Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior’s Path

by Johnson, M. H.

  Even so, he knew that he could have found another way forward that imperiled neither of them. But, ruthless as he had been, why should he expect her to believe that he would do anything other than happily allow her foundation to be destroyed?

  He gave a frustrated shake of his head, determined to push her out of mind after forgiving her as much for what one of the guards had let slip as for any other reason.

  She was a mother with a daughter of her own.

  What would his own mother think of him striking down that woman? Especially since Alex had escaped unharmed, and knew that Peng Jin had been in an unwinnable situation. Even if he hadn’t thought his request nearly so onerous at the time he’d made it.

  “Bloody hell,” he muttered in English, determined to put the whole affair out of mind. The only people deserving his killing hate were the Red Prince and perhaps the guardians who were so obviously his pawns now. Yet in the end, whatever Alex might have feared, or suspected, they had done no more than toss him through a gate and sent him on his way.

  For a time, Alex did nothing but steal copies of cultivation manuals while carrying a Wood Healing technique tome that had caught his eyes just for cover. It was a feat of duplication that would do the academy itself no harm at all, but he had absolutely no doubt that it would be regarded as a capital offense in a realm that so ruthlessly hoarded its secrets as this one. He thought the chances of even the most powerful cultivators actually understanding what he was doing to be pretty close to nil, but considering how close he had already come to death that day, he wasn’t going to be a fool about it. He used his Qi perception to assure he never shared any aisle with his fellow aspirants, and did his best to avoid the gaze of any other cultivator that paused a moment to sneer at the odd Ruidian.

  But when he sensed the purposeful stride of a Deep Bronze, he braced himself before catching sight of yet another librarian, a petite young woman with dusky skin, large almond eyes, and a curious smile. A woman who, most importantly, was free of any of the suspicion or hostility which he feared had already permeated the library. But why would it? Peng Jin wouldn’t tell a soul, probably still worried about her cultivation base, held by only his own forgiveness and the most strained of interpretations. No library sentinel was going to admit to wanting to kill an inconvenient student out-of-hand, and Guan’s disdain was based on pure hatred for Ruidians, no explanation necessary.

  So long as he kept an inconspicuous profile and avoided the gazes of a few second-floor daytime inhabitants, he basically still had a clean slate.

  One which he would now use to the fullest.

  “Are you one of Master Bang Jiao’s students? May I help you with something?” she asked at the very moment he felt a sudden shiver of triumph, getting a notification that he had successfully transferred copies of 90% of all the tomes on the first floor to his World Seed’s palatial library.

  He bit back an exuberant shout, though the young woman clearly found his grin disconcerting, friendly as he tried to make it.

  “Please forgive my relief. I’ve been wandering around for ages! I’ve been hoping I could find a librarian to help me.”

  She smiled at that. “Well, I am certainly at your service; how may I assist you?”

  “Actually, I was hoping you could show me how to access the private rooms?”

  “Ah, the study rooms? You mean the ones Master Bang Jiao reserved for the day? Come, let me show you…”

  “Forgive me, but I was looking for something a bit more… private and, well… comfortable than the rooms being used by our group?”

  “Oh?” This earned a curious smile. “The common rooms aren’t up to your standards?”

  Alex grinned. “You’d be surprised how many Ruidian clans have been able to prosper during these enlightened times. We might never be princess, but we certainly enjoy the finer things in life.”

  She eyed him up and down, and her smile grew. “I can imagine.” She gazed at the tome in his hands. “A natural healer, are you?”

  Alex chuckled, feigning nonchalance. “What better than a merchant who can heal the sick and ensure that no one in his caravan ever has to suffer unnecessarily? Not to mention guaranteeing his family is always in the best of health.”

  She laughed throatily in return. “Handsome, wealthy, and with a healer’s gifts. Careful, Ruidian, or you’ll find yourself betrothed before you even finish your first year.”

  Alex winked. “One never knows what wonderful things the future holds.”

  Her eyes fairly twinkled. She clasped his hand with her own as she led him down yet another back route through the stacks, as if she were as eager to avoid anyone seeing them as he was. At last, she stopped beside a grandly appointed hallway adorned with watercolor paintings, elegant wood carvings, and exquisitely rendered pottery tucked within several adjoining alcoves. She gave his hand a quick squeeze while gesturing to the grand marble staircase branching off the corridor.

  “This is the portion of the library reserved for the Destined. Few Aspirants, save those who achieve Silver, ever make it to the second floor.” She grinned impishly. “But the library is so much more than a collection of books. As you’ll see for yourself, if you take the stairs up.”

  “Up?”

  She nodded and swallowed, suddenly nervous. “Up, as high as you dare. The rooms cost, but assuming your talisman has the rank and coin… the room will be yours.” Her cheeks flushed. “Within each room is a bell. Ring it for service. Your confidentiality is absolute, business handled through a slot for both books and fare, your identity and talisman hidden from all. This assures that your sworn enemies and scholarly competitors will never know the path you follow.” She lifted her gaze. “I’m not normally allowed in that part of the library. But... you can always request the services of a librarian you trust.”

  Alex grinned. “I’m glad to know that…”

  “Rou Ren.”

  He gently squeezed her hand in return. “At least I know that there is one librarian I can trust to have my best interests at heart, Rou Ren. But wouldn’t those arrangements make retrieving tomes rather difficult? If they can’t see my talisman…”

  She chuckled throatily. “By dint of you having access to a room, you may have access to books of equal rank.” Her gaze turned thoughtful. “Save for Golden Tomes, but only royalty and those destined for the Path of Rulers may make use of those, as they are able to visit the inner chambers directly.”

  She flushed again, realizing, perhaps, that she had said too much. “But everything else is available to you, if you dare the highest rooms. The most sacred Silver tomes, the most powerful techniques…” she gazed at the tome in his hands. “The most efficient and potent healing manuals available to anyone not on the Ruler’s Path. As well as the finest cultivation tomes anywhere in the empire.”

  She swallowed, lacquered fingertips caressing his chin. “Good luck with your studies,” she said, warm brown eyes smiling into his own before she darted back the way she had come.

  37

  Qi Perception check successful. Background spiritual energy radiation allows for upgraded map interface. You sense basic library blueprint. Three cultivators spotted. Corridor ahead will be clear in 3…2…1… clear!

  And Alex was off like a rocket, communing with his interface as he Bullrushed around yet another flight of stairs before blinking past a corridor containing at least one guardian during the heartbeat she was looking away.

  Maybe she would have thought nothing of the Ruidian daring to ascend the study halls, which were looking more and more like private luxury apartments, as they now included both servants and guards at every level. A quick Artificer check made it clear that each level was for succeeding ranks of talisman and sigil, solid hardwood doors quickly replaced by filigreed, silver inlaid masterwork carvings. Alex noted as well the increasingly potent protective wards integrated into the glyphs so cleverly disguised as artwork upon the Silver-talisman ranked floors.

  Or maybe the guardians of
these increasingly opulent study retreats wouldn’t have been nearly so forgiving as the infatuated librarian downstairs. Maybe they would have gazed at him with cold eyes and the flash of rubies ornamenting silver hairpins, ears, nose, and throat.

  Sentinels bought and paid for by Prince Dongfang Hong.

  Alex had no doubt that sooner, rather than later, word would reach the Red Prince about the Ruidian who had dared to enter the inner sanctum. At which point, Alex was certain that there would be a considerable price put out on his head, perhaps a bounty in Spirit Pearls so high that these guardians would strike him without a second thought, whatever the consequences to their foundation.

  Assuming they weren’t inured to the strictures restraining most Royal Phoenix cultivator’s hands, which would explain why the Red Prince had gone to such lengths to suborn so many.

  He felt a fierce sense of exhilaration as his final perilous series of leaps brought him before a particularly deep alcove, and were it not for a mid-Bronze’s 31 Strength and hands and feet so experienced in Forest Flight, he doubted he could have possibly braced himself with such utter stillness in the upper shadows of that recess, hiding above a jade vase containing a masterwork silver rose.

  Stealth check – successful!

  The most mundane skill in the world, without a kitsune's wondrous talents. But it was enough, Alex thought, for him to simply achieve absolute stillness and silence, even though his heart pounded furiously in his chest, his hands and feet seeking communion with the marble alcove he was presently sheltering in.

  And when blue eyes hidden by shadow and height caught sight of flashing crimson, he felt such a surge of vindication mixed with ice-cold dread, not even daring to breathe as the scowling Guardian hurried on her way. What her ultimate destination was, or why she was glaring like a woman out for blood, he had no clue. The only thing he knew for certain was that the library was a far more perilous place than he could have imagined, just days ago.

  Qi Perception check made. Library interface synergism holds. No cultivators are looking your way. Closest sentinel will turn nearest corner in 4.3 seconds.

  Insights flashing across his mind at the speed of thought, Alex was already springing from alcove ceiling to sound-muffling marble tiles before blinking along the corridor and up the final grand staircase leading to the highest tier of Silver. His hand absently stroked the finely polished marble balustrade inlaid with silver and gold, fit for any palace, feet treading soft, carpeted steps dyed a color that made his jaw clench, heart racing with something he refused to call fear.

  His supple forest brown footwear hurried up marble steps covered in blood.

  Or carpet dyed in Prince Dongfang Hong’s colors, a distinction so fine that Alex wondered if there would soon be any difference at all.

  His heart lurched in his chest when he sensed guardians behind him, their presence washing over him, along with the haughty voice of a man used to instant obedience.

  “And do make sure the librarians on staff answer my requests without delay. Last week’s breach in propriety and timing were absolutely unforgivable!”

  “Our apologies, Your Grace. We shall instruct the librarians to answer all requests with due haste.”

  “That would be best. And this time, I expect my assistant to give her full name. Should she fail me a second time, the repercussions will extend far beyond her shortened stay at this academy, I assure you!”

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  Three cultivators will make eye contact within 3…2…

  Alex lurched out of frozen surprise, springing up the remainder of the winding staircase, even as he sensed the pair of powerful sentinels at the far end of the hallway.

  His synergized interface made it clear that the steps ended here.

  Deepest Silver, and no further.

  He swallowed, his heart racing, as he sensed the layout of the grand hallway, instantly knowing what he had to do.

  You have thrown Silver Coin against Distant Doorbell.

  Finesse check made.

  Tier 3 Service Bell rung!

  No cultivators are currently looking your way.

  Bullrush chained three times! You have leaped across staircase to far balcony. You have pivoted around corner. No cultivators are looking your way.

  You have chosen to enter Tier 3 Silver cultivation chamber. Cost is one hundred credits per twenty-four hours. Facilities include meditation mat, extra large hardwood bed with down stuffed sleeping mattress, one fine study desk, table, cushioned chairs, bookshelf, empty notebooks and enchanted pen, pitcher of water, modest ablution facilities, Bronze-ranked training mannequin, and access to all tomes, save Forbidden and Gold. Do you wish to rent these facilities?

  You have chosen Yes. One hundred credits have been deducted from your account.

  Alex blinked as information flooded his mind, his interface quantifying that which he sensed would have been a simple surge of sensations or impressions, had he been a more typical cultivator. But what mattered most to Alex was that placing his translucent Jade talisman in the slot designed for it elicited the softest of chimes and the immediate opening of the rune-covered door, which began shimmering as if in welcome to its newest resident.

  “Service bells ringing already? The Destined aren’t to arrive for at least another two weeks!”

  “Our apologies, Your Grace. Many students and professors choose to make use of these facilities.”

  “But aren’t the costs prohibitive for most of the rabble that attend?”

  “Not for professors or the truly gifted assigned to research.”

  “Then why don’t they simply use their personal pagodas?”

  “Forgiveness, Your Grace. But there is a limit to what even the most gifted are allowed to check out, save for Destined such as yourself, of course. But lesser cultivators may still make use of an unlimited number of texts when cross-referencing or triangulating breakthroughs, insights, or seeking to forge fresh new techniques, which our Academy is renowned for.”

  The trio of voices washed over Alex, but before the cultivators finished ascending the steps, Alex was already through the door.

  Slumping down to his knees, he caught his ragged breath, having felt death’s cold grip closing in with not one but multiple Silver cultivators sheathed in the Red Prince’s largesse. And still, his desperate gamble had ended at Silver, when he had been shooting for Gold.

  Gold chambers, fit for visiting royalty, with all the privileges that such entailed, and what he’d hoped would be a backdoor to the inner sanctum.

  But no.

  He was no better off now than when he had been borrowing White Crane cultivation tomes from a smirking librarian who thought he was exploiting Alex ruthlessly with the expenditure of a score of credits.

  Alex chuckled bitterly, having just spent a hundred credits in addition to making several enemies and risking his very head multiple times this day, and he was no better off in terms of library access than he had been when he had first arrived.

  He sighed, shaking his head, though still smiling with relief at having escaped dire peril for the moment, if nothing else, before taking in what really were exceptional cultivation chambers: a larger, finer version of his own claimed Silver pagoda in the Aspirant’s Quarter. The polished hardwood furniture was of exquisite craftsmanship, and he couldn’t help smiling at the fantastic view he had from the windows leading to an actual open air balcony that he just knew would serve as the perfect meditation spot for channeling Divine Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. The snow-capped mountains towered loftily against the backdrop of endless deep blue skies and soft billowy clouds, while the rich green forest-covered valleys swept between those solemn rock sentinels in the far-off distance.

  He gave an astounded chuckle, awed anew by how vast and impressive a structure this library truly was, to house multiple grand suites along its uppermost floors, each with a no doubt equally spectacular view.

  He reluctantly turned from the view, electing no
t to open the sliding door of Qi-reinforced quartz that was at least as translucent as glass, eyes instead alighting upon the training mannequin and the vast, empty space in the centermost of the three chambers that were now his, and began reassessing his situation. Noting the silver bellpull beside the door which now glowed with activated runes, he wondered if he could make the most of his present circumstances after all.

  38

  “Good day, and welcome to the Silver suite! How may this humble librarian assist our library’s honored guest?”

  Alex smiled from the other side of the door, thrilled to find that, while corrupted guardian maidens might or might not be planning to kill him on sight, he could still work surreptitiously in the heart of what was clearly his enemy’s lair, so long as he had the coin, or credits, to afford the privilege.

  So long as he exercised a modicum of discretion and avoided playing the fool.

  Such as staring at the door too long, like a nonplussed idiot.

  Alex shook his head, embracing the role he had made for himself as best he could.

  “Honored guest?” the voice prompted hesitantly at his lengthy silence

  “Honored scholar,” Alex snapped, combining his memory of a certain arrogant young noble’s cadence, as well as the bits of lore he had picked up from earlier conversations. “One who seeks to forge a breakthrough that will put all our competitors in their places and secure our place as Baidushi’s preeminent Academy forevermore!”

  The librarian chuckled politely. “Of course, honored scholar. What specific tomes or general category of scholarly works would you like for me to retrieve for you at this time?” Alex’s brow furrowed at a pointed knock being made at what was apparently a door slot at waist height. “If you would be so gracious as to swipe your talisman over the slot, I would be happy to hand you quill and parchment, and you may write down any and all treatises, tomes, manuals, or general body of scholarly work that you would like me to acquire for you.”