LIGHTMONTH 1022

After Xiyun finished sending off her teacher she returns back to Southern Tai.

After a few weeks of walking, and hiring coachmen, Xiyun finally reached Taiguo, one of the region ruled by Southern Tai.

Xiyun has been spending her time diligently cultivating her internal energy using her teacher technique and she could feel the power rising by leaps and bound.

She could feel her dantian is absorbing the world energy, feeding her hungry dantian like a well in a day of rain after a long drought.

And today another day began.

*************************************************************************

TAIGUO

SOUTHERN TREASURE INN

The southern treasure inn is one of the many inns of Taiguo.

After the separation of the two great forces of Chu and Tai, the people of former Vern called themselves either the Southern people or the Northern people.

Those that live under the King of Taiyuan called themselves southerners while those that live under the King of Chu called themselves Northerners.

Life under the King of Chu and Tai is good. Though they are in a cold war, the people does not feel the threats of war like the time of the MontBlanc dynasty.

And considering the majority of the people in former Vern is Eastian, there is no love lost for the former dynasty.

But then why would the people here accepts Austen rule?

The answer is that while the Austen family is Caelum race, they have protected the Shanhai Pass since the Empire first move their capital.

They are revered, a respectable lineage and praised through the generations. Many of the people in Austen family have died protecting the Pass from Southern Invaders.

Eastian or Caelum, the Austen deserves their respect. Then in the North why is the Chu family is accepted?

The Chu also came from respectable lineage, from the King of Horai, an ancient city during the time before the Empire is established.

The Chu ancestors are not only a noble in Davarus but also it is said that he was also a noble in the motherland of Eastian.

It is said the first of Chu family that settled in the human continent comes with his three wives, seven sons, three daughters and a 100 servants, settling in the demon controlled settlement at the time.

He is said to be running from the Sharp Teeth Plagues that attack the Motherland. When Alexander descendant claim and conquer the city, they give a large of land for the Chu family to govern.

However this story is not really important or matter to those people that live outside of Vern.

Arial Vermont while he understand perfectly the political situations in his southern domains, could not understand the complexity or the consequences that he set in motion by funding the State of Chu to rebel and not only that but to crown him a King.

To him it doesn’t matter since in the end he will claim it under his rule.

But it will matter to his disciple. Of course like most stories, even she doesn’t know that she has a large part in the story.

*************************************************************************

The chirping of birds can be heard as the sunlight began emitting its heat. The wind slowly creeps in from the windows.

A woman can be seen snuggling under the blanket slowly opening her eyes. She rubbed her eyes and sighed.

‘Ah, morning already.’ Xiyun slowly open her eyes.

It has been a week since she lives in this Southern Treasure inn. The name of the inn may make it seem like it is an inn of luxurious splendor but it’s not.

But it is livable and luxurious enough for her.

It seems her teacher influence is bigger than she thoughts. She at first uses her teacher token to claim the gold that her teacher asked her to claim and that’s it.

But Xiyun, inquisitive as she is, discover that the token is more than just a token of authority in the trader’s community.

Many people who wanted to curry favour with the Prince of Arrandy lavish Xiyun with a lot of treasures just because she showed them the token.

Xiyun don’t think her teacher is going to be too happy if he hears about it. But it’s fine as long as her teacher doesn’t find out.

And this luxurious room that she got is also sponsored by one of the merchant guild in Southern Tai.

The Southern Tai may not welcome the Prince very much but it is different for the merchants who really wanted to establish a relationship with one of the richest family in the Human Continent.

Still, Xiyun insisted to pay half the expenses of the rent. At least it gives her room to explain if her teacher caught her.

Always have a second plan. And if that don’t work, a third plan. If not the fourth plan. If no-

Then a knock can be heard from her door and it makes Xiyun get up from her pointless rambling.

‘Enter’ Xiyun commands.

Today the servants come again in the morning to inquire Xiyun needs.

‘Is there anything you need Miss Xiyun?’ the servant will ask.

Usually Xiyun would ask for some fruits or meat to be sent to her bedroom but today Xiyun wanted to stretch out her legs.

‘No. Today I will eat at the tavern. Just clean the bottle but do not touch my sack and bags.’ The servant nodded in understanding.

Last night Xiyun feasted alone in her bedroom, with bottles of wine can be seen scattered around her bed.

In other words she did not practice yesterdays. After separated from her teacher, Xiyun tries to find news about Ermeishan but there is too many chaos in the martial art world right now.

Wuhao Sect recently attacks Ermeishan and the Ermeishan School is now in hiding. Hearing this news Xiyun fell into a temporary depression.

In one year and a half surely she could begin practicing her teacher technique. And then she will be as formidable as the many experts that roamed the continent.

Her teacher had already notice the improvement of Xiyun internal energy the last time they met.

If Xiyun remember correctly her teacher said her improvement is abnormal.

Xiyun eyes darted to one of her baggage.

In it, the tea and wine that she stole from her sect still remains. Xiyun did not suspect it until she reaches Southern Tai border.

She remembers that her teacher once boasted that she met the Medicine Fairy.

Then combine with the fact of Xiyun abnormal growth, then, the only thing that Xiyun could infer is that the Abbess manages to gain a few pointers from her encounter with Medicine Fairy and learn the mystical art of alchemy, and managed to concoct some strengthening pills.

But to increase one internal energy?

Is she that smart? To me she always looks like a hag, a senile old woman, or a diabolical old hag with clumsy aptitude in managing people.

The Abbess must have spent years in making the tea and wine.

Well, I should applaud her efforts. HAHAHA.

Thinking about it, Xiyun heart dances with glee.

She always likes to foil that old woman plan.

Xiyun then wash herself and wear a wide bamboo hat and a tight cloth and then a robe to cover up her figures while the servant can be seen dusting the dust and cleaning the room.

But anyone could see that she is a girl but at least no one would recognize her.

Since the Martial Art tournament her teacher name has become the topic among the martial art fraternity but also her name.

The only disciple of All Conquering sect. Many people fear her teacher but the world of martial art is treacherous.

Surely there are many that grieved over their fellow brothers and sister disciple that died during the great clash between the immortals.

Her teacher might be invincible and called the strongest in the martial art world but her? She is still a green horn.

Her power compared to her teacher is like a raindrop when her teacher internal energy is truly like the creed of the school internal cultivation technique, the sea.

That is how Xiyun compares her internal energy compared to her teacher, the Central Celestial.

Of course she did not know that Arial train since he was a baby.

Not to mention he learned Levitia technique and then formed his own style and variations on other techniques in the Library of Vern which is now controlled by Northern Chu.

Of course there is no one alive to match him in terms of internal energy. But his reputation could also be called a misperception.

Arial fighting one of the immortals? He could win. Two…still he could win but not without injuring him severely.

But all three of them? During that time? Impossible. This is only because of his bond with Gaveror, a bond that no one knows but a few of Arial trusted people.

But to all that watched his performance during the tournament, there is no doubt in their eyes, that Arial is the one that single-handedly defeated three of the 4 immortals and not only that, he dominates them at the same time.

Not to mention the countless people that die from his flying sword technique.

When they jump down the mountain, Xiyun did not know the casualties but then she heard. It was close to a thousand.

Imagine that!

Fighting three immortal and at the same time slaughtering almost a thousand. Imagine if he didn’t have to contend with the immortals?

Wouldn’t all the sect will all be slaughtered by his hand?

It is this story, exaggerated at every telling that has made Arial Vermont name resound throughout the people of the martial art world, shaking the continent.

No one did not know his name or his disciple. The Five Immortals. Northern Badger, Western Serpent, Southern Healer, Eastern Devil and Central Celestial.

The five great masters of martial art, standing at the peak of the Heavenly Mountain, with powers unimaginable to normal people.

To see one of the five masters and exchanging some pointers, even if they die they would be content, this is the many thoughts of the martial art practitioner.

Kindness and enmity is easy to be forged, and while her teacher name resound to all 4 corners of the world, as many that respect and fear her teacher, it is also many those that harbors resentment and hatred.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

And her teacher is at the center of it all, the strongest of all the Immortals.

After all by transitive property, if Arial managed to defeat three Immortal at the same time, if he fight every one of the four immortals on one on one how could he lose?

This is why the title of the strongest goes to him.

So it is important for Xiyun to at least disguise herself from the people view.

Today she will dine in the tavern and maybe after that return to her room and practice again while sipping that tea and that wine in the night.

Surely her body will synthesize it faster now. After her preparation is done she went down from the fourth floor and descends down the staircase to enter the tavern in the first floor.

**********************************************************************

TAVERN

Xiyun is sipping some of the Zhenjing wine the specialty for this area.

When she enters some people look at her choice of clothes but no one pay any special heed since there are many people that like to hide their identities.

It is not that uncommon for the people of the martial art world to hide themselves and even disguise themselves.

She is enjoying the wine and the meat then the tavern entrance open and some of the people enter the tavern.

Xiyun look in shock as she could see it was Xiao De from the Sun Moon Sect and Shun Liang from Five Finger Peak, Zhu Li Mu from Lishan, Hue Xing from Limitless Blade and Zhu Wu from Taojing.

Xiyun lower her gaze and look the other way, fearing to be recognized. What bad luck! How could they come here!

They are all the candidates of their school during the martial art tournament.

Xiyun just maintain her aloof attitude not wanting to alarm them. Xiyun knows that during the tournament many of these sects and school disciple and elder, senior and junior disciple, outer and inner disciple all die under her teacher hands.

These five men take their seat at one of the tables.

‘Waiter, give me some Taiguo tea and some roasted chicken’ Hue Xing said as the other also ordered their food and drinks.

Xiyun uses her internal energy to focus on her ears as she tries to eavesdrop their conversation while appearing to be enjoying her dishes.

‘Haah! It has been a long journey’ Hue Xing said

‘Yes it is’ Zhu Wu reply while the other nodded.

Li Mu then asks Xiao De.

‘How is your school disciple? Your junior brothers and senior brothers? Is the disciple fine?’ he ask, concern in his voice.

Xiao De face turned sullen.

‘No, many of them died during that battle.’ He said mournfully.

‘The Central Celestial elder is really awe inspiring and terrifying. Such battle power that defied the Heavens, how could the disciples survive? It is good enough that many of the Elders are not heavily injured’ Xiao De reply in that hopeless tone.

That battle must refer to the Heaven Peak battle Xiyun mused. It is now famous among the people of the rivers and lake, every time exaggerated a bit more.

Xiyun even heard some rumour that when her teacher steps on the ground, lightning thundered from the sky, when he breathes fire comes out of his mouth and when he glares, two or three people died of a heart attack.

She even laughs hearing this. How could her teacher be portrayed like some Asura in the Scriptures of the Wise?

If her teacher is really like that, how could she dares ask him to accept her as disciple? Wouldn’t she be dead in fear just looking at her teacher eyes?

It was almost like her teacher is a reincarnation of a demon or a slaughtering god.

The people of the martial art world tell the story of the battle at Heaven peak, retelling the story of the emergence and rise of Central Celestial to reign all over the sects and clans, the experts and the masters.

In the martial art world it is buzzing about her teacher, in taverns, in famous sect and clans, all talking about Central Celestial.

Of course it is not only because he trash the competition but also because the implication of the battle.

The 4 immortals who once become the pillars of the martial art world crumble, and a new force emerges in the martial art world.

Thankfully Xiao De survives. After all, he once helps Xiyun so Xiyun could not help but have soft spots for Xiao De.

‘My school also lost a lot of good seedlings. Hundreds of soul dies that day, regrets in their hearts’ Zhu Wu said.

‘Me too!’ Li Mu concurred. They all nodded.

‘If I could find that bitch I would kill her!’ Shun Liang said his hand is balled up into a fist as he smashed his fist to the table and the table cracked a bit.

‘What bitch?’ Xiao De said.

‘Mu Xiyun.’

Then a look of worries flashed on Xiao De face.

‘Why would Senior kill her? She has no enmity with Senior Liang’

‘Her teacher is the one that killed all my precious disciple brother and sister. How could I just sit this one out and let her roam free in the martial art world? Wouldn’t that be too much?’

‘Then ask for redress from the Central Celestial’ Xiao De said slightly angry at Shun Liang logic and raising his voice tone.

‘Me? Asking redress from the Central Celestial? Do you think I want to go to an early grave? No one could defeat him. The strongest in the world. Didn’t you hear? I could not lay a hand on him, but I can lay a hand on his disciple’ and then Xiao De laughed.

‘Are you an idiot?’ Xiao De said.

‘What did you say!’ Shun Liang said as he stand up, his face is flushed with anger.

The other men hold Shun Liang back.

‘Be patient, Liang’ Zhu Wu said, clearly he has some friendship with him as he addressed him so casually.

‘Do you think if you kill the only disciple of the Central Celestial, offending him to such a degree, he would let you go? Maybe he would even destroy your entire school. Blood will flow, skeleton will form a mound of hills, school extermination will occur. Do not doom the one that survived that great battle, Senior Shun.’

 Xiao De said, clearly he is defending Xiyun while also being considerate towards his Seniors.

How could he not understand Shun Liang feelings but to involve innocent person in their enmity, this Xiao De could not accept.

Li Mu then said,

‘This is true Brother Shun. Why would you incur the wrath of the Central Celestial? Fist and Kicks has no eyes. The people that died in that peak were a collateral damage of the battle between Immortals. We have survived such great battle why should we wake the sleeping dragon? Central Celestial elder seems to have returned to his dominion and who knows when he will return to the martial art world again? Why urge him to return to bathe the Central Plains with blood? In your quest for vengeance, you may doom other innocent people with you.’

Li Mu advises Shun Liang.

The other nodded hearing Li Mu admonishment and advice.

Shun Liang finally calmed himself down.

‘Forgive me Junior Xiao. I was too emotional’ Shun Liang said as he sit back down and cupped his fist towards Xiao De.

‘It is understandable that Senior Shun would be angry. Who wouldn’t?’ Li Mu said while patting his back. Shun Liang nodded.

‘Wine!’ Shun Liang ordered. The waiter quickly come to their table and give Shun Liang the bottle.

‘Here!’ he said as he poured the wine to Xiao De cup.

‘Let us toast. With this toast let bygones be bygones.’ Xiao De smile and he did the same thing. Then they speak again this time about another matter.

Ermeishan.

‘Senior Shun, are you going to Xiantian Manor too?’ Li Mu asked Shun Liang

‘Yes, most of the sects and school are all going there right now. Wuhao especially.’ Hue Xing clicked his tongue

‘Then is it true? The rumour?’ Hue Xing said.

Zhu Wu nodded.

‘Yes, it probably is. Ermeishan may have hidden themselves in the large Xiantian Hill behind the Xiantian Manor.’

Xiao De just shakes his head.

‘Why would Xiantian Manor involves themselves with the matters of the martial art world? I do not understand. I thought Xiantian clan no longer meddles with the matters of the martial art world. They have retired during the time of 2 Immortals. At least that is what I heard from my teachers.’

Then Shun Liang said.

‘As you know with the protection of the 4 immortals look unstable right now, many old forces and new forces emerge back into the stage. It is not surprising that Xiantian Manor would also participate in this emergence or maybe they have other reasons. The Abbess was one of the Xiantian clan friends during Xiantian Manor heyday. It is not surprising that Wuhao would chase them there and locate her there.’

‘So, what is the Sun Moon sect doing there? Helping Wuhao or Ermeishan?’

‘How about you Brother Liang.  Will you help Wuhao? After all why would the Five Fingers come here?’

‘Humph’ Shun Liang snorted.

‘After the Battle at the Peak, Ermeishan also robbed Five Fingers Peak treasury. I, of course would help Wuhao to seek explanation from the Abbess.’

‘You did not answer my question Junior Xiao.’

‘We the Sun Moon Sect will mediate among the schools and sect. My Elders do not think it is wise for us to invite chaos to the Central Plains. Schools and sect from Zettel like Yilin would then increase their power while we deteriorate into fighting.’

‘But that is not all isn’t it? Let us not hold secret with each other. We all came he-‘

Then a screeching sound can be heard as a result of someone getting up in a rush from their chair and they stopped talking.

They look in a distance and see a woman cloak with black clothing pay the waiters and retreated to the second floor.

Then they continue talking.

Xiyun is now packing her bags as her eyes glittered.

Xiantian Manor! She said in her mind. There is her destination. After exchanging greeetings with the inn owners, she buys a horse and begins her journey.

*************************************************************************