by Tao Wong
Wu Ying hesitated before he followed her and took a seat beside his girlfriend. Together, the pair consumed their breakfast, the second of the day. After all, they were both used to waking early and training. When they were done, Wu Ying took the bowl from Li Yao and stacked them together.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve chosen my words better. I’m just worried about my parents.” Wu Ying tried apologizing again, hoping that this time she would accept it.
“You idiot.” Li Yao didn’t look at Wu Ying, tracing her fingers along the smooth wood of her spear. “You should work on where you put your mouth. That sweet tongue of yours won’t always get you out of trouble.”
“I understand,” Wu Ying said. “I just had this image of what our conversation would be like. When my imagination was betrayed by the reality of our conversation, I could not handle it.”
Li Yao nodded. “I know. I was just trying to help. If you go to Lord Wen without a plan and without any backing, he will take advantage of you. If he will listen to you at all. You’re just a Body Cleansing cultivator after all.”
Wu Ying reluctantly acknowledged her point. Body cultivators, even those at the peak, were common enough to be disregarded—by nobles at the least. In the world outside the Sect, someone at his level would be apprised as good, strong enough to be the personal bodyguard of an important noble. But he wouldn’t be special. He wouldn’t be considered a force that had to be respected. There were still others, many others, who had broken into the Energy Storage stage. It was only because Wu Ying was so young that his achievements would be considered special. In the outer world at least. Obviously, in the Sect, he was at best middling.
“So what are you thinking about with Yin Xue?” Wu Ying asked, his brow furrowing now that their little tiff had been set aside.
“I’m not sure. He’s his son. He should have insights about his father,” Li Yao said. “Personally, I think using him directly might be difficult. It will depend on how Yin Xue is received by his father. We might need to verify that first.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yin Xue was sent to the Sect to gain strength. Then he was abandoned after he lost to you. Maybe his father really meant to leave him in the Sect. Maybe he’s there to ensure his safety. Both of those are different facts, different motives. Both will affect how Lord Wen treats us.” Li Yao looked around and ensured that Yin Xue was nowhere near before she continued. “If he was left there to be safeguarded, his father will be angry with us for bringing him. But if we can tie him close to us, his father won’t dare send us on anything too dangerous. It will force him to contain his desires.”
“Dangerous?”
“Haven’t you realized it? The only reason he’d make use of you, of us, is to send us to do something his guards can’t do. Or aren’t willing to do.”
“I just thought…” Wu Ying had to admit his thoughts. “I thought he would force me to promise to guard his family or residence. Maybe move some of his things around or offer some herbs.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think will be that simple, do you?”
Wu Ying could only offer her a twisted half smile now that his vague hopes had been burst. Considering his experience thus far, ever since he left his village, smooth and easy was unlikely. He just hoped that whatever Lord Wen chose would not be that dangerous.
***
The remainder of the river journey was completed in relative peace. Yin Xue and Bao Cong spent the days over the side of the boat, Yin Xue being taught the finer points of fishing. When questioned, the blacksmith pointed out that it was impossible for him to work on his profession here. Neither of the nobles were as intense with their martial practice as Tou Hei and Li Yao, who spent their time either sparring, working forms, or cultivating. To punctuate the river trip, Wu Ying even managed to convince Tou Hei to join him on the oars on the opposite side at one point.
During the few moments of conversation Wu Ying had with Yin Xue, he learned that the noble had taken a secondary occupation as a Scholar. It was not the most glamorous of occupations, nor was it one that would earn a significant amount of spirit stones in the future, like a blacksmith or an apothecarist, but it was a safe and in-demand skill set.
Perhaps the one thing that Wu Ying was most grateful for was that the tension between himself and his girlfriend had faded. Some of it still lingered, a stain on a previously happy relationship, but overall, they were back to their happy selves. More than once, Wu Ying noted the jealous glances Yin Xue and Bao Cong shot them. Even the ship’s captain was overheard muttering about sickeningly sweet couples.
When the ship finally reached their destination city, Wu Ying thanked the captain and the crew for the pleasant journey before hustling the team off. He brought his enlarged team to the local Sect branch and used the stables there to acquire horses for them all. Together, the group rode out of the city, headed to their final destination. Now that they were on their feet once again, Wu Ying felt that same urgency overtake him.
As much as Wu Ying wanted to set a hard pace, he reined in his emotions and his horse, ensuring that they set off at a measured trot. As they traveled the paved road, signs of the upcoming war were all around, from the increased traffic between the city’s stores to the new, combined army bases dotted through the kingdom and the occasional sighting of deploying troops on the road itself. Wu Ying even spotted a familiar sight—a troop of conscript soldiers marching in roughshod formation, being yelled at by their platoon leader as they journeyed from one village to the next.
Only once did they run into any trouble, the Sect members forced into a confrontation with a group of bandits. By their dress, they were clearly deserters, their army uniforms dirty, ragged, and stained. The confrontation was over in the time required to take three breaths, so outclassed were the bandits that it could not even be considered a scuffle. Bao Cong strung, nocked, and fired his first arrow so quickly that he might as well have had his bow strung already. Li Yao charged the remaining members without hesitation, followed by the remaining cultivators. And while Wu Ying still worried about the morality of killing them off-hand, his companions—except Tou Hei—did not. None of the bandits lasted more than a single clash, and none of the cultivators bothered to use any higher-level techniques.
Whatever guilt Wu Ying felt was assuaged when they reported the bandits’ deaths at the next village. The village chieftain regaled them of the bandits’ most recent crimes, including the massacre at a nearby farm.
And the team continued on, under bright day and the occasional light spring rains that muddied the road and slowed travel. In the end, they arrived at their destination—a large mansion set a distance from the nearest city or village. This was the home of Lord Wen, and it was only a few hours from Wu Ying’s own house. He ached to return and speak with his family. But it was better for him to finish this now, rather than see his parents with no news. By now, they would have known that their plans had been learned of and dealt with. Better to have some good news, hopefully, than to bring false hope.
Drawing a deep breath, he kicked his horse in the sides and felt it speed up. Time to talk to Lord Wen and see what fate had in store for Wu Ying.
Chapter 10
Lord Wen’s residence was a large, sprawling estate protected by a single exterior wall ten feet high. Watchtowers on each corner of the wall allowed guards to track incoming guests, though from Wu Ying’s recollection, they were often left unmanned except for the one over the main gate. The countryside was relatively peaceful, especially for a well-protected location like the lord’s residence. No bandit leader would be stupid enough to launch an attack against the residence, for the eventual retaliation would guarantee their demise.
Through mostly empty fields, the group rode their horses toward the white-washed and ceramic-tiled walls of the estate. Unlike other times, Wu Ying noted the presence of multiple guards in the towers, watching the group’s approach. More than one guard had a crossbow in hand, already cocked and lowered toward
the group. All in all, Wu Ying could not help but feel somewhat intimidated.
“Good evening, cultivators. Who comes to speak with Lord Wen?” one of the guards from above called, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Clad in a simple lamellar plate suit and a helmet with a red crest upon it, the guard stared at the cultivators sternly. Still, his greeting was polite.
Before Wu Ying could reply, Yin Xue raised his voice. “It’s me, Ah Chu. Open the gates. We’re here to speak with my father.”
“Master Wen?” The guard looked surprised, then snapped himself to attention and called commands to those below. “My apologies, Master Wen. We did not expect you to return!”
“That is fine. Just be quick about it. And tell my father my friends and I have come to speak with him,” Yin Xue said.
Wu Ying shook his head, watching as the Lord’s son stepped back into his role as the son of the master of the house. It suited him, Wu Ying had to admit, though there was also a change in the way Yin Xue carried himself. He lacked the arrogance of before, the edge of superiority that had set off the younger children in the village. His time in the Sect had done him some good, it seemed. Either that, or he had grown into his arrogance in the last two years.
Once the main gates were open, the group saw the marvelous, well-tended gardens that made up the interior of the walled residence. Ahead of them, the main mansion loomed, constructed in the typical siheyuan style of architecture. That consisted not of a single building but multiple connected buildings, halls, and courtyards, built in a rectangular layout with the main hall situated in the northernmost portion of the residence.
In short order, the group entered the first of the walled portions of the building, passing through the main gates of the residence, and the outer courtyard. There, they deposited their equine companions with servants before they were led through the second, inner gate into the building proper where they could see the first of the inner courtyards.
Wu Ying shook his head as they were led into the building. He wondered how many courtyards there were. His own residence in the Sect only had one, while Tou Hei’s had two and the Elders had the typical three. It was rumored that the more prestigious members of the Sect had even more courtyards—and the resulting halls, ancillary storage, and servant rooms—but he had never witnessed it. Looking at the size and proportions of the buildings they passed, Wu Ying would not be surprised if there were at least four courtyards.
As interesting as the architecture and the well-manicured lawns were, the residents of the building were of more interest to Wu Ying. Obviously, there were servants—many who worked the hallways and courtyards, tending to the gardens, sweeping and cleaning, doing laundry, and the myriad of other tasks required to keep a building this big functioning. But on top of that, guards patrolled the inside of the building, watching over everyone with cautious and discreet gazes. Scattered among the commoners were the noble children and adults who lounged around the building, speaking to one another, doing embroidery, practicing martial arts, and advancing their cultivation or their studies.
Many of the lounging children and adults bore a close resemblance to Yin Xue, having the same long nose, tilt of the eyebrows, and thin cheekbones. More than once, when Yin Xue and the group swept past, guided along their walk by a guard, they left behind whispered conversations. Yet not a single member of Yin Xue’s large family moved to greet him directly.
“Are all noble houses this… cold?” Wu Ying whispered to Li Yao.
“No. Or, sort of?” Li Yao said as she watched the ramrod-stiff bearing of Yin Xue, who led the group. “We’re always competing to some extent. Even if lineage is fixed, sometimes people are disowned. Or sent away…” Li Yao shook her head. “Or if someone fails at cultivating properly…”
Wu Ying made a face. He did not understand that. Not really. In a peasant family, there was no great expectation on cultivation. Whether you achieved Body Cultivation 2 or 3, it did not matter that much while working the fields. Hard work and dedication made a bigger difference. An individual who cultivated and could do more was considered a blessing, but it was more important that they had the ability to manage the fields and relationships in the family. Even a large family often lived together in the same building. Only the very largest peasant family might need their second son to move to another field, another building. But in that case, that could be considered a blessing too—more fields, more wealth. If they could afford the land and the rent.
There were other options too. The army. Moving to the city to work as a day laborer. Even, at times, working for the local smithy or other artisans. More tragic alternatives often reared their heads in times of need—a family that had few or no sons would be happy to be gifted one from another family that had too many. Eventually, it all worked out in the village—through goodwill and the occasional brow-beating by Elder Ko.
“Yin Xue must be on the outs,” Li Yao continued, flicking her gaze to a trio of glowering teenagers, the boys staring at their Sect-dressed cousin. “If that’s the case, bringing him might be a bad idea.”
“I know,” Wu Ying said. When Li Yao made a face, he shrugged. “Still, maybe he can prove himself to his father by helping with whatever task he sets us on.”
“If he sets us on anything,” Li Yao said with a tone of caution. “He might not be willing to listen.”
Wu Ying tossed his head, dismissing her concern. Not because he thought she was wrong, but because if he thought of it at all, then what was the point of him coming? Better to hope, to believe that there was a way forward.
After crossing through the second inner gate, they were led across a courtyard to the north-facing hallway. This was not the main hall, but it was not one of the first ones they had passed. It was clear, at least to Wu Ying, that their presence and their affiliation with the Verdant Green Waters Sect was being respected. It would, Wu Ying hoped, give them some leverage. Turning aside a single petitioner might be easy but doing so when a group of them had arrived from the Sect would be more difficult.
Once the group was inside, they were shown to seats where snacks and a pot of steaming tea awaited them. Small washing bowls and towels were placed on side tables, which the nobles went to immediately to wash off the grime of the road. Tou Hei and Wu Ying glanced at one another before they copied the actions of their friends, washing hands and dabbing at their faces with wet cloths before they took their seats.
For a time, the group waited, sipping on tea. Tou Hei and Bao Cong, after a short wait, started in on the snacks, unperturbed by their surroundings. Wu Ying on the other hand sat at the edge of his seat, his hands on his knees, tense and waiting. Yin Xue did not bother sitting, sipping on his tea as he strolled around the hall, peering at various pieces of artwork and stone carvings. He would occasionally stop and admire a piece. As for Li Yao, she sat primly on her seat with her teacup, neither tense nor lounging. Content to wait.
Long minutes ticked away and Tou Hei’s slurping as he ate made Wu Ying grit his teeth in annoyance. He almost spoke up twice but clenched his jaw. The second time because Li Yao caught his eye and shook her head, forcing him to hold onto his patience. Wu Ying was so close but still so far as Lord Wen took his time showing up. Each minute was torture for Wu Ying, one that he tried to ignore by focusing on his breathing, the slide of cold air into his lungs and the way his aura teased at the various unaspected portions of chi that flowed through the hall.
It was nearly half an hour later before the doors leading further into the structure opened. Wu Ying shot to his feet and winced, realizing how eager he seemed. Li Yao stood up more languidly, followed by his friends all turning to stare at the newcomer.
Lord Wen was a large man, standing just over six feet, and big the way once muscular men who aged and stopped exercising were. There was still strength in his frame, but it was hidden underneath layers of fat. A slight graying in Lord Wen’s hair and his imperial-styled beard showed the stress of the past few years. Lord Wen was dressed in t
he long, glittering robes that were his wont, golden thread and red on pale silk laid over his body. Numerous other accessories lay on his body, from jade bracelets and rings to a necklace that held the kingdom seal, the mark of his nobility.
“Lord Wen.” Wu Ying bowed.
His companions mimicked his movements, even Yin Xue, much to Wu Ying’s surprise. Though he noticed that Yin Xue did call his father by his paternal honorific.
“I’ve been expecting you,” Lord Wen said, brushing past the bowing Wu Ying to take a seat. He flopped down, legs crossing as he stared at Wu Ying, unperturbed by the presence of the others. He did, however, fix his son with a reproachful gaze. “Not you.”
“I came to speak with you about—”
Lord Wen cut off Wu Ying. “Stealing my villagers. I know. What makes you think I should even countenance a discussion?”
Wu Ying hesitated as Lord Wen went on the attack immediately.
“If you did not want to, you would not be speaking with us.” Li Yao offered Lord Wen a smile, bowing again as she re-introduced herself. “I’m sure there is some agreement we could come to.”
“For the loss of an entire village?” Lord Wen snorted. “Is the House Lee offering their support?”
Li Yao’s eyes widened, and Wu Ying saw the growing smirk on Lord Wen’s face. Lord Wen was playing with them.
Rather than let the others speak any further, Wu Ying stepped forward, drawing Lord Wen’s sneering focus again. “This is between you and me. They are just here as my…” Wu Ying glanced at Yin Xue and then Bao Cong before changing the word he was going to use. “Companions.”
Lord Wen snorted, his disdain clear. Yet Lord Wen flicked a gaze to the three nobles in quick order before stopping on Tou Hei, and he bit off whatever acerbic comment he might have voiced. “What do you offer then, Wu Ying?”
