16 Caugh (2/2)

A winding path led down a sloping valley and into a sleepy town. Low, tiled roofs glowed in the pale moonlight. One proud building stood apart from the rest.

It lay on the outskirts of the town, built in a style similar to imperial eastern architecture. A sprawling complex of gardens, large courtyards and cottages spread out behind it.

I channelled qi to my eyes to see if there were any cultivators. While the bulk of the town was dark, golden qi leaked from the cottages.

A multi coloured miasma smothered a mountain which lay some distance from town. I could just about see a small courtyard and a wall dotted with towers at the base of a cliff.

That must have been where I went to see Crow. As for the complex, I desperately hoped that it was some kind of sect.

Satisfied with what I had seen for the night, I crawled back to the nursery. I was careful to wipe off every speck of dirt before climbing back into my cot.

Over the next months, the weather grew colder, and the nights longer. This was no problem for me, as my hands were full adapting to my growing body and soul.

My qi capacity was nearly five times greater than when I started, but I had no breakthroughs. One night, I tried to get a better understanding of them.

In the books, they came with explosive power increases. I hadn't felt anything like that. Maybe I was just too weak to notice the difference?

Also, what caused them to happen? I brought my mind back to the events leading up to each breakthrough. I realised that they followed shortly after I broadened my understanding of qi.

If the novels had taught me anything, it was that rushing cultivation levels was weak. Fortunately, I had plenty of time to reach the peak of Middle Warrior Grade, whatever that was.

In the daytime, I had gotten fed up of waiting for information. I started simple, asking my parents 'wassat?' about various small things.

I had also started walking a bit, relying on some encouragement from father as a cue. Now I could walk, mother let me play outside, as long as I stayed within the walls.

Four months had passed without incident, when father had some new, interesting visitors.

One crisp morning, a family showed up at our door. Father came out of his study to greet them, but he stopped a few feet away.

The father of the family walked up a few paces, stopped, then clicked his heels and saluted. For a few seconds of awkward silence, he held the pose.

Father snickered, and the man started laughing. They broke the stand off and paced towards each other, then shook each other's hands.

”How's retirement treating you, old bastard,” the man jovially chimed.

”Not as bad as you!” father laughed in response.

They came together for a massive bear hug. Father towered head and shoulders over this man and enveloped him.

I realised I didn't really know how tall father was. I could guess large distances, but I had no precise scale of reference for smaller ones.

”I heard you got your first little boy! Sorry I didn't come to see you sooner, my youngest's been a handful.”

”Don't worry about it,” father chuckled.

He walked over to the mother, kissing her on both cheeks.

”Lovely to see you Lucia, how's Tony been treating you?”

She sighed, ”Well enough, but I wish you taught him how to be a man!”

Father laughed, and Tony shook his head.

Mother came out into the courtyard and beckoned Lucia over.

”Come on in! Bring the kids!” She turned and directed her voice to me ”Oscar, you come too!”

I hopped down from the bench and waddled over to her. We sat in the dining room, with a gorgeous view over the cliffs.

”How old is he now?” Lucia asked.

”He's just turned ten months. Time flies!”

Lucia sent me a look of confusion.

”And he's walking so well already?”

My heart skipped a beat. Had I blown my cover?