My open-world RPG experience (and Pan Heng's navigation training too, of course) better come in handy. - With map in hand, Pan Wukun attempted to navigate her way through the Jingchu region.
A river here. A river there. It's hard to tell which one is which!
Pan Wukun let out a long sigh.
Gee, if only I had map markers leading me to my next objective. Looks like I'm going to have to do this the old-school way. Wandering around from place to place, gathering info from the locals, and hoping for the best. Figure things out from there.
So on the road she went.
The peachwood staff she carved from the peach trees in Xuhou made for a good walking stick, combat staff, and evil spirit repellant.
She rode in the back of farmers' hay carts and paid boatmen to cross lakes. When she encountered merchant caravans, she offered bodyguard services in exchange for food, money, and transportation.
As for getting food on her own, Pan Wukun set traps and used her bow and arrow to hunt animals. As much as she didn't want to kill, hunting was a necessary survival skill here. The first time she had to shoot an arrow at a poor small furry animal and hold its corpse, she stared numbly at her hands splattered with blood before vomiting. Pan Heng didn't even scold her for vomiting all over her clothing. He showed her how to knock animals unconscious with the butt of her dagger, granting them a merciful and painless death. So that made the whole ordeal a little better.
Out in nature, mystical creatures from Chinese mythology roamed the land. It's one thing to view them in books and video games. But to get to personally see them firsthand? Incredible.
Moments like these made Pan Wukun wish her smartphone hadn't gotten fried in that thunderstorm years ago. At least her roasted smartphone made for a great paperweight. Really useful for holding down maps and book pages, especially when it got windy.
Even though there were only hand-drawn pictures of these creatures in books for reference, the experience was still pretty magical.
Atop every mountain she came across, she searched carefully and meditated, hoping to reach out and find Baoshan Sanren. But nothing was out of place and no one answered.
Day by day, her level of cultivation steadily increased with meditation and martial arts training.
Keeping her sword visible on her hip kept potential scoundrels away and easy reach for defense against supernatural creatures.
As a rogue cultivator, Pan Wukun stuck to the remote areas in the region. That way, she wouldn't run into anyone from the five major cultivation sects (plot, stay the hell away). With more resources, if those sects found anything weird, rumors would definitely spread far enough for her to hear about them.
Whenever she managed to reach a village, she requested to stay in one of the villagers' homes, offering them money or helping with chores. Or sometimes, dealing with the local supernatural threat.
It wasn't easy facing supernatural beings alone. Cultivators went out in groups on night hunts for a reason. But the fewer people who knew about her existence, the better.
Besides, within the remote areas she frequented, there was no presence of other cultivators whatsoever.
Xuhou found peace under Pan Heng's protection. Other villages…weren't so lucky.
Without wealth, cultivation abilities, and the protection of a cultivation sect, these innocent people were basically defenseless.
Fuck it. She was better than this. She would not leave them to fend for themselves.
The first few cases where she presented herself as a cultivator, the villagers accused her of being a scammer. "A cultivator dressed in farmer's clothing? Preposterous!"
But once Pan Wukun slightly unsheathed Yuyun, enough for the villagers to see the shine of spiritual energy emanate from the blade, they changed their tune.
Wielding a cultivator's spiritual sword was not possible for a non-cultivator. Only the nobility could afford to even purchase a sword. But nobles' swords were not imbued with spiritual energy and forged with special materials. A cultivator's sword and a nobleman's sword could not have been any more different.
The tamest case involved a pest of a small mischievous creature that relentlessly played pranks on an entire village.
Pan Wukun confronted the pest and stared down at it, stony and unmoving.
The pest stared back at her, unnerved. In its eyes, she was just standing there menacingly. Just what was this human doing? Was-was the human about to do something horrible? It had to leave before the human had the chance to hurt it! The creature squealed in fear before fleeing into the woods.
Pan Wukun blinked, resting her arms back down to her sides.
Huh. Who knew that a T-pose actually worked?
At another village, the farmers' oxen were mysteriously disappearing every night. Try as they might to guard the oxen and catch the perpetrator, they could never detect anyone suspicious.
So come nightfall, Pan Wukun investigated the oxens' pasture. "Ancestors protect me even if I'm in another universe." She prayed as she kept a steady hold on Yuyun. She silently apologized to Yuyun for her sweaty hands.
After looking over most of the oxen, one ox, in particular, gave her a really funny feeling. And once, Pan Wukun quickly looked over each side of this ox, she understood.
The ox had only one leg. Standing on just one leg. - Fuck! That's not an ox!
A kuishou[1] had been masquerading as one of the farmer's oxen!
Pan Wukun led the kuishou away from the pasture and village as it attacked her. In the end, she managed to strike it down in the nearby forest.
The most troublesome cases involved walking corpses. Fighting rotting corpses with red eyes and fangs? Fuck, they looked terrifying, especially up close. And the smell...blech. It was a good thing their movements were sluggish. At least it wasn't as bad as playing solo in Call of Duty: Zombies.
Once she neutralized whatever supernatural threats plagued the villages, the villagers had no doubt in her legitimacy.
The villagers practically groveled at her feet (she quickly made them stop because she was just a human like any of them, not some bigshot or supreme overlord).
The villagers had scarce money to support themselves and their families. Pan Wukun refused to force debts on them. The nobility, however, was different.
When her funds were in a tight pinch, she took on cases for the nobility here and there.
Most cultivation sects tended to charge a hefty sum for their services.
The rich really liked their cheap, convenient labor.
Since Pan Wukun wasn't a cultivator from any sect, the nobles could abuse and criticize her all they wanted. She simply nodded politely, a neutral expression on her face. Inside, she cursed a storm at those snobby nobles. She hated it, but she had to make ends meet somehow.
Everywhere Pan Wukun went, she asked people about the sect from which her spirit-trapping pouch belonged to. No one was able to give her an answer yet. And when she did happen to run into other cultivators, all of whom were from minor sects who would quickly forget her (no beneficial social connections and practically useless rogue cultivator) existence anyway, they had no idea either.
Pan Wukun trudged along the road, frustrated.
It had been two months since she started her journey.
But still no further insight on Baoshan Sanren or the mystery cultivator.
Pan Wukun looked at the butterfly and fish lucky charms she carried. She had securely attached both ends of the lucky charms to the loops she had sewn on the inside of her coat.
She clutched the lucky charms. - Some good luck would be great right about now…
She looked up at the sky. The sun was setting...
Her pace quickened.
Night was approaching. And she didn't want to stick around to find out what lurked in the forest come dark.
Today was not her lucky day.
Sadly, Pan Wukun did not make it to a human settlement before night fell. So she was stuck spending another night alone in the forest. - Damn it.
Her past experiences weren't so pleasant.
Even with a protective array and a small tent, her uneasiness kept her from falling asleep. Every little noise put her on edge.
She could never shake off the feeling of invisible eyes on her.
No! She did not see a ghastly face peeking out of the trees over there!
She would pull her hoodie out, wrapping it around her head in comfort. Like sleeping with a blanket around her head.
On this night, Pan Wukun was smart enough to gather sticks for the fire beforehand. She removed the firewood from her qiankun pouch and got to work.
A campfire kept away wild animals and other kinds of creatures. You never know what you end up inviting in the pitch-black darkness.
"Greetings."
Pan Wukun jumped in fright, pulling Yuyun out.
"Whoa there! I mean you no harm!"
A boy's face was illuminated by the campfire. He held his hands up in surrender.
"Sorry." Pan Wukun pulled Yuyun away from his throat, but she didn't sheathe it.
"Forgive me for startling you. I was relieved to find another cultivator camping in these parts."
He looked to be around the same age as her.
"Kang Chen, courtesy name: Xieren."
"Pan Chun, courtesy name: Wukun."
Kang Xieren made no movement towards his sword so Pan Wukun relaxed, sheathing Yuyun.
"It would be good to have some company tonight." She gestured for him to have a seat across from her.
Kang Xieren set his pack down and warmed his hands by the fire. "So what brings you around this part of the world?"
"I am simply traveling from place to place. I am affiliated with no sect."
"I see. I too, am just a wandering cultivator."
Pan Wukun paused, tucking a hand inside her qiankun pouch. "I am searching for answers."
"Answers to what, exactly?"
Pan Wukun took the spirit-trapping pouch out, showing it to Kang Xieren. "Do you know which sect this pouch belongs to?"
Kang Xieren held the spirit-trapping pouch near the firelight, inspecting it carefully. "Hmmm…I'm afraid I do not know which sect this pouch belongs to. My apologies."
Pan Wukun sighed. "No, it's all right."
When Pan Heng said the search wouldn't be easy, he wasn't kidding.
"So where are you from, Pan Wukun?"
"A small backwater village somewhere in the Jingchu region. Left two months ago."
Kang Xieren smiled. "I left my home village not too long ago as well." He brushed a thumb against his chin. "One thing does confuse me though, Pan Wukun. You say you grew up in a village in the countryside. How exactly were you able to become a cultivator?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Pan Wukun shot back.
Kang Xieren chuckled. "Fair enough. Since my father had connections, I was able to leave my village to train with a cultivation sect. After finishing my training, I cut ties with the sect and returned to my home village to rest for a while. Then I decided to travel as a rogue cultivator and live freely outside the constraints of a sect."
His story sounded like a standard cultivator story, especially compared to others in this xianxia world. All right, fine. Her turn now. "I was adopted by my village's local rogue cultivator. He trained me in the cultivation arts from a young age. Once I grew old enough, I left."
"From a young age, hmm? You must've grown quite strong since then…" Kang Xieren's eyes locked onto Pan Wukun intently.
Pan Wukun returned his gaze, tense. It was like he was staring right into her soul...
Kang Xieren broke his gaze. "Ah. My apologies. I cannot help but deeply study the characters of cultivators I meet on my travels. A habit born out of my curiosity." He smiled reassuringly at her.
"Would it be all right for me to rest at your camp? I'm afraid it's too late for me to make my own campsite." Kang Xieren gave Pan Wukun an apologetic expression.
This would be the first time Pan Wukun spent the night with another cultivator. He hadn't done anything to harm her so far. She wouldn't just force him out into the forest by himself. "It isn't safe to roam these woods alone at night. Yes, you may stay."
"Thank you. If it reassures you, you can take first watch."
Pan Wukun pointed to her tent. "You can sleep in there."
After Kang Xieren lay down for some time, Pan Wukun kept an ear out, listening to his breathing.
He had fallen asleep, his breathing steady.
Good. He wasn't trying to pull any funny business.
Later into the night, Kang Xieren awoke to take second watch. He leaned against a tree and kept his gaze focused on the woods, his arms crossed around his sword.
Having another set of eyes eased Pan Wukun.
For the first time in a while, she fell asleep peacefully.
"May I have a match with you, Pan Wukun?"
Pan Wukun paused in taking down her tent, turning to Kang Xieren in surprise.
Well, this was a first. No one had asked her to spar before. She hadn't tested her abilities against someone other than Pan Heng yet. This could make quite the interesting experience.
Pan Wukun agreed and the two stood across from each other in a forest clearing.
"The match starts once I ignite this fire talisman." Pan Wukun held a fire talisman between her fingers, her other hand tightly gripping Yuyun.
Kang Xieren nodded, his sword hand at the ready as well.
The wind whistled through the trees as the two cultivators assessed each other.
Pan Wukun steadied her breathing and relaxed her body. - Calm. Calm.
Kang Xieren showed no emotion, looking fully focused.
The talisman burst into flames.
Kang Xieren's sword clashed against Pan Wukun's.
Pan Wukun's breath caught in her throat and she gritted her teeth.
Neither sword was overpowering the other, so the both of them leaped back and away from each other.
Pan Wukun planted her feet against the trees, using them for momentum.
Kang Xieren and Pan Wukun opted for aerial combat, striking each other in the air with punches and kicks.
They both landed on the ground again and panted, waiting for the other to make the next move.
He has a lot of strength and speed. More stamina than I do. I need to finish this quickly! - Pan Wukun launched a fist at Kang Xieren, managing to strike his shoulder.
Kang Xieren grunted in pain but maneuvered his body, his foot aiming towards her chest.
In seconds, Pan Wukun knew it was too late to dodge. - Shit!
Kang Xieren's kick knocked her back against a tree harshly. He lunged forward, jamming his wrist against her throat. With his other hand, he directed his sword to point at the side of her neck.
He had her cornered.
The victory was his.
He let go.
She placed a hand to her throat, coughing. "You really didn't hold back."
Kang Xieren sheathed his sword. "You fought well. Thank you for the match."
Pan Wukun shut her eyes, taking a deep breath. First match against another cultivator and she lost. It stung but it was a good learning experience. She still had a lot of training to do. "Thank you as well."
"So what are your thoughts on my skills, Kang Xieren?"
"Is it fine? I mean, I am not your senior. Wouldn't that be pretentious of me?"
"You're not my senior, but you are my peer. Doesn't hurt to hear another perspective."
"Your speed is impeccable. But your strength and stamina have room for improvement."
Pan Wukun nodded. - So I'm best with speed but weaker with strength and stamina. - That made sense. Pan Heng's advantage also lay in his speed.
"What about your thoughts on mine, Pan Wukun?"
"Your strength and stamina are impeccable. But your speed has room for improvement."
Kang Xieren laughed. "Duly noted."
They rested, drinking water and eating some food from their packs. Soon, it came time for them to part ways.
"Pleasure meeting you, Kang Xieren."
Kang Xieren smiled, saluting to Pan Wukun. "Until we meet again, Pan Wukun."
With that, Kang Xieren departed, walking on the path to wherever his travels led him next.
Pan Wukun observed him in thought. - Hmm. Another rogue cultivator for once. How refreshing.
Pan Wukun continued along the mountain trail, looking at her map.
Hmmm. Ok. If I keep going forward on this path, I'll stay on the right track to the nearest village.
Something wet hit her nose.
Hmm? - Pan Wukun looked up.
Grey clouds enveloped the entire sky. Thunder rumbled deafeningly.
A thunderstorm.
Shit! She needed to find shelter fast!
She quickly tucked her map away and put on her straw hat, rushing in the direction of the nearest village.
Rain relentlessly pelted the earth, making the right direction harder to make out. - Where to go? Where to go?
Pan Wukun continued forward. There, in the distance, were massive city gates. - Oh good!
It wasn't the village she originally planned to stay at. But any shelter was better than none!
She passed through the city gates.
Her legs squelched through the mud, which splattered all over her clothing. The cold seeping in through her bones wasn't very pleasant either. Staying outside in this weather was asking to get sick.
But she couldn't just impose herself onto a random person and intrude into their home.
Luckily, there was an inn up ahead…
Glossary
[1] Kui Beast (夔 / 夔兽 kuíshòu) – a one-legged mountain demon which resembles an ox.