Chapter 42 - The Eight Tribulation

I kept on visiting Bai Fan every day, to the amusement of Master Fa and the grievance of General Bai.

He had indeed bitten more than he could chew.

Fan’er had explained that his father had been all for her to marry until it dawned on him that she would leave her family home to live with me. I had two residences, one in the Yan province and the other in the palace (but truth be told I don’t think we’d be very happy in the palace), and both were more than two week’s travel from the western border.

We could always build a home in the West, but being a prince meant I had to visit the palace often… And there was the imperial library to consider too.

I spoke often with my Master and was finally able to take off my chest the incident that had been heaviest on my conscience: my relationship with Xiao Ling.

He had been quite upset with me for having taken her purity, but he was furious when I said that I had never cleared the air with her about me kissing another woman. As punishment for my transgression, I had to meditate under a waterfall for three full days… which I suppose was his way of saying ‘reflect on your mistakes’.

Too bad that I used that time and the chance to instead challenge the next heavenly tribulation.

I sat under the waterfall for one afternoon before I felt my Chi spike in a way it had never done before as if it were preparing for a fight without my consent.

I heard thunder in the heaven above me and saw the flashing through my closed eyelids. The rock under me shook and I suddenly forgot the water hitting my shoulders when a bolt of lightning impacted against my chest. I felt the energy and heat, but my Chi flared again, repelling the attack.

Thunder sounded again, and again my Chi clashed against the lighting when it was about to hit me. It pushed against it, and I felt a righteous fury behind the storm. Something or someone wanted to prevent me from reaching the next level.

Well, too bad for them.

I wasn’t about to back down.

I breathed and reinforced my Chi through my will and the next strike of lightning was even easier to repel and, after two more tries, the storm abated and I knew I had won the battle… but also that my enemies were not only within the earthly realm anymore.

There had been something strange about the Tribulation, and I was intent on finding what was going on.

It took the rest of the next day for me to get used to the growth in my Chi, and once I went back to the Fa estate, I slept for two days straight.

When I woke, I found myself being cared for by two women who were glaring at each other in turns, and my master who was silently staring at the garden while sipping tea.

“I am perfectly capable of caring for my future husband.” Bai Fan stressed the last two words with a petulant air.

“Ah, but my Master is well accustomed to me caring for him. He has often said how much he enjoys my hands on him.” Despite the difference in classes, Ling didn’t seem keen to let anyone lord over her.

“Why don’t you open your eyes already and stop them from fighting?”

As always, Master Fa was in complete control of the situation.

I answered without opening my eyes “I was interested in hearing Bai Fan’s comeback.”

Master Fa laughed.

When I opened my eyes, I found both women blushing furiously. “How long was I out?”

“Two days.”

I nodded.

Fan’er pouted “You could have said something! After seeing you every day, I grew worried when you didn’t come for four days. And when I come to see you, they tell me you have been asleep.”

Her worry was endearing.

“Sorry about that.” I sat on the bed and caressed her cheek with my thumb “I got my punishment from Master Fa, and while I was at it, I went through a Heavenly Tribulation.”

Master Fa sighed, while Ling looked quite put out that I had reached for Fan’s hand instead of hers.

“Which was it?”

“The eight.”

He sighed again, even when I saw the pride in his eyes.

“Min’s chance to win back the Mastery is quickly looking like a vain hope.”

I shook my head “We should be even in straight martial arts. Especially since he’s been training with me during our travels.”

Master Fa smiled and nodded gratefully. “I will tell him.” With that, he left me with the two women.

“Ling, please ask the Fa’s servants to set a table for Fan’er and me at the garden.” She gave me a low bow and left to do my bidding. Only when she had left did I turn to Bai Fan, whose eyes were shining with tears.

Without words, I opened my arms and she hugged me willingly.

“I was so worried.” She whispered against my chest.

“Sorry, I-”

She shook her head, and her fingers touched my lips to silence me… a gesture keenly reminiscent of a certain goddess. “I understand that this is what you do. You are a cultivator, after all. Next time please just tell me that you’re going to be away, all right?”

I truly had lucked out with her as my friend… and future wife.

I smiled “Very well.”

We held each other until we heard Ling coming back.