The difference between wisdom and foolishness often lies not in our initial choices, but in how we handle their unexpected outcos. A wise person learns to navigate the chaos they create, while a fool drowns in it.
—Master Song Lin, Scholar of the Jade Path
The atmosphere of the execution grounds, the square in front of the city manor, was muted. Soldiers stood at attention ard with spears while the civilians stood in a crowd on the other side of the cordon.
Xiulan watched Prince Hao draw his ornate sword, its polished surface catching the light. Lord Chao knelt on the wooden platform, hands bound behind his back.
"Lord Chao, your sentence is death." Prince Hao’s voice rang clear across the courtyard.
Lord Chao lifted his chin. "Rember your promises."
"I always keep my word." Prince Hao adjusted his grip on the sword.
The blade whistled through the air. Lord Chao’s head thumped onto the ground, blood pooling and then running between the cracks in the cobble. Prince Hao produced a silk cloth and thodically cleaned his blade before approaching Zhao Lian.
"I trust this settles matters?" His tone remained conversational, as if discussing the weather rather than a fresh execution.
"Provided the Chao family withdraws completely from Blackre and ceases all pursuit against House Lin." Zhao Lian’s steady voice betrayed no emotion.
Prince Hao passed the bloodied cloth to Min Tajin with a dismissive flick. "Our business here concludes."
Xiulan and Feng Yu observed the prince’s departure. The morning breeze carried the tallic scent of blood across the square. Prince Hao paused before Feng Yu, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"In a pit of vipers a bird might think to fly free toward the heavens, but she’ll inevitably be torn down by those sa vipers if she doesn’t fly fast enough." His words cut through the air like ice, silencing the murmur of the crowd. "The ones who like to set feathers to fla might be spending ti in Aeris. A certain bird might want to spend her ti there instead of roaming the backwaters."
The prince’s gaze shifted to Xiulan, lingering for a weighted mont. Without another word, continued and strode away, Min Tajin following in his wake. Her cousin offered a side wave without looking from the prince’s back.
Xiulan turned to Feng Yu as Prince Hao’s silhouette disappeared into the morning mist. "Did you understand his warning?"
"Yes." Feng Yu adjusted her sleeve, sunlight glinting off the golden threads. "Have you decided between Aeris or Arinthia yet?"
"i Chen and I will go, but I haven’t chosen which," Xiulan replied.
"I’m heading to Aeris." Feng Yu straightened her back.
"Well, that settles it then. The three of us can travel together."
"Four." Ren Chun strode across the execution grounds toward them, careful to avoid the blood. "I need to join a school now that I have demonstrated my talent."
Xiulan snorted. "Right. Maybe you just waited until you had an advantage? Were the entrance tests too difficult without leveling up first?"
"Leveling... up?" Ren Chun asked, question in the words. He shook his head not understanding. "I needed prestigious victories. Leading heroic warriors to save a noble family from rcenaries makes perfect credentials!"
"Are such deeds really required for school admission?" Xiulan furrowed her brow.
Feng Yu bead. "Don’t worry—we defeated an ancient dawn serpent. That’s far more impressive."
"Are you sure we defeated it?" Xiulan shot her a skeptical glance. "It seed to lose interest and leave to avoid harming Liuhuo. I sort of wonder where it went after…"
"Pfft!" Feng Yu waved dismissively. "It fled from us. That counts as victory!"
Liuhuo appeared from under her collar and hissed at her chin. Soone didn’t agree.
"Ha!" Ren Chun crossed his arms. "Tell that story and they’ll think you lack decisiveness!"
Okay, multiple soones.
"Doesn’t Bong Ki already teach you?" Xiulan brushed a stray leaf from her temple. "He might object to you joining another school."
"Hong Bi." Ren Chun emphasized each syllable with exaggerated patience. "And it’s expected for disciples to broaden their horizons. When a master sends their student to experience the world, joining a formal school follows naturally."
Feng Yu shook her head, robes rustling. "Actually, that’s not universally true. Cultivation thods vary significantly between private instruction and formal institutions—"
Ren Chun cut in. "The traditional approach emphasizes individual growth through—"
Their voices faded into background noise as Xiulan spotted i Chen hovering behind. She reached back and gently captured i Chen’s waist, pulling her forward to stand alongside them.
"What do you think about all this?"
"... , miss?" i Chen squeaked, fidgeting with her sleeve.
"Yes?"
"I’ll go wherever you go." i Chen stared at the ground.
Xiulan studied her carefully. "You always agree with everything I say. Don’t you have your own thoughts on matters?"
Ren Chun and Feng Yu turned toward i Chen, their debate forgotten.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
i Chen blinked in surprise and swallowed hard. "Well... Aeris sits closer to ho than Arinthia. We could send ssages to Auntie Lian more quickly from there?"
"Yes." Xiulan smiled. "That’s true."
Feng Yu spun toward i Chen, her amber eyes blazing with sudden intensity. "You need to be more assertive! Don’t let anyone walk all over you!"
i Chen yelped.
Xiulan suppressed a groan. Trust Feng Yu to bulldoze straight through any sense of tact or subtlety. The morning sun caught the nervous tremor in i Chen’s hands as she twisted her sleeves.
"Exactly!" Ren Chun planted his feet wide, gesturing emphatically. "Cultivators must always push forward. Stagnation and hesitation lead to weakness!"
"Umm... umm..." i Chen shrank back, her shoulders hunching inward.
A cool breeze rustled through her hair as Xiulan drew in a steadying breath. "i Chen, you’re brilliant and strong. If you’re content with how things are, that’s fine. But holding back your thoughts isn’t good for anyone. Being more assertive about sharing your mind would help. You’re not a maid anymore."
i Chen’s face crumpled, tears welling up in her eyes. "I’m... fired?"
Pure panic shot through Xiulan’s chest. "No! That’s not what I ant at all! You’re not fired—you’re just not a maid anymore. You’re a cultivator now, and a spirit. You’re not a servant, you’re... you’re..."
"She’s our new martial sister!" Feng Yu stepped between them, spreading her arms wide enough to capture both of them in a hug.
i Chen’s mouth dropped open. The morning sunlight caught the tears still glistening on her cheeks as she stared at Feng Yu.
Xiulan blinked rapidly. The declaration knocked the thoughts right out of her head. Martial sister?
A sharp pain shot through Xiulan’s back as Feng Yu’s palm connected with enough force to make her stumble forward. "How can I not consider my younger martial sister’s childhood friend and close confidante as such? The three of us will go far!"
"Hey, what about ?" Ren Chun planted his feet wider, crossing his arms over his chest.
Feng Yu turned toward him with one elegant eyebrow raised. "I thought you were going for the title of grandpa or sothing?"
"Grand—grandpa!?" Red crept up Ren Chun’s neck. "I’m only a year older than you! How old do you think I am?"
"It’s not about age." Feng Yu jabbed a finger toward his chest. "It’s about your behavior!"
Feng Yu detached and went after him directly. As their voices rose in pitch and volu, Xiulan seized her chance. She grabbed i Chen’s hand and pulled her toward the manor gates. Escape!
Xiulan settled onto the ditation cushion beside i Chen in Master Qingfeng’s study. The familiar scent of sandalwood incense filled the air. Instead of beginning their usual routine, Qingfeng pulled a rolled parchnt from his sleeve and extended it toward her.
"Master?" Xiulan accepted the scroll, noting the official seal.
"I have a mission for you to accomplish on your way from Blackre." Qingfeng straightened his robes.
Xiulan unrolled the parchnt and her eyes widened at the contents. "A bounty? One thousand spirit stones for subjugating a wrathful spirit?" She traced the inked characters with her fingertip. "This seems far beyond our capabilities, even with Feng Yu and Ren Chun’s help."
"The spirit slipped from an ancient soul prison that once contained it." Qingfeng stroked his beard. "Though old, its power has waned considerably. A group of young cultivators should prove sufficient to prevent further harm to innocent people."
"But why do you want us to do it?" i Chen spoke up.
Xiulan glanced at her companion. Yes! Good job speaking up, i Chen! The earlier encouragent was already working.
"I believe this will prove educational." Qingfeng’s gaze settled on i Chen specifically. "Especially for you. It may demonstrate what a spirit could beco."
Xiulan frowned at the implication. "Isn’t that cruel to i Chen?"
"No, miss." i Chen straightened her spine. "I would rather know what I’m fighting against. I don’t want to be blind to dangers."
Well, that settled it then. Xiulan rolled the scroll carefully. "We’ll take the mission, Master Qingfeng."
"Excellent. Now—both of you assu the lotus position." Qingfeng lit another stick of sandalwood incense.
Xiulan suppressed a groan. Of course agreeing to hunt a dangerous spirit wouldn’t get them out of ditation practice. She straightened her back and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing as Qingfeng’s asured voice guided them through the familiar routine.
An hour later, Xiulan’s legs felt cramped as she descended the pavilion stairs with i Chen. Of course, they weren’t really cramped, she didn’t get cramps as a cultivator any more, but the ntal damage was still there.
Movent in the courtyard caught her attention—a flurry of activity as servants scurried about with boxes and parcels. Wei Kang stood shirtless in their midst, ritual scars gleaming as he hoisted a towering stack of crates over his head. The muscles in his arms bunched and flexed with each movent.
Was he… showing off?
Xiulan tore her gaze away and spotted Ming Lihua directing the organized chaos. She steered i Chen toward the senior rchandiser. "What’s all this about?"
"Oh!" Ming’s usual composure slipped. "Master Qingfeng plans to travel soon. We’re just preparing the necessities."
Xiulan exchanged a aningful look with i Chen. "How often does Master Qingfeng usually travel?"
Ming avoided eye contact and released a weak laugh. "I... can’t actually recall the last ti..."
Unease prickled along Xiulan’s spine. Sothing felt very wrong about this. She thanked Ming and guided i Chen toward the manor gates. They needed to speak with Feng Yu and Ren Chun—there were preparations to make before departing.
Xiulan watched their reactions unfold with growing disbelief.
Ren Chun thrust his fist skyward. "This will guarantee our acceptance as high-ranking outer disciples! No questions asked!"
Feng Yu turned toward Xiulan. "Master Qingfeng truly believes we can accomplish this?"
"He suggested i Chen and I ask for your help." Xiulan gestured between them. "The location lies along the route to Aeris."
A bright laugh burst from Feng Yu as she mirrored Ren Chun’s pose, raising her own fist. "We’ll be recognized instantly for our prowess!"
i Chen sidled closer to Xiulan, her breath tickling Xiulan’s ear. "Perhaps we should reconsider? Ming Lihua or the rcenaries might—"
"What?" Feng Yu’s enthusiastic expression froze as she stared at them. "This is a perfect opportunity!"
Xiulan pinched the bridge of her nose. "You two must have co from the sa cultivator hero fabrication line or sothing."
"A... what?" Ren Chun’s face scrunched in confusion.
"No amount of karma could have engineered my association with you two." Xiulan rubbed her temples. "How did this even happen?"
Feng Yu laughed and wrapped her arm around Xiulan’s shoulders. "You inherited the luck of the heavens, obviously! Isn’t your secret grandpa the ’Thunder God’ or sothing like that?"
Xiulan groaned. Now even her sarcastic naming conventions were causing her grief!
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