“You know do know it’s rude to listen in on a private conversation, don’t you?” Cha Ming asked.
Huxian shrugged. “I was going to find out anyway. Plus, you came here before seeing me. Where’s the love, Cha Ming?”
“I was busy,” Cha Ming said. “And I was going to see you next.”
“Well, now you don’t have to,” Huxian said. “Anyway, it’s settled. I’m going with you. I need a vacation.”
“I won’t be able to keep you company,” Cha Ming warned. “This is strictly business for me.”
“Nothing new, then,” Huxian said. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll keep myself entertained.”
“You must leave some of your friends behind to help with the war,” Clever Dusk said sternly. “At least four of them.”
“Three,” Huxian shot back.
She glared at him, then pulled on the strings, undoing his bonds and pulling him to his feet. “Four.”
“You used to be so nice,” Huxian muttered. “Three.”
“You aren’t the only one this war has changed,” Clever Dusk said. “Fine. Three it is, but don’t regret the consequences.”
He gave her a guilty grin, then looked back to Cha Ming. “So? When are we leaving?”
“Right away,” Cha Ming said. “So tell me. Who are the lucky two?”
Chapter 7: Shimmerwing City
“This is freaking awesome!” Huxian said from his perch, the wind ruffling through his ears. “Why don’t we do this more often?”
“I think we avoid it because it’s cold up here, and I hate carrying people,” Cha Ming said. He flapped his massive wings, propelling his demon body forward.
It was a strange experience, ferrying demons on his back. But fair was fair, especially given how often he’d ridden on Silverwing.
“Eh, Silverwing is way better at this,” Gua said, throwing some kind of seed snack into the air and letting the wind push it backward into his mouth. “You need practice. Maybe training.”
“Well, I’m not one to complain about a free ride,” Miyue said. “Especially since it means skipping over this hell-scorched land.”
“Incoming!” Huxian said. There were pros and cons to flying through the skies, the benefit obviously being the speed at which they could travel. Unfortunately, it attracted its own share of trouble.
The three demon passengers stood up and combined their auras. Their dominions spread out just in time to meet a swarm of avian demons. Many were initiation-realm demons that stuck to their demon forms. It was inconvenient to fly in their human form, after all, and they wouldn’t be able to do so until they reached the investiture realm.
The show of power from Huxian and his two close friends frightened them silly. They dove to the ground and hid in the sparse trees and rocks and cliffs of the Iridescent Phoenix Clan’s territory. This allowed Cha Ming to focus on the very difficult task of flying with such a massive body. Simultaneously, he used his domain to shape the wind around them.
They were well into Phoenix Clan lands now, and the sad excuse for a forest showed it. The trees were much sparser here. Shorter as well. Rather than greenery, the best sources of shade were large mounds of rocks that peppered the territory’s steep incline toward the Five Fire Mountain Range. They stabbed out of the ground in the distance like a massive claw, each one a different color and shape.
The closer they got, the more things changed. Random fires became more prevalent, which in turn necessitated the complete elimination of grass and underbrush. Cracked clay and dusty soil were commonplace here, and fires didn’t just burn but lingered in place, like living things that fed off whatever demonic energy they could find.
Mammalian demons weren’t as plentiful here. Salamanders, reptiles, and flaming birds were king. There were even turtles that carried about homes of rock instead of their traditional seafaring shells. There were also an unusual number of flying creatures, though they were much weaker than the surrounding wildlife. They hadn’t fought for their place in the pecking order so much as mooched off the Phoenix Clan’s influence.
Fires aside, there was an odd mix of elements in the area. The fires in the wilderness didn’t just burn. Some encouraged vegetation to grow while others simply pillaged and cracked the earth. Others even brought pockets of cold that were inhabited by demons of frost and snow.
At the center of it all was the claw that poked out of the ground, and the mountains that clustered around it. There were five claws in all, and each of them was made of a different type of rock. Overhead, fire fell from the sky. And nestled between them was Shimmerwing City, the self-styled City of Lights. The tower city was a beacon in the wilderness, its many-colored lights illuminating the single safe path through the dangerous mountains.
It was near this path at the base of the mountains that they landed. Cha Ming transformed into his human form, and the four of them began their ascent. They weren’t alone on this road. Ships of all kinds moved up and down, and despite the ongoing war, the way was filled with both humans and demons.
Eventually, they were able to secure a ride on a ship that took them to the base of the spire that stood in the shadows of the five mountains around it. There, they found a gate. It was an ornate thing made of metal embedded with large gemstones that scattered sunlight, casting a rainbow that illuminated everyone and everything that went through it. Cha Ming, who could read the runes on the gate, saw that it was this artifact that guarded the tower, while the guards that collected tolls and conducted inspections were just for show and administration. The beams of rainbow light washed over him as he walked, scanning him, identifying him. He had no doubt that all this information would be stored by the custodian of the artifact and reported to his superiors.
“Purpose for your visit?” one of the guards asked when it was his turn.
“I’ve come to deliver a message to the First Feather on behalf of the Stargazer chieftain,” Cha Ming said. “Aside from that, I’ll be studying in the city for four months.”
“And your friends?” the guard asked, eyeing the Godbeast and his two powerful companions.
“Tourists!” Huxian said with a grin. Much of his gloom from before had evaporated during the flight. Cha Ming was glad the old Huxian was back.
“Given your strength and rank, the entry fee will be either four thousands chips or four thousands yellow demon coins for each of you,” the guard said.
“Here, let me,” Huxian said, pouring a pile of yellow coins into the guard’s hands. The guard, unfazed by the sudden onslaught of coins, picked them out of the air and stored them in some kind of dimensional treasure or space. Huxian stopped when there were exactly sixteen thousand of them.
“I’ll be making a report to the palace,” the guard said. “Don’t dally if you have business with the First Feather. It would be rude to keep her waiting.”
“Yellow demon coins?” Cha Ming asked as they walked away.
“Demon currency,” Huxian explained. “Chips are made of heaven-and-earth energy, and demon coins have demonic energy. Inkwell jades come in lesser, mid-grade, high-grade, and top-grade varieties, and demon coins come in yellow, green, blue, and purple.”
“Good to know,” Cha Ming said. He eyed the single hallway leading into the tower as they entered, noticing its reinforced construction, the murder holes that could be used to blast intruders apart, and the doors that would clamp shut at the slightest sign of trouble. It would take a madman to attack such a fortified location.
They soon made their way out of the entryway, and when they left the poorly lit tunnels, the city hit them like a flash bomb. It took a moment to adjust their eyes. They had only arrived at the first of the city’s nine stacked layers, yet already they could only stop and gape. All around them, people and demons milled about, regardless of their clan or affiliation.
It might be the lowest floor, but even that was a sight to behold. The tower city wasn’t called the City of Lights for nothing. Whether it was from the large windows i
n the walls or from the larger crystal pillar that ran through the middle of the tower, light was everywhere. It shimmered through crystals and reflected on strangely shaped mirrors. It lit up well-made merchandise. The sight of it left them gaping for more than a few moments.
Bright colors were in vogue here. Whether human or demon, there was a certain pressure to show off and stand out. Even Cha Ming’s blue cloud-patterned robes were considered conservative, and forget Huxian’s black robes. Unsurprisingly, Gua and Miyue were dressed for the occasion. Gua’s purple suit was covered in white flowers studded with diamond-like stones. Miyue’s flowing blue dress sparkled from the pillar of light.
They made their way through the first floor, and at its center, they found a spiraling staircase that led them to the second. The demon population grew on this level—it was easy to tell them apart, as they usually displayed some token of their heritage.
Here, the most prevalent demon type was avian, with phoenixes being the most populous. Five main types, to be exact. They proudly wore red, blue, gold, green, and brown feathers in their hair and on their arms and on their necks as they strutted about in the usual phoenix fashion.
“I expected fire, but I didn’t expect all this,” Cha Ming said, fingering a wind chime in a shop. It was made of many crystalline flutes that refracted and colored light. This chime’s theme was winter, so it featured blue, white, and light-brown flutes that formed snowflake patterns that sprinkled down toward the ground.
It wasn’t just this type of decoration either. Everywhere he looked, he saw gems and glass pieces, and even glass sculptures in public parks. Every business and every house or home had something to take advantage of the city’s lighting. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising when he saw Gua walking around with dazzling earrings and Miyue with a bright necklace and matching bracelet. Huxian scowled at the extravagance, but eventually relented and got a colored belt. It was funny to see the small fox so out of his element, but he clearly needed a change, and the city was providing it. Cha Ming only wished he had time for such things as well.
“Now for the hard part,” Cha Ming said. “Should we act arrogant or reserved?” Etiquette in these parts was tricky, and he’d hate to get off on the wrong foot.
“You need to stay humble no matter what,” Huxian said. “You’re an envoy. As for us? We’ll play it by ear.”
“You’re not coming with me?” Cha Ming asked, surprised.
“Rubbing feathers with Phoenix Clan nobles doesn’t sound fun at all,” Huxian said. “I’m on vacation, not at work. I’ll come if you want me to, but I don’t know if bringing a Godbeast along will help, or if it’ll look like you’re showing off.”
“Well, I’m not going,” Gua said. “I came here to buy fabric and scout out business opportunities. There’s money to be made in this city. I can smell it!”
“Don’t forget who has the money,” Miyue added.
Gua glared at her. “Damn Mr. Mountain. Damn Silverwing. Damn you all.”
“Hey, someone responsible had to come along,” Huxian said. “You’re lucky he let both of you out of the shop.”
“It’s unfortunate that I don’t have Gua’s fashion sense, or I would have insisted we leave him behind,” Miyue said.
“Don’t worry about me,” Cha Ming reassured. “Go have your fun.”
They didn’t have to be told twice. They scampered off, leaving him, a human, all alone in a city full of demons. Time to act humble. “Excuse me,” Cha Ming said as he pushed through the crowd. “Pardon me.”
This behavior ran contrary to most of the arrogant pushing and shoving displayed by those around him. It wasn’t long before he attracted the first young master—or mistress, in this case. Heavens, he hated phoenixes and their stupid rules of etiquette, but when in Shimmerwing, do as the silly do.
“Who dares get in my way?” the woman said, walking forward. She was arrogant and domineering, the type of person who got her way. A small crowd of phoenix demons gathered to watch the show.
Cha Ming gracefully avoided the woman. “Please excuse me,” he said. “I didn’t mean to cut in front of you.”
The woman scowled, and he continued walking despite her frustrated hollers.
“Amazing!” some in the crowds said. “He dares snub her, a noble member of the Silver Feather merchant family.”
It wasn’t the first such exchange, and it wouldn’t be the last. Sometimes, it was a lone demon, and others a group. The small entourage that followed him continued to grow in size as he ascended the towers, and the exchanges became more elaborate. On the fifth floor, for example, someone set up a tea table in his path and insisted he complete his session before Cha Ming continued. Cha Ming respectfully declined, insisting that he was late for a meeting, after which the Phoenix clansman upended the table and challenged him to a duel. Cha Ming left him on the ground with a dirty foot imprint on his face.
Cha Ming soon became accustomed to his endearing but annoying entourage. They whispered silly things like “He wouldn’t dare cut in front of Silken Feather, would he?” or “Is he courting death?” Sometimes, his opponents drew their weapons, and he was forced to defend himself, even going so far as to admit defeat to save trouble. This only further fueled the opposition.
The higher he climbed, however, the less silly the challenges became. Mock battles became actual fist fights, and Cha Ming had to take care not to hurt anyone too badly. He spent increasing amounts of time convincing his opponents it wasn’t worth fighting and that they could simply go on ahead if it was so important to them. Modesty was key. Giving up when you were clearly the winner. And the more he did so, the more they acted insufferably, offering him even more chances for him to slap their faces.
There were nine floors in Shimmerwing City, and as he climbed, the challenges became less frequent. On the sixth floor, he underwent a vetting of sorts where he had to prove his strength before entering. Afterward, he was mostly left alone to observe the city and its wonders. The number of glass decorations grew, as did their artisanship. Metalwork and intricate runework became more common. People started hanging lanterns lit with many-colored flames, and very few humans traveled the streets here.
It was on the seventh floor that he finally met someone worth fighting. It was coincidentally the first two-colored phoenix he’d seen, and as they faced off, similar phoenixes crowded around. Though Cha Ming knew very little about their particular bloodline, he could tell that these phoenixes were much stronger.
He quickly dispatched his opponent, but from then on, he began to see more and more colors, and on the eighth floor, he met his first three-colored phoenix. The battle was more challenging, but hardly anything to Cha Ming, who’d already defeated elders of the Star-Eye Clan.
Finally, when he arrived at the ninth floor, he was greeted by a four-colored phoenix. The peak-initiation demon stood before him, only slightly arrogant compared to those from prior floors. “You dare come here to this sacred place, human?” the Phoenix clansman asked softly.
“Please, I just need to get into the palace and give my greetings from the Stargazer chieftain to the First Feather,” Cha Ming said.
“You think you’re worthy of her time?” the phoenix asked. “Very well. You may enter, but first, you’ll need to break through my technique.”
“There’s really no need,” Cha Ming said sheepishly.
“But there is,” the Phoenix clansman said. “I, Morning Frost, will test your worthiness.”
Cha Ming felt a sense of trepidation as demonic energy swirled into the demon. Compared to those before, he was no simple opponent. Morning Frost summoned his demon weapon—a glass orb the glowed brightly with four shades of frosty blue light, one for each of his feather colors. Tongues of strange cold flames flickered from it.
He’s actually going to try to kill me, Cha Ming realized. Was it anger at Cha Ming’s constant humility, or just the fact that he was human? Perhaps all who wished to enter the ninth floor were treated the same way.
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Moreover, this was no ordinary demon—he was a four-colored phoenix, and he was at the heart of their homeland, the highest floor of Shimmerwing City. He was a peak-initiation demon, while Cha Ming was a late-rune-carving Daoist. Rather than dare leave it to chance, Cha Ming immediately used a partial activation of Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations, bringing his cultivation up to the peak of rune carving. With his superior cultivation technique, his fourfold domain, and his higher-tier concepts, his strength would more than match most half-step-investiture-realm demons.
“Why don’t we call it quits here?” Cha Ming asked instead of fighting. His domain couldn’t ward off Morning Frost’s dominion, but he could still use it to shield himself against the blue light. This would be considered arrogant behavior, but he suspected this was why Clever Dusk had sent him. A normal Star-Eye Clansman would not have been able to resist this phoenix. Not so far away from their home and in the center of the Iridescent Clan’s power.
“I am not the strongest here, but I am not weak either,” Morning Frost said. “My manifestation is particularly powerful. It is this technique that you must break. Are you ready?”
Cha Ming sighed and summoned the Crown of the Starry Skies. He didn’t summon his boots, as running would defeat the entire purpose of this exchange. “Ready when you are.”
“Manifestation: Bright Corona of the Frost Phoenix!” Morning Frost called out. A blue rising sun appeared, and in front of it was a large being of pure flame. Like Morning Frost, the flames were of four colors, and when it appeared, the temperature around them dropped. A dazzling light filled the room. It was unblockable and omnipresent. It merged with the light that shone down from the ceiling of the ninth floor, further enhancing its power.
If that had been all, Cha Ming wouldn’t have been worried. But then Morning Frost’s aura began to blaze with strength. He was burning his blood essence. It wasn’t common for demons to do such a thing, as this could irreparably harm their foundation. The blood he burned fed his burning orb, and the flame in turn drank in the tower’s light. All that power flowed into the creature of flame, accumulating at its beak in a frighteningly dense form. If Cha Ming didn’t take care while defending, he could lose his life.
Claddings of Light : Book 12 of Painting the Mists Page 11