo Yuan, I must apologize for rushing out of the Grove but I'm sure you understand, I had to deal with Qing Cang privately, I could not allow him to know you had also applied for my daughters hand." Bai Zhi had said bowing slightly as Mo Yuan entered his study.

"Why not?  I asked first did I not?" he replied keeping his face devoid of expression so as not to give away anything that might jeopardize his chances at winning the girl.

"You know what he's like Mo Yuan.  If he knew you had also applied, he would have made things very difficult for us, especially with the issue regarding the Demons.  He thinks that because we have cut ties with the Celestial Tribe that we are now open to a union with the Darklands." Bai Zhi tried to cajole him while pouring them both a cup of wine to still their nerves.

"And are you?" 

"I won't deny that what he is asking for and what he is willing to offer in return isn't tempting.  And nor will I deny that an alliance isn't workable, but for our friendships sake, I have held off on a final decision to hear you out." Bai Zhi said and becoming very serious.

"And what exactly is he offering that I can't give you?" Mo Yuan asked and though he realized that what he was asking sounded a little childish, he really did want to know what The Ghost Realm had that he himself couldn't provide.

And so, for a time Bai Zhi discussed with Mo Yuan what Qing Cangs terms were even though as the prospective father in law, he didn't have to tell him anything.  But for the sake of their friendship, one that Bai Zhi treasured closely, he did share, and not because he wanted Mo Yuan to offer more, but to understand the reasoning behind his agreement to even talk to the Ghost Tribes overlord.

"He is not only offering her a Queenship of the entire Ghost Realm, but he is also offering land, beasts for breeding, marriage alliances between our Tribes and access to rare gems, flora for heaing, Magic spells and weaponry as well as training for our young men." Bai Zhi informed him which merely had Mo Yuan shaking his head.

"She already has most of that on Kunlun Mountain.  As for a Queenship, she will also gain that title within her own lands.  You don't need to send her into the Darklands for training either, because she already possesses far more knowledge of fighting techniques than most of their soldiers." Mo Yuan countered in annoyance.

"As for ties between your Tribes, you also already have this, because you are not enemies.  There is nothing stopping your people from marrying each other, really Bai Zhi.  Everything he is offering, you already have.  What I am willing to offer her, is not only the title of Mistress of Kunlun Mountain, but with this title, she will gain access to almost any land because of it and so will Qing Qiu.  Her people will automatically become my people, therefore your safety is guaranteed, her position as your Queen is guaranteed and as for wealth, I am not a poor man.  She will never lack for anything, not even healing, because Zhe Yan is her own family." he insisted and when looked at in this way, Bai Zhi realized that everything he had said was correct.  There really wasn't any choice.