The Gods' Decree 182 Aligning Interests

Having met the grand elder a change of scenery was proposed. The new location a balcony with a picturesque view of the sect.

This May and Taf a.s.sumed was one of the private areas within the sect which belonged to the one with the second most power.

"Seems my servants deserve a raise based on the swiftness to which you indulged in the meal."

With a smile on her wrinkled face, the grand elder uttered. There Taf sat with a toothpick in his mouth and an empty dish before him, which was with haste removed by a servant who bowed before taking her leave. 

May was a bit more graceful seemingly as she took her time savoring her meal that was a fitting spread for someone of her pet.i.te figure.

"One of my greatest joy is dining in which my senses are peaked as I try to decipher every ingredient."

Taf responded to the grand elder who seemed intrigued as she listening. He once more continued,

"There is a saying where I come from, 

 [A chef's worth is known by the unison between his hands and his spices.

 Do the spices underwhelm, so much so that its very existence is questioned? 

Or is it so overbearing, in which It ruins its very purpose?

 If it is either of the two then he has no right to be called as such. You see, there is a delicate balance that much be maintained. 

An extra grain of salt might be seen as trivial to the inexperience, but in the eyes of one devoted to his craft]

Well, let's just say, your chef has gained this right in my book." 

Taf ended with a smile as he bit on the toothpick in his mouth. While he spoke it became quite evident to the grand elder her previous eagerness to meet these two was indeed well-founded.

Returning his smiling gesturing the grand elder replied, 

"Well be a.s.sured young one I will ensure my chef becomes aware of how high of an appraisal he has received."

In some ways, she found it amusing how this teen apparently viewed himself. Evidently, he saw himself as a food connoisseur of sorts.

While immersed in her thoughts a cough was heard from Taf,

"Grand Elder, I think so far I have adhered to all the proper etiquettes. Though I have fully enjoyed your gestures of entertaining us and engaging in small discussions, I am a frank person.

 I am sure you did not invite myself and May here to evaluate the level of your servants' competence.

So this begs the question. Why are we here exactly?"

Not wanting to beat around the bush Taf replied. However, there was no change in the reaction of the grand elder who remained calm. She then responded,

"Abit brash young one, but you do have a point.

 When I first heard of the existence of an individual with the attribute you possess, you could imagine my reaction. Now, this though a blessing for my sect was also disastrous." 

There was a pause in the grand elder's speech as she observed both May and Taf's reaction. Apparently, they understood the meaning behind her words. She then once more continued,

"It won't come as a surprise when I say I have lived for many years. However, during this time, I have never known of a feat being accomplished as the one in Starlight City. To have the strengths of the lord realm at such an age, well is unprecedented. 

Now we all have our secrets so I won't question as to how this has come to be. However, it doesn't take a genius to know without a doubt this is the doing of that mysterious masked being."

As the grand elder spoke her gaze s.h.i.+fted from Taf to May who realized the last statement was geared towards her.

The grand elder was by no means ignorant. It could be said that Taf's defeating someone within the lord realm after a year of cultivating though frightening, seemed plausible. After all, he was the abomination, one who feats cannot be measured.

May, on the other hand, they knew for a fact was not as heavily endowed as he. They would deem her as a genius by their standard based on her previously tested affinities. 

However, to have defeated a Lord realm after a year of cultivating was absurd without the help of extreme external factors. The previous mysterious masked being was the evident answer.

"Well grand elder as you say we all have our secrets, right. In regards to the events of Starlight City, it was a gamble on our part that evidently paid off."

After being the quiet third party allowing Taf to take the lead, hearing the grand elder's words May had to interject.

" As I previously stated this 'gamble' is appreciated by the sect." The grand elder replied.

With his hands against the armrest of his chair holding up his chin Taf uttered, 

"All for the sect, I say. Unfortunately, we incurred quite a loss in the protection of its a.s.sets.

At first, I was unaware of the appropriate party to engage in order to seek reparations, however, how foolish of me not realizing this all can be resolved by you, grand elder. Just some minor losses sustained."

After speaking Taf summoned a white parchment from his s.p.a.ce stone as the grand elder's eyebrows were raised. She took the parchment after which going through the items one after the other.

 "A Warhammer valuing  700k in qi stone? It must be some Warhammer. "

She questioned evidently bemused by this sum.

"It has sentimental value, priceless in some regards," Taf replied.

"Yet still you saw it fitting to attach one.

Hmm, Injuries sustained and emotional trauma to which you seek the sum of 2.5 million in compensation." 

After speaking the last words she couldn't help but look at the two who at the moment appeared quite fine. May once more chimed in by saying, 

"Our internal wounds are still healing and just to arrive at this stage we had to use elixirs which were meant for other purposes.

In regards to the emotional scars, poor Taf hasn't slept a wink since this whole ordeal."

With some pity within her voice, May rubbed Taf's back as the grand elder viewed the two before discarding the parchment. 

"So I am guessing Four million in lqs will cover all these expenses."

She then with a calm voice responded. Which was a bit surprising to both Taf and May who expected a bit of haggling on her part.

This elder without a doubt knew that they were exaggerating the events. Why then was she so accommodating to them both. She even went nearing 1 million in Lqs above the stipulated figure.

Maybe this woman was a bit delusional in her current old age. Even cultivators aren't immune to dementia. Would this conflict with his morals? Would he take advantage of the old and vulnerable?

"Yes, that would do indeed." 

Taf hurriedly agreed before the old woman became any wiser to the error she made. 

"Good! now that we have settled that matter. To answer your initial question I have convened this gathering in a bid to make my stance known.

My role is to safeguard the interest of the Sect. This pertains to the present and the future.  In a manner of speaking the decisions being made now affects the person in my seat a thousand years time."

Though still calm in her demeanor there was a serious tone as the elder spoke. However, her audience too seemed somewhat serious. She then continued, 

"As proud as I am of my sect within the Fu province  I am aware we fall quite short from others in the grand scheme of things. 

I am old but with age comes wisdom, therefore I know there are ulterior motives for your joining us."

Seeing the underlined meaning behind her words Taf then calmly interjected in a bid to ease whatever concerns the grand elder might have.

"Well I can a.s.sure you, grand elder, our intentions aren't anything which is unfavorable for your sect."

"Well never the less I would like to ensure our interests are aligned. Having defeated a lord realm you have both qualified to join the reigns of elders. Do you accept these positions?"

The weight of the grand elder's words was evident as it caused both Taf and May to be stuck in their tracks as they sought a response.

To be continued...

Unedited versionEvidently, I have an obsession with cooking