The Magistrate: Chapter 38 (Patreon)

Chapter 38

Disciple Shen

Lingling wasn't used to sleeping by herself, so Tobias sat with her until she fell asleep. She was exhausted from her journey, which had been on foot, judging by the condition of her shoes, so the only reason she'd remained awake was to voice her complaints and eat. She was a tough little girl, and Tobias loved her as dearly as he loved his sisters in his first life. Tobias adjusted the blanket so it covered her shoulders, knowing how cold it would soon become as night settled in and then rose and headed back to his viewing room to speak with Disciple Shen.

Tobias took a seat beside her, staring out at the garden. "How many did you have to kill to get her here safely?"

Disciple Shen's shoulders tightened. "Eleven."

Tobias turned and glanced at her face. "You manage to kill eleven foundation realm cultivators without being injured."

"Their cultivation came from pills. We weren't evenly matched."

"They had a numbers advantage."

"Only if I allowed them to use it. Once I realised that they were hunting her, I went on the offensive."

"Does Lingling know?"

"I don't believe so. She was preoccupied with escaping her marriage, and she seemed to believe me when I said we needed to move through the wilderness to avoid spirit beasts because we are cultivators. I use the same excuse whenever I had to leave her behind to engage them."

"Thank you. She doesn't need to be plagued by fear over the enemies I've made."

"Is she safe here?"

"Yes. I have allies who assure my safety in Cloud City. That extends to both of you. However, I can't guarantee you'll make it back to my land if you set out alone."

"Steward Wo and his party made it."

"They were under the protection of one of my ally. Without that protection, they wouldn't have made it halfway."

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

"Could you gain their services again?"

"Not for foundation realm cultivators. They will only lower themselves to engage juniors if there is a cultivator one realm beneath them."

Disciple Shen sucked in a breath. "That is a mighty ally."

"We're more like friends."

"One would hope so. Getting involved in their games is often fatal, but I'm sure you're aware of that."

"I'm far too valuable for them to let me die."

"Because of your equations."

"Not just the equations. I've discovered many things since we last met. Things sects and the heads of the Great Clans find valuable enough to protect."

Tobias's statistical analysis skills were surprisingly insightful when it came to cultivation, and cross-referencing different cultivation methods and techniques was constantly giving him new insights. It was like finding pieces of a puzzle and then putting them together to see what they revealed. He didn't need the box to guide him, just enough matching pieces to expand what he could see.

"So, I'm trapped here."

"No. You'll be safe if you travel back to Mist Sect with the other disciples."

"I'm not ready to make that journey."

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"I don't wish to be a burden."

"You're no burden, Disciple Shen."

"I can offer you nothing."

"That's not true. I desperately need someone to keep Lingling from entering my private library or reading the manuscripts that are lying around."

"It seems like something your servants could manage."

"My library was given to me by the Great Clans. It's everything each of them is willing to share with outsiders, and a requirement of them giving it to me is not allowing others to access it. They made a deal with Cloud Sect to keep it secure, so I'm not concerned about the disciples or servants, but Lingling is different. The moment she discovers she can't enter, she will decide that is all she wants to do."

Disciple Shen frowned. "Why do you have such an important collection?"

"I once shared my understanding of cultivation with the Xu family prodigy. The Lee Clan learned of this conversation, and one of their patriarchs asked me to share what I'd told her, because they couldn't understand the Xu family's actions. I was informed by the patriarch that my articulation of what cultivation is and how it functions was something he only understood after his fifth century, and that even now, he could not say it so plainly that even someone who did not understand cultivation would understand. He felt that I needed to write a book on cultivation, so I did. He then petitioned the family head to give me access to their library and taught me how to convince the other Great Clans to give me access to theirs in return for the book I wrote. Eventually, someone figured that hosting me while I read their library was going to be bothersome, so they gave me my own."

Disciple Shen turned and stared at Tobias. "How great is your comprehension of cultivation to force the Great Clans to react in such a way?"

Tobias rose to his feet and went to the stack of manuscripts in the corner of the room, collecting one of the many copies of his study guide that had been made. He carried it back and offered it to Disciple Shen, who read the title and frowned.

"I don't consider my comprehension to be particularly great. The issue lies in what cultivators are taught. Much of what you learn is twisted truth. I was never raised with those beliefs, so the moment I was introduced to cultivation, I began untwisting it into something that made more sense to me."

"You're as mysterious as everyone claims you are."

Tobias chuckled. "I don't consider myself particularly mysterious."

"Your family would disagree. None of them knew you were educated until you wrote to them explaining you had become a magistrate and paid off your family debt."

"My grandfather knew."

"You're family isn't aware of that."

"My mother would scold him relentlessly if he ever admitted it, so I'm not surprised."

Disciple Shen smiled. "Perhaps in the past, but she has come a long way since I arrived at your family's home. She's doing her best to live up to your reputation. She grows more refined with each passing day. Your father is trying to do the same but is not as successful."

Tobias smiled. "Do they live well?"

"They laugh often and grow fatter each year, which should no longer be an issue now that they're cultivators."

Tobias had purchased golden meridian opening and cleansing pills from his parents and grandfather. There were enough in the auction that he didn't have to compete particularly hard. The Great Clans only brought them as gifts, so they were only interested in bidding too high. And the price of common pills had risen so much that the jump in price was something Tobias didn't even have to consider.

"I'm glad they're doing well."

Disciple Shen moved her hand to her stump, rubbing the flesh.

Tobias sighed.

He'd read close to a thousand manuals, so he knew he couldn't help her regrow her arm. There were cultivation methods and techniques which regenerated limbs, but they all came with drastic side effects, because before the nascent soul realm, you couldn't regenerate meridians. She would essentially be grafting a mortal arm onto her foundation realm body. She'd destabilise her cultivation and run the risk of tearing her own arm off any time she pushed herself.  

"Everything I know says that until someone discovers a way to regenerate meridians before the nascent soul realm, nothing can give you back what you've lost," he said gently. "However, Elder Tan practices a technique called Mist Clone that allows her to make an exact copy of herself."

Disciple Shen lowered her hand, looking pensive. "I'm familiar with the technique, and that I should not be talking to you about it."

"The reason I bring it up is because I've studied a lot of techniques. They tend to start out simple and grow more complex over time as you progress. Making a clone is a highly sophisticated technique and likely beyond a foundation realm cultivator. However, replicating your missing arm with a variation of the technique should be something you're capable of performing. Over time, if you enhance the technique, your new arm might even become as powerful as the one you lost."

Disciple Shen swallowed. "Is that possible?"

"Everything I know says it should be. However, I haven't encountered a technique that is specifically designed to suit your needs, so you would have to create it."

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

"Writing to Elder Tan for advice would be a good place to begin. Approaching Elder Sing, who is overseeing your fellow disciples in Cloud City, would be a good second step. If she can help you, I have many empty residences where you can rest and practice the technique until you feel comfortable returning to your sect." Tobias rose to his feet. "Thank you for keeping Lingling safe."

Disciple Shen smiled. "You are most welcome, Magistrate Finch."

***

Even the arrival of his sister couldn't change Tobias's busy schedule. Aunty Nang was waiting outside his room the following morning, ready to go over his household affairs. Becoming an initiate realm cultivator had drastically reduced how much sleep Tobias needed, but instead of filling that time with leisure, he'd been forced to fill it with work, making himself so valuable to the Great Clans that the 2nd Prince couldn't kill him or his family.

Tobias walked past Aunty Nang as she bowed. "When will the seamstress arrive?"

"She will arrive shortly after you leave," Aunty Nang replied as she caught up.

"Is she good?"

"She'd the third best in Cloud City."

"Good. Did you pass along my letter to the courier for Patriarch Lee?"

"I have. The new manuscripts are waiting in your study."

Tobias changed directions so he could move the manuscripts to his library. Keeping them away from Lingling was his top priority. "I noticed Lingling was having breathing problems as she fell asleep. Prepare a large meal of spirit beast meat for her lunch to help improve her health."

"How large?"

"As much as she can eat."

"I'll make the arrangements. Would you like me to find her an instructor?"

"Not yet. She needs to recover from her travels. However, have her help in the kitchen to pass the time."

"Does Disciple Shen require special arrangements?"

"Not to my knowledge, though she may decide to take up residence in Cloud City. Inform her that she is welcome to use my cultivation chamber if she wishes."

"I'll have it cleaned."

Tobias picked up the stack of manuscripts in his study and headed for the library. "I want you to assess Lingling while I'm gone. I need to be aware if she will embarrass me in public."

"Her manners are questionable."

"She's spent nearly thirty-six days running and hiding in the forest, feeling hungry, frightened, and worried. It's best not to take her actions last night into account."

Aunty Nang clearly wanted to disagree, but held her tongue. "Is there anything else you need for your guests?"

"Games and books to entertain them."

"I will have them by the end of the day."

Tobias nodded. "Is there anything you would like to discuss?"

"The sales from the secondary auction to the disciples have been finalised, and your share has been added to your account. You should begin considering how you will spend it."

Tobias stumbled, catching himself so that his step was only slightly less than graceful. He didn't reply as he opened the door to his library and added the manuscripts to the desk, preferring to wait until he got outside.

Pill for pill, the most recent auction had been the most profitable. Tobias was sitting on a vast fortune. The kind that wasn't easily spent. He'd assumed that the money was now his, but Aunty Nang was once again asking him what he wished to spend it on, which suggested that Cloud Sect wanted him to spend it.

"Inquire if Elder Kang would be interested in returning my entertainment and shopping district to its former glory."

Aunty Nang's shoulders tightened. "You want to involve Elder Kang?"

"Architecture is his hobby. It would be rude of me not to see if he was interested before approaching others."

Her shoulders relaxed with his answer. "I'll speak with his head servant this afternoon."

"We'll go over the budget this evening."

"I'll make sure the ledgers are ready." Aunty Nang reached into her robe and handed Tobias a letter. "This arrived from Mist Sect this morning."

Tobias broke the seal and began reading. He was still reading as he sat down in his dining room beside his breakfast.

He sighed as he put the letter aside. "Mist Sect would like me to host another five hundred disciples. Has the sect managed to recall any more former servant clans?"

"They have. However, the number of skilled clans they can recall is reaching its limit. Those that come in the future will need training."

"How long will they take to train?"

"Two years for the most junior position."

"We'll discuss that this evening. Leave me."

Tobias turned as Lingling opened the door. He gave his sleepy sister a welcoming smile as she trudged in, dragging her feet.

Tobias lifted the lid on the largest dish. "Would you like some roasted pork belly?"

Lingling was suddenly wide awake. "You eat meat for breakfast."

"Only on special occasions."

Lingling smiled as she took a seat beside Tobias and picked up her chopsticks. She put a piece of pork in her mouth and then turned her gaze on Tobias. "Steward Wo told us you don't look like you anymore, because you took some special cultivation pills."

Tobias nodded. "I did."

"Steward Wo might be blind."

Tobias chuckled. "Why do you say that?"

Lingling reached out and took his hand in hers. "You have the same hands you always did. You're eyes haven't changed. Your nose is a little different, your jaw is bigger, and you're a lot taller, but you're mostly the same, except for your skin. That's much better. And your hair. It's beautiful. You also don't look like a half-staved rat, and your muscles are bigger than Papa's."

Tobias laughed. "So, you still recognise me."

Lingling let go of his hand and motioned for him to lean forward. She then took his face in her hand and squeezed it together, bursting into a giggle fit. "You just have to do this. Hello Tobias."

Tobias' laughter grew louder, shaking his entire body. He reached out and gently squeezed his sister's face in the same way. "Hello Lingling."

Lingling continued to giggle.

Tobias released his sister and picked up a piece of pork belly. The moment he threw it in his mouth, his sister let go and returned to the meal.

Tobias smiled. "I have to go to work soon."

"Can I come with you?"

"Maybe in a few days. A seamstress is coming before lunch to make you and Disciple Shen new clothes. Aunty Nang is also preparing spirit beast meat to make you feel better. You'll have to take a bath after, though."

"You have meat for lunch too."

"Sometimes. However, this meat will make it easier for you to breathe here. It will begin to cleanse your stomach meridian and provide your body with chi so it can adapt to how thin the air is more quickly."

"What am I supposed to do the rest of the day?"

"Aunty Nang would like some help in the kitchen.'

Lingling smiled excitedly. "Can I cook meat?"

Tobias chuckled while he ate. "If you want to."

"I want to."

"Then you'll cook meat."

Seeing how excited she was gave Tobias an idea.

The disciples in his training program still weren't eating enough protein. Having his sister deliver skewers while they trained might fix that issue and keep her busy. He understood she would have changed somewhat since he'd last seen her, but Lingling had always needed something to do ever since she was little, or she went stir crazy, and he doubted that part of her had disappeared.

However, there was nothing he could do about that now, so Tobias went back to enjoying his breakfast.