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Chapter 39: "Rain on Her Parade."
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Shae found Yun was completely correct in her assessment of how ready for sleep she would be. She had slept all afternoon and was now wide awake.
Instead, she dove into her practice notes for Manifold Journey, reviewing the practice she had started today, then the one she would need to do tomorrow. Right before she decided to meditate she was interrupted by a guest.
"Long? I wasn't expecting you."
"Ah, Miss Shae. I had hoped something had changed." He frowned slightly.
"Everything always changes. But in our case, not really. As for earlier, I don't feel the need to annoy the whole sect by disrespecting you in front of them, just you in private is enough." She smirked.
"And here I thought word of this morning's events might have reached you."
Shae snapped her fingers on her right hand and pointed at him, they both flinched at the snap, it was louder than she expected. She forced a cough and continued, "That reminds me, I have a letter for you." She reached into her pack. "Oh, but what happened this morning?"
He stared at her strange gesture, then continued a beat later. "Ah, well. I'm not the type to brag. I'll let you find out on your own from the others." He leaned forwards slightly, looking into her pack.
"Or you could just tell me." She said and pulled out two letters. She offered them to Long.
"Ah, yet where's the fun in that? Surely you would get a better retelling from the others, and you've barely spoken to them this whole trip." He raised an eyebrow and extended a hand to accept the letters.
She snapped them out of his grasp. "Or. You could just tell me. I'm not some loner child that needs to be taught how to socialize. I'm several times older than any of them, and I've kept my distance because Sword Bai explicitly asked me to stay away from them." She pulled something else from her pack, a small vial with white liquid in it, then tossed it to him.
"Err- oh? I thought..?"
"You said you would give that to another cultivator, yes? I'm not upset with them. Why should they suffer from your mistakes?"
"Hmm, I see." He tucked the vial away.
"And I should note that I've pulled the red qi out of my mix. We had a moment of disagreement that I couldn't abide."
"Disagreement? With qi?" He raised an eyebrow.
"With the Dao of the qi, yes. Remember I was trying to mimic heavenly tribulation qi. The red lightning represents wrath, vengeance, or punishment. Things that I decided did not agree with my path, so I discarded that part of the qi."
He looked a hair worried, even glancing up at the sky for a heartbeat. "Are you sure that's wise?"
She tilted her head, then nodded. "Yes, very wise. The wrath was focused on anger and pain, both things that are hard to control, hard to use wisely. If I have power, I need to be in control of it, not the reverse."
"Some would say learning to control that power could be a more bountiful journey. You might find more wisdom at the end."
"That assumes I can control it. Even as a glimmer of divine power, should I be able to control it?"
"A cultivator's path is to challenge the heavens." He said simply.
"And wrath and pain is not my path. I've no need for it. If you want to be helpful, I'm still trying to figure out the gold drops."
He lifted the vial and shook it; Shae could barely see it in the dim moonlight. "I'd think that'd be the easy part. Gold light from the heavens?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Except it's not enlightenment qi, that qi is different. They are similar, can be used for some of the same things, but go about it in different ways. They are not the same." She emphasized her point with a serious expression. It was likely undercut by her young appearance.
He showed a tiny smirk, hard to see in the dim light. "You seem to have a good understanding of it already. What do you expect me to say?"
She froze with her mouth open, about to say something. Then she leaned back from him slightly. "From you?" She said with a raised eyebrow. Then handed him the letter Yun gave her. "I had an interesting afternoon in Flame Well. Fairy Yun wanted to update you so I didn't have to explain it myself. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts, and not your predictable leading questions." She turned away from him and sat to meditate while he read.
He grunted out, "hmgh," but didn't stop her.
She was in her meditation and mindscape before he opened the letter. Unless he opened it silently. She shook away from thoughts of Long and their conversation. Hardly a conversation, I might as well ask a magic 8-ball for advice. Again, she brushed the thoughts aside, this time successfully letting them emerge and pass by as her meditation method prescribed.
She examined her Dantian, and saw that very little qi remained compared to before yesterday. She elected to cultivate, to soak up the energy of the world, thus refilling her reserves. The method she had experimented with yesterday didn't work as well anymore because she didn't have as much personal or demigod qi as she needed to make it work.
She also noted the demigod qi felt weaker without the red parts representing wrath. It was slower too. She sighed and just drew in the qi around her with brute force as she had initially. She kept her personal qi and some demigod qi cycling around her channels. It met the new qi first, balancing with it in even proportions and then cycling it around her channels on its own.
She only needed to actively draw the neutral qi into her Dantian as it passed. Though, she quickly found that taking all of the qi in and then splitting it apart inside her Dantian was easier.
Right when she found a rhythm, the qi around her had grown sparse, with distinct traces of water qi. She remembered Long was probably waiting for her and she carefully stopped the cultivation pattern. She knew she could just break meditation without doing this, but he doesn't need to know that.
She rolled her shoulders and stretched. "How long was that, Master Long?"
"Just over half an hour. Where did you learn that brutish cultivation technique?"
She tapped her temple. "I learned it up here. Heh heh. Is it any good?"
"Hmm. Fast enough to drain the local area. Though, the qi here is rather weak."
"Hmm. I had it working better before, I think. Not sure I can do as much without the added speed of the red lightning, though."
"It's not terrible, most of the other recruits should be able to match it with their own desperate grasps."
"Ah-ha! So, I'm slower than an untrained high-grade child. That is an actual answer, thank you."
He shook his head. "It's not definitive. Not objective."
"It seems like very few things are. How was the letter?"
He lifted it like he was surprised to be holding it, then flashed back to his stone faced expression. "It was interesting. Good job. How did you know where to find it?"
"The ringleader had a plan. There's always a plan, people don't just do things for no reason. Well, not usually. So, he threw it somewhere with intention. But he's human: they make mistakes. I just found the mistake. Then found how it slipped through the search, which was the only way it could."
"That's a very broad and vague description."
"Well, I don't know what's in the letter. It's still more of an answer than you usually give. Don't you want some loose ends to puzzle out on your own? If I just give you the perfect answer, how will you progress on your own." She spoke the last line rather sarcastically.
"I can hardly make progress in cultivation with a simple criminal mystery." He spoke as though the whole task was beneath him.
She found herself to be suddenly, rather irritated. "And who said it was for cultivation progress? I'm trying to help you make progress where you really need it: To learn to think gooder. Because every time we talk I find you make more foolish mistakes, a clear sign of thinking less, surely you're not so old to be reaching senile. It doesn't take an inspector to see that I brought you that letter because I didn't want to talk with you about it." She found her anger with Long to still be very fresh. "Take the hint and scatter."
Instead of leaving, he said, "Why do you feel the need to be so antagonistic?"
Her anger roiled inside her like a pot waiting to boil over, so she let it. "Why do you feel the need to answer everything with another question? Don't answer that, because you won't. It's not even a new question, you've asked it before. Now, here's a top-tip that no one else will tell you. That kind of bullshit doesn't make you sound smart or mysterious or wise. You sound like an asshole. I didn't ask you about one of the fundamental aspects of tribulation qi because I wanted you to help me sound out words in a children's book." She took a quick breath. "I asked because you are one of two people in this whole caravan that might have an actual bloody answer. And I was forced to pick you because I don't want to have to trust another sect ass-hat with more of my fucked up secrets." She held up the second letter she had. "This is that letter Elder Ghon asked me to deliver to the first sect Elder that could receive it. Implicitly, the first one I trusted enough, and guess what Long? You fucked it up again." She slammed the letter back into her travel pack, then sat facing away from him.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
She tried to ignore him, but the awkward silence stretched and he just stood there.
"Miss Shae." He finally said.
She turned to face him and received about a bucket's worth of water splashed into her face. She spluttered, "Wha- what the fuck!?"
"It's just water. You got so upset about the supposed use of violence the other day that I had to think of something new."
She wiped her face and tried to ignore the water soaking into her clothes, choosing to glare at the man instead.
"Now, I've explained this before, but I'll say it again. It is the responsibility of the teacher to guide the student to enlightenment. Even when they think they want simple and direct answers. Some teachers take that more seriously than others. I do know what the gold lightning is, or what it represents to me, and a few others that have shared or written it down. But I will not share that with you because I believe you can figure it out on your own. It's a vote of confidence in your abilities, not some attempt at mysteriousness."
She began to speak and was splashed again. She didn't even see him move to do it.
"The suggestion that you've removed the wrathful lightning from your qi is disappointing. That would be a very effective combat option. Yet, simplifying your qi will make it easier to handle, and should convert to personal qi faster. If you cannot comprehend the gold lightning, then you should know comprehending it is different from knowing about it. If you cannot comprehend it then I recommend stripping that from your qi as well. The pure qi base you have is good and there are many cultivation manuals for that. I cannot say if you will discover one for your strange divine blend."
Shae kept silent, waiting for more. After a few breaths, she spoke, "You can just say you don't know. I won't hold that against you."
He shrugged, "People expect a certain level of knowledge from Elders."
"And aside from a bit of water as a consequence. Why are you letting me be so antagonistic and disrespectful?"
He let out a faint chuckle. "Heh, I was wondering when you'd ask that." He gestured out to the rest of the caravan with open hands. "It's customary to give new recruits the opportunity to make mistakes. Especially before arriving at the sect. Have you seen much bullying or ruthless violence from stronger cultivators?"
"I... Well, no, I haven't. But the stories suggest-?" She gestured at the air, leaving him to fill in the rest.
"In this Empire, it is seen as dishonorable to bully one's lessers. When going beyond a stage or two difference, it is even illegal, only technically, and punishment is another matter. That is not true within the sects. Qi pressure, killing intent, even Dao pressure, you will undoubtedly experience all of these. Not just as a slap on the wrist when you step out of line, though that is most common. Get it out of your system now, Miss Shae."
"Should I expect a dramatic reprisal right after I join?" She folded her arms at him.
"From me? No. In group settings I will not tolerate it, thank you for being respectful during the exercise session. One on one I may permit more casual talk, though I really would prefer you to speak with more maturity."
She raised an eyebrow and bit her tongue. Then took a breath, "What about my mode of speech do you find immature?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He also raised an eyebrow.
"No, Long. It's not obvious. That's why I asked the bloody question. People ask questions when they are unsure of the answer, not simply to speak rhetorically."
"Well, that, then. Cursing and speaking down to me like I'm ignorant."
"Swears are expressions of emotion and frustration wrapped up in a single word, they are complex and efficient communication. Explaining something plainly isn't talking down, it's clarity of communication. But yes, if I was going to explain something quickly, it would be in a way a child could understand because my professional career in my last life involved a lot of talking to children, so it's a firmly set habit of mine." She raised a finger for him to wait, and took a deep inhale. "Of course, swearing is inappropriate around children so I very much can speak without using them. However, that would actually be me treating you like a child, like you couldn't handle a profane word or two."
She took another breath. "Now, what excuses do you have for your own poor method of communication? Stone faced, devoid of emotion, evading answers like they will cause the conversation harm. Operating with the assumption that the other party wants a riddle to solve and not a direct answer to their question? These are all things that end conversations. If you don't want to talk to me, why are you here?"
He frowned and splashed her with water.
She frowned back and resisted the urge to flick his ear with her intent. Instead she just said, "How very mature of you."
He cleared his throat and looked away briefly. "To answer most of those questions. This is how older cultivators behave. Especially when they are teaching the new generations."
She glared and waited, while shouting into her own mind, Did I ask you to teach me anything?
"More specifically, I came to check your temperament. You were behaving almost like a true cultivator earlier, and I had hoped something had caused a change of heart." He looked at the paper in his hands. "I know now that even a brush with death won't do that."
"A brush with death? Hah. You do realize that I have died once already."
He turned and coughed into his sleeve. "True. Do you remember it?"
"Would you treat me any differently if I did? Would I receive pitying eyes if you found out it was particularly traumatic?"
He glared for a beat. "No. Many face death every day. They do not want our pity."
She raised both eyebrows, "Good answer, and an actual, real one too. Thank you, Master Long." She couldn't keep the sarcasm out completely, her anger from earlier wouldn't let her, but she said it with honesty. "How about we do more of that? I don't really want you to teach me anything if our previous conversations indicate how you insist on doing it. I'd rather have a real, honest conversation with another adult. Maybe about cultivation, but it doesn't have to be. Again, not many people around here know about my past, and while I may still be a child relative to you, all of the other cultivators are still children to me."
"Surely you have more in common with them? Your cultivation paths are near the same point."
She nodded. "Yes, to some degree, we are all taking our first steps. Except that I've spent the summer with a sect Elder, exchanging information. I've stepped beyond qi gathering, even without a proper manual. I've learned to cleanse on my own, and refined that method with Wise Kaiun of the Golden Orchard. I've had enlightenments stronger than most of these kids will see in the next decade. And that is just the tip of the iceberg." She breathed heavily, controlling her annoyance. "Need I go on?"
Long considered for a moment, then pulled a thin cushion out of his spatial storage and sat down on it. "Yes, please do."
Shae huffed and rolled her eyes. Glaring at him she asked, "Could you do something about your water, I'm getting cold."
He shrugged.
She huffed again. Glaring for another breath of time. Then she grumbled and reached into the grass between them, scraping away some of the greenery to reveal a small patch of dirt. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Just focus on radiating warmth, comfort, and the flickering of firelight. Opening her eyes, she spent that bit of mental focus on a few quick gestures scraping lines in the dirt, and closed a circle around them. With that there was now a small campfire formation on the ground between them. It was the same symbol she showed Yun earlier in the night, but she hoped using different intent would let it behave differently now.
"What is that?" Long leaned forwards to stare at it.
"You'll see shortly. But if this is a proper conversation, then you need to share next. How has your cultivation been going?"
He looked up and frowned at her. "I don't think you'll be able to follow, let alone help me with it."
"Did I say that I could? But certainly, if you don't share I cannot. Unless..." She paused but he didn't take the bait. "Unless you're more predictable than you think. You were staying at the geyser, maybe just a coincidence that your qi is water and your Dao is pressure related." She saw him flinch at the mention of his Dao. "I think a smart cultivator overlaps their Sect duties with their own goals and progress. You were also showing Bai a sword technique, presumably related to the geyser, though that could be a coincidence. Then you went into the lake to train with Bai... A separate, underwater technique maybe." She shrugged. "Maybe there's something down there he needed to know about, since you were leaving. I think there's a decent chance these are all related, however."
Long had stopped frowning almost immediately and even went a little slack jawed. After a few beats of silence, he coughed to the side. "Excellent deduction, I suppose. I'm unsure how to compare it. Certainly not comparable to your peers here, your technical peers: the recruits, but also not to elders of a village or similar. Hmmm."
"Good choice of distraction. Maybe stall a bit longer and you'll come up with a good response."
"Right, comparisons are a little unfair. Yet, I would say you nearly compare to a well trained merchant heir. Not a noble, they know more about early cultivation. And not a young heir, but one who has had time to learn a lot and pick up rumors of this or that, but not quite put them all together."
She tilted her head, "I'm not sure how I feel about that. Better than calling me a village elder, certainly."
"Oh, not at all a villager, they have far too much respect for other cultivators."
"Fear, I think you mean."
He shrugged again. "Could be that too. Hard to say."
She sighed. "Is it, now? Unless they are as stone faced as you, I can't imagine it being difficult to discern. Though, you would have to care to check."
"Are you suggesting I don't care about villagers?" He raised a hand palm up and swirled a ball of water in it.
"No. I suggested you don't care if they respect you or fear you. Perhaps a little too accusatory on my part, I've not seen you interact with any to make a real call, but I am saying that it's hard to say, which paints its own picture."
He continued his stone faced glare, flexing his fingers in sequence to spin the ball of water. A breath later he glanced at the dirt. "That's going to start a fire."
"Hmm, maybe, but we'll get a lot of warning as it dries out the grass. And I think it will be fine, especially if it starts glowing."
"Especially then?"
She nodded and continued watching it. "I tried to give it cooler, less flammable ideas of fire."
"Giving it ideas, definitely learned from Ghon. Did he teach you anything else?"
She snorted, "He hardly taught me this. I'm not even sure it was working before I had qi. Could have just been the qi density of the mountain doing the work."
"Before... Well it shouldn't have been working at all."
"Mhhmm, Fairy Yun said the same." She shrugged and reached a hand out, the spot was getting warm, but not as quickly as with Yun. "Is all your water qi suffocating it?"
"I wouldn't say suffocating. But it will have an effect. Did he teach you any others?" He pointed at the formation.
"No, a water one might be helpful right now. That would work, yes? Draw the water qi to a different point to make the fire more effective?"
Long nodded. "That's one solution."
She turned her head in thought. "Hmm, or..." She reached out and drew another circle around the fire, concentration clear on her face.
Long stared silently for a few breaths, then nodded. "Efficient. Blocking is simpler than a second symbol. So, you mentioned your time with the Golden Orchard?"
"Hah, no, I didn't. I mentioned one of their monks. And you won't get out of sharing something that easily. I've already shared plenty." She gestured to the fire formation.
He remained silent.
"Wow, such excellent conversation. I'm so glad I let you splash me with water for this."
"Like you could stop me." He splashed her again. With less this time, like a fine spray, or misting.
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