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Chapter 12 Part 3 Shadows of the Court
They split into two groups: Ge Nie, Xiaoyaozi, Gao Jianli went to draw attention; Master Ban, Daozhi, Xue Nu, and Duanmu Rong took the mechanism beast Black Tortoise to sabotage the Mirage, threatening the Yin-Yang School to release their people.
Ge Nie, Xiaoyaozi, and Gao Jianli asserted their martial aura, drawing every Yin-Yang gaze.
Moon God soared from the Moon Palace; Xinghun arrived with the Moon Commands; Cloud Lord left his chamber; Gongshu Chou bowed his way in, and the Imperial general appeared.
Moon God, Imperial Court Mage and right-hand of the School, outranked all; she greeted Ge Nie, Xiaoyaozi, and Gao Jianli, using three different rituals for each imperial, Daoist, and Jianghu.
They responded accordingly.
"Mr. Ge Nie, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Moon God, I'll be blunt we hope to take our friends away." Moon God smiled coolly, keeping her pride.
"Just the three of you, to ask for people from the Yin-Yang School?" Xinghun sneered at that moment, the Mirage shook lightly; all the experts noticed, and Xinghun's face darkened.
A disciple reported, "Moon God, Black Tortoise is attacking the Mirage."
Moon God glanced at Gongshu Chou, "I'll trouble the master."
Then to Cloud Lord, "Go protect the master."
To the general, "Black Tortoise is nothing to fear you handle the big picture and keep rabble from taking advantage."
"Then it's in your hands." The general left.
Ge Nie, Xiaoyaozi, and Gao Jianli exchanged glances all realized the challenge ahead, but this much was anticipated. The Yin-Yang School would be no pushover.
"Sword Saint, we never settled last time shall we finish now?" Xinghun picked his opponent early.
Ge Nie raised his wooden sword in answer; they moved off, fighting as they went.
"You two, request guidance from Mr. Xiaoyaozi it's good to understand your shortcomings."
"Yes, Moon God. Mr. Xiaoyaozi, we beg your instruction."
"Not at all; I likewise seek your School's arts."
This was their third bout: once, the Lesser Moon alone, thoroughly suppressed; the second time, both together, but still unable to gain from Xiaoyaozi.
Now, Moon God instructed them to join forces; they gave it their all, and Moon God nodded discretely geniuses though they were, hard work mattered just as much as talent. Donghuang Taiyi never held back in teaching, spurring a culture of diligence.
Moon God, knowing Yue'er was technically a foe, never shortchanged her on Yin-Yang knowledge.
The Moon Commands, though close to Xinghun lately, weren't snubbed the foundation of the School was Donghuang Taiyi, not petty power plays.
"Mr. Gao, congratulations," Moon God addressed Gao Jianli without fighting, instead chatting.
"What is Moon God's meaning?"
"I see in you a clear heart and heightened skill so I offer best wishes."
"You know me?"
"Your name is known throughout the world; Donghuang has often wished to hear your music in person. Are you interested in visiting the School?"
"Thank Donghuang for the praise; if ever, I'll thank him directly. As the School and Mohists are rivals, a visit isn't apt. If Donghuang is truly interested, let him come I'll greet as custom demands. But if treated as a toy, called or dismissed, then I want no part."
"In ancient times, Yao and Shun ruled with ritual; honor music and etiquette, clarify relationships. Donghuang is a man of greatness such frivolity is not his way. Music brightens the mind; art clarifies one's purpose your renown is not just for talent, but for your character."
"I am but a humble man, unworthy of such praise."
"You are here with purpose; I must do my part and cannot release you now. My subordinate Liu is versed in music and dance; let us seek your advice."
Gao Jianli replied gravely, "I came to rescue friends; I'll do my best. I know you outmatch me, but fate is what it is; your courtesy is unnecessary."
"So be it please prepare."
"Moon so bright, moon so clear, moon so shining, moon's presence." Gao Jianli's demeanor shifted he found himself surrounded by stars, huge moon overhead. An intense cold enveloped him; he braced himself and circulated energy to resist.
"An illusion?" Experienced, he saw through it at once.
Moon God left him frozen, and studied the other ongoing duels. Xinghun's body was still growing, Qi hard to channel fully.
It was rumored Ge Nie was injured, yet his true Qi flowed unimpeded surely thanks to Duanmu Rong, the goddess doctor.
The two Moon Commands battled with all their might, but Xiaoyaozi was wholly at ease. Moon God sighed, "He's in harmony with nature; you're not fighting Xiaoyaozi alone, but the universe itself."
The Moon Commands tensed, peered at Xiaoyaozi, who merely stood, defending himself with inner force no sign of merging with nature itself.
"To meld with heaven and earth, to master one's domain, is basic harmonization. Heaven and earth have a rhythm, energy flows and cycles, yin-yang and five elements transform, form becomes intangible, intangible becomes tangible dispersion and coalescence at will: that's intermediate harmonization. Pure Qi is heaven, murky Qi earth; both have form everything does. Human form and earthly way; that's advanced harmonization."
"Moon God, such knowledge, such cultivation."
"You may withdraw."
The Moon Commands retreated behind Moon God.
"Mr. Xiaoyaozi, please."
"Moon God, please."
Moon God stood solemnly, a moon rising behind her. Xiaoyaozi wielded Snow-Ji; a circle of golden aura spread from the sword, repelling moonlight. The two countered equally, catching the attention of even the fighting Ge Nie and Xinghun.
Moon God pressed seal after seal; moonlight intensified, Xiaoyaozi's golden aura thickened, hiding his form from all others.
After hundreds of exchanges, Xinghun's young body was taxed his incomplete development limited his strength. He called the Moon Commands to join him against Ge Nie.
The dazzling flashes atop the Mirage naturally drew notice from every faction Quicksand, Confucians, even Meng Tian's army watched, but the Yin-Yang School never called for help. None dared to act on their own; if they did and later were blamed, repercussions would be severe.
An hour into the battle, Ge Nie and Xiaoyaozi still held firm, but Black Tortoise was on its last legs the Mirage's counterattack was immense. With the beast nearly destroyed and the Mirage untouched, the Mohists retreated.
Without Moon God's order, none dared pursue Black Tortoise halted at a distance.
Their voices didn't carry to the Mohists.
"Have Tianming and Shaoyu been captured? If they knew we arrived, why have they not come out?"
Discouraged, they doubted their chance of rescue if the two had already fallen, all hopes were dashed. They'd attacked for an hour; with no sign, they suspected both were lost.
At this moment, the crowd of Yin-Yang disciples parted on its own; Yanfei walked through radiating noble aura. Most disciples felt inferior in her presence.
Her bloodline gave her natural nobility; her years of cultivating Yin-Yang arts gave her an imposing force anyone weaker could barely move under her pressure.
So the four trailing her were almost ignored.
Truth was, Tianming and Shaoyu had realized the Mohists were here for rescue, intending to join them but Moon God instantly took action upon sensing the rescue attempt.
She didn't arrest them, instead activating the Mirage's mechanisms and stationing disciples at every exit, cutting off all routes of escape they were trapped.
They tried repeatedly, but couldn't break through; only then did they realize, the earlier ease was simply because the School hadn't cared enough to hinder them.
With no way out, Yue'er recalled her "mother," so they went to Pearlwater Pavilion, intent on disassembling the mechanism.
Combining Tianming's mechanical skill, Yue'er's talent, and Shaoyu's brute force, they managed to breach the Yin-Yang viewport and open the path to Cherry Prison.
Yanfei, already resolved, lost her composure entirely at Yue'er's cry of "mother"; responsibility could not outweigh the urge to embrace her child.
Yanfei's appearance stopped everyone. Many had heard the name Dongjun; all saw her in person now, except Moon God.
Yanfei gazed at each, memorizing their faces.
"Sister, congratulations on your freedom."
"Thank you for your care these years."
"What are your plans?" Moon God asked, surely planning the best for Yue'er.
Yanfei glanced at Yue'er, then at Tianming her last family.
She'd decided long ago, no change now, "Who can say? Sister, kindly step aside. We're leaving."
"If you wish to go, I'd not block you. What of what the Elder wants?" the last phrase transmitted so others were deaf to it.
Yanfei gave her a look, transmitted, "The Elder will have what he wants you may pass my words directly: when the time comes, I'll hand it over."
Moon God frowned, unhappy, ready to object; Yanfei added by transmission, "No need to worry about the Elder's blame he never forced me, so he'll wait a little longer."
"As you wish, sister a small risk as celebration for your freedom."
"If the Elder truly blames you, come to me and I'll compensate."
Moon God, reassured, knew Yanfei had another deal with the Elder and was just facilitating it.
"Gentlemen, you have your people; we of the Yin-Yang School shan't keep you. Go."
The duel paused; Xiaoyaozi dispelled Moon God's illusion, freeing Gao Jianli.
Everyone exchanged confused glances uncertain what schemes were at play but with Tianming and Shaoyu ushering them out, they left without delay.
Back at the Mohist base, Yue'er introduced her mother to everyone; all marveled Juzi Yan Dan had married Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School.
They quickly recalled how Yan Dan had been a hostage at Xianyang, only to escape mysteriously; now the truth was out.
With the help of Dongjun, even the Emperor's capital could not hold him.
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