A Thousand Li

by Tao Wong

  “Maybe you should.” Wu Ying sighed. “I’m not sure how many more times I can dare the gates of hell before they close on me permanently.”

  Tou He stayed silent, forcing Wu Ying to look at his friend who sat staring at him with a small smile.

  “Not going to say anything?” Wu Ying asked.

  “It is not my place to influence your decision,” Tou He said serenely. “But if you asked me, I do not think you are wrong. You have a gift that could be used in less… martial manners.” His gaze fell on Wu Ying’s ring, forcing the cultivator to look at it too.

  “I’ll have to think about it. But I think I’d like to stop waking up injured. At least for a bit.”

  “Don’t we all. On that note…”

  Wu Ying smiled, wishing Tou He well as he left. Still, the discussion had taken a turn he had not expected. But one that Wu Ying found himself considering more deeply. Perhaps it was time to stop playing hero. After all, he had not chosen to join the martial cultivators of his Sect for a reason.

  He was a farmer. And now, a Spirit Herb Gatherer. He had nothing against fighting, but perhaps he should consider not throwing himself at every sign of conflict.

  There had to be a middle path between unceasing heroism and willful ignorance of evil.

  He just had to find it.

  ***

  A day later, Wu Ying found himself with another visitor. He had been told to no longer use the medicinal bath and had instead been given rooms in a nearby building. Close enough for the physicians to watch over him, but large enough that Wu Ying could continue to practice the Five Winds physical forms and cultivate in peace.

  His visitor was Elder Huang De Ze, the Visiting Hall Elder. Bowing low, Wu Ying greeted him, offering drinks and snacks. The Hall Elder looked tired, even his vaunted Core cultivation insufficient to deal with the increased stress and responsibilities that had befallen him. After all, as the Visiting Hall Elder, the introduction of attackers into the city was his responsibility.

  “I will not take much of your time. You are recuperating and I have much to do,” Elder Huang said, cutting through the formalities.

  Elder Huang turned his hand around, a flicker of chi spilling from his hand as he pulled a manual from his spirit ring. His fingers covered the words of the manual, but even from a few feet away, Wu Ying felt the energy the manual radiated. Whoever had made the manual had imparted spiritual energy into its creation.

  “Before I hand this to you for you to study, we will have your word,” Elder Huang said sternly. “You will not share the contents of this manual with any other. When you are provided your own copy, you will not share that or make a copy for any other. If you lose the manual, you will not only inform us but do your utmost to reacquire it. Breaking any of these rules will make you an enemy of our sect until your death. And beyond. You will swear this on your cultivation base.”

  “Elder…” Wu Ying hesitated, eyes darting between the stern-faced cultivator and the manual.

  “Do you make this promise, or shall we find another gift for you?”

  “I…” Wu Ying shook off the paralysis, a part of him already guessing what the man held. “I do so vow.”

  Of course, it was not that easy. He had to repeat the entire vow, in more detailed form, imparting chi and cultivating at the same time, such that the vow itself and the act of making it became part of his cultivation base. In so doing, he risked a cultivation deviation if he ever willfully broke the promise.

  “Good. You may study this manual until you leave. Once you do, you will be provided a copy for your own use.” Elder Huang pushed the manual forward for Wu Ying to take.

  Using both hands, Wu Ying gripped the manual, pulling it toward him as he bowed, only to be surprised when Elder Huang did not release the manual. When he looked up, the Elder was glowering at him.

  “Elder?”

  “This is inappropriate. But the injuries you suffered in aiding us, along with your efforts to make the attack known beforehand and the belief that you seem to have some…” Elder Huang searched for the right word before he sighed. “Some minor affinity for the style has convinced the current Patriarch that you deserve a chance. If the late Patriarch had not left such an insistent note to his benefactors, we would never provide this to you.”

  “I understand and am humbled by the Patriarch’s and the sect’s generosity.” Wu Ying bowed again. “I will honor the consideration shown to me.”

  “Good. Do so by growing strong.” Finally, Elder Huan released the manual.

  Wu Ying took the book, seeing the simple but profound brushstrokes that spoke of what he held. The Seven Winds Body Cultivation Manual. The original work by the ex-Patriarch of the Double Soul, Double Body Sect.

  And it was his to read.

  By the time Wu Ying found his senses again, Elder Huang had left. Wu Ying winced at the impropriety, but not for long. Hurrying over to a table, he cleaned it quickly to ensure that the manual would not be stained before laying it down.

  Not that he needed to care for it that much. The entire manual was permeated with chi. The profound concepts and the energy imparted into it while being written by the Patriarch had given the manual a degree of strength and durability over and above any mere piece of paper.

  Yet Wu Ying dared not treat it as any less than the precious document it was.

  Opening to the first page, he delved into the mysteries within, his mind and even his cultivation shifting to echo the work itself as he read through the book. Such was the power of the manual and the author that merely reading it could impart a portion of understanding to the reader.

  Wu Ying knew he had to make the most of this opportunity. He had little enough time to comprehend as much as he could, and he still had to heal. This was an opportunity he had to grasp, and in holding it, make himself stronger.

  Because he truly was tired of being injured in every single battle he fought against the dark sect. And no matter his resolve to not be on the front lines, Wu Ying knew he would eventually find himself doing battle once more.

  ###

  The End

  The dark sect continues to grow in strength and boldness. Wu Ying and friends must work together to weather the Second Storm in book 6 of A Thousand Li.

  Releasing late Q4 2021 or early 2022

  Epilogue

  Once again, Wu Ying had missed the Spring Festival[16]. Between his injury and the time he needed to study the manual, Wu Ying had found himself residing in the Double Soul, Double Body Sect for much longer than he had planned. Tou He and Yu Kun had both stayed as well—the first to reinforce his cultivation base further and aid the sect, and the latter to make full use of the sect’s generous policies for help in their time of need.

  It was late into spring when they left, nearly two months after their expected departure. If Wu Ying had had a choice, he would have stayed longer, but the subtle hints that had been directed toward him had become much less subtle. His time studying the original manual was over, though Wu Ying kept a copy in his storage ring.

  During those two months, his body had healed from the majority of the damage done in the battle. His bones were stronger, his joints more flexible than ever. Though there might be lingering issues, Wu Ying knew that his continued practice with the Seven Winds manual would eventually see them driven off. Certainly when he finally integrated the other two winds, he would stand unsurpassed in this world.

  That, however, would have to wait for his next stage in cultivation.

  His next step, he knew, was to alter his soul cultivation path. It was time to do so, but the process and danger of that was much greater now that Wu Ying had, inadvertently, broken through another meridian. Even so, it had to be done if he was to make full use of the lineage and cultivation manuals that had fallen into his clutches.

  The only wrinkle was the minor deviations he had sensed between what was spoken of in the manual and his bloodline. That was a hidden danger, one that he could only meet by study and unde
rstanding. In time, he would need to deal with that final problem.

  But not yet.

  As he watched the Double Soul, Double Body Sect recede into the early morning mist from the bow of the ship, Wu Ying could not help but touch the storage ring that held his most precious possession now. The Seven Winds manual and the secrets that lay within.

  He could not help but reflect on the final two winds he still had to comprehend. An action that even the direct disciple of the Patriarch had failed to understand.

  The winds of heaven and the hundred hells.

  Author’s Note

  Wu Ying’s journey is not over as yet. The confrontation with the dark sect looms in the future, though Wu Ying’s part in direct confrontations—if he has anything to say about it—will be reduced. As he continues his journey to immortality, Wu Ying is attempting to understand his own dao. That will, at times, lead him down the wrong path.

  Or as wrong as such paths can be.

  Many of you might have heard of the increased amount of racism against Asians, the attacks on the elderly and women in communities across North America and the world. If you can, please donate to the various causes out there that fight against such racism and ignorance, or at the very least, speak up about it when you encounter it.

  Lastly, if you haven’t, please check out my other series, the System Apocalypse (a post-apocalyptic LitRPG), Adventures on Brad (a young adult fantasy LitRPG), and the Hidden Wishes (an urban fantasy GameLit series). Book one of each series follow:

  ● Life in the North (Book 1 of the System Apocalypse)

  ● A Healer’s Gift (Book 1 of the Adventures on Brad)

  ● A Gamer’s Wish (Book 1 of the Hidden Wishes series)

  I also host a Facebook Group for all things wuxia, xanxia, and specifically, cultivation novels. We’d love it if you joined us:

  ● Cultivation Novels

  For more great information about LitRPG series, check out the Facebook groups:

  ● GameLit Society

  ● LitRPG Books

  About the Author

  Tao Wong is an avid fantasy and sci-fi reader who spends his time working and writing in the North of Canada. He’s spent way too many years doing martial arts of many forms and, having broken himself too often, now spends his time writing about fantasy worlds.

  If you’d like to support Tao directly, he has a Patreon page where previews of all his new books can be found!

  ● Tao Wong’s Patreon

  For updates on the series and the author’s other books (and special one-shot stories), please visit his website: http://www.mylifemytao.com

  Subscribers to Tao’s mailing list will receive exclusive access to short stories in the Thousand Li and System Apocalypse universes: https://www.subscribepage.com/taowong

  Or visit his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/taowongauthor/

  About the Publisher

  Starlit Publishing is wholly owned and operated by Tao Wong. It is a science fiction and fantasy publisher focused on the LitRPG & cultivation genres. Their focus is on promoting new, upcoming authors in the genre whose writing challenges the existing stereotypes while giving a rip-roaring good read.

  For more information on Starlit Publishing, visit our website!

  You can also join Starlit Publishing’s mailing list to learn of new, exciting authors and book releases.

  Books in A Thousand Li series

  The First Step

  The First Stop

  The First War

  The Second Expedition

  The Second Sect

  The Second Storm (Upcoming)

  Short Stories

  A Favored Son

  Glossary

  Aura Reinforcement Exercise—Cultivation exercise that allows Wu Ying to contain his aura, trapping his chi within himself and making his cultivation more efficient and making him, to most senses, feel like someone of a lower cultivation level.

  Body Cleansing—First cultivation stage where the cultivator must cleanse their body of the impurities that have accumulated. Has twelve stages.

  Body Cultivation—Unlike ‘normal’ or soul cultivation, body cultivation is the process of making the immortal. Most soul cultivation strengthens the body, but body cultivation takes it a step further and attempts to make the body immortal itself. Can be used both as an ancillary form of cultivation and strengthening or as a method to achieve immortality itself.

  Catty—Weight measurement. One cattie is roughly equivalent to one and a half pounds or 604 grams. A tael is 1/16th of a catty

  Cì kè (or cike)—Translates as assassin. It also refers to a type of dark or heretical sect and a form of martial arts taught to assassins or those trained just to kill.

  Chi (or Qi)—I use the Cantonese pinyin here rather than the more common Mandarin. Chi is life force / energy and it permeates all things in the universe, flowing through living creatures in particular.

  Chi Points (a.k.a. Acupuncture Points)—Locations in the body that, when struck, compressed, or otherwise affected, can affect the flow of chi. Traditional acupuncture uses these points in a beneficial manner.

  Core formation—Third stage of cultivation. Having gathered sufficient chi, the cultivator must form a “core” of compressed chi. The stages in Core formation purify and harden the core.

  Cultivation Exercise—A supplementary exercise that improves an individual’s handling of chi within their body. Cultivation exercises are ancillary to cultivation styles.

  Cultivation Style—A method to manipulate chi within an individual’s body. There are thousands of cultivation exercises, suited for various constitutions, meridians, and bloodlines.

  Dao—Chinese sabre. Closer to a western cavalry sabre, it is thicker, often single-edged, with a curve at the end where additional thickness allows the weapon to be extra efficient at cutting.

  Dantian—There are actually three dantians in the human body. The most commonly referred to one is the lower dantian, located right above the bladder and an inch within the body. The other two are located in the chest and forehead, though they are often less frequently used. The dantian is said to be the center of chi.

  Double Soul, Double Body Sect—an orthodox sect with an unorthodox approach to recruitment, dedicated to the development of individuals with unusual body and soul configurations.

  Dragon’s Breath—Chi projection attack from the Long family style.

  Dark Sects— Unlike heretical (unorthodox) sects or demon sects, dark sects are labeled as such as they indulge in evil acts to progress their cultivation. This may include assassination, poisoning of mortals, cannibalism, human sacrifice and other, darker deeds.

  Elements—The Chinese traditionally have five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Within these elements, additional sub-elements may occur (example—air from Chao Kun, ice from Li Yao).

  Energy Storage—Second stage of cultivation, where the energy storage circulation meridians are opened. This stage allows cultivators to project their chi, the amount of chi stored and projected depending on level. There are eight levels.

  Huài dàn—Rotten egg

  Hún dàn—Bastard

  Jian—A straight, double-edged sword. Known in modern times as a “taichi sword.” Mostly a thrusting instrument, though it can be used to cut as well.

  Jianghu (Jiāng hú)— is literally translated as ‘rivers and lakes’ but is a term used for the ‘martial arts world’ in wuxia works (and this one too). In modern parlance, it can also mean the underworld or can be added to other forms of discussion like ‘school Jianghu’ to discuss specific societal bounds.

  Li—Roughly half a kilometer per li. Traditional Chinese measurement of distance.

  Long family jian style—A family sword form passed on to Wu Ying. Consists of a lot of cuts, fighting at full measure, and quick changes in direction.

  Medicinal Baths— The process of creating a bath in which an individual may steep their body within to strengthen and reinforce th
e cultivator’s body. Uses a variety of different spiritual herbs and recipes, often concocted to specific physiologies.

  Meridians—In traditional Chinese martial arts and medicine, meridians are how chi flows through the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, there are twelve major meridian flows and eight secondary energy flows. I’ve used these meridians for the stages in cultivation for the first two stages.

  Mountain Breaking Fist—Fist form that Wu Ying gained in the inner sect library. Focused, single, powerful attacks.

  Nascent Soul—The fourth and last known stage of cultivation. Cultivators form a new, untouched soul steeped in the dao they had formed. This new soul must ascend to the heavens, facing heavenly tribulation at each step.

  Northern Shen Kicking Style—Kicking form that Wu Ying learned at the outer sect library. Both a grappling and kicking style, meant for close combat.

  Qinggong—Literally “light skill.” Comes from baguazhang and is basically wire-fu—running on water, climbing trees, gliding along bamboo, etc.

  Iron Reinforced Bones—Defensive, physical cultivation technique that Wu Ying trains in that will increase the strength and defense of his body.