The difference between wisdom and foolishness often lies not in our initial choices, but in how we handle their unexpected outcomes. A wise person learns to navigate the chaos they create, while a fool drowns in it.
—Master Song Lin, Scholar of the Jade Path
The atmosphere of the execution grounds, the square in front of the city manor, was muted. Soldiers stood at attention armed with spears while the civilians stood in a crowd on the other side of the cordon.
Xiulan watched Prince Hao draw his ornate sword, its polished surface catching the light. Lord Chao knelt on the wooden platform, hands bound behind his back.
"Lord Chao, your sentence is death." Prince Hao’s voice rang clear across the courtyard.
Lord Chao lifted his chin. "Remember your promises."
"I always keep my word." Prince Hao adjusted his grip on the sword.
The blade whistled through the air. Lord Chao’s head thumped onto the ground, blood pooling and then running between the cracks in the cobble. Prince Hao produced a silk cloth and methodically cleaned his blade before approaching Zhao Lian.
"I trust this settles matters?" His tone remained conversational, as if discussing the weather rather than a fresh execution.
"Provided the Chao family withdraws completely from Blackmere and ceases all pursuit against House Lin." Zhao Lian’s steady voice betrayed no emotion.
Prince Hao passed the bloodied cloth to Min Tajin with a dismissive flick. "Our business here concludes."
Xiulan and Feng Yu observed the prince’s departure. The morning breeze carried the metallic scent of blood across the square. Prince Hao paused before Feng Yu, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"In a pit of vipers a bird might think to fly free toward the heavens, but she’ll inevitably be torn down by those same vipers if she doesn’t fly fast enough." His words cut through the air like ice, silencing the murmur of the crowd. "The ones who like to set feathers to flame might be spending time in Aeris. A certain bird might want to spend her time there instead of roaming the backwaters."
The prince’s gaze shifted to Xiulan, lingering for a weighted moment. Without another word, continued and strode away, Min Tajin following in his wake. Her cousin offered a side wave without looking from the prince’s back.
Xiulan turned to Feng Yu as Prince Hao’s silhouette disappeared into the morning mist. "Did you understand his warning?"
"Yes." Feng Yu adjusted her sleeve, sunlight glinting off the golden threads. "Have you decided between Aeris or Arinthia yet?"
"Mei Chen and I will go, but I haven’t chosen which," Xiulan replied.
"I’m heading to Aeris." Feng Yu straightened her back.
"Well, that settles it then. The three of us can travel together."
"Four." Ren Chun strode across the execution grounds toward them, careful to avoid the blood. "I need to join a school now that I have demonstrated my talent."
Xiulan snorted. "Right. Maybe you just waited until you had an advantage? Were the entrance tests too difficult without leveling up first?"
"Leveling... up?" Ren Chun asked, question in the words. He shook his head not understanding. "I needed prestigious victories. Leading heroic warriors to save a noble family from mercenaries makes perfect credentials!"
"Are such deeds really required for school admission?" Xiulan furrowed her brow.
Feng Yu beamed. "Don’t worry—we defeated an ancient dawn serpent. That’s far more impressive."
"Are you sure we defeated it?" Xiulan shot her a skeptical glance. "It seemed to lose interest and leave to avoid harming Liuhuo. I sort of wonder where it went after..."
"Pfft!" Feng Yu waved dismissively. "It fled from us. That counts as victory!"
Liuhuo appeared from under her collar and hissed at her chin. Someone didn’t agree.
"Ha!" Ren Chun crossed his arms. "Tell that story and they’ll think you lack decisiveness!"
Okay, multiple someones.
"Doesn’t Bong Ki already teach you?" Xiulan brushed a stray leaf from her temple. "He might object to you joining another school."
"Hong Bi." Ren Chun emphasized each syllable with exaggerated patience. "And it’s expected for disciples to broaden their horizons. When a master sends their student to experience the world, joining a formal school follows naturally."
"I have a mission for you to accomplish on your way from Blackmere." Qingfeng straightened his robes.
Xiulan unrolled the parchment and her eyes widened at the contents. "A bounty? One thousand spirit stones for subjugating a wrathful spirit?" She traced the inked characters with her fingertip. "This seems far beyond our capabilities, even with Feng Yu and Ren Chun’s help."
"The spirit slipped from an ancient soul prison that once contained it." Qingfeng stroked his beard. "Though old, its power has waned considerably. A group of young cultivators should prove sufficient to prevent further harm to innocent people."
"But why do you want us to do it?" Mei Chen spoke up.
Xiulan glanced at her companion. Yes! Good job speaking up, Mei Chen! The earlier encouragement was already working.
"I believe this will prove educational." Qingfeng’s gaze settled on Mei Chen specifically. "Especially for you. It may demonstrate what a spirit could become."
Xiulan frowned at the implication. "Isn’t that cruel to Mei Chen?"
"No, miss." Mei Chen straightened her spine. "I would rather know what I’m fighting against. I don’t want to be blind to dangers."
Well, that settled it then. Xiulan rolled the scroll carefully. "We’ll take the mission, Master Qingfeng."
"Excellent. Now—both of you assume the lotus position." Qingfeng lit another stick of sandalwood incense.
Xiulan suppressed a groan. Of course agreeing to hunt a dangerous spirit wouldn’t get them out of meditation practice. She straightened her back and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing as Qingfeng’s measured voice guided them through the familiar routine.
An hour later, Xiulan’s legs felt cramped as she descended the pavilion stairs with Mei Chen. Of course, they weren’t really cramped, she didn’t get cramps as a cultivator any more, but the mental damage was still there.
Movement in the courtyard caught her attention—a flurry of activity as servants scurried about with boxes and parcels. Wei Kang stood shirtless in their midst, ritual scars gleaming as he hoisted a towering stack of crates over his head. The muscles in his arms bunched and flexed with each movement.
Was he... showing off?
Xiulan tore her gaze away and spotted Ming Lihua directing the organized chaos. She steered Mei Chen toward the senior merchandiser. "What’s all this about?"
"Oh!" Ming’s usual composure slipped. "Master Qingfeng plans to travel soon. We’re just preparing the necessities."
Xiulan exchanged a meaningful look with Mei Chen. "How often does Master Qingfeng usually travel?"
Ming avoided eye contact and released a weak laugh. "I... can’t actually recall the last time..."
Unease prickled along Xiulan’s spine. Something felt very wrong about this. She thanked Ming and guided Mei Chen toward the manor gates. They needed to speak with Feng Yu and Ren Chun—there were preparations to make before departing.
Xiulan watched their reactions unfold with growing disbelief.
Ren Chun thrust his fist skyward. "This will guarantee our acceptance as high-ranking outer disciples! No questions asked!"
Feng Yu turned toward Xiulan. "Master Qingfeng truly believes we can accomplish this?"
"He suggested Mei Chen and I ask for your help." Xiulan gestured between them. "The location lies along the route to Aeris."
A bright laugh burst from Feng Yu as she mirrored Ren Chun’s pose, raising her own fist. "We’ll be recognized instantly for our prowess!"
Mei Chen sidled closer to Xiulan, her breath tickling Xiulan’s ear. "Perhaps we should reconsider? Ming Lihua or the mercenaries might—"
"What?" Feng Yu’s enthusiastic expression froze as she stared at them. "This is a perfect opportunity!"
Xiulan pinched the bridge of her nose. "You two must have come from the same cultivator hero fabrication line or something."
"A... what?" Ren Chun’s face scrunched in confusion.
"No amount of karma could have engineered my association with you two." Xiulan rubbed her temples. "How did this even happen?"
Feng Yu laughed and wrapped her arm around Xiulan’s shoulders. "You inherited the luck of the heavens, obviously! Isn’t your secret grandpa the ’Thunder God’ or something like that?"
Xiulan groaned. Now even her sarcastic naming conventions were causing her grief!