Medicine Master slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, within those eyes was a bottomless calmness.
"Good."
The single word fell like clashing gold and stone.
Maitreya nodded.
The two took a step.
The void rippled silently.
The next second.
Above the Emperor Ku Tribe.
Space twisted slightly.
Two figures slowly materialized.
One in gray monk's robes, the other in yellow.
Golden light swirled, Sanskrit chants rang out.
The entire tribe trembled faintly within that Buddha Light.
All the clan members fell to their knees beneath that pressure.
They shivered, not daring to raise their heads.
Emperor Ku stopped his plow.
He lifted his eyes toward the Sky Dome.
Toward those two figures.
There was not half a trace of panic on that plain, honest face.
Only calmness.
The calmness of one who had seen through life and death.
He set down his plow.
Barefoot, he stepped out of the fields.
Step by step, he walked toward those two golden figures.
His strides were steady, neither hurried nor slow.
Medicine Master watched him, a flicker passing through his eyes.
"Emperor Ku."
He spoke, his voice gentle:
"This poor daoist is Medicine Master, a disciple under Sage Jieyin of the Western Sect."
"This is Maitreya, a disciple under Sage Zhunti."
"We have come today to discuss a matter."
Emperor Ku stopped.
He raised his eyes to look at the two of them.
Within those clear eyes was not half a trace of fear.
Only calmness.
"What matter?"
The two words fell like an evening drum and morning bell.
Medicine Master and Maitreya exchanged a glance.
Maitreya stepped forward, his smile warm.
"Benefactor Emperor Ku possesses profound merit, flourishing fate, and a firm foundation."
"This poor daoist boldly invites you to join our Western Sect."
"To serve as a guardian