Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior’s Path

by Johnson, M. H.

  Puren glared hotly at Alex. “For that alone...”

  Dark Qi projection engaged!

  Puren’s eyes widened as Alex’s lower arms and legs were covered by shimmering darkness. “What by all the gods…”

  Alex smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Think of it as a variant of Rusted Mountain Metal Qi gauntlets, if it makes you feel better, even though it’s the farthest thing from it. Point is this: you might run me through. You might not. But even if you do run me through, what if, instead of collapsing and writhing like a fool, I slam into you and take you down? Do you really think you’ll survive before I tear your head off?”

  Alex’s cold gaze now held nothing back. “Because you won’t.”

  Puren swallowed, the point of his needle-thin enchanted jian wavering. “Monster,” he hissed.

  Alex nodded. “Yeah, I probably am. But this isn’t about me. This is about you. And saving your already too-fragile cultivation base.”

  Alex gave an almost pitying shake of his head. “I think you and I both know that if you can’t boost Vitality and Strength, any additional speed is worthless to you. And I’m guessing you’re already at the limits of what you’re capable of. Or what you think you’re capable of.” Alex risked an exaggerated shrug, though still keeping his Dark Qi-coated forearms in front of his face, neck, and chest, guarding his line and leaving himself in position to snag any surprise thrust.

  “But who knows? Maybe if you restoked the fires that got you this far, made another all-concerted effort to expand your cultivation base and embrace techniques of Strength, you could have a breakthrough to savor for decades. Even if you never break through to Silver, who cares? A little bit more power behind your blows, and I bet you’ll double your effectiveness and worth in the eyes of any commander.”

  Alex flashed a sardonic smile at the man’s cold glare. “Then again, what the hell do I, a mere novice, know? Especially compared to a master who’s been at this game for years.” His smile hardened. “But there is one thing I do know. Your cultivation base is worth more than a single damned Spirit Pearl.”

  For long moments, the pair just stared at one another.

  Slowly, Puren lowered his blade.

  Heading silently to the back of his chamber, he opened one of the drawers in his desk and tossed Alex a bundle of clothes and a gorget comprised of rawhide and beast cores that filled Alex’s heart with sweet joy to see.

  “That and a coin purse is all you had on you. All that we found, anyway. And the clothes were far more tattered yesterday.” He shrugged. “Or so I thought.” Hard eyes gazed into Alex’s own. “You slammed down into the basin with such force, our healer thought you were a shooting star who had dared the heights of Silver, or worse. In other words, a corpse.”

  Puren’s smile was bleak. “If only. But I took pity on you. For my daughter’s sake, if nothing else. Foolish girl’s taken a shine to you.” He gave a tired sigh. “I warned her what violent hotheads you half-bloods who can channel all too often are.”

  Alex blinked at this. “Wait! What are you—”

  “—She insisted I give you a chance to prove yourself. To prove that your humility and willingness to learn was greater than your stubborn pride.” Puren glared at Alex. “A test you failed, miserably.”

  And faster than Alex could blink, he flung a shimmering pearl Alex’s way.

  Finesse check made! You have successfully claimed Spirit Pearl! You have successfully claimed coin purse.

  “Now get out of here, Ruidian. Do whatever the hell you want. Just know that all Rank 2 Supplicants must put in ten thousand hours of labor before they’re allowed to advance to the upper tiers of service, and six hours of daily work are required if you expect fresh food on your plate, or access to any cultivation manuals at all. You want your daily assignments? You talk to Deng.” His hot eyes pinned Alex’s own. “Bottom line is, I don’t care what the hell you do. So long as you stay out of my sight and stay away from my Liqin. Are we clear, Ruidian?”

  Alex nodded. “Crystal.”

  He left the chamber.

  Only to find Deng gazing at him oddly when he entered the hallway.

  “Surprised to see you’re not covered in bruises, begging to go back to bed, Ruidian.”

  Alex permitted a bleak smile. “Your boss and I came to an understanding. I can do my hours on my own time, and I talk to you when I want assignments.”

  Deng’s eyebrow raised. Then he smirked, poking Alex’s chest with his finger. “Oh, don’t worry about that. You’ll be knocking off lots of hours before today’s tasks are through…”

  Unified Martial Arts Skill check made!

  Deng cried out, abruptly spun around and forced on the tips of his toes. Alex effortlessly twisted the youth’s arm behind him with such force, he was a hairsbreadth from ripping the man’s left shoulder completely free of its socket, to say nothing of shattering the elbow and snapping multiple fingers.

  “Oh gods, not again!”

  “Let’s get one thing clear, Deng, right from the start. You treat me fair, I’ll do the same to you. You treat me with respect, I’ll do the same. But if you think I’ll accept your mocking smile, clipped hours, or the worst assignments you can dredge up? I’m afraid you’re soon going to find yourself forced to endure some painful self-reflection.”

  Alex patted the trembling man’s shoulder before giving the hyper-extended limb a final tug. “Are we clear, Deng?”

  “Yes, we’re clear!” Deng hissed. “Now let go of my…”

  But Alex was already several steps away, smiling innocuously, hands politely folded behind his back. “What was that, Deng? You were going to show me around and explain the choicest assignments, just as you would any other favored aspirant? Why, thank you, Deng. That’s mighty kind of you.”

  Deng’s face shifted among half a dozen expressions before he gave a tired shake of his head and took off at a fast pace. “I don’t have all day, Ruidian. Best you keep up. This here is one of the grain storage rooms. See the far windows overlooking the countryside? You always want to leave them open. The fresh air keeps Earth Qi from reclaiming the grains and sending up new sprouts inside a week. Properly cared for, these grains will keep in the peak of freshness for years, if not decades.”

  Alex blinked but nodded, already aware of the fact that even fresh, leafy produce would keep without spoilage for extended periods, so long as it wasn’t buried in the ground. It wasn’t surprising to find that dry grains had an even longer storage life in this world, and it made sense why even mostly underground warrens would have a few choice areas overlooking shallow grassy depressions on academy grounds, or perhaps stone windows carved into the mountain face itself. And how curious it was to think he was both underground and high above Baidushi and the countryside below.

  Deng then proceeded to show him where uniforms were laundered and tailored, the location of the academy’s masons and carpenters, the numerous locations where the cleaning materials were stored, and half a dozen other vital services that took place behind the scenes. It soon became clear that there were many, many people working in the bowels of Phoenix Academy to the benefit of countless cultivators, who Alex doubted gave even two thoughts to these people’s existence during the entirety of their stay here.

  Slowly, Deng began to lose his surly glare, showcasing his home with growing pride as Alex nodded politely, asked pertinent questions, and acted, as best as he was able, like a model employee eager to make a good impression, before the pair stopped at last in the food preparation area. The space was kept separate from the food storage area and housed the spot Deng appeared most eager to visit, temporarily forgetting his fading animosity towards his unwanted guest as he showcased the heart of this academy.

  “Here’s where you’ll find the choicest assignments, Alex. Where the tastiest treats and most succulent meals you’ll find anywhere are prepared, so hungry young cultivators will have the fuel they need to focus on their higher calling. When you think about it, though,
the culinary arts are the highest calling of all. Because without a full belly, hunger will be the master we would all be forced to follow.”

  Alex grinned. “That’s actually a pretty fair point. Did you make that expression up?”

  Deng smirked as the duo dodged a pair of harried-looking youths wearing simple white shifts and carrying silver trays piled high with fish and rice rolls, followed moments later by a second pair of burly kitchen helpers lugging a massive clay pot full of fish stew. The aroma of light, flaky whitefish in savory broth left Alex momentarily dizzy with sudden hunger.

  “Liqin did, actually. But she would know better than any of us how important a full belly is, as she’s always eating constantly! Good thing she likes working in the kitchens, when not on the hunt for her lost prince. Head cook even says she’s the best sous-chef he has, able to do the work of four men in half the time, and everyone up above raves about her cooking.”

  Alex nodded. “Makes sense. I’m sure speed specialists have super high metabolisms, especially when just breaking through to Bronze. And what better school than this one for finding worthy prospects while looking for the love of their lives? When they’re not fighting tooth and nail, doing all they can to forge themselves in the crucible of combat, I mean.”

  Deng snorted with amusement. “You almost sound like you know what you’re talking about. And you haven’t embarrassed me even once, over the last half a glass. Maybe there’s hope for you after all, Ruidian. Now let’s get out of the way of the cooks preparing for the feast.” He pulled Alex out of the main corridor, which he had explained led up to the central hall of the dining pavilion of the Academy proper, and into another side corridor.

  “Over here’s where we store the pickled cabbage. Best in all of Baidushi,” he declared with a certain amount of pride. “Maybe you’ll actually learn the secret of making it, if one of the cooks takes a shine to you.” He shrugged. “Not like that’s likely with your attitude, but I hear your kind are gifted chefs.”

  Alex chuckled ruefully. “Never have I felt the lack of my culinary skills more acutely than when I’m attending a cultivation school. Strange, how that worked out.”

  Deng blinked. “You’ve trained as a cultivator somewhere else? That would explain a few things.”

  Alex shrugged. “Things didn’t go exactly as planned, so I thought I’d make a fresh start someplace new.”

  “By stabbing your fellow aspirant in the back and picking a fight with Puren? How’s that working out for you, Ruidian?”

  Alex laughed, glad that Deng had warmed up at least sufficiently to poke fun at him. “Not quite as well as I had hoped. Let’s just leave it at that.” He peered thoughtfully at the well-built basic cultivator. “Still, if we are going to end up working together for the next few years here…”

  Deng groaned at the thought.

  Alex smirked in response. “Wouldn’t hurt for us to be on half-decent terms.”

  “Should have thought of that before you tried to tear my arm off.”

  “Agreed. And maybe if you knew how to counter the move, you’d have less to worry about the next time you’re breaking in a newblood.”

  Deng scoffed, though his eyes lit with genuine interest. “Are you saying you’ll actually teach me some techniques?”

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “Let’s just see how the next few weeks shape up, shall we? Because my techniques aren’t for sale, but I wouldn’t mind sharing a few pointers with a friend or two.”

  Deng chuckled softly. “Good. I see you’re not a complete idiot. Nothing’s more important for a servant than friends who have your back, and nothing will get you respect faster down here than being willing and able to pass on a useful talent, skill, or anything that could help improve, well…”

  “People’s cultivation bases?”

  “Or ability to fight and win an ascension match, yeah.”

  “I can see how that would be important.”

  Deng nodded. “You wouldn’t believe the advantage that earning a Bronze ranked talisman gives you over Copper,” he said, tapping his own six-inch-long strip of metal secured with a leather cord to the inside of his tang uniform. “But even with Copper, the path is open for us to ascend and earn our place within this school.” His features hardened. “Even if we’re always forced to accept more challenges and give less challenges per month than everyone else. Even if we have to fight for every resource we would otherwise have access to, including the accommodations we would keep. Fortunately Puren, benevolent master that he is, has made it clear that any former servitor who has it within himself to forge even a single cord of Bronze and dare the challenges of the academy above will always be welcome to rest and store their goods in their old servant’s quarters, so there is at least one room where we will be safe from challenge or seizure.”

  Alex nodded at this, forced to reevaluate his perception of Puren. Although the man clearly despised Alex, for reasons Alex couldn’t entirely hold against him, it seemed that as far as the staff under his care were concerned, he was all they could want in a wise and temperate master who pushed them, in his own way, to excel.

  “It seems like starting life at the Academy with a talisman of the right metal is everything, in terms of getting ahead here.”

  “The right metal, and as many glyphs as it will hold,” Deng agreed. “It really does make all the difference.” He gave a frustrated shake of his head. “A newblood might have done no more than clear a handful of channels, but if he actually manages to ascend to even the first rank of Silver, he’ll be feted and treated like a prodigy by all the masters, given luxurious accommodations, access to all the cycling and cultivation classes, and the chance to earn credits entitling him to the library’s inner sanctum, or personal study sessions with master instructors. And, of course, Liqin is happy to personally deliver all the meals to whichever future Silver catches her eye, no matter if I could crush that fool in a challenge I’ll never be permitted to give him, nor how many months my Copper talisman’s been accumulating spiritual energy!”

  Alex blinked. “So, wait, those of us relegated as servitors are allowed to go above freely?”

  Deng frowned. “Not without good reason. And someone without even a Copper talisman to his or her name, least of all.” His eyes widened. “Oh, you mean Liqin!” He chuckled. “Of course, she can come and go as she pleases.”

  Alex blinked. “Oh, because her father’s the head of the servant’s wing?”

  Deng shook his head. “No. Because she’s fully Ascended.”

  Alex abruptly jerked to a halt, and Deng, who had been practically racing along the increasingly busy corridor and dragging Alex along, was jerked to a halt as well. He furrowed his brow, frowning at Alex. Then he chuckled. “Oh. You thought she was a servant like the rest of us. Am I right?”

  A dumbfounded Alex just nodded.

  Deng chuckled again, amusement dancing in his eyes. “All you have to do is ask to see her talisman, and you’ll see just how wrong you are. Now come on, Ruidian. The festival that even we are permitted to attend is about to start, and I, for one, don’t want to miss it.”

  “But wait, then why did…”

  “Liqin grew up here, unlike you or me. This place is home to her, so why would she have her quarters anywhere else? And the fact that no one thinks to traipse down into the servants’ warrens to offer challenge means she avoids any and all unwanted fights. Best of all for her, she can earn school credits doing what she loves to do anyway, by cooking up a storm of culinary masterpieces before eating half of them herself! All without it costing her a single credit or a copper. Honestly, she has the best of both worlds, and anyone who looks down on her is a fool twice over.”

  Alex blinked. “But the things she said…”

  Deng smirked. “She enjoys her games, as does any girl hoping to net herself a hero, or a fool. Same reason why she likes playing hostess with the servants every ascension day. Liqin always has her eyes out for the man to win her heart, and for some idio
tic reason, she actually thought it might be you.”

  Alex winced at the assertion, recalling all too clearly Puren’s bruised, glaring features. He could only hope that he hadn’t made two lifelong enemies in a single morning.

  Unfortunately, his worst fears seemed to be proven when Deng led them into a grand chamber filled with beaming servants and tables groaning under the weight of food upon them. The scents of roasted duck, poached pheasant, broiled pig, and countless other delicacies tantalized Alex, but even with the sudden bout of dizziness that nearly sent him keeling over, much to the displeasure of a glaring Deng, he could feel the killing gaze upon his back as he was dragged to the rear of the chamber. Immediately turning around, he caught the hot-eyed stare of the beautiful young woman glaring at him in the space between the overladen tables.

  He couldn’t help but admire the girl frowning so prettily at him, her sleek, powerful arms crossed with displeasure. Her sheer, exquisitely tailored cultivator’s qipao looked as well suited for battle as it did leisure, and Alex could sense the faint aura of protective spiritual energy all around it. Her exquisite facial features were skillfully enhanced with kohl and crushed rose petals, hair twisted intricately in a tight bun with a single jade clasp securing it.

  And how strikingly different Liqin looked, wearing the battle attire of a cultivator used to the ring of combat, rather than playing the role of geisha eager to please her man.

  “Why is this Ruidian here?” Liqin’s voice rang through the auditorium-sized chamber, bringing the background buzz and chatter to a sudden halt.

  Deng froze, eyes widening. “What the hell did you do, Ruidian?” he hissed, bowing low before the imperiously glaring Liqin. “This lowly servant apologizes, Lady Liqin. I was instructed to give our latest addition a tour of the entire…”

  “This fool assaulted my father!”

  The entire gathering turned Alex’s way, hot, accusing eyes boring into his own.