Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Redeemed: A LitRPG/Wuxian Novel - Book 5

by M. H. Johnson

“You’re absolutely correct, Alex. Very impressive, particularly considering the fact that cloaking artifacts, as you put it, are virtually unheard of. With them, no foe can sense your location. Not even wujen or gray sages striving to twang the cords of fate that bind us all. They can sense neither your location, nor even what you look like.” Yan then sighed and shook his head. “Not unless agents on the ground have been blessed with enhanced sight and given a copy of your likeness cursed by wujen obviously aware that cloaks are in play, like that damned patrol had been. For all that the counter costs a fortune in spirit pearls and can only be used by men on the ground within a handful of feet of you, we are crossing a man with an entire nation’s resources at his disposal, after all. Even so, had those damned Bronzes not been aided by Eagle Eye enchantments, their eyes would have flickered right over us, hidden by the gloom under the wagons as we were.”

  Alex felt a chill with those words. If any of those Bronze with that so-called Eagle Eye enchantment had been less focused on the caravan and hunting down their targets, and had actually thought to look around for ambushers… Alex’s remarkable victory might have had a far darker ending. And for all Alex knew, they had scouted the area just before their strike, and it was only by pure chance that Alex avoided catching their gazes.

  “Those extremely costly counters aside, our amulets are the perfect tool for escaping an enemy’s deadliest nets unseen. There is, however, a catch.”

  Alex raised a curious eyebrow. “Alright, I’ll bite. What’s the catch? And just how common are scouts with Eagle Eye enchantments anyway?”

  “At ten spirit pearls for a blood tattoo that will eventually fade, very, very few soldiers are awarded that prize. And it has drawbacks as well. Basically, only specialized scouts on the hunt for kitsune assassins, or inconvenient princesses, will bother with such a mixed blessing as that tattoo.” Yan said, before frowning down at his treasure. “Of course, these amulets are definite mixed blessings as well. For all that it has, ‘til this very day, kept my ward safe against innumerable threats, it does so at the cost of your cultivation base.”

  Alex’s eyes widened with a certain amount of horror at those words.

  Yan smirked and continued. “It doesn’t destroy it, Alex. Rather, it suppresses it to such a degree that even the most exquisitely sensitive sage will howl in frustration when you and your designated charge seem to slip free of existence entirely. Of course, there are drawbacks.”

  “Such as?”

  Yan chuckled ruefully. “Such as almost dying to men that I once could have torn limb from limb without breaking a sweat. Such as forgetting for a single heartbeat how weak and vulnerable I was, and owing the nameless wanderer by my side absolutely everything for pulling my soul from the flames of oblivion, just heartbeats before the story of my life scrawled to a halt at the last page.”

  Alex nodded. “Yeah, I am pretty awesome like that. Nameless Wanderer. Has a nice ring to it.”

  Yan roared with laughter. “Glad I am that we crossed paths, hero! Now it’s my turn. Who taught you internal Qi techniques that are the rightful province only of General Cui Jian’s elite assassins?”

  Alex frowned. “How does everyone who is anyone know that?”

  Yan shrugged. “Probably because most of us who have achieved power served in the imperial army at some point, and the general wasn’t just renowned in Cuijing Principality, or the Zhengtu kingdom, but throughout the Golden Empire as a whole.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “Just how famous is Liu Jian anyway?”

  Yan furrowed his thick brow. “I’m not familiar with this Liu Jian. Not unless you’re saying... Alex, what exactly are you saying?”

  “Boring story. I was little more than a penniless waif wandering around Yidushi less than two years back, assuming time passed the way I think it did. I might be missing a few seasons here and there.” Yan’s puzzled frown grew deeper. “Anyway, there I was, just hoping someone would open their door to a hardworking apprentice, and one kindhearted if gruff-spoken apothecary did just that. Turns out I have a knack for mixing smelly concoctions, and that curmudgeonly herbalist was, once upon a time, something of a soldier. I impressed him when I picked up a few old tricks he taught me just for the heck of it, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

  Yan tilted his head. “And just a few years ago, the long-forgotten brother of Cuijing’s bereft ruler, who had been mourning the death of her children, shows up with the Crown Prince and Princess in tow, rescued from the vilest of infernal pacts, thanks to the heroic efforts of that retired general, along with his kitsune daughter, who is now in possession of such a wondrous prize that half the eligible sons of the empire are now eager to court her.”

  Alex nodded. “For their offspring will inherit the secrets to a divine cultivation manual that will lead any royal kitsune all the way up to Jade, assuring that WiFu’s descendants enjoy safety and prosperity, despite his vindictive brothers’ best attempts to incite Yidushian nobles to countless genocidal frenzies over the years.”

  Alex winced, instantly understanding his mistake, but it was already too late.

  “Alex?”

  Best to just play it cool. “Hey, Yan, you in the mood for an apple?” he said, gazing at the heavy limbs of countless giant fruit trees hanging just overhead, a helpful fruit dropping into his open palm at that very moment, radiating such spiritual energy as to make any natural cultivator swoon with envy.

  Yan smirked, but didn’t hesitate to take a bite, all but shuddering with pleasure.

  “That was a neat trick, Alex.”

  “Wasn’t it?”

  “Just raise your hand, and an obedient apple immediately plops into it. If I had any doubt about you being a wild cultivator...”

  Alex shrugged. “We’re passing through what remains of an ancient apple orchard. The original settlers are long gone, but I think the forest is quite pleased with the fruit! Attracts lots of spirit beasts, caravanners, and all their wonderful dung. Frankly, we’re lucky it’s not raining apples.”

  “Alex?”

  “Oh look, another perfectly ripe apple. Just falling into my hand.” Alex smirked and took a bite himself, quite pleased. It really was a delicious apple.

  “Alex…”

  “Yes?”

  “How the hell do you know about the divine tome?”

  “How do you know about the divine tome?”

  “You just told me!”

  “And you just told me! Obviously we’re caught in some sort of causality loop, and the only way to break free is to not say another word.”

  Yan’s eyes bulged at the sheer ridiculousness of that statement. “Alex!”

  Alex quickly put his finger to his lips. “Shhh. You don’t want us to be stuck in this orchard forever, do you?”

  “Don’t shush me!”

  Alex hissed and spun around. “Spirit beasts!”

  Yan’s eyes widened in alarm. “Really?”

  “No, just pulling your leg there. So why is a deadly cultivator so powerful even a royal mother in hiding was content to let him guard her precious offspring scared of a few kitty cats?”

  “Those leopards were the farthest thing from kitty cats! And you’re trying to change the conversation!”

  Alex snorted. “I’m not ‘trying’ anything. I did. And now if you’ll kindly keep quiet and not alert any packs of wild spirit leopards, I’ve got some serious scouting to take care of.”

  And before the man could say another word, Alex disappeared from sight, popping back into existence in the branches overhead. “I’m going to scout out Baidushi, make sure it’s safe. I’ll meet you at camp tonight, and we’ll plan our route of attack from there.”

  “Alex!” The man huffed, gazing back at the rest of the caravan some distance back, clearly as afraid of their mercurial protector as they were grateful to be following him.

  Alex smirked. “Your artifact’s still pulsing Spirit Qi like mad. Only you’re hearing this, though I’m pushing its range.”
<
br />   Yan visibly paled. “How the hell do you even know that?”

  Alex shrugged. “Artificer skill.” His knowing smirk turned deadly serious. “Be ready for me when I come tonight. If things are looking perilous, or I don’t show at all, maybe the best thing for you guys to do is hide for real.”

  Yan frowned. “That’s not an option, Alex.”

  “Really? You’re bringing a wildcard princess into the heart of a city now full of princes eager to catch the heart of the one girl in possession of a divine tome, and you don’t think a few agents of a few of those princes will be all too happy to sweep your piece off the board? Just like her uncle is?” Alex’s eyes widened in alarm. “Shit... Yan, I just had a thought.”

  “Do tell.”

  “What if her uncle isn’t just hunting her down for shits and giggles... what if he’s also competing for Liu Li’s hand? Maybe he’s afraid that if Xian Hong grabs Prince Cui Long’s heart, there’s no good tactical reason to marry into the Yantu nation a second time? That would virtually guarantee the Red Prince’s suit will be rejected. And I’m all for Liu Li kicking that ass out of the palace as fast as she can!”

  “Wait, who’s Liu Li?”

  “Who the hell do you think? The princess!”

  Yan’s eyes widened. “The alchemist who took you in. He really is General Cui Jian!”

  “Was. Anyway, that hardly matters now. The point is, I don’t want Xian Hong’s uncle hitting on my best friend. The guy’s obviously complete slime.”

  “Wait, so you really do know the princess? And you two were close?”

  Alex nodded... then he frowned. “Not like that. I’m not the type of asshole who would take advantage of a girl while she was on her sickbed. But yes. We were close.”

  “Wait, Alex, just how close were you to—” Yan’s words cut off as Alex Bullrushed straight up and out of the forest canopy before embracing Storm Flight, effectively seeming to disappear in the blink of an eye.

  Alex wanted to howl with sheer joy at the sensation of flight, but instead focused on the task at hand, preparing himself for whatever trap or tribulation no doubt waited for them at capital city of this principality.

  A city that held the divine cultivation manual forged by his enemy. A city that held the girl he had once come so close to falling for.

  A city whose defenses he had to pierce, both to neutralize just one of his enemy’s many dooms slammed upon his piece lying like two-faced chips upon the board of fate, and to secure safe passage for the girl and mentor he had risked his life in rescuing, who turned out to be princess and royal guardian, two more pieces upon the board that, if played incorrectly, could result in Baidushi’s absolute destruction, which would no doubt please WiFu’s kin just as much as it would whatever horrors were intending to destroy that city.

  Sick bastards.

  Alex spent long moments tapping into his sense of the forest as deeply as he could, sensing absolutely no trace of enemy reds anywhere near his present location. It seemed he really had pierced their perimeter, and they had yet to do anything effective about it. Or at least, nothing within the several mile radius Forest Sense could pick up. Still, there was that niggling fear.

  But no. That stalking shadow-hunting kitsune nightmare was no doubt bubbling away in a Gold serpent’s belly at that very moment.

  He couldn’t help flashing a bleak smile at the thought, thinking it a fate well earned.

  Before frowning at the shining brass ring upon his finger, forcing himself to open his matrix and consider options too long put off, knowing that he’d probably be spending his priceless Golden Soul Stone when all was said and done.

  Because it would fit his enemy’s machinations so perfectly, General Shalu being absolutely brilliant at forcing his enemies to take losses with every win, slowly grinding down their resources, opportunities, and bonds that could have become friendship or allies, until the broken piece had nothing left to sacrifice.

  Only then would that bloated monster move in for the kill.

  So of course Alex had been forced to alienate so many potential allies and friends so none would pay the terrible price for helping him enter the city, the general no doubt laughing at the thought of Alex having to ruin his own good name amongst the traders making their fortunes between cities just to protect countless innocents from the doom so eager to claim everyone now in Baidushi.

  That was when Alex flashed a bleak grin, recalling that neither Long Wang, Zheng Yi, or General Shalu could make heads or tails of his present location, at least not directly through their own arts or the arts of their henchmen. For WiFu had finally gotten the best of those bastards, playing a double trump upon their twisted hands, assuring that Alex caught at least one break after all his hardships.

  He was now cloaked from their sight, hopefully forever.

  Still, their tactician was the epitome of a master Go player.

  Somehow, Alex was dreadfully certain Shalu would find a way to get Alex back in his sights, right before going in for the kill.

  You have accessed your World Seed interface sheet!

  Your currently possess one Rank 1 Silver world with a diameter of 32 miles. (Spiritual Aura: Silver. Resilience: Basic.)

  You currently possess one Rank 7 Silver Eternal Palace with a Divine Library (normal limits superseded) in addition to Silver sleeping and dining facilities.

  You have one Rank 3 Basic Laboratory allowing for limited absorption, manipulation, and storage of: Fire Qi.

  You currently have two basic Ranks in your Chamber of Doors.

  You are now accessing Chamber of Doors interface sheet!

  Each additional modifier will require the expenditure of one Rank.

  Limitations of Standard Door: Door can be seen and used by you alone. Door is immovable. Doors can only be placed where World Seed owner is standing at the time door is forged. Door may connect to any location within World Seed, or to any other door within host realm that you have placed separately. Door is only wide enough to bring you and your personal items through. Time must be expended to summon doors and step between worlds.

  Note. A successful skill check is needed to summon forth any door within any realm that is not your own!

  Additional doors cost 1 Rank, with each succeeding Rank granting additional doors.

  Additional modifiers cost 1 Rank each, and must be purchased sequentially in each category.

  All modifiers apply to whatever degree you wish, to all of your doors.

  Location

  1 Rank (Bronze Soul Stone requirement) Doors can link to any area you know well, whether or not you are currently at said location.

  2 Ranks (Silver Soul Stone requirement) Doors can link to any area you have stepped on at least once.

  3 Ranks (Gold Soul Stone requirement) Doors can link to any area you have ever seen.

  +1 Rank (Gold requirement) Door can be anchored to you. Step through at will! (Note: Basic Door takes time to enter. You will be vulnerable during this time.)

  +1 Rank (Gold requirement) Door placement is flexible! You may reassign any door you own at will.

  Tangibility

  1 Rank (Bronze requirement) Door may be seen and interacted with by any individual you personally assign at the time said door is forged.

  2 Ranks (Silver requirement) Door may be seen and interacted with by any individual who you know personally, is a citizen of your realm, has sworn fealty to you, or has been assigned to you by their liege-lord or master.

  3 Ranks (Gold requirement) Door may be seen and interacted with by anyone you wish at any time you desire.

  +1 Rank. (Gold requirement) You may channel specific elements of your Qi or soul through any door. This will allow you to travel via prophecy or dream when using Spirit Qi, or Forest Sense perception even when not in said area. Other uses are possible as well!

  +1 Rank. (Gold requirement + Spirit Qi requirement) You may anchor the manifestation of your doors to specified oaths that must be acknowledged or spoken aloud
by anyone who wishes to pass through your portal! Oath breaking will strain foundations and, for guests of your realm, will result in immediate expulsion, unless their rank exceeds the highest rank of any of your World Seed assets.

  +1 Rank (Jade requirement, Anchored requirement) You may use an anchored door like a shield! An appropriate skill check will allow you to catch your opponent’s Qi attacks and channel them directly into your World Seed! This door will have a circumference equal to the shield in your off hand. Note: this could possibly damage World Seeds without sufficient vitality to endure said attacks.

  Mastery

  Each additional rank will allow you to summon doors with increasing efficiency and finesse, even while under significant stress.

  1 Rank (Bronze Requirement) benefit from a modest reduction in the time needed to summon forth any door. Receive a modest bonus to Summon Portal skill checks!

  2 Ranks (Silver Requirement) benefit from a moderate reduction in the time needed to summon forth any door. Receive a moderate bonus to Summon Portal skill checks!

  3 Ranks (Gold Requirement) benefit from a significant reduction in the time needed to summon forth any door. Receive a significant bonus to Summon Portal skill checks!

  +1 Rank (Gold Requirement) each additional rank purchased will cut the casting time and increase the success bonus by an additional 30%!

  Territory

  1 Rank (Bronze requirement) You may transport any beast, item, or vehicle equal in size to a greater carriage wagon or smaller through your doors.

  2 Ranks (Silver requirement) You may transport any single creature to your realm. You may transport any personal holdings you own, up to the size of a castle or smaller, to your realm, if all requirements are met, its province now a part of your World Seed.

  3 Ranks (Gold requirement) You may transport any sized territory you own, if all requirements are met, its province now a part of your World Seed.

  Resilience & Penetration

  1 Rank (Bronze requirement) Your doors may pierce any Spiritual, Qi, or physical barriers of Bronze Rank or lower, or ward against the same.