by Tao Wong
Tou Hei and himself, standing side by side as a rain of arrows dropped. Wu Ying pulling upon the Brilliant Woo Petal Bracer to charge his Dragon’s Breath attack, slicing apart arrows that fell upon their team. Tou Hei striking the ground with his staff and forming a chi-empowered barrier. The flight of arrows was either cut apart or blocked, falling to shatter around them. Skipping past the defending pair, the rest of the team hit the side of the line.
Another memory. Of himself fighting a pair of Energy Storage cultivators as he tried to block them from approaching their rearguard. He was losing. Of course he was losing. The Long family style was not a defensive style. Nor could he win against two others—even if he was more skilled. But he didn’t have to win. He just had to delay them, because in delaying them, the rest of his team could do their job.
Memories, learning, understanding. Each breath, he assimilated them. And then another memory rose, unbidden.
Crouched in a rice paddy with his family and the rest of the village. Working together to plant stalks of rice in the water, moving from rice field to rice field. Some tried to do it alone. But the work required to plant the rice stalks was backbreaking and tiring. You could work together or alone, but together was faster. More efficient. And more fun.
The same lesson.
It was all the same lesson. Perhaps Wu Ying was dumb. Perhaps he was slow. Or perhaps some lessons had multiple facets to them. Each bowl of knowledge consisted of multiple grains that had to be chewed upon and digested individually—even if it was the same bowl.
Chi swirled, gathered and formed, beckoned by the breakthrough. The world approved, once again, as a part of the Dao—the greater way—was understood. Wu Ying absorbed it, took in the chi even as it petered out. It was only a small lesson after all, and one he had once known. But still.
New experience. New enlightenment. Another step on his path.
Chapter 3
Letters from home were always a treat. Having to cross hundreds of li[3] to reach the Sect, letters had to be carried by local merchants or private postal couriers. Such individuals worked circular routes around the kingdom, only deigning to visit places like Wu Ying’s village when sufficient time had passed. As such, the village had to rely on the trips by locals to the main city or the occasional merchants who were, for obvious reasons, less regular during the winter.
Seated in his study in mid-afternoon, Wu Ying caressed the side of the letter. It had arrived last night, but rather than waste candlelight to read the correspondence, Wu Ying had used it as a spur for today’s training. Now, having finished early, Wu Ying broke the seal on the wrapped scroll and peered within.
In short order, Wu Ying had sorted the two letters into three components. First, set aside for later consideration, was more discussion about the Long family style. That would require time to puzzle out, since his father had taken to writing more and more cryptic statements as Wu Ying progressed. Second, was the actual letter from his father. The entirety of the contents fit on a single piece of paper. And lastly, the letter from his mother, which would contain the meat of the correspondence. That was the letter he read first.
Wu Ying greedily devoured the news from home, reading through her letter in one quick burst before returning to its start on the right[4]. Wu Ying read more slowly now, savoring the details.
…Chief Tan returned today from the city, having delivered our fall taxes and having sold the rest of our stores. We have more than enough for the winter, thanks to your generous donations. Chief Tan has made a deal to purchase a half dozen piglets in spring, when we have finished building the village pen. Three of those piglets will be ours, the Zhangs will own one, and the village will share the last two. I know you are concerned about us, but we must plan for all our futures.
He also brought back news that the others who left with the army will not be returning this winter. They are training very hard and expect to see fighting next year. He did bring back rumors that another conscription will occur, though I fear they will be disappointed by what they find if they choose to do so. There are few enough. But just the threat has the Pengs talking of bribing Chief Tan—their only son just turned fourteen.
Wu Ying’s lips thinned. Fourteen. It seemed the kingdom was growing desperate if they were lowering the conscription age that far. He sighed, shaking his head. This was why war never saw a winner. Even if you won, your kingdom suffered for the next generation. If they took away all the farmers, who would grow the rice?
The money you sent for us to store for our travels arrived safely. Thank you for the herbs too—they have helped a lot with your father’s leg. While Chief Tan continues to be resistant to the idea of leaving, many of the other villagers have agreed to consider it. We’ve begun preparations for the journey, though leaving so much of what we have built is hard for all of us. We pray that the army will hold and make all our preparations for naught.
Wu Ying breathed a sigh of relief. This was good. Ever since he had learned of the upcoming war, he had wanted his parents to come to the Sect’s city. What had started as a goal to safeguard his parents had morphed into one to save the village, as his parents had refused to leave their long-time friends to suffer alone. Even convincing his parents to consider leaving had been a test of Wu Ying’s scholarly skills. Even if most times, the peasants were left alone—unkilled, unenslaved—accidents happened. And in war, those accidents left behind broken bodies and empty homes.
It relieves my heart that you are part of the Sect. And working in as prestigious an occupation as a Spirit Herb Gatherer. I think—and your father agrees—that this suits you. You were always wandering around the fields when you were young, always curious about the world. And while it might be dangerous, I know that your father’s lessons will keep you safe.
Wu Ying smiled, reading on as she turned to gossip. He shook his head at the litany of births, of the few deaths—much fewer with the fixed housing and surplus of food—that winter brought. He read about the travails of soil and drainage before his eyes fell onto the only portion that made him grimace.
…marriage was great. If the heavens are willing, they will sire a child soon.
While discussing marriages, I know you are enamored by this Li Yao. She sounds like a very nice young lady. But she is the daughter of a noble. When the time comes, duties and obligations will pull on her even more strongly. In that, she is even less free than you. We have no expectations of you, in terms of lineage. Your father has settled himself with your goal of immortality. In that way, the family name might continue for all eternity perhaps.
Remember. It is good to explore your feelings, but do not give too greatly. Some people are not meant to be together.
Wu Ying glared at the paper, almost wishing his mother was here for him to shout at. To explain. Of course, he would never do that. Still, it was a passing desire, an indolent, unfilial wish. Because what did his mother know of Li Yao? Of cultivator society? Why did she feel the need to meddle from so far away?
Exhaling, Wu Ying calmed himself and his mind. She was his parent, and all parents meddled. At least all she offered were words of advice, rather than commandants like Li Yao’s parents.
Setting aside the letter to be filed with the rest of their letters, Wu Ying turned to his father’s next. This one required only a single read-through.
Wu Ying,
I know what your mother has written to you. I will not say that she is wrong, nor will I recommend that you join the war. I will note that there is opportunity in conflict. You are my son, and I wish you the best. I know that whatever you choose to do, you will do it with forethought and caution.
On that note, I do wish that you take notice of the amount of funds you have been sending us. It is not seemly for our son to send so much to his parents, especially to a small village like ours. Save some of those funds for your own cultivation. Your mother and I have more than enough.
I have included additional notes from what you have spoken of when practicing the
form. It sounds like the martial arts that you have learned can complement our own style. Continue to keep an open mind and make sure that you practice our form. While the Long family style has stagnated in the past couple of generations, it was once well renowned. There is more depth in the style than you will see at first glance. As you learn more, you will see that martial arts is a clouded and deep lake. I am only sorry to say that I do not have much additional advice I can offer. You will soon surpass me.
Your father
Wu Ying sighed after finishing the letter. His father was not a man of many words and certainly not one to express bountiful emotions. Still, Wu Ying preferred his short letter to his mother’s. The heartfelt warmth and trust in Wu Ying’s decision-making was heartening. His father hadn’t even mentioned Li Yao.
Wu Ying tapped his lips, staring at the letters before he set them aside to be filed. He picked up his own stationary, dipped his brush in a nearby inkwell, and wrote.
Papa, Mama,
I have received your letters dated the nineteenth day of the tenth moon[5] of the year. Thank you for your thoughts and all your consideration. Papa, I have not had a chance to read your thoughts on our style, but I’m sure they will be enlightening as always. Not a lot of interest has happened in the last few months, as we have mostly spent our time studying.
I am glad to hear you are doing well with the funds I have sent. Please, let me know what you might need when you arrive. I have spoken with Elder Huang who runs the kitchens and he is willing to assign you multiple plots of land to the north of the Sect. The land will need to be cleared and drainage built, but I have assured him that this is something the village is well equipped to do. There is a nearby stream that feeds into the main river here, so it is decent farming land.
Wu Ying grimaced as he finished that part of the letter. That had taken quite a bit of convincing—and quite a few journeys up and down the mountain—to arrange. Still, with the agreement of Elder Huang and the magistrate in the city below, the village’s arrival—if necessary—would be smooth. Even after all his work, Wu Ying knew that the villagers would refuse to leave unless things went bad. There had been too much sweat and bloodshed put into the development of their village to leave it so easily.
I continue to take lessons with Elder Li as well as reading further about the various herbs suitable for someone at my cultivation level. There is a lot to learn, and even if I have some experience at this, I still make mistakes regularly. Senior Goh continues to praise how much I’ve accomplished, but I think he is more interested in the fact that I have decent martial skills and thus will allow him to work the gardens more. Still, the things he has taught me while encouraging my development are highly useful, so I am grateful for his attention.
In the winter months, I have other regular classes put on by the Sect. Much of this knowledge ranges from the classics to formations and spiritual equipment. I cannot say that I am the most brilliant student. As you know, there are many better suited to the scholarly lifestyle. Still, I do not think I shame our family. Certainly, compared to Tou Hei, I find many of the lessons easier. Tou Hei’s previous life as a monk has created interesting gaps in his education.
Good news about Tou Hei too. He’s managed to clear his fourth Energy Storage meridian. His Master is very happy with his progress, though I understand they intend to slow his breakthroughs now. At least for the next few months to consolidate his development.
Wu Ying looked at the letter and what he’d written. Tou Hei was, in many ways, the quintessential prodigy. A martial prodigy who had spent years of his life studying multiple styles. An incredibly quick cultivator. Except there was that unspoken issue with Tou Hei’s chi cultivation. The ex-monk still had not revealed the details of it, but Wu Ying knew that Tou Hei’s master was hard at work searching for a solution. If they could not find one, Tou Hei’s rapid ascent could find itself bottlenecked at the Core Formation stage.
Admittedly, for many cultivators, that would be a problem they wished to have. But like Wu Ying, Tou Hei sought the furthest reaches of cultivation. To be bottlenecked before truly stepping on the road to immortality would truly be a shame.
Lip curling up, Wu Ying shook his head and returned to his writing.
I continue to practice the other martial styles that were taught to me. I believe I’ve managed to achieve a small breakthrough in combining the three styles. Fairy Yang has been particularly gracious about spending her time teaching me. Of course, she is very busy as the newest elder in the Sect, but she seems to make a little time every week to continue my training. It seems that unlike my Master, she is willing to be more hands-on. Elder Cheng continues to feel that too great a hand in my training will divert my fate.
Of the two cultivation exercises I have learned, I’ve achieved a greater understanding of the Aura Strengthening. I am unable to progress the technique further though, as I’ve sealed and compressed my aura as much as possible within my current cultivation level. Further progress will have to wait until I reach the next level.
There was no knock on the door as Ah Yee arrived, carrying a small, covered, clay drinking bowl on a serving tray. The older woman, his designated servant, set the bowl beside Wu Ying before lifting the lid with a flourish. Wu Ying choked at the smell from a mixture of months-old herbs, dirt, and other foul-smelling ingredients.
“Your daily supplement, Master Long,” Ah Yee said. “Remember, don’t leave it too long. It will lose potency if it grows cold.”
“And taste worse,” said Wu Ying.
Not that the sludge-coated oil taste could be much worse. The supplement was a requirement for Wu Ying’s second level of his other cultivation exercise—the Reinforced Iron Bones technique. At this stage, it was insufficient to wait for damage and repair his body when it occurred. He had to induce the damage and the cleansing—which was where the sludge came in.
“Waiting won’t make it better,” Ah Yee said, tapping one foot.
“Fine!”
Wu Ying picked up the bowl and, holding his breath, drained it in one gulp. It was, as he remembered, terrible. A mixture of rotten food and herbs, with a weird texture and an oil-coated sludge taste. After he choked the drink down, he placed the clay bowl on the tray and reached for the cup of tea Ah Yee had poured in anticipation. Already, he felt the toxic sludge roil in his stomach, trying to come back out. In an hour or so, he would be in a dire situation with his guts. Until then, he could only hold on and distract himself.
“Good. We’re nearly out of the autumn willow roots,” Ah Yee said. “Seven-year roots are hard to find.”
“I’ll ask Master Li.” If there was one good thing about the concoction, it was that Wu Ying had been able to find more effective and cheaper substitutes for the herbs within. Of course, part of the reason no one used the substitutes he did was because of the taste.
Ah Yee bowed and, after replacing the lid, took away the offending bowl, leaving Wu Ying to his silent torment. He stared at his paper, considering what else to write. More news about his cultivation exercises. Not about their recent martial training. His father would understand and approve—he always said the more one trained, the less one bled. His mother would be upset though, and while they might afford each other privacy, any letter he wrote would be read by both.
More news about Li Yao?
Wu Ying shook his head. No. His mother disapproved, and his father did not care. And, truth be told, his relationship with her was tenuous enough. All they had done was take long strolls and meals, the occasional assignment, and spar together. A lot of sparring. Discussions—deeper discussions—had been avoided.
Wu Ying sighed and gave up. There was not much more to write. He’d finish it later. Right now, he needed to meditate and channel his chi. It would not help a lot with the cultivation exercise, but any improvement was better than sitting here stewing.
Chapter 4
“You are back.” The speaker was an elderly gentleman with an extremely deep voice, clad in t
he gray-and-green robes of a Sect Elder. Elder Ko, unlike most of the other Elders, wore the elaborate headdress that marked his elevated position in the Sect as Librarian and Scholar for the Inner and Outer Sect Libraries. He absently stroked his beard as he stared at Wu Ying, who had been wandering the stacks, pulling out occasional scrolls and manuscripts to browse through their contents before returning them.
“Yes, Elder,” said Wu Ying. “I am still looking for a new cultivation exercise that would supplement my training.”
“You’re still blocked at Body Cleansing, correct?” When Wu Ying nodded, Elder Ko continued. “And you’re looking to advance to Energy Storage soon, yes?”
Even though Wu Ying thought that this was very much a rhetorical question, he nodded yes. Elder Ko chuckled and gestured for Wu Ying to follow.
They walked half a dozen steps before Elder Ko looked back at Wu Ying. “You will pay the appropriate fee afterward.”
He did not even spend time waiting for Wu Ying to acknowledge his words. Not as if Wu Ying intended to cross the Elder. Few individuals within the Sect would be more detrimental to cross than the Elder in charge of the Library. Maybe his own Master and the Sect Leader. Maybe.
“There are three types of cultivation exercises I believe could be of use to you. Firstly, we can increase the speed of flow of your chi. This will allow you to initiate energy projections and certain types of skills at a greater speed in the future. Of course, right now, none of this is particularly useful since you are at the Body Cleansing stage. Even your equipment will not benefit much from your work. However, this increased flow could be useful for you in breaking through to the Energy Storage stage.”
