Heaven's Golden Finger - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

It took an hour or so to settle things down with the remaining elders, by which time it was quite dark outside. Shun considered insisting on heading off for Qiong Lou's hideaway immediately, but saw his grandfather's expression when he started to broach the subject.
"It's not that I don't think you should go," Shizun told him. "You should. But rushing in without allies isn't a good idea."
Shun did know that and would have had things to say to his Shidi if Shirong had made such a suggestion. It was mostly his desire to get this matter over and finished that drove him forward. That and, "I don't want to give him time to regroup. I'm sure he knows we'll be coming for him. Especially now we've broken his hold on Leifeng Sect."
"Maybe we could attack at midnight?" Shirong asked cheerfully, clearly making one of his foolish jokes from that other life of his.
"The enemy are demons, child. Our kind do not sleep the way humans do." Shun's mother turned her attention back on him. "I've contacted your aunt. Unless you want to meet her sooner, she'll head for the area we think Qiong Lou is hiding in. I hope you don't mind my having her check the situation ahead of time."
That last was surely a rhetorical question. Why would Shun mind someone doing something sensible like that? Seeing his mother waiting for an answer, he asked in turn, "Is there a reason I should mind?"
She laughed, touching his cheek lightly in a way that made the little boy in him tremble. "You're King of the Demon Realm now, child. It's your right to make decisions, not mine."
The point was both a good one and one Shun had been trying to ignore. "I don't know how to be a King," he half-whined, glad only his family could hear him being a frightened little child.
Family. He stopped himself, considering the thought more carefully. Yes. Family. He'd spent all his life with Grandfather Quan, but he'd spent it being afraid of rejection. Grandfather had never so much as suggested he'd abandon Shun, but the fear remained, planted and fed by Qiong Lou's constant insinuations.
Now, thinking about it, he had more family than just Grandfather, and a great deal more of it than he'd ever hoped for. A father; admittedly bound to shadow and another realm. A mother; right here and available for comfort if he actually needed it. And a fellow disciple who'd somehow managed to worm his way into Shun's affections, foolish brat that he was.
"No one is born knowing how to be King, or leader or even just adult," Grandfather said gently. "We all have to learn by doing. And I'm satisfied that I've taught you to do the job well."
"Does... does it mean I have to leave Lei Feng Sect?" Admittedly the sect had never been a happy place for Shun, but it'd been comfortable and comforting, being Grandfather's disciple and having a place to call home.
"You'll always be my disciple, Shun. As long as you wish to remain with us."
Behind Grandfather, Shirong had that foolish smile he always got when he was feeling particularly emotional. It'd annoyed Shun before but right that moment he appreciated it. "All right," he sighed. "I'm King. And there's a foreign demon lord attempting to take my territory...." He stopped. Thought about that more carefully. "Gods. Was that what all this was about? Is that why he interfered when you and father met? Why he tried to suppress me?"
"It never occurred to me that he was a demon himself," his mother said slowly. "I'd always thought he was just one of those humans who hated to see their kind interbreed."
That'd been Shun's assumption even when they'd realized Qiong Lou was a demon. That he hated humans the same way some humans hated demon-kind. When it came to that, "He might be against interbreeding and wanting to steal your throne... my throne... too."
"He must have been terrified you'd come into your true power," Shirong said. "Not just your power as Auntie Baishe's son. Your power as the Adversary... and I really wish there was a better term for it."
They could worry about names for his and Shirong's natures later. "Likely he didn't want you to become Chosen, either. Do you think he may have made sure you got hold of that scroll too early, hoping you'd destroy yourself trying to rush into your heritage?"
From Shirong's expression, he hadn't thought of that. His lips tightened. "He did send me to that room to help clean. And he had to know I was always poking my fingers in where they didn't belong. He encouraged it, after all. So yes. You're probably right."
Shun considered their options. The area where Qiong Lou was hiding was to the southwest, a good distance away now. But his father's power over JingLing Forest might come in handy, given he would assist them. Likely he would, because Qiong Lou was a foreign invader. It'd be well within the Forest King's duty to block an enemy.
"Mother, can you call out my followers? Tell them to bring their soldiers to the edge of JingLing Forest nearest where Qiong Lou's stronghold appears to be?"
"I can."
"Grandfather, could you choose some strong disciples to assist? Tell them the same as mother will tell my followers?"
"Of course, child. I'll have to examine them first, to be sure of their loyalties."
That made perfect sense and Shun said so, then turned to Xu Sheng, who'd been quietly watching and waiting nearby. "This involves the Four Kingdoms. Am I right in thinking you've some connection with their Kings?"
"Something like. I've been working for Craft Master Feng Xi, but that means contacting all sorts of interesting people." Xu Sheng gave him a crooked smile. "If you're hoping they'll help fight...."
No. That wasn't likely. As far as Shun could tell, the rulers of the four lands tended to want to keep out of things related to cultivation and spirit beasts. Most people didn't have the skills necessary to deal with such matters. "I want them warned, that's all. They should have any cultivators working for them prepared, in case we lose. I've a feeling Qiong Lou isn't going to stop at simply taking over the Demon Kingdom."
Xu Sheng agreed. "I'll do that, then. As fast as I possibly can."
Shun turned to Shirong. "As for you...."
"Please don't tell me to stay here out of trouble. I'm not a child anymore."
Shun chuckled. "Your birthday isn't for another week, Shirong. You're still a child until then." Before Shirong could take offense or argue more, he added, "Heaven and Earth our witness, Shidi. Our fates are one. You and I go together."
No need to say where. Not when it was obvious. Qiong Lou wanted to steal the Demon Kingdom from its rightful heir? Let him try. Shirong and his brother would face him. Fight him.
And with luck and the Gods on their side, hopefully defeat him.
The next morning they joined Lei Feng Sect's new Master in his chambers. As befitted an Earth element and Mountain attribute cultivator, those chambers were set on a small plateau towards the back of the Sect grounds and surrounded by a stand of bamboo of all colors. A small waterfall sang soft behind the building, its mist rising around the buildings in fine wisps, making the tiny potted trees around the courtyard seem much larger than they actually were.
Grandfather had ordered a large meal for this meeting, one suitable to all its participants. Silky white tofu for himself, grilled meats for Xu Sheng and Shun's mother, fried bread and scorched congee for Shun and Shirong. One last decent meal before they headed off to battle.
"How do you propose to get to Qiong Lou?" Grandfather asked, as they settled down to eat. "You'll want to move quickly. You may not be able to surprise him, but that's no reason to give him time to increase his defense."
Shun thought about it. "We might use our shared space."
"Are you confident enough in controlling it?"
In truth, he wasn't. They'd needed Shun's father's help the last time. Shun thought they could manage it if he knew the destination, but southwest Houttan was a complete mystery to them. There was no telling where they might end up.
"Maybe we could fly on our swords?" Shirong asked, clearly trying to make a joke.
Fly? On their swords? At their strength? What sort of nonsense was that? Shun's expression must have made his confusion clear and Shirong grinned ruefully. "The stories in my other life have cultivators standing on their swords and flying. I know that's not how things work, though."
Grandfather considered that. "It can be done," he told Shirong. "But it's rare and takes a particular skill neither of you possess. Besides, there's nothing wrong with walking."
"He could turn snake and slither," Mother offered, making Grandfather turn slightly pale. From her expression, she'd no idea why he was so bothered. At some point they'd have to tell her. Just not yet. "Or call in some bird spirits."
"No," Shun said decisively. "I already have a plan. I'll go to father." The Forest King's magic allowed a traveler to take a shortcut across his kingdom. That was how he'd gotten Shun and Shirong from Pamir to Houttan so quickly before.
"He can't interfere with the fight, child. It isn't in his forest."
"Helping his son travel from one place to another isn't interfering with a fight, Mother."
She didn't look convinced, but Grandfather said, "It'd give you a chance to find out what's going on inside Qiong Lou's stronghold. Your father might not be able to look all the way inside, but he's certainly spying on it." He eyed the map on the table between them. "And in a way, that stronghold is inside his forest. After all, he's got it surrounded."
That sounded like sophistry to Shun, but it was also the sort of sophistry he'd take advantage of. "I won't expect him to join me. But whatever he can do to help, I'll gladly accept."
A soft sound drew Shun's attention suddenly and he turned to look. Frowned. "I thought I heard bells."
"I did too," Shirong agreed. "Is it just us?"
Grandfather turned his attention towards potted trees surrounding the courtyard. "I was hoping you'd join us," he said to empty space.
That empty space darkened, a faint shadow in the morning light, half obscured by the mist. Again bells chimed and though no voice spoke, Shun knew who it had to be. "Father?"
The bells sang soft in his ears, a tender melody acknowledging him. Grandfather smiled, "He sent me a silverleaf sapling years ago. I couldn't grow it properly here, not while Qiong Lou was in charge, but I could hide it among my potted plants."
More bells, singing amused agreement. Then deepening as their source turned serious. Without knowing how, Shun knew his father was telling him that he could, indeed, get him to Qiong Lou's fortress. Telling him, too, that Qiong Lou knew they'd captured his wife and was already on the offensive, sending his demons into JingLing Forest.
Shun rose. Looked at his Shidi, who joined him without a word of protest. They both turned to their elders. Bowed. Gathered their things. Then, unhesitating, because the time for hesitation was long past, they followed the Forest King into darkness.
JingLing Forest felt colder and darker than the last time they'd traveled it, which set Shun worrying. "Is my father in trouble?" he wondered aloud. The Forest King hadn't appeared before them properly since they'd entered.
"He may be focused on Qiong Lou," Shirong offered, holding up the luminous pearl his father had given him just that morning. "And he did tell us there were demons attacking."
True. Shun hadn't forgotten that point but it hadn't occurred to him that his father might be challenged. He was the Forest King, after all, and that made him the representative of all JingLing Forest's power. Was Qiong Lou truly so strong he could challenge Helang? And if so, didn't that make him far too strong for Shun and Shirong to face down?
As if sensing his fear, a shadow faded into view beside him. A voice spoke soft in his ear. "It's like being eaten alive by gnats. An annoying swarm that needs my attention."
The shadow disappeared again before Shun could answer, but he'd given Shun more confidence. "We'd best be on watch. The closer we get to Qiong Lou, the more likely we'll be meeting his soldiers."
Shirong agreed, light trembling a bit in his hand. Not that Shun blamed him. JingLing Forest was unnerving at the best of times. In the middle of a demonic invasion, when its master was focused entirely on protecting his lands, it buzzed with chaotic energy.
Nor did Shirong's presence help. His nature seemed to inflame the energy, encouraging it to roil around them like small pets seeking their master's approval. Shun could almost hear the stuff yapping excitedly, yearning to run free and wreak havoc at Shirong's command. Worse, Shun's own energies were fighting to join them.
"Hold it in," Shun ordered, focusing his attention on his Self. Qiong Lou hadn't taught him much in his years as Lei Feng Sect Master but he'd taught Shun one vital thing. Self-control. His temper was none of the best, and he'd freely admit to having lost it more often than he should. But he'd learned the value of holding it in, the value of focusing it, and most importantly, the value of targeting it properly.
"Something's coming," Shirong gasped suddenly. "Something big."
Shun stretched his senses, feeling the trees around them sway and twist, caught in a storm of hot and heavy air. "Ready yourself."
His order was unnecessary. Shirong had already dropped the pearl into his ring space and drawn his weapons. The white one supplied just enough light to make up for pearl, while the black one seemed to crackle dangerously. "Ready," he said.
Almost before the word left Shirong's mouth, the beast was on them. A demon, almost certainly, but yet another foreign one. It resembled a dragon, but had huge wings, more batlike than anything else. The wind sent Shun's hair flying, knocking his crown askew and nearly blowing him off his feet.
"Smogu?" Shirong gasped, no doubt coming up with yet another incomprehensible other life reference.
Shun didn't bother demanding an explanation, just dodged sideways, intentionally drawing the thing's attention. "I'll hold it," he called to Shirong. "You know what to do."
The beast howled, its voice echoed elsewhere by other cries. None came closer, thankfully, giving Shun time to shift to his snake form, lightning rippling along his body as he rose above the demon, dodging and weaving back and forth to keep its attention.
Shirong slipped in fast, cut faster. Shouted, "Its scales are too tough! I can't cut it."
Not good. Shirong's blades could cut through metal. They ought to have been able to at least nick this thing's hide. Noticing the heat rising, he drew on his water element, spitting a stream of it into the demon's face and down its throat.
The demon choked. Wheezed. Backed up. Howled and howled again, the notes different this time. Calling for help? That wasn't good. They had to kill it and get away before any of its comrades came to its aid. Shirong dodged in and out again, this time cutting a wing.
Those were less well protected, being formed from thin, stretched, hide. One cut sliced a gash from bottom to top and made the demon turn towards Shirong, clearly intending to swallow him whole.
That gave Shun the moment he needed to wrap around the demon, twisting around so it was thoroughly tangled in his coils. Loosing a storm around himself, he tightened his grip around the spasming creature, searching for some weak point somewhere.
He didn't find it, but Shirong did. As he and his opponent writhed on the ground, Shirong came in close once more, thrusting his black blade deep into the monster's eye. Black liquid flowed as the demon thrashed and thrashed and thrashed.
Then, thankfully, it went still, lying dead within Shun's coils, its body going cold as Shun slid free, turning human again as fast as possible. As Shun resettled his clothing, making he was properly dressed, Shirong took several deep breaths and gasped, "If that's your father's idea of a gnat, I'm not sure I want to know what he thinks a fly is."
Shirong: So, I see you've learned to keep your clothes when you transform.
Shun: I have. What, are you disappointed?
Shirong: If I said yes, will you hit me?
Shun: What do you think?
Shirong: ...  ...  yes?