“I did have a question,” said Wu Ying to his Master. “If I might ask it?”
“If it is not too important, you may do so.”
“When we first met, you were taking part in the war. I do not understand why you and Senior Yang were doing so.”
“Because of my dao?”
“Yes.”
“This question touches upon more things than you need to know. An answer now might affect your destiny more than you know. Are you sure you wish this question to be answered?” Elder Cheng stared at Wu Ying, assessing his reaction.
Wu Ying debated what reason could be so impactful that Elder Cheng would change his usual stand on non-interference. Then again, his allowing Wu Ying to choose the answer was his way of letting Wu Ying tie himself tighter to him. Or not. Why would Elder Cheng take part in a war, take part and tie himself to the world further, by acting on something on such grand a scale? Then again, on further consideration, Wu Ying had not seen either Senior Yang or Elder Cheng take action during the war. Were they just there to watch? That did not make much sense to Wu Ying either. Even their very presence could cause ripples, could alter destinies. Like his own.
In the end, Wu Ying shook his head and declined Elder Cheng’s offer. Perhaps it was the wrong choice, but if his Master really felt he should know, Elder Cheng would tell him. Embroiling himself in further affairs would just make his own life more difficult. It was not as if Wu Ying had not enough matters to deal with.
When Wu Ying declined, he could almost swear he saw a trace of a smile on Elder Cheng’s face. But if it had been there, it disappeared so fast that it had been but a mirage. Having said his piece, Elder Cheng dismissed Wu Ying.
As the cultivator strolled down the mountain in the cold air of the evening, passing by outer sect disciples who lit the pathways, he could not help but reflect on the discussion. His talk with Elder Cheng had left him with more questions than ever, but a less burdened heart. All that talk of opportunity and danger had left him with the realization that he had no desire to join the war. Even the vestiges of guilt blew away with the night’s air.
His path, his journey was not in the war. Whatever gains there might be.
Chapter 6
Spring was well into bloom by this point in time, with the warmth of longer days and the abundance of newly bloomed plants. Wu Ying was seated in his courtyard, legs crossed, meditating and drawing in more chi. For the last month, he had been working on the chi regeneration exercise, improving it by inches. Over the last month, he’d realized he was not ready to try again for another breakthrough. Whatever that impetus was to drive him to the next level, he lacked it. Perhaps as Master Cheng said, he was lacking in experience.
Perhaps joining the war would have provided Wu Ying with that impetus. But joining the war, fighting in it, killing people he knew nothing of was not something he wanted. Experiences, good experiences, were what he needed to push himself onward. Things that would help him consolidate who and what he was. Not the horrors of the battlefield.
Of course, he could be wrong. He could have just had insufficient chi in his last breakthrough attempt. Last time he’d tried a breakthrough, he had used twice the amount as when he first began. Now, he could potentially begin the process with three times as much. After all, in the time he had spent training, he had increased his storage capacity in his dantian.
It did not matter. He had time. Even if this was the best time for him to be pushing ahead with his cultivation, he was still young. A small delay would not harm him, especially if the other option was death or the damage of his cultivation base.
Another breath in. Another out, and memories of goodbyes surfaced.
Chao Kun and Liu Tsong, in a team with a few other survivors from the expedition. Those who were willing to risk their lives. The envoy had finished the negotiations a week after he had arrived, and the Sect had agreed to triple its normal commitment to the war. That meant that there were at least two Core Elders with each army in the field. There were even rumors that one of the Sect Protectors had joined the army. At the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation, his presence could make a significant difference in the war. It was unlikely that he would directly intervene unless matters grew too perilous though. At his level of cultivation, it was difficult to justify meddling in the affairs of mortals unless it was part of one’s dao beliefs. That was why Sect Protectors were rare and often taken from specific daos. Not only did one have to have the required strength but also the right dao.
Of more immediate concern, over twelve teams of inner sect members had joined the kingdom’s armies. It was the largest gathering of martial specialists that Wu Ying had ever seen. And might ever see. It had taken nearly a quarter of all the martial specialists in the inner sect to make up those numbers. If you included the various members who were out experiencing the world, the Sect was understaffed. Especially as the slew of assignments requiring their particular expertise grew within the kingdom itself.
Wu Ying himself had just returned two days ago, having finished another assignment. All this activity had been boon for him and his store of contribution points. Wu Ying had his pick of assignments that allowed him to deal with physical threats and gather herbs at the same time. Of course, all those boons came with the added risk of injury due to insufficient numbers. Jobs that should have been carried out by Energy Storage cultivators were assigned to people like him.
“So. You’re back.” An arrogant, familiar voice.
Wu Ying’s breath stilled before he exhaled and calmed his chi, sending it back to his dantian. As he opened his eyes, he gestured to Ah Yee who had rushed in after his visitor, profusely apologizing and explaining how his guest had pushed past her.
“Yin Xue.” Wu Ying greeted the other, unfolding himself with easy grace and picking up his jian as he did so. He belted the weapon to his side, his gaze raking over the nobleman’s son.
Yin Xue was dressed in inner sect robes, having made his way into the Sect last fall. Wu Ying had to admit, it suited the teenager’s bearing and slim profile. Yin Xue had a longer, narrower face than most which, combined with his pale skin, gave him a noble bearing. One that the young man had grown into in the past few years.
“What are you doing here?”
“Your village has been making plans to leave for the Sect,” Yin Xue said.
“Maybe. What of it?” Wu Ying said, apprehension shooting through the cultivator.
“My father has learned of the matter and put a stop to it.” Yin Xue’s gaze dropped as Wu Ying clutched at the hilt of his jian. “Calm yourself. I had nothing to do with it.”
“And why should I believe anything you say?” Wu Ying snapped.
Yin Xue tilted his head as he considered Wu Ying. Eventually, he spoke. “Did you know when I lost to you, my father was silent for months? Afterward, he sent me a single letter.”
“Oh?”
“I’m to no longer concern myself with the family. Since I have begun my path as a cultivator, I should continue it.” While Yin Xue tried to keep his voice calm, there was still a hint of bitterness in it. “My brother will take over my place. I am to find glory here.”
“You were disowned?” Wu Ying said.
“No. I am to become a strong cultivator, to support my family,” Yin Xue replied.
But Wu Ying saw the twitch in Yin Xue’s lips, the way he raised his head to stare down his nose at Wu Ying. Those were words that had no real meaning, unless Yin Xue did manage to break into the Core Cultivation stage or higher. Then they would expect him to pay the family back, to offer his support.
“And you didn’t tell them my plans to get a little revenge?” Wu Ying said, still distrustful.