Chương 54: Chapter 51 - The Value of a Life

The end of every month was always plagued by a new moon, plunging the plains into darkness. The stars still painted the sky with their usual patches of sparkling colour, but they were somehow subdued. And the end of summer was worse. After a long two months of bright sun and clear skies, the first clouds arrived just after sunset, covering the sky in a thick ominous blanket. Days like this were when Demons awoke, and evil cults stalked the good folk of Murim.

Children cried for their mothers, and the wet wind howled a promise of the rains to come. It was an ill omen. Song's sleep was fitful. His dreams were plagued with images of a star streaking in endless darkness, and of a plum blossom falling from a tree before being crushed beneath sharp thorny claws. He awoke sweating, even in the chill air, and shivered. He clutched his blanket tight and looked around the tent to see what had woken him. The air smelled wet and thick with fear.

His new Void-qi infused vision was a thing of wonder at times like this. No torch or lamp required – he could make out every nook and cranny, though everything was washed out in shades of grey. As such, he quickly realized what was amiss. Torchlight was moving back and forth outside his yurt, and there was hoarse whispering around the camp. His stomach sank. He'd gone and told his father about Mae, and the Patriarch had promised to speak with Elder Minsu.

That'd been just before bedtime – and with no moon, he had no way of knowing how much time had passed. ["What's going on?"] Cyrus yawned loudly, causing Song to twitch in startlement.

"Do you sleep?" Song asked quietly, getting up and throwing on his deel. ["Yeah. I only need a couple hours though."]"I've been wondering what you do all day," Song's tone turned flat, "when you're not spending it spying on me." ["Oh, you mean what am I doing when I'm not begging you to give me some time outside?"] Cyrus's tone was clipped in reply. ["Oh, lots of things. I've built my own whole club out of Void qi, with blackjack, and – uh – airag and stuff. It's a real gas; I'm having the time of my life in here all alone."]"Sorry," Song whispered. His spirit guide had been nothing but helpful, and not giving Cyrus a chance to spend some time outside of that small dark space in his mindscape was beginning to feel cruel.

"I really will try and let you out as soon as I can." ["Heh. Hope you're ready for a heart-attack after. I'm gonna eat SO much barbeque you're going to shit a whole cow the next day."] Song scowled.

"You're so crude." ["Uh-huh. What do you think's happening?"]"Nothing good." Song stepped out of his flap just in time to run into Tae. His brother was holding a torch, and wore nothing more than a simple deel and a fur cloak. His face was etched with fatigue.

"Tae – is it…?" Song asked, dreading the answer. His second brother nodded.

"Yes. Father has called for the council. It's Mae." Song's heart fell into darkness deeper than the pitch black of the sky overhead. — The inside of the yurtwagon was so silent that not even a crow or crane could be heard. All of the family was in attendance, this time even those who normally didn't attend, like his Mother and Auntie Haru. Those few who weren't in attendance were very old – like Great Uncle Lee Gunwoo – and the very young, like Aunt Yumi and her two children.

Even Granny Bora had pulled her ancient bones out of bed and stood next to the throne of the Patriarch, her eyes cloudy with memory. The yurtwagon was full to bursting. Here was the assembled might of the Lee clan – over fifty warriors and their families. It normally would've filled Song's heart with pride. But all he felt right now was dread in the pit of his stomach.

"I've called you all here," the Patriarch of the Lee clan said into the silence. Lee San's face was almost always craggy, but tonight it appeared carved out of stone, his long beard a black waterfall flowing from a slate cliff.

"To hear the words of Elder Minsu. And to come to a decision." Elder Minsu stepped into the center of the yurt and spoke calmly, clinically. He alone of all those in the tent looked fully awake.

"Mae's condition has worsened. Treatment was going well, but the Earth qi in her meridians far outweighs the amount I've been able to counteract with the medicines I have. I need components that are stronger – full of blood and Wood qi." The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"So get some from the Yus," Lee Duri said, frowning. His twin brother Hana nodded, then was forced to adjust his improperly tied black gat as it shifted over his eyes.

"It's not that simple," Minsu shook his head.

"If it was, I would've done so already. No, the only materials that we have within the village that will suffice…" The physician took a deep breath.

"Are the Wood elemental components that we've saved up for the future Young Leader's advancement ritual." There was a dark mutter among the throng, and every eye in the yurt snapped to where Juwon and Seojoon stood framing the door. Juwon looked dignified, if tired. His back straightened at the sudden attention, and his eyes flickered over to his rival. Seojoon, on the other hand, looked even worse than when Song had seen him at dinner.

He was clasping and unclasping his hands, seemingly unsure of what to do with them. His eyes kept flickering back to the door flap and he looked ready to bolt. One of his senior advisors stepped up to his left, and whispered into his ear. Seojoon stiffened then stood tall, trying to look impassive. The warriors behind him had clear looks of worry at the state of their leader.

"Are we sure this isn't just a plot by the Yus?" Elder Eunji said lazily into the shocked atmosphere of the yurt. She lounged back in her wooden chair, cleaning her nails absently. She alone of the hastily awoken elders was fully dressed in armour.

"They've never been happy that we're so close to having three foundation level cultivators. It'll upset the power balance in the village."

"Are you questioning my loyalty?" Elder Minsu growled, his hands falling onto the pommel of his sword.

"Ahhh? If the tortsoog fits," Eunji stood and drew herself up threateningly, her curled horns crackling and expanding with green Wood qi.

"Do you want to try and see what it's like to climb Mount Tai, Physician?"

"SILENCE!" Lee San snapped. He stood to his feet, his own Wood qi flaring and his beard whipping around him in a gale. The faint flickering green outline of a monstrous bipedal ram with four horns and a rectangular pupiled eye on its forehead took shape around him. It stretched up to the ceiling of the yurt, looming over the assembly. The sound of a bell mixed with the bleating of a thousand goats rang out amidst the whipping maelstrom of power.

Woaden Bell Strike – the adept foundation technique of the Way of the Ram. A full-body qi-cladding technique, and the ultimate expression of power of the Lee family. Every Lee in the yurt immediately prostrated themselves. Even Elder Eunji and Granny Bora. Only Chohee remained standing, her face a mask of peace. She reached through the green aura to place a placating hand on her husband's forearm, and he slowly let the technique dissipate.

"Now is not the time for accusation," San growled at Eunji, adjusting his robes and taking a seat once more.

"Nearly every warrior in this yurt has entrusted their lives to our Lee family's physician. I will not have you questioning his loyalty at a time like this."

"As you say, Patriarch," Eunji said, her voice quavering. San let the atmosphere stand for a few more seconds before saying, "Stand, and speak."

"I'm against it," Elder Eunji spoke first.

"We're just now gaining some real respect from the Imperial censors. If we can get three foundation martial artists, our place will be secure. In my meetings with the garrison this afternoon, they indicated that if we can prove ourselves with this grasswolf infestation, they'll leave any future problems on the plains to our Lee family, maybe even with an official position. It would be one step towards regaining our old nobility." There were gasps in the yurtwagon, and scattered muttering.

"I'm against it as well," Elder Subin said, adjusting his belt around his wide belly.

"I'm sorry, but the cost of those materials to the clan far outweighs the value of a small child. I implore you not to let emotion outweigh the good of the clan in this matter, Patriarch." Everyone looked at Seok, expecting his answer as a matter of course, but there were gasps of surprise when Mae's father simply said with a scowl, "I'm against."

"Father!" Seojoon shouted, but stopped when Seok nailed him with a glare. Behind her husband, tears streamed down Aunt Haru's face. The twins Hana and Duri looked at each other, and Duri spoke first, "The horses of Nakjo leave behind the sick and old; those that cannot keep up are left behind."

"But, we are not horses. We are Lees," Hana continued.

"Proud cultivators of the plains. We do not let sick foals fall behind, we care for them back to health. We say that mere ritual components are a small cost for a small life." There was a faint clapping sound at the brothers' words, and attention in the yurt cycled over to Elder Bora. She was slowly slapping her palms together and giving the twin horse-grooms an appreciative nod.

"Well said," She said in her leathery voice.

"May I speak? As the only one in this yurt who has lost a child to qi poisoning?"

"Elder," San gave her a curt nod. The old woman pointed a curled ancient finger towards the door of the yurt, nailing Seojoon and Juwon in turn.

"You speak of power, of Imperial nobility, and of cost. But the real cost will be the honour of two young men – the future leaders of our Lee clan, who watch their elders discuss lives in terms of gold and silver. And of their warriors, who will all wonder when their own fates might be brought before this council. Would we be saving our place in the empire? Or dooming our future to one of deviation and Inner Demons. A broken heart cannot stand against the majesty of the Great Ones.

I was never given the chance to save my – my boy –" The Elder's voice cracked, but she continued.

"And I tell you this, if I could've saved him, but didn't, it would've destroyed me" Eunji looked down at the floor, her usual confident smirk diminished, and her brother Subin scratched at his belly uncomfortably. San pulled at his beard in thought, though his face remained impassive. Aunt Haru clasped her hands together, her lips trembling with hope. Seojoon suddenly spoke, his voice plaintive.

"Please! I implore you all. You all know Mae. She's the fresh air of Nakjo, and the plum blossom of spring. We Lees are as loyal as a mother bear, as strong and free as rams, and mighty as the tallest oaks. Would you truly see one of our own crushed beneath the weight of Earth?" He suddenly kowtowed, knocking his head down on the carpeted yurt thrice.

"Please! I – I would even be willing to give up my position, and step back as candidate for Young Leader if that would mean saving my little sister." Juwon actually stepped back with shock, and there was a gasp throughout the yurt. But the biggest reaction was from Lee Seok. Seojoon's father roared, "You DARE, Seojoon!!"