Linghao's Paperwork

As the sounds metal clashing on metal resonates in the courtyard the young master looks wistfully from the window of the office he's been stuck in for the past days. With a heavy sigh he looks to the mountain of scrolls in the corner of the room, it's the third batch this week. A knock on the door takes him out of his reverie. "It's open, it's not a lock that keeps me in here..."

"Good day young master." An elderly servant bows respectfully at the door. "I bring you more paperwork."

"Oh joy... How did my sibiling deal with this when I wans't here?"

"They... did not, young master. They focused on training, it was the mistress who kept the records tidy. The master was-" Linghao interrups the elderly man.

"I know how my father is, no need to tell me. Fine, place them..." The young man looks around the room, it appears space is not easy to find in this room. "On the desk. I need to store the rest somewhere. But getting out of here is depressing, I should find someone else to do it.

"As you wish." The servant bows again, points a ring to the table and empties the contents on it, the stack blots out the light from the window. The old man then leaves wordlessly, clearly even he had better things to do.

Linghao sits at the desk, from his spot the door his now hidden. Raising his shades with a finger to reveal his eyes he stares in the general direction of the hallway, he then sees an odd but by now familiar sight. In the group on moving flames a single figure stood out, approximately in the next room over, a storage room from what the young man remembered. "Of course, I guess that works. Not like he's doing anything important." Raising his voice, the young master attempts to channel a little of the authority he was taught to have. "Servant Yu, report to the room next to you." The figure jumps and looks around, then looks like he's about to go back to sleep. "I know you're here, no use hiding."

Seconds pass, the figure moves until it's standing in front of Linghao. "What do you need me for young master?" It's almost impressive how he manages to make that sound disrespectful. "You look paler than I remember, and wider. Maybe you should rest?" The tone is jovial, but also hopeful, like it really could get him out of work.

Linghao also doesn't want to work on this right now, but he has to, and with help he may finish sooner. "If I don't finish this soon I really will become a pile of scrolls myself. Start moving the ones in the piles around here to the room you were sleeping in, no need to sort them. Then come back and help me with these." The young man peeks from the side of the pile on the desk to look Yu in the face with raised glasses. "I will be keeping an eye on you." The eyes glow ominously, a small flame seen in each pupil.

"Does it have to be me?" Linghao's eyes glow just a bit stronger. "Ok, no need to give me the flame stare, I'm moving." The servant starts picking up scrolls by the armful with no care for order, letting some fall to the ground.

Clearing the desk as much as he can, the young master places a candle on it, lghting it with a snap, and stats concentrating. The temperature starts to raise. "I guess it's time to start."

Heinrich Gotthelf Humboldt

Request for demon beast parts

Granted

"Uncle Heinrich, I keep seeing his name a lot in this kind of requests. They are just routine so I may as not even read them by now. I remeber meeting him for the first time when I came back, a polite commoner from some place even I never heard of, very educated. I think his whole culture places a lot of importance on that, I definitely want to visit. We did't interact much after that, something I need to fix, but from that brief interaction I can tell he would be interesting to talk to. Very attached to aunt Wen, somehow, seeing him attempt to catch her attention from afar is equally funny as it is sad. I think he has a chance, aunt Wen is just cold to everyone. Sadly he seems more intersted in evolving others rather than himslef, maybe I can convince him of the benefits of evolution. He also seems to not understand qi much, maybe if I help with that he will be more likely to tell me about the techniques of his strange land."

Xun Wen, the Lady of Fractals

Building material requistion form

written in very small letters in the corner at the end. Linghao, I know you will read this, just approve it, I will explain later if necessary.
Granted

"Ah yes, the elders would probably be mad if they knew I keep approving these, but fuck them. Aunt Wen is very smart anyway, I'm sure she would find a way to get these materials even if I refused them. In fact I'm pretty sure some of the documents in Heinrich's name from before I started taking care of this were also for her. I don't know mucg about talismans and formations, but what she does with then is impressive, I do wonder why the elders refuse to see that. She's pretty cold, but she's like that with everyone so I'm not worried. I keep letting these slide but maybe I should at least ask what they are for, I am starting to get curios. Maybe I should ask her for some protective talismans, but if I don't get hurt I can't train my Embers. Someone that evolves objects rather than herself, she is imporving however so I can respect that, now if only the old geezers could as well."

Xun Ri, Guardian of Wen

Art supplies inventory

Ink almost depleted
Request acquisition module.

"Ri, resident tatoo artist, her art is strange but apparently effective. I am not familiar with her past, I only know it wasn't peaceful and it brought her here to be adopted. Rather close to aunt Wen, acts as a bodyguard but I don't think she needs to do much in that regard. Many describe her art as alive, I don't know how much of that is true, I would need to observe them to know. Many atrists claim to give life to art, in all the cases I saw they were frauds, yes they could make art move and even fight, but it couldn't evolve, so it wasn't truly alive. It's still impressive, and if they at least made it a part of themselves I would respect them more. She seems like a nice girl, I hope she can be safe in the coming turmoil, for Wen's sake as well as her brother's at least."

The scroll is put in a different pile, those will have to be delivered later. Linghao is looking forward to that, it means he gets to go out at least.

Xun Moyu, the Young Master

I want sweets and clothes and cute things and...

Denied. Moyu this is an official document, if you want something like this ask directly, I laredy have too much work to do.

"I just don't know what to do about Moyu, her pride is going to be her downfall one day but the world seems to refuse to teach her that. Or maybe it already tried and failed. I don't hate her, but she's exhausting to be around, at least she treats me better than the servants even if that would be better fixed too. I don't think she sees much difference between people and the beasts she raises, in fact she probably cares more about the beasts. Her skills are not bad, she's not as good as she pretends to be but there is potential there. It't not my job to fix her attitude so I will not go out of my way to do that, but if she keeps pestering me and hanging around I may have to do something. Seems to get along with the dragon boy on occasion, I'm worried for him."

"Whoa! What happened here? I get that the phoenix is the guardian of summer but you could leave the north its winter. I'm about to get cooked."

Linghao looks up from the scrolls with tired eyes. "I'm cultivating, I may as well not let this time go to waste, my method is simple enough, for now. You're here at just the right time, here catch." The young man tosses the scroll he just finished to the servant.

"What is it?"

"That one needs to go back to Moyu." Linghao says as he picks up the next document.

Yu flinches, suddenly unsure if the scroll in his hands should be treated like deadly poison or a sacred treasure. "Do I need to do that?" The tone is hesitant.

"No, I wouldn't send my worst enemies there, mainly because they would kill her but still, you get the point. Just put it somewhere separate, and eyecatching, so I don't forget."

The servant lets go of a breth he didn't know he was holding. "As you wish." And with that he resumes transporing the rest of the scrolls.

Xun Jian, Dragon of the Northern River

Music show preparation

Resources ready

"I guess I should show up to one of these from time to time, but I prefer listening to him cultivate by himself, it's more calming that way. Jian did have to go through a lot now that I think about it, I kinda get it, I probably would have suffered the same if I wasn't as good as I am at evading capture. He seems to have problems with his nature, I don't really know why, but I would like to help him if I can. The stone dog may have something against it, but that's probably just because I'm around when he's cultivating and I think it hurts him to be interrupted, it should be fine if I approach at different times. He's evolving into a dragon because of his nature, but he doesn't seem to really want to. Maybe I should tell him that there's always another way, but I feel he wouldn't believe me."

Fei Cangqiong

Claims of public indecency and harassment

Investigation inconclusive.

"*Fei... you really need to get a better approach. I don't know where uncle Heinrich found him, but I don't think he's suited to servant work. He works much better as a scout or courier, his dalliances don't take enough time to delay his reports. His motivation is unexpected, I can understand wanting to appease his mother but it's clear that this pursuit goes against his very soul. I can't do much to help him either, people don't like me and I don't really like them, but I have to admit his presence is entertaining. He should follow his heart rather than his mother's will, hopefully he figures it out by himslef."

Xun Yi, Local Barbarian civilized via marriage

Firewood order for the east wing

Granted, increased frequency in preparation of winter

"Mother, so cold that even her residence is affected in the long run. She keeps away from me, from all of her children, the others took it worse than me. I can tell she doesn't do it out of malice, quite the opposite, her soul overflows with love. But that love seems to be poison to the void that draws in all warmth. I respect her decision but still hope she manages to overcome her condition, to evolve past it. Not for me, I'm fine with how things are even if I would not be unhappy if they changed, but for Chizi. I wonder if she knows I watch my sibilngs too, just like her."

Xun Fengqi, the Fearless Flame

Expedition into the Ghost Domain, preliminary notice

Vision confirmed

"And so it is time. Father needs to leave again, I wonder if he will bring me with him. I remember the old days, learning the sword, being dissatisfied with it and finding my own style, his laugh at my countless attempts when I had a perfectly good sword style right in fron of me. I take a lot after him, I am aware, we both can't sit still, we both charge into action without remorse. His tales inspired my travels, his honesty my style, but I will never understand how grandpa managed to trick him into his vow of truth. If he was displeaed with me he never showed it, at least I didn't lie about it so I guess he respects that. He could take at least some of the paperwork duties however, if not for me at least for mom."

Xun Chizi, The Mysterious Pearl

Assorted reports of activity

Bills paid, review allowance

"Chizi is as mysterious as always, the amount of reports I have to review because of them are honetly a bit too much, but it seems they enjoy a wide array of acivities so that's to be expected. I just wish there was a paperwork formation, maybe I can ask. Still, I am no closer to them than I was before, I may as well still be traveling around the world. I should have been more present, now approach seems impossible. I think I will try with some treasure from outside, maybe point them to other interesting things, or people. The embryo still freaks me out a little, one of the strangest souls I can see, but it does make finding them much easier and it's part of them. Reconciliation with the other twin will be harder than cultivation, but I never let that stop me before."

Yu returns to pick up a new batch of scrolls. "The scrolls are burning by the way, they are all a bit charred, maybe lowering the intensity a bit would help?"

"They are still readable, I already tested it and father says it's fine." The phoenix extends the latest scroll to the servant. "You are supposed to be Chizi's servant right? This is for them so you can bring it directly there. It mentions you as well, good job carrying the shopping bags."

"Why thank you, I am honored to be praised for such important tasks. I'll find a place for this, not that it's important, does anyone even read this stuff?"

Linghao stops briefly to look Yu in the eye, his gaze ablaze with the effects of his technique, annoyance mixed with resignation on his face. Then he lets out a sigh and goes back to work. "I assume some elders do, once every century or something like that. So this is as pointless for me as it is for you. It will come in handy in case of emergencies however, so it has to be done."

"Don't let me stop you then. The faster you finish, the sooner I can rest too." The lazy servant laughs as he disappears down the corridor, arms full of paperwork.

Bai Shahua,Shihuahua: Chihuahua of death

Sales account

Profits increased from last month

"I don't know if I should be happy for her, or worried about the reason of her sudden profits. She is undeniably skilled, and her popularity is not without reason, I imagine her attractivness is also a factor. But there is a limit to how much commoners can spend, and doing so on medicine is a sign of trouble. It would be a shame for her to be forced back into isolation after she finally has her freedom, but I don't think she will take this without fighting back. She seems to be close to Chizi, I'm glad for that, they both need friends badly. Her soul also kinda creeps me out, but it's more familiar."

Xun Ming,A poet who cries

Family visit/Family visit

Granted, just one was enough

"Ming keeps acting as if I never left, I still don't know how to feel about that but at least now I don't run away anymore, luckily they didn't take it as badly as Chizi. I'm sure the two would just take it as one more thing to fight about. I may be one of the few people able to tell the active Ming at a glance, the double soul subtly shifts depending on the side in control, but the fact it's still one sould proves they are one person. I will have to accept the family tour eventually, I'm running out of excuses, but I can't really do what they do, I would just drag down the reputation they worker hard to create. There was a cool demon beast somehwere near the border that reminded me of them, maybe a gift will distract them enough. Starting from Chizi will be easier, but I need to set up the grounds for it."

Yu, Voidchink

Absence notice, broken plate, misplaced cuttlery, harrasment

"I don't even know what to do with this, do I just burn it?"

As Linghao ponders the contents of the several scrolls in front of him the culprit of them enters the room. "We're almost done, I was expecting more work. Well I'm almost done, you seem to have a lot still."

"More than half of these are about you, strange creature. How you manage to still reside here eludes me, but it's not my job to find out." Scribbling randomly on the scrolls the young master starts piling them up in a corner.

"I do my job too, as you can see. Maybe I'm just too useful to let go." Yu starts picking up the scrolls regarding himslef first.

"I don't doubt your ability, I can see more than most I will remind you, I'm more surprised others can as well. You are formidable in your pretense." The phoenix gets up and opens the window behind his desk, snapping his fingers to catch the servant's attention then subtly nods to it.

"I make sure to do what I have to survive, I'm pretty sure this isn't in the job description. It's a beautiful day outside, I would rather be napping there." Yu approaches the window after Linghao sits back down and dumps the scrolls out of it. "It looks like work just got a whole lot lighter. The young master may be able to rest as well."

After the servant gets out of the way the phoenix nonchalantly tosses a lit candle behind him, flapping his wings right as it exits the window. The casements slam shut. "I would rather train, but you do as you wish. I'm not in charge of you after this."

"Happy to hear it young master." Yu leaves again with what seems to be the last of the scroll piles.

"His soul is just like him, so easy to read. He does his best to stay out of sight but his presence is so clear, luck seems to favor him, I'm not sure why. I think he's a better guy than even he think of himself. I just hope he stays that way, he has potential and I would hate to see him change after he gets a taste of power."

Wuyu,Wuxia man

Preliminary report, destroyed village, cause unkown

Expedition preparation in progress, search for survivors prioritized

"I think this is the place dad is going to, a tragedy really but why there? To leave so few traces it was way too calculated." The young master stands up and scans the shelves for a moment, remembering the last weeks worth of paperwork. His eyes lock onto a scroll that predates his time there, it was listed under the recently updated ones. "Here it is, guardian change for the Jade Emperor's Tear. Location undisclosed for security reasons, current guardian Wuyu." Linghao puts the scroll back in its place and sits down again. "I remember reading that some days ago, a respectable warrior, well liked by the comunity, this was his attempt at settling down. If the village really was his post then clearly the heavens had other plans for him, just another reason to do my best to defy it. This may be one of the few times paperwork is useful. Given his background I can't imagine he deserted, I wonder if he's still alive. I should bring this scroll with me later, just in case.*"

Tsolmon, "Tso"

Employement notice, declaration of responsibility

Signed

"A real strange fellow this one, the last thing I was expecting when I saw that void near illegal alchemy was a new recruit. I was mostly interested in his strange soul, but his skills are the real deal too, I'm sure he will make it far. I guess I should fix the way he thinks of me, young master mode doesn't suit me, but that can wait a bit more, as long as he believes he should be scared of me he should do his best. Once his reputation stabilizes and spreads a little I can start treating him normally, but it does get tiring pretending so much. I want to ask where he comes from, I don't recognize his accent, but that should wait as well. Uncle Heinrich would appreciate a new assistant and test subject as well."

Shen Qiu, Black Beast of the North

Hunting report Secret orders hidden

Marked as read Read as well, but maybe it's better I didn't, you guys need to get a better code

"Bodyguard and hunter, Moyu treats him as one of her pets. Shen is a man of few words, something I can appreciate on occasion but I have the feeling he considers my onesided rambling as annoying, no need to check his soul to know that. Really good at his job, and his nature makes him good at subtler tasks, I just wish they hid them better but that's not his fault, I don't think he cares. I may have something to learn from his style, it feels like it will bring me closer to evolution. He also feels close to evolution, considering his affinity for animal techiques, teaching him something could be more interesting."

Liang Ba, Imperial Commander of the Northern Border

Transit permit from the border, Granted

Marked as read

"Interesting, a scion of the Lian clan in our lands. Could the recent events have reached the capital already? I remember hearing rumours about him, he honestly seems almost too perfect. A fierce commander, a skilled warrior, and even well liked by commoners and nobles alike. I heard his clan isn't doing well as of late, not sure what the extent of the damage is but it seems recent. I'm definietly curios to meet the man behind the rumours, to see how much is true, what his soul is like, but it could prove troublesome. I am still wanted, depending on how much he knows it could cause friction, but it's unlikely he was sent here for me."

The phoenix reaches out for a new scroll but finds nothing, the desk is empty. Yu comes back, with equally empty arms. "Wow, you're already done young master? What a shame, it seems I can't help anymore." The mirth in his eyes contrasted his words.

"Fine, I could make you carry these too, but we both suffered enough for today." With a simple wave of his hand the candles in the room go out, and the temperature returns to normal. "You are free of your duties. For now, do be careful where you nap next time."

"Of course. Have a wonderful day young master. I will go find a better spot." With an exagerated bow, the servant leaves.

Linghao gets up and stretches his wings, opening the window and admiring the view, slightly distorted by smoke and heat. "Well, I guess it's time to train. I think I will visit mom first, get her used to me being back, small steps. I also need see what my sibilings are doing, and to prepare for the expedition. Life is so complicated back home but I guess I don't mind, I did miss it a bit."


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Pub: 20 Dec 2025 00:32 UTC

Edit: 20 Dec 2025 15:16 UTC

Views: 86