The essence of the moon sprayed across the night sky, providing what little luminescence was needed to traverse the rocky road on a cold night such as this.

The wind didn’t howl, but the swishing sound the wind made as it caressed the grass could’ve easily been mistaken for a woodcarver sanding wood, ensuring each grain was as smooth as a jade bead.

This ambience would’ve been hypnotic to anyone’s ear.

Anyone, but Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing was never fond of the subtlety found in nature. It annoyed him, made him feel as though he’d been cultivating for hours sometimes even days.

To Xing, the sound of people singing, chanting, enjoying their day to day, was hypnotic, especially when he was in a tavern.

It felt right to him, hearing cheers, bellowing laughter and chuckling cries. It made him feel alive, not as alive as when he used his fist, but as alive as anyone could be!

“Are you in a rush?” Ban Susu asked sighing. Xing’s lips curled into a smile, and he shook his head. “I’m fine.” He said, lying.

“Liar! I know you hate it here!” Susu snapped back.

“I do! But you love it, what kind of man you take me for Su’er?”

“A fool that lives to drink and fight! What else am I supposed to take you for!?”

“That’s true!” He said, grinning widely.

Ban Susu’s company was always welcome for Zhao Xing. Susu never judged his love of wine nor his hate of cultivation. Hate might’ve been the wrong word, but the way Xing felt right now, it certainly passed as hate.

“When last have you cultivated Brother Xing?” Susu asked coyly.

“…Yesterday, I think,” He said with a wink.

Xing watched as Susu rolled her eyes before shaking her head in disappointment. At least she didn’t have her veil on Xing mused happily.

He hated when she wore that thing, it hid her brown eyes and supple nose. On the other hand no matter how hard he tried, her lips always seem to look as two swords clashing against each other. However, those swords made the sounds of bells whenever she spoke.

Xing had massive love for his Martial Sister. Her elegance and grace were like a flower blooming in the desert, a desert that centered around her.

As the dead leaves crunched beneath their feet with each step. Xing swallowed deeply, pushing the annoyance that fluttered into his mind, then glanced at Susu as she smiled looking up at the moon.

The moon’s radiance sprayed across her beige coloured skin, making it seem brighter than usual. It made Xing wonder if her smile could always soak up the moon’s radiance like this, as it made her skin radiate so perfectly, but Xing knew better.

…it’s this damn foliage, it’s what she loves! He thought. He pursed his lips, thinking of what he craved the most. If only I could sip some wine, He thought cheerfully, feeling as though the sweet liquid essence guzzle down his throat, superficially. Then maybe I could quell this deafening silence of the wind!

“What are you smiling at?” Susu asked confused.

“The truth.” He said with a grin.

“What?” She asked confused, “What are you on about now?”

“Nothing…just an idle thought.”

Susu eyed Xing, with a stare so intense, Xing could’ve felt the daggers hitting his chest. “You haven’t had a cup of wine in three days Brother Xing, are you OK?.”

“I am, Su’er, I am.” He said snidely.

“I don’t like your attempt at sarcasm…” Susu spat, annoyed. “Say what you have to say. I know you, you’re about to talk in riddles. Be frank!”

“Me riddles? I’d never!” He answered coyly trying to bury his smile. “But tell me Su’er, Is it true?”

“What is?” She answered, whipping a bead of sweat from her cheek.

“Is Yan Fan becoming the new Chief of the Golden Bowl Sect?”

“WHAT?” Susu shouted, confused, turning towards Xing “What do you mean Yan Fan’s becoming Chief?”

“I heard a rumour back in Anqing…Old Man Tu’s looking to wash his hand in the Golden Bowl.”

“What? Old Man Tu’s looking to retire from the Jianghu?”

An Owl hooted in the background, drawing everyone’s attention, and then a bird chirped. It was as if they too were confused by the news, as Susu was.

Susu laughed somberly and looked at Xing. She didn’t say anything and neither did Xing. It was as if, Susu was gauging Xing for his playful lies, he’d made that a habit ever since they were young, only to annoy Susu, but this time, sincerity was painted across his face, which left Susu flustered.

Susu harrumphed, shaking her head and bit her lip. “No, I don’t know anything about Old Man Tu’s retirement nor Yan Fan taking over his position within the Golden Bowl Sect.”

“Hooo…I see, did Yan Fan and you have another falling out?”

“We haven’t fallen out!” Susu snapped. “We haven’t seen eye to eye recently.”

“That’s the same thing Su’er!” Xing chuckled.

“Bro—“ Susu tried to, but was cut off by Xing.

“Fine fine, you haven’t fallen out, let me ask this question then. When was the last time you saw her? Two Years ago? hmm?” Xing teased.

“It hasn’t been that long!”

Xing bellowed a hearty laugh, and shook his head. “I was teasing you Su’er, but good to know none the less”

A sigh of relief washed over Susu’s face, relieving the paleness that was setting in. “I know both of you haven’t spoken in six months.” Xing added.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Months that feel like an eternity” Susu whispered.

*

After leaving the forest, the duo found themselves on a mountain trail, which led to the village that sat in the distance. Torches from the village fluttered in the distance.

Xing estimated that if they continued their walk, it would take them a three hours before they reached it. On the other hand, if they used their Qinggong they would’ve reached the village in fifteen minutes or less. Ten minutes for Susu, as she was better at using her Qinggong than him.

The trail down the mountain was littered with wild flowers, coloured yellow, pink and red. It was a pity their beauty couldn’t be fully seen, due to the lack of light. However, their sweet nurturing aura made the trek down a lot smoother.

Xing tapped the ground, sailing ten meters into the air, then skidded across the ground. He ran up the wall, then tapped it with his right toe, spinning then allowed his left toe to graze across the ground, slowing his ascent.

He sailed a further fifteen meters and began to run to a slow trot, finally catching up and passing Susu.

A vibrating thud echoed throughout the mountain range, startling Xing. He snapped his head back and noticed the crater that Susu had created. “Su’er?” He asked confused.

“Is the rumour true?” Susu asked after a stirring in silence for a minute.

“I’m not sure if the rumour is true, but I do know Old Man Tu is older than Master Chaoxiang, so that gives some validity to the rumour.”

“I see…” Susu said nodding.

”You know how news travels within the Jianghu, especially when it centers around the Golden Bowl Sect. Yan Fan never mentioned anything when you last spoke?”

Susu didn’t answer, she simply looked up at the moon and stared for a short moment. “Do you think the rumours are true?” She finally asked.

“I don’t know, It depends, has she Ascended to the Accentuation Realm?”

“I don’t know.”

“Was she close to ascending?”

“I don’t know.”

Xing ground his teeth, feeling as though he was asking a question to a root, a root that was non-compliant in all honestly. He bit his bottom lip and nodded. “Why are you being so difficult Su’er? You’ve traveled the Jianghu with Yan Fan for over twenty years!”

“Stop exaggerating! You know its only been ten years!” Susu snapped.

Xing turned to Susu trailing into a laugh whilst nodding. “True, but isn’t she your sworn-sister?”

“Don’t bring that up! That doesn’t matter, she had ample time to mention it.”

“Ample time? Hmmm….did Fan’er try to recruit you into Golden Bowl Sect again?”

“Yes,” Susu said, biting the word.

Xing bellowed a laugh, hitting his chest and smiling brightly. “That confirms it then. It’s not a rumor Su’er. Why else do you think she’d want you to join?!”

“To keep me at her side?”

“Not necessarily for you to be by her side, but who wouldn’t want Susu the Scorpion Maiden by her side!”

“Stay on point Brother Xing!”

Xing laughed, allowing his bright smile to wither away. “You’re her sworn-sister, she wants someone whose close to her as she handles Jianghu politics.”

“I’m not interested in Jianghu politics brother Xing, you know this and until Master Chaoxiang creates his own sect. I will never join a sect!”

“…I understand that, but Master wouldn’t hold it against you. You do know that right?”

“I don’t care. I’m not interested.”

“Su’er, you should consider it, joining the Golden Bowl Sect is easy as catching flies with a whip, you never know, you might be able to find Shi Qiu with their help!” Xing said with a wink.

“Make one more joke and I’ll skin you alive!” Susu spat.

Xing’s lips curled into a knowing smile. . His eyes went warm then he eyed her with sincerity. “I’m apologise for callously bringing up Shi Qiu, but tell me honestly, are you sure its just the politics?”

“Yes, I despise Jianghu politics Brother Xing. The Golden Bowl Sect stinks of it. It doesn’t help either that they have history with the Imperial family”

“That was in the past Su’er, back then we were being invaded by the Axsumite Emperor. That relation saved Huaxia.”

“Then tell me about whenever there has been an uprising, that the Golden Bowl Sect happens to be at the centre of it all?”

“So are Wudang, Shaolin and the Emei Sect it’s all to protect the people of Huaxia.” Xing said calmly.

“I’m not from Huaxia from Xing…”

“But you were born here…isn’t that why you’ve train so hard you’re entire life, to ensure normal citizens are fine?”

“I’ve trained my entire LIFE to protect myself from this cruel world Brother Xing. If not for Master Chaoxiang’s…you know what would’ve happened to me.

“I do know, but joining the Golden Bowl Sect could be another layer of protection.”

“I don’t need protection from ANYONE!” Susu snapped bitterly.

“I know…you aren’t seeing it from Yan Fan’s point of view, who will protect her…if not you? I’ve seen how close you two ever since you’ve met…don’t let your reluctance to join her sect rattle your relationship!”

Susu eyed Xing pensively, his words didn’t hit immediately, but they did after a few seconds. The warmth that was rarely seen in her eye returned and she finally spoke. “I called her a government dog.”

Xing chuckled a hearty laugh, skinning his teeth widely, then slapped his chest. “Government Monkey would’ve been the better term!”

Susu groaned and shook her as she looked at Xing laugh at her Susu’s expense. He finally eyed her after his laugh was finish, but the way she looked at him, he knew she was a few seconds short from brandishing her whip. “Su’er, tell me you’re lying!…that was….harsh, but very much like you.”

“I was wrong.”

“Were you though? I won’t lie to you, I’m not a fan of their relationship with the Imperial Family nor how close they were whenever there’s civil unrest between the common folks, nobles, and the Imperial Family. Yes, They’ve ensured some semblance of inner peace within Huaxia and it should be respected. They aren’t government dogs.”

But they are government monkeys Xing thought, smiling within. “They are, in my opinion, a facilitator of peace, but government dog nonetheless!” Xing said cheerfully.

“You’re hopeless!”

“You might be right.” Xing said with a wink.

The two continued their trek for down the mountain path in silence. Xing could feel Susu’s animosity, which usually was pointed at him, but he didn’t care. Someone has to be honest, and that right is mine, He mused happily.

“Su’er” He finally asked, breaking the silence between them “…Why has Master Chaoxiang requested my presence?”

“I’m not sure,” Susu admitted with a shrug. “When last have you seen him?”

“Three years ago.”

“Three years ago? Why so long?….wait…Was this during the Grand Martial Arts Tournament?”

“Yes…”

“I see…Why didn’t you tell me you saw him?” Susu roared.

“…because we argued. I’m tired of arguing with Master.”

“What do you expect Brother Xing? Whenever the Grand Martial Arts tournament takes place, all you do is drink and fight the first few rounds of the tournament then forfeit. If you’re going to forfeit why even bother coming? You shame the Master when you do this! You think because the Master Chaoxiang lives as a recluse he doesn’t know what you’re up to!?”

“The way I choose to live my life has nothing to do with Master Chaoxiang and without a doubt I have never DISRESPECTED the Master!”

“YOU HAVE! BY FORFEITING! He didn’t train us to lose without trying!”

“I don’t care about glory” Xing hissed, “…and neither do you! You think I didn’t know you often withheld your punches whenever you went up against that Emerald Star Palace Bastard!”

“I never held my punches against Shi Qiu!” Susu snapped.

“Sure…”

“Are you jealous of him?”

“Why would I ever be jealous of anyone from the Emerald Star Palace,” Xing said calmly, raising his hands. “Their swords are nothing but twigs to my hands!”

Xing flooded Qi from his Core Dantian into the meridians within his right hand. Vapour then slowly began to rise from his right fist, as his right hand began to glow somberly, as his Qi began to emanate.

Qi began to harden and swam around his hand, condensing around his fist and forming into Five Claws. Just the way he’d envisioned it when he created the technique.

Iron Shredding Claws

A loud boom echoed throughout the mountain trail as Xing punched into the mountain. A long cratered line shot upward, then he racked his right hand against the surface of the mountain with such vigor, that it left a trail of rubble and dust . Pebbles and eviscerated stone dropped to the ground like rain falling into the ocean.

Xing turned to Susu, eyes smiling as if he’d just defeated ten men in five seconds. “Jealous?” He scoffed, “Me?! I have nothing to be jealous of Su’er! Nothing!”

“Then imagine how much more powerful your Iron Shredding Claws would be if you Ascended to the Qi Perception Realm!” Susu snapped, unimpressed by Xing’s display of strength. “How long has it been since you’ve been in the Accentuation Realm, Brother Xing? Five? No…SIX Years! You were the fastest OUT OF ALL OF US TO GET THERE! YOU SHOULD BE A MASTER BY NOW!”

“I don’t care for such things,” Xing whispered.

“…and that’s YOUR problem!” Susu hissed.

Xing looked at Susu, indifference, clearly painted into his eyes. He could careless about getting stronger. What’s the point of strength? When you can’t even protect the woman you love?