Chapter 17: The Tale of Shi Jin- Luan Tingyu and Wang Jin
Lord Chai's Estate
Cangzhou, Third Age 1934
Dreaming he was half-naked riding a dragon, his hair flowed in the wind. He carried a shiny podao and behind him were thousands of soldiers. He looked right, seeing passing grasslands with farmers with plows waving at him. He looked left, seeing the plains in all their glory, where horses and cows raced each other across the land. Behind him were wastelands, desolate where only the bravest grass grew. Finally, ahead of him was a mountain pass.
They charged through the pass, the air departing before them. Looking in front of him, he saw what appeared to be the pass' top and a lone person standing on it.
Squinting, he saw a woman whose eyes were big, whose brows were thick, and whose hair was bound in the shape of a thick horse tail near the top of her-
"Hehehe!" laughed Gu Dasao as she fired an arrow that struck Shi Jin in the forehead.
"AAARGH!" Shi Jin cried as he fell from his dragon, falling as the ground loomed larger and larger until he finally smashed into the-
He awoke. Looking around, he saw all was dark save for starlight passing through the window opening. Then his vision gradually became bombarded with colors as his head felt heavier with each second. Placing his head back on the pillow, he found himself thirsty. On his left was a nightstand that had a cup of liquid. Finding it difficult to even move, it took him a while to shift over. Slowly, his shaking hand grabbed the cup as he drank from it.
It was a strange water that tasted pleasant. It felt like he had just drunk some sort of essence that passed through his body, leaving him invigorated and strengthened. The colored dots whizzing in his vision slowly dissipated, and all that was left was a throbbing headache, but nothing like the paralyzing migraine that struck him just seconds ago.
Feeling much better, he sat up again, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dark as he wondered if it was too late for him to grab a late-night snack. Most likely, he missed dinner already and-
"Hehehe" laughed [b]Gu Dasao[/b] as she fired an arrow that struck [b]Shi Jin[/b] in the forehead.
... a mixture of pain and shock on Wang Jin's face as excess spit escaped from her struck mouth, splattering the floor.
He bolted towards the door, stumbling on the floor, recomposed himself, and slid the door open, finding none other than Wu Song, the strong, large, young man sitting in a chair as if waiting for him to open the door.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Shi Jin yelled, "where is Master Wang? Where is that cicada harlot?"
"Lord Chai said you are not fit to leave the-"
"Well screw them too then!"
Wu Song then stood up, face contorted with rage, and he asked Shi Jin, "say that again!"
A part of Shi Jin blanched, but a larger part of Shi Jin possessed anger that this man dared called himself an apprentice of Wang Jin, to prevent Shi Jin once again from ensuring his master was safe. How and why in the world did he even bother joining them? He also was angry at Lord Chai for treating him badly due to his dragon tattoos. Anger also was directed at himself because apparently, he was cheapshot into unconsciousness by a tavern wench. He had enough of being treated like a kid, like an also-ran in a company of heroes, a lowly servant in an imperial court, a mule in a host of horses. Enough was enough! Now was the time for courage, to save face from further humiliation!
And the first person he had to get through was Wu Song, whose raw power he suspected even his master feared. Oh well!
"How about you get out of my face, you bastard! I'll *muffle*" and Shi Jin could say no more as his entire face was grasped by the giant palm of Wu Song. He vainly tried prying his fingers loose, then vainly grasped the trunk-like arm as Wu Song's other hand lifted his behind. He vainly kicked the air while the other man was unaffected by the strikes.
"*muffle* muffle*!" cried Shi Jin as he was lifted and transported forcefully back-first back on the bed. Bouncing a little, he gasped for air as soon Wu Song released his face.
Shi Jin tried lifting his body again, until the pounding in his head grew and he placed the back of his head on the pillow, cursing.
"For your information, fool, I was out hunting for tonight's feast. Master Wang is in an infirmary room recovering from injuries, and guest Gu Dasao is somewhere I know not."
"What kind of apprentice are you, to desert our master and leave them to the whims of that slovenly clam?"
"I am Lord Chai's retainer first! And why didn't you stop said incident in the first place?"
"I... I," Shi Jin started, trying to think of an excuse that would not make himself look weak. But none came.
"BecauseI'mnotyou," Shi Jin quickly muttered.
Wu Song looked confused, and responded, "speak slower. Wu Song is no elf."
"Because I cannot throw one of them outside the walls as you can!" Shi Jin exasperatedly clarified, "or take on both of them at once, like you probably could. You are more durable than a wall! You have seen how I fared against Master Wang, and to stop someone who can knock them out? I- I could only use my words, and I am no wordsmith like Zhang Yi or Su Qin of old."
"Wu Song has never heard of those people and will ask Lord Chai about them," the large man replied, "and though I understand, why did you not simply use the axe as a weapon to threaten them?"
"I... did not wish to harm them. Shi Jin is no murderer! Unlike you," he snidely responded without thinking. Then his eyes widened as he just realized what he said.
"You!" Wu Song spat, saliva hitting Shi Jin's face as he instinctively closed his eyes, unfortunately opening them just as Wu Song immediately lifted Shi Jin again, this time by his shirt.
Even with just starlight, Shi Jin could see every part of the large man's face as it contorted in fury, his eyes bulging wide, "Wu Song does not want to kill, but you once again tempt me so!"
Suddenly, a third voice hissed at the pair, "hey! Quiet! People are trying to sleep!"
Shi Jin immediately was dropped and his head bounced off the pillow. He gasped, more in surprise than pain, as Lord Chai's pillows gave his head a comfortable landing. Wondering who was his savior, he looked behind the large man, who also looked towards the doorway.
Starlight shone on long, unbound, black hair that was straight as a waterfall. The person wore naught but a dudou, an undergarment covering the chest to waist, and an undergarment covering the waist to the knee, clothing typical for a woman. Shi Jin squinted and saw a face with scars, and he realized that this was none other than Luan Tingyu.
"Wu Song, was it?" she asked, "why are you throttling your fellow student? You know they have a concussion."
He bowed in response with hands clasped, "Wu Song greets Instructor Luan. This one insulted me and I lost control. I apologize,"
"You're apologizing to me but not them?" Luan asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I... Wu Song..." he then turned around and ketoued in front of Shi Jin, "Wu Song apologizes, Shi Jin."
"Eh? Eh! I was the one speaking in haste," quickly responded Shi Jin, partly in relief, partly in shock at his humility, even if it was forced, and also partly in guilt, "I should be the one apologizing to you... Stand and, uhh, let's forget this all happened."
"Wu Song thanks you."
Luan Tingyu walked closer and asked, "shall we trade places then, Wu Song? You guard your master's door while I keep this one company?"
"If you wish. I will guard Instructor Wang with my life."
Shi Jin immediately suppressed the thought that Wu Song should've been the one ensuring no incident happened.
"Great. I shall grab a seat," said Luan Tingyu as she grabbed a nearby stool and sat near Shi Jin's bed. Meanwhile, Wu Song exited the room and slid the door closed.
Now, this was certainly not the first time he had been alone with a woman before, his own master was one, but even so, he felt a little uncomfortable with Instructor Luan nearby with so little clothing. If Wang Jin called anyone "invincible," then they must be a fearsome hero. Considering that Shi Jin never got the upper hand against his master in any of their practice fights... if he looked at Luan wrong, then Shi Jin's headache would be the least of his concerns.
Nevertheless, she was quite fit, and Shi Jin saw the well-rounded shoulders and upper body that spoke of not only great strength but great beauty as well. For, though her waist was not objectively thin, her proportions made it so that her body curved in a rather appealing manner. There were fewer bodily scars on her than he-
"Oh? You like me, huh?" she teased.
"Huh?" Shi Jin said in surprise, then immediately averted his eyes to the side, blushing, "Shi-Shi Jin begs forgiveness! I did not mean..."
"Well, sorry to disappoint. You're not my type," she amusedly said, "though such shyness from a warrior! It does make me wonder if you ever..."
"I-I've lain with someone, yes!" he blurted, immediately regretting his response.
"Hah! Joking joking," Luan Tingyu responded lightheartedly. Her voice then became sterner, "I also wasn't going to ask that. You should be more secretive. What if I were a spy in disguise? You just gave away key information about yourself. Tsk tsk."
Shi Jin now was very flustered... and also required some privacy as he felt the urge to... He was not going to do so in front of her, though! Maybe they could have a quick conversation and then...
"W-what is it you exactly want, Instructor Luan?"
She looked amused, "can I not show concern for one of my friend's apprentices, you pretend woodcutter? I also see the resemblance now. You're Squire Shi's son, aren't you? I visited your village a few times but... it's funny; they never mentioned a son."
"That old man probably is embarrassed!" he hastily responded, eyes darting around.
"I actually met your distant cousin, Shi Wengong, on the way to Cangzhou. We sparred and your cousin is quite capable. To think that the Little King would have two apprentices from the same family. The world sure is-"
"Do-do you see a chamber pot, anywhere?" he asked in a panic.
"Eh? Who taught you those manners to speak of such things in front of a lady?" teased Luan Tingyu, "though I was surprised that you didn't wet the bed with the way Wu Song held you..."
Ignoring her, he spotted a chamber pot in the corner, "I see one right there! Uh, may I have some privacy, Instructor Luan?"
"Very well. Since you are uncomfortable, I will leave and put on some clothing I left in your master's room. Hopefully, I won't wake them."
After Shi Jin handled his business, he sat on his bed, and sometime later, Luan Tingyu came back not only adorning a nightrobe but carried a wicker container that had berries, seeds, and cold roasted mackerel.
"Unfortunately, I woke the Little King. Your master was quite relieved that you are recovering and wanted you to eat these to help your concussion, also wanted me to keep you company for a bit to make sure you eat your food," commented Instructor Luan as she handed the food to Shi Jin. Then she lit a candle and placed it on the nightstand.
He took the basket and placed it next to him, but... something was up. Why did Wang Jin not at least visit him personally, even for a moment? If his master was well, she would have handed the food to him personally. Courage re-entered him and he looked suspiciously at Luan Tingyu,
"Where's my master? How wounded is Instructor Wang? Can I visit them?"
Luan's eyes shifted to the right, "resting in their infirmary room... and Wang Jin forbids you from visiting them tonight."
"What? Why?" he asked incredulously, then added in suspicion, "and why are you allowed in their room? Are you not dueling master soon?"
"That... uh," she responded, her eyes directly looking at his, sighing, "I've known Wang Jin since we were children. Practically the only childhood friend they have left... I also have reservations about our duel now."
"But I am their apprentice!" objected Shi Jin.
"Heh... the Little King knew you would say that. They said you only knew them for a moon, a month... and to just obey their orders."
"This- this is... I don't... Instructor Luan, why?"
"Hmm, your master is a very proud person. I doubt they want you to see their... state right now."
A cold suspicion then entered Shi Jin's mind, "what more did that tavern wench do to my master? I will strangle them!"
Luan put her hands in front of her, "before I answer that, I need you to tell me what happened. Lord Chai has been dodging my questions, and both Wang and Gu's accounts are rather... biased."
He told her everything that happened, with Luan Tingyu nodding, shaking her head, and wincing at certain points. When he finished, she sat there for a while, deep in thought.
She then stood up, and said, "on behalf of Gu Dasao..."
Then, Luan immediately ketoued on the ground, "Tingyu apologizes for that idiot's behavior! You were unjustly struck, and I will deal with that tiger accordingly."
"Eh eh? Please stand Instructor Luan!" Shi Jin cried, "you have no need to do this... Far better for that woman to apologize than you."
Rising, she responded, "I don't trust them within five feet of either you or Wang Jin... I should have forced myself to stay and ensure there was no incident! Yet, Sun Li, Lord Chai, and I had to calm the rest of the villagers down so they would not cause an incident upon seeing Wang Sheng. They thought Wang Jin was responsible for Wang Sheng's state. No no, still, you are not at fault, I am."
"What? I disagree on so many points," Shi Jin said, "It was my responsibility and I failed at it. You came to visit Master's mother. Also, Master has been treating their mother so well... makes me wish I treated my dad better."
"I believe that if you hadn't identified yourself to Gu Dasao, they would've slung mud at each other for quite a while before they had their private conversation. I would then have arrived and stopped any incidents from happening. I think Gu wasn't going to attack your master if you were played a more convincing attendant of Lord Chai, while Wang Jin most likely feared you'd be targeted by Gu once the master-apprentice relationship became known, which resulted in the insulting of Gu's husband to make Gu focus on your master."
Shi Jin retorted, "no ketou needed then, Instructor Luan! I should have been a better log-cutter-"
She raised her hand in front of him, halting his speech, "I still believe I'm at fault, aah, but let us not talk about that anymore.
"Your account adds up to what I heard from both Gu and Wang, once you filter out the colorful language," she sighed, "I thought I convinced Gu that your master had changed, but it seems your master still holds a grudge. Gu now thinks I'm biased. I thought a dozen years would've drained their enmity. Should've known better! But now I'm beginning to see why they both despise each other."
He agreed. He understood hate, but hating someone for years on end? Why would two grown people still hold such hostility? That was something he wanted to ask, but now he was more curious about what happened after he was knocked out. Why did his master not want him to see her?
"Why do they despise each other?" he asked.
"Gu hates your master because they once saw your master as a hero, became revolted at who Wang Jin became, still wanted to be acknowledged by Wang Jin, and got rejected in the end even after proving themselves. Rejection sucks, as you know, but I also suspect, and I know the Mother Tiger will never admit to this, but I believe Gu Dasao wanted to become your master's apprentice, even though their age was only three years apart. So, when they learned that Wang Jin had apprentices, Gu became even more outraged.
"As for why your master despises Gu... that is much more complicated."
"But how badly is Master wounded right now?" Shi Jin suddenly asked, "do you know what happened after I was knocked out?"
Luan gave a small smile, "I too feared for your master. As you saw, Gu broke Wang's right orbital bone and gave quite a few bruises to Wang's face and body. But really, after you were knocked out, the fight became more even, and I believe had we not intervened, your master would have outlasted Gu, though it would've been close. It seems your master developed a technique called 'eagle claw' that we never saw before. Impressive, particularly with her injuries and... condition."
"Serves that one right!" he responded, glad that Gu felt the same pain he did when his arms were seized by his master and then his joints were locked and twisted every which way, "I cannot wait until I meet Gu again, for I shall-"
She cut Shi Jin's words short, "you. Shall. Not. Challenge nor attack Gu Dasao."
"Why?! You're dueling my master soon! Can I not challenge that wench too?"
"Two different things!" Luan said, raising her voice, then looked around in panic as she motioned Shi Jin to lower his voice. She then hissed, "for one, your master broke Gu's nose and dislocated their right wrist. So, unless you lack honor, you will not duel them."
"Hmph, I do have honor-"
"Second, your master screamed at me when I wanted to cancel our duel. You think I'm honorless? I do not wish to duel your master anymore! But this... they want to save face now."
"Are you not your own person?" hissed back Shi Jin, "just say no!"
Shi Jin then saw her avert her gaze, and an aggrieved expression appeared on her face. He heard naught but the sounds of grasshoppers, night birds, and other insects outside.
"... how much do you know of our past?" she asked, turning her gaze back at Shi Jin, "what has your master told about me?"
Shi Jin explained to her that Wang Jin thought of Luan, the "Invincible Iron Staff," as a warrior that not even 10,000 soldiers could slay. That she was practically the only childhood left of hers and also witnessed Wang Jin's slaying of the troll. When he was done, Luan Tingyu waited for a few more seconds as if expecting him to continue.
"Is that all?" she asked, apparent confusion on her brow.
"... yes," Shi Jin slowly responded, "was there supposed to be more? Did my master leave out something?"
He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a hurt expression on Luan's face. That was only a moment though, as her expression relaxed.
"... I see now," she responded with a faded smile, shaking her head, "the Little King has their reasons."
"Okay," Shi Jin said, wondering what this was all about, but deciding not to inquire further.
She paused for a few seconds, then, as if making up her mind regarding something, she said, "I don't want you to misunderstand, Shi Jin, and since you're Wang Jin's apprentice, I want you to understand our context... where we came from, and why we are who we are. Do you wish to listen, Shi Jin, to learn more about our village?"
He always wondered about his master's home and how she became strong. It could not just be eating curds and whey. At the same time though, did his master want Shi Jin to learn this information? Particularly from somebody else?
"I do, but... would my master approve of this?"
Luan Tingyu smirked and said, "if it prevents you from interfering in the duel, yes. And even if your master did not approve...
"I can hold my own against my old friend, and they know it."
Shi Jin then hesitatingly assented, adjusting himself to be more comfortable as he prepared to listen to Luan's tale.
"You should probably be eating while I tell you of our village. I'm not sure how good you are with maps, so let me explain where Xining Village is located first and its importance to the empire..."
Shi Jin was map illiterate, but as he ate the fruit, seeds, and fish, he tried his best to listen to her words. He learned their village was located near the northwest of the Empire in a mountain basin river valley 20 leagues east of the Northern Bow of the Western Mountains. The Western Mountains were shaped like a drawn composite bow aiming eastward, hence why geographic sections of the mountains were labeled "Northern bow," "Central bow," and "Southern bow." The Northern Bow formed a geographic corridor with the vast Last Desert to its north, the village being near the main non-mountainous entryway into the Empire itself. The mountain passes were guarded by both the Empire and the Dwarves, so the Wainriders' chariots could not easily pass through. The southern bow of the Western Mountains was directly connected with the Southwestern Mountains that formed much of the border between the Eastern Empire and Kehandi. The village was known as Xining, "Western Tranquility," once a city but due to various civil wars and other conflicts over the years, became just a village.
All this information would have made Shi Jin fall asleep if not for the food that he was eating. The berries were ripe, freshly picked, as if from the mountains themselves, and tasted mostly sweet with a bit of sourness to them. The seeds, meanwhile, tasted pleasant and were easy to bite through, its shells edible as well. Finally, the roasted mackerel was delicious, its scales being removed so that the skin was crispy and flavorful with spice while the meat was tender and slightly sweet.
"... maybe I should just get to the point and tell you our village was in a very dangerous place with dangerous creatures and located near the only route the Wainriders would dare ride into," Luan said with a forced smile, "were you listening at all to what I was saying?"
"Sorry, the food is quite scrumptious. Did you not want me to dine? But I was listening, something about bows, mountains, and Wainriders," reassured Shi Jin.
"Uh-huh, maybe you should learn to both eat and at least smile and nod at my words," admonished Luan, "pay more attention... and I'll tell you how I gave your master a black eye."
"... What?!"
"We're a long way from that though, so let me continue," smirked Luan Tingyu.
Thus Shi Jin was more careful in maintaining eye contact while he continued to eat, as he listened to her speak.
She pointed out that, unlike Shi Family Village, Xining Village was comprised of many different families, as much of the village included refugees from raided and destroyed settlements. While Shi Family Village had the fortune of being located within a forest and near the main East-West Road, a road the Wainriders rarely raided, Xining was on the Empire's outskirts and in the open plains, making it a prime location to raid.
"Your master's birth came at a most unfortunate time," Luan said, "though I wasn't there, that was when the village lost much of its livestock and people, as Wang Sheng, the Arms Instructor, was pregnant with your master and couldn't defend the village without risking the birth. I heard there were quite a few villagers who said 'that woman' betrayed the village, that Wang Sheng shirked duty and selfishly chose their child over the Empire.
"But of course, Wang Sheng's husband was quite the fearsome one as well, with an anger that could light the heavens on fire. The villagers dared not insult your master's mother in public, but in private... well..."
At this, Luan paused and sighed.
"Why do you pause? What did the villagers do to them?"
She looked warily behind her at the door, as if suspicious that someone was eavesdropping, then she said the following:
"... it got to a point where Wang Sheng almost left the village."
"That bad?!" asked Shi Jin.
"When you're a forthright person and you hear people talk behind your back, eventually it'll build up to a very unhealthy point and... Wang Sheng is very honest and can get very angry when crossed. Wang Jin's father... some tales said that your master's father once stopped a tornado by simply yelling at it. So, what our Village Arms Instructor did next was quite surprising:
"Wang Sheng gave a speech to the entire village. The instructor did not speak in anger, though... but in praise. Said they were proud of each villager, not only for their martial growth but personal growth as well. Wang Sheng specifically addressed each one that was present, pointed out what made them special, and gave them high compliments. Then, Wang said the family was going to visit the capital in order to personally give an update on their village. Since it was winter, the arms instructor could take a vacation, because nobody expected a Wainrider raid to happen in the winter. Not a lot of food for their steeds. Those attacks were rare. But the thing was... Wang Sheng, outside of pregnancy, never took a vacation. So, to the villagers, it was heavily implied that they weren't just visiting, but moving to Dongjing. Your master's mother ignored all the pleadings for them to stay and asserted that they trusted the villagers to defend their home.
"Guess what happened after they left?"
"A Wainrider raid?" asked Shi Jin, mouth full of seeds and berries.
"Yes," responded Luan Tingyu with a grimace, "Wang Sheng was given a message by the Elven Scribe in Dongjing to immediately head back. By some foul luck, we had a mild winter, so during the end of the New Year celebrations, the Wainriders sent in a raiding party, razing villages left and right in the Upper Bow Corridor. They killed and stole so many horses, cows, kine, sheep, women, and children.
"... and that is where my story begins, Shi Jin. I was not born in Xining, but in one of the villages near the entrance of the Upper Bow Corridor."
"Wait," interrupted Shi Jin, "how is it that you know of events that occurred before you came to the village?"
"Aah, you are listening. Good," Luan commented, "I became one of Wang Sheng's apprentices and became a close confidant. There's a reason why I became Xining's next Village Instructor after Wang Sheng retired, after all.
"But my story... well... I was but eight years old, celebrating with my parents during the Lantern Festival. It was..." She paused and blinked, "... the snowflake lanterns were...
"I liked it whenever it snowed that day because..."
Luan halted her words again, and Shi Jin stopped eating, concerned now at the instructor.
She waited a few seconds, breathed out a few times, her countenance gradually darkening with each breath, then she said in a hoarse voice, "they burned our houses, slaughtering anything in the way, taking the young women, even the pregnant ones, and kidnapped the children. They were sending a message to the Empire... give us your children or we will take them or create them out of your women."
Luan Tingyu then stood from her seat, turning her back from Shi Jin, but before he could ask her what was wrong, he heard the bitterness in her voice, "I learned from Wang Sheng that the Wainriders had their own homes attacked by their own slaves. Their women, elderly, and children were slaughtered like pigs by those defecting to the Giants of the West. That the Wainriders don't want us to blame them for the raids, but the Giants of the West. Hmph! What nonsense!"
She then turned around, and Shi Jin saw a ferocity in her eyes, anger on her brow, with mouth forming disgust that matched the scars on her face. All Shi Jin could do was listen, as her raw anger froze him.
"Each day... I remember when those beasts charged in during our celebrations. Used our lanterns as weapons as they lit our entire village on fire. M-my... 24 long years... 24 years and I still miss- miss my-"
Luan's eyes widened; mouth slightly agape as she suddenly stopped speaking. And though she was looking at Shi Jin, it felt like she no longer regarded his existence. Such was her countenance, a mask frozen in horror.
"Instructor Luan, are you alright?" asked Shi Jin in concern. This was all too familiar to the time Shi Jin and Wang Jin stopped at the temple and Wang Jin was stuck in a trance speaking of her horrifying memories.
She blinked a few times, lowering her eyes to her bosom, and rapidly shaking her head. She looked up and smiled at him.
"I appreciate your concern, Shi Jin, but I'm fine. It used to be much worse; I'm sure your master would attest to that. But if you could give me a moment to compose myself..."
There she sat silent, fidgeting with her fingers, her gaze distant as if recalling distant memories. She seemed to hold a neutral gaze, but Shi Jin was troubled. What Luan Tingyu and Wang Jin held in common was that they both had memories they did NOT want to recall. As if merely remembering them would put them in some trance. And part of him was guilty that he almost let Luan lose herself in her memories. She did mention that it was worse in the past, that Wang Jin bore witness to what sorrow and pain he could barely imagine. That was when his master's words in Plum Blossom Village resurfaced in his brain:
"I have seen too many villagers and soldiers shrivel up before my eyes, screaming long into the night, losing and killing themselves even though they survived their fight! To feel the guilt of being the survivor, knowing that your friends have passed on to places you know not. That is when you must think of yourself as a hero! To justify your actions! To justify your continued existence in this world!"
"I can get Lord Chai if you wish," he suddenly said, "the elf can-"
"No," responded Luan Tingyu, "I already know what Lord Chai will say: look towards the future in hope. Remember the past but not dwell on the bad memories, for they can twist and consume us. We are not elves, and our fate is to leave this Earth... to one day meet our loved ones again in the next life."
She then walked towards the open window, adding, "childhood is meant to be a happy time, is it not? Mine was ripped away that evening. My whole family... dead... or taken somewhere I know not. I became a war orphan, a refugee. I still know not how we survivors made it to Xining Village. We ran through grass and snow, there was no rest, but we followed elves that protected us, encouraged us, and gave us spirit. They kept us together, what was left of us... How did we even survive the trip?"
Shi Jin looked at her in pity. He heard of the hardships of the far villages but seeing it still affected one as strong as Luan Tingyu... he knew not how to describe it, but he no longer felt hungry.
Then more words from Wang Jin resurfaced in his brain:
"That is when you must think of yourself as a hero! To justify your actions! To justify your continued existence in this world!"
"You are a hero, Instructor Luan. Master Wang says so, and I believe it. Even when you were a child-"
"I never wanted to be one," Luan said, turning and sitting in the same chair she sat on minutes ago, "but I had to be one. There must have been a reason I survived, after all. Even when I was a fresh refugee, no more than eight, wroth filled me. When the Wainriders eventually raided Xining, I snuck out of the shelter they put us in, grabbed a staff, and fought them."
Shi Jin was both parts disturbed and impressed that an eight-year-old would show so much courage... or idiocy. But given that said child had grown up and was speaking to him right now...
"Really? So that must be where your heroism started, avenging your-"
Luan bitterly chuckled, "absolutely not! Though maybe it helped with the grief... It was one of the dumbest things I've ever done! You see this scar right here?" Luan leaned closer, gesturing at a jagged, twisted scar that ran diagonally across the face, "first Wainrider I saw, they disarmed me and slashed my face. Painful! Left me for dead."
"Then how did you live?" Shi Jin asked incredulously.
"I don't know," she said, "the next thing I remember I was screaming for my parents in an infirmary tent."
Shi Jin's eyes lowered in pity, and he was going to say some comforting words, but Luan held up her hand and added, "but what I later found out was that in our most dire hour, when the village's palisades and defenses were collapsing, Wang Sheng returned with a great host of both humans and elves, driving the Wainriders from Xining Village, slaughtering the lot of them, and chasing them until they retreated back into the west. I wish I could have seen it... for what I did next was... not one of my wisest decisions."
"Did you chase after the Wainriders?"
"No... that would've made more sense," she responded, sighing, "imagine this... during a celebratory feast where everyone was eating and drinking merrily, a heavily bandaged child walks up to you, tips over your drink, and challenges you to a duel in front of everyone."
"... who did you challenge?" Shi Jin asked with raised brows.
"I challenged Wang Sheng, the Village Arms Instructor to a duel. The one who had just returned and driven off the Wainriders."
"Wh- why?"
She stayed silent for a few seconds as she merely stared at him. Feeling uncomfortable, Shi Jin averted his eyes until she spoke again, "tell me, why do you think I challenged them, young one?"
It was an unexpected question. One that he was not prepared for, so he took a few moments to think about this. Eventually, he answered:
"I mean, I would be distraught and angry that a valiant one like master's mother was not there for my village. Was it the same for you?"
She gave a soft smile at him, "not only that but when I heard that they were partying in the capital during the Lantern Festival instead of celebrating with their own villagers... I snapped. As injured as I was, I walked straight up to the table where Wang Sheng sat, shoved a child to the floor who was in my way, tipped over Wang Sheng's drink, and loudly requested to fight with the Village Arms Instructor."
"And they accepted? Wait a moment, the child, that was..."
Luan nodded, "before the Arms Instructor could respond, I was suddenly tackled to the ground by said child. For I had shoved none other than six-year-old Wang Jin, who immediately attacked me. But even as your master gouged, clawed, and struck at my re-opened wounds, I fought back and gave your master a nasty shiner. They hadn't learned to fight yet, but I had begun my training already. Still, a messy scrap between two children who... uhh... couldn't really fight. It took longer than it should've to separate us because multiple people had to prevent Wang Jin's Father from hacking me into bits with an unsheathed axe. Rather chaotic.
"And that was how I met your master. Good first impression, huh?"
Shi Jin looked at her as if she were a lunatic, "no," he flatly responded, "how in the world did you and Master Wang become friends? And was this the duel that you and master did not finish?"
"A disappointing duel that would have been! Not worthy of song but scorn. A scuffle between two kids? Bah!" she replied, "that night I became Wang Sheng's apprentice. They were impressed at my courage, though lectured me on my foolishness. But... it was not really by choice. Your master's mother threatened eternal imprisonment and hard labor in the nearest city jail if I declined... It wasn't wise to punch out the daughter of an Arms Instructor, after all, particularly in front of the magistrate and village elder too. How could I exact vengeance on Wainriders inside of a prison? No choice in the matter!"
The more Shi Jin learned about Wang Sheng, the more he understood certain... traits of his master. At least Wang Jin gave him a choice in becoming their apprentice.
"Your master and I became friends once cooler heads prevailed," continued Luan Tingyu, "they were sympathetic to my tale... albeit still annoyed that I made them scream for their mom and dad in front of everyone. Years later Wang Jin told me that few would dare try to challenge Wang Sheng, and that earned your master's respect.
"Your master and I were birds of a feather: strong sense of honor, belief in righteousness and benevolence, along with the drive to exceed our potential. As you may know, Shi Jin, we women are supposed to begin conditioning and strengthening our bones and muscles starting at the age of seven. Old mandate from the First Emperor of the Eastern Empire, who wanted us to become strong so we could defend our home, survive childbearing, and bear strong children. Unlike quite a few men who may be naturally gifted, not the childbearing but becoming strong, we had to work harder at gaining such raw strength. Hard work alone wouldn't have worked. But it just so happened, both Wang Jin and I developed a solid foundation and technique in our childhood years before most others in our village. This made us lift heavier objects, run longer distances, and gave us a several-year head-start compared to others of our age. Nutrition was no issue either, as we ate plenty of food. Being an apprentice to an Arms Instructor had its perks, after all.
"We trained day and night, not only our fists and feet but our arms and legs too. We first started with wooden posts, then stone posts, and then eventually each other. We practiced falling on the ground and getting back up, something your master specifically learned from watching professional wrestlers. When we sparred, we hit each other hard, knowing that our future enemies would have no mercy on us. But at the same time, we healed each other's wounds, shared our techniques together, talked together, ran together, rode together, ate together... When we worked side-by-side on corvée missions, nothing could stop us from achieving our goals. We both could take hits from the strongest in our village... such was our pain tolerance, and return them tenfold. Now imagine if we trained during peacetime and had more meat like we have now?
"By the time we grew up, nobody in our village, aside from Wang Sheng, was superior to us in fighting. There were people like Sun Li (another one of Wang Sheng's apprentices) and later Gu Dasao, of course, that could give us a challenge. Still, we were the best of our village, model apprentices, future leaders defending against the Empire's enemies."
This mostly made sense to Shi Jin. He saw how early his fellow villagers began their training, as he was one of them. But he could honestly say that few in his village could even compare to Gu Dasao, let alone Wang Jin and Luan Tingyu. Perhaps it was the difference in where they lived. Shi Family Village was rarely raided by... anyone really, but in Xining Village... one needed to be tough in order to survive. It just so happened that both Wang Jin and Luan Tingyu figured out how to do so quicker than others.
There were a few details though that did not match up with his view of his master. Thus, he responded:
"I wish to exceed my limitations like you two have, but... you said my master believed in honor, righteousness, and benevolence. Yet, they assert that I be deceptive, that honor would get me killed. I am confused..."
"Hmm," she responded with furrowed brow, "that I need to think about a little because I need to be careful with my words. I'll be back. My throat is a little dry, I'm going to get us some water and handle my business. No alcohol for you with your headache!"
"I swear, your master drinks too much!" complained Luan Tingyu once she returned with vessels of mountain water, "I go to your master's room and they complain about me getting them water instead of wine... and not just any wine, Du Kang wine! Said I'm playing 'mind games' before our duel, like that makes any sense! But then again..." and her words trailed off as she paused a few seconds, sighed, and poured a goblet of water for Shi Jin. This did not go unnoticed by him.
"Master is still awake? Have they talked to you about what happened a few weeks ago?" asked Shi Jin.
Luan almost overflowed the goblet with water as she responded, "who? Your master? Lord Chai? Wu Song?"
"Master Wang," he replied, sensing that perhaps Luan was buying time for a response since it was pretty obvious who he was talking about!
"... they have," she said as she concentrated on pouring some of the excess water out, "have they told you?"
"No... can you tell me?"
"Nuh-uh, you'll have to hear it from your master," Luan said, offering the goblet of water to Shi Jin.
As tempting as it was to just whack the goblet out of her hand, he knew that it was incredibly unwise to dare offend the "Invincible Iron Staff".
"Hmph!" he grunted, taking the goblet and drinking the lukewarm water, "Instructor Wang has not told me anything! It is frustrating... I want to help, but yet they threaten me when I offer it!"
"I know it's frustrating," assuaged Luan, "but you have to understand your master. You've only known each other for a month. I've known the Little King since we brawled as children. Maybe I can help out with that by telling you why Instructor Wang became more cynical and less trusting throughout their life, such that they adopted deception as their main tactic."
He nodded, adjusted himself on his bed, and prepared to listen.
Luan Tingyu continued, saying that the change was gradual. When they were children, Wang Jin woke up with a smile every day, ready to put in the utmost effort to not only improve themselves but the village as well. She was the daughter of the Village Arms Instructor, after all, and had a lot to live up to. Wang Jin wanted to be a Grand Marshal one day, and, before Luan entered the village, became friends with quite a few of the young children who all aspired to be model heroes of the Empire. Wang Jin believed that honor and benevolence were pivotal in being a model leader and warrior. That was why she did not bear a grudge against the other for their scuffle in the feast because Luan challenged Wang Sheng in the spirit of justice.
Then as time went on, each of those friends one-by-one either perished or became permanently crippled, being sent to safer regions of the Empire to either retire or contribute in other ways besides manual labor. At the same time, both men and women challenged Wang Jin, who found it harder and harder to simply rely on brute force to win. They were pulling at her hair, fighting dirty, and Wang Jin was beginning to tire of it. She began looking behind her back more and more, and with every day the smiles became rarer, the laughter less joyful, and the more wine was drunk. There was less mention of "benefiting the Empire" and more mention of "defending the village." Then eventually, it changed from "defending the village," to "improving herself."
This mostly made sense to Shi Jin. The amount of loss and death alone was something he could not fathom. Though he wondered why Luan did not undergo a similar personality change, which led to him asking her that.
Luan Tingyu smiled for a moment, "a good question, Shi Jin," then she averted his gaze with a distant frown, "I felt the loss too. They were my friends as well, though your Master was closer to them. But... and I don't mean any disrespect to them, I miss them every day as well. But compared to the... loss of my parents... the loss of my family, how can I say this without being an ass? I'll skip that and just say I was more concerned for your master than myself. Those friends were precious to Wang Jin, and my friend blamed themselves for a lot of their deaths. Especially the troll incident.
"Do not interrupt me Shi Jin, for I need you to imagine this event clearly and you'll understand why I worried for your master:
"I heard the screams of victims echoing through the caverns as we rushed from passageway to passageway. I kept on yelling 'Wang Jin! Wang Jin!'. The response was the cracking of bones, the screams becoming death rattles, and the tearing of flesh. Soon, the caves trembled, the ceiling shook above us, and we heard the sound of falling rocks. We saw where they were, but now the entrance into the troll cavern was sealed, save for an opening we could see through. I rushed there and heard your master wail, and it was a noise that I never wanted to hear again. I saw through the gap the troll grabbed ahold of Wang Jin's arm. At the same time as I screamed at the beast to let my friend go, your master hurled a spear straight through one of the troll's eyes. A damned sure javelin throw that I've ever seen.
"By the time we opened up the entrance, I rushed in, embracing my friend, who had sat with head bowed in exhaustion. But Wang Jin did not respond to me. I had expected your master to scream at me for taking them away from their slain friends. But all your Master said was, 'all gone... all gone,' then I-"
She paused for a few seconds, as if to compose herself, then continued, "I said I was here, that I would... well, always be there. They then asked me not to leave, and then I... umm... Shi Jin, it gets rather sappy from here. I'll just say-"
"Shi Jin does not mind the sappiness."
"A delight to hear that! But I've gotten off-track," Luan then breathed loudly, then continued, "the point is, the passing and departure of your master's friends played a big part, and I fear Wang Jin never did desire to replace them with new friends. Your master found solace in wine, though for a time I noticed after a mission investigating missing villagers, they stopped drinking for a while."
"Is it true then?" Shi Jin asked, "what Gu said about my master being friendless, except for you, and wanting everyone in the village to be like my master?"
It took a few seconds for Luan Tingyu to respond, as she closed her eyes, lowered her head, and placed her forehead on one of her hands.
"... Yes... and no," she finally replied, "just because your master's friends were gone, didn't mean they didn't exist. And I... I also was getting increasingly agitated at your master's behavior towards the villagers. I could see a change in how Wang Jin trained them, particularly the women. The insults, the barbs, the demands. I had to comfort so many crying girls who felt they couldn't contribute anything to our village. Even the boys too. But unlike Gu, I talked with your master when we were alone... or argued as time went on, and I could tell they still truly cared for the villagers, and I understood your master's point:
We'd either get killed or eventually grow old. It would be up to the future generation to defend Xining. Not only did the men need to be tough, but everyone needed to be tough. I truly believe though that your master wanted our villagers to become their own people... it just wasn't apparent during drill instruction.
There is also more to the first fight between Gu Dasao and your master. As you may know, Gu blindsided your master-"
"Honorless wench!"
She rolled her eyes, drinking out of her own goblet. Then, she explained again that when Gu started training, Gu wanted to become just like Wang Jin. But as the years went by, as Wang Jin changed, Gu's regard lessened. She saw how Wang Jin treated her peers, particularly Sun Xin, and it pissed her off. Unlike Luan, who could interact with his future master, Gu had no such opportunity with Wang Jin. The two of them rarely interacted as both had differing corvée times in the year. Luan Tingyu's corvée assignments overlapped with both of them, which meant she could see Gu train and even instruct her on strength training, conditioning, and fighting. Still, even when the young fighter promised to cave "Bully Wang's" face in, she wanted to find some way to impress her and at the same time, cement her place in the village.
"I tried to get your master to acknowledge them, but to no avail," Luan added, "one look at Gu and your master's mind was made up: that they weren't worthy of attention."
She paused, looking to the side, "this... angered me. We had another argument, ended up yelling at each other's faces... and I stormed out. I no longer spoke kindly of your master to other villagers.
"It was around that time that Gu and their cousins, the Xie brothers, went outside of the village to hunt. It was nearing the New Year, in which everyone was home in the village, not having any corvée duty. Then one day, they came back with a full-grown bear carcass, claiming that Gu did most of the work slaying the beast. Many in Xining praised Gu, gifting them the nickname, 'Mother Tiger (母大蟲).' Some though, whispered that it was the Xie brothers that did most of the work and that Gu merely scavenged the remains like a bug. Hence why they also called Gu 'Mother of Big Bugs (母大蟲).' Sadly, your master believed the latter to my utter annoyance.
"What has your master told you about that fight?"
Shi Jin recounted what Instructor Wang said when they were in Shi Family Village. That insults were exchanged, they agreed to a fight, and then she was ambushed by a bowl to the back of the head. A brawl ensued, Gu kept on breaking his master's guard and hit them in the face quite a few times. Then finally his master let her have one final glancing blow in, and then promptly performed an athletic maneuver to dislocate Gu's elbow and struck her until she gave up.
He frankly expected Luan to shake her head or frown, saying something akin to how his master was a flat-out liar, that the fight was more one-sided and that his master was lucky to not get knocked out.
But to his surprise, she warmly smiled and it reached her eyes, "I know the Little King left out quite a lot, but still, what you said was something the Wang Jin of old would've never admitted. I'm glad you told me this, Shi Jin."
Her expression saddened, her tone more biting as it carried forth anger and sadness, "were that your master even said that when I confronted them! When I visited them in the infirmary all those years ago after the first fight with Gu... It was a terrible argument we had... I was tired of Wang Jin's stubbornness. I did not want them to continue these fights, because there were other ways to prove strength, to prove that we women could be strong in different ways too. And it was hurting your master! The wounds that I had to see, each fight felt like it took more and more out of them. Each fall they took... each blow smashing into their body and face... Your master insisted that they were fine, everything was going to plan, that they only pretended to be hurt... keep in mind their face was swollen at the time. They said my ideals were some fantasy, that this cursed world favored 'might over right,' and that it was the mighty that made the rules on what was right and wrong in the end. That those who could fight should fight well or not fight at all. The words your master said!
"That was when I realized that I could no longer... the child Wang Jin that believed in benevolence, righteousness, and honor... The one who helped me with my own grief when I was weak, that person was gone, replaced by a flagellant cynic who would mock me for my past grief if they could. A fool who would waste their time picking fights with people they were supposed to protect. I had enough of it, so I screamed at your master, and they screamed back. The venom we spewed I shall not repeat here. Wang Sheng had to physically separate us."
"... then you had a duel?" he asked. It was hard to listen to the disintegration of such a great friendship, and Shi Jin was really unsure of what to feel. Whether to feel pity or anger at the Wang Jin of 12 years ago, to empathize with Luan Tingyu, or blindly defend his master. The more he learned of his master's past, the less he wanted to hear, not because it was boring, but because it was just so... so sad.
She did not answer for a time, choosing instead to fill her goblet with more water. He wondered if it was something too uncomfortable now for her to talk about, as it seemed as if she just ignored the question.
But finally, she responded, "... we stopped speaking with each other for some time. Then one day I accepted a private meeting with your master. I thought that we would finally resolve things and we could work together again to improve the village and remind Wang Jin that their heart was in the right place, but just needed to modify the criticisms and give more praise.
"Then your master told me that they were going to Dongjing to become an Arms Instructor."
She then sighed, looked up, and shook her head.
"We both shouted words we regretted that day. I yelled that they were leaving... the village, deserting... the villagers, that... Xining meant nothing to Wang Jin. Your master yelled that... no. I will not repeat what they said here. We ended up screaming in each other's faces, and then your master slapped me. I punched your master, almost breaking their jaw. They then tackled me to the ground, but unlike when we were children during that feast, we knew how to fight and it would've ended with one of us beating the other to death if not for the village elves rushing in, separating us, because of course they were keeping an eye on us. I suspect Wang Sheng knew what was going on. Your master spat in my face, challenging me to a duel. I spat back and accepted.
"The duel itself... was worthy of song to everyone but those that knew us well. For had it not suddenly downpoured... one of us would not be here today. It..."
Then she suddenly stopped talking, looked at him, and said, "I will not speak more on that fight. Yet, know that although we're finishing something that started long ago, it does not carry hatred anymore. No one's dying tomorrow, just a friendly competition to decide who's better with staves. Know that your master and I will finish our duel tomorrow... or perhaps the day after. The weather might be uncooperative yet again."
"I... I want to know what happened though! Specifics!" cried Shi Jin, "am I not learning how did you reconcile with my master? You two seem very close now."
"Indeed we are. But you must rest, as headaches are a pain! I will say this though..." she said as she placed an arm on Shi Jin's shoulder, "I reconciled with your master in Dongjing when I escorted a retiring Wang Sheng to the capital and saw your master's teaching in person. Gu never saw what I saw. Through that tough exterior, the fact that your master even had pupils, has you as one, sharing their techniques, their secrets, with others, shows that there still is the old Wang Jin in there, buried under the years of misery."
That was a relief, but he wondered whether Luan knew of how he was being treated by Wang Jin the past few weeks. It felt like he was being subjected to the Wang Jin that Luan fought, rather than the current Wang Jin.
There was another matter he wondered about.
"Then why does my master hate Gu then?"
"Because your master..." Luan said, fidgeting with her fingers, then finally looked firmly at Shi Jin, "your master now thinks the fight with Gu accelerated their desire to move into the capital."
"Makes no sense! Surely, my master would've brought that part up in Shi Family Village! Why would they hate someone for that? Did they not become Head Arms Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000? Meet their future apprentices? Reconciled with you in the city? Give their mom a comfortable retirement? I do not understand."
"If your master hasn't explained it to you, then I shall not," replied Luan as she stood and began walking to the exit, "it's not for me to tell."
"But Instructor Luan," he replied, standing up, "can you not give me a hint?"
She turned around and was about to say something, but then swiftly shook her head, "... no, I will not.
"Look at it from my point of view," she said, eyes reflecting starlight from the window, "I lost your master once... by my own hand, in fact. I don't want that to happen again, so I'll not betray their trust."
Shi Jin had no proper response to that. They said their goodnights and with the sliding of the door, Luan Tingyu left the room, answering many questions but raising quite a few in his head. Throughout the night he tossed and turned, and would wake up groggy the next day.
The next morning, he awoke, his eyes slowly opening. Then he blinked a few times, as he saw someone already in his room, waiting for him to wake up.
Who is it that is already in Shi Jin's infirmary? What of Luan Tingyu and Wang Jin's duel? To find those answers, please read the next chapter.