by Tao Wong
“Good. How are you doing with this trip? We haven’t had much opportunity to talk,” Wu Ying said.
“It’s interesting,” Liu Tsong said, her voice lowering to keep the conversation between them. “I do not like sleeping outdoors very much. Too many insects. And I still do not understand why we could not have left earlier and used horses.”
“Spirit animals. Demon beasts.”
“Autumn Wind is trained not to run,” Liu Tsong said.
“That’s your horse?” Wu Ying said, surprised.
“Yes. I trained her with my father since I was young,” Liu Tsong said. “She will not run.”
“You know, not everyone can afford a spirit-trained animal,” Wu Ying said.
“Spirit horse,” Liu Tsong corrected. “Autumn Wind is in the fifth stage.”
“Ah, of course,” Wu Ying said, making a face.
Liu Tsong’s eyes narrowed as she spotted how Wu Ying reacted. “What is it?”
“It’s… never mind.”
“No. What is it?” Liu Tsong insisted.
“Nothing. Just how you nobles have it easy.”
Liu Tsong arched an eyebrow. “Nobles?”
“Well, you and your horses. It’s not as if everyone can afford a tamed spirit animal.”
“No. Of course not,” Liu Tsong said. “Do you really think we’re all the same?”
“Well—”
Liu Tsong snorted, shaking her head. “I thought you had gotten over that already. Are you still feeling persecuted?”
“Yin Xue—”
“Yes, yes. I know of him,” Liu Tsong said. “But did you ever think about why the nobles reacted to you and not, say, Tou He?”
“Well, Tou He’s an ex-monk—”
“Ex,” Liu Tsong said. “And you might be rare, but you’re not the only commoner in the sect. So why you?”
“I…”
“It’s that look on your face, the way you hold yourself.” Liu Tsong sniffed. “You carry yourself as if you’re better than us. As if because we were born as nobles, we’re less worthy than you.”
“I don’t—”
“Really? Are you really saying you don’t think nobles are lazy and gifted with everything?”
“I—”
“And we’re where we are because of our money and status?”
“I guess so,” Wu Ying admitted. “But in the outer sect—”
“Oh yes, the outer sect. That’s why I never said anything then. There are those in the outer sect who rely on their status and money, on their circumstance, and hope it is enough. But you’re not in the outer sect now, are you?” Liu Tsong fixed Wu Ying with a flat gaze until he reluctantly shook his head. “And do you see any inner sect member being lazy? Relying on their status to get ahead?”
“Lazy…” Wu Ying fell silent and Liu Tsong allowed him to do so.
He thought over his recent interactions. Of how Bao Cong worked for hours in front of the forge, sometimes going so far as to reforge pieces he, personally, found unacceptable. Or Li Yao, who was at the training grounds every single day, working herself to the bone to better her martial styles. Or even Liu Tsong, seated beside him, intent on learning how to be a better teacher and visiting him again and again. Even the Elders and Seniors Wu Ying had met who were bad teachers were not bad cultivators. They just had no interest in teaching.
Wu Ying sat beside his friend, going over the people he knew, his interactions, and his own reactions. The way he cursed nobles all the time, how he blamed them for their upbringing—even when he bemoaned their actions of blaming him for his own upbringing. Wu Ying turned over in his mind what he had done, how he spoke, who he spoke to, and came to a realization. About himself. And the sect.
“I’ve been a bit of an ass,” Wu Ying said.
“A bit?”
Wu Ying shook his head, leaning back as something in his chest unclenched. He opened his mouth to say something else to Liu Tsong, but the bitterness that had sat within him from being picked upon by Yin Xue and his sponsors faded. The anger, the resentment, the hurt bled out and, in doing so, opened previously blocked meridians. Enlightenment—just a touch, a moment of grasping the Dao—pierced Wu Ying’s mind.
Around the pair, chi swirled as Wu Ying’s enlightenment was acknowledged by the heavens. Chi hummed and flowed and Wu Ying sat straight, his aura loosening as he grasped at the sudden increase in ambient chi. As chi poured into his dantian, Wu Ying did his best to corral it and send it swirling within, intent on making it his own and, perhaps, pushing for a breakthrough.
Liu Tsong watched for a moment before she stood, a rueful half-smile on her face as she walked away from the campfire. All around Wu Ying’s still form, cultivators glanced at the child reaching enlightenment before they looked aside, leaving him alone to savor the opportunity.
As she walked away, Liu Tsong muttered to herself with little intent, “Maybe I should consider holding a few grudges.”
“I am going to be so happy when I’m done with this stage,” Wu Ying said as he gagged on the stench that rose from his body as he exited his cultivation. But even the smell could not stop Wu Ying from basking in his accomplishment of breaking through to Body Cleansing 11. Though a moment later, Wu Ying flushed in shame as he realized why he had achieved his breakthrough. “I’m going to have to apologize to a lot of people, aren’t I?”
“You could start with me,” the outer sect porter said, arms crossed in. “I had to make a new fireplace and dinner since you decided to cultivate right next to mine.”
Wu Ying winced, glancing at the burnt porridge that sat over the dying fire in front of him. He apologized to the porter, promising to finish the spoiled food after he had completed his shower. Only when Wu Ying had apologized a few more times did the porter give in, though Wu Ying wondered if the eventual acceptance was the porter’s desire to make Wu Ying leave.
Wu Ying shrugged and stood, turning his mind back to the momentary enlightenment he had received. And the apologies he had to make. The one he looked forward to least was Yin Xue. Even if there was bad blood between them, even if Wu Ying had real reasons for his dislike, for his enmity. Holding on to the grudge had only managed to clog up his own meridians. Dwelling in the past, reveling in it, was not good for one’s dao. Not for most.
Some darker daos, those that people did not discuss in polite company, used such negative emotions. Held them close, tended them. Made them part of their belief system, their mentality. Used them to grow stronger, even if doing so made progressing through Body Cleansing and Energy Storage harder. Those stages might be aided by enlightenment, but it was, in the end, a physical cleansing and cultivation. Even Core Formation was mostly physical. Only when one needed to form a Nascent Soul did the need for a proper dao ideology matter. And at that point, those who held, who believed in, a darker dao could act. Could form their immortal souls based around a belief of hate and anger, of vengeance and jealousy.
These groups, these cults, these individuals, were not spoken of much among proper cultivation societies. The dark sects were feared, spoken of in hushed conversations late at night among close friends. Creatures who preyed on the weak, who threw their immortal souls into the flames of their baser instincts, were prone to violent whims and petty jealousies. Hushed conversations of entire families, entire sects destroyed due to a careless word added to the fear.
Wu Ying pushed away those thoughts, bringing his attention back to the present. Not the time or place for it. Especially when he was about to get naked. Chuckling, Wu Ying headed for the outdoor shower.
Shower. Supper. Then an apology to Liu Tsong. And his other friends, when they returned.
Chapter 20
The next morning, Wu Ying was completing his forms when Liu Tsong walked up to him and the remaining group of martial specialists. The young pill refiner had an extremely serious expression, one which made the other martial specialists pause in their practice as well.
“Senior?” Wu Ying said.
/> “They are still not back,” Liu Tsong said, stating the obvious.
“You mentioned they might be staying later.”
“Later. But they should have returned, or at least sent a messenger.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Li Yao said as she stepped forward. As the most senior martial specialist left at the camp, she took command of the discussion.
Wu Ying scratched his head but left it, knowing it was not his place to speak.
“Not yet. The Elders are discussing the matter, but I wanted to let you know.” Liu Tsong looked around once more, her eyes landing on the formation flags distributed throughout the camp. “I understand Elder Dong wants to reinforce the formation before we send others out.”
“Very well. We shall await your commands,” Li Yao said, though she looked worried.
As Elder Li had taken Ru Ping and the majority of the martial specialists, there were a few guards left. And one was still injured. As it stood, the injured guard had been forced to exert his cultivation to keep pace with them, adding internal injuries to his external ones. The week of rest had been meant to allow the man to recuperate.
“What do you think they are talking about?” Wu Ying said.
It was simple enough to him. Elder Li was in trouble. They should help her. Was that not what Liu Tsong had spoken of? The bonds between sect members? As for Elder Wei’s comments about leaving them, it had just been words. After all, no one had been left.
“I know not,” Li Yao said, nodding over to where the Elders conferred in their tent. “But they are unlikely to leave Elder Li. She might not be as treasured as Elder Wang, but her abilities have provided many with much-needed medicine and pill ingredients. Losing her would be injurious to the sect.”
Wu Ying touched the hilt of his sword as he turned away, staring in the direction the party had left a day ago. He could not help but wonder what could have delayed them. What it was that might have killed the group, if they had died. The pixiu’s ominous words resounded in Wu Ying’s mind once more, and he could not help but dread what they would find.
It was an hour later when the three Elders broke from their meeting. Elder Po walked to Wu Ying as he sat, reinforcing his cultivation. As the Elder neared, Wu Ying settled his chi and stood.
“Long Wu Ying?” Elder Po said.
“Yes, Elder.”
“Did Elder Li teach you how to harvest the kurinji flower?” Elder Po said, getting to the point immediately. Wu Ying nodded. “How confident are you at harvesting the plant successfully?”
“Not at all, Elder,” Wu Ying admitted. “The flower is tricky and requires one to control their aura and chi flow minutely. While my aura is well controlled, I am still new to this. Fluctuations in my aura and chi while harvesting the kurinji will affect its potency. To do the best job possible, two individuals are required as well.”
“Can you teach, or at least guide, a second?”
Wu Ying frowned. “I could, but I too have just started learning.”
“Understood,” Elder Po said. “One of us will aid you if necessary. You will have to teach all of us Elders nonetheless.”
“Are we not looking for Elder Li?”
“Of course. But we must also plan for the fact they are not alive. We want—no, we need—the kurinji flower. Even if it is not as potent if you harvest it, we must finish this expedition,” Elder Po said.
“Yes, Elder,” Wu Ying said. “Elder…?”
“Speak.”
“Why is it so important?” Wu Ying frowned, looking around and recalling the fallen. So many fallen.
Elder Po hesitated, then he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Do not speak of this to others. The sect has learnt the Six Jades Sect had three Elders break through into the pinnacle of the Core cultivation stage over the winter.”
“Three?” Wu Ying’s jaw dropped. The Six Jades Sect were the Verdant Green Waters’s rival sect from the State of Wei. They were who the sect fought on the battlefields when the two states warred. And if they deployed all three pinnacle Elders, the balance of the war would tilt drastically toward the Wei.
“Yes. The armies will clash this year, as always, but it will be muted. The Elders must reinforce their cultivation. But next year…” Elder Po shook his head. “That is why we must have the pills. We are close to breaking through. All of us. But enlightenment has yet to strike. Our cultivation has bottlenecked.”
Wu Ying bowed his head, understanding at last. This, this expedition, was about more than money or contribution points or the self-serving development of a group of Elders. This expedition was about survival. Of the sect and the state.
“I will do my best, Elder.” Wu Ying could not help but add, “But I hope I am not required to.”
“So do we.” Elder Po placed a hand on Wu Ying’s shoulder then removed it before gesturing. “Pack yourself and get ready. We leave after lunch.”
The group that left after lunch consisted of Elder Po, who knew where the flower was located; Elder Wei, who brought her cauldron; Liu Tsong; Li Yao; and two-thirds of the remaining martial specialists. Including Wu Ying, that number totaled nine members, leaving Elder Dong to care for their base camp and the porters, cooks, and remaining specialists.
Knowing they needed to travel fast, the group packed easily consumable food and the minimum amount of camping materials. In theory, the location was a half day journey for non-cultivators, a short few hours’ run for the group. Once again, Wu Ying had to admit, his lower cultivation level would slow the group. Even if he had achieved another level of cultivation, the gap between them all was large. But at least, Wu Ying comforted himself, it was not as if they could finish the job without him.
Once they had left the boundaries of the camp, Elder Po beckoned Wu Ying to where Elder Wei and himself waited. Liu Tsong, gliding beside the two, smiled at Wu Ying as he neared.
“You will inform us how we are to harvest the kurinji flower,” Elder Po said. “Now.”
Wu Ying gulped, seeing the seriousness in the pair of Elders. Drawing a deep breath, he pushed his hesitation aside and began.
A short minutes later, Elder Wei snapped, “Enough with the conditions and the humble words. We understand. You are a neonate. If we fail, we will not blame you.” The Elders next, under-her-breath word was probably not something Wu Ying was expected to hear. “Much.”
Wu Ying gulped again but took the fear within him and pushed it away, focusing instead on reiterating what the Elders needed to know. After a half hour more of discussion, Elder Po clapped to end the talk.
“Good. That is sufficient. I understand you recently broke through again?” Elder Po said.
“Yes, Elder.”
“Unfortunate timing,” Elder Wei said. “Your aura control has grown shoddy once more.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Go. Practice.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Wu Ying took advantage of her abrupt command, falling away from the pair and focusing on his aura. He had not spent much time practicing his aura strengthening technique recently, so he knew the Elder’s harsh words were correct. If a little hurtful.
As the group traversed the mountain, ascending steep slopes, the amount of vegetation decreased at an alarming rate. At one point, Elder Po stopped and pointed wordlessly at a tree trunk. Elder Wei stepped forward, using a conjured ladle to push against the shattered edges of the tree itself. Wu Ying edged closer and frowned as he realized the stump looked to have been shattered not by claw or blade but by teeth. Remnant strips of bark still hung on the edges of the dying tree, tiny gouges from claw marks showing how even the bark itself had been ripped from the tree.
The pair of Elders shared a knowing glance before they waved the group on. As they climbed, the trees grew further and further stripped, bereft of bark, leaves, and often their very trunks. Bushes were ripped from their moorings, chewed portions of the leaves and branches scattered about. Wu Ying eyed the green carnage, grateful to note from the dried-
out remnants that this destruction had been done weeks ago.
Up and up, the group climbed. Eventually, the clearing leveled out and they increased in speed. Wisps of low-hanging clouds floated around the mountains, hiding and revealing sharp cliff faces and bare rock in the distance. In front of them, mists floated, shrouding the clearing they journeyed toward. As they moved forward, Wu Ying sensed the difference in chi. Something. Somehow…
“What is that?” Wu Ying asked Li Yao, who trotted beside him.
Li Yao shook her head, uncertain as well. “The pressure?”
“That is a formation,” Liu Tsong said, frowning.
As she spoke, Wu Ying noted how the Elders were looking ever more concerned. Yet instead of speeding up, they were moving more slowly before the Elders came to a stop.
Wu Ying let out a breath, feeling the tightness in his chest and the churning in his gut decrease as they stopped moving. As he stood still, a cold wind blew by and Wu Ying shivered as he realized the back of his robes was damp with sweat. “What…?”
“A fear and beguilement formation,” Elder Po said, eyes narrowed. “It is the Seven Star Fear and Beguilement Formation from the sect.”
“Why would it be here?” Li Yao said.
“The team,” Wu Ying said, realization striking home. “They’re alive. And using this. But—”
A howl cut through the silence of the mountain, making Wu Ying shake and shudder as an instinctive part of him quailed at the noise. In the scream was a ravenous hunger, a desperate need to fill a never-ending abyss. His hand clenched around his jian, knuckles growing white.
“What was that?” Liu Tsong asked.
“The taotei,” Chao Kun said, appearing beside the group from the mist. The once-cultured, kempt inner sect member was bedraggled, deep bags under his eyes, long hair in disarray and a portion shorn off. A torn sleeve revealed a still-bleeding left arm. “Come. We must go. Place a hand on my shoulder. I will lead you through the formation.”