PAVILION - Chapter 62 (Freebird's Dream)_MOON TAVERN: A Fantasy Adventure and Xianxia Style LITRPG

Martial Kim was considered a peerless fighter.

He was among the many warriors who have pushed their body and spirit to and beyond the limit. They were the type of warriors who can fight for days and nights until a victor is left standing. The type who hold staring contests for tens of hours until one blinks to signal the finishing slash.

But then again, even a war machine needed to recharge their battery right? Let alone a body made of flesh, blood, and tears?

So the moment Martial Kim sat down in his couch, he passed the out, period.

He didn’t even realize he was left sitting up, like a stiff corpse. Mouth hanging open as if to invite flies and spiders to host a house party inside. Fingers and arms would twitch every now and then, half dead and half alert as if ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.

What he didn’t expect, however, was waking up so soon.

--- Wait a minute? Isn’t this the Capital City?...Did I return home? To the Jade Empire?

Impossible! Martial Kim recalled he was in Keekee’s cabin, dropped right into the couch in the living room. Never did he expect to come to and find himself back in his own world, not like this.

--- What is this sorcery? All of a sudden?--WHOA!...D-did they just walk through me, like a ghost?...Hold on a moment, could this be—

Ooooh. Have no fear, Martial Kim was in the middle of a lucid dream.

Perhaps his body was so exhausted, he fell into a deep deep dream that felt all to realistic to be true. Now, as much as seeing familiar sights and sounds brought some sense of joy into his heart, he had trouble embracing this homely scene.

--- This building that I ended up in front of? Isn’t this the Yamen Constabulary?...Could it be?

What’s in the box!? Or in this case, what’s in the dream building!? There was only one way to find out and the young master made his first steps forward.

--- I truly am in a dream. None of the Constables, or the station guards, seem to notice me even as I walk in front of their noses. Is this a piece of my memory, or a fantasy born from wishful thinking?

The piece of the puzzle he was looking for, was hiding inside of a certain room. Certain as in—

--- Fae Fae!?

The Courtesan of Celestial Dreams Brothel and the heroine of the Death of a Fairy Case could be found laying in a cot inside of the room. Completely in a coma. It was in this moment, Martial Kim realized there were others inside sharing the room with Fae Fae.

--- Inspector Lee? Martial Yellow Sister...then that means, that third person is—

“Martial Kim!” Inspector Lee would call out, “What are we to do? We’ve kept Fae Fae’s death under wraps, but we have no suspects. It would make searching for witnesses to the murder all the harder!”

Martial Yellow Sister let out a sigh as she used her magical cloth to fix some herbs with a pestle and mortar, using her free hands to support her tired chin, “I searched up and down the Capital. Can’t find the source of the golden hairpin that was used to stab Fae Fae. I don’t think the murder weapon is local.”

The young master outside of the window turned to look at his dream counterpart.

The knight-errant of Moon Tavern, in his full snow white hanbok and iconic hat made of jet-black horse tail and bamboo. Not to mention, long flowing hair. A youthful cultivator who relishes in the pursuit of mysteries in and out of the Martial World.

“I never once believed this investigation would be straightforward,” Martial—rather Dream Kim, answered his companions. “However, it is clear we have the element of surprise and secrecy on our side. I am confident, we can find the killer without the need of stirring up the mud in the river!”

--- That’s definitely me alright. I haven’t learned to talk in contractions like Miss Keekee...and did I always sound this...pompous?

(Ahem.)

Dream Kim simply smirked with brilliant confidence, “For now, Fae Fae is in stable enough condition. Still, I do ask the constables maintain vigilance and protect the victim. Even if we have yet to let slip of her being alive, I dare not give any breathing room for would be assassins to take her life a second time.”

“Worry not, Martial Kim,” Inspector Lee would fold his hands in a respectful salute. “I have my best men and women guarding her around the hour. No one will say a word about Fae Fae by your orders. Also, Judge Oldman says you have full authority in the direction of this case.”

“Excellent!” Dream Kim nodded, “So far, who ever wanted an elite courtesan like Fae Fae dead is no simpleton. For all we know right now, someone of great power and influence could be involved. Could be the murderer, or a major accomplice. So I ask everyone remain vigilant and keep their eyes and ears open for potential dangers.”

“Of course! The Constabulary is right behind you Martial Kim!”

“And Martial Yellow Sister,” Dream Kim turned to his disciple, “Return to Moon Tavern and have someone look into any possible leads within the Martial World. To be able to pierce a hairpin through the bones of her chest is no easy feat. It suggests the culprit has some arm strength to make it happen. Make sure you are thorough, and discrete.”

“Leave it to me, Teacher!” The blonde martial artist nodded, “I’ll get the job done with flying colours.”

--- And please stay out of trouble.

“And please, stay out of trouble.” Dream Kim winked.

Martial Yellow Sister groaned with a roll of her eyes, “Yeeeees, Teacheeeer.”

--- ...Exactly the same situation...yet why is it with Miss Keekee, I feel my confidence fading by the hour? No resources, not enough acupuncture needles, and I have yet to spot out anything akin to an herbal apothecary in town.

Martial Kim snapped out of his thoughts, when Inspector Lee and Martial Yellow Sister marched THROUGH his body. Although the young master felt no pain or discomfort, it was still an unsettling feeling – especially when familiar faces walked right past him without batting an eyelash.

Then, it was just Dream Kim left with Fae Fae.

The young master watched his own dream counterpart use his familiar Inner Energy Skill to try and heal Fae Fae’s internal organs, pouring life energy into her body and veins for her meridians to breathe with life once more.

“Miss Fae Fae,” Dream Kim cooed as he focused his cultivation with ease. “I swear, we will catch the villain who did this to you. Justice will be delivered in your honour. So please, stay alive. If not for us, but for yourself.”

Why? Why was the Dream Kim look cooler and more capable than the Martial Kim spying on him right now? Has the strange modern world dulled his edges, broken his spirit, or—

“Hnng!...”

Where was he now, Martial Kim wondered? All he knew was his hand pinching a nerve on his neck, to wake up from his dream.

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The electric lights, stove, faucet, and T.V.. gave the young master a blast of ease like a gust of cool air in the summer. What a relief!

Still his body refused to move despite his eyes wide awake. Even when he forced himself to stand, he felt like he just escaped neck-deep from quicksand.

One glance out the window and the colour of the sky told him what time it was. Way too early for the rooster to wake and make the morning call, too early for the Moon to go on its first break at work.

“...Earlier...Earlier.”

Even after the fastest morning shower known to mankind, it didn’t make Prof. Stone’s appointment arrive any sooner. So Martial Kim had a LOT of time on his hands before anyone could wake up and go to their morning shift.

So what to do? What, to, do?

Maybe he can play some video games to pass the time?...Nah. He can’t figure out how to turn on a Zbox even if his life depended on it.

Ah, why not watch some internet videos? Bunnies in a cup and Bachelor Season X are trending... Nah, he can’t figure out how to turn on a laptop even if his life depended on it.

Of course, make bacon and eggs! What can go wrong!?... Nah, he can’t figure out how to turn on the stove even if his life depended on it.

...Come to think of it, there’s a lot of things Martial Kim can’t use. So it made one wonder, how did he survive for this long?

--- Miss Keekee. She did everything for me, hadn’t she? Cooking, cleaning, even using the right light switch. She taught me so many things, to even how to master this world bathing system called a shower. And what have I done for her?

Guilt nailed into his heart, 10 times. It wanted to make sure the reminder was always with him.

--- I shouldn’t sulk, not now. Teacher might feel obliged to come even earlier than we agreed. I should prepare and pack something for Miss Keekee before it’s too late.

Step one, finding a bag.

Normally people would stuff their clothing into backpacks, sports bags, or even those full travel cases with 360 wheels to spin around on. Those are the most convenient choices (especially in a bad break up).

Yet Martial Kim failed miserably at this task.

And there were some perfectly good choices right in front of him, lying around waiting for him to pick up and use! Why? Why won’t he use it? It’s not that they have holes or stunk like a sports locker room.

--- Nothing like a strong box I could use. Damn. I need to improvise.

Normally people in the Jade Empire stuff their clothing into square cloths to wrap them up as a bundle. If they were richer, they could afford large and heavy strong boxes to protect their belongings and have the house servants carry them. So there was that issue.

Fortunately, Martial Kim found an alternative.

--- This basket should do. Miss Keekee normally store her clean clothing in it from those automated cloth cleaning machines. And it seems fitting given the circumstances.

Modern bags – hah, he couldn’t figure out how to use a zipper even if his life depended on it!

Step two, finding clothing.

Technically it should be the easier task thus far. Should.

“...........................Gods, I can’t do it. I-I feel like I’m violating Miss Keekee like this! Virtue! Think about her virtue!”

Don’t laugh! This is serious!

Martial Kim was born as a classic gentlemen!

He just couldn’t go diving into the girl’s closet and grab her privacy all willy nilly! Touching a maiden’s hand carelessly would already bring up conversations of an arranged marriage. So imagine the consequences if anyone knew he went into a maiden’s wardrobe!?

Doing so was no different than peeping at lady in her bath – well, in Martial Kim’s perspective!

And the stress? He might as well be held gunpoint to rob a bank for crying out loud!

--- The heavens will surely curse me for trespassing in her privacy like this... But why would Teacher suggest I pack some clothing for her?... Could it be, the custom is different here? And surely a scholar like him would know the consequences of a man exploring a woman’s...intimate belongings...Unless, after what I’ve seen so far – such a propriety doesn’t exist?

Oooh. The dilemma.

Should he do the right thing and leave the closet alone? Or commit a crime (in his perspective)?

--- ...Mother. Father. O’Ancestors. P-please, don’t judge me! I’m not a criminal!

Fortunately, Martial Kim did find a work around. So long as he didn’t properly see what he was touching, then he wasn’t doing this with ill or lecherous intentions. The same principle as keeping one’s eyes shut or back turned when a woman changed in their presence.

So a blindfold solved the dilemma. Or in this case, Keekee’s sleeping mask.

--- OoOoOOoOOOooh...Th-these aren’t exactly expensive silk, b-but they’re too soft in my hands. A-and what are these strange cups? Doesn’t feel like a bowl to eat from, neither are they a piece of a clay or porcelain pot. Huh. Oddly flexible. And quite big. They fill even more than my hands.”

(DAYUM)

Step 3 - everything else now.

--- Teacher mentioned about hair... Oh right, Miss Keekee usually likes to comb her hair after waking up and after showering...Ah, as expected. She leaves it in the bathroom like always...Doesn’t she also put something on her face?

Facial cream, day and night eye repair, Idealist skin formula, so on so forth.

--- ...Dear god. So many bottles...which do I take!?

As many as a girl needs.

Normally any guy would just sweep the entire collection off the counter and into a bag. Much like an eager boss sweeping everything off his desk so he can lay down with his secretary. Such an easy and simple gesture, one brush of an arm – boom, done.

So no one would blame Martial Kim if he decided to go the easy route.

Instead, he chose the hard way: collect them one by one as if they were freshly born eggs. He even made sure to tuck them in between the folds of the clothing and towels. Hell, he even used the bras as a mini basket to keep them safe (you can’t blame him).

--- Ah right. If Miss Keekee woke up soon, surely she would get bored very quickly. Even with all the splendour of technology in the hospital, there’s really nothing for anyone to do to pass the time. Doesn’t she always spend her idle hours on her phone?...Hmm, Teacher told me the police have it. Shame. Maybe I can lend her my phone. Yes, that would be a good idea!...Now, Just in case.

Martial Kim took it upon himself to conduct a quick side quest: find a book or two.

Now normally in this era, any books would easily be downloaded onto phones, tablets, or even e-Reader devices. Only a few would actually keep physical collections of reading material, then again it’s mostly Manga volumes more than classic story books one would read as children’s bed time story.

So it would make sense if Keekee didn’t keep anything like that for—

“Treasure Island? The Three Musketeers? Robinson Crusoe? Call of the Wild? Around the World in Eighty Days? Oh, this book even has that person that Detective Fraulein and Teacher speak highly of: Sherlock Holmes.”

Oh? Where did Keekee keep all these books? Obviously none of them were those fancy Japanese Light Novels with a beautiful heroine – with or without huge assets – that capture the attention of young adult men—er, audience. In fact, they didn’t even have any fancy artistic cover to show the swashbuckling adventures or steamy romance hidden in the pages.

Just straight up blank hard covers with chipped silver or golden letters printed as the title. Pages so yellow, it could transform into golden sand at a sneeze.

Where did Martial Kim find these in a modern girl’s house?

“...Madame. You don’t mind if I borrow these, for your granddaughter?”

Oh yes of course! This cabin belonged to Keekee’s grandmother! Given her life’s adventure in travelling around the world in her youth, it would make sense she collected classic books and fiction anthology in her travels to pass the time in hitching on the back of a truck and train cars.

And like any belongings of the older generation, they were left alone collecting dust for a good time. That was until Martial Kim brought daylight to their faces once more.

The young master stared at the ghost who smiled back at him, the grandmother’s youth locked within her black and white photos. Even if it was a portrait, an image, just staring her in the eye...made him feel like he was before judgment.

“May you and your ancestors grant your granddaughter your blessings. To get her through her hour of darkness.”

The photos of the past had so many things it wanted to say. Alas, even if a picture could tell a thousand words, every letter fell on deaf ears.

“I swear,” Martial Kim bowed. “I will protect Miss Keekee.”

A breeze through the window whispered back. That was all the answer the young master needed to know.

When ready, he started to head out to wait for his mentor.

--- Wait...Why do I feel like I am missing something? I have her clothing. Something to entertain her and... Oh...Oh of course. How foolish of me to forget such an important thing. Miss Keekee can’t live with out it! Shameful, most shameful of me!

What did Martial Kim nearly forget that was so important? Could it be a photograph? Maybe a childhood plushy? Perhaps, her favourite pillow?

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PAVILION - Chapter 62 (Freebird's Dream)

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