Chapter 〈 2 〉: The Tears of Blood
“Jian1 da ge!!! Jian da ge!!!!” Small cute voice called out.
A boy, no older than 6 was running through a garden. His bare-feet slowly trudging through thick verdure of immortal herbs.
The boy had a head of thick black glossy hair which reflected the kaleidoscopic rays of the bright golden sun. When running he had a perky smile and seemed to be looking for someone…
The small garden was obscured by a symphony of purple bamboo stalks covering the entire area. There were a myriad of immortal herbs oozing the thick Qi of the heaven and earth interspersed in a sea of rare cultivation herbs.
Qi being so thick in this pristine garden; it was potent enough to even suffocate seasoned cultivators. But this small 6-year-old boy was walking through the Qi as if a hot knife through butter.
The entire garden was a haven for practitioners. Seeing a small boy running through such a place even occasionally stepping on these priceless medicinal herbs would make cultivators cry out in anger…
The boy continued frantically searching for someone in the garden, and slowly scampered through…
The pitter-patter of tiny feet soon subsided…
A lone figure could be seen amidst the sea of bamboo stalks. The figure was swinging a long heavy sword viciously sending waves of pure sword Qi permeating throughout the forest…
He then turned to reveal a boy of 16 years. He had an extremely handsome exterior, with long flowing golden hair. His eyebrows were like swords, and his ebony dark eyes seemed to pierce the very soul.
“Yu’ er, did you come to watch your elder brother train…”
……...
sfx Huff….Huff….
Xing Yu was drenched in cold sweat as his chest shot forwards from the small bed. His eyes were blood red, and his fists were clenched so hard there was blood leaking from his palms. He rested his palm in his hair and swept it back to reveal a face filled with rage.
Bad memories he thought to himself…
He slowly got off the bed to reflecting on the events of the previous night. He remembered the words he had spoken to Lin Mei. That conversation had probably shocked her to the core, Yu thought to himself…
He had said them on purpose. He had revealed a side of himself that he had kept buried for the better part of 3 years.
He had revealed it. It was the only way to make her leave….
Although he had not wished her to tread the perilous path of a cultivator he could no longer do anything. He was simply too weak…
Lin Mei’s naïve mind didn't understand the gravity of the position she would hold at the Golden Crow sect. His presence by her side would cause countless difficulties for him and her… he couldn't let that happen…
Yu washed himself and wrapped thick white cotton cloths around his palms to hide the blood.
Today was the day the Madame would arrive. Her advent was going to be celebrated by the castle. The whole town knew of the arrival of the ‘immortal’. To general populous cultivators were legends. They would see a person flying through the air, traversing the heavens; and they couldn't help but watch in awe.
As Yu walked into the main square huge red banners were hung. They were bright red silk banners with the emblem of the vermillion sun imprinted on them. The whole castle was being decorated. Gourds of exquisite liquor, and mountains of food were being prepared, and the king himself was preparing to greet the Madame at her arrival. It was planned that the nobles, and the Kings consort would greet the arrivals at the gate of the province.
It was a celebration….
The small party soon arrived at the big red gate present at the front of the town.
Xing Yu watched waiting patiently next to captain Fan Gui, his gaze sweeping across the skies in search of the incoming cultivators. In his past he had seen many cultivators and they usually were proud, and arrogant fellows. When greeting mortals they would often come down from the sky, accentuating the fact that they were inherently superior. It was a symbolic representation of the obvious difference between mortals and cultivators, and also acted to disempower the commoners.
Soon an enormous peacock was seen in the sky. Its beautiful eyes, gazed across the lands as it looked at the Vermillion Sun province.
“Whoaaa” the crowd of citizens who had also assembled at the gate were completely mesmerized by the site.
The peacock had brilliant violet body, with an extremely beautiful phantasmagoric tail. It reflected the sun’s rays giving off a bright golden aura. Everyone was completely in awe looking at the creature.
On its back when looked closely were 2 figures. There was a silhouette of a woman, she stood, erect on the peacock’s back. Her figure was imposing as well as domineering. Behind her stood a young boy only a little older than Xing Yu’s own age. He was sitting down, his eyes closed as he seemed to be in a deep meditative state.
The Mottled peacock came down from the skies and landed on the large clearing in front of the gate. The whole process had not damaged the land in any way. It seemed as though the peacock had itself materialized onto the ground. The onlookers could feel not even a single gust of wind, as the enormous beast came down to the earth.
It was as if the beast never went against the wind but instead melded with it, embrace it. It was truly a magical sight. Many of the citizens had never seen such a sight before, it was as if a heavenly beast had descended upon their town. They stood in awe some even wept upon gazing at the event, overcome with emotion seeing such a transcendental event.
The beast slowly shimmered out of existence as the descending lady withdrew her martial spirit. Xing Yu quietly observed not making a single comment. He had seen many cultivators in the past and wasn’t as amazed as the common folk. He wandered his gaze to the youth at the back who had also slowly followed the lady. His head held high he looked at the people from the bridge of his nose, although his face held a pleasant smile Xing Yu could see the disdain he held for the people. Xing Yu had seen such eyes before and it helped Xing Yu immediately draw a conclusion on this person’s personality. Arrogance….
The lady was ethereal, it seemed as if she were gliding in the wind as she approached the king. The lady wore a striking Golden red flowing robes, inscribed with a symbol of the golden crow. A symbol representative of one of the top sects of the Jade cloud state.
The king stood in front of the crowd; his eyes immersed, his face brim with joy. When seeing the king the lady’s whole composure changed her lofty dominant exterior was replaced with one that exuded love, she bore a pleasant smile and a tear rolled off the corner of her eye.
Her facial features were striking, and her beauty was unmatched, and she bared a striking resemblance to Lin Mei. At first glance anyone could tell Lin Mei was indeed her child.
“Husband please forgive this one as she has been neglecting her wifely duties for too long...” she declared giving a deep meaningful bow as she expressed her sadness.
“Chun’er raise your head... There is no need for apologies…” The king expressed holding the shoulders of the lady as he slowly brought her up. It was a teary reunion.
“Daughter, it is nice to see you after all this years…” Madame smiled as she gave a small nod.
Lin Mei’s eyebrows furrowed. She was not ready for such a reunion. The corner of the mouth twitched slightly and without reason gave a deep bow.
“Hahaha..” the Madame chuckled at the sight.
Lin Mei’s awkward greeting soon broke the atmosphere, and everyone chuckled. Her shy clumsiness was indeed extremely cute and garnered the laughter of the small crowd.
Xing Yu was pleasantly surprised. He had never expected such a reunion. He had always known practitioners to be quite…different. Practitioners intrinsically thought themselves the better, they were inherently and subconsciously wired to revel in their superiority.
Xing Yu knew better than most the consequences of a cultivators pride…He himself exercised it with great tenacity once…
When looking at the 3rd daughter of the Golden Crow sect, Jinwu Chun2 he sensed no such pride. He was pleasantly surprised to find that the Madame was one of the few cultivators who had actually valued human life. Her feelings for the king seemed to be truly genuine and when she realised that they were finally reunited she was overcome with emotion.
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Xing Yu started to understand why such figures as the daughter of great sect and small town king had become wife and husband. He felt somewhat relieved that Mei’er was going to a place where such a woman was raised.
The youth who had arrived with the Madame slowly came forward also giving a deep bow. Xing Yu could still see the arrogance that had shown in his eyes, even though he had been masking his superciliousness with an air of humility. None of the others seemed to see this. They couldn’t help but be captivated by the youth.
Although only slightly older than Xing Yu he was a full head taller, and also held an unearthly handsome face. Combined with the fact that he was an ‘immortal’ many of the townspeople were completely entranced. He had extremely long black hair tied to a small pony tail, and bright azure eyes.
What a handsome youth!!!
Such grace!!!
The crowd whispered.
“Greeting lord, this one is the child of the elder of Fire Swallow peak of the Golden Crow sect. I have come with Lady Jingwu Chun to observe the world as is the necessary of a Scion Disciple of my sect; once we have awakened our Profound Veins3. Please allow me, Kwan Feng4 to visit your wonderful town” he bowed.
Everyone was taken back. Many of the terms he had used to describe himself were things that people were simply not aware of. This further added to the ‘mysteriousness’ with which the people viewed immortals.
A Scion disciple, was member of the sect who had not joined the sect like many others but had been borne into it. As being raised in the sect gave a somewhat sheltered life to the young cultivators many sects required them to leave the sect for a month to explore and understand the ways of a normal person by themselves. Although meant to raise character, this did little to give a disciples a lesson in human character. As the elders were too afraid that their progeny might perish. They ensured that their child was accompanied by a shadow cultivator who would protect them.
Xing Yu unconsciously darted his head around trying to see if there was a cultivator but failed to identify anything out of the ordinary.
Kwan Feng drew his gaze to all the townspeople giving them a bright smile; when he had gotten to Mei’er he held his gaze long and gave a somewhat deep smile. Lin Mei was taken back, and slowly shifted her gaze to Xing Yu.
Lin Mei was somewhat uncomfortable that Kwan Feng had been looking at her. Although looking meek and innocent Lin Mei had a surprisingly delicate tendency to be able to notice when a person is of ill intent.
His gaze was easily identifiable to Mei’er that it was somewhat lecherous.
Kwan Feng noticing her wandering gaze looked at Xing Yu, who wore a look of complete indifference.
“We are deeply grateful of the arrival of such a disciple, and humbled by your words. Please come...” the king gestured, inviting them to the town.
……
The palace had was completely buzzing in high spirits during the feast. Many of the high standing nobles had the opportunity to speak properly with the arrivals. All the towns’ noble ladies were engrossed by Kwan Feng wanting to approach him. They would sigh at his every motion and dreamed of one day flying the skies with him.
Xing Yu who had been accompanying Lin Mei could see him constantly stealing glances at Mei’er. He was further understanding the situation at hand and had started to become somewhat apprehensive about Lin Mei’s future.
It was obvious to Xing Yu that this Scion Disciple had come to woo Mei’er. Xing Yu looked at the bastard lascivious eyes couldn’t help but become angry.
Mee’er hadn’t said a single word to Xing Yu since last night but he could tell that it was all she had on her mind. She had little to no concern of the gazes that Kwan Feng was delivering and seemed to be lost in her own world.
Soon the hall came to an abrupt silence as the king and Lady Jingwu Chun stood on a small dais.
“My wife Jinwu has returned to awaken my daughter’s abilities as an immortal cultivator.” The king exclaimed. This was met with a resounding clap from everyone.
“We have decided to awaken her profound veins tomorrow morning when the Golden Crow of the sun is rising. As is decreed by the sect...” Lady Jinwu Chun explained.
The speech soon ended with the two taking their daughter inside and concluding the feast. All the nobles left and the workers soon adjoined to their resting quarters.
………..
“665, 666, 667” a voice trembled...
In the deep cold night Xing Yu was yet again practicing his sword. It was as if Déjà vu as he saw Lin Mei’s silhouette yet again approaching him.
“Ge…” she meekly said approaching him. Her face was had look of exhaustion as she came to him. He couldn’t blame her, it was obvious that these few days had been completely draining to her. Her whole world was changing…
“Mei’er about last night’s words…”
“NO! Ge…I don’t need to know. I know you are a good person… I want you to tell me when you want to…” she exclaimed.
“Thank you Mei’er…” Xing Yu whispered.
“Ge ever since I met you I…I…” she started stuttering. Catching her breath as she desperately tried to get her words out.
“Yu protected me when the Scarlet Tiger tried to attack me…You were there when father would yell at me…You were there when we would secretly steal steam buns from the kitchen….”
“You always protected me…and always mad made smile…” Her eyes clearly pouring streams of tears.
“But Ge…I have to leave soon…” she started. Tears were now completely covering her beautiful face…
Xing Yu remained quite not uttering word as he listened to Lin Mei. He was completely startled not being able to understand this turn of events.
“But I will come back… and when I come back…” she muttered slowly looking up matching her eyes with Xing Yu’s.
To Xing Yu it was as if his world had come to an abrupt halt, when Lin Mei muttered...
“Will you marry me?”
In that moment Mei’er face was brim with expectation. Her face was beautiful. Truly beautiful.
“Mei’er I…” Xing Yu started.
His face looked like he had been hit by thunder. There was numerous emotions painted on his face.
“NO! Ge…tell me when I come back…I don’t want to hear your answer…” she hastily replied closing her ears.
Not waiting further she slowly raised a beautiful iridescent jade pendant from her hand and placed it into Xing Yu’s hand. It was pendant with a willow tree carved into it. Xing Yu had never seen this before but at first glance he could tell it was indescribably precious.
“No Mei’er I can’t accept this…” he hurriedly interjected.
“Mother gave this to me today…it is from her sect…She told me it will protect me. Promise me that you will wear it until a time where we meet again…” She pleaded, forcing it into Yu’s hand.
“Mei’er please listen… I….” Before he could finish his sentence Lin Mei had darted off at lightning speed. Her body swiftly disappearing in the shadows.
Suddenly Xing YU’s feet became extremely weak and he fell to the ground. The events before him were simply too much. His mind recalled things he had suppressed for years, and in a burst of emotion his eyes were filled sadness, dread….
………….
“Yu’er in the future…will you marry me…..”
………...
Xing Yu remembered the small girl’s voice voice he had suppressed for years. All the memories came crashing into his head in avalanche of onslaught….
His eyes filled with tears of bright red blood. Such was his pain…..
………….
Thanks for reading the 3rd chapter of Argent Chaos. (To my earlier readers…I have made small change in the last chapter’s ending…To my new readers you need not concern yourself.)
[1] Jian: “to see”, “insight”
[2] Jinwu Chun: Jinwu – “golden crow” (Direct descendants of a sect will have the sect’s name in their own) Chun- “Born in the spring”
[3] Profound veins: The primary necessity for martial cultivation. These are with which a practitioner is able to absorb the qi of the heaven and earth (will be described in further detail in future chapters).
[4] Kwan Feng: Kwan- “gateway”, “mountain pass,” Feng- “Point of a weapon”, “the wind”