“This way,” said an officious looking house seneschal, leading them all to a series of fine hardwood tables placed in depressions unlike anything Alex had seen before, though he didn’t hesitate to follow Linnea’s lead when she immediately slipped off her footware and took a seat, sighing with delight while her feet soaked in a hot foot bath filled with flower petals and aromatics.
“Come on, and sit, Alex! This is delightful! I haven’t had a good footsoak since, well,” her smile faded a bit. “Since leaving home. And since I’m never ever going back to that pit of overbearing tyrants again… clearly we’ll have to save up and afford ourselves a pagoda just like this one!” She said, flashing him a teasing smile that earned more than a few grins from their classmates.
Alex laughed it off with a smile. “I guess we’ll need to hunt an awful lot of beast cores to earn a prize like this,” he allowed with a smile, taking note of how most of the class slipped off their footware before soaking their feet in the bath like it was second nature to them all. Alex hesitated only a moment longer before doing the same, eyes widening in surprise when he felt the tiniest nibble on his toes.
Linnea’s grin widened. “They actually have proper rufas! Doesn’t that feel nice?”
Whatever Alex was going to say completely fled his mind when the seneschal presented the master of the manor who chose that moment to make his entrance, the sharp Silver tier aura, turning out to belong to none other than a coolly smiling Qing Wu, dressed in fine silk cultivator robes with herons that perfectly complimented both the ink drawings on finely polished hardwood slats and the exquisitely rendered lifelike herons depicted upon multiple tapestries throughout the foyer and dining hall, clearly a key theme of the cultivator’s new home.
Alex’s eyes were riveted on his boon companion, mentor, and friend during the caravan journey from Qianshi to Liushi, having fought by his side through bandit raid, rift, and undead legions as well. They had parted ways by deliberate design to throw any possible threat off the trail, and Alex’s surprise couldn’t be more genuine than to see Qing Wu here and now, looking so distinguished with his gorgeous attire, scholarly gaze, and freshly trimmed beard.
The entire class was humbled to stillness, for all that they sat before a veritable feast of roasted fowl, tureen’s full of rich hearty soups, and silver platters filled with perfectly ripened fruit and fresh bread dipped in olive oil and covered in either chili, cheeses, or chutney. More than a few were shivering before Qing Wu’s potent Silver-tier aura of frigid winter snows that Alex had long since grown used to, which made the hot foot bath under the table all the more delightful and welcoming.
Still, the warmth he felt in his chest only grew when Reny made an appearance moments later, wearing the cheongsam with the sky-blue ribbons signifying a married woman, looking both elegant and motherly with her high cheekbones and healer’s gaze, radiating an ageless beauty as potent as her husband’s vibrant vitality. Yet even Reny’s beauty paled before Ya Ling, at that very moment presenting herself three deferential steps behind her grandparents before honoring the group as a whole with the tiniest of curtsies, wearing a sheer qipao that perfectly balanced the bridge between demure elegance and sensual grace, complimenting her physique to glorious effect.
The soft whispers immediately rose in pitch and Alex could sense more than a few boy’s hearts skipping a beat when Ya Ling’s beautiful almond eyes calmly hovered over them all, before settling at last on Alex.
The soft, half-smile she wore instantly froze, her face growing hard and cold before she looked away.
A stunned Alex had time only to blink in confusion, before Qing Wu finally spoke.
“I bid warm welcome to Silver Sand’s newest disciples.” Alex’s caravan mentor then gestured to the heaping silver platters filled with delectable deights. “Please, relax and partake of the feast before you. The great majority of you have earned it, both in diligence as you dare to take on unfamiliar challenges, and in the wisdom shown when allowing an experienced hand to show you the path of the herbalist, the farmer, and those with a talent for mastering Earth and Wood in its various forms.”
His benign expression abruptly hardened, as cold and unforgiving as a sheer granite mountain face. In the blink of an eye, Grandfatherly features had transformed to the cold glare of a judge passing pitiless sentence, whipped free of all moisture under bitter cold winds, scoring all warmth and mercy away.
Tan Yi froze, silver spoon full of stew caught halfway between his already filled bowl and suddenly blue tinged lips.
“And some of you have shown a contemptible lack of any of the virtues that one would expect of anyone who cared for the land upon which all our lives depend. Crushing out of spite, that which the wisest know to treasure above all else.” He gave a cold shake of his head. “I fear that your tale will become quite tragic indeed, if you continue to damn the pages of your future to the fires of your hate.”
He then released a shuddering Tan Yi from his icy stare to address the class as a whole. “To you all, I provide before you the bounty of my table, and my blessing as well, and the true, hidden blessing that this day, which yes, most definitely was a test, would grant you.”
His gaze grew intent, icy blue eyes locking upon each of their own. “To all of you who tended to the garden with even an ounce of concern, rejoice. You will find that our beautiful caldera reciprocates grace in equal measure, echoing the balance between cultivator, farmer, and sanctuary that has been Liushi’s wont for countless centuries. So do not be surprised if you find your mind brimming with fresh insights and revelations, or simply an added touch of serenity, in the weeks ahead.”
He then waved at the table once more. “So by all means, eat your fill! My wife and granddaughter will be happy to take any questions you might have if you felt any sort of connection with the garden you tended, or have any interest in caring for spiritual plants in the future.”
He then waved once more at the table as Reny and Ya Ling seated themselves at the head, and Alex pretended he didn’t feel Ya Ling’s gaze boring into the side of his skull as he focused desperately on spreading olive oil and a delightfully fragrant soft cheese on bread that tasted of triumph and regret in equal measure.
He tried not to wince when Linnea animatedly raised her hand. “Master Qing Wu?”
The elder, who had engaged in quiet conversation with Elder Win, instantly schooled his features, showing not the trace of irritation that quickly slipped from Elder Win’s features as well.
“Yes, child?”
“What about students who didn’t treat your garden with that ounce of concern?” She asked innocently, most definitely not glaring Tan Yi’s way. “What about those who, say, happily stomped on 350 silver’s worth of priceless spirit herbs while carefully avoiding clipping even a single thorny vine which my fiance says is absolutely vital for balancing the spiritual energy flows in what’s actually a natural formation!? He even figured out how to use the Copperthorns to trap moisture, so your garden won’t dry out in the desert air every day! Isn’t Alex clever?”
Alex wanted to sink into the warm pool massaging their feet when he sensed Ya Ling’s unmistakable flinch, stealing a quick glance at eyes wide with shocked dismay and a mouth she only clamped tight when her grandmother silently pinched her.
Elder Wu, to his credit, didn’t miss a beat. “Having seen your fiance’s work firsthand this morning, I would say that he does indeed have a gift for gardening, as I understand that many Ruidians do.”
“Absolutely!” Linnea positively beamed. “In fact, Alex and I would absolutely love working in your garden, if that would be alright with you. We don’t even need the credits. We would do it just for fun! It’s absolutely bubbling with glorious potential! Isn’t that right, Alex?” She gave his hand an affectionate squeeze.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Alex’s heart was pounding. Yet for Linnea’s sake, he nodded solemnly, refusing to contradict a single thing that a certain hostile party would gladly use against her.
Qing Wu chuckled goodnaturedly. “Of course you are both are more than welcome to stop by and care for the garden whenever you are free. I have no doubt that my wife would love to speak with both of you, and see just how far we can take your obvious gifts. And fear not, we would most definitely compensate you for your time with fair credits, though your enthusiasm definitely counts in your favor.”
His genial smile hardened as he glazed Tan Yi’s way once more. “As to your other question, we will abstain from passing judgment upon wayward students, little more than children, who clearly have little understanding of their path. That being said, anyone who allows bitter spite to rule them while tending our garden should expect no blessings from our feast whatsoever.”
***
“Ooh, wasn’t that a wonderful meal, Alex? And Qing Wu said we could stop by whenever we liked!” Linnea gushed as the delightful meal wound down and the students made their way with smiles and bows of gratitude, Elder Win declaring the day officially at an end, and that the class was free to use the rest of the day for independent study as they saw fit, whether meditating, sparring, or getting fresh work assignments, for those who wanted to get ahead of the credit curve.
Alex nodded despite his mixed feelings. For Reny had shown herself to be a marvelous hostess, fielding questions sent her way with equanimity, and in very short order feeling like everyone’s aunty as opposed to the powerful Deep Bronze that could make or break their stay here that she so obviously was. And for all that Ling Ling had garnered Alex’s concern with her clear intolerance for the rifts, Reny seemed quite eager to snatch her up and take the delicate young cultivator under her wing, having seen something of a healer’s gifts in her. Or such was Alex’s impression, which boded well for his classmate’s future, whether it would be that of an empathetic healing assistant or become a genuine healer in her own right, should Ling Ling actually manage to burst open a partially sealed final meridian and achieve the power of at least a Half-step Bronze.
Yet despite Reny’s grace, Ya Ling’s haunted gaze had been a weight on his heart, and his stomach, for all that his hands seemingly couldn’t help themselves, stuffing his face with the absolutely scrumptious fare. And even if 30 Strength and Vitality and a young man’s physique all but demanded steady nourishment, still, the meal was sitting heavy on him now, pinning him with his friend’s hurt gaze, as Alex and a still animatedly chatting Linnea were somehow the last to leave.
Then he froze in place, feeling a soft fingers clasp at his changshan jacket.
He swallowed, cheeks flushing as the blood roared through his veins, ignoring Linnea’s look of confusion as he turned around.
“Alex?”
He forced himself to smile as he met Ya Ling’s forlorn gaze.
“Hi, Ya Ling.”
Linnea blinked, abruptly cut off from an animated conversation that she was having with Reny who somehow read Linnea perfectly and knew just how to engage her. Yet Alex’s shift in mood and stance immediately brought her right into the moment, scattered thoughts instantly locking onto what mattered, having her battle buddy’s back. Or, as far as she was concerned, her future husband.
Her lighthearted flighty self immediately snapped into a hard-eyed awareness far more worthy of her enhanced mind.
“I take it you know these people?”
Alex nodded, bowing his head in warm regard to both Reny and Elder Wu. “I do.”
Linnea furrowed her brow, having already dried her feet and slipped on her leather shoes, now stepping back to take in all four of them before giving a slow nod. “And you’ve fought with them before. Partied with them before.” She flashed a bemused smile. “I can tell.”
“We met on the road,” Ya Ling softly said. “Traveling from Qianshi to Liushi. He arrived just in the nick of time to warn us of raiders, and chose to fight by our side, earning both our friendship and our trust. We soon became the best of friends after that,” Ya Ling said, bowing her head. “I saw you during the second day martial rankings, but never had the chance to properly introduce myself.”
Linnea solemnly bowed her head in turn, perfectly mirroring Ya Ling. “Linnea. Ruby. formerly of clan Redrock.”
Reny raised a polite eyebrow. “Formerly?”
Linnea jerked a nod, eyes flashing with undisguised heat. “Formerly. My family expects me to marry the man of their choosing. A sickly inbred thing that makes me puke whenever I smell him, and I absolutely refused!”
Reny gave her a sympathetic nod. “I don’t blame you a bit, darling. The heart can never be forced, and there is much to be said in finding love far outside of one’s birth city or clan.”
“Exactly!” Linnea enthused. “Because if my clan intermarries any more cousins, we’re pretty much doomed. And I don’t care how strong our elemental magics are, if it takes multiple level-up points invested just to correct for abnormalities and achieve a normal lifespan, then we’re doing something seriously wrong!” She then touched her nose. “And humans can smell pheromones for a reason. It’s mother nature’s most primal way of detecting a healthy mate and avoiding too much genetic inbreeding.”
This earned several furrowed brows.
Alex sighed. “Remember, they don’t have any high tech background reference points, no matter how many generations lost, Linnea.”
“Right. What I’m saying is, any good goat herder knows you need to bring in fresh blood for healthy livestock!” Linnea said brightly. “Only my clan’s too stupid to understand that, so I left.”
“Is Alex from a neighboring clan? Did you fall in love with him during a clan gathering?” Ya Ling asked politely, for all that her voice was clearly strained.
Linnea gave a happy chuckle. “Not at all! I met him within minutes of him using me as cover to sneak into the city! This is my second time daring the Liushi rifts through the school’s patronage, but this time I thought it would be fun to do it as a student, which we are allowed to do, and Alex agreed to join my family and I when we did our first delve here, just a few days ago!”
Ya Ling blinked. “So you’ve only known Alex for a handful of days?”
“Precisely!” Linnea said, eyes alight with happiness. “And my nose knew straight off that he was the one for me! I mean, look at his muscles! he’s at the peak of health, cultivates by leveling up in ways that no Ruidian has ever done before, and with his blond hair and blue eyes, he isn’t at all genetically related to me! Also he’s a sweetheart and he saved my life, so how could I not fall in love with him?”
“Oh, how did he save your life?” Reny asked while subtly leading Linnea back in the family foyer, where a fresh pot of green tea was already waiting for them, Linnea taking a grateful sip.
“Oh this is absolutely delightful! Thank you! So, let me tell you about the first delve Alex and I did with my uncle and cousin and a few Bronze body cultivators besides. First, we sneaked into the eastern delve sight, though it wasn’t really sneaking since everyone was deliberately not looking our way as we took the lower path to the rift, but we all like to pretend it’s forbidden, and wouldn’t you know it? The flood of spirit beasts in there nearly killed us! Alex is very good as slicing things open with his fangtian ji, however, so it was us leaving alive, and we were all up 500 credits a piece!”
“And that’s when Alex proposed to you?” Ya Ling asked just a bit too intently, earning a look from her grandmother as she sipped hot tea with a bland smile while Alex’s belly tied up in knots.
Linnea shook her head. “Nope! That’s when uncle asshole got incredibly jealous, however, and challenged Alex for my hand, and that’s after he saved his life! Can you believe it?”
Ya Ling paled, eyes widening in shock and pity in equal measure. “Wait… your uncle was going to force himself on you?”
“Oh, no. Not even he’s that disgusting. Clans that do that really do die out fast, from what the old records tell us. No, he was trying to force me to marry his best friend’s sickly inbred son, so my uncle can go ahead and marry his best friend’s daughter, because he’s that desperate for a heir that will continue his line!”
Ya Ling paled. “Wait, you’re saying he actually has that power over you?”
“Not any more!” Linnea happily declared. “Alex beat the snot out of him in a formal duel for my hand! So I’m free of my uncle and will be considered an adult just as soon as Alex marries me!” Her beatific smile faded. “Which he can’t do, until he fixes his cultivation issue.” Her glare pinned Alex as he was sipping tea. “Something which I hope he does very, very soon.”