Chapter 28- A Quick Stop At A Volcano

They were summoned to the main hall at sunset. The flying cloud was waiting for them. Tian was embarrassed to see that he was the last of the juniors to arrive. Fortunately, he was rescued from his embarrassment by the arrival of Jun. He paid his respects to his cousin, then handed Tian a dense package.

“Two and a quarter pounds of our fifty year old White Eyebrow Longevity Tea. I rounded up slightly in your favor. Do remember to write, I have a morbid *cough* deep interest in seeing how your mercantile venture goes.” Jun grinned. Tian did a bit of mental math, reckoned he didn’t get screwed and bowed politely in thanks.

“I will do that. I’m really not sure how to send letters just yet, let alone how to trade, but I expect I’ll figure it out.” Tian wondered if he could commission missions to deliver mail from the sky barge. But then, how would he receive mail? He certainly couldn’t afford to have some heavenly person courier chasing after the barge on a flying sword or something.

“Sorry, did you say two and a quarter pounds? Tian, how the hell did the brokest brokie in the Wasteland afford that?” Hong, asked, quite possibly with malice aforethought.

Tian adopted a look of patient superiority. “My virtue and attainment in the dao naturally draws in the virtuous, encouraging them to invest with me. Work hard, little sister, and you too might achieve some level of success. Not as much as me, obviously, but maybe as much as a quarter. If you apply yourself.”

“Oh, I see.” She nodded understandingly. “I guess that would explain the absolute sweetheart deal I found on some premium body cultivation herbs and some utterly luxurious skin softening lotion. Scented, I was happy to learn, with a blend of sandalwood and aged tangerine rind. It really complements the cool, creamy feeling of the lotion itself on the skin. All that natural virtue radiating out of me is what did it. Sheer, bone deep charisma. Some of us are just born with it. But I’m sure what you got is… fine.”

The two briefly glared at each other, getting chuckles from the gathering crowd. Tian looked around for Shu and found her hovering at the edge of the crowd. She looked like she wanted to come closer but was too embarrassed. Why, Tian couldn’t imagine. He walked over to her.

“I’m glad I found you before I left. Fellow Daoist Shu has been very kind to show me around. I have really learned a lot, and it really meant a lot to spend time with my wounded brothers and sisters. Thank you. Thank you very much. I can be relieved knowing they are here with you.” Tian clasped his hands and bowed.

This seemed to have the unintended effect of sending Shu into a furious blush. “No, no, I’m not a doctor, I don’t even compound medicine! I just wanted to show you. Um. Well. Um!” She started stammering, then shoved a package into his hands. “Write me!” She turned and bolted, leaving a stunned Tian behind.

Tian blinked a few times and walked back to the flying cloud. He was getting looks. The looks he was getting from his fellow disciples were particularly colorful.

“Leading the poor girl on. Disgusting.” Sister Hong shook her head.

“Heartbreaker. Merciless.” Sister Su shook her head.

“I truly thought better of you, Brother.” Brother Wang shook his head.

“I didn’t.” Sister Lin shook her head too.

“A productive trip was had by all, it seems.” Elder Feng appeared in a rush of wind. She led the farewell with a few polite words and they were off.

“So, what did she give you?” Hong asked.

“I can’t tell you.” Tian shrugged.

“Open the package already!”

“No. Since you think I all have a low moral character, I’m worried it might be contraband. Opening it in front of the disciplinary squad is just looking for death.” He sighed. “Truly it is said, where you see the squad, you see criminals.”

“Who? Who says that?”

“I’m no informer! The squad can only suppress the truth so long!” Tian refused to sell out Grandpa Jun.

Elder Feng coughed. “We are visiting Burning Stone Manor next. We will reach there tomorrow evening, and leave a few hours later. I will expect you to socialize with the Earthly Realm disciples, as well as learn more about them. Expect them to challenge you in various ways, though they won’t all be fighting.”

Elder Feng got polite bows of acknowledgement, but seemed to read her junior’s minds as her lips twisted and she added “Expect them to actually know how to fight. The Manor was established to suppress certain creatures that emerge from Burning Stone Volcano. They don’t fight a lot of humans, but their experience with heavily armored, blazing hot, poisonous fume emitting monsters is quite excellent.”

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Tian could respect that.