"A-ge, where are we going?"

Pan Heng had donned a long black cloak, with Weifeng strapped to his waist. He smiled conspiratorially, putting a finger to his lips. "It's a surprise."

This was the first time Pan Chun would set foot outside of Xuhou. But where exactly were they going to in the middle of the night?

"You're not taking me on a nighthunt already, are you?" Pan Chun asked nervously. It had been over a year since she formed her golden core. But she didn't even have a sword to defend herself with yet!

The smile remained on Pan Heng's face. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Oh no he is, isn't he? - Pan Chun cried internally.

Pan Heng held up a transportation talisman. "Be ready."

Pan Chun clung to Pan Heng tightly and shut her eyes.

They disappeared in a burst of blue flames.

Pan Chun didn't expect what came next.

The clanging of an anvil? That wasn't one of the sounds of the forest. Instead of a cold breeze, heat surrounded the air around them. They weren't outside, so where were they?

Pan Chun opened her eyes.

Flames blazed in forges. Spiritual swords hung on the walls. A burly man in the corner hit a hammer against a piece of hot metal on an anvil.

Pan Chun looked around in awe. - Is this place what I think it is?

Pan Heng gestured grandly, sweeping his arm. "This, A-Chun, is a spiritual sword smithery."

The burly man looked up from the anvil. "Ah! Pan Heng, welcome!"

"Xun Min."

Pan Heng and Xun Min greeted each other.

"Ah. You must be exhausted from using a transportation talisman. Here, come rest." Xun Min guided Pan Heng to a chair. Pan Heng slumped into the chair and Xun Min brought him a cup of hot tea.

Xun Min turned and grinned at Pan Chun. "And you must be Pan Heng's younger brother!"

Pan Chun greeted Xun Min. "Pleasure to meet you, Xun-jianjiang[1]."

As a swordsmith who worked with heavy pieces of metal daily, Xun Min was built. He towered over Pan Chun with his immense height and had muscular arms that could crush her skull like a watermelon...

"Haha! No need to be so nervous!" Xun Min smacked Pan Chun jovially on the back, knocking the wind out of her.

Such - Such strength!

"Tonight's special occasion is about you!" Xun Min said.

"...What? It is?" So she wasn't tagging along on one of Pan Heng's errands?

"Am I here to get my spiritual sword?" Pan Chun asked.

Xun Min nodded. "That's right!"

Pan Heng smirked at Pan Chun. "I did say that it was a surprise, didn't I?"

Excitement burst inside Pan Chun. - Fucking finally! I'm going to have my own sword! Holy shit!

Xun Min gestured to Pan Chun. "Come. I'll show it to you."

Pan Chun followed Xun Min to a table where a line of spiritual swords lay neatly wrapped in cloth. He picked up a sword in the middle, marked with her name. He held it steadily and carefully unwrapped the covering around the sword. "Here. Take a look! Oh, careful! It's very sharp! Don't touch the blade with your bare hands! Skin oil wears away the blade!"

The sword wasn't quite finished yet, only having the preliminary makings of a full-fledged spiritual sword.

Pan Chun stared down at the unfinished sword in wonder. "This-this is mine?"

"Yes, it is! But I still need to put some finishing touches on it. I can't get it done without meeting you personally!" Xun Min carried her sword over to a forge and gathered his smithing tools.

Pan Chun had never seen a swordsmith work before. She watched Xun Min forge her sword, entranced. His motions were smooth and confident. He handled the blade delicately and his arms moved with strength and grace. It was evident that he had honed the art of swordsmithing for a very long time.

"Unlike regular swords, spiritual swords have a mind of their own. They choose their bearer and take their form depending on the bearer's character," Xun Min explained.

Oh. That must be why Xun Min couldn't get the sword done without Pan Chun there. Her spiritual sword needed to get to know her first.

"Pan Chun, I'm curious, why do you want to become a cultivator?" Xun Min asked.

Her answer was simple. "I want to find my way back home." -Whatever it takes.

Xun Min blinked in surprise. That wasn't what he usually heard from the young cultivator-to-be boys. "You do not wish to ascend to immortality? To become the strongest of them all? To become a hero of legend?"

Pan Chun wasn't a xianxia protagonist. She didn't need to live forever or become the most powerful cultivator. Cultivation was merely a means to an end. Besides, becoming famous and powerful created a target on your back, and that was the very last thing she needed.

Pan Chun shook her head. "No. I'm not interested in any of that."

Xun Min continued his work on the blade. "I see. I see. - And finding your way home?... You're not from around here?"

"I'm one of the Hundred Yue." Yeah, she wasn't risking revealing her interdimensional origins to someone other than Pan Heng. No good in being labeled a lunatic in this society.

Xun Min nodded. "Hm. Hm. How intriguing."

Her sword took on a distinct shape, forming a simple but functional silver blade. Once the sword was forged well enough to Xun Min's judgment, he laid it alongside the scabbard on a table for Pan Wukun to see. "The final shape and design of the sword and its scabbard will depend on how they react to your spiritual energy." He gestured towards them. "Go ahead. Channel your spiritual energy into them."

Pan Chun took a deep breath and closed her eyes. - Concentrate. Concentrate.

Warmth spread throughout her body, spiritual energy from her meridians infusing into the sword and scabbard - A pathway.

A sense of belonging - like an additional limb that had just become a natural extension of her body.

A promise of protection and companionship - to grow stronger together - to fulfill whatever goals she had no matter what.

…

!

Finished! - A bond between sword and cultivator had been forged!

Pan Chun stopped the flow of spiritual energy and opened her eyes.

Her sword's transformation was complete.

Her sword now had a dark blue hilt and a silver blade. The sword scabbard became a light shade of blue inlaid with metallic bronze.

Their colors are so familiar...like...like...like the Master Sword?! - Pan Chun was giddy with joy.

Pan Chun traced her fingers along the sword's hilt. This was her sword. Her very own sword. "I'm sorry. I'm not the best with names. But I promise to put a lot of thought into yours. Please be patient with me." Was it dumb, talking to a sword? Spiritual swords were different from regular swords though, weren't they? Xun Min did say they had some degree of sentience.

Just as Pan Chun pulled her hand away from her sword, the sound of footsteps approached the smithery. Judging by the footsteps, it was an entire group of people.

Pan Heng shot up from his chair, quickly lifting his cloak's hood up. He grabbed Pan Chun's wrist, pulling her behind him to a dark corner, away from the firelight of the forges.

Pan Chun was startled. - What the- Why did A-ge just-

Just before her view was entirely obscured by Pan Heng's cloak, Pan Chun caught a glimpse of the newly arrived cultivators. White uniforms with red flames - Wen sect.

"Second Young Master Wen has arrived!"

Wen Chao, the youngest son of Sect Leader Wen, entered the smithery with his entourage of bodyguards.

Xun Min put Pan Chun's sword aside and greeted the Wen cultivators cordially. "Greetings to Second Young Master Wen. What business does Wen-gongzi[2] have at this time of night?"

Wen Chao sniffed. "I just finished cultivation training for the day. But there's nothing fun to do at the Palace of Sun and Flames. So I decided to come here tonight and see how you're handling my sword." The thirteen-year-old boy stood proudly with an air of smugness. Although he had come to the smithery without notifying the swordsmith beforehand, no one could deny the wants and demands of anyone from QishanWen sect without fierce retaliation.

Knowing this, Xun Min simply proceeded with business as usual. "I see. Wen-gongzi wanted to come see his sword for himself? I am flattered by your excitement and anticipation."

Wen Chao strode up to Xun Min. "Well? What is your progress on my spiritual sword?"

Xun Min grabbed one of the spiritual swords from the line of clothed swords and carefully unwrapped it, laying it out on the table for Wen Chao.

Wen Chao's hand hovered over the sword and its scabbard. "I know! I know what to do! My older brother already told me!" And so, Wen Chao channeled his spiritual energy into them, as Pan Chun did minutes before.

Once Wen Chao finished, he looked at Xun Min expectantly. "So with that, it's done then?"

In response, Xun Min sheathed the sword into its scabbard. He held the sword out to Wen Chao amicably. "Why don't you see for yourself, Wen-gongzi?"

Wen Chao took the sword from Xun Min and eagerly pulled his sword out from its scabbard, giving it a few test swings. He grinned. "Yes! Yes! It's wonderful! It feels right to finally hold it in my hands!"

Pan Heng stood immobile, still hiding Pan Chun behind him. When she tried to see what was happening, he tightened his grip on her wrist in warning.

Just as Wen Chao sheathed his sword, a figure standing in the shadows caught his eye. "Oh? And who might this be?"

Pan Heng didn't move, not saying a word.

"Not even going to introduce yourself to me? How rude." Wen Chao frowned. "And why are you hiding in that cloak? Have a scar or a face that you're ashamed of?"

Pan Heng didn't answer, staying still as a statue.

One of Wen Chao's bodyguards stepped forward and shouted, "Such insolence! Do you know who we are? We are cultivators of the great QishanWen sect!"

The cultivator moved to unsheathe his sword, but Wen Chao held a hand up, stopping him. "No. I want to deal with this one myself."

Wen Chao was going to handle such poor manners the same way his father did. With severe punishment.

As Wen Chao came closer, Pan Heng backed away further.

Pan Chun was now squeezed between the wall and Pan Heng. The wall dug into her back. It was getting hard to breathe with Pan Heng's cloak pressing against her face.

Wen Chao spotted the top of Weifeng's hilt poking out from under Pan Heng's cloak. He grinned and unsheathed his blade, pointing it at Pan Heng. "I challenge you to a duel."

Pan Heng's grip on Pan Chun's wrist tightened, making her wince. Damn, he was tense. But so was she.

"You shall be the first opponent to meet my blade. You should be honored. But first," Wen Chao tapped a finger to his chin in thought, then turned back to Pan Heng with a malicious grin, "I need to see the face of my opponent!" Wen Chao's arm shot forward, reaching for Pan Heng's hood.

Pan Heng quickly positioned himself to move aside, ready to flee.

"Please refrain from doing that, Wen-gongzi."

Wen Chao paused, his hand hovering an inch from Pan Heng's hood, and scowled at Xun Min. "What?" Did this lowly swordsmith really just tell a Wen, the sect leader's youngest son no less, not to do something? How dare he!

Xun Min stood firm. "He is my bodyguard for hire. He keeps the cloak on to keep anonymity and intimidate any potential scoundrels. As part of his duty, he made certain that no thieves stole your sword, Wen-gongzi."

Pan Heng turned his head slowly to face Xun Min, shocked. That wasn't true! He wasn't a bodyguard at all! Xun Min was lying right to Wen Chao's face!

A black-clad Wen cultivator approached Wen Chao, standing close to his side. "It's best not to bother with this matter, Wen-gongzi."

Wen Chao fumed. "But Wen Zhuliu, I want to test my sword right now!"

"We must depart immediately. Sect Leader Wen expects us back in Qishan by the early morning in two days," Wen Zhuliu said calmly, used to dealing with the young Wen's temper tantrums. "He wants you to continue your cultivation training as soon as possible."

The mention of his father stopped Wen Chao in his tracks. But he was still very much dissatisfied, huffing and crossing his arms with a deep frown on his face.

"You can start practicing your swordsmanship with Wen Xu," Wen Zhuliu added.

Wen Chao's face lit up. "Yes! That's right! Now that I have a spiritual sword, my brother can finally spar with me using his sword! He is a skilled swordsman! He'll be more than a worthy match for my blade!" Wen Chao beckoned to his men. "Come! Come! Let's go home right away!"

With that, the Wens departed from the smithery, the oppressive atmosphere leaving with them.

Xun Min wiped a blade with a cloth, frowning. "So like the Wens to come in unannounced like that."

Pan Heng released Pan Chun's wrist and collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily.

Pan Chun caught her breath. - Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu were just here? Damn. That was way too close.

This didn't mean anything, right? Just one close encounter with some canon characters will not affect her future.

It. Will. Not.

Xun Min rushed over to them. "Pan Heng! Pan Chun! Are you all right?"

Pan Heng placed a hand to his head, trembling. He stared out the entrance of the smithery intently, his face set in deep thought, like his mind was somewhere else entirely.

Xun Min placed a hand on Pan Heng's arm to steady him. "Pan Heng?"

Pan Chun shook Pan Heng's arm. "A-ge? Are you all right?"

So deep in his thoughts, it took vigorous shaking from both Pan Chun and Xun Min to bring Pan Heng back to reality. Pan Heng sighed. "The QishanWen sect, the most powerful and unpleasant of the Five Great Sects. Heh. Lucky we got out of that encounter unscathed." He pushed himself to his feet and ruffled Pan Chun's hair.

Pan Heng walked up to Xun Min and reached for his coin pouch, but Xun Min stopped him. "Free of charge."

"But-"

"It's hardly a favor to repay my life debt if you still have to pay money for it, isn't it? Please. I insist."

Pan Heng bowed to Xun Min. "Your kindness is appreciated, Xun Min."

Xun Min smiled amiably. Then his expression became serious and concerned. "Pan Heng, are you certain you are-"

"Yes, I assure you I'm fine, Xun Min," Pan Heng said tersely. He pulled out a transportation talisman. "Thank you for your services, Xun Min. It's time for A-Chun and me to go."

Xun Min nodded and went to retrieve Pan Chun's sword. He held it out to her with both hands. "Here. It's all yours now."

Finally taking her sword into her hands, Pan Chun was overcome with emotion. She was a swordswoman now! She bowed in respect. "Thank you for forging my sword, Xun-jianjiang!"

Xun Min returned her bow. "My pleasure! Wield that sword well now!" He turned to Pan Heng. "Goodbye, my friend."

"Goodbye to you also, my friend…" Pan Heng said back. Then he and Pan Chun were engulfed in blue flames.

Arriving back home, Pan Heng stumbled onto his bed. But after a half-hour of rest, he leapt to his feet and headed for the front door.

Pan Chun followed after him. "Whoa. A-ge, shouldn't you rest?"

Pan Heng gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me, A-Chun. It's been a long day and there's nothing like some good wine to unwind."

"But-"

"A-Chun, please. I need a drink. I'll be fine, I promise."

Pan Chun was hesitant. "I-" Pan Heng gave her a pleading look. - "...All right. But if you're not back soon, I'm coming after you."

Pan Heng chuckled. "Thanks, A-Chun. I'll be back."

An hour passed. As Pan Chun studied and drew talismans, there was a knock on the front door. She opened the door to see a tavern waiter standing there. "H-hello, Pan Chun. Pan Heng is…" He trailed off nervously.

Oh no. - Pan Chun sighed. "You can just show me what happened. Lead the way."

It was easy to spot Pan Heng when everyone in the tavern had their heads turned in the same direction, all eyes focused on him. He sat at a table filled to the brim with jars and bowls of alcohol.

Pan Chun stared in disbelief. Pan Heng never got drunk before. Using a transportation talisman twice in one night must've left him too depleted of spiritual energy for his golden core to burn away the alcohol like it usually did.

Pan Heng, noticing Pan Chun, gave her a lopsided grin. "Ah! A-Chun! How nice to see you!" He hiccuped.

Pan Chun crossed her arms and gave Pan Heng a disapproving look. "A-ge, you're drunk."

"Huh? N-no I'm not! I'm just - a bit *hic* excited, that's all!" Pan Heng argued.

Pan Chun sighed and slung Pan Heng's arm over her shoulder. He laughed happily in response and didn't fight back.

"Sorry about the trouble," Pan Chun said to the tavern workers. She staggered out of the tavern with Pan Heng.

The entire way back home, Pan Heng loudly sang off-key. Her poor eardrums... "Come on, A-Chun! Sing with me!"

Pan Chun didn't respond to him and simply continued walking. She felt the stares of the other villagers on them. Some were absolutely baffled. Some laughed quietly into their hands. No one had ever witnessed Pan Heng acting so goofy before.

Just keep walking. Just keep walking.

Pan Chun desperately hoped the villagers wouldn't gossip about this incident. Yeah right, fat chance of that happening. Pan Heng would act extra grumpy to get his dignity back.

Finally, both of them made it to their house.

"Aw, A-Chun. Do you really love your Heng-gege that much?" Pan Heng dug his fist into Pan Chun's head, giving her a noogie.

"Stop! Stop that!" Pan Chun tried to push Pan Heng away, but he was stuck to her like glue!

"Awwww! Come on! Let Heng-gege give you some brotherly love~."

Pan Chun clenched her fist. "If you don't stop, you leave me no choice but to knock you out."

"Ha! I'd like to see you tr-..." Pan Heng's eyes drooped and his head lolled. He passed out, falling fast asleep on Pan Chun's shoulder.

Pan Chun struggled to hold Pan Heng up. Damn! He was heavy! She carried him over to his room and laid him into bed, pulling a blanket over him. She left a cup of water by Pan Heng's bedside. He was going to need it for his morning hangover.

He so owed her for this...

Pan Chun returned to her room. She opened the straw box of her modern clothing as she did every night, brushing a thumb over her hoodie. She put the box away and looked at her spiritual sword, which rested against the wall.

Pan Chun gently touched the scabbard with the tips of her fingers, over where its name would be. "With you, I'm a step closer to getting back home. I'm counting on you." The spiritual sword couldn't answer back. But Pan Chun got the sense of an affirmative coming from it.

Pan Chun smiled softly. "Thank you."

Glossary

[1] jianjiang: "swordsmith"

[2] gongzi: "young master"

A/N: *pant pant* We've finally made it to Pan Wukun's first (indirect) canon character encounter yay!

About the swordsmith idea, I think swordsmiths must've met with the cultivators who would own those swords so they could have an idea of how to design their swords. It would be troublesome to send a cultivator their sword, only to have it sent back because the cultivator hated how it was designed.

About Pan Wukun's sword design, I went with her sword having the same color palette as the Master Sword from Legend of Zelda. When I was having trouble coming up with the design, I saw the Master Sword in a dream and took that as a sign. I'm also sure Pan Wukun's spiritual sword knew that she would absolutely love that.

About sword care, it's true that skin oil is bad for swords since the oil is acidic and causes the sword to rust. I found this out when researching how to properly care for the katana my friend gifted me.

As I write this fanfic, I am constantly being buried by plot bunnies. In this case, a bunch of Bunxians. No, Bunxians, this is not a good time, I need to sleep!?

Thanks for the reads, faves, follows, and reviews! You're all the best! I hope you'll have as much fun reading this as I have writing it!