Chapter 14: The Tale of Wang Jin Finale- On Death

Seven days before Chai Jin rode out to meet Wang Jin...

Dongjing, Third Age Year 1934

The Day After Wang Jin Left Dongjing

Military Assembly Hall

Grand Marshal Gao Qiu had several announcements. The first was that supplies of copper, tin, iron, flaming medicine, and some of the emperor's own alcohol were going to be transported to the Last Desert's Garrison. Lin Chong always wondered what weapons the garrison used to fight off the wereworms, as it was a heavily guarded secret known only by the garrison and the emperor themselves. In the past, she guessed that they made extra-sharp weapons that would split through those beasts' scales like a knife through hot lard. But whenever she brought the topic up with Head Instructor Wang, the latter would point out that if that was the case, carbon would be sent as well.

Oh right, former Instructor Wang, she thought miserably, stealing a glance once again at the empty seat where her former master would sit. Part of her expected Wang Jin to noisily enter at any time in the hall, making up some lie about stopping a brawl on a street, declaring that her mother was cured and that she was going to remain Head Arms Instructor for eternity. Then, the Grand Marshal would have a stroke and die. Marshal Su Yuanjing would finally stop being passed over and then become the new Grand Marshal. Then Lu Junyi would... no, best that Lu Junyi did not appear at all. Finally, at the end of the day, Lin Chong, Wang Jin, and a healthy Shi Wengong would drink a whole tavern dry in the evening. Her husband would tag along of course to make sure that there was no property damage.

Her left arm once again was struck, and Lin Chong winced. Shi Wengong decided to sit next to her today, which was a welcome surprise. What was not a welcome surprise was that the Archer Instructor kept forcing her to pay attention to the meeting, which was making her arm sore because Shi Wengong hit hard. Just as expected from the Archer Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000! Contrary to some people's thoughts, being a great archer required equally great strength.

Whatever small glare that Lin Chong held dissipated as she saw the state of the Archer General. The corners of her eyes were red, and the dark circles underneath said eyes were more pronounced. Her face was the palest hue that she had seen in a long time. Clearly, she took Wang Jin's departure harder than Lin Chong, which was saying a lot.

"Lance Instructor Lin!" Gao Qiu suddenly barked.

"Uh, yes, Grand Marshal?" Lin Chong responded.

"Pay attention!"

"M-my apologies, Grand Marshal... sir," she stammered.

"... I'll accept your apology when you prove you're paying attention," he huffed as he turned his attention once again toward the assembly, "the next announcement is that Zeng Family Fortress requires a new Arms Instructor. I have decided to appoint the new one."

That was surprising to Lin Chong. What happened to the old one?

"Grand Marshal Gao," interrupted Marshal Su Yuanjing, standing and bowing, "may I suggest we consult on this new appointment as a group? The frontier is of utmost importance to our Empire."

"Suggestion noted. But as the Emperor gave me the assignment, I have made my decision," Gao Qiu said dismissively amidst a smattering of stunning chatter from the rest of the assembly, "Archer Instructor Shi Wengong?"

Lin Chong snapped her head left in surprise, seeing that her old friend also held a shocked expression. Then Wengong's face returned to a neutral expression as she rose and walked towards the front, clasping her hands and bowing to Gao Qiu.

"Present!" she firmly spoke.

"You are now the new Arms Instructor for Zeng Family Fortress. Please see me after the meeting, I will go over the details with you then."

"Wengong thanks you, Grand Marshal!"

"Please sit."

Internally, Lin Chong jumped up and down inside, feeling immense pride for her friend. Frontier Arms Instructor was a prestigious position in the military, as they were responsible for teaching the outer border people how to fight and defend the Empire, something that was only given to the most trustworthy and competent of instructors. Wang Jin had been offered the position multiple times but denied them each time, perhaps due to her mother. Shi Wengong was perfect for the role, which was why when the now-former, Archer Instructor sat down, Lin Chong reached out and gave her a few pats on the back.

Shi Wengong merely gave her an annoyed stare and gestured with her head toward the front. The Lance Instructor's happiness ebbed a little as she coughed and focused her attention once again on Gao Qiu.

Marshal Su Yuanjing chose at this moment, once again, to interject, "while Shi Wengong is perfectly suitable for the role, this-"

"If Instructor Shi is a perfect candidate, then why question the Grand Marshal?" asked General Tong Guan, raising his eyebrows, "unless you're questioning The Emperor!"

"... You dare-!"

"Enough of this!" said Gao Qiu, "if you wish to give me your objections, do so after the meeting, Marshal Su. Our next topic is an important one: new standards for written reports."

Gao Qiu then pulled out a bound wooden slip scroll, shaking it in the air until it unbound itself so that its contents were revealed to the entire military assembly "this incomprehensible drivel was from your former Head Arms Instructor. This sad excuse for calligraphy is a stain on the Empire since I cannot read it!"

At this point, a softer voice interrupted, "respected Grand Marshal, if I may speak."

Lin Chong turned to her right, seeing the Elven scribe standing with hands clasped and head bowed towards Gao Qiu. It was not often that she heard the elf speak, even being the friend of the tree that Lin Chong talked with.

"You may speak," Gao responded.

"I am familiar with the former Instructor's handwriting; I can rewrite it more to your liking."

The Grand Marshal shook his head, "if I let you do that, then everyone will just write gibberish and expect you to translate their reports. No! I must set the standard as your new Grand Marshal. The calligraphy of these instructors and generals must improve.

"You may sit down now."

Lin Chong could not discern the scribe's expression, as the latter resumed writing down the meeting minutes with precise strokes. If Lin Chong was the scribe, she would have thrown an ink block straight at his face. Could the Grand Marshal not just trust their own word?

Gao Qiu continued, "from this day forward, all of you will practice your writing daily, and if I find one undiscernible mark on your reports, I will cut your salary with every error!"

Audible groans echoed throughout the hall. The Destruction God's shadow grew, seemingly glaring at Gao Qiu.

"Arf arf!" protested Pubu the Dog Constable.

"... except for Pubu," he added in a subdued tone. This did not stop the dog's barks though.

The Elven scribe began to speak, "Pubu is saying-"

"What a CROCK of SHIT!" thundered the very distinctive voice of General Qin Ming. Qin Ming was stationed in the northwest and visited Dongjing, like most others, to attend the first few meetings of the new Grand Marshal. She knew that he carried a very distinctive mace in the shape of a giant black pinecone called a wolf-toothed mace. Lin Chong tried turning around to look at the fiery general, only to be punched in the arm again by Shi Wengong, who gestured with her head again to look forward to the Grand Marshal and not to the dissident.

"Qin Ming, you dare question our Grand Marshal?!" responded General Tong Guan.

More shouting from other generals and marshals ensued. Constable Pubu continued barking. But Lin Chong could not see who was arguing for and against the Grand Marshal's idea. She personally despised Gao Qiu's idea, both at the slight against her mentor and failing to see how perfect calligraphy was relevant to the military, particularly when they had an expert scribe that could read all sorts of handwriting.

She snuck a side glance towards Shi Wengong, who sat with her back straight, her sleep-deprived eyes completely focused as if every word Grand Marshal Gao said were worth 1,000 silver taels. Whatever happiness the Lance Instructor felt for her old friend's promotion was quickly evaporating, as part of her began to wonder what game Wengong was playing. First, she did not speak up for their mentor yesterday but lost sleep over her departure. Now she was apparently sucking up to the very person Wang Jin wanted to castrate, disembowel, and behead, even though she was going to leave for the frontier soon! Lin Chong thought that she at least would be on their mentor's side and not be supportive of whatever Gao Qiu was doing, at least not this openly supportive. Even though the Lance Instructor was willing to give her old friend some leeway due to the fallout of that event, her actions were confusing! Quite frankly, Lin Chong was finding it harder to understand the Archer Instructor's behavior by the day.

Then she remembered Wang Jin's cut hair.

Her right hand went under the table she was sitting behind and formed a fist. The two needed to have a talk over that, and Lin Chong now suspected that the hair was the key to all this. If the conversation went in an unfortunate direction...

Gao Qiu lifted and slammed his seal on the table, silencing all.

"Silence, all of you!" he roared, slamming his seal again, "Seize Qin Ming and give him 20 strikes!"

"You FUCKING HAIRY BALL!" thundered Qin Ming, as the nearby guards hesitated to seize him, even though he was unarmed, "A know-nothing BOOKWORM dares punishes ME?! I shall PUNISH MYSELF!"

"You miserable little swine! I ought to..." then Gao Qiu paused as his eyes seemed to survey the people before him, "fine! But you shall hit yourself 40 times then!"

"I WILL!" thundered Qin Ming, as he stomped all the way to the front of the hall.

"But Grand Marshal, you must assert your authority!" retorted Tong Guan.

"Mmm!" regally intoned General Guan Sheng, utterly confusing Lin Chong on what he was "mmming" to.

"... Just take the 20 strikes, stop yelling, stop cursing, and stop embarrassing yourself," said General Huyan Zhuo, as Lin Chong imagined that he had a hand covering his aged face.

"Arf arf!" barked Constable Pubu. Idly, she wondered why Pubu was still barking. Dogs were not required to write and submit reports, after all. Perhaps Qin Ming kicked his cousin and Pubu wanted to punish him? The northwest general had a tendency to kick first and then ask questions later, after all.

Other people like Marshal Su Yuanjing and the other instructors stayed silent. She wanted to turn around and see their faces, but then Shi Wengong would punch her arm again... or try, as Lin Chong was prepared to block it now, getting tired of her left arm getting struck. Or maybe she would use one of the rigid flaps of her hat to poke her old friend in the cheek.

Regardless, now that Qin Ming promptly began slapping himself in the face, it made it easier for Lin Chong to cast her gaze in front, as she did not want to see the general humiliate himself... the sounds alone provided enough for her imagination.

His self-inflicted punishment and the state of his face afterward shall not be elaborated on further. Qin Ming would later storm out of the meeting hall and return to the northwest to resume his duties.

Meanwhile, Lin Chong for the rest of the meeting kept her eyes forward, though she thought of two people primarily: the friend next to her and a mentor who was probably leagues away from Dongjing.

Outside Cangzhou, 200 Leagues Away From Dongjing, Third Age Year 1934

Eight Days Since Wang Jin Left Dongjing

"I find it surprising, Instructor Wang, that you never asked me why I rode to meet you instead of waiting in Cangzhou."

A sudden cold stilled Wang Jin as suspicion dawned on her. Her body went rigid, but she did her best to calm her heart, closing her eyes and listening for any sudden movements behind her.

"Because of your friendship with my father?" she asked, biding her time as she ran through several rapid-fire scenarios in her head.

"No. Because I've been informed you are technically a wanted criminal in the Empire."

There were many responses Wang Jin expected, half of which would result in her releasing her feet from the stirrups and athletically doing a rotation jump from a horse so that she would be facing Chai Jin, while at the same time unsheathing her sabre at her side, ready to defend herself if need be.

That response was completely unexpected.

Staying on the horse, she turned her head around, seeing a completely serious Lord Chai bearing his eyes through her skull.

She was irate.

"What a load of stupid crap! I haven't violated any laws. I have not done any public indecency, fighting on the main roads, stealing, eating horse or beef, or anything else. I even prepared this year's taxes for them to collect when they will barge into my home. What could I have possibly-"

Her eyes widened in realization.

"Did Shi Wengong pass through Cangzhou, Lord Chai?"

"Hmm, now I wonder how you would know that," he half-asked, raising an eyebrow, "as when the former Archer Instructor stopped by, they only mentioned encountering a 'Short-Tempered Short-Haired Stinky Homeless Wanderer.' I do not smell foulness from you, though I cannot deny the other qualities. Nothing about you specifically, though."

She makes me want to be a criminal, that ghost-faced dog official! I'll knee her in the stomach the next time I see her! angrily thought Wang Jin.

"Well, what did I do wrong then, Lord Chai? Was it littering?" she asked.

He sighed, responding, "if only you had better handwriting..."

WHAT?

"What does that have to do with anything?" she muttered defensively, "did I use the wrong logogram character? Our language sucks ass."

"The opposite actually," he said, "the Grand Marshal could not read your military reports, summoned you by sending a notification to your home to answer for your errors, and you failed to respond within a week. Thus, you have violated military law and are technically a wanted criminal as of today."

That stupid asinine rule... of all the freakin'... "just flay me!"... I'm such an idiot! "Wait how does the elf know?" she rapidly angrily thought.

"You actually said some of that aloud, though few would have heard it," he noted, though not amused.

Elves! she thought as the horse they both rode turned its head, looking at her.

He added, "My source in the capital was quite quick in sending the message... almost as if they knew you already left."

Not Shi Wengong, so it must be either one of two people who tipped him off. One of them being much more likely than the other, she thought more calmly.

"Fine, so I'm a criminal because I have sloppy handwriting," she conceded, "that stupid Gao the Ball figured out a way to screw me." She then tilted her head, her expression becoming neutral as her body tensed, "are you here to arrest me then, First Scribe of the Eastern Empire? You think you can best me?"

"I would have added something to the baozi you ate at the creek earlier if I wanted you arrested, Instructor Wang," he said with a small smile at her gaped expression, "no. You may stay at my residence from now until the end of time if need be. For I have... this."

He pulled out a long crystalline prism, reflecting sunlight as did the giant pearl in his topknot crown. Within the crystal was a block of iron with a red inscription etched with the characters: "丹書鐵券 (iron certificate inked in red)." She immediately recognized it as a reward for exemplary service to the Empire. That iron block prevented the Empire from prosecuting him and anyone under his protection for all non-capital offenses.

... Not that she was going to let him explain that.

Wang Jin smirked, "I don't need to see your marriage contract, Lord Chai..."

He stood still for a few seconds, unmoving, then broke his silence, "we have tarried enough here, keep your straw hat on and please try NOT to announce yourself to the gate guards. I know the guards and their monetary preferences: copper is more valuable here as it is peacetime after all."

Referring, of course, during peacetime the Empire made more bronze for its bells, vases, weapons, etc., which lowered the supply of copper, increasing its value. As it was not wartime, there was less iron used, leading to an increase in the supply of iron and the depreciation of the iron currency compared to copper. Wang Jin knew this information because she was able to get cheaper steel during these years of peace.

But more importantly, as Wang Jin turned her eyes to the looming double walls of Cangzhou as the horse continued trotting towards the city, she could now trust herself and her mother in Chai Jin's hands. He was right of course that the baozi would have been laced with sleeping powder or other substances if he wanted her incapacitated. But throughout the entire ride, she had her back to him, and at any point, Lord Chai could have made an "accident" happen. Plus, she could joke about his marriage without him doing any retaliation. While her suspicions were flared only a moment ago, they had died down. and she felt vindicated in trusting him. He was a powerful ally; somebody she could trust to do a certain thing:

She whispered, knowing that he could hear every single word, "could you send a message to-?"

"Yes, I did so as soon as I heard the news. Sent my most fleet-footed messenger."

Wang Jin smiled, though she now wondered if there was something that he was not telling her, "you have done a great deal already for me, Lord Chai, for both me and my family... it makes me wonder if you have something planned for me in your residence."

"... there are such things as free gifts, young one," he replied, "though it just so happens that there is someone in my manor that I would like for you to meet."

"Your wife?"

"... will you stop?"

In Between the First and Second Gates of Cangzhou

The horse calmly walked forward and passed the first gate without any issue because Lord Chai knew how to bribe people. They were amidst a throng of people traveling to and from the city. Quite a few of these included dwarves as well, some in armor and some not in armor. While Wang Jin did want to take a closer look at the Iron Lion of Cangzhou, she knew that the sooner they entered Lord Chai's residence, the safer they'd be. She did, though, end up spotting someone near the giant stone lion, with a pipa held in two hands, donning a sleeveless dirty tunic showing off heavily muscled arms that reminded her of some of the wrestlers she saw in Dongjing. His long black wire-like hair was not tied in a knot, and neither was his heavy black facial hair. His fingers strummed along the pipa and it appeared he was singing at the same time, though they were too far away to hear any words.

Well, at least she was too far away.

"I suppose that's not the person you would like me to meet?" she said aloud.

"An astute observation, given we passed them," Lord Chai responded, "we passed Jiao Ting, the Faceless Drifter. They wander from town to town with their pipa, singing and performing for a living. Jiao Ting was a wrestler but was kicked out because they were hard to work with. I would offer to mimic their lyrics, but they are rather crass..."

"Hah! Try me," she challenged.

"Oh, to be here in Cangzhou.
Stuck in a place so low.
Where horses mate with tigers,
and the tigers eat the horses.
I wish I could climb the mountains red
and fall off. Gah! I'm dead.
Rather be in a grave so cold
than be stuck in Cangzhoooou."

"Hahahahaha!" laughed Wang Jin, causing multiple people to look at her and shake their heads as if she had grown another head.

"Perhaps I should have stayed quiet if I had known you would react like that. There are people whispering that I brought another lunatic into the town."

"The lunatic is that drifter!" Wang Jin cried, still laughing, "maybe that's why they're wandering from town to town. He keeps getting kicked out for his mouth!"

"Speaking of that, we are approaching the Red Gate. So, lest you be seen as a lunatic, I suggest you halt your laughter."

Approaching the Outside of Chai Jin's Residence

They dismounted as soon as they entered the second gate, and Lord Chai's horse wandered off to wherever its residence was. The pair walked through the clean streets of Cangzhou amidst the jingles and other noises of the city's people.

The main difference between Cangzhou and Dongjing was the clean, fresh mountain air that Wang Jin breathed in. Bordering the city was the beginnings of the Yellow River that flowed downwards from the Red Mountains all the way to Dongjing and beyond. A tributary from the river passed through Cangzhou and Lord Chai's estate was next to a bridge that marked the east and west side of the city. Cangzhou was the westernmost core city of the Eastern Empire, for in the West was the Frontier, where no elves of the Empire traveled. Wang Jin, therefore, had to assume that the frontier's settlements and villages paled in comparison to Cangzhou and Dongjing, though its people perhaps were hardier. A blade needed a whetstone to stay sharp, after all.

Wang Jin mostly stayed silent, following Lord Chai through the city. She remembered a similar situation last time she was here, though there were three very distracted apprentices behind her at the time, each chattering non-stop about such and such. They stopped in Cangzhou for multiple reasons: to rest, to receive the last bit of official training she could give them, and to tour Cangzhou's prison system as a warning of what would happen should they go against the Empire.

Cangzhou held the largest prison system in the Empire, with labor gangs slaving in the nearby mines for both the dwarves and the humans. There was also a nearby fodder depot managed by a lone old man who had been there for decades. But not all prisoners were treated equally. The affluent ones merely were under house arrest, being fed good food and wine during their stay in prison. The less fortunate ones, however, became a statistic of the Empire's economy.

Eventually, they crossed a big stone bridge and reached the outside of Lord Chai's manor. Surrounding the house was a moat fringed by weeping willows on both banks. Flanking the house were a variety of willow trees housing a variety of birds. When Wang Jin neared the trees, black birds flew off into the distance. The white outer wall shone in the sun with the ravens perching on the roofs giving it quite a contrast.

A certain young man waited in front of the entrance. He was tall, but even with the conservative clothing he wore, Wang Jin could tell that he had a muscular, large build. His eyebrows were thick and his eyes shone with life. Standing straight, his face bore no scars nor blemishes: a handsome visage worthy of appearing in many courtesan's dreams. Perhaps this was the fellow that Lord Chai wanted her to meet.

"Wu Song (武松) greets Lord Chai!" he said, bowing and clasping his hands towards the elf, "I have escorted the guests into your manor as asked. The old woman is resting in one of the guest rooms, while the other is marveling at the weapons in our armory."

So they got here before us, huh? she thought.

"Well done as expected, Wu Song," praised Lord Chai, "but did Liu Tang not want to stay and at least dine with us?"

"They had some business to take care of. Also wanted to let the person with you know that the offer will always stand."

Wang Jin gave a small smile, recognizing the invitation to come to Dongxi Village and become their arms instructor.

"That's awfully nice of the Red-Haired Devil. Not a bad person if you ignore their sense of humor," she commented.

Whether Lord Chai already knew about the invitation, he did not let it show on his face, "Come, I will introduce my young friend here when we enter the manor."

While normally Wang Jin would have paid attention to the various flora and decorations in Lord Chai's estate, particularly the miniature water clock tower reminiscent of Dongjing's own giant water clock tower (an architectural marvel whose workings utterly confused her), She had a feeling that Lord Chai wanted her to instruct this person, and considering what the elf had done for her family, she was perfectly fine in taking on another apprentice. Surprisingly, however, Wu Song did not want to be taught martial arts by Wang Jin. While he definitely heard of her through his older brother telling tales of a young village warrior slaying a troll, Wu Song had a very interesting reason:

"Wu Song is too strong, Instructor Wang," he apologetically said, "while drunk, I killed a man in my hometown, so I fled without telling my brother. I don't wish to kill any more people."

Wang Jin blinked a few times, wondering if she should break the news to him that if that was true, his brother would pay the price for the murder. She trusted Chai Jin had somehow taken care of the situation.

Instead, she responded, "now that's the first time I heard that reason! Just how strong are you?"

"Well... this is your opportunity to impress the instructor," Chai Jin said with what appeared to be a knowing smile, "go ahead a lift one of the stone benches over there."

"So long as this does not mean I become your student, Instructor Wang," Wu Song replied.

Wang Jin looked at each of the stone benches. From her experience, they were much heavier than they appeared. Each was probably around 700-900 pounds. At her strongest, she could barely lift one of those an inch off the ground with her arms. There was a reason, after all, why she was better with a spear than a war hammer.

She gave an appraising look at Wu Song and quipped, "if I agreed to train anyone just because of their strength, then I would have an army of trolls at my call."

What she expected was that this man would roll up his sleeves, attempt to lift it once, but fail to do so in order to demonstrate how heavy the bench was. Then on the second try, he would slowly lift it towards his waist, then drop it, proving that he could indeed lift the bench.

Wang Jin's expectations would be shattered.

Wu Song chuckled, walking over to a stone bench, "I know not a troll's strength. But Wu Song-!" and with a great yell, he lifted the heavy stone bench like it was made out of paper (!), raising it over his head for a few seconds, then calmly placed it back on the ground, "-is very strong!"

While Lord Chai gave an ovation, Wang Jin merely stared at the young man, her eyes widening in utter shock. Such strength was unbelievable and only possessed by very few people in the realm. To not harness that strength for the Empire would have been a complete waste! Off the top of her head, she thought of two other humans that had such strength: Lu Da, the garrison major of Weizhou, and...

"Are you related to the Jade Qilin?" she suddenly asked Wu Song, who had a pleased look on his face from Lord Chai's praise.

His smile turned into a confused frown, responding, "I am fully human."

"They meant to ask if you are related to Lu Junyi, the former Mallet Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000," Lord Chai clarified.

At this, Wu Song shook his head, bowing apologetically, "Wu Song does not recognize that name. The capital's news never interested me."

"I see. Pity you never came to the capital," Wang Jin said, turning her back towards him and walking away with the intent of checking up on her mother, "because fighting doesn't have to be about killing people. I could have taught you how to control your strength. But a no's a no! I'll check up on the others."

She was expecting a response from Wu Song but it was instead Lord Chai, who replied, "I will let you know when we shall dine! A glorious banquet we shall have this day."

But she did not hear anything from the other male. For some reason, a slight disappointment settled over her at this as she wondered if her words had any effect.

Days Later

Lord Chai's Estate
Cangzhou, Third Age 1934

The mountain wind greeted Wang Jin as she stepped out of the bathhouse with her hair still damp. Training one person in 18 weapon masteries was quite an exercise in patience for her. She would have preferred to teach Shi Jin two-three weapons per day until he mastered those, then gradually move on to other weapons, but her student was insistent. Wang Jin was not going to micromanage that one, feeling that experience and failure were Shi Jin's best teachers. At least he was trying to deceive her this time in his fatigue level, with "trying" being the operative word there. He had enough stamina to last longer in their spars and to learn all of those weapons.

Lord Chai had quite an armory, for there was a variety of different armor and helmets as well, ranging from the current standard lamellar armor to the bronze ceremonial suits from days long past. Thus, she had her student do his strength and conditioning drills as if he were a field general in a full suit of armor. There was an improvement on that front at least. Oftentimes, Wu Song tagged along in their exercises, though he wore conservatively and kept along with her while Shi Jin lagged behind. Still, Wu Song did not openly offer any desire for Wang Jin to teach him, saying that he needed to exercise too. He often carried a plate of food, be it meat, bread, or even vegetables, eating while he watched her apprentice try not to tear their muscles from exercising with heavy mallets and such.

Eventually, Shi Jin would make his opinion known about Wu Song when he stormed up to the large man who was drinking directly from a container of wine. Wang Jin rolled her eyes at this but merely observed what was about to happen.

"You! Knave!" Shi Jin yelled, "I grow weary of your presence near my master and me! You are a distraction to my training with your eating and drinking, yet you flaunt your own abilities in our exercises, do you want to join us or not?! You think so little of me? You think so little of Instructor Wang? Have at you! I challenge you to 50 bouts of the stave!"

Wu Song merely looked down at him, then lifted the container of wine to drink from it some more.

At once, Shi Jin tried to slap the container out of his hand only to get his wrist caught in mid-air. Shi Jin's eyes widened in disbelief while Wang Jin briskly walked closer to the two.

"... if not for your master," Wu Song said in a low tone, "I would have thrown you over the wall. If you want me gone, then make me leave. For Wu Song is no knave!"

"Enough!" yelled Wang Jin, who glared at both Shi Jin and Wu Song, "if you can't get used to people watching you practice, then you're no longer my apprentice, Shi Jin! I train soldiers on a battlefield of chaos, not some pampered brat! Get used to it and apologize to him!"

"Fine!" Shi Jin grunted, "I will not get distracted by folks like him. I apologize, Wu Song."

Wu Song gave a wolf-like smile, releasing the wrist, "so long as you did not spill my drink, all would have been well."

"... and you," Wang Jin said as she glared into the large man's eyes, "if you had thrown my apprentice over the wall, I would have tested your vow not to kill. You can do what you like here, as you are one of Lord Chai's retainers, but should you purposefully antagonize my apprentice..."

She was tempted to move in close but decided such a show of force was not necessary. Instead, she turned around, and with a clear voice, she said, "I'll just let you imagine what would happen."

A part of her was disappointed that there was no response from Wu Song.

Later that Evening

After Wang Jin had washed her mother's feet, Wang Sheng sat on the bed, a pleased smile on her face. Lord Chai had many guest bedrooms, each bed befitting a governor.

"... and here you were worried you'd break my toes," she teased, "you're better at washing feet than you think, Jin'er."

Wang Jin looked away. If someone had told her ten years ago that she would be washing her mother's feet, a right hook would've been the response. Not that Wang Jin did not foresee the possibility; she did not foresee it happening this soon!

"... I suppose so," she muttered, then wanting to change the subject, she asked, "you were saying something about the teachings of Mori, Ma?"

"Hmm? Why yes, I was," her mother responded, "Lord Chai has given me these scrolls on some of their teachings."

"I thought they did not believe in the School of Mori," the daughter pointed out, "or does Lord Chai believe only in the parts pertaining to humans?"

Wang Sheng nodded, "that's the case, daughter. And now I finally understand what they mean by the 'Second Gift.'"

The First Gift to humans, as explained by the elves, was the gift of mortality, of not watching everything they built inevitably crumble into the dust. While the human body decayed, they could see the works they built, and the growth of their children (apprentices in her case) if they lived a fulfilling life, leaving before everything decayed around them. These were concepts Wang Jin understood abstractly, but in practice, the suffering became unbearable at times.

Especially now.

"... What is the Second Gift, Ma?"

Wang Sheng paused, as if considering her words, then replied, "a long long time ago, our ancestors lived longer. Then, the One in the heavens shortened their lifespan. For a long time, it was seen as a curse of disobeying the One, but the School of Mori said that this was the Second Gift."

"A horrible gift," Wang Jin replied, "not even a fraction of the age of trees, let alone the Elves."

Her mother smiled, "maybe you'll understand one day. But after the years I've lived, the suffering I had, having your father leave us for the sake of duty, and being your parent, I understand a little more now."

The daughter did not reply,

Wang Sheng continued, "what parent would want a child to suffer long in this cursed world? We're all children of the One, and for every second we needlessly suffer here, I believe, no, I know it hurts them too. So, our stay here is briefer than it should be because we can go home sooner at the end."

"Then why not just kill us all and be done with it?" Wang Jin bitterly said.

"Well, what made me proud as a parent was seeing you grow and become who you are. I think that's the case with the One in heaven as well. To give us enough time to grow and discover who we are, but not enough time to bind ourselves with the fate of this world."

Wang Sheng gestured toward the scrolls that were placed on a desk in the bedroom.

"Those scrolls say that we have something inside us that will not die; that our body is home towards this essence. That once our body dies, our essence moves on from this world to the next. Mori said that if we use our life to discover who we truly are, then we can leave this world by choice, sooner than our bodies' end. To reunite with heaven, and prepare for our next journey."

The daughter did not answer.

Wang Sheng continued, "that, I think, will be the last thing I will do, Jin'er."

"Ma?" Wang Jin asked.

"Yes, daughter?"

"Don't leave me."

When Wang Jin left her mother's room, tucking her in, blowing out the candles, and wishing her goodnight, she left the room with a heavy heart. The discussion they had drained her, and she just wanted to go to her assigned bedroom and sleep the night away.

Waiting for her, however, was a very serious-looking Wu Song. Before she was going to ask him what in the world he was doing outside her mother's bedroom, he interrupted.

"Lord Chai wishes to speak with you immediately," he said.

So Wang Jin rushed all the way to the opposite side of the manor, up flights of stairs until she reached Lord Chai's room. He sat upon a desk, a chair opposite from him, where he gestured for her to shut the door and sit.

He looked weary and though his eyes shone, his face was grave.

A cold enveloped Wang Jin, and a realization whipped across her heart, splintering it into two. The room froze and she forever remembered the words he spoke:

"Your father was murdered by the Imperial Court."

[End of Volume 1]