Winter was a sordid affair. Forests Edge was all but lifeless with scant few daring to leave the warmth of their homes. Northern winds from the distant Dragon Range blew freezing gusts over the towering pines, sending flurries of snow into the air, the flakes fading into the permanent overcast clouds like stars in an abyssal sky.
Yet despite the frigid weather, Fang was preparing to head out on his first hunt.
“Granny, I’ll be back in a few days at most.” He said, trying to soothe her motherly worries.
“Oh dear, it’s too cold, too cold to be out there! I have no idea what that brute Kang is thinking but I swear! If you have so much as a cut on your beautiful face they’ll have more than the heavens to fear!” She said with a huff.
Fang chuckled, “I’ll do my best to stay safe Granny, but no promises, hunting is…”
Well, I don’t know what hunting is do I?
Granny Gian waved her hand dismissively. “—Dangerous! And foolish in this weather!”
She sighed. Cupping his small face in her weathered hands. He felt the callouses on her fingers against his skin.
“Promise me you’ll come back in one piece?”
“I promise Granny, and I’ll bring back plenty of meat for the kids.”
She smiled, adjusting the fur cloak on his shoulders.
“Heavens bless you Fang.”
“You as well Granny.”
Fang left the orphanage, heading towards the hunters lodge on the outskirts of the village, he adjusted his leather pack, the weight of his dried rations and bedroll insignificant despite its large size.
Fang smiled, the excitement of finally leaving the village getting to him. It was his first steps into the wider world after all — the mundanity of his training had almost made him forget that there was an entire world out there. Filled with supernatural and magical entities he had only read about back on Earth.
Hell, I’m no longer a mere human myself.
Fang :
[Cultivation]
- Mortal Forging Sutra I (Great Success)
[Technique]
- Earth-Shattering Steps I (Small Success)
[Bloodline]
- Mortal Human
Fangs progress was incredible, his Mortal Forging Sutra had already reached Great Success, granting him the strength of an Ox. Though it was clear that his small stature was currently holding him back. That was unfortunately out of his control, unless he could suddenly age five years he’d be unable to fully enjoy the fruits of his labour.
The System was accelerating his growth by unfathomable amounts, each perfect training session was akin to ten. He wagered he’d reach Peak Mastery in his Cultivation by the end of winter, and Great Success in his Earth-Shattering steps as well.
The only worry on his mind now was getting access to higher grade refining manuals and techniques.
But is this it? Will I have to just keep stacking refining manual after refining manual?
He had long since come to terms with his lack of Spirit roots. But he worried that no matter how strong his body could become he’d forever be at the mercy of Qi. A small fish in an ocean of flying swords and Qi arts that could slice mountains in two.
Lost in his musings Fang quickly arrived at the lodge. Just outside five large men could be seen packing gear and sharpening spear tips. Fang spotted Kang sitting on stump staring at the sky, a large mug in his hand steaming into the cold air.
The man quickly spotted Fang as he approached, a large grin plastering across his face.
“It’s a lovely day for a hunt isn’t it Little Bull!” The man shouted to him as he downed the contents of his mug back.
Fang gave a small smile, hiding his annoyance at the nickname, it was honestly getting on his nerves and he didn’t know why. He looked up to the sky to see nothing but grey, it was supposed to be morning yet there wasn’t even a lick of sunlight to be seen.
Kang seeing him look at the sky could help but laugh.
“Come over, we’re almost ready to leave.”
Fang joined up with the group, watching keenly as they went through their final preparations. The other four hunters: Liu, Dan, Tian and Lu were all in their late twenties and thirties like Kang, they’d been sworn brothers for decades, their familiarity with one another apparent as they prepared in utter silence, handing one another rations to pack or rope to coil. Each of them carried a bundle of throwing spears, javelins made of simple iron and dark wood.
They were built alike, broad-shouldered with dark muddied hair that hung to their shoulders, hugging their necks like wild manes. It was a stark contrast to Kangs bald head, though he made up for it in strength of build and beard.
It wasn’t long before they set-off. Northward, into the depths of the Savage Land.
The scenery quickly turned disorientingly beautiful. The towering pines above them blending into a repeating pattern of white and dark bark. Wind blew overhead frequently, slapping small piles of snow from branches that fell in small white showers. The soft crunch of their leather fur-lined boots filled the otherwise overbearing silence with a squelching rhythm. Nobody spoke, as it would likely alert any intended prey.
Fang kept up quite easily despite the knee-deep snow, the hunters in front of him trailblazing an easy path for his much smaller legs.
Fang did his best to try and stay oriented, but quickly found himself lost amidst the surrounding landscape. He had to place his trust in the hunters to lead him home, as he quickly admitted to himself that’d he’d be screwed without them.
It had already been nearly a full day, and they hadn’t spied the faintest hint of an animal.
This is going to be a long few days Fang inwardly groaned, wondering what he’d just signed himself up for.
He realized a little too late that his leather boots weren’t treated with the same fats as the others, a coldness seeping between his toes like his boot were filled with snow.
He’d survive, praying that his recent attainments in body refining would stave away the creeping onset of frostbite.
His toes were, after all, quite important.
—
They had been searching in and around the forest for over two days, the wet reality of the cold becoming commonplace — inescapable.
It felt like the hunt would never end, that they were going in circles over and over with no final destination. An anxious feeling of impatience had slowly bubbled within Fang, his shoulders aching in tempo with his steps.
Suddenly, Kangs fist rose into the air, hovering just beside his head, the endless march ground to a sudden halt.
“I see tracks, brothers.” He whispers, his grizzled voice carrying a bubbling excitement.
A breath of relief is pulled out of everyone behind him.
“Finally…” Liu whispers, shrugging his shoulders in relief.
Without prompting everyone begins to unload their gear, dropping everything but their weapons. The gear would be useless in battle, and unless a blizzard came through in the next day or two they’d find it again easily. Supposedly.
All of the hunters hold their javelins and larger spears tipped with iron points. Kang, however, seemed to prefer hunting with a great saber — it’s dark metal blade the size of his torso.
He kneels down, his hand grazing across the large hoof holes that trailed away deeper into the forest.
He grinned, the exhilaration of incoming battle bringing a smile to his face.
“It’s big, could be a halfstep Qi-beast…” He said, his voice trailing as he stares into the forest in anticipation. The hunters grunt in agreement.
He turns to face his brothers, seeing similar smiles on their faces. He gives a quiet laugh at Fang, seeing the serious look on his little face.
“Relax little bull, don’t let the cold strangle your muscles taught, just breath boy.”
Fang nods, only now realizing that he was overly tense with anticipation. He took a deep gulp of air, before letting his breath dissipate into the clouded sky above. This whole experience was a first for him, having never had the chance to hunt back on Earth.
Kang grinned, with another grizzled whisper he speaks once more, his words a declaration of ensuing victory.
“Tonight brothers, WE WILL FEAST!”
The hunters moved quickly, gliding through the snow like silent bulldozers. Fang followed in their wake, his eyes darting around him half-expecting to see a beast of terrible nature staring at him from behind a tree.
Yet it wasn’t until another thirty minutes had passed that the group finally caught sight of their prey.
And it was no beast of terror, a beast for sure, but nothing that would cause his breath to hitch in his throat.
It was just a boar — albeit one the size of a small car. It’s rotund body matted in tufts of brown and white fur, a confusing camouflage that helped meld its large frame into the snow and forest around it.
Two tusks the size of Fang’s legs curled upwards. From between them small snorting breaths lifted into the air as the boar used its tusks to dig into a patch of earth beneath a great pine.
Kang signaled everyone to hold steady, his fingers giving a series of silent commands to his brothers.
‘Fan out, surround, throw spears, make it bleed.’
His charade of orders was surprising easily to understand Fang thought, likely developed in-house through years of hunting.
Kang gave Fang a look, and motioned for him to stay alert and look for an opportunity.
His eyes all but screamed, don’t get yourself killed, Little Bull, followed by a predatory smile as he looked at his brothers. They all nodded, turning away and silently stalking around the boar.
Fang could feel his heart ramping up as he watched the hunters surround the boar. Even despite its thick coat of fur he could spot thick bands of muscle squirming under its skin.
Kang stood, pulling his great saber off of his back, his knuckles white gripped around its dark leathered hilt.
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Without a sound he charged forwards.
Immediately the boars ears pricked upwards, but before it could turn to face the hulking man charging it down with a saber a chorus of whistles filled the air.
Four javelins soared through the air, stabbing into the beasts fur with fleshly thunks.
It roared, a screeching squeal that shook the earth around it. Kang shot forwards, his own movement technique on display as he bounded forwards with large strides.
The boar twisted its tusks at him, trying to skewer the man. Kang easily evaded, leaping to its side. He slashed his saber across its side-chest in a heavy swing. The metal clawed a deep gash open, deep crimson blood quickly flooding out the wound.
The boar roared once more, lifting itself on its hind legs before slamming down.
Kangs eyes went wide as he lept backwards. Even then, the sheer force of the slam caused him to shake, his bones rattling in his legs.
Another series of javelins flew through the air, though only two landed this time. Tian and Lu charged forwards, spears in hand they tried to stab the boars hind-legs.
The boar in a surprising display of dexterity whipped around and shattered the spears with its tusks, nearly taking out the two hunters in the process.
Blood flowed into the snow. The white quickly stained in splatters as the boar shook itself, dislodging the javelins in its side. It huffed, stomping its foreleg into the ground below repeatedly.
“WATCH THE CHARGE!”
The boar shot forwards, rearing its two black curved tusks at whoever dared to block its path. Liu and Dan tried anyways, facing the beast head-on. With shocking speed, their spears shot forwards like bullets.
The iron points sank deep, a squelch of blood erupting in red blossoms in the boars neck before the spears shattered against the charging force.
The hunters were thrown aside, one of them screaming as his arm bent backwards against the boars thrashing charge.
“LIU!“ Dan screamed watching his brother get flung backwards, his arm clearly mangled.
“DONT LET THE BEAST GET AWAY!” Kang bellowed.
Yet before the beast could charge into the forest, leaving a trail of blood seeping into the snow. A thunderous crackle resounded, shaking the nearby trees of their snow. The ground nearby exploded into a plume of snow and dirt.
Fang blurred through the air, his tiny form flying at the boar. Right as he reached it, he twisted his body, flipping himself into a front-flip and slamming his heel down onto the boars spine.
A blood-curling snap rang into the air, the boars flesh reverberating at the impact. Its hulking form tumbled across the snow covered forest floor leaving a trail of bloody destruction in its wake.
Fang landed in a crouch, his breath hot in the cool air.
“It’s still alive!” He screamed. The boar tried to rise again, though it was visibly struggling.
Kang flew past Fang displacing frigid air as he did. He raised his great saber over head. The iron blade bisecting the falling snow around him in two, before he slashed down into the boars neck. A small boom shook the earth, a cloud of snow uplifting into the air, leaving the world in a stunned silence.
Snow continued to fall around the hunter group, the many heaving breaths the only noise filling the air.
Kang rose from the floor, dusting the snow off him before pulling his saber free from the boar with a fleshly rip.
He turned, seeing all of his brothers alive.
“FUCK YEAH!” He cheered raising a fist into the air.
The men all cheered, Fang included.
“WE WILL FEAST TONIGHT BROTHERS!” Kang cheered once more.
—
Liu’s injury was hard to look at, but the hunters assured Fang that it was merely a flesh wound, easily fixed with a months rest and some herbal remedies from the village doctor.
Liu and Tian quickly left to retrieve their gear, as the others made quick work at creating a makeshift sled from the nearby trees.
When the pair returned they rolled the the beast onto the makeshift sled, before tying its corpse down with copious rope bindings.
With little fanfare they began the long trek back to the village, the weight of the boar made easy by the snow below.
Despite having been out in the wilds for over two days, the hunters said it would only take a day to return.
“That was impressive Little Bull! What technique was that?” Kang asked from nearby as he lugged the boar forwards.
“Thank you, it’s called the Earth-Shattering steps.” He replied which made the hunters widened their eyes in surprise.
“Heavens little bull, the refining regimen didn’t scare you away?” Tian asked from nearby. He was familiar with the Mortal grade technique, as there really weren’t many to choose from in these parts.
Fang chuckled, “It wasn’t easy, but no pain no gain.” He said which elicited an affirming nod from the group.
“Well said! No pain no gain indeed — Ya hear that Liu? HAH!” Kang said as he poked at the injured man with a booming laugh.
Liu rolled his eyes only to wince in pain as he did so.
Kang thought for a moment, rubbing his beard with is bear like hand. “That’s a powerful technique but it lacks flexibility during movement Little Bull, you know this?”
Fang nodded. “I do, but it was the best one I could afford that also gave me an offensive move.” He said with a sigh.
Hopefully he’d be able to gather enough money to afford another technique once winter was over, a fist or palm technique was surely at the top of his list once he was less… broke.
“Well…” Kang said hesitantly. “…with how hardworking you’ve shown yourself to be… I’d be willing to share my own Wind Striding Steps with ya if you promise to keep up the effort?”
Fang looked at the man incredulously, sharing techniques, even measly mortal grade techniques, was akin to passing along a family heirloom.
“Truly?” Fang asked.
Kang grinned, slapping his chest with a deep thud. “Of course! I, Kang, never go back on my word!”
Fang smiled, and bowed cupping his fist to the large man. “Thank you senior! I will be forever grateful!”
“Ah, none of that matters boy, just show us that pain and gain you talked about and I will rest easy.”
—
The hunting party returned to the village with little fanfare. Liu immediately broke off towards the village herbalist while the rest continued onwards, dragging the boar to the only butchery available.
“Old Ren! We have work for ya!” Kang screamed from outside the small workshop. The building was of two parts, a house attached by a semi-open aired workshop with a collection of knives, from large curved dao blades to bone knives. Fang felt like he was peering into an armory instead of a butchery.
The door to the house opened with great effort, the snow that had built up just outside the door was swept away as an elderly yet muscular man with tied back hair peered out from behind the door.
“Kang you need to learn how to lower your damn voice—“ Old man Ren said before his eyes went wide like saucers.
“—Great heavens! Is that a Qi-Beast?!”
The hunters laughed and even Fang couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction at the old man’s reaction.
“HAH! Old Ren you wish! It’s merely a half-step beast…” Kang said with badly hidden sarcasm.
Old Ren shook his head. “Ai, you young’ns have no humility! None I tell you!” He said in mock anger, a smile tugging at his lips. He was after all the butcher, which meant a part of the beast would be his to keep, even if it was small.
“Bring it round back to the block and I’ll get you all a leg for tonight, I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”
Fang watched with rapt attention as Old Ren dismembered one of the Boars hind-legs with a massive curved blade. His movements clearly refined over decades of practice, the old man made quick work of the boar, first skinning the leg then severing it at the ball joint. He then quickly portioned and packed the meat in an oiled leather-bound wrap, and under Kang’s direction also reserved a smaller yet still substantial amount in another package.
Kang grabbed the smaller portion and turned to Fang, handing it to him with a large smile. “Here Little Bull, there’s more to come but why don’t you take this portion back home for Granny Gian and the others, she must be worried sick about you. Meet us later tonight at the lodge and we’ll feast together!”
Fang smiled, gratefully thanking Kang and the butcher who only nodded him away too busy hacking away at the boar.
As he made his way back to the Orphanage, victory meat in tow, a small wave of exhaustion overcame him.
His body had been running on adrenaline and the high of battle and only as he approached home was it beginning to relax.
I cannot wait to sleep in a warm bed tonight. He thought, the two nights of cold and wet bedroll was enough for him. He wished he had access to a spatial ring or an system-granted inventory, but could only sigh at his lack thereof.
When he stepped into the orphanage a comforting wave of heat and the sweet herbal scents of the stews he had come to love quickly filled his nose. Immediately, many small faces turned to see the haggard intruder, before a chorus of cheers filled the air.
“Elder brother Fang is alive!”
“Big bro is back!”
“Is that meat I smell?”
A small gang of little thugs charged at him, hugging him from all sides before they quickly reeled back in disgust.
“Big bro you need to bathe…” Said one of the smaller kids. Fang could only laugh as he was pulled into the home.
“Now now, go back to the table and keep eating! You dare let the stew I cooked go cold? You want your dear old granny to break her back for you!?” Granny Gian said in soft scoldings.
The kids quickly returned to eating but couldn’t help their bubbling excitement.
Granny Gian approached Fang pulling him into a soft hug and cupping his face, before she turned his head over as if examining him for a fleas.
“Are you hurt? Did that brute Kang make you fight a Qi-beast? Why do you smell so bad?…” She said in rapid fire, her endearment washing over his tired muscles and bringing a calmness to his mind.
“I’m fine Granny, just a little tired. I’ll tell you all about it after i’ve bathed — oh, and I brought you all a present.” He said as he unwrapped the large morsel of boar meat.
The kids at the table stared stunned, before a clatter of spoons dropping led way to a roar of victory.
“MEAT!!!!”
“Big Bro is the BEST!”
“I LOVE MEAT!”
They screamed in fury as Granny Gian could only shake her head with a soft smile.
“Thank you Fang, we’ll save it for tomorrow to celebrate your first successful hunt it seems…” She then turned staring the kids down with a fearsome gaze. “BUT ONLY… if you can finish your dinner tonight.” She added.
That made all the kids sit straight, as the ravenously gobbled down the stew mouths already watering for next dinner.
Fang chuckled.
After bathing himself and washing away the days of grime and exhaustion, he left the orphanage towards the hunters lodge.
Even from afar he could see the flashes of a large fire ablaze, the mouth-watering scent of dripping fats and meat carrying through the air. His stomach grumbled, his muscles hungering for that sweet sweet protein.
A small band of people were already merrily drinking away as he arrived. The boars massive leg was skewered and cooking over a large open fire that sizzled as its juices dripped down. Kang had two drinks in his hand, his voice booming as he retold the battle with the beast.
“—AND! As the beast reared to charge away, already frightened at our sheer power and killing intent, Liu and Dan met it face on, their spears causing the air to explode as they stabbed the beast nearly stopping it in its tracks!” People gasped and cheered, some smacking Liu on the shoulder in astonishment. The man grimaced at the impact but still smiled at their words.
“Yet even bleeding a river of blood could not stop the beast from running from us. For a moment we all thought it would get away until…”
His voice hung in the air, people leaned forwards as he drew out the cliff hanger.
“BOOM!” Kang shouted, making people jump in shock.
“Out of nowhere our Little Bull shattered the very earth below him, moving faster than any of us could see, he kicked the boar so hard its back snapped in two!”
Fang smirked, that’s not exactly what happened…
“The force was so great that the beast nearly broke in half, the trees shook and the snow receded, like an immortal cultivator had descended. Our Little Bull shouted at us: KILL IT! And hearing him, I strode forwards, my saber in hand I cleaved the boars head clean off its body.”
Everybody cheered as Kang wolfishly grinned at his retelling until he sighted Fang approaching.
Oh Heavens, please spare me.
“There he is! Our very own beast slaying bull! Little Bull!” Kang said pointing a sloshing mug at Fang.
“Little Bull! Little Bull!” People began to cheer, as Fang could only shake his head ruefully.
Before he knew it a drink had been shoved in his hand and he was pulled into the band of the increasingly drunk group.
“A CHEER! To a great hunt, and our Little Bull!” Kang exclaimed.
“A CHEER!” He received from everyone back, as people slammed their drinks back.
Fang smiled, the atmosphere like a black hole drawing him in. He likewise slammed his drink back, feeling the rice wine burn down his throat.
The night continued on, amidst a cacophony of laughter and exaggerated tales. Kang, despite having already drunken enough to kill a mortal man still found time to bring Fang into the hunters lodge.
The inside was lit by a number of animal fat candles, and a large hearth that burned in the center of the large single room. A number of animal skulls and furs adorned the walls, along with a host of weapons from spears and broken swords, claws and fangs of beasts long since slain.
Kang pushed a small manual into Fangs hands. A worn thing, his leather binding tattered at the edges and its pages slightly yellowed with time.
“Keep it Little Bull, I’ve already mastered it long ago, and I’ve thankfully no kids to pass it down to. Just promise me you won’t give up on your training, and live up to the name of little bull will ya?”
Fang smiled, feeling the alcohol sloshing in his stomach. “I promise Kang, hell, I’ll even promise to becoming a Great Bull one day!”
“HAH! It won’t be long now, you seem to be talented in body techniques. Go, feast then rest. We won’t be going for another hunt any time soon — what with the all this meat to eat, we’ll be too busy sleeping and drinking!”
The night dragged on, and in a drunken haze Fang stumbled back to the orphanage, his new technique in tow.
The moment his face touched his small cot, he fell asleep. The warm embrace of his bed sucking him into a deep catatonic slumber.
—
Far to the south-east, following the Blue River away from the Savage Land and Dragons Range, a series of mountainous uplifts rose into the sky. The numerous peaks like fingers reaching for the heavens.
Nestled between these very peaks lay the Azure Lotus Sect. Despite the frigid snow-scape all around, not a flake of snow dared land on the sect grounds. A great formation encapsulated the sect in its entirety, isolating the paradise within from the mortal world just outside.
A myriad of pagodas and arching pathways hugged the mountains, winding around from its highest peaks to its lowest base. The buildings liberally spaced about, carved delicately from stone, as if hewn from the mountain itself. Small artificial ponds and streams flowed about the sect grounds, a million lotuses, blue as ice gently floated on their surfaces in perpetual bloom giving the waters a mystical aura.
At the entrance of the sect, a massive gate stood, its two pillars made of translucent blue jade that glimmered against the formations magics shimmering as they reflected against the winter wonderland outside.
An outer disciple, Ku Lu, stepped into the sect formation with a great sigh. He quickly combed his dark green hair back with his hand, before adjusting his blue robes with another sigh.
“Hurry up will you? How much longer will you make the Elder wait?!” He says harshly to three young children behind him.
The kids are ragged, but wide eyed in awe as they step into a new world. They can’t help but gawk at the barrier behind them, the frozen world seemingly unable to penetrate the magical barrier they crossed.
They glanced upwards, cranning their necks to see the massive gate above them, carved into a signboard with glowing gold letters they read: “Azure Lotus Sect.”
Ku Lu sighed again, rubbing his forehead in exhaustion.
These fucking country bumpkins, barely passable aptitude taking my precious cultivation time away. Curse these damn missions!
“Come!” He says, whipping his sleeve forwards. The kids struggle to keep up as Ku Lu quickly strides forwards. He greets two guards dressed in taoist robes similar to his, but emblazoned with black lotuses on their sleeves.
“Identification.” One of them demands.
Ku Lu flipped his sect token towards them, a small Lotus carved of blue jade, with the words ‘Outer Disciple’ emblazoned on its surface.
“Outer Disciple Ku Lu returning from a mission, with three new potential disciples.” He says respectfully.
The two guards eyes glow blue, as if peering into the immaterial itself. They scan the token, below staring deep into the kids behind him. The kids quiver, a cold sweat building on their backs as their spines chill. The feeling of being seen through washes over them as they struggle to stand upright. The guards hold their gaze for a moment, before their eyes return to normal.
“Proceed to the Hall Of Beginnings.”
Ku Lu nods, silently cupping his fist to them as he strides forwards. The kids struggle to to the same, fumbling through the gesture before frantically chasing after Ku Lu.
They weave through the outer sect grounds, passing by a number of other cultivators, all dressed in similarly blue robes. Some were merely walking around or conversing with their fellow daoists, some were seated in lotus position at the edge of a pond, or under a blossoming cherry tree. Waves of Qi visibly emanating from them as they meditated.
Ku Lu approached a large seven-story pagoda made of dark wood and marbled stone, a number of lanterns floated outside, illuminating its entrance with a otherworldly presence.
An old man with long grey hair wearing blue robes adorned with white stripes was waiting just outside. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, staring out towards a large cherry tree in the distance.
Ku Lu respectfully approached, bowing his head low as he gave another cupped fist greeting.
“Disciple Ku Lu greets Elder Zhen, I have successfully found three potential disciples for the sect.”
Elder Zhen turned his head slowly, glancing at the three kids behind Ku Lu, his gaze sending chills down their spines. One of them foolishly met his gaze only to see that his eyes were deep, unfathomable pools of dark blue.
“Very good Disciple Ku Lu, and what of the reported bandit encampment?” Elder Zhen asked, his voice carrying a deep resonance to it.
Ku Lu gulped, his hands shaking ever so slightly as he held his head down.
“Reporting to Elder Zhen, I found no evidence of a bandit encampment in the area — I believe the information to have been wrong-“
The temperature around them dropped suddenly. Ku Lu grimaced as he felt an intangible weight press down on his shoulders. A cold-sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Elder Zhen stared down at him, a sneer on his face.
“Wrong? Tell me, Disciple Ku Lu, do you mean to tell me that the Sect was wrong?”
Elder Zhen’s voice echoed outwards, a wave of power behind his every word.
“N-No Elder! Forgive this foolish disciple! I will immediately set out and search again!” Ku Lu stammered out, his heart banging in his chest like a war drum.
Elder Zhen looked away, back towards the cherry tree in the distance. The instant he did so the pressure on Ku Lu subsided. Ku Lu gasped for breath but still didn’t dare look up.
“No matter, I will deduct a hundred contribution points from you for failing part of your mission. Do not make the same mistake again, you are dismissed. Leave the children.”
Ku Lu nodded, before bowing once more and turning away. He passed the kids, not batting an eye towards them.
The kids were trembling, their heads hung low as they struggled to breath under the presence of Elder Zhen.
The moment he was out of eye-sight of Elder Zhen he let out a deep sigh.
One hundred fucking points! That’s nearly my entire completion reward for heavens sake! For a measly bandit camp?! He bemoaned.
Yet before he could inwardly curse further a voice called out to him.
“Ku Lu? You’ve returned! My dear fellow daoist, how did the mission go?” A tall man said as he approached.
The man was similar in age to Ku Lu, both of them in their early thirties. Their cultivations granting them retained youth. The new man stood in stark contrast to Ku Lu. With silvery hair and a pale face he looked like a ghost.
“Yin Gui, you’ve caught me at a bad time, I feel like I’ve just swallowed a frog.”
“A frog? What happened?”
“Gah, I lost a hundred heaven-damned contribution points because I didn’t clear out a bloody bandit camp!” Ku Lu said with a pained expression.
“Who the hell cares if the mortals fight amoungst themselves? Why do we need to concern ourselves with their petty affairs?!”
Yin Gui sighed as he watched his friend vent at the sky.
“Ku Lu my friend, it’s like this… We are like shepards!”
“Shepards?” Ku Lu asked, his brows raised in confusion.
Yin Gui smiled, a perfect set of pearly white teeth bearing themselves. “Yes, shepards! The mortals are our sheep, and the bandits a loose wolf.”
Ku Lu gave a look of incredulity at his friend. “But a shepard protects his sheep because they provide him with wool, the mortals provide us with nothing?”
Yin Gui clicked his tongue repeatedly while waving a finger at Ku Lu. “Tsk tsk tsk, you have wool over your eyes despite having just come back from herding?“ He said.
Ku Lu tilted his head in thought before it suddenly clicked in his head.
“Oh!” He said smacking his palm with his fist.
“The new disciples! I see now, Yin Gui when did you get so wise?”
“Aha, unfortunately that pill of wisdom came from my master…” He said tapping his cheek.
“Though he used lambs, and a rather distasteful perspective of slaughter as well. Regardless, I feel sorry for you friend. How about I treat you to this spirit wine I won from Shui Han over game of Go a few days ago?”
Ku Lu smiled. “How in the heavens did you beat Shui Han at Go?”
Yin Gui smiled. “I cheated!”
The pair looked at each other before laughing.
“Thank you Yin Gui, you made a sour day sweet, let’s go drink my worries away and I’ll tell you of all the things I saw on my mission.”