by Wong, Tao
“Set up camp a little farther inland.” Fa Yuan pointed. “We’ll find you after we’re done. Keep the animals safe and make sure to prepare for us.”
“How long will you be gone?” Lei Hui asked. He took the talisman marks she handed to him, along with the formation flags, all of which he’d use to set up the camp and keep other predators away.
“No more than a day or two,” Fa Yuan said. “It will either run or meet us in combat eventually.”
The group members were quick to prepare themselves. With spirit rings to hold the majority of their goods, it was only a matter of verifying their weaponry and that they had sufficient food to eat quickly. Wang Min took the longest time, having to change her robes for something a little tighter and less voluminous while also tuning her pipa and guzheng. After she’d verified both were as tuned as they would get for the time being, the group left, leaving Lei Hui with the horses while they journeyed into the marshlands.
***
It was a good thing, Wu Ying had to admit, that there were still solid areas of land they could walk upon. Using their qinggong skills, the Energy Storage cultivators could move across the sodden ground without sinking into the mud. Earth that was too mushy for the mundane was a small impediment for true cultivators like them, though it came with the necessity of continuously circulating their chi.
On the other hand, Fa Yuan, as a Core Formation cultivator and a much more experienced qinggong practitioner, moved across the long grasses and branches of the stubby trees with equal ease. She even ran across the water on occasion as she scouted ahead of the team.
If not for her presence, the team would have bogged down and been forced to reroute—or wade through the water—more than once. With her ahead, the group managed to make good time as they delved deeper into the marshlands, even as wisps of marsh mists rose as the day heated up.
A couple of hours in, the group paused by the edge of the water, debating the best way to cross. Elder Yang had scouted ahead, trying to find the best path for the group. While some of the group could run across water, it cost more chi than they cared to expend at the moment.
“Just let us use your staff,” Wu Ying said, pointing at the ground. “If we push it in and jump, we should be able to leap across then toss it back.”
“We don’t even know how deep the water is!” Tou Hei protested. He didn’t exactly clutch his weapon to his chest, but it was a close call.
“Aren’t you a monk? Supposed to be all about discarding desire and material needs?” Yu Kun said, sniffing. “Just give it to us.”
“Why don’t we cut down a branch?” Wang Min offered.
“No!” Tou Hei protested. “There’s no need to harm the tree.” The ex-monk shook his head, but he reluctantly extended his staff.
A flash of motion made Wu Ying turn, his hand dropping to his sword hilt. The sudden explosion of smells, slimy and a little hot, made him draw, executing the Dragon unsheathes his Claws without thinking. His blade caught the first of the leaping white fish. To his surprise, his jian was deflected by what he could only describe as a sword-like snout.
As the fish fell back into the water, Wu Ying glanced at his friends, all of whom were under attack by the jumping fish. Yu Kun, using the hooked portions of his sword, had managed to snatch one of the fish out of the air and slap it down onto the ground. Meanwhile, Tou Hei had achieved the task of removing fish from water by using the meaty portion of his buttocks. Only Wang Min, who had been standing farther back, had managed to escape without contact by dodging her attacker.
As Wu Ying fell back toward Wang Min and the center of the small piece of dry ground, Tou Hei ripped the offending monster from his body. A moment later, the flopping fish landed on the ground and managed to return to the water. As the team regrouped, Wu Ying caught his first proper sight of their attackers.
The fish had a long sword-like rostrum, the snout extending far ahead of its body. Its “sword” gleamed with a metal-like substance, much like its scales, and the fish had one large top fin and three smaller bottom fins. The one that had left Tou Hei was small but four feet long. Others, like Yu Kun’s, were gigantic, nearly nine feet long from the tip of its sword-like rostrum to its tail.
“What are those things?” Wu Ying said, eyes darting around at the water.
Tou Hei, slapping a hand to his wound, channeled some of his chi to staunch the bleeding. The smell of burning meat permeated the air as he did so, his fire chi interacting with the wounds in a grievous but effective manner. As the ex-monk hobbled back, he held his staff before him. “Baixun[16]!”
“I don’t know what that is!” Yu Kun replied as he finished tearing open the side of the baixun’s neck that he had managed to ground.
“Good eating! But the juveniles are very aggressive. Once they grow bigger, they’re not as tasty, but easier to hunt since they don’t lurk in schools anymore.” As Tou Hei spoke, he spun his staff in place, small flames dancing along the staff as it moved.
Rippling water in the corner of his vision drew Wu Ying’s attention. As if unsatisfied that it had missed the first time, Wang Min’s assailant launched itself once more. This time, it came out only partially, shoving its head toward her. Long as it was, it couldn’t reach the retreating cultivator. Wu Ying still charged it, intent on skewering the monster before it retreated.
To his surprise, bright light gleamed across its exposed body before a line of lightning exploded toward Wang Min. It struck at her, catching the arm she’d raised to protect herself, and flowing down her body. She let out a long scream as the fish-conjured lightning played across her body.
Unable to stop, Wu Ying finished his lunge, sending both sword intent and his blade into the monster. Sparks of electricity danced across the monster’s body, remainder air chi zipping up to numb Wu Ying’s arm. But his attack skewered the monster and tore open its side even as it wriggled itself off the blade’s edge and landed back in the water.
Wu Ying recovered forward and sent a wave of sword energy into the water, only to see it disperse without hurting anything. Water stained with pale red blood belatedly rose, marking the baixun’s retreat. Falling back, worried that he’d be attacked, Wu Ying glanced at his friends.
Working together, Tou Hei and Yu Kun had managed to catch another monster, hauling it onshore and shattering its back. A few hasty strikes ended the creature’s struggles. With two fish corpses before them, the group stared at the water, awaiting the next attack.
Long minutes passed, with Wang Min managing to recover before they’d conceded that the monstrous fish had fled. By the time Fa Yuan returned, having felt the disturbance their fight had caused, Yu Kun had placed a compress on Tou Hei’s injury, wrapping it tightly with cloth.
“Baixun?” Fa Yuan said, eyeing the monsters. “Demonic?”
“No. Spirit,” Wu Ying said, having fished out a small spirit stone. It was tiny, having barely started growing in the monster. Finding even one among the two they had managed to kill was surprising.
After pocketing the stone, Fa Yuan said, “I see. Rest, heal yourself quickly, all of you. We cannot turn back for we are close.”
In unison, the group sucked in a breath in surprise. Fa Yuan had already turned around, offering her back to them as she watched for additional dangers. As Tou Hei checked the bandaging and gingerly attempted to move, wincing with each step, Wu Ying cleaned his blade and cursed himself out. If he had been a little faster, warned them instead of attacking…
“Oh, one last thing,” Fa Yuan called, never taking her eyes off the water. As the group perked up, she continued. “Finish cleaning the fish. Baixun are good eating.”
Chapter 13
“Are you fine?” Wu Ying said softly to Tou Hei as they ran along the edge of the brackish water, following Elder Yang. Use of qinggong kept them from sinking into the marshy ground, though their movements often kicked fallen leaves and sticks into the flowing water beside them.
“I’ll live. It’s just a pain in the
butt,” Tou Hei said, eyes glinting with amusement. His voice was tight and controlled, a testament to the pain he was obviously in.
Still, Wu Ying sighed theatrically for his friend, choosing to play into the poor joke.
“We will need you to be silent soon,” Fa Yuan said as she slowed her stride. She stopped at the edge of the current piece of raised land, turning to the group as her robes flared out behind her. Even the tighter set of martial robes she wore still had a degree of play to preserve modesty. “We will change our plans slightly. Wu Ying, you will join me in fighting the frog. Tou Hei, you will be in charge of guarding Wang Min while she readies her attack. Yu Kun, watch for additional spirit beasts.”
Yu Kun shot an envious glance at Wu Ying but forbore saying anything. Giving Wu Ying the opportunity to fight a powerful Energy Storage creature with the aid of a Core Development cultivator was blatant favoritism for sure. It would mean the danger to him was significantly lowered, while offering him the opportunity to learn. There was only so much one could grasp while watching on the sidelines, and one could never know when inspiration might hit in the midst of combat.
Still, no one complained. In truth, Fa Yuan battling the creature by herself would have been sufficient. Even if it was a Core strength spirit beast, she would, at most, be forced to run away. And if it was a Core strength spirit beast, the inner sect cultivators would be of minimal aid. They had not trained together, nor had they studied any fighting formations that would benefit their attacks.
No, their presence in this expedition was for ancillary reasons. Large fights could draw the attention of other monsters. And while they weren’t venturing into the deep wilderness where Core spirit beasts were as common as grains of rice in a paddy field, the scavenger creatures could and would lurk on the edges, watching for their chance to snatch the frog’s spirit stone or a few tasty organs. For the inner sect cultivators, offering a show of force would help keep opportunistic beasts away.
“Of course, Elder Yang,” Tou Hei said. His style—the Mountain Resides—was a defensive form with the staff and meant that he was best-suited for guarding or blocking attacks. His position also meant he would need to move less, which would be important with his injury.
In short order, the group set off again, having adjusted their formation. Wu Ying stayed in the front, close to Fa Yuan, while Yu Kun stayed at the back. They journeyed through the marshlands, stepping across murky water, feet lightly touching down on upraised branches or occasionally wading through dirty water when necessary. In short order, all this came to an end. To their surprise, Fa Yuan stopped them at a nearby hillock, focused entirely on the next marshy hill.
Wu Ying stared at the small mound before them. It was brown and grey, like much of the land around them. Sparse tufts of grass grew from the edges, marshy reeds dotting the surroundings before rising toward longer swaying grass at the top. When he opened his mouth to speak, Fa Yuan raised her hand, silencing him. The group held still as she continued to stare. Without anything better to do, Wu Ying focused as well.
It was long seconds, at least a half dozen slow breaths, before he noticed what Fa Yuan had already—small ripples that didn’t come from the waves lapping at the edges reflecting back. Dark mud moved at the edges of the hill.
Wu Ying realized that near the water’s edge, half submerged before the hill, was their prey. The frog lay deep within the marshy land and held so still that mud itself had washed up on its dotted and slimy body. Along with its mottled grey and yellow skin, the creature had camouflaged itself to such an extent that Wu Ying would have walked right by it.
Fa Yuan turned and raised an eyebrow at Wu Ying. He offered a single, firm nod, acknowledging that he had seen it. When she looked at the others, there were mixed gestures. Rather than speak, she walked back to where a tree dominated the top of the land they stood upon. Once they arrived, Fa Yuan gave them curt orders, describing the scene for those who had missed the signs.
Wang Min was the first to set up. She sat beneath the tree, drawing out her guzheng. She made sure not to strike any of the strings as yet even as she laid it on her portable playing table. Tou Hei took position next to her, just ahead and in front, while Yu Kun moved to the edge of the land, perpendicular to where the monster lay.
Yu Kun kept the swords on his back sheathed, instead retrieving a bow and a quiver of arrows. Quick motions had him sink those arrows into the mushy soil before setting another to his bowstring. As for Wu Ying, his preparations were much simpler, involving drawing his sword and doing light stretches.
All the while, Elder Yang paid attention to the unmoving frog. Wu Ying wondered whether it was even aware of their presence, or if it trusted its ability to hide such that it’s choice to stay motionless was a reasoned decision. In either case, it took no aggressive action as the group readied themselves.
The initial plan was simple. It would also be their first test of Wang Min’s ability to manage a creature in the late Energy Storage stage. The frog, whose type they still could not tell, would be attacked by Fa Yuan and Wu Ying. While they distracted the creature, Wang Min would have time to play a calming, enchanted tune.
Done right, musicians could hypnotize, confuse, and charm others. In this case, the goal was to make the frog’s attacks slower, more obvious. Beast trainers were well-known to employ spirit musicians while attempting to capture and train a new spirit beast.
In their case, the expedition was just looking to kill their prey. More involved preparations were wasteful.
A small gesture and a nod was all that was needed between the pair of attackers before Fa Yuan launched herself across the water. Her feet lightly struck the slow-flowing marsh water, small rings of waves expanding from where her feet impacted and pushed off the liquid flooring. She flew straight at the frog, her jian drawn and pointed at the center of the creature’s eyes. Beside her body, she held a second sword in readiness.
Wu Ying took a more circuitous route. He ran off at an angle, jumping off floating debris, raised roots, and the occasional solid earth as he made his way to the frog. There were two reasons for his circuitous path. Firstly, he was not as adept as Fa Yuan at qinggong, unable to run across water as yet. Just as importantly, it was safer for him to launch an attack from a blind spot, potentially killing the frog via a surprise attack than face it head-on like his martial sister.
At first, the frog chose not to react. Only at the last few seconds, as the Elder’s blade began to threaten its very existence, did it give up the pretense. A ribbit broached the hubbub of the marsh, followed by an explosion of mud and water. A sudden wall of earth and water blocked Fa Yuan’s approach, stymieing her attack.
A simple wave of her lead sword cut apart the wall of water and mud. Her momentum arrested, Fa Yuan landed before the parted and falling defense. However, behind the wall, only an empty and slowly filling hole where the frog had once been met her cold gaze.
Even at a distance, Wu Ying felt the splash of falling water, mud splattering his robes and coating him in lukewarm grit. From his angle, Wu Ying spotted the ripples of the creature’s passing as it swam under the marsh to attempt to surprise Fa Yuan.
Rather than call a warning, Wu Ying threw a single cut, infusing it with the full strength of his sword intent and chi and adding the Woo Petal Bracer’s energy. The Dragon’s Breath stroke flew at a slight angle, crossing water and leaving a small ripple of flowing force behind before it impacted. Like a child striking the water, an explosive wave arose as the strike landed and dug into the sneaking frog’s body.
“Behind!” Wu Ying finally spoke after he finished his attack.
Fa Yuan was already pivoting on one foot, the other raised by her side. The second blade was still held down by her side, her first blade’s guard raised to her face in a salute and in preparation. As blood and pus rose from the water, staining it red and yellow, the frog exploded forth. For the first time, Wu Ying and the other cultivators could see their prey in its full glory.
; Slimy skin of mottled yellow and grey covered a creature the size of two water oxen, its bulbous head expanded to its maximum size as it let out an angry call. A single open wound that barely penetrated the creature’s pustule-ridden hide spilled blood and pus from its lower back. On the front of the creature’s body were two smaller front legs tipped with sharp claws and dripping not just water but an oily, pus-ridden substance. And on its back, to their chagrin, two large and powerful legs were seen.
“Hun dan!” Wu Ying swore, as he watched Fa Yuan and the creature move away from him.
Fa Yuan dodged the leaping frog with a sideways drop step, her sword dragging along its hide. The graceful, deceptively light motion tore open a wound larger than Wu Ying’s all-out attack, a testament to both the better quality of her blade and her greater cultivation level. Rather than follow-up, Fa Yuan dodged away while making a face at the rain of pus and blood that had exploded from its body after her attack.
“Yellow-bile demonic frog,” Fa Yuan called. “Horrible creatures. But their livers and kidneys are highly prized among alchemists.”
“What for?” Wu Ying said as he continued his trek toward dry ground.
“Because it manages to keep even that creature alive from its own infections!”
That was all the time they had for talk, for the monster had turned around again. This time, rather than attempting to jump at Fa Yuan, it spat an attack at her. The water cultivator twisted her hand, cutting at the ground with the blade she held. The transmitted sword chi—attuned with Fa Yuan’s own water chi—reacted to the lapping water, repeating the frog’s defense. Except unlike the monster’s filthy and muddy defense, Fa Yuan’s wall of water was indescribably pure.
In retaliation for the attack, Fa Yuan used her other sword to send a slash of sword chi at the monster. However, the frog had moved again, dodging the attack with a quick hop. It was highly agile for something so big. Wu Ying, finally on level ground, found himself facing the leaping creature.