Treasures Of Heaven And Earth

The pair of young women appeared, one after another in the centre of a wide, stone paved road, in front of another, much larger, páifāng. Endless grass stretched away on either side of the road which marched ruler straight to the horizon. Confronted by an enormous and much grander stone and wood arch in an otherwise empty plain, Dàilán craned her head upward at the immense structure.

Unlike most páifāng she had seen before, this one was not covered in gold, silver or precious stones, but it seemed at least a li high and at least two hundred bu wide. The traditional curved and fluted roof was carved with fearsome guardian demons, gods, dragons and beasts leering down from every side and flared out domineeringly from all sides of the cross beam for at least fifty bu. The cross beam itself seemed to be a single enormous carved trunk, with enormous characters at least twenty bu high etched - with some form of blade - deeply into its surface.

'Truth is a knife that cuts both ways; Justice is deciding when to wield it.'

The Heiress blinked at the force that seemed to emanate from those characters. "Mother used to say something like that," she murmured.

"It is the Sect Motto," Chenli said softly by her side, having walked softly up from behind her, "Our founder cut those words into that tree with a sword a hundred generations ago."

Her mistress reached up as if to grasp the words, a faint wonder in her voice, "I can feel the intent used to carve the characters - implacable, impartial, relentless."

"It is said the Founder was on the edge of advancing to World Level Cultivation and had comprehended sword intent," replied Chenli, "but I never felt anything from the characters themselves… the fact that you can feel it…"

The young Heiress frowned, "Why is it so big… even if it is not made of gold or precious materials, it seems extravagant…?"

Chenli snorted. "What gold and precious material? All of this is Essence Wood and Stone. The beam was an Essence Tree the Founder hewed down with their sword personally."

"Why? I thought the Sect espoused moderation - but so much wealth used on a páifāng?" asked Dàilán in confusion.

"The Founder's páifāng is the Heart and Guardian of the Sect. All the Formations that guard the Sect are anchored here. Anyone who enters or exits the Sect lands from any location, will always appear here before the páifāng - and they must enter through the páifāng and be judged before they can enter or exit the Sect." explained Chenli calmly.

"Oh," Dàilán looked upward at the enormous gate that seemed to hold up the sky as if it was destined to remain for all eternity. "What is to stop someone from walking around it?"

Chenli laughed quietly. "Try it."

The Heiress, shrugged and walked to the edge of the wide road that was paved with large stone blocks a bu square with not enough gap between them to slide a thin blade. As she stepped onto the grass, she blinked and looked up at the páifāng from the centre of the road again.

Now there seemed to be a sort of intangible pressure bearing down on her from the páifāng, almost as if a great beast had sleepily opened a great eye slightly to regard her curiously.

"I would not do that more than once," warned Chenli quietly, "There are stories of those who have tried - it did not end well for them."

"En." Dàilán hesitated, then bowed towards the páifāng. "No offence intended. I was simply curious." The pressure the Heiress felt seemed to intensify, but this time with a more directed focus - as if whatever it was, was actively noticing her. She circulated Essence to remain standing, tasting sweetness at the back of her throat.

Beside her Chenli giggled. "Why did you do that? It is just the formations that guard the sect."

The pressure eased abruptly, replaced with what Dàilán would say felt like amus.e.m.e.nt and the Heiress rocked back on her heels, turning to stare at her friend. "You do not feel that?"

"Feel what?" Chenli asked in confusion.

Dàilán felt an almost warning sense of quiet come over her. She looked back up at the páifāng. "I understand."

"What? What do you understand?" asked her friend frowning, looking around warily.

"I understand we have an even more serious problem than I thought," replied the young teen with concern.

"You are not making any sense," growled Chenli, grabbing her friend's shoulder and shaking slightly.

"Yes, I am." Pointing at the vast construction in front of them, Dàilán spoke forcefully, "You said the páifāng guards the sect, right? It is the only way in or out?" As she said that, she felt a strong sense of agreement, pride and power well out of the structure.

Chenli blinked and nodded her head, frowning at her. "Yes. It does."

"OK. I believe you." She turned to face the páifāng squarely and bowed deeply. "By my word as Heiress - the Grass kill team we dispatched at the borders less than a half-shi ago did not seem to have any concern about entering the sect."

She straightened up and turned her head to look at her bodyguard who was regarding her with a shocked expression, clearly thinking she had lost her mind. "Thus they have to have found a way around the Guardian. I cannot believe they would stand any chance of attacking it directly."

Chenli's mouth opened and shut with an audible clop. "That… I thought... Formation Masters?" Then she shook her head, immediately dismissing her own thought, "No - all their previous attempts failed… you are right. Why did I not think of that?"

Barely had the words left her mouth than both women staggered as a massive, enraged pressure seemed to sweep out from the páifāng. "OK... I felt that," gasped Chenli as she staggered under the force the wave of intent as it swept through them, "That felt like a high level Essence Beast's killing intent - not a Formation. What did you do!?"

"I just told the Guardian - as the Sect Heir - that someone had found a way to escape its watch and the Sect was in danger from its enemy. You confirmed it - and the Guardian judged our words as true, presumably," replied Dàilán.

"But… Formations do not…" started Chenli looking up at the páifāng with huge, rounded eyes.

"It is a very complex formation set up by a World Level Cultivator? Designed to make decisions, judgements, defend and fight - right? With a massive core of powerful Essence materials, running over many thousands of years? Probably with Sect Masters and Formation masters adding to it over the generations. You know formations gain more strength, power and complexity the longer they operate." pointed out the Heiress.

"Ooo… and Soul Element too." Chenli's voice was tiny like a mosquito's buzz. "It is an Artefact… oh…" She bowed almost violently towards the páifāng, "I meant no offence, Honoured Senior… I did not know… oh... it must be a Sect secret… and someone - must - have told Grass." her voice turned horrified and she stumbled, her face pale as she turned to look at Dàilán. "We are betrayed."

There was a massive increase in killing intent - as if an enraged dragon was bellowing - and Dàilán heard a bell began tolling somewhere. "Gods, Chenli! Watch your words. The whole Sect will be on alert now! You were the one that said low key…!" The Heiress gasped under the crushing pressure, falling to one knee, "Please, Senior! Gently, I beg you, we cannot strike the bushes too early, less the snakes are alarmed and escape!"

There was a strong sense of unwillingness, but the intent dropped away as suddenly as it came, the bell falling quiet. But Dàilán felt as if the beast had both eyes open now, and was looking about alertly. "Thank you, Senior," she gasped as she recovered her breath and pulled herself up off the road. The words her sister-not-by-blood had spoken came back to her. "Chenli, Soul Element?"

Chenli was still pale, but her words brought her focus back. "Ah…. it is the other reason for the size of the… páifāng. I was going to show you…"

The Heiress gave her friend a short hug, "It is OK, Chen'er. We will tell Grandfather in a moment. Take the time to centre yourself - it is not as if Grass are attacking now. I heard them say they were not ready yet. And now we know they are coming." She felt her lips pull back in a bitter grin, "I may have the chance to avenge Mother yet."

Chenli blinked and straightened up. "Yes. Come…" she walked slowly towards the huge gate, speaking softly.

"When a Sect member accepts their duty as an Enforcer, there is a solemn ceremony. We place a thread of our Soul Essence in special tablets. The tablets change to detail our accomplishments, ranking and sect identification number. The tablets are… well, each person splits theirs in half."

Her friend pulled out a small tablet on a chain from inside their robes, showing a tiny tablet that gleamed in the early morning light.

"One half, we wear until death. If we die out in the field, another Sect member can use their tablet to find them and bring them back. Even if the body is destroyed… when found, the tablet is always sent back. Soul Element. Not easily destroyed - only Sect Members can touch the tablets - and it continually records what has happened to the Enforcer for the last shi - stopping only on death. Many a villain has been undone by his own gloating at the end telling us exactly who, what, where, how. Once we play it back… we always get justice."

Chenli reached one of the giant foundation stones that made up the base of the páifāng's enormous pillars that towered on either side of the road and placed a respectful hand on it. "The other half of the tablet - each of us puts it in the páifāng during the ceremony. So… part of each one of us, is here, watching, guarding the Sect and adding strength to the… to Senior." She bowed quietly and a warm, slightly apologetic wave of agreement seemed to emanate from the páifāng.

The Heiress gasped as she followed her bodyguard. "Then, Mother…? Part of her soul remains…?"

"Yes. Once part of the Sect, never parted." said Chenli softly.

"Can… can I communicate with…" Dàilán's voice stopped as she suddenly fought back the emotions and tears that threatened to spill over.

Chenli inclined her head. "I do not know… but after what has happened? You might ask Senior?"

The Heiress rested a small gloved hand on the stone before she shook her head violently. "Not… now is not a good time. I need time to… I would not be able to do anything but cry… I need time to accept this…" She stepped back from the stone, dropping her hand. "I just… Chen'er… you said the tablets record the killer… who killed my Mother?"

The other young woman shook her head. "Lán'er… I am sorry. Your Mother's tablet - it has never been found… same for her body. Just signs of a large and bloody struggle."

"Ah…" She looked up at the immense gate that she stood under. "It was Grass, Mother?"

There was a considering regard that wrapped around them - a very different, almost feminine feel separate from the rage they felt before - then a tiny section of previously invisible script lit up on one of the pillars in the golden characters of a name.

Chenli gasped, but Dàilán nodded her head. "I will be back, Mother. Once I have dealt with this. We will have a good talk then."

The characters flashed slightly as the feeling of the intent changed to a protective one and Dàilán laughed happily, headless of tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, I will be careful. You too. Maybe they have found a way to hurt you…"

The intent turned into an eager hunger and Dàilán grinned fiercely, through tears. "Not if I get to them first, māmā."

The intent turned proud and Dàilán bowed. "I will make you proud." She straightened up and looked back up at the gate. "Senior, can you… I need to get to Grandfather - without anyone else knowing? Can you send us?"

There was a shifting and twisting. Then they were somewhere else.

---

Dàilán stumbled, her stomach rebelling as the world spun and settled into a spacious hall with wooden columns and Dǒugǒng holding up a traditional wood and tiled ceiling.

Chenli was choking and coughing beside her as she tried to stand. Dàilán dropped into standing horse stance almost on instinct to deal with the disorientation, falling into a light meditation as she circulated Essence. She was vaguely aware of Chenli doing the same beside her. Time slowed.

Moments later, she took a deep cleansing breath and shook herself aware. Looking around, she saw Chenli doing the same.

"Where are we?" she murmured quietly to the more experienced sect member.

"Looks like… an audience hall." Chenli was looking worried, "It is very quiet. After all the commotion the… Senior made, I half expected to find the whole Sect preparing for war."

"I can see it is an empty audience hall, Chen'er," answered the Heiress patiently, "that does not answer, whose audience hall and where it is?"

"I do not know… you did ask… Senior, to be sent to… the Sect leader, Mistress. Perhaps this is the Sect Leader's private audience hall?" hazarded her maid, looking around carefully.

"Correct." An aged but powerful voice sounded from behind them. "And you would be on my granddaughter's protection detail - thus, the young lady beside you…"

Chenli dropped to one knee in place, bowing. "Junior greets Sect Leader." Beside her, Dàilán bowed deeply as well, keeping her eyes trained on the stone paved floor. "Grandfather," she greeted respectfully.

There was a barely perceptible sound of footsteps and a set of plain grey robes came into Dàilán's view. "Rise, Granddaughter. Both of you, stand up. Remove your hoods."

Both young teens straightened and pushed back the hoods of their cloaks, Chenli moving smoothly to her feet as she did so. In front of them stood an imposing man with broad shoulders and a straight back, his greying hair, long beard, eyebrows and leathery skin the only sign of his age. His eyes shone piercingly at them, studying them both intently.

After a moment he turned and headed for a tall backed chair that stood at the other end of the room atop a slightly raised dais. "Follow, both of you."

Obediently the two of them trailed behind him as he stepped onto the dais then turned and sat in the chair, his arms resting on its carved armrests, looking at her.

After a moment he nodded slowly. "You look almost like your mother did at that age." His gaze moved to her bodyguard. "I acknowledge completion of the Order, Apprentice Enforcer. You are dismissed."

Chenli stiffened. Dàilán held up her hand. "My guard remains with me, Grandfather. Or are you suggesting I should trust my protection to strangers in a place I do not know?"

She could feel Chenli cringing beside her, although there was no movement visible in the corner of her eye.

Her Grandfather nodded slowly, seemingly unperturbed. "Your point of view is understandable - if unwarranted. I commend your caution," he shifted his gaze back to Chenli, "Follow your Mistress' Order."

Dàilán bowed slightly, inclining her head towards her Grandfather. "I thank Grandfather for his understanding, unfortunately I have cause for concern." She hesitated, "I apologise - I do not know the correct protocol for the current situation…"

Chenli interrupted beside her, her voice firm. "Apprentice Enforcer Fuan, requests leave to report. We believe we have uncovered evidence of a sect level threat."

Dàilán's Grandfather blinked, his face not shifting. After a moment, he sighed and tapped one finger on the armrest. "Much suddenly becomes clearer. While I - had - requested this meeting, I had not expected you to arrive for some time yet… I assume this is somehow related to how you managed to arrive unannounced and undetected in my private audience hall through some of the strongest formations the Sect has, dressed and armed as you are. And the private alarm sent by the Heart of Justice?"

Chenli relaxed, her shoulders slumping out of their rigid position. "Senior kept it limited to a private alert, not sect-wide. Thank the gods."

The older man's gaze narrowed, " - That - is not information either of you should be aware of."

Chenli snorted weakly, "Blame your granddaughter, Sect Leader, she has the damnedest talent for stumbling over the oddest pieces of information lately."

"Hey," protested 'the granddaughter', "it is not my fault I could sense the intelligence behind the power of the páifāng…"

"You felt the Heart?" asked the Sect leader, his face intent as he leant forward towards the pair.

"She not only felt it, they had an Essence blasted conversation," Chenli chuckled as she added that titbit to Dàilán's explanation, shaking her head, "I am still having a hard time believing it."

The Sect Leader blinked, leaning back. "I assume you have your soul tablet, Apprentice. As it is not official business, you are not required to provide it, however I should very much like to see that for myself."

Chenli nodded furiously. "Yes Sect Leader - in fact, I strongly suggest you review the tablet from the beginning - it should save a great deal of explanation. Actually..." she turned her head to look at the young Heiress beside her, "it is my professional opinion that this discussion, the viewing of the soul tablet and anything we discuss be treated as official business to be sealed at the highest possible level of secrecy."

The Enforcer took a deep breath, her voice taking on a more formal cadence. "I am reporting on events occurring en route to the completion of this Order to meet with the Sect Leader…" she took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, obviously thinking quickly, before she brought her head back down and continued "...equivalent to the completion of a Peak Earth Class Order."

The body language of the Sect Leader shifted into a much more formal mien, his attention focused on Chenli. "Proceed with your report, Apprentice."

Unsure what was happening, Dàilán watched silently as her friend and bodyguard took out the eight different weapons they had taken from the Grass kill team out from under her robe, then handed over two familiar larger jade formation plates. Finally she lifted the chain holding her soul tablet from around her neck and placed it on top, biting her lip.

The Sect Leader's eyebrows rose. "A corpse tablet as well as an evidence tablet?"

"I strongly suggest the corpse tablet be left to the sect healers for examination, and the weapons to the forgers if the Leader can find some he can trust absolutely. The corpse is the body of a high ranking Grass squad leader - almost a Captain - dispatched by the Sect Heir, on the borders of the Sect, less than a half-shi ago," the Apprentice Enforcer spoke formally, but she included a little respectful half bow in Dàilán's direction as she said it. "Unfortunately, as the Heir does not have her own tablet yet, we can only provide a verbal report of the events from the Heir's point of view."

The air in the audience hall seemed to freeze solid for a moment, as the figure in the seat exuded shock, rage and pride all at once. Then all was normal again.

"I will review your soul tablet and the evidence tablet and take your suggestions under advis.e.m.e.nt, Apprentice. I will question the Heir for any additional details afterwards."

The Sect Leader stood up almost violently. "I will retire to examine the evidence." He gestured in the direction of a side opening of the hall. "I will send refreshments to the antechamber through that door. Please make yourselves comfortable in the meantime - this should not take long. I will summon you when I am ready."