v6c44: A Most Enjoyable Journey

Bi De focused on the route ahead, his mind focused and pure. The blades made of Qi on the bottom of his feet dug in just enough. It was an interesting control exercise to make them duller and avoid slicing through the frozen lake. The world was flashing by with great velocity. Not the fastest he could go, but it was still an exhilarating speed. He was in his human form; his long legs pushing against the ice, and his arms swinging to keep balance. He locked on to a piece of the ice that rose up into a ramp, formed from the shifting currents below. He hit the incline at speed and let his body flow, spinning through the air. He flipped upside down, catching a glimpse of the rest of his companions with each turn, smiles on their faces.

He landed perfectly of course, sliding across the ice with his one leg extended, his body low while he flowed, and smoothly transitioning back to their pace. He skated backwards and took a bow.

Ri Zu and the Torrent Rider let out little cheers at his performance.

“Six out of ten!” Gou Ren heckled, and he was joined with much laughter, while Bi De stuck his tongue out at the man.

They cut across the ice to get to Pale Moon Lake City faster, taking the most direct route after Biyu pointed out the right direction. At first they had simply run, using the open terrain to accelerate, before Bi De had realised that there was a faster and easier way.

The techniques of Ha Qi, that noble art, were most efficacious in traversing the frozen sections of the lake. For the less powerful of their number, sliding used up less stamina, so they could travel faster. Though Biyu could not form blades of Qi yet, simply pushing off and sliding had let her accelerate to keep pace, and she seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.

She and Yun Ren hadn’t stopped beaming since they had left Biyu’s parents. Both of them had big smiles that were permanently affixed. And though Biyu had been mostly untied, she still had a knot of red rope around her arm; according to tradition Yun Ren was supposed to keep her ‘captured’ until he returned to the home of his family… but that was not really feasible. So Biyu had come up with a solution that ‘looked cute’.

It was indeed rather fetching.

Bi De loved his home, but there was something pure about travelling the world with one’s companions. The rousing campfire tales, the changing scenery, and even the friendly heckling. Especially this time. There was no weight on his shoulders; it was his turn to see what his friends had done, and it was not his duty to really do anything.

He could simply enjoy the journey, and witness what others had accomplished.

“What’s got you so happy?” Tigu asked, skating up beside him. She was looking at the bright smile on Bi De’s face.

“Travelling with you,” he replied, giving her his most winning smile.

“Don’t say that kind of thing to me, it’s weird! Save it for Ri Zu or Yin, or anyone else!” Tigu immediately demanded, looking mildly perturbed. Bi De started laughing at his sister’s instant retort. After a moment she snorted, punching his shoulder.

“I speak only the truth though, sister!” Bi De said, still chuckling. “I’m glad I get to travel with you.”

There was a moment of silence between them.

“I’m glad you’re here too,” Tigu finally admitted, offering Bi De a small smile. “This time you get to see what I’ve done! I have a lot of work to do here, but next time… next time, when you go hunting Demons, I’ll be there too, okay?”

Her fierce yellow eyes locked with his. Determination shone in their depths.

“Of course,” Bi De replied, matching her fierce look with a smile of his own. “How could I dare keep my sister from such a battle? It would be an honour to watch your hunt, and see the wicked driven before you.”

Tigu puffed out her chest with pride. “Together next time then! With both of us, they have not a prayer!”

Bi De smiled at his sister. Truly she had grown. There were no boasts about surpassing him, or any kind of competition. Instead, there was eagerness and certainty.

She was so mature now! He was sad he had missed her growth, but he could only marvel at the results.

“Truly, my little sister has grown,” he said warmly. Tigu didn’t dispute him calling her his little sister either. “I always knew you were destined for great things.”

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Tigu’s cheeks went pink. “That’s enough flattery from you,” she grumbled, but Bi De knew if she had her cat ears they would be standing straight up with pride.

Before Bi De could start teasing, however, he was interrupted.

“Master! Master, watch this one!” the Torrent Rider called. Another who had grown splendidly! Teaching his first disciple was such a joy, and this journey allowed Bi De to give the Torrent Rider the direction he couldn’t while he was away. Breaking down the basics, teaching while in a human form… it taught him as much as Zhang Fei!

“Let’s see, my Disciple!” Bi De demanded. The young man beamed, turned, and accelerated.

Indeed, his flip was magnificent.

==========================

They entered the city from the docks, after carefully suppressing their Qi so as to not damage the local detection stones… if there were any in this quarter of the city yet. Bi De had been fascinated by the things, after Biyu had explained their function. A truly ingenious solution!

The guards were apparently used to people entering from the docks; many people seemed to walk along the frozen lake, and there were a lot of fishermen.

“Do you truly need that?” Bi De asked, watching Xiulan put on a cloak that would hide her face.

“Remember the time in the Verdant Hill market?” Xiulan reminded him.

“I retract my question,” he replied, remembering the looks and comments.

Xiulan gave him a wry grin that was interrupted as they sensed two approaching men, guards. These ones had no pendants and at first approached swiftly; their eyes fixed on their group.

“Names and business—” the lead guard started, his voice bored… before his eyes suddenly widened, locking onto Xiulan’s eyes and he choked. “—Demon-Slaying Orchid?!”

Xiulan turned to him and raised a finger to her lips. The man swallowed and immediately bowed.