by Tao Wong
Tou He fished in his pockets and drew out a small bottle, which he handed to Wu Ying. “My Master gave me these pills. They are Black Ice Chi absorption pills of the North Wen. If I go too far, I am to take this. Except I might not be able to do it myself.”
“Just practice when I’m around then.” Wu Ying took the pills and held the bottle before him, turning it around in his hand. Like any good cultivator, he asked a few more questions about the pills and what they were meant to do.
In short, the pills would absorb the rampant energy in an individual’s body. It was part poison and part medicine, since it did not differentiate between good and bad chi. Instead it drew it all in, storing it in the pill before forcing its ingestee to expel the pill—and its contents—in a violent and explosive manner.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Wu Ying said. “Is it at least helping?”
Tou He shrugged. “Not much. The entire winter I might have grown my dantian’s size by an inch?”
Wu Ying winced. A good dantian and the compressed energy it contained should be half the size of a fist when one ascended to Core Formation. Initially, most body cultivators had a head-sized dantian made up of uncompressed, unrefined energy. A body cultivator’s goal, along with the development of their meridians, was the compression and refinement of that energy, increasing its density. A cultivator would go through multiple stages of compression and refinement, the largest change occurring during the first half of Body Refinement.
However, just because the chi was compressed did not mean the amount of energy had changed. It was only by expanding the muscle—the base amount—that Tou He could draw more. If he did not, it would limit Tou He’s ability to break through to the Core Cultivation stage. In fact, depending on the size of Tou He’s dantian, he might even struggle to clear the final Energy Storage meridians.
“So are you going to try again?” said Wu Ying, noting that Tou He had regained his color.
“If you will watch over me.”
Wu Ying nodded, and his friend flashed him a grin. They both made sure that they were comfortable before Tou He began his cultivation exercise. Wu Ying watched over him, splitting some of his attention so that he could work on his own cultivation exercise. Tou He had done this for him more than enough. Time for him to return the favor.
***
The next morning, Wu Ying found Li Yao practicing on the upper deck. He tentatively approached her, worried that she would rebuff his advances once again. However, this time she did not stalk away but kept her focus on her forms. For a time, he watched her wield her spear, enjoying the graceful loops and swirls of motion. Perhaps it was her previous training as a dancer, perhaps it was her natural grace, but she moved as if she were dancing. A very martial dance, for each pivot, each graceful sway of her body was punctuated by the crisp strike of a weapon. When she was done, Wu Ying was amused to note that he was not the only one watching the beautiful cultivator. All around, various lazing workers were eyeing the young lady.
When Li Yao put away her weapon, Wu Ying girded his loins and approached her with a pair of breakfast bowls. He offered her the simple bowl of congee that was their breakfast, the boiled rice porridge being seasoned with fresh chives, garlic, and just a touch of sesame oil. Layered on top of the bowl of porridge was a filet of freshwater fish. While Wu Ying could not tell which particular fish it was, the white flesh looked succulent and glossy. It was likely the same one they had eaten last night, a simple freshwater delicacy that had been caught as they left the city. One advantage of traveling by boat was the constant ability to add to the stores.
Li Yao looked at the bowls before she propped her spear over one shoulder and took the bowl with her now free hand. She offered Wu Ying a simple thanks and took a seat against the boat’s edge, away from any of the sailors. After setting her weapon on her knees, Li Yao dug into her meal with gusto.
Wu Ying hesitated before he followed her and took a seat beside his girlfriend. Together, the pair consumed their breakfast, the second of the day. After all, they were both used to waking early and training. When they were done, Wu Ying took the bowl from Li Yao and stacked them together.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve chosen my words better. I’m just worried about my parents.” Wu Ying tried apologizing again, hoping that this time she would accept it.
“You idiot.” Li Yao didn’t look at Wu Ying, tracing her fingers along the smooth wood of her spear. “You should work on where you put your mouth. That sweet tongue of yours won’t always get you out of trouble.”
“I understand,” Wu Ying said. “I just had this image of what our conversation would be like. When my imagination was betrayed by the reality of our conversation, I could not handle it.”
Li Yao nodded. “I know. I was just trying to help. If you go to Lord Wen without a plan and without any backing, he will take advantage of you. If he will listen to you at all. You’re just a Body Cleansing cultivator after all.”
Wu Ying reluctantly acknowledged her point. Body cultivators, even those at the peak, were common enough to be disregarded—by nobles at the least. In the world outside the Sect, someone at his level would be apprised as good, strong enough to be the personal bodyguard of an important noble. But he wouldn’t be special. He wouldn’t be considered a force that had to be respected. There were still others, many others, who had broken into the Energy Storage stage. It was only because Wu Ying was so young that his achievements would be considered special. In the outer world at least. Obviously, in the Sect, he was at best middling.
“So what are you thinking about with Yin Xue?” Wu Ying asked, his brow furrowing now that their little tiff had been set aside.
“I’m not sure. He’s his son. He should have insights about his father,” Li Yao said. “Personally, I think using him directly might be difficult. It will depend on how Yin Xue is received by his father. We might need to verify that first.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yin Xue was sent to the Sect to gain strength. Then he was abandoned after he lost to you. Maybe his father really meant to leave him in the Sect. Maybe he’s there to ensure his safety. Both of those are different facts, different motives. Both will affect how Lord Wen treats us.” Li Yao looked around and ensured that Yin Xue was nowhere near before she continued. “If he was left there to be safeguarded, his father will be angry with us for bringing him. But if we can tie him close to us, his father won’t dare send us on anything too dangerous. It will force him to contain his desires.”
“Dangerous?”
“Haven’t you realized it? The only reason he’d make use of you, of us, is to send us to do something his guards can’t do. Or aren’t willing to do.”
“I just thought…” Wu Ying had to admit his thoughts. “I thought he would force me to promise to guard his family or residence. Maybe move some of his things around or offer some herbs.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think will be that simple, do you?”
Wu Ying could only offer her a twisted half smile now that his vague hopes had been burst. Considering his experience thus far, ever since he left his village, smooth and easy was unlikely. He just hoped that whatever Lord Wen chose would not be that dangerous.
***
The remainder of the river journey was completed in relative peace. Yin Xue and Bao Cong spent the days over the side of the boat, Yin Xue being taught the finer points of fishing. When questioned, the blacksmith pointed out that it was impossible for him to work on his profession here. Neither of the nobles were as intense with their martial practice as Tou He and Li Yao, who spent their time either sparring, working forms, or cultivating. To punctuate the river trip, Wu Ying even managed to convince Tou He to join him on the oars on the opposite side at one point.
During the few moments of conversation Wu Ying had with Yin Xue, he learned that the noble had taken a secondary occupation as a Scholar. It was not the most glamorous of occupations, nor was it one that would earn a significant amount of spirit sto
nes in the future, like a blacksmith or an apothecarist, but it was a safe and in-demand skill set.
Perhaps the one thing that Wu Ying was most grateful for was that the tension between himself and his girlfriend had faded. Some of it still lingered, a stain on a previously happy relationship, but overall, they were back to their happy selves. More than once, Wu Ying noted the jealous glances Yin Xue and Bao Cong shot them. Even the ship’s captain was overheard muttering about sickeningly sweet couples.
When the ship finally reached their destination city, Wu Ying thanked the captain and the crew for the pleasant journey before hustling the team off. He brought his enlarged team to the local Sect branch and used the stables there to acquire horses for them all. Together, the group rode out of the city, headed to their final destination. Now that they were on their feet once again, Wu Ying felt that same urgency overtake him.
As much as Wu Ying wanted to set a hard pace, he reined in his emotions and his horse, ensuring that they set off at a measured trot. As they traveled the paved road, signs of the upcoming war were all around, from the increased traffic between the city’s stores to the new, combined army bases dotted through the kingdom and the occasional sighting of deploying troops on the road itself. Wu Ying even spotted a familiar sight—a troop of conscript soldiers marching in roughshod formation, being yelled at by their platoon leader as they journeyed from one village to the next.
Only once did they run into any trouble, the Sect members forced into a confrontation with a group of bandits. By their dress, they were clearly deserters, their army uniforms dirty, ragged, and stained. The confrontation was over in the time required to take three breaths, so outclassed were the bandits that it could not even be considered a scuffle. Bao Cong strung, nocked, and fired his first arrow so quickly that he might as well have had his bow strung already. Li Yao charged the remaining members without hesitation, followed by the remaining cultivators. And while Wu Ying still worried about the morality of killing them off-hand, his companions—except Tou He—did not. None of the bandits lasted more than a single clash, and none of the cultivators bothered to use any higher-level techniques.
Whatever guilt Wu Ying felt was assuaged when they reported the bandits’ deaths at the next village. The village chieftain regaled them of the bandits’ most recent crimes, including the massacre at a nearby farm.
And the team continued on, under bright day and the occasional light spring rains that muddied the road and slowed travel. In the end, they arrived at their destination—a large mansion set a distance from the nearest city or village. This was the home of Lord Wen, and it was only a few hours from Wu Ying’s own house. He ached to return and speak with his family. But it was better for him to finish this now, rather than see his parents with no news. By now, they would have known that their plans had been learned of and dealt with. Better to have some good news, hopefully, than to bring false hope.
Drawing a deep breath, he kicked his horse in the sides and felt it speed up. Time to talk to Lord Wen and see what fate had in store for Wu Ying.
Chapter 10
Lord Wen’s residence was a large, sprawling estate protected by a single exterior wall ten feet high. Watchtowers on each corner of the wall allowed guards to track incoming guests, though from Wu Ying’s recollection, they were often left unmanned except for the one over the main gate. The countryside was relatively peaceful, especially for a well-protected location like the lord’s residence. No bandit leader would be stupid enough to launch an attack against the residence, for the eventual retaliation would guarantee their demise.
Through mostly empty fields, the group rode their horses toward the white-washed and ceramic-tiled walls of the estate. Unlike other times, Wu Ying noted the presence of multiple guards in the towers, watching the group’s approach. More than one guard had a crossbow in hand, already cocked and lowered toward the group. All in all, Wu Ying could not help but feel somewhat intimidated.
“Good evening, cultivators. Who comes to speak with Lord Wen?” one of the guards from above called, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Clad in a simple lamellar plate suit and a helmet with a red crest upon it, the guard stared at the cultivators sternly. Still, his greeting was polite.
Before Wu Ying could reply, Yin Xue raised his voice. “It’s me, Ah Chu. Open the gates. We’re here to speak with my father.”
“Master Wen?” The guard looked surprised, then snapped himself to attention and called commands to those below. “My apologies, Master Wen. We did not expect you to return!”
“That is fine. Just be quick about it. And tell my father my friends and I have come to speak with him,” Yin Xue said.
Wu Ying shook his head, watching as the Lord’s son stepped back into his role as the son of the master of the house. It suited him, Wu Ying had to admit, though there was also a change in the way Yin Xue carried himself. He lacked the arrogance of before, the edge of superiority that had set off the younger children in the village. His time in the Sect had done him some good, it seemed. Either that, or he had grown into his arrogance in the last two years.
Once the main gates were open, the group saw the marvelous, well-tended gardens that made up the interior of the walled residence. Ahead of them, the main mansion loomed, constructed in the typical siheyuan style of architecture. That consisted not of a single building but multiple connected buildings, halls, and courtyards, built in a rectangular layout with the main hall situated in the northernmost portion of the residence.
In short order, the group entered the first of the walled portions of the building, passing through the main gates of the residence, and the outer courtyard. There, they deposited their equine companions with servants before they were led through the second, inner gate into the building proper where they could see the first of the inner courtyards.
Wu Ying shook his head as they were led into the building. He wondered how many courtyards there were. His own residence in the Sect only had one, while Tou He’s had two and the Elders had the typical three. It was rumored that the more prestigious members of the Sect had even more courtyards—and the resulting halls, ancillary storage, and servant rooms—but he had never witnessed it. Looking at the size and proportions of the buildings they passed, Wu Ying would not be surprised if there were at least four courtyards.
As interesting as the architecture and the well-manicured lawns were, the residents of the building were of more interest to Wu Ying. Obviously, there were servants—many who worked the hallways and courtyards, tending to the gardens, sweeping and cleaning, doing laundry, and the myriad of other tasks required to keep a building this big functioning. But on top of that, guards patrolled the inside of the building, watching over everyone with cautious and discreet gazes. Scattered among the commoners were the noble children and adults who lounged around the building, speaking to one another, doing embroidery, practicing martial arts, and advancing their cultivation or their studies.
Many of the lounging children and adults bore a close resemblance to Yin Xue, having the same long nose, tilt of the eyebrows, and thin cheekbones. More than once, when Yin Xue and the group swept past, guided along their walk by a guard, they left behind whispered conversations. Yet not a single member of Yin Xue’s large family moved to greet him directly.
“Are all noble houses this… cold?” Wu Ying whispered to Li Yao.
“No. Or, sort of?” Li Yao said as she watched the ramrod-stiff bearing of Yin Xue, who led the group. “We’re always competing to some extent. Even if lineage is fixed, sometimes people are disowned. Or sent away…” Li Yao shook her head. “Or if someone fails at cultivating properly…”
Wu Ying made a face. He did not understand that. Not really. In a peasant family, there was no great expectation on cultivation. Whether you achieved Body Cultivation 2 or 3, it did not matter that much while working the fields. Hard work and dedication made a bigger difference. An individual who cultivated and could do more was considered a blessing, but it was more i
mportant that they had the ability to manage the fields and relationships in the family. Even a large family often lived together in the same building. Only the very largest peasant family might need their second son to move to another field, another building. But in that case, that could be considered a blessing too—more fields, more wealth. If they could afford the land and the rent.
There were other options too. The army. Moving to the city to work as a day laborer. Even, at times, working for the local smithy or other artisans. More tragic alternatives often reared their heads in times of need—a family that had few or no sons would be happy to be gifted one from another family that had too many. Eventually, it all worked out in the village—through goodwill and the occasional brow-beating by Elder Ko.
“Yin Xue must be on the outs,” Li Yao continued, flicking her gaze to a trio of glowering teenagers, the boys staring at their Sect-dressed cousin. “If that’s the case, bringing him might be a bad idea.”
“I know,” Wu Ying said. When Li Yao made a face, he shrugged. “Still, maybe he can prove himself to his father by helping with whatever task he sets us on.”
“If he sets us on anything,” Li Yao said with a tone of caution. “He might not be willing to listen.”
Wu Ying tossed his head, dismissing her concern. Not because he thought she was wrong, but because if he thought of it at all, then what was the point of him coming? Better to hope, to believe that there was a way forward.
After crossing through the second inner gate, they were led across a courtyard to the north-facing hallway. This was not the main hall, but it was not one of the first ones they had passed. It was clear, at least to Wu Ying, that their presence and their affiliation with the Verdant Green Waters Sect was being respected. It would, Wu Ying hoped, give them some leverage. Turning aside a single petitioner might be easy but doing so when a group of them had arrived from the Sect would be more difficult.