Continuation and ending of
this series. (5152 words)
Xiao Yingzi 41
[Turn 10]
[The Technique Palace 4: Working with Yahwen]
In the territories overseen by Waycastle Taurus, there exists the Primeval Jungle. It is an image of what the desert was before the death of the third turtle-child and it is a remarkably persistent remnant that has remained so despite persistent efforts to remove it. It's continued presence is attributed to the Oath Keeper Sect, a group of cultivators bonded to an elusive expert-level spirit that has supposedly held on from those ancient times.
Before the clan came, they were claimed as vassals by the old Dragon Empire whose only heir today is the distant Divided Kingdoms. When the Sect refused their tyranny, they invaded anyway and cut away territory for themselves within the jungle itself. Settling cousins of the modern Ax-blooded to cut away any trees that regrew, they created the Forge Town that the clan has come to know today. A place of smiths, alchemists, carpenters and other artisans that depend upon the resources of the jungle.
When the clan first arrived in the desert, Proserpina Taurus, Legate of the Ninety Sixth, found the Oath Keeper Sect flagging in power and though Forge Town had expanded greatly, it's artisans found their resources dwindling rapidly as the jungle was depleted. The Sect drew power from a deep spirit stone mine, but millennia of facing their by-now ancestral foes and regrowing the jungle that they had claimed had exhausted it.
Faced with this situation, the Legate forged a shrewd bargain.
In return for more spirit stones, the Oath Keeper Sect would allow the clan to learn from the spirit, learning their secret rejuvenation arts that allowed us to create the arrays that maintain clan territory today and have since continued to provide a quota of skilled aspirants. In return for restoring the riches of the forest, Forge Town would grant a percentage of the resources taken from the jungle as well as make their goods available to the clan. Like living embodiments of the Taijitsu, the two would thrive in cooperative opposition and the clan would maintain the balance.
And in doing so, we would be paid twice over.
Though they are certainly ancient and quite capable themselves, much of House Taurus' current stability and modern success can also be attributed to the earnings from this wonder. Of course, over the millennia this balance has often been threatened both through simple blunder and enemy action. The first time this happened was in 240 EG…
"We're here, Centurion."
Xiao Yingzi looked up from the book she was reading. The scorpion-rider of the fifth step that she had hired for the journey was looking over, his head inclined ever so slightly in a subconscious show of respect. "We have arrived in Forge Town."
"Thank you, legionary." She replied, storing the book safely into her ring. She stepped off the scorpion and withdrew two spirit stones. One, she handed to the legionary he stored it away into his pockets and the other she fed to the beast for carrying her this far, as was customary.
She patted it on its carapace, as it joyfully consumed the treat she had given it before glancing at her junior who was fidgeting as he waited. "Did you have anything to ask me?"
"Ah." He looked sheepish at having been caught out, but gathered his spirits to ask what he wanted. "The trials are approaching, ma'am. May I ask for some - any - advice?"
There was a strange sort of desperation about him, the kind that was born more from tales heard than lived experiences. "The shadows of those disastrous trials hang heavy, I see." She said, for his ears but as if she was speaking more to herself than him. "I was there, you know, at Pleuron."
He glanced at her in surprise, grasping her meaning without elaboration. "You mean, you saw the Indomitable Thirteen?"
"Yes, alongside other heroes. I saw Jin Muyi when he was still Xiao Yi." She replied, smiling at his look of awe. He was likely at most a decade or two younger than her, though he certainly imagined her far older. "Remember this, when you feel fear - those heroes are now a hundred years stronger."
She saw hope and pride bloom in his eyes at her words.
Now to distract him from these thoughts. Not truly expecting an answer, she decided to do so by asking him a question. "Now, legionary." The hint of command in her tone, an echo of every Optio in the Dawn Fortress, caused him to snap to attention. "I am looking for a pale-skin swordswoman from the Viridescent Blade Duchy - she would have come here about sixty years ago?"
The recognition that bloomed in his eyes was unexpected, but welcome. "I assume you are seeking Senior Sister Yahwen?" She nodded in affirmation. "I was actually the man to bring her here. If you wish, I could take you to her smithy."
A smithy? "That would be wonderful, thank you."
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Forge Town was a city of artisans, as her book had informed her. The sound of hammers and saws and roaring flames filled her ears, while the smell of smoke and myriad alchemical concoction invaded her nostrils. Practically every house had an attached work area and many also had shop-fronts through which she could see the artisans at work. She could feel their eyes upon her as she passed, eying the wealthy customer like wolves to a feast.
Still, she wasn't rushed as she might have been by vendors in other places. Whether that was from her rank or the bronze-skin she affected, it was hard to tell. At the very least, the children of the Ax Clan who patrolled the streets helped in that regard. They spoke to each other without reserve, and it was impossible to identify if they were Emeralds or Sapphires or even both. Indeed, they wore a bright ruby uniform that clearly differentiated them from their other kin.
Senior Yahwen's house when she reached it, was wider than most and seemed to have a smithy attached. From within it came the sound of iron striking iron and just by standing at the entrance, she could feel the sweltering heat of the forge. It was enough to make her sweat if she hadn't already begun to build her foundation. Though it was open, she still knocked on the door out of politeness. There was no reply, despite her senior likely having already sensed her approach.
Glancing in, she noticed that what was normally a shop-front had been converted to a sparring area, occupying a space that was large enough for two qi condensing juniors to fight comfortably. The smithy was located at the other end from the entrance and she saw a young boy wearing a metal mask seated there holding down a piece of metal between thick gloved hands. Beside him, with her back to the door sat a familiar black-haired beauty who needed none of that protection and hammered away in a rhythm that called to mind a drum's beat.
As if sensing her gaze, Senior Yahwen gave a lazy, exaggerated nod without turning but did not otherwise acknowledge her existence. The hammering continued with no signs of slowing down and after a moment of hovering at the entrance, the centurion spoke up. "May I take a seat while you finish your work?"
There was no response to her words, as her senior kept working. "Thank you for having me." She finally called out, and when again there was no answer, she took it as an agreement and entered the house, settling into the sparring mat and began to stare into the forge as they worked.
It was a method that she had seen demonstrated before, typical to the Blade Duchies where they took the crudest of iron and reforged it over and over, seeking to remove the impurities within in a mirror to their own cultivation. Should a swordsman be diligent, they claimed, the blade would grow to match the wielder.
She felt Elder Teleos stir in response to that thought.
It absorbs their blood and qi. He surmised, observing the process through her eyes.
With their bloodline's affinity, it would work incredibly well for even the most terrible smith and the crudest material - though only for the creation of swords.
Would such a thing work for bronze as well? Xiao Yingzi asked curiously.
The bronze equivalent is known as Gravebronze. The Elder answered cheekily.
It's a touch harder to create than their version admittedly. The Blood of Bronze is more properly optimized for resonance with itself and serving as a base for adaptation over other concerns.
Xiao Yingzi committed that to memory.
How do you think she will react to my presence? She asked after a moment of thought.
Is there any particular best practice that you think I should keep in mind?
Just act as you would normally do? He asked back with a degree of confusion.
Are you not companions who were willing to travel into danger with each other? Why would there be any concern?
Xiao Yingzi nodded at that.
Ah, I see. You are not aware of the circumstances of our parting? It occurred after I had obtained the Banner-Pole Spear.
I wasn't entirely aware at the start. He replied, then he touched her mind with his own.
Allow me to see what occurred. After a moment's review, she felt him retreat from her mind with a degree of trepidation.
To be clear, you left her when she sought to save an ally - this Antonius Ambrosius from the Qiguai Realm? The one who they did manage to rescue even after you left?
Yes?
Walk me through your reasoning.
I went to the realm to acquire an advantage - I obtained it in the spear and the Soul Farseer. If I were to enter the realm again, I would be risking not only myself but everything I had earned. At the very least, my duty demanded that I returned you to the clan.
And so you decided that it wasn't worth attempting to rescue him.
Yes. Xiao Yingzi answered.
It was also important to understand that with the level of his injury, and the reduced lifespan of his bloodline, it was very unlikely that any benefit he gave to the clan would outweigh what I was returning.
For a moment, the Elder seemed almost speechless.
I don't entirely disagree with your choice, though it may not be what I had chosen. He finally replied, considering his words carefully.
But honestly, what possessed you to appear in front of her once more?
I do not see the problem. Senior Corvina recommended her and she would have considered the possibility of a grudge. Even in the worst case scenario where she chooses to be violent, I am a centurion and she remains a great realm below me.
Well. He whispered, considering how best to approach this.
You've played characters to fool enemies and force them to give into anger to gain an advantage during battle. Consider things from that perspective, placing your senior sister in the position of your opponent.
Ah. She replied after considering it.
Insults to the fallen and perceived betrayal are classic triggers for anger. I believe Breaking Of The Mind listed how you can create such a belief in an unwilling informant simply by manipulation of information. Thank you, Elder. I think I can see which actions I would need to avoid.
You are usually quite aware of these things. Elder Teleos mused.
I am surprised that you aren't over here.
She is my Senior Sister. Xiao Yingzi replied after a moment's thought.
Why would I censor myself before her? It is she who has the right to censor information from me.
I see. He replied and then after a moment of hesitation, he continued.
It would be best to consider whether a senior should have that right and what information they might be hiding from you, though perhaps not actively seek it out. Not all elders are what they should be.
I will keep that in mind, Elder Teleos.
It was then that was when the forging stopped.
Well, I am glad that I could help. The Elder replied and she felt the man's presence recede from her mind.
I wish you the very best of luck, Xiao Yingzi.
Though she felt a touch more uncertain after the discussion, she put it out of her mind. If Senior Corvina did not think it would be an issue, then it likely wasn't. Taking a breath, she turned to face her senior sister who was now walking towards her with her stormy gray eyes, carrying the cherry-red jian that she had just forged.
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"Xiao Yingzi." Senior Yahwen said her name with relish as she walked towards her, casually swinging the blade that she had just forged in the air. Behind her, the boy who had been working with her began to clean up the forge. "Corvina mentioned you were planning to come. I think you wanted me to help with some step techniques?"
"Yes, Senior Sister. The Terrain-Traversing Ferocious Step uses various step techniques studied from beasts to allow movement in all terrains, primarily for the sake of retreat." Xiao Yingzi replied, giving her a slight bow out of respect. "May I assume that she shared the technique slip with you?"
"Oh yeah, I've taken a look at the technique." She replied, tilting her head with a grin. "Do you think that the reason the technique is better suited for retreat is because the beasts were running away from the cultivators seeking to study them?"
Xiao Yingzi blinked. "I didn't think of that." She said honestly. "I merely imagined this was the case because the technique was designed for Qi Condensation Juniors. Perhaps what you said is the reason it was relegated to juniors?"
"It could be, sure." Yahwen replied, shrugging absently as she held up the sword to the light. "So what made you pick this technique? You aren't a junior anymore. Why do you still want a technique better at running away?"
"I believe the technique has merit besides that perk which is why I wished to improve it with you," Xiao Yingzi replied. "However, I do certainly wish to remain alive."
"You certainly do." She replied, shaking her head. "Now, about the improvement of the technique. What I'm unsure about is your skills. I think a spar should be in order."
Xiao Yingzi looked at the blade in her hands. "Are you certain, Senior Sister? As I last recall, you had abandoned the path of the sword. Will you be comfortable wielding such a weapon against me?"
Yahwen blinked at that, the swinging sword suddenly falling lightly to the side. "Oh no, I'm fine with that." She replied, waving her free hand. "I think I've figured that bit out."
Xiao Yingzi glanced at her aura, which was hard to read as always. "Then, have you returned to the path of cultivation?"
"I mean, I'm maintaining my cultivation but I haven't progressed in anything besides swordsmanship." Senior Yahwen replied, running a hand through her hair. She paused for a moment and then straightened, narrowing her eyes at her. "Let's not change the subject though. Back to spar, are you up for it?"
"Of course, Senior Sister. I would be happy to spar with you,if you believe it will be the best method." Xiao Yingzi told her, before giving her a smile. "However, I must say: Welcome back."
Senior Yahwen just stared at her for a moment, causing Xiao Yingzi to raise an eyebrow. Finally, she let out a long, deep sigh. "You know, it's really hard to engage with you on this." She complained, shaking her head with a smile. "It's not even like I'm bullying you or something. It just slides off of you."
"I'm sorry?" Xiao Yingzi said with a frown. "I do not understand, Senior Sister. However, if you explain to me what you require, I will be better able to provide whatever it is you need."
Senior Yahwen sighed once more, placing her palm on her face. "It's fine. It's fine. This Senior Sister was the one at fault here." She replied, shaking her head. Then she perked up. "Right, let's do it like this."
Turning away from her, her senior sister nodded at the boy who had finished cleaning up the forge and was now quietly observing them. "Firstly, this is Ma Chao, my apprentice in smithing. Ma, pay your respects to your senior sister."
The boy removed his mask and held it by his side as he walked towards her, revealing the typical black hair and black eyes she herself normally had. However, she could spot hints of the prodigious musculature that was common among the axe-blooded. He looked at her for a moment, before bowing deeply. "I am Ma Chao of the Axe Tribes. I will be at your disposal, Senior Sister."
She reached out and placed her hands on his shoulders. "At ease, junior brother." Xiao Yingzi replied, pulling him up. "I will certainly keep you in mind."
He gave her a light smile before turning to Senior Yahwen. "What would you have me do, Teacher?"
"You remember wanting an axe with a good history?" She asked, before nodding in Xiao Yingzi's direction. "What do you think?"
He frowned for a moment as he looked between the two women, then his eyes widened in understanding. "Yes," He said, suddenly vibrating in place. "That would be perfect."
Yahwen smiled. "Will you be able to lead the forge-beat?" The boy froze at that and hesitated. She gave him a grin and patted him on the back. "Don't worry about it, I learnt to do it when I was a kid and you're about as good right now."
The boy looked into her eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and then a firm nod. "If you believe that I am ready, Teacher."
Xiao Yingzi raised an eyebrow at the exchange. "What would you have me do, Senior Sister?"
"How much do you know about the Blade Duchies' dueling practices?" She asked her, while looking at her consideringly.
"I believe I have studied the basics."
Senior Yahwen nodded. "Let's go over it anyway." She said, before turning to Ma Chao. "Ma, tell her what you've learnt."
Ma Chao stood up straight. "In the Viridescent and Cerulean Blade Duchies where skill in the sword is paramount, official duels take place to the rhythm of a forge-beat so that both participants move at the same pace allowing move and countermove to shine through, rather than merely strength of their cultivation. The weapons forged during these duels are said to hold an echo of the spirits of the combatants and allow the eventual wielder great insight."
He paused, taking a moment to breathe. Finally he turned to Xiao Yingzi and bowed. "I am hoping I would have the honor of forging my axe in a duel between you and Teacher."
Yahwen nodded. "Would that be agreeable?"
Xiao Yingzi hesitated, before seeking the aid of Elder Teleos. She felt him touch her mind and respond to her with affirmation.
I believe I have grasped it's essentials. Merely the qi and intent released in the duel being captured for future insight and commemoration. I do not see there being any issues.
With that, Xiao Yingzi nodded at her senior. "I believe that I will be able, Senior Sister."
Senior Yahwen smiled and looked between her and Ma Chao. "Then let's begin, shall we?"
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Xiao Yingzi and Senior Yahwen stood across from each other, wielding their respective weapons as Ma Chao set up his forge. The golden devil held the Banner-Pole Spear in a careful defensive stance, the skills of its previous wielders and the nascent will that advised her both preparing her for a potential surprise attack.
The former-auxilia on the other hand bore a Jian that had only just been forged, the weapon still glowing from the tempering fires. Where her opponent wielded the spear in careful expectation, Yahwen was swinging the blade carelessly through the air as she tested its flexibility. For a moment, neither moved though but were aware of the other.
There was the sound of a hammer striking metal.
The spear tugged at Xiao Yingzi's mind, filling it with images of her opponent's potential moves.
It would be far better to force her to respond to you. Drawing her spear back, she raised a foot in exaggerated slowness and pulled the spear back as if to throw it. In response, her senior stepped forward to stop her attack, swinging the Gentleman's Sword with a twisted flourish.
There was another sound from the forge.
They changed their moves, moving into the next steps of their impromptu dance. Xiao Yingzi responded by cutting the throw short and turning it into a simple stab downwards. Her senior continued with her assault, only angling her weapon in an attempt to twist the blade past her guard, but Xiao Yingzi hooked the spear into its hilt - fixing the blade in place.
There was another forge beat.
Senior Yahwen's motions suddenly changed, leaving her unable to adjust. Instead of replying with swordsmanship, she kicked with her leg and struck Xiao Yingzi right where her hand gripped her spear. Though the centurion was too strong to lose her grip, it was enough to jerk the spear - then the jian slipped past her guard and Senior Yahwen was suddenly pointing a sword at her throat.
Hammer struck metal once more and they separated.
"That was a point to you, wasn't it?" Xao Yingzi asked, settling into a defensive stance. Senior Yahwen simply smiled and moved once more.
This time, her movements were fast - spending qi to step to the side and then striking at her from where she wasn't defending. However, the advantage of a spear was it's length and with a spin of it's shaft Xiao Yingzi batted away the sword strike.
Abruptly, her senior's motions changed again and suddenly despite Xiao Yingzi batting her back, there were a hundred swords swinging at her.
Sword Intent. Elder Teleos hissed and Xiao Yingzi wreathed herself in lightning, warding off the will of the blade with an echo of heaven's own.
As there was another forge-beat, she saw the cherry-red glow of her senior's blade suddenly intensify and burst into flames. He former-auxilia held the blade in a defensive stance, the edge angled towards her opponent.
Then before Xiao Yingzi could react, there was the sound of an explosion and then her senior was hurtling towards her at speeds even she had to think to react to. Luckily, she didn't need to. Her spear granted her the instincts of far-greater experts, and almost blindly she moved to block it.
This time, the sound of the forge was accompanied with a clang of metal that had nothing to do with the forge, as the two metals met and with her superior strength, Xiao Yingzi was able to hold strong. Then, she began to push her senior back. But then suddenly, just for a moment, she found resistance against her attack as her senior touched the earth.
That moment of hesitation was enough.
As another forge-beat filled the air, her senior struck. In a repeat of the same technique that she had attempted in the beginning, the Jian twisted around her spear and then stopped at her throat. Xiao Yingzi froze and then they both stepped back.
"I think that will be enough," Senior Yahwen replied, smiling and she raised a hand. Ma Chao's forging stopped and there was a hiss in the air as the resultant weapon was quenched. Xiao Yingzi looked at it curiously, and saw as the boy brought over to them a still-hot axehead.
He presented it to them with a degree of trepidation and Senior Yahwen studied the axe. "It looks good," She finally said, smiling at him and the boy relaxed. "Keep it and use it for your own weapon. You should have a good story to tell with it."
He bowed to her and then Xiao Yingzi. "Thank you, Teacher and Senior Sister." He said. "May I be excused to show this off to my kin?"
"Go for it." Yahwen said, nodding back. "But be back later - we'll need to make the haft and finish up."
"Yes, Teacher." Bowing once more, he turned to leave.
Senior Yahwen then turned to Xiao Yingzi. "You on the other hand… that spear lets you fight better?" Xiao Yingzi sent a query to the spear and after getting permission, she nodded. "Then yeah, it let you keep up with my styles but every time I switched you screwed up."
Xiao Yingzi frowned at that. "Can you explain your thought process during the fight?"
"Okay, so you remember me telling you about the five orthodox styles of the Blade Duchies?"
"I do."
"Right, there is one for each element and they are meant to flow into one another - Metal melting to run like Water, which feeds Wood, which burns to form Fire, leaving the ash of Earth from which one mines out Metal. Starting with Iron and ending with Steel, they called it."
"And you were switching between the styles mid-combat?"
"Right, so Metal focuses on becoming one with your weapon and mastering it's abilities - for the jian this tends to be the flexibility which can be used to move past your guard. While you stopped that, when I moved on to Water which focuses on speed and flexibility, using the body alongside the blade you were unable to adjust."
Xiao Yingzi frowned, thinking back to the match and the philosophies that she had studied. "Then Wood would have been the Sword Intent, the flames the Fire and when you almost stopped my attack - the Earth."
Yahwen nodded with a smile. "And then Metal again, to slip past your guard. Actually, even if I didn't slip past your guard, you ended up using your full physical strength at the end instead of relying on skill, at least as we define it so you'd lost control even before that."
"But I have faced opponents who performed similar switches - I never faltered like this before."
Senior Yahwen shrugged. "Honestly, most people are terrible fighters. Even if they change things up, they settle into a rhythm. I used a separate one for each style."
"Then what is the likelihood of me facing an enemy in this manner?" Xiao Yingzi asked, frowning.
"I guess people of this level would be more common among elders and experts, but it's probably going to be more of a problem when fighting multiple peers."
"And what would you suggest in order to allow me to cover this weakness?"
"Honestly, just firm up your fundamentals and you should do great so long as you have that spear." Senior Yahwen mused, before shaking her head. "But nah, this isn't about covering a weakness, this is about using a strength."
"What do you mean, Senior Sister?"
"So the art you wanted me to help with, that already kinda has this: multiple step techniques derived from multiple beasts." She answered, grinning at her. "I was worried about you learning all of it, but with that spear I think we can manage."
Xiao Yingzi raised an eyebrow at that. "Senior Sister, I believe all of those separate techniques were designed for different terrains and you are meant to prepare only for the terrain you need."
Senior Yahwen blinked. "Oh, is that so?"
"Yes. I believe so, Senior Sister."
"Fuck, well anyway I still think my idea is a good one." She nodded at the spear. "That little thing has a whole lot of skill. You could probably get away with something different in every fight and drop what I did to you on other enemies - probably way better than what I did."
"I would be interested in that, Senior Sister." Xiao Yingzi replied.
"Well, then." Yahwen said, grinning at her. "We can start tomorrow. I need to finish up with Ma Chao now but if you want you can crash at my place."
"I will be able to acquire my own accommodations, Senior Sister."
Senior Yahwen nodded at that. "Well then, meet me tomorrow at the jungle. The trees are always a good target and helpful to the community too."
Xiao Yingzi nodded. "I look forward to further instruction."
"Oh, and before I forget."
"Yes, Senior Sister?"
"Were you planning on heading back to Yuan before the trials?" Senior Yahwen asked her curiously.
Xiao Yingzi nodded. "I was considering it."
"Right, Corvina wanted me to mention this - with the Trials happening soon, she'll be busy and honestly I need some time to wrap up things here too. She wanted you to consider going to Yuan after instead - then when it opens, we'll be able to go with you."
Xiao Yingzi frowned as she considered that, then bowed in thanks. "I will give that proper thought and reply to you, Senior Sister."
Yahwen nodded. "That's fine!" She replied, before thinking for a moment. "Anyway! Place to stay, right? The Fallen Log is a good place. I was there for a bit before I built this place."
Xiao Yingzi nodded again. "I will consider that as well, Senior Sister."
"Oh okay, and then you'll probably want to take a look at the Sect - they usually hate the guys here but I know a guy…"
As the senior sister began to talk to her about her adventures here, she heard Elder Teleos whisper into her mind.
So do you genuinely plan to stay back from Qiguai this time? He asked her curiously.
It should be fairly safe - I explored the region for millennia after all.
I will go, of course. She replied, after a moment's thought.
I need all the strength I can get for the trials.
She gained a sense of mirth from him.
Yes, I thought you'd decide that. I will provide you with what information I remember once we have the chance.
Yes, Elder. She replied.
"Are you listening to me?" Senior Yahwen interrupted her thoughts with a frown.
Yes, Senior Sister.
….
"Hello?"
"Yes, Senior Sister. I am listening."
