I don't own Kateyou Hitmat Reborn nor The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System.
_ X 0 - T - 0 X _
At seven years old, a slave boy wakes with a gasp with a hand going to the back of his head. Breathing heavily as distress floods throughout his tiny body, Xiao Jiu's thoughts are scrabbled up as it seems that something has happened to his other existence, Sawada Tsunayoshi, who's about to turn fourteen this coming October. There's nothing to feel out of place at the back of his head and his breathing slowly down as he begins to collect his emotions and thoughts.
Looking around the room, it's clear that it's still night, which is rather odd. To his left, there's Qi-ge, sleeping and to his right is the wall. The rags covering him don't do much to keep him warm. As he tries to calm down, Xiao Jiu finds it hard to fall back to sleep.
As he lays back down, the slave boy feels rather warm, as though he covered himself with a series of blankets. Xiao Jiu tries to make sense of what happened in his older existence for him to wake in his younger one. "That baby... He said something about Mafia?" He murmurs out loud in Japanese.
"I left for school..." He continues and finds that's when his memories began to temper off. "It felt like something... Then..."
Xiao Jiu shudders as he recalls the feeling of burning. Like he'd been becoming far too hot for his body. The sensation of his body suddenly being too small for him and then...
He swallows as he rolls to his side, facing Qi-ge. Seeking comfort from the older slave. Closing his eyes, Xiao Jiu can't help but feel as though his life has changed, for the better or worst, well, he doesn't known.
T S _ ^ _ S T
He huffs as he walks away from the town, away from his 'owners'. Xiao Jiu had spent a bit over a year trying to convince Qi-ge to come away with him but the other refused. Qi-ge wanted to protect the other street urchins/slaves and nothing he tried seem to sway the other.
It's not like Xiao Jiu didn't care but at the same time, he got a strong FEELING that things were going to be worst if they don't leave. That FEELING has gotten more intense these pass few days. And so, he's stealing away at nearly nine years of age from the town and whatever ruinous events that were waiting to occur.
It's going to be autumn soon, yet the nights are still rather warm. Few want to travel at night but he trusts his gut/instincts to keep him safe. It's how he's been able to save up the odd coin or bit of jewellery, keeping them in stashes along with trusting the urges to move the contents out of them when they crop up.
He's spent some time tricking some knowledge of written characters from various kids with families, focusing on those who's parents are tradesmen and merchants. I should pick a last name and maybe, pick a new first name. Xiao Jiu muses to himself as he reaches the tree line of the forest that surrounds the town. The expanse of fields served to give townsfolk warning of anything coming at the town, particularly from the woods or down the road that passes through the town.
As he wanders through the trees of the forest, Xiao Jiu notices that his sensor range seems to have shrunk then what it had been. He can only guess at the reason for why that is as his dark orange eyes, sunset eyes, keenly looks about the darkness of the forest. He's walking slow pace as he's heard many stories about the forest, depending on the family, the stories could be about Demons snatching up wandering kids to strange spirits.
There's little mention of humans being the ones who snatch up kids and he's fairly sure that it's what typically preys on the wandering kids who either take dares to enter into the forest or they get separated from their parents while being in the forest. As far in both of his lives, that of Sawada Tsunayoshi and Xiao Jiu, it wasn't supernatural beings that caused the hardships he'd faced in those lives. It's always been humans who'd been the cause of misery, kids taunting and beating on Tsunayoshi or other street urchins/slaves fighting him over food, coin, sleeping spots...
letting out a sigh, Xiao Jiu pushes such thoughts from his mind and taking a moment to close his eyes, trying to get a feel of the forest around him. Time seems to slow, slightly above him and to the south-east of where he is, he feels something falling slowly through the air. A kind of rodent that sported a tiny spine hidden in the bushy tail. To north-east is a kind of owl stalking a hopping lizard? It's shaped kind of like a rabbit but it's got none of the long ears, fur, or cotton tail that a rabbit should have but scales and two rows of tiny teeth with forelimbs sporting only two fingers with poison claws tucked at the chest.
There's various insects and other crawly things about him but the three mentioned are the largest living and moving beings he can sense. Then comes him noticing the plants, the sensation of a leave falling from a branch and the feeling of sap oozing out of a fresh cut to the trunk... Roots under his feet and the buried bones of animals and discarded fur and feathers.
Straight ahead of him, there's a rotten box that contains something interesting. And so, Xiao Jiu focuses on it, it's just a silver bell, the silk tassel dirtied up. Within the silver bell is a bead of white jade. There's a power to the bell, so it'll be worth it to dig it up, he decides.
And so, time begins to speed up. The rodent with the spine makes contact with a tree trunk. The owl's head moves as the lizard's back legs finally press off the ground. That leaf falls to the ground and the chirps/cries of the other living things fill the air.
Walking to the spot he knows the bell is, Xiao Jiu crouches down to the spot. He coats his hands in energy before beginning to dig within the dirt. Large clumps of dirt get pulled up with his left hand coming up and putting his right hand into the ground before it happens again.
By the time twenty minutes had passed, he has the hole dug and he's feeling around for the box. Smirking, he fills his muscles of his arm with energy before wrestling the box out of the ground. The wood gives way halfway up the hole and the clamp of dirt falls to the ground that holds the bell.
Snorting softly, he reaches for it, gently breaking some of the dirt off. It takes a bit before he feels the silk. Chuckling, he pulls the bell up viva the silk, there's still a lot of dirt clinging to the silk and the bell. He feels a bit tired and hungry but he ignores it for brushing the dirt from the silk, it's a bit dark so he can't get a good idea of the color of the tassel.
It's a belt ornament and he wonders if it was meant for a child or an adult. Putting the item into a pocket, he gets up off the ground. His legs feel stiff, the muscles had become rather cramped. Still, he pats the dirt off his robes before continuing on his way.
His range has increased a great deal from before. And so, he continues on his way, he hasn't felt a tug in his gut, just the FEELING of something heavy lifting from his shoulder the further he gets from town. It's a very nice feeling, even though he gets the sense of storm winds slowly surrounding himself, it's like he's got nothing holding him to the ground, that with a slight motion, he could be picked up from the ground and become a toy in the storm wind's 'hands'.
T S _ ^ _ S T
It's been about eleven years since he left Qi-ge and his 'owners' behind. It's spring and he's been going by Shen Qiao along with having a very strong foundation in Array and Talisman with his second and third studies being in supernatural plants and non-human/Demon beings. Even though he's been studying Cultivation, he's not yet settled on a way to create a Golden Core.
He's not sure why he gets odd, disjointed feels whenever he tried to pick one. And so, he's been focusing on finding plants and ways to ensure he's not losing any of his spiritual potential as he's grown older, which means he could begin losing out on creating a strong Golden Core. Thus is the reason he's traveled so far just to sell a few basketfuls of Antler Thorn Oracles, which make a very good Qi nourishing pastries or Qi stabilization pills.
Could they be grown as a crop by a Sect that specializes on farming such spiritual plants? Yea, but the wild growing kind is of better quality. In the wild, they grow very bushy and tall. The leaves are a rich navy blue with the thorns being soft brown slowly changing into a soft white in color by the sharp tip of the thorn. Although, the 'domesticated' type grows year round while the wild type show up for a year before going dormant for five years.
Walking into the shop he's been nudged to, the former slave boy notices a woman in white and green expensive robes. Ah yea, Qing Jing Peak. Shen Qiao muses upon sight of the Sect uniform. Must be an important member, perhaps a Hall Master?
The clerk seems displeased with him, then again, given he's wearing dull colour robes and of a simple design. He is the maker of majority of his wardrobe and so, they each have sown 'spells' upon them. Which would make many a noble clan would drool over the idea of hiring someone so capable getting hired to do a single set, never mind having a whole wardrobe worth of such robes.
His current robes are gray and black in color without any embroidery on display. His long hair is in a simple half ponytail and upon his belt, hangs that bell he dug up in that forest from a decade ago, although he did replace the purple silk tassel with an orange silk that compliments his sunset eyes. The bell will ring in alarm when he's close to some form of undead being, depending on how powerful said being is, the range of the bell possesses with weak having a short range and the strong having a wide one.
"This Master is still considering the matter." The woman Cultivator states when the clerk's attention switches, both in where the eyes are gazing and the look upon the face. The clerk sends a spiteful glare at Shen Qiao, but he didn't care all that much, merely waiting for the clerk to greet him.
"What is it." The clerk asks in a very oily voice, "that bring you here today?" Its like asking causes the clerk pain, like he cut him or caused some old injury.
Raising an eyebrow in reaction, his natural bitch resting face doesn't really show any of his amusement over this clerk's reaction. "How much are you willing to price a basket of wild grown Antler Thorn Oracles?" He inquires curiously.
The sneer upon the face makes it clear that the clerk doesn't know a thing about Antler Thorn Oracles. "We don't need more Antler Thorn Oracles." The clerk is clearly looking his nose down at the mere thought of buying from him. "We have plenty in our inventory." So take yourself out of here, we don't have any business to be had.
"Oh? How many baskets does young one managed to bring here?" Inquires the Qing Jing Cultivator.
Oh, so it's like that, huh? Shen Qiao muses to himself. "Well, this humble one doesn't want to speak of it." Then glances towards the clerk before continuing, "After all, it's clear that this one isn't welcome in this shop."
There's a bit more interest now in the woman's eyes, so, as he waits, her gaze sweeps over him, first to the bell upon his belt before a slight flicker of surprise as she seems to notice the 'spells' he's stitched in these layers. "This Master wonders just how humble one such as you could be."
"This humble one stitched these robes himself, I'm afraid." And there's a clear flare of anger from the clerk at someone so poor being within his presence. "Majority of my wardrobe are ones I cut and stitched together by myself. So, this simple Cultivator isn't worthy of such regard from such a noble Master as yourself."
"If you don't have any business here, get out!" The clerk snaps at him. "We have no need for such as yourself." By that, the clerk means, dirt poor wandering Cultivator.
"Well, if that is how Merchant Bing feels, then this Master shall heed such a declaration." The Master Cultivator says smoothly. The feel of panic raises as the woman heads for the door before a rush of anger and pride has the clerk start yelling at him as he gives way to allow her to exit first.
Ignoring the idiot clerk, he follows after the Cultivator. Once out of the shop, the woman inquires again, "How many baskets was that?"
"About thirty." He admits, one of the baskets wasn't full. The Cultivator hums before asking, gesturing at his robes, "Cut and sown by your own hand, huh?"
"Yes, that's right." Shen Qiao agrees. There's an odd feeling of Rightness that settles over him.
"Well, come to my Peak then. Perhaps you can teach a few of my disciples how to do it properly." She says. "And perhaps you'll pick up a few in turn."
Ah. He feels a bit strange as emotions swirl within him. "Am I getting recruited? Or am I just a visitor?"
As the woman begins to walk towards a carriage, she replies, "Only one way to find out." Shen Qiao follows after her once he feels a bit more settled emotionally.
"This one hopes he will not disappoint Peak Lord Su Xinghe." He says, what little he knows is that the current generation has Xing as their common character, which means Thriving. The door remains open and so, he joins her in the carriage.
And so, Shen Qiao feels like he's on his way home. It's an odd feeling as he's never felt such in the years since he left Qi-ge and their 'owers'.
T S _ ^ _ S T
"So... what's your name?" Peak Lord Su Xinghe inquires, it's been six months since he'd entered that carriage and sold those baskets of wild grown Antler Thorn Oracles to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, particularly having to go to An Ding Peak to do so.
Blinking a few times before he realizes that he never did introduce himself to his current teacher, perhaps his Shizun. "This disciple prefers to be called Shen Qiao." He replies.
Other then a visit to Qian Cao Peak after a month upon Qing Jing Peak, mostly just to check up on any conflicts that might rise up from switching Cultivation paths, he's not spent a lot of time in Peak Lord Su Xinghe's company. After all, other then attending a few classes, meals, and dealing with certain body needs, Shen Qiao has pretty much taken to living in the library.
There's always something interesting to read within it and it's not like I don't have a sleeping bag on my person. He muses to himself. Rather curious as to what prompted her to inquire after him.
"There's going to be a cross Peak Tournament." The Peak Lord states and he inclines his head, guessing that she needs to know in order to put his name down as a member of her disciples. Then her eyes flicker to his right wrist and he offers it.
It's a strange feeling, having someone probe through his spirit veins and at the spot where he'll be creating his Golden Core. He's got bandages about that area to help him not accidently injury himself by pooling his energy within it along with his Qi. He knows he's got to be careful, that orange energy that's coursing through his being can be complimentary at times with or at odds with his Qi.
Given he'd once had a dual existence in his childhood, it could just mean that the orange energy is one that comes from a different world. Thus, it's just foreign to this world and thus to the way the world operates. His gaze goes back down to the painting that he's waiting to dry while Peak Lord Su Xinghe leaves the room.
His thoughts drift to the few attempts he'd had with his shijies in regards to sowing. In the end, it's hard to dumb down his explanations when the various shijies don't have the same ground work in Arrays and Talismans as him. So, a lot of what he tried to explain got mistranslated or just confused them. Which is why few of the disciples likely make use of such when creating art.
The imagery of a bamboo forest with leave gently getting blown by wind is a rare sight upon the Peak. He's cheated a bit by having created a wooden plaque that help ground the effects as he paints them then trusting his ability to hold it as he paints. It's tricky process but from previous tries and looking at old examples, likely worthwhile.
As the paint finishes drying, Shen Qiao rolls the page and puts it into the scroll case to protect it. Then picks up the wooden plaque and puts it into his sleeve's Qiankun Pocket. Carrying the case to the pill by the door, he sets it down, trusting that his modifications to the case will ensure that it won't open until two hours have passed.
It's the middle of dinner by the time his painting had finished drying and so, he doesn't bother for entering the Dinning Hall but the kitchen itself. There's a few An Ding disciples within it, collecting the dirty dishes, it's likely they are being punished and thus, there's none of the usual kitchen servants within the kitchen. So, with the five disciples from another Peak, he begins to take stock of what's within the kitchen, particularly what's going to spoil soon.
Taking out a ribbon, he pulls back his sleeves before he begins going through the process of cooking by chopping up vegetables and the little bit of meat scrapes that were left over from whatever the cooks created for the Hall Masters' suppers. He's got plenty of experience cooking for himself, although that's generally by camp fires or just open flames.
Having a kitchen is something he's getting use too and generally, it's been a quick learning experience but in the end, the kitchen of the Dinning Hall survived his early efforts. Few of the kitchen servants seem incline to report his antics or, perhaps, just decided it wasn't any of their business if a young 'master' wants to make their own meals. In which case, they likely thought him to be rather snooty as he either doesn't trust them to make something or he just doesn't like the idea of servants he didn't pick handling his food.
Sure, he could just explain that he didn't want them to bother making him something or setting aside something for him but he suspects that, by this point, he wouldn't be believed. Given the An Ding disciples had seen him, it's likely that some story will be made and spread. Depending on the incline of the disciple telling it, who knows what spin it'll have.
Glancing to the door that leads outside of the kitchen, he finds the Peak Lord standing there with a slight tilt of her head. Taking a second to study what he made, he guesses that he did make enough for two. So, as he arranges the dishes, he listens as the Peak Lord walks to a point that is a hidden closet, enters it and comes out with a jar of wine as he finishes with the tray.
No paying much mind to the hidden door, he waits for the Peak Lord to exit before following after. The house is made of bamboo. He knows that each Peak Lord either builds or orders the building of such a bamboo house while also personally destroying their Shizun's bamboo house. There's different building plans in the library, some were smaller then others and about two could be consider mansions.
The porch of the bamboo house is rather large and sports different wind charms that make soft noise as the wind blows to do so. The main room seems to serve as a dinning room with a kitchen to the right and a hallway to that goes beyond this room that can be found to the left corner of the room. And so, left most room that sports an actual door should be the bathroom, with about two tubs, one set up as a mini hot spring while the other serves as a typical bathtub. He knows the layout of this house from having looked through said blueprints.
Setting up the table for their dinner, he does his best to keep his eyes focus on his task. All around him, he knows that there's a number of decorations that might ensnare his gaze. Once Shen Qiao finishes setting up the table, the jar of wine gets set down, and so, he goes about pouring a cup of it as the Peak Lord begins to select portions from the various dishes.
Once he sets the jar down and put the cup where it should go, he bows politely. After a bit, Peak Lord Su Xinghe inclines her head. And so, he settles down at his place, he does his best to mind his manners as he takes a portion from the various dishes.
He wonders if she actually wanted supper or if she just took advantage of the opportunity before her. There's little in the way of conversation and when the Peak Lord finishes her cup, she waves at him before pouring herself more from the jar. As the various dishes hold nothing upon them, he suspects that the meal was acceptable, given what he'd used to make it, not that it ultimately shows on her face.
"Acceptable." She states and so, they go through the whole polite aftermath that is suppose to come about because of it. It comes to an end after about forty minutes and he's pretty much dismissed, he doesn't try to clean up, suspecting that a servant will either later tonight or in the morning, when bringing her morning tea.
Perhaps for the first time since he arrived, he actually headed for the male dormitory to get some sleep, of course, he does a quick pit stop before continuing. He vaguely remembers which room he'd been led to, all thought months ago. Shen Qiao doesn't notice anyone within this room, so, he enters it, noting that there's no belongings within.
A bit of quick dusting and he's getting ready for bed. Putting on a different set of 'spelled' bandages for bed, he does a bit of stretches before settling in. Soon enough, he's fast asleep.
T S _ ^ _ S T
Unlike the rest of the disciples upon the Peak, Shen Qiao is the only one without a sword. Then again, he's still working on forming his Golden Core. Thus, he's spent the last few weeks studying up on what rules there generally are concerning this inter Sect Tournament, to learn what he's able to wear and use.
He's only allowed a single 'spelled' layer of robes and there's a minimum of three types of Talismans that could be used. As for Spiritual Tools/Weapons, well, it's generally their sword but since he doesn't have one, he could bring in a Spiritual Tool. The loop hole on the Talismans has to do with the number.
So, in the end, he had created a hasty Spiritual Tool after debating between fan or bandage. In the end, he figured the bandage would be best. After all, being able to trip up or tie up his opponent could be of benefit. The length of it is rather long while also testing out a modified kind of 'spell' to allow him to alter the length, having to create something like a pocket for the bandage's extra length.
He'd registered his items with An Ding Peak a week ago and since no letter or disciple came over to talk to him about it, Shen Qiao assumes it's been approved. So, with the Spiritual Bandage about his upper body, the inner most robe sporting a slashing resistance 'spell', and about sixty of each of the three Talismans, which are Cursed Cloud, Flash Bang, and Voice Throwing.
So, following the other Disciples over the Rainbow Bridge, Shen Qiao does his best to settle himself. He's determined to win, he might not have been here for a year yet but he's not settling on trying his best.
C V P + ( = | = ) + P V C
Su Xinghe watches the fifth match of the day. It's something of a free for all unlike the previous matches. In the end, with so many disciples that were still vying for the position of successor that's on going with some Peaks, among which is her own. So, they changed things up a bit, in order to thin the numbers or else they'd be doing this for almost two weeks.
"So... you have your eye on any particular disciple, Shijie?" Inquires Yuan Xinghai, who's the current Peak Lord of Zui Xian Peak. Her Shidi has already pick his successor.
She gives a none committed answer, after all, for all that she had recently brought in a stray in the pass year to her Peak, she's rather unsure if he's got any plans to try for the post as her successor. Sadly, few seem to be able to follow along with Shen Qiao's lessons about stitching 'spells' into cloth, never mind anyone interested in learning what short cut he's using when it comes to his Qi Paintings. Never mind that it seems that there's been none of the usual antics that generally occur when new disciples are accepted, neither of the more established disciples have been needed to visit Qian Cao Peak nor had said stray.
Her gaze does sweep pass him in the area. The only one without a sword and the few that thought him easy prey had been taken down. "That Qing Jing brat isn't bad in hand to hand." Remarks another of her Shidi, the Peak Lord of Bai Zhan Peak, Xie Xingnie.
"Is he a guest disciple?" Asks Yuan Xinghai, who's likely overheard the comment. "Perhaps." Is all she admits, her eyes settling on him for a bit before taking in the number of her other disciples and their clear mind set that is rather embarrassing, given that Qing Jing Peak is often considered the Tactician of the Sect.
Su Xinghe finds it rather disappointing that none of them seem to think beyond their own safety and own fights. That it hadn't occurred to any of them to rally the other Qing Jing disciples to their banner and sweep through the mass of chaos. Soon enough, they fall before members of the other two Peaks that they've been paired with.
"Oh, ho! Is that legal?" The exclamation comes from Xie Xingnie and she's a bit surprise by the cloud of darkness near where she last saw Shen Qiao.
"It is, along with another surprise he might be using in that cloud." Remarks Ximen Xingling, the Peak Lord of An Ding Peak, in a bragging tone, as though Shen Qiao being a member of his own Peak. "I didn't think so, when he submitted the form but I had Shang Qinghua to read through the guide lines and it seems that Talismans are allowed, just three types."
That, she admits to herself, is what I've been hoping for, in my successor. Yet, Su Xinghe knows that it's unknown if he'll be able to form a powerful enough Golden Core, particularly given he'd kept from Cultivating a path in the proper way. Almost twenty years of age.
She knows that wishes won't change anything but it wasn't the first time she'd wished he'd come to the Sect at the proper age. Cang Qiong Mountain could have only benefitted from such a talent, perhaps might yet still. I'll just have to let things play out and trust that Shen Qiao will still be able to form a strong enough Golden Core. She decides as the cloud of darkness fades only for a Flash Bang Talisman to go off, or, well, in particular, a series of them, about three in total.
And so, the winners get announced, all three of them, with Shen Qiao being the first to be named. There's still a bit of tension in said Cultivator's shoulders but, she likes to imagine, those sunset eyes glinting in pleasure over his victory.
As this is the last battle of the day, it's not long for the Peak Lords to rise up from their seats and begin to head back to their respective Peaks with those disciples able to follow after in their wake. As the group assembles, there's a few who glance or glare at the Shen-shidi, while said disciple doesn't seem to pay them much mind. There's a mere questioning look in his eyes and she doesn't pay it much mind, without another glance at Shen Qiao, she leads her disciples back to Qing Jing Peak.
C V P + ( = | = ) + P V C
Liu Qingge stares at the Qing Jing Disciple before him, there's no sword in the other's procession and he had witness that free for all that happened the first day. As the other had been allowed to use Talismans, at least two of them, Cursed Darkness and Flash Bang. He considers such cowardly but at the same time, the other had won without having a Spirit Sword.
"What's your name?" He demands and those sunset eyes seem to glow slightly, it's an odd coloring for eyes to be, particularly human eyes and yet, the Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak didn't have a problem with someone with such a feature from studying at her Peak. He wonders just what kind of blood could cause such a color to be inherited.
"This Shen Qiao wondered if Head Disciple Liu had taken the time to listened to the announcement." Remarks the other, Shen Qiao, in a tone that's sporting a hint of amusement. He swears there's a hint of a smirk, too.
He snorts as his hand goes to the hilt of Cheng Luan, his irritation at this young master surging. Lazy. Liu Qingge decides. It's the only reason why he doesn't have a sword at his age.
"Cheap tricks won't work on me." He declares and the other tilts his head slightly to the left. "Oh? You consider the use of Talismans to be a mere trick?"
He gives a sharp nod before pulling Cheng Luan from its sheath while the Qing Jing disciple seems to glint, the orange in those eyes seem to surge a bit. The way the orange moves, it remains him of flickering flame, it's almost hypnotic, which he is why he growls, believing it's a trick to waylay him.
As he charges with Cheng Luan in hand but, by the time he's within range, something is tightening around his legs. With a pull, his legs are pulled together and he falls flat on his face, he manages to keep his sword from being under him. As Liu Qingge recovers his wits, he finds a white bandage about his legs, he tries to break out but it doesn't seem to work, the bandage seems to constrict a bit as he tries to force the bandage to shred itself.
What follows if a very embarrassing moment of his life along with the beginnings of... something undefined. As he looks around, he finds the end of the bandage snaking from Shen Qiao's left pants leg. "Cheater!" He declares.
"Not really." The other states in a calm voice while there's a slight bemuse smirk ghosting the lips. "As I don't possess a Spirit Sword, I can register this bandage as a Spiritual Tool. Same with how I was allowed to register those Talismans from before."
"After all, we do have a Peak who's disciples are expected to master the creation and use of." Shen Qiao adds as he feels something snake around his arms, he finds the end seemingly expanding in length with each loop, which is how his arms become bound with ease as he'd been a bit too stunned to react in a timely manner.
With Cheng Luan now upon the ground, he begins to struggle to get his arms free but the end of the bandage is beginning to snake about his upper body, going from his right shoulder and neck down to his left side before beginning to loop about his body. Many accusations and names escape his mouth without him giving it much thought.
"This Shen Qiao will enlighten Liu Qingge- shixiong about this humble one." There's a smile that reminds him of a cat that's caught its prey. "This Shen Qiao was a mere rogue Cultivator not that long ago. As in, about nine months ago is when this one was invited to join Qing Jing Peak by Peak Lord Su Xinghe."
He stills while there's a lot of whispering going on among those in the audience and he even hears his own Shizun inquire to his Shigu, his Shijie, Peak Lord Su Xinghe. Liu Qingge finds it hard to believe what he'd just been told and yet, what did Shen Qiao have to gain by lying about it? "Did Liu Qingge- shixiong not wonder why this Shen Qiao hadn't participated in the Immortal Conference that occurred recently? Or that he never met this Shen Qiao before this inter Sect Tournament?"
And so, he stares at Shen Qiao, his heart pounding as he feels his face heat up. He's familiar with embarrassment and so, he concludes that's what he's overwhelmed with. As he recovers himself enough to swallow, he begins to curse out the Qing Jing disciple while resuming to struggle against the bandage, which has warped him up about the waist now.
As his mouth gets covered and he's wiggling as he strains against the bandage, in the end, the match goes to Shen Qiao. Once that's been announced, the bandage is quick to loosen before returning to the owner, disappearing up that pant's leg. What's surprising and causing more embarrassing is that the other steps forward and picks him up viva the collar of his uniform, he bats the hands away.
After a few seconds, the other sighs before turning and walking out of the arena. Liu Qingge gazes heatedly at the other's back before pushing himself up off the ground. As he glowers around, he forms a Sword Seal and causes Cheng Luan to raise up from the ground. With his other hand, he sheaths his sword before stalking out of the arena.
Without any real thought, he heads back to his Peak and began to destroy the training dummies that are posted there. His mind reviewing the feel of the bandage about his body. Of how helpless he felt.
His face continues to burn from embarrassment.
C V P + ( = | = ) + P V C
Winning the inter Sect Tournament was fairly easy, given that Liu Qingge-shixiong had been the one everyone knew you had to beat. As he had eliminated said Head Disciple on his second match after the free for all of the first day, few seem to feel all that confident when facing against him in a fight. Particularly as said future Peak Lord had sulked off back to his Peak after their match.
There's plenty of acidic glares from various Qing Jing disciples, majority of which being the men but there's the odd woman to send such a look at him. The Bai Xhan Peak disciples were very vocal about his method of winning against their Shixiong. He gets some polite congratulations from members of other Peaks besides his own and Liu Qingge-shixiong's.
So, following behind his Shizun to her bamboo house, Shen Qiao considers what kind of conversation they'll about to have. They go through that the song and dance of polite conversation and of the steps that teacher and student are heavily focused on. So, when the lull happens, he's content to let it settle for a time, it's clear that his Shizun has her own thoughts to organize.
"You are having trouble forming a Golden Core." She finally states and he inclines his head. "It's not because I'm too old." He states, knowing she likely thought it was his age that was the cause, not when he'd been able to find various plants and consume them in order to ensure that his age wouldn't be a problem for nearly a century, if the books and those he'd become acquainted with during his eleven years of wandering around without any particular goal in mind are correct about the order of consumption that could help build upon such benefits.
"It's... my eyes weren't always like they are." Shen Qiao goes on to admit. "They were hazel green when I was younger, though I will admit that the brown did begin to alter to a more orange brown."
He holds up a hand and focuses on the energy that's flowing through his whole body, that doesn't keep to his spirit veins. Willing it to pool about the palm of his right hand. It's slow but the skin of his palm does begin to get tinted orange before it begins to spiral up out of his skin. There's clear intent on the way the orange energy would raise and fall, acting like a flame.
Then, he gets tired and the effect begins to fade away. Closing his palm, he offers his hand to her. Shen Qiao doesn't look at his Shizun. "It's an odd power and doesn't keep to my spirit veins. It doesn't really affect my Qi, it compliments it in ways, particularly when I will it to but it also gets into conflict with it on certain things. Not many but, forming a Golden Core seems to be an issue of conflict." Pooling and holding Qi in a particular area within my spirit veins is the ultimate issue.
Shen Qiao knows that it's this orange energy that also seems to be the source of how accurate his ability to sense danger and safety. It also seems to be what allows him to connect easily to his surroundings without needing to meditate for hours. Temporal effects of entering that state is generally like a snap shot of the world around him, everything seems to freeze while he's able to think easily as he observes the area. It's an odd, out of body experience as he's body doesn't move and yet, he seems to be able to wander the area with just a thought.
"Interesting." Peak Lord Su Xinghe after she checks his wrist, this time, the Qi isn't just probing through his spirit veins but throughout his bone, muscle, blood vessels, and skin. It's rather uncomfortable but is more focusing on keeping that energy from surging forward to expel his Shizun's Qi.
"This is why you are so focus on studying Arrays and Talismans." It's not a question, particularly since she had withdrawn her examination and he pulls his arm back to his body. "As you can't manipulate Qi internally into the beginnings of a Foundation."
"I will need your written accounts." He nods in agreement. "Of course, we will need to involve some of the other Peak Lords." Shen Qiao suspected they did.
"For now, continue doing as before as you likely know what works and what doesn't." Shizun states. "Be sure to bring such by curfew."
"Yes Shizun." He says as he gets up and gives her a bow before leaving to begin the task of going through his belongings for said accounts.
T S _ ^ _ S T
Shen Qingqiu stares down at the blank page. The book before him allows him to write or draw some that will show up on a different book. The holder of said other book is someone he'd encountered during his teen years, before he joined Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.
That the person is a Demon doesn't bother him, after all, Tianlang-Jun is the uncle of an associate of his, one Zhuzhi-Lang. He suspects that whatever issue that Huan Hua Palace had with the Heavenly Demon, it was more of a private issue and hadn't really involved the Sects. Thus, why he had Shang Qinghua gift a Qiankun Pouch to Zhuzhi-Lang, most of which should be used to help ensure that Tianlang-Jun's safety and health until which time the Seals holding the Demon under that mountain can be undone.
The book, well, he's written any number of stories, most of which involve lovers being betrayed by those they trusted. That they parted in death, often with empty vengeance having been enacted. Glancing towards the urn on his shelf, it contains the poisoned body of one Su Xiyan, who'd also been pregnant, the child she gave birth to hadn't been affected by the poison.
He doesn't know where the babe ended up, Shen Qingqiu had been more interested in questioning what lingered in the area about how Su Xinyan ended up in such a state and place. The answers... He closes his eyes, it's hard knowing but not being able to go through with the emotions such knowledge sparks.
So, he's been making use of his Shidi, Shang Qinghua's connections with the Northern Demons for various reasons but mostly, for picking up any happenings of Demons and Huan Hua Palace. It seems that the future Mobei-Jun is incline to sharing such knowledge, he assumes it's due to said Demon having a personal issue with said Sect as well.
On the human side, Shen Qingqiu has people gathering information about any dead Huan Hua Palace disciples. The number of dead disciples of the male gender during what should be Su Xiyan's teenage years and some of her adult ones is rather large. The fact that the Palace Master has picked up a young boy who shared some similarities with Su Xiyan doesn't sit well with him, not when he suspects that the man having lusted after said student.
Gently shaking his head, Shen Qingqiu regards what it is he wishes to set to the page before him. Autumn Eyes is the pen name he's using and he's, well, tried of just writing out short stories. He knows what it is he misses from his previous existence as Sawada Tsunayoshi, it's Manga and Anime.
Without thinking too much about it, Shen Qingqiu draws something of a self portrait before adding a leaf like make about the upper face. The image is rather cartoonish and he is sure to have the sword on the opposite side that he generally wears it along with having a fan in his off hand that he generally holds it. The head is a bit large for the body and yet, as he finishes, he writes the characters of the pen name to the right of the cartoonish self portrait.
Studying it for a bit, he decides to add some color. And so, by the time an hour has passed, there's a colourful self portrait of Autumn Eyes. The mask is a dull red with the robes being a rusty yellow with dark orange trim. The sword sheath is a dull brown with the fan's wood being a rich dark red with autumn leaves upon the open fan.
Doing it with a brush is rather trying. He recalls pencils, particular those coloured ones. As the paint dries, his mind is in the present but back in time, when he'd had another body, name, and life. It wasn't a good one, any attempts at TRYING all end up tiring him out and having more trouble with his balance for the next few days.
Sawada Tsunayoshi had a mother, looking back at her with a more mature mind set, Shen Qingqiu knows she wasn't all there. That she seemed to be off in her own world and he blames that absentee father back then. Now, he suspects that she just didn't have the strength to face reality of her life, that it was ultimately on his mother for living that kind of life, always waiting on that no good father as a life line. Putting her whole existence on the line for a man that clearly didn't want to have a family, not really.
Letting out a sigh and feeling rather tired, Shen Qingqiu closes the book. The paint is likely dry and so, he gets ready for bed. His emotions and mind trying to untangle themselves from that old pain and yearning. It had taken him a long time to accept that it's likely that Sawada Tsunayoshi died that day, that his hopes that the body just went into a coma or something was just a daydream.
C V P + ( = | = ) + P V C
It surprises Tianlang-Jun of what gets added to this strange book of his. Checking the next page but there's nothing, and so, he returns to the first page. The image is at first just black lines but then, color begins to bloom. By the time it all comes into focus, he's rather intrigued.
And so, he studies the silly looking individual that sports the characters for Autumn Eyes by the right corner of the page. The style is rather childish but, the more he studies it, the more it begins to appeal to his sensibilities! The little figure is clearly a Cultivator, the orange eyes reminds him of someone he knows his nephew is friends with.
The robes' colours do bring to mind autumn, which, is likely the point. Even the fan sports tiny leaves of brown, orange, and red upon it. The hair is in a half ponytail and sports a simple orange ribbon. There's a smile upon the face and the mask that looks to be made out of reddish leaves allows one to image the eyes crinkling up in emotion.
Letting out a sigh, bemoaning that he's stuck in this tiny cave, various Talismans softly glowing, keeping the earth and stone from collapsing into his space. There's another set of Talismans that are steadily working on dispelling the Seals upon him that keep him rooted to this spot. His nephew had commissioned this set of boxes that share the same pocket space, allowing for things to pass from one box to the other.
They finished the day before he received that letter. It's hard to believe. Tianlang-Jun muses. That only five years had passed since that day.
One box on his person and the other upon his nephew's, Zhuzhi-Lang. It's due to them that he'd been able to keep in contact with his nephew. The Talismans he'd had on his person had activated on their own, creating a space as the mountain descends upon him. At the chains of Seals that pierced his being.
And so, for the first year and half, he'd been unable to move from where he'd stood that fateful day. Then it changed, he'd been able to move his feet and sit down, finally. That he laid down and had a long, restful sleep. He'd let his nephew know of such a development.
Tianlang-Jun assumes that he'll be able to leave in about another five years or, perhaps, less. Still, there's been no new developments concerning his nephew's search for Autumn Eyes. He really wants to met said Cultivator, if only to convince him to sign the cover of this interesting book that had been gifted to them. Perhaps I can convince him to expand some of those stories?
Ah yes, he's read and re-read the various short stories that this book slowly possesses. The stories were ones that had gotten him thinking about what happened, what went wrong all those years ago. At first, he'd considered that Su Xiyan had betrayed him but as more stories got added, he began to wonder if she actually did, after all, she hadn't been there, had she?
And why should I believe everything that my enemy says? Tianlang-Jun reasoned to himself after a while. A-Zhi hasn't found any leads concerning Su Xiyan.
And so, walking over to where he put the box, he opens it and sticks a hand in, pulling out ink set along with paper and brush. Sitting down, he begins to make his ink from the ink stone, his mind going over what he'll write to his nephew.
C V P + ( = T S _ ^ _ S T = ) + P V C
As he settles down upon the cliff that overlooks the expanse of meadow below. Shen Qingqiu is just one of the three to arrive on time, his Shidis of Ku Xing Peak and Qian Cao Peak have arrived along side himself. They give each other slight nods as they pick their spots, waiting for those who wish to join the Sect to begin arriving from the stairs.
With the sun rising still some time off, there is various disciples milling around below, near the stair case. Most are likely eating something as they move to and fro. Most of those disciples are from An Ding Peak and he has his doubts about what last minute tasks they are here for. Not that he has much evidence nor was his Shidi here for him to inquire.
And so, as dawn approaches, Shen Qingqiu finds himself mentally going over what statements he's gotten from Shang Qinghua concerning the experimental Talismans that were meant to allow human crops to grow in the Demon realm or whatever plants that Demons wanted to domesticate into a farming crop. Most of said Talismans are used in the Northern Demon Kingdom, so, it's a bit hard to get a baseline given that he's had to modify most to allow plants to survive without any soil to anchor into along with altering the snow and ice around the roots to be more... firm.
Still, he's been able to get a number of ingredients that were plentiful in the Demon realm instead of money. It's the arrangement he'd set up with his Shidi, which Shang Qinghua is both happy about, given the amount of funds needed concerning various issues that maintains the Sect, but also a bit exasperating given some of the things he wants to acquire are not from the Northern Demon Kingdom, thus are troublesome to get.
And as another one of his Shidi arrives, it's dawn, which signals that the candidates should be gathered at the bottom of the stairs, ready for the test to begin. Most of the children trying to join should be around ten years of age, but there's been a few times teenagers had tried out. Generally, fifteen and sixteen being the uppermost age that one can be accepted into the Sect. His thoughts change from the previous thoughts into regarding something a touch more personal.
He knows Yue Qingyuan was once such teen candidate to be accepted, that Qi-ge had found his way to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, so much so that he ended up as the succeeding disciple of Qiong Ding Peak and thus, the over all Sect Leader. It also seems that either Yue Qingyuan hasn't recognized him or the other had decided that his leaving meant their past is just that, the past. Shen Qingqiu hadn't felt incline to inquire all that much with his former fellow slave. He isn't sure if he wanted to try and re-spark that old friendship, particularly given that the other had, in the end, held little trust in him, despite having strove to prove himself trustworthy.
Yue Qingyuan does trust Shen Qingqiu and he doesn't want to lose that by bringing up memories of lost childhood. He wasn't ashamed of how he'd acted as a child, being a street urchin slave wasn't a kind existence in the end. That the adults around him at that time had no problem ignoring the situation is the reason why it had been allowed to happen. So, being kind in such a situation, it wasn't a virtue but a hindrance, something to be exploited.
Recalling the last time he'd tried to beg, to pled for Qi-ge to come with him in leaving... It brings up sour feelings and old anger. He might not know what events have occurred with his old friend, but knows it left its mark on his Sect Leader. In the manner? He doesn't know, just that there's a sorrow clinging to Yue Qingyuan like a leech and it's unlikely the other will ever fully be able to address it as well.
As children begin to show up near the stairs, his thoughts on the subject comes to an end. The first among the group of children are near the older spectrum. His Shimei, Qi Qingqi, arrives with Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan. There's a number of Peak Lords greeting the arrival of the Sect Leader and only return to watching the candidates upon getting their greeting returned.
Liu Qingge moves to sit by him, Shen Qingqiu can practically feel the scowl upon that face of his. The other Cultivator never seemed to recover from that defeat he'd experienced during their match in that inter Sect Tournament. They've sparred every few months after he got Xiu Ya, which occurred early in his third year within the Sect, about two months after they figured out a way to allow him to form his Golden Core. The 'container' they created to house that orange energy only lasted two months instead of their estimated six, thankfully, he'd been able to create it and fortify it within that time, he'd ended up in the Spirit Cave for a month with a slight fever.
He came out of said caves with his Golden Core proved that he had done it as they'd hoped, to ensure that the orange flame like energy couldn't purge it from his being. It's been a bit hard to add to it, but it seems that all those plants and methods in preserving his potential had paid off well. Thus, Shen Qingqiu went from the successor with the weakest Cultivation to the one with the strongest and he's been able to keep up, although the methods in order to do so have had to evolve to allow for said growth, but it's more then worth it.
"That one." His Shidi gestures with his head, causing Shen Qingqiu to realize that there's been a conversation going on around him without him realizing it, being too consumed with his own thoughts. As for the child that has just been gestured at, they seem to be either ten or eleven, then as he takes in the robes, decides to add a year or two, which is eleven or twelve.
"You plan to pick him?" Qi Qingqi inquires and the War God of Bai Zhan Peak replies with a grunt, "If he wants to come, he'll walk there under his own power."
He's incline to agree with his Shidi, it's a well established tradition of Bai Zhan Peak. That the child in question will find the Cultivation method of Bai Zhan Peak to be the best is something he suspect to be right. "Street urchin." He murmurs out loud.
"There's nothing wrong with that, Shidi." Yue Qingyuan gently rebuffs and he inclines his head. "This Lord knows, after all, this one traveled widely during his youth. So much so, one might wonder if this one hadn't had the same humble beginnings." His sunset eyes turning to regard their Sect Leader.
"Ah, then this one misunderstood Shidi's comment." The older man admits. "It's not like he'd be suited to Qing Jing." Comments Liu Qingge.
"This Lord agrees, that child would learn better under those with great focus on physical Cultivation then spiritual focus one." Shen Qingqiu agrees, although he does his best to ignore the tug, the pull that would return his focus to said child.
He's unsure why the energy is trying to draw him to the child, in the end, he resolves to check in on the child in the future. Shen Qingqiu doesn't doubt that the child will join the Sect as a disciple, it's just, which Peak will he try for? It might not be Bai Zhan Peak, but it wouldn't be that surprising if the child did end up there, after all, his Shidi is rather... famous.
And so, he studies the group, he knows Ning Yingying wishes for a younger disciple but already considered an alternative to that particular request. There's a few from wealthy families he could pick from but, well, given the way they glance off at the disciples from Bai Zhan Peak, it's clear where they plan to try for. Ming Fan had tried his first time to join but he'd failed, thus he'd accepted the boy as a favour to both the family and the boy himself.
Having gotten such an aspiration out of his system, the boy was more settled in joining his Peak. Far better then if he'd taken Ming Fan right away. Thus, he takes a moment to regard whether it would be worth it, to approach them when they fail. As sheltered children, it'll be a shock to their system about what life would be like if they success in passing through the testing of the Peak.
In the end, Shen Qingqiu doesn't feel any other incline to any of the children. And so, his thoughts began to turn into a different direction. Namely, what kind of pages he'll be adding to the book along with what kind of story he'll wanting to draw. In the end, he'd come to create a manga as he'd run out of interest in writing up short stories, he wanted to do something different and so, he in the end, created a manga. He often thinks of it as Little Cultivators World, although most of the 'stories' involve Cang Qiong Mountain but there's some that involve the other Sects, although he'll admit, when ever he does Huan Hua Palace, it... well, it's a bit dark but he'd done his best to make it comedic regardless of how dark the issue was being shown.
And so, the day ends, there's few Peak Lords remaining upon the cliff. Either they had new disciples to greet or they didn't find anyone they think is suitable. "Thank you for keeping me company, Liu Qingge. After all, there's a few who tried for your Peak." Shen Qingqiu says once he's incline to leave.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind." Remarks his Shidi and he inclines his head. "Yes, it seems that there's a lot of thoughts that kept me occupied this day."
They both had raised up from their respective seats. The remaining disciples will ensure that the remaining candidates will be safely taken down the stairs, back to their families. They both take out their respective swords and with a parting good bye, they head back to their respective Peaks.
T S _ ^ _ S T
Cartoonish version of Liu Qingge, termed Xiao Qingge, glares at the ground, the Immortal Conference came to an end. Approaching Xiao Qingge is Xiao Qingqiu. There's a fan that's slowly moving and upon spotting his Shidi glaring at the ground, is curious. A questioning mark appears over Xiao Qingqiu's head and he approaches.
"Xiao Qingge, what has the ground done to you?" Inquires Xiao Qingqiu upon approaching. Head tilted to the side in a questioning manner while the closed fan rests on his chin.
"The Endless Abyss opened up here." States Xiao Qingge with arms uncrossing and going to the hips. "Xiao Bing turned out to be a Demon!"
Xiao Qingqiu sighs, but Xiao Qingge doesn't pay it much mind. "So, I demanded to know why he joined the Sect and the Devilish Demon claimed he didn't know he had Demon blood!"
Image of a woman in Huan Hua Palace uniform appears over Xiao Qingqiu's head. Then a cartoonish image of Tianlang-Jun gets added. Then, an image of Xiao Bing joins the two with arrows pointing out which features came from the respective previous people with the word Mama and Papa.
"Yes, I believe it." Xiao Qingqiu admits as the image vanishes above his head. "Half-Demons are a thing, Shidi."
Xiao Qingge blinks and looks rather startled at the comment. "You knew he was a half-Demon?!" A finger is pointed at Xiao Qingqiu.
"You didn't notice? I mean, she was rather famous Cultivator. Her teacher was said to be rather fond of her?" Xiao Qingqiu remarks with another questioning mark above the head.
"..." Xiao Qingge takes many different thinking poses before a look of frustration crosses his face. "It doesn't matter! I got fed up with his lies and tried to cut off his lying head!"
Image of Xiao Bing falling down, the head and body separated. It goes away when Xiao Qingge admits, "I only managed to cut off one of his arms though! He fell down before I could finish the job."
There's a breeze that goes through the spot as Xiao Qingqiu considers this particular news. "So...? You regret cutting his arm off?" Inquires Xiao Qingqiu, head tilted slight to the other side from before in a questioning manner.
"What? No!" Xiao Qingge snaps, arms crossing over the chest once more. "I just want to glare at his body some more!"
"Xiao Bing's arm got cut off? His Demonic heritage is free?" Muses Xiao Qingqiu. "Welp, you might want to start praying now, Shidi."
"Eh? Why?!" Demands Xiao Qingge. "There's no chance he could survive without an arm!"
"Heavenly Demons' can regenerate limbs." Explains Xiao Qingqiu. "Xiao Bing is the son of Tianlang-Jun and Su Xiyan."
"Odds are good, he's not dead." Continues Xiao Qingqiu. "And if my information about the Endless Abyss is correct, there's a sword down there that we likely don't want to see welded."
Xiao Qingge looks interested in the sword. Image of different kinds of sword appear over his head. "What's it called?"
Xiao Qingqiu gets a scary appearance with the top of his face getting shaded. "Xin Mo." Gets whispered.
Xiao Qingge considers this before snorting like a boar. "What are the odds that half-breed will find such a sword?"
Xiao Qingqiu counters, "What were the odds that we'd house and teach the bastard son of Tainlang-Jun?"
Xiao Qingge considers this point. Then turns away from looking at Xiao Qingge. "Even if he does come back, I'll be sure to defeat that Devilish Demon!"
Xiao Qingqiu stares at Xiao Qingge's back before turning away and walking away. Thought statement above Xiao Qingqiu's head, Right... Like you'll be a match of a half-Demon who survived the Endless Abyss for a few years.
Letting out a sigh, Shen Qingqiu re-reads that manga section of that book he'd created to keep Tianlang-Jun entertained. While the scene he drew wasn't how that particular conversation went between Liu Qingge and himself, but some of it was what his Shidi shared with him. The fact that Luo Binghe's Seal broke and Liu Qingge did try to kill the young half-Demon, only managing to slice off an arm while the younger fell into the Endless Abyss.
All he did was grill the other about what changes Luo Binghe had undergone, in the end, the demonic mark upon the brow and crimson eyes were all that seemed to change. Thus, he finally realized just who's kid his Shizhi was.
A few dozen pages later, he re-reads the one that he'd draw concerning idea of how to confront the Old Palace Master. The image of his 'alter ego' causes a slight smile to grace his lips. He did a cartoon version of all three men who have Heavenly Demon blood, sitting down and allowing Autumn Eyes to explain a easier, simple plan that involved abduction of said man from his Sect. There's a lot of reasons why it would work, mostly because the Huan Hua Palace disciples were, on average, weakest out of the four famous Sects.
The next part that got added the month later has to do with which plants to use to ensure the truth comes out of the old pervert's mouth. Compulsion towards self truths being the most important ones he listed. Then he named titles of various books to ensure that such a scene could be seen and heard by so many people.
That the three did go through with his suggested plans did warm him to a point. Closing the book, he considers the request that Tianlang-Jun had and the one Luo Binghe had. Both were understandable but also troublesome.
Tianlang-Jun wants to know who Autumn Eyes is and to get an autograph upon a bit of fan art that the man had drawn up. Shen Qingqiu suspects there's more to that request then what the Demon has given. Yet, he is thinking about it if only to deal with the issue of his son's request, which also involves his Shidi's stubbornness.
Luo Binghe had came out of the Endless Abyss, although not without spending about two years within. It seems the heir of the Northern Kingdom had thought his idea concerning how to deal with his Uncle to be a good one. So, the heir search Endless Abyss randomly until he did find Luo Binghe. They struck a deal, once they got over a battle, which is understandable given the feral state that Shizhi had regressed into.
So, things went well for that heir and then Tianlang-Jun got wind about this son of his being in the Northern Kingdom. His eyes settle upon the urn as he can only guess what events occurred between the father, son, and nephew but in the end, Luo Binghe wanted a rematch with his Shidi and he suspects that a grudge is between the former teacher and student.
He understand why the two had their opinions about one another. The terms of no killing the defeated fighter but that doesn't cover crippling. He didn't want Liu Qingge crippled, for all that the other had no compulsion about causing what he believed to be a crippling blow. The difference has to do with Luo Binghe didn't end up crippled while Liu Qingge would be. He thinks to himself.
So, in the end, it's not much of a question of when he'll end up introducing himself to Tianlang-Jun and meeting Zhuzhi-Lang again. It's a matter of, will he be able to convince the elder Demon to help reattach Liu Qingge's arm? And what price would he have for such a grace?
The urn didn't belong to him, Su Xiyan's body belongs to the man she loved enough to save his son. He hadn't burn the body, he'd done everything to preserve it but also needed to store it somewhere he can keep an eye on it. Thus, he created a Qiankun urn to hold the body of Tianlang-Jun's lover and Luo Binghe's birth mother.
Getting up, he walks over to where the urn rests. Picking it up, he considers things. It's not like he hadn't had plans to return it. He had commissioned an outfit just to do so.
Pulling out the Sending Stone, it's a permanent way of communication. Pooling a bit of Qi into it, he waits for the stone to turn a blue, for now, it's green. When it does, he's once more seated at his table with the urn upon the table before him. "Yes?" His Shidi's voice, the Peak Lord of An Ding Peak sports an echo quality.
"You still have that outfit commission stored away?" Shen Qingqiu asks. "The one with the leaf styled mask?"
"Oh, yea? You want me to deliver it?" Ask Shang Qinghua.
"No, taking it out of where you stored it and bring it to your house. I'll be arriving within the next two hours." He explains. "I also wish for you to make arrangements so that I might pay a visit to an old acquaintance of mine along with that uncle of his."
"Old... You mean..." There's clear dawning of realization, as though something finally clicks into place within his Shidi's head.
"Yes. I think you understand the reason for this visit." He muses and he hears Shang Qinghua sigh. "Right, I'll have it arranged within the time period." The other promises.
The stone returns to a green before he withdraws his Qi and it returns to its natural coloring. "It's time for a reunion with your lover, Su Xiyan."
C V P + ( = | = ) + P V C
Tianlang-Jun looks up as A-Zhi enters and the sight of the Cultivator's eyes, suddenly, he recalls that brat that he'd seen his nephew with. The one with eyes that seem to be like the sunset. That dark orange that no human should have and yet, that kid did.
He recalls that the brat couldn't Cultivate properly and thus, focused his efforts into Arrays and Talismans. Into knowing plants and beasts. Who'd stitched a snake doll for Zhuzhi-Lang as a gift when the other admitted he felt something going to be happening soon in his life. His eyes drift down to the sword and some how, he suspects that he knew what happened.
Shen... Huh, what were the odds? Tianlang-Jun muses with a slight shake of his head as he returns the polite greetings. The outfit does very much look like the one the other did draw for the character of Autumn Eyes, complete with leaf make and the sword sheath.
"Well, I never though I'd see you again, brat." He remarks with a grin and the grown brat sighs while Zhuzhi-Lang blinks. "Shen... Can't recall the other part but I'm sure my nephew remembers it better, eh?"
His nephew's eyes widen before the name comes out, " Shen Qiao." The grown brat chuckles slightly, a hand goes through his air. "You weren't suppose to guess so quickly." Remarks the brat while he could tell that his nephew was overjoyed to see this friend of his once more.
"Anyway, I believe you will do right by her." And urn comes out from one of the sleeves. "I used my chances to learnt what befell her instead of searching for her babe."
His heart almost stills at the thought of what the brat could mean by that. "She... You..." Words escape him.
"You were Sealed before he released her after drinking the poison." The brat explains, which clears up a few things about what the old pervert had said. "He wouldn't let her out of the cell until either she drank it or gave birth." And tossed the babe into the water of the prison.
His left hand moves down before balling into a fist. Yes, Tianlang-Jun can imagine why the old pervert blamed him for 'dirtying' her. And why she died of poison. The man, even under the combination of truth compulsion plants couldn't admit it to himself, couldn't confront the truth that his student died because of his own actions instead of Tianlang-Jun's. That's why the antidote failed to work.
Getting up and relaxing his fist, he picks up the urn and pulls it over. "Just unseal the lid and gently tilt it and the body will come out." Explains the grown brat and he wonders how good of a condition the body is in.
The short stories do make a lot more sense, the focus on those around the lovers being the cause of ruin for them... He'd hoped but hadn't really expected it to be so in their case. And so, silence settles and he wonders if there's a price to returning the body, after all, this brat could have changed in more ways then one.
"What do you want in exchange for you ensuring my foolish Shidi to not be crippled for life?" The brat asks and he blinks, snorts, then laughs, it's a mixture of disbelief and just plain humour. There's a slight sigh from his nephew while he tries to regain control over himself, some tears having exit out of his eyes during his fit of laughter.
Tianlang-Jun looks over to where his nephew is and remarks, "Well, I think I'll be a bit busy with other things, so I might miss out on that rematch." He had been incline to witnessed the match but now, well, he saw an opportunity to give his nephew a chance to reconnect with this grown brat before him.
"Uncle!" Exclaims Zhuzhi-Lang as the brat turns to regard his nephew. His nephew stills, there's a slight redness to his nephew's face and ears.
"Ok, that's... ok. Sure, I'll speak with Zhuzhi-Lang about it." The brat agrees with a slight nod and he gives his nephew a Look about this being his chance. His foolish nephew shakes his head in denial.
"So, where's this painting you want me to sign?" Ah yes, he recalls that part and is rather bemused that the other remembers it. Pulling it out from his own sleeve, he puts it down upon the desk.
It's an image he'd drawn trying to mimic the style that the picture story had been drawn in. It's a rather unique way to tell stories and he rather hopes to speak with the author about getting them punished so that others might be inspired to put their own spin on such a way to tell stories. The image is of himself and Su Xiyan, he'd painted the robes, with him in Huan Hua Palace women robes and Su Xiyan in his masculine robes and coloring.
There's a soft snort and bemusing smirk upon the brat's face. "Really? Just, really? You sure you don't want me to sign a different one?" He suspects he knows why the brat is questioning his choice but he's certain that he wants this one to get signed. It's the scene he wished had happened. It might yet happen. The beginnings of an idea forming.
On the right of the painting is Autumn Eyes signature and then on the left is Shen Qingqiu signature with another one but this one is a bit more familiarly done, Shen Qiao. It's a bit more messy compared to the other two, but that's fine. He knows just where to put this after ensuring it's been preserved in a frame, to ensure that the ink doesn't fade with time.
"Now then, why don't you two go out and re-familiarize yourselves with one another? It's been a few decades now, eh?" He suggests and his nephew flushes once again while the grown brat hums in thought.
"Unless Zhuzhi-Lang has other business? We could meet up later, just as long as we do so before the match." Suggests the grown brat.
Soon enough, the two leave his office and he smiles a bit. Tianlang-Jun feels a bit of satisfaction over the reunion. He knew his nephew had grown to like that brat with sunset eyes, even though he found himself put off by the brat. Not that it means that he disliked him, it was more that there's something a bit off with the brat and hearing how hard it was for the brat to Cultivate, he felt he was right.
He could only imagine how much trouble the brat had to go through just to Cultivate that Golden Core of his. In the end, the brat managed it and he's glad for his nephew's sake. He hadn't wanted the brat to die before his nephew got around to figuring out what he felt for the human. His gaze and hand goes to the urn, he can only imagine how well preserved the body was within the pocket space of the urn.
Either way, I'll be visiting the Mausoleum with this urn. Tianlang-Jun decides. Either he'll be able to revive his wife or she'll be entombed within. Both options were acceptable in his mind.
Ending it here