Cultivating Chai

61:

“He recently transferred over from the Martial Division,” A flustered Lianhua replied, doing her utmost to revert to a formal tone as she explained his circumstances. “It would be remiss of my duties as a Senior Alchemist if I did not assist him in catching up to his fellow recruits.”

“I’m sure it would have been,” Beast Master Zen replied, his tone laden with amusement.

“No it’s—,” Lianhua paused, letting an exasperated sigh escape her lips. “He’s a war hero, Uncle Zen. It would show poorly on the Alchemy Division if we did not give his needs appropriate consideration.”

“Oh?” Beast Master Zen muttered, his gaze shifting from Lianhua to Xiao Feng as the powerful core formation cultivator studied him with new-found interest. “What’s a war veteran doing amongst feeble alchemists?” He asked.

“I have left that life behind,” Xiao Feng replied, his tone calm and measured. “I wish to become an alchemist now.”

“Huh. That is courageous of you,” Beast Master Zen sagely nodded, as his inquisitive gaze searched for truth within his own. Then, his gaze turned back to Lianhua and he said, “Good choice.”

Lianhua froze for an entire moment, clearly not having expected that particular verbal riposte before she bit her lip to bring herself back into the moment.

“I am not sure what you mean by that, Uncle Zen,” She hurriedly replied, almost stumbling upon her words. “But please, just help us with what we came here for,” She pleaded, her traitorous cheeks doing little to aid her claims.

“You called me uncle, Little Li. How can I possibly refuse?” Beast Master Zen rhetorically asked. “Tell me, what can I do for you?”

“Xiao Feng wishes to learn more about beast taming,” Lianhua explained. “Newly hatched beasts specifically.”

“Does he have a beast egg in his possession?” Beast Master Zen asked, before studying Xiao Feng with a scrutinizing gaze.

“No,” Lianhua replied without skipping a beat, lying for him. “But he is confident in acquiring one.”

“I see,” Beast Master Zen nodded along in understanding. “That sounds like a martial cultivator.”

Xiao Feng’s expression went stiff.

“Can you help him?” Lianhua asked, her tone expectant.

“Of course, Little Li. I’ll teach him the basics, though he’ll have to give me a few hours of his time,” Beast Master Zen replied, the warm smile never leaving his features.

“That won’t be a problem,” Xiao Feng confirmed, perhaps a bit too eagerly.

Lianhua nodded in satisfaction, her features easing. If she wanted to hide the importance she placed on the task, she wasn’t doing a very convincing job of it.

“I’ll see you both later then,” Lianhua appreciatively nodded to Beast Master Zen. Not long after, she left the menagerie.

The friendly smile on Beast Master Zen’s visage faded as soon as Lianhua stepped out of view. Without any prompting, Liulian, the panther-like spiritual beast who was napping in his lap, got back up on all fours and let out a silent yawn before stalking away from them.

Beast Master Zen stood, gesturing with his staff, presumably signaling for him to follow. Xiao Feng did as he was commanded, even if he was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor.

They walked towards the periphery of the menagerie, before turning away and walking along it’s border, occasionally stepping away from trees in their path.

“So,” Beast Master Zen finally spoke, his tone deliberate and measured. “Why are you really here?” He asked, putting emphasis on the last two words.

Xiao Feng’s gaze turned towards the man, observing him as he walked with both his hands clasped behind his back, before he replied, “Pardon?”

“So you wish to play it that way. I see,” Beast Master Zen nodded. “Tell me then, what does an insignificant foundation establishment cultivator have to do to be called a war hero?”

“I was merely doing my duty,” Xiao Feng replied. “In the heat of battle, I went against a cultivator stronger than myself and won when I was not expected to. The felled enemy ended up being related to a Nascent Soul cultivator who lost himself in his rage and allowed Elder Zheng the opening he needed.”

“This was the battle for the Zheyan Pass then?” Beast Master Zen asked.

Xiao Feng nodded.

“I see. Do forgive this old man for his ignorance, I no longer have the heart to keep up with the particulars of skirmishes and battles,” Beast Master Zen explained, though his tone did not seem very apologetic.

Xiao Feng wasn’t quite sure where the Beast Master was going with his line of questioning, so he simply replied with a noncommittal, “That’s fair.”

“Is it?” Beast Master Zen asked. “Does it not frustrate you? Surely you realize that I am much more powerful than you, yet I stood aside and watched from afar as the martial division defended the lands I blithely wander in,” He goaded.

“You are not a fighter,” Xiao Feng replied, his tone level. “Even if you were, why would I hold it against you? I signed up for the battle and I fought in it out of my own volition.”

“Then,” Beast Master Zen countered, “There is no reason for you to be here. For your accomplishments in battle, the Martial Division would have invested heavily in you— pills, artifacts and cultivation techniques that you could’ve only dreamt of earlier would’ve been yours. The glory you risked your life for was already yours and from what you have told me, a Nascent Soul is your debt. Do you really expect me to believe that you are willing to leave the heady rush of ascension through battle for, what, refining pills and raising beasts?”

A few moments passed by them, as Xiao Feng took the time to consider his perspective.

“You may choose to believe what you like,” He replied, not expecting to convince the Beast Master. “I barely survived the battle for the Zheyan Pass. The opening I spoke of earlier was a Nascent Soul Cultivator’s attack that was aimed at me. I should’ve died, yet I live. I left my thirst for vengeance back on the battlefield, it defines me no longer. That is all I can offer you.”

Beast Master Zen seemed to be taken aback by the revelation, as astonishment flitted across his features before he regained composure. They continued walking at a leisurely pace, neither having expected the conversation to take such a direction.

“I am a selfish man, Xiao Feng,” Beast Master Zen admitted. “I care about my beasts, to whom I am bonded. I care about the people dearest to me. I work for the Azure Lotus Sect, so I am freely allowed to explore these lands. You may disagree with my way of life, but it is the one I have chosen in this world gone mad,” He paused, his tone heavy.

“I ultimately do not care what your designs are, as long as you do not hurt what is precious to me. Perhaps you are speaking the truth. Mayhaps you are blatantly lying to me. I do not care as long as you do not hurt Lianhua. Promise me that and I shall not stand in your way.”

Xiao Feng’s footsteps came to a stop just as Beast Master Zen’s did and he looked the older man in the eye, before saying, “She has shown me kindness when I was owed none. A home after I lost what I thought was mine. I will not hurt her, Beast Master Zen. I promise you this, on my Dao.”

Beast Master Zen blinked, genuine surprise spreading like a wildfire across his features.

“I did not expect a Dao Oath,” Beast Master Zen admitted, clearly having been caught off guard. Then, he warmly patted Xiao Feng on the shoulder twice, before saying, “Come, come. Little Li asked me to teach you, I cannot possibly let her down.”