A Thousand Li: The Third Realm: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel Page 3

  “Oh yes. Late at night, when I was sleeping,” Wu Ying said, making a face. “Smart beast too. It avoided the formation flags I’d laid around the tree, coming in over the top. If not for the fact that I always set some talismans on the branches above too, it would have caught me out. As it was, it tore me up badly before I put it down. Still, its fur made for a good trophy for the next sect I visited.”

  Stories. His of derring-do and the perils of being a wandering gatherer. Theirs of frost and wind, of drought and fire and the predations of spirit insect hordes, the overabundance of rain and the lack of it and of course, the greed of merchants.

  The group spoke, using manuals and scrolls for illustration, sketching new images and snacking on plates of appetizers long into the night. Professionals, regaling one another with the burdens of farming and gathering. For the first time in ages, Wu Ying found himself comforted, for even in the talk of mortal tea bushes and fields, he found a chord of familiarity and knowledge.

  His people, even if a little removed. And though their struggles might be a little less dire than his own, their experience was no less real, wisdom borne of decades of toil no less profound. He learned as much from their stories as they did his own, of new plants to gather, of idiosyncrasies in cultivation and blending, of the dedication a specialized farmer might bring.

  As the moon rose and set around them, they spoke; stories and memories and knowledge all blending together as tea changed to wine and snacks became full meals. The wind flowed, battering at windows and crossing thresholds, whispering its secrets to Wu Ying.

  Of peace and direction and contentment and knowledge. Of the proper order of things, under Heaven.

  And Wu Ying listened, learning.

  Chapter 3

  Morning the next day, Wu Ying was summoned before the chief and the council elders. He wasn’t surprised to see that the chief was the Pan sisters’ father. Such minor revelations had long ago been completed on their journey.

  After the customary introductions and a period of small talk involving Wu Ying’s day in the village, the group—which consisted of Chief Pan, Pan Yin, Pan Hai, and one other elder of the council—finally approached the meat of the meeting.

  “My daughter speaks highly of you, your abilities, and most importantly, your character,” Chief Pan said as preamble. Wu Ying inclined his head, keeping his features still even though he was shifting uncomfortably inside a little at the praise. “We are honored to have you as a guest, Expert Long.”

  “And I to be a guest,” Wu Ying said, bowing a little from his seat. “You have a lovely village. One that is reminiscent, in its own way, of my own.”

  “Yes. My daughters mentioned you were a rice farmer before your ascension.” Chief Pan inclined his head. “A long way to climb, as I understand it, for your kingdom.”

  “Longer in the majority of the State of Zhao,” Wu Ying replied. “Though it seems you follow a more traditional practice.”

  “The Yellow Emperor decreed that all of humanity should cultivate. Why would we gainsay such a command?” Chief Pan said rhetorically.

  “Especially when one receives visits from an immortal ancestor at times,” Wu Ying said.

  Chief Pan’s gaze flicked over to where Pan Yin sat, looking entirely neutral. “Our ancestors do not visit often. After all, they have many duties in the heavens above. The last incident you’ve heard of, of course.” He smiled a little as he continued. “But it is true that we have benefited from their guidance.”

  Wu Ying nodded. He would bet his World Spirit Ring that the latest Immortal to visit was a spear user.

  “Now, there are many things we would like to discuss, but perhaps we should handle the commercial aspects first.” As Chief Pan received Wu Ying’s agreement, he gestured to the side. “Elder Mo will be handling the details, as he is much more conversant with our needs.”

  Of course, this Elder Mo was not the Mo Heng of the day before, though familiar familial features were present. Brothers for certain, or perhaps close cousins. Since both were only in the Energy Storage stage—middling at best—neither would have benefited over the other from a slower aging process.

  “Thank you, Chief Pan.” Elder Mo smiled at Wu Ying. “I must admit, I requested my brother to show you about so that we might shorten our discussion today. You have a broad understanding of what we grow, and as such, I hope perhaps we can focus on the kinds of spiritual herbs and supplements we do not have access to.”

  “Of course,” Wu Ying said. “Obviously this will be easier with an understanding of the general items your village desires, but I noticed that you had a preponderance of flame- and earth-based spiritual herbs, lacking in some of the rarer water-based herbs like the Soaking Swamp Lotus and…”

  In short order, the pair were bickering and negotiating over Wu Ying’s numerous spiritual herbs, some of which he extracted to showcase there and then. In anticipation of this discussion, he had already carefully withdrawn from his World Spirit Ring the herbs that he intended to trade, not wishing to reveal its presence even to the friendly Pan clan.

  The negotiations took hours, Chief Pan occasionally excusing himself to handle pressing matters for the village. Snacks and, later, lunch were served, along with a constant influx of various blends of tea after Wu Ying declined a pot of wine.

  By the time the clan had passed the sixth tea blend, Wu Ying lost count entirely and chose to enjoy the event. Because the negotiation had become an event, with table banging, declarations of poverty and beggaring unto the fifth generation, and even requests for them to undertake duels of honor.

  Throughout the process, Wu Ying could not help but notice the glint of amusement in Pan Yin’s eyes and the exaggerated actions and bombastic words of Elder Mo. After a short while, he too fell into his part of the play, making outrageous statements and scoffing out loud with each offer. He even went so far as to grab at the various herbs, moving as though he’d take them away, though doing so in such exaggerated action and timing that it was clearly an act.

  Eventually though, they came to an agreement, nearly two-thirds of Wu Ying’s extensive collection of herbs that he was willing to part with claimed by the village. The biggest issue was how Wu Ying was to be paid, since the transfer of the large quantities of cash—even in paper form—was prohibitive.

  Thankfully, Wu Ying was more interested in a barter, picking up rarer herbs he required for his medicinal baths, and the use of their alchemists to transform a portion of his current and newly acquired stock into pills for cultivation and medicinal bath powders.

  Most importantly though, since he was in the kingdom of Zhao, he bartered for the one thing they had in abundance—comparatively. Powerful, enchanted items. Of course, the problem with acquiring Saint-level items—even in the State of Zhao—was expense. The clan, even after hundreds of years of acquisition, only had a limited number they were willing to trade.

  Still, as the light grew dark, a deal was finally concluded. At least, tentatively.

  “Now, I’m sure Pan Yin didn’t invite me here just to acquire all my herbs,” Wu Ying said, half-smiling. “What else did you have in mind?”

  “Perceptive,” Pan Hai intoned, his gaze taking on a grudging respect “And I assume you didn’t bargain for access to our library because you expected as much?”

  “In part,” Wu Ying admitted but also added, to clarify, “Due to my unique element, many of the works held by others are of less use to me.”

  Chief Pan nodded. “Truth enough. We had our librarians review our library when Pan Yin first mentioned your particular… peculiarities. Unfortunately, we seem to be lacking in documents about your particular element. So outside of cultivation exercises and combat techniques…” He shrugged. “And of course, texts on apothecary, formations, and gathering. Outside of all that, we have little enough to offer you.”

  “It’s no matter,” Wu Ying said, waving. “I might want to browse the library anyway. You never know when inspiration and enlightenment might strike. Depending on what we discuss and what you require, of course. When we get to it eventually.”

  Chief Pan laughed. “It is getting late.” A look outside at the fading sunlight, then at the herbs that members of his family kept taking away, now that the group had come to an agreement. “My daughter was not lying when she spoke of doing you a good turn. But as you probably realized, she had other reasons.”

  Wu Ying nodded, exhausted already with the constant repetition of information he already knew.

  “To begin with, there is a child in our care, a member of a branch family, who has shown a degree of skill with the jian that we would like to further.”

  “I’m not that much of a teacher…” Wu Ying said hesitantly.

  “Understood. We still wish you to showcase and teach your Long family style to him,” Chief Pan said. “The child in question is… special.”

  Wu Ying frowned. “You’re asking me to showcase my family style?”

  “It is a big request,” Chief Pan said, entirely unembarrassed. “However, I believe that you’ll find it to your benefit.” Chief Pan raised a finger. “One lesson. We’ll bargain for one lesson.”

  Wu Ying blinked. He had an understanding of people, and the fact that Chief Pan was asking for a single lesson even after he had declined was telling. There were numerous such stories, and this one… “He’s a prodigy, is he not?”

  “I told you it wouldn’t work,” Pan Yin said, speaking up for the first time that day. Turning to Wu Ying, she bulled ahead. “My cousin is a true genius, one who has reached the Heart of the Sword already.”

  “Then what does he need me to teach him?” Wu Ying said, surprised.

  “Experience,” Pan Hai, the Fourth Uncle, said curtly. “Pan Chen is a hothouse flower, gr
own in perfectly groomed conditions. He is strong, vibrant—and has never had to face true adversity.”

  “Irrelevant. That is an unimportant point,” Chief Pan said, snapping at Pan Hai. “It’s not about his lack of experience that we wish for you to train him.” A slight pause. “Well, perhaps if Cultivator Long stayed longer. But Ah Chen is too young for what you envision.” Then he shook his head. “No. What we need now is for him to expand his knowledge base, to study as many styles as possible. To grow. You know what Grandmother said.”

  There were a series of nods from the group as they acknowledged the chief’s words.

  Frowning, Wu Ying spoke. “I don’t.”

  “Apologies,” Chief Pan replied. Still, he made no move to answer Wu Ying’s question.

  It was Pan Yin who, rolling her eyes, clarified. “Grandmother Pan has a minor gift of foresight. She can see the weaves of fate, prone as they are to changing. And she spoke of Ah Chen’s chance at achieving the Soul of the Sword, if given proper guidance.”

  Wu Ying was shocked, and he chose not to hide it. Grasping the different degrees of understanding and knowledge of a weapon could help one in bypassing concerns of enlightenment and also breach the difference in strength between cultivation levels.

  One who had a grasp of the Sense of their weapon stood among the peak of those in their grade. An understanding of the Heart allowed one to fight a level above—in most cases. As for the legendary levels of Soul of the Sword? Well, it was legendary for the stated reason—the degree of strength it imparted was only spoken of in fables and legends of the past. Slicing apart mountains and killing Nascent Soul cultivators as a simple sword cut were all part and parcel of such tall tales.

  “And you’re willing to sacrifice much for him to achieve such heights.” Wu Ying nodded in understanding.

  Having such an individual as part of their clan would offer great assurance, but the possibility of someone achieving those lofty heights could also bring danger. Many felt the need to prune such promising buds before they could fully flower, rather than risk a weapon pointed at them.

  That led Wu Ying to another thought. “It’s surprising, to know of two such prodigies from such a small clan.” He left the rest unsaid.

  “Not so surprising, when you understand that Pan Shui’s improvement can be traced to Ah Chen’s influence,” Chief Pan replied, answering the unspoken question.

  “Ah…” Wu Ying sat back, staring at the group.

  Something was niggling at him, a memory of a conversation. He remembered Liu Ping, how the Pan sisters had mentioned being able to help her with her bloodline. Then there was the story of the Immortal. The admission of not just a single immortal from their clan. The presence of two prodigies in the Heart realm.

  Bloodlines. Immortals. Prodigies.

  “The blood of the immortal flows through your people, doesn’t it?” Wu Ying said. “That’s why you have so many prodigies.” Realization hit a moment later, that perhaps he should not have spoken his assumptions aloud.

  “Smart. Too smart,” Pan Hai said, his voice stern and no longer half-amused. His gaze turned to Pan Yin, who returned the look with a little hint of concern as she sensed the killing intent that leaked from the Elder. “How many more secrets do you intend for him to ferret out? Give him another week and, with your daughter’s help, he’ll have our formations in disarray.”

  “Enough, Ah Hai,” Chief Pan scolded the other. “Expert Long is among friends. We have extended guest rights to him, and we will not forsake our honor. My daughter has reasons for her actions, and Expert Long has already proven he is himself. In our land and his own.”

  “Honor matters not when loose lips and the torturer’s blade exist,” Pan Hai said. “The kingdom has always desired our riches.”

  “Which is why we must grow in strength. And we have reached the limits of our own resources,” Chief Pan said.

  “I’m also not going to stay in Zhao,” Wu Ying added. “There’s much to see in this world, and my path will take me far away.” A trickle of wind, brushing against his hair, reminded Wu Ying of his destination and what he searched for.

  “See?” Chief Pan replied. “My daughter chooses well. Something you should heed well in the future.”

  Pan Hai’s lips tightened, the Fourth Uncle reluctantly bowing his head. Altercation ended, Chief Pan looked at Wu Ying, offering apologies for the brief distraction and unseemly argument. Wu Ying, of course, dismissed the matter with more polite words.

  “Now, will you?” Chief Pan said, returning to the topic at hand.

  “And what do I gain from offering my knowledge of the sword to your nephew?” Wu Ying asked, leaning forward. “Why would I offer up my secrets to him?” And endanger himself, it went without saying.

  “Lessons. You are on the cusp of the Heart of the Sword and yet have been unable to achieve it. As you’ve heard, Ah Chen has a gift for enlightenment. Sword or spear, if the spark is within you, he can fan it aflame.”

  Hunger flashed through him, his throat growing parched. Wu Ying reached for his teacup, noting idly the smallest tremble in his fingers as he wetted his dry throat, the desperate desire almost too much to contain. Desire raced through him, and like his beating heart, Wu Ying waited.

  Finally, as control returned, Wu Ying spoke. “A generous gift. But I believe, have to believe, that I can achieve much the same myself in time.”

  Even if he had been banging his head on the same wall for years. Then again, it could take decades to achieve that understanding. Decades, maybe even a century. Maybe never. But as he said, he had to believe he could achieve it himself. Without that belief, Wu Ying knew that such a step could never be achieved.

  Mastery was as much about the heart as the hand.

  “Then what else do you desire?” Chief Pan asked.

  Wu Ying turned the teacup around and around, debating what else he wanted. When he spoke, it was slowly and haltingly, as he searched his heart out loud too. “Information on bloodlines. Not yours in particular, but your experiences, the changes you’ve seen. Improving it, if you have done so, outside of the use of spirit herbs and the like that help concentrate or develop it.”

  The group looked at one another, Pan Hai shaking his head and the other Elder nodding in agreement with him.

  Chief Pan hesitated for a long time before he sighed. “I cannot authorize this alone. We shall have to speak of it as a council.”

  “Very well.” Wu Ying nodded to the other Elder Mo. “I’d like to spend more time working with your gatherers, as partners. Trading further pointers.”

  “How long?” Chief Pan said, flicking a glance at Elder Mo, who rubbed his chin but offered the slightest of nods.

  Wu Ying paused, considering. Judging by the season and timing… “Until the beginning of spring at the earliest. Perhaps until the end of the first planting season.”

  That would give him a lot of theoretical training around this time when the soil was still cold and not much was being grown beyond the greenhouses and the planting season, if they accepted both. More than enough time to study up on their formations and test new ideas. Maybe even go through their library further.

  It was a good deal for them too, since the formations Wu Ying knew were different from theirs. They did the same thing, of course, to some extent—but any knowledge was a benefit. And his copious notes on wild herbs could be of use to them.

  “We’ll want your aid in planting and growing some of the wild spiritual herbs you sold us,” Elder Mo said.

  “Which ones?” Wu Ying said. “You understand that many will not be as potent if grown domestically?”

  “Of course. But we will still want to experiment and understand the process,” Elder Mo replied.

  Wu Ying nodded. He could understand that. Even if none of the plants they attempted to grow were successfully cultivated, a single successful domestication of a wild spirit herb would pay for decades if not centuries of experimentation.

  That in the long term, this might cause problems for someone like Wu Ying was a concern much further in the future. And frankly, from his understanding of the market, it would never entirely remove the need for gatherers. So long as they were willing to traverse the deep wilds.