A Beginning's Continuation

by Tony Tran

  “This one here needs to be burnt to a char and then mixed with water.” Lingqi mumbled as she did one task after the other. If she misses or messes up even one of these tasks then the pill that results from her hard work would be an entirely different pill, one that she more than likely does not want.

  Soon dozens of neatly placed bowls could be seen on the large table that was withdrawn from Lingqi’s interspatial ring. The contents in these bowls would soon poured into an ancient looking pill cauldron that was placed beside Lingqi’s work table. With a total of ten dragons made of gold, wrapping themselves around the cauldron, with each of their mouths being a place to deposit medical herbs into the cauldron, this cauldron could be said to be on of a kind.

  This of course, was to allow the concoction to add more herbs into the cauldron without having to open the lid, thus letting out the hot air inside. From the char marks on the cauldron’s lid and the mouths of the dragons and the medical smell that was given off, anyone could tell that this cauldron has been used many times before.

  But it was common knowledge that the more a pill cauldron was used, the more medicinal aura it collects, increasing the success rate of concocting rare pills.

  “Alright so the Spring Autumn root goes in first and after half an hour it should turn into a murky purplish liquid.” Lingqi said as she placed the Spring Autumn roots into one of the golden dragons and let it slide down into the cauldron.

  “Ignite!” She said as she continually channeled essence into the cauldron and began the concocting process. For cultivators, it is a common practice to use essence to concoct pills. Every cultivator’s pill cauldron would have a built-in mechanism that would ignite once it was fed some essence. Unlike Zhang’s fire made purely out of essence, these mechanisms used an ore that most call Sun Stone, to create and maintain the flames inside the cauldron.

  Thanks to the Sun stones inside the cauldron, people such as Lingqi who do not have high affinity with fire, can make fire with their essence. However, Sunstones don’t have very many uses besides to ignite flames for concocting pills or perhaps starting campfires. This is of course, because the essence consumption when using these stones is exponentially high, and would be very impractically in a battle. For example, for the same amount of essence that it took Zhang to ignite ten flames for ten hours, the sun stone could perhaps only ignite four flames for ten hours. Hence its impracticality because most if not all people would opt to use the elements they have the highest affinity with, since every bit of essence expended could mean the difference between life and death when in a battle.

  So once the Sun stones within the pill cauldron were ignited, dazzling flames could be seen in the eyes of the ten golden dragons, giving off a majestic air. Within the cauldron, the Spring Autumn’s root was immersed in flames and turned from its average looking shade of brown into a bright orange color, indicating its age.

  As the flames continued to shower the roots within the cauldron, a flood of purple colored droplets began seeping out of them, evaporating up into a small chamber at the top most section of the cauldron. After the Spring Autumn roots, a few other herbs and medicinal plants were added one by one, in succession to each other, in a particular order.

  The aroma of the mixture of herbs, cooking within the pill cauldron soon wafted through the entire room and streamed into Lingqi’s pores as she concentrated on fueling the flames with her essence. When concocting pills, a portion of its potency is lost due to steam escaping from the pill cauldron, the portion lost depends on the type of pill and the skill of the concoctor but there is a hidden benefit to this loss of potency.

  Because the concoctor in turn would be able to absorb a portion of the lost potency into their body when concocting. Over time, the concoctor would have absorbed a large amount of beneficial medicinal aura into their body, often times strengthening their bodies and increasing their life spans.

  Of course, this worked vice versa for poison concoctors, since they would be continually absorbing poisons into their bodies, over time this could either have a positive effect or a negative effect, depending on if they could gain immunity to poison or expel the poisons collected in their bodies.

  Legend has it that a certain man had concocting so many pills that his body itself became immune to poison and by simply touching other people he can cure any illness that they were afflicted by. Of course, this is a thing of legend, but all legends have a hint of truth in them.

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  After Lingqi had snuck out of the bedroom, Yuying was the next to wake up.

  “I should let them rest some more.” Yuying thought as she slid out of the bed and went to clothe herself. Moments later the bedroom door creaked open and Yuying’s slim body swiftly squeezed through. Seeing Yuying, the guards stationed in the corridor in front of the room silently saluted her.

  With a smile and a nod of acknowledgement, Yuying briskly walked through the long corridor. But unlike Lingqi, she did not head down to the lobby, rather she headed for the roof of the brothel. Last night while roaming the brothel and engaging in various games and fun, she happened to hear about a flower garden being on the roof of the brothel and figured she should have a look at it.

  “If it’s as beautiful as they say then I’ll visit it again with him.” She thought as she ascended a small wooden staircase that is somewhat hidden and kept out of view. It could be said that this garden was a hidden treasure of the Wolfden Brothel and only frequent visitors or people lucky enough to hear about it know of it.

  Soon enough Yuying arrived in front of a simply looking paper screen door which slowly swung open with a gentle push. Once the screen door opened the midday’s light made its way inside and embraced Yuying and showered her in warmth.

  With the sun gracing her with its warmth, a thousand roses of various colors entered into Yuying’s vision. The morning dew could still be seen on some of the roses and once the sun struck them, it only served to make the scene even more surreal.

  Besides the thousand roses, there was even a lotus pond that was built into the roof of the building. Koi fish with the size of cats could be seen swimming about within and from time to time they could be seen peaking up out of the water.

  But what captivated Yuying the most was not the garden nor the pond, but the view that was offered. She could overlook the rest of the city from the roof of the brothel, such a view could only be described as breathtaking.

  “Although it can’t compare to home, the view here isn’t too bad.” She said softly as she was reminded of when she often climbed one of the spiraling towers within the Yama’s Palace to look over the City of the Dead.

  When Yuying was a child there weren’t many opportunities for her to leave the palace, so she would often go to one of the spiraling towers and look outside. Like a bird in a cage, she longed to spread her wings. As the years went on and thanks to her diligence and personality the Yama gave in and would allow her to go out into the city once a while, of course, once someone is given a taste of freedom they would never be willing to return to the state that they were in before.

  Thus, began Yuying’s frequent escapes from the palace, on one such occasion she ran into a certain young man, one that would help her achieve what she had longed for, true freedom. But of course, there are often times when she still reminisces about the past, about her father, and about life in the palace, because there is always a place in one’s heart for a place that was called home.

  Although it was a somewhat boring place, filled with many rules, it was still a place that she called home for many years and she would often miss the little things that would often occur there. From the beautiful view of the city, to the various maids that she grew up with and the familiar halls and places that she often frequented.

  “One day I’ll go back, on my own accord.” She thought was she reminisced, while looking out into Wolfden City. But unlike everyone else, in her eyes, she did not see Wolfden
City at all, rather she saw the place that she called home.

  Brothels were replaced with ancient looking homes, hotels and restaurants were replaced with magnificent villas and majestic palaces. Spiraling towers that pierced into the skies sprang up as her gaze drifted across the city.

  Lost in thought and immersed by the past, Yuying sighed and continued to look out into the distance.

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  After Lingqi and Yuying, Ai was the next one to awaken and after some cuddling, she slid out of bed and went outside. It had been decided yesterday that Ling would be given the day to hang out with Zhang and for the others to not to interfere, so Ai quietly made her way outside.

  Like the others, she received a silent salute before making her way through the corridor. But unlike the other two, she did not stay inside the brothel and made her way onto the busy city streets.

  “That looks like a good spot.” She said as she walked toward a small food stand at the corner of the street that is selling meat buns.

  “One meat bun please.” Ai said to the middle-aged woman who was selling meat buns as she sat down at one of the tables that were set out for diners.

  Moments later the middle-aged lady placed a plate with a steaming meat bun in front of Ai.

  “Enjoy.” She said as Ai gave her some bronze coins.

  Once the lady was back at her stand, Ai picked up the steaming meat bun and began nibbling away at it. Of course, her reason for coming here was not to eat a meat bun but rather it was so she could watch people interact with one another.

  Unlike the rest of the group, Ai who had no memory of her past had always felt distant from others beside Zhang, Yuying, Ling and only recently Lingqi. Thus, she had set out to learn more about human interactions.

  She would watch how others interact and then try to match her experiences with these interactions.

  Sometimes she would watch how friends treated each other, sometimes she would watch how family members interacted and other times she would observe how lovers expressed their love.

  Perhaps one day she will truly come to understand humanity and be able to choose whether to keep herself aloof or integrate herself into it.

  But for now, all she is doing is observing and trying to understand all there is out there regarding people.

  Chapter 33: What if?

  It was not until a few hours before evening did Zhang awaken from his long night of fun. While his eyes were showered by rays of light from the sun, he realized that the warm and soft objects that usually surrounded him were missing. It had always been the common routine for Zhang to be the first to wake up and watch the others sleep.

  “I guess I shouldn't disturb her and let her rest.” He thought as his gaze was focused on Ling. After his hand traced her beautiful sleeping face, Zhang tried to get out of bed and dressed himself however before he could do so a gentle hand tugged on his sleeve.

  “Just a bit longer.” Ling asked with half opened eyes. With a smile, Zhang crawled back into the sheets.

  Besides lying next to each other and caressing, nothing really happened but one could tell that such a moment was rare for these two so they thoroughly enjoyed it. The warmth that they have off served to fuel their love for one another, unlike the other girls, Ling and Zhang always had a bond that has been around ever since they were children.

  A bond that made is so that Ling would always possess a special place in his heart. She wasn't as outgoing as Lingqi, mysterious as Ai, or adventurous as Yuying but Ling would always be there. She would be the wife who would have a meal ready for you after a long day's work.

  “Sometimes do you wonder what if the Siwang Empire never attacked?” Ling asked as her arms were wrapped around Zhang’s arm and her thigh brushing against his.

  “Don't you wonder what would have become of us, if all those things never happened?” She added.

  “You would have gone to the Royal Academy and become a high-level Mage who would climb to the pinnacle of status and power and be sought after by princes. While I would have tried my hardest to catch up to you as you keep getting further and further away from my grasp.” Zhang said in a somewhat sad tone as he pulled her in closer.

  It was more than likely that the things that Zhang said would have been true had the Siwang Empire not attacked. He would have stayed a level one cultivator while trying his hardest to push his body over the edge to catch up to Ling, a genius Mage who not only had smarts but was also bestowed with beauty. She would catch the eye of some prince and he would watch as she is snatched away from him.

  So, one could say that the Siwang Empire’s attack was somewhat of a blessing that ensured their fate together. Of course, such a blessing would be soon repaid, repaid in blood. But to be able to do that They must first unite the Warring States Region and raise an army that the likes of the other kingdoms and empires had never seen before.

  “In the end, I, would have run away and then we would be together and maybe own a farm or a small inn.” Ling said in a joking tone.

  “A farm?” Zhang laughed as he imagined himself tending to cattle and raising livestock.

  “Owning an inn wouldn't be too bad though.”

  “Yup and then when we grow old we would leave our inn and farm to our kids and grandkids and enjoy our old age.” Ling added.

  “We can do that now, you know. Now let's get up and go on that date.” He said as he gently kissed her forehead.

  For the most part these two did not need words to convey their feelings but once in a while time alone to express such things could be considered a treat.

  Soon the two of them dressed and departed from the hotel room, arm in arm.

  “My lord.” The saluting guards standing in front of the room said in unison as Zhang and Ling departed.

  “You guys worked hard, you should go and have some fun.” Zhang said with a grin as he handed one of them a small sack of gold coins.

  “Where do you want to go first?” He asked Ling who was now glued to his arm.

  “Don't know, let's just go for a walk.” She replied, happy that the others gave them some time alone.

  Thus, without a goal the two lovebirds made their way to the main staircase and headed outside of the Wolfden Brothel. Wolfden City itself was filled with various attractions that were only waiting to be seen.

  Thankfully Wolfden City unlike most cities, was filled with beauties, making it so that the beauties did not attract too much attention to themselves. Although not many could compare to them, the festive atmosphere and pace within the city made it so there weren't too many people looking to cause trouble.

  Within each other's care and without any guards, Zhang and Ling made their way through the busy streets.

  The instant they walked outside, Ling caught sight of Ai but she skillfully diverted Zhang's attention elsewhere and walked the opposite direction.

  “When it's your turn you'd probably do the same too.” She thought with a hint of self-pity as she eyed Ai from the corner of her eye.

  As the two made their way through the streets a sign caught Zhang's attention. The sign read, “Wolfden City Beast Auction” and in front of the building was a stone statue of a fierce looking wolf.

  “Let's go have a look.” Zhang said once he saw that hordes of people which were going into this particular store.

  Following the crowd the two of them made their way into a large auditorium with a mid-sized arena pit at the very bottom. Much like the arena in the Wolfden Brothel, where the fights took place.

  “Welcome everyone to our monster auction!” A middle-aged man said as he walked to the center of the arena down below as everyone was getting seated.

  “Here at the Wolfden Monster Pen we offer some of the finest specimens that you'll ever come upon. From rare never before seen demonic beasts to the monsters of legends, if you're lucky enough to be around, we’ll be auctioning them off.” The man said while waiting for the last few peopl
e to enter the room and seat themselves.

  Like the Golden Lotus auction houses, there were vip rooms with balconies. Of course, since Zhang and Ling simply followed the crowd and did not reserve a room prior or tell others of their status, they were seated with the common people.

  “For those who have not taken part in one of our auctions before the rules are simple. Each bid is made in at least a one-thousand-coin increment and all sales of course, are final. Demonic beasts come as they are displayed and it is the buyer's responsibility to transport and tame them, of course, all the beast's that we auction have had a bit of training done so they will not outright attack people but we feel that too much training would defeat the purpose of having a demonic beast, since no one wishes to buy a full knife or a dog with no canines. So, without any further ado the auction will now begin.”

  Moments later a large cloth draped cage was pushed onto the center of the arena by two hulking men.