For a long time, my owner is in a state of what I could only describe as bliss. Though, it is not exactly bliss, because beyond this warm, bubbling emotion is a bloodthirsty outlook towards the future, no doubt visualizing how she plans to prove to this backwater sect — as Lady Yue put it — that she is more than deserving of their consideration.
Naturally, I strongly approve of this outlook and plan — more blood points is optimal. Although, if she really does decide to go down an extreme path of violence, I am not so certain that her voyage towards the pinnacle of existence will be possible if her physical vessel is recycled into useless scrap.
However, my hands are tied at this point — any discouragement will introduce flaws into Lan Xiaohui’s heart and I cannot allow that. I need her to be confident in herself. I need her to transcend her worldly attachments to common sense and pursue the Dao like a sword would — like I would.
After a while — a couple of hours at least — Wu Yulan returns to Lan Xiaohui’s chambers and this time she also brings the courage to knock on her door. Not only knock, but also open the door, wait for a moment, and then call out to my owner as she enters.
“Sister Zhu, I am worried about you,” Wu Yulan says, emerging from the doorway and stepping into the room. She carries a tray with some meat-filled buns and varieties of sliced meat of origin I am not familiar with — likely appropriated from a spirit beast of some kind.
Lan Xiaohui is surprised when Wu Yulan so forcefully invites herself in, but it doesn’t seem to affect her mood or heart in any manner.
My owner smiles at her visitor and puts my vessel away — back into my sheath — and then pats the spot on the bed next to her. “There’s nothing to worry about, Wu Yulan,” she says. “I am fine.”
Wu Yulan’s expression remains the same — a mix of worry and curiosity, but the desire in her heart to be helpful is genuine. “Are you sure? We could go out, or spend some time together, or do something to distract you.”
Lan Xiaohui’s smile remains on her features and also remains just as genuine and brilliant. “I am sure,” she says. “It doesn’t bother me anymore.”
The unspoken topic here is my owner’s poor result at the exam.
Wu Yulan nods. “I am really sorry, I hope you are not mad at me.”
“Why would I be mad at you?”
“Because of what I did when I came out of the Formation,” she says. “I was so happy, but I did not realize that you were… not happy.”
In the meantime, Wu Yulan sits down next to my owner and folds her hands on her lap.
Lan Xiaohui chuckles at this and shakes her head. “You had every reason to celebrate. I am not mad at all, I promise,” she says.
Wu Yulan inhales and then looks at my owner with a burning determination in her eyes. “Sister Zhu, I will tell them that I will not join the Galaxy Sword sect unless they allow you to join as well. I’ve made up my mind.”
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Lan Xiaohui stares at Wu Yulan as if the princess had lost her mind.
“They will listen to me, I am sure,” the white-pink-haired girl says. “I will convince them,” she adds, with more confidence this time.
Lan Xiaohui smiles. “I appreciate it, but you really shouldn’t risk your place in the sect like this. Even if your qualifications are sky high, can the sect really afford to lose face by allowing someone like me into their ranks?” Lan Xiaohui brings up a good point. “If they make an exception for me, then everyone will demand an exception.”
Wu Yulan shrugs. “I don’t care,” she says, flatly refusing Lan Xiaohui’s logic. “If they say no, we can find another sect to join. Together.”
Lan Xiaohui’s smile grows at Wu Yulan’s words, and she nods. “Let’s try our best to make sure it doesn’t come to that. Not all is lost, just yet.”
“That is right,” Wu Yulan says, setting the tray to the side when Lan Xiaohui makes no attempt at the food on it. “Aunt Yue, Uncle Zhu Ye, and my mother have all departed for the Galaxy Sword sect. I am sure that is also because of me, but I am certain that they are also there on your behalf.”
“My behalf?”
Wu Yulan nods. “My Wu family is strongly affiliated with the Galaxy Sword sect. We are allowed to send one person to compete in the Martial Meeting,” she explains. “As long as you are affiliated with my Wu family, it is not impossible.”
“But I have already shown a poor performance — would your Wu family really want to lose face by sending me to the main event, and risk being humiliated if I cannot achieve a good result there either?” Lan Xiaohui asks.
To this, Wu Yulan has no reply.
Lan Xiaohui’s words make sense — she has a good mind for politics. The Wu clan has already spent many generations holding on to their influence and power by not sending their talents to the Galaxy Sword sect — to suddenly reverse directions on behalf of an unknown is an unprecedented risk that could ruin their standing in the city.
On the other hand, the Wu clan has already produced an incredible talent in Wu Yulan who achieved something that has never happened in the sect’s history, meaning that they could afford to take some risks.
“Either we enter the sect together, or we don’t enter the sect at all,” Wu Yulan says, her tone suggesting that changing her mind on this is impossible.
In a show of friendship, Wu Yulan takes Lan Xiaohui’s hand into her own and stands up from the bed. “Sister Zhu, let’s go practice together,” she says with the same tone that suggests that refusing is not an option. “My family has a private section in the sect’s mountains where the Qi is rich and there are no dangers. I’ve been there a few times on my own and it is completely safe.”
Not that my Lan Xiaohui needs to be assured of something’s safety — in fact, being safe might be an unattractive quality to her.
Lan Xiaohui also climbs to her feet and nods. “I did promise I would help you practice — I could use some myself.”
Wu Yulan beams at Lan Xiaohui and reveals that this has been her plan the entire time. “I’ve already let everyone know that we will retreat for a couple of days to cultivate in seclusion. No one will bother us.”
Lan Xiaohui’s eyebrows lift slightly at these words. “They are fine with leaving you alone with me?”
“Of course,” Wu Yulan replies immediately. “You are with Aunt Yue.”
These words are offered as if they are the most obvious explanation in the world. Just what kind of person is Lady Yue, and how much influence does she wield?
“They also gave us some medicinal pills and pastes, just in case. And spirit stones. Talismans, too. Also a cauldron.” Wu Yulan continues to enumerate the various treasures that she received for this brief retreat and I can only appreciate, from a distance, how easy and simple it must be to be born into a powerful family.
Even putting the treasures aside, owning a private cultivation spot in a sect’s hinterlands must not be a simple achievement either. For an ordinary cultivator, none of these things are guaranteed.
“The only downside is that there is little we can do in a few days, but that is fine!” Wu Yulan exclaims, that same determination still sparkling in her gold eyes.
My owner smiles mysteriously and I have an unsavory premonition about what she has in mind. “We have more time than you think.”