by Tao Wong
Having passed on her ultimatum, Fa Yuan mounted her horse and set it to a slow trot. Each step of her horse took her farther from the startled initiates, before Wu Ying woke himself up from his surprise and took off jogging. Immediately, the rest of the group followed, though Wu Ying knew that this was an unfair challenge. As the only one with humble beginnings, he was also the only one on foot.
Once Wu Ying had caught up, he slowed down to keep pace with Fairy Yang while silently marveling at the chi coursing through his body. A significant amount of food and a good night’s sleep seemed to have restored his body to a state that was even better than before. Moreover, Wu Ying knew that he was still not at his peak state either. Given more time and sufficient food, he would be able to reach heights he had never known.
With those thoughts, Wu Ying ran alongside Fairy Yang. Occasionally he glanced over to see the back and side of the young woman escorting them and noted how no matter how far they had gone, neither her clothing nor her physique was stained with sweat or dust. It was partly the visage of the curves of her body, pressed tight by the wind of their passage, that drove him on. Not that he ever had a chance with such an august personage, but he would not be a man if he didn’t admire her form.
“How are you able to keep up?” Yin Xue said with a frown, looking down at Wu Ying, who continued to run alongside them even after they had crossed a number of li.
“Good eating,” Wu Ying said with a flash of a smile.
He then ignored Yin Xue, trying to focus on his breathing as he ran. Running, in truth, was not something he had much experience with, beyond races around the village among his friends. All of which Fa Hui had won. Long distance running like this was a different game altogether, and his initial surge of enthusiasm waned as the li went by, replaced only by the stubbornness that lay in his core. He refused to fall back, not now that he had chosen to go down this path.
Hours passed, Wu Ying’s only break the times when the horses were slowed down to allow them to rest. Even then, the slower plodding of the horse required the cultivator to jog or be left behind, but the break was gratefully taken. When the sun was high overhead, Fa Yuan finally called a break for lunch. Thankfully, Wu Ying was not designated as cook, allowing him to slump next to a tree and rest. Exhaustion swept through him, almost taking him to sleep as his body ached with the recollection of his recent sickness and his long run. Stubborn or not, one night’s rest or new cultivation level, the run ahead of him would have challenged him even at his peak. Which he was not at.
When Wu Ying sensed a presence near him, he let out an inquisitive grunt without opening his eyes or raising his head. The silence took a sudden chilling effect, one that made Wu Ying’s eyes shoot open.
“Fairy Yang!” Wu Ying scrambled to his feet and bowed, flushing red in embarrassment. “My apologies!”
“Resting?” Fa Yuan said coldly.
“Yes.”
“You are at Body Cleansing 5. That should have been a simple run for you,” Fa Yuan said.
“I… I was just sick. And I’m new to it,” Wu Ying said, desperate to explain his position.
“Excuses. Are you circulating your chi at all?”
“My chi? But…” Wu Ying shook his head. “Is that not dangerous while moving?”
“Only for the inexperienced and the addle-brained,” Fa Yuan said with a sniff. “Learning to cultivate while moving is just another method of cultivation. You breathe while you cultivate, your heart beats. Why should you not be able to cultivate and run?”
Wu Ying wanted to protest that those were things he did unconsciously. But that wasn’t exactly true either—breathing through his nose and via his stomach was something he’d had to learn to do for cultivation. It seemed easy at first, but ensuring that he breathed in and exhaled fully with each breath in a constant rhythm, no matter the distraction, was a learned skill.
“How do you start?”
“With your breathing of course,” Fa Yuan said, gesturing for Wu Ying to stand.
After that, she gave an impromptu lesson, detailing the breathing rhythm, the flow of his chi through his meridians, and most importantly, which areas to be wary of. By the time food was ready, Wu Ying had grasped the basics—now he would need to practice it before he could come up with new questions.
Barely twenty minutes later, the group was back on the road. For the last five minutes of their rest, Wu Ying had been cultivating, allowing the chi within his body to flow through his meridians, reinforcing his body and energizing it. Now, he restrained the greater portion of the chi flowing through him, allowing only a trickle out of his dantian before he slowly stood.
Each movement threatened to derail the delicate balance he had established between his body, his chi, and his concentration. Carefully, so carefully, he took a step. The first step sent a shudder through him as he nearly stumbled, but an instinctive shove of his own chi brought him upright. Still, he felt the searing flow of his chi through his body, the slight tearing in muscles that were suddenly triggered. Gritting his teeth, Wu Ying forced himself to take another step, trusting that he would find his balance. And then another.
In a short while, he found himself on the paved road, grouped with the rest. A portion of his attention noted that Yin Xue and the others were looking at him strangely as he drunkenly stumbled around. Fa Yuan only offered Wu Ying a single glance before she kicked her horse, starting their journey once more.
In silence, Wu Ying joined them, his initial stumbling run sending pulses of agony through his body as his meridians stretched and twisted with his chi flooding through them. His dantian, under assault from the contained chi and the erratic movements as he attempted to manipulate and cultivate at the same time, burned, making Wu Ying feel as though a dozen needles were piercing his body.
But still, Wu Ying refused to stop. It was obvious, at least to his mind, that he would not last the rest of the run. Not in his previous state. And so he cultivated, sending energy through his meridians, feeling the chi rush back in with each step. In time, he found a rhythm to his breathing, the pulses of energy, and his steps as Fa Yuan had mentioned. In that rhythm, running itself was effortless. Even cultivation, drawing in chi from the surroundings and collecting it in his dantian to be sent through his body, seemed easier. Perhaps it was that he was moving through new regions of energy, tapping into new environments with each step. For the first time, Wu Ying found that cultivating was less like drawing air through a ten-foot straw and as simple as breathing.
When the group finally halted for the evening, Wu Ying found a new challenge. Having been caught up in the act of cultivation, he found himself almost reluctant to let the feeling go. But with the group having arrived at the city’s south gate, continuing cultivating would have been bad form. A glassy-eyed stare to questions would just engender bad feelings. And Wu Ying had to admit, he was a filthy, sticky mess. If not for the presence of Fairy Yang, Wu Ying had a feeling that the gate guards would not have allowed him through the tall, roofed city walls.
Inside, the town of Er-cheng was a revelation to Wu Ying. Due to the immense amount of work planting, caring for, and harvesting rice three times a year involved, he had never had time to travel farther than the next village. If not for Lord Wen’s men coming by every few months to pick up the tax rice, what little free time they had would have been taken up delivering it too. As such, Er-cheng, the major township of their little county, was the largest settlement he had ever seen.
“So large,” Wu Ying said, turning his head from side to side.
In the short time since they had walked in the city, he had seen more people than in the entirety of their village. The buildings that made up the town were also, generally, better made, with a mixture of wood and earthen walls used with the predominant, dark clay tiles on the inclined roofs. In the town, Wu Ying noted that the slate-covered flagstone ground was even better repaired, with space enough for four carriages to move side by side.
“Peasant,” Yin Xue sai
d with a sniff. He glared at Wu Ying, looking ashamed at how the village yokel turned and stared at every single thing, from the roadside merchants hawking their wares to the open shops. If not for Fa Yuan’s presence, the various hucksters, beggars, and pickpockets would have taken advantage of Wu Ying already. Obviously, as the lord’s son, Yin Xue had been to Er-cheng numerous times. His father even had a residence in the city.
“We rest on the boat,” Fa Yuan said impatiently, clicking her tongue and speeding up her horse.
Forced to follow, Wu Ying’s attention was brought back to the task of ensuring he did not step on anything untoward. In time, the group managed to make their way around the central courtyard where Yin Xue’s father lived and worked to the port. Leading the group unerringly, Fa Yuan brought them to a sleek craft at the edge of the docks.
“Captain.”
“Fairy Yang.” After scrambling to his feet and setting aside his fishing pole, the erstwhile captain bowed low. “Your quarters are ready.”
“Prepare space for these five. They are new outer sect members. I wish to leave as soon as possible,” Fa Yuan said as she blew past the captain to walk into the ship.
“Of course, Fairy Yang,” the captain said before whistling loudly to alert his people.
The other sailors scrambled onto the boat or up from what they were working, guiding the horses into the hold while rigging the sails and oars for sailing. In the meantime, the captain was shouting at a nearby tug, who began maneuvering to draw out the ship. During the entire process, Wu Ying and the nobles stood to the side, out of the way. In a few minutes, the initial chaos had resolved and a short sailor came up to the group.
“Captain says you’re staying with us? Only have one room free,” the sailor said and looked the group over. Having made a judgment of their various social statuses, the sailor gestured to the group of four nobles. “Come. I’ll show you the room.”
“Wait. Four of us to a room!” Yin Xue said, his eyes wide. “That—”
“Only three rooms. One for Elder Yang, one captain, one yours,” the sailor said, his face flat. “Cook gave up room too.”
There was a long pause as the group realized they had displaced the cook. That dire warning was enough to make even the spoiled Yin Xue pause as he contemplated the horrors of an angry cook. Protesting further could result in the worst possible revenge—bad food!
“We’re coming,” one of the nobles said.
Wu Ying sighed, watching the group head off, then frowned, considering where he could store his bag.
“Over there,” a sailor said, pointing. “Cupboards. Mark your bag. Don’t touch anyone else’s.”
Nodding in gratitude, Wu Ying made his way over to put away his bag. After a moment, the villager grimaced and went to see if there was anything he could do. Spending all day working in the field meant that standing around and watching someone else work made him feel somewhat useless. However, the ex-farmer was sent to the bow of the ship, out of way of the sailors who did their best in the failing light.
“I wonder if it’s dangerous?” Wu Ying muttered. As night encroached on the town, lanterns were lit on the boats, revealing their forms and locations. Even the small tug had a pair of lanterns on it, the hard-working rowers pulling as they guided the ship out.
“Not as much as you think,” a sailor said to Wu Ying, making him jump. Beside him, the sailor idly held an axe. At Wu Ying’s concerned look, he chuckled. “For the tug rope. In case we need to part with them quickly.”
“Oh.”
“No one would be foolish enough to attack Fairy Yang. Or a boat of the Verdant Green Waters Sect,” the sailor said proudly, nodding toward the simple flag that flew above their ship. “As for danger, the port is so busy that leaving and entering the city at night is common. Once we reach the deeper channel in the river, we will break out the oars and row upriver.”
“Not sail?” Wu Ying said, glancing at where the sails were still furled.
“Wind going wrong way,” the sailor said, snorting at the peasant. “Later in the evening, the wind will change and we’ll lower the sails.”
“Ah,” Wu Ying said.
Curious, the ex-farmer fell into a languid conversation with the sailor, who was happy to explain the ways of the river. Their conversation was only broken briefly when the pair coiled the rope when it was released by the tug and the ship surged ahead as the rowers got to work. In that time, Wu Ying learned that the boat they were on had been specially designated for Fairy Yang and their potential recruits. During other times, the captain and his crew would run messages, pick up smaller packages, and wait for other Elders for the sect. It was a good life for all involved, since the sailors managed to see their land-bound families often, the upkeep of the boat was taken care of by the sect, and nearly a quarter of the time, they did nothing but wait.
Wu Ying waved goodbye to his new friend as he went to receive his dinner. As for the sailor, he continued to hold a wooden pole as he scanned for potential debris ahead of them. With the pole stationed at the front of the ship, the sailor would have only a little time to push away any obstacles. It was no wonder that the Captain had chosen one of the higher-leveled Body Cleansers to do the job.
***
For the next four days, life for Wu Ying was rather indolent. Fairy Yang spent most of her time in her cabin, cultivating. The four nobles imposed on the sailors, indulging in long tea sessions while discussing the finer points of life and cultivation. As for himself, Wu Ying chose to follow Fa Yuan’s example, taking a turn on the oars while practicing the moving cultivation method. Learning to channel his chi through his body, to slowly cleanse his meridians even when he was undertaking regular, simple tasks like these was still a challenge, but it came with certain side benefits.
“Wu Ying, have another bowl. You are still too skinny!” the sailors called, teasing him.
Wu Ying could not help but chuckle, accepting both their good-natured ribbing and a third serving of food. The fare provided was simple, consisting mostly of fish, fresh vegetables, and heapings of rice. Still, with the liberal application of garlic, ginger, wild onions, and soya sauce, combined with a dash of exercise, it was as good a meal as any Wu Ying had ever eaten.
“If you are kicked out of the sect, you should join us,” a bushy-eyebrowed sailor said.
“Yes. We could use another strong Body Cleanser,” added another.
“Idiots,” a third said. “If he is kicked out of the sect, do you think they will let him work here? No. My cousin could use you on his boat.”
“That drunk? He’ll be lucky to keep sailing till the next eight moon! No. My sister-in-law’s brother has a twelve-foot ship, newly bought, that is much better!”
“Don’t listen to these scum,” Er Gu, the captain butted in, snorting at his crew good-naturedly. “They know nothing but boats. If you are kicked out, you best leave the county. Better to leave the province. Hanshu down south has a big port. You could certainly find work there.”
The captain’s sober reminder made Wu Ying freeze. For the first time, he realized that his choices had consequences that reached further than he had thought. In the back of his mind, he’d always considered that he could just return home if he failed. But the captain’s words were a sober reminder that while the Verdant Green Waters Sect was overall a good sect, it would not likely be a good idea to continue living in an area they controlled. If nothing more than to avoid the loss of face and mocking that would inevitably result from such a banishment.
“Eh, now you’ve said the wrong thing again, Captain!” the sailors scolded their boss before slapping Wu Ying on the shoulder, rousing the teenager from his thoughts.
“Forget it. You won’t fail. Don’t think we’ve not noticed you cultivating every time you can in the evenings. A dedicated student like you will definitely do well,” the sailors said even as they pushed more food onto his bowl.
Wu Ying could only smile helplessly and consume his meal until he was too full to
eat. But their words once again woke the worry in his chest. What neither Elder had informed Wu Ying about when they recruited him was the way membership in the outer sect was handled. Wu Ying had known that all members of the outer sect had an opportunity, via a test, each year to join the inner sect. What Wu Ying had learned from the sailors was that outer sect members who failed miserably in the test or were in the lowest portion of those tested would be kicked out. This ensured that the Verdant Green Waters Sect always had a place for new, promising candidates.
“Captain, how much longer?” Fa Yuan asked as she came up onto the deck.
The presence of the august Elder put a damper on the jovial mood of the sailors, who quieted down immediately.
Er Gu bowed. “A few more hours, Fairy Yang.”
“Let me know when we have arrived,” Fa Yuan said. “And send a meal down to my cabin.”
“Of course.”
Fa Yuan turned to stare at Wu Ying, looking him up and down. “You have reinforced your rise in cultivation. There is still much to be done, but it seems you have been working hard.”
“Thanks to Senior,” Wu Ying said, standing and bowing to Fa Yuan. “Your pointers have allowed me to progress much faster than normal.”
“As they should,” Fa Yuan said with a sniff. “Make sure to bathe more often though.”
“Oh. Yes. Sorry!” Wu Ying flushed red while nearby sailors snickered slightly.
They all fell silent when Fa Yuan swept her gaze over them before they came to rest on the lounging quartet of nobles. They, in turn, stood and bowed to Fa Yuan. For a time, the cultivator stared before she turned and walked back down the stairs.
“Interesting,” Er Gu muttered softly.
“Captain?”
“Ah. Sect politics,” Er Gu said, looking at Wu Ying for a second. He shook his head when Wu Ying moved to ask. “No. I do not get involved.”