Chapter 5

Immortality was the realm of the divine. That was common knowledge. However, that has never stopped cultivators from challenging the unforgiving stream of time, the incurable ailment of age, and the indifferent power of the Serpent of Sleeping Eternity. The Sects were first made to seek immortality, but that was a fruitless endeavour. The pursuit of immortality alone would never result in immortality.

Extending one’s age had naturally become the next best goal. Compared to the sheer immensity of immortal life, it appeared simple. However, in some ways, becoming an Immortal Deity was easier than extending mortal life.

Most of those who climbed past the First Floor could live to a hundred, provided they were not cut down prematurely. However, the difference in the lifespan between cultivators on the First and those on Sixth Floor was quite minuscule. The Seventh Floor extended one’s life by a couple of decades, but such numbers are quite unreliable, considering the lives of those illustrious men and women. It is almost certain that factors other than a person’s cultivation contributed to this.

With that in mind, I shall be looking into the best examples of life extension: The Misty Peak in the Eastern Sea, and the Eternal Monarch of the Empire of Merit.

Introduction of The Eternal Pursuit of Eternal Life,

Added to the Imperial Library in 1783 SY

Elzorath did not remember how he made his way home, only knowing that he did. His manor was located on a fairly busy street. He glanced at the children jumping along, before looking down at his own feet. His steps lacked the bounce and energy that children possessed; that was not surprising. Rather, he was wondering when was the last time his step carried as much simple, unadulterated joy.

He remembered the exact date.

He also remembered why he hated having a good memory.

Suppressing everything - futile as his efforts were – he got to the gates. Dragged his feet as slowly as possible, but time past nonetheless. Part of him had hoped that the man would be gone by now, the other part wanted desperately to see a friendly face. Elzorath braced himself.

Erysichthon was bearing a warm smile, as always. His features were more rugged, with a new ugly scar on his right hand, but those golden locks of luscious hair were unmistakable. His hair was special amongst the already-few straw heads around these parts; the length made him stand out even more. Unruly and untamed, it had been compared to a full cloak – he was inclined to agree. His old friend wore a woollen cloak, which was a patchwork of colours. Personally, he considered it a tattered old thing that was better suited as a cleaning rag. Regardless, its sight still brought a small smile to his face. “You still haven’t gotten rid of it, I see.”

“This thing?” Erysichthon held up the cloak, taking a whiff. “Of course. It is the smell of home, after all.”

“You sure that thing has a pleasant smell?”

He grinned, about to take it off, “You can certainly check it yourself.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Your loss.”

Somehow, he doubted that. Elzorath said, “You gave me no heads-up. I would’ve prepared properly if you had.”

“No need, no need at all. Also, realistically speaking, the letter wouldn’t even reach you before I do. So why bother? You guys got it too good with the Gates, I tell you.”

“Well, the toll is pretty steep.”

“Do I look poor to you? Don’t give me that look. And whatever the case, a few coins are definitely worth less than a few months of my life.”

It was not just ‘a few coins’, but there was no need for correction. “I thought you enjoyed travelling… seeing everything for yourself. The good and the bad. The beautiful and the ugly. You wanted to witness the life of the citizens, too.”

“No past tense. I still love travelling, don’t get me wrong. However, if I had done so, I would’ve been late to attend your day of First Step.”

Saying that Erysichthon went in for a hug. He tensed up but responded nonetheless. The other man also stiffened. He left the embrace, his eyes wide open. “What… what happened?”

“You might need to be more specific.” Elzorath smiled weakly. He failed to even maintain that.

“You dropped an entire Floor. What happened?”

“None of your business.”

“It’s my business since you’re my business. You would be the last first person I expect to, not only lose your way but try to avoid the problem. You once faced everything head-on, my frie-”

“And look at where that got me. Erys, this discussion ends here.”

His friend stayed silent. A minute passed. The man sighed, before speaking, “If that is truly what you want. Just know I’m always with you.”

Elzorath merely nodded.

“I thought about going around, seeing what your Empire’s pearl had to offer. Then we’ll make a meal later. But if you’re going to curl into a- “

“Don’t test me. The fact that you’re here proves that your position is not much better than mine.”

“Maybe. Do you still want to come?”

He considered it for a moment. “Perhaps your cooking shall brighten my day, so sure.”

“That it definitely will.”

“We’ll see. I made some progress myself, believe it or not.”

“The noble finally picking up a pan in his life? Colour me surprised.”

“Is that such a big deal…”

“Probably not. But if you are actually half-decent, then that would be different.”

The streets of Chang’an were the brightest in the world. Gemstone lights decorated the sidewalks, while the people themselves bore the shiniest of jewellery. The carriages slowly made their way through, each with a noteworthy family name encrusted onto their sides. Most houses on the best streets, such as the one they currently walked on, bore golden curves. These did not depict dragons and phoenixes, but they were elegant nonetheless.

Elzorath stared at his friend. The latter raised an eyebrow, “What?” He too raised an eyebrow.

“If you want me to comment on your city, I shall. It is too gaudy. Too bright for my peasant’s eyes. These people drape themselves with silk, gold, and precious gems. Yet their insides are more rotten than a poisoned apple.”

“How would you know?”

“How they dress. How they move. How they speak. Or the simplest fact of them all, the fact they are not a member of our glorious Empire.”

He clicked his tongue. “And here I thought you were serious.”

“I am, though. Like, for real, I do not like the gold and gems at all. It’s unsightly. Do things in moderation - it will all look and feel much better. Moreover, this place reeks of conformity and dullness. The architecture is not bad, and I do like the aesthetics of the Han. However, that is all. There is nothing else, and what little variance exists is simply unnoticeable. And I’ve drawn a few houses in my waiting time. Waste of time, honestly.”

“That’s because you lack a discerning eye. The fact you dislike gems of all things should speak enough of your taste.”

“First of all, I don’t dislike gems, though admittedly I don’t particularly like them. But I do indeed dislike - despise even - the oversaturation of things, and here is one clear example. Second, you have to see what our capital has to offer. The variety of architecture and of peoples. It reminds me of our old school, really.”

“Hm. That does sound great. But I still think you’re wrong about the gems.”

Erys’ face twitched. “Get over it. Also, how are you to speak about liking or disliking gems? How are you to lecture me about having a good eye?”

He just chuckled. They then made their way over to the central market. Situated on the shore and piers of the Mother River, the markets were bustling with people. Naturally, most buyers came from the capital. However, many of the sellers came through the river on boats, large and small. As such, the products available were very much worthy to serve the centre of this vast Empire.

“Now, this is more like it!” Erys said with a wide grin on his face. He looked like a kid in a toy store, shining eyes and all. “Are those Crystal Lobsters I’m seeing? We might have a good meal, after all.”

“Don’t get lost, friend.”

“You shouldn’t be doubting your friend so much.”

“Uh-huh.”

Clicking his tongue, Erys simply said, “Well, just hold my hand then. Or keep an eye on me. But do move quickly, or else.”

Or else what. But he followed nonetheless.

They did not hold hands, though.

They ate some roasted pork on a stick. A firm metal steak to support the weight. The stick was given for free, a testament to the seller’s generous spirit.

…

Nah, it was the cost of the meat. Worth it, though.

“Was it worth it wasting time haggling with those traders?”

“Hm? Of course.”

“It’s not like we saved that much money.”

“Now, now,” Erys tossed the stick away. “First, it’s part of the experience. Who goes to a market without doing a bit of haggling? Second, and the more important bit: you aren’t going to let those little merchants one-up you, are you?”

“Ah… so that’s it?”

“Tsk. It’s not like we are all as rich as you are. The cost does rack up, you know. And it’s not insignificant.”

“But it’s my money you’re spending. You won’t feel the pinch. And the merchants might… take losses?”

“Irrelevant!” He declared. “Also, I do this in the hopes you don’t go broke. Who else would cover my costs? As for the merchants, don’t make me laugh. They accounted for it before. More importantly, though they wore simple garments, if you bothered looking more closely, you’d have realized their wealth. And here you were about to tell me about ‘discerning eyes!’ Please.”

He blushed slightly. Erys then said, “Anyway, you mentioned going somewhere?”

“The Shrine of the Empress of the Heart Flames. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t go there first.”

“Hey, I immediately went for you, you know? You’re constantly on my mind.”

“Alright, man…”

“I’m serious! To think my friend would not believe my innocence and my commitment. What a world we live in!”

“Alright, alright.”

They got to the aviation renter. His face was pretty recognizable, as was his family name, so they got things without trouble. A few coins later, they were both on giant swans. They took off to the skies.

The rush of air and wind. The flaps of the swans, mighty and yet still so elegant.

It was refreshing as always.

A sharp shout broke the tranquillity. “These birds won’t understand anything we say, will they?”

“Yes? So?”

“Because I’m about to bear my soul!”

“Here?”

“Yes, why not. Free of petty, nosy people. Full of the wonders of nature. What would be a better place? I saw your mouth move, Rath, don’t answer.”

“Alright… What did you want to talk about?”

“Nothing much. Just my current situation. Just listen, my friend. Today I won’t have much patience for your comments.”

Elzorath was indeed curious, but he was even more apprehensive. This likely came with the expectation that he would have to also talk about what happened. Regardless, he still said, “Got it.” He wondered if he would regret this.

“So, I’ll be keeping this brief. For obvious reasons.” Erys hesitated. He said nothing, just blankly staring at the night sky. The two of them sat there in silence as the cool breeze brushed through. Erys then steeled his expression and spoke blandly, as if he was merely talking about the weather, “As you know, I was an official of our Empire. A Speaker of the Lands. Basically, I was the intermediary between our central government and some of our vassal states, if they could still be considered that. I consider myself more or less an ambassador – the language learning paid off. I wasn’t too important, but not unimportant either – if I was here, I think I’d be a lower third rank official. A pretty shitty situation to be in, not going to lie: not having enough power to ignore things, but just enough power to have to get involved. Before, I could be ignored and just do my thing. However, with the worsening situation, I had to make a decision, or they’ll force me to.”

He stopped, licking his lips, as he always did when nervous. “I thought about it… I’ve always believed that I was devoted to the Empire. To the prosperity of our people. I trained in what limited capacity I had: learned to draw, observe, and speak in the various tongues of the land. I thought I could mediate between people, maintain good relations for peace, and whilst doing so document everything I see for posterity. My documentation might allow better men than me could create a better state, all for the betterment of the people. But of course, when hard times come, and when people needed me the most, I ran away. My cowardice triumphed over whatever values I once espoused. The true face of people comes out in dire times – I suppose that’s who I am, then. A loud-mouth coward.”

“It… isn’t your fault. What could you have done, with so little power?”

“Not my fault? Of course, that much I know. But to say I couldn’t have done more is the worst sort of lie. Because I knew I could have. For certain, it wouldn’t have been much, but I could’ve saved people. I perhaps could’ve helped those who unjustly suffer. Because they have even less power than me. Because they are even more helpless than me. While I had the luxury of running away, of leaving it all behind, those who need the support the most simply have to live with such danger. All because I wanted to avoid dirtying my hand, and valued my ‘moral integrity’ more than my people. What are values worth, truly, when they come at the cost of the innocent.”

“So, here I am. I guess I should be thankful that they didn’t just kill me off after I got away.” He then smiled wryly, “They were even generous enough to give me some cash for the journey. That’s how I paid the toll, by the way.”

“You’re too hard on yourself. It can’t be that bad… Now that I think about it, shouldn’t your empire be more stable? You’ve always been praising your Emperor, bordering on worship, really.”

“What’s good is that, when his Majesty himself is long gone? Maybe he is not dead, just away, but it had been four long decades. I personally have never met his Majesty, though my life is forever indebted to his grace. Regardless of what happens, the situation right now is that of uneasy peace. From the day I was born, the mightiest of the Empire had been conspiring and scheming. Only two could possibly reign everything back, but one has holed herself up in her Tower, while the other ignores everything but the battlefront of the East. Next year will be the fortieth year since his departure; a generation has grown up without the presence of his Majesty; therefore, I believe that total war will break out then. And as always, those who suffer the most are the peasants toiling below. But maybe all this was not so surprising. The loss of the greatest men has always been followed by periods of turmoil, where their successors fail to uphold what they had managed to build.”

Elzorath was reminded of his own grandfather; he could not help it. The man had been a constant presence in his life, a stable, unchanging mountain in a sea of change. He had always looked the same in that old tree of his, always looking half-dead but still maintaining such vigour. He simply could not imagine the man would die.

Yet, it could happen. He was old. Looked dreadfully old. Compared to his peers in strength, he might have some time. However, with his appearance, Elzorath was not at all confident. If his grandfather passed… what would happen to his clan? What would happen to the Empire? He felt his throat tighten; his breath became faster. Should the man die today, Elzorath would feel some relief knowing that he might escape his duty. But that relief would certainly not be worth it.

Erys sighed, and Elzorath did the same. The former continued, “I plan to travel and document my travels. Perhaps when I finish my ‘pilgrimage’ of the world and return, I shall see my Empire back to its glory days. Somehow,” he smiled self-deprecatingly, “I doubt that day would come.”

“We can always dream… and I think travel was always your passion. Maybe it would be better, not tied down-” He regretted saying that part immediately.

“No need to try and comfort me,” Erys eyes shone dangerously, “and definitely not in that manner.”

“My bad.”

“Now that I’ve said my part.” Elzorath stiffened. The other man grinned. “Don’t look so concerned. I’m not going to press you - just know I’ll always hear you out. If you want, you can also join me on my journey. I’d appreciate the company, just saying. Regardless, enough depression for today. Let’s see what this temple is all about.”

And from afar, they could see the sky change from black to a lovely orange. They could see a dot of light in the distance, and feel its warmth seep into their skin.

The Fire of the Empress’ Shrine.