Chapter 36: Homecoming (2/2)

He was teaching a pig. It was an amusing distraction.

/////////

The two pigs left the next morning, to carry a list and a letter to their master. One note would be the children’s preferences, the other, the news that the merchants would be at Verdant hill in three days, along with their recording crystals, if Jin wished to get anything specific.

They hitched themselves to the sleigh, and bowed in respect to those that would see them off.

Xian smiled, waving them goodbye.

Meiling said that they would be seeing them soon enough, for Jin had some kind of grand plan for the solstice.

He faced the future with a smile.

///////

She strode, her head held high, through the gates of her sect. Disciples and Mortals gathered around her as she walked, at the head of her small band. They gaped at the blade of Sun Ken, the vile Crimson Demon’s Tooth. They shouted her name. They praised the Might of the Verdant Blade Sect, to lay the wicked low.

Her comrades, the ones she had bid rest, had all lived. Though the fight had been bloody, the members of the Verdant Blade Sect were returning victorious from battle. She would lay flowers at their graves, those that could be recovered.

Even the mortal soldiers would receive their compensation. They had fought bravely, and taken heavy losses to the ambushes. They had done their duty, and that was honour for their family.

Even so, many children would be without their fathers. But none of the adoring crowds saw that.

Her robes were pristine white. Her hair was immaculate. It was like she had fought the Whirling Demon Sword Gang, and sustained not a scratch.

This was pomp and circumstance. Word had been sent ahead of her arrival. Fresh clothes had been provided for her, as well as medics, to see that she had no scars or blemishes on her body. This showed that the Verdant Blade Sect was powerful. That their Young Mistress was untouchable.

The sect leader, The Elders, and the disciples had been gathered. They stood with stern faces, and proud bearing in the main courtyard, elevated above the mortals.

They reached the correct distance, and as one, her party descended to their knees, clasping their fists, and bowing their heads.

“Sect Leader of the Verdant Blade! Honoured Elders! This Cai Xiulan returns from her mission, successful! Sen Ken, The Whirling Demon Blade, and The Whirling Demon Blade Gang lie vanquished! Their bones are shattered, and their lifeblood now nurtures the earth! No longer shall the wicked plague the world!”

She reached to her back, and presented the sword.

“I present to you, honoured Elders,The Crimson Demon’s Tooth, as proof of Sun Ken’s demise!”

They made the appropriate noises of approval.

“Rise, Daughter of the Verdant Blade.” Her honourable father called. She could see the pride in his eyes. “You shall be rewarded for your triumph.”

“Come! Take the news to all corners of the Azure Hill! All must know of Sun Ken’s defeat at the hands of our Verdant Blade Sect!”

The crowd roared in approval.

Though it was her duty to present things like this, the praise tasted like ashes.

///////

“It’s demon is suppressed, and I dare say leashed-- remarkable! Daughter, how did you accomplish this feat?”

Her honorable father’s gaze turned to her from the Crimson Demon’s tooth.

“My daughter, what troubles you?” He asked her, concerned. They were in his office, so that she could deliver a more comprehensive support. His eyes were concerned, as he stared at her conflicted face.

“....May we have some privacy?” She asked.

He nodded his head, and with a flick of his hand, the others what were in his room exited. The silencing formation was put up. Her father’s eyes softened.

“Now, tell your father what ails you, Xiulan.”

“It was not I who slew Sun Ken.” She stated, hoping to speed through the worst of it. Her father’s eyebrows disappeared into his hair. “I was on death’s door, crippled by demonic qi. When I finally found Sun Ken, he was already dead.”

“...then, how did this occur? How did you survive?”

She bowed her head.

“I had a fortuitous encounter. I was taken in by a Hidden Master. I was healed. Gifted with profound techniques and new training, presented with Sun Ken’s blade, and told to take the credit. With his assistance and his wisdom, I have reached the fourth stage.”

Her father’s jaw dropped. “He assisted you so greatly?! And raised you so high in mere days? Is there any way that he could be convinced to join our sect?”

She shook her head. “He requested that I keep his privacy. I will not betray this single task he has set before me. I beg your forgiveness for this, father, but I must honour his request.”

“....How powerful was he?”

“I could not see his depths.”

Her father nodded, and stroked his beard. “We shall abide by his demands. Thank you for telling me daughter. To insult a hidden master who has done you such a kindness is the height of dishonour.”

“He also gifted me this, and asked that I attend his wedding with Senior Sister”

Cai Xi Kong opened the bag of rice. It was the finest silver grade rice he had ever laid eyes on, nearing gold grade.

And it was absolutely stuffed with qi. Sweat beaded on his brow.

‘...then we must prepare a suitable gift for him, daughter. Can you consider anything that he would desire?”

Xiulan considered. Her gaze turned to the Crimson Demon’s Tooth.

Her lips quirked into a smile.

“He mentioned wanting a plow.”

Her father stared at the blade as well, and began laughing.

“The wicked whoreson’s blade as a farming implement?! I can think of no better insult!”