Chapter 179
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Chapter 179
Stepping out of a courthouse in Ofrurg, Kohar wanted to sigh. However, people were still watching. Letting it be known she was troubled would only vindicate them. Technically, her efforts were bearing fruit- it was simply that she wasnt making major progress. There were so many things she had to keep track of and the results just werent enough. Taking down an individual or even dozens of idiotic cultivators who thought they could just grab people from Graotan wasnt much good, and the various slaver companies were able to deny wrongdoing by them as a whole. Their legal representation was better as well.
Incomplete victories were frustrating. Though she hadnt often fought on a battlefield with comrades by her side, her efforts were like winning a battle with dead allies. Was it even really a victory at that point? It was difficult for her to claim it that way. The Heavenly Lion Sect was under great pressure, but they chose to break apart rather than let themselves get destroyed.
The Order wasnt going to send an army into Ofrurg, but the Heavenly Lion Sect had plenty of enemies who were willing to take any opportunity, especially with one of their guardians dead. Life Transformation experts didnt just pop up out of nowhere. As soon as they had sensed their end coming, they split apart. Many disciples and elders were caught fleeing, but the vaults of the Heavenly Lion Sect were found empty, with much unaccounted for. Most of their strongest remaining members went missing. Disorganized individuals couldnt cause as much damage as a sect, but if any of them was willing to sacrifice their life they could kill a large number of normal people. Then again, most cultivators valued themselves first and foremost- if they could flee to live, they would prefer that to take revenge at a later date.
Though she was concerned about attempts at revenge against herself, Kohar knew she wouldnt be the highest priority. As long as she kept growing in cultivation and stayed safe, she wasnt really in much danger. Certainly not as much as others involved, fighting actual battles. For the moment, disciples of the Order were forbidden into Ofrurg by the Order itself except on business. Members of the Heavenly Lion Sect might end up elsewhere but forbidding cultivators from going anywhere would just result in every disciple stagnating. They would have to remain aware of the increased risks.
Though it was a long shot, Kohar had thought the blatant disregard for any and all laws by a mass of people might have resulted in some wider sweeping changes, especially with regards to slavery, but it remained much the same. It would have been easy to give up in despair, but she knew she had to keep trying. Working as part of the Order was her best chance to change the world in the ways she was capable of, not just through violence of threats of violence. More importantly, it was by trying to use the laws to protect normal folk. She was glad she wasnt the only one who cared about people instead of just individuals.
-----
Replacing a bowstring was not terribly difficult, even on a fine piece of equipment like Antons bow. It wouldnt be quite the same, but it would function. For someone else, at least. If Anton was going to be going to the trouble, he thought he might as well get a new bow entirely. He could certainly afford it, and the beast bone bow was still outside of his ability to properly use.
Elder Evan led him through the armory hall to show him bows in the general range he was looking for. Twistoak and stranglevine, Evan showed Anton a somewhat strange bow where the entire upper and lower limbs were twisting corkscrews of wood. Its got great power.
Anton held it and felt its draw, the way it bent and pulled. The strange shape didnt make it awkward as he was expecting, but it wasnt quite right. Its a bit smaller than Im used to. I generally prefer closer to longbow range.
Understandable, Evan nodded, We have more over here. How about this one? Springstone and great wolf tendon.
Anton took it in hand, feeling the strange smooth stone that made up the limbs. It would be a very strange sort of stone to bend, but he had to trust that the bow would work. He pulled back on the string, finding that it pulled back intensely but not in an unpleasant way. It certainly required drawing strength near his limits, but that was acceptable. I like this one.
Nooooo! came a voice from next to him. Grandpa, you cant get that one. Didnt you hear it was wolf tendon?
Anton sighed, looking over at Alva. Youre right I suppose. Fuzz wouldnt approve. Perhaps it was silly to indulge her complaints. He could simply tell her it was practical. She was on the border between being a girl and a young woman, after all. But sometimes how things felt was important. Once it was brought up, he couldnt shake the thought of it being from something like Fuzz. Perhaps if it was actually him in memory- though Anton didnt like the thought of that either. Anything else?
I know, Alva said. I cant believe we still have enemies. I mean, I understand that Van Hassel wasnt working alone, but its just hard to think that so many people wouldnt like us. Only a few years ago I used to think everyone was a good person. She shook her head, I was just a dumb kid.
Everyone is, for a while. It would be nice if more people could stay that way, but the world doesnt allow it.
Yeah, she looked down. When will we be strong enough to do what we want? I thought when I became a cultivator that would happen, and then I thought it might be Spirit Building like you but theres so much you cant handle still.
I suppose well just have to reach the peak of the world, then, Anton smiled. Because anything less wont be enough. And even if we reached that point, if we were alone it would also be insufficient.
Theres no way thatll happen, Alva frowned. Theres like twenty people in Life Transformation here.
Oh really? Anton said. I heard that they have high hopes for Annelie reaching the peak. But I suppose it would be odd if both of you did.
Theres no way Im not keeping up with her! Alva clenched a fist. Next time I see her Ill be as strong as her, just you watch.
Gladly. Though, if you meet her a bit sooner dont be concerned about it. Just be happy to see her again.
Yeah, Alva nodded. So not quite that. But I wont let her stay stronger than me forever!
-----
Looking for a single person in a city could be an impossible task. Looking for someone without knowing what city or country they were in was even harder. Velvet wasnt going to give up easily, though. She couldnt just always hang around Anton. Especially not when he was busy training himself and others. Shed be able to learn from him, of course, but if they were apart for a while he could just help her fix any problems with her training all at once. That Vessel of Insights he had was quite useful, though much of his advice she knew was also just his.
Other people might be able to find Masozi, but she was well suited for it. It also gave her practical skills at stealth beyond just hide behind something. Blending in and not being noticed was even better than being hidden completely, because then nobody was looking for you. And Masozi wouldnt recognize her. Of course, she wouldnt recognize him without having studied a drawing of him, but that didnt matter.
The man was suddenly important after a long time. Last seen by Anton in Khonard, and the trail was followed by her to hopefully end in Estary. He had been Tonina Potenzas bodyguard. She was dead now, but there was something strangely important about her regardless. Someone from the Flying Blood Sect had wanted her alive, and her family had fled Khonard after she failed to be retrieved. He might be the only one they could vaguely trust to know something about the connection there. Something about who the enemies of Anton and the Order were- because they were certainly enemies, even if some of them werent showing their faces. Velvet stepped into a crowded tavern, scanning for faces and feeling for what the mans energy had been described as. She found nothing. But she would keep looking. Maybe ask a few questions. No matter how much they wanted to, people didnt just disappear- and the man had to earn enough to keep up a cultivators lifestyle somehow.
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Chapter 179
Stepping out of a courthouse in Ofrurg, Kohar wanted to sigh. However, people were still watching. Letting it be known she was troubled would only vindicate them. Technically, her efforts were bearing fruit- it was simply that she wasnt making major progress. There were so many things she had to keep track of and the results just werent enough. Taking down an individual or even dozens of idiotic cultivators who thought they could just grab people from Graotan wasnt much good, and the various slaver companies were able to deny wrongdoing by them as a whole. Their legal representation was better as well.
Incomplete victories were frustrating. Though she hadnt often fought on a battlefield with comrades by her side, her efforts were like winning a battle with dead allies. Was it even really a victory at that point? It was difficult for her to claim it that way. The Heavenly Lion Sect was under great pressure, but they chose to break apart rather than let themselves get destroyed.
The Order wasnt going to send an army into Ofrurg, but the Heavenly Lion Sect had plenty of enemies who were willing to take any opportunity, especially with one of their guardians dead. Life Transformation experts didnt just pop up out of nowhere. As soon as they had sensed their end coming, they split apart. Many disciples and elders were caught fleeing, but the vaults of the Heavenly Lion Sect were found empty, with much unaccounted for. Most of their strongest remaining members went missing. Disorganized individuals couldnt cause as much damage as a sect, but if any of them was willing to sacrifice their life they could kill a large number of normal people. Then again, most cultivators valued themselves first and foremost- if they could flee to live, they would prefer that to take revenge at a later date.
Though she was concerned about attempts at revenge against herself, Kohar knew she wouldnt be the highest priority. As long as she kept growing in cultivation and stayed safe, she wasnt really in much danger. Certainly not as much as others involved, fighting actual battles. For the moment, disciples of the Order were forbidden into Ofrurg by the Order itself except on business. Members of the Heavenly Lion Sect might end up elsewhere but forbidding cultivators from going anywhere would just result in every disciple stagnating. They would have to remain aware of the increased risks.
Though it was a long shot, Kohar had thought the blatant disregard for any and all laws by a mass of people might have resulted in some wider sweeping changes, especially with regards to slavery, but it remained much the same. It would have been easy to give up in despair, but she knew she had to keep trying. Working as part of the Order was her best chance to change the world in the ways she was capable of, not just through violence of threats of violence. More importantly, it was by trying to use the laws to protect normal folk. She was glad she wasnt the only one who cared about people instead of just individuals.
-----
Replacing a bowstring was not terribly difficult, even on a fine piece of equipment like Antons bow. It wouldnt be quite the same, but it would function. For someone else, at least. If Anton was going to be going to the trouble, he thought he might as well get a new bow entirely. He could certainly afford it, and the beast bone bow was still outside of his ability to properly use.
Elder Evan led him through the armory hall to show him bows in the general range he was looking for. Twistoak and stranglevine, Evan showed Anton a somewhat strange bow where the entire upper and lower limbs were twisting corkscrews of wood. Its got great power.
Anton held it and felt its draw, the way it bent and pulled. The strange shape didnt make it awkward as he was expecting, but it wasnt quite right. Its a bit smaller than Im used to. I generally prefer closer to longbow range.
Understandable, Evan nodded, We have more over here. How about this one? Springstone and great wolf tendon.
Anton took it in hand, feeling the strange smooth stone that made up the limbs. It would be a very strange sort of stone to bend, but he had to trust that the bow would work. He pulled back on the string, finding that it pulled back intensely but not in an unpleasant way. It certainly required drawing strength near his limits, but that was acceptable. I like this one.
Nooooo! came a voice from next to him. Grandpa, you cant get that one. Didnt you hear it was wolf tendon?
Anton sighed, looking over at Alva. Youre right I suppose. Fuzz wouldnt approve. Perhaps it was silly to indulge her complaints. He could simply tell her it was practical. She was on the border between being a girl and a young woman, after all. But sometimes how things felt was important. Once it was brought up, he couldnt shake the thought of it being from something like Fuzz. Perhaps if it was actually him in memory- though Anton didnt like the thought of that either. Anything else?
I know, Alva said. I cant believe we still have enemies. I mean, I understand that Van Hassel wasnt working alone, but its just hard to think that so many people wouldnt like us. Only a few years ago I used to think everyone was a good person. She shook her head, I was just a dumb kid.
Everyone is, for a while. It would be nice if more people could stay that way, but the world doesnt allow it.
Yeah, she looked down. When will we be strong enough to do what we want? I thought when I became a cultivator that would happen, and then I thought it might be Spirit Building like you but theres so much you cant handle still.
I suppose well just have to reach the peak of the world, then, Anton smiled. Because anything less wont be enough. And even if we reached that point, if we were alone it would also be insufficient.
Theres no way thatll happen, Alva frowned. Theres like twenty people in Life Transformation here.
Oh really? Anton said. I heard that they have high hopes for Annelie reaching the peak. But I suppose it would be odd if both of you did.
Theres no way Im not keeping up with her! Alva clenched a fist. Next time I see her Ill be as strong as her, just you watch.
Gladly. Though, if you meet her a bit sooner dont be concerned about it. Just be happy to see her again.
Yeah, Alva nodded. So not quite that. But I wont let her stay stronger than me forever!
-----
Looking for a single person in a city could be an impossible task. Looking for someone without knowing what city or country they were in was even harder. Velvet wasnt going to give up easily, though. She couldnt just always hang around Anton. Especially not when he was busy training himself and others. Shed be able to learn from him, of course, but if they were apart for a while he could just help her fix any problems with her training all at once. That Vessel of Insights he had was quite useful, though much of his advice she knew was also just his.
Other people might be able to find Masozi, but she was well suited for it. It also gave her practical skills at stealth beyond just hide behind something. Blending in and not being noticed was even better than being hidden completely, because then nobody was looking for you. And Masozi wouldnt recognize her. Of course, she wouldnt recognize him without having studied a drawing of him, but that didnt matter.
The man was suddenly important after a long time. Last seen by Anton in Khonard, and the trail was followed by her to hopefully end in Estary. He had been Tonina Potenzas bodyguard. She was dead now, but there was something strangely important about her regardless. Someone from the Flying Blood Sect had wanted her alive, and her family had fled Khonard after she failed to be retrieved. He might be the only one they could vaguely trust to know something about the connection there. Something about who the enemies of Anton and the Order were- because they were certainly enemies, even if some of them werent showing their faces. Velvet stepped into a crowded tavern, scanning for faces and feeling for what the mans energy had been described as. She found nothing. But she would keep looking. Maybe ask a few questions. No matter how much they wanted to, people didnt just disappear- and the man had to earn enough to keep up a cultivators lifestyle somehow.
Chapter 179Stepping out of a courthouse in Ofrurg, Kohar wanted to sigh. However, people were still watching. Letting it be known she was troubled would only vindicate them. Technically, her efforts were bearing fruit- it was simply that she wasnt making major progress. There were so many things she had to keep track of and the results just werent enough. Taking down an individual or even dozens of idiotic cultivators who thought they could just grab people from Graotan wasnt much good, and the various slaver companies were able to deny wrongdoing by them as a whole. Their legal representation was better as well.Incomplete victories were frustrating. Though she hadnt often fought on a battlefield with comrades by her side, her efforts were like winning a battle with dead allies. Was it even really a victory at that point? It was difficult for her to claim it that way. The Heavenly Lion Sect was under great pressure, but they chose to break apart rather than let themselves get destroyed. The Order wasnt going to send an army into Ofrurg, but the Heavenly Lion Sect had plenty of enemies who were willing to take any opportunity, especially with one of their guardians dead. Life Transformation experts didnt just pop up out of nowhere. As soon as they had sensed their end coming, they split apart. Many disciples and elders were caught fleeing, but the vaults of the Heavenly Lion Sect were found empty, with much unaccounted for. Most of their strongest remaining members went missing. Disorganized individuals couldnt cause as much damage as a sect, but if any of them was willing to sacrifice their life they could kill a large number of normal people. Then again, most cultivators valued themselves first and foremost- if they could flee to live, they would prefer that to take revenge at a later date.Though she was concerned about attempts at revenge against herself, Kohar knew she wouldnt be the highest priority. As long as she kept growing in cultivation and stayed safe, she wasnt really in much danger. Certainly not as much as others involved, fighting actual battles. For the moment, disciples of the Order were forbidden into Ofrurg by the Order itself except on business. Members of the Heavenly Lion Sect might end up elsewhere but forbidding cultivators from going anywhere would just result in every disciple stagnating. They would have to remain aware of the increased risks.Though it was a long shot, Kohar had thought the blatant disregard for any and all laws by a mass of people might have resulted in some wider sweeping changes, especially with regards to slavery, but it remained much the same. It would have been easy to give up in despair, but she knew she had to keep trying. Working as part of the Order was her best chance to change the world in the ways she was capable of, not just through violence of threats of violence. More importantly, it was by trying to use the laws to protect normal folk. She was glad she wasnt the only one who cared about people instead of just individuals.-----Replacing a bowstring was not terribly difficult, even on a fine piece of equipment like Antons bow. It wouldnt be quite the same, but it would function. For someone else, at least. If Anton was going to be going to the trouble, he thought he might as well get a new bow entirely. He could certainly afford it, and the beast bone bow was still outside of his ability to properly use.Elder Evan led him through the armory hall to show him bows in the general range he was looking for. Twistoak and stranglevine, Evan showed Anton a somewhat strange bow where the entire upper and lower limbs were twisting corkscrews of wood. Its got great power.Anton held it and felt its draw, the way it bent and pulled. The strange shape didnt make it awkward as he was expecting, but it wasnt quite right. Its a bit smaller than Im used to. I generally prefer closer to longbow range.Understandable, Evan nodded, We have more over here. How about this one? Springstone and great wolf tendon.Anton took it in hand, feeling the strange smooth stone that made up the limbs. It would be a very strange sort of stone to bend, but he had to trust that the bow would work. He pulled back on the string, finding that it pulled back intensely but not in an unpleasant way. It certainly required drawing strength near his limits, but that was acceptable. I like this one.Nooooo! came a voice from next to him. Grandpa, you cant get that one. Didnt you hear it was wolf tendon?Anton sighed, looking over at Alva. Youre right I suppose. Fuzz wouldnt approve. Perhaps it was silly to indulge her complaints. He could simply tell her it was practical. She was on the border between being a girl and a young woman, after all. But sometimes how things felt was important. Once it was brought up, he couldnt shake the thought of it being from something like Fuzz. Perhaps if it was actually him in memory- though Anton didnt like the thought of that either. Anything else?I know, Alva said. I cant believe we still have enemies. I mean, I understand that Van Hassel wasnt working alone, but its just hard to think that so many people wouldnt like us. Only a few years ago I used to think everyone was a good person. She shook her head, I was just a dumb kid.Everyone is, for a while. It would be nice if more people could stay that way, but the world doesnt allow it.Yeah, she looked down. When will we be strong enough to do what we want? I thought when I became a cultivator that would happen, and then I thought it might be Spirit Building like you but theres so much you cant handle still.I suppose well just have to reach the peak of the world, then, Anton smiled. Because anything less wont be enough. And even if we reached that point, if we were alone it would also be insufficient.Theres no way thatll happen, Alva frowned. Theres like twenty people in Life Transformation here.Oh really? Anton said. I heard that they have high hopes for Annelie reaching the peak. But I suppose it would be odd if both of you did.Theres no way Im not keeping up with her! Alva clenched a fist. Next time I see her Ill be as strong as her, just you watch.Gladly. Though, if you meet her a bit sooner dont be concerned about it. Just be happy to see her again.Yeah, Alva nodded. So not quite that. But I wont let her stay stronger than me forever!-----Looking for a single person in a city could be an impossible task. Looking for someone without knowing what city or country they were in was even harder. Velvet wasnt going to give up easily, though. She couldnt just always hang around Anton. Especially not when he was busy training himself and others. Shed be able to learn from him, of course, but if they were apart for a while he could just help her fix any problems with her training all at once. That Vessel of Insights he had was quite useful, though much of his advice she knew was also just his.Other people might be able to find Masozi, but she was well suited for it. It also gave her practical skills at stealth beyond just hide behind something. Blending in and not being noticed was even better than being hidden completely, because then nobody was looking for you. And Masozi wouldnt recognize her. Of course, she wouldnt recognize him without having studied a drawing of him, but that didnt matter.The man was suddenly important after a long time. Last seen by Anton in Khonard, and the trail was followed by her to hopefully end in Estary. He had been Tonina Potenzas bodyguard. She was dead now, but there was something strangely important about her regardless. Someone from the Flying Blood Sect had wanted her alive, and her family had fled Khonard after she failed to be retrieved. He might be the only one they could vaguely trust to know something about the connection there. Something about who the enemies of Anton and the Order were- because they were certainly enemies, even if some of them werent showing their faces. Velvet stepped into a crowded tavern, scanning for faces and feeling for what the mans energy had been described as. She found nothing. But she would keep looking. Maybe ask a few questions. No matter how much they wanted to, people didnt just disappear- and the man had to earn enough to keep up a cultivators lifestyle somehow.
