When it happened, I wasn’t surprised. Annoyed, but not surprised.
That Idiot Li tried to turn me into part of his punishment slaughter.
Mind you, I wasn’t the fumbling oddity who’d only just entered the Novice stage of cultivation now. I could sense his qi, faint as it was, and the wave of sadistic malice he was giving off unconsciously.
Really, no control or skill. I’d do the monastery a favor and kill him, but that kind of violence just isn’t part of me.
So instead, I jumped over his clumsy lunge, and landed hard on his back before kicking his head a few times. Hard.
“Idiot. I don’t mind you being petty, but the incompetence just means you’re wasting both our time.”
Mistress Song suddenly laughed, and I think I cleared the monastery roof when I jumped in surprise.
“I’d heard you were training regularly Novice Xiang, but this just makes it obvious. You’ve learned more in half a year than some cultivators do in five decades.”
I preened a little.
“It’s nice to get a feel for my improvement, but depressing to see that some have not improved at all. Maybe he’d make better compost than kitchen help?”
Mistress Song shook her head. “Killing sapient beings tends to corrupt the soul, even when they deserve it. Sometimes it’s necessary, but I’d avoid harming others in self-defense. Especially for an obligate herbivore like yourself.”
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I nodded. “Fair enough. Still don’t like this one, though. Hateful, selfish, and not even clever about it. I’d call him a thoughtless beast, but that’d be an insult to Kaoru and her kind.”
“I’m glad you two have been so friendly. Kaoru’s always felt a touch lonely, being surrounded by nothing but humans.”
“Talking beasts! Such abomination will not-”
I thumped Li on the head again.
“It’s better to keep your mouth shut if all you can speak of is your own ignorance. Even ‘beasts’ know that. Stupid human.”
“Now now Xiang, Li is starting at a disadvantage. He came from a prominent family in a large city, and has to un-learn a great deal of prejudices.”
“Huh. Cities. I can understand banding together for strength and security, rabbits do that all the time. But humans seem to take it far beyond what is reasonable, then use what they started as a way to survive as a method of killing themselves.”
Mistress Song smiled.
“Such is the way, for those who have learned to reason but still cannot think. How is your dao developing, by the way?”
I thumped Li again. Not because he was saying or doing anything, just because I felt like it.
“I’m developing a stronger will and more sense, but the focus just isn’t there. I’m just… kinda wondering what the point of this all is. The benefits of cultivation are nice, after all, but I would’ve been just fine living out my life as an ordinary rabbit.”
“You fool! To ascend to the peak of cultivation is to be an immortal god! Who wouldn’t wish for such-” *THUMP.*
“I didn’t ask my cushion its opinion, so it should stop volunteering it.”
“I admire your assertiveness, Xiang. I’ve been schooled by elders who could measure their lifespan in centuries, and some of them weren’t as strong-willed.” Mistress picked me up, and rolled Li onto his back with a foot. “A god who cannot understand the joys of a simple life is not one I would ever care to be. Aim for better, Initiate, and know that your punishment has just been extended by five full years for your actions today. I shall be speaking to my friend here about how she might better focus her cultivation.”
I smirked, and got comfortable as we walked away.