Chương 84: Montage
The Guan Clan compound bustled with activity under an overcast morning sky. Despite the less than cheerful weather, servants walked briskly to and fro, carrying various burdens, sweeping, cleaning and polishing. Lower ranked Clan members could also be seen moving quickly from around the compound, many with harried expressions on their faces.
A few days ago, Dàilán might have been complaining to Chénli about her usual schedule being disrupted. Now, as she looked down from the window of her suite's study at the almost frantic level of activity below, she only had a grim look on her face, the thought only a painful reminder of her friend and sister-in-all but-blood's absence.
"Your pardon, Young Mistress," Ài spoke softly from behind her as the lady in waiting finished brushing her hair with the required thousand strokes after she had completed her morning bath, "Your formal robes are ready."
Dàilán inclined her head in acknowledgement, setting her slightly damp hair shimmering like a waterfall of ink down her back, but remained staring down at the Guan clan's compound, considering how foolish all of it seemed.
She never had been interested in the affairs of the Empire and the Game of the Noble Cultivator Clans that everyone else in the Guan Clan seemed to play with such fervour - well mostly everyone, she amended to herself, thinking of her Father and female Cousins who all seemed to be finding their own ways to break out of the cycle - but knowing the real reasons behind the current excitement just seemed to underscore the foolishness of it all.
Turning on her heel she strode out of her study and across the small common area into her bedchamber, hearing the soft rustle of fabric as Ài kept pace behind her and feeling the now familiar stab of guilt at the reminder of Chénli's absence.
Biyu and Chàng were waiting by her formal robing dresser as she swept into the room, already dressed in their own 'formal' uniforms. Ài moved off to one side and Chàng followed, presumably to assist Ài with changing into her own formal robes as a lady-in-waiting.
As her maids unwound the thick towel from her body, Dàilán sighed at the familiar splotch of red that stained the towel's whiteness. The 'blessing' potion worked for approximately eighteen hours, providing a large reduction in rate of flow and pain for the remainder of the day after taking it on rising, but it always triggered a cleanse directly after taking it - deliberately so, to prevent illness and complications. Sometimes the cleanse was heavier or longer than others and today it clearly had continued after she had to leave her bath.
"I will need the blessing potion for at least three days more," she reminded her maids, who nodded in understanding. Biyu turned and dipped a cloth in a bowl of previously prepared Essence and perfume infused water, then handed it to her with a bow.
Dàilán cleaned up the residual discharge with practised motions, then tossed the cloth into the soiled waste basket - which immediately incinerated it with a flare of Essence Formations. Intimate bodily fluids were too dangerous to leave lying around - an enemy formation master could do very ugly things with such ingredients.
As her maids began spraying her with various expensive but understated Essence perfumes that worked together with her natural pheromones to produce a unique and delicate scent, Dàilán reviewed the events leading up to the current situation thoughtfully.
After her slightly belated but safe return two nights previous, Father had pointedly avoided asking for details of what had happened at the Knife Sect at dinner. However, Dàilán made a point of explaining that they had been attacked on the way home from the Sect by a Cultivator from the Grass Cult - and she was fairly sure the Cult was the root cause of Clan Guan's recent misfortunes.
Father's anger was tightly reined in and largely subsided once she assured him that the last she had seen of the assassin was him fleeing with furious Knife Enforcers on his trail.
She had noted - with some satisfaction - that he seemed more than a little perturbed at Chénli's absence and assured him that Chénli would return once the injuries received from protecting her healed.
Avoiding the - precise - details what had happened during the course of the very full day seemed wise; Dàilán did include the fact that she had successfully defeated a number of other Enforcers in her age bracket in a 'friendly tournament' to earn the Heir position, without being too specific on the the level of danger involved. Her Father's pride in his daughter performing so well despite the 'disadvantages' of her background, concern over Chen'er's injuries and thankfulness that Dàilán was safe distracted him from inquiring very deeply about the exact events involved.
She - did - take the opportunity to mention that the Knife Sect was going take up residence in their wing of the Compound, for security and training purposes, something she had already agreed with. Her Father had actually been quite approving of this - something along the lines of 'it being about time the old so-and-so recognised/protected his granddaughter' and so forth - but had understandably concerned about how the remainder of the Clan would respond.
Dàilán explained the bare bones of the 'Gi Clan comes Courting' plan and her Father spent almost a full fen laughing until he could not breathe. Apparently the idea of the Guan Clan openly requesting and welcoming Knife Sect Enforcers into the clan compound as part of a supposed rise in status amused him greatly, given the conflicts his wife had always had with the Clan Elders.
Her Father did warn her that the Clan Elders would be likely to oppose the idea if they realised what was occurring amid all the distractions. However, her father assured her that if the matter arose, he would assert that Third House's alliance with the Knife Sect was both an internal House and Sect Heiress concern that would be best left alone unless Clan Guan wished to offend an Enforcer Sect.
The next day, yesterday, she had faced a similar, much more exhaustive debriefing with her Grandmother in her persona as Dragon, with both Dagger and Moon present, but passive and merely listening. Once again, Dàilán avoided volunteering details about Sect specific business that was not directly related to her.
She focused on the fights with Grass, leaving both her her Cousins pale and shaking, convincing the Council of her right to the Heir position, discovering and removing the traitors to the Sect in the process - without mentioning the Heart of the Sect, only that the traitors had given themselves away during the Council meeting - as well as describing exactly how she managed to defeat twelve other more experienced cultivators in a 'mock' battle - including an extra full Senior Enforcer. She knew that unlike her Father, her Grandmother would not fly into a rage at the idea of Dàilán being put into physical danger and was in an excellent position to analyse the politics involved in what had occurred to cement Dàilán's position within the Sect.
Grandmother was mildly scandalised at how 'unladylike' she had been forced to be, mildly complimentary at how she handled the Council and absolutely aghast at the idea of letting any more Knives in the Clan.
One of her main sticking points was that with the Sect being under so much pressure from Grass and possibly other groups, they would not be able to deliver the support Dragon had hoped - for both the Clan and her resistance network; Dàilán pointed out that the Sect being indebted to their Heir - and by extension Clan Guan - for cleaning up many of aforementioned issues meant this was a better time to get involved.
Among other things the Sect would provide private and discreet training to all three Clan daughters - under the guise of 'Chaperoning', as well as a substantial defensive force if any overt attempts were made to attack the Clan.
Dàilán suspected her Grandmother's real issue was the loss of control involved with having a group of powerful Cultivators which could easily overpower Clan Guan's own forces answering to Dàilán. She assured her Grandmother that the Knife Enforcers were only interested in training their Heir - and others as agreed - while providing security against any further attempts by the Glass Cult to cause problems, not in involving themselves in internal Clan matters, regardless of Dàilán's own status as Guan Third Heir.
Dragon reluctantly agreed eventually, although Dàilán had a distinct feeling it was more the idea of forming stronger connections with the Gi Clan by agreeing to their request that really tipped the balance in the end.
Yesterday afternoon, Clan Guan received a formal messenger from the Gi Clan requesting permission to pay court to the Guan First Heiress on the day after, chaperoned by the Heir to House Ji, who in turn requested to visit the Second Heiress - both suggesting that the Third Heiress would be able to act as a suitable chaperone for both couples.
This sent the entire Elder Council of the Clan into closed session - beside themselves with joy that the highest ranked Clan and wealthiest House were openly showing support to the Clan. Then the orders went out - everything had to be perfect for the Gi and Ji Heir's visit - and the Clan had been boiling like a kicked anthill in a frenzy of preparation ever since.
It was now barely half a shi before the visit was to occur, which required a full 'court' dress. Hence her usual morning routine being disrupted and the formal robing. Thankfully, as she was to be the 'sober guard on her Cousins virtue' without being the complete dampener a senior Clan member would be, she and her entourage were to dress in an understated manner, which somewhat reduced the level of uncomfortable outfitting required.
Dàilán watched in the floor length mirror as Biyu stepped back with satisfaction, with her young mistress dressed perfectly in the heavy silk brocade robes. The fabric fell crisply to the floor, hiding the high formal platform shoes that lent her height, along with the gravitas bestowed by the robes. Chàng and Ài returned with Ài also in her formal uniform - managing to make it look much more dignified than the other maids - just as Biyu stepped back, all three moving together complete her hair and makeup.
As Dàilán held herself still to allow her maids to work, only moving her head when directed by Ài, she considered the speed at which events were progressing. The Sect must be concerned if they moved this quickly on the plan - they would have had to send the request to the Gi Clan the morning after her visit for the timing of everything to make sense. The Sect must have understated their influence within the Gi Clan to get them to agree so quickly, although hopefully the Gi Heir's interest in her eldest Cousin was also a factor.
Repressing a sigh, she resigned herself to hours of yawn-inducing discussion and overblown false courtesy.
---
"Well, this was unexpected," remarked Dàilán as she walked with with her two older Cousins, their prospective suitors, Ài following a pace behind with a pair of - to Dàilán - familiar looking guards; a petite teen girl with a sword strapped to her back and a wiry young man with constantly shifting eyes, both dressed in non-descript robes, although Míng had raised one finely plucked eyebrow at the flashes of plain embroidery patterns woven subtly into their hems.
"We managed to convince our Elders that our suites would be better received in a more relaxed setting, with a minimum of third parties present," responded the rotund form of Heir Ji, who seemed to almost roll along as the group strolled leisurely along the sculpted path through the Guan Clan gardens.
"Because nothing crushes romance faster than two shi of listening to self-important political manoeuvring," added Heir Gi.
Dàilán assayed a small cough to cover her amusement, "While I could possibly agree with the Esteemed Heirs - as a chaperone, I am observing that a less forward choice of words might be appropriate." She suppressed a giggle at the faint blushes that stained Heir Gi and Cousin Míng's cheekbones - as both of them were infamous being unusually self-controlled.
"My apologies if my directness has given any offence," responded Gi Chian after the party had continued several steps.
"It has not," answered Míng firmly, "It is a relief, even if the concept of romance may be premature."
Heir Gi twitched slightly and both Cousin Ying and Dàilán coughed to cover inappropriate laughter. Heir Ji had no qualms and laughed openly at his 'brother's' discomfiture, "This shall be entertaining," he chortled, "I cannot think of a time where my brother was the one being rebuffed - usually he is the one dodging admirers."
"En, I am sure we are being discretely watched for improper behaviour," answered Ying, waving a small fan in front of her face, "I doubt they seriously consider Third an appropriate chaperone."
Dàilán snorted good-naturedly, "I am sure the only reason the Clan Elders agreed to the idea was because Heir Gi proposed it. That and the guards." She inclined her head towards the two guards.
"There are a few watchers - but they are keeping a distance, Heiress," the young man spoke up unexpectedly, "I am running active security formations - they are stronger than the basic privacy barriers that are usually expected in these sorts of circumstances, but no one should notice - unless we give anyone reason to examine the group too closely. It should be safe to speak."
Recognising the voice, Dàilán blinked, "I did not expect that you would be detached from your duties so quickly - Formation Master Leng."
The female guard spoke up with a familiar cold voice, "The traitor escaped. It was decided that the plan be moved forward. We are to prepare for the cadre to follow, Heiress."
"Most unfortunate," observed Gi Chian as Dàilán stutter-stepped in shock in hearing the voice of the Bloodwitch - as well as the unfortunate news, "it is of course in my best interest to assist my prospective wife's family as much as possible. I would feel much more assured if my guards remained with the Guan Clan."
"I thank you for the courting gift, Heir Gi," replied Míng after a moment, "Third, I would ask that you provide quarters for a cadre of guards - your compound has space mine is unfortunately lacking."
"As you wish, First," replied Dàilán with a straight face, inclining her head respectfully.
"We will need to start training as soon as possible," directed the Bloodwitch, "Heir Gi, we will need your cooperation to arrange trips outside of the city."
"Yes, it was explained," agreed Gi Chian, "Naturally, I will accompany the Guan in their training - it would be foolish to not take this chance to learn directly from a Formations Master."
"As will I," Heir Ji joined in enthusiastically, "although my own style is more brute force."
Dàilán watched as the Bloodwitch looked at Heir Ji for a moment then nodded, "Golden Arhat Body?"
The stout young man looked taken aback then smiled widely, nodding, "Golden for Wealth and crush with the weight of it," he affirmed cheerfully slapping his belly with satisfaction.
There was an odd squeak from Yue and Dàilán looked around to see her Second cousin watching with wide eyes and blushing cheeks as her intended and the Senior Enforcer started having an intense discussion on the merits of 'playing the pig to eat the tiger'. Dàilán rolled her eyes and took two quick steps to place herself beside Yue, tapping her cousin discreetly on the wrist with her hand fan.
Yue's head snapped around and she blew a breath out, waving her own fan across her face in an obvious attempt to regain composure, "It did not jiggle, Cousin," she hissed between quick flicks, "not even a bit!"
"Are you worried your cheerful meatball might be a slumbering lion?" Dàilán asked her Cousin quietly. The others had all been drawn into their own intense conversations about battle and Formations for the moment, so their quiet aside was not noticed, "I know you picked him so you could avoid being some powerless Clan second or third wife."
Yue winced, "Not just that…"
"You should discuss it all with him then," Dàilán advised quietly, "I am certain he truly cares for you - and if that strength is supporting you rather than suppressing… given what we have seen lately past his 'Fatty Ji' persona, he probably knows why you accepted his suit anyway and does not seem to mind."
Yue started blushing again and Dàilán snorted, "You seem to approve as well. Well, the 'Courting visits' should have enough time for semi-private discussions over the next few weeks…"
---
"Faster, faster, faster! What am I wasting my time on, Essence slugs could move faster than this…"
Yue groaned at the BloodWitch's encouragement as they leapt ahead while circulating techniques. Míng and Chian were frantically inscribing runes and formations in mid air in a desperate attempt to slow her down, but were also having to deal with the ridiculous amounts of counter inscriptions Leng was putting out that were clashing with theirs.
Dàilán threw herself flat as one of the diminutive Enforcer's swipes nearly bisected her - only Yue's Essence Fabric shooting over her and momentarily tugging the giant blade off course letting her have the time to roll underneath and then leap to her feet in timpe to frantically block a set of throwing knives that one of the other Enforcer cadre participating in the Heir's 'training' had thrown from hitting both her and Yue.
As Dàilán jolted from the shocks caused by the sparring blades hitting hers, Yue disengaged and threw down a scattering of seeds. A cloud of Essence was followed by massive thorny bushes writhing their way up out of the ground, spitting flaming seeds in the direction of their 'attackers'.
"You know, dear cousin," hissed Yue between gasping breaths, "two days ago, when you said we would have time to talk...."
There was a thundering rumble as a very large, golden blur tore out of the tree line and smashed into the Senior Enforcer who had paused momentarily to deal with the defensive Essence structure. The impact knocked the smaller woman away from the two women behind the nearly shredded barrier - resolving into a muscular golden man who was recognisably Heir Ji, but twice the Fatty's normal height - and started exchanging blows with the smaller Enforcer with the harsh clanging of steel on anvil as his fists met her weapon.
"...This was not what I had in mind!" shouted Yue, her eyes raking appreciatively over her prospective partner's battle form.
"Just doing my job as chaperone," snarked Dàilán and gave her cousin a push, "get in there and slow her down!"
As Yue got up and began to throw out cloth straps like a spider towards the BloodWitch, Dàilán split off and ran towards Enforcer Leng to try and give the other pair a chance to catch their breath, dodging attacks from other 'Enforcers' in the process. Thankfully Ài, Biyu and Chàng managed to tag team the intercepting Enforcers long enough to let her evade her way to wards where Leng was hard pressing Míng and Chian.
"Gods and Demons, I miss Chen'er," snarled the Heiress, "'Chian is a Genius Formations Master' my left testical…"
---
"...During yesterday's exercise the Cadre noticed several shortcomings which we will endeavour to overcome. Your group tactics and strategy leave much to be desired." The speaker was an average looking Enforcer standing in front of the five seated Heirs and Heiress and three maids as they sat in a semi circle on the grass in a picturesque meadow outside the city.
Dàilán winced as the other five Heirs groaned audibly and forced her facial expression into impassiveness at the rather predictable response from the instructor, proud that her retinue had not made the same mistake. As the others were ordered to do laps around the meadow for disrespect - without Essence Techniques - the BloodWitch walked up in front of her and gestured to her to hold position.
"Senior Enforcer," responded Dàilán, holding herself in a position of respect to authority as the others ran off, the instructor following them.
"Sect Heir." Replied the BloodWitch. Dàilán blinked then relaxed. This was Sect business, so she was expected to assume the appropriate mein.
"Something to report, Enforcer?" she replied quietly, inclining her head.
"Reports of additional clashes with Grass kill squads around a number of 'outer' páifāng, Heir. The Leader is growing increasingly concerned that Grass may have decided to proceed with an overt attack where their covert one has failed. He regrets that he will not be able to send additional Enforcers to reinforce the cadre already here."
"This is why you are pushing us so hard so fast," realised the young teen heiress, "I was surprised when Gi Clan made almost daily trips part of the betrothal agreement. If Grandmother had not agreed it would have never been accepted by the others."
She paused, thinking, "It is probably for the better. I will check with my Father during my weekly Heir training tomorrow, but I am certain Third Uncle is suspicious - more 'Guards' will only make things worse at this point."
"We will need to let everyone have a rest day anyway," agreed the smaller woman, "Perhaps even allow for a real shopping trip - we can use it to practice observation and information gathering techniques. Even with the Illusion Formations, too much of the group having picnics in random meadows discussing nothing of consequence will raise eyebrows among the watchers," she looked over at the groups of fancily dressed ladies in waiting and various servants seated around the meadow from the entourages of the three families.
"Not to mention how exhausted we all are at the end of a day of supposedly sitting about or taking relaxed strolls. My Cousins are doing their best to hide it, but they are not used to so much physical exertion, even with the medical assistance being provided at the end of each day," chuckled Dàilán.
"Which brings me to some better news, Enforcer Fuan has fully recovered and will be returning tomorrow," remarked the Bloodwitch, "She can accompany your group while you attend to Heir business for both Sect and Clan. I have a number of dispatches you need to review."
"Even more reports. Great. I would rather be running with them," groused the Heiress, jerking a thumb back at the group circling the meadow.
"Then get to it, Apprentice," the Enforcer replied neutrally.
Dàilán performed a Cultivator's salute. "Senior Enforcer," she acknowledged before running over to join the group.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
WheeledWriter
WheeledWriter Six day timeskip chapter (in case it wasn't obvious)
---
Unfortunately, I have been seriously unwell several times over the course of writing this novel, which has wiped out my stockpile.
At this point it seems that I will be unlikely to be posting faster than once a week anytime soon, so I will stop mentioning it from here on out.
I will leave this note here until I am able to change my rate of update.
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