Taijitu: Divide
Three months at the Blue Mountain Sect. Three months of intense training, working, and learning. Three months of researching old books, meditating, and of weaving qi into the body.
Three months and the peace among the disciples had ended. Chaos would run amok amongst the young cultivators.
Or at least that's what Ban Zhangzi had thought would happen. Instead when Ban Zhangzi woke up that day he was greeted by a small paper crane that unfolded itself in his study/bedroom. Apparently Shazi Ben, a noble that looked like a baby if Ban Zhangzi was being honest, had found the way Ban Zhangzi had talked to him a few days ago to be rude and disrespectful to the utmost degree. Ban Zhangzi knew this to be the flimsy excuse that it was. Shazi Ben actually had a disagreement with Zheng Ying but Shazi Ben wasn't a complete idiot to try and fight the strongest cultivator among the first year Outer Sect members. He had also never come close to winning a spar against his sister Ban Changnu, Zheng Ying's closest cultivator friend on the mountain. So, Shazi Ben had challenged Ban Zhangzi, the next closest person to Zheng Ying by association. He had offered to allow the right of choosing a prize off of the defeated in the duel and threatened to make Ban Zhangzi's name synonymous with coward and fool if he refused.
With a sigh Ban Zhangzi stood up from where he had been reading the note at his desk, he didn't have much to lose. All he really had was some qi restoration pills he had gotten from properly calming down an irate tree spirit as a challenge from Sect Head Xiatian. He'd rather not deal with the slander as it might actually hinder some of his and Ban Chagnu's opportunities.
Ban Zhangzi sighed again. He hated politics. Sometimes he wished he had taken the Sect up on their scholastic program. Would have been hardly any monetary strain on mom and dad and people didn't view you as rivals or obstacles to overcome. Sure you weren't given the same allowance and you had fewer challenges and trials open to you but the noble brats just kind of ignored you. Hmm, maybe the cons outweighed the pros in that situation.
Shaking his head to focus back on the here and now, Ban Zhangzi went through his normal routine. Grab something light to eat, review the formation work he had done last night to make sure it looked correct, and make sure the basic formations he had added to his clothing were still holding up.
He made a mental note to renew them later, it would have to do for today.
Things were relatively peaceful on the way to the lecture hall. Sure he saw one or two duels happening and what appeared to be some sort of debate between cultivators but it wasn't like people were breaking into each other's homes or gangs jumping each other in the streets.
"Three idiots just tried ambushing Zheng Ying. Fight's already over but we won't be able to make it to the lecture on Spirit Beasts today." Ban Zhangzi suppressed a shiver as he felt those warm words suddenly whispered in his ear. Ban Chagnu's Flushed Lover's Wind art was great for communicating between the two of them but it was also kind of weird the way it felt like someone had put their lips right next to your ear to whisper into it.
"I understand, I'll make sure to copy some notes for the both of you." Okay, most disciples on the mountain were being smart about the peace being over. "She didn't hurt them too badly, right?" One of the nice things about Ban Chagnu's art was that once it was in use both of the parties could use it back and forth throughout the day as long as you didn't get too far apart.
"She launched all three of them off the side of a cliff and is claiming that the fight was over right after that and we can't be blamed for what happens to them afterwards due to the Law of Earth." That made Ban Zhangzi chuckle. Under the poor manners and seeming short attention span Zheng Ying was actually quite smart and quick witted. He still wasn't sure that excuse would hold up though.
It was with a smile that Ban Zhangzi sat down and took out the small writing table he used to take notes. For a moment his troubles seemed far away.
—
With a resounding CLANG Ban Zhangzi remembered why he didn't really like fighting. As another downward swing of Shazi Ben's flaming sword came for him Ban Zhangzi narrowly stepped to the side and parried against the flat of the blade with his forearm, currently a dull gray color and as hard as iron. Ban Zhangzi wasn't fast and wasn't good with any weapons, any that he had picked up didn't feel right in his hands. The dark haired twin had found out, however, that he was strong and could take a beating. Ban Zhangzi guessed that it wasn't too different from when he had been in Xiangmen. He hadn't been a fighter back then either but no bully was ever able to lay a hand on Chagnu.
Another CLANG, this time Ban Zhangzi had to block the side swipe. Even with his Eye's of the Forgemaster helping him see the flow of energy as Shazi Ben prepared for another thrust he wasn't quick enough to completely avoid the attack. He back stepped, causing the strike to be shallow.
It stung but that was fine with Ban Zhangzi. Eye's of the Forgemaster was letting him act quick enough to block, parry or dodge just enough to only be taking scrapes and nicks. Then with the iron like skin provided by his Cache of Heaven's Might art dulled the blows even further. It was kind of funny to see the 'noble' Shazi Ben's face start to twist in rage and frustration as he seemingly expended energy with no success.
Oh, Ban Zhangzi had taken some damage. He could feel the blood trickling from the small cuts, the bruises starting to form, and the minor burns nearly all over him but that was part of the plan. He really needed to figure out a better plan. One of the other things Cache of Heaven's Might did was that each time he was hit, each time his enemy attacked him, he siphoned off a little bit of qi, just a small amount of energy to be stored and used later. A trickle here and there until…
Shazi Ben got sloppy and took too wide of a step for his next attack. Zhangzi stepped in, his fist crackling with lightning now. A single punch straight to the chest. All the energy stolen and a bit more delivered back to his opponent. Shazi Ben spasmed as electricity coursed through him. He dropped his sword and dropped to the ground. Ban Zhangzi prepared to follow up with more blows while he was down but Shazi Ben was able to eke out a "I. Yield." between erratic breaths.
With a nod Ban Zhangzi bent down, "Thank you for the duel Sect Brother Shazi. As agreed I get to take one prize from your person. I believe I shall take your storage ring." He said in a low voice before slipping the silver ring from the noble's hand.
"That! You!" Shazi Ben was having some troubles standing back up, his muscles still not wanting to respond properly to him.
"This one is truly humbled that you allowed him the prize of your storage ring Sect Brother Shazi!" Ban Zhangzi nearly shouted to make sure the onlookers heard. "But this one MUST be getting back to their studies! Good day!" Ban Zhangzi made sure his bow was more than respectfully low enough before turning and walking away.
Ban Zhangzi still hated politics. But, he thought to himself with a smug smile, it is nice when you can use it to your advantage.
—
Ban Zhangzi sensed his sister approaching before he heard the greeting shouted by Zheng Ying as he stood in front of the message board of the Sect. He had been pondering if he could get another job of copying script, he had found that treatise on Formation craft by the Duchess Cai to be quite insightful from the last job he took and the favor garnered was enough he had gotten a few additional red stones for cultivation. "So I take it you won your duel yeah?" Right, Zheng Ying and his sister were here.
With a quick nod and bow to the two young ladies that had joined him, Ban Zhangzi replied, "Yes, thank you. It was hard fought but I was able to make it through. Your tutelage has been most helpful in that regard."
"If you'd lost I woulda have to given' ya some more pointers!" Zheng Ying laughed, slapping a hand onto Ban Zhangzi's shoulder. He tried to hide the wince as she came down onto a particularly nasty bruise he had gotten and at the thought of getting some more 'pointers' from Zheng Ying. He had felt more like a punching bag than a student the last time he had gotten some 'pointers'. "Oops, sorry." With a rueful grin Zheng Ying pulled her hand back and scratched the back of her head. "While I'd love ta stop and chit-chat, I've actually got a list of people just dyin' for my attention today."
With a pang of… worry? Yes, worry in his chest Ban Zhangzi quickly asked, "Do you need any restorative pills? Or help?"
With a shake of her head and bright smile back on her face Zheng Ying replied with, "Nah, I should be fine. Got an uncle that grows these beans with crazy amounts of life qi and he gave me some pills made with them as a congratulations for having broken into yellow soul before coming here, haven't had to use them yet. I'll make sure to be back for tea tonight, Ban Chagnu, later!"
With a tilt of her head and enthusiastic wave of her hand Zheng Ying jogged off leaving the twins behind waving a more reserved goodbye.
"Tea time? Really sister?" Ban Zhangzi teased with a small nudge to Ban Chagnu's side.
With a red flush to her cheeks the twin sister shot back, "What? We enjoy talking over tea every now and then. Besides, many of the teas help with cultivation. So much so that I've found myself with a small surplus of red stones and being the generous sister that I am, I had thought to share this good fortune with my dear brother. But if said brother turned out to be a rude brute…"
Hearing that Ban Zhangzi quickly bowed to his sister, bending almost at a right angle from his waist, hands clasped in front of him as if in prayer. "This one humbly asks for forgiveness from his most magnanimous and beautiful sister. This one does not know where they would be without the kindness and intelligence of his great sister." Ban Zhangzi made sure to put the utmost humility and sincerity in his voice.
"Oh shut up. Did you have any plans for the rest of the day?" Ban Chagnu asked, swatting her hand against Ban Zhangzi's less injured shoulder.
"Not really, no." Ban Zhangzi replied with a chuckle. "I was actually looking for some easy jobs to pick up what with-"
"The daily classes ending. We'll need to curry favor with the Sect if-"
"We want to continue with those lessons. This is going to put a major drain on our limited resources but-"
"It does open up much of our time to pursue our own interests."
"Which I believe is the lesson the elders are wanting us to learn. Our time was free to use before but they gave us a structure to use it in. What will we do without that structure now?"
With a sigh Ban Chagnu started walking away from the message board, Ban Zhangzi naturally following after his sister. "I've got a harvesting mission we can do. Remember that cave-"
"The north side one with the earth qi infused mushrooms?"
With a nod Ban Chagnu continued, "That's right, one of the Inner Sect disciples wants them and was offering access to one of the better forges in the Sect Village. I know you've been thinking about-"
"But think about the material costs just to learn. Plus I haven't been able to find any good texts about the basics just-"
"More advanced stuff, I know. But the communication ban has been lifted so maybe we could ask-"
"You know how I feel about asking for anything more from mom and dad."
"I know, I know, but it isn't much to ask for! A small book or maybe the forge she works at has a jade slip for beginners. Think about it at least?"
Biting his lip, Ban Zhangzi gave a tentative nod. He could think it over like his sister asked.
—
It was the next day and Ban Zhangzi found himself in the Revealing Moon Library's first floor searching again in vain. He hadn't been given the privilege of full access to the second floor or below and he doubted he would find what he wanted there. For as grand as the libraries at the Blue Mountain Sect were, the one Ban Zhangzi had access to seemed to have some odd gaps in what it contained. Sure, it had plenty on how to start working qi into metals and using some of the more rare or esoteric materials but he could hardly find anything about the basic knowledge on forging itself! Nothing on how one was supposed to shape metal or what sort of temperatures to use for certain materials!
With a sigh he came to the same conclusion Ban Chagnu had pointed out to him. He should write to mother and hope for the best.
Ban Zhangzi began to shuffle around, carefully putting the books he had grabbed back into their proper places. He was almost done and getting ready to leave when he spotted Zheng Ying. Ban Zhangzi always found it fascinating to see her in the library. Where she was usually a vibrating ball of energy here she was contained, tranquil. Outside the library her movements were quick and explosive, some might consider even brash, but inside Zheng Ying's movements were soft and precise, handling each book like a newborn babe.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts and staring, Ban Zhangzi made a quiet exit and headed towards the entrance of the library. After whispering a quick message to his sister to see if she would help him word the letter and add anything she wanted to it they confirmed to meet outside the Revealing Moon Library.
Cycling his qi and taking the short moment to cultivate it felt like barely any time had passed before Ban Chagnu walked up to him. "Sister."
"Brother." Ban Chagnu returned easily enough. "Let's go write that letter."
But before they could even take a step away from the library a new voice called out to them.
"Sect Brother Ban, Sect Sister Ban, just the people I was looking for!" Ban Zhangzi internally groaned at the strange surrus of that voice, as if shifting sand accompanied her words. Turning to face Lan Caihe, Ban Zhangzi gave a shallow bow to the girl dressed in silks of red and brown. He really didn't want to deal with this sharp featured noble from the Golden Fields. Just because her baronial family owned some small patch of land next to the Emerald Seas that could still grow food she thought she was so important. Well, actually that probably did make her very important but she could be a much nicer person about it.
"Sect Sister, what can these two do for you?" Ban Chagnu easily answered for both of them. Ban Zhangzi tried to rack his brain for why Lan Caihe would seek them out. Shoot, Shazi Ben was one of her underlings, was this about-
"Well, Sect Brother Shazi Ben informed me that Ban Zhangzi had overstepped himself in their duel yesterday." Ban Zhangzi audibly sighed at finding out his guess was correct. The noble with the deep brown hair continued on as if she hadn't heard him. "Sect Brother Shazi said that the terms of the duel were quite clear in that the winner could only take a single item from the loser. Ban Zhangzi here has taken much more than that. Being the kind and peaceful person that I am, I thought to step in before this could become a true problem."
Ban Zhangzi rolled his eyes, of course they were trying to twist this around and get out of the consequences for losing. "The terms of the duel was that we could choose one prize from the defeated. I chose Shazi Ben's storage ring." He said with a shrug.
"Oh-ho-ho, you twist the words and intentions of Sect Brother Shazi. How rude Ban Zhangzi, especially after Sect Brother Shazi so humbly offered you a path to keep your honor and reputation intact." Lan Caihe said with a demure laugh, like Shazi Ben wouldn't have taken everything he could have from Ban Zhangzi and as if it was an honor to fight that noble prick.
Before he could reply with something probably ruder than he should have, Ban Chagnu cut in. "How kind of Sec Sister Lan to help clear up this confusion. How would you propose we settle this then? Perhaps with reviewing the letter of challenge with a group of peers?"
Another laugh with that sound of shifting sand. "Oh nothing so involved Sect Sister Ban. I'm sure if Ban Zhangzi simply returns the storage ring and publicly acknowledges his misunderstanding and his remorse for taking advantage of Sect Brother Shazi I'm sure all could be forgiven. As long as too much isn't found missing from the ring." Lan Caihe said, her eyes narrowing into a thin glare, head tilted back just so slightly to let her look down on them.
Right, humiliate myself and hand over his prize that he had rightfully won, Ban Zhangzi thought, I'm sure there would be more missing from the ring than there was originally in it too. Glancing at his sister Ban Zhangzi didn't even have to voice his complaints to see she was thinking the same thing as him.
"And if we find those terms unacceptable, Sect Sister?" Ban Chagnu asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ban Zhangzi saw the buildup of energy and the flow of it into the ground as Lan Caihe cycled her qi with his Eyes of the Forgemaster. "Well, we do want to keep things peaceful don't we?" Lan Caihe asked with an edge in her voice, the ground beneath their feet slightly shaking with the word peaceful. Ban Zhangzi had been smart enough to activate his Mountains' Unstoppable Pace art as soon as he saw Lan Caihe begin to cycle her qi. It kept him and his sister standing upright through the soft directed quake.
With a sigh Ban Chagnu turned to her brother. "Dear brother, why does it seem like we are never the ones to pick the fight?" With a look Ban Zhangzi's twin communicated the true meaning in her question, 'Do you think we can take her?'
"Perhaps because we are the truly peaceful loving types." 'Yes', was his reply. He saw no reason why they couldn't. She had broken into Yellow Soul no more than a week ago and into Silver Physique just days ago according to the rumors. Plus, she wasn't the best of fighters, focusing more on the Spiritual Affairs classes. Meanwhile the twins were at the peak of Red in both Soul and Physique and Ban Chagnu was considered one of the best fighters in their year. Getting into the fighting stance of Cache of Heaven's Might Ban Zhangzi saw his sister take out the staff she had taken to fighting with.
"Hmm, disappointing but I've come to expect as much from commoners" Lan Caihe sighed, "Xianjing, if you would." As Ban Zhangzi began to step in front of Ban Chagnu and prepared to fight, the noble from the Golden Fields lept back. Suddenly the ground beneath the twins feet became like sand and quickly began sliding into a pit. A pit with a large set of pincers sitting in the middle on the head of some ant-like beast. A beast that began flicking sand up and over the twins causing them to sink to the bottom even faster.
Ah, a spirit beast, that's why she thought she could take us. Crap. With his Eyes of the Forgemaster active Ban Zhangzi didn't need to worry about anything getting in his eyes but Chagnu did. Plus someone needed to fight Lan Caihe and Ban Zhangzi was not the best suited for that and he wasn't sure he could get out with the ant-beast working on dragging him down. So, he came up with a brilliant strategy. "Chagnu, use me as a springboard to get to Lan Caihe."
"Done," No hesitation from her, just climbed onto his shoulders as Ban Zhangzi ran his qi into the meridians in his legs, doing his best to be as immovable as a mountain. As Ban Chagnu lept off him and shot up to the other side of the pit and scrambled out, Ban Zhangzi was just feet from the pit beast.
Quickly shifting as much qi as he could into Cache of Heaven's Might he felt the beast's pincers clamp down on his leg. He felt the mandibles pierce his skin but not terribly deep, it stung but he had survived worse. Then Ban Zhangzi felt the acid start to burn inside his leg.
In a panic the twin boy forced as much qi as he could into his arms and they began to crackle with lightning. He pulled back, slammed his fist into the creature's head and then pulled back to do it again. And again. And again. It only took three strikes before the ant-beast burst into sand and flowed up the side of the pit and back into Lan Caihe's dantian.
Cycling what little qi he had left after that scare, Ban Zhangzi looked up to the edge of the pit and did his best to ignore the absolute pain in his thigh where the spirit beast had bitten him and also ignore the feeling of something running down his leg. It certainly was not a slurry of acid, blood, and bits of leg, nope.
Instead of focusing on that he instead focused on his sister fighting Lan Caihe near the edge of the pit he was trapped in.
The dress Lan Caihe had been wearing was now much worse for wear. Small rips and tears had marked it wherever Ban Chagnu was able to land a hit, small thorny vines sprouting from wherever her staff landed. As he watched, Lan Caihe lashed out with her sword in one hand and folding fan in the other. A burst of sand and wind flew past his sister as she easily dodged it and the series of sword thrusts that soon followed.
Like a tree in the wind Ban Chagnu dodged and weaved but did not move from the spot she had taken. This was her Billowing Willow Stance. She moved to and fro, the attacks of her enemy naught but wind blowing against the branches of a tree and also like a tree she was planted firmly and unmoving.
Then, once Lan Caihe had committed herself to the attack once again and missed, Ban Chagnu came in with her own series of strikes. Each blow seemed to be followed either by a shadowy claw of a wolf or bear or it left behind thorny vines to scratch and entangle. The Shadow Forests Path was a nasty thing, bringing all the worst parts of running through a forest at night in each strike.
Even though it seemed like Ban Chagnu was winning, she barely had a scratch on her, Ban Zhangzi could tell she was starting to run on empty. He had to help her, she had to get a decisive blow in somehow! But how?
Distraction, of course.
"Hey! Lan Caihe! Not even Duchess Cai Shenhua could make a dress that would look good on you!"
"How dare y-!"
With a mighty crack to the head from Ban Chagnu's staff Lan Caihe stumbled and dropped to a knee. With another she was laid out cold.
Doing her best to get her breathing back under control, Ban Chagnu looked down at her brother. "Need a hand getting out of there Ban Zhangzi?"
"I'm honestly afraid if we don't hurry I might lose a leg!"
"Shit!" Leaning over the edge and using her staff, Ban Chagnu was able to reach her brother and with them working together was able to get him out of the pit. "Medicine hall and then the letter?"
"Quickly, yes!" Ban Zhangzi hissed through his pain, using his sister and her staff as a crutch.
Ban Zhangzi really, really hated politics.
