Chapter 6 - Plans and Precautions

While eating, Muhsan glanced toward the large wooden board mounted on the far wall. It was covered with parchment slips, each listing a task that disciples could take on in exchange for contribution points. The sect encouraged its members to take on responsibilities suited to their cultivation levels - be it assisting in alchemy, hunting spirit beasts, or gathering rare herbs.



A small group of younger disciples had gathered in front of the board, chatting as they examined the postings.

"That one pays well, but its too dangerous."

"What about this one? Delivering a package to the outer sect? That shouldn't be too hard."

"I need something quick, my stockpiles running low."

Muhsans gaze swept over them, his eyes narrowing as they skimmed over the tasks. He then spotted it - the one listing he had posted. His own task, requesting help with the care of magical herbs. It had been there for days, but no one had taken it yet.

The edges of the parchment were curling slightly, a sign that time was running out. If no one took the task soon, it would expire, and Muhsan would be left with the burden of tending to the herbs alone.

He sighed. He had spent countless hours in the sects gardens, adjusting their nourishment, protecting them from fluctuations in spirit energy, and ensuring they grew strong. It was necessary work, but it ate into his own cultivation time. If he could find a reliable disciple to handle it, even part-time, he could focus more on his breakthrough.

He'd written detailed instructions, laid out the steps carefully - but still, no one had taken the task. It seemed like too much work, too much patience required. The younger disciples likely saw it as tedious, not exciting enough to warrant their attention.

Stepping closer, Muhsan caught the eye of one of the younger disciples.

"Senior Brother Muhsan," the boy greeted, bowing his head respectfully. "Are you checking on your task posting?"

Muhsan gave a wry smile, the frustration barely hidden behind his words. "Still here, isn't it?"

One of the other disciples scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Its not a bad task, Senior Brother... but, well, it doesn't pay as much as hunting or escort missions. And honestly, most of us don't have the patience for it."

Muhsans sigh was heavier this time. He knew it was true. Most young disciples preferred tasks that tested their strength or offered quick rewards. Herb care, though essential, was a slow process, requiring a steady hand and attention to detail. It wasn't glamorous, but it was important.

"If this goes unclaimed, Ill have to do it myself," he muttered under his breath.

He glanced at the other disciples, searching for any sign of interest. "Are none of you willing to take it?"

They shuffled uneasily, one of them speaking up hesitantly. "I think Junior Brother Tian might take it. He was talking about needing some easy contribution points."

Muhsans frustration simmered just below the surface. He needed someone dependable, someone who would take the task seriously. Not someone who would treat it as an afterthought.

His thoughts drifted to Eshmund - the boy had an undeniable talent with plants. If he were in the sect, Muhsan would have recruited him without hesitation. But as it stood, he could only hope that someone would step up soon.

He exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into a fist as he turned back toward the board. He would find a solution, one way or another. His cultivation couldn't afford to stagnate any longer.

With a final glance at the task posting, he made his way back to his table, determination in his heart.

---

- The Magistrates Chamber -

The flickering glow of oil lamps cast long, wavering shadows along the walls of the magistrate's chamber, illuminating the tense expressions of the men seated around the polished wooden table. Magistrate Jagule leaned forward, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his piercing gaze fixed on Tasan Isagani. The village healer, known for his wisdom and unshakable demeanor, met the scrutiny with calm resolve.



"You said the poison was unique," Jagule said at last, his voice measured but heavy. "And the technique used to inflict the wounds was precise. These are not the actions of common bandits."

Tasan nodded. "No doubt. The blade work was exceptionally quick, clean, and aimed to incapacitate rather than kill immediately. They wanted Haoran weakened, not dead - at least not right away. That suggests they intended to extract information from him. Either they were sending a message or trying to uncover something before he succumbed."

Jagule let out a slow breath, his expression darkening. "We've encountered assassins using similar methods before. The poison was designed to weaken and make the victim susceptible to coercion, not kill outright. The blade work, even their choice of garments... They are not from any sect within our kingdom."

"Which means theyr'e foreign," Tasan concluded, fingers tracing the rim of his teacup as he considered the implications. "But from where? And what exactly are they after?"

Jagule leaned back, arms crossed. "That is the troubling part. We've seen this before, yet none of the captured spies ever lived long enough to speak. Either they took their own lives, or their bodies self-destructed through alchemical means before interrogation."

Tasans expression tightened. "Whoever is behind this is careful. If they go to such lengths, they must be after something of immense value."

Tasan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps it wasn't him specifically, but something he was protecting."

Jagules eyes narrowed. "Then the question is: what did he have that they wanted?"

A heavy silence settled between them. Outside, the muted sounds of the town at night provided a distant backdrop to their conversation.

"We should investigate Haoran's recent activities," Tasan finally said. "Perhaps he came across something he wasn't meant to. If the attack wasn't random, it means they had reason to believe he had valuable information."

Jagule nodded. "Ill have my men retrace his movements. If anything stands out, we will know soon enough. In the meantime, Ill increase security around the village. If they're searching for something, we need to be prepared. The provincial governor has already been informed, and he will report directly to the Prince Regent. This case is especially delicate. I believe its the same group was behind the attempted assassination of the royal prince eleven years ago."

Tasans expression darkened. "There is another option. We could invoke an immortal service to extract information from the spy."

Jagules brow furrowed. "The immortal technique... the one that turns a man into a husk?"

Tasan nodded grimly. "Yes. It would allow us to uncover their secrets, but at a terrible cost. The subject would be left in a vegetative state, unable to speak, move, or think."

Jagule exhaled sharply. "Even knowing such techniques exist, these spies have taken extreme measures to guard their secrets. The last time we attempted interrogation, they turned their own brains to liquid before we could extract anything."

"Then the question remains: do we take the risk, knowing they are prepared for it?" Tasan asked gravely.

Jagule crossed his arms, his voice lowering. "We cannot let this news spread, not without solid evidence. People already know that Haoran was injured. We need to cover it up. War is already looming; if word of a spy within our borders reaches the people, panic will ensue. We must handle this discreetly."

Tasan hesitated before speaking again. "Do we have orders?"

"Remain vigilant, but do not alert the enemy. The governor has been informed, and agents will be dispatched to handle the matter."

Tasans eyes narrowed slightly. "And what of the boy?"

Jagules expression hardened. "Eshmund?"

"Do you think this is connected to my grandson?" Tasan asked, worry darkening his face. "Its too much of a coincidence. They tried to assassinate a baby all those years ago, and I happened to find one under such strange circumstances."

Jagule exhaled slowly. "I wish I had answers. We are blind in this matter. If the enemy is indeed searching for something in this region or if this is connected to your grandson, we cannot afford to let our guard down."

Tasan nodded in agreement. Outside, the night deepened, but in the dimly lit chamber, the weight of their conversation hung heavy in the air.

---

- Eshmunds Room-

In a separate guest room, Eshmund sat by the soft glow of a lantern, turning the SB-5667 cube over in his hands. He had examined it countless times, tracing the familiar engravings, pressing at its smooth metallic surface. He was already formulating his next steps to unlock it.

Following the method he had developed for its predecessor, he had rotated the faces of the cube so that the fire, water, and lightning symbols now occupied three corners. The next step required heating the cube in fire, then rapidly cooling it in water before applying an electrical charge. If his calculations were correct, this process would trigger the unlocking mechanism.

The first two steps were simple. The third, however, posed a challenge. This was not a modern world with easily accessible electricity. He considered using a lightning talisman from Carlan's shop, but such items were designed for combat, unleashing uncontrolled bursts of lightning meant to harm. Using one to charge the cube was risky, especially for a non-cultivator like him.

Moreover, he couldn't afford to damage the cubes electrical components, as it was the only one he had. If its unlocking mechanism worked the same way as before, it required an electrical charge of three to five volts for five seconds. A lightning strike would be overkill. He was fairly certain the cube had built-in surge protection, just like the one he had designed, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Eshmund leaned back, deep in thought. Asking a cultivator for help was out of the question. The cube might look like a mere trinket, but anyone who recognized its significance would be eager to investigate it. If it was a magical artifact or contained something that could enhance cultivation, it would draw unwanted attention.

In the end, he had to do it himself.

His first idea was to create simple batteries. A handful of lemons, some metal, and copper wires should do the trick. He could use copper and silver coins or even a kitchen knife for the nodes. He'd likely need to visit Anise's blacksmith shop to get copper wire, but that wouldn't be too difficult.

"If that doesn't work, doesn't the Glassy Rock Mountain have lodestones?" he mused. He had found some while planting cabbages before. If necessary, he could grind and shape the lodestones into a usable form. Creating a simple dynamo from it to generate just three volts shouldn't be that hard, he thought.

With that plan in mind, he set the cube down and exhaled. This was going to take some work.

As he thought about the lodestone he had discovered, Eshmund's mind drifted to Muhsan and the moment he had found his secret garden on the rocky mountain. He had completely overlooked the possibility of someone spotting the cabbages from the air. This was a miscalculation on his part. He was fortunate that Muhsan wasn't the wrong kind of person. If someone else had found the garden, things could have turned out much worse for him.

Now, he needed to figure out how to conceal the cabbages from aerial view. It was likely that Muhsan had noticed the garden because its shape was too artificial, standing out against the natural landscape. Anyone looking from above would immediately realize that something had been planted there.

For the next batch, Eshmund decided, the cabbages should be planted along the edges of the rocky formations that formed the natural walls. The spacing needed to be irregular, avoiding any patterns that might draw attention. Perhaps he should also scatter some wild grass and other plants around the area to make it blend in more naturally.

"That could work," he thought. "It would be so much easier if I could set up illusion formations like an immortal cultivator. Better yet, having my own land where I could plant things freely, untouched by anyone but me..." He let out a quiet sigh, the idea lingering in his mind like a distant dream.

"But then again, should I really keep it a secret any longer? I've already bought the Cube and even have some silver left for my own use. A lot of people could benefit from those cabbages while I could save myself the hassle. I should discuss this with Grandpa and Mr. Muhsan ," he thought, weighing the pros and cons of his next actions.

As Eshmund was lost in thought, the door to his guest room creaked open, pulling him from his musings. One of the magistrates men stood in the doorway, bowing slightly. "Young Master Eshmund, the magistrate invites you to join dinner. Haoran has been stabilized, and your seniors are already on their way."

Eshmund gave a short nod, brushing the last of his thoughts aside. "Thank you," he replied, standing up. He adjusted his clothes quickly, his mind still lingering on his earlier ideas. With a final glance at the cube, he followed the man out of the room.

As Eshmund walked through the magistrates house, he couldn't help but notice how simple yet welcoming it was. The walls were sturdy, made of dark wood and smooth stone, with a few tapestries hanging in places where the light from the oil lamps flickered gently. The house was clearly built with functions in mind. Practical but comfortable, nothing excessive. There was a warmth to it, not from any extravagant displays of wealth, but from the careful consideration that had gone into every room.

Eshmunds gaze moved to the corners of a room, where the magistrate's small collection of personal items sat. Papers stacked in neat piles, a small pot of herbs, a simple, well-used writing desk. It was clear the magistrate valued practicality. Even his furniture, while comfortable, was far from the high-end pieces one might expect from someone of his position. The chairs were well-crafted, with soft padding, but nothing extravagant. The table and shelves were sturdy, meant to last rather than impress.



Though the room wasn't adorned with rare luxuries, there was still a quiet dignity to the space. It was the kind of place that felt grounded, where one could feel both at ease and respected. Eshmund couldn't help but admire how Jagule, though an important figure, didn't let his status dictate the feel of his home. There was no need to show off - he had created a space that reflected his own values: practicality, comfort, and a quiet respect for those who entered.

Eshmund arrived at the dining table after being escorted by the magistrates servant. The warm glow of several oil lamps illuminated the long wooden table, where Magistrate Jagule and his grandfather, Tasan, were already seated, along with Kalen and Ran . The latter two were engaged in a quiet conversation, their eyes briefly flicking toward Eshmund as he entered.

"Ah, young Isagani", the magistrate greeted, nodding slightly as he motioned to the seat at the table. "The last time we met, you were about this big", he said, gesturing with his hands, showing a distance of about 30 inches. "You've grown into quite the handsome young man", he teased, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Eshmund nodded, feeling a bit bashful. He gave a polite bow and said, "Nice to see you again, sir magistrate. I've heard my grandpa talk about you a lot." He then turned to face Tasan, offering a slight, respectful bow before sitting down. Eshmund also exchanged a respectful smile with Kalen and Ran.

The conversation flowed easily as the meal began, with the magistrate making casual inquiries into Eshmunds well-being, as well as engaging in small talk about the days events. As expected, the discussion stayed light, with no mention of the more troubling matters surrounding Haoran's attack or the spy in their midst.

"I am relieved to see Haoran recovering", Kalen said, breaking the silence after a few moments. He looked at Eshmund with a friendly expression. "Its my first time handling a poisoned patient with such severe injuries at the same time. That cabbage really helped", he added. "I heard Master Tasan say that you provided it".

Eshmund felt the weight of the praise but simply nodded. "Thanks to you all. I'm just doing what I can. I'm not as skilled as you guys", he replied modestly, giving a glance toward Tasan, who was seated near the magistrate but not directly involved in the conversation. "The cabbage wouldn't have been very helpful in my hands, he added", lowering his gaze.

"You're still very young, Brother Eshmund", Kalen said with a kind smile. There's plenty of room for improvement.

Eshmunds gaze shifted to the magistrate, who maintained his composed demeanor. Jagule gave a slight nod, acknowledging the compliment but didn't elaborate further.

"We all have our strengths", the magistrate said smoothly. "We need to focus on what we do best and let others do their thing. We can help from the sidelines without being a hindrance" .

As the meal continued, the apprentices kept their conversation centered around mundane topics like the recent medicinal breakthroughs, the changing weather, and some light gossip about the villagers. Despite their skill, Kalen and Ran were not involved in any matters outside their role as healers and apprentices. They had no knowledge of the political or military issues that the magistrate and Tasan kept private, and that suited Eshmund just fine.

Eshmund actually felt a sense of relief in being treated like this. He was still, in many ways, just a child, and there was a part of him that welcomed being shielded from the darker, more burdensome truths. It was a reprieve from the stress he'd carried with him from his previous life, where he'd shouldered responsibilities far beyond his years. In that life, he had grown up too quickly, forced to take care of his younger siblings and a sick mother while his older sister was away studying. The weight of those duties left little room for a carefree childhood. But here, in this life, there was a freedom he hadn't known before, a chance to be young again. He even found joy in the simplicity of it, something hed never truly experienced in his past life.

This was perhaps why he enjoyed the company of younger people, like Carlan, the son of the item shops owner, or Anise, the daughter of the blacksmith. He could relate to their innocence, their unburdened view of the world. The children, in turn, looked up to him with a mix of admiration and fondness. Most of them even called him "Big Brother," a title that filled him with a sense of responsibility, but also with a kind of contentment he hadn't realized he craved. In their eyes, he was a protector, someone more mature than his years, someone who looked after them with care. And in this role, he found a kind of peace he hadn't known he needed.

For the most part, the rest of the dinner was uneventful. Magistrate Jagule spoke briefly about the importance of keeping a low profile, especially in times when tensions seemed to rise from all directions. But there were no direct mentions of the attack on Haoran or the deeper mystery surrounding the assailants. These matters were reserved for the elders, those with knowledge of the kingdoms inner workings.

As the meal drew to a close, the apprentices excused themselves, offering their thanks before leaving the room with a few last polite words. Kalen, being the most disciplined, gave a final nod to the magistrate and Tasan before stepping out. His younger counterpart followed Eshmund to the guestroom. It seemed that Tasan had set a rotation for the three of them, with Kalen assigned to monitor Haoran during the first part of the night.

Ran, walking alongside Eshmund, looked rather tired from the treatment they had administered to Haoran earlier. It was clear he couldn't wait to rest in his bed.

"I don't know about you, Eshmund", Ran said with a tired smile, "but I'm ready to sleep as soon as I hit the bed".

Eshmund smiled back, nodding in agreement. "I think I could use a rest too" .