Over the next few days, He Yu established a predictable rhythm for himself at the Shrouded Peaks Sect. Ren Huang would begin by ordering the gathered disciples to run. Taking the advice he’d received that first day to heart, He Yu absorbed what qi he could from the environment, and allowed only a trickle from his dantian to flow into his limbs. While this practice offered substantial improvements, he still wore himself out long before he finished. Once he was finally exhausted, Ren Huang would haul him back to the training grounds and order him to cultivate.
When the disciples had either finished their run or been similarly rescued, they would fall into ranks and practice their martial forms. On Ren Huang’s instruction, they would cycle qi to their limbs and bones and organs in accordance with the sect cultivation technique. Ren Huang would spend this time giving pointers on further use of the technique. The end goal was to strengthen their bodies and prepare them for learning the White Mountain Body Art.
During the afternoons, the lectures on the particulars of cultivation with Elder Wen proved both far more interesting and useful, at least so far as He Yu was concerned. In addition to discussing the nature of qi and its varying aspects, Elder Wen also covered its relationship to the body. The insights He Yu gained from these lectures allowed him to refine both his use and understanding of the sect cultivation technique. This allowed not only for more productive cultivation in the evenings but also easier cycling during his morning exercises.
The least favorite part of He Yu’s day was the early evenings. This was when he performed jobs in exchange for sect contribution points. The jobs—at least the ones he was both allowed to take and able to complete—were more like chores, really. The better-paying jobs were things like hauling shipments of supplies up the mountain from Xu Xiang. After his first time up the mountain, he wasn’t in any hurry to climb it again. Especially not with a whole shipment of provisions on his back. So instead he had to content himself with minor chores like sweeping the steps to the manual pavilion or hauling firewood for the crafting hall. The only thing that kept him doing it was Zhang Lifen’s admonishment that he begin collecting points as early as possible.
After completing his sect tasks for the evening, He Yu returned to his home. There, he shared a quick meal, tea, and conversation with Li Heng before he secluded himself for cultivation. Once he took his place in the small cultivation room off the main room of their shared home, he soon lost himself in the flow of qi and the examining various insights he’d gathered during the day. It was during this time that he felt he was most productive, although his mediation quickly led him to find the truth that everything he did each day was foundational.
The first real disruption in this newfound routine came in the middle of that first week. During physical training, Sha Xiang singled out He Yu as her partner for their daily sparring. When she positioned herself across from him, the look on her face sent a cold chill down his spine.
“Ready to train?” she asked.
“I don’t think I would be of much help with your training,” He Yu said, glancing around and hoping for some form of salvation.
“It’ll be fun,” she said with a chilling grin. “For me, at least.”
He Yu grimaced at that. He’d been afraid that she was going to use this as an excuse to take out some of her grudge on him, and it seemed he wasn’t wrong. Taking a deep breath, he fell into the stance they’d been practicing since the beginning of the week. Sha Xiang did the same but with noticeably more comfort and ease. Much to He Yu’s dismay, he noticed that she also wore the formation-stitched gloves she’d had that first day.
Just as he was about to protest again, Ren Huang’s voice boomed out over the training square. “Begin!”
Sha Xiang stepped forward and lashed out with a low punch aimed at He Yu’s gut. The way she moved was almost lazy, but her blow contained far more power than it had back during the tournament. Air rushed from He Yu’s lungs as Sha Xiang’s fist connected, and he doubled over involuntarily. Then her knee rushed up to meet his face and the next thing he knew, he was on the cool flagstones that paved the training square.
“Get up,” she said with unconcealed contempt. “I need to at least make it look like this is a real sparring session.”
He Yu rolled over onto his back and stared into the gray, mist-shrouded sky. “Give me a minute,” he heard himself say. Was he really going to get up and let her beat on him even more?
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With a snort, Sha Xiang fell back into a combat stance.
Although he was still shaky at best, He Yu did the same. “This one humbly requests Sect Sister Sha goes easy on him.” Maybe if he were obsequious enough she would spare him her worst.
When her next blow lifted him off his feet, he found his answer. Worse still, she somehow managed to hit him twice more on his way down. As he rolled over and pushed himself up once again, he couldn’t decide whether the pain or the humiliation was worse.
By now several of the nearby pairs had stopped their sparring to watch. He was certain Sha Xiang wasn’t about to let him stop now, so the next time she beat him down they’d have quite the audience. As he fell into his stance again, he couldn’t help but notice that he was swaying a bit on his feet. That couldn’t be good, but at least he wasn’t seeing double or anything.
Sha Xiang drew back her fist again, then froze.
The faint scent of smoke was the only indication of Ren Huang’s approach. “What is this?” he rumbled from behind He Yu.
Relief so profound washed over him that he nearly collapsed.
Saluting the physical cultivation instructor, Sha Xiang said, “We were simply sparring, Senior Brother Ren.” It seemed she could at least swallow her pride before a core disciple, now.
“You call this sparring?” Ren Huang asked, finally stepping into view and waving a hand at He Yu.
“Does Senior Brother—”
A sharp crack cut off Sha Xiang’s response as Ren Huang struck her across the face. With a note of satisfaction, He Yu thought he saw her blink away tears.
“If you think it’s fitting to beat up a fellow disciple who’s barely awakened, how about I serve as your sparring partner?” Ren Huang asked, his voice an angry rumble.
“This one is unworthy to dare,” Sha Xiang said, bowing her head over another salute.
“I didn’t ask if you were worthy or not,” Ren Huang said. Sha Xiang visibly stiffened. Then, the core disciple commanded, “Hit me.”
A flush crept up Sha Xiang’s neck, and He Yu couldn’t tell whether it was shame or rage. Either way, he was going to relish every moment of this display. Especially now that the entirety of the first-year disciples had gathered around the three of them.
“I said, hit me.”
“As Senior Brother wishes,” she answered, before driving a fist towards Ren Huang’s midsection.
The core disciple stood as still as a mountain. The blow connected sure enough, but Ren Huang didn’t even flinch. Sha Xiang grimaced as she shook out her hand.
“No wonder you need to push around babies,” he said.
Now it was He Yu’s turn to feel a flush of shame redden his cheeks. He couldn’t exactly deny Ren Huang’s assessment, but was it necessary to say it like that, and in front of everyone?
“Again,” Ren Huang ordered.
This time, Sha Xiang didn’t hesitate. She struck out at Ren Huang again, but this time he caught her by the wrist. He lifted her by one arm so that her feet were dangling a few inches from the ground, then he punched her square in the chest. An audible crunch accompanied the impact, and Sha Xiang let out a pained cry as her ribs shattered.
“That was without the use of any techniques,” Ren Huang said. Then he tore off her formation stitched gloves. “Or weapons.”
“Those are mine,” Sha Xiang managed to groan.
Ren Huang slapped her, and her head snapped to the side. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you off the mountain.” The gloves burst into flames and were reduced to ash in an instant. “Not as fun, being on the receiving end, is it? Meditate on what you’ve learned here when you get the chance.”
This time Sha Xiang didn’t speak. Nor did she try and blink back the tears that had welled up as a result of Ren Huang’s discipline. Or abuse. He Yu was having a hard time seeing the difference, and he was surprised to find that he actually felt a bit bad for her.
Sure, she’d been petty and cruel to him, but suffering this humiliation in front of all her peers? Not to mention the injuries she’d sustained. The way she wheezed as she dangled in Ren Huang’s grip confirmed that several of her ribs were broken, and He Yu suspected that her silence was the result of a dislocated jaw after that last slap. This was far more than even she deserved. While a part of him did want to relish seeing her brought so low, he couldn’t justify it. Not even a little.
Ren Huang finally let go of her wrist, and Sha Xiang crumpled to the ground at his feet. “From now on I determine sparring partners, since you all can’t seem to be trusted to pair off sensibly.” He turned his back on Sha Xiang and stalked towards the formation gate leading out of the training plaza. “Class is over for today. You should all think about the example Junior Sister Sha has provided for you. Maybe take her to the medicine hall while you’re at it.” With that, he left the training plaza.
One by one, the other disciples began to wander towards the exit as well. Nobody seemed inclined to move to help Sha Xiang. Finally, He Yu approached her and offered a hand to help her up.
She slapped his hand away and glared up at him from where she was still curled up on the flagstones. The look in her eyes was one of pure hatred as she tried, and failed to speak through her injured jaw. When He Yu didn’t immediately back away, she lashed out at him with a kick.
For a moment he debated whether he ought to say anything to her or not, but she continued to glare death. After another moment, he shook his head and left her. Hopefully, she would remember that he’d at least tried. He wasn’t terribly optimistic about that, however, as he could feel her stare searing hatred into his back as he walked away.