Master Hong invited Li Ling over to the gourd-shaped stone Alchemy Furnace beside them and pricked his finger with a silver needle. Amid a faint sting, a bead of blood dripped out and was added to the furnace like a medicinal ingredient.
Blood from the finger connected to the heart; supplemented by Divine Sense, it became essence blood, capable of carrying one's spirit and will.
After Li Ling's blood dripped inside, smoke billowed from the entire stone furnace. The fierce, oppressive flames immediately subsided, and wisps of white vapor rose once more.
The furnace lid then opened on its own, revealing a flying sword a little over a foot long.
Like other flying sword artifacts, it had blades at both ends and no hilt to grasp. Shaped like an elongated shuttle, it radiated a menacing sharpness. Although it sat inside the hot furnace, its temperature was strangely low, and its entire body was a dark gold.
The blood he had just dripped in landed precisely on the upper blade tip. Before their eyes, patterns resembling meridians slowly formed wherever it flowed. Before long, numerous blood-red markings covered the sword.
These patterns had even penetrated the sword's interior, merging with it throughout. Who knew what special materials had been added to the gold to create such an extraordinary-looking marvel?
A sense of mental connection arose spontaneously. Li Ling even had the illusion that he could lift it into the air with a single thought.
Of course, that was not true. Li Ling knew his own limits. Although the strength of his Divine Sense had increased considerably, it was still measured in grams, far from sufficient.
He would need at least ten-odd pounds of force to lift an artifact like this.
Master Hong said, "This sword design is called the Golden Shuttle. It weighs nine pounds and six ounces. Consort Li and the Ninth Princess should both know the usual methods of refining it through visualization and focused concentration."
Li Ling said, "We do. Sorry for the trouble, Master Hong."
Then he turned to the Ninth Princess. "Princess, help me take this sword out."
The sword still retained a little warmth, and with no hilt to grasp, he naturally could not pick it up by hand.
But the Ninth Princess was a Qi Refining cultivator. Even with interference from Li Ling's aura, extracting the sword and putting it away was well within her abilities.
She immediately beckoned with one hand, drawing it out through the air and placing it in a jade box that had already been prepared.
What followed was Li Ling's own business and no longer concerned the Hong Family Shop. Still, as a matter of courtesy, he took the opportunity to tour the sword workshop and discuss recent affairs.
When Li Ling asked whether business had been good lately, Master Hong replied, "Looks like there's going to be a war. The authorities have ordered quite a few weapons from us. Not just Hundred-Forged Steel swords and sabers for rewarding merit and equipping officers, either. Ordinary blades, arrowheads, mechanisms, wagon shafts, and bearings too."
"A war?" Li Ling felt rather bewildered, but the Ninth Princess's expression shifted slightly beside him. She sent him a private voice transmission. "Husband, I know the whole story. I'll explain it to you later."
Once the tour was over, Li Ling took his leave. Master Hong did not try to detain him, merely bringing several close disciples out to see them off.
Only after they had boarded their carriage and set off home did the Ninth Princess quietly explain the reason. "The Old Ancestor is venting your grievances for you. Azure Cloud True Person schemed against you, and the Immortal Sects have their own laws for dealing with that. But the Zhu Yuan Kingdom must still be met with weapons. If we don't seize a dozen or more cities and several hundred miles of fertile land this time, it hardly counts as retaliation!"
For some reason, a poem came to Li Ling's mind: "Yesterday Eastern Zhou, today Qin; Xianyang's hearth smoke, Luoyang's dust. A hundred years amid anthills and beehive courts, enough to make those atop Kunlun laugh."
Mortals were like ants, yet their countless trades and industries supplied the immortal sects, where great numbers of disciples awaited those resources.
The Old Ancestor was probably indeed venting his grievances. But no one would believe that the Old Ancestor had no selfish motives, no intention of using this opportunity to swallow up territory controlled by a fellow sect member and collect more tribute.
With evidence of his plot to steal the Spirit-Communing Incense in their hands, Patriarch Azure Cloud probably had no choice but to accept punishment. The Mystic Xin Kingdom's plan to seize a dozen or more cities and several hundred miles of fertile land would very likely become reality.
Even a change of dynasty, consigning the Zhu Yuan Kingdom to history, might not be out of the question.
This was what this world called heaven's mandate, what it called predetermined fate-worldly affairs a game board, and people its pieces!
Seeing Li Ling's grave expression, the Ninth Princess asked with concern, "Husband, what's wrong?"
Li Ling sighed softly and spoke his mind. "The beacons of war are about to blaze again. How innocent are the Mortal People who'll be swept into it?"
"And those soldiers, too. Though they won't die because of me, there'll still be some connection. I truly can't bear the thought."
The Ninth Princess held his hand and patted it gently. "I hadn't told you yet precisely because I was afraid you'd be upset. But to the Old Ancestors, this is nothing more than a dispute over face."
Li Ling asked, "Will cultivators take part?"
The Ninth Princess said, "Apparently, both sides have agreed to send a set number of Qi Refining disciples into battle, with no restrictions on life or death. But they may only attack each other, not mortals."
Li Ling gave a cold laugh. "Quite particular about the rules of their game, aren't they?"
The Ninth Princess said, "What's particular about it? Being forbidden to attack mortals doesn't mean they can't use objects or provide assistance from the sidelines. But that only happens when tempers truly flare. After all, they're all from the Skycloud Sect, and taking things too far would look bad. Unless something unexpected happens, they generally won't deliberately target mortals. It's merely a chance for disciples of the various branches to gain experience and face their tribulations."
I know this story. It's called Investiture of the Gods!
Li Ling inwardly shook his head. To be one of the Mortal People, weak and helpless, was to suffer eight lifetimes' worth of bloody bad luck. Fortunately, he could create value and carried some weight even in the eyes of the immortal masters.
The Ninth Princess added, "Besides, merit and karmic hindrances, causality and tribulations aren't things you can cheat. Low-level cultivators with no hope of longevity don't care, but great cultivators do. There are still immortal masters who look after the welfare of all living beings."
Li Ling said, "Great cultivators hold their eyes above their heads. Surely the lives of the Mortal People in one little region don't count as the welfare of all living beings? I fear they wouldn't even spare a glance for a few tens of thousands of lives."
The Ninth Princess consoled him. "Husband, there's no need to dwell on it. Though you were born one of the Mortal People, your skill in aiding cultivation has long since set you apart from ordinary people. Father, Mother, and the Li clan are enjoying comfortable lives back home, too. They won't suffer displacement from the war."
Li Ling said, "You don't understand, Princess. A creature grieves when its own kind suffers. How could this concern only my family, friends, and hometown?"
The Ninth Princess said, "There's nothing to be done about that. Cultivators are born with spiritual gifts and only attain the Dao Fruit after enduring repeated calamities and hardships. Must they still stand on equal footing with muddleheaded ordinary mortals?"
Li Ling was left speechless, yet could not think how to refute her. He could only smile at himself and say no more.
Seeing his distress, the Ninth Princess nestled into his arms, tender and attentive, her sweetness enough to melt him. "My dear consort, why tie yourself in knots? Never mind the benefits if we win. Even if we lose, even if Xu Xin is destroyed, at worst we'll move abroad and live as wealthy expatriates, or pay tribute and submit to the Zhu Yuan Kingdom. Life will go on all the same."
At those words, Li Ling did not know whether to laugh or cry. If even a member of the Mystic Xin Royal Family like the Ninth Princess cared so little about military and national affairs, what more could he say?
Still, along the way he thought of several ways he could help. As soon as he returned to the residence, he summoned the head steward, Eunuch Xu, to the rear hall of the Inner Garden. "Do we have any funds left in the accounts? There may be a war soon. Purchase a batch of grain, clothing, and medicinal supplies in advance, and prepare to provide disaster relief."
Once war broke out, people would lose their homes, and farming would also be affected. Some degree of food shortage was inevitable.
He could not interfere with the larger situation ordained by the immortal masters, but he could at least save some Mortal People.
Eunuch Xu was somewhat surprised to hear this, but since the Prince Consort wished to do good, he said little more. He only needed to carry out the orders.
After giving his instructions, Li Ling asked, "Give me a rough estimate. How much will all this cost?"
Eunuch Xu reported, "Relief efforts can be large or small. The court will still have to bear the main expense. A contribution of three to five thousand taels of silver from the residence would be appropriate."
Li Ling was slightly taken aback-not because it was too expensive, but because it was unexpectedly cheap. "Having an unranked flying sword made as a toy costs two or three hundred taels of gold. Buying a beautiful concubine or a fine horse costs about the same. Yet relieving disaster victims takes only this much?"
The Ninth Princess said, "Grain prices haven't risen yet, and we have our own estates. It amounts to using up some old grain, that's all. The servants are idle anyway, so we can put them to work as well. If you weren't also concerned about shelter for the refugees and buying medicinal supplies, we might not need to spend anything."
Eunuch Xu agreed. "Indeed, my lord. Other households can call themselves conscientious if their relief porridge is even a watery soup. You also ordered clothing and medicine. You're truly a living Buddha to ten thousand households. The people will surely be deeply grateful."
The Ninth Princess snorted coldly. "I'm afraid the servants below will be as delighted as if it's New Year, too. Another chance to line their pockets. Water that's too clear has no fish, and I won't concern myself with everything else, but this time you, as head steward, must keep a close watch. The residence doesn't care about a little silver going astray, but don't let the consort lose face."
Eunuch Xu hurriedly said, "This servant understands what matters. Please rest assured, Prince Consort and Princess."
Li Ling sighed with a smile and dismissed Eunuch Xu. He simply stopped thinking about all those matters and turned his gaze to the flying sword on the table, a clear, keen light seeming to shine in his eyes.
He had originally commissioned this flying sword merely to play with it and fulfill a long-held wish.
But at this moment, his urgent desire to truly wield it was stronger than ever.
Seeing that there was nothing else to do, the Ninth Princess intended to return to her room, but Li Ling stopped her. "Not just yet. Please perform your techniques again, Princess, and let me witness the methods of immortals."
The Ninth Princess said, "It only takes a little mental effort. Why say 'please'? But your obsession with all things immortal really does worry me."
Li Ling coaxed her. "My dear Princess, just think of me as having eaten my fill with nothing better to do. Can't I enjoy a curiosity?"
The Ninth Princess chided him. "Wouldn't that make me a street performer?"
Li Ling grinned. "Hurry and put on a show, Princess."
Helplessly, the Ninth Princess extended her hand. Light flashed, and a gleaming golden object emerged from the sword pouch at her waist.
This was her Refined Gold flying sword. It, too, was a little over a foot long, with blades at both ends and a shuttle-like shape—the Golden Shuttle Sword design.
Unlike the Golden Shuttle Sword Li Ling had just obtained, however, hers possessed a proper rank and was a genuine low-grade artifact. It was also slightly heavier, weighing twelve pounds and eight ounces.
A flying sword had no hilt and was certainly not designed for ordinary mortals to use. Yet under the Ninth Princess's Divine Sense control, it moved as naturally as her own fingers, dancing through the air as if weightless. It was truly formidable.
After wielding the flying sword for a while, the Ninth Princess sent it into the distance, stopping it about ten zhang away.
Li Ling said thoughtfully, "So early-stage Qi Refining really does allow Spiritual Consciousness to extend about ten zhang? Princess, try moving that stone block in the courtyard with your thoughts."
The Ninth Princess could only withdraw her flying sword and make a grasping motion through the air. The stone block in the courtyard outside the door, weighing a full hundred pounds, rose several feet, as though an invisible strongman were carrying it.
Li Ling asked, "Do you still have strength to spare, Princess?"
The Ninth Princess said, "That's nearly my limit. Even if I divide my thoughts again, I'll only have thirty-odd pounds of force left, barely enough to wield a flying sword."
Li Ling said, "Over a hundred pounds of lifting force in early-stage Qi Refining, over two hundred in the middle stage, and over three hundred in the late stage. So it really is true."
The Ninth Princess lowered the stone block. "Every sect and school has long since measured these things, and the results are generally similar. But just like mortal strength, innate gifts or frequent training can create differences of several hundred pounds or several dozen zhang between individuals. Once you reach Foundation Establishment and develop magical power, you can also draw upon Heaven-and-Earth Origin Energy. How could your abilities be limited to moving objects?"
"As you can see, harnessing magic is the proper path. Relying on brute force only makes one a laughingstock before the experts. Above Foundation Establishment, no one bothers subdividing these measurements anymore."
Li Ling nodded inwardly. "Indeed."
He had seen Qi Refining cultivators act before, and not long ago had witnessed the disheveled Daoist killing the horse-faced Daoist, Shopkeeper Huo, and the others. The impression remained vivid.
Truthfully, the hundred-odd pounds of Divine Sense possessed by an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator was weaker than a mortal's physical strength. But it did not need muscles and bones to operate, and its reach was far greater. That was its ingenuity.
An early-stage Qi Refining cultivator could easily deal with large numbers of mortals. Their physical vulnerability remained, however, so they still had to fear blades and flying arrows.
After advancing to the middle or even late stage, not only did their mental strength increase, but their range of control and ability to divide their thoughts improved as well. At that point, the organized might of a feudal dynasty could no longer contend with them.
Even in the modern age, hastily deploying hundreds or thousands of people against a single person would be limited by the available space. Surely a thousand people could not all cram into the same corridor to ambush a cultivator?
As the saying went, the subtlety of application resided in the mind. Used to wield flying swords forged from refined gold or control water, fire, and baleful energy, this became divine abilities and spells, against which mortals were even more helpless.
To take just one example, the Ninth Princess's ability to wield a flying sword surpassed that of any mortal grandmaster who had spent decades immersed in swordsmanship. No matter how miraculous a mortal grandmaster's skill became, they could not control a sword through the air. The weapons themselves were vastly different, too. Flying swords forged from refined gold commonly weighed over ten pounds, surpassing even great two-handed swords and heavy halberds. They also had the advantage of aerial strikes, with no need to engage at close quarters. Whoever came at her, a sudden thrust from over ten zhang away would punch a hole straight through them.
To deal with Qi Refining cultivators, one had to pile up lives. Fine weapons and equipment were also essential: longbows, heavy crossbows, warhorses, and armor. Open terrain was needed to deploy proper military formations, too, rather than being dragged into a running guerrilla fight.
At Foundation Establishment, cultivators could draw upon the power of heaven and earth, making the gap even greater. Ultimately, balance depended on the army having its own cultivators stationed within it-disciples sent by immortal sects to gain experience in mortal dynasties.
Without becoming a cultivator, one remains an ant. It's not merely a difference in lifespan. No wonder... no wonder...
Li Ling began to dimly understand what the war the immortal masters intended to launch truly was.
It really was nothing more than a contest of face, a game of maneuvering!