“Welcome,” a grey gentleman greets us when we walk into the camp Tiong the second has made outside the city. It is not so large a camp consisting of only two tents and a wagon. But far larger than any camp we would have to make. “Thank you for the generous invitation,” I tell him and smile while giving the old man a small bow. “We will be travelling together so it will be helpful to make arrangements.” He says and sits down. “My name is Tuan Heiduan and I am the young master's majordomo.” He tells us after having served tea from a can over the fire. “I am told his grandfather made him take you along to the capital of the region?” He kind of asks while his tone makes it a statement. “Tiong Nama Giuan was so gracious as to arrange passage for us,” I tell him and smile while cursing the whole deal in my head. Security will be great for my money, but this company will be a nerve-wracking test. “We will set out in the morning and try to make good time, the young master does not wish to linger in the area.” The old man tells us and describes the routines of the camp in a clear way, while still coming off as condescending.
“What a total bore and prick.” My sister says when we are back in the security blanket of our room at the inn. “Yeah, they usually are like that.” The old priest says and lays down on my bed. “Looking down on us from up high. They have reason to though, probably warriors the whole lot of them.” He says and this statement from the old man wakes Xi up from his brooding. “Do you think I could get any hints?” He asks and smiles. Last month he caught two men his age sparring and was fascinated with the fluidity of their moves and strength. The incident grew with the telling and now they cut stone with every swing. “Maybe if you can get them to talk, they will probably practise though,” I tell him and smile. Cultivating I can help him with, but I am no fighter. Mainly because I just am not interested, seems boring. “Men” comes frustrated from my sister and for once I have to agree with her. I smile back and shake my head at her before mouthing “boys”.
The first day of our travel with the young master passes fast. A boat takes us to a small village on the other side of the lake, and even though more than half the day has passed, the young master pushes on. When we finally make camp for the night few look like they are up for anything but eating. Cold rations are passed around and eaten. It seems the young master wishes to get far away fast from his grandfather.
The next two days pass in the same fashion, but on the third, there seems to be a rest day. The press to move has passed from the young master. It could also be that we have found a place especially nice for cultivation. I tell my companions to cultivate while I take a nap in my hammock. I love napping in hammocks, it is the best. The gentle sway from a breeze rocking me to sleep. I am started when someone violently rocks the hammock to wake me.
“What, what,” I say after landing, the rocking has caused me to spring from my hammock like a lowly fly. Harsh and violent movements with little coordination. I see it is one of the young master's guards who wakes me. It seems he has no regard for the joy of lazy work. I was in the middle of exploring napping and cultivation in a beautiful efficiency build. I can only imagine the possibilities. “The master wishes your presence,” the man tells me in a gruff voice in many ways similar to that of Xi. An older more world-weary voice than him, but still brooding. “I am coming,” I tell him while I dust off and smooth out my clothes. “What does the master wishes to see me about?” I ask, but I get no answer to my question from him. “Show the way,” I say and fume while walking behind him. After only a few steps I have counted to ten and smothered all the irritation I am feeling, maybe not all.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
After a short walk, we arrive at a small glen where most of the party has gathered. It is a beautiful place with a smattering of sun-filled spots and comfortable shadows. Guards and my party sits around and chat, but they clam up when we arrive in the glen. I have no idea what they wish to talk about, but it seems that they expect something. But my party does not look very nervous, either because of their trust in me or the situation is not very dangerous.
“Ah, you have finally joined us.” The young master says with a tone far more familiar than any I have heard before. “Your companions have told me about your achievements in healing.” The man says and I bow in appreciation of his words. “I am sure they told you everything there is,” I tell him and try to smile as innocent as I can. I am wary of hidden dangers, I have no idea what they might be. “Yes, they did tell a tall tale.” He said, not calling them liars I hear, but certainly implying it. “All true I am certain,” I tell him and try to walk a thin line where I have no idea what is on the other side. “Okay, I wish to see these healing arts in action then.” The man says and I kind of grow angry at his words, no respect from him it seems and none forthcoming either.
“Very well, but there is not much to see,” I tell him and smile. “So whom of your retainers would like a free treatment?” I ask and look around, none seem forthcoming. “Ta has been muttering about sore knees for some time.” The young master says and points out one of his older guards. I smile to the man “So you are the lucky one then, well it is my pleasure.” I tell him and smile with a bow of my head. The man sighs when he stands and I cannot refuse to see the hurt in his eyes. There are more in the present company not happy with the young master. He is a right bastard.
“Well, let us find a good place,” I say and Ha comes to my rescue. She gave thought ahead and point out a good looking stone with a thick carpet of moss on top. To be sure of my patient's comfort I roll around on it looking for twigs and small stones and find none. A bit suspicious, but good fortune for me. I have the man lay on his back since it was the knees that seemed to be the problem and begin the usual procedure to fix it.
After about an hour of kind of hard work, I am done with the man. The work is not as hard as it was when I started working with massages. I don’t have to spend an hour in meditation and half that taking a nap. Practise makes perfect and I have over time amassed a lot of practice. Lordly etiquette and flowery speech are too hard to go right at so I sit down and meditate instead. I am left alone until I am ready this time and it does not seem like even the young master or lordling like I have decided to call him in my head have greatly improved his regard for me. But his men certainly have.
“That was certainly impressive.” The young master tells me when I rise again. I did take some extra time regaining my wits. “Thank you,” I say and give him a small bow. He smiles “Come let us have a meal and some drink.” He says and orders his servants to act.
“Who thought you these arts of healing?” The young master asks after having had his servants prepare and serve the meal. I smile and look the man in the eye. “I am my own teacher,” I tell him with confidence and dare him to disagree with me. “That is a large claim.” He says, continuing prodding me about all I have shown today. “Not very, so far I have met no one else healing like I do.” I say with confidence and then humble the statement “But then again I have not been out much and come from a small village.” I tell him and shrug. “There probably is someone healing like me, I just have not been thought by them.” He looks me in the eye like I do him, probably searching for a lie or falsehood in my speech. “Truly a remarkable feat.” He says after some time and goes back to drinking his strong liquor. “Might I ask you to treat me as well?” He asks finally, probably embarrassed to ask. “Of course, we can do a preliminary this evening and look at what is needed after,” I tell him and smile, it is hard to hate your healer.