In my thousand years, I have seen countless promising disciples rush to their doom. They mistake speed for progress, forgetting that even the mightiest tree must first sink roots deep into the earth. Take time to strengthen your core, lest you become another cautionary tale.
—Sage Master Yu Ling, Speaker to the Wild
Xiulan dropped her travel pack onto the wooden floor of their rented rooms. The weight lifted from her shoulders brought welcome relief after the day’s journey. Quiet had settled between their group since leaving the spirit’s cave, the heavy atmosphere lifting in the warm drizzle from the sky.
The innkeeper had practically danced when they mentioned dealing with the wrathful spirit. Within minutes, the entire village erupted into impromptu festivities—drums beating, wine flowing, and children running through the streets with ribbons trailing behind them.
Early summer’s mist did nothing to mute things.
Square wooden beams crossed the ceiling of their common room. Two bedroom doors stood on opposite walls, one facing an enclosed garden visible through paper screens. The simple furnishings spoke of comfort rather than luxury—exactly what they needed.
"I’ll take the room by the garden." Ren Chun stepped toward the screened door.
"Absolutely not." Feng Yu planted herself between him and the door. "That’s our room. You get the other one all to yourself—plenty of space for one person."
Ren Chun’s shoulders slumped, but he nodded. "The garden does look peaceful though."
"Nothing stops you from enjoying it except the rain." Xiulan gestured toward the open screen doors where drops slowly strengthened to splatter against the wooden walkway.
A soft melody drifted through the room as Mei Chen sorted their travel packs. "I’ll wash everyone’s clothes if you bundle them together."
"You don’t need to do that." Xiulan frowned. "You’re not a servant anymore."
"Yeah!" Feng Yu stepped forward. "You don’t have to if you don’t want—"
"But I want to." Mei Chen clutched a bundle of fabric to her chest. "It makes me happy."
The simple statement caught Xiulan off guard. She exchanged glances with Feng Yu, who shrugged and began gathering her clothes. Ren Chun followed suit, passing his bundle to Mei Chen.
Mei Chen sorted the garments. A pang of guilt twisted in Xiulan’s chest as she realized they’d been pushing Mei Chen. Her friend deserved to choose her own path.
Xiulan moved forward and wrapped her arms around Mei Chen in a sudden embrace. A surprised squeak escaped.
"What was that for?" Mei Chen tilted her head.
"Because you’re perfect exactly as you are." Xiulan smiled. "However you want to be."
Mei Chen blinked in confusion before a warm smile spread across her face. "Thank you, miss."
The scent of braised pork and fried chicken wafted through the room as servants arranged lacquered trays on the low table. Steam rose from bowls of white rice and noodles, while plates of sauced vegetables added vibrant colors to the spread. The rich aroma made Xiulan’s stomach rumble.
Everyone settled onto cushions around the table. Xiulan watched Mei Chen expertly arrange chopsticks and spoons while Ren Chun poured soy milk into ceramic cups.
Halfway through the meal, Feng Yu lowered her chopsticks and studied Mei Chen. "Did anyone ever force the two of you to survive on the streets?"
Mei Chen froze mid-slurp, a noodle dangling from her mouth. She quickly dabbed her lips with a napkin. "What? No! We’ve always been provided care, even if it was a bit... improper..."
Feng Yu bit into a piece of chicken, her amber eyes fixed on Xiulan with laser focus.
The intense scrutiny made Xiulan squirm on her cushion. "Why are you thinking so hard? I swear I can see steam coming out of your ears."
Feng Yu patted her head and ears in confusion. "What?"
"It’s fine." Mei Chen smoothed the last napkin flat. "I’ve already bathed in hot water since..." She gestured vaguely at herself. "The water doesn’t affect this body badly, and it doesn’t disturb the water."
The wooden floorboards creaked as Feng Yu strode toward the door. "I’ll arrange everything with the innkeeper. The hot springs should be good to relax before the breakthrough. We can all visit in the morning."
Xiulan watched her leave before entering their shared bedroom. Simple furnishings lined the walls—three sleeping mats, a low table, and a wooden chest for storage. She knelt beside her travel pack and began sorting through the contents.
The five elemental pills clinked against each other as she placed them on the table. Each one gleamed with a different hue—red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, white for metal, and green for wood. Next came the bone refinement powder, wrapped in thick paper and tied with twine.
Everything’s ready. I’ve planned this out perfectly. She traced the edge of the powder packet. So why do I feel so uncertain?
Cool arms wrapped around her shoulders as Mei Chen knelt behind her. The familiar scent of frost and jasmine filled the air. "Is Miss happy with our path?"
Xiulan relaxed against Mei Chen’s embrace, letting out a long breath. "I think we found the best way forward, considering everything that’s happened." She patted Mei Chen’s hand. "Though I wish you’d stop calling me ’Miss’ when we’re alone."
Mei Chen squeezed tighter. "That’s not what I asked, Xiulan."
Xiulan shifted back until her head rested on Mei Chen’s shoulder. The familiar cool pulse of Mei Chen’s spiritual energy seeped through her robes. "I’m happy with our little group. You, Feng Yu, even Ren Chun... seems redeemable." A sigh escaped her lips. "The future just feels... uncertain."
"You wouldn’t be the miss who drags us into trouble with all those clever plans if you weren’t happy." Mei Chen’s words carried the hint of a smile.
A chuckle bubbled up from Xiulan’s chest. The tension in her shoulders melted away as they sat together in comfortable silence. The patter of rain against the garden screens mixed with distant sounds of celebration from the village.
Eventually, it had to end, though.
"I should take care of those clothes!" Mei Chen bounced to her feet. Her eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as she hurried away with the group’s dirty bundles.
Xiulan turned and continued to prepare the room. She unrolled the three futon-style sleeping mats against the wooden wall. The setup sparked amusement—she wasn’t sure that the Japanese style beds were normal in ancient china. One of the devs at Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles had probably binged too many anime shows.
She settled onto her mat, letting her mind drift in that space between meditation and sleep.
Footsteps approached. Feng Yu slid open the door while Mei Chen followed with their freshly cleaned clothes. They all changed into sleeping robes, the fabric rustling in the dim light. Xiulan claimed the middle mat as Feng Yu and Mei Chen settled on either side.
"Good night," Xiulan mumbled, already half-asleep.
A chorus of "good nights" echoed back before darkness claimed her consciousness.
Some time later, something tickled her shoulder.
Xiulan blinked awake in the moonlit room to find chaos had erupted during her slumber.
Feng Yu sprawled upside down, feet propped over Xiulan’s shoulder while maintaining a death grip on both Mei Chen’s and her legs. Mei Chen adhered to her side like a sea barnacle, arms locked around her back and face planted against her chest.
Xiulan shifted experimentally. Both cultivators tightened their holds.
Are they faking sleep? She studied their peaceful faces suspiciously.
"Xiulan... Xiulan... Xiulan..." Mei Chen’s quiet chant drifted through the darkness.
"Mmmm... steamed buns..." Feng Yu drooled slightly onto the mat.
From his perch on Feng Yu’s back, Liuhuo released a serpentine hiss that sounded suspiciously like laughter. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement at Xiulan’s predicament.
Instead of a guard dog or cat... they had a guard snake?
Xiulan sighed in resignation. At least they were all comfy. She closed her eyes and let sleep reclaim her, surrounded by her peculiar family.