v6c27: Heading South

One Day before the New Year: Northern Azure Hills

Lu Ri, Senior Disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect, considered the landscape before him. Each breath came with labour, the air near devoid of Qi, but that was simply the nature of the Azure Hills. They were deep into the province now, and the last of the freezing Qi from the Sea of Snow had long since passed.

“This place is most disagreeable,” Core Disciple Su Ge muttered under her breath, glaring out at the landscape as if it had personally offended her.

“It is good training, I’ve found,” Lu Ri replied. The feeling was not as unwelcome as it once was; for it simultaneously was good training and meant that he was near both his Junior Brother and his good friend, the Lord Magistrate. Good food and better company was close at hand. “Examine each leak from your meridians and address it. In doing so, find a greater awareness of yourself.”

Su Ge considered Lu Ri’s words, then turned her gaze inwards with narrowed eyes.

“I see. I do believe I understand what you mean,” she said. Lu Ri felt her Qi instantly adjust and its flow stabilize—Elder Ge’s granddaughter was truly a prodigy of cultivation. “Thank you for your pointer, Senior Disciple.”

Lu Ri inclined his head, pleased at both her words and that the Core Disciples had such a thorough understanding of the Will of the Founders.

He smiled to himself as he took in the scenery. The week so far had been leisurely as they traveled towards the south. Indeed, the pace had been positively glacial for a cultivator, though there was good reason for that.

“Mastah Lu Ri?” A voice, thick with tribal accent, cut through Lu Ri’s musings. He turned towards the man on a horse.

Nezin Han, leader of his tribe, waited patiently for acknowledgement. Lu Ri nodded, and the man continued.

“We’re ready to get back to it.”

Himself, Miss Yuanlin, Core Disciple Su Ge, and Senior Sister Yeo Na were escorting the Nezin tribe south to Hong Yaowu. It was an amusingly powerful escort for mortals, but they were kin to his Junior Brother; the escort was therefore appropriate, even if it had not been his original plan.

His Elders had charged Lu Ri and his fellow disciples with collecting their resupply and granted them leave of their duties. Upon hearing what Miss Yuanlin planned to do, Lu Ri saw no reason not to accompany her. He had been charged with the tribe’s safety by his Junior Brother, and he would see it through.

That his Seniors decided to accompany them as well was a surprise, but a welcome one. They had many enjoyable evenings discussing the mail system and the uniform Su Ge had created. He hadn’t expected the Core Disciple to have what Miss Yuanlin called “an eye for fashion”, but all true Masters had hidden depths, and his Senior in cultivation was no different.

“Then we advance,” Lu Ri replied as he started to walk forward. His Qi flattened the snow in front of him, making a path to follow. “How are your people holding up, Chief Han?”

“We’re wearing a bit, but at our current pace? We should hit Hong Yaowu by tomorrow, and that’s lettin’ us push through,” the mortal replied. The pace had been rather brutal for the mortals, driving south swiftly for them, but the hardy nomads raised not a word of complaint. “It’s a bit earlier than we were expecting to swing by, but Brother Xian said we were welcome. Fascinating things, those Transmission Stones. Makes me want some, if only to hear my daughter’s voice!”

Lu Ri chuckled good naturedly. Lu Ri and Jin had served as the go between Hong Yaowu and the tribe. Madam Hu Li had been overjoyed to hear her family again, even though she had known they were safe.

“A fine use of the crystals,” Lu Ri replied. “Communication, I find, is vastly underrated by many.”

The tribal man laughed. “Ain’t it just? Though, speakin’ of communication, I head youse all talkin’ about boots for that mail thing. Said it was for mortals?”

Li Ri perked up. “You have suggestions?”

The man nodded, reaching around and pulling out a set of leather boots that looked similar to the ones he was wearing.

“Sole is thicker than what Imperials normally like, but when you’re walking the north you’re grateful for every bit of cushion. We use snow cork and layers of treated yak hide to keep it flexible and light. Winter versions are waterproof—we use northern oil duck grease, and you can submerge it completely. Doesn’t wash off. The summer ones we make to breathe easy, so your feet aren’t swamped. They dry out real fast. We only make ‘em for friends, yanno?”

Lu Ri’s eyes were locked onto the boot. Truly, it was a work of art. The sole was quite a bit thicker than normal; springy, almost.

“I will have to discuss this with the Lord Magistrate… but I do believe I am thankful I am a friend of the Nezin Tribe.”

Nezin Han smiled at Lu Ri.

The trip, while slow, was indeed worth it; and tomorrow, he would be able to enjoy the company of his dear friends, and even introduce his Seniors to the Lord Magistrate!

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One Day before the New Year

“Attention!” Lanlong Bailu of Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect belted out. The crew of the Windward Blade all snapped ramrod straight, their eyes clear and focused.

Bailu looked across the serried ranks of her Sister Disciples, then pulled out a scroll and unfurled it.

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“By Order of Admiral Tianzhe Minyan, the Divine Falcon of the East Wind, all crew hear this! The following Disciples are to conduct a resupply mission! Once the resupply mission is complete, they are approved for leave on the New Year! The following Disciples have been chosen! Lanlong Bailu, Wakokukin Seiyu, Lai Ni…”

Bailu listed off names, her voice crisp and commanding. Each Disciple that was called nodded once to show they had heard.

“… Qiao Ju, and Han Ting. This concludes the roll of Disciples who have leave!” Bailu finished. Some of the women looked slightly disappointed to not have been called. “Those that remain will be compensated appropriately!” That got them perking back up. Bailu rolled up her scroll and turned to the aft, where Elder Minyan was watching over them. “Orders have been delivered!” She saluted and waited, clasping her fist with her palm.

Elder Minyan’s cold eyes roved over them, piercing and weighing all of them.