Section Fifteen: Ambitions Stirring Both Court and Country (Part Two)

After the carriage departed, he finally admitted, with lingering fear, that a group of villains had appeared earlier; had they been targeted, they would have met a cruel fate as soon as they disembarked.

"Doesn't the local government intervene here?" Star-Worshipper Grandmaster asked, surprised.

The coachman laughed, almost incredulously. "Where would the Black Wolf Tribe find a government? Each clan has its own laws and customs; once you leave the clan, nobody meddles in others' affairs. For wars, all clans send troops under the command of the Great Robi, but after the spoils are divided, everyone returns to their own clan. The Great Robi can't interfere with other clans at will. Even if a clan right at the Great Robi's gates were massacred, unless their own people are harmed, the Great Robi has no grounds to intervene! If not for your generous payment, sirs, we truly wouldn't have come."

After another two days of travel, they finally arrived at the Long River.

The Long River flows south to Beiyang, where it splits; most of its waters head east to the sea.

It marks the boundary between the Black Wolf Tribe, Korea, and Zheng. Here, on the northern grasslands, the capital of Zhou lies just thirty li across the river.

Ao Pan, upon disembarking, bid the group farewell repeatedly. Though he had no intention of entering the city, he had been well cared for by the Evening Glow Sect throughout their journey. Now, at the moment of parting, unsure if they would ever meet again, he felt reluctant to leave. The coachman helped him find a boatman for the crossing; as the boatman urged him along, Ao Pan bowed deeply again, taking his leave.

Step Frightened Immortal hurried after him, offering to escort him to the boat.

On the way, he whispered, "Young Master Ao Pan, we truly cannot risk escorting you into Zhou's capital. Yet for days, I've been pondering how you might enter the city. After much thought, I've come up with a fairly reliable plan. You're not particularly robust; if you disguise yourself as a female slave escaping from the Black Wolf Tribe, it would be hard for others to spot the deception. As for entering the imperial palace, I know nothing of the Zhou capital's inner workings—I have no plan for that."

Ao Pan was overjoyed, bowing in gratitude.

"Thank you, young hero of the Left Bank. If this method gets me into the city, that's enough. As for the imperial palace, I have my own way."

"Good! Then—may you ascend the throne and restore the mighty Zhou!'

"Thank you for your auspicious words and your aid, which I cannot repay! Farewell."

"Safe travels."

Ao Pan's fate was uncertain, but Step Frightened Immortal could do no more. It was impossible to risk the lives of the entire Evening Glow Sect for him. Even if their efforts succeeded, they'd gain nothing, and instead attract the wrath of Zheng, who would surely find reason to punish them. Zhou was a kingdom in name only; the city was occupied entirely by Zheng soldiers, the Zhou emperor a mere figurehead.

After Ao Pan departed, the group continued northward. After traveling twenty li, they finally arrived at their intended destination.

The abandoned capital, North Yin City.

This had once been the capital of Northern Qin. Five years ago, it was conquered by the Black Wolf army, and all sixty thousand inhabitants were slaughtered. Since then, it had become a deserted ruin. Though situated in the plains, the stench of decaying corpses still filled the air, and none of the Black Wolf clans would approach. No one lived within several li of the city.

The coachman took his fare and departed.

The Evening Glow Sect gazed at the ruined walls and shattered remnants; even from two li away, the foul odor was detectable. They frowned and shook their heads, sighing in dismay.

"These barbarians are unbelievably cruel."

Knowing they would settle here, everyone felt uneasy, as if living beside a ghost city was terribly inappropriate.

When Moon-Worshipper asked Step Frightened Immortal why he had chosen this place, he responded mysteriously, joking in a low voice, "Because the abandoned capital behind us will someday become our city, and you will be its mistress."

"Go on! Who would want to stay in such a ghostly ruin?" She saw Step Frightened Immortal was half-joking, half-serious, yet couldn't guess his true intention. Inside were tens of thousands of corpses; just clearing them would take untold days, let alone rebuilding.

The group worked together to set up tents and organize their belongings, busy from morning till night before things were roughly settled.

Some female disciples of the Flying Immortal Sect decorated their tents beautifully, making others envious and eager for help. Thus, after another six or seven days of busy work, the tents were finally arranged to everyone's satisfaction.

That night, they gathered in the open space in the center, lit a bonfire, and ate, drank, and discussed their plans.

Step Frightened Immortal proposed that henceforth they would be known as the Evening Glow Tribe; all disciples of the Evening Glow Sect agreed.

Moon-Worshipper had Star-Worshipper read aloud the tribal rules, which were much the same as those of the Evening Glow Sect, and none objected.

Step Frightened Immortal was elected as the tribe's Robi—a leader. Originally, Moon-Worshipper was to take the role, but she said the Black Wolf Tribes never had female Robi, so she was chosen as the tribe's guardian spirit instead. Knowing that each tribe had a priestess, they nominated Star-Worshipper. Ghostbane protested, "Priestesses are always virgins—Miss Star-Worshipper may be now, but she certainly won't remain so..." Before he could finish, he was shouted down.

Step Frightened Immortal declared that the Evening Glow Tribe's priestess need not be a virgin, making Star-Worshipper so embarrassed she wished she could bury her head in a hole.

Moon-Worshipper also announced a newly created sect technique, developed largely with Step Frightened Immortal's help. She believed it superior to both the Dusk and Evening Glow arts, and from tomorrow, all who wished to learn it could do so.

Everyone was delighted, cheering with anticipation.

Finally, Step Frightened Immortal called for quiet and announced his marriage to Moon-Worshipper and Star-Worshipper.

Though hurried, no one was surprised—everyone had seen their close relationship along the journey and offered their congratulations.

There were no guests but themselves, no splendid gifts, only their prepared supplies. Everyone brought out more wine and food, feasting, singing, and dancing in celebration.

In the midst of the festivities, six couples came forward, hand in hand, knelt before Step Frightened Immortal, and declared, "We have endured hardship together for many days and affection has grown. We ask the sect leader and Robi's permission to wed." With that, they all kowtowed.

Moon-Worshipper granted permission to each pair, and then sixteen more couples appeared, kneeling and requesting marriage.

Moon-Worshipper was surprised; she hadn't realized that more than half the disciples had already formed attachments, having only noticed one or two. She silently chastised herself for her oversight.

That night, the revelry lasted till midnight; everyone, full and weary, returned to their tents to rest.

Step Frightened Immortal shared a tent with Moon-Worshipper and Star-Worshipper. Star-Worshipper was especially delighted, though she felt shy and awkward at bedtime, thinking it was too outrageous for three to share a bed. Yet, when Step Frightened Immortal pulled her down beside him, she did not resist.

Having had plenty of wine, Step Frightened Immortal now lay between his wives, embracing them in their new home in this wild land, anticipating the world to come, and feeling the gentle warmth of his wives. He believed himself exceedingly fortunate.

"What are your plans for the future? Surely you don't mean to have everyone herd sheep and cattle like the Black Wolf clans?"

"Wait a few days—soon, slaves will come to us. We will have cattle and sheep, but we won't need to raise them ourselves. Laborers to clear the ruins of North Yin will come as well; gold and silver will come gradually."

"Are we really going to clear the ruins and live there?" Star-Worshipper was highly alarmed, terrified by the thought of the ghost city.

"Don't worry. By the time we move in, the city will be completely transformed! The mountain to the north of North Yin is the reason for its name; stone and timber are readily available, but what we lack is manpower. Yet here, that's no problem, as slaves are plentiful."

"Building this city won't be easy. The Black Wolf Tribe consists of clans; they hate cities and such things."

"Precisely. That's why, once the city is rebuilt, our position here will be unshakable."

"I'll do as you say—I trust you." Star-Worshipper clung to Step Frightened Immortal's arm, full of joy at her new marriage. Moon-Worshipper laughed, and Star-Worshipper, unconcerned, reached over to tickle Moon-Worshipper. Step Frightened Immortal then discovered Moon-Worshipper's weakness; she laughed uncontrollably, doubling over and begging for mercy.

Over the next few days, everyone in the Evening Glow Tribe worked together, bringing down timber from the mountain to build a protective enclosure around the tents—enough to repel cavalry and infantry alike. When half was built, uninvited guests arrived.