Blossoming Path

I downed another cup, savoring the taste as it spread warmth through my chest, helping to smooth out the tension that prickled along my spine. I caught Gu Bei’s eye, raised my cup in a cheerful toast, and clinked it against his. He smirked, clearly amused, but Wei Long’s sharp gaze stayed fixed on me, observing with a calculating intensity that didn’t waver. I felt his eyes studying every shift in my expression, every movement, as though he were peeling back my words, layer by layer.

“So,” Wei Long began, his tone casual but edged with something keener, “what brought on this change of heart? Last we spoke, you seemed reluctant. Has something... happened since then?”

Feigning a thoughtful pause, I poured myself another cup, letting the silence drag out just long enough to seem genuine. I raised the cup in salute to Wei Long before taking a slow, deliberate sip, then set it down with a bright, easy smile despite the dampening on my back.

“Well, I suppose you could say I’ve been a little… rattled. This break-in shook me up more than I expected. Just when I thought things had settled, someone comes along to tear it all apart.” I chuckled, leaning back and shrugging with a bit of exaggerated exasperation. “And I realized I might have been stubborn. It’s not easy admitting you need help.”

Wei Long’s eyes narrowed, but he let me continue, his interest piqued.

“It’s strange, really,” I said, raising the next cup and clinking it lightly with another member of the Five Fists adjacent to me. “I thought I could manage it on my own, but after everything, well… I suppose the events at the Verdant Lotus Sect only added to it.”

I glanced around, catching a few curious glances from the Five Fists as I took another sip. I made sure to let the words come out casually as if it were just an offhand detail.

“Oh?” Wei Long tilted his head, his smirk fading into a look of intrigue. “What events, if you don’t mind sharing?”

I set down my cup and leaned forward, putting on a rueful smile. “I went to the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet, you know? It's where I had my run-in with these guys. I thought getting in as a sponsored contestant might open some doors, and maybe secure me a position as an official member of the Verdant Lotus Sect. But… they didn’t want me. Said I was too old.” I let a hint of bitterness seep into my tone, shaking my head slowly. “Imagine that. Too old. As if all that matters is a number.”

One of the disciples at the table muttered under his breath, shaking his head as though commiserating with me. Wei Long, however, continued to study me, his expression caught somewhere between sympathy and suspicion.

“Of course,” I continued, brightening a bit, “you all don’t seem so narrow-minded.” I lifted my cup again, casting an appreciative look at Wei Long. “It’s refreshing to meet a sect that can see beyond age and acknowledges potential where it lies. The fact you're extending an offer of protection when they didn't is also telling.”

"That's right! Narrow Stone Peak doesn't discriminate!"

Gu Bei raised his cup to that, and a few of the others followed suit, nodding along with murmurs of agreement. Wei Long, however, kept his eyes on me, his expression thoughtful as he took a slow sip from his own drink.

“A practical outlook,” I added, leaning back again, crossing my arms casually. “The Verdant Lotus Sect is all well and good, but they’re rigid. Bound by old customs, as you all know. A place like Narrow Stone Peak seems to value more than just pedigree or youthful promise.” I allowed my gaze to drift over the disciples, as if including them all in my praise.

Wei Long’s lips twitched into a faint smile, and he inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the compliment, but his eyes still hadn’t left mine.

“Interesting,” he murmured. “And here I thought you’d have more loyalty to the Verdant Lotus Sect, considering your history. It seems ridiculous they'd let a talent like you slip through.”

I let out a light laugh, brushing the comment off with a wave of my hand. “Oh, I wouldn’t say I resent the Verdant Lotus Sect for that. They have their strengths, of course, and I respect them for it. But let’s just say… I’m interested in exploring other options now that their door is closed to me.”

I shot Gu Bei a sly grin. “After all, I might need stronger training partners to get better. If I can already beat you, I'd ask Wei Long to trade pointers with me instead.”

Gu Bei scoffed, his cheeks coloring slightly. “Hold your own? You caught me off guard, that’s all. I was holding back.”

“Oh, sure you were,” I replied, grinning as I nudged his shoulder. The table broke into laughter, the tension softening a bit as the disciples joined in, enjoying the playful back-and-forth. Even the first-class disciple’s serious expression relaxed for a moment, his lips curving into an amused smile.

The laughter faded, and Wei Long refocused on me, his gaze as sharp as ever. “So… if you’re seriously considering our offer, perhaps we should discuss specific terms. You mentioned training, but how often would you want access to our resources? And in return, what level of commitment—”

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I held up a hand, cutting him off with a casual wave. “Ah, come on. Let’s leave the details for later, yeah? I’d much rather focus on celebrating tonight than getting bogged down in the fine print. Besides,” I added, leaning back with a languid smile, “being the village’s lone protector is a heavy load. I’d prefer to enjoy the idea of a lighter burden for just a little while longer.”

Wei Long blinked, surprised by the response, but quickly composed himself. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.” He turned to Lan-Yin and raised his hand, signaling for more food. “Then let’s enjoy ourselves properly,” he announced, raising his cup in another toast. “To Gentle Wind Village and new alliances.”

Lan-Yin appeared moments later with plates piled high with fragrant dishes—steamed buns, sizzling meat skewers, and bowls of colorful pickled vegetables—all set out in front of us. The Five Fists wasted no time digging in, eagerly toasting to everything from village prosperity to, ironically, their ‘impeccable reputation.’

Through it all, Wei Long’s attention kept drifting back to me, but I managed to sidestep each of his probing questions, steering the conversation toward more superficial topics. I even teased a couple of the other disciples, laughing and joking as though I didn’t have a plan brewing in the back of my mind.

For the moment, all I had to do was keep this charade going.

Hours passed, and the alcohol continued to flow.

“Next thing you know,” I continued, gesturing wildly with my hands, “the furnace just starts rolling down the arena! This poor guy had no idea what hit him, just turned around and—bam! I thought I saw his teeth fly out, but it was just the pills he was carrying!”

The table erupted into laughter, and I joined in, chuckling harder than I had in weeks. Even Gu Bei slapped the table, eyes watering as he struggled to catch his breath.

Wei Long, though, remained as sober as he had been since the night began, a faint smile playing at his lips but his gaze still piercing. He cleared his throat, standing up with a slight stretch.

“Well, it’s been entertaining,” he said smoothly, glancing down at his disciples, who were clearly feeling the effects of the evening’s drinks. “But some of us need to keep our wits about us. I trust you will behave yourselves.” He looked pointedly at the Five Fists, who by now were slouched over their plates, grinning drowsily. “I’ll leave you to enjoy the night, but tomorrow, we can discuss more specifics. The... protection of Gentle Wind Village should be well-planned.”

Feigning disappointment, I reached for another cup. “Wei Long! The night’s still young! Surely you’re not heading off already?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Unlike some, I have more to consider than simply feasting,” he replied coolly, offering a subtle nod. “Rest well. Tomorrow, then.”

I clinked my cup with his, hiding my satisfaction behind a sloppy grin. “Tomorrow it is.”

Wei Long made his way out, leaving the Five Fists and me behind. The moment his footsteps faded upstairs, I turned to the disciples, a devilish glint in my eyes. “Alright, gentlemen, how about I show you around a bit? You’re here to help protect the village, so let me take you to the best spots.”

The Five Fists looked at each other, then shrugged and nodded, clearly too tipsy to question anything. But first, I excused myself, making a show of staggering toward the counter where Lan-Yin was watching with a frown.

“Kai, what are you doing?” she whispered urgently as I handed her a handful of coins. "Have you gone insane?"

I dropped the drunken act for just a moment, leaning in close. “Trust me, Lan-Yin. Just keep things as is and pretend everything’s normal.”

She hesitated but nodded, watching me with worried eyes. I gave her a quick wink before slipping back into my act, stumbling slightly as I rejoined the disciples and led them toward the door.

“Gentlemen!” I called cheerfully, heading outside with them in tow. “Tonight, we see the heart of Gentle Wind Village.”

Inside, though, my mind was calculating, as I prepared for the next steps of my plan.

We moved through the quiet village, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows as I guided the Five Fists toward the outskirts where I resided. I kept up my cheerful, half-drunken facade, gesturing grandly at every corner and tree as if each held some hidden significance. The disciples seemed content, ambling along and laughing among themselves as I shared stories about the villagers as we passed by them.

Soon, we arrived at my home, and I ushered them toward the greenhouse. Its structure gleamed under the moonlight, a sturdy, beautiful reminder of what I’d worked so hard to protect.

“This,” I said with a sweep of my hand, “is my pride and joy. I'll fill it with plants for every ailment, every condition. I even have a few that are a little… rare.” I lowered my voice conspiratorially, winking at them. “If you’re nice to me, maybe I’ll share a cutting or two.”

They chuckled, peering into the greenhouse with drunken curiosity. I talked about some of the plants, sharing lighthearted stories about their supposed origins and effects. They laughed and jeered good-naturedly, thoroughly entertained.

As we moved further past the village boundaries, the conversation turned to the break-in.

"You know," I began, slurring slightly for effect, "I can't believe someone had the guts to break into my garden. Middle of the night, sneaky-like, and they still didn’t take anything useful. Who does that?"

One of the disciples chuckled. “Probably some poor idiot looking for a quick haul and got scared off.”

I shook my head dramatically, stopping to turn and face them. “Scared off, huh? Then why destroy the garden? They smashed plants, trampled paths... like they wanted to send a message.” I let the words hang in the air for a moment, glancing between them with exaggerated curiosity. “Any of you ever seen something like that before?”

Gu Bei, emboldened by the alcohol, snorted. “Happens all the time. You step into the wrong territory, you get what’s coming to you.”

I paused, furrowing my brow as if struggling to recall something. “Wei Long mentioned that the intruder used a weapon. He dropped a… a… what was it?” I slurred slightly, scratching my head.

“A blade?” one of the disciples suggested, filling in the blank.

“Ah! Yes!” I snapped my fingers, feigning an epiphany. “A blade! What a fool, dropping something so crucial during an escape.” I let out a scoffing laugh. “But maybe he panicked, huh?”

One of the Five Fists, a bit more loosened by the drink than the others, nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, definitely! Especially when that woman hit him, he must’ve lost his nerve and ran off.”

There it was.

Gu Bei groaned, running a hand down his face. “You’re drunk, Wen. Don’t start talking nonsense.”

“Woman?” I asked slowly. “What woman?”

The disciple’s face paled as he tried to backtrack, but it was too late. I continued, my tone now icily calm. “And about that blade... Wei Long never actually said there was one. If there was, where would it have gone?”

They exchanged panicked glances, their intoxicated stupor vanishing as they struggled to find an answer. Behind them, a soft hiss and rustling filled the silence, and they turned to find themselves face-to-face with Tianyi and Windy, blocking their retreat back to the village.

Tianyi’s wings shimmered ominously in the dim light, her gaze unblinking as she held her ground. Windy coiled beside her, his scales gleaming and his eyes coldly watching the men as they stumbled backward, realizing their way out was cut off.

I stepped forward, all pretense of drunkenness gone, as I folded my arms, looking at each of them in turn.

“So,” I said quietly, “why don’t we talk a bit more? I’m sure there’s plenty you’d like to tell me.”