Chapter 28 (1/2)

At sunset, a disciple rang the bell, calling, “It is dusk. Please leave the Sky-gazing Gorge.”

The older disciples all required no further prodding as they began to shuffle away. But the new disciples were all hesitant to leave and eager to spend more time there. The disciple who rang the bell barked at them, “Dusk is here! Do you not hear me!”

“Aye. Let us go.” Reluctantly, they got up and began to leave too.

As they went back, the three princes were especially excited. Prince Zhao said, “I feel that my powers have risen to another level. I am sure that I am getting closer and closer to Senior Brother Xiao.”

Prince Yan peered at him, his eyes narrowed, saying, “What level were you?”

“Level 1!”

“…”

“By the way, this is a very good place indeed. Shall we come earlier tomorrow?”

Xiao Chen stared strangely at him and said, “You may come early as you will. But be careful.”

“Why the caution? Are there wild beasts or predators here? Surely these animals would hardly be of any harm to us, not with so many Senior Brothers and Sisters present,” said Prince Zhao, roaring with laughter.

Xiao Chen said no more, smiling only in return.

The second morning, Xiao Chen did not depart for the Sky-gazing Gorge. Instead, he meditated in his own courtyard for he could still draw some Spiritual Qi he needed for the moment. Seeing him still there, Lil Ruo asked, “Are you not going to the Sky-gazing Gorge, Young Master?”

Xiao Chen smiled and answered, “I intend to let the three unlucky fools to suffer a little. I might go after a few days.”

At sunset, the three princes did come to him, sad and dejected.

“Boo hoo hoo… Help us, Senior Brother! We were bullied!”

“Ah? But who would dare to bully you three, the most eminent princes?” Xiao Chen was practicing his skills with his Unsullied. He returned his sword back to its sheath as he replied to their complaints.

From his robes, Prince Zhao took out an elixir. Bitterly, he grumbled, “It was all that Ye Shaochong. He had forced us to trade for each of these elixirs with the price of one Spirit Stone. He even ordered that it is compulsory for us to trade our Stones to him every month lest we are forbidden from entering the Sky-gazing Gorge! Damn, who does he think he is? The master of the Sky-gazing Gorge?”

Xiao Chen took the elixir from him and had a brief look. It was an elixir of common quality. Even he could easily refine more than tens of them at the cost of not even one or two taels apiece. He said, “You will only get sick if you consume such rubbish.” And he tossed the pill aside.

“You had just tossed away a Spirit Stone!” Prince Zhao wailed out loud, looking in the direction where Xiao Chen had tossed the elixir.

Xiao Chen turned to him and asked, “Did you not mention my name?”

Prince Yan, who was sobbing, replied, “We did! But he said even you will have to comply with this command. And you have to buy two elixirs each month!”

Prince Qi then asked, “How about coming with us tomorrow, Senior Brother Xiao?”

Xiao Chen stared at him and replied flatly, “What is there for you three to fear when you have already paid your dues?”

“Of course we do. It seems that he’s picking on us on purpose. He will surely harass us again.”

Xiao Chen threw a look into the horizon, enjoying the view of the sunset and he said, “Very well. I will come with you tomorrow morning.” As he spoke, Unsullied shot out of its scabbard, shearing off a little branch which had stretched over the wall.

“Wow! You can now control your sword with your Spiritual Qi, Senior Brother!”

…

The following morning, Xiao Chen walked out of his cottage, only to find the three princes already waiting for him. Seeing that Xiao Chen had brought his sword out today, the concerned Lil Ruo tugged at his sleeve, saying, “Please do not get into trouble, Young Master…” She immediately turned and glared at the three princes, “You three! Do not ever think of instigating my Young Master to fight for you!”

Xiao Chen caressed her hair gently and smiled at her, saying, “Have no fear. I will be fine.” He then set off for the Sky-gazing Gorge with the three princes.

Filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, the fertile valley had attracted more than eight to nine hundred disciples cultivating there. Most of them were clustered at the northern and southern parts of the gorge which were lined by a few white birch trees, leaving a large tract of empty space in the center.

The newer disciples were mostly at the spot where the three Elders had first brought them to; which was at the South. Xiao Chen and his companions went over there too and looked for a place to sit.

Before long, four young men, all clothed red, came over to them and asked them coldly, “Are you new here?”