The table in the meeting hall was longer than it was wide and spanned the length of the entire room, which was every bit as gaudy as the rest of this palace. Walls surrounded them all on sides. This was unusual given that the architecture of this palace was designed to be open so its residents could enjoy the splendor of its many gardens, but that was also the reason this room had been chosen.

Some conversations had to remain behind closed doors.

Several people were already sitting at the table in the meeting hall.

At the head of this table was none other than Emperor Cì Shā. As a man who had stepped into the Deva Realm, he was the strongest person present, though it was impossible to tell by looking at his physique. He looked thin, almost emaciated. His shoulder-length hair and gaunt face gave him the look of a scholar. Only his dark eyes, burning with the flames of ambition, would make anyone think otherwise.

On his immediate left was a young man who exuded a youthful enthusiasm tempered by maturity. He had shorter hair than his father. His face was also much more masculine. It matched his physique, which could be seen beneath his skintight clothing. He looked like an ancient hero from a bygone age. This man must have been Cì Quan, eldest son of the emperor and next in line for the throne.

Four other people were at the table, though only two of them were sitting.

“Duo Long, you’re late,” said one of the men. He was a muscular man with muscles that were thicker than a person’s torso. His hands were so large that he looked like he could fit an entire person’s head within them. He had very short hair, scars lining his face, and a thick beard. His black eyes were beady and he seemed to constantly exude a battle lust that everyone in the room could feel.

“We have been waiting for you. Hurry up and take a seat. I’d rather not waste any more time,” said the other man. Unlike his muscular counterpart, this man was not very big, but that didn’t fool Duo Long. His long hair and pale face made him look like a beautiful man, but beneath that feminine exterior was a ruthless killer who controlled flames as easily as breathing.

“Xao Wen. Huo Yi. It has been some time,” Duo Long greeted.

“Spare me your greetings,” said Huo Yi, sect master of the Burning Flame Pavilion. “Hurry up and sit down.”

“You’re as impatient as always, Yi. You should learn to relax. Sit back and smell the chrysanthemum,” chuckled Xao Wen.

Huo Yi scoffed. “I’ve no desire nor time to trade banter with you.”

“You three really should learn to speak more cordially when in my presence,” Emperor Cì Shā finally spoke. His voice was frigid like ice. Huo Yi shivered and even Xao Wen straightened in his seat. Duo Long felt like his head had been dunked in a bucket of ice water.

“My apologies,” said Huo Yi.

“I guess I let my enthusiasm get the better of me. Sorry about that,” said Xao Wen, scratching the back of his head.

To the Xia Dynasty and the Three Celestial Sects, the Deva Realm was nothing special. The core of their military strength was made up of Deva Realm cultivators. However, to small nations like the Zhou Kingdom, Ming Province, Qing Province, and Han Dynasty, the Deva Realm was a peak that few could climb. Duo Long had been trying for decades to reach that peak without success.

It’s all because the larger nations and sects hoard all the resources for themselves. Even rich kingdoms like the Zhou Kingdom do not have access to their resources. Damn them all.

While Emperor Cì Shā wouldn’t even be considered for the position of elder in one of the Three Celestial Sects with his level of strength, he was at least as strong as one of their captains. That put him head and shoulders above many cultivators in smaller nations.

While Cì Chuān sat on the other side of his father, Duo Long made himself comfortable in the seat presented to him. He revealed none of the emotions he felt on his face. Mo Zhi stood behind him like the other two head elders of the Burning Flame and Martial God Pavilions.

“You are all aware of how much smaller nations like ours suffer under the yoke of oppression. The Xia Dynasty and Three Celestial Sects have long hoarded all the best resources since their founding. Heavenly Sword Mountain where the chi is purest, the Underground Yellow River that’s said to help cultivators reach the Seeker Realm with ease, and the Moon Shrine Divine Palace--a realm from a long-lost civilization that’s filled with treasures untold. Even the Xia Dynasty has their Phoenix Palace, where their great deity resides and grants blessings to the Phoenix Sect,” Emperor Cì Shā said.

Everyone at the table furrowed their brows in frustration. It was well-known that the more powerful sects and nations had the best cultivation resources, leaving the rest to fight over the scraps they deemed fit to leave behind. It was insulting. Not a single person present didn’t feel the proverbial slap to their face.

“There is not much we can do yet to catch up with the four most powerful entities on the continent, but we can begin to take steps now to ensure we overcome them later,” Emperor Emperor Cì Shā continued, spreading his arms wide. “The first step is to increase the number of Asura Realm cultivators we have. The resources in our respective nations allow us to step into the Human Limit Realm, but we are lacking in resources required to reach the Asura Realm. The Shang Kingdom lacks the resources to create Human Limit Realm cultivators, but they have an abundance of resources for Asura Realm cultivators.”

All the elders and sect masters in the Ming Province were at the Human Limit Realm, and Emperor Cì Shā’s Five Divine General were also at the peak of the Human Limit Realm. However, only a few dozen of their disciples were at the Asura Realm due to a lack of cultivation resources. Meanwhile, the Shang Kingdom only had a measly three Human Limit Realm cultivators, but every cultivator in the Shang Kingdom’s army was at the Asura Realm.

“Our biggest problem won’t be the Shang Kingdom. It’ll be the Heavenly Sword Sect,” said Duo Long. “They won’t stand by while their ally is under siege.”

“It will take time, but you can leave the Heavenly Sword Sect to me,” said Emperor Cì Shā with a tight smile. “I am currently in discussion with someone who is not fond of their sect and may be willing to help for the right price.”

Duo Long had no clue who the Zhou Kingdom’s emperor was talking about, and it was clear the man would not share that information. He disliked not being completely in the loop. However, so long as they could succeed and take a piece of the Shang Kingdom once conquered, he would turn a blind eye to any secrets kept.

He would make the Wind-Lightning Pavilion into a sect worthy of standing beside the Three Celestial Sects. No, he would make his pavilion so strong they could crush those sects under foot. He swore this to himself as they made plans to conquer the Shang Kingdom.

***

Mencho Palace looked larger and more imposing than it first appeared now that they were up close. He stared up at the several story pagoda-like structure, then glanced at the entrance. A lot more people were coming and going than he thought there’d be. Most everyone was dressed up in fine fabrics that looked like they cost more than the average family earned in a decade.

“We’re here. Let’s go inside,” said Yu Qiang.

“Yeah…”

They entered through the door, and Wu Jian realized this place was more than just a residence for Mun Han and his family. The entire first floor was a dedicated gambling parlor. Numerous tables lay spread across the floor where cultivators and commoners gambled away their hard-earned money. There were games like Mahjong, Keno, Fan-Tan, and Tien Gow. Wu Jian also saw people playing a card game that used dice. He didn’t understand how it worked, but the cards in play appeared to be character cards--cards with the depictions of famous historical figures and powerful cultivators.

“That game is called Cultivator Cards, or CC for short,” said Yu Qiang when he saw where Wu Jian was looking. “To play, you must have at least three character cards in play, and you use them to battle against your opponent’s character cards. Each side of the dice represents a specific element, which you use to unleash attacks upon your enemy’s cards. There are also other cards you can put into play, which provides a variety of benefits and effects like healing your character or granting you more energy. Playing it requires a lot of strategic thinking. Even creating a deck requires you to think hard about how each card plays off each other. It’s a fun game.”

“You’ve played before?” asked Wu Jian.

“I’ve only dabbled in it. I don’t really have time to play often, but it’s a good game to keep my mind sharp.”

“Hmmm.”

Wu Jian was vaguely interested in playing, but that wasn’t the reason they were here.

They walked up to a small desk with a clerk dressed in an elaborately gaudy hanfu of many colors. The man, for he had an Adam’s apple, had painted his face white and wore makeup that made him look like he was permanently blushing.

“Hello, dear guests. Judging by your attire, you are not here to gamble, are you?” he asked.

“We’re not. I received a letter asking me to come here,” Wu Jian handed off the letter to the man.

The clerk’s eyes went wide before he handed the letter back. His smile was a lot more respectful now as he gave Wu Jian a traditional martial bow.

“Forgive my rudeness, Master Wu. His Lordship is expecting your presence. I will have someone escort you to him.”

The clerk hailed down a woman who’d been passing by. Her outfit wasn’t what Wu Jian would have called modest. The amount of skin she exposed made him wonder how she got away without being criminalized for public indecency, but he soon realized all the women were dressed this way.

I guess… sex appeal sells.

The woman bowed to them after talking to the clerk. “Please, follow me, young masters. I shall take you to our lord.”

“Thank you,” said Yu Qiang while Wu Jian was busy observing everything.

The woman smiled as she led them through the gambling parlor. The sights, sounds, and scents permeating the air was far more than Wu Jian could take. He found himself constantly distracted and almost bumped into someone several times. He was very happy when they reached the stairs and climbed them. The second floor was mercifully silent.

“The second floor is home to our famous geisha house,” the woman explained. “We do both private and public shows. Men and women can hire out some of our best entertainers, and a few lucky ones will be allowed to spend the night with one of them.”

Wu Jian was glad he wore a mask. He didn’t want this woman to see his disgust.

Sex was sacred to him. He would only ever sleep with the people he wanted to spend his life with. That meant Wu Meiying, Hou Jingshu, and Zhou Lihua were currently the only people he would even consider sharing a bed with. To share a bed with someone he had no emotional attachment to disgusted him in ways he couldn’t explain.

They made their way to the third floor, and the woman knocked on the door.

“My Lord, your guests have arrived,” she said.

A voice came from the other side. “Hmm. Tell them to enter.”

“You may go on in,” the woman said.

“Thanks for showing us the way,” said Wu Jian.

“You are welcome.”

The doors opened as if an invisible force was pulling them. Wu Jian entered with Yu Qiang.

The space beyond the doors was large and elaborate, with tapestries hanging from the walls, a ceiling painted to look like a dragon attempting to swallow the heavens, and several statues of beautiful naked men and women decorated the corners. The carpet was so soft Wu Jian felt his feet sink into it. Several couches and a low-table sat in the center, and beyond it was an poshly decorated desk.

Standing before it was… a man? Wu Jian was certain this person was a man, but it was hard to tell. He had long hair, a feminine appearance, and wore enough makeup to be mistaken for a geisha. The gaudy eyeliner highlighting his eyes was red. What’s more, the hanfu he wore was long, elaborate, and flowed around him like a dress. Wu Jian found himself hesitating to call him a man.

“You must be Jian Wu,” the man said. His voice was deep, so he was definitely of the male persuasion, but he really confused Wu Jian. “Welcome. Welcome. I have wanted to talk to you ever since I began hearing about your winning streak in the arena. Hm hm. You are quite a bit more handsome than I first suspected. Tall. Strong body. Good muscles. That mask isn’t doing you any favors though. You really should consider removing it.”