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Chapter 9: "Steam Cleaned."

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Shae had to ask around to find where the runners had been camping. Many of the wagons had begun cleaning up and replacing their camps, but no one looked to be in any rush.

Curly's distinct hair made him easy to find. He was busy with the other runners and only exchanged a few words to direct Shae to where Lari was.

Two more people gave her directions to the woman before Shae found herself at the doors to the public bathhouse.

The large building hadn't stood out to her as it wasn't taller than any of the wagons. Most of its footprint was open to the sky, with just short walls cutting the space into more private areas. Clever plumbing had allowed the geyser to do the work of moving fresh water above the baths, then trickling down through them to keep the water clean. The outflow spilled further out into what was now a swamp, letting it naturally filter back into the geyser's lake.

Shae got distracted by the information boards explaining how the baths worked. Luckily, Lari spotted the girl on her way out.

"Wise Shae! So good to see you!"

"Lari! I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Why wouldn't I be safe?"

"Ah, err, I don't know. I was worried when you didn't show at the North Gate."

She smiled, "I know, I heard from Curly. What happened after you split?"

She sighed heavily. "I found... something suspicious on the old road. You didn't go down it, did you?"

She frowned, "I did, but didn't see anything, and at that point I was already late and rushing. What did you find?"

"Uhm.. I'm not sure. It looked like someone was attacked by a wild animal."

She gasped, "Oh no! Sena!" Lari's hands quickly shot up to cover her heart and mouth.

"Sena?"

"Rin Sena, a young girl from the local farms, she..." Lari rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Shae pulled her into a side hug then soothed her by moving a hand in circles over her back.

"Her mother asked me to look for her." Lari spoke quietly between deep breaths. "She was why I was late. They hadn't seen her in days."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Lari. After I found the signs, I ran back to the town and got Captain Hua to check it out. She took care of it."

"What did she find- no don't tell me, she wouldn't have known Serena anyway."

"She didn't tell me what she found, but said she would sweep the rest of the road, and check on the farms. We were still looking for you at the time. I'm sure she will sort it out, and let her family know, when she can confirm if something like that happened."

"You sound confident in her, she's never been that helpful towards the farmers."

"Hmm, I suppose I don't know her that well. I might be overstating it then. Right, she didn't want to leave the town when I was looking for you. But I think I got her in a good mood, well, a more active mood. Hard to be in a good mood with what she found. Still, I think she'll do what she promised."

"No offense, Shae," she mussed-up the girl's hair, "but I'd bet she didn't promise anything." She returned the girl's half a hug. "Thanks though, it means a lot to me that you got her out there at all."

"Mhm, it was no trouble, I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too! And you need a bath, you smell like you ran a hundred li!"

"Almost two hundred, actually."

"Hah, come on, my treat."

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Lari left shortly after walking Shae inside. She was able to be so generous because they were public baths: entry was free. This was standard when there was a large caravan as the caravan leader had effectively paid for everyone. "A clean 'van is a healthy 'van." Lari said.

Soap, shampoo, and wash cloths were a different story, as was laundry services. The business collected a tidy sum from Shae for these. Though she had only been on the road for a single day, she was glad for the relaxing bath.

Afterwards, she elected to visit Mistress Ping Ahna, the caravan leader.

"This better be important, I'm busy."

"Ah, Mistress Ping. It is not, but it is quick. I am Miss Shae, we spoke in Minlin about me joining the caravan."

She looked Shae over. "I spoke with a lot of people."

"But not many solo cultivators."

"Ah! The solo girl, yes. You made it then? Why didn't I see you earlier?"

"I missed the departure by a full day, and only caught up last night, which I spent with the sect." She pointed across the road.

Ping Ahna tilted her head. "You made the run in a day? Aha, you were with the two runners! Well if you can make that run, you hardly need the 'van. Are you staying with them again?" She jerked her head in the same direction Shae had pointed.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The girl shrugged, "Undecided. I'm not getting as much from the location as the others."

"Well then, let me sway you: we could use another pair of legs and a bow. Especially with a cultivator behind them."

"I thought the sect was providing guards?"

"Guards, sure. Not scouts, hunters, or runners to alert the next town. Gotta check if the road's clear. Van's far more involved than just guards."

"Oh! That makes sense."

"Of course it does. I'll waive the fee for joining, but can't promise any payment until we can see what you can do. As long as you're not useless or annoying I'll cover meals."

"Annoying?"

"Long story, but I try not to make open invitations anymore. We're leaving before noon so make up your mind quickly then come find me." She turned to walk away.

"Um, yes, I'll think about it, thank you Mistress Ping."

She just waved behind herself, already talking to someone else.

Hmm, I should talk to... Bai or Long, see if they can give me a reason to stay.

Master Long found her before she had crossed the road again. "You, girl! Why did you ditch Guard Tu?" He looked the most upset she had seen him, which wasn't much as he kept up a stoic mask. Though, it was less stiff than Elder Ghon's, especially now.

"Master Long, I'm glad to see you." She gave a too formal bow.

"Don't dodge the question with formality. Are you so arrogant you don't know when your betters are trying to help you."

"Help me? Did you listen to Guard Tu's report, or confirm with Elder Bai."

"Impudent wretch. Has no one given you proper lessons in manners?" She felt a wash of qi pressure laced with killing intent. Though, not so much it would bother another at her cultivation stage.

Shae squinted at the man. She hadn't seen him act anything like this yet. Their conflict was drawing attention from the passing caravanners.

She took a deep breath and tried to settle this in a different way. "Master Long. My deepest apologies for avoiding your questions." She bowed lower than she had. "Please, if it was for something else, enlighten this one to Guard Tu's purpose, or test this one's tempering directly."

Long seemed to take a moment to assess the girl; she felt his qi sweep through her.

"You are unworthy of this locale's benefits! Begone!" He turned and stalked back across the road.

Shae stood stunned for a breath before shouting, "Hey!" Which went ignored.

Her mind ticked over into rage. She pulled her bow out and strung it. A few people nearby started to mumble and gasp louder as she nocked an arrow and pulled it back.

Her cleansed right arm had no trouble with the heavy hunting bow, but her aim wavered as her weaker left side struggled to hold steady.

From the side, an older man stepped towards her. "Uh, Miss cultivator. You, um, shouldn't do that."

She relaxed the pull a bit, looking over at the aged worker. "Yes. I mean, I would probably miss."

"Err, and Master Long is quite the capable fighter."

"That's not Master Long."

"What?"

"Yea, not even him. Probably some shit-head that thinks they can scare me off. Or just playing a prank, not sure what level of pranks the sect are ok with."

"But how, he looked just like him."

"Nah. Have you ever seen Long act like that? He didn't even have his jian."

"Uh, I don't know Master Long that well."

"And his qi was wrong. Steam instead of water. And, if that really was that clumsy cook, he'd hear what I'm saying about him and come back here to punish me for it." She gestured an open hand to the empty space the mystery cultivator had left behind.

The peasant paled. Then he ran off after he started breathing and thinking again.

Ugh, now I really need to go find Master Long or Sword Bai.

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As Shae sourly stomped across the road towards the sect cultivators, she considered not reporting the impersonation attempt. It would be easy to use this as an excuse to leave with the caravan, she huffed to herself, but I can't let some spoiled brat bully me... and it could be another test.

Hmm, did I actually confirm that the Bao buns were a test?

She found the geyser clearing was back to its boring inactive state, with people scattered around the lake shore, meditating, no, just waiting, long said. A few had taken to physical exercise, but it looked to be another slow Tai Chi type. Qi-gong maybe?

The guards recognized her from last night and let her through. Sometimes it pays to make a scene, she smirked.

Not spotting Master Long or Elder Bai, she gravitated towards Scribe Bai's elaborate setup of math homework. He had a full table out, low enough that he could sit on the ground in reasonable comfort.

She walked up close, but paused for a break in his writing. "Senior Bai, do you have a moment?"

"Little Shae. Good to see you back. Is that enough of a moment?"

"Heh, I was looking for Master Long or Elder Bai. Have you seen them?"

"Seen? No, I've been busy, but I heard some commotion at the lake, and sensed their qi near it. I think they went into it to train. Based just on the commotion the gathered guards had made. Did you ask them?"

"Ah, no. That would have been better, sorry for the trouble."

He shrugged, keeping his focus mostly on his work.

"Hmmm." Shae hummed, peering down at the page.

"You could go ask a guard whatever you need."

"Eeh. I think I'll wait." She continued looking over his shoulder.

A few breaths later he twitched his wrist and tapped the table, "If you are going to wait here, why don't you go back to reading your practices. The light is much better during the day."

"Ah, thank you for the reminder, Senior!" She dropped her pack and pulled her bundle of letters out then sat at the table.

"Not literally here." Bai whined and stared at the girl right beside him.

She shimmied over to the far corner of the table.

"I mean not at my table at all." He tried to say sternly.

"Senior, you have a large table, I only need this small corner." She batted her eyelashes.

He sighed. "You're not as pure and adorable as you'd need to be to get away with that. But. If you agree to never try that on me again you can have half a square pace."

She started to object, then smiled. "Deal!" She nodded at him and opened the first document in her stack.

He forced a second sigh and went back to his work.

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