Chapter 31: Stir The Grass
"Yes, and can we also have a room that has a view of the stables? That'd be appreciated, thank you."
The only inn available in the village also offered a stable for travelers to let their horses rest. Although they said it was secure, I didn't know if the claim could hold up against foul play from cultivators. The only guard there was a young boy who went around feeding the animals within. I wouldn't put it past them. Those Silent Moon folk were far from the chivalrous, taoist cultivators I knew from stories! They were like thugs.
"You do have to remember, Kai. Not all sects are taoist. The Silent Moon is an unorthodox sect that follow the rule of might is right." Feng Wu said, listening to me rant about the disrespect shown by the disciples patrolling the village. "They don't respect those they deem as below them."
"That's not right! If we were the Whispering Wind sect, they wouldn't be walking all over us! Judging someone based on background is..."
"What is out of your hands, should not be in your worries. What can we do about their behaviour? The important thing here is to avoid stooping to their level."
At what point do cultivators learn to speak only in metaphors and proverbs? Clearly Elder Ming and Feng Wu had reached that level. I sighed and leaned back into the bed, allowing the soft sheets to take some of the day's weariness.
"Feng Wu, there's something I don't get," I started, my tone echoing with inquisitiveness. "The Verdant Lotus sect, it's a Taoist sect, isn't it? Then why does it emphasize on the pursuit of righteousness when others do not?"
Feng Wu eased back into his chair, his verdant eyes mirroring the soft flicker of the oil lamp that stood between us. "Well, the Taoist sects aren't all identical. For instance, orthodox sects, such as the Verdant Lotus, endorse values like balance, righteousness, and humility. They follow a moral code, striving for enlightenment and unity with the universe."
"And the non-orthodox ones?" I asked, seeking more clarification.
Feng Wu's expression grew thoughtful. "Non-orthodox sects adhere to the principle of survival of the fittest. They prioritize personal power and ambition above all else. For example, the Silent Moon sect doesn't seek unity, but rather dominance, placing strength above all other virtues."nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
"Feng Wu, isn't the Taoist way about balance? If all orthodox sects act as the Verdant Lotus does, and all unorthodox sects like the Silent Moon... where is the balance?"
Feng Wu's eyes shimmered in the dim light, reflecting the complexity of his thoughts. "Balance doesn't mean everyone acts the same, Kai. It means allowing for differences. The universe is a spectrum, not a uniform entity."
"But," I countered, leaning forward, "it seems to me that the unorthodox sects, like Silent Moon, are causing harm and disorder. They choose power and dominance over unity and harmony. Isn't that wrong?"
Feng Wu smiled, a hint of wistfulness in his expression. "Ah, the naivety of untouched lands. Wrong and right, Kai, are subjective terms. The Silent Moon sect may seem chaotic and harmful from your perspective, but they see it as asserting their survival and strength. The universe thrives on duality, on the clash and blend of different forces."
"I can't agree with that," I asserted, the conviction in my voice surprising even me. "Causing harm, fostering fear... that can't be justified in the name of survival. There's a difference between survival and oppression."
"You're not entirely wrong," Feng Wu conceded. "But remember, our view is influenced by our experiences. You come from a sheltered village, nurtured by peace. Your perspective is invaluable, but it's not the complete reality of the Jianghu. It's a world filled with ambition, desperation, and strife, as well as peace and tranquility. The lines between right and wrong blur amidst these complexities. It's about understanding, not merely judging."
I sat back, thoughts swirling in my head. The conversation had opened up a new perspective. Maybe the world wasn't as simple as it had seemed from the peaceful confines of my village. Still, the idea of causing harm for the sake of power... it left a sour taste in my mouth. Yet, I knew I had a lot to learn, and Feng Wu, in all his Taoist wisdom, was a beacon of guidance in this unfamiliar territory.
It was hard to believe we were close to the same age. Our experiences were worlds apart.
I took first watch and allowed Feng Wu to cultivate in peace while I watched over the stables, making sure none of the cultivators tried anything. But they rarely made their presence known, popping up in groups of two or three as they patrolled the village for any sign of the Wind Serpent.
The moon hung in the sky, casting its soft luminescence over the land. Tianyi was resting soundly on the corner of the windowsill. The words of Feng Wu still echoed in my mind, his wisdom challenging my seemingly nave worldview. The line separating good from evil appeared to blur, its clarity diminishing amidst the complexities of the world outside my village.
Feng Wu understood the human propensity for greed and conflict, far more intimately than I could. His experiences in the Jianghu, a world of martial arts, sorcery, and intrigue, had given him perspectives that I, sheltered and nurtured by the serenity of my village, could hardly comprehend.
Yet, I found myself unwilling to let go of my beliefs. They were immature, perhaps, when pitted against the realities of a world that thrived on ambition and power. But these beliefs were a part of me, they defined who I was, they were the rock against which the waves of change crashed but failed to erode.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and then, mimicking Feng Wu, I clumsily managed to pull myself up onto the window ledge. But as I was about to hoist myself up onto the roof, a tile fell, and I felt a moment of stomach-dropping panic as I began to fall.
But then, in the next moment, a firm grip wrapped around my wrist, halting my painful path nearly three zhang below. I looked up to see Feng Wu, his arm outstretched, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're doing great, Kai. Just a little further."
With Feng Wu's help, I managed to pull myself onto the roof, my heart pounding in my chest and embarrassment burning my face. The view from up here was nothing short of breathtaking. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow over the entire village, and from this vantage point, we could see everything.
"Look," Feng Wu said, pointing towards a group of cultivators running past a house a few streets over, their lanterns bobbing like fireflies in the night. "They're still looking for the Wind Serpent."
"But they're going in the wrong direction," I pointed out, my eyes scanning the village. "The Wind Serpent went that way."
"That's our advantage, Kai. We know something they don't. Now we need to use that information wisely."
As we watched, another group of cultivators rushed past in the opposite direction, led astray by the misdirection of the Wind Serpent's wind trail. But I saw it again, and pointed it out to Feng Wu.
"Look! It's over there now! How the hell-?"
The speed it demonstrated was mind-boggling. Making its way from one end of the village to another made it look like it was teleporting. Was it possible for something to move that fast?
I watched in horror as it managed to slither through an opening in a window. It had managed to get in, almost as if it knew the other disciples would be out of reach.
Feng Wu narrowed his eyes. He took note of where we saw it and began to make his move, jumping lightly from rooftop to rooftop. Without much choice, I followed after him. I didn't even try to use qi to power my jump. I knew it was doable, but trying it now made me anxious. I jumped using the force of my legs alone, landing loudly onto another villager's rooftop with a fraction of the grace Feng Wu displayed. Inwardly, I hoped they would forgive me for the damage done to their tiles.
Just as I readied myself for the second leap, I saw something at the corner of my eye. Another brief flash of a tail. But this time, it was opposite to where I just spotted it a few second ago. It didn't make sense.
As it slithered away, I realized it was headed straight for the entrance of the stable where we placed our steeds. Within seconds, I began to hear screams.
The boy. The one who was feeding the horses!
Quest: Spirit Beast Subjugation
- Repel the Wind Serpents (0/2)
A pit formed in my stomach as realization hit. There's not just one. There are two Wind Serpents.
With Feng Wu just out of reach and the Silent Moon sect chasing another trail, I powered qi through my legs and leapt off the roof. It propelled me high into the air, and I began screaming.
"HEEEELP! IT'S OVER HERE!"
I landed on the floor, squatting deeply as my joints protested the amount of force it was put under. Despite my shouts of alarm, nobody came forward.
I would need to do this myself.
Armed with my iron staff, I rushed into the stables and hoped it wasn't too late.
