“Match point! Victor… Shin Yau Yujin!”

The astonished cheers fought with with Yujin’s pounding heart and heavy panting in his ears. His arms shook as he strained to hold his sword still, gently resting against the hollow of his opponent’s throat. It had been a bold move, going for the throat. But his Iron body’s instincts had told him his opponent was about to overreach and he’d trusted them.

Yujin pulled back and saluted with the wooden practice blade. His opponent, Gaurus, returned the salute reluctantly, only a hair faster than would have been construed as poor sportsmanship. Yujin didn’t blame him for that, this had been a big match, the final of the spring tournament, and one that Gaurus had been favored to win.

Much like his opponent had been favored in the semi-final Yujin had also won decisively. And the match before that. And the one before that. As one of the youngest Irons participating, Yujin had actually not been favored in any of his fights. And not one that was in doubt, with not a single one of his matches ending with less than a two point advantage in his favor.

A true underdog tournament victory, which any crowd loved if the ongoing cheers were to be believed. Yujin actually thought his Iron body’s enhanced ears were picking up some particularly shrill, ecstatic cheering from the bookies tables. A quick glance caught what Yujin suspected to be the sparkle of tears of joy from several bet takers. Yujin recalled how a few of his competitors had been bragging about bets placed on them to win.

Not that his victory had been easy. It would take hours of cycling to get rid of all the bruises the day had brought. However, his victory had been decisive, at four points to two in a best of seven, and the crowd knew it. Especially his parents and Kasi, who was currently screaming as loud as her young lungs could manage.

Of course, Yujin’s mind was already elsewhere, thinking about tonight. As one of the prizes of the tournament, the Elders who had been formally observing the competition would be attending a dinner with Yujin’s family that evening. It was ostensibly a chance to discuss the prospects of the champion in the sect and assess his future potential. If the assessment went favorably, it was all but certain that the winner would have his path to Jade smoothed and accelerated. Not just with additional training and formal permissions from the elders, but access to the advancement resources set aside in the sect’s treasuries.

But that was only the official reason. It was also a chance for lower ranking sect members to form connections and seek favor with highly ranked leaders. More than one marriage or alliance between the older, established families had been agreed up at these dinners.

This was not something Yujin, or his family had ever really concerned themselves with. The victors were usually of the wealthier families in the sect as well, as they could afford the pills and elixirs to advance their children without the official support of the sect. That same wealth meant the visiting Elders tended to expect lavish, possibly even verging on feast-like, meals.

Yujin’s father had just shaken his head at the expensive ingredients his mother had purchased in “preparation” for her son’s victory. Yuji had smiled teasingly the whole time, as she had airily claimed it as a reasonable precaution to take. Neither her nor his father had outright said it was a nice excuse for a pleasant meal, and almost certainly to be a consolation dinner for Yujin placing poorly. He had been Iron for less than a year now, and the tournament allowed all Irons, regardless of age or level of skill.

But now, as the tournament participants were arranged on stage in order of performance and rewards were being distributed, Yujin’s mind was racing through what he’d be preparing and changing for dinner. This was going to be a very important meal for his family, and they all knew that he was at least as good as his mother in the kitchen now. She’d be needing his assistance to throw together a meal worthy of their unexpected guests in just a few short hours. What was a rare treat for their family could hardly be expected to suffice for the sect Elders.

*******************************************************

“You have a… lovely home, Huntsman Haisin.” Elder Chousan said.

Haisan, unable to help himself, glanced around the room and felt like a stranger in his own house. It was just their family dining room, decorated with a flowers and a few paintings that his wife enjoyed. They ate there every day he wasn’t out on dreadbeast patrol. Although it was, in fact, tidier than he’d ever seen. The usual clutter that built up in any well lived in home had been hastily snatched up and hurled into different rooms their guests would not be invited to tour that evening. Guests that he had never once thought he would be important enough to host in such humble surroundings. Haisin felt like a stranger in his own home for it.

“Thank you, Elder Chousan.” Haisin inclined his head towards the most senior of the five Elders sitting across the table from him, choosing to let the pause pass without comment. “I am honored that you’ve all chosen to dine with us this evening.”

“This is ridiculous. None of us would have chosen to dine here tonight.” Elder Taraka muttered to the elder beside him, clearly uncaring of who overheard. “Do you know how many Blazeback boars the Baetong family prepared for us? Five! Each stuffed a different way!”

“That’s nothing.” Elder Bidan muttered back, “The Choyang patriarch’s third granddaughter just come of age, and they are openly discussing marriage proposals. Have you seen that perfect flower of a girl? She puts entire fields of Teardrop Orchids to shame. She could be pouring us tea right now.”

Elder Chousan forced a pained smile that gave Haisin the faint impression the elder wished he could agree with the other elders but refused to be so impolite. Haisin flushed but continued to struggle through the polite small talk and slowly turned the discussion towards the highlights of the day’s tournament.

On more familiar ground, Haisin and the Elders discussed the various Iron children who’d had a decent showing. It had been a decent tournament overall, with fairly evenly matched fights. Yujin had been the clear standout with a decisive final victory, especially considering how the wealth of his opponent’s family was a factor in advancement resources and additional private training.

“Huntsman Haisin, you have an unusually keen eye for the assessment of battle.” Elder Bidan groused after Haisin’s analysis of one of the semi-final matches. “I would have thought you more specialized in the techniques of various beasts, but I suppose that’s practical experience for you. I find myself wondering if your son is the same, especially if what I have heard of his personal Iron body is true. And yet, I am unable to do so.”

Haisin glanced at the empty seat beside him and swallowed. Yujin had rushed straight from the tournament to the market with his mother, and upon arriving home, both had run directly to the kitchen with a month’s worth of fresh foodstuffs from the market. He had not seen either since. That had been almost an hour before the Elders had arrived.

“I believe what Elder Bidan means,” Elder Chousan said, throwing an irritated glance at Bidan, “Is that it is rather traditional for the winner of the tournament we’ve come to assess to actually be present for that assessment.”

“Again, I do apologize for his absence, but I’m afraid that our son’s victory caught us as off-guard as it most likely did the rest of you.” Haisin gave a slight bow. “We did not prepare a sufficient meal in advance, and my wife required my son’s assistance to do this meal justice.”

“Your son does his filial duty,” Elder Taraka nodded, “This is appropriate. But surely there are others you could have called to assist? Especially on such an evening as this.”

“Well, that is true. However,” Haisin found himself reluctant to elaborate, but he could hardly ignore such a pointed inquiry from a sect Elder. “The fact remains, my son might be on his way to being the best cook this side of the sect. And we only wished to offer the best for our honored guests.”

“Oh.” Elder Bidan stroked his thin beard, smirking. “So your son assists his mother in the kitchen often. How dutiful. It does lead one to wonder just how much better he might have performed in the tournament if he weren’t distracted with such mundane affairs. We might have had the makings of a true dragon in our midst.”

“I assure you, his hobbies in no way interfere with his training in the sacred arts.” Haisin said, for the first time feeling a flare of anger. Surely the act of cultivating while preparing food was the act of a genius, not a slacker. His son did not deserve such accusations. “He merely has a natural talent for cooking, and who am I to refuse the hobbies of someone talented enough to win our sect’s annual Iron tournament.”

Elder Bidan’s eyes narrowed but before he could respond, the door to the kitchen burst open.

“Honored Elders!” Yujin cried out as he entered, carrying their largest pot still covered. “A hundred apologies for the delay! I assure you, your most magnanimous patience is greatly appreciated and will be rewarded most handsomely.”

He set the wide pot down in the center of the table. It was an assuming piece of pottery, with brown undecorated ceramic. Functional before any hint of decorative, only wisps of steam escaped the tightly fitted lid.

“At last.” Haisin just barely caught Elder Taraka muttering to Bidan. “If we eat quickly, we can still make it to the Baetong’s before the boar is gone. I was assured they would delay for our arrival as long as was possible.”

“Behold!” Yujin’s grin lit up the room as he removed the lid with a flourish. “The first course of your feast!”

A wave of steam burst out of the pot, followed by the scent of the most succulent, flavorful duck stew Haisin had ever smelled. Every Elders’ jaw dropped and Haisin felt pride swell in his chest as the Elders practically scrambled for their bowls. His home didn’t seem to be so beneath them now, did it? His son had surprised him for the second time that day.

And yet. A tiny Remnant of doubt manifested in Haisin’s heart as his watched his son serve the Elders. His son smiled at the looks on their faces as if he’d won the tournament all over again. No, even wider. As if this were more important to him than winning the tournament.

Haisin shook the thought away, refuses to listen to that ugly Remnant’s whispers. Today was a good day, and judging by the moans coming from even Elders Taraka and Bidan, it was going to be a good night as well.

*****************************************

Wujin Baetong could not stop pacing.

It was far beneath his dignity to show concern or distress, let alone so openly. However, he had good reason to do so. The sun was long set, at least an hour past, and still no Elders had arrived. They had sworn to finish up the ‘inspection’ of the tournament’s winner within an hour or two, before hurrying over.

“Father, please,” His eldest daughter pleade for what felt like the twentieth time, “The food is growing cold, the children are hungry, and feel bad enough about losing the tournament as it is. Can we please just sit down to eat?”

“No! Our honored guests have not yet arrived. I will not ruin this day further by insulting our belated Elders.” Wujin slashed his hand before her. “And maybe a little hunger will be good for them, hmm? I’ve certainly paid enough for the elixirs and advancement pills they’ve been guzzling down. A fortune for the Four Blooded Purifying Pill alone, and what do I get for it? Elimination in the semi-finals!”

At he end of the table, Dishi turned a furious crimson at the insult. One of the top favorites to win the entire tournament and he couldn’t even make the finals. Wujin snorted with disdain, before resuming his furious pacing.

Seated at the tables behind him, filling half the central courtyard, the entire extended Baetong family stared over at the buffet longingly. Five stuffed Blazeback Boars occupied the places of honor, each carefully prepared to perfection, and surrounded by mounds of fruits, nuts and breads, each selected to pare well with the seasoning of each Boar. A literal fortune of a feast, now costing him more scales by the minute as fire and water aspected Sacred Artists had been hurriedly summoned to keep them both heated and moist.

This entire evening could be salvaged though. He’d been preparing his business proposal and the feast behind him to win the favor of the Elders for over a month! All he needed was permission from the majority of the Elders to sell some of their more restricted cultivation resources and the fortune he could generate for the sect and himself would dwarf the expenses of tonight.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Wujin glanced over at the main entrance to his family’s compound, who’s doors continued to remain stubbornly closed without any guests to open for. There was no explanation for it. There shouldn’t have been anything to keep them. He’d bribed every business rival possible to avoid inviting the Elders to anything tonight. Powerful members of his family had volunteered to respond to any potential emergencies in the Elders’ places. The family of the victor of the tournament was dirt poor, and could offer nothing anywhere close to as tantalizing as the feast he’d laid out. It simply didn’t make sense.

Where in the grace of the Heavens Above were they?

*********************

It was going to be a fantastic night.

Yujin was beside himself to not be giggling with joy the entire time. Kasi had gone to bed without a fuss. His mother and he had managed to find all the ingredients required in a hurry. His father’s stoic mask was starting to crack with pride around the eyes.

And every last person at the table couldn’t stop staring at his food!

And these weren’t just friends of the family visiting for the evening. These were Elders. Powerful, connected, wealthy Elders, who feasted more often than not. Yujin had barely ever served a Highgold before, and that had really just been a contribution to a larger potluck. And these were Truegolds! And if he wasn’t mistaken, he’d just watched two of the Elders get into a brief altercation over who got the first bowl, hands slapping almost faster than he eye could follow.

All the nervous fears that had grown with every minute in the kitchen dissipated alongside the steam from his soup. Yujin saw their faces as the scent and steam spread across the table. He’d done good. In fact, he might have just exceeded more expectations in the last ten seconds than he had over the course of the entire tournament.

It felt a thousand times better than standing there victorious, surrounded by cheers. After all, anyone could hit someone else with a sword, but bringing someone joy at the dinner table? That was a real challenge, true art, and a fierce battle of timing and perfection, all rolled into one.

As he watched his betters, men who had cultivated to the peak of Gold, fight each other for seconds, Yujin felt something different. It was like balm for a burn on his soul, one he’d never known was there. It resonated inside him, almost like what he’d imagined when being told epic tales of cultivators being blessed with enlightenment. Yujin felt complete, in a way he never had before, and for just a moment, afraid that he might never get to experience that fleeting sensation again.

Then his mother came out with the pork and chive stuffed buns, fresh from the oven, and Yujin got to experience that same elation and satisfaction all over again.

And the night was just getting started.

*********************************

Meiling Choyang, the granddaughter of Deija Choyang, had always held a special place in his heart. A polite and sweet child from the moment she could speak, she had developed her cultivation at a more than acceptable pace amongst her peers, even following the path Deija himself had designed in his youth. Then she had blossomed into the kind of beauty which made even the most fleet footed of Sacred Artists trip over their own feet. And just like that, the Choyang family’s value and connections within the sect had soared without limit.

Deija didn’t even have time to read all the dinner and social invitations he received. Gifts of advancement resources and opulent trinkets rained from the Heavens. His voice and opinion heeded in every banquet, every dinner. No business or merchant dared to cheat him, with other highly placed families fighting to punish the offenders in exchange for his favor.

Meiling was the perfect granddaughter. Even the sniffles and tears she was delicately suppressing were as perfect as could really be expected. They were still giving Deija a throbbing headache.

“Husband, please!” His wife gripped his arm. “It’s been hours. This is beyond humiliating. End this evening and let us retire. No one is coming!”

Deija shook his arm free, glaring at the door that refused to open. The Elders should have arrived hours ago. Tonight was the night he was to have begun formally accepting marriage proposals for Meiling’s hand. A delicate dance of hints and implications over months had been spent arranging this evening, with all five of the Elders eventually agreeing to attend. And the size of the bribe he’d turned down from Patriarch Wujin stung all the more now that the evening was turning to ash.

“One more hour.” He muttered. “They’ll be here soon.”

They must be on their way. No matter how decadent a feast Wuyin had laid out, he was famously terrible as a host. After their bellies were full and business had been conducted, Deija was confident the Elders would make their excuses and leave to attend his gathering. After all, what could possibly be more appealing than an evening of being waited on by the most beautiful young woman in the sect?

*********************************************

“Who is this beauty before me?” Elder Bidan cried, slurring ever so slightly, his cheeks an inebriated pink. “Surely it must be a messenger from the Heavens themselves! Who else would send such a radiant beauty just to fill this humble Sacred Artist’s cup with what must be a truly fine and ancient vintage?”

“Elder Bidan,” Yuji responded, affecting a scandalized tone as she poured from yet another freshly opened bottle of wind aspected rice wine. “I am but a proud mother, and this is wine of barely middling quality. Surely Elders should know better than to make such wild exaggerations?”

“No, no, I’m afraid he’s quite right, on both counts.” Elder Taraka said, equally crimson cheeked also raising his cup for a refill. “I collect rarer beverages as a hobby, and I can’t believe I’ve never stumbled across this particular wine before. I’d wager it’s worthy of being served at the table of Emperor Huan himself. You really must tell me where you found it.”

“From the Li’s store in the market, just like all the rest of the sect does for special occasions.”

“Impossible!” Elder Taraka shook his head fervently. “Li’s wine all has that bitter afterbite, it’s practically this signature. Nothing so smooth as this!”

“Well that is true, but it is still Li’s wine. If you’d like the secret of why this wine tastes so much better than you remember,” Yuji tilted her head towards Yujin. “Well, he’s sitting right over there.”

Yujin flushed a more brilliant red than any of the now tipsy and curious Elders staring directly at him.

“It’s the pork and rice.” Yujin explained, looking down at glazed pork slices resting atop small ovals of steamed rice. “We got the rice from the farms west of the sect, where the vital aura is an almost perfect balance of wind and earth. A small bit of that aura stays with the rice that grows out there. The wind aura resonates with the wind madra in the wine, making its flavor stronger, and the earth aura grounds it so it doesn’t go flying off like wind madra wants to.

“The glaze on the pork has a lingering sweetness, which cuts the bitterness of the wine. And the pork itself, well, that’s just delicious flavor.” Yujin looked back up, finding himself the object of four Elders attention and, for the first time in his life, proud instead of intimidated of those stares. “It’s nothing too complicated. Just a little careful balancing of flavor. I’m sure any decent chef can do the same.”

A beat of silence before half of the table burst out laughing, none louder than Elder Bidan.

“Ah, not only a genius in Sacred Arts, but also in the art of fine cooking.” Elder Bidan raised his freshly filled cup. “A toast! To the newest rising star of the Flowing Blade Sect, Shin Yau Yujin!”

Yujin blushed at the praise and fell silent. They had long since finished questioning him about his plans for his personal path, as well as his performance in the tournament. Conversation had moved beyond anything to do with him, and now his only contributions were describing how the food was prepared, and helping bring out the next course. So Yujin turned his attention away from the more boisterous end of the table, to the quieter discussion his father was having.

“But surely that is a good thing?” Elder Chousan said, sipping his wine. “More plentiful game means easier hunting for clansmen like yourself. Better hunting means more revenue and resources for the sect. Shouldn’t we just enjoy the lucky season we’ve been granted?”

Yujin’s father was already shaking his head. “The problem isn’t the increase, it’s how much. I’ve seen over twice as many animals and spirit beasts as the same time last year, without any matching increase in predators. You don’t see that from just luck. It means herds that don’t normally live here are migrating to the area.”

“Ah.” Elder Chousan frowned. “You think the herds are fleeing from something just outside our territory.”

“Yes. Something that will most likely be following those same herd into our territory soon.” Haisin’s face and tone were serious, as they always were when discussing his duties to the sect. “I have been suggesting wider ranging patrols, beyond the normal boundaries our sect is responsible for. I fear we’re so focused on the feast before us, we don’t see the army marching for our walls. Something similar has happened twice before, and both times the succeeding years were filled with blood and violence.”

“I have no recollection of similar occurences, and I feel like that is something I would remember.”

“Both were well before either of us were born.” Haisin explained. “I went through the sect’s archives, comparing years where we had record high hunting seasons, to any recorded battles in the next few years. Both times there was a massive increase in the amount of animals and spirit beasts hunted by the sect, the following two to three years saw particularly nasty herds of dreadbeasts migrating into our territory, and attacking multiple settlements and cities when the animals migrated further beyond us. Herds we were tasked with eliminating by the Emperor himself, and censured afterwards for failing to properly protect and preserve the territories he had assigned to us.”

“I must admit, you make a compelling argument.” Elder Chousan leaned back, disturbed. “I don’t understand why this has not been brought to my attention by Huntmaster Haoyi. He presented this seasons reports to the Elders just last week and had nothing but good things to say. Certainly nothing of potential dreadbeast herds.”

“I would not presume to speak ill of the Huntmaster’s character or intentions,” Haisin hesitated, took a gulp of his wine, and pressed on. “But when I brought my concerns and research to him, I was informed that I would do better to spend less time borrowing trouble and more time bringing in the spirit beasts that are ‘practically throwing themselves in front of our hunting parties’. Then I had my quota doubled for wasting his time.”

Silence fell as Elder Chousan contemplated this, and Yujin smiled as both men unconsciously reached for another glazed pork rice ball. That was how you knew you’d done really well, that even in the midst of somber discussion, the food was never truly far from their minds. Elder Chousan finished chewing and appeared to reach a decision.

“If you are correct, then both the Elders of this sect and our Huntmaster have been negligent in their duties. This is something that will have to be rectified. I will speak with the Huntmaster and make sure patrols are sent well beyond our normal routes to investigate this.” Elder Chousan nodded. “You were right to tell me your theory, no matter what these patrols find. And my thanks for bringing this to my attention so tactfully.”

“It is merely my duty as a member of this sect.” Yujin saw a tension leave his father’s shoulders at the Elder’s words.

“Of course, we’re going to need experienced Sacred Artists leading these longer patrols. Men who have the intelligence to understand what they find.” Elder Chousan’s eyes gleamed over his wine cup. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in such a position?”

“Pardon,Elder?” Yujin hadn’t seen his father so shocked since his first time cultivating in the kitchen. “I am far too junior a Huntsman to be assigned such a senior role.”

“Seniority comes from more than just age or total experience, Haisin.” The Elder’s words were a rebuke, but the gleam in his eye remained. “Far too little weight is given to initiative, in this Elder’s opinion. Tell me more of these past two incidents you found in the archives. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of them myself.”

Yujin’s mind drifted as the conversation turned to the minutiae of the sect’s history, and he found the last few minutes of dinner to running through his mind over and over. As different as the two conversations were, there was something about them that was the same. Something that almost felt like it resonated with something deep in his Core.

One conversation silly, the other quite serious, but both had ended with a benefit for him and his family. His father gaining the respect and attention of a sect Elder, as well as a probably promotion. Yujin personally receiving a toast and recognition of his value to the sect from several other Elders. Elders who had been on the verge of openly hostile at the beginning of the night.

It hadn’t been the plan to truly woo the Elders, get his father’s status elevated, or even find praise for himself. He had just wanted to cook a delicious meal, and give everyone a wondering evening. And so many good things were coming as a direct result of that. Had that been because of him, or was it just a coincidence?

Yujin silently sighed and pushed his attention back to the meal. There was no way to know, and no point in contemplating the unknowable. Each person’s choices and experiences were their own, all Yujin could do was cook for them. It wasn’t as if he could sense their thoughts, motivations, or feelings, now could he?

***************************************************

The next day the rumor mill of the Flowing Blade Sect moved with more speed and intent than any participant in the previous day’s tournament.

After all, the greatest feast in the sect’s history had been thrown last night. So delicious was the food, the Baetong patriarch had forbidden everyone but the most honored of guests from enjoying it. The Baetong name’s would be remembered a hundred years for the perfection and opulence of it.

No, that wasn’t right. It was the Chouyangs who had hosted the incredible feast. Apparently the now eligible daughter of Deija was so stunning as to multiply the flavor of any dish eaten in her presence.

Impossible. Everyone knew that a horrible accident had scarred the once lovely girl. In fact, she’d spent the entire evening covering her face and sobbing because of it, and not one Elder in the sect had bothered to show up to give a marriage proposal.

***********************

“…which makes perfect sense. After all, why else would Weiling’s sister have seen Elder Tarak buying every single bottle of merchant Li’s bitter wines he could get his hands on. There’s not a drop left in the entire shop. Poor fool must have made a marriage offer without realizing what had happened. There’s a man who’s trying to drink away his problems.”

“Problems? Hardly!” A haughty sniff. “He was probably getting them to celebrate. Don’t tell anyone I overheard this, but apparently the winner of the tournament yesterday, that Yujin boy, is an absolute genius! Elders were raving about his mastery of fire and knife and flavor.”

“Knife? Flavor? Are you sure you heard that correctly?”

A hesitant pause.

“Oh, you know how poetic all those old warriors get about swordplay. Show them a fancy technique and you’ll get five scrolls describing it’s most perfect arcs.”

The new hero of the sect had arrived just in time as well. Apparently a ravening horde of dreadbeasts was descending on the province any day now. That’s why half a dozen people had overheard the fight between Elder Chousan and Huntsmaster Haoyi…”

***********************************

The shouting match between the Elder and Huntsmaster had been epic, so the rumor went. Apparently more than one window had been cracked by the end of it.

No, it had been a full blown battle and Haoyi was on the run from Sect enforcers.

No, he was dead and two families were staring down.

No, wait, he wasn’t dead, Hyoshi’s wife had seen him walking down the road just a few hours ago, but he certainly didn’t look happy.

What was the fight about? Well, apparently Hyoshi was planning to lead an expedition past the sect’s borders to slay a massive dreadbeast and the Elders forbade it.

**********************************

And buried beneath the avalanche of it all…

“Hey, you’re not going to believe this, but did you know that nearly every sect Elder has apparently been asking around about how to get an invite to a Highgold Huntsman’s house for dinner?”

“Ok, you need to learn how to distinguish between fact and ridiculous rumor.”