Chapter 1171: A Quiet Flame
The days blended together in a peaceful rhythm as Li Yu took his grandfather up on the offer to rest. The sprawling estate surrounding the Five Star Lakes provided the perfect sanctuary for Li Yu needing to decompress from the harsh realities of war. While the actual time the war took place was short, what happened leading up to it and during it was intense.
He had gone to check on the base camp of the Eternal Koi army that was built next to his estate but could find no one. Alden did not know where they were either but that was normal since they did not answer to his butler.
‘They are probably off doing a mission or something else. It is good that they are off doing things instead of being idle. There isn’t much room for too many lazy people like me so they can fill in for me.’ Li Yu thought and chuckled slightly. He rarely found cultivators that seemed as lazy as he was but he truly was trying to push forward as well but was doing so in his own way.
The lush green valley hummed with vibrant life and the towering trees swayed gently in the cool spring breeze. Li Yu spent his mornings sitting by the rocky banks of the clear water with a simple bamboo fishing pole in his hands. He did not use his Qi to force the fish onto his line. He preferred the mundane challenge of waiting for a natural bite while letting his mind wander.
When he managed to catch a plump trout, he would set up a small fire near the edge of the water to cook his meal. Culinary pursuits always brought him a deep sense of satisfaction and that had not changed. He scaled the silver fish with practiced ease and rubbed the tender meat with fragrant herbs gathered from the nearby woods. The scent of roasting fish and crackling pine wood filled the air as he turned the skewer slowly over the open flames. He enjoyed the simple act of eating warm food while watching the sunlight reflect off the rippling surface of the lakes.
Between his meals and his quiet moments of fishing, he spent hours sitting in a lotus position upon the wooden deck of his pagoda. He mediated on the laws he had witnessed during the campaign and circulated the robust energy humming through his meridians. His Creation Lord foundation felt sturdy and the opalescent Qi in his core flowed like a calm river.
Despite the tranquility of his physical surroundings, Li Yu still carried a few lingering concerns regarding his own foundation. He closed his eyes and sent his awareness into his inner world several times over the passing days to check on the dark ocean in his inner world. The sprawling purple sea continued to crash against the jagged cliffs at the edge of his personal realm.
The isolated section remained sealed off behind an invisible barrier that rejected his divine sense every time he tried to probe its depths. Nothing had changed and the bizarre reality warping rules contained within those dark waters showed no signs of expanding or fading away. He accepted the stalemate for now and decided he would wait for someone from his family to return so he could ask for experienced advice.
He shifted his focus away from his inner world and peered into his Koi Sanctuary to check on his new prize. The towering horror rested at the bottom of the isolated ocean zone surrounded by thousands of Hollow Husk captives. There was no visible progress to the healing of the large squid. The deep scars and terrible burns covering its thick hide looked just as raw as the day they were inflicted. The creature barely possessed enough vitality to draw in the surrounding spiritual water and its mind remained a fragile ember hovering on the brink of death.
Li Yu watched the alien warriors diligently tending to the giant beast and applying their strange organic pastes to the wounds as normal but it didn’t seem to be making any difference. Or perhaps it was and the giant creature would be in even worse shape without their efforts. He realized he needed a proper name for the creature since it was securely bound to his soul and acting more like a wounded pet than a supreme terror at the moment. His culinary mind recalled the tasty nature of mundane squid dishes and he was inspired.
'I will call you, Calamari.' Li Yu decided while projecting the name through their faint soul link. The giant squid let out no acknowledgement of the title and probably currently lacked the intellect to understand the culinary joke.
Li Yu withdrew his consciousness from the sanctuary and opened his eyes just as a familiar fluctuation rippled through the sky above his estate. He looked up and saw a graceful figure descending from the clouds and Gongsun Lian landed softly on the wooden deck a few paces away from him. She wore her polished black dragon scale armor and a deep crimson cloak that fluttered gently behind her. A faint blush dusted her pale cheeks and the rigid posture of a supreme general relaxed into something far more comfortable.
"I heard what happened and came to check on you." Lian said with a soft voice that carried a hint of relief. "I came to make sure you were okay and I also came because I missed you."
"I am okay. I also wanted to see you as well but was worried you were busy." Li Yu smiled warmly and stood up to greet her. She was being quite bold to admit her feelings to him and he really liked the sound of those words coming out of her mouth. "My grandfather ordered me to take some time off and rest by the lakes. I am very happy you decided to visit me today. I was just about to start cooking another fish and I would love some company."
Lian offered a smile and nodded her head. "I always enjoy your cooking, I will take you up on that offer."
Lian quickly removed her armor which happened in an instant and was wearing dark martial robes instead. They walked away from the pagoda and strolled along the scenic path winding through the valley. They found a secluded spot near the edge of the eastern lake where the grass grew thick and soft. Li Yu gathered some dry wood and quickly established a comfortable camp while Lian helped him set up a simple cooking spit over the flames. He prepared two large fish and seasoned them carefully before placing them over the heat to cook a simple but delicious meal.
They sat side by side on a woven blanket that Li Yu had taken out while watching the fire crackle. The warmth of the flames provided a cozy atmosphere as the afternoon sun slowly began to dip toward the horizon. Li Yu felt a sense of peace but also a bit of nervousness that he still hadn’t gotten over by sitting next to her and he decided to share the details of his recent journey. Just so the conversation would keep moving and something to take up his thoughts of nervousness.
He retold the events of the Hollow Husk campaign while handing her a cooked skewer of fragrant fish. He explained the grotesque nature of the organic fortresses floating in the dark void and the endless swarms of squid creatures that threw away their lives without hesitation. He described the terrifying synergy of the generals and how General Draken laughed through the carnage while General Yue orchestrated death with a beautiful melody.
Lian listened intently while taking small bites of the seasoned food. Her dark eyes remained focused on him as he recounted the final battle against the colossal squid and the bizarre laws it used to warp reality itself. He told her about the soul implosion that threatened to wipe out the army and how his own soul space reacted to project a unified barrier of protection over the troops to help out where he could.
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"You stood your ground against an ancient terror and helped to shield an army with your own strength." Lian said softly while a look of admiration shone in her eyes. Li Yu could have easily stayed in the middle where the protection was the greatest. Surely Zhan Tian would have prioritized his safety over the others but Li Yu did not. He had stepped forward to provide aid where he could. "That is a feat worthy of the grandson of the Worldkeeper. You should be proud. You possess a courage that many lack."
"I only did what was necessary to survive," Li Yu replied modestly while rubbing the back of his neck. He hadn’t thought too much of it at the time but being praised by the woman he had feelings for was a bit embarrassing for him. He looked at the dancing flames and thought about the vast dangers lurking in the deep cosmos.
"The creatures we fought were monsters driven by a desire to consume everything in their path. They probably had other goals and plans as well but at the end of the day they destroyed everything in their path. Are those the kinds of horrors that you and my parents defend the realms against on a daily basis? I can’t even imagine a life where you were constantly facing such enemies all the time.” Li Yu admitted honestly and his pride in all of the defenders of the Myriad Realms increased greatly.
Lian finished her fish and set the wooden skewer aside before turning her gaze toward the serene lake. She pondered the question for a moment and chose her words carefully.
"Sort of," Lian answered while adjusting her crimson cloak against the evening chill. "The deep void holds many terrors and bizarre species that defy natural logic as we know it. There are ancient entities sleeping in dead realms and swarms of corrupted beasts seeking new hunting grounds. Your parents and your grandfather face those specific threats to keep the realms secure but my own experiences are slightly different. I do not face that level of danger on a regular basis, at least not in the same capacity as they do."
Li Yu tilted his head and looked at her with genuine curiosity. He knew she led an army that was also incredibly powerful but he never really understood what it was that they did. Li Yu believed that she had similar duties to his parents, defending certain realms or interests throughout the Myriad Realms. He did not know the true reason for the existence of such a realm.
Lian felt a warmth rising in her chest as he asked about her life. The stoic warlord persona she projected to the rest of the world felt heavy and unnecessary when she was sitting alone with the young man she was sworn to serve long ago. Things had gotten more complicated as of late due to their own feelings for one another but the overall reason for the Veil Lotus remained the same.
"My legions take on difficult missions across various realms to keep our martial skills sharp and to earn the resources required to sustain our growth," Lian explained while tracing a finger over the surface of her robes. "We hunt rogue cultivators, secure contested resources and suppress minor uprisings before they can spread. We act as a hidden blade operating in the shadows of the cosmos. Always in small groups and never as a whole, those hiring us don’t even know our true origins. However, we are not a dedicated border defense force."
She turned her head to look directly into his eyes and offered a soft reassuring smile. "We are a specialized force waiting for the right moment to step into the light. Until that time comes, we operate independently and handle the tasks that require a more delicate or unseen hand."
Li Yu nodded in understanding and felt a respect for the burdens she carried being in charge of such a group. Unlike him who had the support of Golden Horizon and also a general of his own handling most of the work, Lian founded and created everything on her own. He was much more impressed with her than he was with himself in that regard. "It sounds like a demanding path. You must spend a great deal of time moving between harsh environments and hidden dimensions to keep the peace."
"It can be taxing," Lian admitted softly as that was the truth. "Which is why I appreciate moments like this. I sometimes forget what true quiet sounds like when I am constantly surrounded by conflict and strategy."
Li Yu smiled and let his hand rest gently over hers. The sun finally dipped below the horizon and the sky above the Five Star Lakes filled with a brilliant canopy of glowing stars. The night air grew colder but the crackling campfire provided a comforting sphere of heat around their woven blanket. They did not need to speak about wars or ancient terrors anymore. The rest of the evening belonged to them alone.
They spent the next few hours simply enjoying each other's company while the insects and other critters sang their evening songs in the distance. Lian brought out a flask of sweet plum wine she had acquired during one of her recent trips since she knew that Li Yu liked to try new things and they shared the rich drink under the starlight. The alcohol warmed their blood and loosened their tongues as they shared more stories and the mundane moments that shaped their personalities.
Lian laughed softly at a joke Li Yu made regarding his early attempts at cooking where he accidentally burned a rare root into unrecognizable ash. The sound of her laughter was a beautiful thing that made Li Yu feel incredibly fortunate to have her in his life. He watched the firelight dance across her sharp features and he noticed the three engagement gifts she wore with pride. The starlight crystal necklace from his grandfather rested against her collarbone while the spatial defensive dagger from his father and even the mundane looking defensive rock from his mother hung securely from her belt.
She wore the tokens of his family as a badge of honor and it showed how much she valued their formal arrangement. Li Yu shifted closer on the blanket until their shoulders brushed against one another and Lian did not pull away. She leaned into his side and rested her head gently against his shoulder while watching the embers glow in the fire pit. When would the mighty Black Lotus have the opportunity to lean her head against the shoulder of a man but here and it brought her a strange comfort she didn’t even realize she enjoyed.
"It is very peaceful here," Lian murmured while wrapping another blanket around both of their shoulders to trap the heat.
"You are always welcome to stay here," Li Yu offered while wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. "The lakes will always be calm and there will always be a warm fire waiting for you when you need a place to rest."
Lian tilted her head up to look at him and the proximity made her breath hitch. The fierce general who could cleave horrors in half suddenly felt incredibly vulnerable in the arms of the young man she cared for. She reached up and placed a hand against his chest where she could feel his strong heartbeat echoing through his robes.
Li Yu looked down into her dark eyes and saw the raw emotion shining within them. He slowly leaned forward and closed the remaining distance between them. Lian met him halfway and their lips pressed together in a tender kiss. The sweet taste of plum wine lingered on her mouth and a rush of warmth flooded Li Yu’s senses. The kiss was gentle and exploring as they took their time mapping the feelings they had for one another. This wasn’t their first kiss and it wasn’t going to be the last either.
Lian let out a soft sigh and draped her arms around his neck to deepen the connection. She kissed him back with a fierce intensity that mirrored her loyalty but carried the undeniable spark of true romance. It was a fierceness that Li Yu still could not match in his inexperience but he tried anyways to hold his own.
They held each other by the crackling fire while the night deepened around them without a care for anything else. The vast cosmos above held countless dangers and looming threats but in that secluded spot by the lake, they found a sanctuary in each other's arms.
They eventually parted slowly and rested their foreheads together while catching their breath. Lian kept her eyes closed and a contented smile graced her lips. Li Yu held her securely and stroked her long black hair while feeling a renewed sense of purpose taking root in his heart. He was content to share the quiet night and the gentle warmth of a growing love.