𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 5 - ℭ𝔲𝔩𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢

"Love is the best and worst feeling in the world. It can uplift you to Heavens and push you down to the Underworld."

- Unknown Poet

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“Attack!” Dionisia instructed him.

As Jing levelled his sword at her, a flash of moonlight reflected down the blade. This time they were using actual blades. Jing swung and Dionisia parried the blow with lightning fast reactions. “You can do better,” she encouraged him.

Jing nodded. He sped forward, sword raised high. Dionisia dodged the blows which began raining down on her using quick feints and half turns, without even attempting to parry them. Her sword served as a counterweight for her evasive maneuvers. “Too slow,” she smiled.

Jing launched into a series of cuts, feints, and counters, moving like a beam of light. Again and again, his sword was forced to change direction mid-swing, always ending pressed against her blade. But the pressure on Dionisia was growing and his attacks were becoming ever more fierce and fast. “You’ve improved.”

The two blades collided with a steel clash that echoed loudly. “Your progress is remarkable.”

“Thanks,” Jing softly smiled. “But I’ve still got a lot to learn it seems.”

“So do I. You can never truly master the art of swordsmanship. It is a never-ending journey, and there will always be room for improvement. Only the fool believe they can ever reach its end.”

Jing nodded. “There is great wisdom in that. I will never delude myself into believing I’ve mastered all there is to master.”

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The sky was gemstone blue. The golden sun was shining bright. A wind was blowing, comforting and cool. Jing breathed deep in the cool air, and began to walk at a fast pace, heading to the Main Hall. Entering the spacious hall, he found Grandmaster Rong standing still and reading a scroll.

“Teacher,” Jing fell to his knees.

The Grandmaster turned around. “Your swordsmanship has improved I’ve heard?” he smirked.

Jing’s face turned ashen white. He had never expected Grandmaster Rong would learn about his secret practice.

“I may be old, but I am not blind or deaf.”

Jing fell to his knees. “Grandmaster!” he pleaded. “I was wrong to do this behind your back. Please for-“

“Why would I be angry that you are working hard to improve your skills?” Rong interrupted him. “I would be angry if you neglected your tasks doing so, but that is not the case. You practice your swordsmanship at night, after you’ve completed your tasks. This shows dedication. It also shows someone who is willing to go the extra mile, who is not lazy and content.” The Grandmaster paused for a brief moment. “Follow me.”

Jing silently nodded and followed the Grandmaster to a scenic private garden. Birds chirped in the pretty pink cherry blossom trees. The flowers lay scattered on the grass like frozen flames. Their petals were delicate works of art. The air was perfumed by their heavy scent; it was exquisite, fragrant. There was a pond in the middle of the garden, and a red stone bridge going over it. Rong walked to the bridge and Jing followed behind. As he walked on it, the young disciple would see goldfish swimming in the pond, underneath the green lily pads.

“You’ve been at the Order for over a year,” Rong softly spoke. “At this time, you’ve shown that you are patient, dedicated, hardworking and not one to give up. I believe you are ready to learn the way of cultivation.”

A radiant smile flashed across Jing’s face. “Thank you, Teacher!”

“Being my disciple, you will have to be a responsible person and not use your powers without thinking of the consequences. You must remember that every being has innate goodness in it. Subduing wicked people alone does not make you praiseworthy; making them turn over a new leaf will. As such, I expect you not to use your powers irresponsibly, even when you have to deal with the wickedest persons. I also expect you to forget about revenge. Dispensing justice and punishing the wicked is one thing, but going on a personal crusade against those you hate is not justice and will consume you; it will turn you into a monster."

“Teacher, I fully understand and will not disappoint you. I will be merciful and won’t misuse my skills. But I also have to be honest with you. I cannot abandon my quest for justice. I want to punish those who eradicated my Clan; not because of personal hatred but because all those innocent people who died at their hands deserve justice. I pledge not to kill unnecessarily and to grant them the chance to repent for their evil acts.”

Contemplating his words, Rong paused for a few seconds. He locked his eyes to Jing’s. “I can tell you are sincere about seeking justice and not vengeance. I shall not forbid you from seeking justice for your family, but you must show mercy when the time comes not let blind hatred guide your actions.”

The disciple nodded.

“Good. We can now begin your training. Qi is the vital energy that exists in all things. Qi is concentrated in your lower dantian, located three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel. Qi flows in your body through the meridians, a network of vessels. By drawing in Qi, you can cultivate and use internal energy. There are many levels and stages of internal energy. Soul Formation is the first stage and has ten levels. It concerns the basics of internal energy; it allows one to perform peak physical acts, such as leaping to unbelievable heights, running with unnatural speed, gaining temporarily abnormal physical endurance and strengthening their attacks. Next is Force Formation, which has five levels; it allows one to send invincible waves of internal energy at their enemies – pummeling them with it – and to create energy shields to protect themselves from such attacks. Next is Power Formation, which has six levels. It allows one to manipulate elements of nature such as lightning, fire, wind and water: to create powerful gusts of wind, balls of fire or water, or unleash waves of lightning. Finally, there is the God Formation, which has only one level. That Formation had been mastered by only one mortal, the legendary hero Yi Hong.”

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Jing motioned his head in agreement.

“You need not concern yourself right now with levels and formations. You must begin with the basics first.”

Rong sat in a cross-legged meditative position. Jing followed his example.

“The first step to cultivation is both the simplest and hardest,” the Grandmaster explained. “You must learn to breathe in the right way so that you can draw in the Qi of the natural world. It sounds simple, but it perhaps is the hardest skill to master.”

Rong took deep breaths, through the nose, and Jing did the same. During the inhalation, their diaphragm moved downwards. They then exhaled, moving up their diaphragm, compressing their lungs and pushing the air out.

“Good…” Rong whispered. “But there is still a long way to learn to breathe properly.”

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Jing and Xiao were walking through the halls of the Order. While Xiao was talking about his training, Jing was deep in thought. A wave of desperation and anxiety had seized him. ‘I should be feeling happy that Grandmaster Rong is finally teaching me how to cultivate, and yet… I feel empty. Why am I not feeling fulfilled? This should have been my moment. This should have made me happy.’ He closed his eyes and a memory of his duel with Dionisia flashed through his mind.

Xiao looked at Jing, lost in deep thoughts with a wretched face “Why the long face?”

“I… nothing. Forget it.”

“Come on! You can tell me. I am your best friend.”

“You are my only friend here.”

“That certainly qualifies me as being your best friend, doesn’t it?” Xiao grinned. “But do not change the subject. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Well, I… I think I am in love.”

“Ooh! Who’s the lucky girl?”

“Why am I telling you this?”

“Because I am the only one who listens do you. Now tell me.”

Jing sighed. “Dionisia.”

“Master Dionisia!?” Xiao gasped.

Jing nodded.

“Man… wow. Just… I am a bit at loss for words. I mean, she is a good-looking woman but… she is a Master here. I don’t think she would pursue any kind of relationship with a student.”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Jing replied wryly.

“I misspoke. Sure, it may be a long shot, but you’ve got a chance if you follow my instructions.”

Jing burst out laughing.

“I’m serious. Before I came to the Order, I was a bit of a playboy. I know how to impress a woman.”

Jing stopped laughing and stared at him. “Wait, you're serious?”

Xiao nodded. “Totally. You need to be direct with her and express your feelings. But you cannot just go and tell her you are in love with her just like that. No. Instead, invite her to a romantic dinner.”

“But… where would I take her? It isn’t like there is some restaurant here…”

“There is a pavilion in one of the gardens!” Xiao exclaimed. “Other students rarely go there at night, so you will have your dinner at peace.”

“Sounds great. But… how can I make this dinner feel special?”

Xiao grinned. “For that, you can rely on me. As I’ve told you, my father makes the best wines in the entire Realm. I will give you a jar of one of our most exquisite wines. I will also give you some romantic candles.”

“Wait, you have romantic candles?”

Xiao laughed awkwardly. “Well… I… as I’ve said, I used to flirt a lot before coming here. Since there are female disciples too, I thought I could impress a girl here.”

“You did?”

“Hey, we are talking about you, not me!”

Jing shook his head. “I really hope you know what you are saying…”

“I do! I have way more experience than you for sure.”

“Alright, alright. Was just saying…”

“Don’t doubt me, my apprentice!”

“What?”

Xiao put his arm around Jing’s shoulder. “You see, you seek my tutoring and that makes me your Teacher when it comes to the affairs of the heart.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“You want the wine and the candles or not?”

Jing sighed. “Fine. Thank you, Teacher.”

“You’re welcome,” Xiao smirked. “Now go and make your Teacher proud.”

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The spacious, red pavilion was set in the center of a lotus pond. Jing wanted to make this dinner special, intimate. He carefully placed the candles and wine on the grey, stone table. ‘Focus, focus!’ he thought. He couldn’t help but wonder if he and Dionisia were close enough to be so direct with her. ‘She might take it as being too aggressive... I hope Xiao knows what he is talking about’.

His heart raced as he waited for Dionisia to arrive. He had left her a written note inviting her to dinner. ‘Maybe I should have invited her face to face? Nah. That would be too awkward. I would chicken out. Damn it, what if she doesn’t come? I-“

Suddenly he heard the sound of footsteps. His heart skipped a beat at the sound. Turning around, he saw Dionisia approaching the pavilion. “Hi,” he said with a wide smile on his face. ‘Am I looking awkward? Or silly? Or…?’

“Hi,” Dionisia replied as she walked inside the pavilion. Jing led her to the table, with the vanilla-scented candles and a jar of wine. “I never thought of you as the kind to hold such a dinner.”

‘Neither did I…’ Jing thought. “I am full of surprises,” he grinned.

They stood opposite one another. The candles cast dancing shadows on their faces. Jing poured the deep red wine into the elegant bronze wine cups. He lifted his cup and toasted, “to my instructor and friend. You helped me when I felt lost. You did not just help me improve my swordsmanship; you gave me the confidence to keep going at a time I felt hopeless.”

Dionisia’s eyes glistened. “There is no need to thank me. Your progress is a result of your hard work and dedication.”

They sipped the wine. The wine tasted delicious, with just a hint of some fruit. “Where did you get this?” Dionisia asked. “We don’t usually have such wine here.”

“A gift from a friend,” Jing smiled. He reached for her hand and said, “I… actually I want to confess something.” Dionisia allowed him to hold her soft hands. The candlelight cast a glow about them. “It is something I have wanted to say to you since the first time I met you. I-“The next few seconds seemed like an eternity to Jing. He needed to work up all his courage. Knowing that he was talking from his heart gave him the confidence to muster the strength to utter the words he so longed to say. “I…am…in love with you.”

Dionisia looked long and hard at Jing’s face. She was still holding his hands tightly and tried to say something but seemed at a loss of words. Jing grew alarmed. “Are…I…you…” he stammered.

Dionisia regained her composure. “I am sorry. I have duties as a Master of the Order. I cannot afford to allow myself to be distracted by love.”

Jing’s heart sank. He felt as though an arrow had been shot straight through his heart. “I understand,” he finally mumbled. “Do you have any feelings towards me?”

“I do,” Dionisia admitted. “Which is why this is so hard for me. I am sorry.”

Jing desperately wanted to say something, to try to change her mind, but he chose to remain silent. He forced a weak smile. “I understand.”

The Master got up from her seat. “I better leave. Remaining here would make things even more awkward than they already are.”

Dionisia walked away, leaving Jing all alone, looking into the candle flame. He smiled, his smile one of sadness. Silent tears flowed down his chilled face. “How could I have been so stupid? I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He poured more of the red wine into his cup and gulped it down. The sense of warmth and strength caused by the alcohol had reached his heart, making him feel better. “Oh, what the hell!” He gulped down another cup, and yet another.