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Chapter 38: "Elegant Forms."
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The caravan's guards and scouts recognised Shae, making her return smooth and simple. They even offered to notify Mistress Ping. Shae agreed and sent along an apology, saying she would be staying around the sect cultivators tonight, but she would still be at Mistress Ping's disposal tomorrow.
They directed her to where the sect had set up camp. Shae hadn't been staying with them previously. Yet, she assumed Master Long's attempted apology included retracting Sword Bai's request of distancing herself from the group.
The area was easy to find as it was lit with qi lamps similar to the ones used at the geyser. Brighter lamps surrounded the three leaders, and a few dim ones between the students, likely just so they could see the ground. She found them in the middle of a large group exercise. Master Long, his disciple Zhango, and Guard Shu were leading the routine. She almost didn't recognize Shu out of her armor, but there were very few females among these cultivators that were as physically built as her.
The exercise reminded her of Tai Chi, and her village's variation: Tao Yan. Slow flowing movements between poses that looked simple, but Shae knew they would be harder to hold and balance than they looked.
She watched and compared for a few slow breaths before she was interrupted.
"You can join them, if you want to." A familiar voice said.
Shae turned to the voice and startled. "Shu?" She looked between the guard beside her and the woman leading the group.
The Shu beside her smiled.
Shae spotted a few things and pointed at the unarmored Shu. "So, that's Apollo? Did she ask first?"
"Hah! Good guess, or good deduction, but she didn't ask, I did; even paid her to do it."
The young woman gaped, "Paid her... You... don't like leading?"
Shu shrugged. "Not really. My form isn't great and I get scolded for it, then overworked by my master."
"Your master? Have I met them?"
She shook her head. "No, but you should. She's a great martial instructor. Can teach you to use those better." She pointed at Shae's weapons. "Or even if you just want to swing an ax better." She smirked.
"Heh, well, I've little interest in fighting for its own sake. But I should learn to defend myself. Is it qigong, what they're doing?"
Another nod. "It's our sect's version of qigong, sometimes called moving cultivation. Everyone learns it, but few master it. Most practice it for the unique skills and techniques that use it; few actually cultivate with it."
"Have Long and Apollo? Mastered it, I mean."
"I don't think so, but it's hard to tell, Apollo is smart enough to not overdo it when impersonating me."
"Hmm."
Shu patted her back. "Go on, join in, they are about to begin another set." She pushed the young woman towards the group.
"Fine, fine." She skipped forwards from the push and dropped her bag near the back, then found a spot in Apollo's section, and noticed Scribe Bai at the front, right across from the disguised woman.
She caught glances from a few as they returned to the base stance. Feet as wide as their shoulders, hands cupped into each other over the sternum, close to a military salute.
Apollo grinned when their eyes met, and they nodded to each other as greeting.
"Little faster?" The woman called out and looked to Master Long.
Shae saw that Long's attention was on his disciple. Though, he must have heard me talking to Shu. She knew how much he talked about always listening, and could only guess how good his hearing must be.
Long nodded anyway. "Yes, most are following well enough. Half again as fast, then double on the next round."
A brief frown flashed across Apollo's face, then she smiled smugly, her gaze catching on Shae again. "A set of spring squats for each misstep, two if you fall over." She called out, eliciting a few groans from the group.
Shae frowned at the obvious bullying, but had no reason to object. Technically, I won't even need to do them, I'm not in the sect yet. Yet, she also knew that wouldn't end well. Someone would pass on the punishment to her, even if she never went in for physical training at the sect. She was planning on some training and learning qigong, so avoiding it wasn't helpful, but a little pressure right now might help.
When they started, the first thing she noticed was how different the forms were. Her center of gravity was low, but it was clear she wasn't holding it the same as the others were. She first felt the movements were jerky and sudden compared to her Tao Yan. Hmm, but we are moving faster.
She did need to shift her feet a couple times. She wasn't used to the static stance they were locked in. Instead of the long steps and balance used in her style and in Tai Chi, their feet were stuck, planted flat where they were. She was confused at first, but quickly realized it was because they were in a large group, so large movements would cause disruption to their neighbors. She also noted that if they moved around like Tao Yan, they would quickly lose sight of the instructors as they pivoted and turned around.
It's restricted, that's what's wrong, why it feels different. It's cramped into this static stance, unable to move freely.
Almost as soon as she put words to those thoughts, the missing steps became clearer. Not all of them, but she could spot a few places where there should be a step out of the stationary stance, followed by a shift of weight.
Unfortunately, getting distracted by that only led her to make more mistakes. Multitasking to follow along, learn the new movements, while also looking for steps that weren't there was a fool's errand. Yet, she couldn't resist the puzzle.
As the third repetition started, she began to shift her weight from foot to foot with how she expected the steps to operate. It wasn't that different from her village's Tao Yan. The steps alternated from foot to foot so she mostly had to monitor where her center of gravity should be: find when it should shift from one foot to over the other, and without conflicting with the arm movements that were the majority of the exercise they were doing.
The fifth repetition was the last, and the group paused for a rest before the double speed set to come.
Shu-Apollo had a devilish smirk that Shae thought didn't quite match Shu's personality. She called out to the group, "Well done, most of you. Except for a few standouts, let's average out the group's mistakes to three each. If you know you made more than that please do an extra set. As for the standouts..." She rattled off a few names and how many mistakes they had made, the most being twelve.
Shae was impressed they had done so well, but knew better than to think she had escaped ridicule.
"Of course I was not tracking us group leaders, I'll leave that count to Master Long. And lastly, one very notable standout: Wise Shae. You seem to need additional attention. I'll not embarrass you in front of the group with your mistake count, but why not move up to the front to have a clearer view of us leaders."
Ah, yes, this definitely isn't embarrassing, Apollo. She frowned at the woman.
The entire group turned to stare at her as she moved to the front. Taking position beside Scribe Bai and sending another grateful student to her spot in the back.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Wise Shae. I hadn't seen you arrive." Master Long perked up.
"Oh? Master Long, I thought for sure you had overheard my conversation with the guard beforehand. Should I congratulate the group, or cultivator Zhango on earning so much of your attention?"
"Ah, hmmm. When did you join?" He ignored the barb.
"Before the last set, just before the speedup was requested, Master Long." She bowed slightly and gave a meaningful glance at the fake Guard Shu.
"Ah, I see." He nodded, but gave no clear indication he had followed her hint.
"And how did you like it, Wise Shae. Any wise words to share with the class about the exercise?" Apollo teased.
Zhango scoffed. "Pffft. After one rushed set?"
Apollo's grin grew fierce.
Good job Zhango, now I have to say something. She didn't, of course, but silently accepting the taunt went against her personal rules. That might make her seem weak, like she would just accept any bullying and disrespect.
"Well, I'm no expert, even in my village's style, and as it was my first experience with this style, I can't say I've formed much of an opinion." She paused for half a beat to let Zhango and Apollo grow smug, "However," she raised her voice and left another beat of silence to enjoy their reactions, though Apollo seemed to only smile wider. "The constant movement and weight shifting felt erratic initially, though that could easily be my own inexperience or that it was a rushed version. The thing that stood out most clearly was how restricted this version of the exercise felt. I'll be very interested to see the real, full version displayed at the sect."
A few confused murmurs played over the crowd. Apollo was hard to read, Zhango just looked confused, but Master Long's expression was the most interesting. He was smirking; even breaking his stoic mask to do it. "Well said, Wise Shae, though Guard Shu and I could do that demonstration right now?"
A flash of panic crossed Apollo's face. "I'm more interested in what Wise Shae said earlier, about her village's style. What style is it?"
Good deflection. Shae flashed a frown. "They called it Tao Yan. I was never praised for my ability in it, but it's good to have something to keep the body moving."
"Hah, Tao Yan. I believe I've heard that to be rather elegant." Long scratched his chin.
"Less so in the hands of a novice. I assure you. Last time someone saw me practicing they recommended I switch to qigong. Could we get back to that, Master Long?" Shae rushed out.
"Ah, but the group could use a breather after that fast round." Apollo commented.
Shae looked at the group, no one was breathing heavily.
"I wouldn't mind a demonstration of something new," Zhango chipped in with his own smirk.
Shae snapped her intent towards him, flicking his ear. Stay out of this you brat. She shouted internally. He only flinched a little, a confused expression crossing his face. She had only used a little intent, hoping Long wouldn't notice.
Yet, her action was too late, the old fool either had it out for her, or was just that oblivious. He nodded slowly, hardly showing any emotion. "I must agree, Disciple. Seeing a variety of forms is an important learning opportunity. And Wise Shae can show us what an unrestricted form looks like. While I'm sure it was mentioned during the group's earlier practice, we are doing a stationary version of qigong. Some of you new recruits may have forgotten that by now."
Shae sighed with defeat and moved to the well lit section of the field, picking a spot where she wouldn't collide with any lamps. "Since it is a direct request from a Master of the sect." She emphasized as she walked out the area. "You three, I'll need a bit of room here part way through." She nudged a few onlookers back. She looked back to Long. "Perhaps you can owe me a favor for this? Though, again, I am not a good example of the forms. I think they would learn more from a full qigong demonstration."
"True." Long nodded. "But we don't want the new recruits to get ideas and learn bad habits before proper training."
"And my example won't do that? Ah, how about our Senior here performs qigong after me for comparison?" She pointed at Apollo.
"Hmm, that would take too long, we had better get back to training soon." Apollo said.
"Oh? First a rush for a rest, now a rush to get started again. Come here and do it at the same time then. A direct comparison is always better." Shae blurted out without looking at the woman. She took off her outer robe, exposing her bare arms and tunic underneath. A few gasps came from the crowd. "Oh, it's nothing you haven't seen before." Shae snapped at them, then tied her lower robe up to free her legs. She had gotten more used to this clothing arrangement because of having to run around so much during the day. I should really just get some pants.
She stretched a little bit, the previous exercise had already warmed her muscles, but the habit was still there. Then dropped her sword as well, uncertain if it would get in the way.
She was surprised to find Apollo right next to her, shaking her own limbs out in preparation. "Uh." She stammered, she hadn't expected the woman to join. "I'll be going slower, it's what I'm used to." A quick look at the space they would use, pointing around the imaginary circle that Tao Yan would take her. "It'll go... East, then South, and around. Is yours the same?"
Apollo shook her head. "Opposite, but I can match pace just fine."
"Hmm yes. I'm sure you could mirror me quite perfectly if you wanted."
The woman let out a quiet chuckle, then looked at Shae's right arm. "That's new?"
"I had an interesting day. Shall we?"
"After you."
They lined up back to back and Shae concentrated on her breathing, ignoring the murmuring crowd. Two breaths in and she started the first movement.
Shae almost missed a step in the fifth form as Apollo came into view. Then had trouble with the sixth and seventh as they passed close to one another. Seeing the similarities and differences in the forms was distracting, as was the close up of the woman's muscled body wearing almost as little as she was now.
Shae felt a bit of conflicting emotions at that. Darn teenage hormones. Knowing it's not Shu isn't helping either: way more awkward.
She pushed it to the side and focused on her own exercise. Remaining control and feeling more confident during the last few steps where they came back around to face each other again. Her youthful emotions seemingly resolved, for the moment.
She slowed to a stop, matching her breathing and held the last pose for an extra breath, then relaxed out of the stance and turned to face the crowd. Apollo mirrored her without even lagging behind.
Scribe Bai clapped first and a few others reluctantly joined in, unsure if the gesture was appropriate when Long and Zhango did not join.
As the awkwardness cleared Long clapped once to get everyone's attention. "Well, excellently done Guard Shu. Wise Shae, thank you for that. I might say, I had heard Tao Yan was a bit more... elegant?"
Shae had started picking up her belongings again, starting with her sword. As she buckled it on, she took a deep breath and exhaled through her nose. "As I said, several times, Master Long. I am no expert. If I need to make more excuses I'll remind you that I am in the body cleansing stage where muscles and strength are being alerted, affecting my stability."
Someone in the crowd muttered, "Is that what's up with her arm?" A few scans went off from the crowd, waves of light qi touches passing over Shae. Then she felt a stronger one from Long, his qi was distinct in its power and element.
"Ah, yes. Unbalanced cleansing. Well that does give us the opportunity for a lesson." He held his gaze on Shae for a moment too long.
"Master Long." She jumped at the gap between sentences. "While I'm certain it is a lesson the new recruits should learn. I do not need to learn it. I have already been the subject of that lesson in Minlin City, by the military Corporal stationed there. Moreover, you should know that this cleansing wasn't under my control. If you have a lesson on uncontrolled qi, that I would find much more enlightening. Though, even expertise would not have prevented this." She held her glare on him.
He held it stoically, as he always did. Then nodded slightly and turned to the group, "Well, now is not the time anyway. The new recruits are not near cleansing and the rest have already had that lesson. Take what you can from the demonstration, but please don't experiment with adding steps to the stationary practice. Let us resume. Guard Shu, did you still want double speed?"
She smirked. "I'd say even faster, now that they have had a chance to rest. But yes double is fine, then straight into a slow set afterwards. Let's not forget how effective the practice is when done properly."
The crowd echoed a few groans as she spoke.
Shae found the faster exercise harder to follow, and felt it was even more erratic than before. Once they slowed down again she was able to learn much more. Though not until the second and third rounds when she had caught her breath.
They took a longer break after that with more focus on breathing and stretches. Then one final set with gaps between rounds of forms to cool down. Shae noticed a few of the weaker qi lamps fading and going out on their own. This seemed to be a signal for the end of the session as Long dismissed them at the end of the next round.
Apollo remembered her punishment right after that. "Spring squats will be tomorrow morning before we set off. Don't forget!" The crowd groaned unanimously.
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