Cultivating.

Zhao Xing despised it, but after watching the Axsumite display such destructive power in combat. He knew that he needed to improve and quickly.

The Accentuation Realm…a realm he’d been stuck at for the past eight years. I need to be better, I need to get stronger…not only for myself.

Xing didn’t want to admit it…but the Axsumite child was growing on him. The way she giggled, the way she laughed. It filled the emptiness within his heart…and he loved her for it.

However, he knew what it would mean to raise an Axsum child in Huaxia. She would never be accepted. Unless she forces them to accept her.

Dreams of Grandeur, it would be an understatement, if Xing didn’t already had plans on how to raise the child…but that would be its own battle, especially the way Ban Susu was touting her around.

“Calm your mind Xing, I must get past this block. If I can, I would be able to do as a please.” Xing muttered softly

As Zhao Xing continued cultivating Qi, an annoyance washed over him. The annoyance that regardless of how hard he pushed way it away. It always came back.

Master’s Soft Heart Sutra, always lacked a certain vigorousness, He thought. The verses within the sutra were calming, but they lacked a fluidity that his mind could grasp especially when his Qi flowed through his meridians.

Despite these reservations, Xing still ascended to the Accentuation Realm, but that was due to his raw talent in Martial Arts, but he didn’t know that.

He was too engrossed in wine to care! But when a man loves wine as if it were life. It only served to hide the pain in his heart, pain that he still wasn’t able to get over.

Xing opened the meridians around Core Dantian, allowing his Qi to flow within his body like a river. He surged it back in forth, remembering his master’s words. “Think, but not act. Fight but not think. Let your body guide you…as you follow the Qi in everything.”

The first verse of The Soft Heart Sutra. Which matched the eight stances within The Guided Fist, the External Martial Arts Manual Zhao Xing’s master created.

These words were simple words, yet they were so profound to be incorporated into all the stances found within The Guided Fist.

Those words were also the anchor that allowed Xing to develop his signature technique. The Iron Shredding Claws, an evolved version but also his personal interpretation of The Guided Fist.

Susu also developed her own evolved interpretation of The Guided Fist, but it was in the form of the Dance of the Scorpion Maiden.

A dance she used with her leather whip, Scourge. Xing would make fun of her name. It was too long, but when he began calling it Scourge…so did she and many people.

Zhao Xing loved that about Susu, she always held a stern heart, which she showed in her fighting style, but he knew deep down, that she was a loving and delicate woman. A woman that should be treated like a flower, He thought, distracting himself from his cultivation.

Xing forced his Qi into the meridian point that led to Mind Dantian, but the moment he did that. His Core Dantian began to expand, making him breathless.

He exasperated his breath and his Core Dantian contracted in an instant. I can’t breakthrough! He complained.

Breaking through to the Qi Perception Realm would’ve been ecstatic for him, but as he was at his second bottleneck. There was nothing he could do but try.

Sweat poured down his brow, dropping into his lap. Unbeknownst to him though, he’d been cultivating for two hours without stopping.

In his meditative state, Xing ignored all the noise that poured in from the street. He was fixated, cultivating as long as he could. He’d even heard the subtle breaths of the baby lying on the bed in this moment of solace.

He was at peace, Then, he lost all concentration. The Qi within his dantians whithered away at the sound of a subtle clap.

“You startled me Su’er,” Xing said with a huff, breathless. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough, but Well done Brother Xing, you’ve decided to cultivate, and for more than an hour.”

“That long? Hmm…how did you figure that out?” He said with a smile, turning to her.

Susu pointed to the ground with her nose, showing his sweat sweeping across the flower in a circular motion.

“You’ve improved.” She said with a smile.

“I thank thee Master.” He said with a mocking bow, which drew a subtle laugh from Susu.

The baby hicked herself up and began crying. Susu scampered across the room placing the jugs of milk down, amongst the travelling bag she acquired.

“What’s the matter?” Xing asked, watching as Susu picked up the baby with concern flashed across her face.

“Imperial Guards are in the village.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah…I saw their tokens.” Susu said.

“Bearing the Emperor’s Name?”

“Yes,” Susu said with a nod.

“Why in bodhisattva’s name would the Imperial Guards be doing out here?”

“I spoke with some of the villagers. They’ve been petitioning the Governors of Longyan and Anqing about the bandits attacking travellers who’d been travelling between the two cities.”

“The Governors of Longyan and Anqing don’t have the power to commission the Imperial Guards, only the Emperor does,” Xing said firmly.

“…bodhisattva’s light. You’re right, how could I be so foolish.”

“You’re not foolish Su’er, you just don’t care about royalty. You care more for the people around here than in those cities.”

Susu flashed a bitter smile, then shook her head. Her face turn slightly sour but disappointed more so than anything. “Did something happen?”

“A lot.” She said softly, “but don’t worry about it. I think we should leave as soon as possible. I don’t need the Imperial Guards looking at the child’s skin and readying themselves to burn her to a stake because of some war that took place four hundred years ago.”

Xing nodded in agreement, then pushed himself up from the floor. He walked over to Susu, looking at the child who was sound asleep.

He lips curled into a smile and at that time he knew he wouldn’t let Susu’s words come to pass. “You’re right, let’s leave.”

Susu

Three Days Later

“A storm’s brewing Su’er,” Xing said, eyes fixated on the sky. Susu turned left, allowing her eyes to drift up, ensuring Xing’s words were right.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The cerulean essence of the skies was as clear as mist foaming at the bottom of a waterfall. Despite the various tree branches blocking the sky with their foliage, Susu could still see.

She estimated it clear to Longyan and the border city of Xi’an was located to the east.

In the background, beyond the tree line. Mount Emei stood beyond Longyan whilst the Kunlun Peaks sat to the far right of her vision, barely visible but etched out like a painting.

She squinted, stressing her eyes for a few seconds. She came to a quick conclusion after watching voluminous clouds trace themselves across the sky. The clouds aren’t grey, he’s teasing me again! She thought, annoyed.

“What are you talking about Brother Xing!? The skies are bluer than the Yellow River!”

“White turns to Grey…eventually Su’er,” Xing said with a smile, “You know that.”

“Ugh...” She grunted, rolling her eyes.

Susu eyed him shaking her head but didn’t have the energy to discuss anything further.

She the nestled the child in her arms and smiled gently. I can’t be bothered with him right now, so I’ll just silence myself.

Three days had passed since they left the Yellow Orchid village, for a spectacle. Some fool, danced across their roofs, drawing their err. It was as if the fool had finally learned Qinggong and couldn’t wait to show his skill.

The Qinggong he’d displayed wasn’t horrible, nor was it good either, but thankfully, that was a problem Susu or Xing had to worry about.

Hopefully, today’s problem would only come in the form of rain, but the way her life went, she could only hope for that.

“…still thinking of the rumour regarding Yan Fan’s ascent?” Xing asked, tossing a stone into the forest.

The stone broke the wind, making a howl-like sound before snapping a few twigs from trees off in the distance. “Stop that!” Susu huffed, making Xing turn.

“Why?” He asked, “I’m bored.”

“You might hit a child playing in the forest!”

“What?”

“You heard me!”

“Su’er! Look around. There’s no one here. The only thing that could be found within this forest is trees, insects and animals for a roast for dinner! around but trees, bush, shit and rabbits!” Xing said, waving his hands up and down flustered.

Xing released a long sigh, folding his hands across his chest, then eyed the child in Susu’s arms. She nestled her back into her chest and snarled at him. “Ever since we picked her up you’ve been quite unpleasant!”

“…and ever since you ran out of wine, you’ve been pitiable!”

“Fair point,” Xing said, flinging another stone in the air, shooting past a tree and searing through a branch.

A loud boom bellowed across the forest in the distance, sending a shockwave of wind towards Susu and Xing.

Susu sneered at Xing, who simply shrugged his shoulders, giving her a teasing wink.

The baby began hicking and began fretting frantically in Susu’s arms. A vein popped up across her forehead as she looked at Xing.

The baby hicks transitioned into a loud cry which made Susu close her eyes, not from the child’s cries of course, but Xing’s childish behavior.It was as if she were taking care of two children instead of one.

“Sorry,” Xing said with a shrug.

Susu bit her lips, forcing a smile and began rocking the baby back and forth hoping to get her to sleep.

“You know ma--“

“I don’t care!” Susu snapped, cutting Xing off. Then stomped her way towards him, plunking the baby into his arms.

She rolled the satchel off her shoulders and began digging through it looking for a milk pouch.

“What are you doing?!” Susu snapped, “Calm her down Brother Xing!”

“How?” He asked, confused.

“Play with her, rock her back and forth, gently…do something!”

Xing continued his bemused gaze, unsure of what she was trying to say. He shrugged, then began rocking her back and forth slowly.

He flashed his best smile and began humming a song as if he’d known what to do from the get beginning.

Susu looked up, amazed and speechless, realising that not only did Xing know what to do. He was a natural, which made her jealous.

It’d taken Susu more than twenty minutes to get her to sleep, laugh, smile…anything really, but Xing held her for a mere thirty seconds and she stopped crying. This is UNFAIR Susu thought but was grateful the child wouldn’t hurt her voice from crying so much.

Xing stood there, making facial expressions which made the baby giggle. She reached out with her small hand and began pulling his hand and poking his nose.

She’s fond of him, Susu noted, slightly jealous. She has yet to smile for me…is it my face? She pondered, but quickly pushed that thought from her mind.

Susu continued fishing into the bag hunting for the box she’d gotten from the herbalist from Yellow Orchid village.

Once she found it, she pulled it free, then pulled a thimble full of seeds free, dropped them into the milk pouch and shook it. She then broke off a piece of the uoni plum and closed the box.

Susu dabbed the uoni plum into the child’s mouth, which made her wail in defiance. “Are you sure you’re doing it right?” Xing asked.

“How else am I doing this?”

“Have you considered, putting both of them in the milk?”

“I haven’t.”

“Try it, every time you crush that plum and force it down her throat she has a fit. Let’s just try putting everything in the milk and see how if she’s more welcoming, OK?”

Susu bit her lip, realising that Xing was possibly right. The way she’d been feeding the Uoni Plums to the baby might’ve made her agitated with her. “Fine, let’s try it your way.

She dipped slid the Uoni Plum into the milk pouch and shook it up. Susu took a deep breath and sauntered back over to Xing, who found himself sitting beneath a tree, slowly rocking the baby back and forth, and looking as if he was about to take a nap himself.

“Hold her up properly,” Susu said, to which Xing complied with a grunt. She snapped open the milk pouch and poured a thimble full of milk into the child’s mouth.

The child’s emerald eyes sparkled with surprise and she reached tried to grab the milk pouch out of Susu’s hands, trying to continue her lunch.

Milk oozed from the side of her mouth as she guzzled it down, which made Susu laugh whilst she wiped the milk. Susu’s eyes fell on Xing’s, who tried to hide his smile, but only succeeded in making Susu shake her head.

The baby drank half the sack before finally dropping stopping which made Susu smile. Xing on the other hand was ready to fall asleep, as any man would do. He pushed the child out to Susu “Here.” He said.

“No!” She whispered, “I’ve been holding her for three days. I need a break, plus she likes you.”

“Of course, she does, who doesn’t like me?” Xing said smiling cheerfully.

“Me!” Susu howled in a whisper.

Xing placed his hands on his lips, trying to silence Susu. He gave her a mocking wink and slowly began to cradle the baby girl once again, ticking his tongue as if he was born to do this.

Susu sauntered herself next to him and allowed herself finally get some rest. If Susu weren’t used to such sleeping in the wild she would’ve found herself fighting the tree trunk all night, but within an hour she was sound asleep, listening to the trees swish all around her.

A few hours had passed and Susu finally woke. Her eyes were muddled with drowsiness which finally dissipated after a few minutes. She yawned, then turned to her right, realising Xing was still wide awake attending to the child prudently.

She rolled her neck, then exhaled deep feeling the heat from her nostrils quell what little cold had built up in the short period of her nap. That felt good, Susu thought.

“Yes.” She finally said.

“What?” Xing asked, confused.

“Yes…It has crossed my mind.”

“Su’er, what are you babbling about?” He whispered, not trying to wake the child.

“Sister Fan becoming the Chief of the Golden Bowl Sect.

“Oh…I know.” Xing said, tone uncharacteristically soothing. “But there’s something other reason why you didn’t want to join was it.”

“Yes…” Susu whispered.

“…and what is that Su’er, you can tell your Older Brother. I promise, I’ll behave, what’s the matter?”

Susu turned to Xing, eyes glassing. It was as if she finally peeled off the armour she’d been wearing for years, but as it was Zhao Xing, this was normal, because if there was anyone who could listen to Ban Susu’s trouble it was him…after all, they were Martial Siblings.

“I feel as though with each passing year I’ll ever break through my bottleneck and ascend to the Accentuation Realm. All these years the Master has put in us will be wasted

“That’s not true Su’er. Regardless of your Bottleneck, You’ve done so much for the people of Huaxia! I know being friends with Yan Fan and Shi Qiu is probably making you feel stifled, but your bottleneck isn’t based on that.”

Susu didn’t answer but nodded in agreement.

“When you first met Yan Fan, she was of the Mind Awakening Realm, yes?”

“Yes.”

“What Realm was she when you two last spoke.”

“The Accentuation Realm.”

“Ah-ha, so that’s it…She has surpassed you.”

“Yes,” Susu whispered.

“Hmmm…have you gone into seclusion?”

“Once or twice.”

“…and when was that.”

“When I developed my Dance of the Scorpion Queen.”

“See? Then there’s nothing for you to be concerned about. You created a fighting style, whilst Yan Fan will inherit one of the greatest fighting techniques within the Jianghu. Her path wasn’t as easy but has had guidance, whilst you had no to hold your hand!”

“That’s not the truth Brother Xing! The Master has helped me tremendously, I will not allow you to sully his name!”

“I am not sullying his name Su’er, I am saying that compared to Master Chaoxiang, Lao Tu…the Chief of the Golden Bowl Sect has grandeur to his name!”

“That doesn’t matter Brother Xing.”

“You might think so Su’er, but it does. Chief Tu has been Chief of the Golden Bowl Sect for the last thirty years. Being a Chief of one of the Three Great Pillars provides you with the power we cannot fathom. It also helps to wield one of the most powerful Martial Arts within the Jianghu or Jianghu for that matter.”

“Eight Golden Primate Palms,” Susu whispered.

“…and The Golden Staff Stances,” Xing added.

Xing straightened his back, ensuring the child didn’t wake, then turned to Susu. “You see Su’er. You’ve created your own technique, whilst Yan Fan is poised to inherit a powerful technique of her own. If I were to compare the both of you. You’ve done more to establish yourself as a hero. You’re also a Parsonian. Yan Fan…isn’t better than you, she has a history behind her, you get what I mean?”

When did Xing become so wise? Sus pondered. “I do,” Susu said softly.

“Don’t let the gap between your skills make you feel inadequate. You see, I believe Yan Fan asked you to join the Golden Bowl Sect because she needed a friend by her side. Because as its as I said…having such power in your hand can either break you or make you…especially when you lack the pillar of support you require.”

“I’m the worst pillar for her!” Susu snapped.

“You are not Susu, you are not. You just have different paths.” Xing said, looking at her, then the baby.

Susu bit her lip, knowing what he was trying to say, but before Xing would allow her to chastise him. He shot up in the air, kicking himself up a tree and lapping his foot, resting himself. “Let’s rest here, for now, we can travel later when the sun’s fury is past its peak.” He said.

“As you wish Elder Brother,” Susu said reserved. As you wish.