--Cultivate--

[eyesofaproxy]

[When Wise was very young, or at least younger than he is now, he'd gotten lost in the forest outside Helios. He was only saved by a passing wandering cultivator, and to this day he's wanted to meet the man again to thank him. It doesn't matter that Helios fell and he and Belle moved to Yunkui Summit, he wants to find that man and thank him for what he did that day. He changed the trajectory of Wise's life, he's pretty sure, and he deserves to know that.

Granted, a wandering cultivator isn't why Wise (and Belle) is now the heir to Yunkui Summit, that is entirely because of Yixuan-shifu and their own unique abilities, but all the same. That man inspired Wise to get with Belle to create Phatheon, a nameless somebody who is able to hire people to handle things the larger temples and sects can't or won't.

Right now, though, Wise is not acting in the guise of Phaetheon. Wise is acting in the guise of a very annoyed older brother being strongarmed into going down the mountain for an annual check up, since apparently the doctors are all afraid of coming up the mountain after last year's run-in with Eous the spiritual monster rabbit. Cowards.]

I don't need to go right now, Belle, really.

Yes you do! And because there's bandits on the road, I even hired you a bodyguard!

Belle...

Comments

[eyesofaproxy]

[The head server, a tall woman who doesn't tend to actually walk, smiles and gestures for one of the younger girls to lead Lighter back to the room where the message is waiting. It's just another letter, but privacy is key with this work.]

We have reason to believe there will be an Exaltist meeting in your location in three days time. We would ask that you work with those listed here to help bring this meeting down. If you agree, leave your agreement with the owner of the inn and be at the following location in three days. Your payment will come a day later.

[fuegor]

...

[Fucking Exaltists. Zealots, more like. Three days to take whatever they want to do down. He'll need to start planning, maybe calling a favor or two in.

But nonetheless, an agreement is written on the back of the letter. No one but Phaethon and their associates know what "Champion's word" means. It's nonsense to everyone else.

It was just their signature when agreeing to a task.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Three days later, the Exaltists meet as predicted. And as planned, all hell breaks loose as the people Phaethon hired descend on them. Most of them will fall quickly, but one will get away.

And make a break for the path up to Yunkui.]

[fuegor]

[And they won't be getting up there. Not if Lighter had anything to say about it.]

Stay on the crowd!

[Shouted to Phaethon's other people as he gave chase to stop the straggler from getting up the mountain. It's not to be disturbed. And Wise and Belle were up there.

The second Lighter gets a hold of this runner he'll slam their face into the dirt.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[It doesn't take Lighter long catch up to the runner, given that this guy is a fairly normal person without much in the way of arts. The runner goes down, grunting as his face hits the dirt.]

Bastard!

[fuegor]

[And the only reason his face didn't hit dirt a second time is because Lighter is grabbing him by the head to look him dead in the eyes.]

We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You're not getting anywhere near that summit. Tell me what you people were doing here and why you tried to go up the mountain. If you do I'll spare you the shame of having to be carried back down.

[eyesofaproxy]

[The man tries to spit at Lighter but doesn't actually manage it.]

We're here because the Creator demands we be here. There are precious things on the summit we need.

[fuegor]

[If that's the case, Wise and Belle might be in danger. He'll need to warn then somehow while keeping how he learned about this to himself.

He'll also need to include this in what he sends back to Phaethon.

Lighter's grip on the guy's head tightened and he leaned in real, real close. As if daring him to try to spit again.]

Well, today's not your lucky day is it? Because you won't be getting what you need.

[And he knocked the guy out cold with a hard left hook.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[The guy goes limp, leaving Lighter to carry him back down to the others.

The remains of the gathering are...not pretty. There's a lot of dead people, though all of them killed either by qi deviation, spiritual corruption, or self defense. The few remaining living Exaltists are bound and gagged, waiting for the shifu of Yunkui to come down and handle them.

Lighter's runner is added to the pile, and the wolfman Lycaon bows.]

We can take it from here if you've other places to be.

[fuegor]

[He's so fancy, that one. But he'll return the bow nonetheless. As for other places to be.]

I've got my own results to put in, but I'll stick around until Yixuan-shifu comes down.

[Maybe it went without saying, but he wanted to let her know that her disciples may be in danger.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Of course.

[It takes Yixuan a bit to come down, but when she does she has a few of the other disciples with her to haul everyone away. She bows to the cultivators.]

Thank you for your work.

[fuegor]

[Respect where it was due, he bowed to Yixuan.]

Don't mention it. You know I always bring peak quality.

[A little bit of levity knowing he's a repeat client. But on raising his head it faded pretty quick.]

One of the Exaltists tried to make his way up the mountain. Said Yunkui summit holds something precious that they need.

Naturally, I wasn't gonna let him slip past me. But you should know Wise and Belle might be in danger if they're targeting this place.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Yixuan frowns.]

Did they mention them by name?

[fuegor]

No, it's just a hunch. He's still alive and among the group being taken away.

[Lighter will describe the runner briefly, in case Yixuan had questions for him specifically. Or if she wanted to look into him more.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Thank you. How long will you be in the area, sir?

[fuegor]

I'll be in the area another week. If more work comes my way, it might be longer.

[From either her, Phaethon or other people.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Thank you.

[And off she goes to handle her business.

A day later, Phaethon's payment arrives for Lighter. Quite a bit of money, as always, and a jar of very fancy wine not easily found in these parts. The day after that, Lighter is summoned to Yunkui Summit.]

[fuegor]

[Phaethon as always bringing quality just like Lighter did. He had a good night of drinking with a few people he knew. He liked to share his spoils. It reminded him of times long gone.

But upon being summoned back to Yunkui Summit, he pushed through the wicked hangover to scale the mountain. It's a good thing he kept his eyes mostly covered. Not only did he avoid seeing blood and having his eyes hurt all the time from the sun but it also hid when he was oh so very eepy.

At least a mountain climb was a great way to wake him up. Morning cardio and all that.

Once meeting with the contact he bowed.]

Got another job for me?

[eyesofaproxy]

[Yixuan nods.]

I do. We looked into the man you said mentioned there being something important here at the summit, and you were right. We think he does mean my heirs. I'd like to hire you longterm, to protect Wise.

[fuegor]

[There's a huff of a laugh. He remembered Wise already had a problem with Lighter just being with him for an appointment. He's not gonna be too happy knowing he's got a full time bodyguard.

But at least Wise was pleasant to be around. Even if it's a job a bit too long term for Lighter, he'll do it.]

Good to know I was right on the money. Done, but what about Belle? Won't she need someone by her side too?

[eyesofaproxy]

Oh, she has someone. [Yixuan looks amused.] Her partner would sooner die than let someone hurt Belle.

[fuegor]

[Another laugh, hardier.]

Good to know! I guess it was a pretty silly question if her partner's that serious.

[Lighter could relate. He'd rather die than let someone else die because of him again.]

Alrighty then, leave Wise to me.

[eyesofaproxy]

We're preparing a room for you near Wise's now. This way.

[And Yixuan will lead Lighter to Wise's rooms, which are very near to Belle's in their own wing of the compound. It's quite, cool, and shady.

And the siblings are bickering in the yard, Belle swatting Wise with a fan while a woman in strange garb watches.]

[fuegor]

[Lighter followed and briefly sized up the woman in the strange garb. A fox woman, huh? Strikes him as similar to Lycaon but less... everywhere. It was just a brief look, though she likely noticed him and did the same, before his attention turned to the bickering siblings.]

Whoa there, he must have really ticked you off if you're batting him that much.

[Have you considered saying hey what's up I'm here now Lighter? You know, being normal about it?]

[eyesofaproxy]

[No one seems to mind that he isn't normal about it, as Belle just keeps swatting Wise.]

He stole my lychees!

I did not! Those were mine to begin with! In the green bowl?!