“So… is it awful?” Ash asked, watching her.
Jia’s eyes narrowed and looked to him. Chewing daintily, she raised a hand in front of her mouth.
“It is rather rude to watch a lady eat,” she said after finishing her bite. “As to the value in the meal… it tastes as if it were made of soggy paper.”
“I’ve watched you before and you’ve never said anything—why now?” Ash asked, turning to his own bowl.
“Because others are watching. You are not sitting next to your friend anymore.”
“True enough, I’m sitting next to a pretty lady. I’m sure they all want to know who you are. I’ll try not to scare off potential suitors,” Ash said with a grin. Dipping his spoon into the mush, he lifted it up and gave it a taste.
It was exactly as she’d described. In all of its meaningless glory.
“Pretty? No, that is pretty,” Jia said, indicating something with her chin.
Following the direction she’d motioned toward, Ash saw a young woman who had just entered.
She was slim, small, delicate, and looked pale to the point of being sickly. Even her face looked diminutive.
“I guess. If you like little kids. Little kids with skin like a fish belly. I mean, has she never been in the sun? Pass. Your own skin color seems much more natural to me. Not tan but not ghostly white,” Ash said. Dismissing the woman, if she was even that, he went back to his tasteless meal.
“You are a strange man.”
Says the woman who won’t use contractions.
“Ash.”
Looking to his left, Ash smiled when he realized it was Yan. She sat down next to him, her own meal looking as pathetic as his own.
“Good morning, Yan,” he said.
“Morning, Yan,” Jia said from his other side.
“Ah, hello there. I don’t think we’ve met. Who would yo—wait, Jia?” Yan asked, peering at the other woman. “Why are you dressed like a woman?”
“Because I am a woman, Yan,” Jia said with a smile. “It is good to see you. Though I hear there are concerns with Jing.”
Yan’s expression looked somewhere between shock and despair. Finally she sighed, her shoulders slumping partially.
“So it seems. I sent him a letter that I’d like to talk to him tomorrow. We’ll see what he says,” Yan said.
It was obvious what she already believed, but he couldn’t blame her for trying to hold out for hope.
“Well, I have good news anyways,” Ash said. “I can help you fix your cultivation. You’ll have to damage your Dantian and empty your Qi Sea first, though. I can guarantee your strength will be back to where it is now within a month.
“And that’s if you don’t purchase pills or anything like that.”
“I don’t have any money to buy things like that with. And my weekly allotment has… has been taken from me each time,” Yan murmured, almost under her breath.
“Taken?” Ash asked, anger starting to bubble in his stomach.
“Calm, Ash. Calm,” Yan said, laying a hand against his forearm. She gave him a smile that he hadn’t seen since she’d left for the Jade Fist.
Of his adoptive family, Yan was the one who understood him. Knew his temper. Seemed to understand exactly when his anger was starting to break free.
“Taken from me. I wasn’t able to protect what was mine in duels. And no one else was willing to step in for me so… it became a vicious circle.”
Ash harrumphed at that and then chewed at his lip.
“We’ll go see Yue today, then. I’ll have her set up an allowance for you so you can purchase what you need through her,” Ash said, then nodded his head with conviction.
“An allowance…? Ash, I don’t understand at all. And I think we should talk more about having me damage my Dantian.”
“Of course. Of course. I’m heading over to see Yue after this anyways. Come with Jia and me,” Ash said. “We can discuss it when we get there. Moira and Tala are there already, since they’re not allowed in here.”
“We’ll need to stop by the distribution center first. Today is allotment day.
“And who are Yue, Moira, and Tala?” Yan asked, looking from Ash to Jia.
***
“It seems you’ve had a number of adventures since I last saw you,” Yan said. “Two slaves.”
Ash shrugged. “I treat them as if they were just companions.
“So tell me what we do here, exactly. We just wait in this line, get whatever they’re giving us, and leave?”
“Yes. Though this is also the day most duels occur. As soon as one leaves the center, the normal sect rules apply. Though you can only duel someone within ninety-nine ranks of your own home.”
“Ah. That makes more sense. I was wondering why they were so big on numbering everyone.
“And can’t you just decline a duel?” Ash asked.
“Well… yes… but… no one would ever dare unless they wanted to be known as a coward,” Yan said.
“Better a coward than a beggar.” Sighing, Ash moved forward several steps as the line continued to edge forward.
He heard Yan take in a breath as if to argue, only to then let it out in a whoosh.
“You’re not wrong. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had walked away,” Yan said. She sounded almost wistful. “Jing was there, though. He was as bad off as I was. He wanted us to represent our family.”
“Can’t eat pride,” Ash said. “And respect isn’t that great if you’re dead.”
“Ash, stop. Your sister was doing what she believed was right,” Jia admonished.
Falling silent, Ash let the line carry him along
In what felt like forever but was probably closer to ten minutes, Ash received a small green bottle.
Dropping it into his ring he stepped off to the side and yawned.
Off to see the others now. Give Tala her new skills.
I wonder if it’s time for lunch? I could use a nap.
Yan and Jia joined him shortly after and the trio began walking off the field.
“I challenged the owner of home number two,” Jia said suddenly.
“Oh? Neat. Does that make you my neighbor now?” Ash asked, grinning at her.
“Indeed. Would you mind if I joined you to cultivate tonight? Being around you makes it much easier.”
Ash rolled his eyes but waved a hand at her. “Fine, whatever. Though I thi—”
“I challenge you for your pills, Yan. Or you can just hand them over and spare yourself.”
Stopping mid-step, Ash looked to the woman who now stood in front of them. Her hair was a blue-black like a raven’s wing, and her eyes were as light brown as they came. Almost so much that they glowed.
Her figure was a bit abnormal for this world, though. She had curves in her waist and chest that weren’t actually considered attractive here, but would fare better back home.
Ash could easily see trying to chat her up if he got the chance. The attraction was definitely there.
It was a pity she was attempting to rob Yan.
Beside her were three other women who all looked much more normal than the first.
Activating Sneaky Peeky, Ash focused on the one in the middle. The one who’d spoken.
The level stated for her was four. Focusing on the first box, which was blue, Ash read the text that popped up.
“Looks like you would have the upper hand.”
Next Ash checked the other three. They were all rank three. Each one was listed as: “Looks like a reasonably safe opponent.”
“Did you hear me, Yan? I chall—”
“I challenge all four of you at the same time,” Ash said. “I am Ashley Sheng, younger brother to Yan, and I am in house number one, though I don’t care what rank you are. I will match any wager you put up at double.
“Or are you four afraid of having your pride destroyed by the lowest-ranked outer disciple in a four-versus-one fight.”
Eight eyes stared at him as if he’d grown a second head an
d had started yelling at them in a foreign language.
“Hello? Anything in those heads of yours? Or are you just full of empty threats and hot air?” Ash said.
“Can you actually meet our wagers? This might not be cheap, you know?” asked the leader.
“If I can’t, I’ll be your personal slave till I die. I swear it on the heavens and my soul.
“Now, put up your wagers and let’s get this done with. I promise to only break your arms and legs, no joints.
“Or hit you in that lovely face of yours. Well, I’ll try not to hit you in the face, at least. I can’t really promise that, now can I? I might need to, after all,” Ash said, shaking his arms out. “Just have Jia check all the wagers. She’s probably the most impartial here.”
Ash rapidly activated all his abilities. Bouncing from one foot to the other, he tried to get himself into a warmed-up state as fast as he could.
It was going to take some footwork to move in and out between the four of them while putting them down at the same time.
“Ash, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Yan said.
“Sure it is. I imagine this is someone who’s been robbing you. They’ll bet everything they can to argue that I’ll be their slave.
“After this, I’m going to give all their wagers to you,” Ash said, shaking his wrists out. “Consider it karma.”
“Alright, I have received the wagers,” Jia said neutrally. “You may begin the fight whenever you like, though I would warn both sides to limit the damage done to each other, if possible.”
The women all took different positions, their bodies rigid with whatever poses they needed to maintain.
Start with the one on the far left. She looks unsure. Then move to the leader to knock her off balance. Then decide from there.
Flow.
Use the momentum.
Adjust and become.
Be like water.
Formless. Shapeless.
“Whenever you’re ready, then,” Ash called.
“Go!” shouted the woman in the lead.
Activating Spring Step, Ash appeared in front of his target.
Quick as he could, he snapped out several strikes. Knocking her leading hand to one side, blasting a punch into her gut, and then a final blow into her kidney.
Slapping his hands to his sides to lock his Qi chains into place, Ash stutter-stepped away from the collapsing woman.
Throwing out a kick as he moved toward the leader, he activated Spring Step again.
His foot blasted into her middle, and the momentum of the blow spun Ash around.
Rotating with the move, he spun around and smashed the back of his fist through the face of the next woman in line.
Oops.
Her head snapped around to one side and she crumpled to the ground, unable to withstand her jaw snapping around like that.
A ball of roiling Fire Qi was bearing down on him from the last woman in the line.
Stepping to the side of it, Ash lashed out with his left hand, taking in the Fire Qi. Bringing the same hand back in, he thrust out with his right hand toward the leader, redirecting the Fire Qi.
As soon as the Fire Qi exited his hand, Ash chased after it.
The giant ball of flame smashed into the leader and washed over her. Ash followed it up with two punches, both aimed at her stomach.
Liver punches are very effective, after all.
Groaning, the woman dropped to her knees and fell over.
Turning around, Ash faced the last woman standing. The one who had thrown the fire at him.
“You may surrender now,” Ash said. Around him, the three women were groaning and rolling on the ground. “Or you may join them. You have the amount of time it takes me to reach you.”
Falling into a neutral stance, Ash began to prepare to use Spring Step.
“Which isn’t long.”
“I-I surrender. I surrender,” said the last woman, getting down on her knees.
Ash pressed his fists together and disconnected all the chains he had amongst his opponents.
“Thank you for the fight. I’ll see you all later and wish you to have a good day,” Ash said. “Let’s go. I don’t want to keep the others waiting.”
“The outcome was expected, but not in the way you did it. I now sincerely doubt I could have actually beat you in that duel,” Jia said. “I will have to train and try harder.”
Yan moved in close to him and immediately began inspecting him. Her hands and fingers were light as they pressed to his jaw and chin.
As she pushed him this way and that, it reminded him of when he’d first met her. Back in the Sheng household before they’d joined the Jade Fist, and before the needs of the family had changed.
He’d been attacked in the Spark’s Jump sect often back in that first year. She’d taken on the role of elder sister quickly and had done all in her power to return troubles to those who gave them to him.
Smiling at the memory, Ash let her do as she wished. There was a warmth in his heart for her tender nature.
She’d never done anything other than worry over him and care for his well-being.
When he turned his head up toward her, she looked into his eyes.
“You’re ok?” she asked.
“I’m fine.”
Yan’s mouth thinned out and she continued to stare at him. Several seconds passed before she released him, smacking his shoulder as she did so.
“Ok. As long as you’re well,” she said.
“I am. Come on, let’s go.”
Turning on his heel, Ash began leading the other two away from the center of the outer disciple area.
Ying Yue had needed to put up shop outside the disciple territories, in the citizen area.
Though if she agrees and lets me pop her Dantian open, she’ll be a rogue cultivator. Suppose it’s a good thing we put together a “cultivator basics” learning paper as well, on the off chance she actually agrees.
“What have you planned, Ash?” Yan asked him suddenly.
“Huh?” Ash asked reflexively.
“You have something planned. What is it?”
She always did have a firm grasp on whatever I was doing and thinking.
Ash glanced around them and made sure no one was close enough to hear.
“You’re right. I have some plans. When I put together what would work best to fix your own cultivation, I determined that I could turn Tala into something similar.
“That and crack open Yue’s Dantian,” Ash admitted.
“You can turn citizens into cultivators?” Jia asked, an edge to her voice.
“I think so. Mostly because Yue’s Dantian was very close to being able to open. It is just a bit too small.”
“Ash… are you a Fated One?” Yan asked.
“No, no. Just someone who’s had a number of fortunate encounters as of late. It’s all luck, really.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Chosen One,” Locke interjected.
Turning the corner to the street Yue had picked for her shop, Ash was surprised.
He’d been here yesterday, and it had been mostly deserted.
Here and now, during the day, the street was packed with people. The storefronts on both sides of the street were selling high-priced goods and services.
“This Ying Yue… does she have a wealthy backer? If she is on Gold street, then she must have a great deal of wealth,” Yan said.
“Ash is her backer,” Jia said simply.
“Ash?” Yan asked in a confused tone.
“Yes. Ash is her backer. There is no one else. I have spoken with her briefly about her past.
“She was selling paper and ink just to feed her brother and herself. Ash apparently showed up and changed her life,” Jia said. “Then he—”
The trio stopped walking when they spied Yue’s shop front.
It had a mass of people going out the door and partially around the corner. Whatever she was selling was apparently far and away in great demand.
“That isn’t a crowd to buy things,” Yan said. Her tone was a dousing of cold water on Ash’s good mood.
“That’s a crowd gathering to watch a spectacle,” Yan finished.
Nineteen
Ash made it to the crowd and started shoving his way through it. Making his way to the front, he could hear raised voices coming from inside Yue’s store.
Elbowing one last person aside, Ash made it to the doorway.
Someone was standing in it with his arms crossed.
“Store’s closed,” said the man. “Move along.”
Ash did a quick assessment on him. He was just a citizen. More than likely a very powerful one, and well trained, but still just a citizen.
This isn’t the sect, after all. A mercenary citizen could easily do a policing job.
Or thug work.
“And I’m unclosing it. You can argue with me and my twins here, or you can move aside,” Ash said. Pulling his butterfly swords free from the sheath at his side, Ash immediately began activating his abilities.
Behind him, he could feel Jia and Yan making room for themselves.
The citizen stared for a second before his eyes flicked to the space behind Ash. Then he stepped to the side, saying nothing.
Moving into the store, Ash made a point of ignoring the man as he passed him.
“…immediately. Or I’ll drive your business into the ground and you’ll have nothing left,” said an older man. He was standing in the middle of the store, amongst its new and bare shelves, glaring at Yue.
According to Ash’s sight, he was a spirit refiner of the second rank.
Far beyond Ash’s ability to fight head on.
In fact, when he rolled out the first box under the man’s name, it was red.
“What would you like your tombstone to say?” it read.
“I’ll not leave. I’ll not give up my store that I purchased. I’m a grand master in the free-merchants guild. I have every right to be here.
“You’re just trying to bully me out because I won’t deign to bend down to your clan’s demands,” Yue shouted back at the man.
Tala and Moira were standing beside Yue, clearly intent on defending the merchant.
Cultivating Chaos Page 20