“I do not think her pearls were a correct choice. They really clashed with her collar, what do you think, Mei,” Anya Woodshield’s socialite I was sitting next to pointed to a person I did not recognize and wanted to know my opinion about fashion.
“I guess,” was the only thing I could say. It was not the most brilliant of things, but I was enduring this type of conversation for the last five hours and it was getting to the point I really wanted to just throw something on the heads of people invited to this party, but I needed to endure and make at least a decent impression, if I wanted to get my family out of its financial trouble.
Not that it was an easy task. I could not find any purchase in the conversation at all. All the partygoers spoke about was clothing, shoes and the most beautiful jewelry they saw, then in hushed tones discussed who was sleeping with whom or who was trying to woo whom. As far as I could tell the conversation lacked any depth at all.
The day started off well enough. I and Adra arrived shortly before the party started, when we were welcomed by Xian. I mingled with the people, while Adra joined the staff to help with the preparations for the party. In retrospect she probably joined the easier duties.
I tried to engage the young scions of the city clans in conversation, but they mostly ignored me. It was only when I was with Xian, that they reacted to me in any way, shape or form.
Of course they reacted to me with pitying gazes, as Xian introduced me as his poor cousin, who needed reintroduction to society after I was away for a very long time. It was not a wrong assessment, but the tone he used was not compassionate, but rather condescending.
They of course congratulated him on his filial piety and compassion and when my back was turned, I could hear them whispering about a country bumpkin. They did not even try to be quiet about it.
Yet, I endured and smiled at them, thanking them for their compassion and smiling at their jokes, which were mostly about the quality of servants and peasants. The day passed in such a whirlwind of soft-spoken insults and rumors until lunch was to be served.
I had to admit the table prepared by Xian’s servants impressed me. It was situated under a beautiful blue tent adorned with fresh flowers not native to the area. It was a far subtler show of wealth than Xian's usual style but it was beautiful. Under the tent were two long tables. As I learned later one of them was for the girls and women invited to the party and the other was for men. This separation was strange to me, but I saw no point in questioning it. The smells of the food were overwhelming and pleasant. They were also coming from a large area separated by a curtain not fat from the tent. It was all organized rather efficiently for a small party.
And it was a small party, not even thirty people went for a light lunch under the tent.
Adra joined to assist me during the lunch in case I needed something brought to me. The meal was exquisite and quite rich, but it was rather ostentatious. I really did not see the point of grilled fish arranged in a river of rice.
After the food the conversation began, which led me to my close association with Anya Woodshield, which I really could have gone without.
“It is certainly ill fitting, but I am sure you will get wiser in the ways of the fashion in time. After all it is not your fault, they isolated you from the better part of our society for so long.” Anya said.
“It is true I have a lot to learn. For example, what is going to happen after this exquisite meal?” I asked her, while trying to engage in a conversation. No source of wisdom should be ignored, even if the source was rather dubious after all.
“This is Xian’s party, so after the meal. He will prepare some entertainment for us. It is his style, after that we will certainly have some small evening meal and the party will then wind down. I am sure Xian and boys will then go to less reputable establishments to continue the fun, but that is not something ladies such as ourselves should be interested in.”
That sounded boring, but it would be foolish to judge before knowing details, ”What kind of entertainment does my cousin prepare?” I asked her.
“It tends to be some activity for the young lords, while we can watch,” she explained dreamily? ”For example, once he brought in a bear, so the bravest could wrestle with him and prove their valor. The other time he called in favor and brought potent spices, which only the strongest could consume without crying. That was most amusing. Once we could watch a show of blade dancers as he danced around them with his incredible skill and ability.”
“Interesting,” I said. I actually looked forward to something like that Showcase of physical activity was something, which would dispel this boredom and It was also something which I could actually find interest in, instead of the rumors and talk about clothes.
“Xian’s parties are alway entertaining. It is clear why he is the rising star of the clan and it is a joy to have him back after he went away for so long,” she smiled at the idea he would be here in the city once more.
“Why was he gone?” I asked, remembering the guard’s words.
“It was nothing important, but it raised hackles of the more conservative members of the Silverhand clan. I and all of my friends agreed, that young men need to get energy out of their system and the clan elders overrated, if you ask me,” she said to me deftly avoiding describing what actually happened, while reinforcing my previous belief she was not a person I should associate with and confirming my previous suspicion.
“Adra, could you show me a place where I can refresh myself,” I asked my maid, while Anya Woodshield looked at me strangely.
“As you wish, mistress,” she said. I rose to follow her outside. Once we were far enough from the tent, I stopped and let out an exhausted sigh.
“Mistress, it is not far away now,” Adra said, looking at me with concern in her eyes.
“I am not having an episode,” I said annoyed, ”I just needed a moment alone.”
“I know it can be overwhelming, but they must see you first to make an impression and you are doing a good job so far,” Adra offered her support to me.
“Thank you,” I looked at her intrigued, ”Do you know what happened between Xian and that maid?” I asked her. It was shot in the dark, but I believed that I had rather good odds.
She looked at me wide eyed, “It is not my place to comment on the actions of the clan members,” she spoke hastily evading my eyes. It was clear she knew.
“So tell me what do you know about Xian and his sudden need to go on a tour of the countryside.” I demanded.
Adra looked reluctant, but finally spoke, ”It is not much of a story and I only heard the rumors, anyway,” she was still reluctant to share the story, but my pleading gaze was more than enough to make her continue.
“Mirra the young maid in question came to work for the Silverhand clan two years ago and young Lord Xian noticed her. He wooed her and they found them in a rather compromising situation. Young master Xian argued she seduced him, which led to a scene, when Mirra cried and pleaded, as he promised her to take her as a mistress. The clan elders let Mirra go and investigation into the young master’s activities revealed a few more indiscretions. He was forced to take a tour of the clan’s holding around the river Asp to get him out of the city and prevent a scandal,” she told me the story.
“Thank you for your honesty, Adra,“ I said to her. She shared a little I did not suspect, but it was still annoying. My cousin was a lying slime, and I was more or less at his mercy.
“Mistress, you should not call me by my name. It is not proper,” Adra gently reminded me of a rule I completely forgot about as she was looking at me surprised by my behavior.
“Thank you. I will try to remember it, but we should return before people look for us.” I noted.
We returned just in time. Xian was standing on a table and calling for quiet. It was clear he would make a speech.
“Fellow scions of Jiaomay city. I thank you for coming in such large numbers to live my little party. It pleases me that so many of you come to celebrate my fiftieth victory with me, but no celebration is complete without entertainment and for today I had prepared something truly special?” he announced as he gestured off stage. Three men in armor armed with swords walked on the stage.
“I had invited these three masters of sword, so that my fellow lords could test their mettle against them and prove their skill in front of the assembled ladies.” He announced and waited for a massive applause.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The applause arrived and everyone including me joined in.
“The blades these honored masters are carrying were dulled to prevent truly horrible injury, but I had an area set up to treat any wounds you might receive in your fights. Remember the standard training rules apply. The fight will be only to the first lethal hit, as judged by me or to the first blood. Let’S get this party going!” he shouted and cheers followed his announcement.
Servants swiftly prepared the area in front of the dining tent by rolling out mats and assembling a wooden stage for the combat.
The young lords prepared for a fight, by taking down their outer robes and checking their swords. By the glances I could get, these blades were not exactly well suited for combat. Some of them were clearly never used, others had inscriptions for the entire length of the blade weakening the structure of the weapon. While these scions of the foremost clans carried weapons as befitted their station, it was clear they were not used that often. My hopes for seeing a good show were quickly dashed.
As the battles engaged, my fears were confirmed. The first few young lords engaged in the fight were clearly unused to fighting. Their stances were impractical and unstable. They held their blades too outstretched to react properly and kept themselves wide open.
The “masters of the blade” who faced them were skilled and dispatched them with ease. It was a rather enjoyable show of skill. Their blades moved quickly and decisively striking through the defenses of the supposed skilled fighters and defenders of the Jiaomay city.
Two things were obvious. First was that my cousin hired actual masters of the blade and second was that something fishy was going on.
While some fighters the masters of the blade dispatched easily, some others took much longer and the young lords did not differ that much in skill. It was a strange discrepancy and I would focus more on it later, but an annoying voice disrupted my concentration.
“Aren’t they great? Such a display of skill and masculinity,” Anya Woodshield said right to my ear.
I could not help myself, “None of the young lords scored a victory,” I pointed out.
“Ah, your inexperience in those matters shows again, dear. These fights are not about winning, it is about showing your willingness to brave the odds of injury and showcase your skill with the blade.”
My skepticism must have shown, because she added a point in a conspiratorial tone, ”Besides none of those who fought until now have any significant training with the blade. The proper show will start later.”
“Then I will earnestly wait,” I said and snatched a delicious morsel which had been served on a platter by a passing server. As I was snacking, I felt a surge of Qi in the area. Someone disrupted the natural flows of Qi. Most of the time it meant someone had used a potent technique, or was not careful while using detection techniques. Scouting techniques were not common, while they allowed to scan area swiftly anyone sensitive to Qi be it Cultivator or A Beast would have no problem detecting the incursion, betraying the presence of the scouting cultivator.
I looked around. I was not advanced enough on the path of immortality to detect more details and so I had to rely on my mundane senses.
People around me were clearly enjoying themselves, smiling, eating and chatting. I saw no one who might have been a cultivator and so I closely stretched my spirit sense, trying to detect disturbances of the local Qi flow and returned to watching the show.
More capable fighters were now facing the masters of the blade. None of them could penetrate the defenses of their opponents, but few of them came close and yet once more I found many of these fights strange.
The masters of the blade were not exploiting openings some of the young lords had, while expertly doing so with the others who had the same openings in their defense. A dark suspicion formed in my mind, but I had no proof outside of my expertise.
I looked at Xian. he carried a very self-satisfied grin on his face, but that was proof of nothing. I knew him just for a few days and even I could tell that a self-satisfied grin was his default expression.
The last fight has finished with another defeat of the young Lord, although this time it was rather close.
“Well, no-one had any luck against such skilled masters of the blade, but it was still rather fun, wasn’t it?” Anya Woodshield asked.
“They were not that bad, although the young lords were clearly not used to fighting too much,” I pointed out mindlessly. This mystery was consuming me.
Anya Woodshield scoffed, “What do you know about fighting? You are somebody from the boonies.”
“I was a member of the Fiery peak sect and trained in combat rather excessively. I do have an idea about fighting and dueling,” I said to her. She did not look persuaded by my claims, but our discussion could not continue, because Xian rose and spoke again.
“Great show, but the best is yet to come. I know you have all been wondering: Why am I not taking part in the festivities and merely serving as a judge? Well wonder no more, because I shall now give you a showcase of my skill.” he said and pulled his robes revealing a simple dueling clothes beneath, “My opponent shall be honorable Jervain who is the foremost master of the blade of these present here today."
One of the three stepped forward and bowed towards us once more. He was not that old, but I could see a few dueling scars on his hands and face. He turned towards Xian and bowed to him.
Xian followed suit and drew his blade, ”As I cannot judge. This duel shall be to the last blood. Those of you with weaker constitution please be aware, that you will see blood,” he said looking at me.
Jervain looked at him with grim determination. It would be interesting to see the skills of my cousin, the supposed best duelist of the Silverhand clan.
Both fighters had training swords of the same length and as they prepared to face each other, it was clear my cousin's skills were on another level compared to the other young lords of the city. His stance was perfect, and he dove to his opponent with speed and ferocity unmatched by the others.
He locked the blades with the master and sparks flew as they exchanged a flurry of blows. I forced the master to take a step back as he covered himself from the assault.
Xian was the first who forced his opponent to fall back in this way and many sounds of awe accompanied this feat.
This attack did not perturb the master, and in response he was moving back steadily. While my cousin was striking ferociously, he was slowly losing his balance. Soon he would overextend too far and the master would have him.
The master knew it too, but when the moment came and my cousin went too far a grim flash showed on Jervain’s face and he fell back instead of striking and taking victory. He struck instead by a clearly telegraphed strike and Xian parried at the last moment instead of a quick jab, which would have ended the fight.
My cousin moved swiftly into the defense of his opponent. Striking his sword hand with his left hand. It should have been easy to parry, but the master of the sword let his strike succeed. The master’s sword flew from his hands against all odds and my cousin moved to scar him with a simple scar on a hand ending the fight swiftly.
Both opponents bowed to each other and my cousin took the master to the first aid station earning himself more praise for his empathy and consideration.
“That was unbelievable. I did not know Xian was so skilled,” Anya Woodshield exalted over my cousin's skill.
“He is truly a skilled duelist,” I said , trying to be diplomatic. I realized the master of the blade let my cousin win. A small suspicion blossomed in my chest.
“Tell me those who were the most successful against the masters of the blade, who were they?” I asked Anya Woodshield.
“They were sons of the most prominent of the clans. Their valor is truly profound and their skill will surely protect our city in many years to come,” she said to me, but I was looking for something else and so I fished for more.
“Truly, that will be hard for the Silverhand clan, if our rivals have such fierce sons,” I said, putting emphasis into my worrying voice.
“You have no reason to be afraid. The best fighters today were all allies of the Silverhand clan and close friends to Xian. Your clan is truly formidable,” she reassured me, confirming my worries.
What was more worrying was that I suddenly felt a disturbance in Qi flows in the area, which was close enough for my spirit sense to detect. I identified the anomaly.
It was a middle-aged man walking to the tent, where the party was held with a rather bored expression on his face. He had a blade on his belt, but he was not dressed in the robes of a cultivator, but in clothes more fitting of a city dweller of some standing.
Cultivators rarely gave up the status their robes afforded them and so that this one meant nothing good.
My cousin was clearly a slime, but he was still my cousin and a member of my clan. I rose to warn him about a cultivator at his party. I doubted he detected my probing. He was not looking at me and the disturbance of Qi flow suggested he was currently drawing and cycling Qi in the area sparse as it was for a cultivator’s use.
I had no opportunity to warn him as he returned from his errand and immediately spoke.
“Fellow Scions of the clans. I thank you for your presence here to celebrate my prowess ,which I have now certainly proven. I hope to continue my quest in becoming the best duelist in Jiaomay city, although lately I think I am aiming too low, for I might be already peerless here,” my cousin boasted.
I saw a smile on the cultivator’s face and I sped up sneaking behind my cousin swiftly. I knew where this was going. My cousin just offered a challenge, and the cultivator was clearly going to take it. My idiot of a cousin had no chance, of that I was sure and I really was not interested in seeing a member of the family as a stain on the ground.
Everyone ignored my approach as the cultivator spoke, ”Truly peerless? Would you then entertain a challenge from me? I think it might prove interesting.” the man said. Everyone around gasped, as if this was the first time they had seen him.
My cousin looked at the traveler. He would not back from the challenge, luckily for him I was already behind him and with a quick maneuver I acted.
I struck his legs forcing him to face plant and bowed before the cultivator. The crowd gasped at my actions but no one moved to protect their rising star.
“I am sorry, honored cultivator, but my cousin was referring to mere mortals in his speech. There is no way he would dare to reach the realms of the immortals with his foolish boast.” I kept my head low and for good measure kicked my cousin who wanted to say something to keep him quiet.
From my bow I saw a flash of annoyance on the cultivator’s face, but propriety had been kept and no mortal dared to challenge an immortal. To pursue fight with weak mortals without prior offense would be beneath the cultivator and would harm his honor, not that it ever worked that well . I hoped he would not act with so many important witnesses.
I felt the Qi shift and the blast of the wind sent me back and on the ground, ”Then remember it well, little girl,” the cultivator said and left. The crowd was left speechless at this show, well everyone except Xian who had found his voice.
“You attacked me. I will have you expelled from the clan, you worthless visitor from the poorhouse. The Clan head will hear about this!”