Volume 2 Chapter 14

  Uto was eating with his junior weapon master, having invited himself into the woman’s house at the opportune time to receive such an invitation. He was quite adept at showing up exactly at the right time for such things, the woman reflected, recalling that the last time her former master had appeared had also been just in time for a meal.

  Still, it was simply a matter of telling the mortal servants how many servings to prepare, so it wasn’t any hardship on her part. She wondered again why her master didn’t have servants of his own, since they were so handy, but didn’t question the old man.

  “So, Tith,” Uto said. “I hear you are very busy these days. You have even jacked up the prices to prevent new students from taking lessons from you.”

  “Ah, yes. While I have kept the prices constant for my existing students, I did do that,” she admitted. “You know how it is. I know that the things were the same in your day.”

  “Yes, yes they were. It was very hard to drive off the young students who thought that I could turn them into a swordmaster overnight when I was at your stage in my career,” he admitted. “Especially since I don’t take shortcuts.”

  “Is this about your new student?” she asked. She took a sip of her tea as the servants began bringing in the meal. “I heard you took one on.”

  “I wouldn’t call him that,” Uto scoffed. “The little brat paid for a weapons evaluation and isn’t fit to hold a broom!”

  “Ah, so he impressed you,” Tith said, smiling.

  “His balance is terrible and he has no idea of how to plant his feet. The only trait he has that’s worth a damn is that he works hard.”

  “Ah, so he really impressed you.”

  “Harumph,” Uto said. He took a bite of the smoked fish and chewed carefully. “I’m a little out of touch with the youngest generation.”

  “He impressed you so much that you’re asking for help making certain that he isn’t bullied or harassed,” Tith said, raising her eyebrows. “Wow. It’s been decades since you’ve shown this much interest in a student.”

  “Harumph,” Uto repeated.

  “Well, I’ll ask one of my students to keep an eye on him, if that will put your mind at ease. Perhaps even a bit of light sparring. What style were you thinking of teaching him?”

  “I think the Water Tiger Lilies would fit his frame well,” Uto said.

  “That’s traditionally a female form,” Tith reminded the master.

  “Bah. Only because it’s full of clever tricks and doesn’t rely on brute strength. He’s got a water spirit, so a water fighting technique will fit him well. And it goes with both spear and sword techniques.”

  “How far are you planning on guiding his growth?” Tith inquired.

  “He paid me for a weapons selection,” Uto said. “So until he’s worthy of holding a weapon, and then until I’ve selected the right weapon for him.”

  “Oh my,” Tith said. “Lucky boy.”

  “Harumph. Unless he proves to be a disappointment, in which case I’ll just throw a spear at him and tell him to stop wasting my time.”

  “Ah yes, there’s my master,” The woman said. The discussion moved on to old times, and they enjoyed taking the time to catch up.

  ~~~~~~~

  Yin came down off the mountain, sweaty and exhausted, but less so than the first time that he’d climbed it. He stopped suddenly when Elder Yotu stepped out from behind a building. He bowed politely to the elder, who was looking straight at him.

  “This disciple greets the elder,” Yin said.

  “That sort of formality isn’t required when both of us are simply meeting on a casual walk, Yin,” Yotu said. “Although it is less of a walk in your case. You have been to the top of the mountain again already?”

  “Yes, Elder,” Yin said, straightening. “I am starting to enjoy the journey, but Elder Uto said that I must make the run every day while I am under his instruction, and I would not dare disobey him.”

  “Very good. Have you finished your exercises for the day?”

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  “No, elder, I have my calisthenics to do yet.”

  “They can wait the length of a conversation. Walk with me,” Yotu instructed.

  “Yes, Elder,” Yin agreed, and they set off in a random direction.

  “Why exactly did you go to Uto for guidance?” Yotu asked. “I told you to spend five contribution points on a weapons selection, yet you went beyond that. I’m not chastising you for failing to heed my guidance, simply curious as to your reasoning.”

  “Ah. Well, I was thinking about it. I thought that the selection of my weapon was a very important decision, perhaps one of the most important decisions I shall ever make, after the decision to become a cultivator in the first place and then the decision to join this sect. So I decided to put a lot of thought into it. While I am certain that all of the weapons masters of this sect are superb, there are several reasons why I chose Uto.

  “The first is that Master Poh said that he was the greatest weapons master on the mountain, of course.

  “The second is that the other two masters were his students.

  “The third is that I thought maybe the other two were being strategic with their prices. I thought maybe the most expensive option valued her time and wanted to dissuade amateurs like me from bothering her, while the cheapest option would only give me a cursory examination. I thought perhaps that the one who had left his price the same for a very long time would take me more seriously if I approached him. But this was a bit of a gamble, as I had never met him and knew nothing of his personality.”

  Yotu’s lip twitched. “And what do you think of his personality, now that you have met him?”

  “My spirit likes him, which means that he is probably very soft hearted like her but hides it under a tough exterior,” Yin said honestly. “I am very happy that he is taking me so seriously. I thought that he would only give me several weapons and see which one I held best and send me on his way. Instead he has...well, I am certain he is right that I need to build up my body before I am ready to become a real fighter, so I am putting my faith in him.”

  “I see,” Yotu said. “Well, you are quite fortunate indeed to have attracted his attention. He is a bit gruff, but he’s an old friend of mine. I think that he was very pleased to have you approach him, so he is taking you very seriously as a student. You are right to put your faith in him.”

  “I thank you for the advice, Elder,” Yin said.

  “However, I have come to inquire about how you have been settling in to the sect otherwise. Has the transition been difficult?”

  “One of the boys in my dormitory snores,” the boy complained. “But we get along well enough. I am still figuring things out, if I am being honest, and in many cases I am not certain who to ask. I think that a young man with red hands tried to cheat me the other day, but I’m not quite sure how. But mostly, everyone has left me alone. The mortal servants are quite nice, however, and they are where I have been getting much of my information.”

  “That’s good. Many of our young cultivators neglect the mortals on the mountain as a source of information and gossip. While you shouldn’t consult them on matters of cultivation, they are an excellent resource in finding your footing,” Yotu praised. “And it is always good to treat the people who prepare your food and clean your room with a bit of respect, lest they spit in your soup.”

  Yin laughed. “Yes, Elder.”

  “What of your cultivation? Have you made any progress?”

  “I am studying the Subtle and Deep Waters cultivation method,” Yin answered.

  “Oh? That’s an old method. What turned you on to it?” Yotu inquired.

  “Is it not a good path?” Yin inquired. “My spirit recommended it.”

  “Your spirit?” Yotu’s eyebrows went up. “Your spirit speaks with you?”

  “Yes?” Yin frowned. “Is that not normal?”

  “Most spirits are not intelligent enough to form comprehensive sentences. With my own spirit, I can communicate with it, but the responses I get are more emotions than concrete ideas. The fact that yours is aware enough to speak, and old enough to remember a cultivation method and recommend it, means that you might have a greater spirit in your belly.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  “Yes, it is. Greater spirits do not bond just anyone, and when they do the cultivator usually possesses great potential,” Yotu said. He sighed. “Well, if you were an earth cultivator, this is the point where I would take you on as a pupil officially. Alas, the best woman to guide you throughout your journey of cultivation is a bit … eccentric. Perhaps...no, she’s too busy these days...hmm...who do I…”

  “Elder Yotu?” Yin asked.

  “Hold on, I’m thinking.”

  He took out a slip of paper and wrote three names on it using a wax pencil. He held it out to Yin, but pulled it away when the boy went to reach for it.

  “One contribution point,” the man said.

  “Elder?”

  “For my guidance. I am demanding one contribution point to guide you to three senior water cultivators whom I am recommending you approach for advice and training. I can’t just give it to you for free, you understand? You’re not officially my disciple. But I put a lot of thought into this advice, so I assure you it is worth the cost.”

  Yin frowned, but nodded his head. The elder handed him the paper and the boy committed the names to memory. “Thank you for the guidance, Elder Yotu.”

  “Think nothing of it,” Yotu said. “Now go finish your exercises before your muscles stiffen up. You don’t want Elder Uto to be upset with you while you are under his guidance.”

  “Yes, Elder,” Yin agreed, and he ran off to the yard where he and the other junior disciples often exercised.

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